View:
By Scene
Hippolytus
For
1
thee, O mistress mine, I bring this woven wreath, culled from a virgin meadow,
where nor shepherd dares to herd his flock nor ever scythe hath mown, but o’er the mead unshorn the bee doth wing its way in spring; and with the dew from rivers drawn purity that garden tends. Such as know no cunning lore, yet in whose nature
75
self-control, made perfect, hath a home, these may pluck the flowers, but not the wicked world. Accept, I pray, dear mistress, mine this chaplet from my holy hand to crown thy locks of gold; for I, and none other of mortals, have this high guerdon,
80
to be with thee, with thee converse, hearing thy voice, though not thy face beholding. So be it mine to end my life as I began.
85
For
1
thee, O mistress mine, I bring this woven wreath, culled from a virgin meadow,
where nor shepherd dares to herd his flock nor ever scythe hath mown, but o’er the mead unshorn the bee doth wing its way in spring; and with the dew from rivers drawn purity that garden tends. Such as know no cunning lore, yet in whose nature
75
self-control, made perfect, hath a home, these may pluck the flowers, but not the wicked world. Accept, I pray, dear mistress, mine this chaplet from my holy hand to crown thy locks of gold; for I, and none other of mortals, have this high guerdon,
80
to be with thee, with thee converse, hearing thy voice, though not thy face beholding. So be it mine to end my life as I began.
85
Attendants
My prince! we needs must call upon the gods, our lords, so wilt thou listen to a friendly word from me?
My prince! we needs must call upon the gods, our lords, so wilt thou listen to a friendly word from me?
Hippolytus
Why, that will I! else were I proved a fool.
90
Why, that will I! else were I proved a fool.
90
Attendants
Dost know, then, the way of the world?
Dost know, then, the way of the world?
Hippolytus
Not I; but wherefore such a question?
Not I; but wherefore such a question?
Attendants
It hates reserve which careth not for all men’s love.
It hates reserve which careth not for all men’s love.
Hippolytus
And rightly too; reserve in man is ever galling.
And rightly too; reserve in man is ever galling.
Attendants
But there’s a charm in courteous affability?
95
But there’s a charm in courteous affability?
95
Hippolytus
The greatest surely; aye, and profit, too, at trifling cost.
The greatest surely; aye, and profit, too, at trifling cost.
Attendants
Dost think the same law holds in heaven as well?
Dost think the same law holds in heaven as well?
Hippolytus
I trow it doth, since all our laws we men from heaven draw.
I trow it doth, since all our laws we men from heaven draw.
Attendants
Why, then, dost thou neglect to greet an august goddess?
2
Why, then, dost thou neglect to greet an august goddess?
2
Hippolytus
Whom speak’st thou of? Keep watch upon thy tongue lest it some mischief cause.
100
Whom speak’st thou of? Keep watch upon thy tongue lest it some mischief cause.
100
Attendants
Cypris I mean, whose image is stationed o’er thy gate.
Cypris I mean, whose image is stationed o’er thy gate.
Hippolytus
I greet her from afar, preserving still my chastity.
I greet her from afar, preserving still my chastity.
Att
Yet is she an august goddess, far renowned on earth.
Yet is she an august goddess, far renowned on earth.
Hippolytus
’Mongst gods as well as men we have our several preferences.
’Mongst gods as well as men we have our several preferences.
Attendants
I wish thee luck, and wisdom too, so far as thou dost need it.
105
I wish thee luck, and wisdom too, so far as thou dost need it.
105
Hippolytus
No god, whose worship craves the night, hath charms for me.
No god, whose worship craves the night, hath charms for me.
Attendants
My son, we should avail us of the gifts that gods confer.
My son, we should avail us of the gifts that gods confer.
Hippolytus
Go in, my faithful followers, and make ready food within the house; a well-filled board hath charms after the chase is o’er.
Rub down my steeds ye must, that when I have had my all I may yoke them to the chariot and give them proper exercise.
110
As for thy Queen of Love, a long farewell to her.
[Exit Hippolytus.
Go in, my faithful followers, and make ready food within the house; a well-filled board hath charms after the chase is o’er.
Rub down my steeds ye must, that when I have had my all I may yoke them to the chariot and give them proper exercise.
110
As for thy Queen of Love, a long farewell to her.
Attendants
Meantime I with sober mind, for I must not copy my young master,
do offer up my prayer to thy image, lady Cypris, in such words as it becomes a slave to use. But thou should’st pardon all, who, in youth’s impetuous heat, speak idle words of thee; make as though thou hearest not,
115
for gods must needs be wiser than the sons of men.
120
Meantime I with sober mind, for I must not copy my young master,
do offer up my prayer to thy image, lady Cypris, in such words as it becomes a slave to use. But thou should’st pardon all, who, in youth’s impetuous heat, speak idle words of thee; make as though thou hearest not,
115
for gods must needs be wiser than the sons of men.
120
Hippolytus. Euripides. Edward P. Coleridge (Translator). London. 1906.
Sponsored by Perseus Project, Tufts University.
Funding provided by Tufts University.