第3章

"Sacrilege！profanation！"resumedthevoiceofthebaldman。

Thegypsyturnedroundoncemore。

"Ah！"saidshe，"’tisthatvillanousman！"Then，thrustingherunderlipoutbeyondtheupper，shemadealittlepout，whichappearedtobefamiliartoher，executedapirouetteonherheel，andsetaboutcollectinginhertambourinethegiftsofthemultitude。

Bigblanks，littleblanks，targes*andeagleliardsshoweredintoit。

*Ablank:anoldFrenchcoin；sixblankswereworthtwosousandahalf；targe，anancientcoinofBurgundy，afarthing。

Allatonce，shepassedinfrontofGringoire。Gringoireputhishandsorecklesslyintohispocketthatshehalted。

"Thedevil！"saidthepoet，findingatthebottomofhispocketthereality，thatis，tosay，avoid。Inthemeantime，theprettygirlstoodthere，gazingathimwithherbigeyes，andholdingouthertambourinetohimandwaiting。Gringoirebrokeintoaviolentperspiration。

IfhehadallPeruinhispocket，hewouldcertainlyhavegivenittothedancer；butGringoirehadnotPeru，and，moreover，Americahadnotyetbeendiscovered。

Happily，anunexpectedincidentcametohisrescue。

"Willyoutakeyourselfoff，youEgyptiangrasshopper？"

criedasharpvoice，whichproceededfromthedarkestcornerofthePlace。

Theyounggirlturnedroundinaffright。Itwasnolongerthevoiceofthebaldman；itwasthevoiceofawoman，bigotedandmalicious。

However，thiscry，whichalarmedthegypsy，delightedatroopofchildrenwhowereprowlingaboutthere。

"ItistherecluseoftheTour-Roland，"theyexclaimed，withwildlaughter，"itisthesackednunwhoisscolding！

Hasn’tshesupped？Let’scarryhertheremainsofthecityrefreshments！"

AllrushedtowardsthePillarHouse。

Inthemeanwhile，Gringoirehadtakenadvantageofthedancer’sembarrassment，todisappear。Thechildren’sshoutshadremindedhimthathe，also，hadnotsupped，soherantothepublicbuffet。Butthelittlerascalshadbetterlegsthanhe；whenhearrived，theyhadstrippedthetable。Thereremainednotsomuchasamiserable~camichon~atfivesousthepound。Nothingremaineduponthewallbutslenderfleurs-de-lis，mingledwithrosebushes，paintedin1434byMathieuBiterne。Itwasameagresupper。

Itisanunpleasantthingtogotobedwithoutsupper，itisastilllesspleasantthingnottosupandnottoknowwhereoneistosleep。ThatwasGringoire’scondition。Nosupper，noshelter；hesawhimselfpressedonallsidesbynecessity，andhefoundnecessityverycrabbed。Hehadlongagodiscoveredthetruth，thatJupitercreatedmenduringafitofmisanthropy，andthatduringawiseman’swholelife，hisdestinyholdshisphilosophyinastateofsiege。Asforhimself，hehadneverseentheblockadesocomplete；heheardhisstomachsoundingaparley，andheconsidereditverymuchoutofplacethatevildestinyshouldcapturehisphilosophybyfamine。

Thismelancholyreverywasabsorbinghimmoreandmore，whenasong，quaintbutfullofsweetness，suddenlytorehimfromit。Itwastheyounggypsywhowassinging。

Hervoicewaslikeherdancing，likeherbeauty。Itwasindefinableandcharming；somethingpureandsonorous，aerial，winged，sotospeak。Therewerecontinualoutbursts，melodies，unexpectedcadences，thensimplephrasesstrewnwithaerialandhissingnotes；thenfloodsofscaleswhichwouldhaveputanightingaletorout，butinwhichharmonywasalwayspresent；thensoftmodulationsofoctaveswhichroseandfell，likethebosomoftheyoungsinger。Herbeautifulfacefollowed，withsingularmobility，allthecapricesofhersong，fromthewildestinspirationtothechastestdignity。

Onewouldhavepronouncedhernowamadcreature，nowaqueen。

ThewordswhichshesangwereinatongueunknowntoGringoire，andwhichseemedtohimtobeunknowntoherself，solittlerelationdidtheexpressionwhichsheimpartedtohersongbeartothesenseofthewords。Thus，thesefourlines，inhermouth，weremadlygay，——

~UncofredegranriquezaHallarondentrounpilar，Dentrodel，nuevasbanderasConfigurasdeespantar~。*

*AcofferofgreatrichnessInapillar’shearttheyfound，Withinitlaynewbanners，Withfigurestoastound。

Andaninstantafterwards，attheaccentswhichsheimpartedtothisstanza，——

~AlarabesdecavalloSinpodersemenear，Conespadas，yloscuellos，Ballestasdebuenechar~，Gringoirefeltthetearsstarttohiseyes。Nevertheless，hersongbreathedjoy，mostofall，andsheseemedtosinglikeabird，fromserenityandheedlessness。

Thegypsy’ssonghaddisturbedGringoire’sreveryastheswandisturbsthewater。Helistenedinasortofrapture，andforgetfulnessofeverything。Itwasthefirstmomentinthecourseofmanyhourswhenhedidnotfeelthathesuffered。

Themomentwasbrief。

Thesamewoman’svoice，whichhadinterruptedthegypsy’sdance，interruptedhersong。

"Willyouholdyourtongue，youcricketofhell？"itcried，stillfromthesameobscurecorneroftheplace。

Thepoor"cricket"stoppedshort。Gringoirecovereduphisears。

"Oh！"heexclaimed，"accursedsawwithmissingteeth，whichcomestobreakthelyre！"

Meanwhile，theotherspectatorsmurmuredlikehimself；

"Tothedevilwiththesackednun！"saidsomeofthem。

Andtheoldinvisiblekill-joymighthavehadoccasiontorepentofheraggressionsagainstthegypsyhadtheirattentionnotbeendivertedatthismomentbytheprocessionofthePopeoftheFools，which，afterhavingtraversedmanystreetsandsquares，debouchedonthePlacedeGrève，withallitstorchesandallitsuproar。

Thisprocession，whichourreadershaveseensetoutfromthePalaisdeJustice，hadorganizedontheway，andhadbeenrecruitedbyalltheknaves，idlethieves，andunemployedvagabondsinParis；sothatitpresentedaveryrespectableaspectwhenitarrivedattheGrève。

FirstcameEgypt。TheDukeofEgyptheadedit，onhorseback，withhiscountsonfootholdinghisbridleandstirrupsforhim；behindthem，themaleandfemaleEgyptians，pell-mell，withtheirlittlechildrencryingontheirshoulders；

all——duke，counts，andpopulace——inragsandtatters。ThencametheKingdomofArgot；thatistosay，allthethievesofFrance，arrangedaccordingtotheorderoftheirdignity；theminorpeoplewalkingfirst。Thusdefiledbyfours，withthediversinsigniaoftheirgrades，inthatstrangefaculty，mostofthemlame，somecripples，othersone-armed，shopclerks，pilgrim，~hubins~，bootblacks，thimble-riggers，streetarabs，beggars，theblear-eyedbeggars，thieves，theweakly，vagabonds，merchants，shamsoldiers，goldsmiths，passedmastersofpickpockets，isolatedthieves。AcataloguethatwouldwearyHomer。Inthecentreoftheconclaveofthepassedmastersofpickpockets，onehadsomedifficultyindistinguishingtheKingofArgot，thegrandco？sre，socalled，crouchinginalittlecartdrawnbytwobigdogs。AfterthekingdomoftheArgotiers，cametheEmpireofGalilee。GuillaumeRousseau，EmperoroftheEmpireofGalilee，marchedmajesticallyinhisrobeofpurple，spottedwithwine，precededbybuffoonswrestlingandexecutingmilitarydances；surroundedbyhismacebearers，hispickpocketsandclerksofthechamberofaccounts。Lastofallcamethecorporationoflawclerks，withitsmaypolescrownedwithflowers，itsblackrobes，itsmusicworthyoftheorgy，anditslargecandlesofyellowwax。Inthecentreofthiscrowd，thegrandofficersoftheBrotherhoodofFoolsboreontheirshouldersalittermoreloadeddownwithcandlesthanthereliquaryofSainte-Genevièveintimeofpest；andonthislittershoneresplendent，withcrosier，cope，andmitre，thenewPopeoftheFools，thebellringerofNotre-Dame，Quasimodothehunchback。

