[Gazing after him.]
He loves me still. Of naught is he distrustful.

 

[LENTULUS and OTHER CONSPIRATORS enter from the right.]

 

LENTULUS. Ah, Curius, did not Catiline just now
Pass through the garden?

 

CURIUS. Yes, he is within.

 

[They go into the house.]

 

CURIUS. [Paces about uneasy.]
How shall I curb this longing in my soul?
There is a restless turmoil in my blood.
Ah, Furia, — what a strange, mysterious woman!
Where are you? When shall I see your face again?

 

CURIUS. Where has she fled? Ah, shadow-like she slipped
Away, when I had freed her from the grave.
And those mysterious, prophetic words, —
And more, her eyes, gleaming at once and dimmed — !
What if it were but madness? Has the grave
With all its terror darkened — ?

 

FURIA. [Behind him among the trees.] No, pale youth!

 

CURIUS. [With a cry.] My Furia! You — ?

 

FURIA. [Comes nearer.] Here dwells Catiline.
Where he is, — there must Furia also be.

 

CURIUS. Oh, come with me, beloved. I shall lead
You into safety. Think — if some one saw you!

 

FURIA. The dead need have no fear. Have you forgotten —
You took my corpse and brought it from the grave?

 

CURIUS. Again those terrifying words! Oh, hear me; —
Come to your senses, — come with me away!

 

[He tries to seize her hand.]

 

FURIA. [Thrusts him wildly back.]
You reckless fool, — do you not shrink with fear
Before this child of death, but risen up
A fleeting moment from the underworld?

 

CURIUS. Before you now I fear. And yet this fear,
This strange, mysterious dread, is my delight.

 

FURIA. What would you me? In vain is all your pleading.
I’m of the grave, and yonder is my home; —
With dawn’s approach I must again be speeding
Back to the vale of shadows whence I come.
You doubt me, — do not think that I have sat
Among the pallid shades in Pluto’s hall?
I tell you, I was even now below, —
Beyond the river and the gloomy marshes.

 

CURIUS. Then lead me there!

 

FURIA. You?

 

CURIUS. I shall gladly follow,
Though you should lead me through the jaws of death!

 

FURIA. It cannot be! On earth we two must part; —
Yonder the dead and living dare not meet. —

 

FURIA. Why do you rob me of my fleeting moments?
I’ve but the hours of night in which to work;
My task is of the night; I am its herald.
But where is Catiline?

 

CURIUS. Ah, him you seek?

 

FURIA. Yes, him I seek.

 

CURIUS. Then him you still pursue?

 

FURIA. Why rose I from the spirit underworld
Tonight, if not because of Catiline?

 

CURIUS. Alas, this fury that has seized your soul — !
Yet you are lovely even in your madness.
Oh, Furia, think no more of Catiline!
Come, flee with me! Command me, — I shall serve you!

 

[He prostrates himself before her.]

 

CURIUS.