And I am the only thing he could not endure:
And is it him I should undertake to defend?
And is it him I should undertake to defend?
Racine - Phaedra
)
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.
Hippolytus feels, and feels nothing for me!
Aricia has his heart! Aricia has his loyalty.
You gods! When that wretch armed himself against me 1205
His proud glance, and his stern brow, set against my plea,
I thought that his heart always closed to passion
Was equally hostile to every woman.
But meanwhile another has taken my place:
Before his cruel eyes another has found grace. 1210
Perhaps he has a heart that is easy to alter.
And I am the only thing he could not endure:
And is it him I should undertake to defend?
Act IV Scene VI (Phaedra, Oenone)
Phaedra
Dear Oenone, do you know what I have learned?
Oenone
No: but, not to deceive you, I'm trembling here. 1215
I grew pale at the cause that made you appear:
I fear a passion in you that might prove fatal.
Phaedra
Oenone, who would believe it? I have a rival.
Oenone
What!
Phaedra
Hippolyte loves, I cannot doubt, it's true.
That shy untameable enemy, one who 1220
Seemed offended by respect, annoyed by tears,
That tiger I could not approach without fear,
Submissive, docile, knows a conqueror's art:
Aricia has found the pathway to his heart.
Oenone
Aricia?
Phaedra
Oh! A pain as yet that I had not felt! 1225
For what new torment have I reserved myself?
All I have suffered, my fears, my ecstasies,
Horror of remorse, the madness before my eyes,
And the unbearable hurt of cruel rejection,
Was only a feeble shadow of this moment. 1230
They are in love! What magic misled my eyes?
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.
Hippolytus feels, and feels nothing for me!
Aricia has his heart! Aricia has his loyalty.
You gods! When that wretch armed himself against me 1205
His proud glance, and his stern brow, set against my plea,
I thought that his heart always closed to passion
Was equally hostile to every woman.
But meanwhile another has taken my place:
Before his cruel eyes another has found grace. 1210
Perhaps he has a heart that is easy to alter.
And I am the only thing he could not endure:
And is it him I should undertake to defend?
Act IV Scene VI (Phaedra, Oenone)
Phaedra
Dear Oenone, do you know what I have learned?
Oenone
No: but, not to deceive you, I'm trembling here. 1215
I grew pale at the cause that made you appear:
I fear a passion in you that might prove fatal.
Phaedra
Oenone, who would believe it? I have a rival.
Oenone
What!
Phaedra
Hippolyte loves, I cannot doubt, it's true.
That shy untameable enemy, one who 1220
Seemed offended by respect, annoyed by tears,
That tiger I could not approach without fear,
Submissive, docile, knows a conqueror's art:
Aricia has found the pathway to his heart.
Oenone
Aricia?
Phaedra
Oh! A pain as yet that I had not felt! 1225
For what new torment have I reserved myself?
All I have suffered, my fears, my ecstasies,
Horror of remorse, the madness before my eyes,
And the unbearable hurt of cruel rejection,
Was only a feeble shadow of this moment. 1230
They are in love! What magic misled my eyes?
