We need, or word, or raiment's hem, to twine
Amid the charm, and one spell knit from twain.

PHAEDRA
Is it a potion or a salve? Be plain.

NURSE
Who knows? Seek to be helped, Child, not to know.

PHAEDRA
Why art thou ever subtle? I dread thee, so.

NURSE
Thou wouldst dread everything!--What dost thou dread?

PHAEDRA
Least to his ear some word be whispered.

NURSE
Let be, Child! I will make all well with thee!
--Only do thou, O Cyprian of the Sea,
Be with me! And mine own heart, come what may,
Shall know what ear to seek, what word to say!

[_The_ NURSE, _having spoken these last words in prayer apart to the
Statue of_ CYPRIS, _turns back and goes into the house_. PHAEDRA _sits
pensive again on her couch till towards the end of the following Song,
when she rises and bends close to the door_.]

CHORUS