_Bourdon l"Oise._ How this younger tyrant Mouths out defiance to us! even so He had led on the armies of the south, Till once again the plains of France were drench"d 135 With her best blood.
_Collot d"Herbois._ Till once again display"d Lyons" sad tragedy had call"d me forth The minister of wrath, whilst slaughter by Had bathed in human blood.
_Dubois Crance._ No wonder, friend, That we are traitors--that our heads must fall 140 Beneath the axe of death! when Caesar-like Reigns Robespierre, "tis wisely done to doom The fall of Brutus. Tell me, b.l.o.o.d.y man, Hast thou not parcell"d out deluded France, As it had been some province won in fight, 145 Between your curst triumvirate? You, Couthon, Go with my brother to the southern plains; St. Just, be yours the army of the north; Meantime I rule at Paris.
_Robespierre._ Matchless knave!
What--not one blush of conscience on thy cheek-- 150 Not one poor blush of truth! most likely tale!
That I who ruined Brissot"s towering hopes, I who discover"d Hebert"s impious wiles, And sharp"d for Danton"s recreant neck the axe, Should now be traitor! had I been so minded, 155 Think ye I had destroyed the very men Whose plots resembled mine? bring forth your proofs Of this deep treason. Tell me in whose breast Found ye the fatal scroll? or tell me rather Who forg"d the shameless falsehood?
_Collot d"Herbois._ Ask you proofs? 160 Robespierre, what proofs were ask"d when Brissot died?
_Legendre._ What proofs adduced you when the Danton died?
When at the imminent peril of my life I rose, and fearless of thy frowning brow, Proclaim"d him guiltless?
_Robespierre._ I remember well 165 The fatal day. I do repent me much That I kill"d Caesar and spar"d Antony.
But I have been too lenient. I have spared The stream of blood, and now my own must flow To fill the current. [_Loud applauses._ Triumph not too soon, 170 Justice may yet be victor.
_Enter ST. JUST, and mounts the Tribune._
_St. Just._ I come from the Committee--charged to speak Of matters of high import. I omit Their orders. Representatives of France, Boldly in his own person speaks St. Just 175 What his own heart shall dictate.
_Tallien._ Hear ye this, Insulted delegates of France? St. Just From your Committee comes--comes charg"d to speak Of matters of high import, yet omits Their orders! Representatives of France, 180 That bold man I denounce, who disobeys The nation"s orders.--I denounce St. Just. [_Loud applauses._
_St. Just._ Hear me! [_Violent murmurs._
_Robespierre._ He shall be heard!
_Bourdon l"Oise._ Must we contaminate this sacred hall With the foul breath of treason?
_Collot d"Herbois._ Drag him away! 185 Hence with him to the bar.
_Couthon._ Oh, just proceedings!
Robespierre prevented liberty of speech-- And Robespierre is a tyrant! Tallien reigns, He dreads to hear the voice of innocence-- And St. Just must be silent!
_Legendre._ Heed we well 190 That justice guide our actions. No light import Attends this day. I move St. Just be heard.
_Freron._ Inviolate be the sacred right of man.
The freedom of debate. [_Violent applauses._
_St. Just._ I may be heard then! much the times are chang"d, 195 When St. Just thanks this hall for hearing him.
Robespierre is call"d a tyrant. Men of France, Judge not too soon. By popular discontent Was Aristides driven into exile, Was Phocion murder"d. Ere ye dare p.r.o.nounce 200 Robespierre is guilty, it befits ye well, Consider who accuse him. Tallien, Bourdon of Oise--the very men denounced, For that their dark intrigues disturb"d the plan Of government. Legendre the sworn friend 205 Of Danton, fall"n apostate. Dubois Crance, He who at Lyons spared the royalists-- Collot d"Herbois--
_Bourdon l"Oise._ What--shall the traitor rear His head amid our tribune--and blaspheme Each patriot? shall the hireling slave of faction-- 210
_St. Just._ I am of no one faction. I contend Against all factions.
_Tallien._ I espouse the cause Of truth. Robespierre on yester morn p.r.o.nounced Upon his own authority a report.
To-day St. Just comes down. St. Just neglects 215 What the Committee orders, and harangues From his own will. O citizens of France I weep for you--I weep for my poor country-- I tremble for the cause of Liberty, When individuals shall a.s.sume the sway, 220 And with more insolence than kingly pride Rule the Republic.
