* * * * * * * Rose of Versailles Volume 6: The Burning Flames of Revolution by Ikeda Riyoko Translation by Emily Horner Marie : Who would write such a thing? <> Marie : Let us order Count Fersen to leave France... Louis : You musn't do that! Think about how many nobles there are around us, motivated by greed. Out of all of them, he is one of the only friends we can truly trust. Marie : Your Highness...please forgive me, for I do love Fersen! But please believe that we have never had the kind of deep relationship written about in this letter! <> Marie : I swear that Louis Charles is really your son! <> Louis : When you first came to this country as the Crown Princess, you shone so brightly with all the blessings of a goddess of love that it almost blinded me. Any place where you were overflowed with your smile. You talked cheerfully and danced with grace. But look at me! I'm fat and hardly beautiful, and bad at dancing, and weak-willed...there's nothing that I can talk about to make ladies happy. <> Louis : Although I've always loved you, I neglected you. If only I was a bit more clever or handsome...perhaps I could have told you that I loved you! You married me and gave birth to two princes, fulfilling your duties well...how can I blame you for seeking happiness as a woman? <> Oscar : Dagout! Did you give a sword to every soldier who did not have one earlier? --Yes, I surely did. Oscar : Allan de Soisson! Jean Cignet! Francois Armand! Lasalle Dreselle! <> --I can't believe she remembered all those names! Oscar : Well? Have you lost your swords again? --That's right. Oscar : Don't be ridiculous! Oscar : Francois Armand? What's wrong? Allan : Francois! Francois! Oscar : Anemia? Take him to the doctor right away, Pierre Eurand! {He did seem pale...I thought so when I first came to this regiment. So many of the soldiers seem pale...} <> Oscar : What? He's malnourished? But, doctor...they've had three square meals a day, and the menus were carefully prepared to be nutritious. --However, his anemia is as a result of malnutrition. Oscar : Andre, have all the soldiers come to the barracks for a health inspection. {Malnutrition? How can they be so stupid? Throwing away bread and meat, while there's no bread to be had in Paris!} <> Allan : Now she's making us get health inspections! --At least we don't have to work! --Do you think she's found out about us, Allan? Allan : Ha! What would that upper-class fool know? Hey, you half-blind servant! Andre : I do have a name--Andre Grenier! --Don't you have to take a health examination? Allan : No, I think it's the captain who should get examined--to find out if she's really a woman! <> --Allan! Andre : What would you know about Oscar's femininity? Allan : You seem awfully upset. Do you love her that much? <> Allan : A general's daughter with a mere servant? That's enough to make me laugh! Give up, you'll never be able to marry her. Any fool could see how different in status you are! Andre : Why, you! I should have you hauled in to headquarters! Allan : Why do you stick so close to her, you one-eyed-- <> Oscar : Malnutrition, malnutrition, malnutrition, malnutrition... How can this be? There are a lot of soldiers who are perfectly normal. Why is there this difference, when they're all eating the same things? --Captain! It's Andre Grenier! Oscar : Andre! Break it up! Allan, Andre, what are you doing? <> Oscar : I told you to stop, don't you understand? It takes two to start a fight! Allan : That half-blind bastard... Oscar : Anyone who insults Andre's eyes should be prepared for a fight. Oscar : Why do you do this, Allan? With your skill, you should be able to return to your former rank, or even higher. Allan : Ha ha ha! Captain, have you forgotten the law of 1781? The law of 1781: A famous law enacted by De Segeule, the War Minister, on May 22, 1781. It forbade those who were not from fourth- generation noble lineage from advancing in the military. This was done so that nobles could have a monopoly on high-ranking jobs. Allan : Those who aren't from four generations of noble lineage are forbidden from being promoted! <> Allan : Think about this! Even among nobles, there are all kinds, from great to terrible. And yet you're trying to keep all the high-ranking positions to yourselves! Let's go! Oscar : Here, Andre! Andre : Ah! Oscar : Ah! <> Oscar : Andre... <> Andre : Hey! What are you doing, Oscar? Oscar : You can see? Oh, thank God! Sorry for surprising you like that, Andre, but I was worried. Andre : I think you just took three years off my life! Oscar : What would you like to hear? Mozart's latest piece? Andre : {I can't see. It's slowly getting worse...now my right eye's starting to go. If this continues...} <> The French government was beset by such financial difficulties as it had never seen before. The King was on the brink of bankruptcy. Romeny de Brienne, the Minister of the Treasury, set up a plan to save money. As a result, many of the maids, waiters, and pages at the palace were dismissed, and 600 of the guards and cavalry were let go. The debt resulting from long years of waste and opulence was so large that these small money-saving measures could barely make a dent in it. --If we halt construction of Saint-Cloux castle, and sell off Raibuillet castle... --We should collect taxes from the nobles, and not just the common people. --If we take an advance from next year's budget... Louis : What if we borrow money from banks or foreign countries? --Absolutely not, Your Highness! We already have a debt of 4 billion, 500 million livres! Louis : 4 billion, 500 million... Marie : Then it wouldn't be so bad to borrow a little bit more! <> --That would be the quickest way, but we would require the permission of the parliament. The citizens will not tolerate it if we raise taxes... Marie : It is their duty as citizens to pay their taxes! At this rate, we will go bankrupt! Fersen : {Raising taxes and taking a loan of 420 million livres...