The fall of Robespierre. An historic drama

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UNIVERSITY

LIBRARY

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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.