Thisabundanceoflighthadsomethingindescribablyreassuringaboutit。Life，sap，heat，odorsoverflowed；onewasconscious，beneathcreation，oftheenormoussizeofthesource；inallthesebreathspermeatedwithlove，inthisinterchangeofreverberationsandreflections，inthismarvellousexpenditureofrays，inthisinfiniteoutpouringofliquidgold，onefelttheprodigalityoftheinexhaustible；and，behindthissplendorasbehindacurtainofflame，onecaughtaglimpseofGod，thatmillionaireofstars。
　　Thankstothesand，therewasnotaspeckofmud；thankstotherain，therewasnotagrainofashes。Theclumpsofblossomshadjustbeenbathed；everysortofvelvet，satin，goldandvarnish，whichspringsfromtheearthintheformofflowers，wasirreproachable。
　　Thismagnificencewascleanly。Thegrandsilenceofhappynaturefilledthegarden。Acelestialsilencethatiscompatiblewithathousandsortsofmusic，thecooingofnests，thebuzzingofswarms，theflutteringsofthebreeze。Alltheharmonyoftheseasonwascompleteinonegraciouswhole；theentrancesandexitsofspringtookplaceinproperorder；thelilacsended；thejasminesbegan；
　　someflowersweretardy，someinsectsinadvanceoftheirtime；
　　thevan—guardoftheredJunebutterfliesfraternizedwiththerear—guardofthewhitebutterfliesofMay。Theplantaintreesweregettingtheirnewskins。Thebreezehollowedoutundulationsinthemagnificentenormityofthechestnut—trees。Itwassplendid。
　　Aveteranfromtheneighboringbarracks，whowasgazingthroughthefence，said:"HereistheSpringpresentingarmsandinfulluniform。"
　　Allnaturewasbreakfasting；creationwasattable；thiswasitshour；
　　thegreatblueclothwasspreadinthesky，andthegreatgreenclothonearth；thesunlighteditallupbrilliantly。Godwasservingtheuniversalrepast。Eachcreaturehadhispastureorhismess。
　　Thering—dovefoundhishemp—seed，thechaffinchfoundhismillet，thegoldfinchfoundchickweed，thered—breastfoundworms，thegreenfinchfoundflies，theflyfoundinfusoriae，thebeefoundflowers。
　　Theyateeachothersomewhat，itistrue，whichisthemiseryofevilmixedwithgood；butnotabeastofthemallhadanemptystomach。
　　Thetwolittleabandonedcreatureshadarrivedinthevicinityofthegrandfountain，and，ratherbewilderedbyallthislight，theytriedtohidethemselves，theinstinctofthepoorandtheweakinthepresenceofevenimpersonalmagnificence；andtheykeptbehindtheswans’hutch。
　　Hereandthere，atintervals，whenthewindblew，shouts，clamor，asortoftumultuousdeathrattle，whichwasthefiring，anddullblows，whichweredischargesofcannon，strucktheearconfusedly。
　　SmokehungovertheroofsinthedirectionoftheHalles。Abell，whichhadtheairofanappeal，wasringinginthedistance。
　　Thesechildrendidnotappeartonoticethesenoises。Thelittleonerepeatedfromtimetotime:"Iamhungry。"
　　Almostatthesameinstantwiththechildren，anothercoupleapproachedthegreatbasin。Theyconsistedofagoodman，aboutfiftyyearsofage，whowasleadingbythehandalittlefellowofsix。Nodoubt，afatherandhisson。Thelittlemanofsixhadabigbrioche。
　　Atthatepoch，certainhousesabuttingontheriver，intheRuesMadameandd’Enfer，hadkeystotheLuxembourggarden，ofwhichthelodgersenjoyedtheusewhenthegateswereshut，aprivilegewhichwassuppressedlateron。Thisfatherandsoncamefromoneofthesehouses，nodoubt。
　　Thetwopoorlittlecreatureswatched"thatgentleman"approaching，andhidthemselvesalittlemorethoroughly。
　　Hewasabourgeois。Thesameperson，perhaps，whomMariushadonedayheard，throughhislovefever，nearthesamegrandbasin，counsellinghisson"toavoidexcesses。"Hehadanaffableandhaughtyair，andamouthwhichwasalwayssmiling，sinceitdidnotshut。
　　Thismechanicalsmile，producedbytoomuchjawandtoolittleskin，showstheteethratherthanthesoul。Thechild，withhisbrioche，whichhehadbittenintobuthadnotfinishedeating，seemedsatiated。
　　ThechildwasdressedasaNationalGuardsman，owingtotheinsurrection，andthefatherhadremainedcladasabourgeoisoutofprudence。
　　Fatherandsonhaltednearthefountainwheretwoswansweresporting。
　　Thisbourgeoisappearedtocherishaspecialadmirationfortheswans。
　　Heresembledtheminthissense，thathewalkedlikethem。
　　Forthemoment，theswanswereswimming，whichistheirprincipaltalent，andtheyweresuperb。
　　Ifthetwopoorlittlebeingshadlistenedandiftheyhadbeenofanagetounderstand，theymighthavegatheredthewordsofthisgraveman。Thefatherwassayingtohisson:
　　"Thesagelivescontentwithlittle。Lookatme，myson。Idonotlovepomp。Iamneverseeninclothesdeckedwithgoldlaceandstones；Ileavethatfalsesplendortobadlyorganizedsouls。"
　　HerethedeepshoutswhichproceededfromthedirectionoftheHallesburstoutwithfreshforceofbellanduproar。
　　"Whatisthat？"inquiredthechild。
　　Thefatherreplied:
　　"ItistheSaturnalia。"
　　Allatonce，hecaughtsightofthetwolittleraggedboysbehindthegreenswan—hutch。
　　"Thereisthebeginning，"saidhe。
　　And，afterapause，headded:
　　"Anarchyisenteringthisgarden。"
　　Inthemeanwhile，hissontookabiteofhisbrioche，spititout，and，suddenlyburstoutcrying。
　　"Whatareyoucryingabout？"demandedhisfather。
　　"Iamnothungryanymore，"saidthechild。
　　Thefather’ssmilebecamemoreaccentuated。
　　"Onedoesnotneedtobehungryinordertoeatacake。"
　　"Mycaketiresme。Itisstale。"
　　"Don’tyouwantanymoreofit？"
　　"No。"
　　Thefatherpointedtotheswans。
　　"Throwittothosepalmipeds。"
　　Thechildhesitated。Apersonmaynotwantanymoreofhiscake；
　　butthatisnoreasonforgivingitaway。
　　Thefatherwenton:
　　"Behumane。Youmusthavecompassiononanimals。"
　　And，takingthecakefromhisson，heflungitintothebasin。
　　Thecakefellveryneartheedge。
　　Theswanswerefaraway，inthecentreofthebasin，andbusywithsomeprey。Theyhadseenneitherthebourgeoisnorthebrioche。
　　Thebourgeois，feelingthatthecakewasindangerofbeingwasted，andmovedbythisuselessshipwreck，entereduponatelegraphicagitation，whichfinallyattractedtheattentionoftheswans。
　　Theyperceivedsomethingfloating，steeredfortheedgelikeships，astheyare，andslowlydirectedtheircoursetowardthebrioche，withthestupidmajestywhichbefitswhitecreatures。
　　"Theswans[cygnes]understandsigns[signes]，"saidthebourgeois，delightedtomakeajest。
　　Atthatmoment，thedistanttumultofthecityunderwentanothersuddenincrease。Thistimeitwassinister。Therearesomegustsofwindwhichspeakmoredistinctlythanothers。Theonewhichwasblowingatthatmomentbroughtclearlydefineddrum—beats，clamors，platoonfiring，andthedismalrepliesofthetocsinandthecannon。
