Page:Rolland - Two Plays of the French Revolution.djvu/59

This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
THE FOURTEENTH OF JULY
53

The Man [shouting]. Necker is banished! He's gone, gone!

The Crowd [howling]. Kill him! He's a spy from Versailles! Kill him!

The Man [terror-stricken, as he attempts to free himself.] What are you doing? You don't understand! I say that Necker—

The Crowd. To the fountain! The informer! Drown him!

The Man [howling]. Me?

Hoche. Let's save him, Hulin!

Hulin. You'd have to strike down twenty to save one. [They try in vain to break through the Crowd, which bears off the unfortunate Man. Robespierre then rises from the Crowd and stands on a table. He makes a gesture indicating that he wants silence.]

Hoche. Who is that thin little fellow who's trying to talk?

Desmoulins. That is Robespierre, Deputy from Arras.

Hoche. Shout, Hulin, and make them keep still!

Hulin. Listen! Listen to Citizen Robespierre! [At first Robespierre trembles. He is not heard amid the confusion. Some cry, "Louder! "]

Desmoulins. Speak, Robespierre.

Hulin. Don't be afraid. [Robespierre looks at him with a timid and disdainful smile.]

Desmoulins. He's not used to speaking.

Hoche. Silence, comrades!

Robespierre [composing himself]. Citizens, I am Deputy to the Third Estate. I have come from Ver-