Hippolytus (505-525)

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.

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, a word or fragment of his robe,

and thereby unite in one love’s twofold stream.[*]

Is thy drug a salve or potion?

I cannot tell; be content, my child, to profit by it and ask no questions.

I fear me thou wilt prove too wise for me.

If thou fear this, confess thyself afraid of all; but why thy terror?

Lest thou shouldst breathe a word of this to Theseus’ son.

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. [Exit Nurse.