Page:Victor Hugo's Works (Guernsey Edition) v14.djvu/108

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My child in Malatesta's house last night?

Secure;—even in the Countess's own chamber!

My child! my child! wronged! murdered!

Ha! by whom?

By me! by me! Her father—her own father!

That would have grasped Heaven's vengeance, and have drawn

The bolt on my own head, and hers—and hers!

What do you mean?

I counselled the undoing

Of Malatesta's wife. I stood and watched,

And laughed for joy, and held the ladder for them;

And all the while 't was my own innocent child!

Look not so scared—'t is true; I am not mad!

She's here—now—in their clutches!

Hark! they laugh.

'T is the hyænas o'er their prey—my child!—

And I stand here and cannot lift a hand!

Here's mine, and my sword, too!

Oh, what were that

Against their felon blades?