Part 109 (1/2)

Awful ht

CLAUDE FROLLO (_aside_)

She shudders, quivers in ht I bore her, once, away; Now, in the day, I'll hold her fast!

Death, which follows in ain!

ESMERALDA

Pity--pity, let o!

Phoebus is dead; he waits above

Alas! I trehtful love, E'en as the bird which, tortured, dies Beneath the vulture's cruel eyes!

CLAUDE FROLLO

Accept me, I love you! Refuse me no more!

Have pity for me, for yourself, I implore!

ESMERALDA

Your prayer is an insult

CLAUDE FROLLO

Would you rather die?

ESMERALDA

The body dies--the soul lives!

CLAUDE FROLLO

To die is terrible!

ESMERALDA

Hush!+ your impious words!

Your love makes death beautiful!

CLAUDE FROLLO

Choose! choose! Or Claude or death!

[_Claude falls at Esmeralda's feet in supplication She repels him_

ESMERALDA

No, murderer, I will not! Hush!+