Thisabundanceoflighthadsomethingindescribablyreassuringaboutit。Life，sap，heat，odorsoverflowed；onewasconscious，beneathcreation，oftheenormoussizeofthesource；inallthesebreathspermeatedwithlove，inthisinterchangeofreverberationsandreflections，inthismarvellousexpenditureofrays，inthisinfiniteoutpouringofliquidgold，onefelttheprodigalityoftheinexhaustible；and，behindthissplendorasbehindacurtainofflame，onecaughtaglimpseofGod，thatmillionaireofstars。
Thankstothesand，therewasnotaspeckofmud；thankstotherain，therewasnotagrainofashes。Theclumpsofblossomshadjustbeenbathed；everysortofvelvet，satin，goldandvarnish，whichspringsfromtheearthintheformofflowers，wasirreproachable。
Thismagnificencewascleanly。Thegrandsilenceofhappynaturefilledthegarden。Acelestialsilencethatiscompatiblewithathousandsortsofmusic，thecooingofnests，thebuzzingofswarms，theflutteringsofthebreeze。Alltheharmonyoftheseasonwascompleteinonegraciouswhole；theentrancesandexitsofspringtookplaceinproperorder；thelilacsended；thejasminesbegan；
someflowersweretardy，someinsectsinadvanceoftheirtime；
thevan—guardoftheredJunebutterfliesfraternizedwiththerear—guardofthewhitebutterfliesofMay。Theplantaintreesweregettingtheirnewskins。Thebreezehollowedoutundulationsinthemagnificentenormityofthechestnut—trees。Itwassplendid。
Aveteranfromtheneighboringbarracks，whowasgazingthroughthefence，said:"HereistheSpringpresentingarmsandinfulluniform。"
Allnaturewasbreakfasting；creationwasattable；thiswasitshour；
thegreatblueclothwasspreadinthesky，andthegreatgreenclothonearth；thesunlighteditallupbrilliantly。Godwasservingtheuniversalrepast。Eachcreaturehadhispastureorhismess。
Thering—dovefoundhishemp—seed，thechaffinchfoundhismillet，thegoldfinchfoundchickweed，thered—breastfoundworms，thegreenfinchfoundflies，theflyfoundinfusoriae，thebeefoundflowers。
Theyateeachothersomewhat，itistrue，whichisthemiseryofevilmixedwithgood；butnotabeastofthemallhadanemptystomach。
Thetwolittleabandonedcreatureshadarrivedinthevicinityofthegrandfountain，and，ratherbewilderedbyallthislight，theytriedtohidethemselves，theinstinctofthepoorandtheweakinthepresenceofevenimpersonalmagnificence；andtheykeptbehindtheswans’hutch。
Hereandthere，atintervals，whenthewindblew，shouts，clamor，asortoftumultuousdeathrattle，whichwasthefiring，anddullblows，whichweredischargesofcannon，strucktheearconfusedly。
SmokehungovertheroofsinthedirectionoftheHalles。Abell，whichhadtheairofanappeal，wasringinginthedistance。
Thesechildrendidnotappeartonoticethesenoises。Thelittleonerepeatedfromtimetotime:"Iamhungry。"
Almostatthesameinstantwiththechildren，anothercoupleapproachedthegreatbasin。Theyconsistedofagoodman，aboutfiftyyearsofage，whowasleadingbythehandalittlefellowofsix。Nodoubt，afatherandhisson。Thelittlemanofsixhadabigbrioche。
Atthatepoch，certainhousesabuttingontheriver，intheRuesMadameandd’Enfer，hadkeystotheLuxembourggarden，ofwhichthelodgersenjoyedtheusewhenthegateswereshut，aprivilegewhichwassuppressedlateron。Thisfatherandsoncamefromoneofthesehouses，nodoubt。
Thetwopoorlittlecreatureswatched"thatgentleman"approaching，andhidthemselvesalittlemorethoroughly。
Hewasabourgeois。Thesameperson，perhaps，whomMariushadonedayheard，throughhislovefever，nearthesamegrandbasin，counsellinghisson"toavoidexcesses。"Hehadanaffableandhaughtyair，andamouthwhichwasalwayssmiling，sinceitdidnotshut。
Thismechanicalsmile，producedbytoomuchjawandtoolittleskin，showstheteethratherthanthesoul。Thechild，withhisbrioche，whichhehadbittenintobuthadnotfinishedeating，seemedsatiated。
ThechildwasdressedasaNationalGuardsman，owingtotheinsurrection，andthefatherhadremainedcladasabourgeoisoutofprudence。
Fatherandsonhaltednearthefountainwheretwoswansweresporting。
Thisbourgeoisappearedtocherishaspecialadmirationfortheswans。
Heresembledtheminthissense，thathewalkedlikethem。
Forthemoment，theswanswereswimming，whichistheirprincipaltalent，andtheyweresuperb。
Ifthetwopoorlittlebeingshadlistenedandiftheyhadbeenofanagetounderstand，theymighthavegatheredthewordsofthisgraveman。Thefatherwassayingtohisson:
"Thesagelivescontentwithlittle。Lookatme，myson。Idonotlovepomp。Iamneverseeninclothesdeckedwithgoldlaceandstones；Ileavethatfalsesplendortobadlyorganizedsouls。"
HerethedeepshoutswhichproceededfromthedirectionoftheHallesburstoutwithfreshforceofbellanduproar。
"Whatisthat？"inquiredthechild。
Thefatherreplied:
"ItistheSaturnalia。"
Allatonce，hecaughtsightofthetwolittleraggedboysbehindthegreenswan—hutch。
"Thereisthebeginning，"saidhe。
And，afterapause，headded:
"Anarchyisenteringthisgarden。"
Inthemeanwhile，hissontookabiteofhisbrioche，spititout，and，suddenlyburstoutcrying。
"Whatareyoucryingabout？"demandedhisfather。
"Iamnothungryanymore，"saidthechild。
Thefather’ssmilebecamemoreaccentuated。
"Onedoesnotneedtobehungryinordertoeatacake。"
"Mycaketiresme。Itisstale。"
"Don’tyouwantanymoreofit？"
"No。"
Thefatherpointedtotheswans。
"Throwittothosepalmipeds。"
Thechildhesitated。Apersonmaynotwantanymoreofhiscake；
butthatisnoreasonforgivingitaway。
Thefatherwenton:
"Behumane。Youmusthavecompassiononanimals。"
And，takingthecakefromhisson，heflungitintothebasin。
Thecakefellveryneartheedge。
Theswanswerefaraway，inthecentreofthebasin，andbusywithsomeprey。Theyhadseenneitherthebourgeoisnorthebrioche。
Thebourgeois，feelingthatthecakewasindangerofbeingwasted，andmovedbythisuselessshipwreck，entereduponatelegraphicagitation，whichfinallyattractedtheattentionoftheswans。
Theyperceivedsomethingfloating，steeredfortheedgelikeships，astheyare，andslowlydirectedtheircoursetowardthebrioche，withthestupidmajestywhichbefitswhitecreatures。
"Theswans[cygnes]understandsigns[signes]，"saidthebourgeois，delightedtomakeajest。
Atthatmoment，thedistanttumultofthecityunderwentanothersuddenincrease。Thistimeitwassinister。Therearesomegustsofwindwhichspeakmoredistinctlythanothers。Theonewhichwasblowingatthatmomentbroughtclearlydefineddrum—beats，clamors，platoonfiring，andthedismalrepliesofthetocsinandthecannon。
