ACT V
THE CARDINAL
Scene.—Beaugency. The tower of Beaugency. A courtyard; the tower in the background, all around a high wall. To the left, a tall arched door; to the right, a small rounded door in the wall; near the door a stone table and stone bench
SCENE I
Some Workmen. They are pulling down a corner of the back wall on the left. The demolition is almost completed
FIRST WORKMAN (working with his pickax).
It's very hard!
SECOND WORKMAN (working).
Deuce take this heavy wall we're pulling down!
THIRD WORKMAN (working).
Saw you the scaffold, Peter?
FIRST WORKMAN.
Yes, I did.
[He goes to the large door and measures it.
THIRD WORKMAN.
Bah!
Is it a house?
FIRST WORKMAN (with affirmative gesture).
With great long curtains. Yes.
It takes some four and twenty men on foot
To carry it.
SECOND WORKMAN.
I saw the great machine,
One night when it was very dark. It looked
Just like Leviathan in shadow-land.
THIRD WORKMAN.
What does he come here with his sergeants for?
FIRST WORKMAN.
To see the execution of those two young men.
He's sick. He needs to be amused.
SECOND WORKMAN.
To work!
[They resume work; the wall is about torn down.
FIRST WORKMAN.
They have everything.
SECOND WORKMAN.
I wonder
If they would build a black scaffold for us.
FIRST WORKMAN.
What have those young men done that they should die?
Hein? Do you understand, Maurice?
THIRD WORKMAN.
I don't.
It's justice.
[They continue their work. Laffemas enters; The Workmen are silent. He comes from the back as though he were coming from an inside court of the prison; stops beside The Workmen, appears to examine the breach, and gives them some directions. When the space is opened, he orders them to hang black cloth across it, which covers it entirely; then he dismisses them. At almost the same moment Marion appears, dressed in white, and veiled; she enters through the great door, crosses the court rapidly, and runs to the grating of the small door, at which she knocks. Laffemas follows slowly in the same direction. The grating is opened; The Turnkey appears.
SCENE II
Marion, Laffemas
MARION (showing a parchment to The Turnkey).
Order of the King!
THE TURNKEY.
You can't
Enter, madame.
MARION.
What!
LAFFEMAS (presenting a paper to The Turnkey).
Signed, the Cardinal!
THE TURNKEY.
Enter.
[When about to enter, Laffemas turns, looks at Marion a moment, then approaches her. The Turnkey shuts the door.
LAFFEMAS (to Marion).
You here? This questionable place!
MARION.
I am. [Triumphantly showing the parchment.
I have the pardon!
LAFFEMAS (showing his).
Yes? I have
The revocation!
MARION (with a cry of horror).
Mine was yesterday—
The morning!
LAFFEMAS.
Mine, last night!
MARION (with hands over her eyes).
My God! No hope!
LAFFEMAS.
Hope is a flash of lightning which deceives.
The clemency of kings is a frail thing;
It comes with lagging steps and goes with wings.
MARION.
The King was moved with pity for their fate!
LAFFEMAS.
What can the King against the Cardinal?
MARION.
Oh, Didier, our last hope's extinguished now!
LAFFEMAS (low).
Not—not the last!
MARION.
Just Heaven!
LAFFEMAS (drawing near to her).
There is here
A man whom one short word from you could make
Happier than any king, and mightier too!
MARION.
Away!
LAFFEMAS.
Is that your answer?
MARION (haughtily).
I beg you!
LAFFEMAS.
How fleeting are the whims of the fair sex!
You were not always, madame, so severe!
Now that 'tis question of your lover's life—
MARION (without looking at him, turning to the small door, her hands clasped).
If it would save your life, I could not go
Back to that infamy. My soul's grown pure
At touch of you, my Didier; sin is shamed.
Your love gives back my lost virginity.
LAFFEMAS.
Well, love him!
MARION.
Ah, he pushes me from crime
To vice! Oh, monster, go! Let me keep pure!
LAFFEMAS.
There is but one thing left for me to do!
MARION.
What is it?
LAFFEMAS.
I can show you—let you see.
It is to-night.
MARION (trembling all over).
Oh, heaven! this night!
LAFFEMAS.
