In the course of that same year, 1827, Cromwell was published. The poem itself did not raise so much discussion as the preface, which was a novelty in the poetic world. In 1828 appeared the Orientales and the Dernier jour d'un condamné. Finally, on 16 February 1829, as I have said, Henri III. was played.
Hugo and Lamartine were almost entirely responsible for the revolution in the poetical world, but the revolutionising of the whole of the drama had yet to come. Happily Henri III. began the work with its bold and new style. Besides, this representation, the full details of which I have already given, delighted Hugo, and gave him much encouragement. We saw each other after the play and he held out his hand to me.
"Ah!" I cried, "at last I have the chance of grasping your hand!"
I was very happy over my success, but the right to clasp those hands was the most precious thing I had won.
"Now," said Hugo, "it will be my turn next!"
"When the day comes don't forget me...."
"You shall be at the first reading."
"Is that a promise?"
"It is a definite engagement!"
With that we parted.