Upload
others
View
0
Download
0
Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
School Edition
NAME: ___________________________________
ROLE: ____________________________________
2
LES MISERABLES ACTI
Scene1–Toulon,1815PROLOGUE-WORKSONG
(TheChainGang,overseenbybrutalConstables,worksinthesun.)
CHAINGANG:Uhhuh,uhhuh,uhhuh,uhhuh,uh,huh…Lookdown,lookdown,don'tlook'emintheeye.Lookdown,lookdown,you’rehereuntilyoudie.
CONVICT1:Thesunisstrong,it'shotashellbelow.
CHAINGANG:Lookdown,lookdown,there'stwentyyearstogo.
CONVICT2:I'vedonenowrong!SweetJesus,hearmyprayer!
CHAINGANG:Lookdown,lookdown,sweetJesusdoesn'tcare.
CONVICT3:Iknowshe'llwait,Iknowthatshe'llbetrue!
CHAINGANG:Lookdown,lookdown,they'veallforgottenyou.
CONVICT4:WhenIgetfree,youwon'tseemeherefordust!
CHAINGANG:Lookdown,lookdown,don'tlook'emintheeye.
CONVICT5:HowlongOLord,beforeyouletmedie?
(Javertenters.)
CHAINGANG:Lookdown,lookdown,you'llalwaysbeaslave.Lookdown,lookdown,you'restandinginyourgrave.
JAVERT:Nowbringmeprisoner2-4-6-0-1.(TheConstablesdragValjeantoJavert.)
Yourtimeisupandyourparole'sbegun,youknowwhatthatmeans?
VALJEAN:Yes,itmeansI'mfree.
JAVERT:NO!Itmeansyougetyouryellowticket-of-leave.Youareathief-
VALJEAN:Istolealoafofbread.
JAVERT:Yourobbedahouse!
VALJEAN:Ibrokeawindowpane!Mysister'schildwasclosetodeathandwewerestarving!
3
JAVERT:Youwillstarveagain,unlessyoulearnthemeaningofthelaw.
VALJEAN:Iknowthemeaningofthosenineteenyearsaslaveofthelaw
JAVERT:Fiveyearsforwhatyoudidtherestbecauseyoutriedtorun.Yes,2-4-6-0-1.
VALJEAN:MynameisJeanValjean.
JAVERT:AndI’mJavert.Donotforgetmyname.Donotforgetme,2-4-6-0-1
(Javertexits,tossingValjeanabagcontaininghiscoat.ChainGangbeginstoexitastheysing.)
CHAINGANG:Lookdown,lookdownyouwillalwaysbeaslave.
Lookdown,lookdown,you'restandinginyourgrave.
VALJEAN:Freedomismine.Theearthisstill.Ifeelthewind.Ibreatheagain.Andtheskyclears,theworldiswaking.Drinkfromthepool.(Hedrinks)
Howcleanthetaste!Neverforgettheyears,thewaste.Norforgivethemforwhatthey'vedone.
Theyaretheguilty-everyone.ThedaybeginsandnowletsseeWhatthisnewworldwilldoforme!
(ValjeanapproachestheFarmer,handinghimhisticketofleave.ValjeanbeginsworkingwiththeotherLaborers.TheLaborersarepaidfortheirwork.ValjeancrossestotheFarmerwhohandshimbacktheyellowticketandacoin.)
FARMER:You'llhavetogo,I'llpayyouofffortheday.Collectyourbitsandpiecesthere,andbeonyourway.
VALJEAN:Youhavegivenmehalfwhattheothermenget.
Thishandfuloftinwouldn'tbuymysweat!
LABORER1:Youbrokethelaw,it'sthereforpeopletosee.Whyshouldyougetthesameashonestmenlikeme?
(FarmerandLaborersexit.)
VALJEAN:AndnowIknowhowfreedomfeels,thejaileralwaysatyourheels,Itisthelaw!Thispieceofpaperinmyhandthatmakesmecursedthroughouttheland,
Itisthelaw!Likeacur,Iwalkthestreet,thedirtbeneaththeirfeet.
(Bishop,SisterandServantenter.)
BISHOP:Comein,Sir,foryouareweary,andthenightiscoldoutthere.Thoughourlivesareveryhumble,whatwehave,wehavetoshare.
4
VALJEAN:Heletmeeatmyfill,Ihadthelion'sshareThesilverinmyhandcosttwicewhatIhadearnedInallthosenineteenyearsthatlifetimeofdespairAndyethetrustedme.Theoldfooltrustedme.
(SisterandServantexitforbed.FollowedshortlybytheBishop.)
He'ddonehisbitofgood.Iplayedthegratefulserf.AndthankedhimlikeIshould,butwhenthehousewasstill,
Igotupinthenight,tookthesilver,tookmyflight!
(Takingthesilvercup,ValjeanrunsoffandispromptlycapturedbytwoConstableswhodraghimbackonstage,followedbyacrowdofOnlookers.TheConstablesthrowValjeantohiskneesbeforetheBishop,SisterandServantwhoaredressedforbed.)
CONSTABLE1:Tellhisreverenceyourstory.
CONSTABLE2:Letusseeifhe'simpressed.
CONSTABLE1:Youwerelodgingherelastnight.
CONSTABLE2:YouwerethehonestBishop'sguest.Andthen,outofChristiangoodness,whenhelearnedaboutyourplight,
CONSTABLE1:Youmaintainhemadeapresentofthissilver.
(Crowdlaughs)BISHOP:Thatisright.Butmyfriendyouleftsoearly.
Surelysomethingslippedyourmind.
(TheBishopgivesValjeantwosilvercandlesticks.Crowdreactswithamazement.)
YouforgotIgavethesealso.Wouldyouleavethebestbehind?So,Messieurs,youmayreleasehim,forthismanhasspokentrue.Icommendyouforyourduty,nowGod'sblessinggowithyou.
(AllexitexceptBishopandValjean.TheBishoptakesthecandlesticksandplacestheminValjean’sbag,andhandsthebagtohim.)
Butrememberthis,mybrother,seeinthissomehigherplan.Youmustusethisprecioussilvertobecomeanhonestman.
(Bishoptakesthecandlesticks,placestheminValjean’sbag,andhandsthebagtohim.)
Bythewitnessofthemartyrs,bythePassionandtheBlood,
Godhasraisedyououtofdarkness.IhaveboughtyoursoulforGod.
5
(Bishopexits.Valjeanisstandingatacrossroad.HebeginstofollowtheBishopoff,thenchangeshismindandcrossesintheoppositedirection.Hethencrossescenter.)
VALJEAN’SSOLILOQUY(WHATHAVEIDONE?)
VALJEAN:WhathaveIdone?SweetJesus,whathaveIdone?Becomeathiefinthenight,becomeadogontherun.
AndhaveIfallensofar.Andisthehoursolatethatnothingremainsbutthecryofmyhate,Thecriesinthedarkthatnobodyhears,herewhereIstandattheturningoftheyears?
Ifthere'sanotherwaytogo,Imissedittwentylongyearsago.Mylifewasawarthatcouldneverbewon.TheygavemeanumberandmurderedValjean
Whentheychainedmeandleftmefordead.Justforstealingamouthfulofbread.
(Valjeancollapsestohisknees.)
OnewordfromhimandI'dbeback.Beneaththelash,upontherack.Insteadheoffersmemyfreedom.Ifeelmyshameinsidemelikeaknife.
HetoldmethatIhaveasoul.Howdoesheknow?Whatspiritcomestomovemylife?Isthereanotherwaytogo?
Iamreaching,butIfall,andthenightisclosinginAndIstareintothevoid-tothewhirlpoolofmysin
I'llescapenowfromtheworld,fromtheworldofJeanValjeanJeanValjeanisnothingnow.Anotherstorymustbegin!
(Hetearsuphisyellowticket-of-leavethreetimesintimewiththemusicandexits.)
Scene2–TheFactoryatMontreuilATTHEENDOFTHEDAY
(1823,Montreuil-Sur-Mer.OutsidethefactoryownedbytheMayor,MonsieurMadeleine-JeanValjeanindisguise.)
CHORUS(THEPOOR):Attheendofthedayyou'reanotherdayolder.
Andthat'sallyoucansayforthelifeofthepoor.It'sastruggle,it'sawar,andthere'snothingthatanyone'sgiving.
Onemoredaystandingabout,whatisitfor?Onedaylesstobeliving.
Attheendofthedayyou'reanotherdaycolder.Andtheshirtonyourbackdoesn'tkeepoutthechill.
Andtherighteoushurrypast,theydon'thearthelittleonescrying,Andthewinteriscomingonfast,readytokill.Onedaynearertodying.
Attheendofthedaythere'sanotherdaydawning.
Andthesuninthemorningiswaitingtorise.Likethewaves’crashonthesand,likeastormthat'llbreakanysecond.There'sahungerintheland.There'sareckoningstilltobereckoned,
Andthere'sgonnabemuchtopay-attheendoftheday!
6
(TheForemanandWorkers,includingFantine,emergefromthefactory.)
FOREMAN:Attheendofthedayyougetnothingfornothing.
Sittingflatonyourbuttdoesn'tbuyanybread.
WORKER1:Therearechildrenbackathome,
WORKERS1&2:Andthechildrenhavegottobefed,
WORKER2:Andyou'reluckytobeinajob
WOMAN:Andinabed.
WOMAN,WORKER1&2:Andwe'recountingourblessings.
GIRL1:Haveyouseenhowtheforemanisfumingtoday?Withhisterriblebreathandhiswanderinghands?
GIRL2:It'sbecauselittleFantinewon'tgivehimhisway.
GIRL3:Takealookathistrousers,you'llseewherehestands!
GIRL4:Andtheboss,heneverknowsthattheforemanisalwaysinheat.
GIRL2:IfFantinedoesn'tlookout,watchhowshegoes:
She'llbeoutonthestreet!
ALLWORKERS:Attheendofthedayit'sanotherdayover,Withenoughinyourpockettolastforaweek.
Paythelandlord,paytheshop,keepongraftingaslongasyou'reable.Keepongraftingtillyoudrop,orit'sbacktothecrumbsoffthetable
Well,you'vegottopayyourway-attheendoftheday!
GIRL5:(GrabbingaletterfromFantine.)Andwhathavewehere,littleinnocentsister?
ComeonFantine,let'shaveallthenews!(Readingtheletter.)"DearFantine,youmustsendusmoremoney,
Yourchildneedsadoctor,there'snotimetolose."
FANTINE:Givethatlettertome,itisnoneofyourbusiness,Withahusbandathome,andabitontheside.IsthereanyoneherewhocanswearbeforeGodShehasnothingtofear,shehasnothingtohide?
(Theyfightovertheletter.Valjeanrushesontobreakupthesquabble.)
7
VALJEAN:Whatisthisfightingallabout?Willsomeonetearthesetwoapart?
Thisisafactory,notacircus.Now,comeonladies,settledown.IrunabusinessofreputeIamtheMayorofthistown.(HeturnstotheForeman.)Ilooktoyoutosortthisout,andbeaspatientasyoucan.
(Valjeanexitsbackintothefactory.)
FOREMAN:Now,someonesayhowthisbegan.
GIRL5:Attheendofthedayshe'stheonewhobeganit.
There'sakidthatshe'shidinginsomelittletown.There'samanshehastopay.Youcanguesshowshepicksuptheextra.
Youcanbetshe'searningherkeepsleepingaround,Andthebosswouldn'tlikeit.
FANTINE:Yesit'struethere'sachild,andthechildismydaughter.
Andherfatherabandonedus,leavingusflat.Nowsheliveswithaninnkeepermanandhiswife,andIpayforthechild.
What'sthematterwiththat?
WOMEN:Attheendofthedayshe'llbenothingbuttrouble,Andthere'stroubleforallwhenthere'stroubleforone.
Whilewe'reearningourdailybread,she'stheonewithherhandsinthebutter.Youmustsendtheslutaway,orwe'reallgonnaendinthegutter.
Andit'suswho'llhavetopay-attheendoftheday!
FOREMAN:Imighthaveknownthedogcouldbite.Imighthaveknownthecathadclaws.Imighthaveguessedyourlittlesecret.
Ahyes,thevirtuousFantine,whokeepsherselfsopureandclean,You'dbethecauseIhadnodoubtofanytroublehereabout.Youplayavirgininthelight,butneednourgin'inthenight.
