scroll? or tell me ratherWho 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 pronounce 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 Crancé,
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 pronounced
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 assume 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 Hébert,
Denounced by all — upheld by Robespierre.
Who spar’d La Valette? who promoted him,
Stain’d with the deep dye of nobility?
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 Daubigné —
Robespierre, the foul arch-tyrant Robespierre. 235
Bourdon l’Oise. He talks of virtue — of morality —
Consistent patriot! he Daubigné’s friend!
