PHAEDRA
"Pander of Sin" it says.--Now canst thou hear?--
And there: "Betrayer of a master's bed."

LEADER
Ah me, betrayed! Betrayed!
Sweet Princess, thou art ill bested,
Thy secret brought to light, and ruin near,
By her thou heldest dear,
By her that should have loved thee and obeyed!

PHAEDRA
Aye, I am slain. She thought to help my fall
With love instead of honour, and wrecked all.

LEADER
Where wilt thou turn thee, where?
And what help seek, O wounded to despair?

PHAEDRA
I know not, save one thing to die right soon.
For such as me God keeps no other boon.

[_The door in the centre bursts open, and_ HIPPOLYTUS _comes forth,
closely followed by the_ NURSE. PHAEDRA _cowers aside_.]

HIPPOLYTUS
O Mother Earth, O Sun that makest clean,
What poison have I heard, what speechless sin!