Make ends meet

ARICIA (aside to ISMENE) Get ready, dear Ismene, for our flight.

THESEUS Your colour comes and goes, you seem confused, Madame! What business had my son with you?

ARICIA Sire, he was bidding me farewell for ever.

THESEUS Your eyes, it seems, can tame that stubborn pride; And the first sighs he breathes are paid to you.

ARICIA I can't deny the truth; he has not, Sire, Inherited your hatred and injustice; He did not treat me like a criminal.

THESEUS That is to say, he swore eternal love. Do not rely on that inconstant heart; To others has he sworn as much before.

THESEUS You ought to check his roving taste. How could you bear a partnership so vile?

ARICIA And how can you endure that vilest slanders Should make a life so pure as black as pitch? Have you so little knowledge of his heart? Do you so ill distinguish between guilt And innocence? What mist before your eyes Blinds them to virtue so conspicuous? Ah! 'tis too much to let false tongues defame him. Repent; call back your murderous wishes, Sire; Fear, fear lest Heav'n in its severity Hate you enough to hear and grant your pray'rs. Oft in their wrath the gods accept our victims, And oftentimes chastise us with their gifts.