Chorus Thy oath by heaven, strong security, sufficiently refutes the charge.
Theseus A wizard or magician must the fellow be, to think he can first flout me, his father, then by coolness master my resolve.
Hippolytus Father, thy part in this doth fill me with amaze; wert thou my son and I thy sire, by heaven! I would have slain, not let thee off with banishment, hadst thou presumed to violate my honour.
Theseus A just remark! yet shalt thou not die by the sentence thine own lips pronounce upon thyself; for death, that cometh in a moment, is an easy end for wretchedness. Nay, thou shalt be exiled from thy fatherland,
Hippolytus Oh! what wilt thou do? Wilt thou banish me, without so much as waiting for Time’s evidence on my case?
Theseus Ay, beyond the sea, beyond the bounds of Atlas, if I could, so deeply do I hate thee.
Hippolytus What! banish me untried, without even testing my oath, the pledge I offer, or the voice of seers?
Theseus This letter here, though it bears no seers’ signs, arraigns thy pledges; as for birds that fly o’er our heads, a long farewell to them.
Hippolytus Great gods! why do I not unlock my lips, seeing that I am ruined by you, the objects of my reverence? No, I will not; I should nowise persuade those whom I ought to, and in vain should break the oath I swore.
Theseus Fie upon thee! that solemn air of thine is more than I can bear. Begone from thy native land forthwith!
Hippolytus Whither shall I turn? Ah me! whose friendly house will take me in, an exile on so grave a charge?
Theseus Seek one who loves to entertain as guests and partners in his crimes corrupters of men’s wives.
Hippolytus Ah me! this wounds my heart and brings me nigh to tears to think that I should appear so vile, and thou believe me so.
Theseus Thy tears and forethought had been more in season when thou didst presume to outrage thy father’s wife.
Hippolytus O house, I would thou couldst speak for me and witness if I am so vile!
Theseus Dost fly to speechless witnesses? This deed, though it speaketh not, proves thy guilt clearly.
Hippolytus Alas! Would I could stand and face myself, so should I weep to see the sorrows I endure.
Theseus Ay, ’tis thy character to honour thyself far more than reverence thy parents, as thou shouldst.
Hippolytus Unhappy mother! son of sorrow! Heaven keep all friends of mine from bastard birth!
Theseus Ho! servants, drag him hence! You heard my proclamation long ago condemning him to exile.
Hippolytus Whoso of them doth lay a hand on me shall rue it; thyself expel me, if thy spirit move thee, from the land.
Theseus I will, unless my word thou straight obey; no pity for thy exile steals into my heart.
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