　　Thiscoincidedwithablackcloudwhichsuddenlyveiledthesun。
　　Theswanshadnotyetreachedthebrioche。
　　"Letusreturnhome，"saidthefather，"theyareattackingtheTuileries。"
　　Hegraspedhisson’shandagain。Thenhecontinued:
　　"FromtheTuileriestotheLuxembourg，thereisbutthedistancewhichseparatesRoyaltyfromthepeerage；thatisnotfar。
　　Shotswillsoonraindown。"
　　Heglancedatthecloud。
　　"Perhapsitisrainitselfthatisabouttoshowerdown；theskyisjoiningin；theyoungerbranchiscondemned。Letusreturnhomequickly。"
　　"Ishouldliketoseetheswanseatthebrioche，"saidthechild。
　　Thefatherreplied:
　　"Thatwouldbeimprudent。"
　　Andheledhislittlebourgeoisaway。
　　Theson，regrettingtheswans，turnedhisheadbacktowardthebasinuntilacornerofthequincunxesconcealeditfromhim。
　　Inthemeanwhile，thetwolittlewaifshadapproachedthebriocheatthesametimeastheswans。Itwasfloatingonthewater。
　　Thesmallerofthemstaredatthecake，theeldergazedaftertheretreatingbourgeois。
　　FatherandsonenteredthelabyrinthofwalkswhichleadstothegrandflightofstepsneartheclumpoftreesonthesideoftheRueMadame。
　　Assoonastheyhaddisappearedfromview，theelderchildhastilyflunghimselfflatonhisstomachontheroundingcurbofthebasin，andclingingtoitwithhislefthand，andleaningoverthewater，onthevergeoffallingin，hestretchedouthisrighthandwithhissticktowardsthecake。Theswans，perceivingtheenemy，madehaste，andinsodoing，theyproducedaneffectoftheirbreastswhichwasofservicetothelittlefisher；thewaterflowedbackbeforetheswans，andoneofthesegentleconcentricundulationssoftlyfloatedthebriochetowardsthechild’swand。Justastheswanscameup，thesticktouchedthecake。Thechildgaveitabriskrap，drewinthebrioche，frightenedawaytheswans，seizedthecake，andsprangtohisfeet。Thecakewaswet；buttheywerehungryandthirsty。
　　Theelderbrokethecakeintotwoportions，alargeoneandasmallone，tookthesmalloneforhimself，gavethelargeonetohisbrother，andsaidtohim:
　　"Ramthatintoyourmuzzle。"
　　CHAPTERXVII
　　MORTUUSPATERFILIUMMORITURUMEXPECTAT
　　Mariusdashedoutofthebarricade，Combeferrefollowedhim。
　　Buthewastoolate。Gavrochewasdead。Combeferrebroughtbackthebasketofcartridges；Mariusborethechild。
　　"Alas！"hethought，"thatwhichthefatherhaddoneforhisfather，hewasrequitingtotheson；only，Thenardierhadbroughtbackhisfatheralive；hewasbringingbackthechilddead。"
　　WhenMariusre—enteredtheredoubtwithGavrocheinhisarms，hisface，likethechild，wasinundatedwithblood。
　　AtthemomentwhenhehadstoopedtoliftGavroche，abullethadgrazedhishead；hehadnotnoticedit。
　　CourfeyracuntiedhiscravatandwithitbandagedMarius’brow。
　　TheylaidGavrocheonthesametablewithMabeuf，andspreadoverthetwocorpsestheblackshawl。Therewasenoughofitforboththeoldmanandthechild。
　　Combeferredistributedthecartridgesfromthebasketwhichhehadbroughtin。
　　Thisgaveeachmanfifteenroundstofire。
　　JeanValjeanwasstillinthesameplace，motionlessonhisstonepost。WhenCombeferreofferedhimhisfifteencartridges，heshookhishead。
　　"Here’sarareeccentric，"saidCombeferreinalowvoicetoEnjolras。
　　"Hefindsawayofnotfightinginthisbarricade。"
　　"Whichdoesnotpreventhimfromdefendingit，"respondedEnjolras。
　　"Heroismhasitsoriginals，"resumedCombeferre。
　　AndCourfeyrac，whohadoverheard，added:
　　"HeisanothersortfromFatherMabeuf。"
　　Onethingwhichmustbenotedis，thatthefirewhichwasbatteringthebarricadehardlydisturbedtheinterior。Thosewhohavenevertraversedthewhirlwindofthissortofwarcanformnoideaofthesingularmomentsoftranquillitymingledwiththeseconvulsions。
　　Mengoandcome，theytalk，theyjest，theylounge。Someonewhomweknowheardacombatantsaytohiminthemidstofthegrape—shot:
　　"Wearehereasatabachelorbreakfast。"TheredoubtoftheRuedelaChanvrerie，werepeat，seemedverycalmwithin。Allmutationsandallphaseshadbeen，orwereabouttobe，exhausted。Theposition，fromcritical，hadbecomemenacing，and，frommenacing，wasprobablyabouttobecomedesperate。Inproportionasthesituationgrewgloomy，theglowofheroismempurpledthebarricademoreandmore。
　　Enjolras，whowasgrave，dominatedit，intheattitudeofayoungSpartansacrificinghisnakedswordtothesombregenius，Epidotas。
　　Combeferre，wearinganapron，wasdressingthewounds:
　　BossuetandFeuillyweremakingcartridgeswiththepowder—flaskpickedupbyGavrocheonthedeadcorporal，andBossuetsaidtoFeuilly:"Wearesoontotakethediligenceforanotherplanet"；
　　Courfeyracwasdisposingandarrangingonsomepaving—stoneswhichhehadreservedforhimselfnearEnjolras，acompletearsenal，hissword—cane，hisgun，twoholsterpistols，andacudgel，withthecareofayounggirlsettingasmalldunkerqueinorder。
　　JeanValjeanstaredsilentlyatthewalloppositehim。AnartisanwasfasteningMotherHucheloup’sbigstrawhatonhisheadwithastring，"forfearofsun—stroke，"ashesaid。TheyoungmenfromtheCougourded’Aixwerechattingmerrilyamongthemselves，asthougheagertospeakpatoisforthelasttime。Joly，whohadtakenWidowHucheloup’smirrorfromthewall，wasexamininghistongueinit。Somecombatants，havingdiscoveredafewcrustsofrathermouldybread，inadrawer，wereeagerlydevouringthem。
　　Mariuswasdisturbedwithregardtowhathisfatherwasabouttosaytohim。
　　CHAPTERXVIII
　　THEVULTUREBECOMEPREY
　　Wemustinsistupononepsychologicalfactpeculiartobarricades。
　　Nothingwhichischaracteristicofthatsurprisingwarofthestreetsshouldbeomitted。
　　Whatevermayhavebeenthesingularinwardtranquillitywhichwehavejustmentioned，thebarricade，forthosewhoareinsideit，remains，nonetheless，avision。
　　Thereissomethingoftheapocalypseincivilwar，allthemistsoftheunknownarecommingledwithfierceflashes，revolutionsaresphinxes，andanyonewhohaspassedthroughabarricadethinkshehastraversedadream。
　　ThefeelingstowhichoneissubjectintheseplaceswehavepointedoutinthecaseofMarius，andweshallseetheconsequences；
　　theyarebothmoreandlessthanlife。Onemergingfromabarricade，onenolongerknowswhatonehasseenthere。Onehasbeenterrible，butoneknowsitnot。Onehasbeensurroundedwithconflictingideaswhichhadhumanfaces；one’sheadhasbeeninthelightofthefuture。
　　Therewerecorpseslyingpronethere，andphantomsstandingerect。
