The Dramas of Victor Hugo: Mary Tudor, Marion de Lorme, Esmeralda

You are right, my lord, this damned Italian must have bewitched the Queen. She can't exist without him; she lives only for him, finds pleasure only in him, listens only to him....

I must leave you here, my good friends. It is midnight, and I must go back to my post of turnkey of the Tower of London. I am not as free as you are, you see! A turnkey is only...

I can't. You know, I told you before, Jane, I have some work to do in my shop to-night. I must engrave the handle of a dagger for some Lord Clanbrassil, whom I have never seen,...

Yes, I recognize you; you are the Jewish beggar who has been prowling around this house for several days. What do you want with me? Why have you taken hold of my hand, and why h...

The matter is well arranged now. I needed some one young and strong to help me if it was necessary. This Gilbert is just the man I want. I think I hear the sound of oars and a g...

Shall I tell you more? You have seduced this girl, and during the last month she has received you twice in her house at night. This is the third time. The beauty is waiting for...

No witnesses. A corpse on the ground. Two men beside it. Which is the assassin? There is nothing to prove it is one rather than the other--I rather than you.

Ah, you come too late; you can probably kill no one but myself. All the same, whether you fall from heaven or are vomited up from hell, I bless you. My Jane has betrayed me! Jan...

Scene.--_A room in the royal apartment. The gospel open on a prie-Dieu. The royal crown upon a stool. Side doors. A large door in the center. A portion of the background conceal...

When you sleep, calm and pure, love, In shadow, 'neath my eyes, And your soft breathing gives my heart Its tenderest replies; On your sweet form my eyes can feast, Oh, beauty's...

The whole affair will be still better proved to the Queen in a short time. The young woman is here, as I told your Majesty. I had her brought from her house last night.

Yes, the Queen. I am the Queen. There is no time for astonishment. You, sir, are Gilbert, a workman, an engraver. You live somewhere beyond the borders of the river, with a woma...

The first time I saw him was-- But what is the use? A poor wretched girl of the people, frivolous and vain, in love with jewels and fine clothes, a girl dazzled with the handsom...

Have you forgotten your agreement so soon? Is this the way you let me use you? [_Aloud._] You are all witnesses that he had a dagger in his hand. Sir Bailiff, what is the name o...

Good-day, gentlemen! God be with you, my lords! [_To Lord Montague._] Anthony Brown, I do not forget that you held your own most worthily against John of Montmorency and the Cou...

What does this mean? There are only my enemies here, this morning! The Queen is speaking in a low tone to Simon Renard. The devil! She is laughing! It is a bad sign.

Enter, enter, my lords! I am truly pleased to see you to-day. Good! good! The officers of the law this way: nearer, nearer! Where are the sergeants-at-arms of the House of Lords...

My lord Duke of Somerset, these two men to the Tower! My Lord Gardiner, our chancellor, let their trial before the twelve peers of the Star Chamber commence to-morrow, and may G...

Scene.--_Hall in the interior of the Tower of London. Pointed arch upheld by large pillars. To the right and to the left two low doors to two cells. To the right a dormer-window...

Yes, of Jane! Only of Jane. What does the rest matter to me? You have forgotten, have you? You don't remember that for one whole month, glued to the bars of my cell, from which...

As you say, it is very extraordinary. But what can you expect? The Queen is crazy. She doesn't know what she wants. You can't count upon anything. She is a woman. I would like t...

Kind Heaven! What shall I do? It is I who have destroyed him. I must be the one to save him! I can never do it, never! A woman can do nothing! The scaffold-- The scaffold! Oh, i...

As I ordered the day before, that the execution should take place yesterday. As I ordered Sunday that the execution should take place Monday. To-day I ordered the execution to t...

Very well! I won't trust you; I remember you are one of his enemies. Are there none but enemies of the man I love, around me? I will wager that this turnkey, whom I don't even k...