} <> Fersen : Impossible! The parliament will never give their permission. Parliament: the highest court of the feudal era. The country is divided into 14 provinces, and representatives have the right to criticize the king and government. The representatives are noblemen, but many of them hate the King because they cannot enter the court. Fersen : It should be obvious from the result of that necklace incident that they'll never give their permission. If the royal family goes bankrupt, the King and Lady Antoinette, and the princes and princess will... Isn't there anything I can do? Can't I do anything but talk to the one person I hold the most dear? Oscar : New taxes, and a loan of 420 million livres...in the first place, it's impossible. --There is a deep history of conflict between the parliament and the throne. Oscar : And the King can do nothing without the permission of the parliament. Quite a vexing situation. --Don't look so happy about it! Oscar : You're just jealous! <> Oscar : {The number of vagrants and beggars is increasing. How will they be able to live, if their taxes are raised?} --Oscar! Oscar : What? That's--! Allan de Soisson! Jean Cignet! Francois Armand! Lasalle Dreselle! Come to the front! <> Oscar : Our regiment's swords are being sold on the streets of Paris. Explain this to me, gentlemen! Oscar : Was it for wine? Gambling? Or just for pocket money? Are you forgetting that these swords were bought with tax money that the citizens worked so hard to pay? How dare you claim to have lost them! Allan : If this is embezzlement, I don't regret it a bit. <> --Neither do I. My mother will have bread and hot soup for a week because I sold my sword. --For the first time in his life, my brother has shoes to wear. --My father was able to go see a doctor. --My brother has shoes for the first time in his life. He's not barefoot any more, so shards of glass won't cut his feet. I saw him dancing happily over the cobblestones. Even if I'm thrown in jail, I have no regrets! <> --I have no regrets! --Punish us! --We don't regret it! Oscar : France is now suffering from such financial danger as it has never seen before. We can't afford to waste even one sword or one gun. Please be more careful in the future. Oscar : Dismissed! {Shoes, for the first time in his life! Warm soup and bread for a week! That soldier's father--mother-- brother--oh, God! I'm so powerless!} Oscar : General Buillet is coming to Versailles? --Yes, at the beginning of next week. Oscar : Then there will be an inspection of the troops. --Quite an unfortunate thing, to have an inspection when the soldiers are in this condition. Francois : Excuse me. Oscar : Are you on duty this week, Francois Armand? Are you well now? Francois : Yes, sir! Oscar : All right. From now on, bring me the same meals that the other soldiers eat. Did you hear me, Francois Armand? Francois : Yes, sir! Oscar : Do you know where Andre is? Francois : He's still on the shooting range by himself. Oscar : {The shooting range?} Andre : I missed! Damn! {I've never really had to use a gun, but if the target is this cloudy...} <> Andre : Dammit! {How can I protect Oscar like this? I'll only get in her way.} Oscar : You look upset. Andre : Oscar! Oscar : The position of your hips is too high. Your upper body should lean further forward, to withstand the gun's reaction when you fire. <> Oscar : If your posture and shooting style are right, then you should be able to hit an unmoving target even with your eyes closed. All right, put the stock right up against your cheek. Use the strength in your shoulders! Don't pull the trigger all at once. The muzzle will move, and your aim will be off. First very lightly squeeze the trigger, then hold your breath and shoot! Good, try again! Hold your breath! --Present arms! Oscar : Allan de Soisson, first section! Didn't you hear? Present arms! Allan : Oh. Right. Oscar : General! General Buillet! <> Oscar : Are you all right? Buillet : Major Jarjayes, what is the meaning of this? Are you trying to insult me with this drill? Buillet : How do you explain the attitue of these soldiers? Oscar : I am very sorry. I am entirely to blame. Buillet : I'm shocked by General Jarjayes's conduct. It's all well and good to believe in one's daughter, but a woman cannot serve in the army! I wish he would keep this foolishness to a minimum! <> Oscar : My father is my father; I am myself! I am very glad that you are unharmed. Buillet : You five soldiers! I order you to the detention barracks for one week! Detention barracks: A military jail where soldiers who have committed crimes or broken military rules are sent, pending punishment. <> Oscar : Please wait! I will give these soldiers a very severe warning later. Buillet : Are you not satisfied with my punishment? You should be grateful for my generosity at not giving them a more severe punishment! --This is none of your business, woman! We'll go to the detention barracks! Buillet : This is abominable, simply abominable! I'm going home. I'll report this to the King! Oscar : General, wait! <> Oscar : {General...