　　Thehourswerecolossalandseemedhoursofeternity。Onehaslivedindeath。Shadowshavepassedby。Whatwerethey？
　　Onehasbeheldhandsonwhichtherewasblood；therewasadeafeninghorror；therewasalsoafrightfulsilence；therewereopenmouthswhichshouted，andotheropenmouthswhichheldtheirpeace；
　　onewasinthemidstofsmoke，ofnight，perhaps。Onefanciedthatonehadtouchedthesinisteroozeofunknowndepths；onestaresatsomethingredonone’sfingernails。Onenolongerremembersanything。
　　LetusreturntotheRuedelaChanvrerie。
　　Allatonce，betweentwodischarges，thedistantsoundofaclockstrikingthehourbecameaudible。
　　"Itismidday，"saidCombeferre。
　　ThetwelvestrokeshadnotfinishedstrikingwhenEnjolrassprangtohisfeet，andfromthesummitofthebarricadehurledthisthunderingshout:
　　"Carrystonesupintothehouses；linethewindowsillsandtheroofswiththem。Halfthementotheirguns，theotherhalftothepaving—stones。Thereisnotaminutetobelost。"
　　Asquadofsappersandminers，axeonshoulder，hadjustmadetheirappearanceinbattlearrayattheendofthestreet。
　　Thiscouldonlybetheheadofacolumn；andofwhatcolumn？
　　Theattackingcolumn，evidently；thesapperschargedwiththedemolitionofthebarricademustalwaysprecedethesoldierswhoaretoscaleit。
　　Theywere，evidently，onthebrinkofthatmomentwhichM。Clermont—Tonnerre，in1822，called"thetugofwar。"
　　Enjolras’orderwasexecutedwiththecorrecthastewhichispeculiartoshipsandbarricades，theonlytwoscenesofcombatwhereescapeisimpossible。Inlessthanaminute，twothirdsofthestoneswhichEnjolrashadhadpiledupatthedoorofCorinthehadbeencarrieduptothefirstfloorandtheattic，andbeforeasecondminutehadelapsed，thesestones，artisticallysetoneupontheother，walledupthesash—windowonthefirstfloorandthewindowsintherooftohalftheirheight。Afewloop—holescarefullyplannedbyFeuilly，theprincipalarchitect，allowedofthepassageofthegun—barrels。Thisarmamentofthewindowscouldbeeffectedallthemoreeasilysincethefiringofgrape—shothadceased。
　　Thetwocannonswerenowdischargingballagainstthecentreofthebarrierinordertomakeaholethere，and，ifpossible，abreachfortheassault。
　　Whenthestonesdestinedtothefinaldefencewereinplace，EnjolrashadthebottleswhichhehadsetunderthetablewhereMabeuflay，carriedtothefirstfloor。
　　"Whoistodrinkthat？"Bossuetaskedhim。
　　"They，"repliedEnjolras。
　　Thentheybarricadedthewindowbelow，andheldinreadinesstheironcross—barswhichservedtosecurethedoorofthewine—shopatnight。
　　Thefortresswascomplete。Thebarricadewastherampart，thewine—shopwasthedungeon。Withthestoneswhichremainedtheystoppeduptheoutlet。
　　Asthedefendersofabarricadearealwaysobligedtobesparingoftheirammunition，andastheassailantsknowthis，theassailantscombinetheirarrangementswithasortofirritatingleisure，exposethemselvestofireprematurely，thoughinappearancemorethaninreality，andtaketheirease。Thepreparationsforattackarealwaysmadewithacertainmethodicaldeliberation；afterwhich，thelightningstrikes。
　　ThisdeliberationpermittedEnjolrastotakeareviewofeverythingandtoperfecteverything。Hefeltthat，sincesuchmenweretodie，theirdeathoughttobeamasterpiece。
　　HesaidtoMarius:"Wearethetwoleaders。Iwillgivethelastordersinside。Doyouremainoutsideandobserve。"
　　Mariuspostedhimselfonthelookoutuponthecrestofthebarricade。
　　Enjolrashadthedoorofthekitchen，whichwastheambulance，asthereaderwillremember，nailedup。
　　"Nosplashingofthewounded，"hesaid。
　　Heissuedhisfinalordersinthetap—roominacurt，butprofoundlytranquiltone；Feuillylistenedandrepliedinthenameofall。
　　"Onthefirstfloor，holdyouraxesinreadinesstocutthestaircase。
　　Haveyouthem？"
　　"Yes，"saidFeuilly。
　　"Howmany？"
　　"Twoaxesandapole—axe。"
　　"Thatisgood。Therearenowtwenty—sixcombatantsofusonfoot。
　　Howmanygunsarethere？"
　　"Thirty—four。"
　　"Eighttoomany。Keepthoseeightgunsloadedliketherestandathand。
　　Swordsandpistolsinyourbelts。Twentymentothebarricade。
　　Sixambushedintheatticwindows，andatthewindowonthefirstfloortofireontheassailantsthroughtheloop—holesinthestones。
　　Letnotasingleworkerremaininactivehere。Presently，whenthedrumbeatstheassault，letthetwentybelowstairsrushtothebarricade。
　　Thefirsttoarrivewillhavethebestplaces。"
　　Thesearrangementsmade，heturnedtoJavertandsaid:
　　"Iamnotforgettingyou。"
　　And，layingapistolonthetable，headded:
　　"Thelastmantoleavethisroomwillsmashtheskullofthisspy。"
　　"Here？"inquiredavoice。
　　"No，letusnotmixtheircorpseswithourown。ThelittlebarricadeoftheMondetourlanecanbescaled。Itisonlyfourfeethigh。
　　Themaniswellpinioned。Heshallbetakenthitherandputtodeath。"
　　TherewassomeonewhowasmoreimpassiveatthatmomentthanEnjolras，itwasJavert。HereJeanValjeanmadehisappearance。
　　Hehadbeenlostamongthegroupofinsurgents。HesteppedforthandsaidtoEnjolras:
　　"Youarethecommander？"
　　"Yes。"
　　"Youthankedmeawhileago。"
　　"InthenameoftheRepublic。Thebarricadehastwosaviors，MariusPontmercyandyourself。"
　　"DoyouthinkthatIdeservearecompense？"
　　"Certainly。"
　　"Well，Irequestone。"
　　"Whatisit？"
　　"ThatImayblowthatman’sbrainsout。"
　　Javertraisedhishead，sawJeanValjean，madeanalmostimperceptiblemovement，andsaid:
　　"Thatisjust。"
　　AsforEnjolras，hehadbeguntore—loadhisrifle；hecuthiseyesabouthim:
　　"Noobjections。"
　　AndheturnedtoJeanValjean:
　　"Takethespy。"
　　JeanValjeandid，infact，takepossessionofJavert，byseatinghimselfontheendofthetable。Heseizedthepistol，andafaintclickannouncedthathehadcockedit。
　　Almostatthesamemoment，ablastoftrumpetsbecameaudible。
　　"Takecare！"shoutedMariusfromthetopofthebarricade。
　　Javertbegantolaughwiththatnoiselesslaughwhichwaspeculiartohim，andgazingintentlyattheinsurgents，hesaidtothem:
　　"YouareinnobettercasethanIam。"
　　"Allout！"shoutedEnjolras。
　　Theinsurgentspouredouttumultuously，and，astheywent，receivedintheback，——maywebepermittedtheexpression，——
　　thissallyofJavert’s:
　　"Weshallmeetagainshortly！"
　　CHAPTERXIX
　　JEANVALJEANTAKESHISREVENGE
　　WhenJeanValjeanwasleftalonewithJavert，heuntiedtheropewhichfastenedtheprisoneracrossthemiddleofthebody，andtheknotofwhichwasunderthetable。Afterthishemadehimasigntorise。
