Yet hold;
For such a thing we need a mighty leader, —
With pluck and vision. Where can he be found?

 

LENTULUS. I know a man who has the power to lead us.

 

MANLIUS. Ah, you mean Catiline?

 

LENTULUS. The very man.

 

CETHEGUS. Yes, Catiline perchance is just the man.

 

MANLIUS. I know him well. I was his father’s friend;
Many a battle side by side we fought.
Often his young son went with him to war.
Even his early years were wild and headstrong;
Yet he gave open proof of rare endowments, —
His mind was noble, dauntless was his courage.

 

LENTULUS. We’ll find him, as I think, most prompt and willing.
I met him late this evening much depressed;
He meditates in secret some bold plan; —
Some desperate scheme he long has had in mind.

 

STATILIUS. No doubt; the consulate he long has sought.

 

LENTULUS. His efforts are in vain; his enemies
Have madly raged against him in the senate; —
He was himself among them; full of wrath
He left the council — brooding on revenge.

 

STATILIUS. Then will he surely welcome our proposal.

 

LENTULUS. I hope so. Yet must we in secret weigh
Our enterprise. The time is opportune.

 

[They go.]

 

[In the Temple of Vesta in Rome. On an altar in the background burns a lamp with the sacred fire.]

 

[CATILINE, followed by CURIUS, comes stealing in between the pillars.]

 

CURIUS. What, Catiline, — you mean to bring me here?
In Vesta’s temple!

 

CATILINE. [Laughing.] Well, yes; so you see!

 

CURIUS. Ye gods, — what folly! On this very day
Has Cicero denounced you in the council;
And yet you dare —

 

CATILINE. Oh, let that be forgotten!

 

CURIUS. You are in danger, and forget it thus —
By rushing blindly into some new peril.

 

CATILINE. [Gaily.] Well, change is my delight. I never knew
Ere now a vestal’s love, — forbidden fruit; —
Wherefore I came to try my fortune here.

 

CURIUS. What, — here, you say? Impossible! A jest!

 

CATILINE. A jest? Why, yes, — as all my loving is.
And yet I was in earnest when I spoke.
During the recent games I chanced to see
The priestesses in long and pompous train.
By accident I cast my roving eye
On one of them, — and with a hasty glance
She met my gaze. It pierced me to the soul.
Ah, the expression in those midnight eyes
I never saw before in any woman.

 

CURIUS. Yes, yes, I know. But speak — what followed then?

 

CATILINE. A way into the temple I have found,
And more than once I’ve seen and spoken to her.
Oh, what a difference between this woman
And my Aurelia!

 

CURIUS. And you love them both
At once? No, — that I cannot understand.

 

CATILINE.