_Billaud Varennes._ Shudder, ye representatives of France, Shudder with horror. Henriot commands The marshall"d force of Paris. Henriot, 225 Foul parricide--the sworn ally of Hebert, Denounced by all--upheld by Robespierre.
Who spar"d La Valette? who promoted him, Stain"d with the deep dye of n.o.bility?
Who to an ex-peer gave the high command? 230 Who screen"d from justice the rapacious thief?
Who cast in chains the friends of Liberty?
Robespierre, the self-stil"d patriot Robespierre-- Robespierre, allied with villain Daubigne-- Robespierre, the foul arch-tyrant Robespierre. 235
_Bourdon l"Oise._ He talks of virtue--of morality-- Consistent patriot! he Daubigne"s friend!
Henriot"s supporter virtuous! preach of virtue, Yet league with villains, for with Robespierre Villains alone ally. Thou art a tyrant! 240 I stile thee tyrant, Robespierre! [_Loud applauses._
_Robespierre._ Take back the name. Ye citizens of France--
[_Violent clamour. Cries of--Down with the Tyrant!_
_Tallien._ Oppression falls. The traitor stands appall"d-- Guilt"s iron fangs engrasp his shrinking soul-- He hears a.s.sembled France denounce his crimes! 245 He sees the mask torn from his secret sins-- He trembles on the precipice of fate.
Fall"n guilty tyrant! murder"d by thy rage How many an innocent victim"s blood has stain"d Fair freedom"s altar! Sylla-like thy hand 250 Mark"d down the virtues, that, thy foes removed, Perpetual Dictator thou might"st reign, And tyrannize o"er France, and call it freedom!
Long time in timid guilt the traitor plann"d His fearful wiles--success emboldened sin-- 255 And his stretch"d arm had grasp"d the diadem Ere now, but that the coward"s heart recoil"d, Lest France awak"d should rouse her from her dream, And call aloud for vengeance. He, like Caesar, With rapid step urged on his bold career, 260 Even to the summit of ambitious power, And deem"d the name of King alone was wanting.
Was it for this we hurl"d proud Capet down?
Is it for this we wage eternal war Against the tyrant horde of murderers, 265 The crowned c.o.c.katrices whose foul venom Infects all Europe? was it then for this We swore to guard our liberty with life, That Robespierre should reign? the spirit of freedom Is not yet sunk so low. The glowing flame 270 That animates each honest Frenchman"s heart Not yet extinguish"d. I invoke thy shade, Immortal Brutus! I too wear a dagger; And if the representatives of France, Through fear or favour, should delay the sword 275 Of justice, Tallien emulates thy virtues; Tallien, like Brutus, lifts the avenging arm; Tallien shall save his country. [_Violent applauses._
_Billaud Varennes._ I demand The arrest of all the traitors. Memorable Will be this day for France.
_Robespierre._ Yes! Memorable 280 This day will be for France--for villains triumph.
_Lebas._ I will not share in this day"s d.a.m.ning guilt.
Condemn me too. [_Great cry--Down with the Tyrants!_
(_The two ROBESPIERRES, COUTHON, ST. JUST, and LEBAS are led off._)
ACT III
SCENE CONTINUES.
_Collot d"Herbois._ Caesar is fall"n! The baneful tree of Java, Whose death-distilling boughs dropt poisonous dew, Is rooted from its base. This worse than Cromwell, The austere, the self-denying Robespierre, Even in this hall, where once with terror mute 5 We listen"d to the hypocrite"s harangues, Has heard his doom.
_Billaud Varennes._ Yet must we not suppose The tyrant will fall tamely. His sworn hireling Henriot, the daring desperate Henriot, Commands the force of Paris. I denounce him. 10
_Freron._ I denounce Fleuriot too, the mayor of Paris.
_Enter DUBOIS CRANCe._
_Dubois Crance._ Robespierre is rescued. Henriot at the head Of the arm"d force has rescued the fierce tyrant.
_Collot d"Herbois._ Ring the tocsin--call all the citizens To save their country--never yet has Paris 15 Forsook the representatives of France.
_Tallien._ It is the hour of danger. I propose This sitting be made permanent. [_Loud applauses._