Thiscoincidedwithablackcloudwhichsuddenlyveiledthesun。
Theswanshadnotyetreachedthebrioche。
"Letusreturnhome，"saidthefather，"theyareattackingtheTuileries。"
Hegraspedhisson’shandagain。Thenhecontinued:
"FromtheTuileriestotheLuxembourg，thereisbutthedistancewhichseparatesRoyaltyfromthepeerage；thatisnotfar。
Shotswillsoonraindown。"
Heglancedatthecloud。
"Perhapsitisrainitselfthatisabouttoshowerdown；theskyisjoiningin；theyoungerbranchiscondemned。Letusreturnhomequickly。"
"Ishouldliketoseetheswanseatthebrioche，"saidthechild。
Thefatherreplied:
"Thatwouldbeimprudent。"
Andheledhislittlebourgeoisaway。
Theson，regrettingtheswans，turnedhisheadbacktowardthebasinuntilacornerofthequincunxesconcealeditfromhim。
Inthemeanwhile，thetwolittlewaifshadapproachedthebriocheatthesametimeastheswans。Itwasfloatingonthewater。
Thesmallerofthemstaredatthecake，theeldergazedaftertheretreatingbourgeois。
FatherandsonenteredthelabyrinthofwalkswhichleadstothegrandflightofstepsneartheclumpoftreesonthesideoftheRueMadame。
Assoonastheyhaddisappearedfromview，theelderchildhastilyflunghimselfflatonhisstomachontheroundingcurbofthebasin，andclingingtoitwithhislefthand，andleaningoverthewater，onthevergeoffallingin，hestretchedouthisrighthandwithhissticktowardsthecake。Theswans，perceivingtheenemy，madehaste，andinsodoing，theyproducedaneffectoftheirbreastswhichwasofservicetothelittlefisher；thewaterflowedbackbeforetheswans，andoneofthesegentleconcentricundulationssoftlyfloatedthebriochetowardsthechild’swand。Justastheswanscameup，thesticktouchedthecake。Thechildgaveitabriskrap，drewinthebrioche，frightenedawaytheswans，seizedthecake，andsprangtohisfeet。Thecakewaswet；buttheywerehungryandthirsty。
Theelderbrokethecakeintotwoportions，alargeoneandasmallone，tookthesmalloneforhimself，gavethelargeonetohisbrother，andsaidtohim:
"Ramthatintoyourmuzzle。"
CHAPTERXVII
MORTUUSPATERFILIUMMORITURUMEXPECTAT
Mariusdashedoutofthebarricade，Combeferrefollowedhim。
Buthewastoolate。Gavrochewasdead。Combeferrebroughtbackthebasketofcartridges；Mariusborethechild。
"Alas！"hethought，"thatwhichthefatherhaddoneforhisfather，hewasrequitingtotheson；only，Thenardierhadbroughtbackhisfatheralive；hewasbringingbackthechilddead。"
WhenMariusre—enteredtheredoubtwithGavrocheinhisarms，hisface，likethechild，wasinundatedwithblood。
AtthemomentwhenhehadstoopedtoliftGavroche，abullethadgrazedhishead；hehadnotnoticedit。
CourfeyracuntiedhiscravatandwithitbandagedMarius’brow。
TheylaidGavrocheonthesametablewithMabeuf，andspreadoverthetwocorpsestheblackshawl。Therewasenoughofitforboththeoldmanandthechild。
Combeferredistributedthecartridgesfromthebasketwhichhehadbroughtin。
Thisgaveeachmanfifteenroundstofire。
JeanValjeanwasstillinthesameplace，motionlessonhisstonepost。WhenCombeferreofferedhimhisfifteencartridges，heshookhishead。
"Here’sarareeccentric，"saidCombeferreinalowvoicetoEnjolras。
"Hefindsawayofnotfightinginthisbarricade。"
"Whichdoesnotpreventhimfromdefendingit，"respondedEnjolras。
"Heroismhasitsoriginals，"resumedCombeferre。
AndCourfeyrac，whohadoverheard，added:
"HeisanothersortfromFatherMabeuf。"
Onethingwhichmustbenotedis，thatthefirewhichwasbatteringthebarricadehardlydisturbedtheinterior。Thosewhohavenevertraversedthewhirlwindofthissortofwarcanformnoideaofthesingularmomentsoftranquillitymingledwiththeseconvulsions。
Mengoandcome，theytalk，theyjest，theylounge。Someonewhomweknowheardacombatantsaytohiminthemidstofthegrape—shot:
"Wearehereasatabachelorbreakfast。"TheredoubtoftheRuedelaChanvrerie，werepeat，seemedverycalmwithin。Allmutationsandallphaseshadbeen，orwereabouttobe，exhausted。Theposition，fromcritical，hadbecomemenacing，and，frommenacing，wasprobablyabouttobecomedesperate。Inproportionasthesituationgrewgloomy，theglowofheroismempurpledthebarricademoreandmore。
Enjolras，whowasgrave，dominatedit，intheattitudeofayoungSpartansacrificinghisnakedswordtothesombregenius，Epidotas。
Combeferre，wearinganapron，wasdressingthewounds:
BossuetandFeuillyweremakingcartridgeswiththepowder—flaskpickedupbyGavrocheonthedeadcorporal，andBossuetsaidtoFeuilly:"Wearesoontotakethediligenceforanotherplanet"；
Courfeyracwasdisposingandarrangingonsomepaving—stoneswhichhehadreservedforhimselfnearEnjolras，acompletearsenal，hissword—cane，hisgun，twoholsterpistols，andacudgel，withthecareofayounggirlsettingasmalldunkerqueinorder。
JeanValjeanstaredsilentlyatthewalloppositehim。AnartisanwasfasteningMotherHucheloup’sbigstrawhatonhisheadwithastring，"forfearofsun—stroke，"ashesaid。TheyoungmenfromtheCougourded’Aixwerechattingmerrilyamongthemselves，asthougheagertospeakpatoisforthelasttime。Joly，whohadtakenWidowHucheloup’smirrorfromthewall，wasexamininghistongueinit。Somecombatants，havingdiscoveredafewcrustsofrathermouldybread，inadrawer，wereeagerlydevouringthem。
Mariuswasdisturbedwithregardtowhathisfatherwasabouttosaytohim。
CHAPTERXVIII
THEVULTUREBECOMEPREY
Wemustinsistupononepsychologicalfactpeculiartobarricades。
Nothingwhichischaracteristicofthatsurprisingwarofthestreetsshouldbeomitted。
Whatevermayhavebeenthesingularinwardtranquillitywhichwehavejustmentioned，thebarricade，forthosewhoareinsideit，remains，nonetheless，avision。
Thereissomethingoftheapocalypseincivilwar，allthemistsoftheunknownarecommingledwithfierceflashes，revolutionsaresphinxes，andanyonewhohaspassedthroughabarricadethinkshehastraversedadream。
ThefeelingstowhichoneissubjectintheseplaceswehavepointedoutinthecaseofMarius，andweshallseetheconsequences；
theyarebothmoreandlessthanlife。Onemergingfromabarricade，onenolongerknowswhatonehasseenthere。Onehasbeenterrible，butoneknowsitnot。Onehasbeensurroundedwithconflictingideaswhichhadhumanfaces；one’sheadhasbeeninthelightofthefuture。
Therewerecorpseslyingpronethere，andphantomsstandingerect。
