THEGRANDHALL。
Threehundredandforty-eightyears，sixmonths，andnineteendaysagoto-day，theParisiansawoketothesoundofallthebellsinthetriplecircuitofthecity，theuniversity，andthetownringingafullpeal。
ThesixthofJanuary，1482，isnot，however，adayofwhichhistoryhaspreservedthememory。TherewasnothingnotableintheeventwhichthussetthebellsandthebourgeoisofParisinafermentfromearlymorning。ItwasneitheranassaultbythePicardsnortheBurgundians，norahuntledalonginprocession，norarevoltofscholarsinthetownofLaas，noranentryof\"ourmuchdreadlord，monsieurtheking，\"norevenaprettyhangingofmaleandfemalethievesbythecourtsofParis。Neitherwasitthearrival，sofrequentinthefifteenthcentury，ofsomeplumedandbedizenedembassy。
Itwasbarelytwodayssincethelastcavalcadeofthatnature，thatoftheFlemishambassadorschargedwithconcludingthemarriagebetweenthedauphinandMargueriteofFlanders，hadmadeitsentryintoParis，tothegreatannoyanceofM。leCardinaldeBourbon，who，forthesakeofpleasingtheking，hadbeenobligedtoassumeanamiablemientowardsthiswholerusticrabbleofFlemishburgomasters，andtoregalethemathisH？teldeBourbon，withavery\"prettymorality，allegoricalsatire，andfarce，\"whileadrivingraindrenchedthemagnificenttapestriesathisdoor。
Whatputthe\"wholepopulationofParisincommotion，\"asJehandeTroyesexpressesit，onthesixthofJanuary，wasthedoublesolemnity，unitedfromtimeimmemorial，oftheEpiphanyandtheFeastofFools。
Onthatday，therewastobeabonfireonthePlacedeGrève，amaypoleattheChapelledeBraque，andamysteryatthePalaisdeJustice。Ithadbeencried，tothesoundofthetrumpet，theprecedingeveningatallthecrossroads，bytheprovost’smen，cladinhandsome，short，sleevelesscoatsofvioletcamelot，withlargewhitecrossesupontheirbreasts。
Sothecrowdofcitizens，maleandfemale，havingclosedtheirhousesandshops，throngedfromeverydirection，atearlymorn，towardssomeoneofthethreespotsdesignated。
Eachhadmadehischoice；one，thebonfire；another，themaypole；another，themysteryplay。Itmustbestated，inhonorofthegoodsenseoftheloungersofParis，thatthegreaterpartofthiscrowddirectedtheirstepstowardsthebonfire，whichwasquiteinseason，ortowardsthemysteryplay，whichwastobepresentedinthegrandhallofthePalaisdeJustice(thecourtsoflaw)，whichwaswellroofedandwalled；andthatthecuriousleftthepoor，scantilyfloweredmaypoletoshiverallalonebeneaththeskyofJanuary，inthecemeteryoftheChapelofBraque。
Thepopulacethrongedtheavenuesofthelawcourtsinparticular，becausetheyknewthattheFlemishambassadors，whohadarrivedtwodayspreviously，intendedtobepresentattherepresentationofthemystery，andattheelectionofthePopeoftheFools，whichwasalsototakeplaceinthegrandhall。
Itwasnoeasymatteronthatday，toforceone’swayintothatgrandhall，althoughitwasthenreputedtobethelargestcoveredenclosureintheworld(itistruethatSauvalhadnotyetmeasuredthegrandhalloftheChateauofMontargis)。
Thepalaceplace，encumberedwithpeople，offeredtothecuriousgazersatthewindowstheaspectofasea；intowhichfiveorsixstreets，likesomanymouthsofrivers，dischargedeverymomentfreshfloodsofheads。Thewavesofthiscrowd，augmentedincessantly，dashedagainsttheanglesofthehouseswhichprojectedhereandthere，likesomanypromontories，intotheirregularbasinoftheplace。InthecentreoftheloftyGothic*fa？adeofthepalace，thegrandstaircase，incessantlyascendedanddescendedbyadoublecurrent，which，afterpartingontheintermediatelanding-place，flowedinbroadwavesalongitslateralslopes，——thegrandstaircase，Isay，trickledincessantlyintotheplace，likeacascadeintoalake。Thecries，thelaughter，thetramplingofthosethousandsoffeet，producedagreatnoiseandagreatclamor。Fromtimetotime，thisnoiseandclamorredoubled；
thecurrentwhichdrovethecrowdtowardsthegrandstaircaseflowedbackwards，becametroubled，formedwhirlpools。
Thiswasproducedbythebuffetofanarcher，orthehorseofoneoftheprovost’ssergeants，whichkickedtorestoreorder；
anadmirabletraditionwhichtheprovostshiphasbequeathedtotheconstablery，theconstablerytothe~maréchaussée~，the~maréchaussée~toour~gendarmeri~ofParis。
*ThewordGothic，inthesenseinwhichitisgenerallyemployed，iswhollyunsuitable，butwhollyconsecrated。Henceweacceptitandweadoptit，likealltherestoftheworld，tocharacterizethearchitectureofthesecondhalfoftheMiddleAges，wheretheogiveistheprinciplewhichsucceedsthearchitectureofthefirstperiod，ofwhichthesemi-circleisthefather。
Thousandsofgood，calm，bourgeoisfacesthrongedthewindows，thedoors，thedormerwindows，theroofs，gazingatthepalace，gazingatthepopulace，andaskingnothingmore；formanyParisianscontentthemselveswiththespectacleofthespectators，andawallbehindwhichsomethingisgoingonbecomesatonce，forus，averycuriousthingindeed。
Ifitcouldbegrantedtous，themenof1830，tomingleinthoughtwiththoseParisiansofthefifteenthcentury，andtoenterwiththem，jostled，elbowed，pulledabout，intothatimmensehallofthepalace，whichwassocrampedonthatsixthofJanuary，1482，thespectaclewouldnotbedevoidofeitherinterestorcharm，andweshouldhaveaboutusonlythingsthatweresooldthattheywouldseemnew。
Withthereader’sconsent，wewillendeavortoretraceinthought，theimpressionwhichhewouldhaveexperiencedincompanywithusoncrossingthethresholdofthatgrandhall，inthemidstofthattumultuouscrowdinsurcoats，short，sleevelessjackets，anddoublets。
And，firstofall，thereisabuzzingintheears，adazzlementintheeyes。Aboveourheadsisadoubleogivevault，panelledwithwoodcarving，paintedazure，andsownwithgoldenfleurs-de-lis；beneathourfeetapavementofblackandwhitemarble，alternating。Afewpacesdistant，anenormouspillar，thenanother，thenanother；sevenpillarsinall，downthelengthofthehall，sustainingthespringofthearchesofthedoublevault，inthecentreofitswidth。Aroundfourofthepillars，stallsofmerchants，allsparklingwithglassandtinsel；aroundthelastthree，benchesofoak，wornandpolishedbythetrunkhoseofthelitigants，andtherobesoftheattorneys。Aroundthehall，alongtheloftywall，betweenthedoors，betweenthewindows，betweenthepillars，theinterminablerowofallthekingsofFrance，fromPharamonddown:
thelazykings，withpendentarmsanddowncasteyes；thevaliantandcombativekings，withheadsandarmsraisedboldlyheavenward。Theninthelong，pointedwindows，glassofathousandhues；atthewideentrancestothehall，richdoors，finelysculptured；andall，thevaults，pillars，walls，jambs，panelling，doors，statues，coveredfromtoptobottomwithasplendidblueandgoldillumination，which，atrifletarnishedattheepochwhenwebeholdit，hadalmostentirelydisappearedbeneathdustandspidersintheyearofgrace，1549，whenduBreulstilladmireditfromtradition。
