SAINT-JUST. Who strives more than you? The liberty of the world is here in Paris.
ROBESPIERRE. Here we have the agonizing task of stamping out viciousness. It soils every one who takes part in the nasty business. I must confess, when I contemplate the vicious crimes which the torrent of the Revolution rolls along with all its virtue, I am afraid that I shall catch up some of the nastiness and be identified with it in the eyes of posterity. Merely because I am near perverse and impure men.
SAINT-JUST. Put the sword between yourself and them. You should touch the impure only with steel.
ROBESPIERRE. The corruption is spreading everywhere. Men I counted on most have succumbed. Old friends.
SAINT-JUST. No friends! We have only the _Patrie!_
ROBESPIERRE. Danton is a menace; he is under suspicion. He has uttered violent and insulting words. He is surrounded by conspirators, debauchees, ruined financiers, degraded officers. Every sort of malcontent has joined his forces.
ROBESPIERRE. Danton was once a Republican. He loved the _Patrie._ Perhaps he still loves her?
SAINT-JUST. No one respects her unless he proves it by austere and pure living. He is not a Republican who possesses aristocratic vices and ideas. I hate Catiline. His cynical heart, his cowardly brain, his ignoble political ideals--he tries to please all parties in order to use them for his own ends--it all brings dishonor upon the Republic. Danton must be laid low.
ROBESPIERRE. His fall will carry the imprudent Desmoulins along with him.
SAINT-JUST. That impudent pen-pusher! Why, the sufferings of the _Patrie_ are merely an excuse for him to do a clever piece of writing! He's a dilettante, who would sacrifice Liberty for a pretty antithesis!
ROBESPIERRE. A child, the dupe of his friends, and of his own mind.
SAINT-JUST. Cleverness is also a crime, when France is in danger. The misfortunes of the State have thrown a sad, a religious air, over everything. I am suspicious of all who laugh.
SAINT-JUST. And I love you, but if you were a criminal, I would accuse you.
ROBESPIERRE [_walks away, distressed. He returns after a moment's silence_]. Thank you.--You are happy; you never hesitate. You never compromise with evil.
SAINT-JUST. I have seen more evil than you.