Hippolytus (2 of 22)

Previous | Next

HIPPOLYTUS (CONT'D)

HIPPOLYTUS
Follow, O follow me,
Singing on your ways
Her in whose hand are we,
Her whose own flock we be,
The Zeus-Child, the Heavenly;
To Artemis be praise!

HUNTSMAN
Hail to thee, Maiden blest,
Proudest and holiest:
God's Daughter, great in bliss,
Leto-born, Artemis!
Hail to thee, Maiden, far
Fairest of all that are,
Yea, and most high thine home,
Child of the Father's hall;
Hear, O most virginal,
Hear, O most fair of all,
In high God's golden dome.

[_The huntsmen have gathered about the altar of_ ARTEMIS.
HIPPOLYTUS _now advances from them, and approaches the Statue
with a wreath in his hand._]

HIPPOLYTUS
To thee this wreathed garland, from a green
And virgin meadow bear I, O my Queen,
Where never shepherd leads his grazing ewes
Nor scythe has touched. Only the river dews
Gleam, and the spring bee sings, and in the glade
Hath Solitude her mystic garden made.
No evil hand may cull it: only he
Whose heart hath known the heart of Purity,
Unlearned of man, and true whate'er befall.
Take therefore from pure hands this coronal,
O mistress loved, thy golden hair to twine.
For, sole of living men, this grace is mine,
To dwell with thee, and speak, and hear replies
Of voice divine, though none may see thine eyes.
Oh, keep me to the end in this same road!
[_An_ OLD HUNTSMAN, _who has stood apart from
the rest, here comes up to_ HIPPOLYTUS.]

HUNTSMAN
My Prince--for "Master" name I none but God--
Gave I good counsel, wouldst thou welcome it?

HIPPOLYTUS
Right gladly, friend; else were I poor of wit.

HUNTSMAN
Knowest thou one law, that through the world has won?

HIPPOLYTUS
What wouldst thou? And how runs thy law? Say on.

HUNTSMAN
It hates that Pride that speaks not all men fair!

HIPPOLYTUS
And rightly. Pride breeds hatred everywhere.

HUNTSMAN
And good words love, and grace in all men's sight?

HIPPOLYTUS
Aye, and much gain withal, for trouble slight.

HUNTSMAN
How deem'st thou of the Gods? Are they the same?

HIPPOLYTUS
Surely: we are but fashioned on their frame.

HUNTSMAN
Why then wilt thou be proud, and worship not ...

HIPPOLYTUS
Whom? If the name be speakable, speak out!

HUNTSMAN
She stands here at thy gate: the Cyprian Queen!

HIPPOLYTUS
I greet her from afar: my life is clean.

HUNTSMAN
Clean? Nay, proud, proud; a mark for all to scan!

HIPPOLYTUS
Each mind hath its own bent, for God or man.

HUNTSMAN
God grant thee happiness ... and wiser thought!

HIPPOLYTUS
These Spirits that reign in darkness like me not.

Previous | Next