Letthereaderpicturetohimselfnow，thisimmense，oblonghall，illuminatedbythepallidlightofaJanuaryday，invadedbyamotleyandnoisythrongwhichdriftsalongthewalls，andeddiesroundthesevenpillars，andhewillhaveaconfusedideaofthewholeeffectofthepicture，whosecuriousdetailsweshallmakeanefforttoindicatewithmoreprecision。
Itiscertain，thatifRavaillachadnotassassinatedHenriIV。，therewouldhavebeennodocumentsinthetrialofRavaillacdepositedintheclerk’sofficeofthePalaisdeJustice，noaccomplicesinterestedincausingthesaiddocumentstodisappear；hence，noincendiariesobliged，forlackofbettermeans，toburntheclerk’sofficeinordertoburnthedocuments，andtoburnthePalaisdeJusticeinordertoburntheclerk’soffice；consequently，inshort，noconflagrationin1618。
TheoldPalaiswouldbestandingstill，withitsancientgrandhall；Ishouldbeabletosaytothereader，\"Goandlookatit，\"andweshouldthusbothescapethenecessity，——Iofmaking，andheofreading，adescriptionofit，suchasitis。
Whichdemonstratesanewtruth:thatgreateventshaveincalculableresults。
Itistruethatitmaybequitepossible，inthefirstplace，thatRavaillachadnoaccomplices；andinthesecond，thatifhehadany，theywereinnowayconnectedwiththefireof1618。Twootherveryplausibleexplanationsexist:First，thegreatflamingstar，afootbroad，andacubithigh，whichfellfromheaven，aseveryoneknows，uponthelawcourts，aftermidnightontheseventhofMarch；second，Théophile’squatrain，——
\"Sure，’twasbutasorrygameWhenatParis，DameJustice，Throughhavingeatentoomuchspice，Setthepalaceallaflame。\"
Whatevermaybethoughtofthistripleexplanation，political，physical，andpoetical，oftheburningofthelawcourtsin1618，theunfortunatefactofthefireiscertain。Verylittleto-dayremains，thankstothiscatastrophe，——thanks，aboveall，tothesuccessiverestorationswhichhavecompletedwhatitspared，——verylittleremainsofthatfirstdwellingofthekingsofFrance，——ofthatelderpalaceoftheLouvre，alreadysooldinthetimeofPhiliptheHandsome，thattheysoughtthereforthetracesofthemagnificentbuildingserectedbyKingRobertanddescribedbyHelgaldus。Nearlyeverythinghasdisappeared。Whathasbecomeofthechamberofthechancellery，whereSaintLouisconsummatedhismarriage？
thegardenwhereheadministeredjustice，\"cladinacoatofcamelot，asurcoatoflinsey-woolsey，withoutsleeves，andasur-mantleofblacksandal，ashelayuponthecarpetwithJoinville？\"WhereisthechamberoftheEmperorSigismond？
andthatofCharlesIV。？thatofJeantheLandless？
Whereisthestaircase，fromwhichCharlesVI。promulgatedhisedictofpardon？theslabwhereMarcelcutthethroatsofRobertdeClermontandtheMarshalofChampagne，inthepresenceofthedauphin？thewicketwherethebullsofPopeBenedictweretorn，andwhencethosewhohadbroughtthemdeparteddeckedout，inderision，incopesandmitres，andmakinganapologythroughallParis？andthegrandhall，withitsgilding，itsazure，itsstatues，itspointedarches，itspillars，itsimmensevault，allfrettedwithcarvings？andthegildedchamber？andthestonelion，whichstoodatthedoor，withloweredheadandtailbetweenhislegs，likethelionsonthethroneofSolomon，inthehumiliatedattitudewhichbefitsforceinthepresenceofjustice？andthebeautifuldoors？andthestainedglass？andthechasedironwork，whichdroveBiscornettetodespair？andthedelicatewoodworkofHancy？Whathastime，whathavemendonewiththesemarvels？WhathavetheygivenusinreturnforallthisGallichistory，forallthisGothicart？TheheavyflattenedarchesofM。deBrosse，thatawkwardarchitectoftheSaint-Gervaisportal。Somuchforart；and，asforhistory，wehavethegossipingreminiscencesofthegreatpillar，stillringingwiththetattleofthePatru。
Itisnotmuch。Letusreturntotheveritablegrandhalloftheveritableoldpalace。Thetwoextremitiesofthisgiganticparallelogramwereoccupied，theonebythefamousmarbletable，solong，sobroad，andsothickthat，astheancientlandrolls——inastylethatwouldhavegivenGargantuaanappetite——say，\"suchasliceofmarbleaswasneverbeheldintheworld\"；theotherbythechapelwhereLouisXI。
hadhimselfsculpturedonhiskneesbeforetheVirgin，andwhitherhecausedtobebrought，withoutheedingthetwogapsthusmadeintherowofroyalstatues，thestatuesofCharlemagneandofSaintLouis，twosaintswhomhesupposedtobegreatinfavorinheaven，askingsofFrance。
Thischapel，quitenew，havingbeenbuiltonlysixyears，wasentirelyinthatcharmingtasteofdelicatearchitecture，ofmarvelloussculpture，offineanddeepchasing，whichmarkswithustheendoftheGothicera，andwhichisperpetuatedtoaboutthemiddleofthesixteenthcenturyinthefairylikefanciesoftheRenaissance。Thelittleopen-workrosewindow，piercedabovetheportal，was，inparticular，amasterpieceoflightnessandgrace；onewouldhavepronounceditastaroflace。
Inthemiddleofthehall，oppositethegreatdoor，aplatformofgoldbrocade，placedagainstthewall，aspecialentrancetowhichhadbeeneffectedthroughawindowinthecorridorofthegoldchamber，hadbeenerectedfortheFlemishemissariesandtheothergreatpersonagesinvitedtothepresentationofthemysteryplay。
Itwasuponthemarbletablethatthemysterywastobeenacted，asusual。Ithadbeenarrangedforthepurpose，earlyinthemorning；itsrichslabsofmarble，allscratchedbytheheelsoflawclerks，supportedacageofcarpenter’sworkofconsiderableheight，theuppersurfaceofwhich，withinviewofthewholehall，wastoserveasthetheatre，andwhoseinterior，maskedbytapestries，wastotaketheplaceofdressing-roomsforthepersonagesofthepiece。A
ladder，naivelyplacedontheoutside，wastoserveasmeansofcommunicationbetweenthedressing-roomandthestage，andlenditsruderungstoentrancesaswellastoexits。
Therewasnopersonage，howeverunexpected，nosuddenchange，notheatricaleffect，whichwasnotobligedtomountthatladder。Innocentandvenerableinfancyofartandcontrivances！
Fourofthebailiffofthepalace’ssergeants，perfunctoryguardiansofallthepleasuresofthepeople，ondaysoffestivalaswellasondaysofexecution，stoodatthefourcornersofthemarbletable。
Thepiecewasonlytobeginwiththetwelfthstrokeofthegreatpalaceclocksoundingmidday。Itwasverylate，nodoubt，foratheatricalrepresentation，buttheyhadbeenobligedtofixthehourtosuittheconvenienceoftheambassadors。
Now，thiswholemultitudehadbeenwaitingsincemorning。
Agoodlynumberofcurious，goodpeoplehadbeenshiveringsincedaybreakbeforethegrandstaircaseofthepalace；
