I feel within me the future life. I am like a forest that has
been razed; the new shoots are stronger and brisker. I shall
most certainly rise toward the heavens. The sun's rays bathe
my head. The earth gives me its generous sap, but the heavens
illuminate me with the reflection of worlds unknown.
Some say the soul results merely from bodily powers. Why, then, does my soul become brighter when my bodily powers begin to waste away? Winter is above me, but eternal spring is within my heart. I inhale even now the fragrance of lilacs, violets, and roses, just as I did when I was twenty. The nearer my approach to the end, the plainer is the sound of immortal symphonies of worlds which invite me.
It is wonderful yet simple. It is a fairy tale; it is history.
For half a century I have been writing my thoughts in prose and in verse; history, philosophy, drama, romance, tradition, satire, ode, and song; all of these have I tried. But I feel that I haven't given utterance to the thousandth part of what lies within me. When I go to the grave I can say as others have said, "I have finished my day's work." But I cannot say,"I have finished my life." My day's work will begin again the next morning. The tomb is not a blind alley; it is a thoroughfare. It closes on the twilight, but opens on the dawn.
Victor Hugo
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