GIRL5:She'sbeenlaughingatyouwhileshe'shavinghermen.
WOMEN:She'llbenothingbuttroubleagainandagain.
GIRL5:Youmustsackhertoday!
CHORUS(THEWORKERS):Sackthegirltoday!
FOREMAN:(Spoken)Rightmygirl.Onyourway!
(TheFactoryWorkersandForemanexit,leavingFantinealone,unemployedandsad.)
8
IDREAMEDADREAMFANTINE:Therewasatimewhenmenwerekind,
Whentheirvoicesweresoft,andtheirwordsinviting.Therewasatimewhenlovewasblind
Andtheworldwasasong,andthesongwasexciting.Therewasatime,thenitallwentwrong…
IdreamedadreamintimesgonebyWhenhopewashighandlifeworthliving.
Idreamedthatlovewouldneverdie.IdreamedthatGodwouldbeforgiving.
ThenIwasyoungandunafraid,Anddreamsweremadeandusedandwasted
Therewasnoransomtobepaid,Nosongunsung,nowineuntasted
Butthetigerscomeatnight,withtheirvoicessoftasthunder,Astheytearyourhopeapart,astheyturnyourdreamtoshame.
Hesleptasummerbymyside.Hefilledmydayswithendlesswonder.Hetookmychildhoodinhisstride,
Buthewasgonewhenautumncame.AndstillIdreamhe'llcometome,Thatwe'lllivetheyearstogether.
Buttherearedreamsthatcannotbe,Andtherearestormswecannotweather.
IhadadreammylifewouldbeSodifferentfromthislifeI'mliving,
Sodifferentnowfromwhatitseemed.NowlifehaskilledthedreamIdreamed.
Scene3–TheRedLightDistrict
THEDOCKS/LOVELYLADIES(AseedypartoftownwhereProstitutes,theirCustomers,Pimps,andSailorsgather.Fantinewandersin,desperateandalone.)
SAILOR1:Ismellwomen,smell'emintheair.ThinkI'lldropmyanchorinthatharbouroverthere.
SAILOR2:Lovelyladies,smell'emthroughthesmoke.Sevendaysatseacanmakeyouhungryforapoke.
SAILOR3:Evenstokersneedalittlestoke!
PROSTITUTES:Lovelyladies,waitingforabite,
Waitingforthecustomers,whoonlycomeatnight.
(AnOldWomantakesnoticeofFantineandfollowsher.)
9
Lovelyladies,readyforthecall,
Standinguporlyingdownoranywayatall.Bargainpricesupagainstthewall.
OLDWOMAN:(StoppingFantine)Whatprettyhair,whatprettylocksyougotthere.
Whatluckyougot,it'sworthacentimemydear.I'lltakethelot.
FANTINE:Don'ttouchme,leavemealone!
OLDWOMAN:Let'smakeaprice.I'llgiveyoualloftenfrancs.Justthinkofthat!
FANTINE:(Aside)Itpaysadebt.
OLDWOMAN:Justthinkofthat.
FANTINE:WhatcanIdo?Itpaysadebt.TenfrancsmaysavemypoorCosette!
(TheOldWomanpresentsalargepairofscissorsassheandFantineexit.)
SICKPROSTITUTE:HowI’mweary,sickenoughtodrop.
Bellyburnslikefire,willthebleedingeverstop?
PIMP:Cheerupdeary,showahappyface.Plentymorelikeyoudearifyoucan’tkeepupthepace.
SICKPROSTITUTE:Onlyjoking,dearyknowsherplace.
PIMP:Givemethedirt,who’sthatbitoverthere?
PROSTITUTE1:Abitofskirt,she'stheonesoldherhair.
PROSTITUTE2:She'sgotakidsendsherallthatshecan
PIMP:Imighthaveknown.Thereisalwayssomeman
(HegesturestowardFantineseductively.)Lovelylady,comealongandjoinus!Lovelylady!
PROSTITUTE1:(ComfortingFantine)Comeondearie,whyallthefuss?
You'renogranderthantherestofusLifehasdroppedyouatthebottomoftheheap.Joinyoursisters
PROSTITUTE2:Makemoneyinyoursleep!
(ASailorapproachesFantine)
10
PROSTITUTE1:That'srightdearie,lethimhavethelot
PROSTITUTE3:That'srightdearie,showhimwhatyou'vegot!
(ProstituteoffersFantineadrink.Fantinedrinks,andexitswiththesailor.)
WOMEN:Oldmen,youngmen,take'emastheycomeHarbourratsandalleycatsandeverykindofscum
Poormen,richmen,leadersofthelandSeethemwiththeirtrousersoffthey'reneverquiteasgrand
Allittakesismoneyinyourhand!(Timehaspassed.Fantineenters,desperate,dishevelledandgrowingill.)
Lovelyladies,goingforasong
Gotalotofcallers,buttheyneverstayforlong
FANTINE:Comeon,Captain,youcanwearyourshoesDon'titmakeachangetohaveagirlwhocan'trefuse
Easymoney,lyingonabedJustaswelltheyneverseetheshamethat'sinyourhead.Don'ttheyknowthey'remakinglovetoonealreadydead!
FANTINE'SARREST
(Bamataboisisawell-dressedgentleman.)
BAMATABOIS:Here'ssomethingnew;IthinkI'llgiveitatry.Comecloseryou!IliketoseewhatIbuyTheusualprice,forjustasliceofyourpie?
FANTINE:Idon'twantyou,no,no,M'sieur,letmego.
BAMATABOIS:Isthisatrick?Iwon'tpaymore!
FANTINE:No,notatall.
BAMATABOIS:You'vegotsomenerve,youlittlewhore.You'vegotsomegall.
(Hehitsherwithhisstick;sheclawsathisface,drawingblood.)
FANTINE:I'llkillyou,youscoundrel,tryanyofthat!
Evenawhorewhohasgonetothebadwon'tbehadbyarat!(Javertenters,accompaniedbyconstables.)
JAVERT:Tellmequicklywhat'sthestory:whosawwhatandwhyandwhere?Lethimgiveafulldescription,lethimanswertoJavert!
11
Inthisnestofwhoresandvipers,letonespeakwhosawitall.Wholaidhandsonthisgoodmanhere?What'sthesubstanceofthisbrawl?
BAMATABOIS:Javert,wouldyoubelieveit,Iwascrossingfromthepark.
Whenthisprostituteattackedme.Youcanseeshelefthermark.
JAVERT:Shewillanswerforheractionswhenyoumakeafullreport.Youmayrestassured,M'sieur,thatshewillanswertothecourt.
FANTINE:There'sachildwhosorelyneedsme,pleaseM'sieur,she'sbutthathigh.
HolyGod,istherenomercy?IfIgotojailshe'lldie!
JAVERT:IhaveheardsuchprotestationseverydayfortwentyyearsLet'shavenomoreexplanations,saveyourbreathandsaveyourtears.
Honestwork,justreward,that'sthewaytopleasetheLord.
(Fantinegivesalastdespairingcryassheisarrested.Valjeanemergesfromthecrowd.)
VALJEAN:Amomentofyourtime,JavertIdobelievethiswoman'stale.
JAVERT:ButM'sieurMayor!
VALJEAN:You'vedoneyourduty.Letherbesheneedsadoctor,notajail.
JAVERT:ButM'sieurMayor!
FANTINE:Canthisbe?
VALJEAN:Wherewillsheend?Thischildwithoutafriend?I'veseenyourfacebefore,showmesomewaytohelpyou?
Howhaveyoucometogriefinsuchaplaceasthis?
FANTINE:M'sieur,don'tmockmenow,Ipray.It'shardenoughI'velostmypride.
Youletyourforemansendmeaway,yes,youwerethere,andturnedaside.Ineverdidnowrong
VALJEAN:Isittrue,whatI’vedone?
FANTINE:Mydaughter'sclosetodying...
VALJEAN:Toaninnocentsoul?
FANTINE:Ifthere'saGodabove,
VALJEAN:HadIonlyknownthen...
12
FANTINE:He'dletmedieinstead.
VALJEAN:InHisnamemytaskhasjustbegun,Iwillseeitdone!
JAVERT:ButM'sieurMayor!
VALJEAN:Iwillseeitdone!
JAVERT:ButM'sieurMayor!
VALJEAN:Iwillseeitdone!
(Javertexits.)
THERUNAWAYCART
SCAREDWOMAN:(Shouted)Lookout!
SCAREDGIRL:(Shouted)Lookout!
ANOTHERBYSTANDER:(Shouted)It'sarunawaycart!
(Thecrowdpartstorevealthatthecarthascrashed,trappingM.Fauchelevant.)
VALJEAN:Isthereanyoneherewhowillrescuetheman?
ONLOOKER1:Don'tgonearhim,M’sieurMayor
ONLOOKER2:Theloadisheavywithsmell.
ONLOOKER3:Ifyoutouchittheacidwillfall.
ONLOOKER4:It'llkillyouaswell.
(Valjeancrossestothecartandattemptstoliftit.Javertenters,noticingValjean.AsValjeanliftsthecart,twomencrosstotheman,Fauchelevant,andfreehimfromthewreckage.)
FAUCHELEVANT:M'sieurleMayor,youcomefromGod,youareasaint.
(TheOnlookershelpFauchelevantoffstate,leavingJavertandValjeanalone.)
JAVERT:Canthisbetrue?Idon'tbelievewhatIsee!Amanyourage,tobeasstrongasyouare...
Amemorystirs…YoumakemethinkofamanfromyearsagoAmanwhobrokehisparole,hedisappeared
Forgiveme,Sir,Iwouldnotdare!
13
VALJEAN:Saywhatyoumust,don'tleaveitthere.
JAVERT:Ihaveonlyknownoneotherwhocandowhatyouhavedone.He'saconvictfromthechaingang,he'sbeentenyearsontherun.
Buthecouldn'trunforever,wehavefoundhishideaway,Andhe'sjustbeenre-arrested,andhecomestocourttoday.Butofcoursehenowdeniesit,you'dexpectthatofaconButhecouldn'trunforever,no,notevenJeanValjean!
(Javertexits.Valjeanisalone.)Scene4–TheTrial
WHOAMI?
VALJEAN:Hethinksthatmanismewithoutasecondglance.Thatstrangerhehasfound,thismancouldbemychance.WhyshouldIsavehishide,whyshouldIrightthiswrong?
WhenIhavecomesofar,andstruggledforsolong?IfIspeak,Iamcondemned,ifIstaysilent,Iamdamned.
Iamthemasterofhundredsofworkers,theyalllooktome.CanIabandonthem?Howwilltheylive,ifIamnotfree?IfIspeak,Iamcondemned,ifIstaysilent,Iamdamned!
WhoamI?CanIcondemnthismantoslavery?PretendIdonotfeelhisagony?
Thisinnocentwhobearsmyface,whogoestojudgementinmyplace,WhoamI?
CanIconcealmyselfforevermore?PretendI'mnotthemanIwasbefore?AndmustmynameuntilIdie,benomorethananalibi?
MustIlie?HowcanIeverfacemyfellowmen?HowcanIeverfacemyselfagain?
MysoulbelongstoGod,Iknow.Imadethatbargainlongago.Hegavemehope,whenhopewasgone.Hegavemestrengthtojourneyon.
(Thestagetransitionstorevealacourtroom,withjudges,themanconfusedwithJeanValjean,hisfamilyandasmallcrowd.)
WhoamI?WhoamI—I’mJeanValjean!
(Heunbuttonshisshirttorevealthebranduponhischest)AndsoJavert,youseeit'strue,thatmanbearsnomoreguiltthanyou!
WhoamI?2-4-6-0-1!
(Valjeanexitsthecourtroomhurriedly.Javertfollowsinpursuit.)Scene5–TheHospital
COMETOME(Fantine'sDeath)
14
(Ahospital.Fantine,inbed,issoillnowthatsheisinakindofdelirium.Sheimaginesshecanseeherchild,Cosette,atplay.)
FANTINE:Cosette,it'sturnedsocold.Cosette,it'spastyourbedtimeYou'veplayedthedayaway,andsoonitwillbenight.
(Fantinecrossestothefootofthebed.)Cometome,Cosette,thelightisfading.Don'tyouhear,thewinterwindiscrying?