someevenaffirmedthattheyhadpassedthenightacrossthethresholdofthegreatdoor，inordertomakesurethattheyshouldbethefirsttopassin。Thecrowdgrewmoredenseeverymoment，and，likewater，whichrisesaboveitsnormallevel，begantomountalongthewalls，toswellaroundthepillars，tospreadoutontheentablatures，onthecornices，onthewindow-sills，onallthesalientpointsofthearchitecture，onallthereliefsofthesculpture。Hence，discomfort，impatience，weariness，thelibertyofadayofcynicismandfolly，thequarrelswhichbreakforthforallsortsofcauses——apointedelbow，aniron-shodshoe，thefatigueoflongwaiting——hadalready，longbeforethehourappointedforthearrivaloftheambassadors，impartedaharshandbitteraccenttotheclamorofthesepeoplewhowereshutin，fittedintoeachother，pressed，trampledupon，stifled。NothingwastobeheardbutimprecationsontheFlemish，theprovostofthemerchants，theCardinaldeBourbon，thebailiffofthecourts，MadameMargueriteofAustria，thesergeantswiththeirrods，thecold，theheat，thebadweather，theBishopofParis，thePopeoftheFools，thepillars，thestatues，thatcloseddoor，thatopenwindow；alltothevastamusementofabandofscholarsandlackeysscatteredthroughthemass，whomingledwithallthisdiscontenttheirteasingremarks，andtheirmalicioussuggestions，andprickedthegeneralbadtemperwithapin，sotospeak。
Amongtheresttherewasagroupofthosemerryimps，who，aftersmashingtheglassinawindow，hadseatedthemselveshardilyontheentablature，andfromthatpointdespatchedtheirgazeandtheirrailleriesbothwithinandwithout，uponthethronginthehall，andthethronguponthePlace。
Itwaseasytosee，fromtheirparodiedgestures，theirringinglaughter，thebanteringappealswhichtheyexchangedwiththeircomrades，fromoneendofthehalltotheother，thattheseyoungclerksdidnotsharethewearinessandfatigueoftherestofthespectators，andthattheyunderstoodverywelltheartofextracting，fortheirownprivatediversionfromthatwhichtheyhadundertheireyes，aspectaclewhichmadethemawaittheotherwithpatience。
\"Uponmysoul，soit’syou，’JoannesFrollodeMolendino！’\"
criedoneofthem，toasortoflittle，light-hairedimp，withawell-favoredandmaligncountenance，clingingtotheacanthusleavesofacapital；\"youarewellnamedJohnoftheMill，foryourtwoarmsandyourtwolegshavetheairoffourwingsflutteringonthebreeze。Howlonghaveyoubeenhere？\"
\"Bythemercyofthedevil，\"retortedJoannesFrollo，\"thesefourhoursandmore；andIhopethattheywillbereckonedtomycreditinpurgatory。IheardtheeightsingersoftheKingofSicilyintonethefirstverseofseveno’clockmassintheSainte-Chapelle。\"
\"Finesingers！\"repliedtheother，\"withvoicesevenmorepointedthantheircaps！BeforefoundingamassforMonsieurSaintJohn，thekingshouldhaveinquiredwhetherMonsieurSaintJohnlikesLatindronedoutinaProven？alaccent。\"
\"HediditforthesakeofemployingthoseaccursedsingersoftheKingofSicily！\"criedanoldwomansharplyfromamongthecrowdbeneaththewindow。\"Ijustputittoyou！Athousand~livresparisi~foramass！andoutofthetaxonseafishinthemarketsofParis，toboot！\"
\"Peace，oldcrone，\"saidatall，graveperson，stoppinguphisnoseonthesidetowardsthefishwife；\"amasshadtobefounded。Wouldyouwishthekingtofallillagain？\"
\"Bravelyspoken，SireGillesLecornu，masterfurrierofking’srobes！\"criedthelittlestudent，clingingtothecapital。
Ashoutoflaughterfromallthestudentsgreetedtheunluckynameofthepoorfurrieroftheking’srobes。
\"Lecornu！GillesLecornu！\"saidsome。
\"~Cornutusethirsutus~，hornedandhairy，\"anotherwenton。
\"He！ofcourse，\"continuedthesmallimponthecapital，\"Whataretheylaughingat？AnhonorablemanisGillesLecornu，brotherofMasterJehanLecornu，provostoftheking’shouse，sonofMasterMahietLecornu，firstporteroftheBoisdeVincennes，——allbourgeoisofParis，allmarried，fromfathertoson。\"
Thegayetyredoubled。Thebigfurrier，withoututteringawordinreply，triedtoescapealltheeyesriveteduponhimfromallsides；butheperspiredandpantedinvain；likeawedgeenteringthewood，hiseffortsservedonlytoburystillmoredeeplyintheshouldersofhisneighbors，hislarge，apoplecticface，purplewithspiteandrage。
Atlengthoneofthese，asfat，short，andvenerableashimself，cametohisrescue。
\"Abomination！scholarsaddressingabourgeoisinthatfashioninmydaywouldhavebeenfloggedwithafagot，whichwouldhaveafterwardsbeenusedtoburnthem。\"
Thewholebandburstintolaughter。
\"Holàhé！whoisscoldingso？Whoisthatscreechowlofevilfortune？\"
\"Hold，Iknowhim\"saidoneofthem；\"’tisMasterAndryMusnier。\"
\"Becauseheisoneofthefourswornbooksellersoftheuniversity！\"saidtheother。
\"Everythinggoesbyfoursinthatshop，\"criedathird；
\"thefournations，thefourfaculties，thefourfeasts，thefourprocurators，thefourelectors，thefourbooksellers。\"
\"Well，\"beganJeanFrollooncemore，\"wemustplaythedevilwiththem。\"*
*~Fairelediableaquatre~。
\"Musnier，we’llburnyourbooks。\"
\"Musnier，we’llbeatyourlackeys。\"
\"Musnier，we’llkissyourwife。\"
\"Thatfine，bigMademoiselleOudarde。\"
\"Whoisasfreshandasgayasthoughshewereawidow。\"
\"Deviltakeyou！\"growledMasterAndryMusnier。
\"MasterAndry，\"pursuedJeanJehan，stillclingingtohiscapital，\"holdyourtongue，orI’lldroponyourhead！\"
MasterAndryraisedhiseyes，seemedtomeasureinaninstanttheheightofthepillar，theweightofthescamp，mentallymultipliedthatweightbythesquareofthevelocityandremainedsilent。
Jehan，masterofthefieldofbattle，pursuedtriumphantly:
\"That’swhatI’lldo，evenifIamthebrotherofanarchdeacon！\"
\"Finegentryareourpeopleoftheuniversity，nottohavecausedourprivilegestoberespectedonsuchadayasthis！
However，thereisamaypoleandabonfireinthetown；amystery，PopeoftheFools，andFlemishambassadorsinthecity；and，attheuniversity，nothing！\"
\"Nevertheless，thePlaceMaubertissufficientlylarge！\"
interposedoneoftheclerksestablishedonthewindow-sill。
\"Downwiththerector，theelectors，andtheprocurators！\"
criedJoannes。
\"WemusthaveabonfirethiseveningintheChamp-Gaillard，\"
wentontheother，\"madeofMasterAndry’sbooks。\"
\"Andthedesksofthescribes！\"addedhisneighbor。
\"Andthebeadles’wands！\"
\"Andthespittoonsofthedeans！\"
\"Andthecupboardsoftheprocurators！\"
\"Andthehutchesoftheelectors！\"
\"Andthestoolsoftherector！\"
\"Downwiththem！\"putinlittleJehan，ascounterpoint；
\"downwithMasterAndry，thebeadlesandthescribes；thetheologians，thedoctorsandthedecretists；theprocurators，theelectorsandtherector！\"
\"Theendoftheworldhascome！，’mutteredMasterAndry，stoppinguphisears。
\"Bytheway，there’stherector！see，heispassingthroughthePlace，\"criedoneofthoseinthewindow。
EachrivalledhisneighborinhishastetoturntowardsthePlace。
\"Isitreallyourvenerablerector，MasterThibaut？\"demandedJehanFrolloduMoulin，who，ashewasclingingtooneoftheinnerpillars，couldnotseewhatwasgoingonoutside。
\"Yes，yes，\"repliedalltheothers，\"itisreallyhe，MasterThibaut，therector。\"