} <> Oscar : Why don't you understand? It's simple to punish you. I have that right. But what does it mean if I push you down? I can't make your hearts obey, because you have free will! <> Oscar : Each and every person, as long as they're human, can't be a slave to anyone. Their souls can't be owned by anyone. Why don't you understand? That's why I'm trying not to oppress you and punish you. <> Oscar : I'm sorry for hitting you. There's no longer any need for me to stay here. I'll resign, as you wanted me to. I'm leaving Dagout in charge until you are assigned a new captain. Please obey your commander well. Andre, get my horse! <> --Captain! --Please don't quit! --Don't go! --Captain! Allan : Are you betraying me? --Please, captain! --Please don't quit! <> --Please, captain! Oscar : I...soldiers, gentlemen...I... --Captain, Allan's sister, Dianne de Soisson, is here to see him. Oscar : Allan is currently being detained in the detention barracks. He can't see her. --But... Oscar : I'll talk to Dianne. Oscar : Dianne de Soisson, wait! Dianne : Let go! <> Oscar : Don't worry. I am a woman. First, I'm sorry for breaking your brother's jaw. Dianne : {What elegant golden hair!} So...he's in the detention barracks now... <> Oscar : Dianne, there's something I'd like to ask you. The last time you came to see your brother, you went home carrying a large package. Dianne : Oh, it was nothing, really... Oscar : Several of the soldiers, including your brother, are suffering from malnutrition. Dianne : What? I...I wouldn't know anything about that. Oscar : If you think of something, please let me know, for your brother's sake. I am Oscar Francois de Jarjayes. <> Dianne : I know. My brother says that Oscar means "God and a sword" in Hebrew. But it's an unusual name for a woman. Oscar : {Allan said that?} Paris has begun to look threatening, as many people expected. The representatives of the parliament who rejected the new loan and taxes requested by the King were banished to Troi by the furious King and Queen. <> --Parliament's been banished to Troi! --The King's a tyrant! --The Queen's controlling the King from the shadows! --Return the Parliament to Paris! --Kill the minister of the treasury for promoting new taxes! --Fire Brienne, the minister of the treasury! --Fire him and reinstate Necker! Jacques Necker, 1732-1804 A swiss-born banker who, because of his skill, in 1777 became the first minister of the treasury to come from a common background. Won great popularity after his inauguration. He tried to restrain the extravagances of the court, and revealed the waste to the people, and thus was hated by Marie Antoinette and the noblemen and fired. His daughter Germaine was once courted by Fersen, but later married Fersen's friend Stael-Holstein. She was known in French literary history as Mme de Stael. <> --I can't get in contact with the Parisian reserve troops! --They're burning images of Brienne, the minister of the treasury, on the streets of Paris! --Violence is going to erupt all over France if something is not done! --The anti-royal nobles are inciting the citizens to rebel! --Return the Parliament to Paris! --Fire Brienne and bring back Necker! Oscar : {Necker?} --Bring him back as the minister of the treasury! <> Louis : What should we do? The citizens are rioting so much... Marie : There's nothing to do but return the parliament to Paris, rehire Necker as minister of the treasury...and it isn't too late to do something about the taxes. For the first time in her life, Marie Antoinette bent to the will of the citizens. On August 26th, Brienne was dismissed, and Necker was reinstated as minister of the treasury. <> On September 20th, the representatives of parliament returned to Paris. Marie : {We've lost. The King and Queen lost and accepted the demands of the people.} Andre : From now on, things will only get worse. Oscar : Because parliament still hasn't given their permission to raise taxes? <> Oscar : Hm? There's a light on. I wonder if we have a guest. --Miss Oscar... Oscar : What's wrong? <> Oscar : Did something happen? Who's here? --The master--he's making you get married! Oscar : {Married?} Oscar : {Married!} {Andre!} --I was opposed to it! To make you get married now-- --Miss Oscar, your father requests your presence in the drawing room. <> Oscar : {Who is it? Who's this person my father wants me to marry? Some degenerate playboy looking for rank or money? I'll at least have a look at who he is!} Gerodelle : It has been quite some time, captain. <> Oscar : {Gerodelle...} Father! Captain Gerodelle, this must be a joke! Gerodelle : I'm a major now. Oscar : Then, Major Gerodelle... Gerodelle : Please understand how happy I was when your father permitted me to come here to seek the hand of one as beautiful as yourself. Jarjayes : The house of Jarjayes needs an heir. I want you to have a strong, clever boy and lay my worries to rest. <> Oscar : This is tyranny! Jarjayes : Fortunately, Gerodelle is not the oldest son in his family. I shall retire soon, and then the two of you can continue the house of Jarjayes. Oscar : I won't even talk about it! Gerodelle : Mademoiselle! Oscar : {Mademoiselle?} [French for "Miss"] <> Gerodelle : Please do not misunderstand me, Miss Oscar. I do not have either money or rank as my aim. From the first time I served with you in the royal guards, I have always been in love with you. From that time, I could never see you as anything but a woman. Oscar : {As a woman?} Please let me go, Major Gerodelle. Gerodelle : Is that an order? I cannot obey. Oscar : Let me go! I will forget about what happened tonight. You go home and calm down! <> Gerodelle : You can't give orders to other people's hearts. Oscar : Did you hear that, father? You can't give orders to other people's hearts! {Get married? Give birth to a strong, clever son? What could have made him think of such foolishness? Me, get married!} <> Oscar : {Then what has my life meant? My adolescence? Why was I only allowed to exist as a man in Fersen's eyes? Every single thing...why did I have to shut up the pain in my heart inside a military uniform? I was never considered good enough for my first love, and now I finally am? For what?