ANTONIO (to Cecilia): My good friend, my good friend, will you answer me?
PIETRO (aside): I’m really afraid now that she will never respond.
(Janskin enters precipitously.)
JANSKIN: Well, my friends, how is she? What? She still hasn’t regained her senses? Poor Cecilia! Will I then have your death to deplore? That of my father was not already a misfortune big enough?
ANTONIO (with sudden joy): Ah! My God. If I’m not mistaken, her hand just clasped mine.
JANSKIN (coming closer): Can it be possible?
PIETRO: Yes, yes, God be praised! She’s coming to herself!
JANSKIN: Silence, my friends.
CECILIA (coming to little by little): Where am I? What frightful dream did I have? But how did it happen? This wedding dress... Antonio, my brother, my friends, in the name of Heaven, please dispel my terror! Why am I here? You don’t say anything... Oh! I see it only too well... It was not a dream–and I no longer have a father.
JANSKIN: Courage, dear Cecilia. We all need strength to deal with this frightful blow.
CECILIA: So it really is true! My father! I will never see him again. (she starts crying)
ANTONIO: Come, my good friend, don’t weep like that.
CECILIA: And Zametti, I don’t see him. Why isn’t he here with us?
JANSKIN: Perhaps he didn’t dare appear before you. After all, isn’t he the cause of all our ills? Wasn’t he the one who brought us death and misfortune? Isn’t he now and forever an object of abomination for the entire world?
(Zametti enters through the back. Upon seeing him, the villagers move away, shocked.)
VILLAGER: There comes the sorcerer! Let’s get out of here!
ZAMETTI: You’re right, Janskin.Your resentment is just. But soon, you will no longer have anything to fear. Soon, you will be delivered of my presence. Pietro!
(But Pietro does not dare to step forward and approach his master.)
ZAMETTI: Take them to the great hall of my castle. There, I will soon reveal my last intentions. And take Antonio with you.
ALL THE VILLAGERS (muttering): He should go away! Leave!
(Amidst much grumbling, the villagers finally leave, followed by Pietro, holding Antonio’s hand.)
JANSKIN: Zametti, you see the hate and execration that your people feel for you. That’s the price of your abominable conduct, the effects of your detestable, blind ambition.
ZAMETTI: Janskin, for pity’s sake, don’t berate me further. I know what wretched thing I did. Spare me your sermons.
JANSKIN: Spare you! Your crime has broken all the bonds that once existed between us. Don’t hope that my sister or I will ever forgive you.
ZAMETTI: What say you, dear Cecilia? You, too, would be insensitive to the sorrows of the miserable creature that I am?
CECILIA: Ah, let me alone to weep for my father!
ZAMETTI: Poor Olben! Remember that I, too, cherished him. I, too, called him father. Heaven is my witness that I would instantly give my life to buy his back. I know full well that I am the cause of his death. I feel it in my soul. I realize that you can no longer look at me now, except with horror; but at least, leave me with the hope that, one day, I may be able to gain your forgiveness. It’s the only consolation capable of supporting me through my misfortunes Cecilia, would you deprive me of that?
CECILIA: What are you asking that of me? Cruel man! Look at what you have done! I loved you with all my heart; my happiness was soon to be yours. Yet you allowed your folly to destroy such sweet hopes and turn a day of joy into a day of mourning and desolation.
ZAMETTI: Ah! Don’t reproach my crime–Heaven has already too cruelly punished me. But I now stand ready to expiate my fault, to try to repair the wrongs I have caused. I’m going to leave you, Cecilia. I’ll flee far from these parts. It’s the only way to attract the danger to myself, and to preserve the beings who are dearest to me. Perhaps my repentance and my sufferings will succeed in appeasing the celestial wrath. Perhaps I will be permitted one day to return and implore my pardon at your feet.
JANSKIN: Wretch! How can you believe that your Monster won’t reappear in these lands, returning to bring new misfortunes or seeking new victims?
ZAMETTI: No, Janskin. Wherever I am is where he directs his furor. Once I’m gone, the peril will all but disappear–for you. But before leaving, before saying one final goodbye, dear Cecilia, won’t you allow yourself to feel some pity for me and grant some hope to the most unfortunate of men?
