The Fall of Robespierre

Scene⁠—The Thuilleries.

Barrere

The tempest gathers⁠—be it mine to seek A friendly shelter, ere it bursts upon him. But where? and how? I fear the Tyrant’s soul⁠— Sudden in action, fertile in resource, And rising awful ’mid impending ruins; In splendor gloomy, as the midnight meteor, That fearless thwarts the elemental war. When last in secret conference we met, He scowl’d upon me with suspicious rage, Making his eye the inmate of my bosom. I know he scorns me⁠—and I feel, I hate him⁠— Yet there is in him that which makes me tremble! Exit.

Enter Tallien and Legendre.

Tallien

It was Barrere, Legendre! didst thou mark him? Abrupt he turn’d, yet linger’d as he went, And towards us cast a look of doubtful meaning.

Legendre

I mark’d him well. I met his eye’s last glance; It menac’d not so proudly as of yore. Methought he would have spoke⁠—but that he dar’d not⁠— Such agitation darken’d on his brow.

Enter Robespierre, Couthon, St. Just, and Robespierre Junior.

Robespierre

What? did La Fayette fall before my power? And did I conquer Roland’s spotless virtues? The fervent eloquence of Vergniaud’s tongue? And Brissot’s thoughtful soul unbribed and bold? Did zealot armies haste in vain to save them? What! did th’ assassin’s dagger aim its point Vain, as a dream of murder, at my bosom? And shall I dread the soft luxurious Tallien? Th’ Adonis Tallien? banquet-hunting Tallien? Him, whose heart flutters at the dice-box? Him, Who ever on the harlots’ downy pillow Resigns his head impure to feverish slumbers!

St. Just

I cannot fear him⁠—yet we must not scorn him. Was it not Antony that conquer’d Brutus, Th’ Adonis, banquet-hunting Antony? The state is not yet purified: and though The stream runs clear, yet at the bottom lies The thick black sediment of all the factions⁠— It needs no magic hand to stir it up!

Barrere

Are the sections friendly?

Robespierre

There are who wish my ruin⁠—but I’ll make them Blush for the crime in blood!

Barrere

Nay⁠—but I tell thee, Thou art too fond of slaughter⁠—and the right (If right it be) workest by most foul means!

Robespierre

Self-centering Fear! how well thou canst ape Mercy! Too fond of slaughter!⁠—matchless hypocrite! Thought Barrere so, when Brissot, Danton died? Thought Barrere so, when through the streaming streets Of Paris red-eyed Massacre o’erwearied Reel’d heavily, intoxicate with blood? And when (O heavens!) in Lyons’ death-red square Sick Fancy groan’d o’er putrid hills of slain, Didst thou not fiercely laugh, and bless the day? Why, thou hast been the mouthpiece of all horrors, And, like a bloodhound, crouch’d for murder! Now Aloof thou standest from the tottering pillar, Or, like a frighted child behind its mother, Hidest thy pale face in the skirts of⁠—Mercy!

Barrere

O prodigality of eloquent anger! Why now I see thou’rt weak⁠—thy case is desperate! The cool ferocious Robespierre turn’d scolder!

Robespierre

Who from a bad man’s bosom wards the blow Reserves the whetted dagger for his own. Denounced twice⁠—and twice I saved his life! Exit.

Barrere

Barrere

Oh, wonderous wise and most convenient too! I have long mark’d thee, Robespierre⁠—and now Proclaim thee traitor tyrant! Loud applauses.

Robespierre

It is well. I am a traitor! oh, that I had fallen When Regnault lifted high the murderous knife, Regnault the instrument belike of those Who now themselves would fain assassinate, And legalise their murders. I stand here An isolated patriot⁠—hemmed around By faction’s noisy pack; beset and bay’d By the foul hellhounds who know no escape From Justice’ outstretch’d arm, but by the force That pierces through her breast. Murmurs, and shouts of⁠—Down with the Tyrant!

Robespierre

Nay, but I will be heard. There was a time When Robespierre began, the loud applauses Of honest patriots drown’d the honest sound. But times are chang’d, and villainy prevails.

Collot d’Herbois

No⁠—villainy shall fall. France could not brook A monarch’s sway⁠—sounds the dictator’s name More soothing to her ear?

Bourdon l’Oise

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 another 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 past this moment through the armèd 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 destined 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.