Itwas，infact，therectorandallthedignitariesoftheuniversity，whoweremarchinginprocessioninfrontoftheembassy，andatthatmomenttraversingthePlace。Thestudentscrowdedintothewindow，salutedthemastheypassedwithsarcasmsandironicalapplause。Therector，whowaswalkingattheheadofhiscompany，hadtosupportthefirstbroadside；itwassevere。
\"Goodday，monsieurlerecteur！Holàhé！gooddaythere！\"
\"Howdoeshemanagetobehere，theoldgambler？Hasheabandonedhisdice？\"
\"Howhetrotsalongonhismule！herearsarenotsolongashis！\"
\"Holàhé！goodday，monsieurlerecteurThibaut！~Tybaldealeator~！Oldfool！oldgambler！\"
\"Godpreserveyou！Didyouthrowdoublesixoftenlastnight？\"
\"Oh！whatadecrepitface，lividandhaggardanddrawnwiththeloveofgamblingandofdice！\"
\"Whereareyouboundforinthatfashion，Thibaut，~Tybaldeaddados~，withyourbackturnedtotheuniversity，andtrottingtowardsthetown？\"
\"Heisonhisway，nodoubt，toseekalodgingintheRueThibautodé？\"*criedJehanduM。Moulin。
*~Thibautaudes~，——Thibautofthedice。
Theentirebandrepeatedthisquipinavoiceofthunder，clappingtheirhandsfuriously。
\"YouaregoingtoseekalodgingintheRueThibautodé，areyounot，monsieurlerecteur，gamesteronthesideofthedevil？\"
Thencametheturnsoftheotherdignitaries。
\"Downwiththebeadles！downwiththemace-bearers！\"
\"Tellme，RobinPouissepain，whoisthatyonder？\"
\"HeisGilbertdeSuilly，~GilbertusdeSoliaco~，thechancelloroftheCollegeofAutun。\"
\"Holdon，here’smyshoe；youarebetterplacedthanI，flingitinhisface。\"
\"~Saturnalitiasmittimuseccenuces~。\"
\"Downwiththesixtheologians，withtheirwhitesurplices！\"
\"Arethosethetheologians？IthoughttheywerethewhitegeesegivenbySainte-Genevièvetothecity，forthefiefofRoogny。\"
\"Downwiththedoctors！\"
\"Downwiththecardinaldisputations，andquibblers！\"
\"Mycaptoyou，ChancellorofSainte-Geneviève！Youhavedonemeawrong。’Tistrue；hegavemyplaceinthenationofNormandytolittleAscanioFalzapada，whocomesfromtheprovinceofBourges，sinceheisanItalian。\"
\"Thatisaninjustice，\"saidallthescholars。\"DownwiththeChancellorofSainte-Geneviève！\"
\"Hohé！MasterJoachimdeLadehors！Hohé！LouisDahuille！HoheLambertHoctement！\"
\"MaythedevilstifletheprocuratoroftheGermannation！\"
\"AndthechaplainsoftheSainte-Chapelle，withtheirgray~amices；cumtunicesgrisis~！\"
\"~Seudepellibusgrisisfourratis~！\"
\"Holàhé！MastersofArts！Allthebeautifulblackcopes！
allthefineredcopes！\"
\"Theymakeafinetailfortherector。\"
\"OnewouldsaythathewasaDogeofVeniceonhiswaytohisbridalwiththesea。\"
\"Say，Jehan！herearethecanonsofSainte-Geneviève！\"
\"Tothedeucewiththewholesetofcanons！\"
\"AbbéClaudeChoart！DoctorClaudeChoart！AreyouinsearchofMarielaGiffarde？\"
\"SheisintheRuedeGlatigny。\"
\"Sheismakingthebedofthekingofthedebauchees。\"
Sheispayingherfourdeniers*~quatuordenarios~。\"
*AnoldFrenchcoin，equaltothetwohundredandfortiethpartofapound。
\"~Autunumbombum~。\"
\"Wouldyouliketohaveherpayyouintheface？\"
\"Comrades！MasterSimonSanguin，theElectorofPicardy，withhiswifeonthecrupper！\"
\"~Postequitemsecletatraeura~——behindthehorsemansitsblackcare。\"
\"Courage，MasterSimon！\"
\"Goodday，MisterElector！\"
\"Goodnight，MadameElectress！\"
\"Howhappytheyaretoseeallthat！\"sighedJoannesdeMolendino，stillperchedinthefoliageofhiscapital。
Meanwhile，theswornbookselleroftheuniversity，MasterAndryMusnier，wasinclininghiseartothefurrieroftheking’srobes，MasterGillesLecornu。
\"Itellyou，sir，thattheendoftheworldhascome。Noonehaseverbeheldsuchoutbreaksamongthestudents！Itistheaccursedinventionsofthiscenturythatareruiningeverything，——artilleries，bombards，and，aboveall，printing，thatotherGermanpest。Nomoremanuscripts，nomorebooks！printingwillkillbookselling。Itistheendoftheworldthatisdrawingnigh。\"
\"Iseethatplainly，fromtheprogressofvelvetstuffs，\"
saidthefur-merchant。
Atthismoment，middaysounded。
\"Ha！\"exclaimedtheentirecrowd，inonevoice。
Thescholarsheldtheirpeace。Thenagreathurly-burlyensued；avastmovementoffeet，hands，andheads；ageneraloutbreakofcoughsandhandkerchiefs；eachonearrangedhimself，assumedhispost，raisedhimselfup，andgroupedhimself。Thencameagreatsilence；allnecksremainedoutstretched，allmouthsremainedopen，allglancesweredirectedtowardsthemarbletable。Nothingmadeitsappearancethere。Thebailiff’sfoursergeantswerestillthere，stiff，motionless，aspaintedstatues。AlleyesturnedtotheestradereservedfortheFlemishenvoys。Thedoorremainedclosed，theplatformempty。Thiscrowdhadbeenwaitingsincedaybreakforthreethings:noonday，theembassyfromFlanders，themysteryplay。Noondayalonehadarrivedontime。
Onthisoccasion，itwastoomuch。
Theywaitedone，two，three，fiveminutes，aquarterofanhour；nothingcame。Thedaisremainedempty，thetheatredumb。Inthemeantime，wrathhadsucceededtoimpatience。
Irritatedwordscirculatedinalowtone，still，itistrue。
\"Themystery！themystery！\"theymurmured，inhollowvoices。Headsbegantoferment。Atempest，whichwasonlyrumblinginthedistanceasyet，wasfloatingonthesurfaceofthiscrowd。ItwasJehanduMoulinwhostruckthefirstsparkfromit。
\"Themystery，andtothedevilwiththeFlemings！\"heexclaimedatthefullforceofhislungs，twininglikeaserpentaroundhispillar。
Thecrowdclappedtheirhands。
\"Themystery！\"itrepeated，\"andmayallthedevilstakeFlanders！\"
\"Wemusthavethemysteryinstantly，\"resumedthestudent；
\"orelse，myadviceisthatweshouldhangthebailiffofthecourts，bywayofamoralityandacomedy。\"
\"Wellsaid，\"criedthepeople，\"andletusbeginthehangingwithhissergeants。\"
Agrandacclamationfollowed。Thefourpoorfellowsbegantoturnpale，andtoexchangeglances。Thecrowdhurleditselftowardsthem，andtheyalreadybeheldthefrailwoodenrailing，whichseparatedthemfromit，givingwayandbendingbeforethepressureofthethrong。
Itwasacriticalmoment。
\"Tothesack，tothesack！\"rosethecryonallsides。
Atthatmoment，thetapestryofthedressing-room，whichwehavedescribedabove，wasraised，andaffordedpassagetoapersonage，themeresightofwhomsuddenlystoppedthecrowd，andchangeditswrathintocuriosityasbyenchantment。
\"Silence！silence！\"
Thepersonage，butlittlereassured，andtremblingineverylimb，advancedtotheedgeofthemarbletablewithavastamountofbows，which，inproportionashedrewnearer，moreandmoreresembledgenuflections。
Inthemeanwhile，tranquillityhadgraduallybeenrestored。
A1lthatremainedwasthatslightmurmurwhichalwaysrisesabovethesilenceofacrowd。
\"Messieursthebourgeois，\"saidhe，\"andmesdemoisellesthe~bourgeoises~，weshallhavethehonorofdeclaimingandrepresenting，beforehiseminence，monsieurthecardinal，averybeautifulmoralitywhichhasforitstitle，’TheGoodJudgmentofMadametheVirginMary。’IamtoplayJupiter。