There'sadarknesswhichcomeswithoutawarningButIwillsingyoulullabies.Andwakeyouinthemorning.
(Valjeanenters,escortedbytwoNurses.TheNursesguideFantinebackintothebed.)
VALJEAN:Oh,Fantine,ourtimeisrunningout,butFantine,Iswearthisonmylife.
FANTINE:Look,M'sieur,whereallthechildrenplay.
VALJEAN:Beatpeace,beatpeaceevermore.
(TheNursesexit.)FANTINE:MyCosette...
VALJEAN:Shallliveinmyprotection.
FANTINE:Takehernow.
VALJEAN:Yourchildwillwantfornothing.
FANTINE:GoodM'sieur,youcomefromGodinHeaven.
VALJEAN:AndnonewilleverharmCosetteaslongasIamliving.(Valjeanstarttoexit.)
FANTINE:Takemyhand,thenightgrowsevercolder.
(HecrossestoFantine,warmingherhand.)
VALJEAN:ThenIwillkeepyouwarm.
FANTINE:Takemychild,Igivehertoyourkeeping.
VALJEAN:Takeshelterfromthestorm.
FANTINE:Formysake,pleasestaytillIamsleeping.
AndtellCosetteIloveher,andI'llseeherwhenIwake...
(Shedieswithasmile;Javertarrives.)
15
THECONFRONTATIONJAVERT:Valjean,atlast,weseeeachotherplain.`M'sieurleMayor,'You'llwearadifferentchain.
VALJEAN:Beforeyousayanotherword,Javert
BeforeyouchainmeuplikeaslaveagainListentome!ThereissomethingImustdo.
Thiswomanleavesbehindasufferingchild.Thereisnonebutmewhocanintercede,InMercy'sname,threedaysareallIneed.ThenI'llreturn,Ipledgemyword.
ThenI'llreturn...
JAVERT:Youmustthinkmemad!I'vehuntedyouacrosstheyears,amanlikeyoucanneverchange.
Aman...suchasyou...(ValjeanbreakschairandthreatensJavertwiththebrokenpiece.TurnstoFantine.)
VALJEAN:AndthisIsweartoyoutonight.
JAVERT:Thereisnoplaceforyoutohide.
VALJEAN:Yourchildwilllivewithinmycare.
JAVERT:Whereveryoumayhideaway.
VALJEAN:AndIwillraisehertothelight.
VALJEAN&JAVERT:Isweartoyou,Iwillbethere!(ValjeanphysicallyconfrontsJavert,overpoweringhimtotheground.Valjeanexits.Javertslowlyrisesandfollows.)
Scene6–TheInn
CASTLEONACLOUD
(YoungCosetteisworkingasadrudgeintheThenardier'sinnatMontfermeil.)YOUNGCOSETTE:Thereisacastleonacloud,Iliketogothereinmysleep,
Aren'tanyfloorsformetosweep,notinmycastleonacloud.Thereisaladyallinwhite,holdsmeandsingsalullaby,
She'snicetohearandshe'ssofttotouch,Shesays"Cosette,Iloveyouverymuch".
Iknowaplacewherenoone'slost,Iknowaplacewherenoonecries,Cryingatallisnotallowed,notinmycastleonacloud.
(MadameThenardierrushesincarryingalargewoodenpail.)
MADAMETHENARDIER:Nowlookwho'shere,thelittlemadamherself!Pretendingonceagainshe'sbeen`soawfullygood',
Betternotletmecatchyouslacking,betternotcatchmyeye!
16
Tenrottenfrancsyourmothersendsme,whatisthatgoingtobuy?Nowtakethatpail,mylittle`Mademoiselle'Andgoanddrawsomewaterfromthewell!
WeshouldneverhavetakenyouininthefirstplaceHowstupid,thethingsthatwedo!
Likemotherlikedaughter,thescumofthestreet.(CallingtoYoungEponine)
Eponine,comemydear,Eponine,letmeseeyou,(YoungEponineenters.)
Youlookverywellinthatnewlittlebluehat.There'ssomelittlegirlswhoknowhowtobehaveandtheyknowwhattowear
AndI'msayingthankheavenforthat.StillthereCosette?Yourtearswilldoyounogood.
Itoldyoufetchsomewaterfromthewellinthewood.
YOUNGCOSETTE:PleasedonotsendmeoutaloneNotinthedarknessonmyown!
MADAMETHENARDIER:Enoughofthat,orI'llforgettobenice!
Youheardmeaskforsomething,andIneverasktwice!
(Cosetteliftsthepailandhesitantlycrossestotheexit.YoungEponineshovesCosette,pushingheroffstage.YoungEponineandMadameexitasThenardierenters.)
MASTEROFTHEHOUSETHENARDIER:Welcome,M'sieur,sityourselfdown,
AndmeetthebestinnkeeperintownAsfortherest,allof'emcrooks,
Rookingtheirguestsandcookingthebooks.Seldomdoyouseehonestmenlikeme.
Agentofgoodintentwho'scontenttobe.Masterofthehouse,dolingoutthecharmReadywithahandshakeandanopenpalm.
(Morecustomersarrive.)Tellsasaucytale,makesalittlestir,customersappreciateabon-viveur!
Gladtodoafriendafavour,doesn'tcostmetobenice,Butnothinggetsyounothing,everythinghasgotalittleprice.
(Evenmorecustomersarrive.)Masterofthehouse,keeperofthezoo.Readytorelieve'emofasouortwo.
Wateringthewine,makinguptheweight,Pickin'uptheirknick-knackswhentheycan'tseestraight.Everybodylovesalandlord,everybody'sbosomfriend
Idowhateverpleases,Jeez!Won'tIbleed'emintheend!(Morecustomersenter,creatingafestiveatmosphere.)
17
THENARDIER&CHORUS:Masterofthehouse,quicktocatchyereye,Neverwantsapasser-bytopasshimby.Servanttothepoor,butlertothegreat,
Comforter,philosopher,andlifelongmate!Everybody'sbooncompanion,everybody'schaperone!
THENARDIER:ButlockupyourvalisesJeez!Won'tIskinyoutothebone!
(Toanothernewcustomer,enteringwithaheavysaddlebag)EnterM'sieur,laydownyourload,unlaceyourbootsandrestfromtheroad
Thisweighsaton,travel'sacurse(Thenardiertakesthesaddlebag.)
Butherewestrivetolightenyourpurse.(HandingittoMadameThenardier,whoisovercomebythebag’sweight.)
Herethegooseiscooked,herethefatisfried,Andnothing'soverlooked‘tillI'msatisfied.
(ThenardierandMadameThenardiercrosstothekitchen.)Foodbeyondcompare!
MADAMETHENARDIER:Foodbeyondbelief!
BOTH:Mixitinamincerandpretendit'sbeef
MADAMETHENARDIER:Kidneyofahorse,
THENARDIER:Liverofacat!
BOTH:Fillingupthesausageswiththisandthat.
(Theyexitthekitchen,servingthegoodtoguests.)
MADAMETHENARDIER:Residentsaremorethanwelcome.
THENARDIER:Bridalsuiteisoccupied.
BOTH:Reasonablecharges,plussomelittleextrasontheside!
MADAMETHENARDIER:Charge'emforthelice,
THENARDIER:Extraforthemice,
BOTH:Twopercentforlookinginthemirrortwice.
THENARDIER:Herealittleslice,
MADAMETHENARDIER:Therealittlecut,
18
BOTH:Threepercentforsleepingwiththewindowshut!
THENARDIER:Whenitcomestofixingprices,
MADAMETHENARDIER:Therearealotoftricksheknows.
BOTH:Howitallincreases,allthembitsandpieces,
Jeez!It'samazinghowitgrows!
(Arowdydrunkenpartyhasdeveloped.)
THENARDIER&CHORUS:Masterofthehouse,quicktocatchyereye.Neverwantsapasser-bytopasshimby.Servanttothepoor,butlertothegreat,
Comforter,philosopher,andlifelongmate!Everybody'sbooncompaniongives'emeverythinghe'sgot
THENARDIER:Dirtybunchofgeezers,Jeez,whatasorrylittlelot!
MADAMETHENARDIER:IusedtodreamthatIwouldmeetaprince.
ButManAlmighty,haveyouseenwhat'shappenedsince?“MasteroftheHouse?”Isn'tworthmespit!`Comforter,philosopher'andlifelongtwit!
Cunninglittlebrain,regularVoltaireThinkshe'squiteathinkerbutthere'snotmuchthere.
Whatacrueltrickofnature,landedmewithsuchalouse!WhoknowshowI'velastedlivingwiththis“MasteroftheHouse”!
THENARDIER&CHORUS:Masterofthehouse!
MADAMETHENARDIER:Masterandahalf!
THENARDIER&CHORUS:Comforter,philosopher
MADAMETHENARDIER:Ah,don'tmakemelaugh!
THENARDIER&CHORUS:Servanttothepoor,butlertothegreat
MADAMETHENARDIER:Hypocriteandtoadyandinebriate!
THENARDIER&CHORUS:Everybodyblessthelandlord!
Everybodyblesshisspouse!
THENARDIER:Everybodyraiseacheer!(Allcheer!)
19
MADAMETHENARDIER:Raiseitupthemaster'srear!
ALL:Everybodyraiseaglasstothemasterofthehouse!
(Theendofthenighthascome.Theguestsexitduringthetag,leavingMadameThenardierandThenardier.)
THEBARGAIN/THEWALTZOFTREACHERY(ValjeanandYoungCosettearriveatthenowemptyinn,handinhand.)
VALJEAN:IfoundherwanderinginthewoodThislittlechild,Ifoundhertremblingintheshadows
AndIamheretohelpCosetteAndIwillsettleanydebtyoumaythinkproperIwillpaywhatImustpaytotakeCosetteaway.
NowhermotheriswithGod,Fantine'ssufferingisover.AndIspeakherewithhervoice,AndIstandhereinherplace.
THENARDIER:Whattodo?Whattosay?Shallyoucarryourtreasureaway?
Whatagem!Whatapearl!Beyondrubiesisourlittlegirl!Howcanwespeakofdebt.Let'snothagglefordarlingColette!
MADAMETHENARDIER:(aside)Cosette!
THENARDIER:…Cosette!DearFantine,gonetorest
Havewedoneforherchildwhatisbest?Sharedourbread,sharedeachbone.Treatedherlikeshe'soneofourown!
Likeourown,Monsieur!
VALJEAN:Yourfeelingsdoyoucredit,sir,andIwilleasethepartingblow(Hepaysthem.)Letusnottalkofbargainsorbonesorgreed.
Now,mayIsay,weareagreed?
MADAMETHENARDIER:Thatwouldquitefitthebill,ifshehadn'tsooftenbeenill.Littledear,costusdear,medicinesareexpensive,M'sieur.
Notthatwebegrudgedasou,it'snomorethanweChristiansmustdo!
(Hepaysthemandrisesasiftoleave.TheThenardiersstophim.)
MADAME&MONSIUERTHENARDIER:(TakingCosetteprotectively)Onethingmore,onesmalldoubt,therearetreacherouspeopleabout
Nooffense,pleasereflect,yourintentionsmaynotbe...correct?
VALJEAN:Nomorewords,here'syourprice.(Valjeanthrowsmoneytotheground.TheThenardiersscramble,pickingitupgreedily.)
20
FifteenhundredforyoursacrificeCome,Cosette,saygoodbye,Letusseekoutsomefriendliersky.ThankyoubothforCosette,itwon'ttakeyoutoolongtoforget.
(ValjeangivesYoungCosetteaporcelaindoll.Theyexit.TheThenardiersexit.)Scene7–TheStreetsofParis:TenYearsLater
LOOKDOWN(1832.Theteeming,squalidstreetsofParis.Beggars,urchins,prostitutes,students,etc.)
CHORUS(THEPOOR):Lookdown,lookdown,andseethebeggarsatyourfeet.Lookdownandshowsomemercyifyoucan.
Lookdownandseethesweepingsofthestreet.Lookdown,lookdown,uponyourfellowman!
(Choruscontinuedwith“Uhhuh,Uhhuh,”etc.)
GAVROCHE:‘Owdoyoudo?Myname'sGavroche.