This night
The Cardinal, in litter, will attend.
[Marion is buried in a deep and painful reverie. Suddenly she passes her two hands over her brow and turns, as if wild, toward Laffemas.
MARION.
How could you manage their escape?
LAFFEMAS (low).
You mean?
Two of my men could guard this place, by which
The Cardinal passes—
[He listens at the small door.
MARION (wringing her hands).
You'll save him?
LAFFEMAS.
Yes.
[Low.] To tell you in this place—
The walls have echoes—elsewhere.
MARION (with despair).
Come!
[Laffemas goes toward the large door and signs to her to follow. She falls on her knees, turned toward the grating of the prison; then she arises with a convulsive effort and disappears through the great door after Laffemas. Saverny and Didier enter, surrounded by Guards.
SCENE III
Didier, Saverny. Saverny, dressed in the latest fashion, enters gayly and petulantly. Didier is in black, walks slowly, is very pale. A jailer accompanied by Halberdiers conducts them. The Jailer places the two Halberdiers as sentinels beside the black curtain. Didier sits, silently, on the stone bench
SAVERNY (to The Jailer, who opens the door for him).
Thank you.
The air is very good!
THE JAILER (low, and drawing him aside).
My lord, two words with you.
SAVERNY.
Four, if you like.
THE JAILER (lowering his voice still more).
Will you escape?
SAVERNY (eagerly).
Speak! How?
THE JAILER.
That's my affair.
SAVERNY.
Truly? [The Jailer nods his head.
Lord Cardinal,
You meant to keep me from attending balls,
But it appears I am to dance again.
The pleasant thing that life is!
[To The Jailer.] When, my friend?
THE JAILER.
To-night, as soon as it is dark.
SAVERNY.
My faith!
I shall be charmed to leave these quarters. Whence
Comes this assistance?
THE JAILER.
Marquis de Nangis.
SAVERNY.
My good old uncle!
[To The Jailer.] 'Tis for both, I hope!
THE JAILER.
I can save only one!
SAVERNY.
For twice as much?
THE JAILER.
I can save only one!
SAVERNY (tossing his head).
Just one?
[Low to The Jailer.] Then listen;
Good jailer, that's the one to save!
[Indicating Didier.
THE JAILER.
You jest!
SAVERNY.
I do not! He's the one!
THE JAILER.
What an idea!
Your uncle wants to save you, not save him.
SAVERNY.
It's settled? Then prepare two shrouds at once.
[Turns his back on The Jailer, who goes out, astonished. A Registrar enters.
REGISTRAR (saluting the prisoners).
The royal councilor of the Great Chamber
Is close at hand.
[Salutes them again and exits.
SAVERNY.
'Tis well! [Laughing.
Annoying luck!
Twenty years old—September—and to die
Before October!
DIDIER (motionless at front of stage, holding the portrait in his hand, and as if absorbed in a deep study of it).
Come, look at me well!
Eyes in my eyes: thus. You are beautiful!
What radiant grace! Hardly a woman, you!
No: much more like an angel. God Himself
When He formed that divinely honest look
Put much fire in it but more chastity.
That childish mouth, pushed open by sweet hopes,
Throbs with its innocence.
[Throwing the portrait violently to the ground.
SAVERNY (returning from back of court).
The swallows fly quite low;
'Twill rain to-night.
DIDIER (without hearing him).
A faithless, a mad thing,
A woman is: inconstant, cruel, deep,
And turbulent as is the ocean. Ah,
Upon that sea I trusted all my fortune!
In all the vast horizon saw one star!
Well! I am shipwrecked! Nothing's left but death.
Yet I was born good-hearted: might have found
The spark divine within me by-and-by.
Fair looked the future! Oh, remorseless woman,
Did you not shrink in face of such a lie,
Since to your mercy I trusted my soul?
SAVERNY.
Forever Marion! You've strange ideas
About her!
DIDIER (without heeding him, picks up the picture and fixes his eyes upon it).
Down 'mongst the degraded things
I must throw you, oh, woman who betrays!
A demon, with eyes touched by angels' wings.
[Puts it back into his breast.
SAVERNY.
Alas! poor friend.
