This etext was produced by David Widger <widger@cecomet.net>
[NOTE: There is a short list of bookmarks, or pointers, at the end of thefile for those who may wish to sample the author's ideas before making anentire meal of them. D.W.]
CINQ MARS
By ALFRED DE VIGNY
BOOK 2.
CHAPTER V
THE MARTYRDOM
La torture interroge, et la douleur repond.
RAYNOURARD, Les Templiers.
The continuous interest of this half-trial, its preparations, itsinterruptions, all had held the minds of the people in such attentionthat no private conversations had taken place. Some irrepressible crieshad been uttered, but simultaneously, so that no man could accuse hisneighbor. But when the people were left to themselves, there was anexplosion of clamorous sentences.
There was at this period enough of primitive simplicity among the lowerclasses for them to be persuaded by the mysterious tales of the politicalagents who were deluding them; so that a large portion of the throng inthe hall of trial, not venturing to change their judgment, though uponthe manifest evidence just given them, awaited in painful suspense thereturn of the judges, interchanging with an air of mystery and inaneimportance the usual remarks prompted by imbecility on such occasions.
"One does not know what to think, Monsieur?"
"Truly, Madame, most extraordinary things have happened."
"We live in strange times!"
"I suspected this; but, i' faith, it is not wise to say what one thinks."
"We shall see what we shall see," and so on—the unmeaning chatter of thecrowd, which merely serves to show that it is at the command of the firstwho chooses to sway it. Stronger words were heard from the group inblack.
"What! shall we let them do as they please, in this manner? What! dareto burn our letter to the King!"
"If the King knew it!"
"The barbarian impostors! how skilfully is their plot contrived! What!shall murder be committed under our very eyes? Shall we be afraid ofthese archers?"
"No, no, no!" rang out in trumpet-like tones.
Attention was turned toward the young advocate, who, standing on abranch, began tearing to pieces a roll of paper; then he cried:
"Yes, I tear and scatter to the winds the defence I had prepared for theaccused. They have suppressed discussion; I am not allowed to speak forhim. I can only speak to you, people; I rejoice that I can do so. Youheard these infamous judges. Which of them can hear the truth? Which ofthem is worthy to listen to an honest man? Which of them will dare tomeet his gaze? But what do I say? They all know the truth. They carryit in their guilty breasts; it stings their hearts like a serpent. Theytremble in their lair, where doubtless they are devouring their victim;they tremble because they have heard the cries of three deluded women.What was I about to do? I was about to speak in behalf of UrbainGrandier! But what eloquence could equal that of those unfortunates?What words could better have shown you his innocence? Heaven has takenup arms for him in bringing them to repentance and to devotion; Heavenwill finish its work—"
"Vade retro, Satanas," was heard through a high window in the hall.
Fournier stopped for a moment, then said:
"You hear these voices parodying the divine langua