THE PEOPLE. We are the power! We appoint the Central Committee! You obey us!
MARAT [with an air of ferocity which is at bottom nothing more than a sinister buffoonery, assumed to terrify GONCHON]. We must be careful with these traitors, who associate with the people only in order to betray them. Hoche has well said that if we are not on the lookout, we shall be overpowered. I think that in order to distinguish those who are the valets of the aristocrats from the others, we ought to cut off their ears, or rather their thumbs. It is a prudent and indispensable measure. [The People laugh.]
GONCHON [tremblingly, to HOCHE]. Soldier, it is your business to support the law—
HOCHE. That's your business. They won't hurt you. Go ahead, we shall follow.
GONCHON. Follow me? Where?
HOCHE. To the Bastille.
GONCHON. What!
HOCHE. Of course. We are going to take the Bastille. Are you not defending the people, you Bourgeois Militia? Then take you places in the front ranks. Fall in, and don't stop to argue. You don't seemed pleased with the prospect? [Speaking into GONCHON'S ear.] I know your tricks, old man; you are in communication with the Due d'Orléans. Now, not a word, and march straight ahead. I am keeping my eye on you, and I have only to say the word to Marat. It's not day yet, and you might light the way for us, hanging from one of those lamp-posts!
GONCHON. Let me go home!
HOCHE. Choose: be hanged or take the Bastille.