Long deluged France with blood, and durst defy Scowl'd once again defiance! so my soul
Omnipotence! but I, it seems, am false!

Might cope with worthy foes.
I am a traitor too! I-Robespierre!

People of France, I-at whose name the dastard despot brood

Hear me! Beneath the vengeance of the law,
Look pale with fear, and call on saints to help them! Traitors have perish'd countless ; more survive :
Who dares accuse me? who shall dare belie

The hydra-headed faction lifts anew
My spotless uame? Speak, ye accomplice band, Her daring front, and frujiful from her wounds,
Of what am I accused ? of what strange crime

Cautious from past defects, contrives new wiles
Is Maximilian Robespierre accused,

Against the sons of Freedom. That through this hall the buzz of discontent

TALLIEN
Should murmur? who shall speak?

Freedom lives!
BILLAUD VARENNES.

Oppression falls—for France has felt her chains,

O patriot tongue, Has burst them too. Who traitor-like stept forth Belying the foul heart! Who was it urged,

Amid the hall of Jacobins to save
Friendly to tyrants, that accurst decree

Camille Desmoulins, and the venal wretch
Whose influence brooding o'er this hallow'd hall, D'Eglantine?
Has chill'd each tongue to silence. Who destroy'd,

ROBESPIERRE.
The freedom of debate, and carried through

I did--for I thought them honest. The fatal law, thrat doom'd the delegates,

And Heaven forefend that vengeance ere should strike, Unheard before their equals, to the bar

Ere justice doom'd the blow. Where cruelty sat throned, and murder reign'd

BARRERE. With her Dumas co-equal ? Say—thou man

Traitor, thou didst. Of mighty.eloquence, whose law was that?

Yes, the accomplice of their dark designs,

Awhile didst thou defend them, when the storm That law was mine. I urged i--) proposed

Lower'd at safe distance. When the clouds frown's darker, The voice of France assembled in her sons

Fear'd for yourself and left them to their fate. Assented, though the tame and timid voice

Oh, I have mark'd thee long, and through the veil Of traitors murmur'd, I advised that law

Seen thy foul projects. Yes, ambitious man,
I justify it. It was wise and good.

Self-will'd dictator o'er the realm of France,
BARRERE.

The vengeance thou hast plann'd for patriots,
Oh, wonderous wise, and most convenient too!

Falls on thy head, Look how thy brother's deeds I have long mark'd thee, Robespierre-and now Dishonour thine! He the firm patriot, Proclaim thee traitor- tyrant!

Thou the foul parricide of Liberty!
(Loud applauses.

ROBESPIERRE JUNIOR.
ROBESPIERRE.

Barrere-attempt not meanly to divide
It is well.

Me from

my brother. I parlake his guilt, I am a traitor! oli, that I had fallen

For I partake his virtue. When Regnault lifled high the murderous knife;

ROBESPIERRE. Regnault, the instrument belike of those

Brother, by my soul, Who now themselves would fain assassinate,

More dear I hold thee to my beart, that thus And legalize their murders. I stand here

With me thou darest to tread the dangerous path An isolated patriot-hemmed around

Of virtue, than that nature twined her cords
By faction's noisy pack; beset and bay'd

Of kindred round us.
By the foul hell-lounds who know no escape
From justice' outstretch'd arm, but by the force

Yes, allied in guilt,
That pierces through her breast.

Even as in blood ye are. Oh, thiou worst wretch, (Murmurs, and shouts of — Down with the tyrant! Thou worse than Sylla! hast thou not proscribed,

ROBESPIERRE.
Nay, but I will be heard. There was a time,

Yea, in most foul anticipation slaughter'd,

Each patriot representative of France?
When Robespierre began, the loud applauses

BOURDON L'oise.
Of honest patriots drown'd the honest sound.
But times are changed, and villany prevails.

Was not the younger Casar too to reign
COLLOT D'HERBOTS.

O'er all our valiant armies in the south,
No-villany shall full. France could not brook And still continue there his merchant wiles ?
A monarchi's sway-sounds the dictator's name
More soothing to her ear?

His merchant wiles! Oh, 'grant me patience, Heaven!
BOURDON L'oise.

Was it by merchant wiles I gain'd you back
Ratile her chains

Toulon, when proudly on her captive towers
More musically now than when the hand

Waved high the English flag? or fought I then Of Brissot forged her felters, or the crew

With merchant wiles, when sword in hand I led Of Hebert thundered out their blasphemies,

Your troops to conquest ? fought I merchant-like, And Danton talk'd of virtue?

Or barter'd I før victory, when death
ROBESPIERRE.