Thehourswerecolossalandseemedhoursofeternity。Onehaslivedindeath。Shadowshavepassedby。Whatwerethey？
Onehasbeheldhandsonwhichtherewasblood；therewasadeafeninghorror；therewasalsoafrightfulsilence；therewereopenmouthswhichshouted，andotheropenmouthswhichheldtheirpeace；
onewasinthemidstofsmoke，ofnight，perhaps。Onefanciedthatonehadtouchedthesinisteroozeofunknowndepths；onestaresatsomethingredonone’sfingernails。Onenolongerremembersanything。
LetusreturntotheRuedelaChanvrerie。
Allatonce，betweentwodischarges，thedistantsoundofaclockstrikingthehourbecameaudible。
"Itismidday，"saidCombeferre。
ThetwelvestrokeshadnotfinishedstrikingwhenEnjolrassprangtohisfeet，andfromthesummitofthebarricadehurledthisthunderingshout:
"Carrystonesupintothehouses；linethewindowsillsandtheroofswiththem。Halfthementotheirguns，theotherhalftothepaving—stones。Thereisnotaminutetobelost。"
Asquadofsappersandminers，axeonshoulder，hadjustmadetheirappearanceinbattlearrayattheendofthestreet。
Thiscouldonlybetheheadofacolumn；andofwhatcolumn？
Theattackingcolumn，evidently；thesapperschargedwiththedemolitionofthebarricademustalwaysprecedethesoldierswhoaretoscaleit。
Theywere，evidently，onthebrinkofthatmomentwhichM。Clermont—Tonnerre，in1822，called"thetugofwar。"
Enjolras’orderwasexecutedwiththecorrecthastewhichispeculiartoshipsandbarricades，theonlytwoscenesofcombatwhereescapeisimpossible。Inlessthanaminute，twothirdsofthestoneswhichEnjolrashadhadpiledupatthedoorofCorinthehadbeencarrieduptothefirstfloorandtheattic，andbeforeasecondminutehadelapsed，thesestones，artisticallysetoneupontheother，walledupthesash—windowonthefirstfloorandthewindowsintherooftohalftheirheight。Afewloop—holescarefullyplannedbyFeuilly，theprincipalarchitect，allowedofthepassageofthegun—barrels。Thisarmamentofthewindowscouldbeeffectedallthemoreeasilysincethefiringofgrape—shothadceased。
Thetwocannonswerenowdischargingballagainstthecentreofthebarrierinordertomakeaholethere，and，ifpossible，abreachfortheassault。
Whenthestonesdestinedtothefinaldefencewereinplace，EnjolrashadthebottleswhichhehadsetunderthetablewhereMabeuflay，carriedtothefirstfloor。
"Whoistodrinkthat？"Bossuetaskedhim。
"They，"repliedEnjolras。
Thentheybarricadedthewindowbelow，andheldinreadinesstheironcross—barswhichservedtosecurethedoorofthewine—shopatnight。
Thefortresswascomplete。Thebarricadewastherampart，thewine—shopwasthedungeon。Withthestoneswhichremainedtheystoppeduptheoutlet。
Asthedefendersofabarricadearealwaysobligedtobesparingoftheirammunition，andastheassailantsknowthis，theassailantscombinetheirarrangementswithasortofirritatingleisure，exposethemselvestofireprematurely，thoughinappearancemorethaninreality，andtaketheirease。Thepreparationsforattackarealwaysmadewithacertainmethodicaldeliberation；afterwhich，thelightningstrikes。
ThisdeliberationpermittedEnjolrastotakeareviewofeverythingandtoperfecteverything。Hefeltthat，sincesuchmenweretodie，theirdeathoughttobeamasterpiece。
HesaidtoMarius:"Wearethetwoleaders。Iwillgivethelastordersinside。Doyouremainoutsideandobserve。"
Mariuspostedhimselfonthelookoutuponthecrestofthebarricade。
Enjolrashadthedoorofthekitchen，whichwastheambulance，asthereaderwillremember，nailedup。
"Nosplashingofthewounded，"hesaid。
Heissuedhisfinalordersinthetap—roominacurt，butprofoundlytranquiltone；Feuillylistenedandrepliedinthenameofall。
"Onthefirstfloor，holdyouraxesinreadinesstocutthestaircase。
Haveyouthem？"
"Yes，"saidFeuilly。
"Howmany？"
"Twoaxesandapole—axe。"
"Thatisgood。Therearenowtwenty—sixcombatantsofusonfoot。
Howmanygunsarethere？"
"Thirty—four。"
"Eighttoomany。Keepthoseeightgunsloadedliketherestandathand。
Swordsandpistolsinyourbelts。Twentymentothebarricade。
Sixambushedintheatticwindows，andatthewindowonthefirstfloortofireontheassailantsthroughtheloop—holesinthestones。
Letnotasingleworkerremaininactivehere。Presently，whenthedrumbeatstheassault，letthetwentybelowstairsrushtothebarricade。
Thefirsttoarrivewillhavethebestplaces。"
Thesearrangementsmade，heturnedtoJavertandsaid:
"Iamnotforgettingyou。"
And，layingapistolonthetable，headded:
"Thelastmantoleavethisroomwillsmashtheskullofthisspy。"
"Here？"inquiredavoice。
"No，letusnotmixtheircorpseswithourown。ThelittlebarricadeoftheMondetourlanecanbescaled。Itisonlyfourfeethigh。
Themaniswellpinioned。Heshallbetakenthitherandputtodeath。"
TherewassomeonewhowasmoreimpassiveatthatmomentthanEnjolras，itwasJavert。HereJeanValjeanmadehisappearance。
Hehadbeenlostamongthegroupofinsurgents。HesteppedforthandsaidtoEnjolras:
"Youarethecommander？"
"Yes。"
"Youthankedmeawhileago。"
"InthenameoftheRepublic。Thebarricadehastwosaviors，MariusPontmercyandyourself。"
"DoyouthinkthatIdeservearecompense？"
"Certainly。"
"Well，Irequestone。"
"Whatisit？"
"ThatImayblowthatman’sbrainsout。"
Javertraisedhishead，sawJeanValjean，madeanalmostimperceptiblemovement，andsaid:
"Thatisjust。"
AsforEnjolras，hehadbeguntore—loadhisrifle；hecuthiseyesabouthim:
"Noobjections。"
AndheturnedtoJeanValjean:
"Takethespy。"
JeanValjeandid，infact，takepossessionofJavert，byseatinghimselfontheendofthetable。Heseizedthepistol，andafaintclickannouncedthathehadcockedit。
Almostatthesamemoment，ablastoftrumpetsbecameaudible。
"Takecare！"shoutedMariusfromthetopofthebarricade。
Javertbegantolaughwiththatnoiselesslaughwhichwaspeculiartohim，andgazingintentlyattheinsurgents，hesaidtothem:
"YouareinnobettercasethanIam。"
"Allout！"shoutedEnjolras。
Theinsurgentspouredouttumultuously，and，astheywent，receivedintheback，——maywebepermittedtheexpression，——
thissallyofJavert’s:
"Weshallmeetagainshortly！"
CHAPTERXIX
JEANVALJEANTAKESHISREVENGE
WhenJeanValjeanwasleftalonewithJavert，heuntiedtheropewhichfastenedtheprisoneracrossthemiddleofthebody，andtheknotofwhichwasunderthetable。Afterthishemadehimasigntorise。
Javertobeyedwiththatindefinablesmileinwhichthesupremacyofenchainedauthorityiscondensed。
