Brewer's: Eurydice

(4 syl.). Wife of Orpheus, killed by a serpent on her wedding night. Orpheus went down to the infernal regions to seek her, and was promised she should return on condition that he looked not back till she had reached the upper world. When the poet got to the confines of his journey, he turned his head to see if Eurydice were following, and she was instantly caught back again into Hades.

Restore, restore Eurydice to life; Oh, take the husband or return the wife.

Pope: Ode on St. Cecilia's Day.

Source: Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, E. Cobham Brewer, 1894
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