"Sacrilege！profanation！"resumedthevoiceofthebaldman。
Thegypsyturnedroundoncemore。
"Ah！"saidshe，"’tisthatvillanousman！"Then，thrustingherunderlipoutbeyondtheupper，shemadealittlepout，whichappearedtobefamiliartoher，executedapirouetteonherheel，andsetaboutcollectinginhertambourinethegiftsofthemultitude。
Bigblanks，littleblanks，targes*andeagleliardsshoweredintoit。
*Ablank:anoldFrenchcoin；sixblankswereworthtwosousandahalf；targe，anancientcoinofBurgundy，afarthing。
Allatonce，shepassedinfrontofGringoire。Gringoireputhishandsorecklesslyintohispocketthatshehalted。
"Thedevil！"saidthepoet，findingatthebottomofhispocketthereality，thatis，tosay，avoid。Inthemeantime，theprettygirlstoodthere，gazingathimwithherbigeyes，andholdingouthertambourinetohimandwaiting。Gringoirebrokeintoaviolentperspiration。
IfhehadallPeruinhispocket，hewouldcertainlyhavegivenittothedancer；butGringoirehadnotPeru，and，moreover，Americahadnotyetbeendiscovered。
Happily，anunexpectedincidentcametohisrescue。
"Willyoutakeyourselfoff，youEgyptiangrasshopper？"
criedasharpvoice，whichproceededfromthedarkestcornerofthePlace。
Theyounggirlturnedroundinaffright。Itwasnolongerthevoiceofthebaldman；itwasthevoiceofawoman，bigotedandmalicious。
However，thiscry，whichalarmedthegypsy，delightedatroopofchildrenwhowereprowlingaboutthere。
"ItistherecluseoftheTour-Roland，"theyexclaimed，withwildlaughter，"itisthesackednunwhoisscolding！
Hasn’tshesupped？Let’scarryhertheremainsofthecityrefreshments！"
AllrushedtowardsthePillarHouse。
Inthemeanwhile，Gringoirehadtakenadvantageofthedancer’sembarrassment，todisappear。Thechildren’sshoutshadremindedhimthathe，also，hadnotsupped，soherantothepublicbuffet。Butthelittlerascalshadbetterlegsthanhe；whenhearrived，theyhadstrippedthetable。Thereremainednotsomuchasamiserable~camichon~atfivesousthepound。Nothingremaineduponthewallbutslenderfleurs-de-lis，mingledwithrosebushes，paintedin1434byMathieuBiterne。Itwasameagresupper。
Itisanunpleasantthingtogotobedwithoutsupper，itisastilllesspleasantthingnottosupandnottoknowwhereoneistosleep。ThatwasGringoire’scondition。Nosupper，noshelter；hesawhimselfpressedonallsidesbynecessity，andhefoundnecessityverycrabbed。Hehadlongagodiscoveredthetruth，thatJupitercreatedmenduringafitofmisanthropy，andthatduringawiseman’swholelife，hisdestinyholdshisphilosophyinastateofsiege。Asforhimself，hehadneverseentheblockadesocomplete；heheardhisstomachsoundingaparley，andheconsidereditverymuchoutofplacethatevildestinyshouldcapturehisphilosophybyfamine。
Thismelancholyreverywasabsorbinghimmoreandmore，whenasong，quaintbutfullofsweetness，suddenlytorehimfromit。Itwastheyounggypsywhowassinging。
Hervoicewaslikeherdancing，likeherbeauty。Itwasindefinableandcharming；somethingpureandsonorous，aerial，winged，sotospeak。Therewerecontinualoutbursts，melodies，unexpectedcadences，thensimplephrasesstrewnwithaerialandhissingnotes；thenfloodsofscaleswhichwouldhaveputanightingaletorout，butinwhichharmonywasalwayspresent；thensoftmodulationsofoctaveswhichroseandfell，likethebosomoftheyoungsinger。Herbeautifulfacefollowed，withsingularmobility，allthecapricesofhersong，fromthewildestinspirationtothechastestdignity。
Onewouldhavepronouncedhernowamadcreature，nowaqueen。
ThewordswhichshesangwereinatongueunknowntoGringoire，andwhichseemedtohimtobeunknowntoherself，solittlerelationdidtheexpressionwhichsheimpartedtohersongbeartothesenseofthewords。Thus，thesefourlines，inhermouth，weremadlygay，——
~UncofredegranriquezaHallarondentrounpilar，Dentrodel，nuevasbanderasConfigurasdeespantar~。*
*AcofferofgreatrichnessInapillar’shearttheyfound，Withinitlaynewbanners，Withfigurestoastound。
Andaninstantafterwards，attheaccentswhichsheimpartedtothisstanza，——
~AlarabesdecavalloSinpodersemenear，Conespadas，yloscuellos，Ballestasdebuenechar~，Gringoirefeltthetearsstarttohiseyes。Nevertheless，hersongbreathedjoy，mostofall，andsheseemedtosinglikeabird，fromserenityandheedlessness。
Thegypsy’ssonghaddisturbedGringoire’sreveryastheswandisturbsthewater。Helistenedinasortofrapture，andforgetfulnessofeverything。Itwasthefirstmomentinthecourseofmanyhourswhenhedidnotfeelthathesuffered。
Themomentwasbrief。
Thesamewoman’svoice，whichhadinterruptedthegypsy’sdance，interruptedhersong。
"Willyouholdyourtongue，youcricketofhell？"itcried，stillfromthesameobscurecorneroftheplace。
Thepoor"cricket"stoppedshort。Gringoirecovereduphisears。
"Oh！"heexclaimed，"accursedsawwithmissingteeth，whichcomestobreakthelyre！"
Meanwhile，theotherspectatorsmurmuredlikehimself；
"Tothedevilwiththesackednun！"saidsomeofthem。
Andtheoldinvisiblekill-joymighthavehadoccasiontorepentofheraggressionsagainstthegypsyhadtheirattentionnotbeendivertedatthismomentbytheprocessionofthePopeoftheFools，which，afterhavingtraversedmanystreetsandsquares，debouchedonthePlacedeGrève，withallitstorchesandallitsuproar。
Thisprocession，whichourreadershaveseensetoutfromthePalaisdeJustice，hadorganizedontheway，andhadbeenrecruitedbyalltheknaves，idlethieves，andunemployedvagabondsinParis；sothatitpresentedaveryrespectableaspectwhenitarrivedattheGrève。
FirstcameEgypt。TheDukeofEgyptheadedit，onhorseback，withhiscountsonfootholdinghisbridleandstirrupsforhim；behindthem，themaleandfemaleEgyptians，pell-mell，withtheirlittlechildrencryingontheirshoulders；
all——duke，counts，andpopulace——inragsandtatters。ThencametheKingdomofArgot；thatistosay，allthethievesofFrance，arrangedaccordingtotheorderoftheirdignity；theminorpeoplewalkingfirst。Thusdefiledbyfours，withthediversinsigniaoftheirgrades，inthatstrangefaculty，mostofthemlame，somecripples，othersone-armed，shopclerks，pilgrim，~hubins~，bootblacks，thimble-riggers，streetarabs，beggars，theblear-eyedbeggars，thieves，theweakly，vagabonds，merchants，shamsoldiers，goldsmiths，passedmastersofpickpockets，isolatedthieves。AcataloguethatwouldwearyHomer。Inthecentreoftheconclaveofthepassedmastersofpickpockets，onehadsomedifficultyindistinguishingtheKingofArgot，thegrandco？sre，socalled，crouchinginalittlecartdrawnbytwobigdogs。AfterthekingdomoftheArgotiers，cametheEmpireofGalilee。GuillaumeRousseau，EmperoroftheEmpireofGalilee，marchedmajesticallyinhisrobeofpurple，spottedwithwine，precededbybuffoonswrestlingandexecutingmilitarydances；surroundedbyhismacebearers，hispickpocketsandclerksofthechamberofaccounts。Lastofallcamethecorporationoflawclerks，withitsmaypolescrownedwithflowers，itsblackrobes，itsmusicworthyoftheorgy，anditslargecandlesofyellowwax。Inthecentreofthiscrowd，thegrandofficersoftheBrotherhoodofFoolsboreontheirshouldersalittermoreloadeddownwithcandlesthanthereliquaryofSainte-Genevièveintimeofpest；andonthislittershoneresplendent，withcrosier，cope，andmitre，thenewPopeoftheFools，thebellringerofNotre-Dame，Quasimodothehunchback。
