Page:Rolland - Two Plays of the French Revolution.djvu/196

190 mankind. The traitors of the Gironde called themselves merciful, too, when they carried the torch of rebellion through France.

is merely weak, he is not dangerous. I knew him as a child. I know him now.

[suspiciously Robespierre's friends enjoy special privileges?

[jeering, as he reads the "Vieux Cordelier" listen to this, Maximilien—this is for you. It seems that your closing the houses of ill-fame and pretending to be so zealous in reforming the world, is merely on Pitt's orders; because you "thereby deprive the government of one of its sources of income: licentiousness." Do you hear that, oh Incorruptible one?

nasty hypocritical scoundrel!

[violently guillotineHe falls, with his head on the table, like an ox that has been felled.]

he fainted?

[coldly' opens the window, and ' comes to.]

you ill, Billaud?

[hoarsely are you?—Scoundrels!—I'm utterly exhausted: I haven't slept for the last two nights.

spends his nights at the Committee and his days at the Assembly.

are overworking. Would you like some one to take your place for a few days?

work can't be done by