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THE COLERIDGE COLLECTION
COLERIDGE, SAMUEL TAYLOR (1772-1834) Poet and Philosopher
357 THE FALL OF ROBESPIERRE: an Historic Drama. Cambridge: Printed by Benjamin Flower for W. H. Lunn and J. fy J. Merrill; and sold by J. March, Norwich, 1794.
First Edition, full dark green crushed levant morocco, 8vo. £105
Coleridge's very rare first book. This copy has not the leaf of advertise- ments at the end. One act of the play was written by Southey.
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THE
FALL
O F
ROBESPIERRE,
A N
HISTORIC DRAMA.
BY S. T. COLERIDGE,
OF JESUS COLLEGE, CAMBRIDGE.
l°™™lim»"°™"MMMMra°™IM™"L ' III ■wifii^ii in.
CambrtDge ;
PRINTED BY BENJAMIN FLOWER,
FOR W. H. LUNN, AND J. AND J. MERRILL j AND SOLD BY J. MARCH, NORWICH.
1794.
[PRICE ONE SHILLING.^
T O
H. MARTI N, Efq.
O F
JESUS COLLEGE, CAMBRIDGE,
A,
Dear Sir,
.CCEPT, as a fnjall teftimony of my grateful attachment, the following Dra- matic Poem, ki which I have endeavoured to detail, in an interefting form, the fall of a man, whofe great bad actions have call: a difaftrous luftre on his name. In ,the execution of the work, as intricacy of plot could not have been attempted with- out a grofs violation of recent facts, it has been my fole aim to imitate the empaffion- ed and highly figurative language of the French Orators, and to develope the cha- racters of the chief actors on a vaft llage of horrors.
Yours fraternally,
S. T. COLERIDGE.
Jefus College, September 22, 1794.
THE
FALL OF ROBESPIERRE.
ACT I.
SCENE, The Thuilleries. Barrere.
X HE tempeft gathers — be it mine to feek A friendly fhelter, ere it burfts upon him. But where ? and how ? I fear the Tyrant' afoul — Sudden in aftion, -fertile in refource, And rifing awful 'mid impending ruins ; In fplendor gloomy, as the midnight meteor, That fearlefs thwarts the elemental war. When laft in fecret conference we met, He fcowl'd upon me wit;h fufpicious rage, Making his eye the inmate of my bofom. I know he fcorns me — and I feel, I hate him — Yet there is in him that which makes me tremble !
(Exit.)
Enter Tallien and Legendre.
Tallien. It was Barrere, Legendre ! didft thou mark him ? Abrupt he turn'd, yet linger'd as he went, And towards us caft a look of doubtful meaning.
Legendre. I mark'd him well. I met his eye's laft glance ; It menac'd not fo proudly as of yore. Methought he would have fpoke— but that he dar'd not- Such agitation darken'd on his brow.
6 THE FALL OF ROBESPIERRE.
Tallien. 'Twas all-diftruffing guilt that kept from burning Th' imprifon'd fecret ftruggling in the face: E'en as the fudden breeze upftarting onwards Hurries the thunder cloud, that pois'd awhile Hung in mid air, red with its mutinous burthen.
Legendre. Perfidious Traitor J— full afraid to balk In the full blaze of power, the ruffling ferpent Lurks in the thicket of the Tyrant's greatnefs, Ever prepar'd to fting who fhelters him. Each thought, each action in himfelf converges ; And love and friendlhip on his coward heart Shine like the powerlefs fun on polar ice : To all attach'd, by turns deferting all', Cunning and dark — a necefTary villain I
Tallien. Yet much depends upon him — well you know With plaufibte harangue 'tis his to paint Defeat like victory — and blind the mob With truth-mix'd falfhood. They led on by him, And wild of head to work their own deftruction, Support with uproar what he plans in darknefs.
Legendre. O what a precious name is Liberty To fcare or cheat the fimple into flaves ! Yes — we muft gain him over : by dark hints We'll mew enough to roufe his watchful fears, Till the cold coward blaze a patriot. O Danton ! murder'd friend ! aflift my counlels-* Hover around me on fad memory's wings, And pour thy daring vengeance in my heart. Tallien ! if but to-morrow's fateful fun Beholds the Tyrant living — we are dead !
THE FALL OF ROBESPIERRE. 7
Tallien. Yet his keen eye that flames mighty meanings —
Legendre. Fear not — or rather fear th' alternative, And feek for courage e'en in cowardice — ■ But fee — hither he comes — let us away ! His brother with him, and the bloody Couthon, And high of haughty fpirit, young St. J lift.
(Exeunt.)
%nter Robespierre, Couthon, St. Just, and Robespierre, "Junior.
Robespierre. What ? did La Fayette fall before my power ? And did I conquer Roland's fpotlefs virtues? The fervent eloquence of Vergniaud's tongue? And Briflot's thoughtful foul unbribed and bold ? Did zealot armies hafle in vain to fave them ? What I did th' aflalnn's dagger aim its point Vain, as a dream of murder, at my bofom? And mall I dread the foft luxurious Tallien ? Th' Adonis Tallien ? banquet-hunting Tallien-?- Him, whofe heart nutters at the dice-box ? Him, Who ever on the harlots' downy pillow Refigns his head impure to feverilh {lumbers !
