Racine: Phaedra

350
RACINE
Hope stole into my heart against my will.
Did you not rally my declining pow'rs ?
Was it not you yourself recall'd my soul
When fluttering on my lips, and with your counsel,
Lent me fresh life, and told me I might love him?
CEnone.—Blame me or blame me not for your misfortunes,
Of what was I incapable, to save you?
But if your indignation e'er was roused
By insult, can you pardon his contempt?
How cruelly his eyes, severely fix'd,
Survey'd you almost prostrate at his feet
How hateful then appear'd his savage pride
Why did not Phaedra see him then as I
Beheld him?
PHi^iDRA. This proud mood that you resent
May yield to time. The rudeness of the forests
Where he was bred, inured to rigorous laws.
Clings to him still ; love is a word he ne'er
Had heard before. It may be his surprise
Stunn'd him, and too much vehemence was shown
In all I said.
CEnone.— Remember that his mother
Was a barbarian.
PHu^dra.— Scythian tho' she was.
She learnt to love.
CEnone.— He has for all the sex
Hatred intense.
Phaedra.— Then in his heart no rival
Shall ever reign. Your counsel comes too late.
CEnone, serve my madness, not my reason.
His heart is inaccessible to love
Let us attack him where he has more feeling.
The charms of sovereignty appear'd to touch him
He could not hide that he was drawn to Athens
His vessels' prows were thither turn'd already.
All sail was set to scud before the breeze.
Go you on my behalf, to his ambition
Appeal, and let the prospect of the crown
Dazzle his eyes. The sacred diadem
Shall deck his brow, no higher honor mine