The Holloway Pages: Ben Jonson: Works (1692 Folio): Catiline

Catiline.

237

C A T I L I N E

HIS

C O N S P I R A C Y.

A T R A G E D Y.

Acted in the Year 1611. By the K I N G S M A J E S T Y' S Servants.

With the Allowance of the Master of R E V E L S.

The Author B. J.

                    ----------His non plebecula gaudet:
   Verum equitis quoque jam migravit ab aure voluptas
   Omnis, ad incertos oculos, & gaudia vana.     Horat.

To the Great Example of H O N O U R and V E R T U E, the most Noble

W I L L I A M

E A R L of P E M B R O K E , L O R D C H A M B E R L A I N, &c.
M Y L O R D,

I

N so thick and dark an Ignorance, as now almost covers the Age, I crave leave to stand near your Light, and by that to be read. Posterity may pay your Benefit the Honour and Thanks, when it shall know, that you dare, in these Jig-given times, to countenance a Legitimate Poem. I must call it so, against all noise of Opinion: from whose crude and airy Reports, I appeal to that great and singular Faculty of Judgment in your Lordship, able to vindicate Truth from Error. It is the First (of this Race) that ever I dedicated to any Person; and had I not thought it the best, it should have been taught a less Ambition. Now it approacheth your Censure chearfully, and with the same assurance that Innocency would appear before a Magistrate.

Your Lordships most faithful Honourer,

BEN. JOHNSON.

238

The P E R S O N S of the P L A Y.

S Y L L A' S G H O S T.

C A T I L I N E.	G A B I N I U S.	C Ć S A R.
L E N T U L U S.	S T A T I L I U S.	Qu. C I C E R O.
C E T H E G U S.	C E P A R I U S.	S Y L L A N U S.
C U R I U S.	C O R N E L I U S.	F L A C C U S.
A U T R O N I U S.	V O L T U R T I U S.	P O M T I N I U S.
V A R G U N T E I U S.	C I C E R O.	S A N G A.
L O N G I N U S.	A N T O N I U S.	S E N A T O R S.
L E C C A.	C A T O.	A L L O B R O G E S.
F U L V I U S.	C A T U L U S.	P E T R E I U S.
B E S T I A.	C R A S S U S.	S O L D I E R S.
A U R E L I A.	G A L L A.	S E R V A N T S.
F U L V I A.	P O R T E R.	P A G E S.
S E M P R O N I A.	L I C T O R S.

C H O R U S.

The S C E N E

R O M E.

The Principal T R A G ś D I A N S were,

RIC. BURBADGE.

ALEX. COOKE.

JOH. LOWIN.

WILL. OSTLER.

RICH. ROBINSON.

JOH. HEMINGS.

HEN. CONDEL.

JOH. UNDERWOOD.

NIC. TOOLY.

WILL. EGLESTONE.

C A T I L I N E.

239

C A T I L I N E.

Act I.

Sylla's Ghost.

Ost thou not feel me, Rome? not yet? Is
Night
So heavy on thee, and my weight so light?
Can Sylla's Ghost arise within thy Walls
Less threatning than an Earthquake, the quick falls
Of thee and thine? Shake not the frighted heads
Of thy steep Towers? or shrink to their first Beds?
Or, as their Ruine the large Tyber fills,
Make that swell up, and drown thy seven proud Hills?
What sleep is this doth seize thee so like Death,
And is not it? VVake, feel her my in breath:
Behold I come, sent from the Stygian Sound,
As a dire Vapor that had cleft the ground,
T' ingender with the Night, and blast the Day;
Or like a Pestilence that should display
Infection through the world: which thus I do.

[Discovers Catiline in his Study.

Pluto be at thy Councels, and into
Thy darker bosome enter Sylla's Spirit:
All that was mine, and bad, thy breast inherit.
Alas how weak is that for Catiline!
Did I but say (vain voice!) all that was mine?
All that the Gracchi, Cinna, Marius would:
VVhat now, had I a Body again, I could,
Coming from Hell; what Fiends would wish should be;
And Hannibal could not have wish'd to see:
Think thou, and practice. Let the long hid Seeds
Of Treason in thee, now shoot fortb in Deeds
Ranker than Horror; and thy former Facts
Not fall in mention, but to urge new Acts:
Conscience of them provoke thee on to more.
Be still thy Incests, Murders, Rapes before
Thy Sense; thy forcing first a Vestal Nun;
Thy Parricide, late, on thy own only Son,
After his Mother; to make empty way
For thy last wicked Nuptials; worse than they
That blaze that act of thy incestuous Life,
VVhich got thee at once a daughter and a wife.
I leave the slaughters that thou didst for me
Of Senators; for which, I hid for thee
Thy Murder of thy Brother, (being so brib'd)
And writ him in the List of my proscrib'd
After thy Fact, to save thy little shame:
Thy Incest with thy Sister, I not name.
These are too light. Fate will have thee pursue
Deeds, after which no mischief can be new;
The Ruin of thy Countrey: thou wert built
For such a work, and born for no less guilt.
What though defeated once th' hast been, and known,
Tempt it again: That is thy act, or none.
What all the several Ills that visit Earth,
(Brought forth by Night, with a sinister birth)
Plagues, Famine, Fire, could not reach unto,
The Sword, nor Surfeits; let thy Fury do:
Make all past, present, future Ill thine own;
And conquer all Example in thy one.
Nor let thy thought find any vacant time
To hate an old, but still a fresher Crime

[column break]

Drown the remembrance: let not mischief cease,
But while it is in punishing, increase.
Conscience and Care die in thee; and be free
Not Heav'n it self, from thy Impiety:
Let Night grow blacker with thy Plots, and Day,
At shewing but thy Head forth, start away
From this half-sphear: and leave Rome's blinded Walls
T' embrace Lusts, Hatreds, Slaughters, Funerals,
And not recover sight till their own flames
Do light them to their Ruines. All the Names
Of thy Confederates too, be no less great
In Hell than here: that when we would repeat
Our strengths in muster, we may name you all,
And Furies upon you for Furies call.
Whilst what you do may strike them into fears,
Or make them grieve, and wish your mischief theirs.

Catiline.

T is decree'd. Nor shall thy Fate, O Rome,
Resist my vow. Tho Hills were set on Hills,
And Seas met Seas to guard thee, I would through:
I plough up Rocks, steep as the Alpes, in dust;
And lave the Tyrrhene Waters into Clouds;
But I would reach thy Head, thy Head, proud City.
The Ills that I have done cannot be safe
But by attempting greater; and I feel
A Spirit within me chides my sluggish hands,
And says, they have been innocent too long.
Was I a man bred great as Rome her self?
One form'd for all her Honours, all her Glories?
Equal to all her Titles? that could stand
Close up with Atlas, and sustain her Name
As strong as he doth Heaven? And was I,
Of all her Brood, mark'd out for the repulse
By her no voice, when I stood Candidate,
To be Commander in the Pontick War?
I will hereafter call her Step-dame ever!
If she can lose her Nature, I can lose
My Piety; and in her stony Entrails
Dig me a Seat: where I will live again,
The labour of her Womb, and be a burden
Weightier than all the Prodigies and Monsters
That she hath teem'd with, since she first knew Mars.

Catiline, Aurelia

Ho's there? Aur. 'Tis I. Cat. Aurelia?
Aur. Yes. Cat. Appear,
And break like day, my Beauty, to this Circle:
Upbraid thy Phśbus, that he is so long
In mounting to that point, which should give thee
Thy proper splendor. Wherefore frowns my Sweet?
Have I too long been absent from these Lips,

[He kisseth them.

This Cheek, these Eyes? What is my trespass? speak.
   Aur. It seems you know, that can accuse your self.
   Cat. I will redeem it.
   Aur. Still you say so. When?
   Cat. When Orestilla, by her bearing well
These my Retirements, and stoln times for thought,
Shall give their Effects leave to call her Queen
Of all the world, in place of humbled Rome.

Aur.

240	Catiline.

   Aur. You court me now.
   Cat. As I would always, Love,
By this Ambrosiack Kiss, and this of Nectar,
Wouldst thou but hear as gladly as I speak.
Could my Aurelia think I meant her less;
When wooing her, I first remov'd a Wife,
And then a Son, to make my Bed and House
Spatious, and fit t' embrace her? These were Deeds
Not t' have begun with, but to end with more
And greater: "He that, building, stays at one
"Floor, or the second, hath erected none.
'Twas how to raise thee I was meditating;
To make some act of mine answer thy Love:
That Love, that when my State was now quite sunk,
Came with thy wealth, and weigh'd it up again,
And made my 'emergent Fortune once more look
Above the Main; which now shall hit the Stars,
And stick my Orestilla there amongst 'em,
If any Tempest can but make the Billow,
And any Billow can but lift her Greatness.
But I must pray my Love, she will put on
Like Habits with my self. I have to do
With many Men and many Natures. Some
That must be blown and sooth'd; as Lentulus,
Whom I have heav'd with magnifying his Blood,
And a vain Dream out of the Sybill's Books,
That a third man of that great Family
Whereof he is descended, the Cornelii,
Should be a King in Rome: which I have hir'd
The flattering Augures to interpret him,
Cinna and Sylla dead. Then bold Cethegus,
Whose Valour I have turn'd into his Poyson,
And prais'd so into daring, as he would
Go on upon the Gods, kiss Lightning, wrest
The Engine from the Cyclops, and give fire
At face of a full Cloud, and stand his Ire,
When I would bid him move. Others there are,
Whom Envy to the State draws, and puts on
For Contumelies receiv'd, (and such are sure ones)
As Curius, and the fore-nam'd Lentulus,
Both which have been degraded in the Senate,
And must have their Disgraces still new rubb'd,
To make 'em smart, and labour of Revenge.
Others whom meer Ambition fires, and dole
Of Provinces abroad, which they have feign'd
To their crude hopes, and I as amply promis'd:
These, Lecca, Vargunteius, Bestia, Autronius.
Some whom their Wants oppress, as th' idle Captains
Of Sylla's Troops: and divers Roman Knights
(The profuse wasters of their Patrimonies)
So threatned with their Debts, as they will now
Run any desperate Fortune for a Change.
These for a time we must relieve, Aurelia,
And make our House the Safe-guard: like for those
That fear the Law, or stand within her gripe,
For any act past, or to come. Such will
From their own Crimes be factious, as from ours.
Some more there be, slight Airlings, will be won
With Dogs and Horses, or perhaps a Whore;
Which must be had: and if they venture Lives
For us, Aurelia, we must hazard Honours
A little. Get thee store and change of women,
As I have boys; and give 'em time and place,
And all connivence: be thy self, too, courtly;
And entertain, and feast, sit up, and revel;
Call all the great, the fair, and spirited Dames
Of Rome about thee: and begin a fashion
Of Freedom and Community. Some will thank thee,
Tho the sowr Senate frown, whose heads must ake
In fear and feeling too. We must not spare
Or cost or modesty. It can but shew
Like one of Juno's or of Jove's disguises,
In either thee or me: and will as soon,
When things succeed, be thrown by, or let fall,

[column break]

As is a Vail put off, a Visor chang'd,

[A noise without.