Thesearemypeople,here'smypatch.Notmuchtolookat,nothingposh,nothingthatyou'dcalluptoscratch
Thisisthelandthatfoughtforliberty.Nowwhenwefight,wefightforbread.Hereisthethingaboutequality:Everyone’sequalwhenthey’redead.Takeyourplace,takeyourchance.VivelaFrance,VivelaFrance!
CHORUS:Lookdown,andshowsomemercyifyoucan.
Lookdown,lookdown,uponyourfellowman.(Enjolras,MariusandStudentsenter.Theyaredistributinghandbills.)
MARIUS:Wheretheleadersoftheland?Wherearetheswellswhorunthisshow?
ENJOLRAS:Onlyoneman-andthat'sLamarque,speaksforthesepeopleherebelow.
CHORUS:Seeourchildrenfed,helpusinourshame.SomethingforacrustofbreadinHolyJesus'name.
SOLOURCHIN:IntheLord'sHolyname.
CHORUS:Inhisname,inhisname,inhisname.
MARIUS:Lamarqueisillandfadingfast!Won'tlasttheweekout,sotheysay.
ENJOLRAS:Withalltheangerintheland,howlongbeforethejudgementday?
Beforewecutthefatonesdowntosize?Beforethebarricadesarise?
(Thenardier,Gang,andEponineenter.)
21
GAVROCHE:WatchoutforoldThenardier,allofhisfamily’sonthemake.Onceranahash-housedowntheway,bitofaswineandnomistake.
He'sgotthegang,thebleedinglayabout.Evenhisdaughterdoeshershare.(GesturingtoEponine.)
That'sEponine,sheknowsherwayabout,Onlyakid,buthardtoscare.Dowecare?Notacuss!Longliveus,longliveus!
(Gavrocheexits.)
CHORUS:Lookdown,andshowsomemercyifyoucan.Lookdown,lookdown,uponyourfellowman!
THEROBBERY
(MadameThenardierenters,crossingtowardsThenardierandgang.Oneofthestudentsgivesherahandbill.)
MADAMETHENARDIER:Theserecklessstudentsonourstreet,Heretheycomeslummingonceagain.
OurEponinewouldkisstheirfeet,sheneverhadascrapofbrain.
MARIUS:HeyEponine,what'suptoday?Ihaven'tseenyoumuchabout.
EPONINE:Here,youcanalwayscatchmein.
MARIUS:Mindthepolicedon'tcatchyouout!
EPONINE:Here,whatd’youdowithallthesebooks?Icouldhavebeenastudenttoo!Don'tjudgeagirlonhowshelooks...Iknowalotofthings,Ido!
(Shetakesoneofhisbooks.)
MARIUS:PoorEponine,thethingsyouknow,youwouldn'tfindinbookslikethese.(Mariustakesthebookback.)
EPONINE:Ilikethewayyougrowyourhair.(Shestrokeshishair.)
MARIUS:Ilikethewayyoualwaystease
(Eponineknocksthebooksfromhishands.Mariuspicksupthebooks,nothearingEponine.)
EPONINE:(Aside)Littleheknows!Littlehesees!
(ValjeanandCosette,nowgrown-up,entergivingmoneytothepoor.)
MADAMETHENARDIER:(ToThenardierandtheGang)Here'stheoldboy.Stayonthejobandwatchoutforthelaw.
(MadameThenardiercoversherselfwithablanket,pretendingtobeholdingababy.MariuscrossestointerferewiththeThenardiers’impendingcon.)
22
EPONINE:(ToMarius)Stayoutofthis.
MARIUS:ButEponine...
EPONINE:You'llbeintroublehere,it'snotyourconcern.You'llbeintheclear.
(ShepushesMariusaway.TheStudents,tiredofwaitingforMarius,exitwithouthim.)
MARIUS:Whoisthatman?
EPONINE:Leavemealone!(Eponinecrossesaway.)
MARIUS:Whyishehere?Hey,Eponine!
(Hebeginstofollowher,andbumpsintoCosette.)Ididn'tseeyouthere,forgiveme.
THENARDIER:(CallstoValjean,disguisinghisvoice)PleaseM'sieur,comethisway.
Here'sachildthatain'teatentoday.(MadameThenardierrockstheloafofbreaddisguisedasababy.)
Savealife,spareasou,Godrewardsallthegoodthatyoudo.Waitabit.Knowthatface.Ain'ttheworldaremarkableplace?
Menlikemedon'tforget.You'rethescoundrelwhoborrowedCosette!(ThenardiergrabsValjeanandripsopenhisshirt,revealingthenumberonhischest.)
VALJEAN:Whatisthis?Areyoumad?
No,Monsieur,youdon'tknowwhatyoudo!
THENARDIER:Youknowme,youknowme.I'macon,justlikeyou.(Policeenter,followedbyJavert.)
EPONINE:It'sthepolice!Disappear!Runforit!It'sJavert!
(TheBeggarsscatterinpanic.TheConstablespreventThenardierandGangfromexiting.JavertslowlycrossestoValjean.)
JAVERT'SINTERVENTION
JAVERT:Anotherbrawlinthesquare,anotherstinkintheair!Wasthereawitnesstothis?
(Mariusstepsforward.)Well,lethimspeaktoJavert!
(ToValjean.)M'sieur,thestreetsarenotsafe,butlettheseverminbeware
We'llseethatjusticeisdone!(IndicatingThenardierandGang.)
23
Lookuponthisfinecollection,crawledfromunderneathastone.Thisswarmofwormsandmaggotscouldhavepickedyoutothebone!
(JavertturnstoThenardierwhileValjeanandCosetteexit.)Iknowthismanoverhere,IknowhisnameandhistradeAndonyourwitness,M'sieur,we'llseehimsuitablypaid.
(JavertnoticesValjeanandCosettehavedisappeared.)Butwhere'sthegentlemangone?Andwhyonearthdidherun?
(ToMarius,whohasmissedCosetteandValjean’sexit)
THENARDIER:Youwillhaveajobtocatchhim,he'stheoneyoushouldarrest.Nomorebourgeoiswhenyouscratchhimthanthatbranduponhischest!
JAVERT:Coulditbehe'ssomeoldjailbirdthatthetidenowwashesin?Heardmynameandstartedrunning,hadthebranduponhisskin.
Andthegirlwhostoodbesidehim,whenIturnedtheybothhadgone.CouldhebethemanI'vehunted?Coulditbehe'sJeanValjean?
THENARDIER:Intheabsenceofavictim,dearInspector,mayIgo?Andrememberwhenyou'venickedhim,itwasmethattoldyouso!
JAVERT:(Aside)Lettheoldmankeeponrunning,Iwillrunhimoffhisfeet!(Tocrowd)Everyoneaboutyourbusiness.Clearthisgarbageoffthestreet!
GAVROCHE:(Spoken)That’sright.Clearthestreet.Youheardtheman.Youtoo!(TheBeggars,Thenardier’sGang,andConstablesexit,leavingJavertalone.)
STARS
JAVERT:There,outinthedarkness,afugitiverunning,FallenfromGod.Fallenfromgrace.
Godbemywitness.Inevershallyield,Tillwecomefacetoface,‘tillwecomefacetoface.
Heknowshiswayinthedark,mineisthewayoftheLord.Thosewhofollowthepathoftherighteousshallhavetheirreward.
AndiftheyfallasLuciferfell,theflame,thesword!Stars,inyourmultitudes,scarcetobecounted,
Fillingthedarknesswithorderandlight.Youarethesentinels,silentandsure,
Keepingwatchinthenight,keepingwatchinthenight.Youknowyourplaceinthesky,youholdyourcourseandyouraimAndeachinyourseasonreturnsandreturns,andisalwaysthesame.
AndifyoufallasLuciferfell,youfallinflame!Andsoithasbeen,forsoitiswritten,onthedoorwaytoparadise
Thatthosewhofalterandthosewhofallmustpaytheprice!(Hekneels.)
LordletmefindhimthatImayseehim,Safebehindbars.Iwillneverrest.
24
(Hestands.)Tillthen,thisIswear.
ThisIswearbythestars!(Javertexits.)
GAVROCHE:(Entering)Thatinspectorthinkshe'ssomething,
Butit'smewhorunsthistown!Andmytheatrenevercloses,andthecurtain'sneverdown.TrustGavroche,havenofear,youcanalwaysfindmehere!
(Heexits.)
EPONINE'SERRANDEPONINE:(Leftaloneinthesquare)Cosette!NowIremember!
Cosette!Howcanitbe?Wewerechildrentogether,lookwhat'sbecomeofme...
(Mariusreturns,lookingforValjeanandCosette.)Goodness!Oh,whatarumpus!
MARIUS:Thatgirl,whocanshebe?
EPONINE:Thatcop!He'dliketojumpus.Butheain'tsmart,nothe.
MARIUS:Eponine,whowasthatgirl?
EPONINE:Somebourgeois,two-a-pennything!
MARIUS:Eponine,findherforme!
EPONINE:Whatwillyougiveme?
MARIUS:Anything!
EPONINE:Gotyouallexcitednow,butGodknowswhatyouseeinher,
Ain'tyoualldelightednow.(Mariusholdsoutmoney.)No,Idon'twantyourmoneysir...
MARIUS:Eponine,dothisforme…discoverwhereshelives.Butcarefulhowyougo,don'tletherfatherknow.
'Ponine!I'mlostuntilshe'sfound!
EPONINE:Yousee,Itoldyouso!There'slotsofthingsIknow...(Mariusleaves.)
'Ponine...sheknowsherwayaround...
25
Scene8–CaféoftheABCFriends
REDANDBLACK(TheABCCafé)(TheABCCafé,wherethestudents,ledbyEnjolras,meettodiscusstheirrevolutionaryplans.)
COMBEFERRE:(Shouted)Enjolras!AtNotreDame,thesectionsareprepared!
FEUILLY:AtRuedeBacthey'restrainingattheleash!
COURFEYRAC:Students,workers,everyone,there'sariverontherun.
Liketheflowingofthetide,Pariscomingtoourside!
ENJOLRAS:Thetimeisnear...Sonear…it'sstirringthebloodintheirveins!
Andyetbeware...Don'tletthewinegotoyourbrains!Forthearmywefightisadangerousfoe.
Withthemenandthearmsthatwenevercanmatch,Oh,it'seasytosithereandswat'emlikeflies,Butthenationalguardwillbehardertocatch.
Weneedasign,torallythepeople,tocallthemtoarms,tobringtheminline!(Mariusenters.)
Marius,you'relate.
JOLY:What'swrongtoday?Youlookasifyou'veseenaghost.
GRANTAIRE:Somewineandsaywhat'sgoingon!
MARIUS:Aghostyousay...aghostmaybe,
Shewasjustlikeaghosttome.Oneminutethere,andshewasgone!
GRANTAIRE:Iamagog!Iamaghast!
IsMariusinloveatlast?I’veneverheardhim‘ooh'and‘aah'!
Youtalkofbattlestobewon,butherehecomeslikeDonJuan.It'sbetterthanano-per-a!
ENJOLRAS:Itistimeforusalltodecidewhoweare...Dowefightfortheright,toanightattheoperanow?
Haveyouaskedofyourselves:What'sthepriceyoumightpay?Isitsimplyagameforrich,youngboystoplay?Thecolorsoftheworldarechangingdaybyday...
(Hegrabsaredtablecloth.)
26
Red-thebloodofangrymen!Black-thedarkofagespast!Red-aworldabouttodawn!
Black-thenightthatendsatlast!
MARIUS:HadyoubeentheretonightYoumightknowhowitfeels,tobestrucktothebone
Inamomentofbreathlessdelight!HadyoubeentheretonightYoumightalsohaveknown,howtheworldmaybechangedinjustoneburstoflight!
Andwhatwasrightseemswrong,andwhatwaswrongseemsright...
GRANTAIRE:(Stealingthetablecloth,whileencouragingMariustocontinue,andmockingEnjolras.)Red...
MARIUS:Ifeelmysoulonfire!
GRANTAIRE:Black...
MARIUS:Myworldifshe'snotthere...
ALL:Red...
MARIUS:Thecolourofdesire!
ALL:Black...
MARIUS:Thecolorofdespair!
ENJOLRAS:Marius,you'renolongerachild,
Idonotdoubtyoumeanitwell,butnowthereisahighercall.Whocaresaboutyourlonelysoul.Westrivetowardalargergoal.
Ourlittlelivesdon'tcountatall!