Eachsectionofthisgrotesqueprocessionhaditsownmusic。

TheEgyptiansmadetheirdrumsandAfricantambourinesresound。Theslangmen，notaverymusicalrace，stillclungtothegoat’shorntrumpetandtheGothicrubebbeofthetwelfthcentury。TheEmpireofGalileewasnotmuchmoreadvanced；amongitsmusiconecouldhardlydistinguishsomemiserablerebec，fromtheinfancyoftheart，stillimprisonedinthe~re-la-mi~。ButitwasaroundthePopeoftheFoolsthatallthemusicalrichesoftheepochweredisplayedinamagnificentdiscord。Itwasnothingbutsopranorebecs，counter-tenorrebecs，andtenorrebecs，nottoreckontheflutesandbrassinstruments。Alas！ourreaderswillrememberthatthiswasGringoire’sorchestra。

ItisdifficulttoconveyanideaofthedegreeofproudandblissfulexpansiontowhichthesadandhideousvisageofQuasimodohadattainedduringthetransitfromthePalaisdeJustice，tothePlacedeGrève。Itwasthefirstenjoymentofself-lovethathehadeverexperienced。Downtothatday，hehadknownonlyhumiliation，disdainforhiscondition，disgustforhisperson。Hence，deafthoughhewas，heenjoyed，likeaveritablepope，theacclamationsofthatthrong，whichhehatedbecausehefeltthathewashatedbyit。Whatmattereditthathispeopleconsistedofapackoffools，cripples，thieves，andbeggars？itwasstillapeopleandhewasitssovereign。Andheacceptedseriouslyallthisironicalapplause，allthisderisiverespect，withwhichthecrowdmingled，itmustbeadmitted，agooddealofveryrealfear。Forthehunchbackwasrobust；forthebandy-leggedfellowwasagile；

forthedeafmanwasmalicious:threequalitieswhichtemperridicule。

Wearefarfrombelieving，however，thatthenewPopeoftheFoolsunderstoodboththesentimentswhichhefeltandthesentimentswhichheinspired。Thespiritwhichwaslodgedinthisfailureofabodyhad，necessarily，somethingincompleteanddeafaboutit。Thus，whathefeltatthemomentwastohim，absolutelyvague，indistinct，andconfused。

Onlyjoymadeitselffelt，onlypridedominated。Aroundthatsombreandunhappyface，therehungaradiance。

Itwas，then，notwithoutsurpriseandalarm，thatattheverymomentwhenQuasimodowaspassingthePillarHouse，inthatsemi-intoxicatedstate，amanwasseentodartfromthecrowd，andtotearfromhishands，withagestureofanger，hiscrosierofgildedwood，theemblemofhismockpopeship。

Thisman，thisrashindividual，wasthemanwiththebaldbrow，who，amomentearlier，standingwiththegypsy’sgrouphadchilledthepoorgirlwithhiswordsofmenaceandofhatred。Hewasdressedinaneccleslasticalcostume。Atthemomentwhenhestoodforthfromthecrowd，Gringoire，whohadnotnoticedhimuptothattime，recognizedhim:

"Hold！"hesaid，withanexclamationofastonishment。

"Eh！’tismymasterinHermes，DomClaudeFrollo，thearchdeacon！Whatthedevildoeshewantofthatoldone-

eyedfellow？He’llgethimselfdevoured！"

Acryofterrorarose，infact。TheformidableQuasimodohadhurledhimselffromthelitter，andthewomenturnedasidetheireyesinordernottoseehimtearthearchdeaconasunder。

Hemadeoneboundasfarasthepriest，lookedathim，andfelluponhisknees。

Thepriesttoreoffhistiara，brokehiscrozier，andrenthistinselcope。

Quasimodoremainedonhisknees，withheadbentandhandsclasped。Thentherewasestablishedbetweenthemastrangedialogueofsignsandgestures，forneitherofthemspoke。

Thepriest，erectonhisfeet，irritated，threatening，imperious；

Quasimodo，prostrate，humble，suppliant。And，nevertheless，itiscertainthatQuasimodocouldhavecrushedthepriestwithhisthumb。

Atlengththearchdeacon，givingQuasimodo’spowerfulshoulderaroughshake，madehimasigntoriseandfollowhim。

Quasimodorose。

ThentheBrotherhoodofFools，theirfirststuporhavingpassedoff，wishedtodefendtheirpope，soabruptlydethroned。

TheEgyptians，themenofslang，andallthefraternityoflawclerks，gatheredhowlingroundthepriest。

Quasimodoplacedhimselfinfrontofthepriest，setinplaythemusclesofhisathleticfists，andglaredupontheassailantswiththesnarlofanangrytiger。

Thepriestresumedhissombregravity，madeasigntoQuasimodo，andretiredinsilence。

Quasimodowalkedinfrontofhim，scatteringthecrowdashepassed。

WhentheyhadtraversedthepopulaceandthePlace，thecloudofcuriousandidleweremindedtofollowthem。Quasimodothenconstitutedhimselftherearguard，andfollowedthearchdeacon，walkingbackwards，squat，surly，monstrous，bristling，gatheringuphislimbs，lickinghisboar’stusks，growlinglikeawildbeast，andimpartingtothecrowdimmensevibrations，withalookoragesture。

Bothwereallowedtoplungeintoadarkandnarrowstreet，wherenoonedaredtoventureafterthem；sothoroughlydidthemerechimeraofQuasimodognashinghisteethbartheentrance。

"Here’samarvellousthing，"saidGringoire；"butwherethedeuceshallIfindsomesupper？"

CHAPTERIV。

THEINCONVENIENCESOFFOLLOWINGAPRETTYWOMAN

THROUGHTHESTREETSINTHEEVENING。

Gringoiresetouttofollowthegypsyatallhazards。Hehadseenher，accompaniedbyhergoat，taketotheRuedelaCoutellerie；hetooktheRuedelaCoutellerie。

"Whynot？"hesaidtohimself。

Gringoire，apracticalphilosopherofthestreetsofParis，hadnoticedthatnothingismorepropitioustoreverythanfollowingaprettywomanwithoutknowingwhithersheisgoing。Therewasinthisvoluntaryabdicationofhisfreewill，inthisfancysubmittingitselftoanotherfancy，whichsuspectsitnot，amixtureoffantasticindependenceandblindobedience，somethingindescribable，intermediatebetweenslaveryandliberty，whichpleasedGringoire，——aspiritessentiallycompound，undecided，andcomplex，holdingtheextremitiesofallextremes，incessantlysuspendedbetweenallhumanpropensities，andneutralizingonebytheother。HewasfondofcomparinghimselftoMahomet’scoffin，attractedintwodifferentdirectionsbytwoloadstones，andhesitatingeternallybetweentheheightsandthedepths，betweenthevaultandthepavement，betweenfallandascent，betweenzenithandnadir。

IfGringoirehadlivedinourday，whatafinemiddlecoursehewouldholdbetweenclassicismandromanticism！

Buthewasnotsufficientlyprimitivetolivethreehundredyears，and’tisapity。Hisabsenceisavoidwhichisbuttoosensiblyfeltto-day。

Moreover，forthepurposeofthusfollowingpassers-by(andespeciallyfemalepassers-by)inthestreets，whichGringoirewasfondofdoing，thereisnobetterdispositionthanignoranceofwhereoneisgoingtosleep。

Sohewalkedalong，verythoughtfully，behindtheyounggirl，whohastenedherpaceandmadehergoattrotasshesawthebourgeoisreturninghomeandthetaverns——theonlyshopswhichhadbeenopenthatday——closing。

