_Phaedra:_ The sovereignty of love is over me, The highest rule of all. My lord's return, I fear it not; for never more has he, Who once within the silent depths of night 220 Has plunged, beheld again the light of day. _Nurse:_ Trust not the power of Dis; for though his realm He closely bar, and though the Stygian dog Keep watch and ward upon the baleful doors, Theseus can always walk forbidden ways. _Phaedra:_ Perchance he'll give indulgence to my love. 225 _Nurse:_ But he was harsh e'en to a modest wife; His heavy hand Antiope has known. But grant that thou canst bend thy angry lord: Canst bend as well the stubborn soul of him, Hippolytus, who hates the very name 230 Of womankind? Inexorable his resolve To spend his life unwedded. He so shuns The sacred rites of marriage, thou wouldst know That he of Amazonian stock was born. _Phaedra:_ Though on the tops of snowy hills he hide, Or swiftly course along the ragged cliffs, Through forests deep, o'er mountains, 'tis my will 235 To follow him. _Nurse:_ And will he turn again, And yield himself unto thy sweet caress? Or will he lay aside his modesty At thy vile love's behest? Will he give o'er His hate of womankind for thee alone, On whose account, perchance, he hates them all? _Phaedra:_ Can he not be by any prayers o'ercome? _Nurse:_ He's wild. 240 _Phaedra:_ Yes, but the beasts are tamed by love. _Nurse:_ He'll flee. _Phaedra:_ Through Ocean's self I'll follow him. _Nurse:_ Thy sire remember. _Phaedra:_ And my mother too. _Nurse:_ Women he hates. _Phaedra:_ Then I'll no rival fear. _Nurse:_ Thy husband comes. _Phaedra:_ With him Pirithoüs! _Nurse:_ Thy sire! 245 _Phaedra:_ To Ariadne he was kind. _Nurse:_ O child, by these white locks of age, I pray, This care-filled heart, these breasts that suckled thee, Put off this rage; to thine own rescue come. The greater part of life is will to live. _Phaedra:_ Shame has not wholly fled my noble soul. 250 I yield: let love, which will not be controlled, Be conquered. Nor shalt thou, fair fame, be stained. This way alone is left, sole hope of woe: Theseus I'll follow, and by death shun sin. _Nurse:_ Oh, check, my child, this wild, impetuous thought; 255 Be calm. For now I think thee worthy life, Because thou hast condemned thyself to death. _Phaedra:_ I am resolved to die, and only seek The mode of death. Shall I my spirit free By twisted rope, or fall upon the sword, Or shall I leap from yonder citadel? 260