第1章

THEGRANDHALL。

Threehundredandforty-eightyears，sixmonths，andnineteendaysagoto-day，theParisiansawoketothesoundofallthebellsinthetriplecircuitofthecity，theuniversity，andthetownringingafullpeal。

ThesixthofJanuary，1482，isnot，however，adayofwhichhistoryhaspreservedthememory。TherewasnothingnotableintheeventwhichthussetthebellsandthebourgeoisofParisinafermentfromearlymorning。ItwasneitheranassaultbythePicardsnortheBurgundians，norahuntledalonginprocession，norarevoltofscholarsinthetownofLaas，noranentryof"ourmuchdreadlord，monsieurtheking，"norevenaprettyhangingofmaleandfemalethievesbythecourtsofParis。Neitherwasitthearrival，sofrequentinthefifteenthcentury，ofsomeplumedandbedizenedembassy。

Itwasbarelytwodayssincethelastcavalcadeofthatnature，thatoftheFlemishambassadorschargedwithconcludingthemarriagebetweenthedauphinandMargueriteofFlanders，hadmadeitsentryintoParis，tothegreatannoyanceofM。leCardinaldeBourbon，who，forthesakeofpleasingtheking，hadbeenobligedtoassumeanamiablemientowardsthiswholerusticrabbleofFlemishburgomasters，andtoregalethemathisH？teldeBourbon，withavery"prettymorality，allegoricalsatire，andfarce，"whileadrivingraindrenchedthemagnificenttapestriesathisdoor。

Whatputthe"wholepopulationofParisincommotion，"asJehandeTroyesexpressesit，onthesixthofJanuary，wasthedoublesolemnity，unitedfromtimeimmemorial，oftheEpiphanyandtheFeastofFools。

Onthatday，therewastobeabonfireonthePlacedeGrève，amaypoleattheChapelledeBraque，andamysteryatthePalaisdeJustice。Ithadbeencried，tothesoundofthetrumpet，theprecedingeveningatallthecrossroads，bytheprovost’smen，cladinhandsome，short，sleevelesscoatsofvioletcamelot，withlargewhitecrossesupontheirbreasts。

Sothecrowdofcitizens，maleandfemale，havingclosedtheirhousesandshops，throngedfromeverydirection，atearlymorn，towardssomeoneofthethreespotsdesignated。

Eachhadmadehischoice；one，thebonfire；another，themaypole；another，themysteryplay。Itmustbestated，inhonorofthegoodsenseoftheloungersofParis，thatthegreaterpartofthiscrowddirectedtheirstepstowardsthebonfire，whichwasquiteinseason，ortowardsthemysteryplay，whichwastobepresentedinthegrandhallofthePalaisdeJustice(thecourtsoflaw)，whichwaswellroofedandwalled；andthatthecuriousleftthepoor，scantilyfloweredmaypoletoshiverallalonebeneaththeskyofJanuary，inthecemeteryoftheChapelofBraque。

Thepopulacethrongedtheavenuesofthelawcourtsinparticular，becausetheyknewthattheFlemishambassadors，whohadarrivedtwodayspreviously，intendedtobepresentattherepresentationofthemystery，andattheelectionofthePopeoftheFools，whichwasalsototakeplaceinthegrandhall。

Itwasnoeasymatteronthatday，toforceone’swayintothatgrandhall，althoughitwasthenreputedtobethelargestcoveredenclosureintheworld(itistruethatSauvalhadnotyetmeasuredthegrandhalloftheChateauofMontargis)。

Thepalaceplace，encumberedwithpeople，offeredtothecuriousgazersatthewindowstheaspectofasea；intowhichfiveorsixstreets，likesomanymouthsofrivers，dischargedeverymomentfreshfloodsofheads。Thewavesofthiscrowd，augmentedincessantly，dashedagainsttheanglesofthehouseswhichprojectedhereandthere，likesomanypromontories，intotheirregularbasinoftheplace。InthecentreoftheloftyGothic*fa？adeofthepalace，thegrandstaircase，incessantlyascendedanddescendedbyadoublecurrent，which，afterpartingontheintermediatelanding-place，flowedinbroadwavesalongitslateralslopes，——thegrandstaircase，Isay，trickledincessantlyintotheplace，likeacascadeintoalake。Thecries，thelaughter，thetramplingofthosethousandsoffeet，producedagreatnoiseandagreatclamor。Fromtimetotime，thisnoiseandclamorredoubled；

thecurrentwhichdrovethecrowdtowardsthegrandstaircaseflowedbackwards，becametroubled，formedwhirlpools。

Thiswasproducedbythebuffetofanarcher，orthehorseofoneoftheprovost’ssergeants，whichkickedtorestoreorder；

anadmirabletraditionwhichtheprovostshiphasbequeathedtotheconstablery，theconstablerytothe~maréchaussée~，the~maréchaussée~toour~gendarmeri~ofParis。

*ThewordGothic，inthesenseinwhichitisgenerallyemployed，iswhollyunsuitable，butwhollyconsecrated。Henceweacceptitandweadoptit，likealltherestoftheworld，tocharacterizethearchitectureofthesecondhalfoftheMiddleAges，wheretheogiveistheprinciplewhichsucceedsthearchitectureofthefirstperiod，ofwhichthesemi-circleisthefather。

Thousandsofgood，calm，bourgeoisfacesthrongedthewindows，thedoors，thedormerwindows，theroofs，gazingatthepalace，gazingatthepopulace，andaskingnothingmore；formanyParisianscontentthemselveswiththespectacleofthespectators，andawallbehindwhichsomethingisgoingonbecomesatonce，forus，averycuriousthingindeed。

Ifitcouldbegrantedtous，themenof1830，tomingleinthoughtwiththoseParisiansofthefifteenthcentury，andtoenterwiththem，jostled，elbowed，pulledabout，intothatimmensehallofthepalace，whichwassocrampedonthatsixthofJanuary，1482，thespectaclewouldnotbedevoidofeitherinterestorcharm，andweshouldhaveaboutusonlythingsthatweresooldthattheywouldseemnew。

Withthereader’sconsent，wewillendeavortoretraceinthought，theimpressionwhichhewouldhaveexperiencedincompanywithusoncrossingthethresholdofthatgrandhall，inthemidstofthattumultuouscrowdinsurcoats，short，sleevelessjackets，anddoublets。

And，firstofall，thereisabuzzingintheears，adazzlementintheeyes。Aboveourheadsisadoubleogivevault，panelledwithwoodcarving，paintedazure，andsownwithgoldenfleurs-de-lis；beneathourfeetapavementofblackandwhitemarble，alternating。Afewpacesdistant，anenormouspillar，thenanother，thenanother；sevenpillarsinall，downthelengthofthehall，sustainingthespringofthearchesofthedoublevault，inthecentreofitswidth。Aroundfourofthepillars，stallsofmerchants，allsparklingwithglassandtinsel；aroundthelastthree，benchesofoak，wornandpolishedbythetrunkhoseofthelitigants，andtherobesoftheattorneys。Aroundthehall，alongtheloftywall，betweenthedoors，betweenthewindows，betweenthepillars，theinterminablerowofallthekingsofFrance，fromPharamonddown:

thelazykings，withpendentarmsanddowncasteyes；thevaliantandcombativekings，withheadsandarmsraisedboldlyheavenward。Theninthelong，pointedwindows，glassofathousandhues；atthewideentrancestothehall，richdoors，finelysculptured；andall，thevaults，pillars，walls，jambs，panelling，doors，statues，coveredfromtoptobottomwithasplendidblueandgoldillumination，which，atrifletarnishedattheepochwhenwebeholdit，hadalmostentirelydisappearedbeneathdustandspidersintheyearofgrace，1549，whenduBreulstilladmireditfromtradition。