Hiseminenceis，atthismoment，escortingtheveryhonorableembassyoftheDukeofAustria；whichisdetained，atpresent，listeningtotheharangueofmonsieurtherectoroftheuniversity，atthegateBaudets。Assoonashisillustriouseminence，thecardinal，arrives，wewillbegin。\"
Itiscertain，thatnothinglessthantheinterventionofJupiterwasrequiredtosavethefourunfortunatesergeantsofthebailiffofthecourts。Ifwehadthehappinessofhavinginventedthisveryveracioustale，andofbeing，inconsequence，responsibleforitbeforeourLadyCriticism，itisnotagainstusthattheclassicprecept，~Necdeusintersit~，couldbeinvoked。
Moreover，thecostumeofSeigneurJupiter，wasveryhandsome，andcontributednotalittletowardscalmingthecrowd，byattractingallitsattention。Jupiterwascladinacoatofmail，coveredwithblackvelvet，withgiltnails；andhaditnotbeenfortherouge，andthehugeredbeard，eachofwhichcoveredone-halfofhisface，——haditnotbeenfortherollofgildedcardboard，spangled，andallbristlingwithstripsoftinsel，whichheheldinhishand，andinwhichtheeyesoftheinitiatedeasilyrecognizedthunderbolts，——hadnothisfeetbeenflesh-colored，andbandedwithribbonsinGreekfashion，hemighthavebornecomparison，sofarastheseverityofhismienwasconcerned，withaBretonarcherfromtheguardofMonsieurdeBerry。
CHAPTERII。
PIERREGRINGOIRE。
Nevertheless，asbeharanguedthem，thesatisfactionandadmirationunanimouslyexcitedbyhiscostumeweredissipatedbyhiswords；andwhenhereachedthatuntowardconclusion:
\"Assoonashisillustriouseminence，thecardinal，arrives，wewillbegin，\"hisvoicewasdrownedinathunderofhooting。
\"Begininstantly！Themystery！themysteryimmediately！\"
shriekedthepeople。Andaboveallthevoices，thatofJohannesdeMolendinowasaudible，piercingtheuproarlikethefife’sderisiveserenade:\"Commenceinstantly！\"
yelpedthescholar。
\"DownwithJupiterandtheCardinaldeBourbon！\"vociferatedRobinPoussepainandtheotherclerksperchedinthewindow。
\"Themoralitythisveryinstant！\"repeatedthecrowd；
\"thisveryinstant！thesackandtheropeforthecomedians，andthecardinal！\"
PoorJupiter，haggard，frightened，palebeneathhisrouge，droppedhisthunderbolt，tookhiscapinhishand；thenhebowedandtrembledandstammered:\"Hiseminence——theambassadors——MadameMargueriteofFlanders。\"Hedidnotknowwhattosay。Intruth，hewasafraidofbeinghung。
Hungbythepopulaceforwaiting，hungbythecardinalfornothavingwaited，hesawbetweenthetwodilemmasonlyanabyss；thatistosay，agallows。
Luckily，someonecametorescuehimfromhisembarrassment，andassumetheresponsibility。
Anindividualwhowasstandingbeyondtherailing，inthefreespacearoundthemarbletable，andwhomnoonehadyetcaughtsightof，sincehislong，thinbodywascompletelyshelteredfromeveryvisualraybythediameterofthepillaragainstwhichhewasleaning；thisindividual，wesay，tall，gaunt，pallid，blond，stillyoung，althoughalreadywrinkledaboutthebrowandcheeks，withbrillianteyesandasmilingmouth，cladingarmentsofblackserge，wornandshiningwithage，approachedthemarbletable，andmadeasigntothepoorsufferer。Buttheotherwassoconfusedthathedidnotseehim。Thenewcomeradvancedanotherstep。
\"Jupiter，\"saidhe，\"mydearJupiter！\"
Theotherdidnothear。
Atlast，thetallblond，drivenoutofpatience，shriekedalmostinhisface，——
\"MichelGiborne！\"
\"Whocallsme？\"saidJupiter，asthoughawakenedwithastart。
\"I，\"repliedthepersoncladinblack。
\"Ah！\"saidJupiter。
\"Beginatonce，\"wentontheother。\"Satisfythepopulace；
Iundertaketoappeasethebailiff，whowillappeasemonsieurthecardinal。\"
Jupiterbreathedoncemore。
\"Messeigneursthebourgeois，\"hecried，atthetopofhislungstothecrowd，whichcontinuedtohoothim，\"wearegoingtobeginatonce。\"
\"~EvoeJupiter！Plauditecives~！Allhail，Jupiter！Applaud，citizens！\"shoutedthescholars。
\"Noel！Noel！good，good，\"shoutedthepeople。
Thehandclappingwasdeafening，andJupiterhadalreadywithdrawnunderhistapestry，whilethehallstilltrembledwithacclamations。
Inthemeanwhile，thepersonagewhohadsomagicallyturnedthetempestintodeadcalm，asouroldanddearCorneilleputsit，hadmodestlyretreatedtothehalf-shadowofhispillar，andwould，nodoubt，haveremainedinvisiblethere，motionless，andmuteasbefore，hadhenotbeenpluckedbythesleevebytwoyoungwomen，who，standinginthefrontrowofthespectators，hadnoticedhiscolloquywithMichelGiborne-Jupiter。
\"Master，\"saidoneofthem，makinghimasigntoapproach。
\"Holdyourtongue，mydearLiénarde，\"saidherneighbor，pretty，fresh，andverybrave，inconsequenceofbeingdressedupinherbestattire。\"Heisnotaclerk，heisalayman；
youmustnotsaymastertohim，butmessire。\"
\"Messire，\"saidLiénarde。
Thestrangerapproachedtherailing。
\"Whatwouldyouhaveofme，damsels？\"heasked，withalacrity。
\"Oh！nothing，\"repliedLiénarde，ingreatconfusion；\"itismyneighbor，GisquettelaGencienne，whowishestospeakwithyou。\"
\"Notso，\"repliedGisquette，blushing；\"itwasLiénardewhocalledyoumaster；Ionlytoldhertosaymessire。\"
Thetwoyounggirlsdroppedtheireyes。Theman，whoaskednothingbetterthantoenterintoconversation，lookedatthemwithasmile。
\"Soyouhavenothingtosaytome，damsels？\"
\"Oh！nothingatall，\"repliedGisquette。
\"Nothing，\"saidLiénarde。
Thetall，light-hairedyoungmanretreatedastep；butthetwocuriousmaidenshadnomindtoletsliptheirprize。
\"Messire，\"saidGisquette，withtheimpetuosityofanopensluice，orofawomanwhohasmadeuphermind，\"doyouknowthatsoldierwhoistoplaythepartofMadametheVirgininthemystery？\"
\"YoumeanthepartofJupiter？\"repliedthestranger。
\"Hé！yes，\"saidLiénarde，\"isn’tshestupid？SoyouknowJupiter？\"
\"MichelGiborne？\"repliedtheunknown；\"yes，madam。\"
\"Hehasafinebeard！\"saidLiénarde。
\"Willwhattheyareabouttosayherebefine？\"inquiredGisquette，timidly。
\"Veryfine，mademoiselle，\"repliedtheunknown，withouttheslightesthesitation。
\"Whatisittobe？\"saidLiénarde。
\"’TheGoodJudgmentofMadametheVirgin，’——amorality，ifyouplease，damsel。\"
\"Ah！thatmakesadifference，\"respondedLiénarde。
Abriefsilenceensued——brokenbythestranger。
\"Itisaperfectlynewmorality，andonewhichhasneveryetbeenplayed。\"
\"Thenitisnotthesameone，\"saidGisquette，\"thatwasgiventwoyearsago，onthedayoftheentranceofmonsieurthelegate，andwherethreehandsomemaidsplayedtheparts——\"
\"Ofsirens，\"saidLiénarde。
\"Andallnaked，\"addedtheyoungman。
Liénardeloweredhereyesmodestly。Gisquetteglancedatheranddidthesame。Hecontinued，withasmile，——
\"Itwasaverypleasantthingtosee。To-dayitisamoralitymadeexpresslyforMadametheDemoiselleofFlanders。\"
\"Willtheysingshepherdsongs？\"inquiredGisquette。
