The Dramas of Victor Hugo: Mary Tudor, Marion de Lorme, Esmeralda - BestLightNovel.com
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Master, the moment is at hand!
CLAUDE FROLLO.
Yes--the solemn hour: It will decide my fate. Be silent! Hus.h.!.+
_CLAUDE FROLLO and QUASIMODO._
The night is dark, Footsteps I hear: In shadow does not Some one draw near?
[_They go to the back of the stage to listen._
THE WATCH (_pa.s.sing behind the houses_).
Vigilance and peace!
Whoever pa.s.ses here Must ope the eye to darkness, To silence strain the ear.
_CLAUDE FROLLO and QUASIMODO._
In shadow they come; They make no sound: Still let us be While the watch goes round!
[_The voices of the watch grow fainter._
QUASIMODO.
The watch has pa.s.sed!
CLAUDE FROLLO.
Our terror follows it.
[_Claude Frollo and Quasimodo look anxiously at the door through which Esmeralda must pa.s.s._
QUASIMODO.
Love inspires, Hope renders strong, Him who watches While sleeps the throng.
I see her come-- Lo! she appears.
Maid divine!
Have no fears!
CLAUDE FROLLO.
Love inspires, Hope renders strong, Him who watches While sleeps the throng.
I see her come, Maid divine!
Lo! she appears-- She is mine!
[_Esmeralda enters: they throw themselves upon her and try to drag her away: she struggles._
ESMERALDA.
Help--help! To me--help!
_CLAUDE FROLLO and QUASIMODO._
Hush, young maiden--hus.h.!.+
SCENE III
_Esmeralda, Quasimodo, Phoebus de Chateaupers, the archers of the watch_
PHOEBUS (_entering at the head of a body of archers_).
In the King's name!
[_In the struggle Claude escapes. The archers seize Quasimodo._
PHOEBUS.
Arrest him! hold him close!
Be he lord or valet!
At once--we will conduct him To the prison Chatelet.
[_The archers take Quasimodo up stage and off. Esmeralda, recovered from her fright, approaches Phoebus with curiosity, mingled with admiration, and draws him gently to the front of the stage._
ESMERALDA (_to Phoebus_).
Deign to tell me Your name, sir!
I beg you to.
PHOEBUS.
Phoebus, my child-- Of the family Of Chateaupers.
ESMERALDA.
Captain?
PHOEBUS.
Yes, my queen!
ESMERALDA.
Queen? oh, no!
PHOEBUS.
Exquisite grace!
