soulAnd Poverty sublime ‘mid circling virtues!
The giant Victories my counsels form’d
Shall stalk around me with sun-glittering plumes, 120
Bidding the darts of calumny fall pointless.
[Exeunt caeteri. Manet COUTHON.
Couthon (solus). So we deceive ourselves! What goodly virtues
Bloom on the poisonous branches of ambition!
Still, Robespierre! thou’lt guard thy country’s freedom
To despotize in all the patriot’s pomp. 125
While Conscience, ‘mid the mob’s applauding clamours,
Sleeps in thine ear, nor whispers — bloodstain’d tyrant!
Yet what is Conscience? Superstition’s dream,
Making such deep impression on our sleep —
That long th’ awakened breast retains its horrors! 130
But he returns — and with him comes Barrere. [Exit COUTHON.
Enter ROBESPIERRE and BARRERE.
Robespierre. There is no danger but in cowardice. —
Barrere! we make the danger, when we fear it.
We have such force without, as will suspend
The cold and trembling treachery of these members. 135
Barrere. ‘Twill be a pause of terror. —
Robespierre. But to whom?
Rather the short-lived slumber of the tempest,
Gathering its strength anew. The dastard traitors!
Moles, that would undermine the rooted oak!
A pause! — a moment’s pause?—’Tis all their life. 140
Barrere. Yet much they talk — and plausible their speech.
Couthon’s decree has given such powers, that —
Robespierre. That what?
Barrere. The freedom of debate —
Robespierre. Transparent mask!
They wish to clog the wheels of government,
Forcing the hand that guides the vast machine 145
To bribe them to their duty — English patriots!
Are not the congregated clouds of war
Black all around us? In our very vitals
Works not the king-bred poison of rebellion?
Say, what shall counteract the selfish plottings 150
Of wretches, cold of heart, nor awed by fears
Of him, whose power directs th’ eternal justice?
Terror? or secret-sapping gold? The first
Heavy, but transient as the ills that cause it;
And to the virtuous patriot rendered light 155
By the necessities that gave it birth:
The other fouls the fount of the republic,
Making it flow polluted to all ages:
Inoculates the state with a slow venom,
That once imbibed, must be continued ever. 160
Myself incorruptible I ne’er could bribe them —
Therefore they hate me.
Barrere. Are the sections friendly?
Robespierre. There are who wish my ruin — but I’ll make them
Blush for the crime in blood!
Barrere. Nay — but I tell thee,
Thou art too fond of slaughter — and the right 165
(If right it be) workest by most foul means!
Robespierre. Self-centering Fear! how well thou canst ape
Mercy!
Too fond of slaughter! — matchless hypocrite!
Thought Barrere so, when Brissot, Danton died?
Thought Barrere so, when through the streaming streets 170
Of Paris red-eyed Massacre o’erwearied
Reel’d heavily, intoxicate with blood?
And when (O heavens!) in Lyons’ death-red square
Sick Fancy groan’d o’er putrid hills of slain,
Didst thou not fiercely laugh, and bless the day? 175
Why, thou hast been the mouth-piece of all horrors,
And, like a bloodhound, crouch’d for murder! Now
Aloof thou standest from the tottering pillar,
Or, like a frighted child behind its mother,
Hidest thy pale face in the skirts of — Mercy! 180
Barrere. O prodigality of eloquent anger!
Why now I see thou’rt weak — thy case is desperate!
The cool ferocious Robespierre turn’d scolder!
Robespierre. Who from a bad man’s bosom wards the blow
Reserves the whetted dagger for his own. 185
Denounced twice — and twice I saved his life! [Exit.
Barrere. The sections will support them — there’s the point!
No! he can never weather out the storm —
Yet he is sudden in revenge — No more!
I must away to Tallien. [Exit. 190
SCENE changes to the house of ADELAIDE.
ADELAIDE enters, speaking to a Servant.
Adelaide. Didst thou present the letter that I gave thee?
Did Tallien answer, he would soon return?
Servant. He is in the Thuilleries — with him Legendre —
