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THE BOOK WAS DRENCHED - OUDL Home

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NURSE<br />

What means this solemn speech? Thou needst not rounded phrases,—<br />

but a man. Straightway must we move to tell him frankly how it is with<br />

thee. Had not thy life to such a crisis come, or wert thou with self-control1 endowed, ne'<br />

course; but now 'tis a struggle fierce to save thy life, and therefore less to<br />

blame.<br />

PHAEDRA<br />

Accursed proposal! peace, woman! never utter those shameful words<br />

again!<br />

NURSE<br />

Shameful, maybe, yet for thee better than honour's code. Better this<br />

deed, if it shall save thy life, than that name thy pride will kill thee to<br />

retain.<br />

PHAEDRA<br />

I conjure thee, go no further! for thy words are plausible but infamous;<br />

for though as yet love has not undermined my soul, yet, if in specious<br />

words thou dress thy foul suggestion, I shall be beguiled into the snare<br />

from which I am now escaping.<br />

NURSE<br />

If thou art of this mind, 'twere well thou ne'er hadst sinned; but as it<br />

is, hear me; for that is the next best course; I in my house have charms<br />

to soothe thy love,—'twas but now I thought of them;—these shall cure<br />

thee of thy sickness on no disgraceful terms, thy mind unhurt, if thou<br />

wilt be but brave. But from him thou lovest we must get some token, a<br />

word or fragment of his robe, and thereby unite in one love's twofold<br />

stream.<br />

PHAEDRA<br />

Is thy drug a salve or potion?<br />

NURSE<br />

I cannot tell; be content, my child, to profit by it and ask no questions.<br />

PHAEDRA<br />

I fear me thou wilt prove too wise for me.<br />

NURSE<br />

If thou fear this, confess thyself afraid of all; but why thy terror?<br />

PHAEDRA<br />

Lest thou shouldst breathe a word of this to Theseus' son.

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