Eachsectionofthisgrotesqueprocessionhaditsownmusic。
TheEgyptiansmadetheirdrumsandAfricantambourinesresound。Theslangmen，notaverymusicalrace，stillclungtothegoat’shorntrumpetandtheGothicrubebbeofthetwelfthcentury。TheEmpireofGalileewasnotmuchmoreadvanced；amongitsmusiconecouldhardlydistinguishsomemiserablerebec，fromtheinfancyoftheart，stillimprisonedinthe~re-la-mi~。ButitwasaroundthePopeoftheFoolsthatallthemusicalrichesoftheepochweredisplayedinamagnificentdiscord。Itwasnothingbutsopranorebecs，counter-tenorrebecs，andtenorrebecs，nottoreckontheflutesandbrassinstruments。Alas！ourreaderswillrememberthatthiswasGringoire’sorchestra。
ItisdifficulttoconveyanideaofthedegreeofproudandblissfulexpansiontowhichthesadandhideousvisageofQuasimodohadattainedduringthetransitfromthePalaisdeJustice，tothePlacedeGrève。Itwasthefirstenjoymentofself-lovethathehadeverexperienced。Downtothatday，hehadknownonlyhumiliation，disdainforhiscondition，disgustforhisperson。Hence，deafthoughhewas，heenjoyed，likeaveritablepope，theacclamationsofthatthrong，whichhehatedbecausehefeltthathewashatedbyit。Whatmattereditthathispeopleconsistedofapackoffools，cripples，thieves，andbeggars？itwasstillapeopleandhewasitssovereign。Andheacceptedseriouslyallthisironicalapplause，allthisderisiverespect，withwhichthecrowdmingled，itmustbeadmitted，agooddealofveryrealfear。Forthehunchbackwasrobust；forthebandy-leggedfellowwasagile；
forthedeafmanwasmalicious:threequalitieswhichtemperridicule。
Wearefarfrombelieving，however，thatthenewPopeoftheFoolsunderstoodboththesentimentswhichhefeltandthesentimentswhichheinspired。Thespiritwhichwaslodgedinthisfailureofabodyhad，necessarily，somethingincompleteanddeafaboutit。Thus，whathefeltatthemomentwastohim，absolutelyvague，indistinct，andconfused。
Onlyjoymadeitselffelt，onlypridedominated。Aroundthatsombreandunhappyface，therehungaradiance。
Itwas，then，notwithoutsurpriseandalarm，thatattheverymomentwhenQuasimodowaspassingthePillarHouse，inthatsemi-intoxicatedstate，amanwasseentodartfromthecrowd，andtotearfromhishands，withagestureofanger，hiscrosierofgildedwood，theemblemofhismockpopeship。
Thisman，thisrashindividual，wasthemanwiththebaldbrow，who，amomentearlier，standingwiththegypsy’sgrouphadchilledthepoorgirlwithhiswordsofmenaceandofhatred。Hewasdressedinaneccleslasticalcostume。Atthemomentwhenhestoodforthfromthecrowd，Gringoire，whohadnotnoticedhimuptothattime，recognizedhim:
"Hold！"hesaid，withanexclamationofastonishment。
"Eh！’tismymasterinHermes，DomClaudeFrollo，thearchdeacon！Whatthedevildoeshewantofthatoldone-
eyedfellow？He’llgethimselfdevoured！"
Acryofterrorarose，infact。TheformidableQuasimodohadhurledhimselffromthelitter，andthewomenturnedasidetheireyesinordernottoseehimtearthearchdeaconasunder。
Hemadeoneboundasfarasthepriest，lookedathim，andfelluponhisknees。
Thepriesttoreoffhistiara，brokehiscrozier，andrenthistinselcope。
Quasimodoremainedonhisknees，withheadbentandhandsclasped。Thentherewasestablishedbetweenthemastrangedialogueofsignsandgestures，forneitherofthemspoke。
Thepriest，erectonhisfeet，irritated，threatening，imperious；
Quasimodo，prostrate，humble，suppliant。And，nevertheless，itiscertainthatQuasimodocouldhavecrushedthepriestwithhisthumb。
Atlengththearchdeacon，givingQuasimodo’spowerfulshoulderaroughshake，madehimasigntoriseandfollowhim。
Quasimodorose。
ThentheBrotherhoodofFools，theirfirststuporhavingpassedoff，wishedtodefendtheirpope，soabruptlydethroned。
TheEgyptians，themenofslang，andallthefraternityoflawclerks，gatheredhowlingroundthepriest。
Quasimodoplacedhimselfinfrontofthepriest，setinplaythemusclesofhisathleticfists，andglaredupontheassailantswiththesnarlofanangrytiger。
Thepriestresumedhissombregravity，madeasigntoQuasimodo，andretiredinsilence。
Quasimodowalkedinfrontofhim，scatteringthecrowdashepassed。
WhentheyhadtraversedthepopulaceandthePlace，thecloudofcuriousandidleweremindedtofollowthem。Quasimodothenconstitutedhimselftherearguard，andfollowedthearchdeacon，walkingbackwards，squat，surly，monstrous，bristling，gatheringuphislimbs，lickinghisboar’stusks，growlinglikeawildbeast，andimpartingtothecrowdimmensevibrations，withalookoragesture。
Bothwereallowedtoplungeintoadarkandnarrowstreet，wherenoonedaredtoventureafterthem；sothoroughlydidthemerechimeraofQuasimodognashinghisteethbartheentrance。
"Here’samarvellousthing，"saidGringoire；"butwherethedeuceshallIfindsomesupper？"
CHAPTERIV。
THEINCONVENIENCESOFFOLLOWINGAPRETTYWOMAN
THROUGHTHESTREETSINTHEEVENING。
Gringoiresetouttofollowthegypsyatallhazards。Hehadseenher，accompaniedbyhergoat，taketotheRuedelaCoutellerie；hetooktheRuedelaCoutellerie。
"Whynot？"hesaidtohimself。
Gringoire，apracticalphilosopherofthestreetsofParis，hadnoticedthatnothingismorepropitioustoreverythanfollowingaprettywomanwithoutknowingwhithersheisgoing。Therewasinthisvoluntaryabdicationofhisfreewill，inthisfancysubmittingitselftoanotherfancy，whichsuspectsitnot，amixtureoffantasticindependenceandblindobedience，somethingindescribable，intermediatebetweenslaveryandliberty，whichpleasedGringoire，——aspiritessentiallycompound，undecided，andcomplex，holdingtheextremitiesofallextremes，incessantlysuspendedbetweenallhumanpropensities，andneutralizingonebytheother。HewasfondofcomparinghimselftoMahomet’scoffin，attractedintwodifferentdirectionsbytwoloadstones，andhesitatingeternallybetweentheheightsandthedepths，betweenthevaultandthepavement，betweenfallandascent，betweenzenithandnadir。
IfGringoirehadlivedinourday，whatafinemiddlecoursehewouldholdbetweenclassicismandromanticism！
Buthewasnotsufficientlyprimitivetolivethreehundredyears，and’tisapity。Hisabsenceisavoidwhichisbuttoosensiblyfeltto-day。
Moreover，forthepurposeofthusfollowingpassers-byandespeciallyfemalepassers-byinthestreets，whichGringoirewasfondofdoing，thereisnobetterdispositionthanignoranceofwhereoneisgoingtosleep。