ALL:Red-thebloodofangrymen!Black-thedarkofagespast!Red-aworldabouttodawn!
Black-thenightthatendsatlast!(TheStudentscheertheirsolidarityasGavrocheentersthecafé,tryingtogettheirattention.)
GAVROCHE:(Spoken)Listen!Listentome!Listen,everybody!(TheStudentsquiet.)GeneralLamarqueisdead!(TheStudentsreactwithshockandconcern.)
ENJOLRAS:Lamarqueisdead.
27
Lamarque!Hisdeathisthehouroffate.Thepeople'sman.Hisdeathisthesignweawait.
(TheStudentstaketheircausetothestreets,enlistingsupport.Asthesongcontinues,moreandmorepeoplejointheirranks.)
DOYOUHEARTHEPEOPLESINGENJOLRAS:Doyouhearthepeoplesing,singingasongofangrymen?
Itisthemusicofapeoplewhowillnotbeslavesagain!Whenthebeatingofyourheartechoesthebeatingofthedrums,
Thereisalifeabouttostartwhentomorrowcomes!
COMBEFERRE:Willyoujoininourcrusade?Whowillbestrongandstandwithme?Beyondthebarricade,isthereaworldyoulongtosee?
COURFEYRAC:Thenjoininthefight,thatwillgiveyoutherighttobefree!
ALL:Doyouhearthepeoplesing,singingasongofangrymen?
Itisthemusicofapeoplewhowillnotbeslavesagain!Whenthebeatingofyourheartechoesthebeatingofthedrums,
(Acartenters,pulledbytwowomen.)Thereisalifeabouttostartwhentomorrowcomes!
(TheStudentssing“Ah”underneathwhileFeuillysingstothewomenpullingthecart.)
FEUILLY:Willyougiveallyoucangivesothatourbannermayadvance?Somewillfallandsomewilllive,willyoustandupandtakeyourchance?
ThebloodofthemartyrswillwaterthemeadowsofFrance!
ALL:Doyouhearthepeoplesing,singingasongofangrymen?Itisthemusicofapeoplewhowillnotbeslavesagain!
Whenthebeatingofyourheartechoesthebeatingofthedrums,Thereisalifeabouttostartwhentomorrowcomes!
(TheStudentsandRevolutionariesbegintoexit.EponineentersthestagelookingforMarius.ShefindsGrantaire,whopointstowardMarius.EponinetellsMariusshe’sfoundCosetteandindicatesoff-stage.Mariusmovestoexit,crossingbacktobringEponinealong.TheyexittogetherasCosetteenters.)
Scene9–TheRuePlumet
INMYLIFE
(CosettestandsinthegardenofherhomeonRuePlumet.)COSETTE:Howstrange,thisfeelingthatmylife'sbegunatlast.
Thischange,canpeoplereallyfallinlovesofast?What'sthematterwithyou,Cosette?Haveyoubeentoomuchonyourown?
Somanythingsunclear,somanythingsunknown.
28
Inmylife,therearesomanyquestionsandanswersthatsomehowseemwrong.Inmylife,therearetimeswhenIcatchinthesilence
Thesighofafarawaysonganditsings,ofaworldthatIlongtosee,Outofreach,justawhisperaway,waitingforme!DoesheknowI'malive?DoIknowifhe'sreal?DidheseewhatIsee?DoeshefeelwhatIfeel?
(Valjeanentersfromthestreet,unlockingthegate.Hecheckstoseeifhe’sbeenfollowedandlocksthegate.)
Inmylife,I'mnolongeraloneNowtheloveinmylifeissonear
Findmenow,findmehere!
VALJEAN:DearCosette,you'resuchalonelychild,Howpensive,howsadyouseemtome.
Believeme,wereitwithinmypower,I'dfilleachpassinghour,Howquietitmustbe,Icansee,withonlymeforcompany.
COSETTE:There'ssolittleIknow,thatI'mlongingtoknow
OfthechildthatIwasinatimelongago.There'ssolittleyousayofthelifeyouhaveknown,Whyyoukeeptoyourself,whywe'realwaysalone.Sodark,sodarkanddeep,thesecretsthatyoukeep.
(Shestands.)COSETTE:Inmylife,I'mnolongerachildandIyearnForthetruththatyouknowoftheyears,yearsago.
VALJEAN:Youwilllearn.TruthisgivenbyGodtousall,
Inourtime,inourturn,
(Valjeanleavesthegarden;MariusandEponineareoutside.)
MARIUS:Inmylife,shehasburstlikethemusicofangels,thelightofthesun.Andmylifeseemstostopasifsomethingisover,andsomethinghasscarcelybegun.
Eponine,you'rethefriendwhohasbroughtmehere,Thankstoyou,IamonewiththegodsandHeavenisnear!
AndIsoarthroughaworldthatisnewthatisfree...
EPONINE:(Toherself)Everywordthathesaysisadaggerinme!Inmylife,there'sbeennoonelikehimanywhereAnywhere,whereheis...Ifheasked...I'dbehis.
MARIUS&EPONINE:Inmylife,thereissomeonewhotouchesmylife
MARIUS:Waitingnear…
EPONINE:Waitinghere.
29
AHEARTFULLOFLOVE(Mariusclimbsthegardenwall,discoveringCosettesittingonabench.Eponineremainsonthestreetsideofthegate,outofsightfromCosette.)
MARIUS:Aheartfulloflove,(Hestepsforward.)
Aheartfullofsong,(Shestepsback.)
I'mdoingeverythingallwrong!(Mariusstartstoexit.)
Ohno,forshame(Shefollowsquickly,concernedthathemayleave.)
Idonotevenknowyourname,(Heturnstoher.Sheturnsawaycoyly.)
DearMad'moiselle,won'tyousay?Willyoutell?
COSETTE:Aheartfulloflove,nofear,noregret.
MARIUS:MynameisMariusPontmercy.
COSETTE:Andmine'sCosette.
MARIUS:Cosette,Idon'tknowwhattosay.
COSETTE:Thenmakenosound.
MARIUS:Iamlost.
COSETTE:Iamfound.
MARIUS:Aheartfulloflight
MARIUS&COSETTE:Anightbrightasday.
MARIUS:Andyoumustnevergoaway,Cosette,Cosette.(Hekneelsnearthebench.)
COSETTE:Thisisachainwe'llneverbreak.
MARIUS:DoIdream?
COSETTE:I'mawake.
MARIUS:Aheartfulloflove,(BOTHstand.)
EPONINE:(Listeningfromthestreet)Hewasneverminetolose.
MARIUS&COSETTE:Aheartfullofyou,
30
EPONINE:Whyregretwhatcouldnotbe.
MARIUS:AsinglelookandthenIknew.
COSETTE:Iknewittoo.
EPONINE:Thesearewordshe’llneversay,nottome.
MARIUS:Fromtoday...
EPONINE:Nottome...Notforme
COSETTE:Everyday.
COSETTE&MARIUSForitisn'tadream,Notadreamafterall.
EPONINEHisheartfulloflove,
Hewillneverfeelthisway.
(MariusandCosetteexittoanunseenportionofthegarden.)
Scene10–TheAttemptedRobbery
THEATTACKONRUEPLUMET(ThenardierarriveswiththerestofhisGang.)
MONTEPARNASSE:Thisishislair,I'veseentheoldfoxaround.
BABET:Hekeepshimselftohimself,he'sstayingclosetotheground.(Brujonattemptstobreakthelockonthegate.)
THENARDIER:Ismellprofithere!
(TheGanggathersaroundhim.)TenyearsagohecameandpaidforCosette,
Ilethergoforasong,it'stimewesettledthedebt,this'llcosthimdear.
BRUJON:WhatdoIcarewhoyoushouldrob?Givememyshare,finishthejob!
THENARDIER:Youshutyourmouth,you’llgetwhat’syours.(BrujondiscoversEponine,who’sbeeninhiding.)
BRUJON:Whathavewehere?
THENARDIER:Whoisthishussy?
BABET:It'syourbrat,Eponine.Don'tyouknowyourownkid?
Why'sshehangingaboutyou?
31
THENARDIER:Eponine,getonhome,you'renotneededinthis.We'reenoughherewithoutyou.
EPONINE:IknowthishouseItellyou,there'snothinghereforyou,
Justtheoldmanandthegirl,theyliveordinarylives.
THENARDIER:Don'tinterfere,you'vegotsomegall.Takecare,youngmiss,you'vegotalottosay!
BRUJON:She'sgoingsoft.
CLAQUESOUS:Happenstoall.
MONTPARNASSE:Gohome,'Ponine,gohome,you'reintheway!
EPONINE:I'mgonnascream,I'mgonnawarnthemhere.
THENARDIER:Onelittlescreamandyou'llregretitforayear.
(Eponinescreams.)Makeforthesewers,getunderground.
(Montparnassethreatensherwithaknife.Thenardierstopshim.)
THENARDIER:Leavehertome,don’twaitaround.(Montparnasse,Brujon,andClaquesousexit.)
Youwaitmygirl,you'llruethisnight(Mariusenters,crossingtothegate.ThenardierseesMariusandbeginstoexit.)
I'llmakeyouscream,you'llscreamalright.(Thenardierexits.)
MARIUS:Itwasyourcrysentthemaway.Oncemore'PoninesavingthedayDearestCosette,myfriend'Ponine,broughtmetoyou,showedmetheway!
Someoneisnear,let'snotbeseen.Somebody'shere...(MariusleavesquicklyasValjeanenters.)
VALJEAN:MydearCosette!
Iheardacryinthedark,Iheardtheshoutofangryvoicesinthestreet.
COSETTE:Thatwasmycryyouheard,Papa.Iwasafraidofwhatthey'ddo.Theyranawaywhentheyheardmycry.
VALJEAN:Cosette,mychild,whatwillbecomeofyou?
COSETTE:ThreemenIsawbeyondthewall,
Threemeninshadowmovingfast.VALJEAN:Thisisawarningtousall.Thesearetheshadowsofthepast.
(CosettecrossestoMariusatthegate,notlisteningtoValjean.)MustbeJavert.He'sfoundmycoveratlast!
32
I'vegottogetCosetteawaybeforetheyreturn!Wemustgetawayfromshadowsthatwillneverletusbe.
TomorrowtoCalais,thenashipacrossthesea.Hurry,Cosette,preparetoleaveandsaynomore,tomorrowwe’llaway.Hurry,Cosette,it'stimetocloseanotherdoorandliveanotherday.
Scene11–FinaleActOne
ONEDAYMORE
VALJEAN:Onedaymore,anotherday,anotherdestiny,ThisneverendingroadtoCalvary;Thesemenwhoseemtoknowmycrime
Willsurelycomeasecondtime,onedaymore.
MARIUS:IdidnotliveuntiltodayHowcanIlivewhenweareparted?
VALJEAN:Onedaymore...(Heexitsintothehouse.)
MARIUS&COSETTE:Tomorrowyou'llbeworldsaway,
Andyetwithyou,myworldhasstarted.
EPONINE:Onemoredayallonmyown.
MARIUS&COSETTE:Willweevermeetagain?
EPONINE:Onemoredaywithhimnotcaring.
MARIUS&COSETTE:Iwasborntobewithyou.
EPONINE:WhatalifeImighthaveknown.
MARIUS&COSETTE:AndIswearIwillbetrue!
EPONINE:Butheneversawmethere...(Thescenetransitionstothestreet.Enjolrasentersthestage,followedbytheStudents.)
ENJOLRASOnemoredaybeforethestorm!AtthebarricadesofFreedom!Whenourranksbegintoform,
Willyoutakeyourplacewithme?
MARIUSDoIfollowwhereshegoes!ShallIjoinmybrothersthere!
DoIstayanddoIdare?
ALL:Thetimeisnow,thedayishere!
(ValjeanenterswiththeBishop’scandlesticksandotheritemshebeginstopack.)
VALJEAN:Onedaymore!
33
JAVERT:Onemoredaytillrevolution,wewillnipitinthebud!We’llbereadyfortheseschoolboys;theywillwetthemselveswithblood!
VALJEAN:Onedaymore!
THENARDIER&MADAMETHENARDIER:Watch'emrunamuck,catch'emwhenthey
fall,Neverknowyourluckwhenthere'safree-for-all.Herealittlepinch,therealittletouch,
Mostofthemaregonerssotheywon'tmissmuch!