Or the Scene shifted, in our Theaters —
Who's that? It is the voice of Lentulus.
Aur. Or of Cethegus.
Cat. In, my fair Aurelia,
And think upon these Arts. They must not see
How far you are trusted with these Privacies;
Tho on their shoulders, necks, and heads you rise.

Lentulus, Cethegus, Catiline.

T is, methinks, a morning full of fate!
It riseth slowly, as her sullen care
Had all the weights of sleep and death hung at it!
She is not Rosie-finger'd, but swoln black!
Her Face is like a water turn'd to blood,
And her sick Head is bound about with Clouds,
As if she threatned Night e're Noon of Day!
It does not look as it would have a Hail
Or Health wish'd in it, as on other Morns.
   Cet. Why, all the fitter, Lentulus: Our coming
Is not for Salutation, we have Business.
   Cat. Said nobly, brave Cethegus. Where's Autronius?
   Cet. Is he not come?   Cat. Not here.
   Cet. Not Vargunteius?
   Cat. Neither.
   Cet. A fire in their Beds and Bosoms,
That so will serve their Sloth rather than Vertue.
They are no Romans, and at such high need
As now.   Len. Both they, Longinus, Lecca, Curius,
Fulvius, Gabinius, gave me word last night,
By Lucius Bestia, they would all be here,
And early.
   Cet. Yes? As you, had I not call'd you.
Come, we all sleep, and are meer Dormice; Flies
A little less than dead: more dulness hangs
On us than on the morn. W' are spirit bound,
In Ribs of Ice; our whole Bloods are one Stone;
And Honour cannot thaw us, nor our Wants,
Tho they burn hot as Fevers to our States.
   Cat. I muse they would be tardy at an hour
Of so great purpose.
   Cet. If the Gods had call'd
Them to a purpose, they would just have come
With the same Tortoyse speed! that are thus slow
To such an Action, which the Gods will envy,
As asking no less means than all their Powers
Conjoyn'd, t' effect. I would have seen Rome burnt
By this time, and her Ashes in an Urn:
The Kingdom of the Senate rent asunder;
And the degenerate talking Gown run frighted
Out of the Air of Italy.
   Cat. Spirit of Men!
Thou Heart of our great Enterprise! how much
I love these Voices in thee!
   Cet. O, the days
Of Sylla's Sway, when the free Sword took leave
To act all that it would!
   Cat. And was familiar
With Entrails, as our Augures.
   Cet. Sons kill'd Fathers,
Brothers their Brothers.
   Cat. And had Price and Praise.
All Hate had Licence given it; all Rage reigns.
   Cet. Slaughter bestrid the Streets, and stretch'd himself
To seem more huge; whilst to his stained thighs
The Gore he drew flow'd up, and carried down
Whole heaps of Limbs and Bodies through his Arch.
No Age was spar'd, no Sex.
   Cat. Nay, no Degree.
   Cet. Not Infants in the Porch of Life were free.
The Sick, the Old, that could but hope a Day
Longer by Natures Bounty, not let stay.
Virgins, and Widows, Matrons, pregnant Wives,

All

Catiline.

241

All died.   Cat. 'Twas Crime enough, that they had Lives.
To strike but only those that could do hurt,
VVas dull and poor. Some fell to make the Number,
As some the Prey.   Cet. The rugged Charon fainted,
And ask'd a Navy, rather than a Boat,
To ferry over the sad VVorld that came:
The Maws and Dens of Beasts could not receive
The Bodies that those Souls were frighted from;
And ev'n the Graves were fill'd with Men, yet living,
VVhose Flight and Fear had mix'd them with the Dead.
   Cat. And this shall be again, and more, and more,
Now Lentulus, the third Cornelius,
Is to stand up in Rome.   Len. Nay, urge not that
Is so uncertain.   Cat. How!   Len. I mean, not clear'd,
And therefore not to be reflected on.
   Cat. The Sybils Leaves uncertain! or the Comments
Of our grave, deep, divining Men, not clear!
   Len. All Prophecies, you know, suffer the torture.
   Cat. But this already hath confess'd, without;
And so been weigh'd, examin'd, and compar'd,
As 'twere malicious Ignorance in him
VVould faint in the Belief.   Len. Do you believe it?
   Cat. Do I love Lentulus, or pray to see it?
   Len. The Augures all are constant, I am meant.
   Cat. They' had lost their Science else.
   Len. They count from Cinna.
   Cat. And Sylla next, and so make you the third;
All that can say the Sun is ris'n, must think it.
   Len. Men mark me more of late, as I come forth!
   Cat. VVhy, what can they do less? Cinna and Sylla
Are set, and gone; and we must turn our Eyes
On him that is, and shines. Noble Cethegus,
But view him with me, here! He looks already
As if he shook a Scepter ore the Senate,
And the aw'd Purple dropt their Rods and Axes!
The Statues melt again, and Houshold Gods
In Groans confess the Travels of the City:
The very VValls sweat Blood before the Change;
And Stones start out to Ruin, ere it comes.
   Cet. But he, and we, and all are idle still.
   Len. I am your Creature, Sergius; and what ere
The Great Cornelian Name shall win to be,
It is not Augury, nor the Sybils Books,
But Catiline, that makes it.   Cat. I am Shadow
To honour'd Lentulus, and Cethegus here,
VVho are the Heirs of Mars.   Cet. By Mars himself,
Catiline is more my Parent; for whose Vertue
Earth cannot make a Shadow great enough,
Though Envy should come too. O, there they are.
Now we shall talk more, though we yet do nothing.

To them.]

Autronius, Vargunteius, Longinus, Curius, Lecca,
Bestia, Fulvius, Gabinius, &c.

Ail, Lucius Catiline.   Var. Hail, noble Sergius.
   Lon. Hail, Publius Lentulus.
   Cur. Hail, the third Cornelius.
   Lec. Caius Cethegus, hail.
   Cet. Hail, Sloth and Words,
In stead of Men and Spirits.   Cat. Nay, dear Caius —
   Cet. Are your Eyes yet unseel'd? Dare they look Day
In the dull Face?   Cat. He's zealous for th' Affair,
And blames your tardy coming Gentlemen.
   Cet. Unless we had sold our selves to Sleep and Ease,
And would be our Slaves Slaves — Cat. Pray you forbear.
   Cet. The North is not so stark and cold.
   Cat. Cethegus ——
   Bes. We shall redeem all, if your Fire will let us.
   Cat. You are too full of Lightning, noble Caius.
Boy, see all Doors be shut, that none approach us
On this part of the House. Go you, and bid
The Priest, he kill the Slave I mark'd last night,
And bring me of his Blood, when I shall call him:
Till then, wait all without.   Var. How is't, Autronius?

[column break]

   Aut. Longinus?   Lon. Curius?   Cur. Lecca?
   Var. Feel you nothing?
   Lon. A strange unwonted Horror doth invade me,
I know not what it is!   Lec. The Day goes back,
Or else my Senses!   Cur. As at Atreus Feast!

[A Darkness comes over the Place.

Ful. Darkness grows more and more!
Len. The Vestal Flame, I think, be out.

[A Groan of many People
is heard under ground.

Gab. What Groan was that?
Cet. Our Phant'sies.
Strike Fire out of our selves, and force a Day.

[Another.

   Aut. Again it sounds!
   Bes. As all the City gave it!
   Cet. We fear what our selves feign.

[A fiery Light appears.

   Var. What Light is this?
   Cur. Look forth.   Len. It still grows greater!
   Lec. From whence comes it?
   Lon. A bloody Arm it is, that holds a Pine
Lighted, above the Capitol! and now
It waves unto us!   Cat. Brave and ominous!
Our Enterprise is seal'd.   Cet. In spite of Darkness,
That would discountenance it. Look no more;
We lose time, and our selves. To what we came for,
Speak Lucius, we attend you.   Cat. Noblest Romans,
If you were less, or that your Faith and Vertue
Did not hold good that Title, with your Blood,
I should not now unprofitably spend
My self in Words, or catch at empty Hopes,
By airy ways, for solid Certainties.
But since in many, and the greatest Dangers
I still have known you no less true than valiant,
And that I taste in you the same Affections,
To will or nill, to think things good or bad,
Alike with me, (which argues your firm Friendship)
I dare the boldlier, with you, set on foot,
Or lead, unto this great and goodliest Action.
What I have thought of it afore, you all
Have heard a part. I then express'd my Zeal
Unto the Glory; now, the Need enflames me.
When I forethink the hard Conditions
Our States must undergo, except in time
We do redeem our selves to Liberty,
And break the Iron Yoke forg'd for our Necks:
For what less can we call it? when we see
The Commonwealth engross'd so by a few,
The Giants of the State, that do by turns
Enjoy her, and defile her! All the Earth,
Her Kings and Tetrarchs, are their Tributaries;
People and Nations pay them hourly Stipends;
The Riches of the VVorld flows to their Coffers,
And not to Romes. VVhile (but those few) the rest,
However Great we are, Honest, and Valiant,
Are herded with the Vulgar, and so kept,
As we were only bred to consume Corn,
Or wear our VVooll; to drink the Cities VVater;
Ungrac'd, without Authority, or Mark;
Trembling beneath their Rods: to whom (if all
Were well in Rome) we should come forth bright Axes.
All Places, Honours, Offices are theirs,
Or where they will confer 'em! They leave us
The Dangers, the Repulses, Judgments, VVants;
VVhich how long will you bear, most valiant Spirits?
VVere we not better to fall once with Vertue,
Than draw a wretched and dishonour'd Breath,
To lose with Shame, when these Mens Pride will laugh?
I call the Faith of Gods and Men to question,
The Power is in our Hands, our Bodies able,
Our Minds as strong; o' th' contrary, in them
All things grown aged, with their VVealth and Years:
There wants but only to begin the Business,
The Issue is certain.   Cet. Lon. On, let us go on.
   Cur. Bes. Go on, brave Sergius.
   Cat. It doth strike my Soul,
(And who can scape the stroke, that hath a Soul,