Sohewalkedalong，verythoughtfully，behindtheyounggirl，whohastenedherpaceandmadehergoattrotasshesawthebourgeoisreturninghomeandthetaverns——theonlyshopswhichhadbeenopenthatday——closing。
"Afterall，"hehalfthoughttohimself，"shemustlodgesomewhere；gypsieshavekindlyhearts。Whoknows？——"
Andinthepointsofsuspensewhichheplacedafterthisreticenceinhismind，therelayIknownotwhatflatteringideas。
Meanwhile，fromtimetotime，ashepassedthelastgroupsofbourgeoisclosingtheirdoors，hecaughtsomescrapsoftheirconversation，whichbrokethethreadofhispleasanthypotheses。
Nowitwastwooldmenaccostingeachother。
"Doyouknowthatitiscold，MasterThibautFernicle？"
Gringoirehadbeenawareofthissincethebeginningofthewinter。
"Yes，indeed，MasterBonifaceDisome！Arewegoingtohaveawintersuchaswehadthreeyearsago，in’80，whenwoodcosteightsousthemeasure？"
"Bah！that’snothing，MasterThibaut，comparedwiththewinterof1407，whenitfrozefromSt。Martin’sDayuntilCandlemas！andsocoldthatthepenoftheregistraroftheparliamentfrozeeverythreewords，intheGrandChamber！
whichinterruptedtheregistrationofjustice。"
Furtheronthereweretwofemaleneighborsattheirwindows，holdingcandles，whichthefogcausedtosputter。
"Hasyourhusbandtoldyouaboutthemishap，MademoisellelaBoudraque？"
"No。Whatisit，MademoiselleTurquant？"
"ThehorseofM。GillesGodin，thenotaryattheChatelet，tookfrightattheFlemingsandtheirprocession，andoverturnedMasterPhilippeAvrillot，laymonkoftheCélestins。"
"Really？"
"Actually。"
"Abourgeoishorse！’tisrathertoomuch！Ifithadbeenacavalryhorse，wellandgood！"
Andthewindowswereclosed。ButGringoirehadlostthethreadofhisideas，nevertheless。
Fortunately，hespeedilyfounditagain，andheknottedittogetherwithoutdifficulty，thankstothegypsy，thankstoDjali，whostillwalkedinfrontofhim；twofine，delicate，andcharmingcreatures，whosetinyfeet，beautifulforms，andgracefulmannershewasengagedinadmiring，almostconfusingtheminhiscontemplation；believingthemtobebothyounggirls，fromtheirintelligenceandgoodfriendship；regardingthembothasgoats，——sofarasthelightness，agility，anddexterityoftheirwalkwereconcerned。
Butthestreetswerebecomingblackerandmoredesertedeverymoment。Thecurfewhadsoundedlongago，anditwasonlyatrareintervalsnowthattheyencounteredapasser-byinthestreet，oralightinthewindows。Gringoirehadbecomeinvolved，inhispursuitofthegypsy，inthatinextricablelabyrinthofalleys，squares，andclosedcourtswhichsurroundtheancientsepulchreoftheSaints-Innocents，andwhichresemblesaballofthreadtangledbyacat。"Herearestreetswhichpossessbutlittlelogic！"saidGringoire，lostinthethousandsofcircuitswhichreturneduponthemselvesincessantly，butwheretheyounggirlpursuedaroadwhichseemedfamiliartoher，withouthesitationandwithastepwhichbecameevermorerapid。Asforhim，hewouldhavebeenutterlyignorantofhissituationhadhenotespied，inpassing，attheturnofastreet，theoctagonalmassofthepilloryofthefishmarkets，theopen-worksummitofwhichthrewitsblack，frettedoutlinesclearlyuponawindowwhichwasstilllightedintheRueVerdelet。
Theyounggirl’sattentionhadbeenattractedtohimforthelastfewmoments；shehadrepeatedlyturnedherheadtowardshimwithuneasiness；shehadevenoncecometoastandstill，andtakingadvantageofarayoflightwhichescapedfromahalf-openbakerytosurveyhimintently，fromheadtofoot，then，havingcastthisglance，Gringoirehadseenhermakethatlittlepoutwhichhehadalreadynoticed，afterwhichshepassedon。
ThislittlepouthadfurnishedGringoirewithfoodforthought。Therewascertainlybothdisdainandmockeryinthatgracefulgrimace。Sohedroppedhishead，begantocountthepaving-stones，andtofollowtheyounggirlatalittlegreaterdistance，when，attheturnofastreet，whichhadcausedhimtolosesightofher，heheardherutterapiercingcry。
Hehastenedhissteps。
Thestreetwasfullofshadows。Nevertheless，atwistoftowsoakedinoil，whichburnedinacageatthefeetoftheHolyVirginatthestreetcorner，permittedGringoiretomakeoutthegypsystrugglinginthearmsoftwomen，whowereendeavoringtostiflehercries。Thepoorlittlegoat，ingreatalarm，loweredhishornsandbleated。
"Help！gentlemenofthewatch！"shoutedGringoire，andadvancedbravely。Oneofthemenwhoheldtheyounggirlturnedtowardshim。ItwastheformidablevisageofQuasimodo。
Gringoiredidnottaketoflight，butneitherdidheadvanceanotherstep。
Quasimodocameuptohim，tossedhimfourpacesawayonthepavementwithabackwardturnofthehand，andplungedrapidlyintothegloom，bearingtheyounggirlfoldedacrossonearmlikeasilkenscarf。Hiscompanionfollowedhim，andthepoorgoatranafterthemall，bleatingplaintively。
"Murder！murder！"shriekedtheunhappygypsy。
"Halt，rascals，andyieldmethatwench！"suddenlyshoutedinavoiceofthunder，acavalierwhoappearedsuddenlyfromaneighboringsquare。
Itwasacaptainoftheking’sarchers，armedfromheadtofoot，withhisswordinhishand。
HetorethegypsyfromthearmsofthedazedQuasimodo，threwheracrosshissaddle，andatthemomentwhentheterriblehunchback，recoveringfromhissurprise，rusheduponhimtoregainhisprey，fifteenorsixteenarchers，whofollowedtheircaptainclosely，madetheirappearance，withtheirtwo-edgedswordsintheirfists。Itwasasquadoftheking’spolice，whichwasmakingtherounds，byorderofMessireRobertd’Estouteville，guardoftheprovostshipofParis。
Quasimodowassurrounded，seized，garroted；heroared，hefoamedatthemouth，hebit；andhaditbeenbroaddaylight，thereisnodoubtthathisfacealone，renderedmorehideousbywrath，wouldhaveputtheentiresquadtoflight。Butbynighthewasdeprivedofhismostformidableweapon，hisugliness。
Hiscompanionhaddisappearedduringthestruggle。
Thegypsygracefullyraisedherselfuprightupontheofficer’ssaddle，placedbothhandsupontheyoungman’sshoulders，andgazedfixedlyathimforseveralseconds，asthoughenchantedwithhisgoodlooksandwiththeaidwhichhehadjustrenderedher。Thenbreakingsilencefirst，shesaidtohim，makinghersweetvoicestillsweeterthanusual，——
"Whatisyourname，monsieurlegendarme？"
"CaptainPhoebusdeChateaupers，atyourservice，mybeauty！"
repliedtheofficer，drawinghimselfup。
"Thanks，"saidshe。
AndwhileCaptainPhoebuswasturninguphismoustacheinBurgundianfashion，sheslippedfromthehorse，likeanarrowfallingtoearth，andfled。
Aflashoflightningwouldhavevanishedlessquickly。
"NombrillofthePope！"saidthecaptain，causingQuasimodo’sstrapstobedrawntighter，"Ishouldhavepreferredtokeepthewench。"
"Whatwouldyouhave，captain？"saidonegendarme。"Thewarblerhasfled，andthebatremains。"
CHAPTERV。
RESULTOFTHEDANGERS。
Gringoire，thoroughlystunnedbyhisfall，remainedonthepavementinfrontoftheHolyVirginatthestreetcorner。
