The Dramas of Victor Hugo: Mary Tudor, Marion de Lorme, Esmeralda - BestLightNovel.com
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PHOEBUS.
To-night love shall make an entrance there!
ESMERALDA.
Wherever love enters, soon follows despair.
[_She slips out of his arms and escapes. Phoebus, disappointed, turns to Quasimodo, whom the archers hold bound at the back of the stage._
PHOEBUS.
She escapes me, she resists me!
A gay adventure, verily!
I keep the worst of our two birds of prey-- The owl remains; the nightingale flew away!
[_He places himself at the head of his guard and goes out, taking Quasimodo with him._
CHORUS OF THE WATCH.
Vigilance and peace-- Whoever pa.s.ses here Must ope the eye to darkness, To silence strain the ear!
[_The sound grows fainter and finally ceases._
_ACT II_
Scene.--_The square of Greve. The pillory. Quasimodo is in the pillory. Populace on the square_
SCENE I
CHORUS.
He abducted a girl-- What! is it possible?
Hark! how they abuse him!
Do you hear, my friends?
Quasimodo has been hunting on Cupid's domain!
A WOMAN OF THE PEOPLE.
He will pa.s.s through my street On his return from the pillory; And it is Pierrat Forterne Who will give us the signal.
TOWN-CRIER.
In the King's name, whom G.o.d protect!
The man you see here, will be put Under a strong guard, In the pillory for one hour.
CHORUS.
Down with him! Down with him!
The hunchback, the deaf, the one-eyed creature This Barabbas!
I believe, s'death! he's looking at us.
Down with the sorcerer!
He makes faces, he kicks; He makes dogs bark in the streets.
Punish the rascal well!
Double the whip and the penalty.
QUASIMODO.
Drink!
CHORUS.
Hang him!
QUASIMODO.
Drink!
CHORUS.
Be accursed!
[_Esmeralda, some instants ago, joined the crowd. She perceives Quasimodo, first with surprise, then with pity. Suddenly, in the midst of all the noise, she mounts the pillory, unfastens a little cup which she carries on her belt, and gives a drink to Quasimodo._
CHORUS.
What are you doing, beautiful girl?
Leave Quasimodo alone!
When Beelzebub roasts, n.o.body gives him water.
[_She comes down. The archers unfasten Quasimodo and take him away._
CHORUS.
He abducted a woman!
Who? This dolt!
It is terrible, it is infamous, It is too much!
Do you hear, my friends?
Quasimodo Dared to go hunting on Cupid's domain.
SCENE II
_A magnificent drawing-room in which people are making preparations for a festival._ Phoebus, Fleur-de-lys, Madame Aloise De Gondelaurier
MADAME ALOISE.