I i Or

242	Catiline.

Or but the smallest Air of Man within him?)
To see them swell with Treasure, which they pour
Out i' their Riots, eating, drinking, building,
I, i' the Sea! plaining of Hills with Valleys,
And raising Valleys above Hills; Whilst we
Have not to give our Bodies Necessaries.
They ha' their change of Houses, Mannors, Lordships;
VVe scarce a Fire, or a poor Houshold Lar!
They buy rare Attick Statues, Tyrian Hangings,
Ephesian Pictures, and Corinthian Plate,
Attalick Garments, and now new-found Gems,
Since Pompey went for Asia, which they purchase
At price of Provinces! The River Phasis
Cannot afford 'em Fowl, nor Lucrine Lake
Oysters enow: Circes too is search'd,
To please the witty Gluttony of a Meal!
Their ancient Habitations they neglect,
And set up new; then, if the Echo like not
In such a Room, they pluck down those, build newer,
Alter them too; and, by all frantick ways,
Vex their wild VVealth, as they molest the People,
From whom they force it! Yet they cannot tame,
Or overcome their Riches! not by making
Baths, Orchards, Fish-pools, letting in of Seas,
Here, and then there forcing 'em out again,
VVith mountainous Heaps, for which the Earth hath lost
Most of her Ribs, as Entrails; being now
VVounded no less for Marble, than for Gold!
VVe, all this while, like calm, benumb'd Spectators,
Sit till our Seats do crack, and do not hear
The thundring Ruins; whilst at home our wants,
Abroad our Debts do urge us; our States daily
Bending to bad, our Hopes to worse; and what
Is left, but to be crush'd? VVake, wake, brave Friends,
And meet the Liberty you oft have wish'd for.
Behold, Renown, Riches, and Glory court you.
Fortune holds out these to you, as Rewards.
Me thinks (though I were dumb) th' Affair it self,
The Opportunity, your Needs, and Dangers,
VVith the brave Spoil the VVar brings, should invite you.
Use me your General, or Soldier; neither
My Mind nor Body shall be wanting to you:
And, being Consul, I not doubt t' effect
All that you wish, if trust not flatter me,
And you'd not rather still be Slaves, than Free.
   Cet. Free, free.
   Lon. 'Tis Freedom.   Cur. Fredom we all stand for.
   Cat. VVhy, these are noble Voices! Nothing wants then,
But that we take a solemn Sacrament,
To strengthen our Design.   Cet. And so to act it.
Deferring hurts, where Powers are so prepar'd.
   Aut. Yet, e're we enter into open act,
(With favour) 'twere no loss, if't might be inquir'd,
What the Condition of these Arms would be.
   Var. I, and the Means to carry us through?
   Cat. How, Friends!
Think you that I would bid you grasp the Wind,
Or call you to th' embracing of a Cloud?
Put your known Valors on so dear a Business,
And have no other Second than the Danger,
Nor other Garland than the Loss? Become
Your own Assurances. And for the Means,
Consider, first, the stark Security
The Commonwealth is in now; the whole Senate
Sleepy, and dreaming no such violent Blow;
Their Forces all abroad; of which the greatest,
That might annoy us most, is farthest off,
In Asia, under Pompey; those near hand,
Commanded by our Friends; one Army' in Spain,
By Cneus Piso; th' other in Mauritania,
By Nucerinus; both which I have firm,
And fast unto our Plot. My self then standing
Now to be Consul, with my hop'd Colleague
Caius Antonius, one no less engag'd

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By's wants, than we; and whom I've power to melt,
And cast in any Mould. Beside, some others,
That will not yet be nam'd, (both sure, and great ones)
Who, when the time comes, shall declare themselves
Strong for our Party; so that no Resistance
In Nature can be thought. For our Reward then,
First, all our Debts are paid; dangers of Law,
Actions, Decrees, Judgments against us, quitted;
The Rich men, as in Sylla's times, proscrib'd,
And Publication made of all their Goods:
That House is yours; that Land is his; those Waters,
Orchards, and Walks, a third's; he has that Honour,
And he that Office: Such a Province falls
To Vargunteius; this t' Autronius; that
To bold Cethegus; Rome to Lentulus.
You share the World, her Magistracies, Priesthoods,
Wealth, and Felicity, amongst you, Friends;
And Catiline your Servant. Would you, Curius,
Revenge the Contumely stuck upon you,
In being removed from the Senate? Now,
Now is your time. Would Publius Lentulus
Strike, for the like Disgrace? Now is his time.
Would stout Longinus walk the Streets of Rome,
Facing the Prćtor? Now has he a time
To spurn and tread the Fasces into Dirt,
Made of the Usurers and the Lictors Brains.
Is there a Beauty, here in Rome, you love?
An Enemy you would kill? What Head's not yours?
Whose Wife, which Boy, whose Daughter, of what Race,
That th' Husband or glad Parents shall not bring you,
And boasting of the Office? Only spare
Your selves, and you have all the Earth beside,
A Field to exercise your Longings in.
I see you rais'd, and read your forward Minds
High, in your Faces. Bring the Wine and Blood
You have prepar'd there.   Lon. How!
   Cat. I have kill'd a Slave,
And of his Blood caus'd to be mixt with Wine.
Fill every Man his Bowl. There cannot be
A fitter Drink to make this Sanction in.
Here, I begin the Sacrament to all.
O for a Clap of Thunder now, as loud
As to be heard throughout the Universe,
To tell the World the Fact, and to applaud it.
Be firm, my Hand; not shed a drop, but pour
Fierceness into me with it, and fell Thirst
Of more and more, till Rome be lest as Bloodless
As ever her Fears made her, or the Sword.
And when I leave to wish this to thee, Step-dame,
Or stop t' effect it, with my Powers fainting,
So may my Blood be drawn, and so drunk up,
As is this Slaves.   Lon. And so be mine.   Len. And mine.
   Aut. And mine.   Var. And mine.

[They drink.

   Cet. Swell me my Bowl yet fuller.
Here, I do drink this, as I would do Cato's,
Or the new Fellow Cicero's, with that Vow
Which Catiline hath given.   Cur. So do I.
   Lec. And I.   Bes. And I.   Ful. And I.   Gab. And all of us.
   Cat. Why, now's the business safe, & each man strengthned.

[He spies one of his Boys
not answer —

Sirrah, what ail you?
   Pag. Nothing.   Bes. Somewhat modest.
   Cat. Slave, I will strike your Soul out with my Foot,
Let me but find you again with such a Face:
You Whelp —   Bes. Nay, Lucius.   Cat. Are you coying it,
When I command you to be free, and general
To all?   Bes. You'll be observ'd.   Cat. Arise, and shew
But any least aversion i' your Look
To him that boards you next, and your Throat opens.
   Noble Confederates, thus far is perfect.
Only your Suffrages I will expect
At the Assembly for the chusing Consuls,
And all the Voices you can make by Friends
To my Election. Then let me work out
Your Fortunes, and mine own. Mean while, all rest

Seal'd

Catiline.

243

Seal'd up, and silent, as when rigid Frosts
Have bound up Brooks and Rivers, forc'd wild Beasts
Unto their Caves, and Birds into the Woods,
Clowns to their Houses, and the Country sleeps;
That when the sudden Thaw comes, we may break
Upon 'em lik a Deluge, bearing down
Half Rome before us, and invade the rest
With Cries, and Noise, able to wake the Urns
Of those are dead, and make their Ashes fear.
The Horrors that do strike the World, should come
Loud, and unlook'd for; till they strike, be dumb.
Cet. Oraculous Sergius! Len. God-like Catiline!

C H O R U S.

An nothing Great, and at the height,
Remain so long? but its own Weight
Will ruin it? or, is't blind Chance,
That still desires new States t' advance,
And quit the old? Else why must Rome
Be by it self now overcome?
Hath she not Foes enow of those
Whom she hath made such, and enclose
Her round about? Or, are they none,
Except she first become her own?
O wretchedness of greatest States,
To be obnoxious to these Fates!
That cannot keep what they do gain;
And what they raise, so ill sustain!
Rome now is Mistris of the whole
World, Sea and Land, to either Pole;
And even that Fortune will destroy
The Power that made it: She doth joy
So much in Plenty, Wealth, and Ease,
As now th' Excess is her Disease.
   She builds in Gold, and to the Stars,
As if she threatned Heav'n with Wars;
And seeks for Hell in Quarries deep,
Giving the Fiends, that there do keep,
A hope of Day. Her Women wear
The Spoils of Nations in an Ear,
Chang'd for the Treasure of a Shell;
And in their loose Attires do swell,
More light than Sails, when all Winds play:
Yet are the Men more loose than they!
More kemb'd, and bath'd, and rubb'd, and trimm'd,
More sleek, more soft, and slacker Limb'd;
As prostitute; so much, that Kind
May seek it self there, and not find.
They eat on Beds of Silk and Gold,
At Ivory Tables, or Wood sold
Dearer than it; and leaving Plate,
Do drink in Stone of higher Rate.
They hunt all Grounds, and draw all Seas,
Foul every Brook and Bush, to please
Their wanton Taste; and in request
Have new and rare things, not the best.
   Hence comes that wild and vast Expence,
That hath enforc'd Romes Vertue thence,
Which simple Poverty first made:
And now Ambition doth invade
Her State, with eating Avarice,
Riot, and every other Vice.
Decrees are bought, and Laws are sold,
Honours, and Offices, for Gold;
The Peoples Voices, and the free
Tongues in the Senate, bribed be.
Such ruin of her Manners, Rome
Doth suffer now, as she's become
(Without the Gods it soon gainsay)
Both her own Spoiler, and own Prey.
   So, Asia, art thou cru'lly even
With us, for all the Blows thee given;
When we, whose Vertue conquer'd thee,
Thus, by thy Vices, ruin'd be.

[column break]

Act II.

Fulvia, Galla, Servant.

