Did he grow pale, or try to snatch it from me? That I had touch'd it was enough for him To render it for ever horrible, Leaving defilement on the hand that holds it. OENONE Thus brooding on your bitter disappointment, You only fan a fire that must be stifled. Would it not be more worthy of the blood Of Minos to find peace in nobler cares, And, in defiance of a wretch who flies From what he hates, reign, mount the proffer'd throne? PHAEDRA I reign! Shall I the rod of empire sway, When reason reigns no longer o'er myself? When I have lost control of all my senses? When 'neath a shameful yoke I scarce can breathe? When I am dying? OENONE Fly. PHAEDRA I cannot leave him. OENONE Dare you not fly from him you dared to banish? PHAEDRA The time for that is past. He knows my frenzy. I have o'erstepp'd the bounds of modesty, And blazon'd forth my shame before his eyes. Hope stole into my heart against my will. Did you not rally my declining pow'rs? Was it not you yourself recall'd my soul When fluttering on my lips, and with your counsel, Lent me fresh life, and told me I might love him? OENONE Blame me or blame me not for your misfortunes, Of what was I incapable, to save you? But if your indignation e'er was roused By insult, can you pardon his contempt? How cruelly his eyes, severely fix'd, Survey'd you almost prostrate at his feet! How hateful then appear'd his savage pride! Why did not Phaedra see him then as I Beheld him? PHAEDRA This proud mood that you resent May yield to time. The rudeness of the forests Where he was bred, inured to rigorous laws, Clings to him still; love is a word he ne'er Had heard before. It may be his surprise Stunn'd him, and too much vehemence was shown In all I said. OENONE Remember that his mother Was a barbarian. PHAEDRA Scythian tho' she was, She learned to love. OENONE He has for all the sex Hatred intense. PHAEDRA Then in his heart no rival Shall ever reign. Your counsel comes too late Oenone, serve my madness, not my reason. His heart is inaccessible to love. Let us attack him where he has more feeling. The charms of sovereignty appear'd to touch him; He could 

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