St. Just. I cannot fear him — yet we muft not fcorn him. Was it not Antony that conquer'd Brutus, Th' Adonis, banquet-hunting Antony ? The ftate is not yet purified : and though The ftream runs clear, yet at the bottom lies The tMck black fediment of all the fadttons~ Jt needs no magic hand to ftir it up !
B 2
8 THE FALL OF ROBESPIERRE.
CoUTHON.
O we did wrong to fpare them — fatal error ! Why lived Legendre, when thatDanton died? And Collot d'Herbois dangerous in crimes? Vve fear'd him, fince his iron heart endured To make of Lyons one vaft human fnambles, Compar'd with which the fun-fcorcht wildernefs Of Zara, were a fmiling paradife.
St. Just. Rightly thou judgeft, Couthon ! He is one, Who flies from lilent folitary anguifh, Seeking forgetful peace amid the jar Of elements. The howl of maniac uproar Lulls to fad fleep the memory of himfelf, A calm is fatal to him—then he feels The dire upboilings of the ftorm within him.
A tyger mad with inward wounds ! 1 dread
The fierce and reftlefs turbulence of guilt.
Robespierre. Is not the commune ours ? The ftern tribunal ? Dumas ? and Vivier ? Fleuriot ? and Louvet ? And Henriot? We'll denounce an hundred, nor Shall they behold to-morrow's fun roll weftward.
Robespierre, Junior. Nay— I am fick of blood ; my aching heart Reviews the long, long train of hideous horrors That flill have gloom'd the rife of the republic. I mould have died before Toulon, when war Became the patriot !
Robespierre.
Moft unworthy wifli ! He, whofe heart fickens at the blood of traitors Would be himfelf a traitor, were he not
THE FALL QF ROBESPIERRE. 9
A coward ! ?Tis congenial fouls alone Shed tears of forrow for each other's fate* O thou art brave, my brother ! and thine eye Full firmly mines amid the groaning battle- Yet in thine heart the woman-form of pity Aflerts too large a fliare, an iU-timed gueft ! There is unfoundnefs in the ftate— To-morrow Shall fee it cleans'd by wholefome maflacre !
Robespierre, Junior, fee ware ! already do the fections murmur — " O the great glorious patript, Robefpierre-* f* The tyrant guardian of the country 's freedom .'"
Couthon. Twere folly fure to work great deeds by halves J Much I fufpedt the darkfome fickle heart Of cold Barrere !
Robespierre,
I fee the villain in hiin !
Robespierre, Junior. If he— if all forfake thee — what remains?
Robespierre. Myfelf! the fteel-ftrong Rectitude of foul And Poverty fublime 'mid circling virtues ! The giant Victories, my counfels form'd, Shall ftalk around me with fun-glittering plumes, Bidding the darts of calumny fall pointlefs.
(Exeunt cateri. Manet Couthon,,)
Couthon folu s. So we deceive ourfelves ! What goodly virtues Bloom on the poifonous branches of ambition ! Still, Robefpierre ! thou'l't guard thy country's freedom
ic THE FALL OF ROBESPIERRE,
To defpotize in all the patriot's pomp.
While Confidence, ?mid the mob's applauding clamours,
Sleeps in thine ear, nor whifpers— blood-ftain'd tyrant!
Yet what is Confcience ? Superftition's dream,
Making fuch deep impreflion on our fleep—
That long th' awaken'd breafl retains its horrors !
But he returns— and with him comes Barrere.
(Exitr Couthon.)
Enter Robespierre and Barrere.
Robespierre. There is ho danger but in cowardice— Barrere ! we make the danger, when we fear it. We have fuch force without, as will fufpend The cold and trembling treachery of thefe members.
Barrere. 'Twill be a paufe of terror.—
Robespierre.
But to whom ? Rather the fhort-lived number of the tempeft, Gathering its ftrength anew. The daftard traitors ! Moles, that would undermine the rooted oak !
A paufe !— a moment'' s paufe ?— 'Tis all their life.
■
Barrere. Yet much they talk — and plaufible their fpeech. Couthon's decree has given fuch powers, that
Robespierre.
That what ?
Barrere. The freedom of debate —
THE FALL OF ROBESPIERRE. ii
Robespierre.
Tranfparent mafk ! They wifh to clog the wheels of government, Forcing the hand that guides the vaft machine To bribe them to their duty — Englifh patriots ! Are not the congregated clouds of war Black all around us ? In our very vitals Works not the' king-bred poifon of rebellion ? Say, what fhall counteract the felfifh plottings Of wretches, cold of heart, nor awed by fears Of him, whofe power directs th' eternal juftice? Terror ? or fecret-fapping gold ? The firft Heavy, but tranfient as the ills that caufe it 5 And to the virtuous patriot rendered light By the neceffities that gave it birth : The other fouls the fount of the republic^ Making it flow polluted to all ages : Inoculates the ftate with a flow venom, That once imbibed, muft be continued ever. Myfelf incorruptible I ne'er could bribe them— Therefore they hate me.
Barrere.
Are the feftions friendly ?
Robespierre. There are who wifh my ruin — but I'll make them Blum for the crime in blood !
Barrere.
Nay — but I tell thee, Thou art too fond of (laughter — and the right (If right it be) workeft by raoft foul means !
Robespierre. Self-centering Fear ! how well thou canft ape Mercy ! Too fond of (laughter !— match.lefs hypocrite !
