Page:Rolland - Two Plays of the French Revolution.djvu/204

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198
DANTON

enough. You must have lungs deep enough to drown out the roarings of that bull!

Saint-Just. Truth will overcome tempests.

Robespierre. We cannot expose the Republic in an open argument like that.

Saint-Just. What then? [Robespierre does not answer.]

Billaud-Varenne. Have Danton arrested tonight.

Saint-Just [violently]. Never!

Vadier. The end justifies the means!

Saint-Just. I never strike an unarmed enemy. I will face Danton willingly. Combats like that can only bring honor to the Republic; but your suggestion is dishonorable. Ignoble!

Billaud-Varenne. The enemies of the people deserve no consideration!

Vadier. Useless bravery in politics is always stupid, and sometimes treasonable.

Saint-Just. I won't have it! [He throws his cap to the floor.]

Billaud-Varenne [severely]. Do you then prefer the fight to the welfare of the Republic?

Saint-Just. Such attempts require danger; it sanctifies them. A Revolution is a heroic enterprise, in which the leaders walk between the guillotine and immortality. We should be criminals if we were not ready to sacrifice our lives, and the lives of the others, at any moment.

Vadier. Never worry; you are risking enough as it is. If Danton were a prisoner he would incite the