The Complete Plays of Jean Racine: Volume 3: Iphigenia

Iphigenia (1674)

Iphigenia 1674 58 S Iphigenia cast of characters agamemnon achilles ulysses clytemnestra, wife of Agamemnon iphigenia, daughter of Agamemnon eriphyle, daughter of Helen and Theseus arcas, servant of Agamemnon eurybates, servant of Agamemnon aegina, attendant of Clytemnestra doris, confidante of Eriphyle Troop of Guards The scene is at Aulis, in Agamemnon’s tent. act i, scene i S 59 act i Scene i [agamemnon, arcas] agamemnon Yes, your king, Agamemnon, calls; arise! Come, is my voice so hard to recognize?1 arcas It’s you! What urgent business are you on That makes you so anticipate the dawn? Its feeble rays could scarcely light your way. 5 In Aulis, only we are astir today. Has any sound disturbed the slumbrous air? Perhaps this night the winds have heard our prayer? No, all is still: men, winds, and Neptune’s tide.2 agamemnon Happy is he who, humbly satisfied, 10 Lives, free of the proud yoke that burdens me, Hidden by heav’n, in blest obscurity.3 arcas What suddenly incites you to complain? You’re heaped with honors: does some secret pain, Caused by the Gods, who’ve always favored you, 15 Transform to hate the thanks their gifts are due? King, father, happy husband, Atreus’ son,4 You rule the richest realm in Greece, save none.5 Your blood descends from Jove on every side,6 And when you wed, joined Jove’s blood in your bride.7 20 Achilles, whom the oracles extol, Whom heav’n’s marked out for some heroic role, Woos your fair daughter, and, as a marriage rite, 60 S Iphigenia Their nuptial torch in burning Troy he’ll light. What spectacle could warrant greater praise 25 Than the triumphant sight this shore displays? A thousand ships, by twenty monarchs manned, Await the winds to sail ’neath your command. True, this long calm your victory delays; These winds, enchained aloft for ninety days, 30 For far too long have barred the way to Troy. But, though men’s awe and honor you enjoy, You’re still a man, and changeful destiny Didn’t promise you unflawed felicity. Soon . . . But what sorrows does that note record, 35 Which draw forth from your eyes those tears, my lord? Has cruel death claimed the babe Orestes’ life? Is Iphigenia ill? Is it your wife?8 What do they write? Deign to confide in me. agamemnon No, you shan’t die! I never will agree! 40 arcas My lord . . . agamemnon You’ve seen my tears; learn why I weep, And judge if this is any time for sleep. Recall that day when, poised upon the seas, Our restless ships seemed summoned by the breeze. Embarking with a thousand cries of joy, 45 We threatened from afar the towers of Troy. A shocking omen cut our rapture short: The once-fair wind forsook us in the port. We could not stir; the sculls, quite uselessly, Belabored the smooth surface of the sea.9 50 This prodigy to better understand, I sought the goddess worshipped on this strand.10 act i, scene i S 61 Accompanied by three of Greece’s kings, I heaped her altars with choice offerings. But what was her reply! How was I stirred 55 When Calchas’ solemn oracle I heard!11 The track to Troy your ships shall never trace Unless, with august sacrifice austere, A girl of Helen’s race Shall stain with blood Diana’s altar here. 60 To win the favoring winds the heav’ns deny, Iphigenia must die.12 arcas Your daughter! agamemnon Horrified, as you may guess, I felt my blood congeal with iciness. I could not speak; my silence found relief 65 But by a thousand sobs that spoke my grief. I stopped my ears and cursed our deities, Resolved that I’d defy the Gods’ decrees.13 What plans I framed to bring a father peace! I swore I’d send our armies back to Greece. 70 Ulysses seemed to second my intent, Waiting the while till my first grief was spent. Then, cruelly harking back to our great cause, He urged our country’s claims and honor’s laws, The myriad men, the kings I supervise, 75 The spoils of Asia promised as our prize: Could I betray the State to save my child, Grow old among my kin, a king reviled?14 Arcas, I was (with shame I’m forced to say) Pleased with...