Racine: Phaedra

PHAEDRA 367
For their own honor will they clear the guiltless
Sooner or later punish'd for her crime,
Phaedra will not escape the shame she merits.
I ask no other favor than your silence
In all besides I give my wrath free scope.
Make your escape from this captivity, 7
Be bold to bear me company in flight ; j ^
Linger not here on this accursed soil,
Where virtue breathes a pestilential air.
To cover your departure take advantage
Of this confusion, caused by my disgrace.
The means of flight are ready, be assured
You have as yet no other guards than mine.
Pow'rful defenders will maintain our quarrel
Argos spreads open arms, and Sparta calls us.
Let us appeal for justice to our friends.
Nor suffer Phaedra, in a common ruin
Joining us both, to hunt us from the throne,
And aggrandize her son by robbing us.
Embrace this happy opportunity:
What fear restrains ? You seem to hesitate.
Your interest alone prompts me to urge
Boldness. When I am all on fire, how comes it
That you are ice?
A banish'd man?
Aricia.—
Fear you to follow then
Ah, dear to me would be
Such exile ! With what joy, my fate to yours
United, could I live, by all the world
Forgotten ! But not yet has that sweet tie
Bound us together. How then can I steal
Away with you? I know the strictest honor
Forbids me not out of your father's hands
To free myself ; this is no parent's home.
And flight is lawful when one flies from tyrants.
But you, Sir, love me ;
and my virtue shrinks^—
HiPPOLYTUS.—No, no, your reputation is to me
As dear as to yourself. A nobler purpose
Brings me to you. Fly from your foes, and follow _
A husband. Heav'n, that sends us these misfortunes,
Sets free from human instruments the pledge