The Literary Remains of Samuel Taylor Coleridge Volume I Part 4

BARRERE.

Traitor, thou didst.

Yes, the accomplice of their dark designs, Awhile didst thou defend them, when the storm Lour'd at safe distance. When the clouds frown'd darker, Fear'd for yourself, and left them to their fate.

Oh, I have mark'd thee long, and through the veil Seen thy foul projects. Yes, ambitious man, Self-will'd dictator o'er the realm of France, The vengeance thou hast plann'd for patriots, Falls on thy head. Look how thy brother's deeds Dishonour thine! He, the firm patriot; Thou, the foul parricide of Liberty!

ROBESPIERRE JUNIOR.

Barrere--attempt not meanly to divide Me from my brother. I partake his guilt, For I partake his virtue.

ROBESPIERRE.

Brother, by my soul, More dear I hold thee to my heart, that thus With me thou dar'st to tread the dangerous path Of virtue, than that nature twined her cords Of kindred round us.

BARRERE.

Yes, allied in guilt, Even as in blood ye are. Oh, thou worst wretch, Thou worse than Sylla! hast thou not proscrib'd, Yea, in most foul antic.i.p.ation slaughter'd Each patriot representative of France?

BOURDON L'OISE.

Was not the younger Caesar too to reign O'er all our valiant armies in the south, And still continue there his merchant wiles?

ROBESPIERRE JUNIOR.

His merchant wiles! Oh, grant me patience, heaven!

Was it by merchant wiles I gain'd you back Toulon, when proudly on her captive towers Wav'd high the English flag? or fought I then With merchant wiles, when sword in hand I led Your troops to conquest? fought I merchant-like, Or barter'd I for victory, when death Strode o'er the reeking streets with giant stride, And shook his ebon plumes, and sternly smil'd Amid the b.l.o.o.d.y banquet? when appall'd The hireling sons of England spread the sail Of safety, fought I like a merchant then?

Oh, patience! patience!

BOURDON L'OISE.

How this younger tyrant Mouths out defiance to us! even so He had led on the armies of the south, Till once again the plains of France were drench'd With her best blood.

COLLOT D'HERBOIS.

Till once again display'd Lyons' sad tragedy had call'd me forth The minister of wrath, whilst slaughter by Had bathed in human blood.

DUBOIS CRANCE.

No wonder, friend, That we are traitors--that our heads must fall Beneath the axe of death! when Caesar-like Reigns Robespierre, 'tis wisely done to doom The fall of Brutus. Tell me, b.l.o.o.d.y man, Hast thou not parcell'd out deluded France As it had been some province won in fight Between your curst triumvirate. You, Couthon, Go with my brother to the southern plains; St. Just, be yours the army of the north; Meantime I rule at Paris.

ROBESPIERRE.

Matchless knave!

What--not one blush of conscience on thy cheek-- Not one poor blush of truth! most likely tale!

That I, who ruin'd Brissot's towering hopes, I, who discover'd Hebert's impious wiles, And sharp'd for Danton's recreant neck the axe, Should now be traitor! had I been so minded, Think ye I had destroy'd the very men Whose plots resembled mine? bring forth your proofs Of this deep treason. Tell me in whose breast Found ye the fatal scroll? or tell me rather Who forged the shameless falsehood?

COLLOT D'HERBOIS.

Ask you proofs?

Robespierre, what proofs were ask'd when Brissot died?

LEGENDRE.

What proofs adduced you when the Danton died?

When at the imminent peril of my life I rose, and, fearless of thy frowning brow, Proclaim'd him guiltless?

ROBESPIERRE.

I remember well The fatal day. I do repent me much That I kill'd Caesar and spared Antony.

But I have been too lenient. I have spared The stream of blood, and now my own must flow To fill the current.

[Loud Applauses.]

Triumph not too soon, Justice may yet be victor.

[Enter ST. JUST, and mounts the Tribune.]

ST. JUST.

I come from the committee--charged to speak Of matters of high import. I omit Their orders. Representatives of France, Boldly in his own person speaks St. Just What his own heart shall dictate.

TALLIEN.

Hear ye this, Insulted delegates of France? St. Just From your committee comes--comes charged to speak Of matters of high import--yet omits Their orders! Representatives of France, That bold man I denounce, who disobeys The nation's orders.--I denounce St. Just.

[Loud Applauses.]

ST. JUST.

Hear me!

[Violent Murmurs.]

ROBESPIERRE.

He shall be heard!

BURDON L'OISE.

Must we contaminate this sacred hall With the foul breath of treason?

COLLOT D'HERBOIS.

Drag him away!

Hence with him to the bar.

COUTHON.

Oh, just proceedings!

Robespierre prevented liberty of speech-- And Robespierre is a tyrant! Tallien reigns, He dreads to hear the voice of innocence-- And St. Just must be silent!

LEGENDRE.

Heed we well That justice guide our actions. No light import Attends this day. I move St. Just be heard.

FRERON.

Inviolate be the sacred right of man, The freedom of debate.

[Violent Applauses.]

ST. JUST.

I may be heard then! much the times are changed, When St. Just thanks this hall for hearing him.

Robespierre is call'd a tyrant. Men of France, Judge not too soon. By popular discontent Was Aristides driven into exile, Was Phocion murder'd! Ere ye dare p.r.o.nounce Robespierre is guilty, it befits ye well, Consider who accuse him. Tallien, Bourdon of Oise--the very men denounced, For that their dark intrigues disturb'd the plan Of government. Legendre, the sworn friend Of Danton fall'n apostate. Dubois Crance, He who at Lyons spared the royalists-- Collot d'Herbois--

BOURDON L'OISE.

What--shall the traitor rear His head amid our tribune, and blaspheme Each patriot? shall the hireling slave of faction--

ST. JUST.

I am of no one faction. I contend Against all factions.