CHAPTER XVIII.

CONSTERNATION AND CONSPIRACY OF TYRANTS.


But scarcely had the solemn voice of liberty and equality resounded
through the earth, when a movement of confusion, of astonishment, arose
in different nations. On the one hand, the people, warmed with desire,
but wavering between hope and fear, between the sentiment of right and
the habit of obedience, began to be in motion. The kings, on the other
hand, suddenly awakened from the sleep of indolence and despotism, were
alarmed for the safety of their thrones; while, on all sides, those
clans of civil and religious tyrants, who deceive kings and oppress the
people, were seized with rage and consternation; and, concerting their
perfidious plans, they said: Woe to us, if this fatal cry of liberty
comes to the ears of the multitude! Woe to us, if this pernicious spirit
of justice be propagated!

And, pointing to the floating banner, they continued:

Consider what a swarm of evils are included in these three words! If all
men are equal, where is our exclusive right to honors and to power? If
all men are to be free, what becomes of our slaves, our vassals, our
property? If all are equal in the civil state, where is our prerogative
of birth, of inheritance? and what becomes of nobility? If they are
all equal in the sight of God, what need of mediators?--where is the
priesthood? Let us hasten, then, to destroy a germ so prolific, and so
contagious. We must employ all our cunning against this innovation. We
must frighten the kings, that they may join us in the cause. We
must divide the people by national jealousies, and occupy them with