The Dramas of Victor Hugo: Mary Tudor, Marion de Lorme, Esmeralda Part 97

The Dramas of Victor Hugo: Mary Tudor, Marion de Lorme, Esmeralda Part 97

CLAUDE FROLLO.


I love her more than ever.


You behold me quivering with love and with anguish.


I must have her to-night.


CLOPIN.


You will see her pa.s.s by here--in a moment; It is the way to her home.


CLAUDE FROLLO (_aside_).


Oh! h.e.l.l has hold of me!


[_Aloud._] Soon--you say?


CLOPIN.


Upon the instant!


CLAUDE FROLLO.


Alone?


CLOPIN.


Alone.


CLAUDE FROLLO.


That is enough.


CLOPIN.


Will you wait?


CLAUDE FROLLO.


I wait-- Let me have her, or let me die!


CLOPIN.


Can I help you?


CLAUDE FROLLO.


No!


[_He motions to Clopin to leave him, after having thrown him his purse. When he finds himself alone with Quasimodo, he draws him to the front of the stage._


CLAUDE FROLLO.


Come! I need you!


QUASIMODO.


It is well!


CLAUDE FROLLO.


For a deed that is impious, frightful, awful!


QUASIMODO.


You are my lord and master!


CLAUDE FROLLO.


Chains, death, the law-- We brave them all.


QUASIMODO.


Count upon me.


CLAUDE FROLLO (_recklessly_).


I mean to abduct the gypsy!


QUASIMODO.


Master, take my blood--without telling me why!


[_Upon a sign from Claude Frollo he retires up stage and leaves his master down stage._


CLAUDE FROLLO.


Oh, Heaven! to have given ones mind to the depths, To have tried all the crimes of sorcery, To have fallen lower than h.e.l.l itself: A priest, at midnight, in the dark to watch for a woman!


And to reflect that in this state in which I find my soul G.o.d sees me!


Well! what does it matter?


Fate drags me on!


Its hand is too strong, Its will be done!


I begin life over-- The priest insane Feels hope no longer, Knows terror is vain!


Demon, who drugs me, Give her to me; And I, who evoked thee, Thy slave will be-- Receive the priest Whose bonds are riven!


h.e.l.l with her Will be my heaven!


Come, exquisite woman, Your beauty I claim.


You shall own me forever-- I swear, in G.o.ds name!


Since he--since the master By whom love was given, Bids me choose--me, a priest, Between pa.s.sion and heaven!


QUASIMODO (_returning_).