CHORUS(ALTOS&BASSES):OnedaytoanewbeginningCHORUS:(SOPRANOS&TENORS):Raisetheflagoffreedomhigh!
CHORUS(ALTOS&BASSES):Ev’rymanwillbeaking,CHORUS(SOPRANOS&TENORS):Ev’rymanwillbeaking!
CHORUS(ALTOS&BASSES):There'sanewworldforthewinning,CHORUS(SOPRANOS&TENORS):There'sanewworldtobewon.
ALL:Doyouhearthepeoplesing?(MariusjoinsEnjolrasandtheStudents.)
MARIUS:Myplaceishere,Ifightwithyou!
VALJEAN:Onedaymore!
(ThefollowingsectionsaresungincounterpointuntilAllsing.)
MARIUS&COSETTE:Ididnotliveuntiltoday.HowcanIlivewhenweareparted?Tomorrowyou'llbeworldsaway,andyetwithyoumyworldhasstarted.
EPONINE:Onemoredayallonmyown,whataworldImighthaveknown.
JAVERT:Iwilljointhesepeople'sheroes,Iwillfollowwheretheygo,
Iwillknowtheirlittlesecrets,Iwillknowthethingstheyknow.Onemoredaytorevolution,wewillnipitinthebud.
We’llbereadyfortheseschoolboys.Tomorrowisthejudgementday.
VALJEAN:Onedaymore!Tomorrowwe’llbefaraway,Tomorrowisthejudgementday.
THENARDIER&MADAMETHENARDIER:Watch'emrunamuck,catch'emastheyfall,
Herealittle‘dip,’therealittle‘touch,’Watch‘emrunamuck,catch‘emastheyfall,
Neverknowyourluckwhenthere'safree-for-all.
ALL:Tomorrowwe'lldiscoverwhatourGodinHeavenhasinstore!Onemoredawn.Onemoreday,onedaymore!
ENDOFACTONE
34
ACTIIScene1–BuildingtheBarricade
ATTHEBARRICADE(UPONTHESESTONES)
(Enjolrasisaddressingtherevolutionaries.)ENJOLRAS:Hereuponthesestoneswewillbuildourbarricade,
Intheheartofthecityweclaimasourown!Eachmantohisdutyanddon'tbeafraid.
Wait!Iwillneedareportonthestrengthofthefoe.
JAVERT:(disguisedasarebel)Icanfindoutthetruth,Iknowtheirways,foughttheirwars,
Servedmytimeinthedaysofmyyouth!
(MariusspotsEponine,whoisdressedasaboy.)MARIUS:(Teasingher)Heylittleboy,what'sthisIsee?
GoshEponine,thethingsyoudo!
EPONINE:Iknowthisisnoplaceforme,stillIwouldratherbewithyou.
MARIUS:Getoutbeforethetroublestarts.Getout,'Ponine,youmightgetshot!
EPONINE:Igotyouworried,nowIhave,
Thatshowsyoulikemequitealot.
MARIUS:Thereisawaythatyoucanhelp,(Revolutionariesbegintoexit.)
Youaretheanswertoaprayer!PleasetakethislettertoCosette,andpraytoGodthatshe'sstillthere!
(MariushandsheraletterandjoinstherestoftheRevolutionaries.)
ENJOLRAS:(Spoken)Marius!Comeon!
EPONINE:Littleheknows...littlehecares.Scene2–TheRuePlumet(TheRevolutionarieshaveexited.EponinewalkstoRuePlumet,climbsoverthegardenwall,andiscaughtbyValjean.)
EPONINE:IhavealetterM'sieur,it'saddressedtoyourdaughterCosette.It'sfromaboyatthebarricade,Sir,intheRuedeVillette.
35
VALJEAN:Givemethatletterhere,myboy.
EPONINE:HesaidtogiveittoCosette.
VALJEAN:Youhavemywordthatmydaughterwillknowwhatthislettercontains.Telltheyoungmanshewillreadittomorrow,andhere'sforyourpains
(HehandsheracoinandEponinegiveshimtheletter.)Gocarefulnow,stayoutofsight.There'sdangerinthestreetstonight.
(Eponinemovesoutofsight,buteavesdrops.Valjeanopenstheletterandreadsit.)“DearestCosette,youhaveenteredmysoulandsoonyouwillbegone.
Canitbeonlyadaysincewemetandtheworldwasreborn?IfIshouldfallinthebattletocomeletthisbemygoodbyeNowthatIknowyoulovemeaswell,itishardertodie...
IpraythatGodwillbringmehometobewithyou.PrayforyourMarius,hepraysforyou!''
(Valjeangoesin,Eponinere-enters.ShebeginstowalkthroughthestreetsofParis.)
ONMYOWNEPONINE:AndnowI'mallaloneagain,nowheretoturn,noonetogoto.
Withoutahome,withoutafriend,withoutafacetosayhelloto.Andnowthenightisnear,nowIcanmakebelievehe'shere.
SometimesIwalkaloneatnightwheneverybodyelseissleeping.IthinkofhimandI'mhappywiththecompanyI'mkeeping.
Thecitygoestobed,andIcanliveinsidemyhead.Ownmyown,pretendinghe'sbesideme.Allalone,Iwalkwithhimtillmorning.Withouthim,Ifeelhisarmsaroundme,
AndwhenIlosemywayIclosemyeyesandhehasfoundme.Intherainthepavementshineslikesilver.
Allthelightsaremistyintheriver.Inthedarkness,thetreesarefullofstarlight,AndallIseeishimandmeforeverandforever.
AndIknowit'sonlyinmymind,thatI'mtalkingtomyselfandnottohim.AndalthoughIknowthatheisblind,stillIsay,there'sawayforus.
Ilovehim,butwhenthenightisover,Heisgone,theriver'sjustariver.
Withouthim,theworldaroundmechanges,Thetreesarebareandeverywherethestreetsarefullofstrangers.
Ilovehim,buteverydayI'mlearning,Allmylife,I'veonlybeenpretending.
Withoutme,hisworldwouldgoonturning.Aworldthat'sfullofhappinessthatIhaveneverknown.
Ilovehim.Ilovehim.Ilovehim,butonlyonmyown.
(EponineexitsastheRevolutionariesenter,buildingthebarricade.)
36
Scene3–AttheBarricadeBUILDINGTHEBARRICADE
ENJOLRAS:Red-thebloodofangrymen!
Black-thedarkofagespast!Red-aworldabouttodawn!
Black-thenightthatendsatlast!(Thebarricadeisnowcomplete.)
ARMYOFFICER:(Offstage)Youatthebarricadelistentothis:Nooneiscomingtohelpyoutofight.
You'reonyourown,youhavenofriends,Giveupyourguns-ordie!
ENJOLRAS:Cursetheirwarnings,cursetheirlies,theywillseethepeoplerise!
ENJOLRAS&CHORUS:Cursetheirwarnings,cursetheirlies,
Theywillseethepeoplerise!(Javertclimbsoverthebarricade.)
JAVERT’SARRIVALJOLY:(Shouted)He’sback!
JAVERT:Ihaveoverheardtheirplans,therewillbenoattacktonight,
(TheStudentspulloutamaponacrate.)Theyintendtostarveusoutbeforetheystartaproperfight.
Concentratetheirforce,hitusfromtheright.
LITTLEPEOPLE(Gavrocheenters.)
GAVROCHE:Liar!Goodevening,dearinspector.Lovelyevening,mydear.Iknowthisman,myfriends,hisnameisInspectorJavert.Sodon'tbelieveawordhesays,‘causenoneofit'strue!
Thisonlygoestoshowwhatlittlepeoplecando!Andlittlepeopleknowwhenlittlepeoplefight.
Wemaylookeasypickings,butwe'vegotsomebite!Soneverkickadogbecausehe'sjustapup.
We'llfightliketwentyarmiesandwewon'tgiveup!Soyou'dbetterrunforcoverwhenthepupgrowsup!
GRANTAIRE:Bravo,littleGavroche,you'rethetopoftheclass!
PROUVAIRE:Sowhatarewegoingtodowiththissnakeinthegrass?
ENJOLRAS:Tiethismanandtakehimtothetaverninthere.
Thepeoplewilldecideyourfate,InspectorJavert!
37
(EnjolrasandtheMenremoveJavertoffstagetothetavernasthefirstshotsringout.Jolystandsguard.Womenarerollingbandages,facingawayfromMarius.)
ALITTLEFALLOFRAINJOLY:(shouts)There'saboyclimbingthebarricade!
(Eponinereturns,wounded,tothebarricade.)
MARIUS:Goodness!Whatareyoudoing?'Ponine,haveyounofear?Haveyouseenmybeloved?Whyhaveyoucomebackhere?
EPONINE:Tooktheletterlikeyousaid,Imetherfatheratthedoor.
Hesaidhewouldgiveit,(Shecollapses)Idon'tthinkIcanstandanymore.
MARIUS:Eponine,what'swrong?There'ssomethingwetuponyourhair.(Thereisbloodonhishands)
Eponine,you'rehurt!Youneedsomehelp!(Heopensherjacket.Sheiswetwithblood.)Ohgosh,it'severywhere....
EPONINE:Don'tyoufret,M'sieurMarius,Idon'tfeelanypain.Alittlefallofrain,canhardlyhurtmenow.
You'rehere,that'sallIneedtoknow.Andyouwillkeepmesafe,andyouwillkeepmeclose.
Andrainwillmaketheflowersgrow.
MARIUS:Butyouwilllive,'Ponine-dearGodabove,IfIcouldhealyourwoundswithwordsoflove.
EPONINE:Justholdmenow,andletitbe.
Shelterme,comfortme...
EPONINE(incounterpoint)Sodon'tyoufret,M'sieurMarius
Idon'tfeelanypain.Alittlefallofrain,
Canhardlyhurtmenow.That'sallIneedtoknow.Andyouwillkeepmesafe.Andyouwillkeepmeclose.
Andrain,Willmaketheflowers...
MARIUS(incounterpoint)Hush-a-bye,dearEponine,Youwon'tfeelanypain.
Alittlefallofrain,Canhardlyhurtyounow,
I'mhere.Iwillstaywithyou,Tillyouaresleeping,
Andrain,Willmaketheflowers...
Grow.(Mariuskissesher.Shedies,thenhelaysherontheground.)
NIGHTOFANGUISHENJOLRAS:Sheisthefirsttofall,thefirstofustofalluponthisbarricade.
38
MARIUS:HernamewasEponine.Herlifewascoldanddark,yetshewasunafraid.
COMBEFERRE:Wefighthereinhername
PROUVAIRE:Shewillnotdieinvain.
LESGLES:Shewillnotbebetrayed.
(TheRevolutionariescarryherbodyoffstage.Javertistiedtoachair.Valjean,dressedasasoldier,climbsoverthebarricade.)
JOLY:Herecomesamaninuniform.Whatbringsyoutothisplace?
VALJEAN:Icomehereasavolunteer.
JOLY:Approachandshowyourface.
PROUVAIRE:Youwearanarmyuniform.
VALJEAN:That'swhytheyletmethrough.
JOLY:Youseethatprisoneroverthere?
GRANTAIRE:Avolunteerlikeyou!
COMBEFERRE:AspywhocallshimselfJavert!
GRANTAIRE:He'sgoingtogetittoo.
PROUVAIRE:They'regettingreadytoattack!(EnjolrasgivesValjeanagun.)
ENJOLRAS:Takethisanduseitwell!
Butifyoushootusintheback,you'llneverlivetotell.
THEFIRSTATTACKSENTRY1:Platoonofsappersadvancingtowardthebarricade!
SENTRY2:Troopsbehindthem,fiftymenormore!
(Afierceattackislaunchedonthebarricade.)
ENJOLRAS:FIRE!
(Snipershot.Astudentiswounded,falling.Feuillypointsatthesniperandshoutsawarning.)
FEUILLY:SNIPERS!
39
(Enjolrasgoestothefallenstudent.ThesnipershootsatEnjolras,barelymissinghim.Enjolraslooksupatthesniper.Valjeannoticesthesniperandshoots,savingEnjolras’slife.Thewomenbandagethewoundedstudent.)
LESGLES:Lookhowtheyturnandrun!
GRANTAIRE:Andsothewariswon!
ENJOLRAS:Theywillbebackagain,makeanattackagain.(ToValjean.)