"Afterall，"hehalfthoughttohimself，"shemustlodgesomewhere；gypsieshavekindlyhearts。Whoknows？——"

Andinthepointsofsuspensewhichheplacedafterthisreticenceinhismind，therelayIknownotwhatflatteringideas。

Meanwhile，fromtimetotime，ashepassedthelastgroupsofbourgeoisclosingtheirdoors，hecaughtsomescrapsoftheirconversation，whichbrokethethreadofhispleasanthypotheses。

Nowitwastwooldmenaccostingeachother。

"Doyouknowthatitiscold，MasterThibautFernicle？"

(Gringoirehadbeenawareofthissincethebeginningofthewinter。)

"Yes，indeed，MasterBonifaceDisome！Arewegoingtohaveawintersuchaswehadthreeyearsago，in’80，whenwoodcosteightsousthemeasure？"

"Bah！that’snothing，MasterThibaut，comparedwiththewinterof1407，whenitfrozefromSt。Martin’sDayuntilCandlemas！andsocoldthatthepenoftheregistraroftheparliamentfrozeeverythreewords，intheGrandChamber！

whichinterruptedtheregistrationofjustice。"

Furtheronthereweretwofemaleneighborsattheirwindows，holdingcandles，whichthefogcausedtosputter。

"Hasyourhusbandtoldyouaboutthemishap，MademoisellelaBoudraque？"

"No。Whatisit，MademoiselleTurquant？"

"ThehorseofM。GillesGodin，thenotaryattheChatelet，tookfrightattheFlemingsandtheirprocession，andoverturnedMasterPhilippeAvrillot，laymonkoftheCélestins。"

"Really？"

"Actually。"

"Abourgeoishorse！’tisrathertoomuch！Ifithadbeenacavalryhorse，wellandgood！"

Andthewindowswereclosed。ButGringoirehadlostthethreadofhisideas，nevertheless。

Fortunately，hespeedilyfounditagain，andheknottedittogetherwithoutdifficulty，thankstothegypsy，thankstoDjali，whostillwalkedinfrontofhim；twofine，delicate，andcharmingcreatures，whosetinyfeet，beautifulforms，andgracefulmannershewasengagedinadmiring，almostconfusingtheminhiscontemplation；believingthemtobebothyounggirls，fromtheirintelligenceandgoodfriendship；regardingthembothasgoats，——sofarasthelightness，agility，anddexterityoftheirwalkwereconcerned。

Butthestreetswerebecomingblackerandmoredesertedeverymoment。Thecurfewhadsoundedlongago，anditwasonlyatrareintervalsnowthattheyencounteredapasser-byinthestreet，oralightinthewindows。Gringoirehadbecomeinvolved，inhispursuitofthegypsy，inthatinextricablelabyrinthofalleys，squares，andclosedcourtswhichsurroundtheancientsepulchreoftheSaints-Innocents，andwhichresemblesaballofthreadtangledbyacat。"Herearestreetswhichpossessbutlittlelogic！"saidGringoire，lostinthethousandsofcircuitswhichreturneduponthemselvesincessantly，butwheretheyounggirlpursuedaroadwhichseemedfamiliartoher，withouthesitationandwithastepwhichbecameevermorerapid。Asforhim，hewouldhavebeenutterlyignorantofhissituationhadhenotespied，inpassing，attheturnofastreet，theoctagonalmassofthepilloryofthefishmarkets，theopen-worksummitofwhichthrewitsblack，frettedoutlinesclearlyuponawindowwhichwasstilllightedintheRueVerdelet。

Theyounggirl’sattentionhadbeenattractedtohimforthelastfewmoments；shehadrepeatedlyturnedherheadtowardshimwithuneasiness；shehadevenoncecometoastandstill，andtakingadvantageofarayoflightwhichescapedfromahalf-openbakerytosurveyhimintently，fromheadtofoot，then，havingcastthisglance，Gringoirehadseenhermakethatlittlepoutwhichhehadalreadynoticed，afterwhichshepassedon。

ThislittlepouthadfurnishedGringoirewithfoodforthought。Therewascertainlybothdisdainandmockeryinthatgracefulgrimace。Sohedroppedhishead，begantocountthepaving-stones，andtofollowtheyounggirlatalittlegreaterdistance，when，attheturnofastreet，whichhadcausedhimtolosesightofher，heheardherutterapiercingcry。

Hehastenedhissteps。

Thestreetwasfullofshadows。Nevertheless，atwistoftowsoakedinoil，whichburnedinacageatthefeetoftheHolyVirginatthestreetcorner，permittedGringoiretomakeoutthegypsystrugglinginthearmsoftwomen，whowereendeavoringtostiflehercries。Thepoorlittlegoat，ingreatalarm，loweredhishornsandbleated。

"Help！gentlemenofthewatch！"shoutedGringoire，andadvancedbravely。Oneofthemenwhoheldtheyounggirlturnedtowardshim。ItwastheformidablevisageofQuasimodo。

Gringoiredidnottaketoflight，butneitherdidheadvanceanotherstep。

Quasimodocameuptohim，tossedhimfourpacesawayonthepavementwithabackwardturnofthehand，andplungedrapidlyintothegloom，bearingtheyounggirlfoldedacrossonearmlikeasilkenscarf。Hiscompanionfollowedhim，andthepoorgoatranafterthemall，bleatingplaintively。

"Murder！murder！"shriekedtheunhappygypsy。

"Halt，rascals，andyieldmethatwench！"suddenlyshoutedinavoiceofthunder，acavalierwhoappearedsuddenlyfromaneighboringsquare。

Itwasacaptainoftheking’sarchers，armedfromheadtofoot，withhisswordinhishand。

HetorethegypsyfromthearmsofthedazedQuasimodo，threwheracrosshissaddle，andatthemomentwhentheterriblehunchback，recoveringfromhissurprise，rusheduponhimtoregainhisprey，fifteenorsixteenarchers，whofollowedtheircaptainclosely，madetheirappearance，withtheirtwo-edgedswordsintheirfists。Itwasasquadoftheking’spolice，whichwasmakingtherounds，byorderofMessireRobertd’Estouteville，guardoftheprovostshipofParis。

Quasimodowassurrounded，seized，garroted；heroared，hefoamedatthemouth，hebit；andhaditbeenbroaddaylight，thereisnodoubtthathisfacealone，renderedmorehideousbywrath，wouldhaveputtheentiresquadtoflight。Butbynighthewasdeprivedofhismostformidableweapon，hisugliness。

Hiscompanionhaddisappearedduringthestruggle。

Thegypsygracefullyraisedherselfuprightupontheofficer’ssaddle，placedbothhandsupontheyoungman’sshoulders，andgazedfixedlyathimforseveralseconds，asthoughenchantedwithhisgoodlooksandwiththeaidwhichhehadjustrenderedher。Thenbreakingsilencefirst，shesaidtohim，makinghersweetvoicestillsweeterthanusual，——

"Whatisyourname，monsieurlegendarme？"

"CaptainPhoebusdeChateaupers，atyourservice，mybeauty！"

repliedtheofficer，drawinghimselfup。

"Thanks，"saidshe。

AndwhileCaptainPhoebuswasturninguphismoustacheinBurgundianfashion，sheslippedfromthehorse，likeanarrowfallingtoearth，andfled。

Aflashoflightningwouldhavevanishedlessquickly。

"NombrillofthePope！"saidthecaptain，causingQuasimodo’sstrapstobedrawntighter，"Ishouldhavepreferredtokeepthewench。"

"Whatwouldyouhave，captain？"saidonegendarme。"Thewarblerhasfled，andthebatremains。"

CHAPTERV。

RESULTOFTHEDANGERS。

Gringoire，thoroughlystunnedbyhisfall，remainedonthepavementinfrontoftheHolyVirginatthestreetcorner。

