No More Learning

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 can't view myself without horror. Let us leave.
Phaedra. . . No! You gods!
In what deep oblivion
Must this appalling secret be entombed! 720

Theramenes

If you're ready to depart, the sails are rigged.
But Athens, my Lord, has already voted.
Her leaders have taken soundings of every man.
Your brother carried the day: Phaedra has won.

Hippolytus

Phaedra?

Theramenes

A herald charged with Athen's demands 725
Comes now, to place control of the state in her hands.
Her son is king, my Lord.

Hippolytus

You gods, who know her,
Is it for her virtues you now reward her?

Theramenes

Meanwhile vague rumours say the king still lives.
They claim that Theseus appeared in Epirus. 730
But I who looked for him, my Lord, well knowing. . .

Hippolytus

No matter: listen to all, and neglect nothing
Let's look into this rumour, trace its source.
If it doesn't merit any change of course,
We'll leave: and whatever the cost to us may be, 735
We'll yet place the sceptre in hands more worthy.