The Dramas of Victor Hugo: Mary Tudor, Marion de Lorme, Esmeralda - LightNovelsOnl.com
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[_Claude turns to the crowd._ We deliver this woman to the secular arm; At this solemn moment may the breath of the Lord Pa.s.s over her soul!
[_As the officers of the law are about to seize Esmeralda, Quasimodo jumps into the square, thrusts back the archers, takes Esmeralda in his arms, and throws himself with her into the church._
QUASIMODO.
Sanctuary! sanctuary! sanctuary!
THE PEOPLE.
Sanctuary! sanctuary! sanctuary!
Rejoice, O people!
Hail to the good bell-ringer!
Oh, destiny!
The criminal Belongs to heaven!
The scaffold falls!
The eternal G.o.d Instead of a tomb Discloses the altar!
Executioners, back!
King's officers, back!
This barrier Limits your power.
Thou hast changed Everything here.
The angels claim her; She belongs to G.o.d!
CLAUDE FROLLO (_commanding silence by a gesture_).
She is not saved! She is a gypsy!
Notre Dame can save none but Christians!
Pagans are proscribed even when clasping the altar!
[_To the King's men._] In the name of my lord the Archbishop of Paris, I give you back this sinful woman!
QUASIMODO (_to the archers_).
I will defend her! I swear it.
Approach us not!
CLAUDE FROLLO (_to the archers_).
Do you hesitate?
Obey me, on the instant!
Tear the gypsy from this holy place.
[_The archers advance. Quasimodo places himself between them and Esmeralda._
QUASIMODO.
Never!
[_A horseman is heard approaching. He calls out_: Wait! [_The crowd disperses._
PHOEBUS (_appearing on horseback. He is pale, breathless, exhausted as is a man who has made a long journey_).
Wait!
ESMERALDA.
Phoebus!
CLAUDE FROLLO (_aside, terrified_).
My plot has failed.
PHOEBUS (_leaping from his horse_).
G.o.d be praised! I breathe And I arrive in time!
This girl is innocent.
Behold my a.s.sa.s.sin!
[_Points to Claude Frollo._
ALL.
Heavens! the priest!
PHOEBUS.
The priest alone is guilty, and I will prove it!
Arrest him!
THE PEOPLE.
Oh, wonder! [_The archers surround Claude Frollo._
CLAUDE FROLLO.
G.o.d alone is Master!
ESMERALDA.
Phoebus!
PHOEBUS.
Esmeralda!
[_They fall into each other's arms._
ESMERALDA.
My adored Phoebus, we shall live!
PHOEBUS.
Thou shalt live!
