No More Learning

What shy entreaty for a heart in your hands! 555
What a strange prisoner for such lovely bonds!
But the offering should be dearer to your eyes.
I speak to you in a foreign tongue, ah, realise:
Do not reject these vows, so poorly expressed,
That but for you Hippolytus had not confessed. 560

Act II Scene III (Hippolytus, Aricia, Theramenes, Ismene)

Theramenes

The Queen is here my lord: I've arrived before her.
She's seeking you.

Hippolytus

Me?

Theramenes

Of her intent I'm unaware,
But her messenger came to speak on her behalf.
Phaedra wishes to see you before you depart.

Hippolytus

Phaedra? What might she wish? What will I tell her. . . 565

Aricia

You cannot refuse, my Lord, to listen to her.
Though only too convinced of her enmity,
You owe her tears some semblance of pity.

Hippolytus

Meanwhile you leave. And I go not knowing
Whether I've offended charms worth adoring. 570
Not knowing if the heart I leave in your hands. . .

Aricia

Go, Prince, and pursue your generous plans.
Make Athens tributary to my power.
I accept all those gifts you make my dower.
But that Empire, so grand, so glorious a prize, 575
Is not the dearest gift of all, to my eyes.

Act II Scene IV (Hippolytus, Theramenes)

Hippolytus

Is all ready, my friend? But, here is the Queen.
Go, so all is prepared now for us to leave.
Give the signals, course, orders: then, returning,
Free me swiftly from this unfortunate meeting. 580

Act II Scene V (Phaedra, Hippolytus, Oenone)

Phaedra (To Oenone. )

He is there.