VADIER [_jeering, as he reads the "Vieux Cordelier"_]. And listen to this, Maximilien--this is for you. It seems that your closing the houses of ill-fame and pretending to be so zealous in reforming the world, is merely on Pitt's orders; because you "thereby deprive the government of one of its sources of income: licentiousness." Do you hear that, oh Incorruptible one? SAINT-JUST. The nasty hypocritical scoundrel! BILLAUD-VARENNE [_violently_]. The guillotine! [_He falls, with his head on the table, like an ox that has been felled._] ROBESPIERRE. Has he fainted? VADIER [_coldly_]. Dizziness. [SAINT-JUST _opens the window, and_ BILLAUD-VARENNE _comes to._] SAINT-JUST. Are you ill, Billaud? BILLAUD-VARENNE [_hoarsely_]. Who are you?--Scoundrels!--I'm utterly exhausted: I haven't slept for the last two nights. VADIER. He spends his nights at the Committee and his days at the Assembly. ROBESPIERRE. You are overworking. Would you like some one to take your place for a few days? BILLAUD-VARENNE. My work can't be done by others. Corresponding with the various departments, holding every string of France in my hand: no one else could do that. If I stop for a moment, everything will collapse. No, I must stay until I drop. SAINT-JUST. We shall all die at our posts. BILLAUD-VARENNE. Oh, Nature, thou didst not create me for such tempests! My soul is torn by these murderous blasts from the desert! My heart is too soft; I was intended for sweeter things: retirement, friends, a family! VADIER [_ironically_]. Let us not become sentimental, Billaud! BILLAUD-VARENNE [_becoming violent again_]. Let us purify the atmosphere! To the guillotine with Desmoulins! ROBESPIERRE. It is I who should give the example: I wash my hands of Desmoulins. VADIER [_laughing to himself_]. Brutus, oh, magnanimous man, virtuous man, I knew very well you would never hesitate to rid yourself of a friend! ROBESPIERRE. The fate of Desmoulins is bound up with that of another man. BILLAUD-VARENNE. Are you afraid to mention Danton by name? ROBESPIERRE. I am afraid to break a talisman of the Republic. VADIER. Its lucky piece. ROBESPIERRE. Danton is my enemy. If my friendship counts for nothing in our deliberations, my hatred, on the other hand, should not weigh in my judgment. Before entering the fray, let us consider in cold blood what risks we incur in thus dismantling a fortress of the Revolution. BILLAUD-VARENNE. A fortress for sale! VADIER. The scarecrow of the Revolution! In time of public danger such monstrous idols are brought out to rout the enemy. He rather inspires fear in the breast of those who hear him. His hideous face frightens Liberty. ROBESPIERRE. You cannot deny that his face is known and feared throughout Europe.