Can nothing
disabuse
you of your error?
Racine - Phaedra
.
Theseus
Yes, you're condemned for that same cowardly pride.
I can see the shameful reason for your coldness. 1115
Phaedra alone bewitched your lustful senses.
And for every other object your soul, indifferent,
Disdained to burn with any flame so innocent.
Hippolytus
No, father, this heart - a truth too great to hide -
Has never disdained to burn with chaste desire. 1120
At your feet I'll confess my true offence:
I love, I love it's true, in your defiance.
Aricia holds my wishes slaves to her law: your
Son has indeed been conquered by Pallas' daughter.
I adore her, and my soul, rebelling at your order, 1125
Can only breathe, and be inspired by her.
Theseus
You love her? No, this is a crude deception.
You pretend to this crime as a justification.
Hippolytus
My Lord, for six months I've shunned and loved her.
Trembling to speak to you myself I came here. 1130
What!
Can nothing disabuse you of your error?
What fearful vow, in reassurance, must I swear.
By heaven, and earth, and all that Nature sees. . .
Theseus
Rogues always have recourse to perjuries.
Cease, cease, and spare me idle discourse, 1135
If your false virtue has no better recourse.
Hippolytus
It seems false to you and full of artifice.
Phaedra, in her heart's depths, grants me more justice.
Theseus
Ah! How your impudence excites my passion!
Hippolytus
What place is set for my exile, what duration? 1140
Theseus
If you were beyond the pillars of Hercules,
I'd still think one traitor far too near to me.
Hippolytus
Charged with the dreadful crime you suspect,
What friend will pity one whom you reject?
Theseus
Go and seek out those friends whose fatal respect 1145
Honours adultery, and praises incest:
Traitors, without law, honour, gratitude,
Worthy to shelter criminals like you.
Hippolytus
You always speak of incest and adultery!
Theseus
Yes, you're condemned for that same cowardly pride.
I can see the shameful reason for your coldness. 1115
Phaedra alone bewitched your lustful senses.
And for every other object your soul, indifferent,
Disdained to burn with any flame so innocent.
Hippolytus
No, father, this heart - a truth too great to hide -
Has never disdained to burn with chaste desire. 1120
At your feet I'll confess my true offence:
I love, I love it's true, in your defiance.
Aricia holds my wishes slaves to her law: your
Son has indeed been conquered by Pallas' daughter.
I adore her, and my soul, rebelling at your order, 1125
Can only breathe, and be inspired by her.
Theseus
You love her? No, this is a crude deception.
You pretend to this crime as a justification.
Hippolytus
My Lord, for six months I've shunned and loved her.
Trembling to speak to you myself I came here. 1130
What!
Can nothing disabuse you of your error?
What fearful vow, in reassurance, must I swear.
By heaven, and earth, and all that Nature sees. . .
Theseus
Rogues always have recourse to perjuries.
Cease, cease, and spare me idle discourse, 1135
If your false virtue has no better recourse.
Hippolytus
It seems false to you and full of artifice.
Phaedra, in her heart's depths, grants me more justice.
Theseus
Ah! How your impudence excites my passion!
Hippolytus
What place is set for my exile, what duration? 1140
Theseus
If you were beyond the pillars of Hercules,
I'd still think one traitor far too near to me.
Hippolytus
Charged with the dreadful crime you suspect,
What friend will pity one whom you reject?
Theseus
Go and seek out those friends whose fatal respect 1145
Honours adultery, and praises incest:
Traitors, without law, honour, gratitude,
Worthy to shelter criminals like you.
Hippolytus
You always speak of incest and adultery!
