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。