We'll talk of death.
[Aside.] It comforts him, although
I find it rather sad.
DIDIER.
What did you say?
I have not listened. Since I heard that name
I have been stupefied. I cannot think:
I can't remember, cannot hear nor see!
SAVERNY (taking hold of his arm).
Death, friend!
DIDIER (joyfully).
Oh, yes!
SAVERNY.
Let's talk about it.
DIDIER.
Yes!
SAVERNY.
What is it, after all?
DIDIER.
Did you sleep well
Last night?
SAVERNY.
No, badly, for my bed was hard.
DIDIER.
When you are dead, your bed will be much harder,
But you will sleep extremely well—that's all.
They've made hell splendidly; but by the side
Of life, it's nothing.
SAVERNY.
Good! My fears are gone!
But to be hanged! That certainly is bad.
DIDIER.
You're getting death; don't be an egotist.
SAVERNY.
You can be satisfied; but I am not.
I'm not afraid of death—that is no boast—
When death is death, but on the gallows!
DIDIER.
Well,
Death has a thousand forms—gallows are one.
That moment is not pleasant when the rope
Puts out your life as one puts out a flame,
Choking your throat to let your soul fly up;
But, after all, what matter? If all's dark,
If only all this earth is hidden well,
What matter if a tomb lies on one's breast?
What matter if the night-winds howl and blow
About the strings of flesh crows tore from you
When you were on the gibbet? What care you?
SAVERNY.
You're a philosopher.
DIDIER.
Yes, let them rave.
Let vultures tear my flesh, let worms consume,
As they consume all, even kings; my body
Is what's concerned, not I. What do I care?
When sepulchers shut down our mortal eye,
The soul lifts up the mighty mass of stone
And flies away—
[A Councilor enters, preceded and followed by Halberdiers in black.
SCENE IV
The same. Councilor of the Great Chamber, in full dress, The Jailer, Guards
THE JAILER (announcing).
The Councilor of the King!
COUNCILOR (saluting Saverny and Didier in turn).
My mission's painful and the law severe—
SAVERNY.
I understand: there is no hope! Speak, sir!
COUNCILOR (unfolds a parchment and reads).
"We, Louis, King of France and of Navarre,
Reject appeals made by these men condemned,
But moved by pity, change the punishment
And order them beheaded."
SAVERNY (joyfully).
God be praised!
COUNCILOR (saluting them once more).
You are to hold yourselves in readiness;
It will take place to-day.
[He salutes and prepares to exit.
DIDIER (who has remained in the same thoughtful attitude, to Saverny).
As I was saying,
After this death, although the corpse be mangled,
Though every limb be stamped with hideous wounds,
Though arms be twisted, broken every bone,
Though through the mire the body has been dragged,
From out that putrid, bleeding, awful flesh
The soul shall rise, unstained, untouched, and pure.
COUNCILOR (coming back, to Didier).
'Tis well to occupy yourselves with such
Great thoughts.
DIDIER (gently).
Please do not interrupt me, sir.
SAVERNY (gayly to Didier).
No gallows!
DIDIER.
Order of the fête is changed,
I know. The Cardinal travels with his headsman,
And he must be employed; the ax will rust.
SAVERNY.
You're cool about it, yet the stake is great.
[To The Councilor.] Thank you for such good news.
COUNCILOR.
I wish 'twere better!
Good sir, my zeal—
SAVERNY.
Excuse me. What's the hour?
COUNCILOR.
At nine o'clock to-night.
DIDIER.
I hope the sky
Will be as dark as is my soul.
SAVERNY.
The place?
COUNCILOR (indicating the neighboring court).
Here in the court. The Cardinal will come.
[Councilor exits with his escort. The two prisoners remain alone. Day begins to fade. The halberds of the two sentinels, who silently promenade before the breach, are all that can be seen.
DIDIER (solemnly, after a pause).
At this portentous hour we must reflect
Upon the fate awaiting us. Our years
Are equal, though I'm older far than you.
It is but just, therefore, that mine should be
The voice to cheer and to exhort you, since
I am the cause of all your misery.
