The Dramas of Victor Hugo: Mary Tudor, Marion de Lorme, Esmeralda - LightNovelsOnl.com
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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 he's suffering!
BRICHANTEAU (_low to Saverny_).
Who is that surly-looking man in black?
SAVERNY (_with gesture of ignorance_).
Some friend who's living at the castle?
BRICHANTEAU (_low_).
Crows Are also black and love the smell of death.
Keep silence more than ever. 'Tis a face That's 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, we've 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 man's 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 s.h.i.+ftless 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 Laffemas's 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. I'll wager That cards had eaten up his property.
His fortune galloped faster every night.
