Hippolytus

Wide over man my realm extends, and proud the name that I, the goddess Cyprius, bear, both in heaven's court and amongst all those who dwell within the limits of the sea and bounds of Atlas, beholding the sun-god's light.

Those that respect my power I advance to honor, but bring ruin to all those who want themselves of me.

For even in the race of gods this feeling finds a home, even pleasure at the honor men pay them.

And the truth of this I soon will show.

For that son of Theseus, born of the Amazon, Hippolytus, whom holy Pytheas taught, alone of all the dwellers in this land of treason, calls me vilest of the deities.

Love he scorns, and as for marriage, well, none of it.

But Artemis, daughter of Zeus, sister of Phoebus, he doth honor, counting her the chief of goddesses.

And ever through the greenwood attendant on his virgin goddess, he clears the earth of wild beasts with his fleet hounds, and join the comradeship of one to mortal kin.

Tis not this I grudge him, no, why should I? But for his sins against me, I will take this very day vengeance on Hippolytus.

For long ago I cleared the ground of many obstacles, so it needs but trifling soil.

For as he came one day from the home of Pytheas to witness the solemn mystic rites and be initiated therein in Pandion's land, Phaedra, his father's noble wife, caught sight of him, and by my design she found her heart was seized with wild desire.

And ere she came to this treason realm, a temple did she rear to Cyprus hard by the rock of Pallas, where it overlooks this country, for love of the youth in another land.

And to win his love, in days to come, she called after his name, the temple she had founded for the goddess.

Now, when Theseus left the land of key crops, flying the pollution of the blood of Pallas' sons, and with his wife sailed to this shore, content to suffer exile for a year, then began the wretched wife to pine away in silence, moaning beneath love's cruel scourge, and none of her servants knows what disease afflicts her.

But this passion of hers must not fail thus.

No, I will discover the matter to Theseus, and all shall be laid bare.

Then will the father slay his child, my bitter foe, by curses.

For the Lord Poseidon granted this boon to Theseus, three wishes of the God to ask, never to ask in vain.

So Phaedra is to die, and honor death tis true, but still to die.

For I will not let her suffering outweigh the payment of such forfeit by my foes as shall satisfy my honor.

But lo, I see the son of Theseus coming hither, Hippolytus, fresh from the labors of the chase.

I will get me hence.

At his back follows a long train of retainers and joyous cries of revelry uniting in hymns of praise to Artemis, his goddess.