Hippolytus; The Bacchae Part 2

NURSE Have I not tried all ways, and all in vain?

Yet will I cease not now, and thou shalt tell If in her grief I serve my mistress well!

[_She goes across to where_ PHAEDRA _lies; and presently, while speaking, kneels by her_.]

Dear daughter mine, all that before was said Let both of us forget; and thou instead Be kindlier, and unlock that prisoned brow.

And I, who followed then the wrong road, now Will leave it and be wiser. If thou fear Some secret sickness, there be women here To give thee comfort. [PHAEDRA _shakes her head_.

No; not secret? Then Is it a sickness meet for aid of men?

Speak, that a leech may tend thee.

Silent still?

Nay, Child, what profits silence? If 'tis ill This that I counsel, makes me see the wrong: If well, then yield to me.

Nay, Child, I long For one kind word, one look!

[PHAEDRA _lies motionless. The_ NURSE _rises._]

Oh, woe is me!

Women, we labour here all fruitlessly, All as far off as ever from her heart!

She ever scorned me, and now hears no part Of all my prayers! [_Turning to_ PHAEDRA _again._]

Nay, hear thou shalt, and be, If so thou will, more wild than the wild sea; But know, thou art thy little ones' betrayer!

If thou die now, shall child of thine be heir To Theseus' castle? Nay, not thine, I ween, But hers! That barbed Amazonian Queen Hath left a child to bend thy children low, A b.a.s.t.a.r.d royal-hearted--sayst not so?-- Hippolytus...

PHAEDRA Ah!

[_She starts up, sitting, and throws the veil off_.]

NURSE That stings thee?

PHAEDRA Nurse, most sore Thou hast hurt me! In G.o.d's name, speak that name no more.

NURSE Thou seest? Thy mind is clear; but with thy mind Thou wilt not save thy children, nor be kind To thine own life.

PHAEDRA My children? Nay, most dear I love them,--Far, far other grief is here.

NURSE (_after a pause, wondering_) Thy hand is clean, O Child, from stain of blood?

PHAEDRA My hand is clean; but is my heart, O G.o.d?

NURSE Some enemy's spell hath made thy spirit dim?

PHAEDRA He hates me not that slays me, nor I him.

NURSE Theseus, the King, hath wronged thee in man's wise?

PHAEDRA Ah, could but I stand guiltless in his eyes!

NURSE O speak! What is this death-fraught mystery?

PHAEDRA Nay, leave me to my wrong. I wrong not thee.

NURSE (_suddenly throwing herself in supplication at PHAEDRA'S feet_) Not wrong me, whom thou wouldst all desolate leave?

PHAEDRA (_rising and trying to move away_) What wouldst thou? Force me? Clinging to my sleeve?

NURSE Yea, to thy knees; and weep; and let not go!

PHAEDRA Woe to thee, Woman, if thou learn it, woe!

NURSE I know no bitterer woe than losing thee.

PHAEDRA Yet the deed shall honour me.

NURSE Why hide what honours thee? 'Tis all I claim!

PHAEDRA Why, so I build up honour out of shame!

NURSE Then speak, and higher still thy fame shall stand.

PHAEDRA Go, in G.o.d's name!--Nay, leave me; loose my hand!

NURSE Never, until thou grant me what I pray.

PHAEDRA (_yielding, after a pause_) So be it. I dare not tear that hand away.

NURSE (_rising and releasing PHAEDRA_) Tell all thou wilt, Daughter. I speak no more.

PHAEDRA (_after a long pause_) Mother, poor Mother, that didst love so sore!

NURSE What mean'st thou, Child? The Wild Bull of the Tide?

PHAEDRA And thou, sad sister, Dionysus' bride!

NURSE Child! wouldst thou shame the house where thou wast born?

PHAEDRA And I the third, sinking most all-forlorn!

NURSE (_to herself_) I am all lost and feared. What will she say?

PHAEDRA From there my grief comes, not from yesterday.

NURSE I come no nearer to thy parable.

PHAEDRA Oh, would that thou could'st tell what I must tell!

NURSE I am no seer in things I wot not of.

PHAEDRA (_again hesitating_) What is it that they mean, who say men...love?

NURSE A thing most sweet, my Child, yet dolorous.

PHAEDRA Only the half, belike, hath fallen on us!

NURSE (_starting_) On thee? Love?--Oh, what say'st thou? What man's son?

PHAEDRA What man's? There was a Queen, an Amazon ...