Racine: Phaedra

MEDEA 95
Diffuse ecstatic pleasures : but no artist
Hath yet discovered, by the tuneful song,
And varied modulations of the lyre.
How we those piercing sorrows may assuage
Whence slaughters and such horrid mischiefs spring
As many a prosperous mansion have o'erthrown.
Could music interpose her healing aid
In. these inveterate maladies, such gift
Had been the first of blessings to mankind
But, 'midst choice viands and the circling bowl.
Why should those minstrels strain their useless throats?
To cheer the drooping heart, convivial joys
Are in themselves sufficient. [Exit Nurse.
Chorus.— Mingled groans
And lamentations burst upon mine ear
She in the bitterness of soul exclaims
Against her impious husband, who betrayed
His plighted faith. By grievous wrongs opprest,
She the vindictive gods invokes, and Themis,
Jove's daughter, guardian of the sacred oath,
Who o'er the waves to Greece benignly steered
Their bark adventurous, launched in midnight gloom.
Through ocean's gates which never can be closed I
Enter Medea.
Medea.—From my apartment, ye Corinthian dames,
Lest ye my conduct censure, I come forth
For I have known full many who obtained
to the public gaze
Fame and high rank ; some
Stood ever forth, while others, in a sphere
More distant, chose their merits to display
Nor yet a few, who, studious of repose,
Have with malignant obloquy been called
Devoid of spirit : for no human eyes
Can form a just discernment ; at one glance,
Before the inmost secrets of the heart
Are clearly known, a bitter hate 'gainst him
Who never wronged us they too oft inspire.
But 'tis a stranger's duty to adopt