ABSTRACT
Cela faisait penser à quelque grand duel D 'un monstre contre un dieu, tous deux de même taille; Et l 'on eût dit l 'épée effrayante du ciel Rouge et tombée à terre après une bataille.
(Novembre, 1870)
I'm setting out to narrate that horrific year. I hesitate, elbows on my table - out of fear? Should I go further? Should I continue now? France - what grief! - to see a star fade and go down! I can feel the dismal ascension of disgrace. Agony! one scourge goes, another shows its face. N o matter. Let's go on. We must do history's business. This century is on trial and I am its witness.
