The Complete Plays of Jean Racine: Volume 1: The Fratricides

The Fratricides

The Fratricides 1664 32 S The Fratricides cast of characters eteocles, king of Thebes polynices, brother of Eteocles jocasta, mother of these two princes and of Antigone antigone, sister of Eteocles and Polynices creon, uncle of the princes and the princess haemon, son of Creon, in love with Antigone olympia, confidant of Jocasta attalus, confidant of Creon A soldier in Polynices’ army Guards The scene is at Thebes, in a chamber of the royal palace. act i, scene i S 33 act i Scene i [jocasta, olympia] jocasta They’ve left, Olympia?1 — Ah! these mortal woes! I’ll pay with weeping for one hour’s repose! Six months my open eyes have stared through tears, And does sleep close them just when danger nears? Would that the hand of death might seal them tight 5 And hide a crime so heinous from my sight! — Have they engaged? olympia From the high gate I espied Battalions ranged, well armed, on either side; All round I saw the steel swords scintillate; To warn my queen, I left the lofty gate. 10 I spied Eteocles, broad blade in hand; He marched in front, and firing up his band, He showed the bravest how to face the foe. jocasta They’re bent on butchering themselves, I know. Go, warn the Princess, send her here to me; 15 I’ll wait. — Just heav’n, sustain my frailty! We must pursue these heartless foes and try To separate them or, at their hands, die. We’ve come, alas! to this most hateful day, Mere dread of which has filled me with dismay!2 20 In vain the prayers I’ve said, the tears I’ve cried: The wrath of Fate had to be satisfied. 34 S The Fratricides O Sun, whose bright rays bathe the world in light,3 Would that you’d left it in profoundest night! Can you illume such black iniquity, 25 And see, unhorrified, the things we see? But they no longer shock you: Laius’ race,4 Alas! has made these horrors commonplace. You view my sons’ crimes and are not aghast, Since by their parents’ crimes they’re far surpassed. 30 You’re not astonished at their wicked ways, Or at the murderous fury each displays: Knowing they’re tainted with incestuous blood, You’d only be astonished were they good.5 Scene ii [jocasta, antigone, olympia] jocasta My child, you’ve heard about our desperate plight? antigone I’m told my furious brothers mean to fight. jocasta Come, dear Antigone, let’s try to stay Their murderous hands, uplifted for the fray. Let’s make them see what they should hold most dear; 5 We’ll see if our appeals they’ll deign to hear, Or if they’ll dare — so angry have they grown — To spill our blood that they may shed their own. antigone It’s over now: the King himself is here. act i, scene iii S 35 Scene iii [jocasta, antigone, eteocles, olympia] jocasta Olympia, hold me up: I’m faint with fear. eteocles Madame, what is the matter? And what woes . . . ? jocasta My son, what are those bloodstains on your clothes? Who’s wounded? Is it you? Is it your brother? eteocles It’s neither my blood nor is it his, mother. 5 No: Polynices stays well out of sight; He cowers in his camp and will not fight. ’Twas just an Argive band, who recklessly Tried, at our gates, to oppose my troops’ sortie:6 I made them bite the dust — foolhardy crew! — 7 10 And it’s their blood that has so frightened you. jocasta But to what sudden fury did you yield? What urged you, all at once, to take the field? eteocles Madame, it was high time that I did so; My glory suffered by my lying low.8 15 The people, fearing famine’s imminence, Have been complaining of my indolence; Regretting that they gave the throne to me,9 They claim I wear my crown unworthily. They must be satisfied; and, come what may, 20 Thebes will not be held hostage one more day. 36 S The Fratricides My soldiers gone, she’ll be unoccupied; Who shall prevail, I leave her to decide. I’ve troops enough to take the field and fight; And if fair fortune vindicates my right, 25 Proud Polynices and his haughty band Will leave Thebes free or perish by my hand...