No More Learning

I fear lest hasty action followed your threat.
Spare your son, if sufficient time is left, 1170
Respect your ancestry: I dare to beg you.
Save me the pain of hearing him cry to you:
Don't prepare the eternal sadness for me
Of blood being shed by a father's enmity.

Theseus

No, Madame, my hand's not stained with blood: 1175
But the wretch has not escaped me for good.
An immortal hand is charged with his end.
Neptune owes it to me: you'll be avenged.

Phaedra

Neptune owes it you! How? Your angry prayers. . .

Theseus

What! That they'll not be heard, is that your fear? 1180
Rather join your lawful prayers to mine.
In all its darkness, recount to me his crime:
Stir my anger, restrained as it is, too slow.
All of his crimes are not yet known to you:
His madness adds to his insults against you yet: 1185
He said that your mouth is full of wickedness:
He maintains that Aricia has his heart, in faith,
That he loves.

Phaedra

How! My Lord!

Theseus

He said it to my face.
But I'm wise enough to reject an idle trick.
Let's put our hope in Neptune's ready justice. 1190
I'll even go to the foot of the altar myself,
To urge that his divine promise be fulfilled.

Act IV Scene V (Phaedra)

Phaedra (Alone. )

He's gone. What words are these in my ears?
What evil flame stifled in my heart appears?
What lightning bolt, you heavens! What fatal news! 1195
I flew here only in hope his son might be rescued:
And tore myself from Oenone's trembling arms,
Yielding to that remorse that does me harm.
Who knows where repentance might have led?
Perhaps I'd have tried to accuse myself, instead: 1200
Perhaps, if my voice had not been stilled within,
The dire truth would have escaped me even then.