THE SECOND GLADIATOR. What matters it to us who he may be?

Lentulus pays our hire; the blame is his: He must himself defend the act we do.

LENTULUS. [Returns quickly.]

Stand ready now; the man we wait is coming!

[LENTULUS and the GLADIATORS lie in wait among the bushes.]

[Soon after, CATILINE comes through the forest and goes toward the tent.]

LENTULUS. [Whispering.]

Out! Fall upon him! Strike him from behind!

[All three rush on CATILINE.]

CATILINE. [Draws his sword and defends himself.]

Ah, scoundrels,--do you dare to--?

LENTULUS. [To the GLADIATORS.] Cut him down!

CATILINE. [Recognizes him.]

You, Lentulus, would murder Catiline?

THE FIRST GLADIATOR. [Terrified.] He it is!

THE SECOND GLADIATOR. [Draws back.] Catiline! I'll never use The sword on him. Come flee!

[Both GLADIATORS make their escape.]

LENTULUS. Then die by mine!

[They fight; CATILINE strikes the sword from the hand of Lentulus; the latter tries to escape, but CATILINE holds him fast.]

CATILINE. Murderer! Traitor!

LENTULUS. [Entreating.] Mercy, Catiline!

CATILINE. I spell your plans upon your countenance.

You wished to murder me, and put yourself Into the chieftain's place. Was it not so?

LENTULUS. Yes, Catiline, it was even so!

CATILINE. [Looks at him with repressed scorn.] What then?

If 'tis the power you want,--so let it be!

LENTULUS. Explain,--what do you mean?

CATILINE. I shall resign; And you may lead the army--

LENTULUS. [Surprised.] You resign?

CATILINE. I shall. But be prepared for all events; Know this--our undertaking is revealed: The senate is informed of every plan; Its troops hem us about--

LENTULUS. What do you say?

CATILINE. Now shall I call a council of our friends; Do you come too,--announce your leadership; I shall resign.

LENTULUS. [Detains him.] One moment, Catiline!

CATILINE. Your time is precious; ere the dawn of day You may expect an onslaught--

LENTULUS. [Anxiously.] Hear me, friend!

Surely you jest? It is impossible--

CATILINE. Our project, I have told you, is betrayed.

Show now your firmness and sagacity!

LENTULUS. Betrayed? Then woe to us!

CATILINE. [Smiles scornfully.] You paltry coward!

You tremble _now_;--yet _you_ would murder _me_; You think a man like you is called to rule?

LENTULUS. Forgive me, Catiline!

CATILINE. Make your escape By hurried flight, if still it can be done.

LENTULUS. Ah, you permit me then--?

CATILINE. And did you think It was my purpose to forsake this post In such an hour as this? You little know me.

LENTULUS. O, Catiline--!

CATILINE. [Coldly.] Waste not your moments here!

Seek your own safety;--I know how to die.

[He turns away from him.]

LENTULUS. [To himself.]

I thank you for these tidings, Catiline;-- I shall make use of them to serve my end.

'Twill stand me in good stead now that I know This region well; I'll seek the hostile army And guide it hitherward by secret paths, To your destruction and to my salvation.-- The serpent that you trample in the dust So arrogantly still retains its sting!

[He goes.]

CATILINE. [After a pause.]

This is the trust I built my hopes upon!

Thus one by one they leave me. Oh ye G.o.ds!

Treason and cowardice alone stir up The sullen currents of their slavish souls.

Oh, what a fool am I with all my hopes!

I would destroy yon viper's nest, that Rome,-- Which is long since a heap of sunken ruins.