Hose Rooms do smell extreamly. Bring my Glass
And Table hither. Galla.   Gal. Madam.   Ful. Look
Within, i' my blue Cabinet, for the Pearl
I 'had sent me last, and bring it.   Gal. That from Clodius?
   Ful. From Caius Cćsar. Yo' are for Clodius still,
Or Curius. Sirrah, if Quintus Curius come,
I am not in fit mood; I keep my Chamber:
Give warning so without.   Gal. Is this it, Madam?
   Ful. Yes, help to hang it in mine Ear.   Gal. Believe me,
It is a rich one, Madam.   Ful. I hope so:
It should not be worn there else. Make an end,
And bind my Hair up.   Gal. As 'twas yesterday?
   Ful. No, nor the t'other day. When knew you me
Appear two days together in one Dressing?
   Gal. Will you ha't i' the Globe, or Spire?
   Ful. How thou wilt;
Any way, so thou wilt do it, good Impertinence.
Thy Company, if I slept not very well
A nights, would make me an errant Fool, with Questions.
   Gal. Alas, Madam ——
   Ful. Nay, gentle half o' the Dialogue, cease.
   Gal. I do it indeed but for your Exercise,
As your Physician bids me.   Ful. How! does he bid you
To anger me for Exercise?   Gal. Not to anger you,
But stir your Blood a little: There's difference
Between Luke-warm and Boiling, Madam.   Ful. Jove!
She means to cook me, I think. Pray you, ha' done.
   Gal. I mean to dress you, Madam.   Ful. O, my Juno,
Be Friend to me! Off'ring at Wit too? Why, Galla!
Where hast thou been?
   Gal. Why, Madam?   Ful. What hast thou done
With thy poor innocent self?
   Gal. Wherefore, sweet Madam?
   Ful. Thus to come forth, so suddenly, a Wit-worm?
   Gal. It pleases you to flout one. I did dream
Of Lady Sempronia —   Ful. O, the wonder is out.
That did infect thee? Well, and how?   Gal. Methought
She did discourse the best —   Ful. That ever thou heard'st?
   Gal. Yes.   Ful. I' thy Sleep? Of what was her Discourse?
   Gal. O' the Republick, Madam, and the State,
And how she was in debt, and where she meant
To raise fresh Sums: She's a great States-woman!
   Ful. Thou dream'st all this?
   Gal. No, but you know she is, Madam;
And both a Mistris of the Latin Tongue,
And of the Greek.   Ful. I, but I never dreamt it, Galla,
As thou hast done; and therefore you must pardon me.
   Gal. Indeed you mock me, Madam.   Ful. Indeed, no.
Forth with your learned Lady. She has a Wit too?
   Gal. A very masculine one.   Ful. A She-Critick, Galla?
And can compose in Verse, and make quick Jests,
Modest, or otherwise?
   Gal. Yes, Madam.   Ful. She can sing too?
And play on Instruments?   Gal. Of all kinds, they say.
   Ful. And doth dance rarely?   Gal. Excellent! So well,
As a bald Senator made a Jest, and said,
'Twas better than an honest Woman need.
   Ful. Tut, she may bear that. Few wise womens honesties
Will do their courtship hurt.   Gal. She's liberal too, Madam.
   Ful. What! of her Money, or her Honour, pr'y thee?
   Gal. Of both; you know not which she doth spare least.
   Ful. A comely Commendation.   Gal. Troth, 'tis pity
She is in years.   Ful. Why, Galla?   Gal. For it is.
   Ful. O, is that all? I thought th' hadst had a Reason.
   Gal. Why, so I have. She has been a fine Lady,
And yet she dresses her self (except you, Madam)
One o' the best in Rome; and paints, and hides
Her Decays very well.   Ful. They say, it is
Rather a Visor, than a Face, she wears.

I i 2 Gal. They

244	Catiline.

   Gal. They wrong her verily, Madam; she does sleek
With Crums of Bread and Milk, and lies a-nights
In as neat Gloves — But she is fain of late
To seek, more than she's sought to, (the fame is)
And so spends that way.   Ful. Thou know'st all! But Galla,
What say you to Catiline's Lady, Orestilla?
There is the Gallant!   Gal. She does well. She has
Very good Sutes, and very rich; but then
She cannot put 'em on; she knows not how
To wear a Garment. You shall have her all
Jewels and Gold sometimes, so that her self
Appears the least part of her self. No in troth,
As I live, Madam, you put 'em all down
With your meer strength of Judgment, and do draw too
The World of Rome to follow! You attire
Your self so diversly, and with that spirit!
Still to the noblest Humours! They could make
Love to your Dress, altho' your Face were away, they say.
   Ful. And Body too, and ha' the better Match on't.
Say they not so too, Galla? Now! What News
Travels your Count'nance with?   Ser. If't please you, Madam,
The Lady Sempronia is lighted at the Gate.
   Gal. Castor, my Dream, my Dream.
   Ser. And comes to see you.
   Gal. For Venus sake, good Madam, see her.   Ful. Peace,
The Fool is wild, I think.   Gal. And hear her talk,
Sweet Madam, of State-matters, and the Senate.

Sempronia, Fulvia, Galla.

Ulvia, good Wench, how dost thou?
   Ful. Well, Sempronia.
Whither are you thus early addrest?   Sem. To see
Aurelia Orestilla. She sent for me.
I came to call thee with me; wilt thou go?
   Ful. I cannot now, in troth; I have some Letters
To write, and send away.   Sem. Alas, I pity thee.
I ha' been writing all this night (and am
So very weary) unto all the Tribes,
And Centuries, for their Voices, to help Catiline
In his Election. We shall make him Consul,
I hope, amongst us. Crassus, I, and Cćsar
Will carry it for him.   Ful. Does he stand for't?
   Sem. He's the chief Candidate.   Ful. Who stands beside?
(Give me some Wine, and Powder for my Teeth.
   Sem. Here's a good Pearl, in troth.   Ful. A pretty one.
   Sem. A very Orient one!) There are Competitors,
Caius Antonius, Publius Galba, Lucius
Cassius Longinus, Quintus Cornificius,
Caius Licinius, and that Talker Cicero.
But Catiline and Antonius will be chosen;
For four o' the other, Licinius, Longinus,
Galba, and Cornificius, will give way:
And Cicero they will not chuse.   Ful. No? why?
   Sem. It will be cross'd by the Nobility.
   Gal. (How she does understand the Common Business!)
   Sem. Nor were it fit. He is but a new Fellow,
An Inmate here in Rome, (as Catiline calls him)
And the Patricians should do very ill
To let the Consulship be so defil'd
As't would be, if he obtain'd it! A meer Upstart,
That has no Pedigree, no House, no Coat,
No Ensigns of a Family!   Ful. He has Vertue.
   Sem. Hang Vertue, where there is no Blood; 'tis Vice,
And in him Sawciness, Why should he presume
To be more Learned, or more Eloquent,
Than the Nobility? or boast any Quality
Worthy a Nobleman, himself not Noble?
   Ful. 'Twas Vertue only, at first, made all Men Noble.
   Sem. I yield you, it might at first, in Rome's poor age,
When both her Kings and Consuls held the Plow,
Or Garden'd well: But now we ha' no need
To dig, or lose our Sweat for't. We have Wealth,
Fortune, and Ease; and then their Stock to spend on,

[column break]

Of Name, for Vertue; which will bear us out
'Gainst all new Comers, and can never fail us,
While the Succession stays. And we must glorifie
A Mushrom? one of yesterday? a fine Speaker?
'Cause he has suckt at Athens? and advance him,
To our own loss. No, Fulvia; there are they
Can speak Greek too, if need were. Cćsar and I
Have sate upon him; so hath Crassus too,
And others. We have all decreed his Rest,
For rising farther.   Gal. Excellent rare Lady!
   Ful. Sempronia, you are beholden to my Woman here;
She does admire you.   Sem. O good Galla, how dost thou?
   Gal. The better for your learned Ladiship.
   Sem. Is this gray Powder a good Dentifrice?
   Ful. You see I use it.   Sem. I have one is whiter.
   Ful. I may be so.
   Sem. Yet this smells well.   Gal. And cleanses
Very well, Madam, and resists the Crudities.
   Sem. Fulvia, I pray thee, who comes to thee now?
Which of our great Patricians?   Ful. Faith, I keep
No Catalogue of 'em. Sometimes I have one,
Sometimes another, as the Toy takes their Bloods.
   Sem. Thou hast them all. Faith, when was Quintus Curius,
Thy special Servant, here?   Ful. My special Servant?
   Sem. Yes, thy Idolater, I call him.   Ful. He may be yours,
If you do like him.   Sem. How!   Ful. He comes not here;
I have forbid him hence.   Sem. Venus forbid!
   Ful. Why?   Sem. Your so constant Lover.
   Ful. So much the rather.
I would have Change. So would you too, I am sure.
And now you may have him.   Sem. He's fresh yet, Fulvia.
Beware how you do tempt me.   Ful. Faith, for me
He's somewhat too fresh indeed; the Salt is gone,
That gave him season. His good Gifts are done.
He does not yield the Crop that he was wont.
And for the Act, I can have secret Fellows,
With Backs worth ten of him, and shall please me
(Now that the Land is fled) a Myriad better.
   Sem. And those one may command.
   Ful. 'Tis true: these Lordlings,
Your Noble Faunes, they are so imperious, saucie,
Rude, and as boisterous as Centaurs, leaping
A Lady at first sight.   Sem. And must be born
Both with, and out, they think.   Ful. Tut, I'll observe
None of 'em all, nor humour 'em a jot
Longer than they come laden in the Hand,
And say, Here's t'one for th'other.
   Sem. Does Cćsar give well?
   Ful. They shall all give, and pay well, that come here,
If they will have it; and that Jewels, Pearl,
Plate, or round Sums, to buy these. I'm not taken
Whith a Cob-Swan, or a high-mounting Bull,
As foolish Leda and Europa were;
But the bright Gold, with Danae. For such Price
I would endure a rough, harsh Jupiter,
Or ten such thundring Gamesters, and refrain
To laugh at 'em, till they are gone, with my much suffering.
   Sem. Th' art a most happy Wench, that thus canst make
Use of thy Youth and Freshness, in the Season;
And hast it to make use of.   Ful. (Which is the happiness.)
   Sem. I am now fain to give to them, and keep
Musick, and a continual Table, to invite 'em.
   Ful. (Yes, and they study your Kitchen, more than you.)
   Sem. Eat my self out with Usury, and my Lord too,
And all my Officers, and Friends beside,
To procure Moneys for the needful Charge
I must be at, to have 'em; and yet scarce
Can I atchieve 'em so.   Ful. Why, that's because
You affect young Faces only, and smooth Chins,
Sempronia. If you'ld love Beards and Bristles,
(One with another, as others do) or Wrinkles ——
Who's that? Look, Galla.   Gal. 'Tis the Party, Madam.
   Ful. What Party? Has he no name?
   Gal. 'Tis Quintus Curius.

Ful. Did

Catiline.

245

   Ful. Did I not bid 'em say I kept my Chamber?
   Gal. Why, so they do.   Sem. I'll leave you, Fulvia.
   Ful. Nay, good Sempronia, stay.
   Sem. In faith, I will not.
   Ful. By Juno I would not see him.
   Sem. I'll not hinder you.
   Gal. You know, he will not be kept out, Madam.
   Sem. No,
Nor shall not, careful Galla, by my means.
   Ful. As I do live, Sempronia —
   Sem. What needs this?
   Ful. Go, say I am a-sleep, and ill at ease.
   Sem. By Castor, no, I'll tell him, you are awake;
And very well. Stay Galla; farewell Fulvia:
I know my manners. Why do you labour thus,
With action, against purpose? Quintus Curius,
She is, i'faith, here, and in disposition.
   Ful. Spight with your courtesie! How shall I be tor-
      tur'd!

Curius, Fulvia, Galla.

