Phaedra | Page 7

his absence My days flow'd on less
troubled than before, And innocent. Submissive to my husband, I hid
my grief, and of our fatal marriage Cherish'd the fruits. Vain caution!
Cruel Fate! Brought hither by my spouse himself, I saw Again the
enemy whom I had banish'd, And the old wound too quickly bled
afresh. No longer is it love hid in my heart, But Venus in her might
seizing her prey. I have conceived just terror for my crime; I hate my
life, and hold my love in horror. Dying I wish'd to keep my fame
unsullied, And bury in the grave a guilty passion; But I have been
unable to withstand Tears and entreaties, I have told you all; Content, if
only, as my end draws near, You do not vex me with unjust reproaches,
Nor with vain efforts seek to snatch from death The last faint lingering
sparks of vital breath.

SCENE IV PHAEDRA, OENONE, PANOPE
PANOPE Fain would I hide from you tidings so sad, But 'tis my duty,
Madam, to reveal them. The hand of death has seized your peerless
husband, And you are last to hear of this disaster.
OENONE What say you, Panope?
PANOPE The queen, deceived By a vain trust in Heav'n, begs safe
return For Theseus, while Hippolytus his son Learns of his death from
vessels that are now In port.
PHAEDRA Ye gods!
PANOPE Divided counsels sway The choice of Athens; some would
have the prince, Your child, for master; others, disregarding The laws,
dare to support the stranger's son. 'Tis even said that a presumptuous
faction Would crown Aricia and the house of Pallas. I deem'd it right to
warn you of this danger. Hippolytus already is prepared To start, and
should he show himself at Athens, 'Tis to be fear'd the fickle crowd will
all Follow his lead.
OENONE Enough. The queen, who hears you, By no means will
neglect this timely warning.

SCENE V PHAEDRA, OENONE
OENONE Dear lady, I had almost ceased to urge The wish that you
should live, thinking to follow My mistress to the tomb, from which my
voice Had fail'd to turn you; but this new misfortune Alters the aspect
of affairs, and prompts Fresh measures. Madam, Theseus is no more,
You must supply his place. He leaves a son, A slave, if you should die,
but, if you live, A King. On whom has he to lean but you? No hand but
yours will dry his tears. Then live For him, or else the tears of
innocence Will move the gods, his ancestors, to wrath Against his
mother. Live, your guilt is gone, No blame attaches to your passion
now. The King's decease has freed you from the bonds That made the
crime and horror of your love. Hippolytus no longer need be dreaded,
Him you may see henceforth without reproach. It may be, that,
convinced of your aversion, He means to head the rebels. Undeceive
him, Soften his callous heart, and bend his pride. King of this fertile
land, in Troezen here His portion lies; but as he knows, the laws Give

to your son the ramparts that Minerva Built and protects. A common
enemy Threatens you both, unite them to oppose Aricia.
PHAEDRA To your counsel I consent. Yes, I will live, if life can be
restored, If my affection for a son has pow'r To rouse my sinking heart
at such a dangerous hour.

ACT II
SCENE I ARICIA, ISMENE
ARICIA Hippolytus request to see me here! Hippolytus desire to bid
farewell! Is't true, Ismene? Are you not deceived?
ISMENE This is the first result of Theseus' death. Prepare yourself to
see from every side. Hearts turn towards you that were kept away By
Theseus. Mistress of her lot at last, Aricia soon shall find all Greece fall
low, To do her homage.
ARICIA 'Tis not then, Ismene, An idle tale? Am I no more a slave?
Have I no enemies?
ISMENE The gods oppose Your peace no longer, and the soul of
Theseus Is with your brothers.
ARICIA Does the voice of fame Tell how he died?
ISMENE Rumours incredible Are spread. Some say that, seizing a new
bride, The faithless husband by the waves was swallow'd. Others affirm,
and this report prevails, That with Pirithous to the world below He
went, and saw the shores of dark Cocytus, Showing himself alive to the
pale ghosts; But that he could not leave those gloomy realms, Which
whoso enters there abides for ever.
ARICIA Shall I believe that ere his destined hour A mortal may
descend into the gulf Of Hades? What attraction could o'ercome Its
terrors?
ISMENE He is dead, and you alone Doubt it. The men of Athens
mourn his loss. Troezen already hails Hippolytus As