CECILIA: No! You gambled with my love, you asked Heaven–so you told me–only for the joy of being united to me forever, and yet another foul desire filled your heart. I was not what you held dearest and in listening to your mad ambition, you knowingly exposed us all to the worst dangers–and worse, even that knowledge proved incapable of stopping you! Cruel man, was it thus that you ought to have rewarded my love?
ZAMETTI: It’s love itself that made me guilty, Cecilia. It was you alone who inspired my labors. You were ever the sole object of all my thoughts. I wanted to raise you above all other mortals. I realize now my fatal error, and believe me when I say I have been well punished for it–and not by you. Cecilia, Janskin, look upon my tears, my despair. Am I then, for you too, an object of horror and fear?
JANSKIN (moved despite himself, pressing Zametti in his arms): I can no longer resist your cries of repentance. Sister, you cannot hate him. If we abandon him, who then will love him on Earth?
CECILIA (abandoning her hand to Zametti): Hate him! Alas! He knows too well what an empire he exercises over this heart that tore apart.
ZAMETTI (transported with joy): You do forgive me! I am still loved by you. I can now endure life.
JANSKIN: Zametti, I am again your devoted friend, your brother; but I insist you execute the plan you’ve devised. Leave this region for some time; it’s necessary.
ZAMETTI: Of course! I shall depart this very night and not return until I am worthy of you.
(Petrusco enters, running in some disarray.)
PETRUSCO: Janskin! Janskin! The villagers told the Police that we’re hiding in this castle with you. They’re surrounding us on all sides. I refused to open the doors and let them in, and now they’re threatening to lay siege to it. You’re our only hope. What are we to do?
JANSKIN: Resist! Triumph–or die!
CECILIA: O my brother! I fear for you! Resistance is hopeless.
ZAMETTI: I will fight with you, Janskin. Swords in hand, we shall repel these odious mercenaries.
PETRUSCO: They’re also prepared against you, Master Zametti. They know they owe the abomination which threatens them to you.
ZAMETTI: To me!
PETRUSCO: Yes. You’ve become the horror of these lands, the sorcerer whose criminal science has drawn the wrath of God upon our heads. They’ve brought torches and...
JANSKIN: Silence, my friend! These reproaches are useless now–it’s a question of common security.
CECILIA: Misfortunes piled upon misfortunes!
ZAMETTI: Perhaps it is I alone whom they want? Well, I shall surrender to them and deliver you from the execrable author of your miseries!
JANSKIN: No, stay by my sister. Your duty is to protect her. She no longer has any support except you.
ZAMETTI: Alas!
CECILIA: Do as he asks!
ZAMETTI: It really is your wish, Cecilia? That is what you want? If so, yes, of course I will stay. I must watch over you... (with an air of distraction) Perhaps he, too, is watching over us–this enemy more dreadful by himself alone than all those who are now besieging us. Leave, Janskin, I will soon rejoin you. (to Cecilia) And you, my love, follow me. (he escorts her to her apartment)
CECILIA (taking Zametti by one hand and Janskin by the other): My fate is fixed. Don’t forget–the moment of the death of either of you will be that of mine!
JANSKIN: Go! All is not yet lost. Goodbye, Zametti! I go to do battle.
(Janskin draws his sword and leaves hurriedly with Petrusco right behi
nd him.
Zametti enters the apartment to the right with Cecilia. Hardly have they gone when the Monster appears. He points to his wound, expresses the pain it is causing him and silently swears to exact vengeance. Suddenly, he hears a noise. It is Antonio who is coming from the left with Pietro. Upon seeing the child, the Monster’s face acquires an expression of infernal joy. He hides.)
PIETRO (pulling Antonio after him and struggling with him): I say that you will come with me.
ANTONIO: I want to go to my father.
PIETRO: It’s your father himself who ordered you to be taken to the other wing of the castle where we will have much less danger to fear.
ANTONIO: Danger? My father and Cecilia are in danger then? Oh, in that case, I want even less to remain with you.
PIETRO (in a tearful tone): Antonio, in the name of Heaven, be reasonable and obedient. Don’t cause pain to your poor friend Pietro. He’s had quite enough of that already. And then it would also displease your father, who’s my excellent and unfortunate master.
