Phaedra | Page 9

you I
yield my place, or, rather, own That it is yours by right, and yours the
sceptre, As handed down from Earth's great son, Erechtheus. Adoption
placed it in the hands of Aegeus: Athens, by him protected and
increased, Welcomed a king so generous as my sire, And left your
hapless brothers in oblivion. Now she invites you back within her walls;
Protracted strife has cost her groans enough, Her fields are glutted with
your kinsmen's blood Fatt'ning the furrows out of which it sprung At
first. I rule this Troezen; while the son Of Phaedra has in Crete a rich
domain. Athens is yours. I will do all I can To join for you the votes
divided now Between us.
ARICIA Stunn'd at all I hear, my lord, I fear, I almost fear a dream

deceives me. Am I indeed awake? Can I believe Such generosity? What
god has put it Into your heart? Well is the fame deserved That you
enjoy! That fame falls short of truth! Would you for me prove traitor to
yourself? Was it not boon enough never to hate me, So long to have
abstain'd from harbouring The enmity--
HIPPOLYTUS To hate you? I, to hate you? However darkly my fierce
pride was painted, Do you suppose a monster gave me birth? What
savage temper, what envenom'd hatred Would not be mollified at sight
of you? Could I resist the soul-bewitching charm--
ARICIA Why, what is this, Sir?
HIPPOLYTUS I have said too much Not to say more. Prudence in vain
resists The violence of passion. I have broken Silence at last, and I
must tell you now The secret that my heart can hold no longer. You see
before you an unhappy instance Of hasty pride, a prince who claims
compassion I, who, so long the enemy of Love, Mock'd at his fetters
and despised his captives, Who, pitying poor mortals that were
shipwreck'd, In seeming safety view'd the storms from land, Now find
myself to the same fate exposed, Toss'd to and fro upon a sea of
troubles! My boldness has been vanquish'd in a moment, And humbled
is the pride wherein I boasted. For nearly six months past, ashamed,
despairing, Bearing where'er I go the shaft that rends My heart, I
struggle vainly to be free From you and from myself; I shun you,
present; Absent, I find you near; I see your form In the dark forest
depths; the shades of night, Nor less broad daylight, bring back to my
view The charms that I avoid; all things conspire To make Hippolytus
your slave. For fruit Of all my bootless sighs, I fail to find My former
self. My bow and javelins Please me no more, my chariot is forgotten,
With all the Sea God's lessons; and the woods Echo my groans instead
of joyous shouts Urging my fiery steeds.
Hearing this tale Of passion so uncouth, you blush perchance At your
own handiwork. With what wild words I offer you my heart, strange
captive held By silken jess! But dearer in your eyes Should be the
offering, that this language comes Strange to my lips; reject not vows
express'd So ill, which but for you had ne'er been form'd.

SCENE III HIPPOLYTUS, ARICIA, THERAMENES, ISMENE
THERAMENES Prince, the Queen comes. I herald her approach. 'Tis

you she seeks.
HIPPOLYTUS Me?
THERAMENES What her thought may be I know not. But I speak on
her behalf. She would converse with you ere you go hence.
HIPPOLYTUS What shall I say to her? Can she expect--
ARICIA You cannot, noble Prince, refuse to hear her, Howe'er
convinced she is your enemy, Some shade of pity to her tears is due.
HIPPOLYTUS Shall we part thus? and will you let me go, Not
knowing if my boldness has offended The goddess I adore? Whether
this heart, Left in your hands--
ARICIA Go, Prince, pursue the schemes Your generous soul dictates,
make Athens own My sceptre. All the gifts you offer me Will I accept,
but this high throne of empire Is not the one most precious in my sight.

SCENE IV HIPPOLYTUS, THERAMENES
HIPPOLYTUS Friend, is all ready? But the Queen approaches. Go, see
the vessel in fit trim to sail. Haste, bid the crew aboard, and hoist the
signal: Then soon return, and so deliver me From interview most
irksome.

SCENE V PHAEDRA, HIPPOLYTUS, OENONE
PHAEDRA (to OENONE) There I see him! My blood forgets to flow,
my tongue to speak What I am come to say.
OENONE Think of your son, How all his hopes depend on you.
PHAEDRA I hear You leave us, and in haste. I come to add My tears to
your distress, and for a son Plead my alarm. No more has he a