DREYFUS: Now that this sword, and this...

DREYFUS: Now that this sword, and this uniform are again mine, before all civilization do I renounce them. (He breaks sword) I have pondered much during my years of solitude, and I am convinced now that the sword can never bring honor. It can only wound and destroy. A man may take up the sword, not when a government bids him, but at the bidding of his conscience - when Justice calls him to arms. He may fight only for the oppressed. I regard this uniform as empty child’s play and no longer will I shout “Vive l’armée”, but always “Vive la France! Vive la République!”

(Music plays as Dreyfus is seen in pale morning light, asleep on his cot, tossing, shouting “Vive la France! Vive la République!")

I can still hear the sweet strains. (Listens ecstatically. Music stops in the middle of a measure) What - not music, only the waves of the sea! Did I not break my sword in an open square in paris? Did I not hear - (The sea roars louder; the wind howls) No, it was a dream. Phantoms, ghosts, which vanished with the coming of the sun. I am here on Devil’s Island; the chains still clank on my feet. Dreams! (Suddenly alarmed) But wait - the telegram, was that a dream too?

(He throws himself at the table, feels about, seizes the telegram, fingers it tenderly)

This is real. My hour of revenge approaches. Lucy, you were right, it was an “Au revoir”.

Citation: Jacob Gordin, Captain Dreyfus, Public Domain, 1898 pp. 18-19.