e
characters, that Corneille excels. All of these qualities are admirably
exemplified in "Polyeucte"; and in the conduct of the leading personages
one may perceive the most persistent trait of this dramatist's treatment
of heroic character--the conquest of the passions by the reason and the
will. "Among the masterpieces of Corneille," says Paul de Saint-Victor,
"'Polyeucte' is assuredly the greatest; and nothing in all his dramas
equals the extraordinary beauty of the character of 'Pauline.'"

POLYEUCTE

CHARACTERS

FELIX, Governor of Armenia.
POLYEUCTE, an Armenian noble, son-in-law to FELIX.
SEVERUS, a Roman Knight, favourite of the Emperor Decius.
NEARCHUS, an Armenian noble, friend to Polyeucte.
PAULINE, daughter to Felix, wife to Polyeucte.
STRATONICE, companion to Pauline.
ALBIN, friend to FELIX.
FABIAN, servant to Severus.
CLEON, friend to FELIX.
Three Guards.

The Scene is at Melitena, capital of Armenia. The action takes place in
the Palace of Felix.

ACT I--POLYEUCTE. NEARCHUS

NEARCHUS.
Shall woman's dream of terror hurl the dart?
Oh, feeble weapon 'gainst so great a heart!
Must courage proved a thousand times in arms
Bow to a peril forged by vain alarms?

POLY.
I know that dreams are born to fade away,
And melt in air before the light of day;
I know that misty vapours of the night
Dissolve and fly before the morning bright.
The dream is naught--but the dear dreamer--all!
She has my soul, Nearchus, fast in thrall;
Who holds the marriage torch--august, divine,
Bids me to her sweet voice my will resign.
She fears my death--tho' baseless this her fright,
Pauline is wrung with fear--by day--by night;
My road to duty hampered by her fears,
How can I go when all undried her tears?
Her terror I disown--and all alarms,
Yet pity holds me in her loving arms:
No bolts or bars imprison,--yet her sighs
My fetters are--my conquerors, her eyes!
Say, kind Nearchus, is the cause you press
Such as to make me deaf to her distress?
The bonds I slacken I would not unloose
Nothing I yield--yet grant a timely truce.

NEAR.
How grant you know not what? Are you assured
Of constancy?--as one who has endured?
God claims your soul for Him!--Now! Now! To-day!
The fruit to-morrow yields--oh, who