The Dramas of Victor Hugo: Mary Tudor, Marion de Lorme, Esmeralda Part 59

The Dramas of Victor Hugo: Mary Tudor, Marion de Lorme, Esmeralda Part 59

MARION (_aside_).

Alas!

DIDIER.

What joy, When we have left this country far behind, To have you, call you wife as well as love!

You will be willing?--answer.

MARION.

I will be Your sister, and my brother you shall be!

DIDIER.

Oh, no! Refuse me not that ecstasy Of knowing, in G.o.d's sight, you're mine alone!

You're safe to trust my love in everything.

The lover keeps you for the husband, pure!

MARION (_aside_).

Alas!

DIDIER.

If you knew how things torture me!

To hear that actor talk, affront you thus!

It is not least among our wretched woes To see you mixed with jugglers such as these, A chaste, exquisite flower 'mid this filth-- You, 'mongst these women steeped in infamy!

MARION.

Be prudent, Didier!

DIDIER.

G.o.d! I struggled hard Against my anger! He said "thou" to you, When I, your love, your husband, hardly dare For fear of tarnishing that virgin brow--

MARION.

Be pleasant with them; it means life to you, And me as well.

DIDIER.

She's right. She's always right.

Although each hour brings us increasing woe, You lavish on me love and joy and youth!

How happens it these blessings come to me, When royal kingdoms were small pay for them-- To me, who give but anguish in return?

Heaven gave you--yes; but h.e.l.l binds you to me.

For us to merit this unequal fate, What good can I have done? What evil you?

MARION.

My only blessings come from you, my love!

DIDIER.

If you say that you think it, but it's wrong!

Oh, yes, my star of destiny is bad.

I know not whence I come, nor where I go.

My whole horizon's dark. Love, hark to me!

There's time yet; you can leave me and go back.

Let me pursue the gloomy route alone.

When all is ended and I'm tired out, The couch that's waiting will be cold--ice-cold, And narrow; there's not room enough for two.

Go back!

MARION.

That couch, dark, and mysterious, I'll share it with you; that at least is mine.

DIDIER.

Will you not listen? Can't you understand?

You're tempting Providence to cling to me!

The years of anguish, love, may be so long Your sweet eyes may grow sightless, just from tears.

[_Marion lets her head fall on her hands._

DIDIER.

I swear I draw the picture none too strong.

Your future frightens me. I pity you!

Go back!

MARION (_bursting into tears_).

It were more kind to kill me, Didier, Than to talk thus! [_Weeping._] O G.o.d!

DIDIER (_taking her in his arms_).

My darling, hush!

So many tears! I'd shed my blood for one.

Do what you will! Come, be my destiny, My glory, life, my virtue, and my love!

Answer me now. I speak! Sweet, do you hear?

[_He seats her on a bank of turf._

MARION (_withdrawing herself from his arms_).

You've hurt me!

DIDIER (_kneeling to her_).