these Marseillese; that, as they marched through Lyons, the people shut their shops;—­also that the number of them was some Four Thousand.  Equally vague is Blanc Gilli, who likewise murmurs about Forcats and danger of plunder. (See Barbaroux, Memoires Note in p. 40, 41.) Forcats they were not; neither was there plunder, or danger of it.  Men of regular life, or of the best-filled purse, they could hardly be; the one thing needful in them was that they ‘knew how to die.’  Friend Dampmartin saw them, with his own eyes, march ‘gradually’ through his quarters at Villefranche in the Beaujolais:  but saw in the vaguest manner; being indeed preoccupied, and himself minded for matching just then—­across the Rhine.  Deep was his astonishment to think of such a march, without appointment or arrangement, station or ration:  for the rest it was ’the same men he had seen formerly’ in the troubles of the South; ‘perfectly civil;’ though his soldiers could not be kept from talking a little with them.  (Dampmartin, ubi supra.)

So vague are all these; Moniteur, Histoire Parlementaire are as good as silent:  garrulous History, as is too usual, will say nothing where you most wish her to speak!  If enlightened Curiosity ever get sight of the Marseilles Council-Books, will it not perhaps explore this strangest of Municipal procedures; and feel called to fish up what of the Biographies, creditable or discreditable, of these Five Hundred and Seventeen, the stream of Time has not yet irrevocably swallowed?

As it is, these Marseillese remain inarticulate, undistinguishable in feature; a blackbrowed Mass, full of grim fire, who wend there, in the hot sultry weather:  very singular to contemplate.  They wend; amid the infinitude of doubt and dim peril; they not doubtful:  Fate and Feudal Europe, having decided, come girdling in from without:  they, having also decided, do march within.  Dusty of face, with frugal refreshment, they plod onwards; unweariable, not to be turned aside.  Such march will become famous.  The Thought, which works voiceless in this blackbrowed mass, an inspired Tyrtaean Colonel, Rouget de Lille whom the Earth still holds, (A.D. 1836.) has translated into grim melody and rhythm; into his Hymn or March of the Marseillese:  luckiest musical-composition ever promulgated.  The sound of which will make the blood tingle in men’s veins; and whole Armies and Assemblages will sing it, with eyes weeping and burning, with hearts defiant of Death, Despot and Devil.

One sees well, these Marseillese will be too late for the Federation Feast.  In fact, it is not Champ-de-Mars Oaths that they have in view.  They have quite another feat to do:  a paralytic National Executive to set in action.  They must ‘strike down’ whatsoever ‘Tyrant,’ or Martyr-Faineant, there may be who paralyzes it; strike and be struck; and on the whole prosper and know how to die.

Chapter 2.6.III.