Yes, I know.
They came today into the city.

 

LENTULUS. Good.
What if we should attune them to our plans?
With them all Gaul will rise up in revolt;
And stir up strife against our enemies.

 

CATILINE. [Reluctant.]
Ah, we should seek barbarian allies?

 

LENTULUS. But such a league is a necessity.
With our own strength alone the fight is lost;
Help from without —

 

CATILINE. [With a bitter smile.] Ah, Rome is fallen low!
Her walls no longer harbor men with strength
Enough to overthrow a tottering ruin!

 

[They go out.]

 

[A garden to the rear of CATILINE’s house, which is visible through the trees. To the left a side-building.]

 

[CURIUS, CETHEGUS, and OTHER CONSPIRATORS enter cautiously from the right in whispered conversation.]

 

CURIUS. But is it really true what you relate?

 

CETHEGUS. Yes, every word is true. A moment since
It was decided.

 

CURIUS. He takes charge of all?

 

CETHEGUS. Of everything. Just speak with him yourself.

 

[All, except CURIUS, enter the house.]

 

CURIUS. An eerie night! How all my thoughts are tossed
About in circles! Did I dream perchance?
Ah, real or fancied, — now I am awake, —
Whichever way I turn I see her form.

 

[CATILINE enters from the right.]

 

CATILINE. [Goes toward him.]
You here, my Curius? I have missed you much. —
My visit with the vestal took a turn
Quite unexpected —

 

CURIUS. [Confused.] So? Yes, you are right!

 

CATILINE. I shall no longer think of this affair.
It was a visit fraught with fate for me.

 

CATILINE. [Meditating.]
The furies, we are told, return at times
From the dark underworld to follow us
Through life forever. — Ah, if it were so!

 

CURIUS. [Uneasy.] What? Have you seen her — ?

 

CATILINE. She was here tonight. —
Yet let this be forgotten. Curius, listen, —
A weighty undertaking is on foot —

 

CURIUS. I know it all. Cethegus told me here —

 

CATILINE. Who knows what issue for this work the gods
Have set? Perchance it is my destiny
To perish now, crushed by malignant forces, —
And never reach my goal. Well, be it so!
But you, dear Curius, you whom I have loved
Since childhood, — you shall not be drawn within
This fateful maelstrom. Promise me, — remain
Within the city if I elsewhere choose
To open my attack, — which is quite likely;
Nor aid us till success has crowned our work.

 

CURIUS. [Moved.]
Oh, what a friend and father! All this care — !

 

CATILINE. You promise this? Then here we say farewell;
Wait but a moment; I shall soon return.

 

[He goes into the house.]

 

CURIUS.