You, Lentulus — !

 

SEVERAL. [In doubt.] You wish to lead us?

 

LENTULUS. I do.

 

CETHEGUS. But can you? Such a task requires
The strength and courage of a Catiline.

 

LENTULUS. I do not lack the courage, nor the strength.
Each to his task! Or will you now turn back,
Now when the moment seems most opportune?
‘Tis now or never! All things prophesy
Success for us —

 

STATILIUS. Good; — we will follow you!

 

OTHERS. We’ll follow you!

 

GABINIUS. Well, now that Catiline
Forsakes our cause, you are no doubt the man
To lead us in our enterprise.

 

LENTULUS. Then hear
What plan of action I have outlined. First —

 

[CATILINE enters hastily.]

 

CATILINE. Here, comrades, here I am!

 

ALL. Catiline!

 

LENTULUS. He?
Oh, damned —

 

CATILINE. Speak out, — what do you ask of me?
Yet stay; I know already what it is.
I’ll lead you on. Say — will you follow me?

 

ALL (EXCEPT LENTULUS). Yes, Catiline, — we follow if you lead!

 

STATILIUS. They have deceived us —

 

GABINIUS. — and belied your name!

 

COEPARIUS. They said you did intend to leave the city
And wash your hands completely of our cause.

 

CATILINE. Yes, so I did. Yet now no more; henceforth
Only for this great purpose do I live.

 

LENTULUS. What is this mighty purpose you proclaim?

 

CATILINE. My purpose here is higher than you think —
Perhaps than any thinks. Ah, hear me, friends!
First will I win to us each citizen
Who prizes liberty and values most
The public honor and his country’s weal.
The spirit of ancient Rome is yet alive; —
The last faint spark is not yet wholly dead.
Now into brilliant flames it shall be fanned,
More glorious than ever flames before!
Alas, too long the stifling gloom of thraldom,
Dark as the night, lay blanketed on Rome.
Behold, — this realm — though proud and powerful
It seems — totters upon the edge of doom.
Therefore the stoutest hand must seize the helm.
Rome must be cleansed, — cleansed to the very roots;
The sluggish we must waken from their slumber, —
And crush to earth the power of these wretches
Who sow their poison in the mind and stifle
The slightest promise of a better life.
Look you,—’tis civic freedom I would further, —
The civic spirit that in former times
Was regnant here. Friends, I shall conjure back
The golden age, when Romans gladly gave
Their lives to guard the honor of the nation,
And all their riches for the public weal!

 

LENTULUS. Ah, Catiline, you rave! Nothing of this
Had we in mind.

 

GABINIUS. What will it profit us
To conjure up again those ancient days
With all their dull simplicity?

 

SOME. No, no!
Might we demand —

 

OTHERS. — and means enough to live
A gay and carefree life!

 

MANY VOICES. That is our aim!

 

COEPARIUS.