The Literary Remains of Samuel Taylor Coleridge Volume I Part 5

TALLIEN.

I espouse the cause Of truth. Robespierre on yester morn p.r.o.nounced 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 a.s.sume 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 n.o.bility?

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 Daubigne-- Robespierre, the foul arch tyrant, Robespierre.

BOURDON L'OISE.

He talks of virtue--of morality-- Consistent patriot! he Daubigne'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 Clamour. Cries of --Down with the tyrant!]

TALLlEN.

Oppression falls. The traitor stands appall'd-- Guilt's iron fangs engrasp his shrinking soul-- He hears a.s.sembled France denounce his crimes!

He sees the mask torn from his secret sins-- He trembles on the precipice of fate.

Fall'n 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 Mark'd 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 awaked, should rouse her from her dream, And call aloud for vengeance. He, like Caesar, With rapid step urged on his bold career, Even to the summit of ambitious power, And deem'd 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 c.o.c.katrices 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 d.a.m.ning 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 pa.s.s'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.]