HIPP OLYTUS
author of dread calamities
and ruin when he enters human hearts.
STROPHE
The Oechalian maiden who had never known 545
the bed of love, known neither man nor marriage,
the Goddess Cypris gave to Heracles.
She took her from the home of Eurytus,
maiden unhappy in her marriage song,
wild as a Naiad or a Bacchanal, 550
with blood and fire, a murderous hymenaeal!
ANTISTROPHE
6 holy walls of Thebes and Dirce's fountain 555
bear witness you, to Love's grim journeying:
once you saw Love bring Semele to bed,
lull her to sleep, clasped in the arms of Death,
pregnant with Dionysus by the thunder king. 560
Love is like a flitting bee in the world's garden
and for its flowers, destruction is in his breath.
SCENE III
(Phaedra is standing listening near the central door
of the pdace.)
Phaedra
Women, be silent!
(She listens and then recoils.)
Oh, I am destroyed forever. 565
Chorus Leader
What is there terrible within the house?
Phaedra •»
Hush, let me hear the voices withinl
Cfiorus Leader
And I obey. But this is sorrow's prelude.
203