human
Justice, citizen! I appeal to Saint-Just and to the Convention for justice!
gpt
Against whom?
human
Against this man, against Euloge Schneider, against the special commissioner of the Republic!
gpt
Speak; what has he done? replied Saint-Just;
human
Justice listens to you.
gpt
Yes, it is true!
human
You ask justice, citizeness Brumpt, and you shall have it. But what would you have done if I had not been willing to grant it?
gpt
To-night, in bed, she said,
human
I would have stabbed him. Charlotte Corday has taught us how to treat a Marat! But now, she added,
gpt
Mercy for him! he cried, striking the railing of the balcony with his fist.
human
Mercy for this execrable man! mercy for the Monk of Cologne! You are jesting, young woman. If I should do that, Justice would spread her wings and fly away never to return. Mercy for him! Then, in a terrible voice which was heard for a great distance around, he cried:
gpt
To the guillotine!
human
Shall I behead him, citizen Saint-Just?
gpt
Unfortunately I have no right to order that; if I had, Humanity would be avenged within a quarter of an hour. No, as special commissioner he must appear before the revolutionary tribunal, and not before me. No, apply to him the torture he himself has invented; tie him to the guillotine. Shame here and death yonder!
human
Never forget what you have seen; and if any one ever says in your presence that Saint-Just is not a lover of the Revolution, of liberty, and of justice, say aloud that that is not true. And now go where you like; you are free.