Racine: Phaedra

THE KNIGHTS
After a noise of lashes and screams front behind the scenes,
Demosthenes comes out, and is followed by Nicias, the
supposed victim of Hagellation {both in the dress of
slaves). Demosthenes breaks out in great wrath; while
Nicias remains exhibiting various contortions of pain
for the amusement of the audience.
Demosthenes.—Out! out alas! what a scandal! what a
shame
May Jove in his utter wrath crush and confound
That rascally new-bought Paphlagonian slave I
For from the very first day that he came
Brought here for a plague and a mischief amongst us all,
We're beaten and abused continually.
Nicias [whimpering in a broken voice].—I say so too, with
all my heart I do,
A rascal, with his slanders and lies
A rascally Paphlagonian ! so he is
Demosthenes [roughly and good-humoredly].—How are you,
my poor soul ?
Nicias [pettishly and whining] —Why poorly enough
And so are you for that matter.
[Nicias continues writhing and moaning.
Demosthenes [as if speaking to a child that had hurt himself].
Well, come here then 1
Come, and we'll cry together, both of us.
We'll sing it to Olympos's old tune.
Both [Demosthenes accompanies Nicias's involuntary sobs,
so as to make a tune of them].
Mo moo momoo—momoo momoo—Momoo momoo.
Demosthenes [suddoily and heartily].—Come, grief's no use
—It's folly to keep crying.
Let's look about us a bit, what's best to be done.
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