Listen to me! Pity me! Do not crush me! I know all that you would say. It is all true; but don't say it to me. I must save you. Everything is ready. The escape is safe. Let your...

My Lord Fabiani! My lord, not an instant to lose! The people know the Queen wanted to save your life. There is a revolt of the London populace against you. In a quarter of an ho...

You must make your decision on the spot, madame. The people demand this man's death! The Tower is besieged. The revolt is formidable. Your nobles have been cut to pieces on Lond...

Anybody I please? Wait, madame! The execution will be at night, by torchlight; the criminal covered with a black veil, gagged; the people kept a long way from the scaffold by th...

Scene.--_A hall or room into which lead two staircases, one ascending and the other descending. The entrance to each of these staircases fills a portion of the back of the stage...

The Tower wasn't surrounded on the waterside. Then, when he started, the riot wasn't as bad as it was afterward. It was a fine riot, if you but knew it.

Some one is here. Oh, it is you, young woman! It is you, Lady Jane. I frighten you. Don't be afraid. You know the turnkey Eneas betrayed us. Don't be afraid. I have already told...

Speak, fair one! What does this swift, unkind departure mean? While all are seeking you at Place Royale, Why do you hide yourself at Blois? Traitress, What have you done here al...

[_A young man appears behind the balustrade of the balcony, jumps over it lightly, enters, places his cloak and sword on the armchair. Costume of the day: all black: boots. He t...

Upon my soul! 'Tis a strange chivalry To save my life and push me from the door! The door--that is to say, the window! No, They shall not say one of my family Was bravely rescue...

Scene.--_Blois. The door of a public-house. A square. In the background the city of Blois is visible in the form of an amphitheater, also the towers of St. Nicholas upon the hil...

Count de Gassé, Marquis de Brichanteau, Viscount de Bouchavannes, Chevalier de Rochebaron. _They are seated at tables in front of the door: some are smoking, the others are thro...

It doesn't matter. Didier is this man's name. There are great men Who have been conquerors and bear grand names, But they've no greater hearts than this man had. I had six robbe...

[_He advances slowly, his eyes fixed on the noblemen, and sits down at a table placed under the street-lamp, which lights up the edict. L'Angely, motionless and silent, is a few...

My God! Just God! Condemned to death! They've taken him away. To kill him! Oh, I brought this ruin on him with my cries! I called for help, but my unhappy voice Found death in t...

_M. DE LAFFEMAS, undress costume of a magistrate of the period. Marquis de Saverny, disguised as an officer of the Regiment of Anjou; with black mustache and imperial, and a pla...

[_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._

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 God, r...

The seal of State! The great seal of red wax! Come! this is business. Let me know at once! [_Reading._] "Sir Criminal Lieutenant: We make known To you that Didier, the assassin...

This is your lodging. You're on the estate Of the Marquis de Nangis. Behave well, Try to be quiet, for some one is dead. The burial is to-morrow. Above all, Don't mix your songs...

Is't bad enough? My Marion, have I dragged you low enough? You wished to follow me? My destiny Precipitates itself and crushes you, Bound to its wheel! What are we come to now?...

This gentleman? Tell me-- 'Tis strange how hard he looks at me! Upon my soul, 'tis he! My man! [_Loud to Didier._] If you Were not in prison, I should say that you Resemble a--

My lord, I do not understand you! [_Aside._] Humph! A costume Of Alcaid and a figure of police; Small eyes, adorned with big eyebrows! I think He plays the part of Alguazil in t...

Humph! The wretched juggler! Pride in such base souls! If you some day should fall into my hands Unoccupied with better sort of game-- But this will not find Didier! Now, I can'...

Without preamble: My lord the Cardinal commissioned me To find good actors, if there may be such Within the provinces, to act the plays Which he constructs in hours of leisure w...

_Duke de Bellegarde, rich court costume covered with embroidery and lace, the order of the Holy Ghost around his neck, and the star upon his cloak. Marquis de Nangis, in deep mo...

