Robespierre. You have suffered, all of you, poor women, and you have shown splendid courage. But you must admit that with all the suffering, you felt joys you never dreamed of before: the joy of helping on, no matter how humbly, with the sublime work of freeing the world!
Madame Duplay. Yes, I am happy. No matter what happens, those months of misery will remain the happiest of our lives. What we have suffered are not the ordinary things, the useless things. Every time we fasted it was for the good of the nation. This feeling of pride we owe to you, Maximilien. Last night I was thinking as I was doing the wash; no matter how humble I am, no matter how I may worry about the morrow, and wonder where our bread is coming from, I am working for the nation; nothing is lost; every thing I do counts toward victory. I am marching with you at the head of all mankind!
The Workingmen [outside, singing]:
"We forge and saw with all our might
Making muskets for the fight.
Soldier boys, you'll have enough
If we have to work all day and night,
For we forge and saw with all our might."
Madame Duplay [smiling]. They've just filled an order for the Northern Army; they're starving to death, but they're happy.
Robespierre. Sublime people! How good it is to be one of them! Who could forgive those who try to