'Twas I who challenged you. You were content
And happy: 'twas enough for me to pass
Across your life to ruin it. My fate
Pressed down upon yours 'til it crushed it. Now,
Together, we are soon to face the tomb.
We'll take each other's hand—
[Sound of hammering.
SAVERNY.
What is that noise?
DIDIER.
It is our scaffold which they're building, or
Our coffins they are nailing.
[Saverny sits on the stone bench.
[A bell strikes.
[Another bell.
SAVERNY.
The hour is striking.
[A third bell.
DIDIER.
Yes, the hour!
[A fourth bell.
SAVERNY.
In chapel!
[Four more bells.
DIDIER.
It is a voice that calls us, just the same.
SAVERNY.
Another hour!
[He leans his elbows on the stone table and drops his head on his hands. The Guard is changed.
DIDIER.
My friend, do not give way!
Don't falter on this threshold we must cross.
The tomb they're fitting up for us is low,
And won't permit the entrance of a head.
Let's go to meet them with a fearless tread.
The scaffold can afford to shake, not we.
They claim our heads; and since no fault is ours,
We'll bear them proudly to the fatal block.
[Approaches Saverny, who is motionless.
[Touches his arm and finds he is asleep.
[It is night. While Didier has become absorbed in his thoughts, Marion and The Jailer enter through the opening in the wall; The Jailer precedes her. He carries a dark-lantern and a bundle, both of which he places on the ground, then advances cautiously toward Marion, who has remained standing on the threshold, pale, motionless, half-wild.
SCENE VI
[The scenes are mis-numbered in the book and skip from the number IV to the number VI in Act V. (note of etext transcriber)]
The same. Marion, The Jailer
THE JAILER (to Marion.)
Be sure to come at the appointed hour.
[Goes up stage; during the rest of this scene he continues to walk up and down at the back.
MARION (advances with tottering steps as if absorbed in some desperate thought. Every now and then she draws her hand across her face as if to rub off something).
His lips, like red-hot iron, have branded me!
[Suddenly she discovers Didier, gives a cry, runs and throws herself breathless at his feet.
DIDIER (roused with a start).
Here, Marion! My God!
[Coldly.] 'Tis you?
MARION.
Who should it be? Oh, leave me here—
Here at your feet! It is the place I love!
Your hands, your dear loved hands, give them—your hands!
Oh, they are wounded! Those harsh chains did that.
The wretched creatures! But I'm here—you know—
Oh, it is terrible! [She weeps; her sobs are audible.
DIDIER.
Why do you weep?
MARION.
Why? Didier, I'm not weeping! No, I laugh!
[She laughs.
[She falls again at Didier's feet and sobs.
DIDIER.
Madame—
MARION (rises, without hearing him, and gets the bundle and brings it to him).
Now hurry! We have not much time!
Take this disguise. I've bribed the sentinels.
We'll leave Beaugency without being seen.
Go down that street, at the wall's end, out there!
The Cardinal will come to see them execute
His orders; we can't lose an instant now.
The cannon will be fired when he arrives,
And we'll be lost if we should still be here.
DIDIER.
'Tis well!
MARION.
Quick! hurry! Didier, you are saved!
To be free! Didier, how I love you—God!
DIDIER.
You say a street where the wall ends?
MARION.
I do.
I saw it. I've been there. It is quite safe.
I saw them close up the last window, too.
It may be we shall meet some women, but
They'll think you're just a passer-by. Come, love;
When you are far off—please put on these things—
We'll laugh to see you thus disguised. Come, dear!
DIDIER (pushing the clothes aside with his foot).
There is no hurry.
MARION.
Death waits at the door.
Fly! Didier! Since I've come!
DIDIER.
Why did you come?
MARION.
To save you! What a question to ask me!
Why such a freezing tone?
DIDIER (with a sad smile).
Ah, well! We men
Are often senseless.
MARION.
We are losing time.
The horses wait. What you have in your mind,
You'll tell me afterward. We must fly now.
DIDIER.
Who is that man there watching us?
MARION.
The jailer.
He's safe; I bribed him, as I did the guard.
Do you suspect them? You have such an air.
DIDIER.
It's nothing. We're so easily deceived.
MARION.
Come! Each lost moment chills me to the heart.
