Page:Rolland - Two Plays of the French Revolution.djvu/126

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
120
THE FOURTEENTH OF JULY

You yourself saw—Don't you recognize me, Contat? [She nods.] Do you really hate me? [She nods as before.] Speak to me? Won't you say a word? [He attempts to touch her, but she pulls back, and struggles again with the soldiers, who hold her hands. She then falls back in a sort of epileptic fit, screaming and moaning. They carry her off. Her cries are still heard. Outside, the People are screaming.]

De Launey [in consternation]. She's like a wild animal. You would not recognize her.

Vintimille. She is not herself. Something strange and new is in her: the poison of that mob. It's too disgusting. I can't understand it. It's like a wind of bestiality blown from the monstrous part of humanity. [The Swiss Guards descend from the towers with De Flue.]

De Launey [very much excited, goes to meet De Flue]. What have you done? What have you done?

De Flue [fuming]. By God, I did what you told me to do! You ordered me to smash them, and I have smashed them. It seems you've changed your mind, and you want peace. What the devil do you want me to do?

De Launey. We're lost now.

De Flue. Lost? [He shrugs his shoulders, and motions to his Guards to roll the cannon into position.]

Béquart and the Pensioners. What are you doing?

The Swiss Guards. Three volleys and the court will be empty.