On the journey home Theseus felt very pleased with himself. He had a very favourable trade and military treaty with Krete, and a beautiful wife.
The ship docked in Piræus. Damon was waiting, with Hippolytus, on the dockside. Theseus had not expected Hippolyta to be there to meet him. Her cry of joy at seeing him faded away as she saw the man she had come to love disembarking with a woman, a very beautiful, younger woman.
‘Hippolyta, my dear, this is Phædra, Princess of Krete and my wife. I trust you will make her welcome and hope you will become friends.’
‘My Lord…I…’ Hippolyta quickly recovered her composure. ‘Welcome home, my Lord. Welcome, my Lady.’
An expressionless Hippolytus added his formal greetings. He put an arm round his mother’s shoulders and helped her walk behind his fath
