Javert’s Soliloquy

Lyrics

[VALJEAN, carrying MARIUS, emerges from the sewers and meets JAVERT.] [VALJEAN] It's you, Javert! I knew you wouldn't wait too long The faithful servant at his post once more This boy's done no wrong And he needs a doctor's care [JAVERT] I warned you I would not give in I won't be swayed [VALJEAN] Another hour yet And then I'm yours And all our debts are paid [JAVERT] The man of mercy comes again And talks of justice [VALJEAN] Come, time is running short Look down, Javert He's standing in his grave [JAVERT] Take him, Valjean Before I change my mind I will be waiting 24601 [VALJEAN carries MARIUS off. JAVERT walks the deserted streets until he comes to a bridge over the river Seine.] Who is this man? What sort of devil is he? To have me caught in a trap And choose to let me go free? It was his hour at last To put a seal on my fate Wipе out the past And wash me clean off thе slate All it would take was a flick of his knife Vengeance was his and he gave me back my life Damned if I'll live in the debt of a thief Damned if I'll yield at the end of a chase I am the law and the law is not mocked I'll spit his pity right back in his face There is nothing on earth that we share It is either Valjean or Javert How can I now allow this man To hold dominion over me? This desperate man whom I have hunted He gave me my life, he gave me freedom I should have perished by his hand It was his right It was my right to die as well Instead I live, but live in hell And my thoughts fly apart Can this man be believed? Shall his sins be forgiven? Shall his crimes be reprieved? And must I now begin to doubt Who never doubted all these years? My heart is stone and still it trembles The world I have known is lost in shadow Is he from heaven or from hell? And does he know That granting me my life today This man has killed me even so? I am reaching but I fall And the stars are black and cold As I stare into a void Of a world that cannot hold I'll escape now from that world From the world of Jean Valjean There is nowhere I can turn There is no way to go on... [JAVERT throws himself into the swollen river.]