The Dramas of Victor Hugo: Mary Tudor, Marion de Lorme, Esmeralda Part 56

The Dramas of Victor Hugo: Mary Tudor, Marion de Lorme, Esmeralda Part 56

It must be done!


SAVERNY.


I cannot bear to hear Him laugh so bitterly, then weep; then keep So still! I hate to see him kiss that coffin.


BRICHANTEAU.


Yes--a fine coffin with no corpse in it!


SAVERNY.


But I am dead and bleeding in his heart.


The corpse lies there.


LAFFEMAS (_coming back_).


Alas, the poor old man!


His eyes show plainly how hes suffering!


BRICHANTEAU (_low to Saverny_).


Who is that surly-looking man in black?


SAVERNY (_with gesture of ignorance_).


Some friend whos living at the castle?


BRICHANTEAU (_low_).


Crows Are also black and love the smell of death.


Keep silence more than ever. Tis a face Thats treacherous and evil; it would make A madman prudent.


[_The Marquis de Nangis re-enters; he is still absorbed in a deep reverie. He walks slowly, does not appear to notice any one, and seats himself upon a bank of turf._


SCENE III


_The same._ Marquis de Nangis


LAFFEMAS (_approaching The Marquis_).


Marquis, weve lost much.


He was a rare man; would have comforted Your old age. I mingle my tears with yours.


Young, handsome, good, naught more could be desired; Obeying G.o.d, respecting women, strong; Just in his actions, sensible in speech, A perfect n.o.bleman, whom all revere!


To die so young! Most cruel fate! Alas!


[_The Marquis lets his head fall on his hands._


SAVERNY (_low to Brichanteau_).


The devil take this funeral discourse!


These praises but augment the old mans grief.


Console him, you; Show him the other side.


BRICHANTEAU (_to Laffemas_).


You are mistaken, sir. I was in the Same grade. A bad comrade, this Saverny-- A shiftless fellow, growing worse each day.


Courageous! Every man is brave at twenty; His death is nothing much to boast about.


LAFFEMAS.


A duel! Surely, that is no great crime.


[_Banteringly to Brichanteau, pointing to his sword._


You are an officer?


BRICHANTEAU (_in the same tone, pointing to Laffemass wig_).


A magistrate?


SAVERNY (_low_).


Go on!


BRICHANTEAU.


He was capricious, thankless, and A liar: not worth any real regret.


He went to church, but just to ogle girls.


He was a gallant, a mere libertine, A fool!


SAVERNY (_low_).


Good! good!


BRICHANTEAU.


Intractable and stubborn; Rude to his officers. As to good looks, He had lost his; he limped, had a large wen Upon his eye; from blonde had turned to red, And from round-shouldered had become hump-backed.


SAVERNY (_low_).


Enough!


BRICHANTEAU.


He gambled--every one knows that.


He would have staked his soul on dice. Ill wager That cards had eaten up his property.


His fortune galloped faster every night.