Alexander the Great
By Jean Racine
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About this ebook
Jean Racine
Jean Racine, né le 22 décembre 1639 à La Ferté-Milon et mort le 21 avril 1699 à Paris, est un dramaturge et poète français. Issu d'une famille de petits notables de la Ferté-Milon et tôt orphelin, Racine reçoit auprès des « Solitaires » de Port-Royal une éducation littéraire et religieuse rare.
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Alexander the Great - Jean Racine
ALEXANDER THE GREAT
BY JEAN RACINE
TRANSLATED BY ROBERT BRUCE BOSWELL
eBook ISBN 13: 978-1-4209-4887-5
ISBN 13: 978-1-4209-4886-8
This edition copyright © 2013
Please visit www.digireads.com
CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION TO ALEXANDER THE GREAT.
CHARACTERS.
ACT I.
ACT II.
ACT III.
ACT IV.
ACT V.
ALEXANDER THE GREAT.
A TRAGEDY.
INTRODUCTION TO ALEXANDER THE GREAT.
The story of this drama is derived from Quintus Curtius, Plutarch, and Justin. The real hero is Porus rather than Alexander; and when it was first acted in 1665, mention is made of it under the former title. Racine himself writes thus:—I have endeavoured to represent in Porus an enemy worthy of Alexander; and I may say that his character has met with a high degree of public favour, and some have even censured me for making this prince greater than Alexander. But such persons forget that in virtue of his victory Alexander is really greater than Porus, that every line of the tragedy reflects his praises, and that even the invectives of Porus and Axiana are so many tributes to the conqueror's valour. There is perhaps in Porus something that interests us more, from the very circumstance of his misfortunes; for, as Seneca has remarked, 'we are naturally disposed to admire nothing in the world so much as a man who can bear adversity with courage.'
CHARACTERS.
ALEXANDER.
PORUS.
INDIAN KINGS.
TAXILES.
ASIANA, Queen of another part of India.
CLEOPHIL, a sister of Taxiles.
HEPHÆSTION.
ATTENDANTS of Alexander.
The scene is laid on the banks of the Hydaspes, in the camp of Taxiles.
ALEXANDER THE GREAT.
A TRAGEDY.
ACT I.
SCENE I. TAXILES, CLEOPHILA.
CLEOPHILA. What! go you to resist a king whose might
Seems to force Heav'n itself to take his side,
Before whose feet have fallen all the kings
Of Asia, who holds Fortune at his beck?
Open your eyes, my brother, and behold
In Alexander one who casts down thrones,
Binds kings in chains, and makes whole nations slaves;
And all the ills they have incurr'd prevent.
TAXILES. Would you that, stricken with so mean a fear,
I bow my head to meet his threat'ning yoke,
And hear it said by every Indian tribe,
I forged the fetters for myself and them?
Shall I leave Porus, and betray those chiefs
Met to defend the freedom of our realms,
Who without hesitation have declared
Their brave resolve to live or die like kings?
See you a single one of them so cow'd
At Alexander's name, that he forgets
To fight, and begs to be enroll'd his slave,
As of th' acknowledge master of the world?
So far from being daunted at his fame,
They will attack him e'en in Victory's lap.
And would you, sister, have me crave his help
Whom I to-day am ready to withstand?
CLEOPHILA. Nay, is it not to you this prince appeals,
Sues for your friendship, and for yours alone,
And, ready to discharge his lightning flash,
Makes secret efforts to protect your head?
TAXILES. Why should he spare his wrath for me alone?
Of all Hydaspes arms against him, how
Have I deserved a pity that insults?
Why not to Porus make these overtures?
Doubtless he deems him too magnanimous
To heed an offer that is fraught with shame,
And, seeking virtue of less stubborn mould,
Thinks me, forsooth, more worthy of his care.
CLEOPHILA. Say not he thinks to find in you a slave,
But deems you bravest of his enemies,
And hopes that, may he but disarm your hand,
His triumph o'er the rest will be secured.
His choice does no discredit to your name,
He offers friendship cowards may not share.
Tho' he would fain see all the world submit
To him, he wants no slave among his friends.