What is it, after all?

DIDIER.

Did you sleep well Last night?

SAVERNY.

No, badly, for my bed was hard.

DIDIER.

When you are dead, your bed will be much harder, But you will sleep extremely well--that"s all.

They"ve made h.e.l.l splendidly; but by the side Of life, it"s nothing.

SAVERNY.

Good! My fears are gone!

But to be hanged! That certainly is bad.

DIDIER.

You"re getting death; don"t be an egotist.

SAVERNY.

You can be satisfied; but I am not.

I"m not afraid of death--that is no boast-- When death is death, but on the gallows!

DIDIER.

Well, Death has a thousand forms--gallows are one.

That moment is not pleasant when the rope Puts out your life as one puts out a flame, Choking your throat to let your soul fly up; But, after all, what matter? If all"s dark, If only all this earth is hidden well, What matter if a tomb lies on one"s breast?

What matter if the night-winds howl and blow About the strings of flesh crows tore from you When you were on the gibbet? What care you?

SAVERNY.

You"re a philosopher.

DIDIER.

Yes, let them rave.

Let vultures tear my flesh, let worms consume, As they consume all, even kings; my body Is what"s concerned, not I. What do I care?

When sepulchers shut down our mortal eye, The soul lifts up the mighty ma.s.s of stone And flies away--

[_A Councilor enters, preceded and followed by Halberdiers in black._

SCENE IV

_The same. Councilor of the Great Chamber, in full dress, The Jailer, Guards_

THE JAILER (_announcing_).

The Councilor of the King!

COUNCILOR (_saluting Saverny and Didier in turn_).

My mission"s painful and the law severe--

SAVERNY.

I understand: there is no hope! Speak, sir!

COUNCILOR (_unfolds a parchment and reads_).

"We, Louis, King of France and of Navarre, Reject appeals made by these men condemned, But moved by pity, change the punishment And order them beheaded."

SAVERNY (_joyfully_).

G.o.d be praised!

COUNCILOR (_saluting them once more_).

You are to hold yourselves in readiness; It will take place to-day.

[_He salutes and prepares to exit._

DIDIER (_who has remained in the same thoughtful att.i.tude, to Saverny_).

As I was saying, After this death, although the corpse be mangled, Though every limb be stamped with hideous wounds, Though arms be twisted, broken every bone, Though through the mire the body has been dragged, From out that putrid, bleeding, awful flesh The soul shall rise, unstained, untouched, and pure.

COUNCILOR (_coming back, to Didier_).

"Tis well to occupy yourselves with such Great thoughts.

DIDIER (_gently_).

Please do not interrupt me, sir.

SAVERNY (_gayly to Didier_).

No gallows!

DIDIER.

Order of the fete is changed, I know. The Cardinal travels with his headsman, And he must be employed; the ax will rust.

SAVERNY.

You"re cool about it, yet the stake is great.