OCR Text |
Show P R O G R A M M E S OF BALLETS. 271 suming the haughtiness of his ungovernable character, exhibits all his former rancour, and refuses his aid, while the Ambassadors, hopeless of success, abandon him to the wrath of the Gods. At this conjuncture, as they are on the point of departing, Automedon arrives in despair, bringing news of the defeat of the Thessalians, and the death of Patroclus. Universal consternation ! Achilles is plunged into an agony of grief. His friend being dead, life becomes insupportable to him; he rushes upon his sword with the intention of slaying himself; he is, however, instantly prevented and disarmed ; but he conjures his friends to put him out of his misery. Despair now takes full possession of him ; he raves deliriously, and refuses every attempt that is made to console him. The regions of eternal darkness appear opening to his disturbed fancy ; the shade of Patroclus seems advancing towards him, weeping and pointing to the mortal wound ; he groans, and commands Achilles to fly to the combat and revenge his death. The latter swears to sacrifice Hector to appease his ghost. The hero now gradually regains his spirits. The Grecian chiefs applaud his resolution, and implore the Gods to crown him with victory. Achilles now no longer hesitates, no longer refuses; he furiously seizes a sword, gives the signal to his companions in arms, and rushes forth at the head of them, breathing revenge and death to the slayer of his friend. Prayers follow him for his success*. * In the Iliad, Achilles, before going to battle, waits until Vulcan has forged his arms ; and H o m e r cannot be too much praised for the method in which he has profited of this circumstance by offering a sublime piece of poetry to the reader, and raising his curiosity by a description of interesting events. But it appears to m e , that the manner in which Achilles proceeds in the opera of M . Barincou, is far more suitable to the rapidity of dramatic action ; besides, it presents a true picture of |