A Voice—What if the heathen charge down on us?
Hugh Capet— Bah!
Jardin—You think he'd leave that peak for all the world?
Hugh Capet—After what's happened?
Jacques Sar— After this shower of blood?
Bacqueur—From that black planet came the thunder stone
That tore the field back there.
Hugh Capet— You think he would?
Jardin—Now hear what Jardin says. If he could ask,
For what he suffered in the Holy Wars,
Two gifts of Heaven, and two strong saints should soar
Past the green steeples of these poplars here
And fold their white wings in that street and say:
"Soldier, what are they?" What would Jardin say?
First this: (He steps back upon the steps.)
Up yonder is a holy monk
Whom God has blessed above all living men.
Abaddon hurled him down to take his life.
He's bruised almost to death. Saints, bring him down.
We're going to kindle such a fire here
As friends of darkness, glowering from the caves,
Shall see and then scoot shuddering to Hell.
(The crowd shouts.)
Bring him down, then, and let him see the flames
Lick up the limbs that tripped him.