The Dramas of Victor Hugo: Mary Tudor, Marion de Lorme, Esmeralda Part 97

CLAUDE FROLLO.

I love her more than ever.

You behold me quivering with love and with anguish.

I must have her to-night.

CLOPIN.

You will see her pa.s.s by here--in a moment; It is the way to her home.

CLAUDE FROLLO (_aside_).

Oh! h.e.l.l has hold of me!

[_Aloud._] Soon--you say?

CLOPIN.

Upon the instant!

CLAUDE FROLLO.

Alone?

CLOPIN.

Alone.

CLAUDE FROLLO.

That is enough.

CLOPIN.

Will you wait?

CLAUDE FROLLO.

I wait-- Let me have her, or let me die!

CLOPIN.

Can I help you?

CLAUDE FROLLO.

No!

[_He motions to Clopin to leave him, after having thrown him his purse. When he finds himself alone with Quasimodo, he draws him to the front of the stage._

CLAUDE FROLLO.

Come! I need you!

QUASIMODO.

It is well!

CLAUDE FROLLO.

For a deed that is impious, frightful, awful!

QUASIMODO.

You are my lord and master!

CLAUDE FROLLO.

Chains, death, the law-- We brave them all.

QUASIMODO.

Count upon me.

CLAUDE FROLLO (_recklessly_).

I mean to abduct the gypsy!

QUASIMODO.

Master, take my blood--without telling me why!

[_Upon a sign from Claude Frollo he retires up stage and leaves his master down stage._

CLAUDE FROLLO.

Oh, Heaven! to have given one's mind to the depths, To have tried all the crimes of sorcery, To have fallen lower than h.e.l.l itself: A priest, at midnight, in the dark to watch for a woman!

And to reflect that in this state in which I find my soul G.o.d sees me!

Well! what does it matter?

Fate drags me on!

Its hand is too strong, Its will be done!

I begin life over-- The priest insane Feels hope no longer, Knows terror is vain!

Demon, who drugs me, Give her to me; And I, who evoked thee, Thy slave will be-- Receive the priest Whose bonds are riven!

h.e.l.l with her Will be my heaven!

Come, exquisite woman, Your beauty I claim.

You shall own me forever-- I swear, in G.o.d's name!

Since he--since the master By whom love was given, Bids me choose--me, a priest, Between pa.s.sion and heaven!

QUASIMODO (_returning_).