Littlebylittle，heregainedhissenses；atfirst，forseveralminutes，hewasfloatinginasortofhalf-somnolentrevery，whichwasnotwithoutitscharm，inwhichaerielfiguresofthegypsyandhergoatwerecoupledwithQuasimodo’sheavyfist。Thisstatelastedbutashorttime。Adecidedlyvividsensationofcoldinthepartofhisbodywhichwasincontactwiththepavement，suddenlyarousedhimandcausedhisspirittoreturntothesurface。

"Whencecomesthischill？"hesaidabruptly，tohimself。

Hethenperceivedthathewaslyinghalfinthemiddleofthegutter。

"Thatdevilofahunchbackedcyclops！"hemutteredbetweenhisteeth；andhetriedtorise。Buthewastoomuchdazedandbruised；hewasforcedtoremainwherehewas。

Moreover，hishandwastolerablyfree；hestoppeduphisnoseandresignedhimself。

"ThemudofParis，"hesaidtohimself——fordecidedlyhethoughtthathewassurethatthegutterwouldprovehisrefugeforthenight；andwhatcanonedoinarefuge，exceptdream？——"themudofParisisparticularlystinking；itmustcontainagreatdealofvolatileandnitricsalts。That，moreover，istheopinionofMasterNicholasFlamel，andofthealchemists——"

Theword"alchemists"suddenlysuggestedtohismindtheideaofArchdeaconClaudeFrollo。Herecalledtheviolentscenewhichhehadjustwitnessedinpart；thatthegypsywasstrugglingwithtwomen，thatQuasimodohadacompanion；

andthemoroseandhaughtyfaceofthearchdeaconpassedconfusedlythroughhismemory。"Thatwouldbestrange！"

hesaidtohimself。Andonthatfactandthatbasishebegantoconstructafantasticedificeofhypothesis，thatcard-castleofphilosophers；then，suddenlyreturningoncemoretoreality，"Come！I’mfreezing！"heejaculated。

Theplacewas，infact，becominglessandlesstenable。

EachmoleculeofthegutterboreawayamoleculeofheatradiatingfromGringoire’sloins，andtheequilibriumbetweenthetemperatureofhisbodyandthetemperatureofthebrook，begantobeestablishedinroughfashion。

Quiteadifferentannoyancesuddenlyassailedhim。Agroupofchildren，thoselittlebare-footedsavageswhohavealwaysroamedthepavementsofParisundertheeternalnameof~gamins~，andwho，whenwewerealsochildrenourselves，threwstonesatallofusintheafternoon，whenwecameoutofschool，becauseourtrouserswerenottorn——aswarmoftheseyoungscampsrushedtowardsthesquarewhereGringoirelay，withshoutsandlaughterwhichseemedtopaybutlittleheedtothesleepoftheneighbors。Theyweredraggingafterthemsomesortofhideoussack；andthenoiseoftheirwoodenshoesalonewouldhaverousedthedead。Gringoirewhowasnotquitedeadyet，halfraisedhimself。

"Ohé，HennequinDandéche！Ohè，JehanPincebourde！"

theyshoutedindeafeningtones，"oldEustacheMoubon，themerchantatthecorner，hasjustdied。We’vegothisstrawpallet，we’regoingtohaveabonfireoutofit。It’stheturnoftheFlemishto-day！"

Andbehold，theyflungthepalletdirectlyuponGringoire，besidewhomtheyhadarrived，withoutespyinghim。Atthesametime，oneofthemtookahandfulofstrawandsetofftolightitatthewickofthegoodVirgin。

"S’death！"growledGringoire，"amIgoingtobetoowarmnow？"

Itwasacriticalmoment。Hewascaughtbetweenfireandwater；hemadeasuperhumaneffort，theeffortofacounterfeiterofmoneywhoisonthepointofbeingboiled，andwhoseekstoescape。Herosetohisfeet，flungasidethestrawpalletuponthestreeturchins，andfled。

"HolyVirgin！"shriekedthechildren；"’tisthemerchant’sghost！"

Andtheyfledintheirturn。

Thestrawmattressremainedmasterofthefield。Belleforet，FatherLeJuge，andCorrozetaffirmthatitwaspickeduponthemorrow，withgreatpomp，bytheclergyofthequarter，andbornetothetreasuryofthechurchofSaintOpportune，wherethesacristan，evenaslateas1789，earnedatolerablyhandsomerevenueoutofthegreatmiracleoftheStatueoftheVirginatthecorneroftheRueMauconseil，whichhad，byitsmerepresence，onthememorablenightbetweenthesixthandseventhofJanuary，1482，exorcisedthedefunctEustacheMoubon，who，inordertoplayatrickonthedevil，hadathisdeathmaliciouslyconcealedhissoulinhisstrawpallet。

CHAPTERVI。

THEBROKENJUG。

Afterhavingrunforsometimeatthetopofhisspeed，withoutknowingwhither，knockinghisheadagainstmanyastreetcorner，leapingmanyagutter，traversingmanyanalley，manyacourt，manyasquare，seekingflightandpassagethroughallthemeanderingsoftheancientpassagesoftheHalles，exploringinhispanicterrorwhatthefineLatinofthemapscalls~totavia，cheminumetviaria~，ourpoetsuddenlyhaltedforlackofbreathinthefirstplace，andinthesecond，becausehehadbeencollared，afterafashion，byadilemmawhichhadjustoccurredtohismind。"Itstrikesme，MasterPierreGringoire，"hesaidtohimself，placinghisfingertohisbrow，"thatyouarerunninglikeamadman。Thelittlescampsarenolessafraidofyouthanyouareofthem。Itstrikesme，Isay，thatyouheardtheclatteroftheirwoodenshoesfleeingsouthward，whileyouwerefleeingnorthward。Now，oneoftwothings，eithertheyhavetakenflight，andthepallet，whichtheymusthaveforgottenintheirterror，ispreciselythathospitablebedinsearchofwhichyouhavebeenrunningeversincemorning，andwhichmadametheVirginmiraculouslysendsyou，inordertorecompenseyouforhavingmadeamoralityinherhonor，accompaniedbytriumphsandmummeries；orthechildrenhavenottakenflight，andinthatcasetheyhaveputthebrandtothepallet，andthatispreciselythegoodfirewhichyouneedtocheer，dry，andwarmyou。Ineithercase，goodfireorgoodbed，thatstrawpalletisagiftfromheaven。TheblessedVirginMariewhostandsatthecorneroftheRueMauconseil，couldonlyhavemadeEustacheMoubondieforthatexpresspurpose；anditisfollyonyourparttofleethuszigzag，likeaPicardbeforeaFrenchman，leavingbehindyouwhatyouseekbeforeyou；

andyouareafool！"

Thenheretracedhissteps，andfeelinghiswayandsearching，withhisnosetothewindandhisearsonthealert，hetriedtofindtheblessedpalletagain，butinvain。Therewasnothingtobefoundbutintersectionsofhouses，closedcourts，andcrossingsofstreets，inthemidstofwhichhehesitatedanddoubtedincessantly，beingmoreperplexedandentangledinthismedleyofstreetsthanhewouldhavebeeneveninthelabyrinthoftheH？teldesTournelles。Atlengthhelostpatience，andexclaimedsolemnly:"Cursedbecrossroads！

’tisthedevilwhohasmadethemintheshapeofhispitchfork！"

Thisexclamationaffordedhimalittlesolace，andasortofreddishreflectionwhichhecaughtsightofatthatmoment，attheextremityofalongandnarrowlane，completedtheelevationofhismoraltone。"Godbepraised！"saidhe，"Thereitisyonder！Thereismypalletburning。"Andcomparinghimselftothepilotwhosuffersshipwreckbynight，"~Salve~，"

headdedpiously，"~salve，marisstella~！"

DidheaddressthisfragmentoflitanytotheHolyVirgin，ortothepallet？Weareutterlyunabletosay。