Letthereaderpicturetohimselfnow，thisimmense，oblonghall，illuminatedbythepallidlightofaJanuaryday，invadedbyamotleyandnoisythrongwhichdriftsalongthewalls，andeddiesroundthesevenpillars，andhewillhaveaconfusedideaofthewholeeffectofthepicture，whosecuriousdetailsweshallmakeanefforttoindicatewithmoreprecision。

Itiscertain，thatifRavaillachadnotassassinatedHenriIV。，therewouldhavebeennodocumentsinthetrialofRavaillacdepositedintheclerk’sofficeofthePalaisdeJustice，noaccomplicesinterestedincausingthesaiddocumentstodisappear；hence，noincendiariesobliged，forlackofbettermeans，toburntheclerk’sofficeinordertoburnthedocuments，andtoburnthePalaisdeJusticeinordertoburntheclerk’soffice；consequently，inshort，noconflagrationin1618。

TheoldPalaiswouldbestandingstill，withitsancientgrandhall；Ishouldbeabletosaytothereader，"Goandlookatit，"andweshouldthusbothescapethenecessity，——Iofmaking，andheofreading，adescriptionofit，suchasitis。

Whichdemonstratesanewtruth:thatgreateventshaveincalculableresults。

Itistruethatitmaybequitepossible，inthefirstplace，thatRavaillachadnoaccomplices；andinthesecond，thatifhehadany，theywereinnowayconnectedwiththefireof1618。Twootherveryplausibleexplanationsexist:First，thegreatflamingstar，afootbroad，andacubithigh，whichfellfromheaven，aseveryoneknows，uponthelawcourts，aftermidnightontheseventhofMarch；second，Théophile’squatrain，——

"Sure，’twasbutasorrygameWhenatParis，DameJustice，Throughhavingeatentoomuchspice，Setthepalaceallaflame。"

Whatevermaybethoughtofthistripleexplanation，political，physical，andpoetical，oftheburningofthelawcourtsin1618，theunfortunatefactofthefireiscertain。Verylittleto-dayremains，thankstothiscatastrophe，——thanks，aboveall，tothesuccessiverestorationswhichhavecompletedwhatitspared，——verylittleremainsofthatfirstdwellingofthekingsofFrance，——ofthatelderpalaceoftheLouvre，alreadysooldinthetimeofPhiliptheHandsome，thattheysoughtthereforthetracesofthemagnificentbuildingserectedbyKingRobertanddescribedbyHelgaldus。Nearlyeverythinghasdisappeared。Whathasbecomeofthechamberofthechancellery，whereSaintLouisconsummatedhismarriage？

thegardenwhereheadministeredjustice，"cladinacoatofcamelot，asurcoatoflinsey-woolsey，withoutsleeves，andasur-mantleofblacksandal，ashelayuponthecarpetwithJoinville？"WhereisthechamberoftheEmperorSigismond？

andthatofCharlesIV。？thatofJeantheLandless？

Whereisthestaircase，fromwhichCharlesVI。promulgatedhisedictofpardon？theslabwhereMarcelcutthethroatsofRobertdeClermontandtheMarshalofChampagne，inthepresenceofthedauphin？thewicketwherethebullsofPopeBenedictweretorn，andwhencethosewhohadbroughtthemdeparteddeckedout，inderision，incopesandmitres，andmakinganapologythroughallParis？andthegrandhall，withitsgilding，itsazure，itsstatues，itspointedarches，itspillars，itsimmensevault，allfrettedwithcarvings？andthegildedchamber？andthestonelion，whichstoodatthedoor，withloweredheadandtailbetweenhislegs，likethelionsonthethroneofSolomon，inthehumiliatedattitudewhichbefitsforceinthepresenceofjustice？andthebeautifuldoors？andthestainedglass？andthechasedironwork，whichdroveBiscornettetodespair？andthedelicatewoodworkofHancy？Whathastime，whathavemendonewiththesemarvels？WhathavetheygivenusinreturnforallthisGallichistory，forallthisGothicart？TheheavyflattenedarchesofM。deBrosse，thatawkwardarchitectoftheSaint-Gervaisportal。Somuchforart；and，asforhistory，wehavethegossipingreminiscencesofthegreatpillar，stillringingwiththetattleofthePatru。

Itisnotmuch。Letusreturntotheveritablegrandhalloftheveritableoldpalace。Thetwoextremitiesofthisgiganticparallelogramwereoccupied，theonebythefamousmarbletable，solong，sobroad，andsothickthat，astheancientlandrolls——inastylethatwouldhavegivenGargantuaanappetite——say，"suchasliceofmarbleaswasneverbeheldintheworld"；theotherbythechapelwhereLouisXI。

hadhimselfsculpturedonhiskneesbeforetheVirgin，andwhitherhecausedtobebrought，withoutheedingthetwogapsthusmadeintherowofroyalstatues，thestatuesofCharlemagneandofSaintLouis，twosaintswhomhesupposedtobegreatinfavorinheaven，askingsofFrance。

Thischapel，quitenew，havingbeenbuiltonlysixyears，wasentirelyinthatcharmingtasteofdelicatearchitecture，ofmarvelloussculpture，offineanddeepchasing，whichmarkswithustheendoftheGothicera，andwhichisperpetuatedtoaboutthemiddleofthesixteenthcenturyinthefairylikefanciesoftheRenaissance。Thelittleopen-workrosewindow，piercedabovetheportal，was，inparticular，amasterpieceoflightnessandgrace；onewouldhavepronounceditastaroflace。

Inthemiddleofthehall，oppositethegreatdoor，aplatformofgoldbrocade，placedagainstthewall，aspecialentrancetowhichhadbeeneffectedthroughawindowinthecorridorofthegoldchamber，hadbeenerectedfortheFlemishemissariesandtheothergreatpersonagesinvitedtothepresentationofthemysteryplay。

Itwasuponthemarbletablethatthemysterywastobeenacted，asusual。Ithadbeenarrangedforthepurpose，earlyinthemorning；itsrichslabsofmarble，allscratchedbytheheelsoflawclerks，supportedacageofcarpenter’sworkofconsiderableheight，theuppersurfaceofwhich，withinviewofthewholehall，wastoserveasthetheatre，andwhoseinterior，maskedbytapestries，wastotaketheplaceofdressing-roomsforthepersonagesofthepiece。A

ladder，naivelyplacedontheoutside，wastoserveasmeansofcommunicationbetweenthedressing-roomandthestage，andlenditsruderungstoentrancesaswellastoexits。

Therewasnopersonage，howeverunexpected，nosuddenchange，notheatricaleffect，whichwasnotobligedtomountthatladder。Innocentandvenerableinfancyofartandcontrivances！

Fourofthebailiffofthepalace’ssergeants，perfunctoryguardiansofallthepleasuresofthepeople，ondaysoffestivalaswellasondaysofexecution，stoodatthefourcornersofthemarbletable。

Thepiecewasonlytobeginwiththetwelfthstrokeofthegreatpalaceclocksoundingmidday。Itwasverylate，nodoubt，foratheatricalrepresentation，buttheyhadbeenobligedtofixthehourtosuittheconvenienceoftheambassadors。

Now，thiswholemultitudehadbeenwaitingsincemorning。

Agoodlynumberofcurious，goodpeoplehadbeenshiveringsincedaybreakbeforethegrandstaircaseofthepalace；

someevenaffirmedthattheyhadpassedthenightacrossthethresholdofthegreatdoor，inordertomakesurethattheyshouldbethefirsttopassin。Thecrowdgrewmoredenseeverymoment，and，likewater，whichrisesaboveitsnormallevel，begantomountalongthewalls，toswellaroundthepillars，tospreadoutontheentablatures，onthecornices，onthewindow-sills，onallthesalientpointsofthearchitecture，onallthereliefsofthesculpture。Hence，discomfort，impatience，weariness，thelibertyofadayofcynicismandfolly，thequarrelswhichbreakforthforallsortsofcauses——apointedelbow，aniron-shodshoe，thefatigueoflongwaiting——hadalready，longbeforethehourappointedforthearrivaloftheambassadors，impartedaharshandbitteraccenttotheclamorofthesepeoplewhowereshutin，fittedintoeachother，pressed，trampledupon，stifled。NothingwastobeheardbutimprecationsontheFlemish，theprovostofthemerchants，theCardinaldeBourbon，thebailiffofthecourts，MadameMargueriteofAustria，thesergeantswiththeirrods，thecold，theheat，thebadweather，theBishopofParis，thePopeoftheFools，thepillars，thestatues，thatcloseddoor，thatopenwindow；alltothevastamusementofabandofscholarsandlackeysscatteredthroughthemass，whomingledwithallthisdiscontenttheirteasingremarks，andtheirmalicioussuggestions，andprickedthegeneralbadtemperwithapin，sotospeak。

