No More Learning

Are you afraid to march to an exile's step? 1375

Aricia

Alas! How dear to me, Sire, such banishment!
Joined to your fate, and in what ecstasy
I'd live forgotten by all of humanity!
But not being joined by marriage's sweet tie,
Could I with honour leave here at your side? 1380
I know I could free myself from your father,
Without harming even the strictest honour:
I would not be escaping from a parent,
Flight is allowed to those who flee a tyrant.
But you love me, my Lord: and my honour: gone. . . 1385

Hippolyte

No, no, I've too much care for your reputation.
A nobler plan brought me here before you:
Flee your enemies: follow your husband too.
Free in our sorrows, since the heavens so will,
The pledge of our faith depends on no one else. 1390
Marriage is not always lit by nuptial flames.
At the gates of Troezen, among these graves,
The ancient tombs of the princes of my race,
Is a sacred temple where perjury has no place.
There no mortal man dares to swear in vain: 1395
Against false oaths, his punishment is certain:
And fearing to meet there with inexorable death,
Nothing more surely constrains deceitful breath.
There, if your trust in me, we will approve
The solemn contract of out eternal love. 1400
We'll have as witness the god worshipped there:
We will pray that he acts towards us as a father.
I'll call on the names of the most holy gods.
And chaste Diana, and Juno, the august,
All the gods, in short, witnessing my tenderness, 1405
Will guarantee the faith of my sacred promise.

Aricia

The King approaches. Leave, Prince. Go, this instant.
To mask my departure I'll stay here a moment.
Go, now, leave me a faithful servant, though,
Who can direct my timid steps towards you. 1410

Act V Scene II (Theseus, Aricia, Ismene)

Theseus

You gods, lighten my trouble, and deign to show
To my eyes, the truth I'm seeking here below.

Aricia

Think of everything, Ismene, prepare our flight.

Act V Scene III (Theseus, Aricia)

You seem troubled, Lady, and your face is white.
Why was Hippolytus here with you as well? 1415

Aricia

My Lord, he was speaking an eternal farewell.

Theseus

Your eyes have tamed that rebellious heart:
His first sighs resulted from your happy art.

Aricia

My lord, I cannot deny the truth to you:
He did not inherit your unjust hatred too.