JeanValjeantookJavertbythemartingale，asonewouldtakeabeastofburdenbythebreast—band，and，draggingthelatterafterhim，emergedfromthewine—shopslowly，becauseJavert，withhisimpededlimbs，couldtakeonlyveryshortsteps。
JeanValjeanhadthepistolinhishand。
Inthismannertheycrossedtheinnertrapeziumofthebarricade。
Theinsurgents，allintentontheattack，whichwasimminent，hadtheirbacksturnedtothesetwo。
Mariusalone，stationedononeside，attheextremeleftofthebarricade，sawthempass。Thisgroupofvictimandexecutionerwasilluminatedbythesepulchrallightwhichheboreinhisownsoul。
JeanValjeanwithsomedifficulty，butwithoutrelaxinghisholdforasingleinstant，madeJavert，pinionedashewas，scalethelittleentrenchmentintheMondetourlane。
Whentheyhadcrossedthisbarrier，theyfoundthemselvesaloneinthelane。Noonesawthem。Amongtheheaptheycoulddistinguishalividface，streaminghair，apiercedhandandthehalfnudebreastofawoman。ItwasEponine。Thecornerofthehouseshidthemfromtheinsurgents。Thecorpsescarriedawayfromthebarricadeformedaterriblepileafewpacesdistant。
Javertgazedaskanceatthisbody，and，profoundlycalm，saidinalowtone:
"ItstrikesmethatIknowthatgirl。"
ThenheturnedtoJeanValjean。
JeanValjeanthrustthepistolunderhisarmandfixedonJavertalookwhichitrequirednowordstointerpret:"Javert，itisI。"
Javertreplied:
"Takeyourrevenge。"
JeanValjeandrewfromhispocketaknife，andopenedit。
"Aclasp—knife！"exclaimedJavert，"youareright。Thatsuitsyoubetter。"
JeanValjeancutthemartingalewhichJaverthadabouthisneck，thenhecutthecordsonhiswrists，then，stoopingdown，hecutthecordonhisfeet；and，straighteninghimselfup，hesaidtohim:
"Youarefree。"
Javertwasnoteasilyastonished。Still，masterofhimselfthoughhewas，hecouldnotrepressastart。Heremainedopen—mouthedandmotionless。
JeanValjeancontinued:
"IdonotthinkthatIshallescapefromthisplace。Butif，bychance，Ido，Ilive，underthenameofFauchelevent，intheRuedel’HommeArme，No。7。"
Javertsnarledlikeatiger，whichmadehimhalfopenonecornerofhismouth，andhemutteredbetweenhisteeth:
"Haveacare。"
"Go，"saidJeanValjean。
Javertbeganagain:
"ThousaidstFauchelevent，Ruedel’HommeArme？"
"Number7。"
Javertrepeatedinalowvoice:——"Number7。"
Hebuttoneduphiscoatoncemore，resumedthemilitarystiffnessbetweenhisshoulders，madeahalfturn，foldedhisarmsand，supportinghischinononeofhishands，hesetoutinthedirectionoftheHalles。JeanValjeanfollowedhimwithhiseyes:
Afewminuteslater，JavertturnedroundandshoutedtoJeanValjean:
"Youannoyme。Killme，rather。"
JaverthimselfdidnotnoticethathenolongeraddressedJeanValjeanas"thou。"
"Beoffwithyou，"saidJeanValjean。
Javertretreatedslowly。AmomentlaterheturnedthecorneroftheRuedesPrecheurs。
WhenJaverthaddisappeared，JeanValjeanfiredhispistolintheair。
Thenhereturnedtothebarricadeandsaid:
"Itisdone。"
Inthemeanwhile，thisiswhathadtakenplace。
Marius，moreintentontheoutsidethanontheinterior，hadnot，uptothattime，takenagoodlookatthepinionedspyinthedarkbackgroundofthetap—room。
Whenhebeheldhiminbroaddaylight，stridingoverthebarricadeinordertoproceedtohisdeath，herecognizedhim。
Somethingsuddenlyrecurredtohismind。HerecalledtheinspectoroftheRuedePontoise，andthetwopistolswhichthelatterhadhandedtohimandwhichhe，Marius，hadusedinthisverybarricade，andnotonlydidherecallhisface，buthisnameaswell。
Thisrecollectionwasmistyandtroubled，however，likeallhisideas。
Itwasnotanaffirmationthathemade，butaquestionwhichheputtohimself:
"IsnotthattheinspectorofpolicewhotoldmethathisnamewasJavert？"
Perhapstherewasstilltimetointerveneinbehalfofthatman。
But，inthefirstplace，hemustknowwhetherthiswasJavert。
MariuscalledtoEnjolras，whohadjuststationedhimselfattheotherextremityofthebarricade:
"Enjolras！"
"What？"
"Whatisthenameofyonderman？"
"Whatman？"
"Thepoliceagent。Doyouknowhisname？"
"Ofcourse。Hetoldus。"
"Whatisit？"
"Javert。"
Mariussprangtohisfeet。
Atthatmoment，theyheardthereportofthepistol。
JeanValjeanre—appearedandcried:"Itisdone。"
AgloomychilltraversedMarius’heart。
CHAPTERXX
THEDEADAREINTHERIGHTANDTHELIVINGARENOTINTHEWRONG
Thedeathagonyofthebarricadewasabouttobegin。
Everythingcontributedtoitstragicmajestyatthatsuprememoment；
athousandmysteriouscrashesintheair，thebreathofarmedmassessetinmovementinthestreetswhichwerenotvisible，theintermittentgallopofcavalry，theheavyshockofartilleryonthemarch，thefiringbysquads，andthecannonadescrossingeachotherinthelabyrinthofParis，thesmokesofbattlemountingallgildedabovetheroofs，indescribableandvaguelyterriblecries，lightningsofmenaceeverywhere，thetocsinofSaint—Merry，whichnowhadtheaccentsofasob，themildnessoftheweather，thesplendoroftheskyfilledwithsunandclouds，thebeautyoftheday，andthealarmingsilenceofthehouses。
For，sincetheprecedingevening，thetworowsofhousesintheRuedelaChanvreriehadbecometwowalls；ferociouswalls，doorsclosed，windowsclosed，shuttersclosed。
Inthosedays，sodifferentfromthoseinwhichwelive，whenthehourwascome，whenthepeoplewishedtoputanendtoasituation，whichhadlastedtoolong，withachartergrantedorwithalegalcountry，whenuniversalwrathwasdiffusedintheatmosphere，whenthecityconsentedtothetearingupofthepavements，wheninsurrectionmadethebourgeoisiesmilebywhisperingitspasswordinitsear，thentheinhabitant，thoroughlypenetratedwiththerevolt，sotospeak，wastheauxiliaryofthecombatant，andthehousefraternizedwiththeimprovisedfortresswhichrestedonit。Whenthesituationwasnotripe，whentheinsurrectionwasnotdecidedlyadmitted，whenthemassesdisownedthemovement，allwasoverwiththecombatants，thecitywaschangedintoadesertaroundtherevolt，soulsgrewchilled，refugeswerenailedup，andthestreetturnedintoadefiletohelpthearmytotakethebarricade。
Apeoplecannotbeforced，throughsurprise，towalkmorequicklythanitchooses。Woetowhomsoevertriestoforceitshand！Apeopledoesnotletitselfgoatrandom。Thenitabandonstheinsurrectiontoitself。Theinsurgentsbecomenoxious，infectedwiththeplague。
Ahouseisanescarpment，adoorisarefusal，afacadeisawall。
Thiswallhears，seesandwillnot。Itmightopenandsaveyou。
