The Dramas of Victor Hugo: Mary Tudor, Marion de Lorme, Esmeralda - LightNovelsOnl.com
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MARION (_hiding her eyes_).
The grewsome thing!
DIDIER.
I could sign nothing with intenser joy!
[_The Guards form themselves into a line to lead them away._
SAVERNY (_to some one in the crowd_).
Sir, step aside and let that young child see!
DIDIER (_to Saverny_).
My brother, 'tis for me you suffer death; Let us embrace each other! [_He embraces Saverny._
MARION (_running to him_).
And for me No kisses, Didier!
DIDIER (_indicating Saverny_).
This is my friend, madame!
MARION (_clasping her hands_).
How hard you are upon me, a poor thing, Who always on my knees to king or judge Have begged mercy for you from every one!
Pardon of them for you; pardon of you for me!
DIDIER (_rushes to Marion, trembling, and bursting into tears_).
No, I cannot! The torture's horrible!
No, I have loved too much to leave her so!
It is too hard to keep a cold, impa.s.sive face When underneath the heart is breaking down.
Come to my arms, oh, woman, come!
[_Presses her convulsively to his heart._
I love you!
I'm about to die. Before them all, It is my loftiest joy to tell you this: I love you!
MARION.
Didier!
[_Embraces her again with rapture._
To my heart, oh, come!
You who behold this direful tragedy, I wonder if there's one of you who would Refuse love unto one who'd given herself Entirely and unceasingly to him?
Oh, I was wrong! Say, would you have me face Eternity without a pardon from Her lips? No! Stand by me and listen, love: Among all womankind--and those who hear Will prove me right by their own hearts--the one I love, the one in whom I trust, the one I venerate is you--is always you!
For you were kind, devoted, loving, good.
My life is almost ended. When death's near A clearer light illuminates all things.
If you deceived me, 'twas excess of love; And if you fell, have you not cruelly atoned?
Perhaps your mother--life's so hard--forgot You in your cradle, as my mother did; When you were young and helpless, perhaps they sold Your innocence. Ah, lift up your white brow!
And listen, all of you. At such an hour The earth is a mere shadow and the heart Speaks true. Well, at this moment, from the height Of the dread scaffold--and there's naught so high When guiltless souls ascend it--here, I say to you, Marie, angel of light, Whose l.u.s.ter earth has dimmed, my love, my wife, In G.o.d's name, before whom I soon shall stand, I pardon you.
MARION (_suffocated with tears_).
Ah, Christ!
DIDIER.
It is your turn.
Speak now, and pardon me!
[_He kneels before her._
MARION.
Didier!
DIDIER.
Your pardon, Love! I was the most at fault, the most Unkind. G.o.d has chastised you much through me.
Weep for me when I'm gone, because to have Hurt you is such a burden to take hence Into eternity. Don't leave it on me; Pardon me!
MARION (_inaudibly_).
Have mercy on me--G.o.d!
DIDIER.
Just speak one word; put your sweet hands upon My forehead. If your heart is full and you Can't speak, please make a sign. I'm dying; you Must comfort me.
[_Marion places her hand on his forehead; he rises, embraces her tenderly, with a smile of celestial joy._
Farewell! Come, gentlemen!
Let us move on!
MARION (_throws herself wildly between him and the Soldiers_).
Oh, no! Stop! This is madness!
If you think you can behead him easily, You have forgotten I am here. Spare us!
Oh, men! oh, soldiers, judge, people! Spare us!
How do you want me to ask you? Upon My knees? Well, here I am! Now if In you there's anything that quivers at A woman's voice, if G.o.d has thrown no curse On you--don't kill him!
[_To the spectators._] Men and women--you!
When you go back into your homes to-night, You'll find your mothers and your daughters; they Will say to you, "It was a wicked crime.
You might have saved him, and you did not. Shame!"