} <> Oscar : {Am I supposed to just go back to being a woman now? Mademoiselle--Mademoiselle! I've never been called that before. Monsieur. Monsieur le Comte. That was my title. O God, who knows the day of our destruction, lay your hand on my forehead!} <> Oscar : Ah! Andre : Oscar! Oscar : The G string snapped! Andre : Hold still, give me your hand. Oscar : Andre, Andre, the G string... Andre : Never mind about the G string! Let go of that violin. Oscar : God, why did you strike my hand, and not my head? That hurts! Andre : Of course it hurts! Andre : It's a deep cut. Oscar : Have things calmed down a little in Paris? Andre : It's the calm before the storm. Oscar : The parliament will never approve the loan of 420 million livres and the new taxes. Andre : They're trying to weaken the King's influence. Oscar : So no one's getting anywhere. Andre : In November, there will be a conference for the royal family and the important ministers. Oscar : A conference...to try to overrule parliament? I suppose the Duke of Orleans will be in attendance? Andre : Yes. Oscar : That could be bad. <> Oscar : It will backfire on them. Instead of changing the minds of those in the parliament... {No...this isn't what I wanted to talk about. I wanted to talk about something different...but I can't find the words.} <> Andre : Have grandmother look after the rest! Grandma, look at Oscar's hand! <> Oscar : {Andre...} --It's great when night duty's over and you just get to sleep! --Let's steal a glass of wine from the kitchen first! --Our day off's getting closer, too! --What's with the scary face, Allan? Allan : I don't want to talk to you after you betrayed me and sided with that woman. --But--but--but-- --Yeah! <> --You should mind your own business, Allan! Allan : Hey, you look blue! It's spoiling your good looks. Have you finally given up on your hopeless love? --Allan! <> Andre : Try and say that one more time. --He looks scary! --He's really upset. --Stop it, Allan. We're going to have time off soon, don't ruin it. Andre : Say that one more time! Allan : I'll say it again and again! Looking at you makes me sick! <> Oscar : Andre! Why did you fire a shot inside the barracks? You know that's not allowed except at emergencies. Andre, are you listening? <> Andre : I was aiming at the sky! Oscar : Andre! Andre : {Oscar...when your pale face and golden hair are right there in front of me, I feel sure that if I were to reach out to you, I'd break my promise and kiss you.} <> Andre : {So that's why I'll always have to run away. If I only had noble status, no matter how low, I wouldn't let anyone else have you. I'd court you so that you could be my wife, just like he's doing. No matter how much I love you...no matter how much I love you...is my love worthless because I have no status? Even if I love you to the ends of the earth, so much that I'd give my life for you, is that not good enough?} <> Andre : {Is that not good enough?} --Andre, take Gerodelle's carriage to the garage. --Take this chocolate up to Oscar. Andre... Gerodelle : It's been a long time, Andre Grandier. I've heard that you were going into the royal guards. I wouldn't want someone I cared for to be there for even a day,though. <> Gerodelle : You must be lonely. Until now, you've always been with her. I envy you. Since before she finished her schooling and became a member of the royal guards, it has been impossible to imagine her without you. You were even allowed in the palace, even though you're a commoner. Andre : That's enough. My work is done. From now on, Gerodelle... <> Gerodelle : I wonder if she even realizes that you're practically her alter ego. Andre : What? Gerodelle : Have you read Jean-Jacques Rousseau's "Nouvelle Heloise"? It's just a silly love story, but I'm open-minded enough to allow a servant who pines for my wife to serve her. If you like... Ah! Andre : You should think yourself lucky that that chocolate wasn't hot! Oscar : I don't know what you're thinking by making me get married now! Jarjayes : You have a point, but the house of Jarjayes needs an heir. Oscar : Why should that mean that I have to marry Gerodelle? <> Jarjayes : Again, you have a point. All right, let's have a great ball, and gather together all the young men for you to choose from, not just Gerodelle. Then you'll have nothing to complain about, right? Oscar : What I meant was, one of my sisters' children could-- Jarjayes : Such a ball as people rarely see these days! I'll invite all the noble families of any repute. Dress in your finest clothes as you accept a proposal from a man! All right! You can spend as much money as you like! <> --Wow! --A ball! --We have to get ready for a wonderful ball for Oscar. --Wow, we'll get to see Oscar in a dress again! Oscar : {I'll show them!} Call the best seamstress in Paris! My father ordered that I would wear the finest clothes. Make sure the design of the invitations is elegant, and scatter them all around. Order food from all the different regions. Get all the treasured wines out from the cellar, and get the champagne as well! Make sure all the utensils are silver, and put roses in the hallway. We'll have a ball that would surprise even my father! <> --Count XX and his wife and son have arrived! --The Earl of OO has arrived! --The Duke of XX and his wife have arrived! --Count OO and his daughter have arrived! --We are opposed to Oscar's marriage! --Is it true that Oscar's getting married? --It can't be! What will be do? --Look how many men are here to propose! --Even my boyfriend! <> --It's said that the first candidate is Gerodelle. --And he doesn't even like women! --We're going to stop Oscar's