Here are you, fair one, that conceal your self,
And keep your Beauty within Locks and Bars here,
Like a Fools Treasure?
   Ful. True, she was a Fool,
When first she shew'd it to a Thief.
   Cur. How, pretty sullenness!
So harsh and short?   Ful. The Fools Artillery, Sir.
   Cur. Then take my Gown off, for th' encounter.
   Ful. Stay Sir.
I am not in the mood.   Cur. I'll put you into't.
   Ful. Best put your self i' your case again, and keep
Your furious Appetite warm, against you have place for't.
   Cur. What! do you coy it?
   Ful. No Sir. I'am not proud.
   Cur. I would you were. You think this state becomes
      you?
By Hercules, it do's not. Look i' your Glass now,
And see how scurvily that countenance shews;
You would be loth to own it.   Ful. I shall not change it.
   Cur. Faith but you must, and slack this bended Brow;
And shoot less scorn: there is a Fortune coming
Towards you, Dainty, that will take thee thus,
And set thee aloft, to tread upon the Head
Of her own Statue here in Rome.   Ful. I wonder,
Who let this promiser in! Did you, good Diligence?
Give him his Bribe again. Or if you had none,
Pray you demand him, why he is so venturous,
To press thus to my Chamber, being forbidden,
Both by my self and Servants?
   Cur. How! This's handsome!
And somewhat a new strain!
   Ful. 'Tis not strain'd, Sir.
'Tis very natural.   Cur. I have known it otherwise,
Between the Parties, though.
   Ful. For your fore-knowledge,
Thank that which made it. It will not be so
Hereafter, I assure you.   Cur. No, my Mistris?
   Ful. No, though you bring the same materials.
   Cur. Hear me,
You over-act when you should under-do.
A little call your self again, and think.
If you do this to practise on me' or find
At what forc'd distance you can hold your Servant;
That' it be an artificial trick to enflame,
And fire me more, fearing my Love may need it,
As heretofore you ha' done: why, proceed.
   Ful. As I ha' done heretofore?
   Cur. Yes, when you'ld fain
Your Husbands jealousie, your Servants watches,
Speak softly, and run often to the Door,
Or to the Window, form strange fears that were not;
As if the pleasure were less acceptable,

[column break]

That were secure.   Ful. You are an impudent Fellow.
   Cur. And when you might better have done it at the
      Gate,
To take me in at the Casement.   Ful. I take you in?
   Cur. Yes, you my Lady. And then, being a bed
      with you,
To have your well-taughr Waiter here, come running,
And cry, her Lord, and hide me without cause,
Crush'd in a Chest, or thrust up in a Chimney.
When he, tame Crow, was winking at his Farm;
Or, had he been here, and present, would have kept
Both Eyes, and Beak seal'd up, for six Sesterces.
   Ful. You have a slanderous, beastly, unwash'd Tongue,
I' your rude Mouth, and favouring your self,
Un-manner'd Lord.   Cur. How now!
   Ful. It is your Title, Sir.
Who (since you ha' lost your own good Name, and
      know not
What to lose more) care not whose Honour you wound,
Or Fame you poyson with it. You should go
And vent your self i' the Region where you live,
Among the Suburb-brothels, Bawds, and Brokers,
Whither your broken Fortunes have design'd you.

[He offers to force her, and she draws her Knife.

   Cur. Nay, then I must stop your fury, I see; and
      pluck
The Tragick Visor off. Come, Lady Cypris,
Know your own Vertues, quickly. I'll not be
Put to the wooing of you thus, a-fresh,
At every turn, for all the Venus in you.
Yield, and be pliant, or by Pollux —— How now?
Will Lais turn a Lucrece?   Ful. No, but by Castor,
Hold off your Ravishers Hands, I pierce your Heart else.
I'll not be put to kill my self, as she did,
For you, sweet Tarquin. What? do you fall off?
Nay, it becomes you graciously! Put not up.
You'll sooner draw your Weapon on me, I think it,
Than on the Senate, who have cast you forth
Disgracefully, to be the common Tale
Of the whole City; base, infamous Man!
For, were you other, you would there imploy
Your desperate Dagger.   Cur. Fulvia, you do know
The strengths you have upon me; do not use
Your power too like a Tyrant: I can bear
Almost until you break me.   Ful. I do know, Sir,
So do's the Senate too, know you can bear.
   Cur. By all the Gods, the Senate will smart deep
For your upbraidings. I should be right sorry
To have the means so to be veng'd on you,
(At least, the will) as I shall shortly on them.
But, go you on still; fare you well, dear Lady:
You could not still be fair, unless you were proud.
You will repent these moods, and ere't be long too.
I shall ha' you come about again.
   Ful. Do you think so?
   Cur. Yes, and I know so.   Ful. By what Augury?
   Cur. By the fair Entrails of the Matrons Chests,
Gold, Pearl, and Jewels here in Rome, which Fulvia
Will then (but late) say that she might have shar'd:
And grieving miss.
   Ful. Tut, all your promis'd Mountains,
And Seas, I am so stalely acquainted with ——
   Cur. But, when you see the universal Flood
Run by your Coffers; that my Lords, the Senators,
Are sold for Slaves, their Wives for Bond-women,
Their Houses and fine Gardens given away,
And all their Goods, under the Spear at out-cry,
And you have none of this; but are still Fulvia,
Or perhaps less, while you are thinking of it:
You will advise then, Coiness, with your Cushion,
And look o' your Fingers; say, how you were wish'd;
And so he left you.   Ful. Call him again, Galla:
This is not usual! something hangs on this
That I must win out of him.   Cur. How now, melt you?

Ful. Come,

246	Catiline.

   Ful. Come, you will laugh now, at my easiness!
But 'tis no miracle: Doves, they say, will bill,
After their pecking and their murmuring.   Cur. Yes,
And then 'tis kindly. I would have my Love
Angry sometimes, to sweeten off the rest
Of her behaviour.   Ful. You do see, I study
How I may please you then. But you think, Curius,
'Tis covetise hath wrought me: if you love me,
Change that unkind conceit.   Cur. By my lov'd Soul,
I love thee, like to it; and 'tis my study,
More than mine own revenge, to make thee happy.
   Ful. And 'tis that just revenge doth make me happy
To hear you prosecute: and which, indeed,
Hath won me to you, more than all the hope
Of what can else be promis'd. I love Valour
Better than any Lady loves her Face,
Or dressing, than my self do's, Let me grow
Still, where I do embrace. But what good means
Ha' you t' effect it? Shall I know your Project?
   Cur. Thou shalt, if thou'lt be gracious.
   Ful. As I can be.
   Cur. And wilt thou kiss me then?   Ful. As close as Shells
Of Cockles meet.   Cur. And print 'em deep?
   Ful. Quite through
Our subtle Lips.   Cur. And often?   Ful. I will sow 'em
Faster than you can reap. What is your Plot?
   Cur. Why, now my Fulvia looks like her bright name!
And is her self!   Ful. Nay, answer me, your Plot;
I pr'y thee tell me, Quintus.   Cur. I, these Sounds
Become a Mistris. Here is Harmony!
When you are harsh, I see the way to bend you
Is not with violence, but service. Cruel,
A Lady is a fire: gentle, a light.

[She kisses and flatters him along still.

   Ful. Will you not tell me, what I ask you?   Cur. All
That I can think, sweet Love, or my Breast holds,
I'll pour into thee.   Ful. What is your design then?
   Cur. I'll tell thee, Catiline shall now be Consul:
But you will hear more shortly.
   Ful. Nay, dear love ——
   Cur. I'll speak it in thine Arms, let us go in.
Rome will be sack'd, her Wealth will be our prize;
By publick ruine, private Spirits must rise.

C H O R U S.

Reat Father Mars, and greater Jove,
By whose high auspice, Rome hath stood
   So long; and first was built in Blood
Of your great Nephew, that then strove
Not with his Brother, but your rites:
   Be present to her now, as then,
   And let not proud and factious Men
Against your wills oppose their mights.
Our Consuls, now are to be made;
   O, put it in the publick voice
   To make a free and worthy choice:
Excluding such as would invade
The Commonwealth. Let whom we name,
   Have wisdom, fore-sight, fortitude,
   Be more with Faith than Face endu'd,
And study Conscience, above Fame.
Such, as not seek to get the start
   In State, by Power, Parts, or Bribes,
   Ambitions Bawds: but move the Tribes
By Vertue, Modesty, Desert.
Such, as to Justice will adhere,
   What ever great one it offend:
   And from the embraced truth not bend
For envy, hatred, gifts, or fear.
That by their deeds will make it known,
   Whose Dignity they do sustain;
   And Life, State, Glory, all they gain,
Count the Republicks, not their own.

[column break]

Such the old Bruti, Decii were,
   The Cipi, Curtii, who did give
   Themselves for Rome: and would not live
As Men, good only for a year.
Such were the great Camilli, too;
   The Fabii, Scipio's; that still thought
   No work at price enough was bought,
That for their Country they could do.
And to her honour, so did knit;
   As all their acts were understood
   The Sinews of the publick good:
And they themselves, one Soul, with it.
These Men were truly Magistrates;
   These neither practis'd force, nor forms;
   Nor did they leave the Helm in storms!
And such they are make happy States.

Act III.

Cicero, Cato, Catulus, Antonius, Crassus, Cćsar, Chorus,
Lictors.

Reat Honours are great burdens: but, on whom
They'are cast with envy, he doth bear two loads.
His cares must still be double to his joys,
In any Dignity; where, if he err,
He finds no pardon: and for doing well
A most small praise, and that wrung out by force.
I speak this, Romans, knowing what the weight
Of the high charge, you' have trusted to me, is.
Not that thereby I would with art decline
The good, or greatness of your benefit;
For, I ascribe it to your singular grace,
And vow to owe it to no title else,
Except the Gods, that Cicero is your Consul.
I have no Urns; no dusty Monuments;
No broken Images of Ancestors,
Wanting an Ear, or Nose; no forged Tables
Of long descents, to boast false honours from:
Or be my undertakers to your trust.
But a new Man (as I am stil'd in Rome)
Whom you have dignified; and more, in whom
Yo' have cut a way, and left it ope for vertue
Hereafter, to that place: which our great Men
Held shut up, with all ramparts, for themselves.
Nor have but few of them, in time been made
Your Consuls, so; new Men, before me, none:
At my first suit; in my just year; prefer'd
To all competitors; and some the noblest —
   Cra. Now the vein swels.   Cćs. Up glory.
   Cic. And to have
Your loud consents, from your own utter'd Voices;
Not silent Books: nor from the meaner Tribes,
But first and last, the universal concourse!
This is my joy, my gladness. But my care,
My industry and vigilance now must work,
That still your Counsels of me be approv'd,
Both by your selves, and those to whom you have
With grudge prefer'd me: two things I must labour,
That neither they upbraid, nor you repent you.
For every lapse of mine will now be call'd
Your error, if I make such. But, my hope is,
So to bear through, and out, the Consulship,
As spight shall ne'er wound you, though it may me.
And for my self, I have prepar'd this strength,
To do so well; as, if there happen ill
Unto me, it shall make the Gods to blush:
And be their crime, not mine, that I am envi'd.
   Cćs. O confidence! more new than is the Man!
   Cic. I know well, in what terms I do receive
The Commonwealth, how vexed, how preplex'd:
In which there's not that mischief, or ill fate,

That

Catiline.

