Racine: Phaedra

MEDEA 115
But now to you the whole of my designs
Will I relate ; look not for such a tale
As yields delight: some servant will I send
An interview with Jason to request,
And on his coming, in the softest words
Address him ; say these matters are well pleasing
To me, and in the strongest terms applaud
That marriage with the daughter of the king.
Which now the traitor celebrates ; then add,
" 'Tis for our mutual good, 'tis rightly done."
But the request which I intend to make
Is that he here will let my children stay
Not that I mean to leave them thus behind,
Exposed to insults in a hostile realm
From those I hate ; but that my arts may slay
The royal maid :
A vesture finely wrought and golden crown,
Will I despatch them ; these they to the bride
with presents in their hands,
Shall bear, that she their exile may reverse:
If these destructive ornaments she take
And put them on, both she, and every one
Who touches her, shall miserably perish
My presents with such drugs I will anoint.
Far as to this relates, here ends my speech.
But I with anguish think upon a deed
Of more than common horror, which remains
By me to be accomplished : for my sons
Am I resolved to slay, them from this arm
Shall no man rescue. When I thus have filled
With dire confusion Jason's wretched house,
I, from this land, yet reeking with the gore
Of my dear sons, will fly, and having dared
A deed most impious. For the scornful taunts
Of those we hate are not to be endured,
Happen what may. Can life be any gain
To me who have no country left, no home,
No place of refuge ? Greatly did I err
When I forsook the mansions of my sire,
Persuaded by the flattery of that Greek
Whom I will punish, if just Heaven permit.