Racine: Phaedra

THE MISANTHROPE 283
Alceste. I do not say that. But to keep him from writing,
I pointed out to him how in our days that thirst had spoilt
many a worthy man.
Oronte. Do I write badly, and do I resemble in any way . . .
Alceste. I do not say that. But, in short, I said to him, what
pressing necessity is there for you to rhyme, and what
the deuce urges you to put your name in print? If we
can forgive the publication of a wretched book, it is only
to those unfortunate men who scribble for a living. Believe
me ; resist the temptation, keep such effusions from
public notice, and do not throw away, however you may
be tempted, the name of a man of sense and a gentleman
which you bear at Court, to take from the hands of a
grasping printer, that of a ridiculous and wretched au-
thor. This is what I tried to make him understand.
Oronte. And I think I understand you. But this is all very
well. May I know what in my sonnet can . . .
Alceste. Truly, you had better shut it up in your cabinet
you have followed bad models, and your expressions are
in no way natural. Pray what is: And rock aivhile our
hapless mind? and. Nothing pleasant walks behind? also,
And not to such expense proceed, if you could give me
only hope? or, Fair Phyllis, men will soon despair, when
doomed to hope for aye? This figurative style that people
are so vain of, falls far short of good taste and truth. It
is a paltry play on words, and mere affectation. Nature
never speaks thus. I hate the wretched taste of the age
in these matters. Our forefathers, unpolished as they
were, understood these things better: and I value less all
that is now admired, than an old song which I will repeat
to you
If the king had given me
Paris town, so great and gay,
And for it I had to flee
From my lady-love away.
To King Henry I should say.
Take your Paris back, I pray;
I had liefer love my love, O
I had liefer love my love.
The versification is not rich, and the style is old. But do