12
THE FALL OF ROBESPIERRE.
Thought Barrere fo, when Briflbt, Dantondied? Thought Barrere fo, when through the ftreaming ftreets Of Paris red-eyed Maflacre o'er wearied Reel'd heavily, intoxicate with blood ? And when (O heavens!) in Lyons' death-red fqtiare Sick fancy groan'd o'er putrid hills of flain, Didft thou not fiercely laugh, and blefs the day ? Why, thou haft been the irtouth-piece of all horrors^ And, like a blood-hound, crouch'd for murder ! Now Aloof thou ftandeft from the tottering pillar, Or, like a frighted child behind its mother^ Hideft thy pale face in the fkirts of- -Mercy !
Barrere. O prodigality of eloquent anger ! Why now I fee thou'rt weak — thy cafe is defperate ! The cool ferdcious Robefpierre turned fcdlder !
Robespierre. Who from a bad man's bofom wards the blow Referves the whetted dagger for his own. Denounced twice— and twice I faved his life !
(Exit.)
Barrere. The fections will fupport then— there's the point ! No ! he can never weather out the ftorm— Yet he is fudden in revenge— No more ! I muft away to Tallien.
(Exit.)
SCENE changes to the houfe of Adelaide.
Adelaide enters., /peaking to a fervant.
Adelaide. Didft thou prefent the letter that I gave thee ?
THE FALL OF ROBESPIERRE. 13
DidTallien anfwer, he would foon return?
SERVANT.
He is in the Thuilleries— with him Legendre—
In deep difcourf'e they feem'd ; as I approach'd
He waved his hand as bidding me retire:
I did not interrupt him. (Returns the letter.)
Adelaide. . Thou didft rightly.
(Exit. Servant.) O this new freedom ! at how dear a price We've bought the feeming good ! The peaceful virtues And every blandifhment of private life, The father's cares, the mother's fond endearment, All facrificed to liberty's wild riot. The winged hours, that fcatter'd rofes round me, Languid and fad drag their How courfe along, And fhake big gall-drops from their heavy wings. But I will fteal away thefe anxious thoughts By the foft languifhment of warbled airs, If haply melodies may lull the fenfe Of forrow for a while.
SOFT MUSIC.
Enter Tallien.
Tallien. Mufic, my love ? O breathe again that air ! Soft nurfe of pain, it fooths the yeary foul Of care, fweet as the whifper'd breeze of evening That plays around the fick man's throbbing temples.
SONG.
Tell me, on what holy ground May domeftic peace be found ?
14 THE FALL OF ROBESPIERRE.
Halcyon daughter of the fkies > Far on fearful wing fhe flies, From the pomp of fcepter'd ftate, From the rebel's noify hate.
In a cottag'd vale fhe dwells Lift'ning to the Sabbath bells ! Still around her fteps are leen, Spotlefs honor's meeker mein, Love, the fire of pleafmg fears> Sorrow fmiling through her tears, And confcious of the part employ, Memory, bofom-f bring of joy.
Tallien. I thank thee, Adelaide ! 'twas fweet, though mournful. But why thy brow o'ercaft, thy cheek fo wan ? Thou look'fl as a lorn maid befide fome ftream That fighs away the foul in fond defpairing, While fbrrow fad, like the dank willow near her. Hangs o'er the troubled fountain of her eye.
Adelaide. Ah ! rather let me afk what myftery lowers On Tallien's darken'd brow. Thou dofl me wrong— Thy foul diftemper'd, can my heart be tranquil?
Tallien. Tell me, by whom thy brother's blood was fpilt ? Afks he not vengeance on thefe patriot murderers? It has been born too tamely. Fears and curfes Groan on our midnight beds, and e'en our dreamy Threaten the afTaflin hand of Robefpierre. He dies !— nor has the plot efcaped his fears.
Adelaide. Yet — yet — be cautious ! much I fear the Commune—
THE FALL OF ROBESPIERRE. 15
The tyrant's creatures, and their fate with his Faft link'd in clofe indiflbluble union. The pale Convention —
Tallien. Hate him as they fear him, Impatient of the chain, refoly'd and ready.
Adelaide. Th' enthufiaft mob, confufion's lawlefs fons—
Tallien. They are aweary of his ftern morality, The fair-maik'd offspring of ferocious pride. The fe&ions too fupport the delegates : All — all is ours ! e'en now the vital air Of Liberty, condens'd awhile, is burning (Force irrefiftable !) from its compreflure— To fhatter the arch chemift in the explofion !
Enter Billaud Varennes and Bourdon l'Oise.
(Adelaide retires.)
Bourdon l'Oise. Tallien ! was this a time for amorous conference ? Henriot, the tyrant's moft devoted creature, Marfhals the force of Paris : The fierce club, With Vivier at their head, in loud acclaim Have fworn to make the guillotine in blood Float on the fcaffold. — But who comes here ?
Enter Barrere abruptly.
Barrere. Say, are ye friends to freedom ? / am her's ,' Let us, forgetful of all common feuds,
i6 THE FALL OF ROBESPIERRE.
Rally around her Jhrine ! E'en now the tyrant Concerts a plan of inftant maflacre !
