Racine: Phaedra

Ii6 EURIPIDES
For he shall not again behold the children
I bore him while yet living. From his bride
Nor shall there issue any second race,
Since that vile woman by my baleful drugs
Vilely to perish have the Fates ordained.
None shall think lightly of me, as if weak,
Of courage void, or with a soul too tame,
But formed by Heaven in a far different mould,
The terror of my foes, and to my friends
Benignant : for most glorious are the lives
Of those who act with such determined zeal.
Chorus.—Since thy design thus freely thou to us
Communicat'st, I, through a wish to serve
Thy interests, and a reverence for those laws
Which all mankind hold sacred, from thy purpose
Exhort thee to desist.
Medea.— This cannot be:
Yet I from you, because ye have not felt
Distress like mine, such language can excuse.
Chorus.—Thy guiltless children wilt thou dare to slay?
Medea.—My husband hence more deeply shall I wound.
Chorus.—But thou wilt of all women be most wretched.
Medea.—No matter :
all the counsels ye can give
Are now superfluous. But this instant go
And Jason hither bring ; for on your faith,
In all things I depend ; nor these resolves
Will you divulge if you your mistress love.
And feel a woman's interest in my wrongs.
Chorus.—Heroes of Erectheus' race.
To the gods who owe your birth,
And in a long succession trace
Your sacred origin from earth,
Who on wisdom's fruit regale,
Purest breezes still inhale,
And behold skies ever bright,
Wandering through those haunted glades
Where fame relates that the Pierian maids,
Soothing the soul of man with chaste delight.
Taught Harmony to breathe her first enchanting tale.