wounds—not one in the back—or rather the only one is my accusation.
Judge. You have often in the presence of witnesses, spoken insultingly of the Convention. You have even threatened to pull down the palace on the heads of the representatives.
Westermann. Quite true. I hate that suspicious pack of spouters who stop all action by their jealous stupidity. I said that the Convention needed to be cleaned out and I offered to carry off the manure.
Fouquier-Tinville. Do you confess to having conspired?
Westermann. What conspiracy are you talking about? I did my own thinking, and my own doing. I am a friend of none of these others. I've spoken occasionally to Danton, and I admire his energy; but he's a lawyer, too, and I never trust lawyers. France can't be saved by talk, but only by sabers.
Judge. That is enough. Your case is clear.
Westermann. Send me to the guillotine! That at least is something active—like a saber stroke. I only ask one thing: put me on my back: I want to face the knife. [Vadier and Billaud-Varenne enter. Fouquier-Tinville rises and shakes hands with them. The People are excited.]
Billaud-Varenne [in an undertone]. Scoundrels! We have them now!
Vadier [aside to Fouquier-Tinville]. This will end matters.
Fouquier-Tinville. It was high time. [Deep agitation among the People, who become silent. Fouquier-
