University of Virginia Library

Actus Quintus.

Theseus, Phædra, Chorus, Servants.
Th.
What fury doth possess thee? why this sword
Wherefore about a body so abhor'd
Are these complaints and tears?

Ph.

The.
You dark jaws of Avernus, and you caves
Of Tenarus, with you forgetfull waves
Of Lethe, gratefull to the wretched, you
Dull lakes assist to overwhelm me too;
Load me with everlasting plagues, come now
You monsters of the deep; whatever thou,
Proteus hast hidden in the utmost wombe
Of the Ocean, and ev'n that Ocean come,
And me glory'ng in such a crime convey
To the dark bosome of the profound sea,
And thou too prone a Father to my wrath,
Now I deserve to dye, by a strange death;
I have dispers'd my Son, and while afraid
To leave a false offence unpunished,
Acted a true; what fourth lot can I try?
Heaven, Hell, the sea by my Impietie
Are fill'd, already in each portion known
Am I: Was my returne for this alone?
The way to light unstopt to shew me these
Sad and ingeminated obsequies?
Widdow'd and childles I that might at once
Kindle two fun'rall piles, my wives and sons?
O thou to whom this dismal light I ow,
Return me back unto those shades below.
But, Impious, I doe now in vaine preferre
Forsaken death; cruell Artificer,
Who findest out new waies of bloud, and death,
Now finde a curse thy sin which equalleth.
Pines humbled to the earth by force, at their
Release, my body shall in peeces teare,
Or I will jump from Scyrons rocks. I've seen
Worse judgements, what their sufferings have been
Girt with a mote of fire. I know what paines,
And future mansion for my self remaines.
Make roome you sinfull Ghosts; thy endlesse toile
Upon these shoulders lay, and rest the while
Faint Sicyphus: let that false river slip,
When almost caught from this deluded lip.
Let Tityus vulture leave him, and for food
Prey on my Liver still, to paine renew'd.
Rest my Pirithons Father, while I, bound
Unto thy Wheele, keep the perpetuall round.
Gape Earth, receive me Hell, receive me: this
A juster voyage for me thither is;
My Son I follow: fear not thou, who sway'st
That Ghostly Empire; my intent is chast.
In thy Æternall house receive me then,
Now never to escape from thence agen.
The Gods are not so much as mov'd with prayer;
But when I aske a crime, how quick they are!

Cho.
Now pay the rites of fun'rall, and mourne,
These limbes you see so misrably torne;
You will have time enough to weep.

The.
O bear
Hither those reliques I esteeme so deare.
Give me that burthen, and those limbs, but too
Irreverently gathered by you.
Art thou Hippolitus? thou art, the deed
I doe confess, and I thy Parricide,
Least I should sin but once, and that alone,
Did call my Father when I slew my Son.
See his Paternall Legacy. O rage
Which thus unproppest my declining age!
Let me embrace these limbs, and what is yet
Remaining in my bosome cherish it;
Joyn these dissected members and digest
Those parts in order which be thus displac'd,
Here put his right hand, here his left, once skill'd
In moderating of those reins it held.
This mark in his left-side, I know how great
A part have I to weep unfound as yet.
Hold out my trembling hands, and you restrain
My thirsty cheeks your ample showrs of rain,
While to my Son I count his limbes, and mold
His body new. This peece no shape doth hold
At all, with wounds so mangled 'tis unknown
What part it is, but sure I am 'tis one.
Here in this void, although not proper place
It shall be laid: Is this that Heavenly face
Humbled a Stepdames pride? that Beauty come
To this? O Gods how cruell is your doom!
Oh bloody fury! to thy Father thus
Com'st thou, and by my wish Hippolitus?
Here take my Sires last gift that I should bear
Thee oft; mean while wee'l burn these members here
Open the morning Court, and with loud cryes
Let all the Town the fun'rall solemnize.
Look you to th'Royall Pile; search you about
The Fields to find what yet is wanting out,
Give her the buriall of a ditch, where laid,
May earth lye heavie on her Impious head.

Exeunt.