Fantine's Arrest Lyrics

     [Bamatabois is a well dressed gentleman.]

Bamatabois
     Here's something new, I think I'll give it a try.
     Come closer you!  I like to see what I buy
     The usual price, for just a slice of your pie

Fantine
     I don't want you, no, no, m'sieur, let me go.

Bamatabois
     Is this a trick?  I won't pay more!

Fantine
     No, not at all.

Bamatabois
     You've got some nerve, you little whore
     You've got some gall.
     It's the same with a tart as it is with a grocer
     The customer sees what he gets in advance
     It's not for the whore to say 'yes sir' or 'no sir'
     It's not for the harlot to pick and to choose
     Or lead me to a dance!

     [He hits her with his stick, she claws at his face,
     drawing blood.]

Fantine
     I'll kill you, you bastard, try any of that!
     Even a whore who has gone to the bad
     Won't be had by a rat!

Bamatabois
     By Christ you'll pay for what you have done
     This rat will make you bleed, you'll see!
     I guarantee, I'll make you suffer
     For this disturbance of the peace
     For this insult to life and property!

Fantine
     I beg you, don't report me sir
     I'll do whatever you may want

Bamatabois
     Make your excuse to the police!

     [Javert enters, accompanied by constables.]

Javert
     Tell me quickly what's the story
     Who saw what and why and where
     Let him give a full description
     Let him answer to Javert!
     In this nest of whores and vipers
     Let one speak who saw it all
     Who laid hands on this good man here?
     What's the substance of this brawl?

Bamatabois
     Javert, would you belive it
     I was crossing from the park
     When this prostitute attacked me
     You can see she left her mark

Javert
     She will answer for her actions
     When you make a full report
     You may rest assured, M'sieur,
     That she will answer to the court.

Fantine
     There's a child who sorely needs me
     Please M'sieur, she's but that high
     Holy God, is there no mercy?
     If I go to jail she'll die!

Javert
     I have heard such protestations
     Every day for twenty years
     Let's have no more explanations
     Save your breath and save your tears
     Honest work, just reward,
     That's the way to please the Lord.

     [Fantine gives a last despairing cry as she is arrested.
     Valjean emerges from the crowd.]

Valjean
     A moment of your time, Javert
     I do believe this woman's tale

Javert
     But M'sieur Mayor!

Valjean
     You've done your duty
     Let her be
     She needs a doctor, not a jail.

Javert
     But M'sieur Mayor!

Fantine
     Can this be?

Valjean
     Where will she end -
     This child without a friend?

     I've seen your face before
     Show me some way to help you
     How have you come to grief
     In a place such as this?

Fantine
     M'sieur, don't mock me now, I pray
     It's hard enough I've lost my pride
     You let your foreman send me away
     Yes, you were there, and turned aside
     I never did no wrong

Valjean                                 Fantine
     Is it true, what I have done?           My daughter's close to
dying
     To an innocent soul?                    If there's a God above
     Had I only known then...                He'd let me die instead

Valjean
     In His name my task has just begun
     I will see it done!
     I will see it done!

Javert
     But M'sieur Mayor!

Valjean
     I will see it done!

Javert
     But M'sieur Mayor!

Voices
     Look out!  It's a runaway cart!