wedding! --My apologies for the delay. Oscar Francois de Jarjayes is now here! --Oscar, wait! Oscar : No! --Please, Oscar! <> Jarjayes : Oscar! --I warned you... Jarjayes : What are you doing dressed in that--that-- Oscar : It's just as you ordered, father. I had the best tailor in Paris prepare the finest clothes for me. Now! I announce the first minuet! <> Oscar : Mademoiselle de Guine, may I have this dance? Jarjayes : But you planned to dance the first minuet with Gerodelle! Oscar : Don't be so stiff, sweet lady. This must be a flute and harp concerto that Monsieur Mozart composed for you. A very lovely song. --I'm next! I'm next! --No! I was here first! <> Oscar : May I have the next dance, lady with the violet eyes? --Get in line! --Out of the way, bitch! --What did you call me? Oscar : You're shaking. Is the autumn wind too cold for your shoulders? --No, it's just... Oscar : What's your name, mademoiselle? --Josephine. Oscar : That's my sister's name, beautiful Josephine. Jarjayes : Everyone...the dance... <> Oscar : I will not forget your gentle hands. What is your name? --Flora. Oscar : Ah, Flora (the goddess of flowers). May I take some of the nectar of the goddess of the flowers? --As--as you wish... --I'm not going home until I dance with Oscar! --Don't be pushy! --What about your promise to me, Marianne? --Be quiet, I didn't call you! --Don't cut in line! Oscar : Ha ha... <> Oscar : I've met you before at a palace ball, have I not? --You remembered that? Oscar : Your purple dress looked lovely on you, and you smiled with lips like cherries. What is your name? --Genevieve de Coigny. Oscar : I suppose that it would not be too great a crime to steal those cherries, Genevieve? <> --How rude, to steal someone's partner away like that! Oscar : But she's the one who chose me. If you're challenging me to a duel, I'll accept. --This is too foolish! Who ever heard of such a ball? --Why did you bring us all here? Oscar : Major Gerodelle! This is a splendid ball. But I won't dance with you tonight! <> --What's going on? --Sorry we're late! --Are you really going to give us something to eat? Oscar : Go right inside! Eat and drink all you like! Look at all the beautiful ladies and enjoy yourselves! <> Jarjayes : Oscar, what in the world is going on? Oscar : {By tomorrow, everyone at Versailles will know about the ball at the house of Jarjayes. All the fools who wanted to marry me off will regret it.} <> Oscar : Gerodelle... Gerodelle : Was it you who summoned the soldiers? The party is in a shambles, but I am glad, because now I am your only suitor. Oscar : Don't flatter yourself! <> Oscar : For as long as I live, I'll never wear a dress. Not for anyone. Gerodelle : I find that pathetic. As beautiful as you are, you wrap your body in a soldier's uniform, and ride horses...It's pathetic, but...in the midst of all the soldiers, it's heroically beautiful. <> Gerodelle : Do you eat rose petals? Oscar : Is there something wrong with that? Gerodelle : Why do you turn your back on a warm hearth? You must have wished, at times, for happiness as a normal woman. You must have shed tears for the outstretched arms that you rejected. Stop trying to be who you aren't. Stop, before you rush headlong into tragedy. <> Gerodelle : I will always accept you, if you will have me. Can you entrust the sadness in your heart and the pain you've carried on your shoulders to me? Please, entrust the long sadness and pain and tears to me. I love you, my beauty. Oscar : Gerodelle... <> Gerodelle : Miss Oscar! Oscar : {No! The lips I know...the lips I know...were more passionate, gently enveloping my lips. The kiss I know...} <> Oscar : {Someone...anyone... Why does my body feel so hot, as if it's going to melt?} The beautiful noblewoman Julie and the commoner Saint-Preux loved each other, but her parents were opposed. Julie cried and cried, and finally gave up on Saint-Preux and married a landowner by the name of Wolmar. However, Mr. Wolmar generously invited his wife's former lover, Saint-Preux, to their house as a tutor to Julie. <> Julie and Saint-Preux both tried hard not to sin and commit adultery, but it was very painful. On her deathbed, Julie confessed her love for Saint-Preux and prayed that they would be together in heaven. Andre : {A silly love story? Someone in his position can say that...he has enough status to be able to propose to the woman he loves. Has Gerodelle thought of that?} <> Andre : {Has he ever thought about why "La Nouvelle Heloise" by Jean-Jacques Rousseau has gone into almost 70 printings since its publication in 1761, why it's a perennial best-seller among the people? There are times when you can be with the person you love only in death... Only in death...} Allan : La Nouvelle Heloise? Andre : Allan... Allan : You read that too? <> Allan : Life doesn't make sense...I don't know who decided all this about status in the first place, but it's not as if people chose how to be born. Andre : That's a stupid thing to say, when you're a noble yourself. Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778) A Swiss philosopher. From his poor and unhappy life, he issued a call for humans to return to nature. His philosophy of "Liberte, Egalite, Fraternite" (Liberty, Equality, Fraternity) had a great influence on revolutionaries such as Robespierre. Attacked by the police and the church, he finished his life in exile and loneliness. His works include "Treatise on the Origins of Human Inequality," "Emile," "The Social Contract," the world's first melodrama, "Pygmalion," the novel "La Nouvelle Heloise," and "Confessions," in which he confesses such things as abandoning one by one the five children he and his lover gave birth to. He influenced authors including Goethe and Tolstoy. He is also the composer of the well-known song "Musunde Hiraite." <> Allan : Do you know that there are nobles living as badly, or worse, than commoners? Did you know about my mother and my little sister, who go hungry on nights with cold blizzards, and have to huddle together for warmth? Allan : Did you know that, Andre? And yet, I'm a nobleman! Andre : Let me go. I'm sorry. Allan : I hate that woman. If she was nothing but a doll of the upper class, then I'd be able to feel nothing but contempt for her...and yet, somehow I just can't bring myself to really hate her. What is she thinking? <> Andre : You're young, Allan. Only children are mean to those they don't yet know they like. I'm right, aren't I? You're speechless. Be honest! Allan : Wait, you little-- <> Allan : Andre? Andre, can you not see out of your other eye? Andre : Don't tell anyone, all right? If you tell anyone, I'll kill you! It's a bit misty, but it's not as if I can't see at all. It's just that sometimes everything goes black. Promise me, all right? <> Dianne : I'm sorry, I know this isn't a visiting day...I really wasn't sure whether or not I should try to come talk to him. Thank you for listening without getting mad. Oscar : On days when you came to see him, you brought home the bread and meat that your brother and the other soldiers had left uneaten, didn't you? Dianne : Yes... Oscar : I thought so. Dianne : Please don't punish them! I know that it was wrong, but they... Oscar : I understand, Miss Dianne, but there's nothing I can do. I'm sorry. I'm powerless, an officer in name only. Dianne : I don't know what to say...I didn't mean... <> Oscar : You remind me of my spring wind. Dianne : What? Oscar : There was a girl who calmed my heart, like a pink spring breeze. She kept on living with all her heart, no matter what happened to her. At only twelve years old, she tried to become a prostitute in Paris to support her sick mother. Dianne : Oh, my! Oscar : Every time I see you, you look so lovely. Today you look even prettier than before. <> Dianne : I'm going to get married soon, the next time my brother comes home. I think I'll be happy. Oscar : {Marriage! Perhaps that really is the ultimate happiness for a woman...marriage...} --Andre! Andre, where are you? Gerodelle keeps coming for dinner parties, and you make me carry these heavy things--it's awful! --Well...I do understand how he feels...that poor, foolish child... <> Andre : God, please forgive me. Have pity on me for my love that can never be requited on Earth and may not be requited even in Heaven. <> Andre : I loved her and loved her, no matter the cost. Please have pity on me, though I am about to bring myself to desctruction with a dreadful sin. If we cannot be together even in death...then why have I lived until now? What did I live for? Just so I could see another man have you? Did God leave me this one eye so that I could see it? It's too cruel... <> Andre : Oscar...since we were children, we have not been apart. Will you die with me? Will you forgive me? I won't make you suffer. I'll hold you in my arms until the last second. I'll show you that you can die within limitless love. So...please forgive me. <> Andre : Lord, send me to Hell! And send the woman I love to the garden of Heaven! Oscar? Oscar : Andre, come in. Oscar : I don't know why, but tears just started running down my face and they won't stop. Why, Andre? The first time I read this, I didn't think that it was good at all... Andre : I brought you some wine. Oscar : Merci. Andre : May I drink it with you? Oscar : Why tonight, of all nights? <> Andre : Oscar, have you said your prayers tonight? Oscar : Yes. Andre : Good. Oscar : {Really...why am I crying like this?} Andre : {My Oscar...} <> Oscar : It's said that when people reach the end of their lives, they become children again. Now, for some reason, I can't think of anything but the past. I tried so hard to grow up... <> Oscar : I was so happy when I was appointed to serve the King before I had finished training at the officer's academy, and I was so happy that I was chosen to guard Marie Antoinette. That I would protect such a beautiful princess, the woman who would be Queen of France in the future... Oh, dear. The way I'm talking, you'd think I didn't have much time left. Andre : {Someday, I will throw away my life for you. Like you risked your life for me today, I will someday risk my life for you.} <> Andre : {Don't drink it!} Don't drink it, Oscar! Don't drink it! Oscar : Ah! Andre : Don't drink it! <> Andre : Thank God... {What was I thinking? How could I be so selfish? Is this the kind of man I am? What right did I have to try to take your life? It was so selfish!} Oscar : Andre? <> Andre : I'm sorry. Don't get near it, you could be hurt by the shards of glass. I'll wipe up the floor...it's nothing. Oscar : Andre, your hand! Andre : Don't come near me! I'll bring you another glass of wine right away. {Oh, Oscar!} <> Andre : {You're alive. You're alive. I've never thought until now that that in itself was beautiful. I can hear the beating of your heart, the blood flowing through your veins. Pink fingers, golden hair glittering in the sunlight of Mount Olympus. I will protect you! I will protect you, even at the cost of my own life!} <> Oscar : {Andre...Andre, is it possible...?