Littlebylittle，heregainedhissenses；atfirst，forseveralminutes，hewasfloatinginasortofhalf-somnolentrevery，whichwasnotwithoutitscharm，inwhichaerielfiguresofthegypsyandhergoatwerecoupledwithQuasimodo’sheavyfist。Thisstatelastedbutashorttime。Adecidedlyvividsensationofcoldinthepartofhisbodywhichwasincontactwiththepavement，suddenlyarousedhimandcausedhisspirittoreturntothesurface。
"Whencecomesthischill？"hesaidabruptly，tohimself。
Hethenperceivedthathewaslyinghalfinthemiddleofthegutter。
"Thatdevilofahunchbackedcyclops！"hemutteredbetweenhisteeth；andhetriedtorise。Buthewastoomuchdazedandbruised；hewasforcedtoremainwherehewas。
Moreover，hishandwastolerablyfree；hestoppeduphisnoseandresignedhimself。
"ThemudofParis，"hesaidtohimself——fordecidedlyhethoughtthathewassurethatthegutterwouldprovehisrefugeforthenight；andwhatcanonedoinarefuge，exceptdream？——"themudofParisisparticularlystinking；itmustcontainagreatdealofvolatileandnitricsalts。That，moreover，istheopinionofMasterNicholasFlamel，andofthealchemists——"
Theword"alchemists"suddenlysuggestedtohismindtheideaofArchdeaconClaudeFrollo。Herecalledtheviolentscenewhichhehadjustwitnessedinpart；thatthegypsywasstrugglingwithtwomen，thatQuasimodohadacompanion；
andthemoroseandhaughtyfaceofthearchdeaconpassedconfusedlythroughhismemory。"Thatwouldbestrange！"
hesaidtohimself。Andonthatfactandthatbasishebegantoconstructafantasticedificeofhypothesis，thatcard-castleofphilosophers；then，suddenlyreturningoncemoretoreality，"Come！I’mfreezing！"heejaculated。
Theplacewas，infact，becominglessandlesstenable。
EachmoleculeofthegutterboreawayamoleculeofheatradiatingfromGringoire’sloins，andtheequilibriumbetweenthetemperatureofhisbodyandthetemperatureofthebrook，begantobeestablishedinroughfashion。
Quiteadifferentannoyancesuddenlyassailedhim。Agroupofchildren，thoselittlebare-footedsavageswhohavealwaysroamedthepavementsofParisundertheeternalnameof~gamins~，andwho，whenwewerealsochildrenourselves，threwstonesatallofusintheafternoon，whenwecameoutofschool，becauseourtrouserswerenottorn——aswarmoftheseyoungscampsrushedtowardsthesquarewhereGringoirelay，withshoutsandlaughterwhichseemedtopaybutlittleheedtothesleepoftheneighbors。Theyweredraggingafterthemsomesortofhideoussack；andthenoiseoftheirwoodenshoesalonewouldhaverousedthedead。Gringoirewhowasnotquitedeadyet，halfraisedhimself。
"Ohé，HennequinDandéche！Ohè，JehanPincebourde！"
theyshoutedindeafeningtones，"oldEustacheMoubon，themerchantatthecorner，hasjustdied。We’vegothisstrawpallet，we’regoingtohaveabonfireoutofit。It’stheturnoftheFlemishto-day！"
Andbehold，theyflungthepalletdirectlyuponGringoire，besidewhomtheyhadarrived，withoutespyinghim。Atthesametime，oneofthemtookahandfulofstrawandsetofftolightitatthewickofthegoodVirgin。
"S’death！"growledGringoire，"amIgoingtobetoowarmnow？"
Itwasacriticalmoment。Hewascaughtbetweenfireandwater；hemadeasuperhumaneffort，theeffortofacounterfeiterofmoneywhoisonthepointofbeingboiled，andwhoseekstoescape。Herosetohisfeet，flungasidethestrawpalletuponthestreeturchins，andfled。
"HolyVirgin！"shriekedthechildren；"’tisthemerchant’sghost！"
Andtheyfledintheirturn。
Thestrawmattressremainedmasterofthefield。Belleforet，FatherLeJuge，andCorrozetaffirmthatitwaspickeduponthemorrow，withgreatpomp，bytheclergyofthequarter，andbornetothetreasuryofthechurchofSaintOpportune，wherethesacristan，evenaslateas1789，earnedatolerablyhandsomerevenueoutofthegreatmiracleoftheStatueoftheVirginatthecorneroftheRueMauconseil，whichhad，byitsmerepresence，onthememorablenightbetweenthesixthandseventhofJanuary，1482，exorcisedthedefunctEustacheMoubon，who，inordertoplayatrickonthedevil，hadathisdeathmaliciouslyconcealedhissoulinhisstrawpallet。
CHAPTERVI。
THEBROKENJUG。
Afterhavingrunforsometimeatthetopofhisspeed，withoutknowingwhither，knockinghisheadagainstmanyastreetcorner，leapingmanyagutter，traversingmanyanalley，manyacourt，manyasquare，seekingflightandpassagethroughallthemeanderingsoftheancientpassagesoftheHalles，exploringinhispanicterrorwhatthefineLatinofthemapscalls~totavia，cheminumetviaria~，ourpoetsuddenlyhaltedforlackofbreathinthefirstplace，andinthesecond，becausehehadbeencollared，afterafashion，byadilemmawhichhadjustoccurredtohismind。"Itstrikesme，MasterPierreGringoire，"hesaidtohimself，placinghisfingertohisbrow，"thatyouarerunninglikeamadman。Thelittlescampsarenolessafraidofyouthanyouareofthem。Itstrikesme，Isay，thatyouheardtheclatteroftheirwoodenshoesfleeingsouthward，whileyouwerefleeingnorthward。Now，oneoftwothings，eithertheyhavetakenflight，andthepallet，whichtheymusthaveforgottenintheirterror，ispreciselythathospitablebedinsearchofwhichyouhavebeenrunningeversincemorning，andwhichmadametheVirginmiraculouslysendsyou，inordertorecompenseyouforhavingmadeamoralityinherhonor，accompaniedbytriumphsandmummeries；orthechildrenhavenottakenflight，andinthatcasetheyhaveputthebrandtothepallet，andthatispreciselythegoodfirewhichyouneedtocheer，dry，andwarmyou。Ineithercase，goodfireorgoodbed，thatstrawpalletisagiftfromheaven。TheblessedVirginMariewhostandsatthecorneroftheRueMauconseil，couldonlyhavemadeEustacheMoubondieforthatexpresspurpose；anditisfollyonyourparttofleethuszigzag，likeaPicardbeforeaFrenchman，leavingbehindyouwhatyouseekbeforeyou；
andyouareafool！"
Thenheretracedhissteps，andfeelinghiswayandsearching，withhisnosetothewindandhisearsonthealert，hetriedtofindtheblessedpalletagain，butinvain。Therewasnothingtobefoundbutintersectionsofhouses，closedcourts，andcrossingsofstreets，inthemidstofwhichhehesitatedanddoubtedincessantly，beingmoreperplexedandentangledinthismedleyofstreetsthanhewouldhavebeeneveninthelabyrinthoftheH？teldesTournelles。Atlengthhelostpatience，andexclaimedsolemnly:"Cursedbecrossroads！
’tisthedevilwhohasmadethemintheshapeofhispitchfork！"
Thisexclamationaffordedhimalittlesolace，andasortofreddishreflectionwhichhecaughtsightofatthatmoment，attheextremityofalongandnarrowlane，completedtheelevationofhismoraltone。"Godbepraised！"saidhe，"Thereitisyonder！Thereismypalletburning。"Andcomparinghimselftothepilotwhosuffersshipwreckbynight，"~Salve~，"
headdedpiously，"~salve，marisstella~！"
DidheaddressthisfragmentoflitanytotheHolyVirgin，ortothepallet？Weareutterlyunabletosay。
