MARION (_inaudibly_). Have mercy on me--God! 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 God 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!" Didier, they ought to know that I must follow You! They will not kill you if they want To keep me living! DIDIER. Let me die, Marie. 'Tis better, dear one, for my wound is deep; It would have taken too much time to heal. Better for me to go; but if, some time-- You see I'm weeping too--another comes, A happier man, more fortunate than I, Think of your old friend sleeping in the tomb. MARION. You shall not die! Are these men all inhuman? You must live! DIDIER. Don't ask things impossible. No; with your bright eyes, turn, illuminate My grave for me. Embrace me. You will love Me better, dead. I'll hold a sacred place In your dear memory. But if I lived, Lived near you with my lacerated soul-- I, who have loved no one but you--you see It would be painful. I would make you weep. I'd have a thousand thoughts I could not speak. I'd seem to doubt you, watch you, worry you. You would be most unhappy. Let me die! COUNCILOR (_to Marion_). The Cardinal will pass by soon, madame! You can ask pardon for him then. MARION. Oh, yes! The Cardinal is coming--that is true. You'll see, then, gentlemen, that he will hear! My Didier, you shall hear me talk to him! The Cardinal! Indeed, you must be all insane, To think such an old man--a Christian too, The gracious Cardinal--will not be glad To pardon you. Have you not pardoned me? [_Nine o'clock strikes. Didier makes sign to all to hush. Marion listens with terror. After the nine strokes have sounded, Didier goes and stands close to Saverny._ DIDIER (_to the spectators_). You who have come to see the last of us, If any speak of us, bear witness all, That without faltering we have heard the hour Bring us its summons to eternity.