"THE TRUE STORY ABOUT THE PLAY IPHIGÉNIE AS PERFORMED AT VERSAILLES ON AUGUST 18, 1764"

   theatrical procession descendant
   onto a long and verdant avenue
   along which fountains are interspersed
   with small and crafty rustic grottos

imperial balustrades glorify the entablature

  gargoyles carved from marble
  supported by gilt tritons
  cough their venoms from thereup
  to rain across the audience

 brass candelabras
 and silvery azure guéridons sway

 pilasters support the cornice
 wrought in diamond and gold

 the royal troupe of actors
 performed the cursed tragedy of Iphigénie !

  and in an instant, just like that, but in a moment
  they fell dead in spasm and seizure

  for behind the curtain and beyond the stage
  worked altogether concealed,
  altogether corruptive,
  altogether bad-spirited forces a gruelling conspiracy

   an orangerie accursed,
   draped in the purple silks of evil...