247

That good Men fear not, wicked Men expect not.
I know, beside some turbulent practises
Already on foot, and rumors of more dangers —
   Cra. Or you will make them, if there be none.
   Cic. Last,
I know, 'twas this, which made the envy and pride
Of the great Roman Blood bate, and give way
To my Election.   Cat. Marcus Tullius, true;
Our need made thee our Consul, and thy vertue.
   Cćs. Cato, you will undo him with your praise?
   Cato. Cćsar will hurt himself with his own envy.
   Chor. The Voice of Cato is the Voice of Rome.
   Cato. The Voice of Rome is the Consent of Heaven!
And that hath plac'd thee, Cicero, at the Helm,
Where thou must render now thy self a Man,
And Master of thy Art. Each petty hand
Can steer a Ship becalm'd; but he that will
Govern, and carry her to her ends, must know
His Tides, his Currents; how to shift his Sails;
What she will bear in foul, what in fair Weathers;
Where her Springs are, her Leaks; and how to stop 'em;
What Stands, what Shelves, what Rocks do threaten her;
The forces, and the natures of all Winds,
Gusts, Storms, and Tempests; when her Keel ploughs Hell,
And Deck knocks Heaven: then to manage her,
Becomes the name and office of a Pilot.
   Cic. Which I'll perform, with all the diligence
And fortitude I have; not for my year,
But for my life; except my life be less,
And that my year conclude it: if it must,
Your Will, lov'd Gods. This Heart shall yet employ
A day, an hour is left me, so for Rome,
As it shall spring a life out of my death,
To shine for ever glorious in my facts.
The vicious count their years, vertuous their acts.
   Chor. Most noble Consul! Let us wait him home.
   Cćs. Most popular Consul he is grown, methinks!
   Cra. How the rout cling to him!
   Cćs. And Cato leads 'em!
   Cra. You, his collegue Antonius, are not lookt on.
   Ant. Not I, nor do I care.   Cćs. He enjoys rest,
And ease the while. Let th' others Spirit toil,
And wake it out, that was inspir'd for turmoil.
   Catu. If all reports be true, yet Caius Cćsar,
The time hath need of such a Watch and Spirit.
   Cćs. Reports? Do you believe 'em Catulus?
Why he does make, and breed 'em for the People;
T' endear his service to 'em. Do you not taste
An Art that is so common? Popular Men,
They must create strange monsters, and then quell 'em,
To make their Arts seem something. Would you have
Such an Herculean actor in the Scene,
And not his Hydra? They must sweat no less
To fit their properties, than t'express their parts.
   Cra. Treasons, and guilty Men are made in States
Too oft, to dignifie the Magistrates.
   Catu. Those States be wretched that are forc'd to buy
Their Rulers fame with their own infamy.
   Cra. We therefore should provide that ours do not.
   Cćs. That will Antonius make his care.
   Ant. I shall.
   Cćs. And watch the watcher.
   Catu. Here comes Catiline.
How does he brook his late repulse?
   Cćs. I know not,
But hardly sure.   Cat. Longinus too did stand?
   Cćs. At first: but he gave way unto his Friend.
   Catu. Who's that come? Lentulus?
   Cćs. Yes; he is again
Taken into the Senate.   Ant. And made Prćtor.
   Catu. I know't. He had my suffrage, next the Consuls.
   Cćs. True, you were there, Prince of the Senate, then.

[column break]

Catiline, Antonius, Catulus, Cćsar, Crassus, Longinus,
Lentulus.

Ail noblest Romans. The most worthy Consul,
I gratulate your Honour.   Ant. I could wish
It had been happier, by your fellowship,
Most noble Sergius, had it pleas'd the People.
   Cati. It did not please the Gods, who instruct the
      People:
And their unquestion'd pleasures must be serv'd.
They know what's fitter for us than our selves;
And 'twere Impiety to think against them.
   Catu. You bear it rightly, Lucius; and it glads me,
To find your thoughts so even.   Cati. I shall still
Study to make them such to Rome, and Heaven.
(I would withdraw with you a little, Julius.
   Cćs. I'll come home to you: Crassus would not ha' you
To speak to him, 'fore Quintus Catullus.
   Cati. I apprehend you.) No, when they shall judge
Honours convenient for me, I shall have 'em,
With a full hand: I know it. In mean time,
They are no less part of the Commonwealth,
That do obey, than those that do command.
   Catu. O let me kiss your Fore-head, Lucius.
How are you wrong'd!   Cati. By whom?
   Catu. Publick report.
That gives you out, to stomach your repulse;
And brook it deadly.   Cati. Sir, she brooks not me.
Believe me rather, and your self, now of me:
It is a kind of slander to trust rumour.
   Catu. I know it. And I could be angry with it.
   Cati. So may not I. Where it concerns himself,
Who's angry at a slander, makes it true.
   Catu. Most noble Sergius! This your temper melts me.
   Cra. Will you do office to the Consul, Quintus?
   Cćs. Which Cato, and the rout have done the other?
   Catu. I wait, when he will go. Be still your self.
He wants no state, or honours, that hath vertue.
   Cati. Did I appear so tame, as this Man thinks me?
Look'd I so poor? so dead? so like that nothing,
Which he calls vertuous? O my Breast, break quickly;
And shew my Friends my in-parts, lest they think
I have betraid 'em.   (Lon. Where's Gabinius?
   Len. Gone.
   Lon. And Vargunteius?
   Len. Slipt away; all shrunk:
Now that he mist the Consulship.)   Cati. I am
The scorn of Bond-men, who are next to Beasts.
What can I worse pronounce my self, that's fitter?
The Owle of Rome, whom Boys and Girls will hout!
That were I set up, for that woodden God,
That keeps our Gardens, could not fright the Crows,
Or the least Bird from muting on my Head.
   (Lon. 'Tis strange how he should miss it.
   Len. Is't not stranger,
The up-start Cicero should carry it so,
By all consents, from Men so much his Masters?
   Lon. 'Tis true.)
   Cati. To what a shadow am I melted!
   (Lon. Antonius wan it but by some few Voices.)
   Cati. Struck through, like Air, and feel it not. My
      wounds
Close faster, than they'r made.   (Len. The whole design,
And enterprise is lost by't. All Hands quit it,
Upon his fail.)   Cati. I grow mad at my patience.
It is a Visor that hath poison'd me.
Would it had burnt me up, and I died inward:
My heart first turn'd to ashes.   (Lon. Here's Cethegus yet.)

Catiline,

248	Catiline.

Catiline, Cethegus, Lentulus, Longinus, Cato.

Epulse upon repulse? An in-mate Consul?
That I could reach the Axel, where the Pins are,
Which bolt this Frame; that I might pull 'em out,
And pluck all into Chaos, with my self.
   Cet. What, are we wishing now?
   Cati. Yes, my Cethegus.
Who would not fall with all the World about him?
   Cet. Not I, that would stand on it, when it falls;
And force new nature out to make another.
These wishings taste of Woman, not of Roman.
Let us seek other Arms.   Cati. What should we do?
   Cet. Do, and not wish; something that wishes take not:
So sudden, as the Gods should not prevent,
Nor scarce have time to fear.   Cati. O noble Caius!
   Cet. It likes me better, that you are not Consul.
I would not go through open Doors, but break 'em;
Swim to my ends through Blood; or build a Bridge
Of Carcasses; make on, upon the heads
Of Men, struck down like Piles; to reach the lives
Of those remain and stand: Then is't a prey,
When danger stops, and ruine makes the way.
   Cati. How thou dost utter me, brave Soul, that may not
At all times shew such as I am, but bend
Upon occasion? Lentulus, this Man,
If all our fire were out, would fetch down new,
Out of the hand of Jove; and rivet him
To Caucasus, should he but frown: and let
His own gaunt Eagle fly at him, to tire.
   Len. Peace, here comes Cato.
   Cati. Let him come, and hear.
I will no more dissemble. Quit us all;
I, and my lov'd Cethegus here, alone
Will undertake this Giants War, and carry it.
   Len. What needs this, Lucius?
   Lon. Sergius, be more wary.
   Cati. Now, Marcus Cato, our new Consuls Spie,
What is your sowre austerity sent t' explore?
   Cato. Nothing in thee, licencious Catiline:
Halters and Racks cannot express from thee
More than thy deeds. 'Tis only judgment waits thee.
   Cati. Whose? Cato's? shall he judge me?
   Cato. No, the Gods;
Who ever follow those, they go not with:
And Senate, who with fire, must purge sick Rome
Of noisome Citizens, whereof thou 'art one.
Be gone, or else let me. 'Tis bane to draw
The same Air with thee.   Cet. Strike him.
   Len. Hold, good Caius.
   Cet. Fear'st thou not, Cato?   Cato. Rash Cethegus, no.
'Twere wrong with Rome, when Catiline and thou
Do threat, if Cato fear'd.   Cati. The fire you speak of,
If any flames of it approach my Fortunes,
I'll quench it not with water, but with ruine.
   Cato. You hear this, Romans.
   Cati. Bear it to the Consul.
   Cet. I would have sent away his Soul before him.
You are too heavy, Lentulus, and remiss;
It is for you we labour, and the Kingdom
Promis'd you by the Sybil's.
   Cati. Which his Prćtor-ship,
And some small flattery of the Senate more,
Will make him to forget.
   Len. You wrong me, Lucius.
   Lon. He will not need these Spurs.
   Cet. The action needs 'em.
These things, when they proceed not, they go backward.
   Len. Let us consult then.   Cet. Let us first take Arms.
They that deny us just things now, will give
All that we ask, if once they see our Swords.
   Cat. Our objects must be sought with wounds, not
      words.

[column break]

Cicero, Fulvia.