Hehadtakenbutafewstepsinthelongstreet，whichslopeddownwards，wasunpaved，andmoreandmoremuddyandsteep，whenhenoticedaverysingularthing。Itwasnotdeserted；hereandtherealongitsextentcrawledcertainvagueandformlessmasses，alldirectingtheircoursetowardsthelightwhichflickeredattheendofthestreet，likethoseheavyinsectswhichdragalongbynight，frombladetobladeofgrass，towardstheshepherd’sfire。

Nothingrendersonesoadventurousasnotbeingabletofeeltheplacewhereone’spocketissituated。Gringoirecontinuedtoadvance，andhadsoonjoinedthatoneoftheformswhichdraggedalongmostindolently，behindtheothers。Ondrawingnear，heperceivedthatitwasnothingelsethanawretchedleglesscrippleinabowl，whowashoppingalongonhistwohandslikeawoundedfield-spiderwhichhasbuttwolegsleft。Atthemomentwhenhepassedclosetothisspeciesofspiderwithahumancountenance，itraisedtowardshimalamentablevoice:"~Labuonamancia，signor！labuonamancia~！"*

*Alms。

"Deucetakeyou，"saidGringoire，"andmewithyou，ifI

knowwhatyoumean！"

Andhepassedon。

Heovertookanotheroftheseitinerantmasses，andexaminedit。Itwasanimpotentman，bothhaltandcrippled，andhaltandcrippledtosuchadegreethatthecomplicatedsystemofcrutchesandwoodenlegswhichsustainedhim，gavehimtheairofamason’sscaffoldingonthemarch。Gringoire，wholikednobleandclassicalcomparisons，comparedhiminthoughttothelivingtripodofVulcan。

Thislivingtripodsalutedhimashepassed，butstoppinghishatonalevelwithGringoire’schin，likeashavingdish，whileheshoutedinthelatter’sears:"~Senorcabellero，paracomprarunpedasodepan~！"*

*Givemethemeanstobuyabitofbread，sir。

"Itappears，"saidGringoire，"thatthisonecanalsotalk；

but’tisarudelanguage，andheismorefortunatethanIifheunderstandsit。"Then，smitinghisbrow，inasuddentransitionofideas:"Bytheway，whatthedeucedidtheymeanthismorningwiththeirEsmeralda？"

Hewasmindedtoaugmenthispace，butforthethirdtimesomethingbarredhisway。Thissomethingor，rather，someonewasablindman，alittleblindfellowwithabearded，Jewishface，who，rowingawayinthespaceabouthimwithastick，andtowedbyalargedog，dronedthroughhisnosewithaHungarianaccent:"~Facitotecaritatem~！"

"Well，now，"saidGringoire，"here’soneatlastwhospeaksaChristiantongue。Imusthaveaverycharitableaspect，sincetheyaskalmsofmeinthepresentleanconditionofmypurse。Myfriend，"andheturnedtowardstheblindman，"Isoldmylastshirtlastweek；thatistosay，sinceyouunderstandonlythelanguageofCicero:~Vendidihebdomadenupertransitameamultimamchemisan~。"

Thatsaid，heturnedhisbackupontheblindman，andpursuedhisway。Buttheblindmanbegantoincreasehisstrideatthesametime；and，behold！thecrippleandtheleglessman，inhisbowl，cameupontheirsideingreathaste，andwithgreatclamorofbowlandcrutches，uponthepavement。

Thenallthree，jostlingeachotheratpoorGringoire’sheels，begantosingtheirsongtohim，——

"~Caritatem~！"chantedtheblindman。

"~Labuonamancia~！"chantedthecrippleinthebowl。

Andthelamemantookupthemusicalphrasebyrepeating:

"~Unpedasodepan~！"

Gringoirestoppeduphisears。"Oh，towerofBabel！"heexclaimed。

Hesetouttorun。Theblindmanran！Thelamemanran！Thecrippleinthebowlran！

Andthen，inproportionasheplungeddeeperintothestreet，cripplesinbowls，blindmenandlamemen，swarmedabouthim，andmenwithonearm，andwithoneeye，andtheleprouswiththeirsores，someemergingfromlittlestreetsadjacent，somefromtheair-holesofcellars，howling，bellowing，yelping，alllimpingandhalting，allflingingthemselvestowardsthelight，andhumpedupinthemire，likesnailsafterashower。

Gringoire，stillfollowedbyhisthreepersecutors，andnotknowingverywellwhatwastobecomeofhim，marchedalonginterroramongthem，turningoutforthelame，steppingoverthecripplesinbowls，withhisfeetimbeddedinthatant-hilloflamemen，liketheEnglishcaptainwhogotcaughtinthequicksandofaswarmofcrabs。

Theideaoccurredtohimofmakinganefforttoretracehissteps。Butitwastoolate。Thiswholelegionhadclosedinbehindhim，andhisthreebeggarsheldhimfast。Soheproceeded，impelledbothbythisirresistibleflood，byfear，andbyavertigowhichconvertedallthisintoasortofhorribledream。

Atlasthereachedtheendofthestreet。Itopeneduponanimmenseplace，whereathousandscatteredlightsflickeredintheconfusedmistsofnight。Gringoireflewthither，hopingtoescape，bytheswiftnessofhislegs，fromthethreeinfirmspectreswhohadclutchedhim。

"~Ondevas，hombre~？"(Whereareyougoing，myman？)

criedthecripple，flingingawayhiscrutches，andrunningafterhimwiththebestlegsthatevertracedageometricalstepuponthepavementsofParis。

Inthemeantimetheleglessman，erectuponhisfeet，crownedGringoirewithhisheavyironbowl，andtheblindmanglaredinhisfacewithflamingeyes！

"WhereamI？"saidtheterrifiedpoet。

"IntheCourtofMiracles，"repliedafourthspectre，whohadaccostedthem。

"Uponmysoul，"resumedGringoire，"Icertainlydobeholdtheblindwhosee，andthelamewhowalk，butwhereistheSaviour？"

Theyrepliedbyaburstofsinisterlaughter。

Thepoorpoetcasthiseyesabouthim。Itwas，intruth，thatredoubtableCourdesMiracles，whitheranhonestmanhadneverpenetratedatsuchanhour；themagiccirclewheretheofficersoftheChateletandthesergeantsoftheprovostship，whoventuredthither，disappearedinmorsels；acityofthieves，ahideouswartonthefaceofParis；asewer，fromwhichescapedeverymorning，andwhitherreturnedeverynighttocrouch，thatstreamofvices，ofmendicancyandvagabondagewhichalwaysoverflowsinthestreetsofcapitals；

amonstroushive，towhichreturnedatnightfall，withtheirbooty，allthedronesofthesocialorder；alyinghospitalwherethebohemian，thedisfrockedmonk，theruinedscholar，thene’er-do-wellsofallnations，Spaniards，Italians，Germans，——ofallreligions，Jews，Christians，Mahometans，idolaters，coveredwithpaintedsores，beggarsbyday，weretransformedbynightintobrigands；animmensedressing-room，inaword，where，atthatepoch，theactorsofthateternalcomedy，whichtheft，prostitution，andmurderplayuponthepavementsofParis，dressedandundressed。

Itwasavastplace，irregularandbadlypaved，likeallthesquaresofParisatthatdate。Fires，aroundwhichswarmedstrangegroups，blazedhereandthere。Everyonewasgoing，coming，andshouting。Shrilllaughterwastobeheard，thewailingofchildren，thevoicesofwomen。Thehandsandheadsofthisthrong，blackagainsttheluminousbackground，outlinedagainstitathousandeccentricgestures。Attimes，upontheground，wheretrembledthelightofthefires，mingledwithlarge，indefiniteshadows，onecouldbeholdadogpassing，whichresembledaman，amanwhoresembledadog。

Thelimitsofracesandspeciesseemedeffacedinthiscity，asinapandemonium。Men，women，beasts，age，sex，health，maladies，allseemedtobeincommonamongthesepeople；

allwenttogether，theymingled，confounded，superposed；

eachonethereparticipatedinall。

ThepoorandflickeringflamesofthefirepermittedGringoiretodistinguish，amidhistrouble，allaroundtheimmenseplace，ahideousframeofancienthouses，whosewormeaten，shrivelled，stuntedfa？ades，eachpiercedwithoneortwolightedatticwindows，seemedtohim，inthedarkness，likeenormousheadsofoldwomen，rangedinacircle，monstrousandcrabbed，winkingastheylookedonattheWitches’Sabbath。