Billaud Varennes. Away to the Convention ! with that voice So oft the herald of glad victory, Roufe their fallen fpirits, thunder in their ears The name: of tyrant, plunderer, aflaffin ! The violent workings of my foul wkhin Anticipate the monger's blood ! ,
(Cry from theftreet of— No Tyrant ! Down with the Tyrant ! )
Tallien. Hear ye that outcry ?— If the trembling members Even for a moment hold his fate fufpended, I fwear by the holy poniard, that ftabbed Cxfar, This dagger probes his heart !
(Exeunt omnes.)
ACT II.
SCENE, The Convention.
Robespierre mounts the Tribune.
Once more befits it that the voice of truth, Fearlefs in innocence, though leagerd round By envy and her hateful brood of hell, Be heard amid this hall ; once more befits The patriot, whofe prophetic eye fo oft Has pierced thro' faction's veil, to flafh on crimes Of deadlieft import. Mouldering in the grave Sleeps Capet's caitiff corfe ; my daring hand Levelled to earth his blood-cemented throne,
THE FALL OF ROBESPIERRE. a;
My voic? declared his guilt, and ftirred up France
To call for vengeance. I too dug the grave
Where fleep the Girondists, detelied band !
Long with the fhew of freedom they abufed
Her ardent fons. Long time the well-turn'd phrafe
The high fraught fentence and the lofty tone
Of declamation thunder'd in this hall,
Till reaibn rnidft a labyrinth of words
Perplex'd, in filence l'eem'd to yield afl'ent.
I durft oppofe, Soul of my honoured friend,
Spirit of Maraf upon thee I call —
Thou know'ft me faithful, knpw'ft with what warm zeal
I urg'd the caufe of juftice, ftripp'd the malk
From factions deadly vifage, and deftroy'd
Her traitor brood. Whole patriot arm hurl'd down
Hebert and Ilpufin, and the villain friends
Of Dantpn, foul apoftate ! thofe, who long
Malk'd treafon's form in liberty's fair garb,
Long deluged France with blood, and durlt defy
Omuipotence ! but I it feems am falfe !
I am a traitor too ! I— Robefpierre !
I— at whofe name the daftard defpot brood
Look pale with fear, and call on faints to help them !
Who dares accufe me ? who mall dare belie
My fpotlefs name ? Speak, ye accomplice band,
Of what am I accus'd ? of what ftrange crime
Is Maximilian Robefpierre accus'd,
That through this hall the buz of difcontent
Should murmur ? who mall fpeak ?
BlLLAUD VarENNES,
O patriot tongue Belying the foul heart ! Who was it urg'd Friendly to tyrants that accurft decree, Whofe influence brooding o'er this hallowed hall, Has chill'd each tongue to filence. Who deftroyed The freedom of debate, and carried through
i| THE FALL OF ROBESPIERRE.
The fatal law, that doom'd the delegates, Unheard before their equals, to the bar Where cruelty fat throned, and murder reign'd With her Dumas coequal? Say — thou man Of mighty eloquence, whofe law was that?
Couthon. That law was mine. I urged it — I propos'd— The voice of France aflembled in her fons Aflented, though the tame and timid voice Of traitors murmur'd. I advis'd that law— I jurtify it. It was wife and good.
Barrere. Oh, wonderous wife and moll convenient too ! I have long mark'd thee, Robefpierre — and now Proclaim thee traitor — tyrant!
(Loud afplaufes.)
Robespierre.
It is well. 1 am a traitor ! oh, that I had fallen When Regnault lifted high the murderous knife, Regnault the inftrument belike of thofe Who no\y themfelves would fain affamnate, And legalize their murders. I ftand here An ifolated patriot — hemmed around By factions noify pack ; befet and bay 'd By the foul hell-hounds who know no efcape From juftice' outur^tch'd arm, but by the force That pierces through her breaft.
(Murmurs, andfhouts of — Do-wn with the tyrant! )
Robespierre. Nay, but I will be heard. There was a time When Robefpierre began, the loud applaufes Of honeft patriots drown'd the honeil found.
THE FALL OF ROBESPIERRE. 19
But times are chang'd, and villainy prevails.
CoLLOT d'HeRBOIS.
♦ No— villainy fhall fall. France could not brook A monarch's fway — founds the dictator's name More foothing to her ear ?
Bourdon l'Oise.
Rattle her chains More mufically now than when the hand Of Briflbt forged her fetters ; or the crew Of Hebert thundered out their blafphemies, And Danton talk'd of virtue ?
Robespierre.
Oh, that Briflbt Were here again to thunder in this hall. That Hebert lived, and Danton's giant form Scowl'd once again defiance ! fo my foul Might cope with worthy foes.
People of France Hear me ! Beneath the vengeance of the law, Traitors have perifh'd countlefs ; more furvive : The hydra-headed fadlion lifts- anew Her daring front, and fruitful from her wounds, Cautious from part defe&s, contrives new wiles Againft the fons of Freedom.
Tallien.
Freedom lives 1 Oppreflion falls — for France has felt her chains, Has burft them too. Who traitor-like ftept forth Amid the hall of Jacobines to fave Camille Defmoulines, and the venal wretch D'Eglantine ?
%9 THE FALL OF ROBESPIERRE.
Robespierre. I did — for I thought them honeft. And Heaven forefend that vengeance ere mould ftrike# Ere juftice doom'd the blow.
Barrere.
