Racine: Phaedra

266 CALDERON
Segismund.—Princes and warriors of Poland—you
That stare on this unnatural sight aghast,
Listen to one who, Heav'n-inspired to do
What in its secret wisdom Heav'n forecast.
By that same Heav'n instructed prophet-wise
To justify the present in the past.
What in the sapphire volume of the skies
Is writ by God's own finger misleads none.
But him whose vain and misinstructed eyes,
They mock with misinterpretation.
Or who, mistaking what he rightly read,
111 commentary makes, or misapplies
Thinking to shirk or thwart it. Which has done
The wisdom of this venerable head
Who, well provided with the secret key
To that gold alphabet, himself made me,
Himself, I say, the savage he fore-read
Fate somehow should be charged with; nipp'd the
growth
Of better nature in constraint and sloth,
That only bring to bear the seed of wrong.
And tum'd the stream to fury whose out-burst
Had kept his lawful channel uncoerced.
And fertilized the land he flow'd along.
Then like to some unskilful duellist.
Who having over-reach'd himself pushing too hard
His foe, or but a moment off his guard
What odds, when Fate is one's antagonist !
Nay, more, this royal father, self-dismay'd
At having Fate against himself array'd,
Upon himself the very sword he knew
Should wound him, down upon his bosom drew,
That might well handled, well have wrought ; or, kept
Undrawn, have harmless in the scabbard slept.
But Fate shall not by human force be broke,
Nor foil'd by human feint ; the Secret learn'd
Against the scholar by that master tum'd
Who to himself reserves the master-stroke.
Witness whereof this venerable Age,