I erred, citizens--erred as Coriolanus did, when his august mother pleaded with him for the safety of Rome! For that error I deserved to be purged out of the republican community; but I escaped my merited punishment--nay, I even rose to the honor of holding an office under the Government.

Time passed; and again my mother attempted an escape from France.

Again, inevitable fate brought my civic virtue to the test.

How did I meet this second supremest trial?
By an atonement for past weakness, terrible as the trial itself.

Citizens, you will shudder; but you will applaud while you tremble.