Page:Rolland - Two Plays of the French Revolution.djvu/111

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THE FOURTEENTH OF JULY
105

discussions. [Pointing to de Launey.] He never knows what he wants; he must always consult every one, and get every one into embarrassing predicaments. What am I doing with such a vacillating person? They've given me a nasty task. There's no honor or pleasure to be derived from these squabbles. It's the business of the police to put down the people!

Béquart. It's not very pleasant to have to fire on the poor devils.

Vintimille. You're becoming sentimental! Well, it's the fashion of the day, I suppose. Listen to the skunks out there! Disgusting. What do they want?

Béquart. Bread.

Vintimille. Do they imagine the Bastille is a bakery? There they go again! They are in earnest. They seem most anxious to live. I wonder what interest they have in life? Their only pleasures are sour wine and unwashed women!

Béquart. You know, Monseigneur, that no matter how little one has to live for, one always clings to life.

Vintimille. Oh, really? Speak for yourself!

Béquart. Oh, but you have everything to be desired.

Vintimille. Do you envy me? Nothing in it, my boy.

Béquart. Nothing in it?

Vintimille. Does that surprise you? You couldn't understand. Nothing! It is just the July sun—it makes me pessimistic.

A Swiss Guard [entering from the other court—to de Launey]. Monseigneur, they are firing from the