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[For all that the writer is more accustomed to scrawling, the letters here are carefully, deliberately penned, as if with great effort, for the subject is of vast importance.]
25 Brumaire XLI 1
Citoyen Enjolras,
A greater man than either of us phrased it best, I think:
If you wish a republic, so order it that the people may have the heart to be virtuous...
You have worked both to instill that virtue in what remains of the republic by your steps toward sending poverty fleeing, by producing jobs, by giving all the dignity that I have sought to give as well.
But we have neither of us, found success, though different fates came to us both.
You who avoided my current misfortune by chance of fate, you who were resolved, and had luck enough, to spend your blood and breath in order to replenish the fields and furrows of our country, who was permitted the honor and the joy of giving your life unto France will understand, I think, the fate that has been given onto me, a fate that I will bear no less the bravely than you bore your own, and will, perhaps, forgive me that I loathe the fact that my fate has come down to the chaos and pagentry of a show trial, and a verdict neither one of us could have thought would be any different.
...This is my last night on this Earth, in the service of the lady whom we hold dearest of any earthly lover we might ever have. The hours, now the moments have been passing by and I find it only fitting that I pen these words to you, words to remind you, Citoyen, that in spending your soul for the righteousness of the barricade, as I did too, we made the decision clearly, of our own will, and only, only, for ourselves. That your Etienne pledged to be beside you, and the others found themselves brought to this island where you have spent the past several years of life for reasons of their own souls' meaning, not tied up in yours. You understand this, perhaps, and you seem as though you have accepted it, but I know too, the doubt you face in that.
Their lives were theirs to spend, a choice you never contradict and a decision that you never waver in. So too, the direction of their souls, if they chose to stay with yours for a time, was never yours either. When your own soul is ready, it will find them, waiting, as you move toward the next part of your journey. Remember that although you are alone here now, it is no reason to remain unhappy, and that though you have been beaten, as I have, by circumstance of fate, a world that understands so little of justice, you, and I, need not be cowed. Vive la Republique, Citoyen and know, as I do, that her time will come, and when it does, your blood, and mine, shall be a part of her.
I thank you for your fine example as you've borne up many things, and urge that you keep moving forward in the service of that Great Republic you have found. You need not serve only a French mistress, and in the good of all beings who are free, you further your service of Patria in her truest form. Do not allow those who have made you falter to drag you to your knees. You are in the right place and the right time for yourself, as am I, bitter though it was to swallow the medicine at first.
Do carry on the work that we begin in life, with Le National, and the rest. You will find the way and means, and soon. Stop wasting the time that has been given you and do something worthy of it, instead.
It is with you in mind I march toward the scaffold in the morning, armed with the knowledge and certainty that goodness and the truth may prevail, through you, who've managed, somehow, to have gained the chance to see success of each.
In the service of the republic,
Citoyen Enjolras
[1: November 16th, 1832]
25 Brumaire XLI 1
Citoyen Enjolras,
A greater man than either of us phrased it best, I think:
If you wish a republic, so order it that the people may have the heart to be virtuous...
You have worked both to instill that virtue in what remains of the republic by your steps toward sending poverty fleeing, by producing jobs, by giving all the dignity that I have sought to give as well.
But we have neither of us, found success, though different fates came to us both.
You who avoided my current misfortune by chance of fate, you who were resolved, and had luck enough, to spend your blood and breath in order to replenish the fields and furrows of our country, who was permitted the honor and the joy of giving your life unto France will understand, I think, the fate that has been given onto me, a fate that I will bear no less the bravely than you bore your own, and will, perhaps, forgive me that I loathe the fact that my fate has come down to the chaos and pagentry of a show trial, and a verdict neither one of us could have thought would be any different.
...This is my last night on this Earth, in the service of the lady whom we hold dearest of any earthly lover we might ever have. The hours, now the moments have been passing by and I find it only fitting that I pen these words to you, words to remind you, Citoyen, that in spending your soul for the righteousness of the barricade, as I did too, we made the decision clearly, of our own will, and only, only, for ourselves. That your Etienne pledged to be beside you, and the others found themselves brought to this island where you have spent the past several years of life for reasons of their own souls' meaning, not tied up in yours. You understand this, perhaps, and you seem as though you have accepted it, but I know too, the doubt you face in that.
Their lives were theirs to spend, a choice you never contradict and a decision that you never waver in. So too, the direction of their souls, if they chose to stay with yours for a time, was never yours either. When your own soul is ready, it will find them, waiting, as you move toward the next part of your journey. Remember that although you are alone here now, it is no reason to remain unhappy, and that though you have been beaten, as I have, by circumstance of fate, a world that understands so little of justice, you, and I, need not be cowed. Vive la Republique, Citoyen and know, as I do, that her time will come, and when it does, your blood, and mine, shall be a part of her.
I thank you for your fine example as you've borne up many things, and urge that you keep moving forward in the service of that Great Republic you have found. You need not serve only a French mistress, and in the good of all beings who are free, you further your service of Patria in her truest form. Do not allow those who have made you falter to drag you to your knees. You are in the right place and the right time for yourself, as am I, bitter though it was to swallow the medicine at first.
Do carry on the work that we begin in life, with Le National, and the rest. You will find the way and means, and soon. Stop wasting the time that has been given you and do something worthy of it, instead.
It is with you in mind I march toward the scaffold in the morning, armed with the knowledge and certainty that goodness and the truth may prevail, through you, who've managed, somehow, to have gained the chance to see success of each.
In the service of the republic,
Citoyen Enjolras
[1: November 16th, 1832]
