Literary Remains | Page 8

Till once again display'd Lyons' sad tragedy
had call'd me forth The minister of wrath, whilst slaughter by Had
bathed in human blood.
DUBOIS CRANCE. No wonder, friend, That we are traitors--that our
heads must fall Beneath the axe of death! when Caesar-like Reigns
Robespierre, 'tis wisely done to doom The fall of Brutus. Tell me,
bloody man, Hast thou not parcell'd out deluded France As it had been
some province won in fight Between your curst triumvirate. You,

Couthon, Go with my brother to the southern plains; St. Just, be yours
the army of the north; Meantime I rule at Paris.
ROBESPIERRE. Matchless knave! What--not one blush of conscience
on thy cheek-- Not one poor blush of truth! most likely tale! That I,
who ruin'd Brissot's towering hopes, I, who discover'd Hebert's impious
wiles, And sharp'd for Danton's recreant neck the axe, Should now be
traitor! had I been so minded, Think ye I had destroy'd the very men
Whose plots resembled mine? bring forth your proofs Of this deep
treason. Tell me in whose breast Found ye the fatal scroll? or tell me
rather Who forged the shameless falsehood?
COLLOT D'HERBOIS. Ask you proofs? 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 The fatal day. I do repent me much
That I kill'd Caesar and spared 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, 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 What his own heart shall dictate.
TALLIEN. Hear ye this, Insulted delegates of France? St. Just From
your committee comes--comes charged to speak Of matters of high
import--yet omits Their orders! Representatives of France, 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!
BURDON L'OISE. Must we contaminate this sacred hall With the foul
breath of treason?
COLLOT D'HERBOIS. Drag him away! 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 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 changed, 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
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
Of Danton fall'n apostate. Dubois Crance, 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--
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 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, 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, Foul parricide--the sworn ally of Hebert Denounced by
all--upheld by Robespierre. Who spared La Valette? who promoted him,
Stain'd with the deep die of nobility? Who to an ex-peer gave the high
command? Who screen'd from justice the rapacious thief? Who cast in
chains the friends of Liberty? Robespierre, the self-styled patriot,
Robespierre-- Robespierre, allied with villain Daubignè-- Robespierre,
the foul arch tyrant, Robespierre.
BOURDON L'OISE. He talks of virtue--of morality-- Consistent

patriot! he Daubignè's friend! Henriot's supporter virtuous! preach of
virtue, Yet league with villains, for with Robespierre Villains alone ally.
Thou art a tyrant! I style thee tyrant, Robespierre!
[Loud Applauses.]
ROBESPIERRE. Take back the name. Ye citizens of France--
[Violent