DANTON. You lie! I have just denied. I have lived freely, honestly, carefully, on the money that was confided to me, but I have not been miserly. I rendered to Danton the things that were Danton's. Bring the witnesses I asked for, and we shall clear up any misunderstandings. The accusations and answers ought not to remain vague: nothing short of a categorical discussion will bring this trial to an end. Where are the witnesses? Why don't they come forth? JUDGE. Your voice is tired, Danton: rest. DANTON. Not at all! I can continue. JUDGE. You may continue your justification shortly, and more calmly. DANTON [_furiously_]. I am calm! My witnesses! I have been asking for them for the past three days! I have not yet seen a single one. I ask the public prosecutor, before the assembled audience, why justice is refused me? FOUQUIER-TINVILLE. I have no objection to their being summoned. DANTON. Then bring them. Nothing can be done without your orders. FOUQUIER-TINVILLE. I allow the witnesses to be called, except, of course, those designated by the prisoners as belonging to the Convention; because the accusation is made by the whole Assembly, and it would be ridiculous to insist that your own accusers should be brought in to justify you, especially when they are the representatives of the people, the guardians of the highest power, accountable only to the people. HÉRAULT. A good Jesuit trick! [_He and_ FABRE D'EGLANTINE _laugh._] DANTON. I see! My colleagues will be allowed to murder me, and I shall not be permitted to bring confusion on my murderers! FOUQUIER-TINVILLE. You dare insult the national representatives! PHILIPPEAUX. Are we here as a mere matter of form? Do you want us to remain mute? CAMILLE. People, you hear! They are afraid of the truth! They fear the testimony that will confound them! JUDGE. Address the court, and not the people. PHILIPPEAUX. The people are our sole judges; you are nothing without them. CAMILLE. I ask the Convention! DANTON. You want to gag us, but you cannot. My voice will stir Paris to its very entrails. Light! Light! JUDGE. Silence! THE PEOPLE. The witnesses! [_The Judges become alarmed_.] FOUQUIER-TINVILLE. It is time to cease this scandalous discussion; I shall write to the Convention of your request: we will obey their command. [_The People applaud._ FOUQUIER-TINVILLE _and_ HERMAN _consult together, write the request, and read in an undertone what they have written_.] CAMILLE [_exultant_]. We have won our case! DANTON. We'll confound the blackguards. You'll see them fall into their own vileness head-first. If the French people are what they ought to be, I shall be obliged to ask their pardon. PHILIPPEAUX. Pardon from those who seek our death? CAMILLE [_gaily_]. We shall appoint Saint-Just schoolmaster at Blérancourt and Robespierre churchwarden at Saint-Omer. HÉRAULT [_with a shrug_]. Incorrigible! They are on their way to the guillotine, and they still hope!