Page 1879 - les-miserables

cipline. Assassination is even more of a crime here than
elsewhere; we are under the eyes of the Revolution, we are
the priests of the Republic, we are the victims of duty, and
must not be possible to slander our combat. I have, there-
fore, tried that man, and condemned him to death. As for
myself, constrained as I am to do what I have done, and yet
abhorring it, I have judged myself also, and you shall soon
see to what I have condemned myself.’
Those who listened to him shuddered.
‘We will share thy fate,’ cried Combeferre.
‘So be it,’ replied Enjolras. ‘One word more. In executing
this man, I have obeyed necessity; but necessity is a mon-
ster of the old world, necessity’s name is Fatality. Now, the
law of progress is, that monsters shall disappear before the
angels, and that Fatality shall vanish before Fraternity. It
is a bad moment to pronounce the word love. No matter, I
do pronounce it. And I glorify it. Love, the future is thine.
Death, I make use of thee, but I hate thee. Citizens, in the
future there will be neither darkness nor thunderbolts; nei-
ther ferocious ignorance, nor bloody retaliation. As there
will be no more Satan, there will be no more Michael. In
the future no one will kill any one else, the earth will beam
with radiance, the human race will love. The day will come,
citizens, when all will be concord, harmony, light, joy and
life; it will come, and it is in order that it may come that we
are about to die.’
Enjolras ceased. His virgin lips closed; and he remained
for some time standing on the spot where he had shed
blood, in marble immobility. His staring eye caused those

1879