Eurydice to Orpheus. A Picture by Leighton

(Published for the first time in the Royal Academy Catalogue, 1864. It was reprinted in the first volume of the Selections in 1865.) Orpheus was a famous mythical poet, who was so powerful in song that he could move trees and rocks and tame wild beasts by the charms of his voice. His wife (the nymph Eurydice) died from the bite of a serpent, and Orpheus descended to the lower regions in search of her. He so influenced Perse phone by his music that she gave him permi ion to take back his wife on the condition that he should not look round during his pa age from the nether world to the regions above. In his impatience he disregarded the condition, and having turned his head to gaze back, Eurydice had to return for ever to Hades (Vergil, Geor. iv., v. 457, etc.). The poet has represented Eurydice speaking to Orpheus the pa ionate words of love which made him forget the commands of Pluto and Perse phone not to look back on pain of losing his wife again.