Early Plays - Catiline, the Warrior's Barrow, Olaf Liljekrans Part 15

[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 crus.h.i.+ng 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 flas.h.i.+ng 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 s.h.i.+nes, 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.]