} --Oscar? Oscar : Mother... --Oscar? Oscar : I'm not my father's doll! Neither a woman nor a man... <> Oscar : I've lived like that for years and years. I followed the path to be a soldier, a path that I had never chosen. And now I have to get married and give birth to an heir? I have to become a woman again! My father has forgotten that I have a heart! That I am human, with blood flowing through my veins! What am I to my father? Tell me, mother! --Oscar...parents can be foolish indeed. <> --Perhaps we are made foolish because of love. You know of the cold state of the world right now, with violence and rebellion everywhere. If you stay in the army, then surely you would lead your troops into the eye of the storm. Without flinching or retreating, you would lead them into the arrows and bullets...I at least wanted my beloved daughter to have a safe nest before the storm. To lead a peaceful life as an ordinary woman. <> --We were always worried about you. Do you think that was foolish? Oscar : My father was worried? Is that the reason he talked of marriage? --Oscar, your father regretted it. Oscar : I never knew... --Dianne is getting married... --She probably won't come see Allan any more... --But we still have a beautiful captain! --That's right! --But she said she didn't like younger men... --And we were mean to her... --But if you have love, age doesn't make any difference! Allan : Don't talk like that in front of me! Do you want to be killed? Allan : Andre, the horses in the second row aren't fastened correctly. Andre : Right... Allan : Where are you going? Andre : To Paris with Oscar, to see someone in the reserve guards. Allan : Good! Trade places with me. Andre : You must be joking! <> Allan : Do you have any idea how dangerous Paris is? With that eye, you're in no condition to go there! Andre : That's none of your concern! Allan : What? I actually go to the trouble of worrying about you for a change, and you-- Andre : I know you want to be with Oscar, but... Allan : Die! Go there and die, you bastard! Andre : Unfortunately, I'm going. Allan : Die! <> Oscar : {How many times I've travelled this road from Versailles to Paris with Lady Antoinette. To the lively masquerade balls at the opera house, to elegant operas and plays, almost every day until the break of dawn. But while she led that luxurious life, she never once gave a thought to the lives of the ordinary citizens.} Oscar : She never thought to ask about the lives her own subjects lived. Andre : {I'm sorry, Oscar.} <> --What's going on? --Stop! --It's a noble's carriage! Oscar : Andre, get inside! Andre : Wait, Oscar! You can't go out! Oscar : What are you doing? --Take their weapons! Oscar : Wait! He isn't a nobleman. Andre : Be quiet! Oscar, run away! Oscar : Let him go! It's just me, he's not a nobleman! --We'll kill all the nobles! Oscar : No! It's just me, not him! Andre : What are you doing, Oscar? Run away! Oscar : Let Andre go! It's only me... --It's a riot! A riot! --A carriage is under attack! --Captain! Fersen : Follow me! Out of the way! --Ah! --What's going on? Fersen : Oscar! Fersen : You take care of the rest. Don't use firearms! The riot could get even bigger. --Yes, sir! Fersen : What were you thinking, Oscar, to go into Paris in such a carriage? Oscar : ...Fersen? Fersen... Fersen : I was just leading some Swedish guards back to my country. At Emperor Gustav's orders, I have to fight with Russia. Oscar : Andre...where's Andre? Oscar : Andre's still in there! Fersen : Be quiet! Do you want to throw away your life? Oscar : Let me go! Andre is--my Andre is... Fersen : {"My" Andre?} All right! Wait here. You get a carriage as soon as I bring him out. <> Fersen : As plain and poor-looking a carriage as you can find! You're back? Get out of the way! I'm an officer of the army! Rioters, listen to me! My name is... <> Fersen : Hans Axel von Fersen! --Hans Axel... --Von Fersen? --Fersen! --The Queen's lover! --Kill him! --It's Count Fersen! --The Queen's lover! Fersen : I'll be all right! Oscar, Andre, get away! Oscar : Andre, Andre! Wake up! I'm going to get a carriage. Are you all right? Can you see in front of you? I'm sorry for my carelessness. Please forgive me, Andre! Oscar : {Andre, wake up...Fersen, I hope you're safe! It didn't use to be like this...before, I would never have left Fersen like that and run away...} <> Gerodelle : There was something you wanted to tell me? Oscar : Gerodelle...Do you really love me? Gerodelle : I would not lie. I love only you. Oscar : Is it true love? Do you swear it? Gerodelle : I do. <> Oscar : Then, Gerodelle...surely love means not wishing for the unhappiness of the one you love. Gerodelle : Of course. Oscar : There is another man who loves me so much that he could not live if I were to marry someone else. <> Oscar : I would be so sad if he could not live...I would be the most unhappy person in the world. Gerodelle : It's Andre Grandier, isn't it? For his sake, you will never marry? <> Gerodelle : Do you love him? Oscar : I don't know. I've never thought of him that way--more like a brother. <> Oscar : No, as more than a brother. We've shared joy, sadness, everything. Our souls were so close that I never even realized it. If he was unhappy, I would be as well. Gerodelle : All right. I will accept that. If you were unhappy, I would also become the most unhappy person in the world. <> Oscar : Gerodelle... Gerodelle : Please accept my resignment as the single proof of my love...you who are so beautiful I would like to put you up on Olympus in a temple with the gods... <> Oscar : {I didn't know that people could love like that...perhaps it is a sign of humanity that they can.