S there a Heaven? and Gods? and can it be
They should so slowly hear, so slowly see!
Hath Jove no Thunder? or is Jove become
Stupid as thou art? O neer-wretched Rome,
When both thy Senate, and thy Gods do sleep,
And neither thine, nor their own States do keep!
What will awake thee, Heaven? what can excite
Thine anger, if this practice be too light?
His former drifts partake of former times,
But this last Plot was only Catilines.
O, that it were his last. But he, before
Hath safely done so much, he'll still dare more.
Ambition, like a torrent, ne'er looks back;
And is a swelling, and the last affection
A high mind can put off: being both a rebel
Unto the Soul, and Reason, and enforceth
All Laws, all Conscience, treads upon Religion,
And offereth violence to Natures self.
But here is that transcends it! A black purpose
To confound Nature: and to ruine that,
Which never Age nor Mankind can repair!
Sit down, good Lady; Cicero is lost
In this your Fable: for, to think it true
Tempteth my Reason. It so far exceeds
All insolent Fictions of the Tragick Scene!
The Commonwealth yet panting underneath
The stripes and wounds of a late civil War,
Gasping for life, and scarce restor'd to hope;
To seek t'oppress her with new cruelty,
And utterly extinguish her long name,
With so prodigious and unheard-of fierceness!
What sink of monsters, wretches of lost minds,
Mad after change, and despeaate in their states,
Wearied, and gall'd with their necessities,
(For all this I allow them) durst have thought it?
Would not the barbarous deeds have been believ'd,
Of Marius, and Sylla, by our Children,
Without this fact had rise forth greater for them?
All that they did, was Piety, to this!
They yet but murdred Kinsfolk, Brothers, Parents,
Ravish'd the Virgins, and perhaps, some Matrons;
They left the City standing, and the Temples:
The Gods and Majesty of Rome were safe yet!
These purpose to fire it, to despoil them,
(Beyond the other evils) and lay waste
The far-triumphed World: for, unto whom
Rome is too little, what can be enough?
   Ful. 'Tis true, my Lord, I had the same discourse.
   Cic. And then, to take a horrid Sacrament
In human Blood, for execution
Of this their dire design; which might be call'd
The heighth of wickedness: but that, that was higher,
For which they did it!   Ful. I assure your Lordship,
The extreme horrour of it almost turn'd me
To Air, when first I heard it; I was all
A Vapour when 'twas told me: and I long'd
To vent it any where. 'Twas such a secret,
I thought it would have burnt me up.
   Cic. Good Fulvia,
Fear not your act; and less repent you of it.
   Ful. I do not, my good Lord. I know to whom
I have utter'd it.   Cic. You have discharg'd it, safely.
Should Rome, for whom you have done the happy service,
Turn most ingrate; yet were your vertue paid
In conscience of the fact: so much good deeds
Reward themselves.   Ful. My Lord, I did it not
To any other aim, but for it self.
To no ambition.   Cic. You have learn'd the difference
Of doing office to the publique Weal,
And private friendship: and have shewn it, Lady.
Be still your self. I have sent for Quintus Curius,

And

Catiline.

249

And (for your vertuous sake) if I can win him
Yet to the Common-wealth, he shall be safe too.
Ful. I'll undertake, my Lord, he shall be won.
Cic. Pray you join with me then, and help to work him.

Cicero, Lictor, Fulvia, Curius.

Ow now? Is he come?
   Lic. He' is here, my Lord.   Cic. Go presently,
Pray my Colleague Antonius I may speak with him,
About some present Business of the State;
And (as you go) call on my Brother Quintus,
And pray him, with the Tribunes, to come to me.
Bid Curius enter. Fulvia, you will aid me?
   Ful. It is my Duty.   Cic. O, my noble Lord!
I have to chide you, i' faith. Give me your Hand.
Nay, be not troubled; 't shall be gently, Curius.
You look upon this Lady? What! do you guess
My Business yet? Come, if you frown, I thunder:
Therefore put on your better Looks and Thoughts.
There's nought but fair and good intended to you;
And I would make those your Complexion.
Would you, of whom the Senate had that hope,
As, on my knowledge, it was in their purpose
Next Sitting to restore you, as they done
The stupid and ungratful Lentulus,
(Excuse me, that I name you thus together,
For yet you are not such.) Would you, I say,
A Person both of Blood and Honour, stockt
In a long Race of vertuous Ancestors,
Embark your self for such a hellish Action,
With Parricides and Traitors, Men turn'd Furies,
Out of the Waste and Ruine of their Fortunes!
(For 'tis Despair that is the Mother of Madness.)
Such as want (that which all Conspirators
But they have first) meer Colour for their Mischief?
O, I must blush with you. Come, you shall not labour
T' extenuate your Guilt, but quit it clean:
Bad Men excuse their Faults, good Men will leave 'em.
He acts the third Crime, that defends the first.
Here is a Lady that hath got the start
In Piety of us all, and for whose Vertue
I could almost turn Lover again, but that
Terentia would be jealous. What an Honour
Hath she atchieved to her self! What Voices,
Titles, and loud Applauses will pursue her
Through every Street! What Windows will be fill'd,
To shoot Eyes at her! What Envy and Grief in Matrons,
They are not she! When this her Act shall seem
Worthier a Chariot, than if Pompey came
With Asia chain'd! All this is, while she lives;
But dead, her very Name will be a Statue!
Not wrought for Time, but rooted in the Minds
Of all Posterity; when Brass and Marble,
I, and the Capitol it self is Dust!
   Ful. Your Honour thinks too highly of me.   Cic. No;
I cannot think enough; and I would have
Him emulate you. 'Tis no shame to follow
The better Precedent. She shews you, Curius,
What Claim your Country lays to you, and what Duty
You owe to it: Be not afraid to break
With Murderers, and Traitors, for the saving
A Life so near and necessary to you,
As is your Countries. Think but on her Right.
No Child can be too natural to his Parent.
She is our Common Mother, and doth challenge
The prime part of us; do not stop, but give it.
He that is void of Fear, may soon be just:
And no Religion binds Men to be Traitors.
   Ful. My Lord, he understands it, and will follow
Your saving Counsel; but his Shame yet stays him.
I know that he is coming.   Cur. Do you know it?
   Ful. Yes, let me speak with you.
   Cur. O, you are —   Ful. What am I?

[column break]

   Cur. Speak not so loud.
   Ful. I am what you should be.
Come, do you think I'ld walk in any Plot
Where Madam Sempronia should take place of me,
And Fulvia come i' the Rere, or o' the by?
That I would be her Second, in a Business,
Though it might vantage me all the Sun sees?
It was a silly phant'sie of yours. Apply
Your self to me, and the Consul, and be wise;
Follow the Fortune I ha' put you into:
You may be something this way, and with safety.
   Cic. Nay, I must tolerate no Whisperings, Lady.
   Ful. Sir, you may hear. I tell him, in the way
Wherein he was, how hazardous his Course was.
   Cic. How hazardous? How certain to all ruin.
Did he, or do yet any of them imagine
The Gods would sleep, to such a Stygian Practice,
Against that Commonwealth which they have founded
With so much Labour, and like Care have kept,
Now neer seven hundred Years? It is a Madness,
Wherewith Heaven blinds 'em, when it would confound 'em,
That they should think it. Come, my Curius,
I see your Nature's right; you shall no more
Be mention'd with them: I will call you mine,
And trouble this good Shame no farther. Stand
Firm for your Country, and become a Man
Honour'd and lov'd. It were a noble Life,
To be found dead, embracing her. Know you
What Thanks, what Titles, what Rewards the Senate
Will heap upon you, certain, for your Service?
Let not a desperate Action more engage you,
Than Safety should; and wicked Friendship force,
What Honesty and Vertue cannot work.
   Ful. He tells you right, sweet Friend; 'tis saving Counsel.
   Cur. Most noble Consul, I am yours, and hers;
I mean, my Countries: you have form'd me new,
Inspiring me with what I should be truly.
And I entreat, my Faith may not seem cheaper
For springing out of Penitence.   Cic. Good Curius,
It shall be dearer rather; and because
I'ld make it such, hear how I trust you more.
Keep still you former Face, and mix again
With these lost Spirits; run all their Mazes with 'em;
For such are Treasons: Find their Windings out,
And subtle Turnings, watch their Snakie Ways,
Through Brakes and Hedges, into Woods of Darkness,
Where they are fain to creep upon their Breasts
In Paths ne'er trod by Men, but Wolves and Panthers.
Learn, beside Catiline, Lentulus, and those
Whose Names I have; what new ones they draw in;
Who else are likely; what those Great ones are
They do not name; what ways they mean to take;
And whither their Hopes point, to War, or Ruine
By some Surprise. Explore all their Intents;
And what you find my profit the Republick,
Acquaint me with it, either by your self,
Or this your vertuous Friend, on whom I lay
The Care of urging you. I'll see that Rome
Shall prove a thankful and a bounteous Mother.
Be secret as the Night.   Cur. And constant, Sir.
   Cic. I do not doubt it; though the time cut off
All Vows. The Dignity of Truth is lost
With much protesting. Who is there! This way,
Lest you be seen and met. And when you come,
Be this your Token to this Fellow. Light 'em.

[He whispers with him.

O Rome, in what a Sickness art thou fall'n!
How dangerous and deadly! when thy Head
Is drown'd in Sleep, and all thy Body Fev'ry!
No Noise, no Pulling, no Vexation wakes thee,
Thy Lethargy is such: or if, by chance,
Thou heav'st thy Eye lids up, thou dost forget
Sooner than thou wert told, thy proper Danger.
I did unreverently, to blame the Gods,

K k Who

250	Catiline.

Who wake for thee, though thou snore for thy self.
Is it not strange, thou should'st be so diseas'd,
And so secure? But more, that the first Symptoms
Of such a Malady should not rise out
From any worthy Member, but a base
And common Strumpet, worthless to be nam'd
A Hair, or part of thee? Think, think, hereafter,
What thy needs were, when thou must use such Means:
And lay it to thy Breast, how much the Gods
Upbraid thy foul neglect of them, by making
So vile a thing the Author of thy Safety.
They could have wrought by nobler ways, have struck
Thy Foes with forked Lightning, or ramm'd Thunder;
Thrown Hills upon 'em, in the Act; have sent
Death, like a Damp, to all their Families;
Or caus'd their Consciences to burst 'em. But
When they will shew thee what thou art, and make
A scornful difference 'twixt their Power and thee,
They help thee by such Aids as Geese and Harlots.
How now? What answer? Is he come? Lic. Your Brother
Will streight be here; and your Colleague Antonius
Said, coldly, he would follow me. Cic. I, that
Troubles me somewhat, and is worth my fear.
He is a Man 'gainst whom I must provide,
That (as he'll do no good) he do no harm.
He, though he be not of the Plot, will like it,
And wish it should proceed: for, unto Men
Prest with their Wants, all Change is ever welcom.
I must with Offices and Patience win him,
Make him by Art, that which he is not born,
A Friend unto the Publick, and bestow
The Province on him, which is by the Senate
Decreed to me; that Benefit will bind him.
'Tis well, if some Men will do well for Price:
So few are vertuous when the Reward's away.
Nor must I be unmindful of my Private,
For which I have call'd my Brother, and the Tribunes,
My Kinsfolk, and my Clients, to be near me.
He that stands up 'gainst Traitors, and their Ends,
Shall need a double Guard, of Law, and Friends:
Especially in such an envious State,
That sooner will accuse the Magistrate,
Than the Delinquent; and will rather grieve
The Treason is not acted, than believe.

Cćsar, Catiline.