Strode o'er the reeking streets with giant stride,
Oh, that Brissot

And shook his ebon plumes, and sternly smiled
Were here again to thunder in this hall.

Amid the bloody banquet? when appall'd That Hebert lived, and Danton's giant form

The hireling sons of England spread the sail

BARRERE.

ROBESPIERRE JUNIOR.

ST. JUST

ROBESPIERRE.

COUTHON.

LEGENDRE

ST-JUST.

Of safety, fought I like a merchant then?

Insulted delegates of France? St Just Oh, patience! patience!

From your committee comes--comes charged to speak BOURDON L'Oise.

Of matters of high import-yet omits llow this younger tyrant

Their orders! Representatives of France, Mouths out defiance to us! even so

That bold man I denounce, who disobeys He had led on the armies of the south,

The nation's orders. I denounce St-Just. Till once again the plains of France were drench'd

(Loud applauses. With her best blood. COLLOT D'HERBOIS.

Hear me!

[Violent murmurs. Till, once again display'd, Lyons' sad trayedy had call'd me forth

He shall be heard ! The minister of wrath, whilst slaughter by

BOURDON L'oise.
Had bathed in human blood.

Must we contaminate this sacred hall
DUBOIS CRANCÉ.

With the foul breath of treason?
No wonder, friend,

COLLOT D'HERBOIS.
That we are traitors—that our heads must fall

Drag him away! Beneath the axe of death! When Cæsar-like

Hence with him to the bar.
Reigns Robespierre, 't is wisely done to doom
The fall of Brutus. Tell me, bloody man,

Oh, just proceedings' Hast thou not parcell'd out deluded France,

Robespierre prevented liberty of speechAs it had beun some province wou in fight,

and Robespierre is a tyrant! Tallien reigns, Between your cursi triunvirate? You, Couthon, He dreads to hear the voice of innocenceGo with my brother to the southern plains ;

And St-Just must be silent!
St-Just, be yours the army of the north ;
Meantime I rule at Paris.

Heed we well
ROBESPIETRE.

That justice guide our actions. No light import
Matchless knave!

Allends this day. I move St-Just be heard.
What-not one blush of conscience on thy cheek-

FRÉRON. Not one poor blush of truth! Most likely tale!

Inviolate be the sacred right of man, That I who ruin'd Brissot's towering hopes,

The freedom of debate. I who discoverd Hebert's impious wiles,

[Violent applauses. And sharp'd for Danton's recreant neck the axe, Should now be traitor! had I been so minded,

I

may be beard, then! much the times are changed, Think ye I bad destroy'd the very men

When St-Just thanks this hall for hearing him. Whose plots resembled mine? Bring forth your proofs Robespierre is call'd a tyrant. Men of France, Of this deep treason. Tell me in whose breast

Judge not too soon. By popular discontent Found ye the fatal scroll? or tell mc rather

Was Aristides driven into exile, Who forged the shameless falsehood ?

Was Phocion murder'd? Ere

ye
dare

pronounce
COLLOT D'HERBOIS.

Robespierre is guilty, it befits ye well,
Ask you proofs ?

Consider who accuse bim. Tallien,
Robespierre, what proofs were ask'd when Brissot died? Bourdon of Oise-the very men denounced,
LEGENDRE.

For their dark intrigues disturb’d the plan What proofs adduced you when the Danton died?

Of government. Legendre, the sworn friend When at the imminent peril of my life

Of Danton, fall'n apostate. Dubois Crancé, I rose, and fearless of thy frowning brow,

He wlio at Lyons spared the royalistsProclaim'd him guiltless ?

Collot d'Herbois

BOURDON L'oise.
I remember well

• What-shall the traitor rear The fatal day. I do repent me much That I killd Cæsar and spared Antony.

His head amid our tribune-and blaspheme

Each patriot? shall the hireling slave of faction-
But I have been too lenient. I have spared
The stream of blood, and now my own must flow
To fill the current.

I am of no faction. I contend
*[Loud applauses. Against all factions.

TALLIEN.
Triumph not too soon,
Justice may yet be victor.

I espouse the cause

Of truth. Robespierre on yester morn pronounced
Enter ST-Just, and mounts the Tribune.

Upon his own authority a report.
ST-JUST

To-day St-Just comes down. St-Just neglects
I come from the committee-charged to speak What the committee orders, and barangues
Of matters of high import. I omit

From his own will. O citizens of France, Their orders. Representatives of France,

I weep for you-1 weep for my poor countryBoldly in his own person speaks St-Just

I tremble for the cause of Liberty, What his own heart shall dictate.

When individuals shall assume the sway,

And with more insolence than kingly pride
Hear ye this,

Rule the republic.