No。Thiswallisajudge。Itgazesatyouandcondemnsyou。
Whatdismalthingsareclosedhouses。Theyseemdead，theyareliving。
Lifewhichis，asitwere，suspendedthere，persiststhere。
Noonehasgoneoutofthemforfourandtwentyhours，butnooneismissingfromthem。Intheinteriorofthatrock，peoplegoandcome，gotobedandriseagain；theyareafamilypartythere；
theretheyeatanddrink；theyareafraid，aterriblething！
Fearexcusesthisfearfullackofhospitality；terrorismixedwithit，anextenuatingcircumstance。Sometimes，even，andthishasbeenactuallyseen，fearturnstopassion；frightmaychangeintofury，asprudencedoesintorage；hencethiswisesaying:
"Theenragedmoderates。"Thereareoutburstsofsupremeterror，whencespringswrathlikeamournfulsmoke。——"Whatdothesepeoplewant？
Whathavetheycometheretodo？Letthemgetoutofthescrape。
Somuchtheworseforthem。Itistheirfault。Theyareonlygettingwhattheydeserve。Itdoesnotconcernus。Hereisourpoorstreetallriddledwithballs。Theyareapackofrascals。Aboveallthings，don’topenthedoor。"——Andthehouseassumestheairofatomb。
Theinsurgentisinthedeath—throesinfrontofthathouse；heseesthegrape—shotandnakedswordsdrawingnear；ifhecries，heknowsthattheyarelisteningtohim，andthatnoonewillcome；therestandwallswhichmightprotecthim，therearemenwhomightsavehim；
andthesewallshaveearsofflesh，andthesemenhavebowelsofstone。
Whomshallhereproach？
Nooneandeveryone。
Theincompletetimesinwhichwelive。
ItisalwaysatitsownriskandperilthatUtopiaisconvertedintorevolution，andfromphilosophicalprotestbecomesanarmedprotest，andfromMinervaturnstoPallas。
TheUtopiawhichgrowsimpatientandbecomesrevoltknowswhatawaitsit；
italmostalwayscomestoosoon。Thenitbecomesresigned，andstoicallyacceptscatastropheinlieuoftriumph。Itservesthosewhodenyitwithoutcomplaint，evenexcusingthem，andevendisculpatesthem，anditsmagnanimityconsistsinconsentingtoabandonment。
Itisindomitableinthefaceofobstaclesandgentletowardsingratitude。
Isthisingratitude，however？
Yes，fromthepointofviewofthehumanrace。
No，fromthepointofviewoftheindividual。
Progressisman’smodeofexistence。ThegenerallifeofthehumanraceiscalledProgress，thecollectivestrideofthehumanraceiscalledProgress。Progressadvances；itmakesthegreathumanandterrestrialjourneytowardsthecelestialandthedivine；ithasitshaltingplaceswhereitralliesthelaggardtroop，ithasitsstationswhereitmeditates，inthepresenceofsomesplendidCanaansuddenlyunveiledonitshorizon，ithasitsnightswhenitsleeps；
anditisoneofthepoignantanxietiesofthethinkerthatheseestheshadowrestingonthehumansoul，andthathegropesindarknesswithoutbeingabletoawakenthatslumberingProgress。
"Godisdead，perhaps，"saidGerarddeNervalonedaytothewriteroftheselines，confoundingprogresswithGod，andtakingtheinterruptionofmovementforthedeathofBeing。
Hewhodespairsisinthewrong。Progressinfalliblyawakes，and，inshort，wemaysaythatitmarcheson，evenwhenitisasleep，forithasincreasedinsize。Whenwebeholditerectoncemore，wefindittaller。Tobealwayspeacefuldoesnotdependonprogressanymorethanitdoesonthestream；erectnobarriers，castinnoboulders；obstaclesmakewaterfrothandhumanityboil。
Hencearisetroubles；butafterthesetroubles，werecognizethefactthatgroundhasbeengained。Untilorder，whichisnothingelsethanuniversalpeace，hasbeenestablished，untilharmonyandunityreign，progresswillhaverevolutionsasitshalting—places。
What，then，isprogress？Wehavejustenunciatedit；thepermanentlifeofthepeoples。
Now，itsometimeshappens，thatthemomentarylifeofindividualsoffersresistancetotheeternallifeofthehumanrace。
Letusadmitwithoutbitterness，thattheindividualhashisdistinctinterests，andcan，withoutforfeiture，stipulateforhisinterest，anddefendit；thepresenthasitspardonabledoseofegotism；
momentarylifehasitsrights，andisnotboundtosacrificeitselfconstantlytothefuture。Thegenerationwhichispassinginitsturnovertheearth，isnotforcedtoabridgeitforthesakeofthegenerations，itsequal，afterall，whowillhavetheirturnlateron。——"Iexist，"murmursthatsomeonewhosenameisAll。
"Iamyoungandinlove，IamoldandIwishtorepose，Iamthefatherofafamily，Itoil，Iprosper，Iamsuccessfulinbusiness，Ihavehousestolease，Ihavemoneyinthegovernmentfunds，Iamhappy，Ihaveawifeandchildren，Ihaveallthis，Idesiretolive，leavemeinpeace。"——Hence，atcertainhours，aprofoundcoldbroodsoverthemagnanimousvanguardofthehumanrace。
Utopia，moreover，wemustadmit，quitsitsradiantspherewhenitmakeswar。It，thetruthofto—morrow，borrowsitsmodeofprocedure，battle，fromthelieofyesterday。It，thefuture，behaveslikethepast。It，pureidea，becomesadeedofviolence。
Itcomplicatesitsheroismwithaviolenceforwhichitisjustthatitshouldbeheldtoanswer；aviolenceofoccasionandexpedient，contrarytoprinciple，andforwhichitisfatallypunished。
TheUtopia，insurrection，fightswiththeoldmilitarycodeinitsfist；
itshootsspies，itexecutestraitors；itsuppresseslivingbeingsandflingsthemintounknowndarkness。Itmakesuseofdeath，aseriousmatter。ItseemsasthoughUtopiahadnolongeranyfaithinradiance，itsirresistibleandincorruptibleforce。Itstrikeswiththesword。Now，noswordissimple。Everybladehastwoedges；
hewhowoundswiththeoneiswoundedwiththeother。
Havingmadethisreservation，andmadeitwithallseverity，itisimpossibleforusnottoadmire，whethertheysucceedornot，thosethegloriouscombatantsofthefuture，theconfessorsofUtopia。Evenwhentheymiscarry，theyareworthyofveneration；
anditis，perhaps，infailure，thattheypossessthemostmajesty。
Victory，whenitisinaccordwithprogress，meritstheapplauseofthepeople；butaheroicdefeatmeritstheirtendercompassion。
Theoneismagnificent，theothersublime。Forourownpart，weprefermartyrdomtosuccess。JohnBrownisgreaterthanWashington，andPisacaneisgreaterthanGaribaldi。
Itcertainlyisnecessarythatsomeoneshouldtakethepartofthevanquished。
Weareunjusttowardsthesegreatmenwhoattemptthefuture，whentheyfail。
Revolutionistsareaccusedofsowingfearabroad。Everybarricadeseemsacrime。Theirtheoriesareincriminated，theiraimsuspected，theirulteriormotiveisfeared，theirconsciencedenounced。
