Robespierre, what proofs were ask'd when Brissot
died? [ton died? Legen. What proofs adduced you when the DanWhen at the imminent peril of life my
I rose, and fearless of thy frowning brow,
Proclaim'd him guiltless?
The fatal day. I do repent me much
That I kill'd Cæsar 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.
Justice may yet be victor.
Enter St-Just, and mounts the Tribune.
St-Just. I come from the committee-charged to
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.
Insulted delegates of France? St-Just
From your committee comes-comes charged to
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.
Must we contaminate this sacred hall
With the foul breath of treason?
Hence with him to the bar.
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!
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?
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
Robespierre is guilty, it befits ye well,
Consider who accuse him. Tallien,
Bourdon of Oise-the very men denounc'd,
For their dark intrigues disturb'd the plan
Of government. Legendre, the sworn friend
Of Danton, fall'n apostate. Dubois Crancé,
He who at Lyons spared the royalists—
What-shall the traitor rear
His head amid our tribune—and blaspheme
Each patriot? shall the hireling slave of factionSt-Just. I am of no faction. I contend Against all factions.
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.
Bil. Var. 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 Vallette? who promoted him,
Stain'd with the deep dye 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 Daubigné-
Robespierre, the foul arch-tyrant Robespierre.
B. l'Oise. He talks of virtue-of morality—
Consistent patriot! he, Daubigné'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!
Take back the name, ye citizens of
France-
[Violent clamour. Cries of" down with the tyrant!”
Tal. Oppression falls. The traitor stands appall'd—
Guilt's iron fangs engrasp his shrinking soul-
He hears assembled France denounce his crimes!
He sees the mask torn from his secret sins-
He trembles on the precipice of fate.
Fallen guilty tyrant! murder'd by thy rage,
How many an innocent victim's blood has stain'd
Fair Freedom's altar! Sylla-like, thy hand
Marked down the virtues, that, thy foes removed,
Perpetual dictator thou might'st reign,
And tyrannize o'er France and call it Freedom!
Long time in timid guilt the traitor plann'd
His fearful wiles-success embolden'd sin-
And his stretch'd arm had grasp'd the diadem
Ere now, but that the coward's heart recoil'd,
Lest France awak'd, should rouse her from her dream,
And call aloud for vengeance. He, like Cæsar,
With rapid step urged on his bold career,
Even to the summit of ambitious power,
And deemed the name of king alone was wanting.
Was it for this we hurl'd proud Capet down?
Is it for this we wage eternal war
Against the tyrant horde of murderers,
The crowned cockatrices 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 extinguished. 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.
Lebas. I will not share in this day's damning guilt.
[Great cry-" down with the tyrants !”
(The two Robespierres, Couthon, St-Just, and Lebas,
|