COEPARIUS. Is it for others' happiness and freedom We stake our lives upon a throw of dice?

THE WHOLE GROUP. We want the spoils of victory!

CATILINE. Paltry race!

Are you the offspring of those ancient fathers?

To heap dishonor on your country's name,-- In such a way you would preserve its l.u.s.tre!

LENTULUS. And you dare taunt us,--you who long since were A terrifying token--

CATILINE. True, I was; I was a terror to the good; and yet, So paltry as you are was never I.

LENTULUS. Restrain your tongue; we brook no ridicule.

MANY. No, no,--we will not--

CATILINE. [Calmly.] So? You timid brood,-- You dare to think of doing something,--you?

LENTULUS. Ah, down with him!

MANY VOICES. Yes, down with Catiline!

[They draw their daggers and rush in on him; CATILINE calmly removes the cloak from his breast and regards them with a cold, scornful smile; they lower their daggers.]

CATILINE.

Thrust! Thrust! You dare not? Oh, my friends, my friends,-- I should respect you, if you plunged your daggers In this uncovered bosom, as you threaten.

Is there no spark of courage in your souls?

SOME. He means our weal!

OTHERS. His taunts we have deserved.

CATILINE. You have, indeed.--Yet, see,--the hour is come When you can wash away the blot of shame.

All that is of the past we will forget;-- A new existence is in store for us.

CATILINE. [With bitterness.]

Fool that I am! To stake success on you!

Burns any zeal within this craven mob?

CATILINE. [Carried away.]

Time was my dreams were glorious; great visions Rushed through my mind or swept before my gaze.

I dreamed that, winged like Icarus of old, I flew aloft beneath the vault of heaven; I dreamed the G.o.ds endued my hands with strength Of giants, offered me the lightning flash.

And this hand seized the lightning in its flight And hurled it at the city far beneath.

And when the crimson flames lapped all, and rose As Rome fell crumbling in a heap of ruins,-- Then called I with a loud and mighty voice, And conjured Cato's comrades from the grave; Thousands of spirits heard my call and came,-- Took life again--raised Rome from out her ashes.

[He breaks off.]

CATILINE. These were but dreams! G.o.ds do not conjure up The by-gone past into the light of day,-- And parted spirits never leave the grave.

CATILINE. [Wildly.] Is now this hand unable to restore The ancient Rome, our Rome it shall destroy.

Where marble colonnades now towering stand, Pillars of smoke through crackling flames shall whirl; Then shall the Capitol crumble from its heights, And palaces and temples sink to ruin!

CATILINE. Swear, comrades, that you dedicate your lives To this great purpose! I shall take the lead.

Say,--will you follow me?

STATILIUS. We'll follow you!

[Several seem to be in doubt, and speak in whispers to one another. CATILINE regards them with a scornful smile.]

LENTULUS. [In an undertone.]

'Tis best we follow him. In sunken ruins We're likeliest to realize our goal.

ALL. [Shouting.] Yes, Catiline; we'll all--all follow you!

CATILINE. Swear to me by the G.o.ds of our great sires That you will heed my every nod!

THE WHOLE GROUP. [With uplifted hands.] Yes, yes; We swear in all things blindly to obey!

CATILINE. Then singly steal your way, by different paths, Into my house. Weapons you there will find.

I shall come later; you shall then discover What plan of action I propose. Now go!

[They all go out.]

LENTULUS. [Detains CATILINE.]

A word! Know you the Allobrogian tribes Have to the Senate sent amba.s.sadors With grievances and charges?

CATILINE. Yes, I know.

They came today into the city.

LENTULUS. Good.

What if we should attune them to our plans?

With them all Gaul will rise up in revolt; And stir up strife against our enemies.

CATILINE. [Reluctant.]

Ah, we should seek barbarian allies?

LENTULUS. But such a league is a necessity.

With our own strength alone the fight is lost; Help from without--

CATILINE. [With a bitter smile.] Ah, Rome is fallen low!

Her walls no longer harbor men with strength Enough to overthrow a tottering ruin!

[They go out.]

[A garden to the rear of CATILINE's house, which is visible through the trees. To the left a side-building.]

[CURIUS, CETHEGUS, and OTHER CONSPIRATORS enter cautiously from the right in whispered conversation.]