The Complete Works of Samuel Taylor Coleridge (Illustrated Edition). Samuel Taylor Coleridge

Читать онлайн книгу.

The Complete Works of Samuel Taylor Coleridge (Illustrated Edition) - Samuel Taylor Coleridge


Скачать книгу
his heart! [Exeunt omnes.

       Table of Contents

      SCENE — The Convention.

      Robespierre mounts the Tribune. Once more befits it that the voice

       of Truth,

       Fearless in innocence, though leaguered round

       By Envy and her hateful brood of hell,

       Be heard amid this hall; once more befits

       The patriot, whose prophetic eye so oft 5

       Has pierced thro’ faction’s veil, to flash on crimes

       Of deadliest import. Mouldering in the grave

       Sleeps Capet’s caitiff corse; my daring hand

       Levelled to earth his blood-cemented throne,

       My voice declared his guilt, and stirred up France 10

       To call for vengeance. I too dug the grave

       Where sleep the Girondists, detested band!

       Long with the shew of freedom they abused

       Her ardent sons. Long time the well-turn’d phrase,

       The high-fraught sentence and the lofty tone 15

       Of declamation, thunder’d in this hall,

       Till reason midst a labyrinth of words

       Perplex’d, in silence seem’d to yield assent.

       I durst oppose. Soul of my honoured friend,

       Spirit of Marat, upon thee I call — 20

       Thou know’st me faithful, know’st with what warm zeal

       I urg’d the cause of justice, stripp’d the mask

       From faction’s deadly visage, and destroy’d

       Her traitor brood. Whose patriot arm hurl’d down

       Hébert and Rousin, and the villain friends 25

       Of Danton, foul apostate! those, who long

       Mask’d treason’s form in liberty’s fair garb,

       Long deluged France with blood, and durst defy

       Omnipotence! but I it seems am false!

       I am a traitor too! I — Robespierre! 30

       I — at whose name the dastard despot brood

       Look pale with fear, and call on saints to help them!

       Who dares accuse me? who shall dare belie

       My spotless name? Speak, ye accomplice band,

       Of what am I accus’d? of what strange crime 35

       Is Maximilian Robespierre accus’d,

       That through this hall the buz of discontent

       Should murmur? who shall speak?

      Billaud Varennes. O patriot tongue

       Belying the foul heart! Who was it urg’d

       Friendly to tyrants that accurst decree, 40

       Whose influence brooding o’er this hallowed hall,

       Has chill’d each tongue to silence? Who destroyed

       The freedom of debate, and carried through

       The fatal law, that doom’d the delegates,

       Unheard before their equals, to the bar 45

       Where cruelty sat throned, and murder reign’d

       With her Dumas coequal? Say — thou man

       Of mighty eloquence, whose law was that?

      Couthon. That law was mine. I urged it — I propos’d —

       The voice of France assembled in her sons 50

       Assented, though the tame and timid voice

       Of traitors murmur’d. I advis’d that law —

       I justify it. It was wise and good.

      Barrere. Oh, wonderous wise and most convenient too!

       I have long mark’d thee, Robespierre — and now 55

       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, 60

       And legalise their murders. I stand here

       An isolated patriot — hemmed around

       By faction’s noisy pack; beset and bay’d

       By the foul hell-hounds who know no escape

       From Justice’ outstretch’d arm, but by the force 65

       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. 70

      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. Rattle her chains

       More musically now than when the hand

       Of Brissot forged her fetters; or the crew 75

       Of Hébert thundered out their blasphemies,

       And Danton talk’d of virtue?

      Robespierre. Oh, that Brissot

       Were here again to thunder in this hall,

       That Hébert lived, and Danton’s giant form

       Scowl’d once again defiance! so my soul 80

       Might cope with worthy foes.

      People of France,

       Hear me! Beneath the vengeance of the law

       Traitors have perish’d countless; more survive:

       The hydra-headed faction lifts anew

       Her daring front, and fruitful from her wounds, 85

       Cautious from past defects, contrives new wiles

       Against the sons of Freedom.

      Tallien. Freedom lives!

       Oppression falls — for France has felt her chains,

       Has burst them too. Who traitor-like stept forth

       Amid the hall of Jacobins to save 90

       Camille Desmoulins, and the venal wretch

       D’Eglantine?

      Robespierre. I did — for I thought them honest.

       And Heaven forefend that Vengeance e’er should strike,

       Ere justice doom’d the blow.

      Barrere. Traitor, thou didst.

       Yes, the accomplice of their dark designs, 95

       Awhile didst thou defend them, when the storm

       Lower’d at safe distance. When the clouds frown’d darker,

       Fear’d for yourself and left them to their fate.

      


Скачать книгу