Robespierre Junior. Beware! already do the sections murmur— 110
'O the great glorious patriot, Robespierre—
The tyrant guardian of the country's freedom!'
Couthon. 'Twere folly sure to work great deeds by halves!
Much I suspect the darksome fickle heart
Of cold Barrere!
Robespierre. I see the villain in him! 115
Robespierre Junior. If he—if all forsake thee—what remains?
Robespierre. Myself! the steel-strong Rectitude of soul
And Poverty sublime 'mid circling virtues!
The giant Victories my counsels form'd
Shall stalk around me with sun-glittering plumes, 120
Bidding the darts of calumny fall pointless. [Exeunt caeteri. Manet Couthon.
Couthon (solus). So we deceive ourselves! What goodly virtues
Bloom on the poisonous branches of ambition!
Still, Robespierre! thou'lt guard thy country's freedom
To despotize in all the patriot's pomp. 125
While Conscience, 'mid the mob's applauding clamours,
Sleeps in thine ear, nor whispers—blood-stain'd tyrant!
Yet what is Conscience? Superstition's dream,
Making such deep impression on our sleep—
That long th' awakened breast retains its horrors! 130
But he returns—and with him comes Barrere.
[Exit Couthon.
Enter Robespierre and Barrere.
Robespierre. There is no danger but in cowardice.—
Barrere! we make the danger, when we fear it.
We have such force without, as will suspend
The cold and trembling treachery of these members. 135
Barrere. 'Twill be a pause of terror.—