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Phaedra
’Tis even this, too plausible a tongue, that overthrows good governments and homes of men. We should not speak to please the ear but point the path that leads to noble fame.
’Tis even this, too plausible a tongue, that overthrows good governments and homes of men. We should not speak to please the ear but point the path that leads to noble fame.
Nurse
What means this solemn speech? No need of rounded phrases;
1
but at once must we sound the prince, telling him frankly how it is with thee. Had not thy life to such a crisis come,
2
or wert thou with self-control endowed,
490
ne’er would I to gratify thy passions have urged thee to this course; but now ’tis a struggle fierce to save thy life, and therefore less to blame.
495
What means this solemn speech? No need of rounded phrases;
1
but at once must we sound the prince, telling him frankly how it is with thee. Had not thy life to such a crisis come,
2
or wert thou with self-control endowed,
490
ne’er would I to gratify thy passions have urged thee to this course; but now ’tis a struggle fierce to save thy life, and therefore less to blame.
495
Phaedra
Accursed proposal! peace, woman! never utter those shameful words again!
Accursed proposal! peace, woman! never utter those shameful words again!
Nurse
Shameful, maybe, yet for thee better than honour’s code. Better this deed, if it shall save thy life, than that name thy pride will kill thee to retain.
500
Shameful, maybe, yet for thee better than honour’s code. Better this deed, if it shall save thy life, than that name thy pride will kill thee to retain.
500
Phaedra
I conjure thee, go no further! for thy words are plausible but infamous; for though as yet
love has not
3
undermined my soul, yet, if in specious words thou dress thy foul suggestion, I shall be beguiled into the snare from which I am now escaping.
505
I conjure thee, go no further! for thy words are plausible but infamous; for though as yet
love has not
3
undermined my soul, yet, if in specious words thou dress thy foul suggestion, I shall be beguiled into the snare from which I am now escaping.
505
Nurse
If thou art of this mind, ’twere well thou ne’er hadst sinned; but as it is, hear me; for that is the next best course; I in my house have charms
to soothe thy love,—’twas but now I thought of them;—these shall cure thee of thy sickness on no disgraceful terms, thy mind unhurt, if thou wilt be but brave.
510
But from him thou lovest we must get some token, a word or fragment of his robe,
and thereby unite in one love’s twofold stream.
4
515
If thou art of this mind, ’twere well thou ne’er hadst sinned; but as it is, hear me; for that is the next best course; I in my house have charms
to soothe thy love,—’twas but now I thought of them;—these shall cure thee of thy sickness on no disgraceful terms, thy mind unhurt, if thou wilt be but brave.
510
But from him thou lovest we must get some token, a word or fragment of his robe,
and thereby unite in one love’s twofold stream.
4
515
Phaedra
Is thy drug a salve or potion?
Is thy drug a salve or potion?
Nurse
I cannot tell; be content, my child, to profit by it and ask no questions.
I cannot tell; be content, my child, to profit by it and ask no questions.
Phaedra
I fear me thou wilt prove too wise for me.
I fear me thou wilt prove too wise for me.
Nurse
If thou fear this, confess thyself afraid of all; but why thy terror?
If thou fear this, confess thyself afraid of all; but why thy terror?
Phaedra
Lest thou shouldst breathe a word of this to Theseus’ son.
520
Lest thou shouldst breathe a word of this to Theseus’ son.
520
Nurse
Peace, my child! I will do all things well; only be thou, queen Cypris, ocean’s child, my partner in the work! And for the rest of my purpose, it will be enough for me to tell it to Our friends within the house.
[Exit Nurse.
Peace, my child! I will do all things well; only be thou, queen Cypris, ocean’s child, my partner in the work! And for the rest of my purpose, it will be enough for me to tell it to Our friends within the house.
[Exit Nurse.
Hippolytus. Euripides. Edward P. Coleridge (Translator). London. 1906.
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