shunn'd her for six months, and still Love her. To you yourself I came to tell it, Trembling the while. Can nothing clear your mind Of your mistake? What oath can reassure you? By heav'n and earth and all the pow'rs of nature— THESEUS The wicked never shrink from perjury. Cease, cease, and spare me irksome protestations, If your false virtue has no other aid. HIPPOLYTUS Tho' it to you seem false and insincere, Phaedra has secret cause to know it true. THESEUS Ah! how your shamelessness excites my wrath! HIPPOLYTUS What is my term and place of banishment? THESEUS Were you beyond the Pillars of Alcides, Your perjured presence were too near me yet. HIPPOLYTUS What friends will pity me, when you forsake And think me guilty of a crime so vile? THESEUS Go, look you out for friends who hold in honour Adultery and clap their hands at incest, Low, lawless traitors, steep'd in infamy, The fit protectors of a knave like you. HIPPOLYTUS Are incest and adultery the words You cast at me? I hold my tongue. Yet think What mother Phaedra had; too well you know Her blood, not mine, is tainted with those horrors. THESEUS What! Does your rage before my eyes lose all Restraint? For the last time,—out of my sight! Hence, traitor! Wait not till a father's wrath Force thee away 'mid general execration.
Scene III
THESEUS (alone) Wretch! Thou must meet inevitable ruin. Neptune has sworn by Styx—to gods themselves A dreadful oath,—and he will execute His promise. Thou canst not escape his vengeance. I loved thee; and, in spite of thine offence, My heart is troubled by anticipation For thee. But thou hast earn'd thy doom too well. Had father ever greater cause for rage? Just gods, who see the grief that overwhelms me, Why was I cursed with such a wicked son?
SCENE IV PHAEDRA, THESEUS
PHAEDRA My lord, I come to you, fill'd with just dread. Your voice raised high in anger reach'd mine ears, And much I fear that deeds have follow'd threats. Oh, if there yet is time, spare your own offspring. Respect your race and blood, I do
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