Do you understand crime and
innocence
so poorly?
Racine - Phaedra
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. 1420
He never treated me like a criminal.
Theseus
I understand, he swore a love, eternal.
Don't rely though on a heart that's so unsure:
He's sworn as much to other girls before.
Aricia
He, my Lord?
Theseus
You should have made him less fickle though: 1425
How is it you could endure to share him so?
Aricia
And how could you endure that terrible lies
Should darken the course of so fine a life?
Have you so little knowledge of his heart's reality?
Do you understand crime and innocence so poorly? 1430
Is it only your eyes an odious cloud covers,
Hiding his virtue that shines out to others?
Ah! To leave him to malicious tongues now.
Stop. And repent of your murderous vow:
Be fearful, my Lord, fearful lest heaven's rigour 1435
Hates you enough to execute your desire.
Often in anger it accepts our sacrifice:
Its gifts are often the punishment for our crimes.
Theseus
No, you'll conceal his offence in vain.
Your love blinds you in favour of the man. 1440
But I trust in sure irreproachable witnesses:
I've seen, I've seen true tears flow to excess.
Aricia
Take care, my Lord. Your unconquerable hand
From countless monsters, has freed the land:
But not all are destroyed, and you have spared 1445
One. . . your son, my Lord, forbids me to declare
What, knowing the respect he'd show to you,
I'd grieve him too much by daring to pursue.
I'll echo his discretion, and flee your presence,
So that I'm not required to break my silence.
