Victor Hugo: The Hunchback of Notre Dame

BOOK SIXTH. CHAPTER 2. THE RAT-HOLE. (continued)

As there was no door to the walled cell of the Tour-Roland, these two words had been carved in large Roman capitals over the window,--

   TU, ORA.

And this caused the people, whose good sense does not perceive so much refinement in things, and likes to translate Ludovico Magno by "Porte Saint-Denis," to give to this dark, gloomy, damp cavity, the name of "The Rat-Hole." An explanation less sublime, perhaps, than the other; but, on the other hand, more picturesque.