Hehadtakenbutafewstepsinthelongstreet，whichslopeddownwards，wasunpaved，andmoreandmoremuddyandsteep，whenhenoticedaverysingularthing。Itwasnotdeserted；hereandtherealongitsextentcrawledcertainvagueandformlessmasses，alldirectingtheircoursetowardsthelightwhichflickeredattheendofthestreet，likethoseheavyinsectswhichdragalongbynight，frombladetobladeofgrass，towardstheshepherd’sfire。
Nothingrendersonesoadventurousasnotbeingabletofeeltheplacewhereone’spocketissituated。Gringoirecontinuedtoadvance，andhadsoonjoinedthatoneoftheformswhichdraggedalongmostindolently，behindtheothers。Ondrawingnear，heperceivedthatitwasnothingelsethanawretchedleglesscrippleinabowl，whowashoppingalongonhistwohandslikeawoundedfield-spiderwhichhasbuttwolegsleft。Atthemomentwhenhepassedclosetothisspeciesofspiderwithahumancountenance，itraisedtowardshimalamentablevoice:"~Labuonamancia，signor！labuonamancia~！"*
*Alms。
"Deucetakeyou，"saidGringoire，"andmewithyou，ifI
knowwhatyoumean！"
Andhepassedon。
Heovertookanotheroftheseitinerantmasses，andexaminedit。Itwasanimpotentman，bothhaltandcrippled，andhaltandcrippledtosuchadegreethatthecomplicatedsystemofcrutchesandwoodenlegswhichsustainedhim，gavehimtheairofamason’sscaffoldingonthemarch。Gringoire，wholikednobleandclassicalcomparisons，comparedhiminthoughttothelivingtripodofVulcan。
Thislivingtripodsalutedhimashepassed，butstoppinghishatonalevelwithGringoire’schin，likeashavingdish，whileheshoutedinthelatter’sears:"~Senorcabellero，paracomprarunpedasodepan~！"*
*Givemethemeanstobuyabitofbread，sir。
"Itappears，"saidGringoire，"thatthisonecanalsotalk；
but’tisarudelanguage，andheismorefortunatethanIifheunderstandsit。"Then，smitinghisbrow，inasuddentransitionofideas:"Bytheway，whatthedeucedidtheymeanthismorningwiththeirEsmeralda？"
Hewasmindedtoaugmenthispace，butforthethirdtimesomethingbarredhisway。Thissomethingor，rather，someonewasablindman，alittleblindfellowwithabearded，Jewishface，who，rowingawayinthespaceabouthimwithastick，andtowedbyalargedog，dronedthroughhisnosewithaHungarianaccent:"~Facitotecaritatem~！"
"Well，now，"saidGringoire，"here’soneatlastwhospeaksaChristiantongue。Imusthaveaverycharitableaspect，sincetheyaskalmsofmeinthepresentleanconditionofmypurse。Myfriend，"andheturnedtowardstheblindman，"Isoldmylastshirtlastweek；thatistosay，sinceyouunderstandonlythelanguageofCicero:~Vendidihebdomadenupertransitameamultimamchemisan~。"
Thatsaid，heturnedhisbackupontheblindman，andpursuedhisway。Buttheblindmanbegantoincreasehisstrideatthesametime；and，behold！thecrippleandtheleglessman，inhisbowl，cameupontheirsideingreathaste，andwithgreatclamorofbowlandcrutches，uponthepavement。
Thenallthree，jostlingeachotheratpoorGringoire’sheels，begantosingtheirsongtohim，——
"~Caritatem~！"chantedtheblindman。
"~Labuonamancia~！"chantedthecrippleinthebowl。
Andthelamemantookupthemusicalphrasebyrepeating:
"~Unpedasodepan~！"
Gringoirestoppeduphisears。"Oh，towerofBabel！"heexclaimed。
Hesetouttorun。Theblindmanran！Thelamemanran！Thecrippleinthebowlran！
Andthen，inproportionasheplungeddeeperintothestreet，cripplesinbowls，blindmenandlamemen，swarmedabouthim，andmenwithonearm，andwithoneeye，andtheleprouswiththeirsores，someemergingfromlittlestreetsadjacent，somefromtheair-holesofcellars，howling，bellowing，yelping，alllimpingandhalting，allflingingthemselvestowardsthelight，andhumpedupinthemire，likesnailsafterashower。
Gringoire，stillfollowedbyhisthreepersecutors，andnotknowingverywellwhatwastobecomeofhim，marchedalonginterroramongthem，turningoutforthelame，steppingoverthecripplesinbowls，withhisfeetimbeddedinthatant-hilloflamemen，liketheEnglishcaptainwhogotcaughtinthequicksandofaswarmofcrabs。
Theideaoccurredtohimofmakinganefforttoretracehissteps。Butitwastoolate。Thiswholelegionhadclosedinbehindhim，andhisthreebeggarsheldhimfast。Soheproceeded，impelledbothbythisirresistibleflood，byfear，andbyavertigowhichconvertedallthisintoasortofhorribledream。
Atlasthereachedtheendofthestreet。Itopeneduponanimmenseplace，whereathousandscatteredlightsflickeredintheconfusedmistsofnight。Gringoireflewthither，hopingtoescape，bytheswiftnessofhislegs，fromthethreeinfirmspectreswhohadclutchedhim。
"~Ondevas，hombre~？"Whereareyougoing，myman？
criedthecripple，flingingawayhiscrutches，andrunningafterhimwiththebestlegsthatevertracedageometricalstepuponthepavementsofParis。
Inthemeantimetheleglessman，erectuponhisfeet，crownedGringoirewithhisheavyironbowl，andtheblindmanglaredinhisfacewithflamingeyes！
"WhereamI？"saidtheterrifiedpoet。
"IntheCourtofMiracles，"repliedafourthspectre，whohadaccostedthem。
"Uponmysoul，"resumedGringoire，"Icertainlydobeholdtheblindwhosee，andthelamewhowalk，butwhereistheSaviour？"
Theyrepliedbyaburstofsinisterlaughter。
Thepoorpoetcasthiseyesabouthim。Itwas，intruth，thatredoubtableCourdesMiracles，whitheranhonestmanhadneverpenetratedatsuchanhour；themagiccirclewheretheofficersoftheChateletandthesergeantsoftheprovostship，whoventuredthither，disappearedinmorsels；acityofthieves，ahideouswartonthefaceofParis；asewer，fromwhichescapedeverymorning，andwhitherreturnedeverynighttocrouch，thatstreamofvices，ofmendicancyandvagabondagewhichalwaysoverflowsinthestreetsofcapitals；
amonstroushive，towhichreturnedatnightfall，withtheirbooty，allthedronesofthesocialorder；alyinghospitalwherethebohemian，thedisfrockedmonk，theruinedscholar，thene’er-do-wellsofallnations，Spaniards，Italians，Germans，——ofallreligions，Jews，Christians，Mahometans，idolaters，coveredwithpaintedsores，beggarsbyday，weretransformedbynightintobrigands；animmensedressing-room，inaword，where，atthatepoch，theactorsofthateternalcomedy，whichtheft，prostitution，andmurderplayuponthepavementsofParis，dressedandundressed。
Itwasavastplace，irregularandbadlypaved，likeallthesquaresofParisatthatdate。Fires，aroundwhichswarmedstrangegroups，blazedhereandthere。Everyonewasgoing，coming，andshouting。Shrilllaughterwastobeheard，thewailingofchildren，thevoicesofwomen。Thehandsandheadsofthisthrong，blackagainsttheluminousbackground，outlinedagainstitathousandeccentricgestures。Attimes，upontheground，wheretrembledthelightofthefires，mingledwithlarge，indefiniteshadows，onecouldbeholdadogpassing，whichresembledaman，amanwhoresembledadog。
Thelimitsofracesandspeciesseemedeffacedinthiscity，asinapandemonium。Men，women，beasts，age，sex，health，maladies，allseemedtobeincommonamongthesepeople；
allwenttogether，theymingled，confounded，superposed；
