OCR Text |
Show 294 THE CODE OF TERPSICHORE. flying from her, but is again detained by Phaedra, who demands the punishment due to her crimes, since he will not listen to her love. In vain does Oenone try to bend the young Prince; his virtue remains unshaken. At length the consort of Theseus, lost to every hope, and transported at once by love and rage, rushes upon Hippolytus, seizes his sword, and is on the point of stabbing herself, when Oenone employs every effort to disarm her, and then drags her out, lamenting her own error and the insensibility of Hippolytus. The latter, filled with fear and consternation, implores the assistance of the Gods, and, confiding in their protection, hastens from a place so fatal, and goes to prevent greater misfortunes. ACT III. SCENE.- The Palace of Theseus; on the right appears a statue of Neptune, raised by that hero in gratitude. A RICIA enters, attended by Ismena ; she awaits with impatience the approach of her lover. Her faithful attendant endeavours to remove every doubt. Hippolytus enters haggard and pale, nor can the pleasure of beholding his mistress restore peace to his mind. She perceives his situation and demands the cause. H e tries to dissimulate by answering dubiously. Suspicion seizes Aricia, and she entreats Hippolytus to conceal nothing from her; but he begs her not to require of him a confession painful to both. T h e inquietude of Aricia increases, and she implores to be allowed to share in the pains of her lover. The latter endeavours to avoid an answer; but the tender solicitations of Aricia, and the proofs of her affection, at length obtain an explanation, and he informs her of the unhappy passion that possesses the breast of Phaedra. |