　　Javertobeyedwiththatindefinablesmileinwhichthesupremacyofenchainedauthorityiscondensed。
　　JeanValjeantookJavertbythemartingale，asonewouldtakeabeastofburdenbythebreast—band，and，draggingthelatterafterhim，emergedfromthewine—shopslowly，becauseJavert，withhisimpededlimbs，couldtakeonlyveryshortsteps。
　　JeanValjeanhadthepistolinhishand。
　　Inthismannertheycrossedtheinnertrapeziumofthebarricade。
　　Theinsurgents，allintentontheattack，whichwasimminent，hadtheirbacksturnedtothesetwo。
　　Mariusalone，stationedononeside，attheextremeleftofthebarricade，sawthempass。Thisgroupofvictimandexecutionerwasilluminatedbythesepulchrallightwhichheboreinhisownsoul。
　　JeanValjeanwithsomedifficulty，butwithoutrelaxinghisholdforasingleinstant，madeJavert，pinionedashewas，scalethelittleentrenchmentintheMondetourlane。
　　Whentheyhadcrossedthisbarrier，theyfoundthemselvesaloneinthelane。Noonesawthem。Amongtheheaptheycoulddistinguishalividface，streaminghair，apiercedhandandthehalfnudebreastofawoman。ItwasEponine。Thecornerofthehouseshidthemfromtheinsurgents。Thecorpsescarriedawayfromthebarricadeformedaterriblepileafewpacesdistant。
　　Javertgazedaskanceatthisbody，and，profoundlycalm，saidinalowtone:
　　"ItstrikesmethatIknowthatgirl。"
　　ThenheturnedtoJeanValjean。
　　JeanValjeanthrustthepistolunderhisarmandfixedonJavertalookwhichitrequirednowordstointerpret:"Javert，itisI。"
　　Javertreplied:
　　"Takeyourrevenge。"
　　JeanValjeandrewfromhispocketaknife，andopenedit。
　　"Aclasp—knife！"exclaimedJavert，"youareright。Thatsuitsyoubetter。"
　　JeanValjeancutthemartingalewhichJaverthadabouthisneck，thenhecutthecordsonhiswrists，then，stoopingdown，hecutthecordonhisfeet；and，straighteninghimselfup，hesaidtohim:
　　"Youarefree。"
　　Javertwasnoteasilyastonished。Still，masterofhimselfthoughhewas，hecouldnotrepressastart。Heremainedopen—mouthedandmotionless。
　　JeanValjeancontinued:
　　"IdonotthinkthatIshallescapefromthisplace。Butif，bychance，Ido，Ilive，underthenameofFauchelevent，intheRuedel’HommeArme，No。7。"
　　Javertsnarledlikeatiger，whichmadehimhalfopenonecornerofhismouth，andhemutteredbetweenhisteeth:
　　"Haveacare。"
　　"Go，"saidJeanValjean。
　　Javertbeganagain:
　　"ThousaidstFauchelevent，Ruedel’HommeArme？"
　　"Number7。"
　　Javertrepeatedinalowvoice:——"Number7。"
　　Hebuttoneduphiscoatoncemore，resumedthemilitarystiffnessbetweenhisshoulders，madeahalfturn，foldedhisarmsand，supportinghischinononeofhishands，hesetoutinthedirectionoftheHalles。JeanValjeanfollowedhimwithhiseyes:
　　Afewminuteslater，JavertturnedroundandshoutedtoJeanValjean:
　　"Youannoyme。Killme，rather。"
　　JaverthimselfdidnotnoticethathenolongeraddressedJeanValjeanas"thou。"
　　"Beoffwithyou，"saidJeanValjean。
　　Javertretreatedslowly。AmomentlaterheturnedthecorneroftheRuedesPrecheurs。
　　WhenJaverthaddisappeared，JeanValjeanfiredhispistolintheair。
　　Thenhereturnedtothebarricadeandsaid:
　　"Itisdone。"
　　Inthemeanwhile，thisiswhathadtakenplace。
　　Marius，moreintentontheoutsidethanontheinterior，hadnot，uptothattime，takenagoodlookatthepinionedspyinthedarkbackgroundofthetap—room。
　　Whenhebeheldhiminbroaddaylight，stridingoverthebarricadeinordertoproceedtohisdeath，herecognizedhim。
　　Somethingsuddenlyrecurredtohismind。HerecalledtheinspectoroftheRuedePontoise，andthetwopistolswhichthelatterhadhandedtohimandwhichhe，Marius，hadusedinthisverybarricade，andnotonlydidherecallhisface，buthisnameaswell。
　　Thisrecollectionwasmistyandtroubled，however，likeallhisideas。
　　Itwasnotanaffirmationthathemade，butaquestionwhichheputtohimself:
　　"IsnotthattheinspectorofpolicewhotoldmethathisnamewasJavert？"
　　Perhapstherewasstilltimetointerveneinbehalfofthatman。
　　But，inthefirstplace，hemustknowwhetherthiswasJavert。
　　MariuscalledtoEnjolras，whohadjuststationedhimselfattheotherextremityofthebarricade:
　　"Enjolras！"
　　"What？"
　　"Whatisthenameofyonderman？"
　　"Whatman？"
　　"Thepoliceagent。Doyouknowhisname？"
　　"Ofcourse。Hetoldus。"
　　"Whatisit？"
　　"Javert。"
　　Mariussprangtohisfeet。
　　Atthatmoment，theyheardthereportofthepistol。
　　JeanValjeanre—appearedandcried:"Itisdone。"
　　AgloomychilltraversedMarius’heart。
　　CHAPTERXX
　　THEDEADAREINTHERIGHTANDTHELIVINGARENOTINTHEWRONG
　　Thedeathagonyofthebarricadewasabouttobegin。
　　Everythingcontributedtoitstragicmajestyatthatsuprememoment；
　　athousandmysteriouscrashesintheair，thebreathofarmedmassessetinmovementinthestreetswhichwerenotvisible，theintermittentgallopofcavalry，theheavyshockofartilleryonthemarch，thefiringbysquads，andthecannonadescrossingeachotherinthelabyrinthofParis，thesmokesofbattlemountingallgildedabovetheroofs，indescribableandvaguelyterriblecries，lightningsofmenaceeverywhere，thetocsinofSaint—Merry，whichnowhadtheaccentsofasob，themildnessoftheweather，thesplendoroftheskyfilledwithsunandclouds，thebeautyoftheday，andthealarmingsilenceofthehouses。
　　For，sincetheprecedingevening，thetworowsofhousesintheRuedelaChanvreriehadbecometwowalls；ferociouswalls，doorsclosed，windowsclosed，shuttersclosed。
　　Inthosedays，sodifferentfromthoseinwhichwelive，whenthehourwascome，whenthepeoplewishedtoputanendtoasituation，whichhadlastedtoolong，withachartergrantedorwithalegalcountry，whenuniversalwrathwasdiffusedintheatmosphere，whenthecityconsentedtothetearingupofthepavements，wheninsurrectionmadethebourgeoisiesmilebywhisperingitspasswordinitsear，thentheinhabitant，thoroughlypenetratedwiththerevolt，sotospeak，wastheauxiliaryofthecombatant，andthehousefraternizedwiththeimprovisedfortresswhichrestedonit。Whenthesituationwasnotripe，whentheinsurrectionwasnotdecidedlyadmitted，whenthemassesdisownedthemovement，allwasoverwiththecombatants，thecitywaschangedintoadesertaroundtherevolt，soulsgrewchilled，refugeswerenailedup，andthestreetturnedintoadefiletohelpthearmytotakethebarricade。
　　Apeoplecannotbeforced，throughsurprise，towalkmorequicklythanitchooses。Woetowhomsoevertriestoforceitshand！Apeopledoesnotletitselfgoatrandom。Thenitabandonstheinsurrectiontoitself。Theinsurgentsbecomenoxious，infectedwiththeplague。