eachonethereparticipatedinall。
ThepoorandflickeringflamesofthefirepermittedGringoiretodistinguish，amidhistrouble，allaroundtheimmenseplace，ahideousframeofancienthouses，whosewormeaten，shrivelled，stuntedfa？ades，eachpiercedwithoneortwolightedatticwindows，seemedtohim，inthedarkness，likeenormousheadsofoldwomen，rangedinacircle，monstrousandcrabbed，winkingastheylookedonattheWitches’Sabbath。
Itwaslikeanewworld，unknown，unheardof，misshapen，creeping，swarming，fantastic。
Gringoire，moreandmoreterrified，clutchedbythethreebeggarsasbythreepairsoftongs，dazedbyathrongofotherfaceswhichfrothedandyelpedaroundhim，unhappyGringoireendeavoredtosummonhispresenceofmind，inordertorecallwhetheritwasaSaturday。Buthiseffortswerevain；thethreadofhismemoryandofhisthoughtwasbroken；and，doubtingeverything，waveringbetweenwhathesawandwhathefelt，heputtohimselfthisunanswerablequestion，——
"IfIexist，doesthisexist？ifthisexists，doIexist？"
Atthatmoment，adistinctcryaroseinthebuzzingthrongwhichsurroundedhim，"Let’stakehimtotheking！let’stakehimtotheking！"
"HolyVirgin！"murmuredGringoire，"thekingheremustbearam。"
"Totheking！totheking！"repeatedallvoices。
Theydraggedhimoff。Eachviedwiththeotherinlayinghisclawsuponhim。Butthethreebeggarsdidnotloosetheirholdandtorehimfromtherest，howling，"Hebelongstous！"
Thepoet’salreadysicklydoubletyieldeditslastsighinthisstruggle。
Whiletraversingthehorribleplace，hisvertigovanished。
Aftertakingafewsteps，thesentimentofrealityreturnedtohim。Hebegantobecomeaccustomedtotheatmosphereoftheplace。Atthefirstmomenttherehadarisenfromhispoet’shead，or，simplyandprosaically，fromhisemptystomach，amist，avapor，sotospeak，which，spreadingbetweenobjectsandhimself，permittedhimtocatchaglimpseofthemonlyintheincoherentfogofnightmare，——inthoseshadowsofdreamswhichdistorteveryoutline，agglomeratingobjectsintounwieldygroups，dilatingthingsintochimeras，andmenintophantoms。Littlebylittle，thishallucinationwassucceededbyalessbewilderedandexaggeratingview。
Realitymadeitswaytothelightaroundhim，struckhiseyes，struckhisfeet，anddemolished，bitbybit，allthatfrightfulpoetrywithwhichhehad，atfirst，believedhimselftobesurrounded。HewasforcedtoperceivethathewasnotwalkingintheStyx，butinmud，thathewaselbowednotbydemons，butbythieves；thatitwasnothissoulwhichwasinquestion，buthislifesincehelackedthatpreciousconciliator，whichplacesitselfsoeffectuallybetweenthebanditandthehonestman——apurse。Inshort，onexaminingtheorgymoreclosely，andwithmorecoolness，hefellfromthewitches’sabbathtothedram-shop。
TheCourdesMiracleswas，infact，merelyadram-shop；
butabrigand’sdram-shop，reddenedquiteasmuchwithbloodaswithwine。
Thespectaclewhichpresenteditselftohiseyes，whenhisraggedescortfinallydepositedhimattheendofhistrip，wasnotfittedtobearhimbacktopoetry，eventothepoetryofhell。Itwasmorethanevertheprosaicandbrutalrealityofthetavern。Werewenotinthefifteenthcentury，wewouldsaythatGringoirehaddescendedfromMichaelAngelotoCallot。
Aroundagreatfirewhichburnedonalarge，circularflagstone，theflamesofwhichhadheatedred-hotthelegsofatripod，whichwasemptyforthemoment，somewormeatentableswereplaced，hereandthere，haphazard，nolackeyofageometricalturnhavingdeignedtoadjusttheirparallelism，ortoseetoitthattheydidnotmaketoounusualangles。
Uponthesetablesgleamedseveraldrippingpotsofwineandbeer，androundthesepotsweregroupedmanybacchicvisages，purplewiththefireandthewine。Therewasamanwithahugebellyandajovialface，noisilykissingawomanofthetown，thicksetandbrawny。Therewasasortofshamsoldier，a"naquois，"astheslangexpressionruns，whowaswhistlingasheundidthebandagesfromhisfictitiouswound，andremovingthenumbnessfromhissoundandvigorousknee，whichhadbeenswathedsincemorninginathousandligatures。Ontheotherhand，therewasawretchedfellow，preparingwithcelandineandbeef’sblood，his"legofGod，"
forthenextday。Twotablesfurtheron，apalmer，withhispilgrim’scostumecomplete，waspractisingthelamentoftheHolyQueen，notforgettingthedroneandthenasaldrawl。
Furtheron，ayoungscampwastakingalessoninepilepsyfromanoldpretender，whowasinstructinghimintheartoffoamingatthemouth，bychewingamorselofsoap。Besidehim，amanwiththedropsywasgettingridofhisswelling，andmakingfourorfivefemalethieves，whoweredisputingatthesametable，overachildwhohadbeenstolenthatevening，holdtheirnoses。Allcircumstanceswhich，twocenturieslater，"seemedsoridiculoustothecourt，"asSauvalsays，"thattheyservedasapastimetotheking，andasanintroductiontotheroyalballetofNight，dividedintofourpartsanddancedonthetheatreofthePetit-Bourbon。""Never，"
addsaneyewitnessof1653，"havethesuddenmetamorphosesoftheCourtofMiraclesbeenmorehappilypresented。
Benseradepreparedusforitbysomeverygallantverses。"
Loudlaughtereverywhere，andobscenesongs。Eachoneheldhisowncourse，carpingandswearing，withoutlisteningtohisneighbor。Potsclinked，andquarrelssprangupattheshockofthepots，andthebrokenpotsmaderentsintherags。
Abigdog，seatedonhistail，gazedatthefire。Somechildrenweremingledinthisorgy。Thestolenchildweptandcried。Another，abigboyfouryearsofage，seatedwithlegsdangling，uponabenchthatwastoohighforhim，beforeatablethatreachedtohischin，andutteringnotaword。A
third，gravelyspreadingoutuponthetablewithhisfinger，themeltedtallowwhichdrippedfromacandle。Lastofall，alittlefellowcrouchinginthemud，almostlostinacauldron，whichhewasscrapingwithatile，andfromwhichhewasevokingasoundthatwouldhavemadeStradivariusswoon。
Nearthefirewasahogshead，andonthehogsheadabeggar。
Thiswasthekingonhisthrone。
ThethreewhohadGringoireintheirclutchesledhiminfrontofthishogshead，andtheentirebacchanalroutfellsilentforamoment，withtheexceptionofthecauldroninhabitedbythechild。
Gringoiredaredneitherbreathenorraisehiseyes。
"~Hombre，quitatusombrero~！"saidoneofthethreeknaves，inwhosegrasphewas，and，beforehehadcomprehendedthemeaning，theotherhadsnatchedhishat——awretchedheadgear，itistrue，butstillgoodonasunnydayorwhentherewasbutlittlerain。Gringoiresighed。
Meanwhilethekingaddressedhim，fromthesummitofhiscask，——
"Whoisthisrogue？"
Gringoireshuddered。Thatvoice，althoughaccentuatedbymenace，recalledtohimanothervoice，which，thatverymorning，haddealtthedeathblowtohismystery，bydrawling，nasally，inthemidstoftheaudience，"Charity，please！"
Heraisedhishead。ItwasindeedClopinTrouillefou。
