9239 JEAN RACINE. RACINE, JEAN, a French dramatic poet; born at La Ferté-Milon, December 21, 1639; died at Paris, April 26, 1699. He studied at the College of Beauvais, at Port Royal, and at the College of Harcourt, became known to Boileau and Molière, and at twenty-one won the favor of Louis XIV. by an ode upon the occasion of the marriage of the monarch, who bestowed a pension upon him. In 1667 he produced his tragedy of "Andromaque," which placed him. at the head of the French dramatists. His subsequent dramas are "Les Plaideurs," a comedy (1668); "Britannicus," (1669); "Bérénice" (1670); "Bajazet" (1672); "Mithridate" (1673); "Iphigénie en Aulide" (1674); "Phèdre" (1677). He wrote in 1689 the Scriptural drama of "Esther," and in 1689 the lyrical drama, "Athalie." Racine also wrote some vigorous prose, and a few poems of considerable merit. THE RIVALS. (From "Bajazet.") Scene: The private apartments of BAJAZET at Byzantium. Present: ROXANA. Come, Bajazet, 't is time to show yourself, This sudden change from wrath to milder mood I swore he should not see another day; BAJAZET. Yes, I have promised, and my word is pledged Have I not sworn that constant care and kindness Shall duly pay my debt of gratitude? If on these terms your favor I may claim, I go to wait the harvest of your bounty. [Exit. ROXANA. Heavens! What amazement strikes me at this moment! Is it a dream? and have mine eyes deceived me? That we had signed? Was I just now deluded? ATALIDE. To me? He loves you always. ROXANA. His life at least depends on my belief ATALIDE. Madam, I saw no cloud upon his brow. He should be troubled, and some signs escape him ATALIDE. you credit What other cause ROXANA. Enough! I read your motive, madam, better Than you suppose. Leave me, for I would be Alone a little while. I too am troubled, And anxious cares are mine as well as his, To which I owe a moment's thought in secret. ... ROXANA. How must I construe all that I have seen? Are they in league together to deceive me? Wherefore this change, those words, that quick departure? Did I not catch a glance that passed between them? Were they not both struck with embarrassment? Ah! why has Heaven doomed me to this affront? He could have feigned at least a moment longer. Be dreaded as my rival? What has he To thank her for ? To which of us to-day Owes he the sceptre? But too well I know Love is a tyrant; and if other charms But some one comes to speak with me. What can she want? FATIMA. Enter FATIMA. Forgive me this intrusion: But there is come a courier from the army; And though the seaward gate was shut, the guards, On bended knees, without delay unlocked it To orders from the Sultan, to yourself Addressed, and strange to say, 't is Orcan brings them. ROXANA. Orcan! FATIMA. Yes, he; of all the Sultan's slaves The one most trusted for his faithful service, Blackest of those whom Afric's sun has scorched. Madam, he asks impatiently for you: I thought it best to give you timely notice, I have detained him in your own apartments. |