De Vardes

Cut their bonds; set them free!

Make way for them there!

(To the peasants.) Peasants of Morbec!

Last night you rose against your lord and strove

To burn his house, to slay his guest and him.

How shall he speak to you to-day? Poor fools!

Distraught and blind you struck ere that you looked,

And struck at one who fain would be your friend,

Who has his vision of a seigneur’s right!