[The Allobrogian amba.s.sadors, AMBIORIX and OLLOVICO, come out of the house without noticing FURIA, who stands half concealed in the shade between the trees.]

AMBIORIX. So then it is decided! Venturesome It was to enter into such a compact.

OLLOVICO. True; Yet their refusal of each righteous claim Opens no other way to liberty.

The prize of victory,--should our friends succeed,-- Outweighs indeed the perils of the conflict That now awaits us.

AMBIORIX. Brother, so it is!

OLLOVICO. Emanc.i.p.ation from the rule of Rome,-- Freedom long lost is surely worth a struggle.

AMBIORIX. Now we must hasten homeward with all speed, Kindling through Gaul the flames of insurrection.

It will be easy to persuade the tribes To 'rise up in revolt; they'll follow us And join the partisans of Catiline.

OLLOVICO. Hard will the fight be; mighty still is Rome.

AMBIORIX. It must be risked. Come, Ollovico, come!

FURIA. [Calls warningly to them.] Woe unto you!

AMBIORIX. [Startled.] By all the G.o.ds!

OLLOVICO. [Terrified.] Ah, hear!

A voice cries warning to us in the dark!

FURIA. Woe to your people!

OLLOVICO. Yonder stands she, brother,-- The pale and ill-foreboding shadow. See!

FURIA. Woe unto all who follow Catiline!

AMBIORIX. Home, home! Away! We'll break all promises!

OLLOVICO. A voice has warned us, and we shall obey.

[They go out hurriedly to the right.]

[CATILINE comes out of the house in the background.]

CATILINE. Ah, desperate hope--to think of crushing Rome With such a host of cowards and poltroons!

What spurs them on? With frankness they confess-- Their only motive is their want and greed.

Is it then worth the trouble for such aims To shed men's blood? And what have I to win?

What can I gain?

FURIA. [Invisible among the trees.] Revenge, my Catiline!

CATILINE. [Startled.]

Who speaks! Who wakes the spirit of revenge From slumber? Came this voice then from the deep Within my soul? Revenge? Yes, that's the word,-- My watch-word and my battle-cry. Revenge!

Revenge for all the hopes and all the dreams Which ever a vindictive fate destroyed!

Revenge for all my years of wasted life!

[The CONSPIRATORS come armed out of the house.]

LENTULUS. Still rest the shades of darkness on the city.

Now is it time to break away.

SEVERAL. [Whispering.] Away!

[AURELIA comes out of the side-building without noticing the CONSPIRATORS.]

AURELIA. Beloved,--are you here?

CATILINE. [With a cry.] Aurelia!

AURELIA. Say,-- Have you been waiting for me?

[She becomes aware of the Conspirators and rushes to him.]

AURELIA. Gracious G.o.ds!

CATILINE. [Thrusts her aside.] Woman, away from me!

AURELIA. Speak, Catiline!

These many men in arms--? And you as well--?

Oh, you will go--

CATILINE. [Wildly.] Yes, by the spirits of night,-- A merry journey! See--this flashing sword!

It thirsts for blood! I go--to quench its thirst.

AURELIA. My hope,--my dream! Ah, blissful was my dream!

Thus am I wakened from my dreaming--

CATILINE. Silence!

Stay here,--or follow! But my heart is cold To tears and lamentations.--Friends, behold How bright the full moon in the west declines!

When next that full moon in its orient shines, An avalanche of fire shall sweep the state And all its golden glory terminate.

A thousand years from now, when it shall light Mere crumbling ruins in the desert night,-- One pillar in the dust of yonder dome Shall tell the weary wanderer: Here stood Rome!

[He rushes out to the right; all follow him.]

THIRD ACT

[CATILINE's camp in a wooded field in Etruria. To the right is seen CATILINE's tent and close by it an old oak tree. A camp fire is burning outside the tent; similar fires are to be seen among the trees in the background. It is night. At intervals the moon breaks through the clouds.]

[STATILIUS lies stretched out asleep by the camp fire.

MANLIUS paces back and forth in front of the tent.]