’Tis the son of the horse-loving Amazon who calls, Hippolytus, uttering foul curses on my servant.

ChorusI hear a noise, but cannot clearly tellReading ὅπᾳ. The old reading was ὔπα. which way it comes. Ah! ’tis through the door the sound reached thee.PhaedraYes, yes, he is calling her plainly enough a go-between in vice, traitress to her master’s honour.

ChorusWoe, woe is me! thou art betrayed, dear mistress! What counsel shall I give thee? thy secret is out; thou art utterly undone.PhaedraAh me! ah me!ChorusBetrayed by friends!PhaedraShe hath ruined me by speaking of my misfortune; ’twas kindly meant, but an ill way to cure my malady.ChorusO what wilt thou do now in thy cruel dilemma?PhaedraI only know one way, one cure for these my woes and that is instant death.HippolytusO mother earth! O sun’s unclouded orb! What words, unfit for any lips, have reached my ears!NursePeace, my son, lest some one hear thy outcry.HippolytusI cannot hear such awful words and hold my peace.NurseI do implore thee by thy fair right hand.HippolytusLet go my hand, touch not my robe.NurseO by thy knees I pray, destroy me not utterly.HippolytusWhy say this, if, as thou pretendest, thy lips are free from blame?NurseMy son, this is no story to be noised abroad.HippolytusA virtuous tale grows fairer told to many.NurseNever dishonour thy oath, thy son.HippolytusMy tongue an oath did take, but not my heart.