Early Plays - Catiline, the Warrior's Barrow, Olaf Liljekrans - novelonlinefull.com
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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.