Itwaslikeanewworld，unknown，unheardof，misshapen，creeping，swarming，fantastic。

Gringoire，moreandmoreterrified，clutchedbythethreebeggarsasbythreepairsoftongs，dazedbyathrongofotherfaceswhichfrothedandyelpedaroundhim，unhappyGringoireendeavoredtosummonhispresenceofmind，inordertorecallwhetheritwasaSaturday。Buthiseffortswerevain；thethreadofhismemoryandofhisthoughtwasbroken；and，doubtingeverything，waveringbetweenwhathesawandwhathefelt，heputtohimselfthisunanswerablequestion，——

"IfIexist，doesthisexist？ifthisexists，doIexist？"

Atthatmoment，adistinctcryaroseinthebuzzingthrongwhichsurroundedhim，"Let’stakehimtotheking！let’stakehimtotheking！"

"HolyVirgin！"murmuredGringoire，"thekingheremustbearam。"

"Totheking！totheking！"repeatedallvoices。

Theydraggedhimoff。Eachviedwiththeotherinlayinghisclawsuponhim。Butthethreebeggarsdidnotloosetheirholdandtorehimfromtherest，howling，"Hebelongstous！"

Thepoet’salreadysicklydoubletyieldeditslastsighinthisstruggle。

Whiletraversingthehorribleplace，hisvertigovanished。

Aftertakingafewsteps，thesentimentofrealityreturnedtohim。Hebegantobecomeaccustomedtotheatmosphereoftheplace。Atthefirstmomenttherehadarisenfromhispoet’shead，or，simplyandprosaically，fromhisemptystomach，amist，avapor，sotospeak，which，spreadingbetweenobjectsandhimself，permittedhimtocatchaglimpseofthemonlyintheincoherentfogofnightmare，——inthoseshadowsofdreamswhichdistorteveryoutline，agglomeratingobjectsintounwieldygroups，dilatingthingsintochimeras，andmenintophantoms。Littlebylittle，thishallucinationwassucceededbyalessbewilderedandexaggeratingview。

Realitymadeitswaytothelightaroundhim，struckhiseyes，struckhisfeet，anddemolished，bitbybit，allthatfrightfulpoetrywithwhichhehad，atfirst，believedhimselftobesurrounded。HewasforcedtoperceivethathewasnotwalkingintheStyx，butinmud，thathewaselbowednotbydemons，butbythieves；thatitwasnothissoulwhichwasinquestion，buthislife(sincehelackedthatpreciousconciliator，whichplacesitselfsoeffectuallybetweenthebanditandthehonestman——apurse)。Inshort，onexaminingtheorgymoreclosely，andwithmorecoolness，hefellfromthewitches’sabbathtothedram-shop。

TheCourdesMiracleswas，infact，merelyadram-shop；

butabrigand’sdram-shop，reddenedquiteasmuchwithbloodaswithwine。

Thespectaclewhichpresenteditselftohiseyes，whenhisraggedescortfinallydepositedhimattheendofhistrip，wasnotfittedtobearhimbacktopoetry，eventothepoetryofhell。Itwasmorethanevertheprosaicandbrutalrealityofthetavern。Werewenotinthefifteenthcentury，wewouldsaythatGringoirehaddescendedfromMichaelAngelotoCallot。

Aroundagreatfirewhichburnedonalarge，circularflagstone，theflamesofwhichhadheatedred-hotthelegsofatripod，whichwasemptyforthemoment，somewormeatentableswereplaced，hereandthere，haphazard，nolackeyofageometricalturnhavingdeignedtoadjusttheirparallelism，ortoseetoitthattheydidnotmaketoounusualangles。

Uponthesetablesgleamedseveraldrippingpotsofwineandbeer，androundthesepotsweregroupedmanybacchicvisages，purplewiththefireandthewine。Therewasamanwithahugebellyandajovialface，noisilykissingawomanofthetown，thicksetandbrawny。Therewasasortofshamsoldier，a"naquois，"astheslangexpressionruns，whowaswhistlingasheundidthebandagesfromhisfictitiouswound，andremovingthenumbnessfromhissoundandvigorousknee，whichhadbeenswathedsincemorninginathousandligatures。Ontheotherhand，therewasawretchedfellow，preparingwithcelandineandbeef’sblood，his"legofGod，"

forthenextday。Twotablesfurtheron，apalmer，withhispilgrim’scostumecomplete，waspractisingthelamentoftheHolyQueen，notforgettingthedroneandthenasaldrawl。

Furtheron，ayoungscampwastakingalessoninepilepsyfromanoldpretender，whowasinstructinghimintheartoffoamingatthemouth，bychewingamorselofsoap。Besidehim，amanwiththedropsywasgettingridofhisswelling，andmakingfourorfivefemalethieves，whoweredisputingatthesametable，overachildwhohadbeenstolenthatevening，holdtheirnoses。Allcircumstanceswhich，twocenturieslater，"seemedsoridiculoustothecourt，"asSauvalsays，"thattheyservedasapastimetotheking，andasanintroductiontotheroyalballetofNight，dividedintofourpartsanddancedonthetheatreofthePetit-Bourbon。""Never，"

addsaneyewitnessof1653，"havethesuddenmetamorphosesoftheCourtofMiraclesbeenmorehappilypresented。

Benseradepreparedusforitbysomeverygallantverses。"

Loudlaughtereverywhere，andobscenesongs。Eachoneheldhisowncourse，carpingandswearing，withoutlisteningtohisneighbor。Potsclinked，andquarrelssprangupattheshockofthepots，andthebrokenpotsmaderentsintherags。

Abigdog，seatedonhistail，gazedatthefire。Somechildrenweremingledinthisorgy。Thestolenchildweptandcried。Another，abigboyfouryearsofage，seatedwithlegsdangling，uponabenchthatwastoohighforhim，beforeatablethatreachedtohischin，andutteringnotaword。A

third，gravelyspreadingoutuponthetablewithhisfinger，themeltedtallowwhichdrippedfromacandle。Lastofall，alittlefellowcrouchinginthemud，almostlostinacauldron，whichhewasscrapingwithatile，andfromwhichhewasevokingasoundthatwouldhavemadeStradivariusswoon。

Nearthefirewasahogshead，andonthehogsheadabeggar。

Thiswasthekingonhisthrone。

ThethreewhohadGringoireintheirclutchesledhiminfrontofthishogshead，andtheentirebacchanalroutfellsilentforamoment，withtheexceptionofthecauldroninhabitedbythechild。

Gringoiredaredneitherbreathenorraisehiseyes。

"~Hombre，quitatusombrero~！"saidoneofthethreeknaves，inwhosegrasphewas，and，beforehehadcomprehendedthemeaning，theotherhadsnatchedhishat——awretchedheadgear，itistrue，butstillgoodonasunnydayorwhentherewasbutlittlerain。Gringoiresighed。

Meanwhilethekingaddressedhim，fromthesummitofhiscask，——

"Whoisthisrogue？"

Gringoireshuddered。Thatvoice，althoughaccentuatedbymenace，recalledtohimanothervoice，which，thatverymorning，haddealtthedeathblowtohismystery，bydrawling，nasally，inthemidstoftheaudience，"Charity，please！"

Heraisedhishead。ItwasindeedClopinTrouillefou。

ClopinTrouillefou，arrayedinhisroyalinsignia，woreneitheroneragmorenoroneragless。Thesoreuponhisarmhadalreadydisappeared。Heheldinhishandoneofthosewhipsmadeofthongsofwhiteleather，whichpolicesergeantsthenusedtorepressthecrowd，andwhichwerecalled~boullayes~。Onhisheadheworeasortofheadgear，boundroundandclosedatthetop。Butitwasdifficulttomakeoutwhetheritwasachild’scaporaking’scrown，thetwothingsboresostrongaresemblancetoeachother。

