The moment had arrived for the incorruptible and supreme equity to alter its plan. Probably the principles and the elements, on which the regular gravitations of the moral, as of the material, world depend, had complained. Smoking blood, over-filled cemeteries, mothers in tears,-these are formidable pleaders. When the earth is suffering from too heavy a burden, there are mysterious groanings of the shades, to which the abyss lends an ear. Napoleon had been denounced in the infinite and his fall had been decided on. He embarrassed God. Waterloo is not a battle; it is a change of front on the part of the Universe.
In this excerpt from "Les Miserables" by Victor Hugo, the narrative highlights a pivotal moment where the forces of justice and morality shift, compelled by the suffering and sorrow of the world. The imagery of pain, such as "smoking blood" and grieving mothers, illustrates the weight of human anguish that calls for intervention from a higher power. This moment signifies a catalyst for change, indicating that the natural order cannot ignore the cries for justice from those who endure tragedy.
Napoleon's impending downfall symbolizes the cosmic response to the moral outrage surrounding him. His presence has become a burden, not just politically but also on a spiritual level, as it disrupts the moral equilibrium of existence. The Battle of Waterloo is described not merely as a military conflict, but as a profound shift in the very fabric of the universe, marking a transition towards justice and restoring balance in response to human suffering.
