d’Herbois. The tyrants threaten us as when they turn’dThe cannon’s mouth on Brissot.
Enter another Messenger.
Second Messenger. Vivier harangues the Jacobins — the Club
Espouse the cause of Robespierre. 35
Enter another Messenger.
Third Messenger. All’s lost — the tyrant triumphs. Henriot leads
The soldiers to his aid. — Already I hear
The rattling cannon destined to surround
This sacred hall.
Tallien. Why, we will die like men then.
The representatives of France dare death, 40
When duty steels their bosoms. [Loud applauses.
Tallien (addressing the galleries). Citizens!
France is insulted in her delegates —
The majesty of the Republic is insulted —
Tyrants are up in arms. An arméd force
Threats the Convention. The Convention swears 45
To die, or save the country!
[Violent applauses from the galleries.
Citizen (from above). We too swear
To die, or save the country. Follow me.
[All the men quit the galleries.
Enter another Messenger.
Fourth Messenger. Henriot is taken! [Loud applauses.
Three of your brave soldiers
Swore they would seize the rebel slave of tyrants,
Or perish in the attempt. As he patroll’d 50
The streets of Paris, stirring up the mob,
They seiz’d him. [Applauses.
Billaud Varennes. Let the names of these brave men
Live to the future day.
Enter BOURDON L’OISE, sword in hand.
Bourdon l’Oise. I have clear’d the Commune.
[Applauses.
Through the throng I rush’d,
Brandishing my good sword to drench its blade 55
Deep in the tyrant’s heart. The timid rebels
Gave way. I met the soldiery — I spake
Of the dictator’s crimes — of patriots chain’d
In dark deep dungeons by his lawless rage —
Of knaves secure beneath his fostering power. 60
I spake of Liberty. Their honest hearts
Caught the warm flame. The general shout burst forth,
‘Live the Convention — Down with Robespierre!’ [Applauses.
(Shouts from without — Down with the Tyrant!)
Tallien. I hear, I hear the soul-inspiring sounds,
France shall be saved! her generous sons attached 65
To principles, not persons, spurn the idol
They worshipp’d once. Yes, Robespierre shall fall
As Capet fell! Oh! never let us deem
That France shall crouch beneath a tyrant’s throne,
That the almighty people who have broke 70
On their oppressors’ heads the oppressive chain,
Will court again their fetters! easier were it
To hurl the cloud-capt mountain from its base,
Than force the bonds of slavery upon men
Determined to be free! [Applauses. 75
Enter LEGENDRE — a pistol in one hand, keys in the other.
Legendre (flinging down the keys). So — let the mutinous Jacobins
meet now
In the open air. [Loud applauses.
A factious turbulent party
Lording it o’er the state since Danton died,
And with him the Cordeliers. — A hireling band
Of loud-tongued orators controull’d the Club, 80
And bade them bow the knee to Robespierre.
Vivier has ‘scaped me. Curse his coward heart —
This fate-fraught tube of Justice in my hand,
I rush’d into the hall. He mark’d mine eye
That beam’d its patriot anger, and flash’d full 85
With death-denouncing meaning. ‘Mid the throng
He mingled. I pursued — but stay’d my hand,
Lest haply I might shed the innocent blood. [Applauses.
Freron. They took from me my ticket of admission —
Expell’d me from their sittings. — Now, forsooth, 90
Humbled and trembling re-insert my name.
But Freron enters not the Club again
‘Till it be purged of guilt:—’till, purified
Of tyrants and of traitors, honest men
May breathe the air in safety. [Shouts from without. 95
Barrere. What means this uproar! if the tyrant band
Should gain the people once again to rise —
We are as dead!
Tallien. And wherefore fear we death?
Did Brutus fear it? or the Grecian friends
Who buried in Hipparchus’ breast the sword, 100
And died triumphant? Caesar should fear death,
