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, its interruptions, all had held the minds of the people in such attention that no private conversations had taken place.  Some irrepressible cries had been uttered, but simultaneously, so that no man could accuse his neighbor.  But when the people were left to themselves, there was an explosion of clamorous sentences.

There was at this period enough of primitive simplicity among the lower classes for them to be persuaded by the mysterious tales of the political agents who were deluding them; so that a large portion of the throng in the hall of trial, not venturing to change their judgment, though upon the manifest evidence just given them, awaited in painful suspense the return of the judges, interchanging with an air of mystery and inane importance 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 the crowd, which merely serves to show that it is at the command of the first who chooses to sway it.  Stronger words were heard from the group in black.

“What! shall we let them do as they please, in this manner?  What! dare to 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 of these archers?”

“No, no, no!” rang out in trumpet-like tones.

Attention was turned toward the young advocate, who, standing on a branch, 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 the accused.  They have suppressed discussion; I am not allowed to speak for him.  I can only speak to you, people; I rejoice that I can do so.  You heard these infamous judges.  Which of them can hear the truth?  Which of them is worthy to listen to an honest man?  Which of them will dare to meet his gaze?  But what do I say?  They all know the truth.  They carry it in their guilty breasts; it stings their hearts like a serpent.  They tremble 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 Urbain Grandier!  But what eloquence could equal that of those unfortunates?  What words could better have shown you his innocence?  Heaven has taken up arms for him in bringing them to repentance and to devotion; Heaven will finish its work—­”