Chapter 8: A Path of My Own, Part 1

TRANSLATION BEGINS

< pp.239-240: chapter title page, illustration >

< p.241 >
Oscar:	{{ July 13 ... July 13 ... July 13 ... day after tomorrow ... }}
< p.242 >
Oscar:	{{ To march! }} André! André!
< p.243 >
Oscar:	Are you there, André?
André:	Yeah?
Oscar:	We've been ordered to march to Paris.
André:	What!?
Oscar:	Both Companies must go. Please call all the officers to the headquarter.
André:	Oscar!
< p.244 >
André:	Are you going to ... follow the order?
Oscar:	The order says to "march," not to "attack." Don't worry. It's probably just a demonstration.
André:	Oscar, give me ... a horse.
Oscar:	What are you saying? With your poor eyesight, how can I take you with me to Paris? You'll stay here.
< p.245 >
André:	I'm not kidding! I won't let you go if you won't take me with you! I won't let you go! Absolutely not!
Oscar:	All ... right. Go and pick a horse you like.
< p.246 >
André:	{{ You must know what the march means. Paris is already teeming with armed citizens, and the parade grounds are filled with the King's troops. Take me with you! Take me! I'll be your shadow until the end of Hell. }}
< p.247 >
Oscar:	You're looking so far away ... Why are you always so calm? You're so naturally gentle and reserved, never shying away ... {{ You seem to see everything with just one eye, as if it reflected a thousand eyes. Please indulge my selfishness once more. Stay close by me, so that I don't flinch like a coward. Your body is so warm ... }}
< p.248 >
André:	{{ I can see the flickering flame and ... No ... ! Only the flame ... }}
< p.249 >
André:	{{ Is my wish all that selfish? My body seems to grow weak in the presence of our love. Just once, God, I promise. Over these years I had stifled my desires and smothered my burning passion. Am I asking for too much? }}
< p.250 >
André:	{{ Just once is enough. I want all of you to be mine. }}
[ At the French Guard headquarter ]
French Guards:	July 13. You mean tomorrow? Why? The German cavalry and the dragoon are already called to Paris. Is the King planning to kill the people?
< p.251 >
Oscar:	Now, the assigned Companies will prepare for tomorrow's march and follow the instructions of their respective Company leaders.
French Guards:	We refuse, Commander! Are you telling us to point our guns at the people? How could you ... how could ... you ...
Oscar:	How your guns will be used has yet to be decided. I'm only telling you to march.
< p.252 >
French Guards:	It's the same thing! We know what it means. Don't put us on the spot! Why, you're a noble. What do you care?
Oscar:	{{ I'm a noble so I don't care? Are you saying that I haven't suffered? }} Quiet! Is anyone willing to come with me? I will issue the command directly!
< p.253 >
French Guards:	The Commander will issue the command directly? The Commander will ... come to Paris with us?
Alain:	Well, if it's under your command, then we will follow the order.