I seem to hear the tread of that great crowd.
Hasten, my Didier—on my knees—oh, fly!
DIDIER (indicating Saverny, asleep).
Tell me which one of us you want to save.
MARION (overcome for a moment).
[Aside.] Gaspard is generous: he would not tell.
[Aloud.] Does Didier speak to his beloved thus?
My Didier, what have you against me?
DIDIER.
Naught.
Lift up your face and look me in the eyes.
[Marion, trembling, fixes her eyes on him.
MARION.
My love,
I worship you, but come!
DIDIER.
Don't turn away!
[He looks at her fixedly.
MARION (terrified at his look).
[Aside.] The kisses of that man, he sees them! God!
[Aloud.] You have a secret, something against me!
It hurts you! Tell me all about it, dear.
You know we often make things worse by thinking,
And too late find it out; then we regret.
I had my share in all your thoughts, love, once!
Speak, are those days for evermore gone by?
Do you not love me now? Have you forgot
My little room at Blois? Forgotten how
We loved each other, till the world was lost?
Sometimes you grew uneasy; then I said,
"If any one should see him!" Oh, 'twas fine!
But one day has destroyed it all. You've said
A thousand times, in words that burned my soul,
I was your love, I knew your secrets, I
Could make you anything I chose. What have
I ever asked? I've always thought with you!
This time, oh, yield to me! It is your life
I'm pleading for. My Didier, hark to me.
Alive or dead, I swear to follow you.
All things with you, love, will be sweet to me—
To fly, or die upon the scaffold. What!
You push me back? You shall not! Leave your hand,
I want it. My poor brow, it does no harm
To rest it on your knees. I am so tired;
I ran so fast to come! What would they say,
The people I knew once, to see me now?
I was so gay, so merry; now I weep!
What is it that you have against me? Speak!
Oh, shame! You must let me lie at your feet.
It's very cruel of you not to say
One single word. When we have thoughts, we speak!
'Twould be more merciful to stab me, love!
See, I have dried my tears, and I am smiling.
You smile too. Oh, if you don't smile at me,
I will not love you! I have always done
Just what you wanted; now it is your turn.
These chains are what have chilled your soul. Love, smile
And speak to me, and say "Marie."
DIDIER.
"Marie"
Or "Marion"?
MARION (falls annihilated at his feet).
Didier, be merciful!
DIDIER (with terrible tone).
Here, no one finds an entrance easily.
Prisons of state are guarded night and day,
The doors are iron, walls twenty cubits high;
To open these remorseless doors, madame,
To whom here did you prostitute yourself?
MARION.
Who told you?
DIDIER.
No one; but I understand.
MARION.
Didier, I swear by every hope divine
It was to save you, tear you from this place;
To melt the executioner—to save you—
Don't you hear?
DIDIER (folding his arms).
I thank you! To descend
As low as that! To have no shame, no soul!
Oh, madame! can one be so infamous?
[Crossing the court with a great cry of rage.
[He is about to break the portrait in his hands, but he stops, and beside himself, continues.
MARION.
Do not treat me thus!
Another word of scorn and I fall dead
Here at your feet. If ever love was true
And strong and pure, mine was. If any man
Was ever worshiped by a woman, you
Have been by me.
DIDIER.
Hush! Do not speak! I might,
For sorrow, have been born a woman too.
I might have been as infamous as you.
I might have sold myself, have given my breast
To any passer-by, as place for rest.
But if there came to me, in his frank way,
An honest man, filled with the love of truth,
If I had met a heart insane enough
To keep its vain illusions all these years,
Oh, sooner than not tell that honest man
"I'm this," sooner than charm and dazzle him,
Sooner than fail to warn him that my eyes
So candid and my lips so pure were lies,
Sooner than be perfidious and base like that,
I'd want to dig my grave with my own hands.
MARION.
O God!
DIDIER.
How you would laugh if you could see
The picture that my heart painted of you!
How wise you were to shatter it, madame!
There you were chaste and beautiful and pure!
What injury has this poor man done you,
Who loved you on his bended knees?
[Presenting portrait to her.
MARION (turning away with a cry).
Oh, shame!
DIDIER.
Did you not have it painted just for me?