Traitor, thou did ft. Yes, the accomplice of their dark defigns, Awhile didft thou defend them, when the ftorm Lower'd at fafe diftance. When the clouds frown'd darker, Fear'd for yourfelf and left them to their fate. Oh, I have mark'd thee long, and through the veil Seen thy foul projects. Yes, ambitious man, Self-will'd dictator o'er the realm of France, The vengeance thou hait plann'd for patriots, Falls on thy head. Look how thy brother's deeds Difhonour thine ! He the firm patriot, Thou the foul parricide of Liberty !
Robespierre, Junior. BarYere — attempt not meanly to divide Me from my brother. I partake his guilt, For I partake his virtue.
Robespierre.
Brother, by my foul, More dear I hold thee to my heart, that thus With me thou dar'ft to tread the dangerous path Of virtue, than that nature twined her cords Of kindred round us.
Barrere.
Yes, allied in guilt, Even as in blood ye are. Oh, thou worft wretch, Thou worfe than Sylla ! haft thou not profcrib'd Yea, in raoft foul anticipation flaughter'd Each patriot reprefentative of France ?
THE FALL OF ROBESPiERRE. 21
Bourdon l'Oise. Was not the younger Csefar too to reign O'er all our valiant armies in the fouth, And full continue there his merchant wiles ?
Robespierre, Junior. His merchant wiles ! Oh, grant me patience, heaven ! Was it by merchant wiles I gain'd you back Toulon, when proudly on her captive towers Wav'd high the Englifh flag ? or fought I then With merchant wiles, when fword in hand I led Your troops to eonqueft ? fought I merchant like, Or barter'd I for victory, when death Strode o'er the reeking ftreets with giant ftride, And ihook his ebon plumes, and fternly fmil'd Amid the bloody banquet ? when appal'd The hireling fons of England fpread the fail Of fafety, fought I like a merchant then ? Oh, patience ! patience !
Bourdon l'Oise.
How this younger tyrant Mouths out defiance to us ! even fo He had led on the armies of the fouth, Till once again the plains of France were drench'd With her beft blood.
COLLOT D'HERBOIS.
Till once again difplay'd Lyons' fad tragedy had call'd me forth The minifter of wrath, whilft (laughter by Had bathed in human blood.
Dubois Crance.
No wonder, friend, That we are traitors — that our heads muft fall
Beneath the axe of death ! when Caefar-like
D
*z THE FALL OF ROBESPIERRE.
Reigns Robefpierre, 'tis wifely done to doom The fall of Brutus. Tell me, bloody man, Haft thou not parcell'd out deluded France As it halJ^een fome province won in fight Between your curft triumvirate. You, Couthon, Go with my brother to the fouthern plains j St. Juft, be yours the army of the north ; Mean time I rule at Paris.
Robespierre.
Matchlefs knave ! 'What — not one blufli of confcience on thy cheek- Not one poor blufh of truth I moft likely tale ! That I who ruined BriiTot's towering hopes, I who difcovered Hebert's impious wiles, And lharp'd for Danton's recreant neck the axe, Should now be traitor ! had I been fo minded, Think ye I had deftroyed the very men Whofe plots refembled mine ? bring forth your proofs Of this deep treafon. Tell me in whofe breaft Found ye the fatal fcroll ? or tell me rather Who forg'd the fhamelefs falfhood ?
CoLLOT o'HeRBOIS.
Aik you proofs ? Robefpierre, what proofs were afk'd whenBriflbt died ?
Legendre. What proofs adduced you when the Danton died ? When at the imminent peril of my life I rofe, and fearlefs of thy frowning brow, Proclaim'd him guiltlefs ?
Robespierre.
I remember well The fatal day. I do repent me much That I kill'd Csefar and fpar'd Antony.
THE FALL OF ROBESPIERRE. 23
But I have been too lenient. I have fpar'd The ftream of blood, and now my own muft flow To fill the current.
(Loud applaufes.) Triumph not too foon, Juftice may yet be vi&or.
Enter St. Just, and mounts the Tribune.
St. Just. I come from the committee— charged to fpeak Of matters of high import. I omit Their orders. Reprefentatives of France, Boldly in his own perfon fpeaks St. Juft What his own heart fhall dictate.
Tallien.
Hear ye this, Infulted delegates of France ? St. Juft From your committee comes— comes charg'd to fpeak Of matters of high import— yet omits Their orders ! Reprefentatives of France, That bold man I denounce, who difobeys The nations orders.— I denounce St. Juft.
(Loud applaufes.)
St, Just. Hear me!
(Violent murmurs.)
Robespierre. He mall be heard !
BURDON L'OlSE.
Muft we contaminate this facred hall With the foul breath of treafon ? D a
»4 THE FALL OF ROBESPIERRE.
COLLOT D'HERBOIS.
Drag him away ! ' Hence with him to the bar.
Couthon.
Oh, juft proceedings ! Robefpierre prevented liberty of fpeech— And Robefpierre is a tyrant ! Tallien reigns, He dreads to hear the voice of innocence— And St. Juft muft be filent !
Legendre.
Heed we well That juftice guide our aftions. No light import Attends this day. I move St. Juft be heard.
Frerqn. Inviolate be the facred right of man, The freedom of debate.
(Violent applaufes.)
