Poems by Victor Hugo Part 43

Bearing the sleeping Mahaud they moved now Silent and bent with heavy step and slow.

Zeno faced darkness--Joss turned towards the light-- So that the hall to Joss was quite in sight.

Sudden he stopped--and Zeno, "What now!" called, But Joss replied not, though he seemed appalled, And made a sign to Zeno, who with speed Looked back. Then seemed they changed to stone indeed.

For both perceived that in the vaulted hall One of the grand old knights ranged by the wall Descended from his horse. Like phantom he Moved with a horrible tranquillity.

Masked by his helm towards them he came; his tread Made the floor tremble--and one might have said A spirit of th' abyss was here; between Them and the pit he came--a barrier seen; Then said, with sword in hand and visor down, In measured tones that had sepulchral grown As tolling bell, "Stop, Sigismond, and you, King Ladislaus;" at those words, though few, They dropped the Marchioness, and in such a way That at their feet like rigid corpse she lay.

The deep voice speaking from the visor's grate Proceeded--while the two in abject state Cowered low. Joss paled, by gloom and dread o'ercast, And Zeno trembled like a yielding mast.

"You two who listen now must recollect The compact all your fellow-men suspect.

'Tis this: 'I, Satan, G.o.d of darkened sphere, The king of gloom and winds that bring things drear, Alliance make with my two brothers dear, The Emperor Sigismond and Polish King Named Ladislaus. I to surely bring Aid and protection to them both alway, And never to absent myself or say I'm weary. And yet more--I, being lord Of sea and land, to Sigismond award The earth; to Ladislaus all the sea.

With this condition that they yield to me When I the forfeit claim--the King his head, But shall the Emperor give his soul instead.'"

Said Joss, "Is't he?--Spectre with flashing eyes, And art thou Satan come to us surprise?"

"Much less am I and yet much more.

Oh, kings of crimes and plots! your day is o'er, But I your lives will only take to-day; Beneath the talons black your souls let stay To wrestle still."

The pair looked stupefied And crushed. Exchanging looks 'twas Zeno cried, Speaking to Joss, "Now who--who can it be?"

Joss stammered, "Yes, no refuge can I see; The doom is on us. But oh, spectre! say Who are you?"

"I'm the judge."

"Then mercy, pray."

The voice replied: "G.o.d guides His chosen hand To be th' Avenger in your path to stand.

Your hour has sounded, nothing now indeed Can change for you the destiny decreed, Irrevocable quite. Yes, I looked on.

Ah! little did you think that any one To this unwholesome gloom could knowledge bring That Joss a kaiser was, and Zeno king.

You spoke just now--but why?--too late to plead.

The forfeit's due and hope should all be dead.

Incurables! For you I am the grave.

Oh, miserable men! that naught can save.

Yes, Sigismond a kaiser is, and you A king, O Ladislaus!--it is true.

You thought of G.o.d but as a wheel to roll Your chariot on; you who have king's control O'er Poland and its many towns so strong.

You, Milan's Duke, to whom at once belong The gold and iron crowns. You, Emperor made By Rome, a son of Hercules 'tis said; And you of Spartibor. And your two crowns Are shining lights; and yet your shadow frowns From every mountain land to trembling sea.

You are at giddy heights twin powers to be A glory and a force for all that's great-- But 'neath the purple canopy of state, Th' expanding and triumphant arch you prize, 'Neath royal power that sacred veils disguise, Beneath your crowns of pearls and jewelled stars, Beneath your exploits terrible and wars, You, Sigismond, have but a monster been, And, Ladislaus, you are scoundrel seen.

Oh, degradation of the sceptre's might And swords--when Justice has a hand like night, Foul and polluted; and before this thing, This hydra, do the Temple's hinges swing-- The throne becomes the haunt of all things base Oh, age of infamy and foul disgrace!

Oh, starry heavens looking on the shame, No brow but reddens with resentful flame-- And yet the silent people do not stir!

Oh, million arms! what things do you deter-- Poor sheep, whom vermin-majesties devour, Have you not nails with strong desiring power To rend these royalties, that you so cower?

But two are taken,--such as will amaze E'en h.e.l.l itself, when it on them shall gaze.

Ah, Sigismond and Ladislaus, you Were once triumphant, splendid to the view, Stifling with your prosperity--but now The hour of retribution lays you low.

Ah, do the vulture and the crocodile Shed tears! At such a sight I fain must smile.

It seems to me 'tis very good sometimes That princes, conquerors stained with bandits' crimes, Sparkling with splendor, wearing crowns of gold, Should know the deadly sweat endured of old, That of Jehoshaphat; should sob and fear, And after crime th' unclean be brought to bear.

'Tis well--G.o.d rules--and thus it is that I These masters of the world can make to lie In ashes at my feet. And this was he Who reigned--and this a Caesar known to be!

In truth, my old heart aches with very shame To see such cravens with such n.o.ble name.

But let us finish--what has just pa.s.sed here Demands thick shrouding, and the time is near.

Th' accursed dice that rolled at Calvary You rolled a woman's murder to decree It was a dark disastrous game to play; But not for me a moral to essay.

This moment to the misty grave is due, And far too vile and little human you To see your evil ways. Your fingers lack The human power your shocking deeds to track.

What use in darkness mirror to uphold?

What use your doings to be now retold?

