Literary Remains | Page 9

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 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 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 This day will be for France--for villains triumph.
LEBAS. I will not share in this day's damning 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 fallen! 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 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.
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 Forsook the representatives of France.
TALLIEN. It is the hour of danger. I propose This sitting be made permanent.
[Loud Applauses.]
COLLOT D'HERBOIS. The national Convention shall remain Firm at its post.
[Enter a MESSENGER.]
MESSENGER. Robespierre has reach'd the Commune. They espouse The tyrant's cause. St. Just is up in arms! St. Just--the young, ambitious, bold St. Just Harangues the mob. The sanguinary Couthon Thirsts for your blood.
[Tocsin rings.]
TALLIEN. These tyrants are in arms against the law: Outlaw the rebels.
[Enter MERLIN OF DOUAY.]
MERLIN. Health to the representatives of France! I pass'd this moment through the armed force-- They ask'd my name--and when they heard a delegate, Swore I was not the friend of France.
COLLOT D'HERBOIS. The tyrants threaten us as when they turn'd The cannon's mouth on Brissot.
[Enter another MESSENGER.]
SECOND MESSENGER. Vivier harangues the Jacobins--the club Espouse the cause of Robespierre.
[Enter another MESSENGER.]
THIRD MESSENGER. All's lost--the tyrant triumphs. Henriot leads The soldiers to his aid.--Already I hear The rattling cannon destin'd to surround This sacred hall.
TALLIEN. Why, we will die like men then. The representatives of France dare death, 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 armed force Threats the Convention. The Convention swears 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.]
Henriot is taken. Three of your brave soldiers Swore they would seize the rebel slave of tyrants, Or perish in the attempt. As he patroll'd The streets of Paris, stirring up the mob, They seized 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 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. 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 attach'd 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 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.]
[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 controll'd the club, And bade them bow the knee to Robespierre. Vivier has 'scap'd me. Curse his coward heart-- This fate-fraught tube of Justice