Part 88 (1/2)

[_To The Councilor_] Thank you for such good news

COUNCILOR

I wish 'twere better!

Good sir, my zeal--

SAVERNY

Excuse me What's the hour?

COUNCILOR

At nine o'clock to-night

DIDIER

I hope the sky Will be as dark as is my soul

SAVERNY

The place?

COUNCILOR (_indicating the neighboring court_)

Here in the court The Cardinal will come

[_Councilor exits with his escort The two prisoners reins to fade The halberds of the two sentinels, who silently promenade before the breach, are all that can be seen_

DIDIER (_solemnly, after a pause_)

At this portentous hour weus Our years Are equal, though I'm older far than you

It is but just, therefore, that mine should be The voice to cheer and to exhort you, since I aed you You were content And happy: 'twas enough for me to pass Across your life to ruin it My fate Pressed down upon yours 'til it crushed it Now, Together, we are soon to face the to_

SAVERNY

What is that noise?

DIDIER

It is our scaffold which they're building, or Our coffins they are nailing

[_Saverny sits on the stone bench_

When the hour Has tolled, soives way

Life holds us in a thousand secret ways

[_A bell strikes_ I think a voice is calling to us Hark!