The Dramas of Victor Hugo: Mary Tudor, Marion de Lorme, Esmeralda. Виктор Мари Гюго

      It was written in blood. I have kept that paper. I always carry it about me. But you torture me. What is your purpose, tell me.

      THE MAN.

      This. You see that I am acquainted with your affairs. Gilbert, watch over your house to-night.

      GILBERT.

      What do you mean?

      THE MAN.

      Not another word. Don't go to your work; stay around the house: watch! I am neither your friend nor your enemy; this is only a piece of advice that I give you. Now, for your own sake, leave me! Go down that side, and come back if you hear me call for help.

      GILBERT.

      What does this mean? [Goes off slowly.

      SCENE V

      THE MAN (alone).

      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 guitar on the water. Yes.

      [He goes to the parapet. A guitar and distant singing are heard.

      When you sing soft at night, love,

       Clasped in my arms so fond,

       Can you not hear the tender thoughts

       Which to your voice respond?

       Your song brings back unto my heart

       The happy days of yore;

       Then sing, my beauty, sing, my love,

       Sing on for evermore!

      THE MAN.

      That is my man!

      [The voice draws nearer with each verse.

      When you laugh, on your lips, dear,

       Love's sweetest shadows play;

       And doubt and cruel unbelief

       Are sudden chased away.

       For laughter proves we're loyal

       And faithful to the core;

       Then laugh, my beauty, laugh, my love,

       Laugh on for evermore!

      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 priceless store!

       Then sleep, my beauty, sleep, my love,

       Sleep on for evermore!

      And when you say, "I love you,"

       In truth it seems to be

       As if God's heaven were opening

       Especially for me.

       I see dreams hidden in your eyes

       That we've not dreamed before;

       Then love me, oh, my beauty,

       Love me for evermore!

      You see, the whole of life, dear,

       Lies in those words, just four—

       All things that people envy,

       All things that men adore,

       All things that are seductive,

       On which our heart sets store.

       To sing, to laugh, my beauty,

       To sleep, to love, no more!

      THE MAN.

      He lands! Good! He sends off the boatmen. Excellent!

      [Comes back to the front of the stage.

      Here he comes.

      [Fabiano Fabiani enters, enveloped in a cloak; he goes toward the door of the house.

      SCENE VI

      The Man, Fabiano Fabiani

      THE MAN (stopping Fabiani).

      A word with you, if you please.

      FABIANI.

      I believe some one is speaking to me. Who is this knave? Who are you?

      THE MAN.

      Whatever you wish me to be.

      FABIANI.

      This lantern is not very bright, but you wear a yellow cap, it seems to me—a Jew's cap. Are you a Jew?

      THE MAN.

      Yes, a Jew. I have something to tell you.

      FABIANI.

      What is your name?

      THE MAN.

      I know your name, and you don't know mine. I have the advantage. Permit me to keep it.

      FABIANI.

      You know my name? That isn't true.

      THE MAN.

      I know your name. At Naples you were called Signor Fabiani; at Madrid, Don Fabiano; at London you are called Lord Fabiano Fabiani, Earl of Clanbrassil.

      FABIANI.

      The devil take you!

      THE MAN.

      God keep you!

      FABIANI.

      I will have you cudgeled. I do not wish my name to be known when I go abroad by night.

      THE MAN.

      Especially when you go where you are going.

      FABIANI.

      What do you mean?

      THE MAN.

      If the Queen knew!

      FABIANI.

      I am going nowhere in particular.

      THE MAN.

      Oh, yes, my lord! You are going to see the fair Jane, the betrothed of Gilbert the engraver.

      FABIANI (aside).

      The devil! This is a dangerous man.

      THE MAN.

      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 you.

      FABIANI.

      Keep still. Do you want hush-money? How much do you want?

      THE MAN.

      We will see about that by-and-by. Now, my lord, shall I tell you why you have seduced this girl?

      FABIANI.

      By my faith! because I was in love with her.

      THE MAN.

      No. You were not in love with her.

      FABIANI.

      I wasn't in love with Jane.

      THE MAN.

      No more than with the Queen! Love, oh, no! calculation, yes.

      FABIANI.

      Why, fool, you are no man at all! You are my conscience dressed up like a Jew.

      THE MAN.

      I will speak to you as if I were your conscience. This is your plan. You are the Queen's favorite. The Queen has given you the garter,