The Dramas of Victor Hugo: Mary Tudor, Marion de Lorme, Esmeralda Part 106

Darkness strange and deep surrounds them; Phoebus! there death waits for you!

[_Claude Frollo's earnestness seems to trouble Phoebus, who looks at his interrogator with anxiety._

PHOEBUS.

He astounds me!

Ah, he wounds me, In spite of myself, with doubt!

This city great Is full of hate, And treachery is all about!

CLAUDE FROLLO.

I astound him, And I wound him, In spite of himself, with doubt.

The fool, he fears, And sees and hears Nothing but treachery about.

Believe me--my lord, avoid the siren Who lures you to destruction.

More than one gypsy in her rage Has stabbed a heart palpitating with love.

[_Phoebus, whom he tries to drag along, recovers himself and pushes him off._

PHOEBUS.

Have I become a fool?

Gypsy, Jewess, or Moor, The love that questions what she be Is love most base and poor.

The fateful hour is come, Unto my love I fly!

If death be but as sweet as she, It will be fine to die!

CLAUDE FROLLO (_holding him_).

Consider! A gypsy!

Your folly is great.

How dare you thus rashly Trifle with fate!

Oh, dread the false creature Who waits in the gloom, And do not thus wildly Rush to your doom.

[_Phoebus exits quickly, in spite of Claude Frollo. Claude Frollo stands gloomy and undecided for a moment; then follows Phoebus._

SCENE III

_A chamber. In the background, a window which opens on the river.

Clopin Frouillefou enters, bearing a torch. He is followed by several men, to whom he makes a preconcerted sign, and places them in a dark corner, in which they disappear; then he returns to the door and signals to some one to come up. Don Claude appears_

CLOPIN (_to Claude_).

From here you can see the captain And the gypsy without being seen.

[_He shows him an alcove behind some tapestry._

CLAUDE FROLLO.

The men are stationed and ready?

CLOPIN.

They are ready.

CLAUDE FROLLO.

The projector of this must never be known.

Silence! take this purse.

I will give you as much more afterward.

[_Claude Frollo hides himself in the alcove. Clopin exits with caution. Esmeralda and Phoebus enter._

CLAUDE FROLLO (_aside_).

Oh, woman adored, Destiny's prey!

She enters in beauty, In tears goes away.

ESMERALDA (_to Phoebus_).

My lord the count, My feelings I try to hide.

My heart is filled with shame, And filled also with pride.

PHOEBUS (_to Esmeralda_).

My beauty, white and red, I beg you blush no more.

Love, entering love's domain, Leaves fear outside the door.

[_Phoebus makes Esmeralda sit down on the bench beside him._

PHOEBUS.

Dost thou love me?

ESMERALDA.

I love thee!

CLAUDE FROLLO (_aside_).

What torture!

PHOEBUS.

The adorable creature!

Upon my soul, you are divine!

ESMERALDA.