The Dramas of Victor Hugo: Mary Tudor, Marion de Lorme, Esmeralda - LightNovelsOnl.com
You're reading novel online at LightNovelsOnl.com. Please use the follow button to get notifications about your favorite novels and its latest chapters so you can come back anytime and won't miss anything.
ESMERALDA.
Phoebus! I like your name!
PHOEBUS.
Upon my soul I have a blade Which has, Madame, Great havoc made.
ESMERALDA (_to Phoebus_).
A beautiful captain, An officer grand, With corselet of steel And an air of command!
Often, kind sir, Our hearts they break, And only laugh At the tears they make.
PHOEBUS (_aside_).
With a beautiful captain, An officer gay, Love hardly succeeds In living a day.
All soldiers desire To pluck every rose, Joys without troubles, Love without woes.
PHOEBUS (_to Esmeralda_).
A radiant spirit Smiles at me Through thine eyes.
ESMERALDA.
A beautiful captain, An officer grand, With corselet of steel And an air of command!
Long watches the girl He carelessly pa.s.sed; And the dreams he awakened Forever may last!
PHOEBUS.
With a beautiful captain, An officer gay, Love hardly succeeds In a living day!
It's like lightning which flashes-- This eager desire Which the eyes of sweet maidens Kindle to fire!
ESMERALDA (_standing before the Captain and admiring him_).
My lord Phoebus! Let me see you!
Let me admire you a hundred-fold!
Oh the beautiful scarf of silk-- Oh the fine scarf with fringe of gold!
[_Phoebus takes it off and offers it to her._
PHOEBUS.
Does it please you?
ESMERALDA (_taking the scarf and putting it on_).
Yes, it is beautiful!
PHOEBUS.
One moment!
[_He goes to her and tries to embrace her._
ESMERALDA (_drawing back_).
Don't, I beg you!
PHOEBUS (_insisting_).
You must kiss me!
ESMERALDA (_drawing away still more_).
No, truly!
PHOEBUS (_laughing_).
A beauty So cruel, So haughty, Is charming.
ESMERALDA.
No, beautiful captain, In vain you plead!
Can I tell how far A kiss might lead?
PHOEBUS.
I am a captain, Why abuse me?
I want a kiss-- Don't refuse me!
Give it me--give it, or I will take!
ESMERALDA.
No, leave me! I beg of you, for my sake.
PHOEBUS.
One kiss, one kiss--'tis nothing, you see.
ESMERALDA.
Nothing to you, but much to me!
PHOEBUS.
Look at me, dear! I am playing no part!
ESMERALDA.
Alas, but I cannot look into my heart!