< p.254 >
Alain:	André!
André:	Alain?
Alain:	Are you coming with us?
André:	Why are you asking me that?
< p.255 >
Alain:	André!
André:	Huh?
[ Alain thrusts his sword at André's left shoulder. ]
François and Lasalle:	Wah! What are you doing, Alain? Alain! Are you mad?
< p.256 >
[ André looks confused. ]
François and Lasalle:	An- dré! Can't you see, André?
Jules and Pierre:	André!
André:	You broke our promise, Alain! [ punch ]
Alain:	Missed!
< p.257 >
Alain:	Our promise? This is not a joke! How can a blind man come to the battlefield with us? Even good acting won't cover it! Do you wish to become our burden?
François and Lasalle:	Uh, yeah! He's right! What are we going to do with a blind man?
John and Jules:	Stay! Stay here! Why are you lying to us about your eyes?
Alain:	You heard them, André. Stay here. You'll only become our burden.
< p.258 >
André:	I won't cause you trouble! [ punch ]
Alain:	Aw! What are you doing? Don't you get it, you idiot!?
André:	You're the one who doesn't get it. How dare you betray me!
Alain:	[ smack ]
André:	Ouch!
Alain:	I'm not going to let you go! What promise? At a time like this, how could you ...
< p.259 >
Alain:	[ punch ] You'd be beaten by Argos! * [ huff huff ] I'll tell the Commander you're not coming! * AJL: In Greek myth, Argos is giant with a body full of eyes. As a guardian, he protects Io, one of Hera's priestesses, against Zeus' sexual advances. In this context, I think the author is drawing a comparison between the danger of battlefield and Argos' predatory nature. (In other contexts, the word can also refer to the city of Argos, an ancient Greek hero, or Ulysses' faithful dog.)
Pierre, Lasalle, François, and Jules:	Yeah! Stay here! Do you want to die, André! Don't do it! Just tell us you won't go!
François, Lasalle, and John:	Just tell us you won't go!
Alain:	Stay here ... please ...
< p.260 >
André:	We must ... we must ... protect the Commander. So I must ...
Alain:	[ sniff sniff ]
André:	Please ... don't make me feel more miserable than I am. The more you laugh at my awful stubborness, the more I feel ... I ...
< p.261 >
Alain:	Fine. Then why don't you listen for our directions when the battle starts? We'll be sure to tell you where everything is -- north, south, east, west.
Lasalle:	Yeah! Don't ignore our warnings, André!
André	Ah ...
< p.262 >
[ Map of Paris during the French Revolution ] # On July 12, approximately 100,000 of the King's troops were stationed within the vicinity of the current Paris and Versailles. The Commander-in-Chief was Marshall de Broglie. In Tuileries Square, Prince Lambesc oversaw the German cavalry. * In Louis XV Square (now Concorde Square), ** Marquis de Besenval commanded the dragoon regiment, Swiss Guards, and French Infantry. * AJL: German cavalry is a loose term for referring to Royal-Allemand, a group of mercenaries hired by Louis XVI. ** AJL: For a French flavor, use Place de Louis Quinze/Place de la Concorde.
Crowd:	Folks, donate your money to help us buy ammunition. If you have no money to spare, give us your irons and metals. * * (lit. something for making weapons)
< p.263 >
# Here, the ambitious Parisians declared: "If the troops were to fire just one shot, all the citizens would stand up and fight."
Man:	Hi Mr. Rich Guy! Kindly spare a few coins for the protection of Paris.
Merchant:	Huh? What's this about?
Man:	Well, Sir, you're a commoner just like us. If the King's troops were to attack, your mansion and factory would be in danger too.
Merchant:	I ... got ... it. How much ... do you ... need?
Men:	[ rumble ] Don't be a Scrooge! Give us everything you've got! Oooh, isn't this coat spiffy! Wow, give me those nice boots! [ ha ha ... yay ... ]