Amongtheresttherewasagroupofthosemerryimps，who，aftersmashingtheglassinawindow，hadseatedthemselveshardilyontheentablature，andfromthatpointdespatchedtheirgazeandtheirrailleriesbothwithinandwithout，uponthethronginthehall，andthethronguponthePlace。

Itwaseasytosee，fromtheirparodiedgestures，theirringinglaughter，thebanteringappealswhichtheyexchangedwiththeircomrades，fromoneendofthehalltotheother，thattheseyoungclerksdidnotsharethewearinessandfatigueoftherestofthespectators，andthattheyunderstoodverywelltheartofextracting，fortheirownprivatediversionfromthatwhichtheyhadundertheireyes，aspectaclewhichmadethemawaittheotherwithpatience。

"Uponmysoul，soit’syou，’JoannesFrollodeMolendino！’"

criedoneofthem，toasortoflittle，light-hairedimp，withawell-favoredandmaligncountenance，clingingtotheacanthusleavesofacapital；"youarewellnamedJohnoftheMill，foryourtwoarmsandyourtwolegshavetheairoffourwingsflutteringonthebreeze。Howlonghaveyoubeenhere？"

"Bythemercyofthedevil，"retortedJoannesFrollo，"thesefourhoursandmore；andIhopethattheywillbereckonedtomycreditinpurgatory。IheardtheeightsingersoftheKingofSicilyintonethefirstverseofseveno’clockmassintheSainte-Chapelle。"

"Finesingers！"repliedtheother，"withvoicesevenmorepointedthantheircaps！BeforefoundingamassforMonsieurSaintJohn，thekingshouldhaveinquiredwhetherMonsieurSaintJohnlikesLatindronedoutinaProven？alaccent。"

"HediditforthesakeofemployingthoseaccursedsingersoftheKingofSicily！"criedanoldwomansharplyfromamongthecrowdbeneaththewindow。"Ijustputittoyou！Athousand~livresparisi~foramass！andoutofthetaxonseafishinthemarketsofParis，toboot！"

"Peace，oldcrone，"saidatall，graveperson，stoppinguphisnoseonthesidetowardsthefishwife；"amasshadtobefounded。Wouldyouwishthekingtofallillagain？"

"Bravelyspoken，SireGillesLecornu，masterfurrierofking’srobes！"criedthelittlestudent，clingingtothecapital。

Ashoutoflaughterfromallthestudentsgreetedtheunluckynameofthepoorfurrieroftheking’srobes。

"Lecornu！GillesLecornu！"saidsome。

"~Cornutusethirsutus~，hornedandhairy，"anotherwenton。

"He！ofcourse，"continuedthesmallimponthecapital，"Whataretheylaughingat？AnhonorablemanisGillesLecornu，brotherofMasterJehanLecornu，provostoftheking’shouse，sonofMasterMahietLecornu，firstporteroftheBoisdeVincennes，——allbourgeoisofParis，allmarried，fromfathertoson。"

Thegayetyredoubled。Thebigfurrier，withoututteringawordinreply，triedtoescapealltheeyesriveteduponhimfromallsides；butheperspiredandpantedinvain；likeawedgeenteringthewood，hiseffortsservedonlytoburystillmoredeeplyintheshouldersofhisneighbors，hislarge，apoplecticface，purplewithspiteandrage。

Atlengthoneofthese，asfat，short，andvenerableashimself，cametohisrescue。

"Abomination！scholarsaddressingabourgeoisinthatfashioninmydaywouldhavebeenfloggedwithafagot，whichwouldhaveafterwardsbeenusedtoburnthem。"

Thewholebandburstintolaughter。

"Holàhé！whoisscoldingso？Whoisthatscreechowlofevilfortune？"

"Hold，Iknowhim"saidoneofthem；"’tisMasterAndryMusnier。"

"Becauseheisoneofthefourswornbooksellersoftheuniversity！"saidtheother。

"Everythinggoesbyfoursinthatshop，"criedathird；

"thefournations，thefourfaculties，thefourfeasts，thefourprocurators，thefourelectors，thefourbooksellers。"

"Well，"beganJeanFrollooncemore，"wemustplaythedevilwiththem。"*

*~Fairelediableaquatre~。

"Musnier，we’llburnyourbooks。"

"Musnier，we’llbeatyourlackeys。"

"Musnier，we’llkissyourwife。"

"Thatfine，bigMademoiselleOudarde。"

"Whoisasfreshandasgayasthoughshewereawidow。"

"Deviltakeyou！"growledMasterAndryMusnier。

"MasterAndry，"pursuedJeanJehan，stillclingingtohiscapital，"holdyourtongue，orI’lldroponyourhead！"

MasterAndryraisedhiseyes，seemedtomeasureinaninstanttheheightofthepillar，theweightofthescamp，mentallymultipliedthatweightbythesquareofthevelocityandremainedsilent。

Jehan，masterofthefieldofbattle，pursuedtriumphantly:

"That’swhatI’lldo，evenifIamthebrotherofanarchdeacon！"

"Finegentryareourpeopleoftheuniversity，nottohavecausedourprivilegestoberespectedonsuchadayasthis！

However，thereisamaypoleandabonfireinthetown；amystery，PopeoftheFools，andFlemishambassadorsinthecity；and，attheuniversity，nothing！"

"Nevertheless，thePlaceMaubertissufficientlylarge！"

interposedoneoftheclerksestablishedonthewindow-sill。

"Downwiththerector，theelectors，andtheprocurators！"

criedJoannes。

"WemusthaveabonfirethiseveningintheChamp-Gaillard，"

wentontheother，"madeofMasterAndry’sbooks。"

"Andthedesksofthescribes！"addedhisneighbor。

"Andthebeadles’wands！"

"Andthespittoonsofthedeans！"

"Andthecupboardsoftheprocurators！"

"Andthehutchesoftheelectors！"

"Andthestoolsoftherector！"

"Downwiththem！"putinlittleJehan，ascounterpoint；

"downwithMasterAndry，thebeadlesandthescribes；thetheologians，thedoctorsandthedecretists；theprocurators，theelectorsandtherector！"

"Theendoftheworldhascome！，’mutteredMasterAndry，stoppinguphisears。

"Bytheway，there’stherector！see，heispassingthroughthePlace，"criedoneofthoseinthewindow。

EachrivalledhisneighborinhishastetoturntowardsthePlace。

"Isitreallyourvenerablerector，MasterThibaut？"demandedJehanFrolloduMoulin，who，ashewasclingingtooneoftheinnerpillars，couldnotseewhatwasgoingonoutside。

"Yes，yes，"repliedalltheothers，"itisreallyhe，MasterThibaut，therector。"

Itwas，infact，therectorandallthedignitariesoftheuniversity，whoweremarchinginprocessioninfrontoftheembassy，andatthatmomenttraversingthePlace。Thestudentscrowdedintothewindow，salutedthemastheypassedwithsarcasmsandironicalapplause。Therector，whowaswalkingattheheadofhiscompany，hadtosupportthefirstbroadside；itwassevere。

"Goodday，monsieurlerecteur！Holàhé！gooddaythere！"

