HÉRAULT [_ironically_]. Like the duel of the Emperor Commodius who, armed with a cavalry sword, forced his enemy to fight him with a fencing-foil tipped with cork. JUDGE. Silence! THE FOUR PRISONERS. Silence yourself, hangman!--People, protect our rights, the sacred rights of the prisoner. [_The People shout: "Bravo! Bravo!_"] DANTON [_rubbing_ DESMOULINS' _hands._] Courage, my boy! CAMILLE [_still nervous, but pulling himself together, he grasps_ DANTON'S _hand, smiles at him, and rises_]. Thank you, friends, I feel much better now. You have given me strength.--That, monsters, is what you will never have: the affection of the people. You accuse me of having spoken my mind? I am proud of it. Faithful to the Republic, which I founded, I will remain free, no matter what it costs me. You say I have insulted liberty? I have said that liberty meant happiness, reason, equality, and justice. I have committed these outrages, yes! You see, oh people, how I am rewarded! [_The People acclaim him with Bravos._] JUDGE. You must not address the people. CAMILLE. Whom should I address? The aristocrats? I begged the Committee to be merciful, for I wanted the people to enjoy the liberty which they have acquired, but which seems intended now merely to satisfy the grudges of a handful of scoundrels! I asked men to put an end to their quarreling, and that they be bound together by love into a great family. It appears that these desires are criminal. But what I call a crime is this mad political game which soils the nation and the people, forcing it to plunge their hands into innocent blood before the whole universe! JUDGE. It is not your place to accuse; you are here to answer your accusers. CAMILLE. Very well, I accuse myself, if you like, of not having always thought as I think today. For too long did I believe in hatred; the heat of battle led me on, and I have committed too many crimes; I stirred up vengeance, and more than once the sword was drawn as a result of my writings. Innocent people were dragged here on my advice. This is my crime, my real crime, and you are my partners in it. This is the crime I am today expiating. JUDGE. Whom are you referring to? FOUQUIER-TINVILLE. Whose death do you regret? PHILIPPEAUX. Don't answer, Desmoulins! FABRE D'EGLANTINE. It's a trap. Take care! DANTON. Swallow your tongue, my boy! CAMILLE. I refer to the Girondins. [_The People murmur, and_ DAVID _says: "He confesses!"_] JUDGE. The prisoner confesses his implication in the Brissotist conspiracies. CAMILLE [_with a shrug_]. It was my _Brissot dévoilé_ which condemned the Brissotists. FOUQUIER-TINVILLE. But now you regret it?