trembled in the nightmare of the Revolution, and the Kings of Europe had
agreed to conquer and dismember her, there arose a dark-faced man in the
tribune of the French Congress. He was a man of terrible personal power
and magnetism. Hope must have cradled him in his babyhood. He hurled a
defiance at Europe that fairly shook France to a delirium of patriotism,
and as he was drawing to a close he thundered; "What needs France to
vanquish her enemies, to terrify them? Naught but audacity!--still more
audacity!--always! audacity!" Fourteen republican armies sprang forth
full armed, as though Danton's words had been the fabulous dragon's
teeth sown ages before in the bright fields of mythology.