"Howdoeshemanagetobehere，theoldgambler？Hasheabandonedhisdice？"

"Howhetrotsalongonhismule！herearsarenotsolongashis！"

"Holàhé！goodday，monsieurlerecteurThibaut！~Tybaldealeator~！Oldfool！oldgambler！"

"Godpreserveyou！Didyouthrowdoublesixoftenlastnight？"

"Oh！whatadecrepitface，lividandhaggardanddrawnwiththeloveofgamblingandofdice！"

"Whereareyouboundforinthatfashion，Thibaut，~Tybaldeaddados~，withyourbackturnedtotheuniversity，andtrottingtowardsthetown？"

"Heisonhisway，nodoubt，toseekalodgingintheRueThibautodé？"*criedJehanduM。Moulin。

*~Thibautaudes~，——Thibautofthedice。

Theentirebandrepeatedthisquipinavoiceofthunder，clappingtheirhandsfuriously。

"YouaregoingtoseekalodgingintheRueThibautodé，areyounot，monsieurlerecteur，gamesteronthesideofthedevil？"

Thencametheturnsoftheotherdignitaries。

"Downwiththebeadles！downwiththemace-bearers！"

"Tellme，RobinPouissepain，whoisthatyonder？"

"HeisGilbertdeSuilly，~GilbertusdeSoliaco~，thechancelloroftheCollegeofAutun。"

"Holdon，here’smyshoe；youarebetterplacedthanI，flingitinhisface。"

"~Saturnalitiasmittimuseccenuces~。"

"Downwiththesixtheologians，withtheirwhitesurplices！"

"Arethosethetheologians？IthoughttheywerethewhitegeesegivenbySainte-Genevièvetothecity，forthefiefofRoogny。"

"Downwiththedoctors！"

"Downwiththecardinaldisputations，andquibblers！"

"Mycaptoyou，ChancellorofSainte-Geneviève！Youhavedonemeawrong。’Tistrue；hegavemyplaceinthenationofNormandytolittleAscanioFalzapada，whocomesfromtheprovinceofBourges，sinceheisanItalian。"

"Thatisaninjustice，"saidallthescholars。"DownwiththeChancellorofSainte-Geneviève！"

"Hohé！MasterJoachimdeLadehors！Hohé！LouisDahuille！HoheLambertHoctement！"

"MaythedevilstifletheprocuratoroftheGermannation！"

"AndthechaplainsoftheSainte-Chapelle，withtheirgray~amices；cumtunicesgrisis~！"

"~Seudepellibusgrisisfourratis~！"

"Holàhé！MastersofArts！Allthebeautifulblackcopes！

allthefineredcopes！"

"Theymakeafinetailfortherector。"

"OnewouldsaythathewasaDogeofVeniceonhiswaytohisbridalwiththesea。"

"Say，Jehan！herearethecanonsofSainte-Geneviève！"

"Tothedeucewiththewholesetofcanons！"

"AbbéClaudeChoart！DoctorClaudeChoart！AreyouinsearchofMarielaGiffarde？"

"SheisintheRuedeGlatigny。"

"Sheismakingthebedofthekingofthedebauchees。"

Sheispayingherfourdeniers*~quatuordenarios~。"

*AnoldFrenchcoin，equaltothetwohundredandfortiethpartofapound。

"~Autunumbombum~。"

"Wouldyouliketohaveherpayyouintheface？"

"Comrades！MasterSimonSanguin，theElectorofPicardy，withhiswifeonthecrupper！"

"~Postequitemsecletatraeura~——behindthehorsemansitsblackcare。"

"Courage，MasterSimon！"

"Goodday，MisterElector！"

"Goodnight，MadameElectress！"

"Howhappytheyaretoseeallthat！"sighedJoannesdeMolendino，stillperchedinthefoliageofhiscapital。

Meanwhile，theswornbookselleroftheuniversity，MasterAndryMusnier，wasinclininghiseartothefurrieroftheking’srobes，MasterGillesLecornu。

"Itellyou，sir，thattheendoftheworldhascome。Noonehaseverbeheldsuchoutbreaksamongthestudents！Itistheaccursedinventionsofthiscenturythatareruiningeverything，——artilleries，bombards，and，aboveall，printing，thatotherGermanpest。Nomoremanuscripts，nomorebooks！printingwillkillbookselling。Itistheendoftheworldthatisdrawingnigh。"

"Iseethatplainly，fromtheprogressofvelvetstuffs，"

saidthefur-merchant。

Atthismoment，middaysounded。

"Ha！"exclaimedtheentirecrowd，inonevoice。

Thescholarsheldtheirpeace。Thenagreathurly-burlyensued；avastmovementoffeet，hands，andheads；ageneraloutbreakofcoughsandhandkerchiefs；eachonearrangedhimself，assumedhispost，raisedhimselfup，andgroupedhimself。Thencameagreatsilence；allnecksremainedoutstretched，allmouthsremainedopen，allglancesweredirectedtowardsthemarbletable。Nothingmadeitsappearancethere。Thebailiff’sfoursergeantswerestillthere，stiff，motionless，aspaintedstatues。AlleyesturnedtotheestradereservedfortheFlemishenvoys。Thedoorremainedclosed，theplatformempty。Thiscrowdhadbeenwaitingsincedaybreakforthreethings:noonday，theembassyfromFlanders，themysteryplay。Noondayalonehadarrivedontime。

Onthisoccasion，itwastoomuch。

Theywaitedone，two，three，fiveminutes，aquarterofanhour；nothingcame。Thedaisremainedempty，thetheatredumb。Inthemeantime，wrathhadsucceededtoimpatience。

Irritatedwordscirculatedinalowtone，still，itistrue。

"Themystery！themystery！"theymurmured，inhollowvoices。Headsbegantoferment。Atempest，whichwasonlyrumblinginthedistanceasyet，wasfloatingonthesurfaceofthiscrowd。ItwasJehanduMoulinwhostruckthefirstsparkfromit。

"Themystery，andtothedevilwiththeFlemings！"heexclaimedatthefullforceofhislungs，twininglikeaserpentaroundhispillar。

Thecrowdclappedtheirhands。

"Themystery！"itrepeated，"andmayallthedevilstakeFlanders！"

"Wemusthavethemysteryinstantly，"resumedthestudent；

"orelse，myadviceisthatweshouldhangthebailiffofthecourts，bywayofamoralityandacomedy。"

"Wellsaid，"criedthepeople，"andletusbeginthehangingwithhissergeants。"

Agrandacclamationfollowed。Thefourpoorfellowsbegantoturnpale，andtoexchangeglances。Thecrowdhurleditselftowardsthem，andtheyalreadybeheldthefrailwoodenrailing，whichseparatedthemfromit，givingwayandbendingbeforethepressureofthethrong。

Itwasacriticalmoment。

"Tothesack，tothesack！"rosethecryonallsides。

Atthatmoment，thetapestryofthedressing-room，whichwehavedescribedabove，wasraised，andaffordedpassagetoapersonage，themeresightofwhomsuddenlystoppedthecrowd，andchangeditswrathintocuriosityasbyenchantment。

"Silence！silence！"

Thepersonage，butlittlereassured，andtremblingineverylimb，advancedtotheedgeofthemarbletablewithavastamountofbows，which，inproportionashedrewnearer，moreandmoreresembledgenuflections。

Inthemeanwhile，tranquillityhadgraduallybeenrestored。

A1lthatremainedwasthatslightmurmurwhichalwaysrisesabovethesilenceofacrowd。

"Messieursthebourgeois，"saidhe，"andmesdemoisellesthe~bourgeoises~，weshallhavethehonorofdeclaimingandrepresenting，beforehiseminence，monsieurthecardinal，averybeautifulmoralitywhichhasforitstitle，’TheGoodJudgmentofMadametheVirginMary。’IamtoplayJupiter。

