The Ballad of St. Barbara

Set against the backdrop of a besieged Paris, the narrative captures the despair of soldiers returning from a lost battle. As the grey lines of the enemy flood the city, the characters grapple with the finality of their situation, reflecting on historical defeats like Ilium and Rome. The somber atmosphere is heightened by the silence of their once-powerful guns, symbolizing their hopelessness and the loss of freedom. The dialogue between a Norman and a Breton adds a personal touch to the collective tragedy unfolding around them.