Stasimon 2
[Episode]
women, no! not even though some say this is ever my theme, for of a truth they always are evil. So either let some one prove them chaste, or let me still trample on them for ever.
665
[Episode 1]
O the cruel, unhappy fate of women!
Phaedra
What arts, what arguments have we, once we have made a slip, to loose by craftFollowing Nauck’s reading δόλοις. If λόγου be retained, it would seem to mean loose the tight hold a word can keep on us i.e. the threat of Hippolytus; but it is doubtful if the Greek will bear this. the tight-drawn knot? I have met my deserts. O earth, O light of day! How can I escape the stroke of fate? How my pangs conceal, kind friends?
670
What god will appear to help me, what mortal to take my part or help me in unrighteousness? The present calamity of my life admits of no escape. Most hapless I of all my sex!
675
Chorus
Alas, alas! the deed is done, thy servant’s schemes have gone awry, my queen, and all is lost.
680
Phaedra
Accursed woman! traitress to thy friends! How hast thou ruined me! May Zeus, my ancestor, smite thee with his fiery bolt and uproot thee from thy place.
Did I not foresee thy purpose, did I not bid thee keep silence on the very matter which is now my shame? But thou wouldst not be still; wherefore my fair name will not go with me to the tomb. But now I must another scheme devise. Yon youth, in the keenness of his fury,
685
will tell his father of my sin, and the aged Pittheus of my state, and fill the world with stories to my shame. Perdition seize thee and every meddling fool who by dishonest means would serve unwilling friends!
690
Nurse
Mistress, thou may’st condemn the mischief I have done, for sorrow’s sting o’ermasters thy judgment; yet can I answer thee in face of this, if thou wilt hear. ’Twas I who nurtured thee; I love thee still; but in my search for medicine to cure thy sickness I found what least I sought.
695
Had I but succeeded, I had been counted wise, for the credit we get for wisdom is measured by our success.
700
Phaedra
Is it just, is it any satisfaction to me, that thou shouldst wound me first, then bandyσυγχωρεῖν, so Liddell and Scott, but it seems a doubtful usage, and Nauck suspects the word. words with me?
Nurse
We dwell on this too long; I was not wise, I own;
but there are yet ways of escape from the trouble, my child.
705
Phaedra
Be dumb henceforth; evil was thy first advice to me, evil too thy attempted scheme. Begone and leave me, look to thyself; I will my own fortunes for the best arrange. (Exit Nurse).
Ye noble daughters of Troezen, grant me the only boon I crave; in silence bury what ye here have heard.
710
Chorus
By majestic Artemis, child of Zeus, I swear I will never divulge aught of thy sorrows.
Phaedra
’Tis well. But I, with all my thought,The reading προστρέπουσ’ offers no clear meaning; of the various suggestions Monk’s προσκοποῦσ’ is the simplest. can but one way discover out of this calamity, that so I may secure my children’s honour, and find myself some help as matters stand. For never, never will I bring shame upon my Cretan home,
715
nor will I, to save one poor life, face Theseus after my disgrace.
720
Chorus
Art thou bent then on some cureless woe?
Phaedra
On death; the means thereto must I devise myself.
