No More Learning

Panope

Her death has not calmed the Queen:
The pain in her troubled soul seemed to increase. 1470
From time to time, to soothe her hidden sorrow,
She holds her children, drenched in a tearful flow:
Then suddenly renouncing her maternal love,
Pushes them far away from her in disgust.
She takes irresolute steps, at random: 1475
Her wandering eyes recognising no one.
Three times she began to write, and changed her mind,
Then tore up the letter she'd begun to write, three times.
Deign to see her, my Lord, deign to help her.

Theseus

Oenone is dead: and you wish to die, Phaedra? 1480
Call back my son, to defend himself, so he
Might speak to me: I'll hear him: I am ready.
Don't precipitate your deadly gifts yet,
Neptune: I'd prefer if nothing were granted.
Perhaps I believed too much in false witnesses: 1485
Raised my cruel hand too soon for you to bless,
Ah! What despair would follow my answered prayer!

Act V Scene VI (Theseus, Theramenes)

Theseus

Theramenes, is that you? Is my son not there?
I entrusted him to you at a tender age.
But why the tears I see you shed today? 1490
What of my son?
Theramenes

O useless tenderness!
Tardy, and idle care! Hippolytus is dead.

Theseus

You gods!

Theramenes

I have seen the best of mortals die,
And I dare say as well, my Lord, the least guilty.

Theseus

My son no more? What! As I held out my arms 1495
The gods impatiently hastened to do him harm?
What lightning struck? What blow has snatched him?

Theramenes

We had barely left the gates of Troezen,
He was in his chariot. His gloomy men
Echoing his silence, ranged around him: 1500
Pensive he took the road to Mycenae:
His hand had let the horses' reins hang free.
His proud stallions that previously appeared
Nobly obeying his voice, and full of ardour,
With grieving eyes and with lowered brow, 1505
Seemed responsive to his sad thoughts, now.
A fearful cry, risen from the depths of the sea,
Troubled, in an instant, the quiet of the scene:
And from the heart of the earth a strident voice
Replied with groans to that formidable noise. 1510
The blood froze in our hearts profoundest depths
The manes of the startled horses stood erect.
Meanwhile over the surface of the watery plain,
A liquid mountain rose through boiling waves:
Neared us, shattered, and from the foaming breaker 1515
Vomited to our eyes a raging monster.