_Fouché._--To show you that I know of your designs. _Tallien._--And is that all? _Fouché._--Not quite. To offer service-- {306} A politician should not start as you do At every word. _Tallien._--Ah--can I--dare I trust you? _Fouché._--I do not ask created man to trust Honor or oath of him whose name is Fouché. I know mankind, and study my own interest-- Interest, Tallien--that mainstring of all motion-- Chain of all strength--pole star of all attraction For human hearts to turn to. Let me see My interest in supporting you, and I Can aid and guard you through the coming peril. _Tallien._--Name your terms. _Fouché._--My present post and what Beside is mentioned in this schedule. (_giving a paper_.) _Tallien_.--Your _price_ is high, but I am pledged to pay it. (_giving his hand_.) _Fouché._--Thou knowest I never was over scrupulous, But he whom I was link'd with, Robespierre, Can stand no longer. Earth is weary of him. The small majority in the Convention He calculates upon to be his plea For wreaking summary vengeance on the heads Of all who, like yourself, are not prepared To grant him supreme power or dip their hands In blood for any, every, or no profit. A ravenous beast were better in the chair. Henriot and the civic force here, stand Prompt to obey him. Were we only sure To raise the citizens, these dogs were nothing-- But, sink or swim, to-morrow is the day Must ruin him or us. Do you impeach him, And paint his crimes exactly as they are; Have a decree of arrest, and I and mine Will see he quits not the Convention Hall But in the custody of friends of ours. 'Tis true I bargain'd to assist the fiend The better to deceive him. Mark, Tallien, A presage of his fall--not only I Abandon him, but I can bring Barrère And all his tribe to give their votes against him. Give me _carte blanche_ to pay them for their voices. _Tallien._--But think you I can move them to arrest him? _Fouché._--That is a _chance_ unknown even to myself, There are so many waiters on the wind, Straws to be blown wherever it may list That surety of success we cannot have, But certain ruin if we pass to-morrow. _Tallien._--Is't true she aim'd a weapon at his life? _Fouché._--A lie of his invention. I have seen The weapon he pretended to have snatch'd From her fair hands, and know it for his own. Though I seem foul compar'd to better men, I claim to appear an angel match'd with him. SCENE III. ROBESPIERRE'S HOUSE. _Robespierre, Fouché, Henriot and others._ _Henriot._--All things are ready now, six thousand men And twenty cannon wait your word to-morrow. _Robes._--Henriot, I have a word to say to thee: Thou hast _one_ vice that suits not with a leader, If that thou hopest to thrive in our attempt, Taste not of wine till victory is ours. _Henriot._--I thank your caution.