The Docteur (Doctor) mocks Pierrot, dressed in ancient clothes to play in Nitétis. Arlequin flees when Polichinelle becomes angry after not being given a role in the tragedy; then, he offers the Docteur the role of the Princesse (Princess). The king of Persia, Cambise (Cambyse), ousted the king of Egypt, Phanès (Phanes). Phanès, a relative of the old Egyptian king Apriès (Apries) asks Cambise to kill the children of Amasis, Psamménite (Psammenitus) and Nitétis, to take revenge for the murder of his wife. Cambise agrees but later learns that the stranger who saved him is Psamménite; he also falls in love with Nitétis, with whom Psamménite is also in love. The Reine (Queen), widow of Apriès (Apries), who was killed by Amasis, also asks Cambise to take revenge for her, by killing Amasis. Amasis tells Psamménite that Nitétis is not his daughter, but Apriès’. He also tells him that he was raising her to be Psamménite’s wife. Psamménite declares his love to Nitétis; doing so, he reveals that she is Apriès’ daughter. Nitétis tells the Reine, Apriès’ widow, that she is her daughter. She asks Cambise to kill Amasis. Psamménite discloses to his father Amasis that he is in love with Nitétis. Amasis tells him about his plan to have Cambise killed, but Psamménite refuses to help him. Amasis attacks Cambise, but Psamménite intervenes: Cambise kills them both. Nitétis asks Cambise to marry her, but he prefers a common-law marriage.

Rod and string marionette

Not specified

Piron Alexis

France

Paris

Tragedy

Revenge

Brother-sister incest

Murder for hire

East

Theaters of the Parisian fairs

Parodistic

French

Arlecchino

Il Dottore (Commedia dell'arte)

Polichinelle

Pierrot

Queen

Swiss

Persian

Scene of recognition

Comical foreign accent

Colombine Nitétis

Céliante and Dorimène ask the Marquis to tell them about new plays. The latter relates that the Chevalier (Knight) and his daughter Emilie, who follow him, have seen Didon. The Chevalier, Emilie and Céliante recount the play with songs.