Scene III
Esmeralda, Quasimodo, Phœbus de Chateaupers, the archers of the watch
PHŒBUS (entering at the head of a body of archers).
In the King’s name!
[In the struggle Claude escapes. The archers seize Quasimodo.
PHŒBUS.
Arrest him! hold him close!
Be he lord or valet!
At once—we will conduct him
To the prison Chatelet.
[The archers take Quasimodo up stage and off. Esmeralda, recovered from her fright, approaches Phœbus with curiosity, mingled with admiration, and draws him gently to the front of the stage.
ESMERALDA (to Phœbus).
Deign to tell me
Your name, sir!
I beg you to.
PHŒBUS.
Phœbus, my child—
Of the family
Of Chateaupers.
ESMERALDA.
Captain?
PHŒBUS.
Yes, my queen!
ESMERALDA.
Queen? oh, no!
PHŒBUS.
Exquisite grace!
ESMERALDA.
Phœbus! I like your name!
PHŒBUS.
Upon my soul
I have a blade
Which has, Madame,
Great havoc made.
ESMERALDA (to Phœbus).
A beautiful captain,
An officer grand,
With corselet of steel
And an air of command!
Often, kind sir,
Our hearts they break,
And only laugh
At the tears they make.
PHŒBUS (aside).
With a beautiful captain,
An officer gay,
Love hardly succeeds
In living a day.
All soldiers desire
To pluck every rose,
Joys without troubles,
Love without woes.
PHŒBUS (to Esmeralda).
A radiant spirit
Smiles at me
Through thine eyes.
ESMERALDA.
A beautiful captain,
An officer grand,
With corselet of steel
And an air of command!
Long watches the girl
He carelessly passed;
And the dreams he awakened
Forever may last!
PHŒBUS.
With a beautiful captain,
An officer gay,
Love hardly succeeds
In a living day!
It’s like lightning which flashes—
This eager desire
Which the eyes of sweet maidens
Kindle to fire!
ESMERALDA (standing before the Captain and admiring him).
My lord Phœbus! Let me see you!
Let me admire you a hundred-fold!
Oh the beautiful scarf of silk—
Oh the fine scarf with fringe of gold!
[Phœbus takes it off and offers it to her.
PHŒBUS.
Does it please you?
ESMERALDA (taking the scarf and putting it on).
Yes, it is beautiful!
PHŒBUS.
One moment!
[He goes to her and tries to embrace her.
ESMERALDA (drawing back).
Don’t, I beg you!
PHŒBUS (insisting).
You must kiss me!
ESMERALDA (drawing away still more).
No, truly!
PHŒBUS (laughing).
A beauty
So cruel,
So haughty,
Is charming.
ESMERALDA.
No, beautiful captain,
In vain you plead!
Can I tell how far
A kiss might lead?
PHŒBUS.
I am a captain,
Why abuse me?
I want a kiss—
Don’t refuse me!
Give it me—give it, or I will take!
ESMERALDA.
No, leave me! I beg of you, for my sake.
PHŒBUS.
One kiss, one kiss—’tis nothing, you see.
ESMERALDA.
Nothing to you, but much to me!
PHŒBUS.
Look at me, dear! I am playing no part!
ESMERALDA.
Alas, but I cannot look into my heart!
PHŒBUS.
To-night love shall make an entrance there!
ESMERALDA.
Wherever love enters, soon follows despair.
[She slips out of his arms and escapes. Phœbus, disappointed, turns to Quasimodo, whom the archers hold bound at the back of the stage.
PHŒBUS.
She escapes me, she resists me!
A gay adventure, verily!
I keep the worst of our two birds of prey—
The owl remains; the nightingale flew away!
[He places himself at the head of his guard and goes out, taking Quasimodo with him.
CHORUS OF THE WATCH.
Vigilance and peace—
Whoever passes here
Must ope the eye to darkness,
To silence strain the ear!
[The sound grows fainter and finally ceases.