Racine: Phaedra

J70
RACINE
And yet, despite my stern severity,
What plaintive voice cries deep within my heart?
A secret pity troubles and alarms me.
CEnone shall be questioned once again,
I must have clearer light upon this crime.
Guards, bid CEnone come, and come alone.
Scene V.
Theseus, Panope.
Panope.—I know not what the Queen intends to do,
But from her agitation dread the worst.
Fatal despair is painted on her features
Death's pallor is already in her face.
CEnone, shamed and driven from her sight.
Has cast herself into the ocean depths.
None knows what prompted her to deed so rash
And now the waves hide her from us forever.
Theseus.—What say you ?
Panope.— Her sad fate seems to have added
Fresh trouble to the Queen's tempestuous soul.
Sometimes, to soothe her secret pain, she clasps
Her children close, and bathes them with her tears
Then suddenly, the mother's love forgotten.
She thrusts them from her with a look of horror.
She wanders to and fro with doubtful steps
Her vacant eye no longer knows us. Thrice
She wrote, and thrice did she, changing her mind,
Destroy the letter ere 'twas well begun.
Vouchsafe to see her, Sire : vouchsafe to help her.
Theseus.—Heav'ns ! Is QEnone dead, and Phaedra bent
On dying too? Oh, call me back my son!
Let him defend himself, and I am ready
To hear him. Be not hasty to bestow
Thy fatal bounty, Neptune ; let my pray'rs
Rather remain ever unheard. Too soon
I lifted cruel hands, believing lips
That may have lied ! Ah I What despair may follow