BILLAUD VARENNES. O patriot tongue, Belying the foul heart! Who was it urged Friendly to tyrants that accurst decree, Whose influence brooding o'er this hallow'd hall, Has chill'd each tongue to silence. Who destroy'd The freedom of debate, and carried through The fatal law, that doom'd the delegates, Unheard before their equals, to the bar Where cruelty sat throned, and murder reign'd With her Dumas coequal? Say--thou man Of mighty eloquence, whose law was that? COUTHON. That law was mine. I urged it--I proposed-- The voice of France assembled in her sons Assented, though the tame and timid voice Of traitors murmur'd. I advised that law-- I justify it. It was wise and good. BARRERE. Oh, wondrous wise, and most convenient too! I have long mark'd thee, Robespierre--and now Proclaim thee traitor--tyrant! [Loud applauses.] ROBESPIERRE. It is well;--I am a traitor! oh, that I had fallen When Regnault lifted high the murderous knife; Regnault, the instrument, belike of those Who now themselves would fain assassinate, And legalize their murders. I stand here An isolated patriot--hemm'd around By faction's noisy pack; beset and bay'd By the foul hell-hounds who know no escape From justice' outstretch'd arm, but by the force That pierces through her breast. [Murmurs, and shouts of --Down with the tyrant!] ROBESPIERRE. Nay, but I will be heard. There was a time When Robespierre began, the loud applauses Of honest patriots drown'd the honest sound. But times are changed, and villany prevails. COLLOT D'HERBOIS. No--villany shall fall. France could not brook A monarch's sway;--sounds the dictator's name More soothing to her ear? BOURDON L'OISE. Rattle her chains More musically now than when the hand Of Brissot forged her fetters; or the crew Of Hebert thunder'd out their blasphemies, And Danton talk'd of virtue? ROBESPIERRE. Oh, that Brissot Were here again to thunder in this hall,-- That Hebert lived, and Danton's giant form Scowl'd once again defiance! so my soul Might cope with worthy foes. People of France, Hear me! Beneath the vengeance of the law Traitors have perish'd countless; more survive: The hydra-headed faction lifts anew Her daring front, and fruitful from her wounds, Cautious from past defects, contrives new wiles Against the sons of Freedom. TALLIEN. Freedom lives! Oppression falls--for France has felt her chains, Has burst them too. Who, traitor-like, stept forth Amid the hall of Jacobins to save Camille Desmoulins, and the venal wretch D'Eglantine? ROBESPIERRE. I did--for I thought them honest. And Heaven forefend that vengeance e'er should strike, Ere justice doom'd the blow.