That Jove you worship, as this slave you scorn. The black abettors of this impious treason. [Exit a Soldier. Now o'er thy head th' avenging thunder rolls; For know, on me depends thy instant doom. Then learn, proud Prince, to bend thy haughty soul, And, if thou think'st of life, obey the queen. Hip. Then free from fear or guilt I'll wait my doom. Whate'er's my fault, no stain shall blot my giory. I'll guard my honour; you dispose my life. "Lyc. Be it so, Cratander follow me." [Exit Lyc. and Crat, Hip. Since he dares brave my rage, the danger's near, But when he struggles in th' entangling toils, ISMENA and Lady enter, "Tis kindly done, Ismena, "With all your charms to visit my distress; "Soften my chains, and make confinement easy." O Ismena, is it then giv'n me to behold thy beauties! "Those blushing sweets, those lovely loving eyes!" To press, to strain thee to my beating heart, And grow thus to my love! What's liberty to this? What's fame or greatness? take 'em, take 'em, Phædra, "Freedom and fame," and in the dear confinement Enclose me thus for ever. Ism. O Hippolitus! Oh, I could ever dwell in this confinement! Nor wish for aught while I behold my lord : When my hard fate thus forces me to beg you'd Take to your arms (assist me, Heav'n! to speak it) Take to your arms imperial Phædra, And think of me no more. Hip. Not think of thee? What! part, for ever part? unkind Ismena! And see me settled in a rival's arms? Ism. Think not of me: Perhaps my equal mind May learn to bear the fate the gods allot me. Yet would you hear me ; "could your lov'd Ismena "With all her charms o'er-rule your sullen honour," You yet might live, nor leave the poor Ismena. Hip. Speak: if I can, I'm ready to obey. Ism. Give the queen hopes. Hip. No more-my soul disdains it. No; should I try, my haughty soul would swell, Ism. Oh, I can't bear this cold contempt of death! This rigid virtue, that prefers your glory To liberty or life. O cruel man! "By these sad sighs, by these poor streaming eyes, By that dear love that makes us now unhappy, "By the near danger of that precious life, "Heav'n knows I value much above my own. "What! not yet mov'd?" are you resolv'd on death? Then, ere 'tis night, I swear by all the pow'rs, This steel shall end my fears and life together. "Hip. You sha'n't be trusted with a life so precious." "No; to the court I'll publish your design : "Ev'n bloody Lycon will prevent your fate; 66 Lycon shall wrench the dagger from your bosom; "And raving Phædra will preserve Ismena. "Ism. Phædra! come on, I'll lead you on to Phædra: "I'll tell her all the secrets of our love; "Give to her rage her close destructive rival : "Dying, yet fix'd in death on my Hippolitus." Ism. She means to lead you in the road of fate; Yet when you see me pale upon the earth, « I'll run, I'll fly; what you'll command I'll say.” I yield, Ismena. What would you have me do? Ism. Say what occasion, chance, or Heav'n inspires; Say that you love her, that you lov'd her long; Say that you'll wed her, say that you'll comply; Say, to preserve your life, say any thing. Bless him, ye pow'rs! and if it be a crime, [Exit Hip. Aim all your vengeance on Isniena's head; "He's gone, and now my brave resolves are stagger'd, Say, should he wed her? Ism. Should he wed the queen? Oh! I'd remember that 'twas my request, And see another revel in his arms? Oh, 'tis in death alone I can have comfort! LYCON enters. Lyc. What a reverse is this! perfidious boy, Is this thy truth? is this thy boasted honour? Then all are rogues alike: I never thought But one man honest, and that one deceives me. [Aside. Ismena here! Ism. Now, my lord, is the queen's rage abated? How is the prince dispos'd? Lyc. Happily, All's chang'd to love and harmony, my fair. "'Tis all agreed, and now the prince is safe "From the sure vengeance of despairing love;" Now Phædra's rage is chang'd to soft endearments: She doats, she dies; and few, but tedious days, With endless joys will crown the happy pair. Ism. Does he then wed the queen ? Lyc. At least I think so. 1 I, when the prince approach'd, not far retir'd, Which I must now pursue. Farewell, Ismena. [Exit. Ism. Ah! wherefore should I stay? What shall I stay to rave, t'upbraid, to hold him? To snatch the struggling charmer from her arms? For could you think that open gen'rous youth Could with feign'd love deceive a jealous woman? |