HIPPOLYTUS
by this deep-rooted fundament of earth,
I never sinned against you with your wife
nor would have wished or thought of it.
If I have been a villain, may I die
unfamed, unknown, a homeless stateless beggar,
an exile! May the earth and sea refuse 1030
to give my body rest when I am dead!
Whether your wife took her own life because
she was afraid, I do not know. I may not speak
further than this.
Virtuous she was in deed, although not virtuous:
I that have virtue used it to my ruin, 1035
Chorus Leader
You have rebutted the charge enough by your oath:
it is a great pledge you took in the God's name.
Theseus
Why, here's a spell-binding magician for you!
He wrongs his father and then trusts his craft,
his smooth beguiling craft to lull my anger. 1040
Hippolytus
Father, I must wonder at this in you.
If I were father now, and you were son,
I would not have banished you to exile! I
would have killed you if I thought you touched my wife.
Theseus
This speech is worthy of you: but you'll not die so. 1045
A quick death is the easiest of ends
for miserable men. No, you'll go wandering
far from your fatherland and beg your way.
This is the payment of the impious man. 1050
Hippolytus
What will you do? You will not wait until
time's pointing finger proves me innocent.
Must I go at once to banishment?
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