With trembling and with fear
The future generations will recall
Your fate. Your life was all a daring game; —
Yet in the lustre of atonement it would shine,
Known to all men, if with a mighty hand
You fought your way straight through this surging
throng, —
If the dark night of thraldom through your rule
Gave way before a new-born day of freedom, —
If at some time you —

 

CATILINE. Hold! Ah, you have touched
The string that quivers deepest in my soul.
Your every word sounds like a ringing echo
Of what my heart has whispered day and night.

 

FURIA. Now, Catiline, I know you once again!

 

CATILINE. I shall not go! You have recalled to life
My youthful zeal, my manhood’s full-grown longings.
Yes, I shall be a light to fallen Rome, —
Daze them with fear like some erratic star!
You haughty wretches, — you shall soon discover
You have not humbled me, though for a time
I weakened in the heat of battle!

 

FURIA. Listen!
Whatever be the will of fate, — whatever
The mighty gods decree, we must obey.
Just so! My hate is gone; — fate thus decreed,
And so it had to be! Give me your hand
In solemn compact! — Ah, you hesitate?
You will not?

 

CATILINE. Will — ? I gaze upon your eyes:
They flash, — like lightning in the gloom of night.
Now did you smile! Just so I’ve often pictured
Nemesis —

 

FURIA. What? Herself you wish to see, —
Then look within. Have you forgot your oath?

 

CATILINE. No, I remember; — yet you seem to me
A Nemesis —

 

FURIA. I am an image born
From your own soul.

 

CATILINE. [Meditating.] What is all this you say?
I sense but vaguely what I fail to grasp;
I glimpse mysterious, strangely clouded visions, —
But can not understand. I grope in darkness!

 

FURIA. It must be dark here. Darkness is our realm; —
In darkness is our rule. Give me your hand
In solemn pledge!

 

CATILINE. [Wildly.] O lovely Nemesis, —
My shadow, — image of my very soul, —
Here is my hand in everlasting compact.

 

[He seizes her hand violently; she looks at him with a stern smile.]

 

FURIA. Now we can never part!

 

CATILINE. Ah, like a stream
Of fire your touch went coursing through my veins!
‘Tis blood no more that flows, but fiery flames; —
My breast now cabins and confines my heart;
My sight grows dull. Soon shall a flaming sea
Illumine with its light the Roman state!

 

[He draws his sword and brandishes it.]

 

CATILINE. My sword! My sword! Do you see how it flashes?
Soon will it redden in their tepid blood! —
What change is this in me? My brow burns hot;
A multitude of visions flit before me. —
Vengeance it is, — triumph for all those dreams
Of greatness, regal power, and lasting fame.
My watch-word shall be: livid flames and death!
The capitol! Now first I am myself!

 

[He rushes out; FURIA follows him.]

 

[The inside of a dimly illumined tavern.]

 

[STATILIUS, GABINIUS, COEPARIUS, and other young
ROMANS enter.]

 

STATILIUS. Here, comrades, we can while away the night;
Here we are safe; no one will overhear us.

 

GABINIUS. Ah, yes; now let us drink, carouse, enjoy!
Who knows how long it will be granted us?

 

STATILIUS. No, let us first await whatever tidings
Lentulus and Cethegus have for us.

 

GABINIUS. Bah, let them bring whatever news they will!
Meanwhile the wine is here; come, let us taste.
Quick, brothers, quick, — let’s have a merry song!

 

[SERVANTS bring in wine and glasses.]

 

THE ASSEMBLED FRIENDS. (Sing.)

 

 Bacchus, all praise to thee!
  Joyful we raise to thee
  Brimful the beaker!
  Hail to thee, hail!
  Wine, red and glowing,
  Merrily flowing,
  Drink of the wine-god, —
  This be our song.

 

 Gracious and friendly
  Smiles father Liber;
  Drunkenness waits us;
  Clear is the wine.
  Come, do not tarry!
  Wine will make merry,
  Joyful and airy,
  Body and soul.

 

 Thou above all the
  Glittering bubbles,
  Sparkling Falernian,
  Glorious drink!
  Courage and power,
  These are your dower.
  Gladsome the gift you
  Bring to the soul.

 

 Bacchus, all praise to thee!
  Joyful we raise to thee
  Brimful the beaker!
  Hail to thee, hail!
  Wine, red and glowing,
  Merrily flowing,
  Drink of the wine-god, —
  This be our song.

 

[LENTULUS and CETHEGUS enter.]

 

LENTULUS. Cease all your song and merriment!

 

STATILIUS. What now?
Is Catiline not in your company?

 

GABINIUS. Surely he was quite willing?

 

COEPARIUS.