MeanwhileGringoire，withoutknowingwhy，hadregainedsomehope，onrecognizingintheKingoftheCourdesMiracleshisaccursedmendicantoftheGrandHall。

"Master，"stammeredhe；"monseigneur——sire——howoughtItoaddressyou？"hesaidatlength，havingreachedtheculminatingpointofhiscrescendo，andknowingneitherhowtomounthigher，nortodescendagain。

"Monseigneur，hismajesty，orcomrade，callmewhatyouplease。Butmakehaste。Whathaveyoutosayinyourowndefence？"

"Inyourowndefence？"thoughtGringoire，"thatdispleasesme。"Heresumed，stuttering，"Iamhe，whothismorning——"

"Bythedevil’sclaws！"interruptedClopin，"yourname，knave，andnothingmore。Listen。Youareinthepresenceofthreepowerfulsovereigns:myself，ClopinTrouillefou，KingofThunes，successortotheGrandCo？sre，supremesuzerainoftheRealmofArgot；MathiasHunyadiSpicali，DukeofEgyptandofBohemia，theoldyellowfellowwhomyouseeyonder，withadishcloutroundhishead；GuillaumeRousseau，EmperorofGalilee，thatfatfellowwhoisnotlisteningtousbutcaressingawench。Weareyourjudges。

YouhaveenteredtheKingdomofArgot，withoutbeingan~argotier~；youhaveviolatedtheprivilegesofourcity。Youmustbepunishedunlessyouarea~capon~，a~franc-mitou~ora~rifodé~；thatistosay，intheslangofhonestfolks，——athief，abeggar，oravagabond。Areyouanythingofthatsort？

Justifyyourself；announceyourtitles。"

"Alas！"saidGringoire，"Ihavenotthathonor。Iamtheauthor——"

"Thatissufficient，"resumedTrouillefou，withoutpermittinghimtofinish。"Youaregoingtobehanged。’Tisaverysimplematter，gentlemenandhonestbourgeois！asyoutreatourpeopleinyourabode，sowetreatyouinours！Thelawwhichyouapplytovagabonds，vagabondsapplytoyou。

’Tisyourfaultifitisharsh。Onereallymustbeholdthegrimaceofanhonestmanabovethehempencollarnowandthen；thatrendersthethinghonorable。Come，friend，divideyourragsgaylyamongthesedamsels。Iamgoingtohaveyouhangedtoamusethevagabonds，andyouaretogivethemyourpursetodrinkyourhealth。Ifyouhaveanymummerytogothroughwith，there’saverygoodGodtheFatherinthatmortaryonder，instone，whichwestolefromSaint-PierreauxBoeufs。Youhavefourminutesinwhichtoflingyoursoulathishead。"

Theharanguewasformidable。

"Wellsaid，uponmysoul！ClopinTrouillefoupreachesliketheHolyFatherthePope！"exclaimedtheEmperorofGalilee，smashinghispotinordertopropuphistable。

"Messeigneurs，emperors，andkings，"saidGringoirecoolly(forIknownothow，firmnesshadreturnedtohim，andhespokewithresolution)，"don’tthinkofsuchathing；mynameisPierreGringoire。IamthepoetwhosemoralitywaspresentedthismorninginthegrandhalloftheCourts。"

"Ah！soitwasyou，master！"saidClopin。"Iwasthere，~xêteDieu~！Well！comrade，isthatanyreason，becauseyouboredustodeaththismorning，thatyoushouldnotbehungthisevening？"

"Ishallfinddifficultyingettingoutofit，"saidGringoiretohimself。Nevertheless，hemadeonemoreeffort:"Idon’tseewhypoetsarenotclassedwithvagabonds，"saidhe。

"Vagabond，Aesopuscertainlywas；Homeruswasabeggar；

Mercuriuswasathief——"

Clopininterruptedhim:"Ibelievethatyouaretryingtoblarneyuswithyourjargon。Zounds！letyourselfbehung，anddon’tkickupsucharowoverit！"

"Pardonme，monseigneur，theKingofThunes，"repliedGringoire，disputingthegroundfootbyfoot。"Itisworthtrouble——Onemoment！——Listentome——Youarenotgoingtocondemnmewithouthavingheardme"——

Hisunluckyvoicewas，infact，drownedintheuproarwhichrosearoundhim。Thelittleboyscrapedawayathiscauldronwithmorespiritthanever；and，tocrownall，anoldwomanhadjustplacedonthetripodafrying-panofgrease，whichhissedawayonthefirewithanoisesimilartothecryofatroopofchildreninpursuitofamasker。

Inthemeantime，ClopinTrouillefouappearedtoholdamomentaryconferencewiththeDukeofEgypt，andtheEmperorofGalilee，whowascompletelydrunk。Thenheshoutedshrilly:"Silence！"and，asthecauldronandthefrying-pandidnotheedhim，andcontinuedtheirduet，hejumpeddownfromhishogshead，gaveakicktotheboiler，whichrolledtenpacesawaybearingthechildwithit，akicktothefrying-pan，whichupsetinthefirewithallitsgrease，andgravelyremountedhisthrone，withouttroublinghimselfaboutthestifledtearsofthechild，orthegrumblingoftheoldwoman，whosesupperwaswastingawayinafinewhiteflame。

Trouillefoumadeasign，andtheduke，theemperor，andthepassedmastersofpickpockets，andtheisolatedrobbers，cameandrangedthemselvesaroundhiminahorseshoe，ofwhichGringoire，stillroughlyheldbythebody，formedthecentre。Itwasasemicircleofrags，tatters，tinsel，pitchforks，axes，legsstaggeringwithintoxication，huge，barearms，facessordid，dull，andstupid。InthemidstofthisRoundTableofbeggary，ClopinTrouillefou，——asthedogeofthissenate，asthekingofthispeerage，asthepopeofthisconclave，——

dominated；firstbyvirtueoftheheightofhishogshead，andnextbyvirtueofanindescribable，haughty，fierce，andformidableair，whichcausedhiseyestoflash，andcorrectedinhissavageprofilethebestialtypeoftheraceofvagabonds。Onewouldhavepronouncedhimaboaramidaherdofswine。

"Listen，"saidhetoGringoire，fondlinghismisshapenchinwithhishornyhand；"Idon’tseewhyyoushouldnotbehung。Itistruethatitappearstoberepugnanttoyou；anditisverynatural，foryoubourgeoisarenotaccustomedtoit。

Youformforyourselvesagreatideaofthething。Afterall，wedon’twishyouanyharm。Hereisameansofextricatingyourselffromyourpredicamentforthemoment。Willyoubecomeoneofus？"

ThereadercanjudgeoftheeffectwhichthispropositionproduceduponGringoire，whobeheldlifeslippingawayfromhim，andwhowasbeginningtolosehisholduponit。Heclutchedatitagainwithenergy。

"CertainlyIwill，andrightheartily，"saidhe。

"Doyouconsent，"resumedClopin，"toenrollyourselfamongthepeopleoftheknife？"

"Oftheknife，precisely，"respondedGringoire。

"Yourecognizeyourselfasamemberofthefreebourgeoisie？"*

addedtheKingofThunes。

*Ahigh-tonedsharper。

"Ofthefreebourgeoisie。"

"SubjectoftheKingdomofArgot？"

"OftheKingdomofArgot*。"

*Thieves。

"Avagabond？"

"Avagabond。"

"Inyoursoul？"

"Inmysoul。"

"Imustcallyourattentiontothefact，"continuedtheking，"thatyouwillbehungallthesame。"

"Thedevil！"saidthepoet。

"Only，"continuedClopinimperturbably，"youwillbehunglateron，withmoreceremony，attheexpenseofthegoodcityofParis，onahandsomestonegibbet，andbyhonestmen。

Thatisaconsolation。"

