HIPPOLYTUS What is my term and place of banishment? THESEUS Were you beyond the Pillars of Alcides, Your perjured presence were too near me yet. HIPPOLYTUS What friends will pity me, when you forsake And think me guilty of a crime so vile? THESEUS Go, look you out for friends who hold in honour Adultery and clap their hands at incest, Low, lawless traitors, steep'd in infamy, The fit protectors of a knave like you. HIPPOLYTUS Are incest and adultery the words You cast at me? I hold my tongue. Yet think What mother Phaedra had; too well you know Her blood, not mine, is tainted with those horrors. THESEUS What! Does your rage before my eyes lose all Restraint? For the last time,--out of my sight! Hence, traitor! Wait not till a father's wrath Force thee away 'mid general execration. Scene III THESEUS (alone) Wretch! Thou must meet inevitable ruin. Neptune has sworn by Styx--to gods themselves A dreadful oath,--and he will execute His promise. Thou canst not escape his vengeance. I loved thee; and, in spite of thine offence, My heart is troubled by anticipation For thee. But thou hast earn'd thy doom too well. Had father ever greater cause for rage? Just gods, who see the grief that overwhelms me, Why was I cursed with such a wicked son? SCENE IV PHAEDRA, THESEUS PHAEDRA My lord, I come to you, fill'd with just dread. Your voice raised high in anger reach'd mine ears, And much I fear that deeds have follow'd threats. Oh, if there yet is time, spare your own offspring. Respect your race and blood, I do beseech you. Let me not hear that blood cry from the ground; Save me the horror and perpetual pain Of having caused his father's hand to shed it. THESEUS No, Madam, from that stain my hand is free. But, for all that, the wretch has not escaped me. The hand of an Immortal now is charged With his destruction. 'Tis a debt that Neptune Owes me, and you shall be avenged. PHAEDRA A debt Owed you? Pray'rs made in anger-- THESEUS Never fear That they will fail. Rather join yours to mine In all their blackness paint for me his crimes, And fan my tardy passion to white heat. But yet you know not all his infamy; His rage against you overflows in slanders; Your mouth, he says, is full of all deceit, He says Aricia has his heart and soul, That her alone he loves. PHAEDRA Aricia?