Racine: Phaedra

Ah !
PH.EDRA 3^5
how his awful shade will start and shudder
When he shall see his daughter brought before him,
Forced to confess sins of such varied dye,
Crimes it may be unknown to hell itself
What wilt thou say, my father, at a sight
So dire ? I think I see thee drop the urn,
And, seeking some unheard-of punishment,
Thyself become my executioner.
Spare me ! A cruel goddess has destroy'd
Thy race ; and in my madness recognize
Her wrath. Alas ! My
aching heart has reap'd
No fruit of pleasure from the frightful crime
The shame of which pursues me to the grave,
And ends in torment life-long misery.
CEnone.—Ah, Madam, pray dismiss a groundless dread
LxDok less severely on a venial error.
You love. We cannot conquer destiny.
You were drawn on as by a fatal charm.
Is that a marvel without precedent
Among us ? Has love triumph'd over you,
And o'er none else ? Weakness is natural
To man. A mortal, to a mortal's lot
Submit. You chafe against a yoke that others
Have long since borne. The dwellers in Olympos,
The gods themselves, who terrify with threats
The sins of men, have burn'd with lawless fires.
Phaedra.—What words are these I hear ? What counsel this ^
You dare to give me ? Will you to the end
Pour poison in mine ears ? You have destroy'd me. ^
You brought me back when I should else have quitted
The light of day, made me forget my duty
And see Hippolytus, till then avoided.
What hast thou done ? Why did your wicked mouth
With blackest lies slander his blameless life?
Perhaps you've slain him, and the impious pray'r
Of an unfeeling father has been answer'd.
No, not another word ! Go, hateful monster
Away, and leave me to my piteous fate.
May Heav'n with justice pay you your deserts!
And may your punishment forever be