< p.264 >
Oscar:	Granny, do you know that the commoners aren't calling each other "Monsieur" and "Mademoiselle" any more? Nowadays, it's become quite an honor to be called "Citoyen" or "Citoyenne." * "Citoyen" and "Citoyenne" ... not bad, huh? Heh heh ... * AJL: Citoyen = male citizen, Citoyenne = female citizen
Granny:	[ bawl ] Nooohhh! Noohhh! This is utterly insane! How could you be called to march?
< p.265 >
Granny:	I beg you, Lady Oscar! Submit your resignation and quit the military right now! Lady Oscar!
Oscar:	Well well ... I was thinking of keeping the march order a secret from you.
Granny:	Please ... forgive me. Even the Madame was so tight-lipped about it, so I ... I thought this must be it. [ sob ... ] Please forgive me, Lady Oscar. Oh Lady Oscar ....
< p.266 >
Oscar:	I love you, Granny. I always will.
Granny:	Lady Oscar, please say this again when you return from Paris.
Oscar:	Um.
Granny:	You must!
André:	Oscar, I heard the portrait is finished.
< p.267 >
Oscar:	Oh!
Maids:	[ giggle ]
Armand:	I'm not sure whether you would like it, but I have devoted all that remains of my lifelong passion to this work. Perhaps this will be my last piece.
Oscar:	Thank you, Monsieur.
Maids:	[ giggle ]
< p.268 >
[ whoosh! ]
Oscar and others:	Ah!
< p.269 >
[ Picture of a young Oscar waving a sword on horseback ]
< p.270 >
Oscar:	Oh, is this ...
Armand:	It's you. You were still an innocent, young Palace Guard then. Under those glimmering lights of early summer, your cheeks were as sheer as a peach, and your eyes shone like the sapphire.
< p.271 >
Armand:	Oh, I want to paint him, I thought as my heart started pounding wildly. I longed so much to paint you. The handsome boy I saw that day was definitely you. I truly had no idea why you seemed so vibrant. Yet ...
André:	{{ I want to see it! I want so much to see it! What's Oscar like in the portrait? What could everyone be chattering about? }}
Mme. de Jarjayes:	Ah, André! Why, you seem too surprised to say a word!
< p.272 >
Armand:	Uh, if this displeases you, I'd, er, be happy to paint another one.
Oscar:	Monsieur, I haven't felt so calm and happy, so exhilarating and refreshed in years.
< p.273 >
Oscar:	Thank you. It's a gorgeous portrait. [ Ah! ] [ cough cough ... tremble ... ]
Mme. de Jarjayes:	Oscar?
Oscar:	I'm okay. It's nothing serious.
André:	What's wrong, Oscar?
Oscar:	I'm okay! Leave me alone!
< p.274 >
Oscar:	Leave me alone! Stay away, please!
André and others:	Ah!
[ Oscar runs away. ]
André	Oscar, what happened? Oscar! [ knock knock ]
Maids:	Monsieur Oscar! Please open the door, Monsieur Oscar!
< p.275 >
Oscar:	[ cough cough cough ] Go away! I won't let anyone in!
André	Oscar! Oscar!
Oscar:	Go awayyy! [ cough cough cough cough ... ] {{ Oh God! }}
< p.276 >
Oscar:	{{ Oh God! }}
[ At dinner ]
André:	[ clink ]
General Jarjayes:	André, you'll be leaving for Paris tomorrow too. Why don't you join us for dinner?
< p.277 >
André:	[ jerk ] Thank you, Lord Jarjayes, but I'd like to keep Granny company tonight.
General Jarjayes:	Oh, I see.
André:	{{ My blindness would show if I joined them for dinner. }}
Oscar:	André, come to my room later.

