GRASSET. After Camille Desmoulins. Yes, indeed, I dared to do it. And tell me, Labret, who had the greater applause--Desmoulins or I? LEBRET. You--without a doubt. GRASSET. And how did I bear myself? LEBRET. Splendidly. GRASSET. Do you hear, Prosper? I placed myself on the table--I looked like a monument--indeed I did--and all the thousands--five thousands, ten thousands, assembled round me--just as they had done before round Camille Desmoulins--and cheered me. LEBRET. It was a louder cheer, GRASSET. Indeed it was ... not much louder, but it was louder. And now they're all moving toward the Bastille ... and I make bold to say they have followed my call. I swear to you before the evening is out we shall have it. HOST. Yes, to be sure, if the walls fall down before your speeches! GRASSET. What--speeches--are you deaf? 'Tis a case of shooting now. Our valiant soldiers are there. They have the same hellish fury against the accursed prison as we have. They know that their brothers and fathers sit imprisoned behind those walls.... But there would have been no shooting if we had not spoken. My dear Prosper, great is the power of intellect. There--(to LEBRET) where are the papers? LEBRET. Here! (Pulls pamphlets out of his pocket.) GRASSET. Here are the latest pamphlets which have just been distributed in the Palais-Royal. Here is one by my friend Cerutti--"Memorial for the French People;" here is one by Desmoulins, who certainly speaks better than he writes--"Free France." HOST. When's your own pamphlet going to appear--the one you're always talking about, you know? GRASSET. We need no more. The time has come for deeds. Anyone who sits within his four walls today is a knave. Every real man must go out into the streets. LEBRET. Bravo!--Bravo! GRASSET. In Toulon they have killed the mayor; in Brignolles they have sacked a dozen houses; but we in Paris are always sluggards and will put up with anything. HOST. You can scarcely say that now. LEBRET. (who has been drinking steadily). Up, you citizens, up! GRASSET. Up! Lock up your shop and come with us now. HOST. I'll come right enough, when the time comes. GRASSET. Ay, to be sure, when there is no more danger. HOST. My good friend, I love Liberty as well as you do, but my calling comes before everything. GRASSET. There is only one calling now for citizens of Paris--freeing their brothers. HOST. Yes, for those who have nothing else to do! LEBRET. What says he? He makes game of us. HOST. Never dreamt of it. But now, my friends, look to it that you go away--my performance will begin in a minute, and I can't find you a job in it. LEBRET. What performance? Is this a theatre? HOST. Certainly, 'tis a theatre. Why, only a fortnight ago your friend was playing here. LEBRET. Were you playing here, Grasset?... Why do you let the fellow jeer at you like that without punishing him? GRASSET. Calm yourself--it is true; I did play here. This is no ordinary tavern: 'tis a den of thieves. Come.