New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1855-10-03
RACHEL IN POLYEECT II.

In spite Of the gloomy predictions of the pretentious
clique OF the Hotel Rsmboullet to whom Cornele
had read his eucte and who sneered at w intensely
religious character, on its appear ance on the Paris
stage in $780, it was received with much applause for
which votsirc afterward accounted by iting that
people cbeered not because Poyeucte 80 much Ia
love with religion because his wife was much ia
love with handsome young Pagan. However, duo
allowance was made for the old cynic's selLknown
aversion TO any thing touching on Christianity. To
Racine be never pardoned his Esther AMI Athalesh,
and upon Comedies POlyeucte he looked with infinite
contempt.
CorDeille founded his tragedy upon the hstoryof
the martyr Polyeucte, narrated by Sadas, but he
added the dream Of Pauline the love OF Severus, the
sacrifice in the temple the fatber-inlaw Felix raised
10 the dignity OF Govenorshp, and the conversions Of
Felix and bis daughter--a many inventions 10 ex
cite the sympathy and caDtiyste the attention Of his
audience.
SYNOPSIS.
The scene il laid at M,e,ina the Armenian espital,
in Il palace of Governor Felix, abou, 80 years after
the solvent Of Christ when Armenia beion sed 10 Rome,
and Decius was Emperor
Act / ecquanis as with the baptism o: Polyeucte,
with the dream of his wife Pauline, and sts her love
for Seyerus. She had made his acquaintance at Rome
but although q cavalier of great merit, hor faher OBJ
iected 10 their marriage on account OF hls poverty
ard the obtcurity OF bis position. She followed her
father TO Mee;ina where Poly eucte smuen with her
charms proposed for her hard which her father 40
corded to him as he was the leader OF tho Armenian
ayistocracy. Old Felix was shrewd pohtiasn, ana
he expected 10 reap from this connection rleh hafy-
est OF popuarty Pauline 10 please her iatner, con-
septed to become his wife, and although she cannot
baBiah from her heart her love for her Roman beas
Seyers Ter high sense OF duty msEes her strive W
love her Ann. bian husband. shortly AFTER ber mar
rage moreover Severus was reported as having
persisted ia the Persian war, when q hornbs dceau'
shakes the comparative peace OF mind WIN tn'' TO
/ port impaired. In her dreams she see h~ soss,,
ot cad Lor tie obscnre cavalier any more, but fuh
/ of life aud covered win glory, and sne eecs
her husband coomed to death, covered WIZ MANY,
! with strange visions Of horrors pe'peira,ei ny sne
Christian upon 4 temples Of Jupiter, winch MI hef
! with terrible and sir lister fpIebodiDgs VI course
neither she nor her father have the remote"' saspioa
Of POlveucies conversion 10 Christianity. Governo'
Folly vas ike his impeii nss'er at Rome, the bm-
! ro,o, Dfcius an orthodox Pagan; aud she idea d
t,tipo tor soI,-in-law man who, like Poyc1ete, hsd
| become member Of the Li'ed aud oesplsed sec, q
Christians could never have possibly entered INTO nv
/ mind Polye ucte, however, had, when tie uigedy
ouened areaoy made sucn rapid progresses ~ he new
faith that he is just sbor 10 follow the Ieshon OF
bis enthusiastic friend Nearchus and proceed 70 he
Lapsnal font when his wife, relating her dfsa n 70
nm cautions him against leaving the palace, % sne
trembles for bis safety. Nearchus however pfeyas
upon him 10 reg ect her advice. lie Is bsptse1 NO
no harm has befallen him 10 the street. tie COM.
bone safe but his wife feels not the less uneasy aooue
bCr dream, the first portion OF H. at ieas IA: BON
fulfilled Seyerus not dead lie iyes and has scn 'e
great victory over the Persans. He has just arnve'
! a, Meletpa. He says he comes 20 bring 10 mo eni
pies of the Armenian capital sacrifice 20 the GODS a.
token of gratitude for the triumph over tho eneas.
OF Rome. But this is only pretext; the real one
OF bis visit il 10 claim the hand OF the 1nsnes
PauFine The objection TO their marriage has been NJ
| moved by lis brilliant achievements He is not al,
more tie III known cavalier but the hero seTerss, m
favorte Of the Emperor, he distinguished wsln s
Tie old Governor Is IN tbe greatest cons'e,h,ll.n
Seyerus docs not know any thing Of Paei.ee. u "
rissei What viii he say Nhen he hears o. y won
he be furious Old FelI fear that to a'enss w