　　Ahouseisanescarpment，adoorisarefusal，afacadeisawall。
　　Thiswallhears，seesandwillnot。Itmightopenandsaveyou。
　　No。Thiswallisajudge。Itgazesatyouandcondemnsyou。
　　Whatdismalthingsareclosedhouses。Theyseemdead，theyareliving。
　　Lifewhichis，asitwere，suspendedthere，persiststhere。
　　Noonehasgoneoutofthemforfourandtwentyhours，butnooneismissingfromthem。Intheinteriorofthatrock，peoplegoandcome，gotobedandriseagain；theyareafamilypartythere；
　　theretheyeatanddrink；theyareafraid，aterriblething！
　　Fearexcusesthisfearfullackofhospitality；terrorismixedwithit，anextenuatingcircumstance。Sometimes，even，andthishasbeenactuallyseen，fearturnstopassion；frightmaychangeintofury，asprudencedoesintorage；hencethiswisesaying:
　　"Theenragedmoderates。"Thereareoutburstsofsupremeterror，whencespringswrathlikeamournfulsmoke。——"Whatdothesepeoplewant？
　　Whathavetheycometheretodo？Letthemgetoutofthescrape。
　　Somuchtheworseforthem。Itistheirfault。Theyareonlygettingwhattheydeserve。Itdoesnotconcernus。Hereisourpoorstreetallriddledwithballs。Theyareapackofrascals。Aboveallthings，don’topenthedoor。"——Andthehouseassumestheairofatomb。
　　Theinsurgentisinthedeath—throesinfrontofthathouse；heseesthegrape—shotandnakedswordsdrawingnear；ifhecries，heknowsthattheyarelisteningtohim，andthatnoonewillcome；therestandwallswhichmightprotecthim，therearemenwhomightsavehim；
　　andthesewallshaveearsofflesh，andthesemenhavebowelsofstone。
　　Whomshallhereproach？
　　Nooneandeveryone。
　　Theincompletetimesinwhichwelive。
　　ItisalwaysatitsownriskandperilthatUtopiaisconvertedintorevolution，andfromphilosophicalprotestbecomesanarmedprotest，andfromMinervaturnstoPallas。
　　TheUtopiawhichgrowsimpatientandbecomesrevoltknowswhatawaitsit；
　　italmostalwayscomestoosoon。Thenitbecomesresigned，andstoicallyacceptscatastropheinlieuoftriumph。Itservesthosewhodenyitwithoutcomplaint，evenexcusingthem，andevendisculpatesthem，anditsmagnanimityconsistsinconsentingtoabandonment。
　　Itisindomitableinthefaceofobstaclesandgentletowardsingratitude。
　　Isthisingratitude，however？
　　Yes，fromthepointofviewofthehumanrace。
　　No，fromthepointofviewoftheindividual。
　　Progressisman’smodeofexistence。ThegenerallifeofthehumanraceiscalledProgress，thecollectivestrideofthehumanraceiscalledProgress。Progressadvances；itmakesthegreathumanandterrestrialjourneytowardsthecelestialandthedivine；ithasitshaltingplaceswhereitralliesthelaggardtroop，ithasitsstationswhereitmeditates，inthepresenceofsomesplendidCanaansuddenlyunveiledonitshorizon，ithasitsnightswhenitsleeps；
　　anditisoneofthepoignantanxietiesofthethinkerthatheseestheshadowrestingonthehumansoul，andthathegropesindarknesswithoutbeingabletoawakenthatslumberingProgress。
　　"Godisdead，perhaps，"saidGerarddeNervalonedaytothewriteroftheselines，confoundingprogresswithGod，andtakingtheinterruptionofmovementforthedeathofBeing。
　　Hewhodespairsisinthewrong。Progressinfalliblyawakes，and，inshort，wemaysaythatitmarcheson，evenwhenitisasleep，forithasincreasedinsize。Whenwebeholditerectoncemore，wefindittaller。Tobealwayspeacefuldoesnotdependonprogressanymorethanitdoesonthestream；erectnobarriers，castinnoboulders；obstaclesmakewaterfrothandhumanityboil。
　　Hencearisetroubles；butafterthesetroubles，werecognizethefactthatgroundhasbeengained。Untilorder，whichisnothingelsethanuniversalpeace，hasbeenestablished，untilharmonyandunityreign，progresswillhaverevolutionsasitshalting—places。
　　What，then，isprogress？Wehavejustenunciatedit；thepermanentlifeofthepeoples。
　　Now，itsometimeshappens，thatthemomentarylifeofindividualsoffersresistancetotheeternallifeofthehumanrace。
　　Letusadmitwithoutbitterness，thattheindividualhashisdistinctinterests，andcan，withoutforfeiture，stipulateforhisinterest，anddefendit；thepresenthasitspardonabledoseofegotism；
　　momentarylifehasitsrights，andisnotboundtosacrificeitselfconstantlytothefuture。Thegenerationwhichispassinginitsturnovertheearth，isnotforcedtoabridgeitforthesakeofthegenerations，itsequal，afterall，whowillhavetheirturnlateron。——"Iexist，"murmursthatsomeonewhosenameisAll。
　　"Iamyoungandinlove，IamoldandIwishtorepose，Iamthefatherofafamily，Itoil，Iprosper，Iamsuccessfulinbusiness，Ihavehousestolease，Ihavemoneyinthegovernmentfunds，Iamhappy，Ihaveawifeandchildren，Ihaveallthis，Idesiretolive，leavemeinpeace。"——Hence，atcertainhours，aprofoundcoldbroodsoverthemagnanimousvanguardofthehumanrace。
　　Utopia，moreover，wemustadmit，quitsitsradiantspherewhenitmakeswar。It，thetruthofto—morrow，borrowsitsmodeofprocedure，battle，fromthelieofyesterday。It，thefuture，behaveslikethepast。It，pureidea，becomesadeedofviolence。
　　Itcomplicatesitsheroismwithaviolenceforwhichitisjustthatitshouldbeheldtoanswer；aviolenceofoccasionandexpedient，contrarytoprinciple，andforwhichitisfatallypunished。
　　TheUtopia，insurrection，fightswiththeoldmilitarycodeinitsfist；
　　itshootsspies，itexecutestraitors；itsuppresseslivingbeingsandflingsthemintounknowndarkness。Itmakesuseofdeath，aseriousmatter。ItseemsasthoughUtopiahadnolongeranyfaithinradiance，itsirresistibleandincorruptibleforce。Itstrikeswiththesword。Now，noswordissimple。Everybladehastwoedges；
　　hewhowoundswiththeoneiswoundedwiththeother。
　　Havingmadethisreservation，andmadeitwithallseverity，itisimpossibleforusnottoadmire，whethertheysucceedornot，thosethegloriouscombatantsofthefuture，theconfessorsofUtopia。Evenwhentheymiscarry，theyareworthyofveneration；
　　anditis，perhaps，infailure，thattheypossessthemostmajesty。
　　Victory，whenitisinaccordwithprogress，meritstheapplauseofthepeople；butaheroicdefeatmeritstheirtendercompassion。
　　Theoneismagnificent，theothersublime。Forourownpart，weprefermartyrdomtosuccess。JohnBrownisgreaterthanWashington，andPisacaneisgreaterthanGaribaldi。
　　Itcertainlyisnecessarythatsomeoneshouldtakethepartofthevanquished。
　　Weareunjusttowardsthesegreatmenwhoattemptthefuture，whentheyfail。
　　Revolutionistsareaccusedofsowingfearabroad。Everybarricadeseemsacrime。Theirtheoriesareincriminated，theiraimsuspected，theirulteriormotiveisfeared，theirconsciencedenounced。
