The Dramas of Victor Hugo: Mary Tudor, Marion de Lorme, EsmeraldaHugo, Victor
General
The Dramas of Victor Hugo: Mary Tudor, Marion de Lorme, Esmeralda
Hugo, Victor
French drama -- 19th century -- Translations into English
Cousin Saverny,
I hope you've found the man who rescued you.
SAVERNY.
No; I have searched the city through in vain.
The robbers, the young man, and Marion--
They have all faded from me like a dream.
BRICHANTEAU.
You must have seen him when he brought you back,
Like a good Christian, from those infidels.
SAVERNY.
The first thing that he did was to throw down
The lamp.
GASSÉ.
That's strange!
BRICHANTEAU.
You'd recognize him if
You met him?
SAVERNY.
No; I didn't see his face.
BRICHANTEAU.
What is his name?
SAVERNY.
Didier.
ROCHEBARON.
That's no man's name!
That is a bourgeois name.
SAVERNY.
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 robbers! He had Marion!
He left her, and saved me. My debt's immense!
This debt I mean to pay. I tell you all:
I'll pay it with the last drop of my blood!
VILLAC.
Since when do you pay debts?
SAVERNY (_proudly_).
I've always paid
Those debts which can be paid with blood.
Blood is the only change I carry, sir!
[_It is quite dark; the windows in the city are lighted one by one; a
lamplighter enters and lights a street-lamp above the edict and goes
out. The little door through which Marion and Didier disappeared is
re-opened. Didier comes forth dreamily, walking slowly, his arms
folded._
SCENE III
_The same._ Didier
DIDIER (_coming slowly from the back; no one sees or hears him_).
Marquis de Saverny! I would like much
To see that fool who looked at her so hard.
I have him on my mind.
BOUCHAVANNES (_to Saverny, who is talking with Brichanteau_).
Saverny!
DIDIER (_aside_).
Ah,
That is my man!
[_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 steps distant._
BOUCHAVANNES (_to Saverny, who turns around_).
You know about the edict?
SAVERNY.
Which one?
BOUCHAVANNES.
Commanding us to give up duels.
SAVERNY.
It is most wise.
BRICHANTEAU.
Hanging's the penalty.
SAVERNY.
You must be jesting. Commoners are hanged,
Not nobles.
BRICHANTEAU (_showing the placard_).
Read it for yourself. It's there,
Upon the wall.
SAVERNY (_perceiving Didier_).
That sallow face can read
For me.
[_To Didier, elevating his voice._
Ho! man there with the cloak! My friend!
Good fellow!
[_To Brichanteau._] Brichanteau, he must be deaf.
DIDIER (_slowly lifting his head, without taking his eyes from him_).
You spoke to me?
SAVERNY.
I did! In fair return,
Read that placard which hangs above your head.
DIDIER.
I?
SAVERNY.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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