Theyarereproachedwithraising，erecting，andheapingup，againstthereigningsocialstate，amassofmiseries，ofgriefs，ofiniquities，ofwrongs，ofdespairs，andoftearingfromthelowestdepthsblocksofshadowinorderthereintoembattlethemselvesandtocombat。
Peopleshouttothem:"Youaretearingupthepavementsofhell！"
Theymightreply:"Thatisbecauseourbarricadeismadeofgoodintentions。"
Thebestthing，assuredly，isthepacificsolution。Inshort，letusagreethatwhenwebeholdthepavement，wethinkofthebear，anditisagoodwillwhichrenderssocietyuneasy。Butitdependsonsocietytosaveitself，itistoitsowngoodwillthatwemakeourappeal。Noviolentremedyisnecessary。Tostudyevilamiably，toproveitsexistence，thentocureit。Itistothisthatweinviteit。
Howeverthatmaybe，evenwhenfallen，aboveallwhenfallen，thesemen，whoateverypointoftheuniverse，withtheireyesfixedonFrance，arestrivingforthegrandworkwiththeinflexiblelogicoftheideal，areaugust；theygivetheirlifeafreeofferingtoprogress；
theyaccomplishthewillofprovidence；theyperformareligiousact。
Attheappointedhour，withasmuchdisinterestednessasanactorwhoanswerstohiscue，inobediencetothedivinestage—manager，theyenterthetomb。Andthishopelesscombat，thisstoicaldisappearancetheyacceptinordertobringaboutthesupremeanduniversalconsequences，themagnificentandirresistiblyhumanmovementbegunonthe14thofJuly，1789；thesesoldiersarepriests。
TheFrenchrevolutionisanactofGod。
Moreover，thereare，anditispropertoaddthisdistinctiontothedistinctionsalreadypointedoutinanotherchapter，——thereareacceptedrevolutions，revolutionswhicharecalledrevolutions；
therearerefusedrevolutions，whicharecalledriots。
Aninsurrectionwhichbreaksout，isanideawhichispassingitsexaminationbeforethepeople。Ifthepeopleletsfallablackball，theideaisdriedfruit；theinsurrectionisamereskirmish。
WagingwarateverysummonsandeverytimethatUtopiadesiresit，isnotthethingforthepeoples。Nationshavenotalwaysandateveryhourthetemperamentofheroesandmartyrs。
Theyarepositive。Apriori，insurrectionisrepugnanttothem，inthefirstplace，becauseitoftenresultsinacatastrophe，inthesecondplace，becauseitalwayshasanabstractionasitspointofdeparture。
Because，andthisisanoblething，itisalwaysfortheideal，andfortheidealalone，thatthosewhosacrificethemselvesdothussacrificethemselves。Aninsurrectionisanenthusiasm。Enthusiasmmaywaxwroth；hencetheappealtoarms。Buteveryinsurrection，whichaimsatagovernmentoraregime，aimshigher。Thus，forinstance，andweinsistuponit，whatthechiefsoftheinsurrectionof1832，and，inparticular，theyoungenthusiastsoftheRuedelaChanvreriewerecombating，wasnotpreciselyLouisPhilippe。
Themajorityofthem，whentalkingfreely，didjusticetothiskingwhostoodmidwaybetweenmonarchyandrevolution；noonehatedhim。
ButtheyattackedtheyoungerbranchofthedivinerightinLouisPhilippeastheyhadattackeditselderbranchinCharlesX。；
andthatwhichtheywishedtooverturninoverturningroyaltyinFrance，was，aswehaveexplained，theusurpationofmanoverman，andofprivilegeoverrightintheentireuniverse。
Pariswithoutakinghasasresulttheworldwithoutdespots。
Thisisthemannerinwhichtheyreasoned。Theiraimwasdistantnodoubt，vagueperhaps，anditretreatedinthefaceoftheirefforts；
butitwasgreat。
Thusitis。Andwesacrificeourselvesforthesevisions，whicharealmostalwaysillusionsforthesacrificed，butillusionswithwhich，afterall，thewholeofhumancertaintyismingled。
Wethrowourselvesintothesetragicaffairsandbecomeintoxicatedwiththatwhichweareabouttodo。Whoknows？Wemaysucceed。
Wearefewinnumber，wehaveawholearmyarrayedagainstus；
butwearedefendingright，thenaturallaw，thesovereigntyofeachoneoverhimselffromwhichnoabdicationispossible，justiceandtruth，andincaseofneed，wedielikethethreehundredSpartans。WedonotthinkofDonQuixotebutofLeonidas。
Andwemarchstraightbeforeus，andoncepledged，wedonotdrawback，andwerushonwardswithheadheldlow，cherishingasourhopeanunprecedentedvictory，revolutioncompleted，progresssetfreeagain，theaggrandizementofthehumanrace，universaldeliverance；
andintheeventoftheworst，Thermopylae。
Thesepassagesofarmsforthesakeofprogressoftensuffershipwreck，andwehavejustexplainedwhy。Thecrowdisrestiveinthepresenceoftheimpulsesofpaladins。Heavymasses，themultitudeswhicharefragilebecauseoftheirveryweight，fearadventures；
andthereisatouchofadventureintheideal。
Moreover，andwemustnotforgetthis，interestswhicharenotveryfriendlytotheidealandthesentimentalareintheway。
Sometimesthestomachparalyzestheheart。
ThegrandeurandbeautyofFranceliesinthis，thatshetakeslessfromthestomachthanothernations:shemoreeasilyknotstheropeaboutherloins。Sheisthefirstawake，thelastasleep。
Shemarchesforwards。Sheisaseeker。
Thisarisesfromthefactthatsheisanartist。
Theidealisnothingbuttheculminatingpointoflogic，thesameasthebeautifulisnothingbutthesummitofthetrue。
Artisticpeoplesarealsoconsistentpeoples。Tolovebeautyistoseethelight。ThatiswhythetorchofEurope，thatistosayofcivilization，wasfirstbornebyGreece，whopasseditontoItaly，whohandeditontoFrance。Divine，illuminatingnationsofscouts！
Vitaelampadatradunt。
Itisanadmirablethingthatthepoetryofapeopleistheelementofitsprogress。Theamountofcivilizationismeasuredbythequantityofimagination。Only，acivilizingpeopleshouldremainamanlypeople。Corinth，yes；Sybaris，no。Whoeverbecomeseffeminatemakeshimselfabastard。Hemustbeneitheradilettantenoravirtuoso:buthemustbeartistic。Inthematterofcivilization，hemustnotrefine，buthemustsublime。Onthiscondition，onegivestothehumanracethepatternoftheideal。
Themodernidealhasitstypeinart，anditsmeansisscience。
Itisthroughsciencethatitwillrealizethataugustvisionofthepoets，thesociallybeautiful。EdenwillbereconstructedbyAB。Atthepointwhichcivilizationhasnowreached，theexactisanecessaryelementofthesplendid，andtheartisticsentimentisnotonlyserved，butcompletedbythescientificorgan；
dreamsmustbecalculated。Art，whichistheconqueror，shouldhaveforsupportscience，whichisthewalker；thesolidityofthecreaturewhichisriddenisofimportance。ThemodernspiritisthegeniusofGreecewiththegeniusofIndiaasitsvehicle；
