No More Learning

Hippolytus feels, and feels nothing for me!
Aricia has his heart! Aricia has his loyalty.
You gods! When that wretch armed himself against me 1205
His proud glance, and his stern brow, set against my plea,
I thought that his heart always closed to passion
Was equally hostile to every woman.
But meanwhile another has taken my place:
Before his cruel eyes another has found grace. 1210
Perhaps he has a heart that is easy to alter.
And I am the only thing he could not endure:
And is it him I should undertake to defend?

Act IV Scene VI (Phaedra, Oenone)

Phaedra

Dear Oenone, do you know what I have learned?

Oenone

No: but, not to deceive you, I'm trembling here. 1215
I grew pale at the cause that made you appear:
I fear a passion in you that might prove fatal.

Phaedra

Oenone, who would believe it? I have a rival.

Oenone

What!

Phaedra

Hippolyte loves, I cannot doubt, it's true.
That shy untameable enemy, one who 1220
Seemed offended by respect, annoyed by tears,
That tiger I could not approach without fear,
Submissive, docile, knows a conqueror's art:
Aricia has found the pathway to his heart.

Oenone

Aricia?

Phaedra

Oh! A pain as yet that I had not felt! 1225
For what new torment have I reserved myself?
All I have suffered, my fears, my ecstasies,
Horror of remorse, the madness before my eyes,
And the unbearable hurt of cruel rejection,
Was only a feeble shadow of this moment. 1230
They are in love! What magic misled my eyes?
Where did they meet? Since when? How did it arise?
You knew. Why did you let me be deceived?
Could you not teach their furtive passion to me?
Have they been seen speaking together, searching? 1235
Did they seek the forest's depths: were they hiding?