The Dramas of Victor Hugo: Mary Tudor, Marion de Lorme, Esmeralda Part 5

That is my man!

[_The voice draws nearer with each verse._

When you laugh, on your lips, dear, Love's sweetest shadows play; And doubt and cruel unbelief Are sudden chased away.

For laughter proves we're loyal And faithful to the core; Then laugh, my beauty, laugh, my love, Laugh on for evermore!

When you sleep, calm and pure, love, In shadow, 'neath my eyes, And your soft breathing gives my heart Its tenderest replies, On your sweet form my eyes can feast, Oh, beauty's priceless store!

Then sleep, my beauty, sleep, my love, Sleep on for evermore!

And when you say, "I love you,"

In truth it seems to be As if G.o.d's heaven were opening Especially for me.

I see dreams hidden in your eyes That we've not dreamed before; Then love me, oh, my beauty, Love me for evermore!

You see, the whole of life, dear, Lies in those words, just four-- All things that people envy, All things that men adore, All things that are seductive, On which our heart sets store.

To sing, to laugh, my beauty, To sleep, to love, no more!

THE MAN.

He lands! Good! He sends off the boatmen. Excellent!

[_Comes back to the front of the stage._

Here he comes.

[_Fabiano Fabiani enters, enveloped in a cloak; he goes toward the door of the house._

SCENE VI

The Man, Fabiano Fabiani

THE MAN (_stopping_ Fabiani).

A word with you, if you please.

FABIANI.

I believe some one is speaking to me. Who is this knave? Who are you?

THE MAN.

Whatever you wish me to be.

FABIANI.

This lantern is not very bright, but you wear a yellow cap, it seems to me--a Jew's cap. Are you a Jew?

THE MAN.

Yes, a Jew. I have something to tell you.

FABIANI.

What is your name?

THE MAN.

I know your name, and you don't know mine. I have the advantage.

Permit me to keep it.

FABIANI.

You know my name? That isn't true.

THE MAN.

I know your name. At Naples you were called Signor Fabiani; at Madrid, Don Fabiano; at London you are called Lord Fabiano Fabiani, Earl of Clanbra.s.sil.

FABIANI.

The devil take you!

THE MAN.

G.o.d keep you!

FABIANI.

I will have you cudgeled. I do not wish my name to be known when I go abroad by night.

THE MAN.

Especially when you go where you are going.

FABIANI.

What do you mean?

THE MAN.

If the Queen knew!

FABIANI.

I am going nowhere in particular.

THE MAN.

Oh, yes, my lord! You are going to see the fair Jane, the betrothed of Gilbert the engraver.