ROBESPIERRE,

ST-JUST.

TALLIEN

BILLAUD VARENNES.

LEBAS.

too,

mayor of Paris.

The arrest of all the traitors. Memorable Shudder, ye representatives of France,

Will be this day for France. Shudder with horror. Henriot commands

ROBESPIERRE. The marshallid force of Paris-Henriot,

Yes! memorable Foul parricide- the sworn ally of Heberi,

This day will be for France--for villains triumph. Denounced by all- upheld by Robespierre. Who spared La Valette? who promoted him,

I will not share in this day's damning guilt. Stain'd with the deep dye of nobility?

Condemn me too. Who to an ex-peer gave the high command ?

[Great cry-Down with the Tyrants ! Who screen'd from justice the rapacious thief ? (The two ROBESPIERRES, COUTION, ST-Just and LEBAS Who cast in chains the friends of Liberty?

are led off.)
Robespierre, the self-styled patriot Robespierre-
Robespierre, allied with villain Daubigné-
Robespierre, the foul arch-tyrant Robespierre.

ACT III.
BOURDON L'oise.
le talks of virtue-of morality-

SCENE continues. Consistent patriot! he, Daubigné's friend!

COLLOT D'HERBOIS. Henriot's supporter virtuous ! Preach of virtue,

Cæsar is fallen! The baneful tree of Java, Yet league with villains, for with Robespierre

Whose death-distilling boughs dropi poisonous dew, Villains alone ally. Thou art a tyrant!

Js rooted from its base. This worse than Cromwell, I style thee tyrant, Robespierre!

The austere, the self-denying Robespierre,
[Loud applauses. Even in this liall, where once with terror mute
ROBESPIERRE.

We listend to the hypocrite's harangues,
Take back the name. Ye citizens of France-

Has heard his doom. [Violent clamour. Cries of — Down with the Tyrant !

BILLAUD VARENNES.
TALLIEN

Yet must we not suppose
Oppression falls. The traitor stands appallid-

The tyrant will fall tamely. His sworn bireling
Guilis iron fangs engrasp his shrinking soul-

Henriot, the daring desperate Henriot
Be hears assembled France denounce his crimes! Coinmands the force of Paris. I denounce him.
He sees the mask torn from his secret sins

FRÉRON.
He trembles on the precipice of fate.

I denounce Fleuriot the
Fall'n guilty tyrant! murder'd by thy rage,

Enter Dubois CRANCÉ.
How many an innocent victim's blood has stain'd
Fair Freedom's altar! Sylla-like, thy hand

DUBOIS CRANCÈ.
Mark'd down the virtues, that, thy focs removed,

Robespierre is rescued. Henriot at the licad Perpetual Dictator thou nightst reign,

Of the armed force has rescued the fierce tyrant. And tyrannize o'er France, and call it freedom!

COLLOT D'HERBOIS. Long time in timid guilt the traitor plann'd

Ring the tocsin-call all the citizens His fearful wiles-success embolden'd sin

To save their country-never yet has Paris
And his stretch'd arm had grasp'd the diadem

Forsook the representatives of France.
Ere now, but that the coward's heart recoild,
Lest France awaked, should rouse her from her drcam, It is the hour of danger. I propose
And call aloud for vengeance. He, like Cæsar,

This sitting be made permanent.
With rapid step urged on his bold career,

(Loud applauses. Even to the summit of ambitious power,

COLLOT D'EER BOIS.

The national Convention shall remain
And deem'd the name of King alone was wanting.
Was it for this we hurl'd proud Capet down?

Firm at its post.
Is it for this we wage eternal war

Enter a MESSENGER. Against the tyrant horde of murderers,

MESSENGER. The crown'd cockatrices whose foul venom

Robespierre has reach'd the Commune. They espouse Infects all Europe? was it then for this

The tyrant's cause.

St-Just is

up

in arms! We swore to guard our liberty with life,

St-Just-the young ambitious bold St-Just That Robespierre should reign ? the spirit of freedom

Harangues the mob. The sanguinary Couthon Is not yet sunk so low. The glowing tlame

Thirsts for your blood. That animales each honest Frenchman's heart

?

[Tocsin rings. Not yet extinguish'd. invoke thy shade, Immortal Brutus! I too wear a dagger;

These tyrants are in arms against the law:
And if the representatives of France,

Outlaw the rebels.
Through fear or favour, should delay the sword
Of justice, Tallien emulates thy virtues ;

Enter MEÁLIN OF DOUAY.
Tallien, like Brutus, lifts the avenging arm;
Tallien shall save liis country.

