Theseus' widow dares to love
Hippolytus!
Racine - Phaedra
685
I sought your hate, the better to resist you.
How have those useless efforts brought success?
You hated me more: I did not love you less.
Your misfortune even lent you fresh dimension.
I languished, withered, in tears, and in passion. 690
You only needed eyes to be persuaded,
If your eyes had looked at me, not been dissuaded.
What? This confession that I so shamefully,
Make to you, do you think it voluntary?
Trembling for a son I did not dare betray, 695
To beg you not to hate him I come today.
Weak project of a heart too full of what it loves!
Alas! It is only yourself I have spoken of.
Take vengeance: punish me for loathed delight.
Worthy son of a hero who granted you light. 700
Deliver the world from a monster so odious.
Theseus' widow dares to love Hippolytus!
This dreadful monster won't escape: believe me.
Here's my heart. Here's where your hand should strike me.
Impatient already to expiate its offence, 705
To meet your arm I can feel it now advance.
Strike. Or if you think it not worthy of your blow,
If your hate refuses me such sweet torment, so,
Or if your hand by my vile blood would be stained,
Instead of your arm lend me then your blade. 710
Offer it.
Oenone
Madame, what would you do? Gods above!
Someone's here. Avoid hateful witnesses: remove:
Come, return home: flee now from certain shame.
Act II Scene VI (Hippolyte, Theramenes)
Theramenes
Is that Phaedra fleeing, or rather being led away?
Why, my Lord, why then all these signs of grief? 715
I see you without your sword, stunned, pale beyond belief.
Hippolytus
Theramenes, my astonishment's complete.
I sought your hate, the better to resist you.
How have those useless efforts brought success?
You hated me more: I did not love you less.
Your misfortune even lent you fresh dimension.
I languished, withered, in tears, and in passion. 690
You only needed eyes to be persuaded,
If your eyes had looked at me, not been dissuaded.
What? This confession that I so shamefully,
Make to you, do you think it voluntary?
Trembling for a son I did not dare betray, 695
To beg you not to hate him I come today.
Weak project of a heart too full of what it loves!
Alas! It is only yourself I have spoken of.
Take vengeance: punish me for loathed delight.
Worthy son of a hero who granted you light. 700
Deliver the world from a monster so odious.
Theseus' widow dares to love Hippolytus!
This dreadful monster won't escape: believe me.
Here's my heart. Here's where your hand should strike me.
Impatient already to expiate its offence, 705
To meet your arm I can feel it now advance.
Strike. Or if you think it not worthy of your blow,
If your hate refuses me such sweet torment, so,
Or if your hand by my vile blood would be stained,
Instead of your arm lend me then your blade. 710
Offer it.
Oenone
Madame, what would you do? Gods above!
Someone's here. Avoid hateful witnesses: remove:
Come, return home: flee now from certain shame.
Act II Scene VI (Hippolyte, Theramenes)
Theramenes
Is that Phaedra fleeing, or rather being led away?
Why, my Lord, why then all these signs of grief? 715
I see you without your sword, stunned, pale beyond belief.
Hippolytus
Theramenes, my astonishment's complete.
