Those women who had recently been arrayed for marriage abandoned the bridal chambers prepared for wedded union and, neglecting proper modesty, in a disorderly rush flocked together in the city.

Their husbands, in the prime of youth, their necks encircled with ropes instead of garlands, spent the remaining days of their marriage festival in lamentations instead of feasting and youthful revelry, seeing Hades already lying at their feet.