Phèdre - Racine
Phèdre – Racine
Matthew Warren
I have languished, dried up in the fires, in tears:
Your eyes surely this truth to you would attest,
if they could for a moment upon me themselves arrest…
What say I? this secret I have to you revealed,
Do you willingly believe what I have so long concealed?
Trembling for a son, whom I dared not betray,
I came to beg that you would not him slay:
Feeble ambitions, my heart´s love for you was too strong!
Alas! I have spoken only of you and me, I have done wrong!
Avenge yourself, punish me for the odious love of a father´s wife:
Noble son of the hero who gave you life,
From this monster who plagues you, deliver the universe.
Thesius´s widow dares love Hyppolitus!
Believe me, this hideous monster deserves no respite;
Here is my heart: that is where you should strike.
Impatient already to atone for its offense,
Before your arm, its advance I sense.
Strike! Or if you believe it below your blows,
If your hatred denies my life a sweet bringing to a close,
Or if by such vile blood your hand would be stained,
If your arm cannot do it, lend me your blade;
Give it to me.