Foryourpresenceofmind,forthedeedyouhavedone.Iwillthankyou,M'sieur,whenourbattleiswon.
VALJEAN:Givemenothanks,M'sieur.Thereissomethingthatyoucando.
ENJOLRAS:Ifitisinmypower...
VALJEAN:GivemethespyJavert.Letmetakecareofhim.
JAVERT:Thelawisinsideout;theworldisupsidedown.
ENJOLRAS:Dowhatyouhavetodo,themanbelongstoyou.
(Shoutedtotheothers)Theenemymayberegrouping.Holdyourselfinreadiness.Comemyfriends,backtoyourpositions.Thenightisfallingfast...
(Studentsreturntotheirfightingpositionsonthebarricade.)
VALJEAN:(ToJavert)Wemeetagain.
JAVERT:You'vehungeredforthisallyourlife;Takeyourrevenge!
(Valjeanpullsoutaknife.)Howrightyoushouldkillwithaknife!
(ValjeancutstheropeswhichbindJavert.)
VALJEAN:Youtalktoomuch.Yourlifeissafeinmyhands.
JAVERT:Idon'tunderstand.
VALJEAN:Getoutofhere.
JAVERT:Valjean,takecare,I'mwarningyou.
VALJEAN:Clearoutofhere.
40
JAVERT:Onceathief,foreverathief.Whatyouwantyoualwayssteal!Youwouldtradeyourlifeformine?Yes,Valjean,youwantadeal.
ShootmenowforallIcare!Ifyouletmego,beware.You'llstillanswertoJavert!
VALJEAN:Youarewrong,andalwayshavebeenwrong.
I'maman,noworsethananyman.Youarefree,andtherearenoconditions,nobargainsorpetitions.
There'snothingthatIblameyoufor:You'vedoneyourduty,nothingmore.IfIcomeoutofthisalive,you'llfindmeatnumberfifty-fiveRuePlumet.
Nodoubtourpathswillcrossagain.(Valjeanfireshisgunintotheair,Javertleavesquickly.MutedapplausefromthestudentswhothinkJaverthasbeenshot.)
ENJOLRAS:Courfeyrac,youtakethewatch.Theywon'tattackuntilit'slight,everybodystayawake,
Wemustbereadyforthefight,forthefinalfight.Letnoonesleeptonight!
(Mariusstartstocrosstothetopofthebarricade.)Marius,rest.
(MariusjoinstheRevolutionaries,whocomedownfromthebarricade.HearingMarius’sname,ValjeanwatchesMarius.)
DRINKWITHME(Afewwomenenterwithtankardsofwine.Thedefenderssettledownforthenightwithwineandasong.)
FEUILLY:Drinkwithmetodaysgoneby.Singwithmethesongsweknew.
PROUVAIRE:Here'stoprettygirlswhowenttoourheads.
JOLY:Here'stowittygirlswhowenttoourbeds.
FEUILLY&PROUVAIRE:Here'stothemandhere'stoyou!
GRANTAIRE:Drinkwithmetodaysgoneby.Canitbeyoufeartodie?
Willtheworldrememberyouwhenyoufall?Coulditbeyourdeathmeansnothingatall?
Isyourlifejustonemorelie?
MEN:Drinkwithme,
Todays,Goneby.Tothelife,Thatused,Tobe.
WOMEN:(Incounterpart)Drinkwithme,
Todays,Goneby.Tothelife,Thatused,Tobe
41
WOMEN:Attheshrineoffriendship,neversaydie.
ALL:Letthewineoffriendshipneverrundry.
MEN:Here’stoyou,Andhere’s,Tome.
WOMEN:(Incounterpart)
Here’stoyou,Andhere’s,Tome.
MARIUS:DoIcareifIshoulddie,nowshegoesacrossthesea?(TheChorusbeginstohumunderMarius.ValjeankeenlywatchesMarius.)LifewithoutCosettemeansnothingatall.Wouldyouweep,Cosette,shouldMariusfall?Willyouweep,Cosette,forme?(Mariussettlesdowntosleep.)
BRINGHIMHOME(ValjeanisstandingoverMarius.)
VALJEAN:Godonhighhearmyprayer.Inmyneed,Youhavealwaysbeenthere.
Heisyoung,he'safraid,lethimrestheavenblessed.Bringhimhome,bringhimhome,bringhimhome.
He'slikethesonImighthaveknown,ifGodhadgrantedmeason.Thesummersdieonebyone;howsoontheyflyonandon,
AndIamoldandwillbegone.Bringhimpeace,bringhimjoy.Heisyoung,heisonlyaboy.
Youcantake,youcangive.Lethimbe,lethimlive.IfIdie,letmedie,lethimlive,
Bringhimhome,bringhimhome,bringhimhome.(Dawnbreaks.)
DAWNOFANGUISHENJOLRAS:Thepeoplehavenotstirred.
Weareabandonedbythosewhostillliveinfear.Thepeoplehavenotheard.Yetwillnotabandonthosewhocannothear.
Letusnotwastelives,letallthewomenandfathersofchildrengofromhere.(Afewsaytheirgoodbyesandexit.Gavrocheiscarriedoutforciblybyoneofthemen.)
FIRE!
THESECONDATTACK(Duringthebattle,Gavrocheentersandhidesbehindtheammobox.EnjolrasasksFeuilly
tocheckforammo.Feuillycrossestotheammobox,realizingammoislow.Othersgather.Gavrochehearstheirdiscussion.)
ENJOLRAS:Howdowestand,Feuilly?Makeyourreport.
42
FEUILLY:We'vegunsenough,butammunitionshort
MARIUS:Iwillgointothestreets.Therearebodiesallaround,Ammunitiontobehad,lotsofbulletstobefound!
ENJOLRAS:Ican'tletyougo,it'stoomuchofachance.
MARIUS:Thesameistrueforanymanhere!
VALJEAN:Letmego.He'snomorethanaboy.Iamold,Ihavenothingtofear.
GAVROCHE:YouneedsomebodyquickerandIvolunteer!
(Gavrocheclimbsthebarricade.)
LESGLES:ComebackGavroche,don'tyoudare!
JOLY:Someonepullhimdownrightnow!
GAVROCHE:Lookatme,I'malmostthere!(Ashotringsoutfrombeyondthebarricade.ItmissesGavroche.)
GAVROCHE:Littlepeopleknowwhenlittlepeoplefight.Wemaylookeasypickings,butwe'vegotsomebite!
(GavrocheremovesammunitionbagsandtossesthemtotheRevolutionaries.Anothershotringsout.Gavrocheiswounded.)
We'llfightliketwentyarmiesandwewon'tgiveup.Soyou'dbetterrunforcoverwhenthepupgrows...
(Afinalshot.Hedies.)
THEFINALBATTLEARMYOFFICER:(Frombehindthebarricade)Youatthebarricadelistentothis:
ThepeopleofParissleepintheirbeds.Youhavenochance,Nochanceatall.Whythrowyourlivesaway?
Scene4–TheBattle
ENJOLRAS:Letusdiefacingourfoes,makethembleedwhilewecan.
COMBEFERRE:Makethempaythroughthenose.
COURFEYRAC:Makethempayforeveryman!
ENJOLRAS:Letothersrisetotakeourplaceuntiltheearthisfree!
(Amidstincreasinglyheavygunfire,Mariusisshot.EnjolrasandGrantairecrosstoMarius’sbody.ImpassionedbyMarius’wounding,Enjolrascrossestothesummitofthe
43
barricadeandboldlywavesaredflag.Thereisanexplosion.Enjolrasiskilledatthetopofthebarricade,andValjeanfallsunconscious.GrantairecrossestoEnjolras.Thereisasecondexplosion.TheStudentsdieinslowmotion.Grantaireisthelasttodieatthetopofthebarricade.)Scene5–TheSewer(ValjeanawakensanddiscoversthatMariusisstillalive.Hestrugglestoliftthegrateofasewer.Hesucceeds,andescapesdownamanholeintothesewers,carryingMarius.Astheydisappear,Javertreturnstothebarricade.HesearchesforValjeanamongthebodies.Notfindinghim,herealizesValjeanhasescapedbytheonlypossibleway–intothesewers.JavertgoesofftowhereValjeanmustemerge.WeseeValjeancarryMariusthroughthesewerswithdifficultybutdetermination.)
THESEWERS(Thenardierappearsinthesewerscarryingabodyoverhisshoulders.ValjeanenterswithMariusandcollapses.ThenardiercrossestoMarius,stealinghisring.)
THENARDIER:Here'satastyring,prettylittlething,Wouldn'twanttowasteit.Thatwouldreallybeacrime.
Thankyousir,I'minyourdebt.Addittothepile,Addittothestock.Hereamongthesewerrats,abreathawayfromhell,
Yougetaccustomedtothesmell.Well,someone'sgottocleanthemup,myfriends.Beforethelittleharvest,disappearsintothemud.
Someone'sgottocollecttheiroddsandends,whentheguttersrunwithblood.(ThenardiergoestorobValjean,butsuddenlyrecognizeshimandrunsaway.Valjeanrecovers,picksupMariusandcontinueshisjourneythroughthesewers.Hecrossesthroughseveralshaftsoflightfromthestreetsabove,eachtimecarryingMariusinaslightlydifferentposition,symbolizingthelengthofhisjourney.Emergingfromthesewer,hemeetsJavert.RestingMariusontheground,Valjeancollapseswithexhaustion.)
JAVERT'SSUICIDEVALJEAN:It'syou,Javert.Iknewyouwouldn'twaittoolong.
Thefaithfulservantathispostoncemore!Thisman'sdonenowrong,andheneedsadoctor'scare.
JAVERT:IwarnedyouIwouldnotgivein,Iwon'tbeswayed.
VALJEAN:AnotherhouryetandthenI'myours,andallourdebtsarepaid.
JAVERT:Themanofmercycomesagain,andtalksofjustice.
44
VALJEAN:Come,timeisrunningshort.Lookdown,Javert,he'sstandinginhisgrave.(HepicksupMarius.)
VALJEAN
Giveway,Javert,Thereisalifetosave.
JAVERTTakehimValjean,
BeforeIchangemymind.(ValjeanisfacetofacewithJavert.Javertopensup,allowingValjeantopass.)
JAVERT:Iwillbewaiting,2-4-6-0-1.(ValjeancarriesMariusoff.JavertwalksthedesertedstreetsuntilhecomestoabridgeovertheriverSeine.)Scene6–ABridgeOvertheSeine
JAVERT:Whoisthisman?Whatsortofdevilishe?Tohavemecaughtinatrapandchoosetoletmegofree?
Itwashishouratlasttoputasealonmyfate.Wipeoutthepastandwashmecleanofftheslate!
Allitwouldtakewasaflickofhisknife.Vengeancewashisandhegavemebackmylife!
CursedifI'llliveinthedebtofathief!CursedifI'llyieldattheendofthechase.IamtheLawandtheLawisnotmocked.I'llspithispityrightbackinhisface.
Thereisnothingonearththatweshare.ItiseitherValjeanorJavert!HowcanInowallowthismantoholddominionoverme?
ThisdesperatemanwhomIhavehuntedHegavememylife,hegavemefreedom.
Ishouldhaveperishedbyhishand!Itwashisright.Itwasmyrighttodieaswell.InsteadIlive,butliveinhell.Andmythoughtsflyapart.Canthismanbebelieved?Shallhissinsbeforgiven?Shallhiscrimesbereprieved?
AndmustInowbegintodoubt.Whoneverdoubtedalltheseyears?Myheartisstoneandstillittrembles.TheworldIhaveknownislostinshadow.
Ishefromheavenorfromhell?(Javertstepsovertherailingofthebridge.)
Anddoesheknowthatgrantingmemylifetoday,Thismanhaskilledmeevenso?
Iamreaching,butIfall,andthestarsareblackandcold.AsIstareintothevoidofaworldthatcannothold.
I'llescapenowfromtheworld.FromtheworldofJeanValjean!ThereisnowhereIcanturnThereisnowaytogoon.....
(Javertstepsofftheside.Hefalls,drowningintheriver.Blackout.Thescenetransitionstoagroupofwomendoingtheirdailychores,discussingtheeventsofthebarricade.)
45
TURNING
WOMAN1:Didyouseethemgoingofftofight?
WOMAN2:Childrenofthebarricade,whodidn'tlastthenight?
