Racine: Phaedra

PH^DRA 355
That, crush'd beneath that curse, they'll never dare
To raise their eyes.
CEnone.— Doubt not I pity both ;
Never was fear more just than yours. Why then
Expose them to this ignominy? Why
Will you accuse yourself? You thus destroy
The only hope that's left ; it will be said
That Phaedra, conscious of her perfidy.
Fled from her husband's sight. Hippolytus
Will be rejoiced that, dying, you should lend
His charge support. What can I answer him?
He'll find it easy to confute my tale,
And I shall hear him with an air of triumph
To every open ear repeat your shame.
Sooner than that may fire from heav'n consume me!
Deceive me not. Say, do you love him still ?
How look you now on this contemptuous prince?
Phaedra.—As on a monster frightful to mine eyes.
CEnone.—Why yield him then an easy victory?
You fear him. Venture to accuse him first,
As guilty of the charge which he may bring
This day against you. Who can say 'tis false?
All tells against him : in your hands his sword
Happily left behind, your present trouble.
Your past distress, your warnings to his father,
His exile which your earnest pray'rs obtain'd.
pH^DRA.—What ! Would you have me slander innocence ?
CEnone.—My zeal has need of nought from you but silence^
Like you I tremble, and am loath to do it
More willingly I'd face a thousands deaths.
But since without this bitter remedy
I lose you, and to me your life outweighs
All else, I'll speak. Theseus, howe'er enraged,
Will do no worse than banish him again.
A father, when he punishes, remains
A father, and his ire is satisfied
With a light sentence. But if guiltless blood
Should flow, is not your honor of more moment?
A treasure far too precious to be risk'd?
You must submit, whatever it dictates