Stasimon 3
[Episode]
This letter here, though it bears no seers’ signs, arraigns thy pledges; as for birds that fly o’er our heads, a long farewell to them.
Hippolytus
(aside). Great gods! why do I not unlock my lips, seeing that I am ruined by you, the objects of my reverence? No, I will not; I should nowise persuade those whom I ought to, and in vain should break the oath I swore.
1060
Theseus
Fie upon thee! that solemn air of thine is more than I can bear.
Begone from thy native land forthwith!
1065
Hippolytus
Whither shall I turn? Ah me! whose friendly house will take me in, an exile on so grave a charge?
Theseus
Seek one who loves to entertain as guests and partners in his crimes corrupters of men’s wives.
Hippolytus
Ah me! this wounds my heart and brings me nigh to tears to think that I should appear so vile, and thou believe me so.
1070
Theseus
Thy tears and forethought had been more in season when thou didst presume to outrage thy father’s wife.
Hippolytus
O house, I would thou couldst speak for me and witness if I am so vile!
Theseus
Dost fly to speechless witnesses? This deed, though it speaketh not, proves thy guilt clearly.
Hippolytus
Alas! Would I could stand and face myself, so should I weep to see the sorrows I endure.
Theseus
Ay, ’tis thy character to honour thyself far more than reverence thy parents, as thou shouldst.
1080
Hippolytus
Unhappy mother! son of sorrow! Heaven keep all friends of mine from bastard birth!
Theseus
Ho! servants, drag him hence! You heard
my proclamation long ago condemning him to exile.
1085
Hippolytus
Whoso of them doth lay a hand on me shall rue it; thyself expel me, if thy spirit move thee, from the land.
Theseus
I will, unless my word thou straight obey; no pity for thy exile steals into my heart. [Exit Theseus.
Hippolytus
The sentence then, it seems, is passed. Ah, misery I How well I know the truth herein, but know no way to tell it! O daughter of Latona, dearest to me of all deities, partner, comrade in the chase, far from glorious Athens must I fly. Farewell, city
1090
and land of Erechtheus; farewell, Troezen, most joyous home wherein to pass the spring of life; ’tis my last sight of thee, farewell!
1095
Come, my comrades in this land, young like me, greet me kindly and escort me forth,
