Eurydice catches the eye of a shepherd and beekeeper, Aristaeus, who chases her, intent on sexual assault. As she runs from him, she does not see the poisonous snake in the grass. After her death, the dryads, as well as the mountains, lament. Alone, Orpheus sings of his dead wife, seeking solace for his loss. He enters the underworld and sees all the dead, as well as the king of the underworld. Many of the inhabitants—dead men, women, and boys and girls—are moved by his singing, and even monstrous creatures are stilled by it.

On his return journey from the underworld, Orpheus has Eurydice with him and they appear to be safe. Eurydice walks behind Orpheus, as Proserpina ordered. Then, Orpheus, in a moment of madness (then considered a condition conferred by the gods), looks back at Eurydice. This voids the agreement he made. As three loud claps of thunder ring out, Eurydice cries out in anguish, wondering what has happened. Knowing that she is dying for a second time, Eurydice vanishes from sight as Orpheus clutches at her.