　　Theyarereproachedwithraising，erecting，andheapingup，againstthereigningsocialstate，amassofmiseries，ofgriefs，ofiniquities，ofwrongs，ofdespairs，andoftearingfromthelowestdepthsblocksofshadowinorderthereintoembattlethemselvesandtocombat。
　　Peopleshouttothem:"Youaretearingupthepavementsofhell！"
　　Theymightreply:"Thatisbecauseourbarricadeismadeofgoodintentions。"
　　Thebestthing，assuredly，isthepacificsolution。Inshort，letusagreethatwhenwebeholdthepavement，wethinkofthebear，anditisagoodwillwhichrenderssocietyuneasy。Butitdependsonsocietytosaveitself，itistoitsowngoodwillthatwemakeourappeal。Noviolentremedyisnecessary。Tostudyevilamiably，toproveitsexistence，thentocureit。Itistothisthatweinviteit。
　　Howeverthatmaybe，evenwhenfallen，aboveallwhenfallen，thesemen，whoateverypointoftheuniverse，withtheireyesfixedonFrance，arestrivingforthegrandworkwiththeinflexiblelogicoftheideal，areaugust；theygivetheirlifeafreeofferingtoprogress；
　　theyaccomplishthewillofprovidence；theyperformareligiousact。
　　Attheappointedhour，withasmuchdisinterestednessasanactorwhoanswerstohiscue，inobediencetothedivinestage—manager，theyenterthetomb。Andthishopelesscombat，thisstoicaldisappearancetheyacceptinordertobringaboutthesupremeanduniversalconsequences，themagnificentandirresistiblyhumanmovementbegunonthe14thofJuly，1789；thesesoldiersarepriests。
　　TheFrenchrevolutionisanactofGod。
　　Moreover，thereare，anditispropertoaddthisdistinctiontothedistinctionsalreadypointedoutinanotherchapter，——thereareacceptedrevolutions，revolutionswhicharecalledrevolutions；
　　therearerefusedrevolutions，whicharecalledriots。
　　Aninsurrectionwhichbreaksout，isanideawhichispassingitsexaminationbeforethepeople。Ifthepeopleletsfallablackball，theideaisdriedfruit；theinsurrectionisamereskirmish。
　　WagingwarateverysummonsandeverytimethatUtopiadesiresit，isnotthethingforthepeoples。Nationshavenotalwaysandateveryhourthetemperamentofheroesandmartyrs。
　　Theyarepositive。Apriori，insurrectionisrepugnanttothem，inthefirstplace，becauseitoftenresultsinacatastrophe，inthesecondplace，becauseitalwayshasanabstractionasitspointofdeparture。
　　Because，andthisisanoblething，itisalwaysfortheideal，andfortheidealalone，thatthosewhosacrificethemselvesdothussacrificethemselves。Aninsurrectionisanenthusiasm。Enthusiasmmaywaxwroth；hencetheappealtoarms。Buteveryinsurrection，whichaimsatagovernmentoraregime，aimshigher。Thus，forinstance，andweinsistuponit，whatthechiefsoftheinsurrectionof1832，and，inparticular，theyoungenthusiastsoftheRuedelaChanvreriewerecombating，wasnotpreciselyLouisPhilippe。
　　Themajorityofthem，whentalkingfreely，didjusticetothiskingwhostoodmidwaybetweenmonarchyandrevolution；noonehatedhim。
　　ButtheyattackedtheyoungerbranchofthedivinerightinLouisPhilippeastheyhadattackeditselderbranchinCharlesX。；
　　andthatwhichtheywishedtooverturninoverturningroyaltyinFrance，was，aswehaveexplained，theusurpationofmanoverman，andofprivilegeoverrightintheentireuniverse。
　　Pariswithoutakinghasasresulttheworldwithoutdespots。
　　Thisisthemannerinwhichtheyreasoned。Theiraimwasdistantnodoubt，vagueperhaps，anditretreatedinthefaceoftheirefforts；
　　butitwasgreat。
　　Thusitis。Andwesacrificeourselvesforthesevisions，whicharealmostalwaysillusionsforthesacrificed，butillusionswithwhich，afterall，thewholeofhumancertaintyismingled。
　　Wethrowourselvesintothesetragicaffairsandbecomeintoxicatedwiththatwhichweareabouttodo。Whoknows？Wemaysucceed。
　　Wearefewinnumber，wehaveawholearmyarrayedagainstus；
　　butwearedefendingright，thenaturallaw，thesovereigntyofeachoneoverhimselffromwhichnoabdicationispossible，justiceandtruth，andincaseofneed，wedielikethethreehundredSpartans。WedonotthinkofDonQuixotebutofLeonidas。
　　Andwemarchstraightbeforeus，andoncepledged，wedonotdrawback，andwerushonwardswithheadheldlow，cherishingasourhopeanunprecedentedvictory，revolutioncompleted，progresssetfreeagain，theaggrandizementofthehumanrace，universaldeliverance；
　　andintheeventoftheworst，Thermopylae。
　　Thesepassagesofarmsforthesakeofprogressoftensuffershipwreck，andwehavejustexplainedwhy。Thecrowdisrestiveinthepresenceoftheimpulsesofpaladins。Heavymasses，themultitudeswhicharefragilebecauseoftheirveryweight，fearadventures；
　　andthereisatouchofadventureintheideal。
　　Moreover，andwemustnotforgetthis，interestswhicharenotveryfriendlytotheidealandthesentimentalareintheway。
　　Sometimesthestomachparalyzestheheart。
　　ThegrandeurandbeautyofFranceliesinthis，thatshetakeslessfromthestomachthanothernations:shemoreeasilyknotstheropeaboutherloins。Sheisthefirstawake，thelastasleep。
　　Shemarchesforwards。Sheisaseeker。
　　Thisarisesfromthefactthatsheisanartist。
　　Theidealisnothingbuttheculminatingpointoflogic，thesameasthebeautifulisnothingbutthesummitofthetrue。
　　Artisticpeoplesarealsoconsistentpeoples。Tolovebeautyistoseethelight。ThatiswhythetorchofEurope，thatistosayofcivilization，wasfirstbornebyGreece，whopasseditontoItaly，whohandeditontoFrance。Divine，illuminatingnationsofscouts！
　　Vitaelampadatradunt。
　　Itisanadmirablethingthatthepoetryofapeopleistheelementofitsprogress。Theamountofcivilizationismeasuredbythequantityofimagination。Only，acivilizingpeopleshouldremainamanlypeople。Corinth，yes；Sybaris，no。Whoeverbecomeseffeminatemakeshimselfabastard。Hemustbeneitheradilettantenoravirtuoso:buthemustbeartistic。Inthematterofcivilization，hemustnotrefine，buthemustsublime。Onthiscondition，onegivestothehumanracethepatternoftheideal。
　　Themodernidealhasitstypeinart，anditsmeansisscience。
　　Itisthroughsciencethatitwillrealizethataugustvisionofthepoets，thesociallybeautiful。EdenwillbereconstructedbyAB。Atthepointwhichcivilizationhasnowreached，theexactisanecessaryelementofthesplendid，andtheartisticsentimentisnotonlyserved，butcompletedbythescientificorgan；
　　dreamsmustbecalculated。Art，whichistheconqueror，shouldhaveforsupportscience，whichisthewalker；thesolidityofthecreaturewhichisriddenisofimportance。ThemodernspiritisthegeniusofGreecewiththegeniusofIndiaasitsvehicle；