Health to the representatives of France!
[Violent applouses. I past this moment through the armed force-
BILLAUD VARENNES.

They ask'd my name—and when they heard a delegate,
I demand
Swore I was not the friend of France.

TALLIEN

TALLIEN

MERLIN,

a

TALLIEN

COLLOT D'HERBOIS.

To principles, not persons, spurn the idol The tyrants threaten us, as when they turn'd

They worshipp'd once. Yes, Robespierre shall fall The cannon's mouth on Brissot.

As Capet fell! Oh! never let us deem

That France shall crouch beneath a tyrani's throne,
Enter another MESSENGER.

That the almighty people who have broke
SECOND MESSENGER.

On their oppressors' heads the oppressive chain,
Vivier harangucs the Jacobins--the club

Will court again their fetters! easier were it Espouse the cause of Robespierre.

To hurl the cloud-capt mountain from its base,

Than force the bonds of slavery upon men
Enter another MESSENGER.

Determined to be free!
TIIRD MESSENGER.

[Applauses. All 's lost — the tyranı triumphs. Henriot leads The soldiers to his aid. --Already I hear

I
Enter LEGENDRE, a pistol in one hand, keys in the

other.
The rattling cannon destined to surround
This sacred ball.

LEGENDRE (Ainging down the keys).

So- let the mutinous Jacobins meel now
Why, we will die like men thien; in the

open

air. The representatives of France dare death,

[Loud applauscs. When duty steels their bosoms.

A factious turbulent party
(Loud applauses. Lording it o'er the state since Danton died,
TALLIEN (addressing the galleries).

And with him the Cordeliers.—A hircling band
Citizens !

Of loud-tongued orators controll'd the club,
France is insulted in her delegates-

And bade them bow the knee to Robespierre. The majesty of the republic is insulted

Vivier has 'scaped me. Curse his coward heartTyrants are up in arms. An armed force

This fate-fraught tube of Justice in my hanıl, Threats the Convention. The Convention swears Crush'd into the hall. He mark'd mine eye To die, or save the country!

That beam'd its patriot anger, and flash'd full (Violent applauses from the galleries. With death-denouncing meaning. 'Mid the throng CITIZEN (from above).

He mingled. I pursued—but staid

my

hand, We too swear

Lest haply I might shed the innocent blood. To die, or save the country. Follow me.

( Applauses. (All the men quit the galleries.

FRÉRON.

They took from me my ticket of admission-
Enter another MESSENGER.

Expelld me from their sittings.- Now, forsooth,
FOURTH MESSENGER.

llumbled and trembling re-insert my name ; lenriot is taken !

But Fréron enters not the club again

(Loud applauses. Till it be purged of guilt-uill, purified
Henriot is taken. Three of your brave soldiers Of tyrants and of traitors, honest men
Swore they would seize the rebel slave of tyrants, May breathe the air in safety.
Or perislı in the attempt. As he patroll’d

(Shouts from without. The streets of Paris, stirring up the mob, They seized him.

What means this uproar! if the tyrant band

[Applauses. Should gain the people once again to rise-
BILLAUD VARENNES.

We are as dead!
Let the names of these brave men
Live to the future day.

And wherefore fear we death?

Did Brutus fear it? or the Grecian friends
Enter BOURDON L'OISE sword in hand.

Who buried in Hipparchus' breast the sword,
BOURDON L'OISE.

And died triumphant? Cæsar should fear death,
I have clear'd the Commune.

Brutus must scorn the bugbear.

[Applauses. [Shouts from without. Live the Convention-Down Through the throng I rush'd,

with the Tyrants! Brandishing my good sword to drench its blade Decp in the tyrant's heart. The timid rebels

Hark! again
Gave
way. I met the soldiery-1 spake

The sounds of honest Freedom!
Of the dictator's crimes—of patriots chain'd
In dark deep dungeons by his lawless rage-

Enter DEPUTIES from the SECTIONS.
Of knaves secure beneath his fostering power.

CITIZEN. I spake of Liberty. Their honest hearts

Citizens! representatives of France!
Caught the warm tlame. The general shout burst forth, Hold on your steady course. The men of Paris
• Live the Convention-Down with Robespierre!» Espouse your cause. The men of Paris swear

[ Applauses. They will defend the delegates of Freedom.
[Shouts from without-Down with the tyrant !
TALLIEN.

Hear ye this, Colleagues? hear ye this, my breilıren? I licar, I hear the soul-inspiring sounds,

And does no thrill of joy pervade your breasts ? France shall be saved! her generous sons, allached My bosom bounds lo raplure. I have seen

BARRERE.

