Javert Valjean, at last, We see each other plain 'M'sieur le Mayor', You'll wear a different chain. Valjean Before you say another word, Javert Before you chain me up like a slave again Listen to me! There is something I must do. This woman leaves behind a suffering child. There is none but me who can intercede, In Mercy's name, three days are all I need. Then I'll return, I pledge my word. Then I'll return... Javert You must think me mad! I've hunted you across the years A man like you can never change A man... such as you... Valjean (in counterpoint) Javert (in counterpoint) Believe of me what you will Men like me can never change There is a duty that I'm sworn Men like you can never change to do No, 24601, You know nothing of my life My duty's to the law All I did was steal some bread You have no rights You know nothing of the world Come with me 24601 You would rather see me dead Now the wheel has turned around But not before I see this justice done Jean Valjean is nothing now I am warning you Javert Dare you talk to me of crime I'm a stronger man by far And the price you had to pay There is power in me yet Every man is born in sin My race is not yet run Every man must choose his way I am warning you Javert You know nothing of Javert There is nothing I won't dare I was born inside a jail If I have to kill you here I was born with scum like you I'll do what must be done! I am from the gutter too! [Valjean breaks chair and threatens Javert with the broken piece. Turns to Fantine.] Valjean And this I swear to you tonight Javert There is no place for you to hide Valjean Your child will live within my care Javert Whereever you may hide away Valjean And I will raise her to the light. Valjean & Javert I swear to you, I will be there! [They fight, Javert is knocked out. Valjean escapes.] CASTLE ON A CLOUD [Young Cosette is working as a drudge in the Thenardier's inn at Montfermeil.] Young Cosette There is a castle on a cloud, I like to go there in my sleep, Aren't any floors for me to sweep, Not in my castle on a cloud. There is a room that's full of toys, There are a hundred boys and girls, Nobody shouts or talks too loud, Not in my castle on a cloud. There is a lady all in white, Holds me and sings a lullabye, She's nice to hear and she's soft to touch, She says "Cosette, I love you very much." I know a place where no one's lost, I know a place where no one cries, Crying at all is not allowed, Not in my castle on a cloud. Oh help! I think I hear them now, and I'm nowhere near finished sweeping and scrubbing and polishing the floor. Oh, it's her! It's Madame! Mme. Thenardier Now look who's here The little madam herself! Pretending once again she's been 'so awfully good', Better not let me catch you slacking Better not catch my eye! Ten rotten francs your mother sends me What is that going to buy? Now take that pail My little 'Mademoiselle' And go and draw some water from the well! We should never have taken you in in the first place How stupid, the things that we do! Like mother like daughter, the scum of the street. Eponine, come my dear, Eponine, let me see you You look very well in that new little blue hat There's some little girls who know how to behave And they know what to wear And I'm saying thank heaven for that. Still there Cosette? Your tears will do you no good. I told you fetch some water from the well in the wood... Young Cosette Please do not send me out alone Not in the darkness on my own! Mme. Thenardier Enough of that, or I'll forget to be nice! You heard me ask for something, And I never ask twice! [Young Eponine pushes Cosette out. Thenardier says good night to his daughter as the inn fills up for the evening.]
https://primoaccordo.net/misc-musical/the-confrontation.htm