Racine: Phaedra

Alceste. Ah, madam !
THE MISANTHROPE 307
Scene II.
Alceste, Philinte, Eliante
avenge me for an offence which has
triumphed over all my constancy.
Eliante. What is it ? What can disturb you so much ?
Alceste. I cannot think of it, it is death to me, and the overthrow
of all creation would not crush me like this terrible
blow. It is all over with me . . . my love ... I
cannot speak.-
Eliante. Try to calm yourself a little ; tell me . . .
Alceste. Ah, just Heaven ! can the odious vices of the basest of
minds be joined to such beauty?
Eliante. But pray, what can .
Alceste, Ah ! all is over, I am
. .
... I am betrayed . . .
I feel crushed; Celimene—would you believe it?—Celimene
is faithless ; Celimene has deceived me
Eliante. Have you any just grounds for believing it?
Philinte. Perhaps you are too hasty in your suspicions, and
your jealous temper sometimes gives rise to strange
fancies . . .
Alceste. Ah! 'sdeath, sir! mind your own business. [To
Eliante:] It is proof enough of her perfidy to have here
in my possession a letter in her own handwriting ; a letter
to Oronte, which has put before my eyes in a moment my
disgrace and her shame—Oronte, whose attentions I
thought she avoided, and of all my rivals I feared the least.
Philinte. A letter may sometimes deceive, and not be so guilty
as we may at first judge from appearances.
Alceste. Once more, sir, leave me alone, pray, and trouble
yourself about your own affairs.
Eliante. You must moderate your sorrow, and the in-
sult . . .
Alceste. Let this be your share, madam. To you I have now
recourse ; it is you alone who can comfort me in this my
cruel sorrow. Avenge me on an ungrateful and deceitful
relative, who basely betrays such constant love ; avenge me
for this injury, which must seem hateful to you.
Eliante. I avenge you ! But how ?