The Dramas of Victor Hugo: Mary Tudor, Marion de Lorme, Esmeralda Part 41

I hardly know you. At the corner of A Paris street you first appeared to me.

Then afterward I met you, and I thought Your eyes were sweet, your speech was beautiful!

I was afraid of loving you, and fled!

But destiny is strange: I found you here, I find you everywhere, as if you were My guardian angel. So at last, my love Grew powerful, resistless, and I felt I must talk with you. You were willing. Now They're at your service, both my heart and life.

I will do anything that you wish done.

If there is any man or anything That troubles you, or you have any whim And somebody must die to satisfy it-- Must die, and make no sign--and feel 'twas worth Death any time to see you smile; if you Need such a man, speak, lady: I am here!

MARION (_smiling_).

You've a strange nature, but I love you so!

DIDIER.

You love me! Ah, take care! One dare not say Such words in any careless way! Love me?

Oh, do you know what loving means? What 'tis To feel love take possession of our blood, Become our daily breath? To feel this thing Which long has smoldered burst to flame, and rise A great, majestic, purifying fire?

To feel it burn up clean within our hearts The refuse other pa.s.sions have left there?

This love, hopeless indeed, but limitless, Which outlives all things, even happiness-- Is this the kind of love you mean?

MARION (_touched_).

Indeed!

DIDIER.

You do not know it, but I love you so!

From that first time I saw you, my dark life Was shot with sunlight streaming from your eyes; Since then all's different. To me you seem Some wonderful creation, not of earth.

My life, in whose dark gloom I groaned so long, Grows almost beautiful when you are by.

For 'til you came, I'd wandered, suffered, wept; I'd struggled, fallen--but I had not loved.

MARION.

Poor Didier!

DIDIER.

Speak, Marie!

MARION.

Well, then, I do.

I love with just this love--love you as much And maybe more than you love me! It was Not destiny that brought me here. 'Twas I Who came, who followed you, and I am yours!

DIDIER (_falling on his knees_).

Oh, do not cheat me! Give me truth, Marie!

If to my ardent love your love responds, The world holds no possession rich as mine!

My whole life, kneeling at your feet, will be One sigh of speechless, blinding ecstasy.

But do not cheat me!

MARION.

Do you want a proof Of love, my Didier?

DIDIER.

Yes!

MARION.

Then speak!

DIDIER.

You are-- Quite free?

MARION (_embarra.s.sed_).

Free? Yes!

DIDIER.

Then take me for a brother, For a protector--be my wife?

MARION (_aside_).

His wife!

Ah, why am I not worthy?

DIDIER.

You consent?

MARION.

I--can--

DIDIER.

Don't say it, please--I understand!

An orphan, without fortune! What a fool!

Give back my pain, my gloom, my solitude!

Farewell!

[_He starts to go; Marion holds him back._

MARION.

Didier, what are you saying?

[_She bursts into tears._