Early Plays - Catiline, the Warrior's Barrow, Olaf Liljekrans - BestLightNovel.com
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[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.]
