CURIUS. But is it really true what you relate?

CETHEGUS. Yes, every word is true. A moment since It was decided.

CURIUS. He takes charge of all?

CETHEGUS. Of everything. Just speak with him yourself.

[All, except CURIUS, enter the house.]

CURIUS. An eerie night! How all my thoughts are tossed About in circles! Did I dream perchance?

Ah, real or fancied,--now I am awake,-- Whichever way I turn I see her form.

[CATILINE enters from the right.]

CATILINE. [Goes toward him.]

You here, my Curius? I have missed you much.-- My visit with the vestal took a turn Quite unexpected--

CURIUS. [Confused.] So? Yes, you are right!

CATILINE. I shall no longer think of this affair.

It was a visit fraught with fate for me.

CATILINE. [Meditating.]

The furies, we are told, return at times From the dark underworld to follow us Through life forever.--Ah, if it were so!

CURIUS. [Uneasy.] What? Have you seen her--?

CATILINE. She was here tonight.-- Yet let this be forgotten. Curius, listen,-- A weighty undertaking is on foot--

CURIUS. I know it all. Cethegus told me here--

CATILINE. Who knows what issue for this work the G.o.ds Have set? Perchance it is my destiny To perish now, crushed by malignant forces,-- And never reach my goal. Well, be it so!

But you, dear Curius, you whom I have loved Since childhood,--you shall not be drawn within This fateful maelstrom. Promise me,--remain Within the city if I elsewhere choose To open my attack,--which is quite likely; Nor aid us till success has crowned our work.

CURIUS. [Moved.]

Oh, what a friend and father! All this care--!

CATILINE. You promise this? Then here we say farewell; Wait but a moment; I shall soon return.

[He goes into the house.]

CURIUS. [Gazing after him.]

He loves me still. Of naught is he distrustful.

[LENTULUS and OTHER CONSPIRATORS enter from the right.]

LENTULUS. Ah, Curius, did not Catiline just now Pa.s.s through the garden?

CURIUS. Yes, he is within.

[They go into the house.]

CURIUS. [Paces about uneasy.]

How shall I curb this longing in my soul?

There is a restless turmoil in my blood.

Ah, Furia,--what a strange, mysterious woman!

Where are you? When shall I see your face again?

CURIUS. Where has she fled? Ah, shadow-like she slipped Away, when I had freed her from the grave.

And those mysterious, prophetic words,-- And more, her eyes, gleaming at once and dimmed--!

What if it were but madness? Has the grave With all its terror darkened--?

FURIA. [Behind him among the trees.] No, pale youth!

CURIUS. [With a cry.] My Furia! You--?

FURIA. [Comes nearer.] Here dwells Catiline.

Where he is,--there must Furia also be.

CURIUS. Oh, come with me, beloved. I shall lead You into safety. Think--if some one saw you!

FURIA. The dead need have no fear. Have you forgotten-- You took my corpse and brought it from the grave?

CURIUS. Again those terrifying words! Oh, hear me;-- Come to your senses,--come with me away!

[He tries to seize her hand.]

FURIA. [Thrusts him wildly back.]

You reckless fool,--do you not shrink with fear Before this child of death, but risen up A fleeting moment from the underworld?

CURIUS. Before you now I fear. And yet this fear, This strange, mysterious dread, is my delight.

FURIA. What would you me? In vain is all your pleading.

I'm of the grave, and yonder is my home;-- With dawn's approach I must again be speeding Back to the vale of shadows whence I come.

You doubt me,--do not think that I have sat Among the pallid shades in Pluto's hall?

I tell you, I was even now below,-- Beyond the river and the gloomy marshes.

CURIUS. Then lead me there!

FURIA. You?

CURIUS. I shall gladly follow, Though you should lead me through the jaws of death!

FURIA. It cannot be! On earth we two must part;-- Yonder the dead and living dare not meet.--

FURIA. Why do you rob me of my fleeting moments?

I've but the hours of night in which to work; My task is of the night; I am its herald.

But where is Catiline?