Racine: Phaedra

PHyEDRA 363
His pride, another has secured his favor.
Perhaps he has a heart easily melted
I am the only one he cannot bear
And shall I charge myself with his defence?
Scene VI.
PhcBdra, CEnone.
Ph^^dra.—Know you, dear Nurse, what I have learn'd just
now?
CEnone.—No ; but I come in truth with trembling limbs.
I dreaded with what purpose you went forth,
The fear of fatal madness made me pale.
Ph^^dra.—Who would have thought it, Nurse ? I had a rival.
CEnone.—A rival?
Ph^dra.— Yes, he loves. I cannot doubt it.
This wild untamable Hippolytus,
Who scorn'd to be admired, whom lovers' sighs
Wearied, this tiger, whom I fear'd to rouse,
Fawns on a hand that has subdued his pride
Aricia has found entrance to his heart.
CEnone.—Aricia ?
Ph-^dra.— Ah! anguish as yet untried! ^-
For what new tortures am I still reserved ?
All I have undergone, transports of passion,
Longings and fears, the horrors of remorse.
The shame of being spurn'd with contumely,
Were feeble foretastes of my present torments.
what secret charm
They love each other ! By
Have they deceived me ? Where, and when, and how
Met they ? You knew it all. Why was I cozen'd ?
You never told me of those stolen hours
Of amorous converse. Have they oft been seen
Talking together? Did they seek the shades
Of thickest woods? Alas ! full freedom had they
To see each other. Heav'n approved their sighs
They loved without the consciousness of guilt
And every morning's sun for them shone clear,
While I, an outcast from the face of Nature,