ESTHER
A monologue from the
play by Jean
Racine
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NOTE: This monologue is reprinted
from The Dramatic Works of Jean Racine. Trans. Robert
Bruce Boswell. London: George Bell and Sons, 1911. |
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- ESTHER: O God, my King,
- Behold me trembling and alone before Thee!
- How oft my father in my childhood taught me
- That Thou didst swear a covenant with us
- When, to prepare a people for Thyself,
- It pleased Thee in Thy love to choose our fathers:
- Yea, Thine own holy mouth did promise them
- Posterity that should endure for ever.
- Alas! This people has despised Thy law;
- The nation of Thy choice has been unfaithful;
- She has cast off her Husband and her Father,
- To pay adulterous vows to other gods;
- And now she stoops beneath the stranger's yoke.
- But to be slaves is not enough, our lives
- Are threaten'd; our proud conquerors mock our tears,
- To their own gods ascribe their victories,
- And with one mortal blow would fain to-day
- Destroy Thy name, Thy people, and Thy worship.
- Shall then a traitor, after all Thy deeds
- Of wondrous might, make void Thy covenant,
- Rob all mankind of Thy most precious gift,
- The Holy One, long promised, long expected?
- No, no, forbid the Gentiles in their fury,
- Drunk with our blood, to shut the only mouths
- Which hymn Thy praises throughout all the world;
- Confound their gods that are no gods at all.
- And as for me whom Thou hast placed among
- These infidels, Thou knowest how I hate
- Their sinful feasts, and count as profanations
- Their table, and their offerings, and rites;
- This very pomp to which I am condemn'd,
- This diadem, that I am forced to wear
- On days of high solemnity and pride,
- I trample under foot when all alone,
- To these vain gauds preferring dust and ashes,
- And take no pleasure but in tears like these.
- I have been waiting Thine appointed time
- To venture boldly in Thy people's cause.
- The hour is come; and I, with prompt submission,
- Will brave the dreadful presence of the King.
- 'Tis in Thy name I go; guide Thou my steps
- Before this lion fierce that knows Thee not;
- Command his wrath to sleep at sight of me,
- And lend me gracious words to charm his ear.
- The winds and tempests of the skies obey Thee;
- Turn Thou his rage against our enemies.
MORE
MONOLOGUES BY JEAN RACINE |
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