\"Fie！\"saidthestranger，\"inamorality？youmustnotconfoundstyles。Ifitwereafarce，wellandgood。\"
\"Thatisapity，\"resumedGisquette。\"Thatday，atthePonceauFountain，therewerewildmenandwomen，whofoughtandassumedmanyaspects，astheysanglittlemotetsandbergerettes。\"
\"Thatwhichissuitableforalegate，\"returnedthestranger，withagooddealofdryness，\"isnotsuitableforaprincess。\"
\"Andbesidethem，\"resumedLiénarde，\"playedmanybrassinstruments，makinggreatmelodies。\"
\"Andfortherefreshmentofthepassers-by，\"continuedGisquette，\"thefountainspoutedthroughthreemouths，wine，milk，andhippocrass，ofwhicheveryonedrankwhowished。\"
\"AndalittlebelowthePonceau，attheTrinity，\"pursuedLiénarde，\"therewasapassionperformed，andwithoutanyspeaking。\"
\"HowwellIrememberthat！\"exclaimedGisquette；\"Godonthecross，andthetwothievesontherightandtheleft。\"
Heretheyounggossips，growingwarmatthememoryoftheentranceofmonsieurthelegate，bothbegantotalkatonce。
\"And，furtheron，atthePainters’Gate，therewereotherpersonages，veryrichlyclad。\"
\"AndatthefountainofSaint-Innocent，thathuntsman，whowaschasingahindwithgreatclamorofdogsandhunting-horns。\"
\"And，attheParisslaughter-houses，stages，representingthefortressofDieppe！\"
\"Andwhenthelegatepassed，youremember，Gisquette？
theymadetheassault，andtheEnglishallhadtheirthroatscut。\"
\"AndagainstthegateoftheChatelet，therewereveryfinepersonages！\"
\"AndonthePortauChange，whichwasalldrapedabove！\"
\"Andwhenthelegatepassed，theyletflyonthebridgemorethantwohundredsortsofbirds；wasn’titbeautiful，Liénarde？\"
\"Itwillbebetterto-day，\"finallyresumedtheirinterlocutor，whoseemedtolistentothemwithimpatience。
\"Doyoupromiseusthatthismysterywillbefine？\"saidGisquette。
\"Withoutdoubt，\"hereplied；thenheadded，withacertainemphasis，——\"Iamtheauthorofit，damsels。\"
\"Truly？\"saidtheyounggirls，quitetakenaback。
\"Truly！\"repliedthepoet，bridlingalittle；\"thatis，tosay，therearetwoofus；JehanMarchand，whohassawedtheplanksanderectedtheframeworkofthetheatreandthewoodwork；andI，whohavemadethepiece。MynameisPierreGringoire。\"
Theauthorofthe\"Cid\"couldnothavesaid\"PierreCorneille\"
withmorepride。
Ourreadershavebeenabletoobserve，thatacertainamountoftimemusthavealreadyelapsedfromthemomentwhenJupiterhadretiredbeneaththetapestrytotheinstantwhentheauthorofthenewmoralityhadthusabruptlyrevealedhimselftotheinnocentadmirationofGisquetteandLiénarde。Remarkablefact:thatwholecrowd，sotumultuousbutafewmomentsbefore，nowwaitedamiablyonthewordofthecomedian；whichprovestheeternaltruth，stillexperiencedeverydayinourtheatres，thatthebestmeansofmakingthepublicwaitpatientlyistoassurethemthatoneisabouttobegininstantly。
However，scholarJohanneshadnotfallenasleep。
\"Holàhé！\"heshoutedsuddenly，inthemidstofthepeaceablewaitingwhichhadfollowedthetumult。\"Jupiter，MadametheVirgin，buffoonsofthedevil！areyoujeeringatus？
Thepiece！thepiece！commenceorwewillcommenceagain！\"
Thiswasallthatwasneeded。
Themusicofhighandlowinstrumentsimmediatelybecameaudiblefromtheinteriorofthestage；thetapestrywasraised；fourpersonages，inmotleyattireandpaintedfaces，emergedfromit，climbedthesteepladderofthetheatre，and，arrivedupontheupperplatform，arrangedthemselvesinalinebeforethepublic，whomtheysalutedwithprofoundreverences；
thenthesymphonyceased。
Themysterywasabouttobegin。
Thefourpersonages，afterhavingreapedarichrewardofapplausefortheirreverences，began，inthemidstofprofoundsilence，aprologue，whichwegladlysparethereader。Moreover，ashappensinourownday，thepublicwasmoreoccupiedwiththecostumesthattheactorsworethanwiththerolesthattheywereenacting；and，intruth，theywereright。Allfourweredressedinparti-coloredrobesofyellowandwhite，whichweredistinguishedfromeachotheronlybythenatureofthestuff；thefirstwasofgoldandsilverbrocade；thesecond，ofsilk；thethird，ofwool；thefourth，oflinen。Thefirstofthesepersonagescarriedinhisrighthandasword；thesecond，twogoldenkeys；thethird，apairofscales；thefourth，aspade:and，inordertoaidsluggishmindswhichwouldnothaveseenclearlythroughthetransparencyoftheseattributes，therewastoberead，inlarge，blackletters，onthehemoftherobeofbrocade，MYNAME
ISNOBILITY；onthehemofthesilkenrobe，MYNAMEIS
CLERGY；onthehemofthewoolenrobe，MYNAMEISMERCHANDISE；
onthehemofthelinenrobe，MYNAMEISLABOR。
Thesexofthetwomalecharacterswasbrieflyindicatedtoeveryjudiciousspectator，bytheirshorterrobes，andbythecapwhichtheyworeontheirheads；whilethetwofemalecharacters，lessbrieflyclad，werecoveredwithhoods。
Muchill-willwouldalsohavebeenrequired，nottocomprehend，throughthemediumofthepoetryoftheprologue，thatLaborwasweddedtoMerchandise，andClergytoNobility，andthatthetwohappycouplespossessedincommonamagnificentgoldendolphin，whichtheydesiredtoadjudgetothefairestonly。Sotheywereroamingabouttheworldseekingandsearchingforthisbeauty，and，afterhavingsuccessivelyrejectedtheQueenofGolconda，thePrincessofTrebizonde，thedaughteroftheGrandKhanofTartary，etc。，LaborandClergy，NobilityandMerchandise，hadcometorestuponthemarbletableofthePalaisdeJustice，andtoutter，inthepresenceofthehonestaudience，asmanysentencesandmaximsascouldthenbedispensedattheFacultyofArts，atexaminations，sophisms，determinances，figures，andacts，wherethemasterstooktheirdegrees。
Allthiswas，infact，veryfine。
Nevertheless，inthatthrong，uponwhichthefourallegoriesviedwitheachotherinpouringoutfloodsofmetaphors，therewasnoearmoreattentive，noheartthatpalpitatedmore，notaneyewasmorehaggard，noneckmoreoutstretched，thantheeye，theear，theneck，andtheheartoftheauthor，ofthepoet，ofthatbravePierreGringoire，whohadnotbeenabletoresist，amomentbefore，thejoyoftellinghisnametotwoprettygirls。Hehadretreatedafewpacesfromthem，behindhispillar，andtherehelistened，looked，enjoyed。Theamiableapplausewhichhadgreetedthebeginningofhisprologuewasstillechoinginhisbosom，andhewascompletelyabsorbedinthatspeciesofecstaticcontemplationwithwhichanauthorbeholdshisideasfall，onebyone，fromthemouthoftheactorintothevastsilenceoftheaudience。WorthyPierreGringoire！
Itpainsustosayit，butthisfirstecstasywasspeedilydisturbed。HardlyhadGringoireraisedthisintoxicatingcupofjoyandtriumphtohislips，whenadropofbitternesswasmingledwithit。
Atatteredmendicant，whocouldnotcollectanycoins，lostashewasinthemidstofthecrowd，andwhohadnotprobablyfoundsufficientindemnityinthepocketsofhisneighbors，hadhitupontheideaofperchinghimselfuponsomeconspicuouspoint，inordertoattractlooksandalms。Hehad，accordingly，hoistedhimself，duringthefirstversesoftheprologue，withtheaidofthepillarsofthereservegallery，tothecornicewhichranroundthebalustradeatitsloweredge；
