The Dramas of Victor Hugo: Mary Tudor, Marion de Lorme, Esmeralda Part 94

Didier, they ought to know that I must follow You! They will not kill you if they want To keep me living!

DIDIER.

Let me die, Marie.

'Tis better, dear one, for my wound is deep; It would have taken too much time to heal.

Better for me to go; but if, some time-- You see I'm weeping too--another comes, A happier man, more fortunate than I, Think of your old friend sleeping in the tomb.

MARION.

You shall not die! Are these men all inhuman?

You must live!

DIDIER.

Don't ask things impossible.

No; with your bright eyes, turn, illuminate My grave for me. Embrace me. You will love Me better, dead. I'll hold a sacred place In your dear memory. But if I lived, Lived near you with my lacerated soul-- I, who have loved no one but you--you see It would be painful. I would make you weep.

I'd have a thousand thoughts I could not speak.

I'd seem to doubt you, watch you, worry you.

You would be most unhappy. Let me die!

COUNCILOR (_to Marion_).

The Cardinal will pa.s.s by soon, madame!

You can ask pardon for him then.

MARION.

Oh, yes!

The Cardinal is coming--that is true.

You'll see, then, gentlemen, that he will hear!

My Didier, you shall hear me talk to him!

The Cardinal! Indeed, you must be all insane, To think such an old man--a Christian too, The gracious Cardinal--will not be glad To pardon you. Have you not pardoned me?

[_Nine o'clock strikes. Didier makes sign to all to hush. Marion listens with terror. After the nine strokes have sounded, Didier goes and stands close to Saverny._

DIDIER (_to the spectators_).

You who have come to see the last of us, If any speak of us, bear witness all, That without faltering we have heard the hour Bring us its summons to eternity.

[_The cannon sounds at the door of the tower; the black veil which concealed the opening in the wall, falls: the gigantic litter of The Cardinal appears, borne by twenty-four foot-guards, surrounded by twenty other guards bearing halberds and torches: the litter is scarlet and ornamented with the arms of the House of Richelieu. It crosses the back of the stage slowly. Great agitation among the crowd._

MARION (_dragging herself up to the litter on her knees and wringing her hands_).

In your Christ's name! In name of all your race, Mercy for them, my lord!

A VOICE (_from the litter_).

No mercy!

[_Marion falls to the ground. The litter pa.s.ses and the procession of the condemned men follows it. The crowd rush madly after them._

MARION (_alone, lifts herself half way up, and drags herself along by her hands: looking around._)

Ah!

What did he say? Where are they gone? My love!

My Didier! No one! Not a sound! Is it A dream--this place? the crowd?--or am I mad?

[_The people rush back in disorder. The litter reappears in the background on the side where it went off. Marion rises and gives a terrible cry._

He's coming back!

GUARDS (_pus.h.i.+ng the people aside_).

Make way!

MARION (_erect and half-wild, pointing to the litter_).

Look, all of you!

It is the red man who goes by!

[_She falls senseless._

ESMERALDA

DRAMATIS PERSONae

Esmeralda.

Phoebus de Chateaupers.

Claude Frollo.

Quasimodo.

Fleur-de-lys.

Madame Aloise de Gondelaurier.

Diana.

Berangere.

Viscount de Gif.

M. de Chevreuse.

M. de Morlaix.

Clopin Frouillefou.

The Town-Crier.

_Populace, Vagrants, Archers, etc._