ClopinTrouillefou，arrayedinhisroyalinsignia，woreneitheroneragmorenoroneragless。Thesoreuponhisarmhadalreadydisappeared。Heheldinhishandoneofthosewhipsmadeofthongsofwhiteleather，whichpolicesergeantsthenusedtorepressthecrowd，andwhichwerecalled~boullayes~。Onhisheadheworeasortofheadgear，boundroundandclosedatthetop。Butitwasdifficulttomakeoutwhetheritwasachild’scaporaking’scrown，thetwothingsboresostrongaresemblancetoeachother。
MeanwhileGringoire，withoutknowingwhy，hadregainedsomehope，onrecognizingintheKingoftheCourdesMiracleshisaccursedmendicantoftheGrandHall。
"Master，"stammeredhe；"monseigneur——sire——howoughtItoaddressyou？"hesaidatlength，havingreachedtheculminatingpointofhiscrescendo，andknowingneitherhowtomounthigher，nortodescendagain。
"Monseigneur，hismajesty，orcomrade，callmewhatyouplease。Butmakehaste。Whathaveyoutosayinyourowndefence？"
"Inyourowndefence？"thoughtGringoire，"thatdispleasesme。"Heresumed，stuttering，"Iamhe，whothismorning——"
"Bythedevil’sclaws！"interruptedClopin，"yourname，knave，andnothingmore。Listen。Youareinthepresenceofthreepowerfulsovereigns:myself，ClopinTrouillefou，KingofThunes，successortotheGrandCo？sre，supremesuzerainoftheRealmofArgot；MathiasHunyadiSpicali，DukeofEgyptandofBohemia，theoldyellowfellowwhomyouseeyonder，withadishcloutroundhishead；GuillaumeRousseau，EmperorofGalilee，thatfatfellowwhoisnotlisteningtousbutcaressingawench。Weareyourjudges。
YouhaveenteredtheKingdomofArgot，withoutbeingan~argotier~；youhaveviolatedtheprivilegesofourcity。Youmustbepunishedunlessyouarea~capon~，a~franc-mitou~ora~rifodé~；thatistosay，intheslangofhonestfolks，——athief，abeggar，oravagabond。Areyouanythingofthatsort？
Justifyyourself；announceyourtitles。"
"Alas！"saidGringoire，"Ihavenotthathonor。Iamtheauthor——"
"Thatissufficient，"resumedTrouillefou，withoutpermittinghimtofinish。"Youaregoingtobehanged。’Tisaverysimplematter，gentlemenandhonestbourgeois！asyoutreatourpeopleinyourabode，sowetreatyouinours！Thelawwhichyouapplytovagabonds，vagabondsapplytoyou。
’Tisyourfaultifitisharsh。Onereallymustbeholdthegrimaceofanhonestmanabovethehempencollarnowandthen；thatrendersthethinghonorable。Come，friend，divideyourragsgaylyamongthesedamsels。Iamgoingtohaveyouhangedtoamusethevagabonds，andyouaretogivethemyourpursetodrinkyourhealth。Ifyouhaveanymummerytogothroughwith，there’saverygoodGodtheFatherinthatmortaryonder，instone，whichwestolefromSaint-PierreauxBoeufs。Youhavefourminutesinwhichtoflingyoursoulathishead。"
Theharanguewasformidable。
"Wellsaid，uponmysoul！ClopinTrouillefoupreachesliketheHolyFatherthePope！"exclaimedtheEmperorofGalilee，smashinghispotinordertopropuphistable。
"Messeigneurs，emperors，andkings，"saidGringoirecoollyforIknownothow，firmnesshadreturnedtohim，andhespokewithresolution，"don’tthinkofsuchathing；mynameisPierreGringoire。IamthepoetwhosemoralitywaspresentedthismorninginthegrandhalloftheCourts。"
"Ah！soitwasyou，master！"saidClopin。"Iwasthere，~xêteDieu~！Well！comrade，isthatanyreason，becauseyouboredustodeaththismorning，thatyoushouldnotbehungthisevening？"
"Ishallfinddifficultyingettingoutofit，"saidGringoiretohimself。Nevertheless，hemadeonemoreeffort:"Idon’tseewhypoetsarenotclassedwithvagabonds，"saidhe。
"Vagabond，Aesopuscertainlywas；Homeruswasabeggar；
Mercuriuswasathief——"
Clopininterruptedhim:"Ibelievethatyouaretryingtoblarneyuswithyourjargon。Zounds！letyourselfbehung，anddon’tkickupsucharowoverit！"
"Pardonme，monseigneur，theKingofThunes，"repliedGringoire，disputingthegroundfootbyfoot。"Itisworthtrouble——Onemoment！——Listentome——Youarenotgoingtocondemnmewithouthavingheardme"——
Hisunluckyvoicewas，infact，drownedintheuproarwhichrosearoundhim。Thelittleboyscrapedawayathiscauldronwithmorespiritthanever；and，tocrownall，anoldwomanhadjustplacedonthetripodafrying-panofgrease，whichhissedawayonthefirewithanoisesimilartothecryofatroopofchildreninpursuitofamasker。
Inthemeantime，ClopinTrouillefouappearedtoholdamomentaryconferencewiththeDukeofEgypt，andtheEmperorofGalilee，whowascompletelydrunk。Thenheshoutedshrilly:"Silence！"and，asthecauldronandthefrying-pandidnotheedhim，andcontinuedtheirduet，hejumpeddownfromhishogshead，gaveakicktotheboiler，whichrolledtenpacesawaybearingthechildwithit，akicktothefrying-pan，whichupsetinthefirewithallitsgrease，andgravelyremountedhisthrone，withouttroublinghimselfaboutthestifledtearsofthechild，orthegrumblingoftheoldwoman，whosesupperwaswastingawayinafinewhiteflame。
Trouillefoumadeasign，andtheduke，theemperor，andthepassedmastersofpickpockets，andtheisolatedrobbers，cameandrangedthemselvesaroundhiminahorseshoe，ofwhichGringoire，stillroughlyheldbythebody，formedthecentre。Itwasasemicircleofrags，tatters，tinsel，pitchforks，axes，legsstaggeringwithintoxication，huge，barearms，facessordid，dull，andstupid。InthemidstofthisRoundTableofbeggary，ClopinTrouillefou，——asthedogeofthissenate，asthekingofthispeerage，asthepopeofthisconclave，——
dominated；firstbyvirtueoftheheightofhishogshead，andnextbyvirtueofanindescribable，haughty，fierce，andformidableair，whichcausedhiseyestoflash，andcorrectedinhissavageprofilethebestialtypeoftheraceofvagabonds。Onewouldhavepronouncedhimaboaramidaherdofswine。
"Listen，"saidhetoGringoire，fondlinghismisshapenchinwithhishornyhand；"Idon’tseewhyyoushouldnotbehung。Itistruethatitappearstoberepugnanttoyou；anditisverynatural，foryoubourgeoisarenotaccustomedtoit。
Youformforyourselvesagreatideaofthething。Afterall，wedon’twishyouanyharm。Hereisameansofextricatingyourselffromyourpredicamentforthemoment。Willyoubecomeoneofus？"
ThereadercanjudgeoftheeffectwhichthispropositionproduceduponGringoire，whobeheldlifeslippingawayfromhim，andwhowasbeginningtolosehisholduponit。Heclutchedatitagainwithenergy。
"CertainlyIwill，andrightheartily，"saidhe。
"Doyouconsent，"resumedClopin，"toenrollyourselfamongthepeopleoftheknife？"
"Oftheknife，precisely，"respondedGringoire。
"Yourecognizeyourselfasamemberofthefreebourgeoisie？"*
addedtheKingofThunes。
*Ahigh-tonedsharper。
"Ofthefreebourgeoisie。"
"SubjectoftheKingdomofArgot？"
"OftheKingdomofArgot*。"
*Thieves。
"Avagabond？"
"Avagabond。"
"Inyoursoul？"
"Inmysoul。"
"Imustcallyourattentiontothefact，"continuedtheking，"thatyouwillbehungallthesame。"
"Thedevil！"saidthepoet。
"Only，"continuedClopinimperturbably，"youwillbehunglateron，withmoreceremony，attheexpenseofthegoodcityofParis，onahandsomestonegibbet，andbyhonestmen。
Thatisaconsolation。"
