- M. Dufort de Cheverney, (manuscript memoirs published by
M. Robert de Cr?veceur), after the execution of Babeuf, in 1797, had
an opportunity to hear Samson, the executioner, talk with a war
commissary, in an inn between Vend?me and Blois. Samson recounted the
last moments of Danton and Fabre d'?glantine. Danton, on the way to
the scaffold, asked if he might sing. "There is nothing to hinder,"
said Samson. "All right. Try to remember the verses I have just
composed," and he sang the following to a tune in vogue:
Nous sommes men?s au tr?pas We are led to our death
Par quantit? de sc?l?rats, by a gang of scoundrels
c'est ce qui nous d?sole. that makes us sad.
Mais bientot le moment viendra But soon the time shall come
O? chacun d'eux y passera, when all of them shall follow
c'est ce qui nous console." that's our consolation.
[61] Buchez et Roux, XXI., 108. Speech (printed) by P?tion: "Marat
embraced Danton and Danton embraced him. I certify that this took
place in my presence."
[62] Buchez et Roux, XXI., 126. ("To Maximilian Robespierre and his
royalists," a pamphlet by Louvet.) - Beugnot, "M?moires," I.
Pages:
334
335
336
337
338
339
340
341
342
343
344
345
346
347
348
349
350
351
352
353
354
355
356
357
358