Hiseminenceis，atthismoment，escortingtheveryhonorableembassyoftheDukeofAustria；whichisdetained，atpresent，listeningtotheharangueofmonsieurtherectoroftheuniversity，atthegateBaudets。Assoonashisillustriouseminence，thecardinal，arrives，wewillbegin。"

Itiscertain，thatnothinglessthantheinterventionofJupiterwasrequiredtosavethefourunfortunatesergeantsofthebailiffofthecourts。Ifwehadthehappinessofhavinginventedthisveryveracioustale，andofbeing，inconsequence，responsibleforitbeforeourLadyCriticism，itisnotagainstusthattheclassicprecept，~Necdeusintersit~，couldbeinvoked。

Moreover，thecostumeofSeigneurJupiter，wasveryhandsome，andcontributednotalittletowardscalmingthecrowd，byattractingallitsattention。Jupiterwascladinacoatofmail，coveredwithblackvelvet，withgiltnails；andhaditnotbeenfortherouge，andthehugeredbeard，eachofwhichcoveredone-halfofhisface，——haditnotbeenfortherollofgildedcardboard，spangled，andallbristlingwithstripsoftinsel，whichheheldinhishand，andinwhichtheeyesoftheinitiatedeasilyrecognizedthunderbolts，——hadnothisfeetbeenflesh-colored，andbandedwithribbonsinGreekfashion，hemighthavebornecomparison，sofarastheseverityofhismienwasconcerned，withaBretonarcherfromtheguardofMonsieurdeBerry。

CHAPTERII。

PIERREGRINGOIRE。

Nevertheless，asbeharanguedthem，thesatisfactionandadmirationunanimouslyexcitedbyhiscostumeweredissipatedbyhiswords；andwhenhereachedthatuntowardconclusion:

"Assoonashisillustriouseminence，thecardinal，arrives，wewillbegin，"hisvoicewasdrownedinathunderofhooting。

"Begininstantly！Themystery！themysteryimmediately！"

shriekedthepeople。Andaboveallthevoices，thatofJohannesdeMolendinowasaudible，piercingtheuproarlikethefife’sderisiveserenade:"Commenceinstantly！"

yelpedthescholar。

"DownwithJupiterandtheCardinaldeBourbon！"vociferatedRobinPoussepainandtheotherclerksperchedinthewindow。

"Themoralitythisveryinstant！"repeatedthecrowd；

"thisveryinstant！thesackandtheropeforthecomedians，andthecardinal！"

PoorJupiter，haggard，frightened，palebeneathhisrouge，droppedhisthunderbolt，tookhiscapinhishand；thenhebowedandtrembledandstammered:"Hiseminence——theambassadors——MadameMargueriteofFlanders。"Hedidnotknowwhattosay。Intruth，hewasafraidofbeinghung。

Hungbythepopulaceforwaiting，hungbythecardinalfornothavingwaited，hesawbetweenthetwodilemmasonlyanabyss；thatistosay，agallows。

Luckily，someonecametorescuehimfromhisembarrassment，andassumetheresponsibility。

Anindividualwhowasstandingbeyondtherailing，inthefreespacearoundthemarbletable，andwhomnoonehadyetcaughtsightof，sincehislong，thinbodywascompletelyshelteredfromeveryvisualraybythediameterofthepillaragainstwhichhewasleaning；thisindividual，wesay，tall，gaunt，pallid，blond，stillyoung，althoughalreadywrinkledaboutthebrowandcheeks，withbrillianteyesandasmilingmouth，cladingarmentsofblackserge，wornandshiningwithage，approachedthemarbletable，andmadeasigntothepoorsufferer。Buttheotherwassoconfusedthathedidnotseehim。Thenewcomeradvancedanotherstep。

"Jupiter，"saidhe，"mydearJupiter！"

Theotherdidnothear。

Atlast，thetallblond，drivenoutofpatience，shriekedalmostinhisface，——

"MichelGiborne！"

"Whocallsme？"saidJupiter，asthoughawakenedwithastart。

"I，"repliedthepersoncladinblack。

"Ah！"saidJupiter。

"Beginatonce，"wentontheother。"Satisfythepopulace；

Iundertaketoappeasethebailiff，whowillappeasemonsieurthecardinal。"

Jupiterbreathedoncemore。

"Messeigneursthebourgeois，"hecried，atthetopofhislungstothecrowd，whichcontinuedtohoothim，"wearegoingtobeginatonce。"

"~EvoeJupiter！Plauditecives~！Allhail，Jupiter！Applaud，citizens！"shoutedthescholars。

"Noel！Noel！good，good，"shoutedthepeople。

Thehandclappingwasdeafening，andJupiterhadalreadywithdrawnunderhistapestry，whilethehallstilltrembledwithacclamations。

Inthemeanwhile，thepersonagewhohadsomagicallyturnedthetempestintodeadcalm，asouroldanddearCorneilleputsit，hadmodestlyretreatedtothehalf-shadowofhispillar，andwould，nodoubt，haveremainedinvisiblethere，motionless，andmuteasbefore，hadhenotbeenpluckedbythesleevebytwoyoungwomen，who，standinginthefrontrowofthespectators，hadnoticedhiscolloquywithMichelGiborne-Jupiter。

"Master，"saidoneofthem，makinghimasigntoapproach。

"Holdyourtongue，mydearLiénarde，"saidherneighbor，pretty，fresh，andverybrave，inconsequenceofbeingdressedupinherbestattire。"Heisnotaclerk，heisalayman；

youmustnotsaymastertohim，butmessire。"

"Messire，"saidLiénarde。

Thestrangerapproachedtherailing。

"Whatwouldyouhaveofme，damsels？"heasked，withalacrity。

"Oh！nothing，"repliedLiénarde，ingreatconfusion；"itismyneighbor，GisquettelaGencienne，whowishestospeakwithyou。"

"Notso，"repliedGisquette，blushing；"itwasLiénardewhocalledyoumaster；Ionlytoldhertosaymessire。"

Thetwoyounggirlsdroppedtheireyes。Theman，whoaskednothingbetterthantoenterintoconversation，lookedatthemwithasmile。

"Soyouhavenothingtosaytome，damsels？"

"Oh！nothingatall，"repliedGisquette。

"Nothing，"saidLiénarde。

Thetall，light-hairedyoungmanretreatedastep；butthetwocuriousmaidenshadnomindtoletsliptheirprize。

"Messire，"saidGisquette，withtheimpetuosityofanopensluice，orofawomanwhohasmadeuphermind，"doyouknowthatsoldierwhoistoplaythepartofMadametheVirgininthemystery？"

"YoumeanthepartofJupiter？"repliedthestranger。

"Hé！yes，"saidLiénarde，"isn’tshestupid？SoyouknowJupiter？"

"MichelGiborne？"repliedtheunknown；"yes，madam。"

"Hehasafinebeard！"saidLiénarde。

"Willwhattheyareabouttosayherebefine？"inquiredGisquette，timidly。

"Veryfine，mademoiselle，"repliedtheunknown，withouttheslightesthesitation。

"Whatisittobe？"saidLiénarde。

"’TheGoodJudgmentofMadametheVirgin，’——amorality，ifyouplease，damsel。"

"Ah！thatmakesadifference，"respondedLiénarde。

Abriefsilenceensued——brokenbythestranger。

"Itisaperfectlynewmorality，andonewhichhasneveryetbeenplayed。"

"Thenitisnotthesameone，"saidGisquette，"thatwasgiventwoyearsago，onthedayoftheentranceofmonsieurthelegate，andwherethreehandsomemaidsplayedtheparts——"

"Ofsirens，"saidLiénarde。

"Andallnaked，"addedtheyoungman。

Liénardeloweredhereyesmodestly。Gisquetteglancedatheranddidthesame。Hecontinued，withasmile，——

"Itwasaverypleasantthingtosee。To-dayitisamoralitymadeexpresslyforMadametheDemoiselleofFlanders。"

