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Home  »  Phædra  »  Act II

Jean Racine (1639–1699). Phædra.
The Harvard Classics. 1909–14.

Act II

Scene VI

HIPPOLYTUS,THERAMENES

Theramenes

Is that the form of Phædra that I see

Hurried away? What mean these signs of sorrow?

Where is your sword? Why are you pale, confused?

Hippolytus

Friend, let us fly. I am, indeed, confounded

With horror and astonishment extreme.

Phædra—but no; gods, let this dreadful secret

Remain for ever buried in oblivion.

Theramenes

The ship is ready if you wish to sail.

But Athens has already giv’n her vote;

Their leaders have consulted all her tribes;

Your brother is elected, Phædra wins.

Hippolytus

Phædra?

Theramenes

A herald, charged with a commission

From Athens, has arrived to place the reins

Of power in her hands. Her son is King.

Hippolytus

Ye gods, who know her, do ye thus reward

Her virtue?

Theramenes

A faint rumour meanwhile whispers

That Theseus is not dead, but in Epirus

Has shown himself. But, after all my search,

I know too well—

Hippolytus

Let nothing be neglected.

This rumour must be traced back to its source.

If it be found unworthy of belief,

Let us set sail, and cost whate’er it may,

To hands deserving trust the sceptre’s sway.