Page 2001 - les-miserables

that point, he never varied; and he remained of that epic
and redoubtable school which is summed up in the words:
‘Eighty-three.’ Enjolras was standing erect on the staircase
of paving-stones, one elbow resting on the stock of his gun.
He was engaged in thought; he quivered, as at the passage
of prophetic breaths; places where death is have these ef-
fects of tripods. A sort of stifled fire darted from his eyes,
which were filled with an inward look. All at once he threw
back his head, his blond locks fell back like those of an an-
gel on the sombre quadriga made of stars, they were like
the mane of a startled lion in the flaming of an halo, and
Enjolras cried:
‘Citizens, do you picture the future to yourselves? The
streets of cities inundated with light, green branches on the
thresholds, nations sisters, men just, old men blessing chil-
dren, the past loving the present, thinkers entirely at liberty,
believers on terms of full equality, for religion heaven, God
the direct priest, human conscience become an altar, no
more hatreds, the fraternity of the workshop and the school,
for sole penalty and recompense fame, work for all, right
for all, peace over all, no more bloodshed, no more wars,
happy mothers! To conquer matter is the first step; to re-
alize the ideal is the second. Reflect on what progress has
already accomplished. Formerly, the first human races be-
held with terror the hydra pass before their eyes, breathing
on the waters, the dragon which vomited flame, the griffin
who was the monster of the air, and who flew with the wings
of an eagle and the talons of a tiger; fearful beasts which
were above man. Man, nevertheless, spread his snares,

2001