Alexanderontheelephant。
Raceswhicharepetrifiedindogmaordemoralizedbylucreareunfittoguidecivilization。Genuflectionbeforetheidolorbeforemoneywastesawaythemuscleswhichwalkandthewillwhichadvances。
Hieraticormercantileabsorptionlessensapeople’spowerofradiance，lowersitshorizonbyloweringitslevel，anddeprivesitofthatintelligence，atoncebothhumananddivineoftheuniversalgoal，whichmakesmissionariesofnations。Babylonhasnoideal；
Carthagehasnoideal。AthensandRomehaveandkeep，throughoutallthenocturnaldarknessofthecenturies，halosofcivilization。
FranceisinthesamequalityofraceasGreeceandItaly。
SheisAthenianinthematterofbeauty，andRomaninhergreatness。
Moreover，sheisgood。Shegivesherself。Oftenerthanisthecasewithotherraces，issheinthehumorforself—devotionandsacrifice。
Only，thishumorseizesuponher，andagainabandonsher。
Andthereinliesthegreatperilforthosewhorunwhenshedesiresonlytowalk，orwhowalkonwhenshedesirestohalt。
Francehasherrelapsesintomaterialism，and，atcertaininstants，theideaswhichobstructthatsublimebrainhavenolongeranythingwhichrecallsFrenchgreatnessandareofthedimensionsofaMissourioraSouthCarolina。Whatistobedoneinsuchacase？
Thegiantessplaysatbeingadwarf；immenseFrancehasherfreaksofpettiness。Thatisall。
Tothisthereisnothingtosay。Peoples，likeplanets，possesstherighttoaneclipse。Andalliswell，providedthatthelightreturnsandthattheeclipsedoesnotdegenerateintonight。
Dawnandresurrectionaresynonymous。Thereappearanceofthelightisidenticalwiththepersistenceofthe_I_。
Letusstatethesefactscalmly。Deathonthebarricadeorthetombinexile，isanacceptableoccasionfordevotion。
Therealnameofdevotionisdisinterestedness。Lettheabandonedallowthemselvestobeabandoned，lettheexiledallowthemselvestobeexiled，andletusconfineourselvestoentreatinggreatnationsnottoretreattoofar，whentheydoretreat。Onemustnotpushtoofarindescentunderpretextofareturntoreason。
Matterexists，theminuteexists，interestexists，thestomachexists；
butthestomachmustnotbethesolewisdom。Thelifeofthemomenthasitsrights，weadmit，butpermanentlifehasitsrightsalso。
Alas！thefactthatoneismounteddoesnotprecludeafall。
Thiscanbeseeninhistorymorefrequentlythanisdesirable:
Anationisgreat，ittastestheideal，thenitbitesthemire，andfindsitgood；andifitbeaskedhowithappensthatithasabandonedSocratesforFalstaff，itreplies:"BecauseI
lovestatesmen。"
Onewordmorebeforereturningtooursubject，theconflict。
Abattleliketheonewhichweareengagedindescribingisnothingelsethanaconvulsiontowardstheideal。Progresstrammelledissickly，andissubjecttothesetragicepilepsies。Withthatmaladyofprogress，civilwar，wehavebeenobligedtocomeincontactinourpassage。Thisisoneofthefatalphases，atonceactandentr’acteofthatdramawhosepivotisasocialcondemnation，andwhoseveritabletitleisProgress。
Progress！
Thecrytowhichwefrequentlygiveutteranceisourwholethought；
and，atthepointofthisdramawhichwehavenowreached，theideawhichitcontainshavingstillmorethanonetrialtoundergo，itis，perhaps，permittedtous，ifnottolifttheveilfromit，toatleastallowitslighttoshinethrough。
Thebookwhichthereaderhasunderhiseyeatthismomentis，fromoneendtotheother，asawholeandindetail，whatevermaybeitsintermittences，exceptionsandfaults，themarchfromeviltogood，fromtheunjusttothejust，fromnighttoday，fromappetitetoconscience，fromrottennesstolife，fromhelltoheaven，fromnothingnesstoGod。Pointofdeparture:matter；pointofarrival:
thesoul。Thehydraatthebeginning，theangelattheend。
CHAPTERXXI
THEHEROES
Allatonce，thedrumbeatthecharge。
Theattackwasahurricane。Ontheeveningbefore，inthedarkness，thebarricadehadbeenapproachedsilently，asbyaboa。Now，inbroaddaylight，inthatwideningstreet，surprisewasdecidedlyimpossible，rudeforcehad，moreover，beenunmasked，thecannonhadbeguntheroar，thearmyhurleditselfonthebarricade。Furynowbecameskill。
Apowerfuldetachmentofinfantryoftheline，brokenatregularintervals，bytheNationalGuardandtheMunicipalGuardonfoot，andsupportedbyserriedmasseswhichcouldbeheardthoughnotseen，debauchedintothestreetatarun，withdrumsbeating，trumpetsbraying，bayonetslevelled，thesappersattheirhead，and，imperturbableundertheprojectiles，chargedstraightforthebarricadewiththeweightofabrazenbeamagainstawall。
Thewallheldfirm。
Theinsurgentsfiredimpetuously。Thebarricadeoncescaledhadamaneoflightningflashes。Theassaultwassofurious，thatforonemoment，itwasinundatedwithassailants；butitshookoffthesoldiersasthelionshakesoffthedogs，anditwasonlycoveredwithbesiegersasthecliffiscoveredwithfoam，tore—appear，amomentlater，beetling，blackandformidable。
Thecolumn，forcedtoretreat，remainedmassedinthestreet，unprotectedbutterrible，andrepliedtotheredoubtwithaterribledischargeofmusketry。Anyonewhohasseenfireworkswillrecallthesheafformedofinterlacinglightningswhichiscalledabouquet。
Letthereaderpicturetohimselfthisbouquet，nolongerverticalbuthorizontal，bearingabullet，buck—shotorabiscaienatthetipofeachoneofitsjetsofflame，andpickingoffdeadmenoneafteranotherfromitsclustersoflightning。Thebarricadewasunderneathit。
Onbothsides，theresolutionwasequal。Thebraveryexhibitedtherewasalmostbarbarousandwascomplicatedwithasortofheroicferocitywhichbeganbythesacrificeofself。
ThiswastheepochwhenaNationalGuardsmanfoughtlikeaZouave。
Thetroopwishedtomakeanendofit，insurrectionwasdesirousoffighting。Theacceptanceofthedeathagonyintheflowerofyouthandintheflushofhealthturnsintrepidityintofrenzy。
Inthisfray，eachoneunderwentthebroadeninggrowthofthedeathhour。
Thestreetwasstrewnwithcorpses。
ThebarricadehadEnjolrasatoneofitsextremitiesandMariusattheother。Enjolras，whocarriedthewholebarricadeinhishead，reservedandshelteredhimself；threesoldiersfell，oneaftertheother，underhisembrasure，withouthavingevenseenhim；
Mariusfoughtunprotected。Hemadehimselfatarget。Hestoodwithmorethanhalfhisbodyabovethebreastworks。Thereisnomoreviolentprodigalthantheavariciousmanwhotakesthebitinhisteeth；thereisnomanmoreterribleinactionthanadreamer。
