A Question About Mythology

[Emma]

I know that this might have nothing to do with what this group talks about, but maybe someone here knows the answer to my question.

And I'm sorry if this is in the wrong folder. Please change it if so.

I've been translating an opera that's never been translated into English before, and there's a part where one of the characters is referencing Greek or Roman mythology. I don't know what the myth is, or if it even exists, but if someone could help me find out, that'd be awesome!!

It's about 'Tiri' ('Tirsis') and 'Dorilla', a couple that is in love, but then Dorilla becomes unfaithful, so Tirsis kills her.

Here's the text of the aria:

Customs, wit, love,
These joined two pastors
And from two hearts
One was formed.
Merry were the spouses
As long as love lasted!
But in her, slowly,
The flame began to weaken.
It burned for another object,
That inconstant woman,
And that ill-bread affection
Caused suspicion in the husband.
And so he waited
For the faithless woman
And was one day surprised
In a way that I won’t say.
Shame, spite, and anger
Came from his lips.
So he created a wound
In both of their lives
And made their bodies bloody
Because of his unfaithful lover.
And on the dying lips
Of that unfaithful wife,
Her dying soul
Opened the doors,
And died a double death
Of a sword and of a broken heart.
Think, like in my unhappy Lilla,
A Tirsis and Dorilla
Are still able to be found.

[Lura, The One Who Loves to Write]

That sounds familiar. Give me a bit... ^_-

[Lura, The One Who Loves to Write]

Okay, not remotely what I first thought. I'll have to dig deeper.

[Emma]

Yeah, it's been pretty hard to find for me too...

[Lura, The One Who Loves to Write]

I've had no luck finding it online. I can't find my big book on Mythology so I can't check it. All I can find is my falling apart copy of Mythology by Edith Hamilton, which lacks an index.

[Emma]

Thanks though!!! I don't have any books on Greek or Roman mythology - only one on Egyptian, but I already know all them by heart...

[Lura, The One Who Loves to Write]

I have a giant book on various world mythologies somewhere - it includes Egyptian, Greek, Roman, and Norse, I know for sure; it may include others, but I don't remember for certain. You know, I think I loaned it to someone and I don't remember getting it back. Or even who I loaned it to. Crap.

I have a big book on Aztec and Maya that includes history, mythology, culture, etc. It's awesome. And about 3/4 the size of the mythology book I'm missing.

[Emma]

That sucks.

This other falling apart one sounds like my mom's "Vade Mecum of the Oboist/English Horn Player"

[Lura, The One Who Loves to Write]

Lizzy wrote: "It's Greek Mythology."

That was what I thought, but I couldn't find it...

[Lura, The One Who Loves to Write]

I found another possibility, but it's not mythology. It's Arthurian legend, which may be close enough. Anyway, this book is a retelling of it: Prince of Dreams: A Tale of Tristan and Esyllte. Take a look, maybe it's the same story. (I'm doubting it after re-reading your first post.)

[Iesha (In east shade house at...)]

There's this mythology book whom title I can't remember but I've read it when I was in high school. I wish I knew the title so I could find it and buy it. (actually there are two books by the same author, that I want)