ANTONIO: Oh! I beg you, Pietro–allow me to see him and embrace him one more time.
PIETRO: God Almighty! How can anyone be as stubborn as this? You were entrusted to my protection and you will do as I say. If something bad happened to you, what would become of me?
ANTONIO (struggling): No! no! (pointing to the door at the right) My father is there with Cecilia. I want to stay ith them.
PIETRO: No! Come, come!
ANTONIO (tearing himself from Pietro’s hands and running towards the door): No! Father! Father!
(The Monster, who has been watching the scene attentively, suddenly grabs the child as he runs by him. He quickly puts his hand over Antonio’s mouth and throws the boy over his shoulder. Pietro turns, sees him and utters a cry of pure terror.).
PIETRO (fleeing, in terror): Help! Help! (he runs away)
(Zametti emerges from Cecilia’s room, pistol in hand.)
ZAMETTI (to Cecilia who cannot be seen): Stay here, Cecilia! (aside) Whose scream did I hear? (noticing the Monster) It’s him! O despair! My son!
ANTONIO (screaming): Father! Father!
ZAMETTI (aiming his pistol at the Monster): Halt, execrable creature!
(He’s about to shoot, but the Monster holds the boy in front of him, using him as a living shield to thwart the weapon threatening him. Zametti is forced to spare the Monster’s life in order to save Antonio’s.)
ZAMETTI (distraught, throws his pistol to the ground): You win, you foulest of demons! You have nothing to fear from me–but return my son to me!
(The Monster expresses his hate and his hope of vengeance.)
ZAMETTI (falling to his knees): Yes, I have been cruel towards you. So avenge yourself on me. I offer myself to your blows–but not my son. Spare his life!
(Zametti, on his knees, implores the Monster’s mercy. But instead, the Monster vanishes through the wall, taking the child with him. Zametti utters a harrowing scream.)
ZAMETTI: My son! He’s taking my son with him! He’s going to sacrifice him to his rage. My son! My dear child! So I, too, have become your murderer. (he falls to the ground)
(Cecilia emerges from her room.)
CECILIA (addressing an unseen servant): Let me go! I’ve heard horrible screams! I must see what happened to Zametti!
(Noticing the alchemist on the floor, she runs towards him and helps him back to his feet.)
CECILIA: Zametti! O merciful Heaven! What happened?
ZAMETTI (looking at her but not seeing her really, so distraught he is): What do you want of me? Flee! This is the abode of the Furies! Flee, I tell you, or you will be his prey, too!
CECILIA: He’s going mad! In the name of Heaven, Zametti, tell me what happened!
ZAMETTI (saner): What do you want to know? That I am the most wretched of fathers? Well, yes. The same Heaven that I sought to appease has rejected my prayers. It has delivered the most defenseless among us to my horrible enemy. Hold! Can’t you hear those screams? Those screams of agony? They are my son’s!
CECILIA: O Heaven! Not Antonio?
ZAMETTI: Yes! He is no more!
CECILIA: O despair.
(She falls into Zametti’s arms. A horrible uproar is heard. Janskin, Pietro, Petrusco, some Gypsies and several servants rush in.)
PIETRO (entering first): All is lost! All is lost!
JANSKIN (entering, sword in hand): We have lost! Most of my men have been taken prisoners or killed. Already the Police are masters of the first wall. In a moment, they will be here.
CECILIA: O my God! Protect us!
ZAMETTI: It’s me they want. You have nothing to fear, Cecilia.
JANSKIN: It’s over. Our fate has been accomplished. There’s still hope however. One avenue of escape remains open to me–and my sister. A ship, manned by some of my best men, is moored outside this castle, ready to sail as soon as we’re on board. But you, Zametti, recall your courage. It’s now necessary for you to seek a noble death.
ZAMETTI: I agree and I’m ready.
CECILIA: No!
JANSKIN: He cannot escape his fate, Cecilia.
CECILIA: Why not?
JANSKIN: Zametti has been convicted of the darkest sorcery. The Council of Ten has sentenced him to death. Better an honorable death than the tortures of the Inquisition!
CECILIA: I shall die too!
