Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, EPILOGUE TO PHAEDRA AND HIPPOLITUS, by MATTHEW PRIOR



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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

EPILOGUE TO PHAEDRA AND HIPPOLITUS, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Ladies, to-night your pity I implore
Last Line: And spare poor phaedra for ismena's sake.
Subject(s): Mythology - Classical; Soul; Women


LADIES, to-night your pity I implore
For one, who never troubled you before;
An Oxford man, extremely read in Greek,
Who from Euripides makes Phaedra speak;
And comes to town to let us moderns know,
How women loved two thousand years ago.
If that be all, said I, even burn your play;
Egad! we know all that, as well as they!
Show us the youthful, handsome charioteer,
Firm in his seat, and running his career;
Our souls would kindle with as generous flames,
As e'er inspired the ancient Grecian dames:
Every Ismena would resign her breast;
And every dear Hippolitus be blessed.
But, as it is, six flouncing Flanders mares
Are e'en as good as any two of theirs:
And if Hippolitus can but contrive
To buy the gilded chariot, John can drive.
Now of the bustle you have seen to-day,
And Phaedra's morals in this scholar's play,
Something at least in justice should be said;
But this Hippolitus so fills one's head --
Well! Phaedra lived as chastely as she could!
For she was father Jove's own flesh and blood.
Her awkward love indeed was oddly fated;
She and her Poly were too near related;
And yet that scruple had been laid aside,
If honest Theseus had but fairly died.
But when he came, what needed he to know,
But that all matters stood in statu quo?
There was no harm, you see, or grant there were,
She might want conduct, but he wanted care.
'Twas in a husband little less than rude,
Upon his wife's retirement to intrude;
He should have sent a night or two before,
That he would come exact at such an hour;
Then he had turned all tragedy to jest;
Found everything contribute to his rest;
The picquet-friend dismissed, the coast all clear,
And spouse alone impatient for her dear.
But if these gay reflections come too late,
To keep the guilty Phaedra from her fate;
If your more serious judgment must condemn
The dire effects of her unhappy flame;
Yet, ye chaste matrons, and ye tender fair,
Let love and innocence engage your care;
My spotless flames to your protection take;
And spare poor Phaedra for Ismena's sake.





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