The Dramas of Victor Hugo: Mary Tudor, Marion de Lorme, Esmeralda - LightNovelsOnl.com
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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 one's 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.d's 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_).
