Racine: Phaedra

I03
EURIPIDES
Must perish too ; for courage unappalled
This bosom animates. By that dread queen,
By her whom first of all th' immortal powers
I worship, and to aid my bold emprise
Have chosen, the thrice awful Hecate,
Who in my innermost apartment dwells,
Not one of them shall triumph in the pangs
With which they wound my heart ; for I will render
This spousal rite to them a plenteous source
Of bitterness and mourning—they shall rue
Their union, rue my exile from this land.
But now come on, nor, O Medea, spare
Thy utmost science to devise and frame
Deep stratagems, with swift career advance
To deeds of horror. Such a strife demands
Thy utmost courage. Hast thou any sense
Of these indignities ? Nor is it fit
That thou, who spring'st from an illustrious sire.
And from that great progenitor the sun,
Should'st be derided by the impious brood
Of Sisyphos, at Jason's nuptial feast
Exposed to scorn : for thou hast ample skill
To right thyself. Although by Nature formed
Without a genius apt for virtuous deeds.
We women are in mischiefs most expert.
Chorus.—Now upward to their source the rivers flow.
And in a retrograde career
Justice and all the baffled virtues go.
The views of man are insincere.
Nor to the gods though he appeal,
And with an oath each promise seal.
Can he be trusted. Yet doth veering fame
Loudly assert the female claim.
Causing our sex to be renowned,
And our whole lives with glory crowned.
No longer shall we mourn the wrongs
Of slanderous and inhuman tongues.
Nor shall the Muses, as in ancient days,
Make the deceit of womankind
The constant theme of their malignant lays.