The Dramas of Victor Hugo: Mary Tudor, Marion de Lorme, Esmeralda Part 65

[_Declaiming with emphasis._ "Strange destiny!

O Heaven, I appeal to you! Bear witness Unto my woe. I must despoil myself, Surrender my beloved one to another.

I must endow my rival, fill his heart With joy, while my poor stomach stings with grief.

Thus, birds, you can no more perch in the woods; Thus, flies, you can no more buzz in the fields; Thus, sheep, you can no longer wear your wool; Thus, bulls, you can no longer raze the plains."

LAFFEMAS.

Good!

[_To Saverny._] Listen, the fine verses! "Bradamante"

By Garnier; what a poet!

[_To Marion._] 'Tis your turn, My beauty. First, your name.

MARION (_trembling_).

I am Chimene!

LAFFEMAS.

Indeed! Chimene? Then you must have a lover.

He has killed a man in duel--

MARION (_terrified_).

Oh, heaven!

LAFFEMAS (_maliciously_).

I've a good memory. If one escapes--

MARION (_aside_).

Great heaven!

LAFFEMAS.

Come! Now let us hear your scene

MARION (_half turned toward Didier_).

"Since to arrest you in this fatal course Your life and honor are of no avail, If ever I have loved you, Roderick, Defend yourself to save me from Don Sancho.

Fight valiantly against the fearful fate Which must surrender me to one I hate.

Shall I say more? Go; your defense shall be Your right to force my duty, seal my lips!

If love for me still in your brave heart lies, Go win this combat, for Chimene is prize."

[_Laffemas rises gallantly and kisses her hand. Marion is pale; she looks at Didier, who remains motionless with eyes on the ground._

LAFFEMAS.

No voice but yours could take so firm a hold Upon the secret fibers of our heart.

You are adorable.

[_To Saverny._] You can't deny Corneille is not worth Garnier, after all.

'Tis true, his verses have a finer ring Since he's belonged unto the Cardinal-Duke.

[_To Marion._] What a complexion! What fine eyes! Good G.o.d!

This is no place for you! You're buried here.

Sit down!

[_He sits and makes sign to Marion to sit beside him; she draws back._

MARION (_low to Didier, with anguish_).

For G.o.d's sake, let me stay with you!

LAFFEMAS (_smiling_).

Come sit by me, I say!

[_Didier repulses Marion, who staggers terrified to the bench where Laffemas sits, and falls upon it._

MARION (_aside_).

'Tis horrible!

LAFFEMAS (_smiling at Marion, with an air of reproach_).

At last!

[_To Didier._] Now, sir, your turn. What is your name?

DIDIER (_with gravity_).

My name is Didier!

MARION, LAFFEMAS, SAVERNY.

Didier!

DIDIER (_to Laffemas, who laughs triumphantly_).

Yes, you can Send all of them away. You've got your prey.

Your prisoner himself takes up his chain.

This joy has cost you a great deal of work.

MARION (_running to him_).

Didier!

DIDIER (_with a freezing look_).

Don't try to hinder me this time, Madame!

[_She starts back and falls crushed upon the bank: to Laffemas._