Racine: Phaedra

THE MISANTHROPE 279
me blind to her faults; and however great may be the
passion I have for her, I am the first to see them and to
blame them. I confess my weakness, for, in spite of
myself, she has the art of pleasing me. It is in vain that
I see her defects, and in vain that I blame her for them
I love her in spite of all her imperfections ; her charms
prove stronger than I. But that my sincere love will
purify her heart of all the vices of the times, I have no
doubt.
Philinte. If you succeed in that, you will do no small thing.
So you really believe that she loves you?
Alceste. Indeed I do! I should not love her if I did not
think so.
Philinte. But if you are so sure of her love, why do your
rivals cause you such uneasiness?
Alceste. It is because a heart deeply in love claims all for
itself. I am here to-day simply with the object of telling
her what my feelings are on this point.
Philinte. As far as I am concerned, it is her cousin Eliante
I would love. Her heart, which holds you in great esteem,
is truthful and sincere, and you would have made in her
a much wiser choice.
Alceste. It is true ; my reason tells me so every day, but rea-
son does not rule love.
Philinte. I have great misgivings about your passion, and
your hope might . . .
Scene 11.
Oronte, 4lceste, Philinte
Oronte [to Alceste]. J learnt just now that Eliante and
Celimene are gone out to make some purchases ;
but, as
I was told that you were here, I came up to say, in all
sincerity of heart, that I have conceived for you an in-
credible esteem ; and that, for a long time, this esteem
has given me an ardent desire to be numbered among
your friends. Yes, I love to render justice to true merit,
and I long to be united to you in the close bond of friend-
ship. I think that a warm friend, and one of my stand-
Classics. Vol. 3f—