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