Hippolytus: What! banish me untried, without even testing my oath,
the pledge 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: (aside) 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.
Studies
