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selfsame letters to denote them。 So then since I had made up my mind
on these points； 'twas not likely any drug would alter it and make
me think the contrary。 And I will tell the too the way my judgment
went。 When love wounded me； I bethought me how I best might bear the
smart。 So from that day forth I began to hide in silence what I
suffered。 For I put no faith in counsellors； who know well to
lecture others for presumption； yet themselves have countless troubles
of their own。 Next I did devise noble endurance of these wanton
thoughts； striving by continence for victory。 And last when I could
not succeed in mastering love hereby； methought it best to die； and
none can gainsay my purpose。 For fain I would my virtue should to
all appear； my shame have few to witness it。 I knew my sickly
passion now； to yield to it I saw how infamous； and more； I learnt
to know so well that I was but woman； a thing the world detests。
Curses； hideous curses on that wife who first did shame her
marriage…vow for lovers other than her lord！ 'Twas from noble families
this curse began to spread among our sex。 For when the noble
countenance disgrace； poor folk of course will think that it is right。
Those too I hate who make profession of purity； though in secret
reckless sinners。 How can these； queen Cypris； ocean's child； e'er
look their husbands in the face？ do they never feel one guilty
thrill that their accomplice； night； or the chambers of their house
will find a voice and speak？ This it is that calls on me to die；
kind friends； that so I may ne'er be found to have disgraced my
lord； or the children I have borne； no！ may they grow up and dwell
in glorious Athens； free to speak and act； heirs to such fair fame
as a mother can bequeath。 For to know that father or mother has sinned
doth turn the stoutest heart to slavishness。 This alone； men say；
can stand the buffets of life's battle； a just and virtuous soul in
whomsoever found。 For time unmasks the villain soon or late； holding
up to them a mirror as to some blooming maid。 'Mongst such may I be
never seen！
LEADER OF THE CHORUS
Now look！ how fair is chastity however viewed； whose fruit is good
repute amongst men。
NURSE
My queen； 'tis true thy tale of woe； but lately told； did for
the moment strike me with wild alarm； but now I do reflect upon my
foolishness； second thoughts are often best even with men。 Thy fate is
no uncommon nor past one's calculations； thou art stricken by the
passion Cypris sends。 Thou art in love； what wonder？ so are many more。
Wilt thou； because thou lov'st； destroy thyself？ 'Tis little gain； I
trow； for those who love or yet may love their fellows； if death
must be their end； for though the Love…Queen's onset in her might is
more than man can bear； yet doth she gently visit yielding hearts； and
only when she finds a proud unnatural spirit； doth she take and mock
it past belief。 Her path is in the sky； and mid the ocean's surge
she rides； from her all nature springs； she sows the seeds of love；
inspires the warm desire to which we sons of earth all owe our
being。 They who have aught to do with books of ancient scribes； or
themselves engage in studious pursuits； know how Zeus of Semele was
enamoured； how the bright…eyed goddess of the Dawn once stole Cephalus
to dwell in heaven for the love she bore him； yet these in heaven
abide nor shun the gods' approach； content； I trow； to yield to
their misfortune。 Wilt thou refuse to yield？ thy sire； it seems；
should have begotten thee on special terms or with different gods
for masters； if in these laws thou wilt not acquiesce。 How many；
prithee； men of sterling sense； when they see their wives
unfaithful； make as though they saw it not？ How many fathers； when
their sons have gone astray； assist them in their amours？ 'Tis part of
human wisdom to conceal the deed of shame。 Nor should man aim at too
great refinement in his life； for they cannot with exactness finish
e'en the roof that covers in a house； and how dost thou； after falling
into so deep a pit； think to escape？ Nay； if thou hast more of good
than bad； thou wilt fare exceeding well； thy human nature
considered。 O cease； my darling child； from evil thoughts； let
wanton pride be gone； for this is naught else； this wish to rival gods
in perfectness。 Face thy love； 'tis heaven's will thou shouldst。
Sick thou art； yet turn thy sickness to some happy issue。 For there
are charms and spells to soothe the soul； surely some cure for thy
disease will be found。 Men； no doubt； might seek it long and late if
our women's minds no scheme devise。
LEADER
Although she gives thee at thy present need the wiser counsel；
Phaedra； yet do I praise thee。 Still my praise may sound more harsh
and jar more cruelly on thy ear than her advice。
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。
NURSE
What means this solemn speech？ Thou needst not rounded
phrases；…but a man。 Straightway must we move to tell him frankly how
it is with thee。 Had not thy life to such a crisis come； or wert
thou with self…control I endowed； 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。
PHAEDRA
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。
PHAEDRA
I conjure thee； go no further！ for thy words are plausible but
infamous； for though as yet love has not 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。
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。 But from him thou lovest we must
get some token； word or fragment of his robe； and thereby unite in one
love's twofold stream。
PHAEDRA
Is thy drug a salve or potion？
NURSE
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。
NURSE
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。
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。
（The NU