That struggles on the brink and will not o'er,
Yet will not stay unheard.
[_He raises his hand, to make proclamation to all present_.]
Ho, hearken all this land!
[_The people gather expectantly about him_.]
Hippolytus by violence hath laid hand
On this my wife, forgetting God's great eye.
[_Murmurs of amazement and horror; THESEUS, apparently calm,
raises both arms to heaven._]
Therefore, O Thou my Father, hear my cry,
Poseidon! Thou didst grant me for mine own
Three prayers; for one of these, slay now my son,
Hippolytus; let him not outlive this day,
If true thy promise was! Lo, thus I pray.

LEADER
Oh, call that wild prayer back! O King, take heed!
I know that thou wilt live to rue this deed.

THESEUS
It may not be.--And more, I cast him out
From all my realms. He shall be held about
By two great dooms. Or by Poseidon's breath
He shall fall swiftly to the house of Death;
Or wandering, outcast, o'er strange land and sea,
Shall live and drain the cup of misery.

LEADER
Ah; see! here comes he at the point of need.
Shake off that evil mood, O King; have heed