The Dramas of Victor Hugo: Mary Tudor, Marion de Lorme, Esmeralda Part 93

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!"