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Racine: Phaedra

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354<br />

RACINE<br />

For, when our rqjutation is at stake,<br />

All must be sacrificed, conscience itself.<br />

But someone comes. 'Tis Theseus.<br />

<strong>Phaedra</strong>.— And I sec<br />

Hippolytus, my ruin plainly written<br />

In his stem eyes. Do what you will ; I trust<br />

My fate to you. I cannot help myself.<br />

Scene IV.<br />

Theseus, Hippolytus, Phcedra, CEnone, Theramenes.<br />

Theseus.—Fortune no longer fights against my wishes.<br />

Madam, and to your arms restores<br />

pHJEDRA. Stay, Theseus I<br />

Do not profane endearments that were once<br />

So sweet, but which I am unworthy now<br />

To taste. You have been wrong'd. Fortune has proved<br />

Spiteful, nor in your absence spared your wife.<br />

I am unfit to meet your fond caress,<br />

How I may bear my shame my only care<br />

Henceforth.<br />

Scene V.<br />

Theseus, Hippolytus, Theramenes.<br />

Theseus.— Strange welcome for your father, this!<br />

What does it mean, my son ?<br />

Hippolytus.— <strong>Phaedra</strong> alone<br />

Can solve this mystery. But if my wish<br />

Can move you, let me never see her more<br />

Suffer Hippolytus to disappear<br />

Forever from the home that holds your wife.<br />

Theseus.—You, my son I Leave me ?<br />

Hippolytus.— 'Twas not I who sought her:<br />

*Twas you who led her footsteps to these shores.<br />

At your departure you thought meet, my lord.<br />

To trust Aricia and the Queen to this<br />

Trcezenian land, and I myself was charged<br />

.With their protection. But what cares henceforth

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