TALLIEN

TALLIEN

TALLIEN

LECOINTRE.

The sons of France shake off the tyrant yoke;

BARRERE (mounts the Tribune).
I have, as much as lics in mine own arm,

For ever hallow'd be this glorious day,
Hurl'd down the usurper.-Come death when it will, When Freedom, bursting her oppressive chain,
I have lived long enough.

Tramples on the oppressor. When the tyrant,
[Shouts without. Hurl'd from his blood-cemented throne by thic arm

BARRERE.
Hark! how the noise increases through the gloom

Of the almighty people, meets the death

He plann'd for thousands. Oh! my sickening heart Of the still evening-harbinger of death,

Has sunk within me, when the various woes Rings the tocsin! the dreadful generale

Of my brave country crowded o'er my brain
Thunders through Paris-
[Cry without—Down with the Tyrant! Drage'd from their hovels by despotic power,

In ghastly numbers—when assembled hordes,
Enter LECOINTRE.

Rush'd o'er her frontiers, plunder'd her fair hamlets,
And sack'd her populous towns, and drenclı'd with blood

The recking fields of Flanders.—When within,
So may eternal justice blast the foes
Of France! so perish all the tyrant brood,

Upon her vitals prey'd the rankling tooth
As Robespierre has perished! Citizens,

Of ireason; and oppression, giant form,

Trampling on frecdom, left the alternative Czesar is taken. (Loud and repealed applauses.

Of slavery, or of death. Even from that day, I marvel not, that with such fearless front,

When, on the guilty Capel, I pronounced He braved our vengeance, and with angry eye

The doom of injured France, has faction rear'd Scowld round the hall defiance.

Her hated head amongst is.

Roland preach'd
He relied
On Henriot's aid- the Commune's villain friendship,

Of mercy—the uxorious dotard Roland,
And Henriot's boughten succours. Ye have lieard

The woman-govern'd Roland durst aspire How Henriot rescued him-how with open arms

To govern France; and Petion talk'd of virtue, The Commune welcomed in the rebel tyrani

And Vergniaud's eloquence, like the honey'd tongue How Fleuriot aided, and seditious Vivier

Of some soft Syren, wooed us to destruction. Stirr'd up the Jacobins. All had been lost

We triumpli’d over these. On the same scaffold The representatives of France had perish'd

Where the last Louis pour'd liis guilty blood, Freedom had sunk beneath the tyrant arm

Fell Brissot's head, the womb of darksome treasons, Of this foul parricide, but that her spirit

And Orleans, villain kinsman of the Capet, Inspired the men of Paris. Henriot call'd

And Hebert's atheist crew, whose maddening hand « To arms» in vain, whilst Bourdon's patriot voice

Hurl'd down the altars of the living God, Breathed eloquence, and o'er the Jacobins

With all the infidel's intolerance. Legendre frown'd dismay. The tyrants fled

The last worst traitor triumphed-triumplid long, They reach'd the Hotel. We gather'd round—wc calla Secured by matchluss villany. By turns For vengeance! Long time, obstinate in despair,

Defending and deserting each accomplice With knives they hack'd around them. Till foreboding

As interest prompted. In the goodly soil The sentence of the law, the clamorous cry

Of Freedom, the foul tree of treason struck Of joyful thousands hailing their destruction,

Its deep-fix'd roots, and dropt the dews of death Each sought by suicide to escape the dread

On all who slumber'd in its specious shade. Of death. Lebas succeeded. From the window

He wove the web of treachery. He caught Leapt the younger Robespierre, but his fractured limb The listening crowd by his wild eloquence, Forbade to escape. The self-will'd dictator

His cool ferocity, that persuaded murder, Plunged often the keen knife in his dark breast, Even whilst it spake of mercy!--Never, never Yet impotent to die. He lives all mangled

Shall this regenerated country wear By his own tremulous hand! All gash'd and gored, The despot yoke. Though myriads round assail, He lives to taste the bitterness of death.

And with worse fury urge this new crusade Even now they meet their doom. The bloody Couthon, Than savages have known; though the leagucd despois The fierce St-Just, even now attend their iyrant

Depopulate all Europe, so to pour To fall beneath the axe. I saw the torches

The accumulated mass upon our coasts, Flash on their visages a dreadful light

Sublime amid the storm shall France arise, I saw them whilst the black blood roll'd adown And like the rock amid surrounding waves Each stern face, even then with dauntless

eye

Repel the rushing ocean.--She shall wield Scowl round contemptuous, dying as they lived,

The thunder-bolt of vengeance-she shall blast Fearless of fate!

The despot's pride, and liberate the world! (Loud and repeated applauses.