The Dramas of Victor Hugo: Mary Tudor, Marion de Lorme, Esmeralda Part 107

The Dramas of Victor Hugo: Mary Tudor, Marion de Lorme, Esmeralda Part 107

Your lips are flatterers; You make me feel ashamed.

I beg of you, don't come so near.

CLAUDE FROLLO.

They love each other. How I envy them!

ESMERALDA.

My Phoebus! I owe my life to you.

PHOEBUS.

And I--I owe my happiness to you.

ESMERALDA.

Be good to me!

Oh, try to be Gentle, I entreat, To the young maid, Who much afraid Trembles at your feet!

PHOEBUS.

Oh, my white queen, G.o.ddess serene, Sovereign of beauty, Whose bright eyes shine With fires divine Of pa.s.sion and of duty!

CLAUDE FROLLO.

I wait for them; I hark to them.

How tender she, How handsome he!

How near their doom!

Be joyous he, And happy she, While I prepare their tomb!

PHOEBUS.

Nymph or woman, Saint or human, Be my wife to me!

All day I yearn, All night I burn, Such is my love for thee!

ESMERALDA.

I am woman, I am human, And my soul afire, Trembles ever, Longs forever, As throbs a lover's lyre!

CLAUDE FROLLO.

Woman, wait!

My flame as great, My blade must have its turn.

Oh! I admire These souls afire, And these hearts which burn!

PHOEBUS.

Be always white and red, my love, And smile at our bright lot; Smile sweet at love, which we've awaked, And chast.i.ty, which we've forgot.

Your mouth is heaven--my heaven, love-- My soul would cling in bliss Upon it, love, and pray that life Might end with one long kiss.

ESMERALDA.

Your voice delights my ear, love; Your smile is sweet and free.

The laughing pa.s.sion in your eyes Benumbs and conquers me.

Your wishes are my law, love, But I can't yield to this: My virtue and my happiness Might die in that long kiss!

CLAUDE FROLLO.

Don't let them hear your step, Death, As near to them you creep!

My jealous hatred will keep watch While their love falls asleep.

From out their arms so closely locked You'll steal away their bliss!

Phoebus--your wish is granted, You die for that long kiss!

[_Claude Frollo rushes upon Phoebus and stabs him; then he opens the window in the back, through which he escapes. With a great cry, Esmeralda falls upon the body of Phoebus. The men stationed at the corner rush forward, seize her, and seem to accuse her._

_ACT IV_

Scene.--_A prison. Door in the center_

SCENE I

ESMERALDA (_alone, chained, lying upon a bed of straw_).

What! He in the tomb and I in this cell-- He a victim and I a prisoner!

I saw him fall! In truth, he's dead!

And this crime, this awful crime-- They say it is my work!

The stem of our life, while yet green, is broken.

Phoebus has gone, and he shows me the way.

Yesterday they made his grave, To-morrow they'll make mine!

ROMANCE

Phoebus, is there nothing left, No help given, to those bereft In this cruel wise-- Neither filters, love, nor charms, To a.s.suage the soul's alarms, Or reopen closed eyes?

G.o.d in heaven, I adore thee!

Every hour I implore thee!

Deign to end my life to-day Or to take my love away!

Phoebus, let us turn our wings Toward the lights supernal, Where all things must go at last, Where love bides and is eternal.

On earth our bodies sleep together, In heaven our souls will live forever!

G.o.d in heaven, I adore thee!

Every hour I implore thee!

Deign to end my life to-day Or to take my love away!