andtherehehadseatedhimself，solicitingtheattentionandthepityofthemultitude，withhisragsandahideoussorewhichcoveredhisrightarm。However，heutterednotaword。
Thesilencewhichhepreservedallowedtheprologuetoproceedwithouthindrance，andnoperceptibledisorderwouldhaveensued，ifill-luckhadnotwilledthatthescholarJoannesshouldcatchsight，fromtheheightsofhispillar，ofthemendicantandhisgrimaces。Awildfitoflaughtertookpossessionoftheyoungscamp，who，withoutcaringthathewasinterruptingthespectacle，anddisturbingtheuniversalcomposure，shoutedboldly，——
\"Look！seethatsicklycreatureaskingalms！\"
Anyonewhohasthrownastoneintoafrogpond，orfiredashotintoacoveyofbirds，canformanideaoftheeffectproducedbytheseincongruouswords，inthemidstofthegeneralattention。ItmadeGringoireshudderasthoughithadbeenanelectricshock。Theprologuestoppedshort，andallheadsturnedtumultuouslytowardsthebeggar，who，farfrombeingdisconcertedbythis，saw，inthisincident，agoodopportunityforreapinghisharvest，andwhobegantowhineinadolefulway，halfclosinghiseyesthewhile，——\"Charity，please！\"
\"Well——uponmysoul，\"resumedJoannes，\"it’sClopinTrouillefou！Holàhe，myfriend，didyoursorebotheryouontheleg，thatyouhavetransferredittoyourarm？\"
Sosaying，withthedexterityofamonkey，heflungabitofsilverintothegrayfelthatwhichthebeggarheldinhisailingarm。Themendicantreceivedboththealmsandthesarcasmwithoutwincing，andcontinued，inlamentabletones，——
\"Charity，please！\"
Thisepisodeconsiderablydistractedtheattentionoftheaudience；andagoodlynumberofspectators，amongthemRobinPoussepain，andalltheclerksattheirhead，gaylyapplaudedthiseccentricduet，whichthescholar，withhisshrillvoice，andthemendicanthadjustimprovisedinthemiddleoftheprologue。
Gringoirewashighlydispleased。Onrecoveringfromhisfirststupefaction，hebestirredhimselftoshout，tothefourpersonagesonthestage，\"Goon！Whatthedevil！——goon！\"——
withoutevendeigningtocastaglanceofdisdainuponthetwointerrupters。
Atthatmoment，hefeltsomeonepluckatthehemofhissurtout；heturnedround，andnotwithoutill-humor，andfoundconsiderabledifficultyinsmiling；buthewasobligedtodoso，nevertheless。ItwastheprettyarmofGisquettelaGencienne，which，passedthroughtherailing，wassolicitinghisattentioninthismanner。
\"Monsieur，\"saidtheyounggirl，\"aretheygoingtocontinue？\"
\"Ofcourse，\"repliedGringoire，agooddealshockedbythequestion。
\"Inthatcase，messire，\"sheresumed，\"wouldyouhavethecourtesytoexplaintome——\"
\"Whattheyareabouttosay？\"interruptedGringoire。
\"Well，listen。\"
\"No，\"saidGisquette，\"butwhattheyhavesaidsofar。\"
Gringoirestarted，likeamanwhosewoundhasbeenprobedtothequick。
\"Aplagueonthestupidanddull-wittedlittlegirl！\"hemuttered，betweenhisteeth。
Fromthatmomentforth，Gisquettewasnothingtohim。
Inthemeantime，theactorshadobeyedhisinjunction，andthepublic，seeingthattheywerebeginningtospeakagain，beganoncemoretolisten，notwithouthavinglostmanybeautiesinthesortofsolderedjointwhichwasformedbetweenthetwoportionsofthepiecethusabruptlycutshort。Gringoirecommentedonitbitterlytohimself。
Nevertheless，tranquillitywasgraduallyrestored，thescholarheldhispeace，themendicantcountedoversomecoinsinhishat，andthepieceresumedtheupperhand。
Itwas，infact，averyfinework，andonewhich，asitseemstous，mightbeputtouseto-day，bytheaidofalittlerearrangement。Theexposition，ratherlongandratherempty，thatistosay，accordingtotherules，wassimple；andGringoire，inthecandidsanctuaryofhisownconscience，admireditsclearness。Asthereadermaysurmise，thefourallegoricalpersonagesweresomewhatwearywithhavingtraversedthethreesectionsoftheworld，withouthavingfoundsuitableopportunityforgettingridoftheirgoldendolphin。Thereuponaeulogyofthemarvellousfish，withathousanddelicateallusionstotheyoungbetrothedofMargueriteofFlanders，thensadlycloisteredinatAmboise，andwithoutasuspicionthatLaborandClergy，NobilityandMerchandisehadjustmadethecircuitoftheworldinhisbehalf。Thesaiddauphinwasthenyoung，washandsome，wasstout，and，aboveall(magnificentoriginofallroyalvirtues)，hewasthesonoftheLionofFrance。Ideclarethatthisboldmetaphorisadmirable，andthatthenaturalhistoryofthetheatre，onadayofallegoryandroyalmarriagesongs，isnotintheleaststartledbyadolphinwhoisthesonofalion。ItispreciselytheserareandPindaricmixtureswhichprovethepoet’senthusiasm。Nevertheless，inordertoplaythepartofcriticalso，thepoetmighthavedevelopedthisbeautifulideainsomethinglessthantwohundredlines。Itistruethatthemysterywastolastfromnoonuntilfouro’clock，inaccordancewiththeordersofmonsieurtheprovost，andthatitwasnecessarytosaysomething。Besides，thepeoplelistenedpatiently。
Allatonce，intheverymiddleofaquarrelbetweenMademoiselleMerchandiseandMadameNobility，atthemomentwhenMonsieurLaborwasgivingutterancetothiswonderfulline，——
Inforestne’erwasseenamoretriumphantbeast；
thedoorofthereservedgallerywhichhadhithertoremainedsoinopportunelyclosed，openedstillmoreinopportunely；andtheringingvoiceoftheusherannouncedabruptly，\"Hiseminence，MonseigneurtheCardinaldeBourbon。\"
CHAPTERIII。
MONSIEURTHECARDINAL。
PoorGringoire！thedinofallthegreatdoublepetardsoftheSaint-Jean，thedischargeoftwentyarquebusesonsupports，thedetonationofthatfamousserpentineoftheTowerofBilly，which，duringthesiegeofParis，onSunday，thetwenty-sixthofSeptember，1465，killedsevenBurgundiansatoneblow，theexplosionofallthepowderstoredatthegateoftheTemple，wouldhaverenthisearslessrudelyatthatsolemnanddramaticmoment，thanthesefewwords，whichfellfromthelipsoftheusher，\"Hiseminence，MonseigneurtheCardinaldeBourbon。\"
ItisnotthatPierreGringoireeitherfearedordisdainedmonsieurthecardinal。Hehadneithertheweaknessnortheaudacityforthat。Atrueeclectic，asitwouldbeexpressednowadays，Gringoirewasoneofthosefirmandlofty，moderateandcalmspirits，whichalwaysknowhowtobearthemselvesamidallcircumstances(~stareindimidiorerum~)，andwhoarefullofreasonandofliberalphilosophy，whilestillsettingstorebycardinals。Arare，precious，andneverinterruptedraceofphilosopherstowhomwisdom，likeanotherAriadne，seemstohavegivenaclewofthreadwhichtheyhavebeenwalkingalongunwindingsincethebeginningoftheworld，throughthelabyrinthofhumanaffairs。Onefindstheminallages，everthesame；thatistosay，alwaysaccordingtoalltimes。And，withoutreckoningourPierreGringoire，whomayrepresenttheminthefifteenthcenturyifwesucceedinbestowinguponhimthedistinctionwhichhedeserves，itcertainlywastheirspiritwhichanimatedFatherduBreul，whenhewrote，inthesixteenth，thesenaivelysublimewords，worthyofallcenturies:\"IamaParisianbynation，andaParrhisianinlanguage，for~parrhisia~inGreeksignifieslibertyofspeech；ofwhichIhavemadeuseeventowardsmesseigneursthecardinals，uncleandbrothertoMonsieurthePrincedeConty，alwayswithrespecttotheirgreatness，andwithoutoffendinganyoneoftheirsuite，whichismuchtosay。\"
