you could never understand. You may at least listen, and watch.
The People [outside]. We want the Bastille!
Vintimille [coldly]. Yes, it's curious, very curious.
De Launey [in consternation]. What the devil is urging those idiots on?
The Pensioners [looking with mingled interest and sympathy through the loop-holes in the gate]. Women!—Priests!—Bourgeois!—Soldiers!—There, there's that little girl on Hulin's shoulders.—She's kicking her feet like a little devil!
De Flue [talking to the Swiss Guards]. Good. They're caught in a trap now, between the walls. We can get at them from the towers.
De Launey. Clear the court! Smash them! [De Flue and the Guards run into the Bastille through the gate leading to the towers.]
Béquart and the Pensioners [murmuring]. It's going to be a butchery!—They're hardly armed. And those children—!
The People. We want the Bastille! [La Contat and Vintimille have not followed de Flue's and de Launey's conversation. La Contat's attention is wholly occupied with the People, as she listens to their shouting.]
La Contat [shouting to the people outside]. Courage! I am the first to take it! [The beat of drums is now heard.]
Béquart and the Pensioners [looking out]. They want to parley again: they're waving handkerchiefs, signaling to us.
