Racine: Phaedra

114
EURIPIDES
Hast thou expressed great forethought : but if thus
Thou art disposed to act, I my consent
Will not refuse ; for I shall be more safe
If to thy foes some plausible excuse
I can allege, and thee more firmly stablish.
But say thou first what gods I shall invoke.
Medea.—Swear by the earth on which we tread, the sun
My grandsire, and by all the race of gods.
yEcEUS.—What action, or to do or to forbear ?
Medea.—That from your land you never will expel.
Nor while you live consent that any foe
Shall tear me thence.
jEgeus.— By earth, the radiant sun.
And every god I swear, I to the terms
Thou hast proposed will steadfastly adhere.
Medea.—This may suffice. But what if you infringe
Your oath, what punishment will you endure?
iEcEus.—Each curse that can befall the impious man.
all things now advance
Medea.—Depart, and prosper :
In their right track, and with the utmost speed
I to your city will direct my course.
When I have executed those designs
I meditate, and compassed what I wish.
[Exit Mgeus.
Chorus.—But thee, O king, may Maia's winged son
Lead to thy Athens ; there may'st thou attain
All that thy soul desires, for thou to me,
^geus, seem'st most generous.
Medea.— Awful Jove,
Thou too, O Justice, who art ever joined
With thundering Jove, and bright Hyperion's beams.
You I invoke. Now, O my friends, o'er those
1 hate shall we prevail : 'tis the career
Of victory that we tread, and I at length
Have hopes the strictest vengeance on my foes
To execute : for where we most in need
Of a protector stood, appeared this stranger.
The haven of my counsels : we shall fix
Our cables to this poop, soon as we reach
That hallowed city where Minerva reigns.