Classic Poem

Orpheus, of Old, as lying Poets tell,
Follow'd his Wife ev'n to the Deeps of Hell;
Whither most Husbands to this Day, 'tis said,
More by their Wives than other Whores are led.
Since Husbands here above-ground, as below,
No Hell but for their gadding Consorts know;
For here the Business of the ramb'ling Wife,
Is still to lead her Spouse a Hellish Life.
Such Consorts, with their jilted Husbands deal,
As Sister-Hags with Tantalus in Hell;
Their Appetites by sham Incentives move,
Then make those Appetites their Torments prove:
Give them fresh Hopes, their Patience but to tire,
And, 'twixt their Disappointment, and Desire,
Make them sure Pains for doubtful Hopes acquire.

But Orpheus did not his dark Journey take,
(As 'tis surmis'd) to fetch his Wedlock back;
But having miss'd, a while, the Fury here,
Went down to be convinc'd that she was there;
For having pass'd, on Earth, a cursed Life,
And done hard Penance in a cursed Wife:
He car'd not to what woeful Realms he went,
Marriage once born, he fear'd no Punishment.
Some say he Sung, but not his Soul to chear;
He Sung, because he was a Widower.
The Beasts, and Furies, listen'd to his Song,
And all confess'd the Harmony was strong;
But yet the Voice which Fiends and Brutes cou'd hear,
Sounded not sweetly to his Consort's Ear.
She only was the Beast, whose stubborn Soul,
The Musick of his Pipe cou'd ne'er controul.

Tumults and Noise he cou'd with Musick quell,
And ev'n make jarring Discord cease in Hell.
So Hell return'd him back to Earth again,
Whose Harmony disturb'd th' Infernal Reign:
But to make lasting Discord sure below,
Would not permit th' obstrep'rous Wife to go.
The first, and last, was Orpheus of Mankind,
That ever sure Relief from Hell did find.
Hell many a cursed Wife to Man has giv'n,
But taking Wives away 's the Gift of Heaven.