"Justso，"respondedGringoire。

"Thereareotheradvantages。Inyourqualityofahigh-tonedsharper，youwillnothavetopaythetaxesonmud，orthepoor，orlanterns，towhichthebourgeoisofParisaresubject。"

"Sobeit，"saidthepoet。"Iagree。Iamavagabond，athief，asharper，amanoftheknife，anythingyouplease；andIamallthatalready，monsieur，KingofThunes，forIamaphilosopher；~etomniainphilosophia，omnesinphilosophocontinentur~，——allthingsarecontainedinphilosophy，allmeninthephilosopher，asyouknow。"

TheKingofThunesscowled。

"Whatdoyoutakemefor，myfriend？WhatHungarianJewpatterareyoujabberingatus？Idon’tknowHebrew。

Oneisn’taJewbecauseoneisabandit。Idon’tevenstealanylonger。I’mabovethat；Ikill。Cut-throat，yes；

cutpurse，no。"

Gringoiretriedtoslipinsomeexcusebetweenthesecurtwords，whichwrathrenderedmoreandmorejerky。

"Iaskyourpardon，monseigneur。ItisnotHebrew；’tisLatin。"

"Itellyou，"resumedClopinangrily，"thatI’mnotaJew，andthatI’llhaveyouhung，bellyofthesynagogue，likethatlittleshopkeeperofJudea，whoisbyyourside，andwhomI

entertainstronghopesofseeingnailedtoacounteroneofthesedays，likethecounterfeitcointhatheis！"

Sosaying，hepointedhisfingeratthelittle，beardedHungarianJewwhohadaccostedGringoirewithhis~facitotecaritatem~，andwho，understandingnootherlanguagebeheldwithsurprisetheKingofThunes’sill-humoroverflowuponhim。

AtlengthMonsieurClopincalmeddown。

"Soyouwillbeavagabond，youknave？"hesaidtoourpoet。

"Ofcourse，"repliedthepoet。

"Willingisnotall，"saidthesurlyClopin；"goodwilldoesn’tputoneonionthemoreintothesoup，and’tisgoodfornothingexcepttogotoParadisewith；now，Paradiseandthethieves’bandaretwodifferentthings。Inordertobereceivedamongthethieves，*youmustprovethatyouaregoodforsomething，andforthatpurpose，youmustsearchthemanikin。"

*L’argot。

"I’llsearchanythingyoulike，"saidGringoire。

Clopinmadeasign。Severalthievesdetachedthemselvesfromthecircle，andreturnedamomentlater。Theybroughttwothickposts，terminatedattheirlowerextremitiesinspreadingtimbersupports，whichmadethemstandreadilyupontheground；totheupperextremityofthetwopoststheyfittedacross-beam，andthewholeconstitutedaveryprettyportablegibbet，whichGringoirehadthesatisfactionofbeholdingrisebeforehim，inatwinkling。Nothingwaslacking，noteventherope，whichswunggracefullyoverthecross-beam。

"Whataretheygoingtodo？"Gringoireaskedhimselfwithsomeuneasiness。Asoundofbells，whichheheardatthatmoment，putanendtohisanxiety；itwasastuffedmanikin，whichthevagabondsweresuspendingbytheneckfromtherope，asortofscarecrowdressedinred，andsohungwithmule-bellsandlargerbells，thatonemighthavetrickedoutthirtyCastilianmuleswiththem。Thesethousandtinybellsquiveredforsometimewiththevibrationoftherope，thengraduallydiedaway，andfinallybecamesilentwhenthemanikinhadbeenbroughtintoastateofimmobilitybythatlawofthependulumwhichhasdethronedthewaterclockandthehour-glass。

ThenClopin，pointingouttoGringoirearicketyoldstoolplacedbeneaththemanikin，——

"Climbupthere。"

"Deathofthedevil！"objectedGringoire；"Ishallbreakmyneck。YourstoollimpslikeoneofMartial’sdistiches；

ithasonehexameterlegandonepentameterleg。"

"Climb！"repeatedClopin。

Gringoiremountedthestool，andsucceeded，notwithoutsomeoscillationsofheadandarms，inregaininghiscentreofgravity。

"Now，"wentontheKingofThunes，"twistyourrightfootroundyourleftleg，andriseonthetipofyourleftfoot。"

"Monseigneur，"saidGringoire，"soyouabsolutelyinsistonmybreakingsomeoneofmylimbs？"

Clopintossedhishead。

"Harkye，myfriend，youtalktoomuch。Here’sthegistofthematterintwowords:youaretoriseontiptoe，asI

tellyou；inthatwayyouwillbeabletoreachthepocketofthemanikin，youwillrummageit，youwillpulloutthepursethatisthere，——andifyoudoallthiswithoutourhearingthesoundofabell，alliswell:youshallbeavagabond。

Allweshallthenhavetodo，willbetothrashyousoundlyforthespaceofaweek。"

"~Ventre-Dieu~！Iwillbecareful，"saidGringoire。"AndsupposeIdomakethebellssound？"

"Thenyouwillbehanged。Doyouunderstand？"

"Idon’tunderstandatall，"repliedGringoire。

"Listen，oncemore。Youaretosearchthemanikin，andtakeawayitspurse；ifasinglebellstirsduringtheoperation，youwillbehung。Doyouunderstandthat？"

"Good，"saidGringoire；"Iunderstandthat。Andthen？"

"Ifyousucceedinremovingthepursewithoutourhearingthebells，youareavagabond，andyouwillbethrashedforeightconsecutivedays。Youunderstandnow，nodoubt？"

"No，monseigneur；Inolongerunderstand。Whereistheadvantagetome？hangedinonecase，cudgelledintheother？"

"Andavagabond，"resumedClopin，"andavagabond；isthatnothing？Itisforyourinterestthatweshouldbeatyou，inordertohardenyoutoblows。"

"Manythanks，"repliedthepoet。

"Come，makehaste，"saidtheking，stampinguponhiscask，whichresoundedlikeahugedrum！Searchthemanikin，andlettherebeanendtothis！Iwarnyouforthelasttime，thatifIhearasinglebell，youwilltaketheplaceofthemanikin。"

ThebandofthievesapplaudedClopin’swords，andarrangedthemselvesinacircleroundthegibbet，withalaughsopitilessthatGringoireperceivedthatheamusedthemtoomuchnottohaveeverythingtofearfromthem。Nohopewasleftforhim，accordingly，unlessitweretheslightchanceofsucceedingintheformidableoperationwhichwasimposeduponhim；hedecidedtoriskit，butitwasnotwithoutfirsthavingaddressedaferventprayertothemanikinhewasabouttoplunder，andwhowouldhavebeeneasiertomovetopitythanthevagabonds。Thesemyriadbells，withtheirlittlecoppertongues，seemedtohimlikethemouthsofsomanyasps，openandreadytostingandtohiss。

"Oh！"hesaid，inaverylowvoice，"isitpossiblethatmylifedependsontheslightestvibrationoftheleastofthesebells？Oh！"headded，withclaspedhands，"bells，donotring，hand-bellsdonotclang，mule-bellsdonotquiver！"

HemadeonemoreattemptuponTrouillefou。

"Andifthereshouldcomeagustofwind？"

"Youwillbehanged，"repliedtheother，withouthesitation。

Perceivingthatnorespite，norreprieve，norsubterfugewaspossible，hebravelydecideduponhiscourseofaction；hewoundhisrightfootroundhisleftleg，raisedhimselfonhisleftfoot，andstretchedouthisarm:butatthemomentwhenhishandtouchedthemanikin，hisbody，whichwasnowsupportedupononelegonly，waveredonthestoolwhichhadbutthree；hemadeaninvoluntaryefforttosupporthimselfbythemanikin，losthisbalance，andfellheavilytotheground，deafenedbythefatalvibrationofthethousandbellsofthemanikin，which，yieldingtotheimpulseimpartedbyhishand，describedfirstarotarymotion，andthenswayedmajesticallybetweenthetwoposts。

"Malediction！"hecriedashefell，andremainedasthoughdead，withhisfacetotheearth。