The Dramas of Victor Hugo: Mary Tudor, Marion de Lorme, Esmeralda Part 102

PHOEBUS (_watching Fleur-de-lys go out_).

She speaks the truth: my heart is sad Even when she is near-- The one I love, the one who fills my soul-- Alas! she is not here.

Exquisite creature, To you my love!

Oh, dancing shadow, My sweet-voiced dove, Absent, yet with me Wherever I move!

She's as bewildering and sweet As is a nest 'mid rushes, Sweet as a rosebud crowned with moss, Sweet as the joy which sorrow hushes.

Humble child and virgin proud, Soul that's pure though free!

Voluptuous ardors sink abashed Before thy chast.i.ty.

In the dark night she comes, An angel from the skies; Her forehead veiled by shadows, Flames darting from her eyes.

I see her face forever-- Now bright, now dark it seems; But strangely--'tis in heaven I see her in these dreams.

Exquisite creature.

To you my love!

Oh, dancing shadow, My sweet-voiced dove, Absent, yet with me Wherever I move!

[_Enter several lords and ladies in gala dress._

SCENE III

_The preceding. Viscount de Gif, M. de Morlaix, M. de Chevreuse, Madame de Gondelaurier, Fleur-de-lys, Diana, Berangere. Ladies, Lords_

VISCOUNT DE GIF.

My salutations, n.o.ble hostesses!

MADAME ALOISE, PHOEBUS, FLEUR-DE-LYS (_bowing_).

Good-evening, n.o.ble viscount!

Forget all care and grief Beneath this hospitable roof.

M. DE MORLAIX.

Ladies, may G.o.d send you Health, pleasure, and happiness!

MADAME ALOISE, PHOEBUS, FLEUR-DE-LYS.

May Heaven return with interest All your good wishes, my lord!

M. DE CHEVREUSE.

Ladies, from the bottom of my soul I belong to you, as I do to G.o.d!

MADAME ALOISE, PHOEBUS, FLEUR-DE-LYS.

Kind sir, may our good Lady Come always to your aid!

[_All the guests enter._

CHORUS.

Come to the festival, come!

Page, lords.h.i.+p, and ladys.h.i.+p, come!

With flowers in your hand, A joy-seeking band, Come to the festival, come!

[_The guests greet and salute each other; servants circulate among the crowd, bearing platters laden with flowers and fruits. A group of young girls forms itself near a window to the left. Suddenly one of them calls to the others, and motions to them to look out of the window._

DIANA (_looking out_).

Come and look! come and look, Berangere!

BeRANGeRE (_looking into the street_).

Isn't she quick? Isn't she light?

DIANA.

It is a fairy or it is love.

VISCOUNT DE GIF (_laughing_).

Who dances in the public square?

M. DE CHEVREUSE (_after having looked_).

Indeed! it is the magician.

Phoebus, it is your gypsy Whom, the other night, with valor You saved from a robber.

VISCOUNT DE GIF.

Oh, yes, it is the gypsy.

M. DE MORLAIX.

She's as beautiful as the day.

DIANA (_to Phoebus_).

If you know her, tell her to come And dance for us.

PHOEBUS (_looking out with an absent air_).

It might be she!

[_To M. de Gif._] Do you think she would remember?