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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. 20

      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. 25

      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 arméd force —

       They ask’d my name — and when they heard a delegate, 30

       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. 35

      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, 40

       When duty steels their bosoms. [Loud applauses.

      Tallien (addressing the galleries). Citizens!

       France is insulted in her delegates —

       The majesty of the Republic is insulted —

       Tyrants are up in arms. An arméd force

       Threats the Convention. The Convention swears 45

       To die, or save the country!

      [Violent applauses from the galleries.

      Citizen (from above). We too swear

       To die, or save the country. Follow me.

      [All the men quit the galleries.

      Enter another Messenger.

      Fourth Messenger. Henriot is taken! [Loud applauses.

       Three of your brave soldiers

       Swore they would seize the rebel slave of tyrants,

       Or perish in the attempt. As he patroll’d 50

       The streets of Paris, stirring up the mob,

       They seiz’d him. [Applauses.

      Billaud Varennes. Let the names of these brave men

       Live to the future day.

      Enter BOURDON L’OISE, sword in hand.

      Bourdon l’Oise. I have clear’d the Commune.

      [Applauses.

      Through the throng I rush’d,

       Brandishing my good sword to drench its blade 55

       Deep in the tyrant’s heart. The timid rebels

       Gave way. I met the soldiery — I spake

       Of the dictator’s crimes — of patriots chain’d

       In dark deep dungeons by his lawless rage —

       Of knaves secure beneath his fostering power. 60

       I spake of Liberty. Their honest hearts

       Caught the warm flame. The general shout burst forth,

       ‘Live the Convention — Down with Robespierre!’ [Applauses.

      (Shouts from without — Down with the Tyrant!)

      Tallien. I hear, I hear the soul-inspiring sounds,

       France shall be saved! her generous sons attached 65

       To principles, not persons, spurn the idol

       They worshipp’d once. Yes, Robespierre shall fall

       As Capet fell! Oh! never let us deem

       That France shall crouch beneath a tyrant’s throne,

       That the almighty people who have broke 70

       On their oppressors’ heads the oppressive chain,

       Will court again their fetters! easier were it

       To hurl the cloud-capt mountain from its base,

       Than force the bonds of slavery upon men

       Determined to be free! [Applauses. 75

      Enter LEGENDRE — a pistol in one hand, keys in the other.

      Legendre (flinging down the keys). So — let the mutinous Jacobins

       meet now

       In the open air. [Loud applauses.

       A factious turbulent party

       Lording it o’er the state since Danton died,

       And with him the Cordeliers. — A hireling band

       Of loud-tongued orators controull’d the Club, 80

       And bade them bow the knee to Robespierre.

       Vivier has ‘scaped me. Curse his coward heart —

       This fate-fraught tube of Justice in my hand,

       I rush’d into the hall. He mark’d mine eye

       That beam’d its patriot anger, and flash’d full 85

       With death-denouncing meaning. ‘Mid the throng

       He mingled. I pursued — but stay’d my hand,

       Lest haply I might shed the innocent blood. [Applauses.

      Freron. They took from me my ticket of admission —

       Expell’d me from their sittings. — Now, forsooth, 90

       Humbled and trembling re-insert my name.

       But Freron enters not the Club again

       ‘Till it be purged of guilt:—’till, purified

       Of tyrants and of traitors, honest men

       May breathe the air in safety. [Shouts from without. 95

      Barrere. What means this uproar! if the tyrant band

       Should gain the people once again to rise —

       We are as dead!

      Tallien. And wherefore fear we death?

       Did Brutus fear it? or the Grecian friends

       Who buried in Hipparchus’ breast the sword, 100

       And died triumphant? Caesar should fear death,

       Brutus must scorn the bugbear.

      (Shouts from without — Live the Convention! — Down with the Tyrants!)

      Tallien. Hark! again

       The sounds of honest Freedom!

      Enter Deputies from the Sections.

      Citizen. Citizens! representatives of France!

       Hold on your steady course.

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