For what ? from being France and being humanity
To shine above the abyss ajar
From being a giant arm holding a handful of rays, which Europe is forever bathed
They punish PARIS being freedom
They punish Paris to be the city
Where Danton rumbles, Where Molière shines, Where Voltaire laughs
They punish Paris to be soul of the earth
To be what is becoming more alive.
The large deep torch that no wind can switch off
The idea on fire, piercing the cloud, the number
The growing light of progress at the bottom of the dark sky
They punish Paris to denounce the error
Being the alarm and be the scout
To show their hideous glory in cemetery
To abolish the scaffold, the throne, the borders, the fights, the obstacle, the ditch,
And being the future when they are past
And it’s not their fault: they are the dark forces
They follow in the night all the dark glories

Here it’s Paris.

https://pad.partipirate.org/victorhugo1872