"Willtheysingshepherdsongs？"inquiredGisquette。

"Fie！"saidthestranger，"inamorality？youmustnotconfoundstyles。Ifitwereafarce，wellandgood。"

"Thatisapity，"resumedGisquette。"Thatday，atthePonceauFountain，therewerewildmenandwomen，whofoughtandassumedmanyaspects，astheysanglittlemotetsandbergerettes。"

"Thatwhichissuitableforalegate，"returnedthestranger，withagooddealofdryness，"isnotsuitableforaprincess。"

"Andbesidethem，"resumedLiénarde，"playedmanybrassinstruments，makinggreatmelodies。"

"Andfortherefreshmentofthepassers-by，"continuedGisquette，"thefountainspoutedthroughthreemouths，wine，milk，andhippocrass，ofwhicheveryonedrankwhowished。"

"AndalittlebelowthePonceau，attheTrinity，"pursuedLiénarde，"therewasapassionperformed，andwithoutanyspeaking。"

"HowwellIrememberthat！"exclaimedGisquette；"Godonthecross，andthetwothievesontherightandtheleft。"

Heretheyounggossips，growingwarmatthememoryoftheentranceofmonsieurthelegate，bothbegantotalkatonce。

"And，furtheron，atthePainters’Gate，therewereotherpersonages，veryrichlyclad。"

"AndatthefountainofSaint-Innocent，thathuntsman，whowaschasingahindwithgreatclamorofdogsandhunting-horns。"

"And，attheParisslaughter-houses，stages，representingthefortressofDieppe！"

"Andwhenthelegatepassed，youremember，Gisquette？

theymadetheassault，andtheEnglishallhadtheirthroatscut。"

"AndagainstthegateoftheChatelet，therewereveryfinepersonages！"

"AndonthePortauChange，whichwasalldrapedabove！"

"Andwhenthelegatepassed，theyletflyonthebridgemorethantwohundredsortsofbirds；wasn’titbeautiful，Liénarde？"

"Itwillbebetterto-day，"finallyresumedtheirinterlocutor，whoseemedtolistentothemwithimpatience。

"Doyoupromiseusthatthismysterywillbefine？"saidGisquette。

"Withoutdoubt，"hereplied；thenheadded，withacertainemphasis，——"Iamtheauthorofit，damsels。"

"Truly？"saidtheyounggirls，quitetakenaback。

"Truly！"repliedthepoet，bridlingalittle；"thatis，tosay，therearetwoofus；JehanMarchand，whohassawedtheplanksanderectedtheframeworkofthetheatreandthewoodwork；andI，whohavemadethepiece。MynameisPierreGringoire。"

Theauthorofthe"Cid"couldnothavesaid"PierreCorneille"

withmorepride。

Ourreadershavebeenabletoobserve，thatacertainamountoftimemusthavealreadyelapsedfromthemomentwhenJupiterhadretiredbeneaththetapestrytotheinstantwhentheauthorofthenewmoralityhadthusabruptlyrevealedhimselftotheinnocentadmirationofGisquetteandLiénarde。Remarkablefact:thatwholecrowd，sotumultuousbutafewmomentsbefore，nowwaitedamiablyonthewordofthecomedian；whichprovestheeternaltruth，stillexperiencedeverydayinourtheatres，thatthebestmeansofmakingthepublicwaitpatientlyistoassurethemthatoneisabouttobegininstantly。

However，scholarJohanneshadnotfallenasleep。

"Holàhé！"heshoutedsuddenly，inthemidstofthepeaceablewaitingwhichhadfollowedthetumult。"Jupiter，MadametheVirgin，buffoonsofthedevil！areyoujeeringatus？

Thepiece！thepiece！commenceorwewillcommenceagain！"

Thiswasallthatwasneeded。

Themusicofhighandlowinstrumentsimmediatelybecameaudiblefromtheinteriorofthestage；thetapestrywasraised；fourpersonages，inmotleyattireandpaintedfaces，emergedfromit，climbedthesteepladderofthetheatre，and，arrivedupontheupperplatform，arrangedthemselvesinalinebeforethepublic，whomtheysalutedwithprofoundreverences；

thenthesymphonyceased。

Themysterywasabouttobegin。

Thefourpersonages，afterhavingreapedarichrewardofapplausefortheirreverences，began，inthemidstofprofoundsilence，aprologue，whichwegladlysparethereader。Moreover，ashappensinourownday，thepublicwasmoreoccupiedwiththecostumesthattheactorsworethanwiththerolesthattheywereenacting；and，intruth，theywereright。Allfourweredressedinparti-coloredrobesofyellowandwhite，whichweredistinguishedfromeachotheronlybythenatureofthestuff；thefirstwasofgoldandsilverbrocade；thesecond，ofsilk；thethird，ofwool；thefourth，oflinen。Thefirstofthesepersonagescarriedinhisrighthandasword；thesecond，twogoldenkeys；thethird，apairofscales；thefourth，aspade:and，inordertoaidsluggishmindswhichwouldnothaveseenclearlythroughthetransparencyoftheseattributes，therewastoberead，inlarge，blackletters，onthehemoftherobeofbrocade，MYNAME

ISNOBILITY；onthehemofthesilkenrobe，MYNAMEIS

CLERGY；onthehemofthewoolenrobe，MYNAMEISMERCHANDISE；

onthehemofthelinenrobe，MYNAMEISLABOR。

Thesexofthetwomalecharacterswasbrieflyindicatedtoeveryjudiciousspectator，bytheirshorterrobes，andbythecapwhichtheyworeontheirheads；whilethetwofemalecharacters，lessbrieflyclad，werecoveredwithhoods。

Muchill-willwouldalsohavebeenrequired，nottocomprehend，throughthemediumofthepoetryoftheprologue，thatLaborwasweddedtoMerchandise，andClergytoNobility，andthatthetwohappycouplespossessedincommonamagnificentgoldendolphin，whichtheydesiredtoadjudgetothefairestonly。Sotheywereroamingabouttheworldseekingandsearchingforthisbeauty，and，afterhavingsuccessivelyrejectedtheQueenofGolconda，thePrincessofTrebizonde，thedaughteroftheGrandKhanofTartary，etc。，LaborandClergy，NobilityandMerchandise，hadcometorestuponthemarbletableofthePalaisdeJustice，andtoutter，inthepresenceofthehonestaudience，asmanysentencesandmaximsascouldthenbedispensedattheFacultyofArts，atexaminations，sophisms，determinances，figures，andacts，wherethemasterstooktheirdegrees。

Allthiswas，infact，veryfine。

Nevertheless，inthatthrong，uponwhichthefourallegoriesviedwitheachotherinpouringoutfloodsofmetaphors，therewasnoearmoreattentive，noheartthatpalpitatedmore，notaneyewasmorehaggard，noneckmoreoutstretched，thantheeye，theear，theneck，andtheheartoftheauthor，ofthepoet，ofthatbravePierreGringoire，whohadnotbeenabletoresist，amomentbefore，thejoyoftellinghisnametotwoprettygirls。Hehadretreatedafewpacesfromthem，behindhispillar，andtherehelistened，looked，enjoyed。Theamiableapplausewhichhadgreetedthebeginningofhisprologuewasstillechoinginhisbosom，andhewascompletelyabsorbedinthatspeciesofecstaticcontemplationwithwhichanauthorbeholdshisideasfall，onebyone，fromthemouthoftheactorintothevastsilenceoftheaudience。WorthyPierreGringoire！

Itpainsustosayit，butthisfirstecstasywasspeedilydisturbed。HardlyhadGringoireraisedthisintoxicatingcupofjoyandtriumphtohislips，whenadropofbitternesswasmingledwithit。

