Page:Rolland - Two Plays of the French Revolution.djvu/216

210 ''only stutter. He puts his hand to his forehead. His friends look at him in anxiety'' ask for mercy. I don't know what's the matter—with me! I—I can't speak.

you confess having done these things?

, no.

defend yourself.

cannot. Excuse me. I—I am ill''His friends press about him. He sits down, breathing hard, and mops his forehead with a handkerchief. The Judge shrugs his shoulders.'']

you confess or not?

the seditious passages.

, read them; dare read them before the people. Let them judge where their friends stand!

have sufficiently indicated them. There is no need of again calling public attention to such dangerous sentiments.

whom are they dangerous? For cut-throats?

see your course has been prepared in advance. We shall pay no attention to it.

[in agony am ashamed—I beg your pardon, all of you. I haven't slept for several nights; all these charges against me—! I'm not master of myself—I can't speak. Give me a breathing-spell. I—I feel dizzy.

have no time to waste.

what hour have you decided to have our heads? Can't you wait, hangman?