Page:Rolland - Two Plays of the French Revolution.djvu/202

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DANTON

had the air of a great man, and at times he even seemed a good and virtuous man.

Saint-Just. Nothing so resembles virtue as a great crime.

Vadier [sarcastically]. You will deliver his funeral oration later on, Maximilien. But now let us bring down the beast.

Saint-Just. Vadier, you must respect death.

Vadier. But the little fellow is still alive.

Saint-Just. Danton is already doomed.

Billaud-Varenne. Who will take it upon himself to accuse him?

Vadier. Saint-Just. The young man does it so well. Every sentence of his is as good as a stroke of the guillotine.

Saint-Just. It would give me great pleasure to attack the monster.

Robespierre [getting papers, which he gives to Saint-Just]. Here are the notes, all ready for you.

Vadier [aside]. He has a whole portfolio like that for each of his friends.

Robespierre. Let us not honor Danton by trying him alone: it would attract too much attention.

Billaud-Varenne. Let us overwhelm him in a general accusation.

Vadier. Whom shall we put with him, to fill out the menu?

Saint-Just. Every one who has tried to corrupt the cause of Liberty by means of money, evil example, or brains.

Vadier. Let us be clear. You're too vague.