| 853 | 854 | 855 | 856 | 857 |
| 1 | 236 | 472 | 708 | 944 |
|
passenger. There can be no wreck for some that is not wreck for all. O
believe it, the abyss yawns for all!"
The laughter increased, and became irresistible. For that matter, such
extravagance as there was in his words was sufficient to amuse any
assembly. To be comic without and tragic within, what suffering can be
more humiliating? what pain deeper? Gwynplaine felt it. His words were
an appeal in one direction, his face in the other. What a terrible
position was his!
Suddenly his voice rang out in strident bursts.
"How gay these men are! Be it so. Here is irony face to face with agony;
a sneer mocking the death-rattle. They are all-powerful. Perhaps so; be
it so. We shall see. Behold! I am one of them; but I am also one of you,
O ye poor! A king sold me. A poor man sheltered me. Who mutilated me? A
prince. Who healed and nourished me? A pauper. I am Lord Clancharlie;
but I am still Gwynplaine. I take my place amongst the great; but I
belong to the mean. I am amongst those who rejoice; but I am with those
who suffer. Oh, this system of society is false! Some day will come that
which is true. Then there will be no more lords, and there shall be free
and living men. There will be no more masters; there will be fathers.
Such is the future. No more prostration; no more baseness; no more
ignorance; no more human beasts of burden; no more courtiers; no more
toadies; no more kings; but Light! In the meantime, see me here. I have
a right, and I will use it. Is it a right? No, if I use it for myself;
yes, if I use it for all. I will speak to you, my lords, being one of
855
Page
Quick Jump
|