"Justso，"respondedGringoire。
"Thereareotheradvantages。Inyourqualityofahigh-tonedsharper，youwillnothavetopaythetaxesonmud，orthepoor，orlanterns，towhichthebourgeoisofParisaresubject。"
"Sobeit，"saidthepoet。"Iagree。Iamavagabond，athief，asharper，amanoftheknife，anythingyouplease；andIamallthatalready，monsieur，KingofThunes，forIamaphilosopher；~etomniainphilosophia，omnesinphilosophocontinentur~，——allthingsarecontainedinphilosophy，allmeninthephilosopher，asyouknow。"
TheKingofThunesscowled。
"Whatdoyoutakemefor，myfriend？WhatHungarianJewpatterareyoujabberingatus？Idon’tknowHebrew。
Oneisn’taJewbecauseoneisabandit。Idon’tevenstealanylonger。I’mabovethat；Ikill。Cut-throat，yes；
cutpurse，no。"
Gringoiretriedtoslipinsomeexcusebetweenthesecurtwords，whichwrathrenderedmoreandmorejerky。
"Iaskyourpardon，monseigneur。ItisnotHebrew；’tisLatin。"
"Itellyou，"resumedClopinangrily，"thatI’mnotaJew，andthatI’llhaveyouhung，bellyofthesynagogue，likethatlittleshopkeeperofJudea，whoisbyyourside，andwhomI
entertainstronghopesofseeingnailedtoacounteroneofthesedays，likethecounterfeitcointhatheis！"
Sosaying，hepointedhisfingeratthelittle，beardedHungarianJewwhohadaccostedGringoirewithhis~facitotecaritatem~，andwho，understandingnootherlanguagebeheldwithsurprisetheKingofThunes’sill-humoroverflowuponhim。
AtlengthMonsieurClopincalmeddown。
"Soyouwillbeavagabond，youknave？"hesaidtoourpoet。
"Ofcourse，"repliedthepoet。
"Willingisnotall，"saidthesurlyClopin；"goodwilldoesn’tputoneonionthemoreintothesoup，and’tisgoodfornothingexcepttogotoParadisewith；now，Paradiseandthethieves’bandaretwodifferentthings。Inordertobereceivedamongthethieves，*youmustprovethatyouaregoodforsomething，andforthatpurpose，youmustsearchthemanikin。"
*L’argot。
"I’llsearchanythingyoulike，"saidGringoire。
Clopinmadeasign。Severalthievesdetachedthemselvesfromthecircle，andreturnedamomentlater。Theybroughttwothickposts，terminatedattheirlowerextremitiesinspreadingtimbersupports，whichmadethemstandreadilyupontheground；totheupperextremityofthetwopoststheyfittedacross-beam，andthewholeconstitutedaveryprettyportablegibbet，whichGringoirehadthesatisfactionofbeholdingrisebeforehim，inatwinkling。Nothingwaslacking，noteventherope，whichswunggracefullyoverthecross-beam。
"Whataretheygoingtodo？"Gringoireaskedhimselfwithsomeuneasiness。Asoundofbells，whichheheardatthatmoment，putanendtohisanxiety；itwasastuffedmanikin，whichthevagabondsweresuspendingbytheneckfromtherope，asortofscarecrowdressedinred，andsohungwithmule-bellsandlargerbells，thatonemighthavetrickedoutthirtyCastilianmuleswiththem。Thesethousandtinybellsquiveredforsometimewiththevibrationoftherope，thengraduallydiedaway，andfinallybecamesilentwhenthemanikinhadbeenbroughtintoastateofimmobilitybythatlawofthependulumwhichhasdethronedthewaterclockandthehour-glass。
ThenClopin，pointingouttoGringoirearicketyoldstoolplacedbeneaththemanikin，——
"Climbupthere。"
"Deathofthedevil！"objectedGringoire；"Ishallbreakmyneck。YourstoollimpslikeoneofMartial’sdistiches；
ithasonehexameterlegandonepentameterleg。"
"Climb！"repeatedClopin。
Gringoiremountedthestool，andsucceeded，notwithoutsomeoscillationsofheadandarms，inregaininghiscentreofgravity。
"Now，"wentontheKingofThunes，"twistyourrightfootroundyourleftleg，andriseonthetipofyourleftfoot。"
"Monseigneur，"saidGringoire，"soyouabsolutelyinsistonmybreakingsomeoneofmylimbs？"
Clopintossedhishead。
"Harkye，myfriend，youtalktoomuch。Here’sthegistofthematterintwowords:youaretoriseontiptoe，asI
tellyou；inthatwayyouwillbeabletoreachthepocketofthemanikin，youwillrummageit，youwillpulloutthepursethatisthere，——andifyoudoallthiswithoutourhearingthesoundofabell，alliswell:youshallbeavagabond。
Allweshallthenhavetodo，willbetothrashyousoundlyforthespaceofaweek。"
"~Ventre-Dieu~！Iwillbecareful，"saidGringoire。"AndsupposeIdomakethebellssound？"
"Thenyouwillbehanged。Doyouunderstand？"
"Idon’tunderstandatall，"repliedGringoire。
"Listen，oncemore。Youaretosearchthemanikin，andtakeawayitspurse；ifasinglebellstirsduringtheoperation，youwillbehung。Doyouunderstandthat？"
"Good，"saidGringoire；"Iunderstandthat。Andthen？"
"Ifyousucceedinremovingthepursewithoutourhearingthebells，youareavagabond，andyouwillbethrashedforeightconsecutivedays。Youunderstandnow，nodoubt？"
"No，monseigneur；Inolongerunderstand。Whereistheadvantagetome？hangedinonecase，cudgelledintheother？"
"Andavagabond，"resumedClopin，"andavagabond；isthatnothing？Itisforyourinterestthatweshouldbeatyou，inordertohardenyoutoblows。"
"Manythanks，"repliedthepoet。
"Come，makehaste，"saidtheking，stampinguponhiscask，whichresoundedlikeahugedrum！Searchthemanikin，andlettherebeanendtothis！Iwarnyouforthelasttime，thatifIhearasinglebell，youwilltaketheplaceofthemanikin。"
ThebandofthievesapplaudedClopin’swords，andarrangedthemselvesinacircleroundthegibbet，withalaughsopitilessthatGringoireperceivedthatheamusedthemtoomuchnottohaveeverythingtofearfromthem。Nohopewasleftforhim，accordingly，unlessitweretheslightchanceofsucceedingintheformidableoperationwhichwasimposeduponhim；hedecidedtoriskit，butitwasnotwithoutfirsthavingaddressedaferventprayertothemanikinhewasabouttoplunder，andwhowouldhavebeeneasiertomovetopitythanthevagabonds。Thesemyriadbells，withtheirlittlecoppertongues，seemedtohimlikethemouthsofsomanyasps，openandreadytostingandtohiss。
"Oh！"hesaid，inaverylowvoice，"isitpossiblethatmylifedependsontheslightestvibrationoftheleastofthesebells？Oh！"headded，withclaspedhands，"bells，donotring，hand-bellsdonotclang，mule-bellsdonotquiver！"
HemadeonemoreattemptuponTrouillefou。
"Andifthereshouldcomeagustofwind？"
"Youwillbehanged，"repliedtheother，withouthesitation。
Perceivingthatnorespite，norreprieve，norsubterfugewaspossible，hebravelydecideduponhiscourseofaction；hewoundhisrightfootroundhisleftleg，raisedhimselfonhisleftfoot，andstretchedouthisarm:butatthemomentwhenhishandtouchedthemanikin，hisbody，whichwasnowsupportedupononelegonly，waveredonthestoolwhichhadbutthree；hemadeaninvoluntaryefforttosupporthimselfbythemanikin，losthisbalance，andfellheavilytotheground，deafenedbythefatalvibrationofthethousandbellsofthemanikin，which，yieldingtotheimpulseimpartedbyhishand，describedfirstarotarymotion，andthenswayedmajesticallybetweenthetwoposts。
"Malediction！"hecriedashefell，andremainedasthoughdead，withhisfacetotheearth。