Nurse: Mistress, thou may'st condemn the mischief I have done, for
sorrow's sting o'ermasters thy judgment; yet can I answer thee in
face of this, if thou wilt hear. 'Twas I who nurtured thee; I love
thee still; but in my search for medicine to cure thy sickness I found
what least I sought. Had I but succeeded, I had been counted wise,
for the credit we get for wisdom is measured by our success.
Phaedra: Is it just, is it any satisfaction to me, that thou shouldst
wound me first, then bandy words with me?
Nurse: We dwell on this too long; I was not wise, I own; but there
are yet ways of escape from the trouble, my child.
Phaedra: 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.
(The Nurse goes into the palace.)
Ye noble daughters of Troezen, grant me the only boon I
crave; in silence bury what ye here have heard.
Leader: By majestic Artemis, child of Zeus, I swear I will never divulge
aught of thy sorrows.
Studies