Mariuswasformidableandpensive。Inbattlehewasasinadream。
Onewouldhavepronouncedhimaphantomengagedinfiringagun。
Theinsurgents’cartridgesweregivingout；butnottheirsarcasms。
Inthiswhirlwindofthesepulchreinwhichtheystood，theylaughed。
Courfeyracwasbare—headed。
"Whathaveyoudonewithyourhat？"Bossuetaskedhim。
Courfeyracreplied:
"Theyhavefinallytakenitawayfrommewithcannon—balls。"
Ortheyutteredhaughtycomments。
"Cananyoneunderstand，"exclaimedFeuillybitterly，"thosemen，——[andhecitednames，well—knownnames，evencelebratednames，somebelongingtotheoldarmy]——whohadpromisedtojoinus，andtakenanoathtoaidus，andwhohadpledgedtheirhonortoit，andwhoareourgenerals，andwhoabandonus！"
AndCombeferrerestrictedhimselftoreplyingwithagravesmile。
"Therearepeoplewhoobservetherulesofhonorasoneobservesthestars，fromagreatdistance。"
Theinteriorofthebarricadewassostrewnwithtorncartridgesthatonewouldhavesaidthattherehadbeenasnowstorm。
Theassailantshadnumbersintheirfavor；theinsurgentshadposition。
Theywereatthetopofawall，andtheythunderedpoint—blankuponthesoldierstrippingoverthedeadandwoundedandentangledintheescarpment。Thisbarricade，constructedasitwasandadmirablybuttressed，wasreallyoneofthosesituationswhereahandfulofmenholdalegionincheck。Nevertheless，theattackingcolumn，constantlyrecruitedandenlargedundertheshowerofbullets，drewinexorablynearer，andnow，littlebylittle，stepbystep，butsurely，thearmyclosedinaroundthebarricadeasthevicegraspsthewine—press。
Oneassaultfollowedanother。Thehorrorofthesituationkeptincreasing。
Thenthereburstforthonthatheapofpaving—stones，inthatRuedelaChanvrerie，abattleworthyofawallofTroy。
Thesehaggard，ragged，exhaustedmen，whohadhadnothingtoeatforfourandtwentyhours，whohadnotslept，whohadbutafewmoreroundstofire，whowerefumblingintheirpocketswhichhadbeenemptiedofcartridges，nearlyallofwhomwerewounded，withheadorarmbandagedwithblackandblood—stainedlinen，withholesintheirclothesfromwhichthebloodtrickled，andwhowerehardlyarmedwithpoorgunsandnotchedswords，becameTitans。
Thebarricadewastentimesattacked，approached，assailed，scaled，andnevercaptured。
Inordertoformanideaofthisstruggle，itisnecessarytoimaginefiresettoathrongofterriblecourages，andthentogazeattheconflagration。Itwasnotacombat，itwastheinteriorofafurnace；theremouthsbreathedtheflame；therecountenanceswereextraordinary。Thehumanformseemedimpossiblethere，thecombatantsflamedforththere，anditwasformidabletobeholdthegoingandcominginthatredglowofthosesalamandersofthefray。
Thesuccessiveandsimultaneousscenesofthisgrandslaughterwerenounceallattemptsatdepicting。Theepicalonehastherighttofilltwelvethousandverseswithabattle。
OnewouldhavepronouncedthisthathellofBrahmanism，themostredoubtableoftheseventeenabysses，whichtheVedacallstheForestofSwords。
Theyfoughthandtohand，foottofoot，withpistolshots，withblowsofthesword，withtheirfists，atadistance，closeathand，fromabove，frombelow，fromeverywhere，fromtheroofsofthehouses，fromthewindowsofthewine—shop，fromthecellarwindows，whithersomehadcrawled。Theywereoneagainstsixty。
ThefacadeofCorinthe，halfdemolished，washideous。Thewindow，tattooedwithgrape—shot，hadlostglassandframeandwasnothingnowbutashapelesshole，tumultuouslyblockedwithpaving—stones。
Bossuetwaskilled；Feuillywaskilled；Courfeyracwaskilled；
Combeferre，transfixedbythreeblowsfromabayonetinthebreastatthemomentwhenhewasliftingupawoundedsoldier，hadonlytimetocastaglancetoheavenwhenheexpired。
Marius，stillfighting，wassoriddledwithwounds，particularlyinthehead，thathiscountenancedisappearedbeneaththeblood，andonewouldhavesaidthathisfacewascoveredwitharedkerchief。
Enjolrasalonewasnotstruck。Whenhehadnolongeranyweapon，hereachedouthishandstorightandleftandaninsurgentthrustsomearmorotherintohisfist。Allhehadleftwasthestumpsoffourswords；onemorethanFrancoisI。atMarignan。Homersays:
"DiomedescutsthethroatofAxylus，sonofTeuthranis，whodweltinhappyArisba；Euryalus，sonofMecistaeus，exterminatesDresosandOpheltios，Esepius，andthatPedasuswhomthenaiadAbarbareaboretotheblamelessBucolion；UlyssesoverthrowsPidytesofPercosius；
Antilochus，Ablerus；Polypaetes，Astyalus；Polydamas，Otos，ofCyllene；
andTeucer，Aretaon。MeganthiosdiesundertheblowsofEuripylus’
pike。Agamemnon，kingoftheheroes，flingstoearthElatos，bornintherockycitywhichislavedbythesoundingriverSatnois。"
Inouroldpoemsofexploits，EsplandianattacksthegiantmarquisSwantiborewithacobbler’sshoulder—stickoffire，andthelatterdefendshimselfbystoningtheherowithtowerswhichheplucksupbytheroots。OurancientmuralfrescoesshowusthetwoDukesofBretagneandBourbon，armed，emblazonedandcrestedinwar—likeguise，onhorsebackandapproachingeachother，theirbattle—axesinhand，maskedwithiron，glovedwithiron，bootedwithiron，theonecaparisonedinermine，theotherdrapedinazure:Bretagnewithhislionbetweenthetwohornsofhiscrown，Bourbonhelmetedwithamonsterfleurdelysonhisvisor。But，inordertobesuperb，itisnotnecessarytowear，likeYvon，theducalmorion，tohaveinthefist，likeEsplandian，alivingflame，or，likePhyles，fatherofPolydamas，tohavebroughtbackfromEphyraagoodsuitofmail，apresentfromthekingofmen，Euphetes；itsufficestogiveone’slifeforaconvictionoraloyalty。Thisingenuouslittlesoldier，yesterdayapeasantofBauceorLimousin，whoprowlswithhisclasp—knifebyhisside，aroundthechildren’snursesintheLuxembourggarden，thispaleyoungstudentbentoverapieceofanatomyorabook，ablondyouthwhoshaveshisbeardwithscissors，——takebothofthem，breatheuponthemwithabreathofduty，placethemfacetofaceintheCarrefourBoucheratorintheblindalleyPlanche—Mibray，andlettheonefightforhisflag，andtheotherforhisideal，andletbothofthemimaginethattheyarefightingfortheircountry；
thestrugglewillbecolossal；andtheshadowwhichthisrawrecruitandthissawbonesinconflictwillproduceinthatgrandepicfieldwherehumanityisstriving，willequaltheshadowcastbyMegaryon，KingofLycia，tiger—filled，crushinginhisembracetheimmensebodyofAjax，equaltothegods。