[He laughs, and dashes the locket to the ground.
MARION.
Will some one, out of pity, kill me now?
THE JAILER.
Time's passing.
MARION.
Yes, it flies; and we are lost.
Didier, I've not the right to say a single word.
I am a woman to whom naught is due.
You have rebuked and cursed me: you did well!
I merit still more hate and shame. You've been
Too kind; my broken, bruised heart is grateful.
But the remorseless hour draws near. Away!
The headsman you forget, remembers you.
I've planned it all. You can escape. Now, listen—
My God! do not refuse. You know how much
It costs me. Hate me, strike me, curse me, leave
Me to my shame, disown me, walk upon
My bleeding heart—but fly!
DIDIER.
Fly where? From whom?
There's naught but you to fly from in this world;
And I escape you, for the grave is deep.
THE JAILER.
The hour is passing.
MARION.
O my Didier, fly!
DIDIER.
I will not!
MARION.
Just for pity!
DIDIER.
Pity! why?
MARION.
To see you taken, bound! To see you—there!
Only to think it makes me die of horror!
Come! I will be a servant unto you.
Come! Take me, when I have redeemed myself,
Just to have something underneath your feet.
The one you called "a wife" in times of trial—
DIDIER.
A wife! [Cannon sounds in the distance.
This makes of you a widow, then!
MARION.
Didier!
THE JAILER.
The hour is past.
[Rolling of drums. Enter Councilor of the Great Chamber, accompanied by penitents bearing torches, and by Executioner. A crowd of soldiers and people follow.
MARION.
Ah, Christ!
SCENE VII
The same. Councilor, Executioner, Populace, Soldiers
COUNCILOR.
I'm ready,
Gentlemen!
MARION (to Didier).
I told you that he'd come!
DIDIER (to Councilor).
We're ready also.
COUNCILOR.
Which is named Gaspard,
Marquis de Saverny?
[Didier points to Saverny, who is asleep.
EXECUTIONER (shaking him).
How well he sleeps, my lord!
SAVERNY (rubbing his eyes).
Ah, how could you
Break in on such a pleasant sleep!
DIDIER.
'Tis only
Interrupted, friend!
SAVERNY (half awake: sees Marion and salutes her).
Oh, I was dreaming
About you, my beauty!
COUNCILOR.
Have you made
Your peace with God?
SAVERNY.
I have, sir.
COUNCILOR.
It is well.
Please sign this paper!
SAVERNY (takes the parchment, runs over it).
'Tis the procès-verbal.
Good! This is a most curious thing—account
Of my own death, signed with my autograph!
[Signs, and reads the paper again: to Councilor.
[Takes the pen and corrects them. To Executioner.
COUNCILOR (to Didier).
Didier!
[Didier approaches: Councilor gives pen to him.
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, impassive face
When underneath the heart is breaking down.
Come to my arms, oh, woman, come!
[Presses her convulsively to his heart.
MARION.
Didier!
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 luster earth has dimmed, my love, my wife,
In God'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. God 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—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.
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.
[The cannon sounds at the door of the tower; the black veil which concealed the opening in the wall, falls: the gigantic litter of The Cardinal appears, borne by twenty-four foot-guards, surrounded by twenty other guards bearing halberds and torches: the litter is scarlet and ornamented with the arms of the House of Richelieu. It crosses the back of the stage slowly. Great agitation among the crowd.
MARION (dragging herself up to the litter on her knees and wringing her hands).
In your Christ's name! In name of all your race,
Mercy for them, my lord!
A VOICE (from the litter).
No mercy!
[Marion falls to the ground. The litter passes and the procession of the condemned men follows it. The crowd rush madly after them.
MARION (alone, lifts herself half way up, and drags herself along by her hands: looking around.)
Ah!
What did he say? Where are they gone? My love!
My Didier! No one! Not a sound! Is it
A dream—this place? the crowd?—or am I mad?
[The people rush back in disorder. The litter reappears in the background on the side where it went off. Marion rises and gives a terrible cry.
GUARDS (pushing the people aside).
Make way!
MARION (erect and half-wild, pointing to the litter).
Look, all of you!
It is the red man who goes by!
[She falls senseless.