Hippolytus (706-725)

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.

By majestic Artemis, child of Zeus, I swear I will never divulge aught of thy sorrows.

’Tis well. But I, with all my thought,[*] 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,

nor will I, to save one poor life, face Theseus after my disgrace.

Art thou bent then on some cureless woe?

On death; the means thereto must I devise myself.

Hush!

Do thou at least advise me well.

For this very day shall I gladden Cypris, my destroyer, by yielding up my life, and shall own myself vanquished by cruel love. Yet shall my dying be another’s curse, that he may learn not to exult at my misfortunes;