Scene II
Claude Frollo, Quasimodo, Clopin Frouillefou
CLOPIN.
What purpose brings you to this orgy?
Has your lordship any orders to give me?
You are my master in sorcery;
Speak—I will do all.
CLAUDE FROLLO (grasping Clopin’s arm excitedly, and dragging him to the front of the stage).
I have come to end all. Listen!
CLOPIN.
My lord!
CLAUDE FROLLO.
I love her more than ever.
You behold me quivering with love and with anguish.
I must have her to-night.
CLOPIN.
You will see her pass by here—in a moment;
It is the way to her home.
CLAUDE FROLLO (aside).
Oh! Hell has hold of me! [Aloud.] Soon—you say?
CLOPIN.
Upon the instant!
CLAUDE FROLLO.
Alone?
CLOPIN.
Alone.
CLAUDE FROLLO.
That is enough.
CLOPIN.
Will you wait?
CLAUDE FROLLO.
I wait— Let me have her, or let me die!
CLOPIN.
Can I help you?
CLAUDE FROLLO.
No!
[He motions to Clopin to leave him, after having thrown him his purse. When he finds himself alone with Quasimodo, he draws him to the front of the stage.
CLAUDE FROLLO.
Come! I need you!
QUASIMODO.
It is well!
CLAUDE FROLLO.
For a deed that is impious, frightful, awful!
QUASIMODO.
You are my lord and master!
CLAUDE FROLLO.
Chains, death, the law—
We brave them all.
QUASIMODO.
Count upon me.
CLAUDE FROLLO (recklessly).
I mean to abduct the gypsy!
QUASIMODO.
Master, take my blood—without telling me why!
[Upon a sign from Claude Frollo he retires up stage and leaves his master down stage.
CLAUDE FROLLO.
Oh, Heaven! to have given one’s mind to the depths,
To have tried all the crimes of sorcery,
To have fallen lower than hell itself:
A priest, at midnight, in the dark to watch for a woman!
And to reflect that in this state in which I find my soul God sees me!
Well! what does it matter?
Fate drags me on!
Its hand is too strong,
Its will be done!
I begin life over—
The priest insane
Feels hope no longer,
Knows terror is vain!
Demon, who drugs me,
Give her to me;
And I, who evoked thee,
Thy slave will be—
Receive the priest
Whose bonds are riven!
Hell with her
Will be my heaven!
Come, exquisite woman,
Your beauty I claim.
You shall own me forever—
I swear, in God’s name!
Since he—since the master
By whom love was given,
Bids me choose—me, a priest,
Between passion and heaven!
QUASIMODO (returning).
Master, the moment is at hand!
CLAUDE FROLLO.
Yes—the solemn hour:
It will decide my fate. Be silent! Hush!
CLAUDE FROLLO and QUASIMODO.
The night is dark,
Footsteps I hear:
In shadow does not
Some one draw near?
[They go to the back of the stage to listen.
THE WATCH (passing behind the houses).
Vigilance and peace!
Whoever passes here
Must ope the eye to darkness,
To silence strain the ear.
CLAUDE FROLLO and QUASIMODO.
In shadow they come;
They make no sound:
Still let us be
While the watch goes round!
[The voices of the watch grow fainter.
QUASIMODO.
The watch has passed!
CLAUDE FROLLO.
Our terror follows it.
[Claude Frollo and Quasimodo look anxiously at the door through which Esmeralda must pass.
QUASIMODO.
Love inspires,
Hope renders strong,
Him who watches
While sleeps the throng.
I see her come—
Lo! she appears.
Maid divine!
Have no fears!
CLAUDE FROLLO.
Love inspires,
Hope renders strong,
Him who watches
While sleeps the throng.
I see her come,
Maid divine!
Lo! she appears—
She is mine!
[Esmeralda enters: they throw themselves upon her and try to drag her away: she struggles.
ESMERALDA.
Help—help! To me—help!
CLAUDE FROLLO and QUASIMODO.
Hush, young maiden—hush!