St. Just. I may be heard then ! much the times are chang'd, When St. Juft thanks this hall for hearing him. Robefpierre is call'd a tyrant. Men of France Judge not too foon. By popular difcontent Was Ariftides driven into exile, Was Phocion murder'd ? Ere ye dare pronounce Robefpierre is guilty, it befits ye well, Conlider who accufe him. Tallien, Bourdon of Oife — the very men denounced, For that their dark intrigues difturb'd the plan Of government. Legendre the fworn friend Of Danton fall'n apoftate. Dubois Crance, He who at Lyons Ipar'd the royalifts— Collot d'Herbois—
THE FALL OF ROBESPIERRE. zS
Bourdon l'Oise.
What— mall the traitor rear His head amid our tribune— and blafpheme Each patriot ? mall the hireling flaye of fa&ion— .
St. Just. I am of no one fa&ion. I contend Againft all factions.
Tallien.
I efpoufe the caufe Of truth. Robefpierre on yefter morn pronounced Upon his own authority a report. To-day St. Juft comes down. St. Juft neglects What the committee orders, and harangues From his own will. O citizens of France I weep for you — I weep for my poor country— I tremble for the caufe of Liberty, When individuals mail afl'ume the fway, And with more infolence than kingly pride Rule the republic.
BlLLAUD VARENNES.
Shudder, ye reprefentatives of France, Shudder with horror. Henriot commands The marmall'd force of Paris. Henriot, Foul parricide — the fworn ally of Hebert Denounced by all— upheld by Robefpierre. Who fpar'd La Valette ? who promoted him, Stain7 d with the deep die of nobility ? Who to an ex-peer gave the high command ? Who fcreen'd from juftice the rapacious thief? Who caft in chains the friends of Liberty ? Robefpierre, the felf-ftil'd patriot Robefpierre— Robefpierre, allied with villain Daubigne— » Robefpierre, the foul arch tyrant Robefpierre.
76 THE FALL OF ROBESPIERRE.
Bourdon. l'Oise. He talks of virtue— of morality— Confident patriot ! he Daubigne's friend J Henriot's fupporter virtuous ! preach of virtue, Yet league with villains, for with Robefpierre Villains alone ally. Thou art a tyrant ! I ftile thee tyrant Robefpierre !
(Loud applaufes*)
Robespierre. Take back the name. Ye citizens of France—
(Violent clamour. Cries of— Down with the Tyrant! )
Taulien. Oppreflion falls. The traitor ftands appall'd— Guilt's iron fangs engrafp his ihrinking foul- He hears afTembled France denounce his crimes !
He fees the malk torn from his fecret fins
He trembles on the precipice of fate.
Fall'n guilty tyrant ! murder'd by thy rage
How many an innocent victim's blood has ftain'd
Fair freedom's altar ! Sylla-like thy hand
Mark'd down the virtues, that, thy foes removed,
Perpetual Dictator thou might'ft reign,
And tyrannize o'er France, and call it freedom I
Long time in timid guilt the traitor plann'd
His fearful wiles — luccefs emboldened (hi—
And his ftretch'd arm had grafp'd the diadem
Ere now, but that the coward's heart recoil'd,
Left France awak'd, mould rqufe her from her dream,
And call aloud for vengeance. He, like Caefar,
With rapid ftep urged on his bold career,
Even to the fummit of ambitious power,
And deem'd the name of King alone was wanting.
Was it for this we hurl'd proud Capet down ?
Is it for this we wage eternal war
Againft the tyrant horde of murderers,
THE FALL OF ROBESPIERRE. 27
The crowned cockatrices whofe foul venom Infe&s all Europe ? was it then for this We fwore to guard our liberty with life, That Robefpierre fhould reign? the fpirit of freedom Is not yet funk fo low. The glowing flame That animates each hoheft Frenchman's heart Not yet extinguifh'd. I invoke thy fhade, Immortal Brutus ! I too wear a dagger ; And if the reprefentatives of France, Through fear or favor fhould delay the {word Of juftice, Tallien emulates thy virtues ; Tallien, like Brutus, lifts the avenging arm ; Tallien ihall fave his country.
{Violent applaufes.)
X> XT
BlLLAUD VARENNES.
I demand The arreft of all the traitors. Memorable Will be this day for France.
Robespierre.
Yes ! Memorable This day will be for France— —for villains triumph.
■
Lebas.
I will not mare in this day's damning guilt.
Condemn me too.
(Great cry "-Down with the Tyrants! )
(The two Robefpierres, Couthon, St. Juft, and Lebas are led off.)
28 THE FALL OF ROBESPIERRE.
ACT IIL
SCENE Continues.
CoLLOT Ef'HERBOlSi
Caefar is fallen ! The baneful tree of Java, Whofe death-diftilling boughs dropt poifonOus dew, Is rooted from its bafe. This worfe than Cromwell, The auftere, the felf denying Robefpierre, Even in this hall, where once with terror mute We liftened to the hypocrite's harangues, Has heard his doom.
BlLLAUD VARENNES.
Yet muft we not fuppofe The tyrant will fall tamely. His fworn hireling Henriot, the daring defperate Henriot Commands the force of Paris. I denounce him.
Freron. 1 denounce Fluriot too, the mayor of Paris.
Enter Dubois Crance.
Dubois Crance. Robefpierre is refcued. Henriot at the head Of the arm'd force has refcued the fierce tyrant.
COLLOT D'HERBOIS.