< p.278 >
Maid:	André, your shirt is cleaned now.
André:	Oh, thanks.
Maid:	Um, did you get hurt? There was blood on your shirt sleeves.
André:	Me? I didn't know it had blood on there.
Maid:	That's odd. I'm sure there was some blood.
André:	{{ Could it be ... ? }}
< p.279 >
[ André climbs up the stairs to Oscar's bedroom. The door opens to show Oscar playing her violin by the open windows. ]
< p.280 >
André:	Mozart's music doesn't bring out your full talents. Your hands are better suited for more dynamic pieces.
Oscar:	Heh heh ... Your ears are getting awfully sharp.
André:	Is there something you need?
[ Curtains rustle. ]
< p.281 >
Oscar:	Tonight, just for one night, I want to be with you ... to join you ... as the wife of André Grandier ...
< pp.282-283 >
[ Stunned, André watches Oscar in silence. He then kneels down before her. ]
< p.284 >
André	Did you say ... you want to ... become my wife ... to give all of youself to me? I ... I don't have the proper rank, title, or inheritance to offer you happiness. I have nothing, really nothing ... not even a Titan's strength or Satyros' hoofs, nor a man's physical strength to protect you! * * AJL: The Titans are a group of gods who ruled the earth before Zeus' reign. Satyros are half-man, half-goat creatures who are fond of chasing nymphs. The hoofs are a symbol of their physical strength and sexual aggressiveness. In this passage, the mythological allusions are used to emphasize André's masculinity.
< p.285 >
Oscar:	Anyone could say that. André ... brute force alone does not make a man. Rather, it's kindness and passion that make a man masculine. Most women will grow old someday and come to realize what masculinity truly is. Yet by then ...
< p.286 >
Oscar:	I'm so glad to have found someone nearby who is gently supporting me. It's not too late ...
[ André stands up and approaches Oscar. ]
< p.287 >
Oscar:	But, but ... I'm scared! [ pushes André away ]
[ André grabs Oscar's hand ]
< p.288 >
Oscar:	Ah ...
André	I won't wait any more. I've waited, waited for too long! I won't wait any more, Oscar! [ hugs Oscar and kisses her forehead ] Don't be afraid.
< p.289 >
Oscar:	To become your wife ...
[ André picks up Oscar. ]
< p.290 >
[ As Oscar waits, André undresses and starts kissing her. ]
< p.291 >
Oscar and André:	{{ Oh ... I love you ... I love you ... We have shared our joys and sorrows, living together throughout these years. And from now on, to share with each other, we give all of ourselves to each other. }}
< p.292 >
Oscar and André:	Do you remember? You were there during that fleeting moment of Spring. You were there during those revolving days of Summer. You were always there in that lingering Autumn, in that withering Winter. Oh ... Just like Castor and Pollux ... You were there. You were there. }} # Note: Castor and Pollux --> brother stars of the Gemini constellation; Castor is the older brother, Pollux the younger. * AJL: In this case, André would be Castor, and Oscar, Pollux.
< p.293 >
# As the night falls, the two young souls are now united before God. They were born to be united ... the reason for the two beautiful souls to be.
< p.294 >
[ The lovers lie in bed, gazing at each other through tears. ]
< p.295 >
André:	I love ... you ... [ kisses Oscar ]
Oscar:	André ... André my husband ...
< p.296 >
[ At the French Guard headquarter ]
French Guard:	All bayonets are fixed! * All troops are ready! ** * AJL: lit., "fix bayonets" completed. "Fix bayonets" is a command that means attaching the bayonet to the muzzle end of a rifle. Historically, "fix bayonets" is a foot soldier's worst nightmare, as it signals a full-scale charge/defense against the cavalry. Here, its use suggests the seriousness of the situation. ** (lit. all are aligned in battle formation)
< p.297 >
Oscar:	Let me say this first. No matter what happens, follow my orders. Are we clear? Follow me no matter what happens!
< p.298 >
Oscar:	Forward!
< p.299 >
[ Oscar leads off troops. ]
< p.300 >
[ At the Jarjayes house, the General comforts his wife while gazing at Oscar's portrait. ]
General Jarjayes:	[ flashback to Oscar ] {{ Even if something were to happen, please believe me, Father, you have not raised me to be a coward. }}
< p.301 >
General Jarjayes:	{{ Go as you wish. Let your passion lead you toward your chosen path. }}
[ In Granny's bedroom ]
Granny:	[ sob sob ]
< p.302 >
[ Picture of the Palace of Versailles ]
< p.303 >
Courtier:	Your Majesty. As planned, two Companies of the French Guards have been called to march this morning.
Antoinette:	Thank you. Who is the commander?
Courtier:	It is ...
[ thunk! ]
Antoinette:	What did you say? It's Oscar?
< p.304 >
Antoinette:	Why, it's only the command of two Companies! There are many other officers you could have summoned!
Courtier:	But if weren't Brigadier Jarjayes, the soldiers will not ...
Antoinette:	No! Send a messenger! Send a messenger to Oscar!
< p.305 >
Antoinette:	Hurry! You must stop Oscar!
[ gallop gallop ... ]

END OF PART 1

abc	= speech
{{ abc }}	= thought
abc	= emphasis
...	= unfinished speech/thought, or pause
( abc )	= alternative translation, usually indicates literal meaning (lit.)
[ abc ]	= description of actions/sounds
< p.# >	= page number
#	= narrator's comments, author's footnotes
AJL:	= translator's comments

CHAPTER 8: A Path of My Own-- Part 1 --

CHAPTER 8: A Path of My Own

-- Part 1 --