Theramenes
Of her intent I'm unaware,
But her messenger came to speak on her behalf.
Of her intent I'm unaware,
But her messenger came to speak on her behalf.
Racine - Phaedra
530
I who proudly revolted against all passion,
Have long scorned the chains of that lovers' prison:
As I deplored the shipwrecks of weak men,
Thinking that from the shore I'd always view them:
Now subjugated to the common law, 535
What turmoil bears me to a distant shore?
One moment conquered boldness so imprudent:
My soul, so proud, is finally dependant.
For more than six months, desperate, ashamed,
Bearing throughout the wound with which I'm maimed, 540
I steeled myself towards you, and myself, in vain:
Present, I flee you: absent, I find you again:
Your image follows me in the forest's night:
The shadows of darkness, and broad daylight,
Both bring to my eyes the charms that I avoid, 545
Both snare the rebel Hippolytus on every side.
This is the reward for my excessive care:
I search for my self: and yet find no one there.
My bow, my spears, my chariot all call me.
I cannot remember now what Neptune taught me. 550
My cries alone make the woodlands ring,
And the idle horses all forget my calling.
Perhaps the tale of so wild a love will make you
Blush, hearing me, at all your charms could do.
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 who proudly revolted against all passion,
Have long scorned the chains of that lovers' prison:
As I deplored the shipwrecks of weak men,
Thinking that from the shore I'd always view them:
Now subjugated to the common law, 535
What turmoil bears me to a distant shore?
One moment conquered boldness so imprudent:
My soul, so proud, is finally dependant.
For more than six months, desperate, ashamed,
Bearing throughout the wound with which I'm maimed, 540
I steeled myself towards you, and myself, in vain:
Present, I flee you: absent, I find you again:
Your image follows me in the forest's night:
The shadows of darkness, and broad daylight,
Both bring to my eyes the charms that I avoid, 545
Both snare the rebel Hippolytus on every side.
This is the reward for my excessive care:
I search for my self: and yet find no one there.
My bow, my spears, my chariot all call me.
I cannot remember now what Neptune taught me. 550
My cries alone make the woodlands ring,
And the idle horses all forget my calling.
Perhaps the tale of so wild a love will make you
Blush, hearing me, at all your charms could do.
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.
