Pelops and Hippodamia

 

 

play by Karla Neves

This piece, based on the legend of the beginning of the Games in Olympia, was made by teacher Karla, for her 5th grade. I just tweaked the lines in Greek hexameter. At the end or beginning, students can play the Greek melody from the Scholium of Seikilos on the flute.  Ruth Salles

CHOIR -
“This is the great Oenomaus, father of a beautiful maiden.
It is the famous Hippodamea. Men sighed for her.

But so zealous and loving, so jealous was the king.
He wanted her only for himself, and his word was law.

All her suitors met the saddest lot.
In an unfortunate race, death took them all.

Strong horses pulled chariots called chariots.
All gifts from Ares, invincible steeds, feared.

The suitors, vanquished, were then condemned
Oh, what a terrible sentence! So young and beheaded!

Poor Hippodamea, alone… One day this will come to an end.
For vile deeds do not stand. Someone, a hero, will emerge.

PLAINTIFF:
– I come, oh, Oenomaus, to ask for the hand of Hippodamea…

KING (cutting off the suitor's speech): - I know.
If the race wins, I agree. If no….

PRETENDER: – I will win!!

(On race day)

KING:
– Are you ready yet?

PRETENDER: – And well done!

KING: – So let this test begin!!

REI (when the race is over):
– I just won!! You'll pay with your life, boy!

(The suitor, defeated, is taken away to be beheaded.)

PELOPE (appears on another day):
– You are so beautiful, Hippodamea! I wish to marry you.

HYPODAMEA:
- Pelops, you conquer me, but you wanted the impossible.
All my suitors died in a terrible way.

PELOPE:
– Ah, but with me it will be different, you will soon see.

REI (enters the room);
– Now, what do you want with my Hippodamea, handsome boy?

PELOPE:
“I want to marry her, sir.

KING: - For thou shalt quarrel
a race with me. The chariot is ready. if you win
I give you the hand of Hippodamea. If you lose, death catches you!

PELOPE:
– Yes, but from so much walking I need a little rest.

KING:
“I'll prepare myself too, because that's better, really.

(Pelope leaves thoughtfully. Later…)

COACHMAN:
– Psss! Hey! Wait, boy!

PELOPE: Do you call me? What do you want from me?

COACHMAN:
– Are you a suitor for the hand of Hippodamea?

PELOPE: I am. But why?

COACHMAN:
– I know a secret that can help you!

PELOPE: Wait, who are you?

COACHMAN:
“I am the king's coachman and I wish you to win the test.

PELOPE:
– What secret do you know? Win the race I know!

COACHMAN:
– The strong horses of the king's chariot are invincible.
They were gifts from the god Ares himself. And the car is enchanted
by the bronze pegs that hold the wheels.

PELOPE: And then?

COACHMAN:
– I exchange the bronze pegs for wax pegs.
They will melt in the heat of the race, and the wheels will come loose.
Thou shalt win!

PELOPE: But why do you want to help me so much, Coachman?

COACHMAN:
“I see Hippodamea suffering and her suitors dying.
She needs to get free. The father is too tyrant.
But this time it will be different, and you will win.

PELOPE:
– I like the plan, Coachman. Start changing the pegs!

COACHMAN:
– Yes, I'm fed up with deaths, and I want the princess happy.

(The coachman gets to work, exchanging the bronze pegs for wax ones. On race day…)

PELOPE (speaking to the coachman):
– Ready, Coachman?

DRIVER: I hope so, good luck!

PELOPE: Thank you!

(The race begins. Now one goes ahead, now the other, but the pegs begin to melt, and Pelops goes ahead of the king, whose chariot dismantles midway.)

CHOIR:
- Look! The race begins with the great Oenomaus at the head!!
Pelops now! It's the king! But it's Pelops! It's the king! Look at Pelops!

KING:
– Zeus! My enchanted car breaks down so suddenly!…

CHOIR:
- Look at the king's car!! And it's Pelops now that wins!!!

(The king, desolate but majestic, addresses the victor.)

KING:
– Since you have won the race, I grant you the hand of Hippodamea.

PELOPE:
– Beautiful and dear Hippodamea, now we can marry!
Ah, it is Zeus that I thank and pay him a great tribute!
In his honor, let games be made! and all the greeks
are invited!

CHORUS: - This is how Pelops' exploit ends,
thanks to poor Coachman and this fearless boy.
Ah, so beautiful Hippodamea, now you will have him for a husband.
You, who loved Pelops, are finally freed.
Today, in white stone, in the temple of Zeus,
this glorious story of the beginning of the peace games.

 

 

 

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