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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
HIPPOLYTUS: HIS DEATH, by EURIPIDES Poet's Biography
First Line: Poor wretch with what calamity art thou joined
Last Line: Make speed and with the mantles cover my face.
Subject(s): Death; Dead, The
First Line: Poor wretch with what calamity art thou joined
Last Line: Make speed and with the mantles cover my face.
Subject(s): Death; Dead, The
ARTEMIS. HIPPOLYTUS. THESEUS
AR.
Poor wretch with what calamity art thou joined:
It is thy noble heart that hath laid thee low.
HIPP.
(dimly aware of Artemis, but not seeing). O heaven
This is thy breath of fragrance, known to me
Even in my hurts; now easier lies my body,
For Artemis from her heaven is in this place.
AR.
Poor wretch, she is, and thy best friend in heaven.
HIPP.
O queen dost thou behold me in this plight?
AR.
I do, but from my eyes may drop no tear.
HIPP.
Thy huntsman and thy servant lives no more.
AR.
No more, but thou art dear to me though dying.
HIPP.
No more to drive thy steeds, to guard thy shrines.
AR.
Cypris the jade was plotter of all this.
HIPP.
Woe's me, I mark the goddess murdering me.
AR.
Thy prudence marred her honour and angered her.
HIPP.
Victims, I see, the three of us to Cypris.
AR.
Yea, both thy father, thou, and third his wife.
HIPP.
Let me lament the thing my father has done.
AR.
Deceived was he by schemes a goddess laid.
HIPP.
O father, wretched in this calamity!
THES.
I'm lost, my child, nor have I joy in life.
HIPP.
For you more than for me I rue the offence.
THES.
My child, if only I were dead for you!
HIPP.
O bitter the gifts your sire Poseidon gave!
THES.
They should have never come upon my lips.
HIPP.
Why? Would you have killed me in that furious rage?
THES.
My judgement met a stumbling block divine.
Woe's me,
HIPP.
If mortals could but curse the race of gods!
AR.
Be still, for not unvisited by me
Shall Cypris in her anger divine drive down
Thee to the darkness under the earth, thy body
Smiting for piety and goodness of heart;
For I shall another with this hand of mine --
Whoever be her darling of mortal men --
Requite with arrows that he shall not escape.
And thou, unfortunate, for these thy woes
The highest honours Troezen city can give
Shalt win from me: before their wedding rites,
Virgins shall cut a tress for thee, and always
Thou shalt be reaping the sad fruit of tears;
To thee shall ever come the maiden song
Caring for thee, nor Phaedra's love for thee
Into the silence of no name shall fall.
But take thy son, thou child of AEgeus old,
And in thy arms gather him to thyself;
Unwilling wast thou his death; when gods permit,
Then it is natural for men to err.
And, thee I bid, hate not, Hippolytus,
Thy father, knowing the doom that lays thee low.
And fare ye well; for me it is not lawful
Mortals to see, nor sully eyes with breath
Of dying men; I see thee near death's pain.
HIPP.
O fare thee well and go most blissful maiden.
Long was I with thee, and easily thou leavest!
As thou dost bid, my quarrel with my father
I end, for always to thy word I listened.
Alas, already darkness is over my eyes;
Take me father, and lay my body straight.
THES.
Woe's me my son, what do you to me unhappy?
HIPP.
I die, already the nether gates I see.
THES.
And do you go leaving my hand still foul?
HIPP.
No, for I free you from this murder's taint.
THES.
How do you say? Do you set me free from blood?
HIPP.
Bear witness Artemis whose bolt subdues!
THES.
Dear son, what goodness to your father shown!
HIPP.
Pray that the sons you get be not less good.
THES.
Alas, the virtue of your heart devout!
HIPP.
Fare well, I bid you a long farewell, my father.
THES.
O fail me not my son, but be you strong.
HIPP.
My strength is over; I am lost, my father,
Make speed and with the mantles cover my face.
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