Ring the tocfin— call all the citizens
To fave their country— never yet has Paris
Forfook the reprefentatives of France.
THE FALL OF ROBESPIERRE. a9
Tallien. It is the hour of danger. I propofe This fitting be made permanent.
(Loud applaufes.)
CoLLOT d'HeRBOI$.
The national Convention fhall remain Firm at its poft.
Enter a Messenger.
Messenger. Robefpierre has reach'd the Commune* They efpoufe The tyrant's caufe. St. Juft is up in arms ! St. Juft— the young ambitious bold St. Juft Harangues the mob. The fanguinary Couthon Thirfts for your blood.
(Toc/in rings.)
Tallien. Thefe tyrants are in arms againft the law : Outlaw the rebels.
Enter Merlin of Douay.
Merlin. Health to the reprefentatives of France ! I paft this moment through the armed force— They aik'd my name — and when they heard a delegate, Swore I was not the friend of France.
CoLLOT D'HERBOIS.
The tyrants threaten us as when they turn'd The cannon's mouth on BrhTot.
E
30 THE FALL OF ROBESPIERRE.
Enter another Messenger.
Second Messenger. Vivier harangues the Jacobins — the club Efpoufe the caufe of Robefpierf e.
Enter another Messenger.
Third Messenger. All's loft — the tyrant triumphs. Henriot leads
The foldiers to his aid.- Already I hear
The rattling cannon deftin'd to furround This 1 acred hall.
Tallien.
Why, we will die like men then. The reprefentatives of France dare death, When duty fteels their bofoms.
(Loud applaufes.)
Tallien addrejfing the galleries.
Citizens ! France is infulted in her delegates — The majefty of the republic is infulted— Tyrants are up in arms. An armed force Threats the Convention.. The Convention fwears To-die, or fave the country !
(Violent applaufes from the galleries.)
Citizen from above. .
We too fwear To die, or fave the country. Follow me.
(All the men quit the galleries.)
THE FALL OF ROBESPIERRE. 31
Enter another Messenger.
Fourth Messenger. Henriot is taken I—
(Loud applaufes.) Henriot is taken. Three of your brave foldiers Swore they would feize the rebel Dave of tyrants, Or perifh in the attempt. As he patroll'd The ftreets of Paris, ftirring up the mob, They feiz'd him.
(Applaufes.)
BlLLAUD VARENNES.
Let the names of thefe brave men Live to the future day.
Enter Bourdon l'Oise /word in hand.
Bourdon l'Oise. I have clear'd the Commune.
(Applaufes.) Through the throng I rufh'd, Brandilhing my good fward to drench its blade Deep in the tyrant's heart. The timid rebels Gave way. I met the foldiery — I fpake Of the dictator's crimes — of patriots chain'd In dark deep dungeons by his lawlefs rage— Of knaves fecure beneath his foftering power, I fpake of Liberty. Their honeft hearts Caught the warm flame, The general fhout burft forth, *' Live the Convention— Down with Robefpierre !."
(Applaufes.) (Shouts from without— Down with the tyrant! )
Tallien. I hear, I hear the foul-in fpiring founds, France mall be laved ! her generous fons attached.
5z TH£ FALL OF ROBESPIERRE.
To principles, not perfons, fpurn the idol
They worfhipp'd once. Yes, Robefpierre ihall fall
As Capet fell ! Oh ! never let us deem
That France Ihall crouch beneath a tyrant's throne,
That the almighty people who have broke
On their oppreflbrs heads the oppreffive chain.
Will court again their fetters ! eafier were it
To hurl the cloud-capt mountain from its bafe,
Than force the bonds of flavery upon men
Determined to be free I
(Applaufes.)
Enter Legendre— A piftol in one hand. Keys in the
other.
Legendre. Flinging down the keys. So— let the mutinous Jacobins meet now In the open air.
(Loud applaufes.) A fa&ious turbulent party Lording it o'er the ftate lince Danton died, And with him the Cordeliers. — A hireling band Of loud-tongued orators controull'd the club, And bade them bow the knee to Robefpierre. Vivier has 'fcap'd me. Curfe his coward heart— This fate-fraught tube of Juftice in my hand I rulh'd into the hall. He mark'd mine eye That beam'd its patriot anger, and flafh'd full With death-denouncing meaning. 'Mid the throng He mingled. I pUrfued — but ftaid my hand, Left haply I might fhed the innocent blood.
(Applaufes.)
Frerok. They took from me my ticket of admiffion — Expell'd me from their fittings. — Now, forfooth, Humbled and trembling re-infert my name.
THE FALL OP ROBESPIERRE, 33
But Freron enters not the club again 'Till it be purg'd of guilt — 'till, purified Of tyrants and of traitors, honeft men May breathe the air in fafety.
(Shouts from without. j
Barrere. What means this uproar ! if the tyrant band Should gain the people onee again to rife— Y?e are as dead !
Tallien. And wherefore fear we death ? Did Brutus fear it ? or the Grecian friends Who buried in Hipparchus breaft the fword, And died triumphant ? Csefar fhould fear death, Brutus muft fcorn the bugbear.
(Shouts from without* Live the Convention— Down with the Tyrants! )
Tall*en.
Hark I again The founds of honeft Freedom !
Enter Deputies from the Sections.
