Part 7 (2/2)
That brings more joy than any crown or throne.
[_He sees from the demeanor of_ THESEUS _and of the crowd that his words are not winning them, but rather making them bitterer than before.
It comes to his lips to speak the whole truth_.]
I have said my say; save one thing...one alone O had I here some witness in my need, As I was witness! Could she hear me plead, Face me and face the sunlight; well I know, Our deeds would search us out for thee, and show Who lies!
But now, I swear--so hear me both, The Earth beneath and Zeus who Guards the Oath-- I never touched this woman that was thine!
No words could win me to it, nor incline My heart to dream it. May G.o.d strike me down, Nameless and fameless, without home or town, An outcast and a wanderer of the world; May my dead bones rest never, but be hurled From sea to land, from land to angry sea, If evil is my heart and false to thee!
[_He waits a moment; but sees that his Father is unmoved.
The truth again comes to his lips_.]
If 'twas some fear that made her cast away Her life ... I know not. More I must not say.
Right hath she done when in her was no right; And Right I follow to mine own despite!
LEADER It is enough! G.o.d's name is witness large, And thy great oath, to a.s.soil thee of this charge,
THESEUS Is not the man a juggler and a mage, Cool wits and one right oath--what more?--to a.s.suage Sin and the wrath of injured fatherhood!
HIPPOLYTUS Am I so cool? Nay, Father, 'tis thy mood That makes me marvel! By my faith, wert thou The son, and I the sire; and deemed I now In very truth thou hadst my wife a.s.sailed, I had not exiled thee, nor stood and railed, But lifted once mine arm, and struck thee dead!
THESEUS Thou gentle judge! Thou shalt not so be sped To simple death, nor by thine own decree.
Swift death is bliss to men in misery.
Far off, friendless forever, thou shalt drain Amid strange cities the last dregs of pain!
HIPPOLYTUS Wilt verily cast me now beyond thy pale, Not wait for Time, the lifter of the veil?
THESEUS Aye, if I could, past Pontus, and the red Atlantic marge! So do I hate thine head.
HIPPOLYTUS Wilt weigh nor oath nor faith nor prophet's word To prove me? Drive me from thy sight unheard?
THESEUS This tablet here, that needs no prophet's lot To speak from, tells me all. I ponder not Thy fowls that fly above us! Let them fly.
HIPPOLYTUS O ye great G.o.ds, wherefore unlock not I My lips, ere yet ye have slain me utterly, Ye whom I love most? No. It may not be!
The one heart that I need I ne'er should gain To trust me. I should break mine oath in vain.
THESEUS Death! but he chokes me with his saintly tone!-- Up, get thee from this land! Begone! Begone!
HIPPOLYTUS Where shall I turn me? Think. To what friend's door Betake me, banished on a charge so sore?
THESEUS Whoso delights to welcome to his hall Vile ravishers ... to guard his hearth withal!
HIPPOLYTUS Thou seekst my heart, my tears? Aye, let it be Thus! I am vile to all men, and to thee!
THESEUS There was a time for tears and thought; the time Ere thou didst up and gird thee to thy crime.
HIPPOLYTUS Ye stones, will ye not speak? Ye castle walls!
Bear witness if I be so vile, so false!
THESEUS Aye, fly to voiceless witnesses! Yet here A dumb deed speaks against thee, and speaks clear!
HIPPOLYTUS Alas!
Would I could stand and watch this thing, and see My face, and weep for very pity of me!
THESEUS Full of thyself, as ever! Not a thought For them that gave thee birth; nay, they are naught!
HIPPOLYTUS O my wronged Mother! O my birth of shame!
May none I love e'er bear a b.a.s.t.a.r.d's name!
THESEUS (_in a sudden blaze of rage_) Up, thralls, and drag him from my presence! What, 'Tis but a foreign felon! Heard ye not?
[_The thralls still hesitate in spite of his fury._]
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