WOMAN3:Theywereschoolboyswhoneverheldagun.Fightingforanewworldthatwouldriseuplikethesun.
WOMAN4:Where’sthatnewworld,nowthefighting’sdone?
WOMENGROUP1:Turning,turning,
Turningthroughtheyears.Minutesintohours,
Andthehoursintoyears.Nothingchanges,nothingevercan.Roundandroundtheroundabout,
Andbackwhereyoubegan
WOMENGROUP2:Turning,TurningTurning.
Turningthroughtheyears.Minutes,hours,Hoursintoyears.
Nothingchanges,nothingevercan.Roundandroundtheroundabout,
ALLWOMEN:Roundandroundandbackwhereyoubegan!
(TheWomencompletetheirtasksandexit,revealingMarius.)
EMPTYCHAIRSATEMPTYTABLES(Marius,recoveringfromhiswounds,imagineshe'sbackattheABCcafé.)
MARIUS:There'sagriefthatcan'tbespoken,there'sapaingoesonandon.Emptychairsatemptytables,nowmyfriendsaredeadandgone.Heretheytalkedofrevolution,hereitwastheylittheflame.Heretheysangabouttomorrow,andtomorrownevercame.
(Theghostsofthosethatdieddriftonslowly.)Fromthetableinthecorner,theycouldseeaworldreborn.Andtheyrosewithvoicesringing,andIcanhearthemnow!
Theverywordsthattheyhadsung,becametheirlastcommunion,Onthelowlybarricadeatdawn.
(TheghostssurroundMarius.)Ohmyfriends,myfriendsforgiveme,thatIliveandyouaregone.There'sagriefthatcan'tbespoken,there'sapaingoesonandon.Phantomfacesatthewindow.Phantomshadowsonthefloor
Emptychairsatemptytables,wheremyfriendswillmeetnomore.(Theghostsfadeaway.)
Ohmyfriends,myfriends,don'taskme,whatyoursacrificewasfor.Emptychairsatemptytables,wheremyfriendswillsingnomore...
(Timehaspassed.CosettearrivestohelpMariusinhisrecovery.Hecrossestoherwithsomedifficulty.)
46
MARIUS&COSETTE/EVERYDAYCOSETTE:Everydayyouwalkwithstrongerstep,Youwalkwithlongerstep,theworstisover.
MARIUS:Everyday,Iwondereveryday,
Whowasitbroughtmeherefromthebarricade?
COSETTE:Don'tthinkaboutit,Marius,withalltheyearsaheadofus.Iwillnevergoaway,andwewillbetogethereveryday.
Everyday,we'llrememberthatnight,andthevowthatwemade:Aheartfulloflove.
(Valjeanenters,unnoticed.)
COSETTE:Anightfullofyou,Thewordsareoldbutalwaystrue.
MARIUS:Cosette,Cosette!COSETTE:IsawyouwaitingandIknew.
MARIUS:Waitingforyou,Atyourfeet,
COSETTE:Atyourcall,BOTH:Anditwasn'tadream
Notadreamafterall.
VALJEAN:ShewasneverminetokeepSheisyouthfulSheisfree.
Loveisthegardenoftheyoung.Letitbe,Letitbe,
Aheartfulloflove.ThisIgiveyou,Onthisday.
(TheynoticeValjean.)
VALJEAN’SCONFESSIONMARIUS:M'sieur,thisisadayIcanneverforget.
IsgratitudeenoughforgivingmeCosette?Yourhomeshallbewithusandnotadayshallpass,Butwewillproveourlovetoyou,whomweshallcall,
Afathertousboth,afathertousall.(Cosetteleaves.)
VALJEAN:Notanotherwordmyson,There'ssomethingnowthatmustbedone.
(Valjeansits.)TherelivedamannamedJeanValjean.
Hestolesomebreadtosavehissister'sson.Fornineteenwintersservedhistime.Insweathewashedawayhiscrime.
Yearsago,hebrokeparoleandlivedalifeapart.HowcouldhetellCosetteandbreakherheart?
It'sforCosettethatthismustbefaced,ifheiscaughtsheisdisgraced.Thetimeiscometojourneyon,andfromthisdayhemustbegone.
WhoamI?WhoamI?
47
MARIUS:You'reJeanValjean.WhatcanIdothatwouldturnyoufromthis?M’sieur,youcannotleave.
WhateverItellmybelovedCosetteshewillneverbelieve.
VALJEAN:MakeherbelieveIhavegoneonajourneyalongwayaway.Tellhermyheartwastoofullforfarewells.Itisbetterthisway.
Promiseme,M'sieur,Cosettewillneverknow.(ValjeanplacesanarmonMarius’sshoulder.)
MARIUS:Igivemyword.
VALJEAN:WhatIhavespoken,whyImustgo.
MARIUS:ForthesakeofCosette,itmustbeso.
Scene7–TheWedding
THEWEDDINGCHORALE–BEGGARSATTHEFEAST(MariusandCosetteleadaweddingprocession.)
CHORUS:Ringoutthebellsuponthisdayofdays!MayalltheangelsoftheLordabove.Injubilation,singtheirsongsofpraise!
Andcrownthisblessedtimewithpeaceandlove.(Theprocessionbecomesadancingcelebration.Awaltzisplayed.)MAJORDOMO:(Spoken)TheBaronandBaronessdeThenardwishtopaytheirrespects
tothegroom!
THENARDIER:Iforgetwherewemet,wasitnotattheChateauLafarge,WheretheDukedidthatpukedowntheDuchess'sde-coll-etage?
MARIUS:No,`BarondeThenard'.ThecirclesImoveinarehumblerbyfar.
Goaway,Thenardier!DoyouthinkIdon'tknowwhoyouare?
MADAMETHENARDIER:He'snotfooled,toldyouso.ShowM'sieurwhatyou'vecomeheretoshow.Telltheboywhatyouknow!
THENARDIER:Pitytodisturbyouatafeastlikethis,Butfivehundredfrancssurelywouldn'tcomeamiss.
MARIUS:InGod'snamesaywhatyouhavetosay.
MADAMETHENARDIER:Butfirstyoupay!
(Thenardierstealsaplatter.Themusicstops.MariuspaysThenardierfivefrancs,andsignalsMajorDomo.TheMajorDomogesturesfortheorchestratoresumeplaying.Theguestsdance.)
48
THENARDIER:WhatIsaw,clearaslight,JeanValjeaninthesewersthatnight.Hadthiscorpseonhisback,hangingtherelikeablimygreatsack.
Iwasthere,neverfear.Evenfoundmethisfinesouvenir!(ThenardiershowsMariusaringasMadameThenardierstealssomesilverware.)
MARIUS:Iknowthis!Thiswasmine!(Hetakesthering.)
Thisissurelysomeheavenlysign!
THENARDIER:Onethingmore,markthiswell.
MADAMETHENARDIER:Itwasthenightthebarricadesfell.
MARIUS:Thenit'strue,thenI'mright,JeanValjeanwasmysaviourthatnight!Asforyou,takethistoo!Godforgivethethingsthatwedo.
(MariushitsThenardierandthenthrowsmoneyathim.)Comemylove,comeCosette.Thisday'sblessingsarenotoveryet.
(MariusandCosetteexit.TheThenardiersfightoverthemoney.Duringtheargument,theydropthestolensilver.ThenardiertakesthestafffromtheMajorDomo,gesturingfortheorchestratoresumeplaying.Thewaltzcontinuesagain.)
THENARDIER:Ain'titalaugh?Ain'titatreat?Hob-nobbin'hereamongtheelite?Parisatmyfeet,Parisinthedust
Andhere’smebreakingbreadwiththeuppercrust!(TheThenardiersleadtheguestsinadance.)
Beggaratthefeast!Masterofthedance!
Lifeiseasypickingsifyougrabyourchance.
MADAMETHENARDIER:Everywhereyougo,law-abidingfolkDoingwhatisdecentbutthey'remostlybroke!
THENARDIER&MADAMETHENARDIER:SingingtotheLordonSundays,Prayingforthegiftshe'llsend,butwe'retheoneswhotakeit,
We'retheoneswhomakeitintheend!Watchthebuggersdance,watch'emtilltheydrop.Keepyourwitsaboutyouandyoustandontop!
Mastersoftheland,alwaysgetourshare.Clearawaythebarricadesandwe'restillthere!
Weknowwherethewindisblowing.MoneyisthestuffwesmellAndwhenwe'rerichasCroesus,We’llbesuretoseeyouallinhell!
(TheThenardiersbegintoexit,aftertherestoftheweddingparty.)
Scene8–Valjean’sRoom(Valjeanissittingalone,ablanketonhisshoulders.ThecandlesticksfromtheBishopsitonasmallwritingtable.Hesignshisconfessionandprays.)
49
EPILOGUE(FINALE)
VALJEAN:Godonhigh,hearmyprayer,Takemenowtothycare.
WhereYouareletmebe,takemenow,takemethere.Bringmehome,bringmehome.
(Fantineentersslowly,dressedinwhite.)
FANTINEM'sieur,Iblessyourname
M'sieur,laydownyourburdenYouraisedmychildinloveAndyouwillbewithGod.
VALJEAN:(Interjecting)Iamready,Fantine
AttheendofmydaysShe'sthebestofmylife.
(MariusandCosetterushintotheroom,buttheydonotseeFantine.)
COSETTE:Papa,papa,Idonotunderstand!Areyoualright?Theysaidyou'dgoneaway.
VALJEAN:Cosette,mychild,amIforgivennow?ThankGod,thankGod,I'velivedtoseethisday.
MARIUS:It'syouwhomustforgiveathoughtlessfool,
It'syouwhomustforgiveathanklessman.It'sthankstoyouthatIamliving,
AndagainIlaydownmylifeatyourfeet.Cosette,yourfatherisasaint.
Whentheywoundedmehetookmefromthebarricade,Carriedlikeababeandbroughtmehometoyou.
VALJEAN:(toCosette)Nowyouarehere,againbesideme
NowIcandieinpeace,Fornowmylifeisblessed.
COSETTE:(Embraceshim)Youwilllive,Papa,you'regoingtolive.
It'stoosoon,toosoontosaygoodbye.
VALJEAN:Yes,Cosette,forbidmenowtodie.I'llobey.Iwilltry.
OnthispageIwritemylastconfession.ReaditwellwhenIatlastamsleeping.
It'sastoryofthosewhoalwayslovedyou.Yourmothergaveherlifeforyou,thengaveyoutomykeeping.
(Theotherspiritsappear.)FANTINE:Cometome,wherechainswillneverbindyou.
Allyourgrief,atlast,atlastbehindyou.LordinHeaven,lookdownonhiminmercy.
50
VALJEAN:Forgivemeallmytrespassesandtakemetoyourglory.
(Theblanketfallstotheground.ValjeanrisestotakeFantine’shandasEponineenters.)
FANTINE&EPONINE:Takemyhand,I’llleadyoutosalvation.Takemylove,forloveiseverlasting.
(Theotherghostsenteratthebackofthestage.)
VALJEAN:Andrememberthetruththatoncewasspoken,
FANTINE,EPONINE&VALJEAN:ToloveanotherpersonistoseethefaceofGod.
CHORUS:Doyouhearthepeoplesing,Lostinthevalleyofthenight?
Itisthemusicofapeoplewhoareclimbingtothelight.Forthewretchedoftheearth,Thereisaflamethatneverdies.
Eventhedarkestnightswillendandthesunwillrise.
TheywillliveagaininfreedominthegardenoftheLord.Theywillwalkbehindtheploughshare,theywillputawaythesword.
Thechainwillbebrokenandallmenwillhavetheirreward!
FULLCOMPANY:Willyoujoininourcrusade?Whowillbestrongandstandwithme?
Somewherebeyondthebarricadeisthereaworldyoulongtosee?Doyouhearthepeoplesing?
Say,doyouhearthedistantdrums?Itisthefuturethattheybringwhentomorrowcomes!
Willyoujoininourcrusade?
Whowillbestrongandstandwithme?Somewherebeyondthebarricadeisthereaworldyoulongtosee?
Doyouhearthepeoplesing?Say,doyouhearthedistantdrums?
Itisthefuturethattheybringwhentomorrowcomes!Ah!Ah!Ah!!
Tomorrowcomes!
ENDOFACTTWO
BOWS
EXITMUSIC