(Cecilia faints. Overwhelmed, Zametti remains silent. At the right of the stage, Janskin seizes the opportunity to pick up his sister. Aided by his followers, he takes her away and leaves by the left. There is some commotion in the background. Everybody else leaves in panic.)
ZAMETTI (alone): Is Heaven–or Hell–satisfied? Am I sufficiently punished? What more do they want of me? God demanded my punishment. Is it sufficiently horrible? (with a terrifying smile) His envoy has fulfilled his mission! He’s ravished everything from me–son, spouse, friends. I’ve lost everything. I remain alone in the world and yet, I still live, still foul this land with my odious presence! Goodbye, Cecilia. Goodbye, Janskin. Olben, Antonio, my son–it’s I, I who’ve led you to the tomb–you will be avenged. The Council of Ten demands my head! But it’s not on a pyre that I must end my life. My fate is inextricably linked to that of the execrable executioner of my loved ones. Come! Come! The Monster is calling for a final victim and I shall deliver him one!
(Janskin returns with a few Gypsies.)
JANSKIN: The Police have been momentarily driven back. For my sister’s sake, I can’t leave you behind. Come, wretch, I can still save you.
ZAMETTI: For Cecilia’s sake...
JANSKIN: Yes. She’s calling for you. She says she can’t live without you. See the lightning, hear the drums of thunder–the storm is coming. It will protect our flight. Let’s leave.
(He drags him off. They leave by the right.)
CURTAIN
Scene VI
The stage represents the exterior of Zametti’s castle, located atop a cliff overlooking the Adriatic Sea.
Janskin’s Gypsies, chased by the Police, rush onto the stage. A battle ensues between them and the Venetian soldiers. Finally, the Gypsies, defeated by the Police, are forced to flee.
CURTAIN
Scene VII
The stage represents the deck of Janskin’s ship. It is buffeted by the waves, caught in a violent storm. The voices of sailors are mixed with the whistling of the wind and the claps of thunder. The greatest disorder reigns amongst the crew. Zametti, Janskin and Cecilia stand at center stage. Janskin is issuing instructions to his men.
JANSKIN: My friends, hold the sails. Petrusco, weigh anchor. Charge the depth.
GYPSY: Clear the topsail!
JANSKIN: Clear the topsail!
GYPSY: We’re lost!
JANSKIN: No! Deploy the foresail! Haul up the big sail!
(Suddenly, the Monster appears on a frail skiff. He seeks to board the ship. Cries of terror by all the crew.)
GYPSIES: The Monster! The Demon! Help!
(Despite the Gypsi
es’ strong resistance, the Monster succeeds in hurling himself onto the deck. He pushes the men in his path as if they were cardboard cutouts. The remaining sailors flee in fear.
The storm increases. Strange, eerie hapes appear amidst the waves: the Genie of the Sarcophagus? Avenging angles? Demons perhaps?
Finally, the Monster reaches Zametti. Cecila screams. The Alchemist remains motionless and does not try to flee.
Janskin tries to stop the creature but is swatted away. The Monster grabs Zametti, lifts him high above his head and hurls him into the raging sea.
Then, he raises his arms again and lets out a powerful scream of rage. Lightning strikes him down and he, too, falls into the sea.
The storm abates; the final tableau shows Janskin, holding Cecilia crying in his arms.)
CURTAIN
The Hunchback of Notre-Dame
by
Paul Foucher & Paul Meurice
based on the novel by
Victor Hugo
translated and adapted
by
Frank J. Morlock
Introduction
Notre-Dame de Paris (The Hunchback of Notre-Dame, 1831) was one of Victor Hugo’s earliest and most popular novels. In it, he recaptured the ambience of Medieval Paris and introduced several unforgettable characters: Esmeralda, the doomed Gypsy girl with her fortune telling goat; Dom Claude Frollo, the pious monk who saved the deformed infant Quasimodo from death, only in later years to become the first stalker in literature, destroying Esmeralda, the girl he desires, and Quasimodo, whom he helped raise. In the end, Frollo becomes demented, and Quasimodo emerges as the inarticulate, but very real, hero of Notre-Dame de Paris.
Frankenstein vs The Hunchback of Notre-Dame Page 5
