Racine: Phaedra

LIFE A DREAM 267
Thrice crown'd as Sire, and Sovereign, and Sage,
Down to the very dust dishonor'd by
The very means he tempted to defy
The irresistible. And shall not I,
Till now the mere dumb instrument that wrought
The battle Fate has with my father fought,
Now the mere mouth-piece of its victory
Oh, shall not I, the champion's sword laid down.
Be yet more shamed to wear the teacher's gown,
And, blushing at the part I had to play,
Down where that honor'd head I was to lay
By this more just submission of my own,
The treason Fate has forced on me atone?
King.—Oh, Segismund, in whom I see indeed.
Out of the ashes of my self-extinction
A better self revive ; if not beneath
Your feet, beneath your better wisdom bow'd,
The Sovereignty of Poland I resign,
With this its golden symbol ; which if thus
Saved with its silver head inviolate,
Shall nevermore be subject to decline;
But when the head that it alights on now
Falls honor'd by the very foe that must,
As all things mortal, lay it in the dust.
Shall star-like shift to his successor's brow.
[Shouts and trumpets. " God save King Segismund!"
Segismund.— For what remains
As for my own, so for my people's peace,
Astolfo's and Estrella's plighted hands
I disunite, and taking hers to mine,
His to one yet more dearly his resign.
[Shouts: "God save Estrclla, Queen of Poland!"
Segismund [to Clotaldo].— You
That with unflinching duty to your King,
Till countermanded by the mightier Power,
Have held your Prince a captive in the tower.
Henceforth as strictly guard him on the throne,
No less my people's keeper than my own.
You stare upon me all, amazed to hear