Verse tragedy · 1643

Polyeucte

by Pierre Corneille

Translated by Thomas Constable

Polyeucte, an Armenian nobleman newly converted to Christianity, is married to Pauline, who once loved the Roman knight Severus and obeyed her father in marrying another. When Severus returns in favour with the Emperor, Polyeucte's zeal leads him to smash the pagan idols and refuse to recant, even at the pleading of his wife and father-in-law. His martyrdom in turn converts Pauline and, finally, her father Felix. Corneille's tragedy of 1643 is written in rhymed couplets.

Contents · 6 parts

• Persons of the Play12 lines
• Act I: Polyeucte, Nearchusabout 350 lines
• Act II: Severus, Fabianabout 380 lines
• Act III: Paulineabout 370 lines
• Act IV: Polyeucte, Cleon, Three Other Guardsabout 390 lines
• Act V: Felix, Albin, Cleonabout 410 lines

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