After the Duke. I promise you shall see him when he passes Through this hall. But while waiting, talk with me! Ah, little woman, are we good? In black? Lady-in-waiting you might...

There's nothing! Yesterday I had great expectations, for three peasants Had been devoured by wolves. At first I thought We would find several at Chambord. I beat The woods, but...

_The same. The King. The King enters slowly, passes through the crowd of Courtiers, without lifting his head, stops at front of stage, and stands for several instants absorbed a...

_The same. Marion, Marquis de Nangis. Marquis de Nangis advances with his escort to within a few steps of The King; he kneels there. Marion falls on her knees at the door_

Ah! L'Angely, my heart is sick. 'Tis full of bitterness. I cannot smile. You, only, have the power to cheer me. Come! You stand in no awe of my majesty. Come, throw a glint of p...

[_They continue their work. Laffemas enters; The Workmen are silent. He comes from the back as though he were coming from an inside court of the prison; stops beside The Workmen...

If it would save your life, I could not go Back to that infamy. My soul's grown pure At touch of you, my Didier; sin is shamed. Your love gives back my lost virginity.

_Didier, Saverny. Saverny, dressed in the latest fashion, enters gayly and petulantly. Didier is in black, walks slowly, is very pale. A jailer accompanied by Halberdiers conduc...

As I was saying, After this death, although the corpse be mangled, Though every limb be stamped with hideous wounds, Though arms be twisted, broken every bone, Though through th...

Who should it be? Oh, leave me here-- Here at your feet! It is the place I love! Your hands, your dear loved hands, give them--your hands! Oh, they are wounded! Those harsh chai...

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!

Long live Clopin! Long live the King of Thune! Long live the rogues of Paris. Let us strike our blows at dusk-- The hour when all the cats are drunk. Let us dance! Defy Pope and...

Oh, Heaven! to have given one's mind to the depths, To have tried all the crimes of sorcery, To have fallen lower than hell itself: A priest, at midnight, in the dark to watch f...

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.

Down with him! Down with him! The hunchback, the deaf, the one-eyed creature This Barabbas! I believe, s'death! he's looking at us. Down with the sorcerer! He makes faces, he ki...

Phoebus, my future son-in-law, listen to me. I am fond of you. Be master here, as if you were another self. Look to it that every one is gay to-night. And you, my daughter, come...

[_The guests greet and salute each other; servants circulate among the crowd, bearing platters laden with flowers and fruits. A group of young girls forms itself near a window t...

She is a heavenly vision, A dream most rare and tender, Which, floating through earth's darkness, Radiates celestial splendor. Born in the public streets-- Oh, blind caprice of...

Scene.--_The front yard of a tavern. Tavern to the right; trees to the left. In the back a door, and a small low wall which closes in the yard. In the distance the roof of Notre...

And his soul, Which often seems To mix up women With his dreams, Is contented if the wind, With its come and go, Rocks the canvas of his tent Gently to and fro!

Have I become a fool? Gypsy, Jewess, or Moor, The love that questions what she be Is love most base and poor. The fateful hour is come, Unto my love I fly! If death be but as sw...

_A chamber. In the background, a window which opens on the river. Clopin Frouillefou enters, bearing a torch. He is followed by several men, to whom he makes a preconcerted sign...

What! He in the tomb and I in this cell-- He a victim and I a prisoner! I saw him fall! In truth, he's dead! And this crime, this awful crime-- They say it is my work! The stem...

My God! I love, Except myself, All that's here-- The air which passes, And which chases Away care; And the swallow Who is faithful To the old roof; The chapels high O'ershadowed...

Do not fear it; He is too feeble yet for such a journey. If he came, 'twould be his death. My lord, you can feel sure That every step would reopen his wound; Do not fear anythin...

_The crowd increases; noise; a gloomy procession begins to appear on the Place du Parvis. Rows of black penitents. Banners of La Miséricorde. Torches, archers, officers of the l...