Down with the Tyrant! To call for vengeance. grave ΙΟ I too dug the Where sleep the Girondists, detested band! Long with the shew of freedom they abused Her ardent sons. Long time the wellturn'd phrase, The high-fraught sentence and the lofty tone Of declamation, thunder'd in this hall, sent. Soul of my honoured 20 Spirit of Marat, upon thee I call— Tallien. Hear ye that outcry? If I urg'd the cause of justice, stripp'd the the trembling members Even for a moment hold his fate sus pended, mask From faction's deadly visage, and destroy'd I swear by the holy poniard, that stabbed Her traitor brood. Whose patriot arm hurl'd down Cæsar, This dagger probes his heart! [Exeunt omnes. Hébert and Rousin, and the villain friends Look pale with fear, and call on saints Regnault the instrument belike of those to help them! Who now themselves would fain assassinate, Who dares accuse me? who shall dare belie My spotless name? Speak, ye accomplice band, 60 And legalize their murders. I stand here Of what am I accus'd? of what strange By the foul hell-hounds who know no Unheard before their equals, to the bar Where cruelty sat throned, and murder reign'd More soothing to her ear? Rattle her chains With her Dumas coequal? Say-thou More musically now than when the hand Of Brissot forged her fetters; or the man Of mighty eloquence, whose law was that? Couthon. That law was mine. I urged it-I propos'd— The voice of France assembled in her crew Of Hébert thundered out their blasphemies, And Danton talk'd of virtue? Robespierre. Oh, that Brissot Were here again to thunder in this hall, Assented, though the tame and timid That Hébert lived, and Danton's giant sons voice 50 Of traitors murmur'd. I advis'd that law I justify it. It was wise and good. Barrere. Oh, wonderous wise and most convenient too! Robespierre. I did-for I thought them honest. And Heaven forefend that Vengeance ere should strike, Ere justice doom'd the blow. Barrere. Traitor, thou didst. Yes, the accomplice of their dark designs, Awhile didst thou defend them, when the storm Lower'd at safe distance. When the clouds frown'd darker, Fear'd for yourself and left them to their fate. Wav'd high the English flag? or fought I then With merchant wiles, when sword in hand I led Your troops to conquest? fought I merchant-like, Or barter'd I for victory, when death Oh, I have mark'd thee long, and Strode o'er the reeking streets with giant through the veil Seen thy foul projects. man, stride, Yes, ambitious 100 Self-will'd dictator o'er the realm of France, The vengeance thou hast plann'd for patriots, Falls on thy head. brother's deeds Of safety, fought I like a merchant then? Look how thy Oh, patience! patience! Dishonour thine! He the firm patriot, Thou the foul parricide of Liberty! Robespierre Junior. Barrere-attempt not meanly to divide Bourdon l'Oise. tyrant How this younger Mouths out defiance to us! even so IIe had led on the armies of the south, Me from my brother. I partake his Till once again the plains of France were drench'd 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 That I kill'd Cæsar and spar'd Antony. Dubois Crancé No wonder, friend, That we are traitors-that our heads must fall 140 Beneath the axe of death! when Cæsar like spared The stream of blood, and now my own To fill the current. [Loud applauses. Reigns Robespierre, 'tis wisely done to Justice may yet be victor. doom Enter ST. JUST, and mounts the 171 St. Just. I come from the Committee -charged to speak Of matters of high import. I omit Between your curst triumvirate? You, Their orders. Representatives of France, Couthon, Go with my brother to the southern plains; Boldly in his own person speaks St. Just Here ye this, St. Just, be yours the army of the north; Insulted delegates of France? St. Just Not one poor blush of truth! most likely That bold man I denounce, who disobeys The nation's orders. I denounce St. Of this deep treason. Tell me in whose Robespierre prevented liberty of speechAnd Robespierre is a tyrant! Tallien |