Racine: Phaedra

PH^DRA 361
Adultery and clap their hands at incest.
Low, lawless traitors, steep'd in infamy.
The fit protectors of a knave like you.
HiPPOLYTUS.—Are incest and adultery the words
You cast at me? I hold my tongue. Yet think
What mother Phaedra had ; too well you know
Her blood, not mine, is tainted with those horrors.
Theseus.—What ! Does your rage before my eyes lose all
Restraint ? For the last time—out of my sight I
Hence, traitor ! Wait not till a father's wrath
Force thee away 'mid general execration.
Scene III.
Theseus [alofw],—^Wretch! Thou must meet inevitable ruin.
Neptune has sworn by Styx—to gods themselves
A dreadful oath—and he will execute
His promise. Thou canst not escape his vengeance.
I loved thee ; and, in spite of thine offence.
My heart is troubled by anticipation
For thee. But thou hast earn'd thy doom too well.
Had father ever greater cause for rage ?
Just gods, who see the grief that overwhelms me.
Why was I cursed with such a wicked son ?
Scene IV.
Phcodra, Theseus.
Ph^drA.—My lord, I come to you, fiU'd with just dread.
Your voice raised high in anger reach'd mine ears.
And much I fear that deeds have foUow'd threats.
Oh, if there yet is time, spare your own offspring.
Respect your race and blood, I do beseech you.
Let me not hear that blood cry from the ground
Save me the horror and perpetual pain
Of having caused his father's hand to shed it.
Theseus.—No, Madam, from that stain my hand is free
But, for all that, the wretch has not escaped me.
The hand of an Immortal now is charged