Citizen. Citizens! representatives of France! Hold on your fteady courfe. The men of Paris Efpoufe your caufe. The men of Paris fwear They will defend the delegates of Freedom.
Tallien. Hear ye this, Colleagues ? hear ye this, my brethren ? And does no thrill of joy pervade your breads ? My bofom bounds to rapture. I have feen
.34 THE FALL OF ROBESPIERRE.
The fons of France ihake off the tyrant yoke ; I have, as much as lies in mine own arm, <
Hurl'd down the ufurper.— -Come death when it will I have lived long enough.
(Shouts without.)
Barrere. Hark ! how the noife increafes ! through the gloom Of the (till evening — harbinger of death Rings the tocfm ! the dreadful generale Thunders through Paris —
(Cry "without — Down with the Tyrant I )
Enter Lecointre.
Lecointre. So may eternal juftice blaft the foes Of France ! lb perifh all the tyrant brood, As Robefpierre has perifhed ! Citizens, Cffifar is taken.
(Loud and repeated applaufes.) I marvel not, that with fuch fearlefs front, He braved our vengeance, and with angry eye Scowled round the hall defiance. He relied On Henriot's aid — the Commune's villain fr jendlhip, And Henriot's boughten fuccours. Ye have heard How Henriot refcued him — how with open arms The Commune welcom'd in the rebel tyrant — > How.Fluriot aided, and feditious Vivier Stirr'd up the Jacobins. All had been loll — The reprelentatives of France had perifh'd— « Freedom had funk beneath the tyrant arm Of this foul parricide, but that her fpirit Infpir'd the men of Paris. Henriot call'd " To arms" in vain, whilft Bourdon's patriot voice Breath* d eloquence, and o'er the Jacobins
THE FALL OF R.OBESPIERRE. 35
Legendre frown'd difmay. The tyrants fled —
They reach'd the Hotel. We gather'd round — v/e call'd
For vengeance! Long time, obftinate in defpair
With knives they hack'd around them. 'Till foreboding
The fentence of the law, the clamorous cry
Of joyful thoufands hailing their defhruclion,
Each fought by fuicide to efcape the dread
Of death. Lebas fucceeded. From the window
Leapt the younger Robefpierre, but his fra&ur'd limb
Forbade to efcape. The felf-will'd diftator
Plung'd often the keen knife in his dark breaft,
Yet impotent to die. He lives all mangled
By his own tremulous hand! All gam'd and gored
He lives to tafte the hitternefs of death.
Even now they meet their doom. The bloody Couthon,
The fierce St. Juft, even now attend their tyrant
To fall beneath the axe. I faw the torches
Flafh on their vifages a dreadful light —
I faw them whilft the black blood roll'd adown
Each ftern face, even then with dauntlefs eye
Scowl round contemptuous, dying as they lived,
Fearlefs of fate !
(Loud and repeated ap-plaufes.)
Barrere mounts the Tribune.
For ever hallowed be this glorious day,
When Freedom, burfting her opprefiive chain,
Tramples on the oppreflor. When the tyrant
Hurl'd from his blood-cemented throne, by the arm
Of the almighty people, meets the death
He plann'd for thoufands. Oh ! my fickening heart
Has funk within me, when the various woes
Of my brave country crowded o'er my brain
In ghaftly numbers — when aflembled hordes
36 T«E FALL OF ROBESPIERRE.
Dragged from their hovels by defpotic power Rufh'd o7er her frontiers, plunder'd her fair hamlets, And fack'd her papulous towns, and drench'd with
blood The reeking fields of Flanders.-- When within^ Upon her vitals prey'd the rankling tooth Of treafon ; and oppreflion, giant form, Trampling on freedom, left the alternative Of flavery, or of death. Even from that day, When, on the guilty Capet, I pronounced The doom of injured France, has faction reared Her hated head amongft us. Roland preach'4 Of mercy — the uxorious dotard Roland, The woman-go vern'd Roland durft afpire To govern France ; and Petion talk'd of virtue, And Vergniaud' s eloquence, like the honeyed tongue Of fome foft Syren wooed us to deftruction. We triumphed over thefe. On the fame fcafFold Where the laft Louis pour'd his guilty blood, Fell Briffbt's head, the womb of darkfome treafbns, And Orleans, villain kinfman of the Capet, And Hebert's atheift crew, whole maddening hand Hurl'd down the altars of the living God, With all the infidels intolerance. The laft worft traitor triumphed — triumph'd long, Secur'd by matchlefs villainy. By turns Defending and deferring each accomplice As intereft prompted. In the goodly foil Of Freedom, the foul tree of treafon ftruck Its deep-fix'd roots, and dropt the dews of death On all who flumbered in its fpecious lhade. He wove the web of treachery. He caught The liftening crowd by his wild eloquence, His cool ferocity that perfuaded murder, Even whilft it 1'pake of mercy ! — never, never Shall this regenerated country wear
THE FALL OF ROBESPIERRE. gy
The defpot yoke. Though myriads round aflail,
And with worfe fury urge this new crufade
Than favages have known ; though the leagued defpots
Depopulate all Europe, fo to pour
The accumulated mafs upon our coafts,
Sublime amid the ftorm mail France arife,
And like the rock amid furrounding waves
Repel the rufhing ocean. — She mail wield
The thunder -bolt of vegeance — fhe fhall blaft
The defpot's pride, and liberate the world I
FINIS.