} <> --Oscar! Oscar : Answer me this, father! If I had been raised as a real woman, would I have been married off by the age of fifteen, as my sisters were? <> --Oscar... Oscar : Acting elegantly, singing arias, getting dressed up every night and going out into the world? --Oscar! Oscar : Answer me! Silk, velvet, beauty marks, rose perfume, fancy boxes, suffocating face powder...bringing up children! --Oscar! Oscar : Answer me! <> --Yes. That's how things would have been if I had raised you as a real woman. Oscar : Thank you, father. <> Oscar : Thank you for giving me this life, for letting me live in this wide world that's closed to women, letting me live as a human being. --Oscar... Oscar : I will no longer regret it. I will live as the child of Mars, God of War, giving myself to swords and firearms. I will live my life as an officer... <> Oscar : The child of Mars, the God of War! --Oscar... To save the throne from its economic crisis, a meeting was held, bringing together members of the royal family, senior ministers, and lawyers. Violent quarrels broke out between the parliament and the king, who wished for new taxes and a loan of 420 million livres. <> But the anti-royal faction of the nobles, led by the King's cousin Philippe, Duke of Orleans, sided with the parliament. --If you want to raise taxes and borrow 420 million livres, then call a meeting of the three estates! A meeting with representatives from all classes! <> --The three estates? --The three estates? --They want us to let ordinary people participate in the government? --Your Highness, it absolutely won't do! --The citizens are already getting too self-important! --You can't let them challenge your authority. --A meeting of the three estates! --Even the nobles are against us. --They're trying to weaken the King's power so that they can rule France. --Are they all fools? A meeting of the three estates would bring together representatives of the first estate (priests), the second estate (nobles), and the third estate (common citizens). It was started in 1302 by Philippe the 4th, but none had been called for about two hundred years, ending in 1614. A meeting of thre three estates could have restricted the King's dictatorial power. <> The prelude to the French Revolution, which will live on forever in world history, began with the revolt of the nobles trying to weaken the King for their own benefit. --A meeting of the three estates! Many of the nobles joined hands with the common citizens, without realizing that they were digging their own graves. Marie : {This is a time when all nobles must join together against the citizens. The nobles I had thought that I could depend on...} <> Marie : {They're taking sides against the King!} Therese : Maman Reine, I'm scared. Count Merci and the ministers all look scary. Marie : Marie Therese, Louis Charles, you have nothing to worry about. I'll hold you tight. {No matter what happens, for the sake of my children, I can't give up!} <> --It's nice that you'll finally get a vacation starting tomorrow. Oscar : Well...I had to take two weeks off. Paris could erupt into violence at any minute. Ah, my gloves...there they are. {The army at Bretagne confronted a faction of anti-royal nobles, and in Dorfegne, the people are throwing roof tiles at the army. In Bergogne, the soldiers rebelled against their commanding officer.} Oscar : France's royal guards are quiet for now, but it's only a matter of time before a rebellion happens. Give me a glass of brandy, please. --No! It's too early for that. You can have a glass of wine. Oscar : Didn't you hear me? I asked for a glass of brandy! I'm sorry. But I really need a drink. <> --{Since all this talk about marriage ended, she's been drinking strong drinks day and night. It can't be good for her health.} Andre : 14...15...16...17...and then five steps to the next staircase. {I have to learn the inside of this house and the barracks while I can still see.} <> Andre : One...two...three...four... --Andre! <> --Andre...your eyes! You can't tell anyone about this. Not the master, not Oscar. If they found out... <> --The master would certainly call a doctor, and we can't cause them such trouble. It wouldn't do to make him spend such a vast amount of money, when we already owe him so much. You understand that, don't you, Andre? Andre : Of course I do. You didn't have to tell me that. Besides, it's not as if I can't see at all. --Be careful, so that they won't realize it. <> --Andre... Andre : {Even though we're all human...} Oscar : As you know, because of the exceptional circustances, you will only be able to take a break of two weeks. I'm sorry about this. I'll see you again in two weeks! Allan de Soisson, give Dianne my blessings! <> Marie : Thank you for coming, Oscar. Josephe really wanted to see you. Oscar : I've inspected the troops. Their vacations starts tomorrow. Josephe : No! Go away! Oscar : Prince! <> Marie : Josephe! Josephe : I'm leaving! I want to get out of here! Oscar : Monseigneur... Josephe : Oscar...please take me outside, Oscar. Let me ride on a horse. Oscar : Prince Louis Josephe... <> Josephe : I want to ride on a horse... Marie : Oscar, it's all right with me. Please make his wish come true. Oscar : Lady Antoinette? Marie : You understand, don't you? His spine and his ribs are bent. He may not live another six months. Please, let him ride outside... <> Josephe : Gallop, gallop! Oscar : Don't push the horse so hard. Josephe : I'm seven years old, Oscar. Oscar : I'm afraid I was too busy to go any further than Versailles when you had your birthday. Josephe : Oscar, are you always going to run through the light on a white horse like this, like in a legend? Josephe : Through the light... Oscar : Monseigneur! Are you all right? We should return to the palace at once. <> Josephe : I've heard that there was going to be a meeting of the three estates. I'm going back to Versailles when that happens. That's going to be a day that will go down in French history. Finally, France will be calm again... <> Josephe : I love you. Next time I'm reborn, I won't be sick...I'll grow up to be big and strong...so wait for me...