Scene III
Quasimodo hidden, Claude Frollo, Clopin
CLAUDE FROLLO.
So Phœbus is at Montfort?
CLOPIN.
My lord, he is not dead!
CLAUDE FROLLO.
Provided nothing brings him here!
CLOPIN.
Do not fear it;
He is too feeble yet for such a journey.
If he came, ’twould be his death.
My lord, you can feel sure
That every step would reopen his wound;
Do not fear anything this morning.
CLAUDE FROLLO.
Oh! let me hold her just to-day
For life or death within my power!
Hell! I’ll give you all the rest,
If you grant me this one hour!
[To Clopin.] They will soon bring the gypsy here!
You remember everything!
In the square—with your men—
CLOPIN.
Yes.
CLAUDE FROLLO.
Keep in the shadow;
If I cry, “To me!” you come.
CLOPIN.
Yes!
CLAUDE FROLLO.
Have plenty with you!
CLOPIN.
If you cry, “To me!”
CLAUDE FROLLO.
Yes.
CLOPIN.
I rush to her,
I tear her from the King’s men—
CLAUDE FROLLO.
Yes.
CLOPIN.
And give her to you.
CLAUDE FROLLO.
Go, mix among the crowd,
And perhaps she
Will look upon the priest
More tenderly;
Then rush—rush all of you—
CLOPIN.
Yes, my master!
CLAUDE FROLLO.
Hold yourselves close!
CLOPIN.
Yes.
CLAUDE FROLLO.
Hide your arms,
Not to excite suspicion!
CLOPIN.
Master, you shall see!
CLAUDE FROLLO.
But hell may take her quick,
With my good-will,
If now this insane creature
Refuses still!
Destiny! Oh, fatal stroke!
Friend, I count on thee!
On this my only chance I wait
With fierce anxiety.
CLOPIN.
Fear nothing terrible, my lord,
Count faithfully on me,
And on this last and only chance
Rely courageously!
[They go out hurriedly. The populace begin to enter the square.