Whence comes it that her heart is crushed, cruelly afflicted by Aphrodite with unholy love; so she by bitter grief o’erwhelmed will tie a noose within her bridal bower to fit it to her fair white neck, too modest for this hateful lot in life, prizing o’er all her name and fame, and striving thus to rid her soul of passion’s sting.

MessengerHelp!Messenger lines attributed to the Nurse in the Greek. ho! To the rescue all who near the palace stand! She hath hung herself, our queen, the wife of Theseus.ChorusWoe worth the day! the deed is done; our royal mistress is no more, dead she hangs in the dangling noose.MessengerHaste!Messenger lines attributed to the Nurse in the Greek. some one bring a two-edged knife wherewith to cut the knot about her neck!1st Half ChorusFriends, what shall we do? think you we should enter the house, and loose the queen from the tight-drawn noose?2nd Half ChorusWhy should we? Are there not young servants here? To do too much is not a safe course in life.MessengerLayMessenger lines attributed to the Nurse in the Greek. out the hapless corpse, straighten the limbs. This was a bitter way to sit at home and keep my master’s house! [Exit Messenger.