HÉRAULT. None at all. I had friends, and no power in the State could prevent my caring for them and helping them when they needed help. JUDGE. You were once President of the Convention. It was your duty to furnish an example of obedience to the nation. HÉRAULT. I now offer them an example of another sort: sacrificing my life for my duty. JUDGE. Is that all you have to say? HÉRAULT. That is all. FOUQUIER-TINVILLE. The next, Herman! JUDGE [_to_ DESMOULINS, _who is next_]. Your name and occupations? CAMILLE [_nervously_]. Lucie-Camille-Simplice Desmoulins, Deputy to the Convention. JUDGE. How old are you? CAMILLE. As old as the _sans-culotte_ Jesus when he was crucified: thirty-three. JUDGE. You are accused of having sought to bring discredit upon the Republic. You have spoken libelously of the actions of the State, and compared the glory of our time to the nastiness of the Roman emperors. You have reawakened the hopes of the aristocrats, excited suspicion against those who saw the necessity of putting down rebellion, and undermined the work of national defense. Under your mask of humanity, which is belied by your character as already known, you have tried to release from prison the suspects, and overwhelm the State with a counter-revolution. What have you to say in your defense? CAMILLE [_deeply agitated, tries to answer, but can only stutter. He puts his hand to his forehead. His friends look at him in anxiety_]. I ask for mercy. I don't know what's the matter--with me! I--I can't speak. JUDGE. Do you confess having done these things? CAMILLE. No, no. JUDGE. Then defend yourself. CAMILLE. I cannot. Excuse me. I--I am ill. [_His friends press about him. He sits down, breathing hard, and mops his forehead with a handkerchief. The Judge shrugs his shoulders._] FOUQUIER-TINVILLE. Do you confess or not? PHILIPPEAUX. Read the seditious passages. DANTON. Yes, read them; dare read them before the people. Let them judge where their friends stand! JUDGE. I have sufficiently indicated them. There is no need of again calling public attention to such dangerous sentiments. DANTON. For whom are they dangerous? For cut-throats? FOUQUIER-TINVILLE. I see your course has been prepared in advance. We shall pay no attention to it. CAMILLE [_in agony_]. I am ashamed--I beg your pardon, all of you. I haven't slept for several nights; all these charges against me--! I'm not master of myself--I can't speak. Give me a breathing-spell. I--I feel dizzy. FOUQUIER-TINVILLE. We have no time to waste. DANTON. At what hour have you decided to have our heads? Can't you wait, hangman? PHILIPPEAUX. You will wait for Desmoulins. You have no right to murder people without hearing them. FABRE D'EGLANTINE. You know he is sensitive and very impressionable. You are trying to take advantage of his weakness. You won't do a thing to him while we still live.