Lyrics:

[Bamatabois is a well dressed gentleman.]

Bamatabois
Heres something new, I think Ill 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 dont want you, no, no, msieur, let me go.

Bamatabois
Is this a trick? I wont pay more!

Fantine
No, not at all.

Bamatabois
Youve got some nerve, you little whore
Youve got some gall.
Its the same with a tart as it is with a grocer
The customer sees what he gets in advance
Its not for the whore to say yes sir or no sir
Its 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
Ill kill you, you bastard, try any of that!
Even a whore who has gone to the bad
Wont be had by a rat!

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

Fantine
I beg you, dont report me sir
Ill do whatever you may want

Bamatabois
Make your excuse to the police!

[Javert enters, accompanied by constables.]

Javert
Tell me quickly whats 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?
Whats 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, Msieur,
That she will answer to the court.

Fantine
Theres a child who sorely needs me
Please Msieur, shes but that high
Holy God, is there no mercy?
If I go to jail shell die!

Javert
I have heard such protestations
Every day for twenty years
Lets have no more explanations
Save your breath and save your tears
Honest work, just reward,
Thats 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 womans tale

Javert
But Msieur Mayor!

Valjean
Youve done your duty
Let her be
She needs a doctor, not a jail.

Javert
But Msieur Mayor!

Fantine
Can this be?

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

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

Fantine
Msieur, dont mock me now, I pray
Its hard enough Ive 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 daughters close to
dying
To an innocent soul? If theres a God above
Had I only known then... Hed 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 Msieur Mayor!

Valjean
I will see it done!

Javert
But Msieur Mayor!

Voices
Look out! Its a runaway cart