The Dramas of Victor Hugo: Mary Tudor, Marion de Lorme, Esmeralda Part 109

Awful moment, Cruel fright!

Heaven! He loves me, Fearful night.

CLAUDE FROLLO (_aside_).

She shudders, quivers in my arms; The priest has won his chance at last!

By night I bore her, once, away; Now, in the day, I'll hold her fast!

Death, which follows in my train, Will give her back to love again!

ESMERALDA.

Pity--pity, let me go!

Phoebus is dead; he waits above.

Alas! I tremble, I'm afraid, I s.h.i.+ver at your frightful love, E'en as the bird which, tortured, dies Beneath the vulture's cruel eyes!

CLAUDE FROLLO.

Accept me, I love you! Refuse me no more!

Have pity for me, for yourself, I implore!

ESMERALDA.

Your prayer is an insult.

CLAUDE FROLLO.

Would you rather die?

ESMERALDA.

The body dies--the soul lives!

CLAUDE FROLLO.

To die is terrible!

ESMERALDA.

Hus.h.!.+ your impious words!

Your love makes death beautiful!

CLAUDE FROLLO.

Choose! choose! Or Claude or death!

[_Claude falls at Esmeralda's feet in supplication. She repels him._

ESMERALDA.

No, murderer, I will not! Hus.h.!.+

A crime is this foul love you've nursed.

Better the tomb to which I fly-- Be cursed amid the most accursed!

CLAUDE FROLLO.

Tremble, for the scaffold claims you!

You know not what awful schemes This breast of fury has engendered; And h.e.l.l abets me in my dreams.

How I love thee!

Thy hand give, And to-morrow Thou shalt live!

Night benumbed With terror's breath!

Tears for me, For thee death!

Say, "I love thee!"

Cease thy scorning; Thy last day Is dawning!

Ah! since in vain I supplicate, In vain thy hate I fight, Farewell forever! One day more, Then comes eternal night.

ESMERALDA.

Inhuman priest.

Go! I abhor thee!

His dear blood yet Seems dripping o'er thee, Oh, night of horror, Night of shame!

Enough of tears; Death I claim!

In prison I brave thee, In chains defy!

Be thou accursed Eternally!

Thy pa.s.sion be thy punishment!

To G.o.d my love leads me: The gates of heaven he'll open, But h.e.l.l shall close o'er thee!

[_A jailer appears. Claude Frollo signs to him to lead out Esmeralda. He exits while they drag forth the gypsy._

SCENE II

_The area before Notre Dame; the front of the church. The sound of bells is heard_

QUASIMODO.

My G.o.d! I love, Except myself, All that's here-- The air which pa.s.ses, And which chases Away care; And the swallow Who is faithful To the old roof; The chapels high O'ershadowed by The Holy Cross; Every rose That grows; Every sight Of delight!

Sad creature, I-- Uncouth, ill-made!

None envies me!

This is life As it is!

Darkest night, Bluest sky, What matters it?

Every door Leads to G.o.d.

Ign.o.ble scabbard, n.o.ble blade; Fair my soul G.o.d has made.

Ring, bells small and great-- Ring on, ring on!

Mix well your voices, Gruff and sweet!

In the turrets, In the tower, Sing your song!

How they ring!