_Hippolytus:_ Then live, be gone! Thou shalt gain naught from me. And this my sword, defiled by thy base touch, No more shall hang upon my modest side. [_He throws his sword from him._] What Tanaïs will make me clean again? 715 Or what Maeotis rushing to the sea, With its barbaric waves? Not Neptune's self, With all his ocean's waters could avail To cleanse so foul a stain. O woods! O beasts! [_He rushes off into the depths of the forest._] _Nurse_ [_in soliloquy, while_ Phaedra _seems to have fallen in a fainting fit_]: Now is her fault discovered. Soul of mine, Why dost thou stand in dumb amaze? This crime We must throw back upon the man himself, 720 And charge him with a guilty love, ourselves. Sin must be hid by sin. The safest way Is to go straight forward on the course you fear. Who is to know, since no one saw the deed, Whether we dared, ourselves, or suffered ill? [_Raising her voice in a loud cry._] Help! Help! ye dames of Athens! Faithful band 725 Of slaves, bring aid! Behold Hippolytus, With vile adultery, attacks the queen! He has her in his power! He threatens death! At point of sword he storms her chastity! There, he has gone in haste, and left behind His sword in trembling, panic-stricken flight. This proof of guilt we'll keep. But first restore 730 The stricken queen to life. Let all remain Just as they are, her locks disheveled, torn, To show how great a wrong she has endured. Back to the city bear her now. Revive, My mistress. Why dost seek to harm thyself And shun thy comrades' eyes. For be thou sure Not circumstance but will can make impure. 735 [_Exeunt._]