Atatteredmendicant，whocouldnotcollectanycoins，lostashewasinthemidstofthecrowd，andwhohadnotprobablyfoundsufficientindemnityinthepocketsofhisneighbors，hadhitupontheideaofperchinghimselfuponsomeconspicuouspoint，inordertoattractlooksandalms。Hehad，accordingly，hoistedhimself，duringthefirstversesoftheprologue，withtheaidofthepillarsofthereservegallery，tothecornicewhichranroundthebalustradeatitsloweredge；

andtherehehadseatedhimself，solicitingtheattentionandthepityofthemultitude，withhisragsandahideoussorewhichcoveredhisrightarm。However，heutterednotaword。

Thesilencewhichhepreservedallowedtheprologuetoproceedwithouthindrance，andnoperceptibledisorderwouldhaveensued，ifill-luckhadnotwilledthatthescholarJoannesshouldcatchsight，fromtheheightsofhispillar，ofthemendicantandhisgrimaces。Awildfitoflaughtertookpossessionoftheyoungscamp，who，withoutcaringthathewasinterruptingthespectacle，anddisturbingtheuniversalcomposure，shoutedboldly，——

"Look！seethatsicklycreatureaskingalms！"

Anyonewhohasthrownastoneintoafrogpond，orfiredashotintoacoveyofbirds，canformanideaoftheeffectproducedbytheseincongruouswords，inthemidstofthegeneralattention。ItmadeGringoireshudderasthoughithadbeenanelectricshock。Theprologuestoppedshort，andallheadsturnedtumultuouslytowardsthebeggar，who，farfrombeingdisconcertedbythis，saw，inthisincident，agoodopportunityforreapinghisharvest，andwhobegantowhineinadolefulway，halfclosinghiseyesthewhile，——"Charity，please！"

"Well——uponmysoul，"resumedJoannes，"it’sClopinTrouillefou！Holàhe，myfriend，didyoursorebotheryouontheleg，thatyouhavetransferredittoyourarm？"

Sosaying，withthedexterityofamonkey，heflungabitofsilverintothegrayfelthatwhichthebeggarheldinhisailingarm。Themendicantreceivedboththealmsandthesarcasmwithoutwincing，andcontinued，inlamentabletones，——

"Charity，please！"

Thisepisodeconsiderablydistractedtheattentionoftheaudience；andagoodlynumberofspectators，amongthemRobinPoussepain，andalltheclerksattheirhead，gaylyapplaudedthiseccentricduet，whichthescholar，withhisshrillvoice，andthemendicanthadjustimprovisedinthemiddleoftheprologue。

Gringoirewashighlydispleased。Onrecoveringfromhisfirststupefaction，hebestirredhimselftoshout，tothefourpersonagesonthestage，"Goon！Whatthedevil！——goon！"——

withoutevendeigningtocastaglanceofdisdainuponthetwointerrupters。

Atthatmoment，hefeltsomeonepluckatthehemofhissurtout；heturnedround，andnotwithoutill-humor，andfoundconsiderabledifficultyinsmiling；buthewasobligedtodoso，nevertheless。ItwastheprettyarmofGisquettelaGencienne，which，passedthroughtherailing，wassolicitinghisattentioninthismanner。

"Monsieur，"saidtheyounggirl，"aretheygoingtocontinue？"

"Ofcourse，"repliedGringoire，agooddealshockedbythequestion。

"Inthatcase，messire，"sheresumed，"wouldyouhavethecourtesytoexplaintome——"

"Whattheyareabouttosay？"interruptedGringoire。

"Well，listen。"

"No，"saidGisquette，"butwhattheyhavesaidsofar。"

Gringoirestarted，likeamanwhosewoundhasbeenprobedtothequick。

"Aplagueonthestupidanddull-wittedlittlegirl！"hemuttered，betweenhisteeth。

Fromthatmomentforth，Gisquettewasnothingtohim。

Inthemeantime，theactorshadobeyedhisinjunction，andthepublic，seeingthattheywerebeginningtospeakagain，beganoncemoretolisten，notwithouthavinglostmanybeautiesinthesortofsolderedjointwhichwasformedbetweenthetwoportionsofthepiecethusabruptlycutshort。Gringoirecommentedonitbitterlytohimself。

Nevertheless，tranquillitywasgraduallyrestored，thescholarheldhispeace，themendicantcountedoversomecoinsinhishat，andthepieceresumedtheupperhand。

Itwas，infact，averyfinework，andonewhich，asitseemstous，mightbeputtouseto-day，bytheaidofalittlerearrangement。Theexposition，ratherlongandratherempty，thatistosay，accordingtotherules，wassimple；andGringoire，inthecandidsanctuaryofhisownconscience，admireditsclearness。Asthereadermaysurmise，thefourallegoricalpersonagesweresomewhatwearywithhavingtraversedthethreesectionsoftheworld，withouthavingfoundsuitableopportunityforgettingridoftheirgoldendolphin。Thereuponaeulogyofthemarvellousfish，withathousanddelicateallusionstotheyoungbetrothedofMargueriteofFlanders，thensadlycloisteredinatAmboise，andwithoutasuspicionthatLaborandClergy，NobilityandMerchandisehadjustmadethecircuitoftheworldinhisbehalf。Thesaiddauphinwasthenyoung，washandsome，wasstout，and，aboveall(magnificentoriginofallroyalvirtues)，hewasthesonoftheLionofFrance。Ideclarethatthisboldmetaphorisadmirable，andthatthenaturalhistoryofthetheatre，onadayofallegoryandroyalmarriagesongs，isnotintheleaststartledbyadolphinwhoisthesonofalion。ItispreciselytheserareandPindaricmixtureswhichprovethepoet’senthusiasm。Nevertheless，inordertoplaythepartofcriticalso，thepoetmighthavedevelopedthisbeautifulideainsomethinglessthantwohundredlines。Itistruethatthemysterywastolastfromnoonuntilfouro’clock，inaccordancewiththeordersofmonsieurtheprovost，andthatitwasnecessarytosaysomething。Besides，thepeoplelistenedpatiently。

Allatonce，intheverymiddleofaquarrelbetweenMademoiselleMerchandiseandMadameNobility，atthemomentwhenMonsieurLaborwasgivingutterancetothiswonderfulline，——

Inforestne’erwasseenamoretriumphantbeast；

thedoorofthereservedgallerywhichhadhithertoremainedsoinopportunelyclosed，openedstillmoreinopportunely；andtheringingvoiceoftheusherannouncedabruptly，"Hiseminence，MonseigneurtheCardinaldeBourbon。"

CHAPTERIII。

MONSIEURTHECARDINAL。

PoorGringoire！thedinofallthegreatdoublepetardsoftheSaint-Jean，thedischargeoftwentyarquebusesonsupports，thedetonationofthatfamousserpentineoftheTowerofBilly，which，duringthesiegeofParis，onSunday，thetwenty-sixthofSeptember，1465，killedsevenBurgundiansatoneblow，theexplosionofallthepowderstoredatthegateoftheTemple，wouldhaverenthisearslessrudelyatthatsolemnanddramaticmoment，thanthesefewwords，whichfellfromthelipsoftheusher，"Hiseminence，MonseigneurtheCardinaldeBourbon。"

ItisnotthatPierreGringoireeitherfearedordisdainedmonsieurthecardinal。Hehadneithertheweaknessnortheaudacityforthat。Atrueeclectic，asitwouldbeexpressednowadays，Gringoirewasoneofthosefirmandlofty，moderateandcalmspirits，whichalwaysknowhowtobearthemselvesamidallcircumstances(~stareindimidiorerum~)，andwhoarefullofreasonandofliberalphilosophy，whilestillsettingstorebycardinals。Arare，precious，andneverinterruptedraceofphilosopherstowhomwisdom，likeanotherAriadne，seemstohavegivenaclewofthreadwhichtheyhavebeenwalkingalongunwindingsincethebeginningoftheworld，throughthelabyrinthofhumanaffairs。Onefindstheminallages，everthesame；thatistosay，alwaysaccordingtoalltimes。And，withoutreckoningourPierreGringoire，whomayrepresenttheminthefifteenthcenturyifwesucceedinbestowinguponhimthedistinctionwhichhedeserves，itcertainlywastheirspiritwhichanimatedFatherduBreul，whenhewrote，inthesixteenth，thesenaivelysublimewords，worthyofallcenturies:"IamaParisianbynation，andaParrhisianinlanguage，for~parrhisia~inGreeksignifieslibertyofspeech；ofwhichIhavemadeuseeventowardsmesseigneursthecardinals，uncleandbrothertoMonsieurthePrincedeConty，alwayswithrespecttotheirgreatness，andwithoutoffendinganyoneoftheirsuite，whichismuchtosay。"