　　Alexanderontheelephant。
　　Raceswhicharepetrifiedindogmaordemoralizedbylucreareunfittoguidecivilization。Genuflectionbeforetheidolorbeforemoneywastesawaythemuscleswhichwalkandthewillwhichadvances。
　　Hieraticormercantileabsorptionlessensapeople’spowerofradiance，lowersitshorizonbyloweringitslevel，anddeprivesitofthatintelligence，atoncebothhumananddivineoftheuniversalgoal，whichmakesmissionariesofnations。Babylonhasnoideal；
　　Carthagehasnoideal。AthensandRomehaveandkeep，throughoutallthenocturnaldarknessofthecenturies，halosofcivilization。
　　FranceisinthesamequalityofraceasGreeceandItaly。
　　SheisAthenianinthematterofbeauty，andRomaninhergreatness。
　　Moreover，sheisgood。Shegivesherself。Oftenerthanisthecasewithotherraces，issheinthehumorforself—devotionandsacrifice。
　　Only，thishumorseizesuponher，andagainabandonsher。
　　Andthereinliesthegreatperilforthosewhorunwhenshedesiresonlytowalk，orwhowalkonwhenshedesirestohalt。
　　Francehasherrelapsesintomaterialism，and，atcertaininstants，theideaswhichobstructthatsublimebrainhavenolongeranythingwhichrecallsFrenchgreatnessandareofthedimensionsofaMissourioraSouthCarolina。Whatistobedoneinsuchacase？
　　Thegiantessplaysatbeingadwarf；immenseFrancehasherfreaksofpettiness。Thatisall。
　　Tothisthereisnothingtosay。Peoples，likeplanets，possesstherighttoaneclipse。Andalliswell，providedthatthelightreturnsandthattheeclipsedoesnotdegenerateintonight。
　　Dawnandresurrectionaresynonymous。Thereappearanceofthelightisidenticalwiththepersistenceofthe_I_。
　　Letusstatethesefactscalmly。Deathonthebarricadeorthetombinexile，isanacceptableoccasionfordevotion。
　　Therealnameofdevotionisdisinterestedness。Lettheabandonedallowthemselvestobeabandoned，lettheexiledallowthemselvestobeexiled，andletusconfineourselvestoentreatinggreatnationsnottoretreattoofar，whentheydoretreat。Onemustnotpushtoofarindescentunderpretextofareturntoreason。
　　Matterexists，theminuteexists，interestexists，thestomachexists；
　　butthestomachmustnotbethesolewisdom。Thelifeofthemomenthasitsrights，weadmit，butpermanentlifehasitsrightsalso。
　　Alas！thefactthatoneismounteddoesnotprecludeafall。
　　Thiscanbeseeninhistorymorefrequentlythanisdesirable:
　　Anationisgreat，ittastestheideal，thenitbitesthemire，andfindsitgood；andifitbeaskedhowithappensthatithasabandonedSocratesforFalstaff，itreplies:"BecauseI
　　lovestatesmen。"
　　Onewordmorebeforereturningtooursubject，theconflict。
　　Abattleliketheonewhichweareengagedindescribingisnothingelsethanaconvulsiontowardstheideal。Progresstrammelledissickly，andissubjecttothesetragicepilepsies。Withthatmaladyofprogress，civilwar，wehavebeenobligedtocomeincontactinourpassage。Thisisoneofthefatalphases，atonceactandentr’acteofthatdramawhosepivotisasocialcondemnation，andwhoseveritabletitleisProgress。
　　Progress！
　　Thecrytowhichwefrequentlygiveutteranceisourwholethought；
　　and，atthepointofthisdramawhichwehavenowreached，theideawhichitcontainshavingstillmorethanonetrialtoundergo，itis，perhaps，permittedtous，ifnottolifttheveilfromit，toatleastallowitslighttoshinethrough。
　　Thebookwhichthereaderhasunderhiseyeatthismomentis，fromoneendtotheother，asawholeandindetail，whatevermaybeitsintermittences，exceptionsandfaults，themarchfromeviltogood，fromtheunjusttothejust，fromnighttoday，fromappetitetoconscience，fromrottennesstolife，fromhelltoheaven，fromnothingnesstoGod。Pointofdeparture:matter；pointofarrival:
　　thesoul。Thehydraatthebeginning，theangelattheend。
　　CHAPTERXXI
　　THEHEROES
　　Allatonce，thedrumbeatthecharge。
　　Theattackwasahurricane。Ontheeveningbefore，inthedarkness，thebarricadehadbeenapproachedsilently，asbyaboa。Now，inbroaddaylight，inthatwideningstreet，surprisewasdecidedlyimpossible，rudeforcehad，moreover，beenunmasked，thecannonhadbeguntheroar，thearmyhurleditselfonthebarricade。Furynowbecameskill。
　　Apowerfuldetachmentofinfantryoftheline，brokenatregularintervals，bytheNationalGuardandtheMunicipalGuardonfoot，andsupportedbyserriedmasseswhichcouldbeheardthoughnotseen，debauchedintothestreetatarun，withdrumsbeating，trumpetsbraying，bayonetslevelled，thesappersattheirhead，and，imperturbableundertheprojectiles，chargedstraightforthebarricadewiththeweightofabrazenbeamagainstawall。
　　Thewallheldfirm。
　　Theinsurgentsfiredimpetuously。Thebarricadeoncescaledhadamaneoflightningflashes。Theassaultwassofurious，thatforonemoment，itwasinundatedwithassailants；butitshookoffthesoldiersasthelionshakesoffthedogs，anditwasonlycoveredwithbesiegersasthecliffiscoveredwithfoam，tore—appear，amomentlater，beetling，blackandformidable。
　　Thecolumn，forcedtoretreat，remainedmassedinthestreet，unprotectedbutterrible，andrepliedtotheredoubtwithaterribledischargeofmusketry。Anyonewhohasseenfireworkswillrecallthesheafformedofinterlacinglightningswhichiscalledabouquet。
　　Letthereaderpicturetohimselfthisbouquet，nolongerverticalbuthorizontal，bearingabullet，buck—shotorabiscaienatthetipofeachoneofitsjetsofflame，andpickingoffdeadmenoneafteranotherfromitsclustersoflightning。Thebarricadewasunderneathit。
　　Onbothsides，theresolutionwasequal。Thebraveryexhibitedtherewasalmostbarbarousandwascomplicatedwithasortofheroicferocitywhichbeganbythesacrificeofself。
　　ThiswastheepochwhenaNationalGuardsmanfoughtlikeaZouave。
　　Thetroopwishedtomakeanendofit，insurrectionwasdesirousoffighting。Theacceptanceofthedeathagonyintheflowerofyouthandintheflushofhealthturnsintrepidityintofrenzy。
　　Inthisfray，eachoneunderwentthebroadeninggrowthofthedeathhour。
　　Thestreetwasstrewnwithcorpses。
　　ThebarricadehadEnjolrasatoneofitsextremitiesandMariusattheother。Enjolras，whocarriedthewholebarricadeinhishead，reservedandshelteredhimself；threesoldiersfell，oneaftertheother，underhisembrasure，withouthavingevenseenhim；
　　Mariusfoughtunprotected。Hemadehimselfatarget。Hestoodwithmorethanhalfhisbodyabovethebreastworks。Thereisnomoreviolentprodigalthantheavariciousmanwhotakesthebitinhisteeth；thereisnomanmoreterribleinactionthanadreamer。