Drink of the darkness--greedy of the ill To which from habit you're attracted still, Not recognizing in the draught you take The stench that your atrocities must make.

I only tell you that this burdened age Tires of your Highnesses, that soil its page, And of your villanies--and this is why You now must swell the stream that pa.s.ses by Of refuse filth. Oh, horrid scene to show Of these young men and that young girl just now!

Oh! can you really be of human kind Breathing pure air of heaven? Do we find That you are men? Oh, no! for when you laid Foul lips upon the mouth of sleeping maid, You seemed but ghouls that had come furtively From out the tombs; only a horrid lie Your human shape; of some strange frightful beast You have the soul. To darkness I at least Remit you now. Oh, murderer Sigismond And Ladislaus pirate, both beyond Release--two demons that have broken ban!

Therefore 'tis time their empire over man And converse with the living, should be o'er; Tyrants, behold your tomb your eyes before; Vampires and dogs, your sepulchre is here.

Enter."

He pointed to the gulf so near.

All terrified upon their knees they fell.

"Oh! take us not in your dread realm to dwell,"

Said Sigismond. "But, phantom! do us tell What thou wouldst have from us--we will obey.

Oh, mercy!--'tis for mercy now we pray."

"Behold us at your feet, oh, spectre dread!"

And no old crone in feebler voice could plead Than Ladislaus did.

But not a word Said now the figure motionless, with sword In hand. This sovereign soul seemed to commune With self beneath his metal sheath; yet soon And suddenly, with tranquil voice said he, "Princes, your craven spirit wearies me.

No phantom--only man am I. Arise!

I like not to be dreaded otherwise Than with the fear to which I'm used; know me, For it is Eviradnus that you see!"

XVII.

THE CLUB.

As from the mist a n.o.ble pine we tell Grown old upon the heights of Appenzel, When morning freshness breathes round all the wood, So Eviradnus now before them stood, Opening his visor, which at once revealed The snowy beard it had so well concealed.

Thin Sigismond was still as dog at gaze, But Ladislaus leaped, and howl did raise, And laughed and gnashed his teeth, till, like a cloud That sudden bursts, his rage was all avowed.

"'Tis but an old man after all!" he cried.

Then the great knight, who looked at both, replied, "Oh, kings! an old man of my time can cope With two much younger ones of yours, I hope.

To mortal combat I defy you both Singly; or, if you will, I'm nothing loth With two together to contend; choose here From out the heap what weapon shall appear Most fit. As you no cuira.s.s wear, I see, I will take off my own, for all must be In order perfect--e'en your punishment."

Then Eviradnus, true to his intent, Stripped to his Utrecht jerkin; but the while He calmly had disarmed--with dexterous guile Had Ladislaus seized a knife that lay Upon the damask cloth, and slipped away His shoes; then barefoot, swiftly, silently He crept behind the knight, with arm held high.

But Eviradnus was of all aware, And turned upon the murderous weapon there, And twisted it away; then in a trice His strong colossal hand grasped like a vice The neck of Ladislaus, who the blade Now dropped; over his eyes a misty shade Showed that the royal dwarf was near to death.

"Traitor!" said Eviradnus in his wrath, "I rather should have hewn your limbs away, And left you crawling on your stumps, I say,-- But now die fast."

Ghastly, with starting eyes, The King without a cry or struggle dies.

One dead--but lo! the other stands bold-faced, Defiant; for the knight, when he unlaced His cuira.s.s, had his trusty sword laid down, And Sigismond now grasps it as his own.

The monster-youth laughed at the silv'ry beard, And, sword in hand, a murderer glad appeared.

Crossing his arms, he cried, "'Tis my turn now!"

And the black mounted knights in solemn row Were judges of the strife. Before them lay The sleeping Mahaud--and not far away The fatal pit, near which the champion knight With evil Emperor must contend for right, Though weaponless he was. And yawned the pit Expectant which should be engulfed in it.

"Now we shall see for whom this ready grave,"

Said Sigismond, "you dog, whom naught can save!"

Aware was Eviradnus that if he Turned for a blade unto the armory, He would be instant pierced--what can he do?

The moment is for him supreme. But, lo!

He glances now at Ladislaus dead, And with a smile triumphant and yet dread, And air of lion caged to whom is shown Some loophole of escape, he bends him down.

"Ha! ha! no other club than this I need!"

He cried, as seizing in his hands with speed The dead King's heels, the body lifted high, Then to the frightened Emperor he came nigh, And made him shake with horror and with fear, The weapon all so ghastly did appear.

The head became the stone to this strange sling, Of which the body was the potent string; And while 'twas brandished in a deadly way, The dislocated arms made monstrous play With hideous gestures, as now upside down The bludgeon corpse a giant force had grown.

"'Tis well!" said Eviradnus, and he cried, "Arrange between yourselves, you two allied; If h.e.l.l-fire were extinguished, surely it By such a contest might be all relit; From kindling spark struck out from dead King's brow, Batt'ring to death a living Emperor now."

And Sigismond, thus met and horrified, Recoiled to near the unseen opening wide; The human club was raised, and struck again * * *

And Eviradnus did alone remain All empty-handed--but he heard the sound Of spectres two falling to depths profound; Then, stooping o'er the pit, he gazed below, And, as half-dreaming now, he murmured low, "Tiger and jackal meet their portion here, 'Tis well together they should disappear!"