Therewasthenneitherhatredforthecardinal，nordisdainforhispresence，inthedisagreeableimpressionproduceduponPierreGringoire。Quitethecontrary；ourpoethadtoomuchgoodsenseandtoothreadbareacoat，nottoattachparticularimportancetohavingthenumerousallusionsinhisprologue，and，inparticular，theglorificationofthedauphin，sonoftheLionofFrance，falluponthemosteminentear。Butitisnotinterestwhichpredominatesinthenoblenatureofpoets。Isupposethattheentityofthepoetmayberepresentedbythenumberten；itiscertainthatachemistonanalyzingandpharmacopolizingit，asRabelaissays，wouldfinditcomposedofonepartinteresttoninepartsofself-esteem。

Now，atthemomentwhenthedoorhadopenedtoadmitthecardinal，theninepartsofself-esteeminGringoire，swollenandexpandedbythebreathofpopularadmiration，wereinastateofprodigiousaugmentation，beneathwhichdisappeared，asthoughstifled，thatimperceptiblemoleculeofwhichwehavejustremarkeduponintheconstitutionofpoets；apreciousingredient，bytheway，aballastofrealityandhumanity，withoutwhichtheywouldnottouchtheearth。Gringoireenjoyedseeing，feeling，fingering，sotospeakanentireassembly(ofknaves，itistrue，butwhatmattersthat？)stupefied，petrified，andasthoughasphyxiatedinthepresenceoftheincommensurabletiradeswhichwelledupeveryinstantfromallpartsofhisbridalsong。Iaffirmthathesharedthegeneralbeatitude，andthat，quitethereverseofLaFontaine，who，atthepresentationofhiscomedyofthe"Florentine，"asked，"Whoistheill-bredloutwhomadethatrhapsody？"Gringoirewouldgladlyhaveinquiredofhisneighbor，"Whosemasterpieceisthis？"

Thereadercannowjudgeoftheeffectproduceduponhimbytheabruptandunseasonablearrivalofthecardinal。

Thatwhichhehadtofearwasonlytoofullyrealized。

Theentranceofhiseminenceupsettheaudience。Allheadsturnedtowardsthegallery。Itwasnolongerpossibletohearone’sself。"Thecardinal！Thecardinal！"repeatedallmouths。Theunhappyprologuestoppedshortforthesecondtime。

Thecardinalhaltedforamomentonthethresholdoftheestrade。Whilehewassendingaratherindifferentglancearoundtheaudience，thetumultredoubled。Eachpersonwishedtogetabetterviewofhim。Eachmanviedwiththeotherinthrustinghisheadoverhisneighbor’sshoulder。

Hewas，infact，anexaltedpersonage，thesightofwhomwaswellworthanyothercomedy。Charles，CardinaldeBourbon，ArchbishopandComteofLyon，PrimateoftheGauls，wasalliedbothtoLouisXI。，throughhisbrother，Pierre，SeigneurdeBeaujeu，whohadmarriedtheking’seldestdaughter，andtoCharlestheBoldthroughhismother，AgnesofBurgundy。

Now，thedominatingtrait，thepeculiaranddistinctivetraitofthecharacterofthePrimateoftheGauls，wasthespiritofthecourtier，anddevotiontothepowersthatbe。Thereadercanformanideaofthenumberlessembarrassmentswhichthisdoublerelationshiphadcausedhim，andofallthetemporalreefsamongwhichhisspiritualbarkhadbeenforcedtotack，inordernottosuffershipwreckoneitherLouisorCharles，thatScyllaandthatCharybdiswhichhaddevouredtheDucdeNemoursandtheConstabledeSaint-Pol。

ThankstoHeaven’smercy，hehadmadethevoyagesuccessfully，andhadreachedhomewithouthindrance。Butalthoughhewasinport，andpreciselybecausehewasinport，heneverrecalledwithoutdisquietthevariedhapsofhispoliticalcareer，solonguneasyandlaborious。Thus，hewasinthehabitofsayingthattheyear1476hadbeen"whiteandblack"forhim——meaningthereby，thatinthecourseofthatyearhehadlosthismother，theDuchessedelaBourbonnais，andhiscousin，theDukeofBurgundy，andthatonegriefhadconsoledhimfortheother。

Nevertheless，hewasafineman；heledajoyouscardinal’slife，likedtoenlivenhimselfwiththeroyalvintageofChalluau，didnothateRichardelaGarmoiseandThomasselaSaillarde，bestowedalmsonprettygirlsratherthanonoldwomen，——andforallthesereasonswasveryagreeabletothepopulaceofParis。Heneverwentaboutotherwisethansurroundedbyasmallcourtofbishopsandabbésofhighlineage，gallant，jovial，andgiventocarousingonoccasion；andmorethanoncethegoodanddevoutwomenofSaintGermaind’Auxerre，whenpassingatnightbeneaththebrightlyilluminatedwindowsofBourbon，hadbeenscandalizedtohearthesamevoiceswhichhadintonedvespersforthemduringthedaycarolling，totheclinkingofglasses，thebacchicproverbofBenedictXII。，thatpopewhohadaddedathirdcrowntotheTiara——~Bibamuspapaliter~。

Itwasthisjustlyacquiredpopularity，nodoubt，whichpreservedhimonhisentrancefromanybadreceptionatthehandsofthemob，whichhadbeensodispleasedbutamomentbefore，andverylittledisposedtorespectacardinalontheverydaywhenitwastoelectapope。ButtheParisianscherishlittlerancor；andthen，havingforcedthebeginningoftheplaybytheirauthority，thegoodbourgeoishadgottheupperhandofthecardinal，andthistriumphwassufficientforthem。Moreover，theCardinaldeBourbonwasahandsomeman，——heworeafinescarletrobe，whichhecarriedoffverywell，——thatistosay，hehadallthewomenonhisside，and，consequently，thebesthalfoftheaudience。Assuredly，itwouldbeinjusticeandbadtastetohootacardinalforhavingcomelatetothespectacle，whenheisahandsomeman，andwhenhewearshisscarletrobewell。

Heentered，then，bowedtothosepresentwiththehereditarysmileofthegreatforthepeople，anddirectedhiscourseslowlytowardshisscarletvelvetarm-chair，withtheairofthinkingofsomethingquitedifferent。Hiscortege——whatweshouldnowadayscallhisstaff——ofbishopsandabbésinvadedtheestradeinhistrain，notwithoutcausingredoubledtumultandcuriosityamongtheaudience。Eachmanviedwithhisneighborinpointingthemoutandnamingthem，inseeingwhoshouldrecognizeatleastoneofthem:

thisone，theBishopofMarseilles(Alaudet，ifmymemoryservesmeright)；——thisone，theprimicierofSaint-Denis；——thisone，RobertdeLespinasse，AbbéofSaint-GermaindesPrés，thatlibertinebrotherofamistressofLouisXI。；allwithmanyerrorsandabsurdities。Asforthescholars，theyswore。Thiswastheirday，theirfeastoffools，theirsaturnalia，theannualorgyofthecorporationofLawclerksandoftheschool。Therewasnoturpitudewhichwasnotsacredonthatday。Andthenthereweregaygossipsinthecrowd——SimoneQuatrelivres，AgneslaGadine，andRabinePiédebou。