　　Mariuswasformidableandpensive。Inbattlehewasasinadream。
　　Onewouldhavepronouncedhimaphantomengagedinfiringagun。
　　Theinsurgents’cartridgesweregivingout；butnottheirsarcasms。
　　Inthiswhirlwindofthesepulchreinwhichtheystood，theylaughed。
　　Courfeyracwasbare—headed。
　　"Whathaveyoudonewithyourhat？"Bossuetaskedhim。
　　Courfeyracreplied:
　　"Theyhavefinallytakenitawayfrommewithcannon—balls。"
　　Ortheyutteredhaughtycomments。
　　"Cananyoneunderstand，"exclaimedFeuillybitterly，"thosemen，——[andhecitednames，well—knownnames，evencelebratednames，somebelongingtotheoldarmy]——whohadpromisedtojoinus，andtakenanoathtoaidus，andwhohadpledgedtheirhonortoit，andwhoareourgenerals，andwhoabandonus！"
　　AndCombeferrerestrictedhimselftoreplyingwithagravesmile。
　　"Therearepeoplewhoobservetherulesofhonorasoneobservesthestars，fromagreatdistance。"
　　Theinteriorofthebarricadewassostrewnwithtorncartridgesthatonewouldhavesaidthattherehadbeenasnowstorm。
　　Theassailantshadnumbersintheirfavor；theinsurgentshadposition。
　　Theywereatthetopofawall，andtheythunderedpoint—blankuponthesoldierstrippingoverthedeadandwoundedandentangledintheescarpment。Thisbarricade，constructedasitwasandadmirablybuttressed，wasreallyoneofthosesituationswhereahandfulofmenholdalegionincheck。Nevertheless，theattackingcolumn，constantlyrecruitedandenlargedundertheshowerofbullets，drewinexorablynearer，andnow，littlebylittle，stepbystep，butsurely，thearmyclosedinaroundthebarricadeasthevicegraspsthewine—press。
　　Oneassaultfollowedanother。Thehorrorofthesituationkeptincreasing。
　　Thenthereburstforthonthatheapofpaving—stones，inthatRuedelaChanvrerie，abattleworthyofawallofTroy。
　　Thesehaggard，ragged，exhaustedmen，whohadhadnothingtoeatforfourandtwentyhours，whohadnotslept，whohadbutafewmoreroundstofire，whowerefumblingintheirpocketswhichhadbeenemptiedofcartridges，nearlyallofwhomwerewounded，withheadorarmbandagedwithblackandblood—stainedlinen，withholesintheirclothesfromwhichthebloodtrickled，andwhowerehardlyarmedwithpoorgunsandnotchedswords，becameTitans。
　　Thebarricadewastentimesattacked，approached，assailed，scaled，andnevercaptured。
　　Inordertoformanideaofthisstruggle，itisnecessarytoimaginefiresettoathrongofterriblecourages，andthentogazeattheconflagration。Itwasnotacombat，itwastheinteriorofafurnace；theremouthsbreathedtheflame；therecountenanceswereextraordinary。Thehumanformseemedimpossiblethere，thecombatantsflamedforththere，anditwasformidabletobeholdthegoingandcominginthatredglowofthosesalamandersofthefray。
　　Thesuccessiveandsimultaneousscenesofthisgrandslaughterwerenounceallattemptsatdepicting。Theepicalonehastherighttofilltwelvethousandverseswithabattle。
　　OnewouldhavepronouncedthisthathellofBrahmanism，themostredoubtableoftheseventeenabysses，whichtheVedacallstheForestofSwords。
　　Theyfoughthandtohand，foottofoot，withpistolshots，withblowsofthesword，withtheirfists，atadistance，closeathand，fromabove，frombelow，fromeverywhere，fromtheroofsofthehouses，fromthewindowsofthewine—shop，fromthecellarwindows，whithersomehadcrawled。Theywereoneagainstsixty。
　　ThefacadeofCorinthe，halfdemolished，washideous。Thewindow，tattooedwithgrape—shot，hadlostglassandframeandwasnothingnowbutashapelesshole，tumultuouslyblockedwithpaving—stones。
　　Bossuetwaskilled；Feuillywaskilled；Courfeyracwaskilled；
　　Combeferre，transfixedbythreeblowsfromabayonetinthebreastatthemomentwhenhewasliftingupawoundedsoldier，hadonlytimetocastaglancetoheavenwhenheexpired。
　　Marius，stillfighting，wassoriddledwithwounds，particularlyinthehead，thathiscountenancedisappearedbeneaththeblood，andonewouldhavesaidthathisfacewascoveredwitharedkerchief。
　　Enjolrasalonewasnotstruck。Whenhehadnolongeranyweapon，hereachedouthishandstorightandleftandaninsurgentthrustsomearmorotherintohisfist。Allhehadleftwasthestumpsoffourswords；onemorethanFrancoisI。atMarignan。Homersays:
　　"DiomedescutsthethroatofAxylus，sonofTeuthranis，whodweltinhappyArisba；Euryalus，sonofMecistaeus，exterminatesDresosandOpheltios，Esepius，andthatPedasuswhomthenaiadAbarbareaboretotheblamelessBucolion；UlyssesoverthrowsPidytesofPercosius；
　　Antilochus，Ablerus；Polypaetes，Astyalus；Polydamas，Otos，ofCyllene；
　　andTeucer，Aretaon。MeganthiosdiesundertheblowsofEuripylus’
　　pike。Agamemnon，kingoftheheroes，flingstoearthElatos，bornintherockycitywhichislavedbythesoundingriverSatnois。"
　　Inouroldpoemsofexploits，EsplandianattacksthegiantmarquisSwantiborewithacobbler’sshoulder—stickoffire，andthelatterdefendshimselfbystoningtheherowithtowerswhichheplucksupbytheroots。OurancientmuralfrescoesshowusthetwoDukesofBretagneandBourbon，armed，emblazonedandcrestedinwar—likeguise，onhorsebackandapproachingeachother，theirbattle—axesinhand，maskedwithiron，glovedwithiron，bootedwithiron，theonecaparisonedinermine，theotherdrapedinazure:Bretagnewithhislionbetweenthetwohornsofhiscrown，Bourbonhelmetedwithamonsterfleurdelysonhisvisor。But，inordertobesuperb，itisnotnecessarytowear，likeYvon，theducalmorion，tohaveinthefist，likeEsplandian，alivingflame，or，likePhyles，fatherofPolydamas，tohavebroughtbackfromEphyraagoodsuitofmail，apresentfromthekingofmen，Euphetes；itsufficestogiveone’slifeforaconvictionoraloyalty。Thisingenuouslittlesoldier，yesterdayapeasantofBauceorLimousin，whoprowlswithhisclasp—knifebyhisside，aroundthechildren’snursesintheLuxembourggarden，thispaleyoungstudentbentoverapieceofanatomyorabook，ablondyouthwhoshaveshisbeardwithscissors，——takebothofthem，breatheuponthemwithabreathofduty，placethemfacetofaceintheCarrefourBoucheratorintheblindalleyPlanche—Mibray，andlettheonefightforhisflag，andtheotherforhisideal，andletbothofthemimaginethattheyarefightingfortheircountry；
　　thestrugglewillbecolossal；andtheshadowwhichthisrawrecruitandthissawbonesinconflictwillproduceinthatgrandepicfieldwherehumanityisstriving，willequaltheshadowcastbyMegaryon，KingofLycia，tiger—filled，crushinginhisembracetheimmensebodyofAjax，equaltothegods。