Mithridates

By Jean Racine

The 17th century dramatist Jean Racine was considered, along with Molière and Corneille, as one of the three great playwrights of his era. The quality of Racine's poetry has been described as possibly his most important contribution to French literature and his use of the alexandrine poetic line is one of the best examples of such use noted for its harmony, simplicity and elegance. While critics over the centuries have debated the worth of Jean Racine, at present, he is widely considered a literary genius of revolutionary proportions. In this volume of Racine's plays we find "Mithridates", the eighth of twelve plays by the author. In this drama Racine draws upon the historical figure of Mithridates who is remembered as one of the Roman Republic's most formidable and successful enemies. Having reigned over the kingdom of Pontus, around the Black Sea, Mithridates was famous for having gradually immunized himself to poisons. Popular in its day being a favorite of King Louis XIV, the play has become increasingly rare on stage over the past centuries.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Digireads.com Publishing
• Release date: Jan 1, 2013
• ISBN: 9781420949056

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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MITHRIDATES

BY JEAN RACINE

TRANSLATED BY ROBERT BRUCE BOSWELL

eBook ISBN 13: 978-1-4209-4905-6

ISBN 13: 978-1-4209-4904-9

This edition copyright © 2013

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CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION TO MITHRIDATES.

CHARACTERS.

ACT I.

ACT II.

ACT III.

ACT IV.

ACT V.

MITHRIDATES.

1673.

INTRODUCTION TO MITHRIDATES.

Mithridates appeared in 1673. None of the characters impress one with any very lively feeling; the struggle in Xiphares between amorous rivalry and filial devotion is perhaps the nearest approach made to powerful treatment. The play has a tragic ending so far as the fate of the nominal hero is concerned; but the chief interest of the reader or spectator is centred in the mutual affection of Monima and Xiphares, from the free indulgence of which all obstacles are removed by the final catastrophe. The closing scene, however, is one of sorrow and lamentation, in which the cry of How are the mighty fallen suffers no sound of rejoicing to be heard.

The historical features of the character and career of Mithridates VI. are in the main preserved, but Racine has complicated his relations with his sons by representing Monima as exerting an influence over them which is due to his own romantic imagination. Monima was in reality put to death by order of Mithridates, to prevent her falling into the hands of his previous conqueror, Lucullus. This was in the year B.C. 71, whereas his own death did not occur till B.C. 63.

CHARACTERS.

MITHRIDATES, King of Pontus and of many other States.

MONIMA, betrothed to Mithridates, and already declared Queen.

PHARNACES, Son of Mithridates

XIPHARES, Son of Mithridates, by a different mother.

ARBATES, Friend of Mithridates, and Governor of Nymphæum.

PHŒDIMA, Friend of Monima.

ARCAS, Servant of Mithridates.

Guards.

The scene is laid at Nymphæum, a seaport on the Cimmerian Bosphorus, in the Tauric Chersonesus (now the Crimea.)

MITHRIDATES.

A TRAGEDY.

ACT I.

SCENE I. XIPHARES, ARBATES.

XIPHARES. We have received a true report, Arbates;

Rome triumphs, Mithridates is no more.

The Romans in a night attack surprised

My father's wonted prudence, near Euphrates;

The conflict was a long one, but at last

His army, routed, left him on the field

Among the slain, and into Pompey's hand

A soldier, as I hear, his sword and crown

Deliver'd. Thus he who for forty years

Had baffled all Rome's bravest generals,

And in the east with uniform success

Maintain'd the common cause of all her kings,

Dies, leaving two ill-fated sons behind,

At variance with each other, to avenge him.

ARBATES. You and your brother, Prince! And does desire

To mount your father's throne already make you

A foe to Pharnaces?

XIPHARES. Nay, at such price

I would not buy, Arbates, the mere wreckage

Of an ill-fated empire. I respect

His birthright, and, contented with the States

Assign'd to me, shall see without regret

All that Rome's friendship promises fall ready

Into his hands.

ARBATES. Rome's friendship with a son

Of Mithridates! Is it true, my lord?

XIPHARES. Ay, Pharnaces has long at heart been Roman,

And now on Rome and Pompey rest his hopes:

While I, more faithful to my sire than ever,

Still to the Romans vow undying hatred.

But 'tis the least source of our strife that rises

Prom his pretensions and my enmity.

ARBATES. What other motive arms your wrath against him?

XIPHARES. I shall surprise you. This fair Monima,

Who won the King our father's heart, of whom

My brother since declares himself the lover—

ARBATES. Well, Prince?

XIPHARES. I love her, and may own my passion

Now that that brother is my only rival.

Doubtless you wonder at the words I speak,

But 'tis no secret of a few short days,

Long has this love of mine grown up in silence.

How I could make you realize its ardour,

My earliest sighs, my latest disappointment!

But in the state to which we are reduced

'Tis no fit time to task my memory

With the recital of an amorous tale.

Let it suffice, to justify myself,

That it was I who first beheld the Queen,

And loved her. Ere the name of Monima

Had reach'd my father's ears, her charms