Therewasthenneitherhatredforthecardinal，nordisdainforhispresence，inthedisagreeableimpressionproduceduponPierreGringoire。Quitethecontrary；ourpoethadtoomuchgoodsenseandtoothreadbareacoat，nottoattachparticularimportancetohavingthenumerousallusionsinhisprologue，and，inparticular，theglorificationofthedauphin，sonoftheLionofFrance，falluponthemosteminentear。Butitisnotinterestwhichpredominatesinthenoblenatureofpoets。Isupposethattheentityofthepoetmayberepresentedbythenumberten；itiscertainthatachemistonanalyzingandpharmacopolizingit，asRabelaissays，wouldfinditcomposedofonepartinteresttoninepartsofself-esteem。
Now，atthemomentwhenthedoorhadopenedtoadmitthecardinal，theninepartsofself-esteeminGringoire，swollenandexpandedbythebreathofpopularadmiration，wereinastateofprodigiousaugmentation，beneathwhichdisappeared，asthoughstifled，thatimperceptiblemoleculeofwhichwehavejustremarkeduponintheconstitutionofpoets；apreciousingredient，bytheway，aballastofrealityandhumanity，withoutwhichtheywouldnottouchtheearth。Gringoireenjoyedseeing，feeling，fingering，sotospeakanentireassembly(ofknaves，itistrue，butwhatmattersthat？)stupefied，petrified，andasthoughasphyxiatedinthepresenceoftheincommensurabletiradeswhichwelledupeveryinstantfromallpartsofhisbridalsong。Iaffirmthathesharedthegeneralbeatitude，andthat，quitethereverseofLaFontaine，who，atthepresentationofhiscomedyofthe\"Florentine，\"asked，\"Whoistheill-bredloutwhomadethatrhapsody？\"Gringoirewouldgladlyhaveinquiredofhisneighbor，\"Whosemasterpieceisthis？\"
Thereadercannowjudgeoftheeffectproduceduponhimbytheabruptandunseasonablearrivalofthecardinal。
Thatwhichhehadtofearwasonlytoofullyrealized。
Theentranceofhiseminenceupsettheaudience。Allheadsturnedtowardsthegallery。Itwasnolongerpossibletohearone’sself。\"Thecardinal！Thecardinal！\"repeatedallmouths。Theunhappyprologuestoppedshortforthesecondtime。
Thecardinalhaltedforamomentonthethresholdoftheestrade。Whilehewassendingaratherindifferentglancearoundtheaudience，thetumultredoubled。Eachpersonwishedtogetabetterviewofhim。Eachmanviedwiththeotherinthrustinghisheadoverhisneighbor’sshoulder。
Hewas，infact，anexaltedpersonage，thesightofwhomwaswellworthanyothercomedy。Charles，CardinaldeBourbon，ArchbishopandComteofLyon，PrimateoftheGauls，wasalliedbothtoLouisXI。，throughhisbrother，Pierre，SeigneurdeBeaujeu，whohadmarriedtheking’seldestdaughter，andtoCharlestheBoldthroughhismother，AgnesofBurgundy。
Now，thedominatingtrait，thepeculiaranddistinctivetraitofthecharacterofthePrimateoftheGauls，wasthespiritofthecourtier，anddevotiontothepowersthatbe。Thereadercanformanideaofthenumberlessembarrassmentswhichthisdoublerelationshiphadcausedhim，andofallthetemporalreefsamongwhichhisspiritualbarkhadbeenforcedtotack，inordernottosuffershipwreckoneitherLouisorCharles，thatScyllaandthatCharybdiswhichhaddevouredtheDucdeNemoursandtheConstabledeSaint-Pol。
ThankstoHeaven’smercy，hehadmadethevoyagesuccessfully，andhadreachedhomewithouthindrance。Butalthoughhewasinport，andpreciselybecausehewasinport，heneverrecalledwithoutdisquietthevariedhapsofhispoliticalcareer，solonguneasyandlaborious。Thus，hewasinthehabitofsayingthattheyear1476hadbeen\"whiteandblack\"forhim——meaningthereby，thatinthecourseofthatyearhehadlosthismother，theDuchessedelaBourbonnais，andhiscousin，theDukeofBurgundy，andthatonegriefhadconsoledhimfortheother。
Nevertheless，hewasafineman；heledajoyouscardinal’slife，likedtoenlivenhimselfwiththeroyalvintageofChalluau，didnothateRichardelaGarmoiseandThomasselaSaillarde，bestowedalmsonprettygirlsratherthanonoldwomen，——andforallthesereasonswasveryagreeabletothepopulaceofParis。Heneverwentaboutotherwisethansurroundedbyasmallcourtofbishopsandabbésofhighlineage，gallant，jovial，andgiventocarousingonoccasion；andmorethanoncethegoodanddevoutwomenofSaintGermaind’Auxerre，whenpassingatnightbeneaththebrightlyilluminatedwindowsofBourbon，hadbeenscandalizedtohearthesamevoiceswhichhadintonedvespersforthemduringthedaycarolling，totheclinkingofglasses，thebacchicproverbofBenedictXII。，thatpopewhohadaddedathirdcrowntotheTiara——~Bibamuspapaliter~。
Itwasthisjustlyacquiredpopularity，nodoubt，whichpreservedhimonhisentrancefromanybadreceptionatthehandsofthemob，whichhadbeensodispleasedbutamomentbefore，andverylittledisposedtorespectacardinalontheverydaywhenitwastoelectapope。ButtheParisianscherishlittlerancor；andthen，havingforcedthebeginningoftheplaybytheirauthority，thegoodbourgeoishadgottheupperhandofthecardinal，andthistriumphwassufficientforthem。Moreover，theCardinaldeBourbonwasahandsomeman，——heworeafinescarletrobe，whichhecarriedoffverywell，——thatistosay，hehadallthewomenonhisside，and，consequently，thebesthalfoftheaudience。Assuredly，itwouldbeinjusticeandbadtastetohootacardinalforhavingcomelatetothespectacle，whenheisahandsomeman，andwhenhewearshisscarletrobewell。
Heentered，then，bowedtothosepresentwiththehereditarysmileofthegreatforthepeople，anddirectedhiscourseslowlytowardshisscarletvelvetarm-chair，withtheairofthinkingofsomethingquitedifferent。Hiscortege——whatweshouldnowadayscallhisstaff——ofbishopsandabbésinvadedtheestradeinhistrain，notwithoutcausingredoubledtumultandcuriosityamongtheaudience。Eachmanviedwithhisneighborinpointingthemoutandnamingthem，inseeingwhoshouldrecognizeatleastoneofthem:
thisone，theBishopofMarseilles(Alaudet，ifmymemoryservesmeright)；——thisone，theprimicierofSaint-Denis；——thisone，RobertdeLespinasse，AbbéofSaint-GermaindesPrés，thatlibertinebrotherofamistressofLouisXI。；allwithmanyerrorsandabsurdities。Asforthescholars，theyswore。Thiswastheirday，theirfeastoffools，theirsaturnalia，theannualorgyofthecorporationofLawclerksandoftheschool。Therewasnoturpitudewhichwasnotsacredonthatday。Andthenthereweregaygossipsinthecrowd——SimoneQuatrelivres，AgneslaGadine，andRabinePiédebou。