He Night grows on, and you are for your Meeting:
I'll therefore end in few. Be resolute,
And put your Enterprise in act. The more
Actions of depth and danger are consider'd,
The less assuredly they are perform'd.
And thence it hapneth, that the bravest Plots
(Not executed streight) have been discover'd.
Say, you are constant, or another, a third,
Or more; there may be yet one wretched Spirit,
With whom the fear of Punishment shall work
'Bove all the thoughts of Honour and Revenge.
You are not now to think what's best to do,
As in Beginnings; but what must be done,
Being thus entred; and slip no advantage
That may secure you. Let 'em call it Mischief:
When it is past, and prosper'd, 'twill be Vertue.
Th'are petty Crimes are punish'd, great rewarded.
Nor must you think of Peril, since Attempts
Begun with Danger, still do end with Glory;
And, when Need spurs, Despair will be call'd Wisdom.
Less ought the care of Men or Fame to fright you;
For they that win, do seldom receive shame
Of Victory, how e'er it be atehiev'd;
And Vengeance, least. For who, besieg'd with Wants,
Would stop at Death, or any thing beyond it?
Come, there was never any great thing yet
Aspired, but by Violence or Fraud:

[column break]

And he that sticks (for folly of a Conscience)
To reach it —   Cat. Is a good Religious Fool.
   Cćs. A superstitious Slave, and will die Beast.
Good night. You know what Crassus thinks, and I,
By this. Prepare you Wings as large as Sails,
To cut through Air, and leave no Print behind you.
A Serpent, e'er he comes to be a Dragon,
Does eat a Bat; and so must you a Consul,
That watches. What you do, do quickly, Sergius.
You shall not stir for me.   Cat. Excuse me. Lights there.
   Cćs. By no means.
   Cat. Stay then. All good thoughts to Cćsar.
And like to Crassus.
   Cćs. Mind but your Friends Counsels.

Catiline, Aurelia, Lecca.

R I will bear no Mind. How now, Aurelia?
Are your Confederates come? the Ladies?   Aur. Yes.
   Cat. And is Sempronia there?
   Aur. She is.   Cat. That's well.
She has a sulphrous Spirit, and will take
Light at a Spark. Break with them, gentle Love,
About the drawing as many of their Husbands
Into the Plot, as can; if not, to rid 'em.
That'll be the easier practice unto some,
Who have been tir'd with 'em long. Sollicit
Their Aids for Money, and their Servants help,
In firing of the City at the time
Shall be design'd. Promise 'em States, and Empires,
And Men, for Lovers, made of better Clay
Than ever the old Porter Titan knew.
Who's that? O, Porcius Lecca! are they met?
   Lec. They are all here.
   Cat. Love, you have your Instructions:
I'll trust you with the Stuff you have to work on.
You'll form it? Porcius, fetch the Silver Eagle
I ga' you in charge; and pray 'em they will enter.

Catiline, Cethegus, Curius, Lentulus, Vargunteius, Longinus,
Gabinius, Ceparius, Autronius, &c.

Friends, your Faces glad me. This will be
Our last, I hope, of Consultation.
   Cet. So it had need.   Cur. We lose Occasion daily.
   Cat. I, and our Means; whereof one wounds me most
That was the fairest: Piso is dead in Spain.
   Cet. As we are here.   Lon. And, as 'tis thought, by env
Of Pompey's Followers.   Len. He too's coming back
Now out of Asia.   Cat. Therefore, what we intend,
We must be swift in. Take your Seats, and hear.
I have already sent Septimius
Into the Picene Territory, and Julius,
To raise Force for us in Apulia;
Manlius at Fesulć is (by this time) up,
With the old needy Troops that follow'd Sylla:
And all do but expect when we we will give
The Blow at home. Behold this Silver Eagle,
'Twas Marius Standard in the Cimbrian War,
Fatal to Rome; and, as our Augures tell me,
Shall still be so: for which one ominous Cause,
I have kept it safe, and done it sacred Rites,
As to a Godhead, in a Chappel built
Of purpose to it. Pledge then all your Hands,
To follow it, with Vows of Death and Ruine,
Struck silently, and home. So Waters speak
When they run deepest. Now's the time, this year,
The twentieth from the firing of the Capitol,
As fatal too to Rome, by all Predictions;
And in which honour'd Lentulus must rise
A King, if he pursue it.   Cur. If he do not,
He is not worthy the great Destiny.
   Len. It is too great for me; but what the Gods
And their great Loves decree me, I must not

Seem

Catiline.

251

Seem careless of.   Cat. No, nor we envious.
We have enough beside; all Gallia, Belgia,
Greece, Spain, and Africk.   Cur. I, and Asia too,
Now Pompey is returning.   Cat. Noblest Romans,
Me thinks our Looks are not so quick and high
As they were wont.
   Cur. No? whose is not?   Cat. We have
No Anger in our Eyes, no Storm, no Lightning:
Our Hate is spent, and fum'd away in Vapour,
Before our Hands be at work. I can accuse
Not any one, but all, of slackness.   Cet. Yes,
And be your self such, while you do it.   Cat. Ha?
'Tis sharply answer'd, Caius.   Cet. Truly, truly.
   Len. Come, let us each one know his part to do,
And then be accus'd. Leave these untimely Quarrels.
   Cur. I would there were more Romes than one to ruin.
   Cet. More Romes? More Worlds.
   Cur. Nay then, more Gods, and Natures,
If they took part.   Len. When shall the time be, first?
   Cat. I think, the Saturnals.   Cet. 'Twill be too long.
   Cat. They are not now far off, 'tis not a Month.
   Cet. A Week, a Day, an Hour is too far off:
Now were the fittest time.   Cat. We ha' not laid
All things so safe and ready.   Cet. While we are laying,
We shall all lie, and grow to Earth. Would I
Were nothing in it, if not now. These things
They should be done, e'er thought.
   Cat. Nay, now your Reason
Forsakes you, Caius. Think but what commodity
That time will minister; the Cities Custom
Of being then in Mirth and Feast —   Len. Loos'd whole
In Pleasure and Security —   Aut. Each House
Resolv'd in Freedom —   Cur. Every Slave a Master —
   Lon. And they too no mean Aids —
   Cur. Made from their hope
Of Liberty —   Len. Or hate unto their Lords.
   Var. 'Tis sure, there cannot be a time found out
More apt and natural.   Len. Nay, good Cethegus,
VVhy do your Passions now disturb our Hopes?
   Cet. VVhy do your Hopes delude our Certainties?
   Cat. You must lend him his way. Think, for the Order,
And Process of it.   Lon. Yes.   Len. I like not Fire;
'Twill too much waste my City.   Cat. VVere it Embers,
There will be VVealth enough, rak't out of them,
To spring anew. It must be Fire, or nothing.
   Lon. VVhat else should fright or terrifie 'em?   Var. True.
In that Confusion, must be the chief Slaughter.
   Cur. Then we shall kill 'em bravest.   Cep. And in heaps.
   Aut. Strew Sacrifices.   Cur. Make the Earth an Altar.
   Lon. And Rome the Fire.   Lec. 'Twill be a noble Night.
   Var. And worth all Sylla's Days.
   Cur. VVhen Husbands, VVives,
Grandsires, and Nephews, Servants, and their Lords,
Virgins, and Priests, the Infant, and the Nurse,
Go all to Hell together in a Fleet.
   Cat. I would have you, Longinus, and Statilius,
To take the Charge o' the Firing, which must be
At a Sign given with a Trumpet, done
In twelve chief Places of the City at once.
The Flax and Sulphur are already laid
In at Cethegus House; so are the VVeapons.
Gabinius, you, with other Force, shall stop
The Pipes and Conduits, and kill those that come
For VVater.   Cur. VVhat shall I do?   Cat. All will have
Employment, fear not: Ply the Execution.
   Cur. For that, trust me, and Cethegus.   Cat. I will be
At hand, with the Army, to meet those that scape:
And Lentulus, begirt you Pompey's House,
To seise his sons alive; for they are they
Must make our peace with him. All else cut off,
As Tarquin did the Poppy-heads, or Mowers
A Field of Thistles, or else, up, as Plows
Do barren Lands, and strike together Flints
And Clods, th' ungrateful Senate and the People;

[column break]

Till no Rage gone before, or coming after,
May weigh with yours, though Horrour leapt her self
Into the Scale; but, in your violent Acts,
The fall of Torrents, and the noise of Tempests,
The boyling of Carybdis, the Seas wildness,
The eating force of Flames, and wings of VVinds,
Be all out-wrought by your transcendent Furies.
It had been done e'er this, had I been Consul;
We had had no stop, no let.   Len. How find you Antonius?
   Cat. Th' other has won him, lost: that Cicero
VVas born to be my opposition,
And stands in all our ways.   Cur. Remove him first.
   Cet. May that yet be done sooner?
   Cat. VVould it were done.
   Cur. Var. I'll do't.
   Cet. It is my Province; none usurp it.
   Len. What are your Means?
   Cet. Enquire not. He shall die.
Shall, was too slowly said. He's dying. That
Is yet too slow. He's dead.   Cat. Brave, only Roman,
Whose Soul might be the Worlds Soul, were that dying;
Refuse not yet the Aids of these your Friends.
   Len. Here's Vargunteius holds good quarter with him.
   Cat. And under the pretext of Clientele,
And Visitation, with the morning Hail,
Will be admitted.   Cet. What is that to me?
   Var. Yes, we may kill him in his Bed, and safely.
   Cet. Safe is your way then, take it. Mine's mine own.
   Cat. Follow him, Vargunteius, and persuade,
The Morning is the fittest time.   Lon. The Night
Will turn all into Tumult.   Len. And perhaps
Miss of him too.   Cat. Entreat and conjure him
In all our Names —   Len. By all our Vows and Friendships.

[To them.

Sempronia, Aurelia, Fulvia.

Hat! is our Council broke up first?   Aur. You say,
Women are greatest Talkers.   Sem. We ha' done,
And are now fit for action.   Lon. VVhich is Passion.
There's your best activity, Lady.   Sem. How
Knows your wise Fatness that?
   Lon. Your Mothers Daughter
Did teach me, Madam.   Cet. Come Sempronia, leave him;
He is a Giber; and our present Business
Is of more serious consequence. Aurelia
Tells me, you' have done most masculinely within,
And play the Orator.   Sem. But we must hasten
To our Design as well, and execute;
Not hang still in the Fever of an Accident.
   Cat. You say well, Lady.   Sem. I do like our Plot
Exceeding well; 'tis sure, and we shall leave
Little to Fortune in it.   Cat. Your Banquet stays.
Aurelia, take her in. VVhere's Fulvia?
   Sem. O, the two Lovers are coupling.   Cur. In good faith,
She's very ill with sitting up.   Sem. You'ld have her
Laugh, and lie down?   Ful. No, faith, Sempronia,
I am not well: I'll take my leave, it draws
Toward the Morning. Curius shall stay with you.
Madam, I pray you pardon me: my Health
I must respect.   Aur. Farewel, good Fulvia.

[Curius whispers this to Fulvia.

   Cur. Make haste, and bid him get his Guards about him.
For Vargunteius and Cornelius
Have undertane it, should Cethegus miss:
Their Reason, that they think his open Rashness
VVill suffer easier discovery
Than their Attempt, so vailed under Friendship.
I'll bring you to your Coach. Tell him, beside,
Of Cćsar's coming forth here.   Cat. My sweet Madam,
VVill you be gone?   Ful. I am, my Lord, in truth,
In some Indisposition.   Cat. I do wish
You had all your Health, sweet Lady. Lentulus,
You'll do her Service.   Len. To her Coach, and Duty.

K k 2 Catiline.

252	Catiline.

Catiline.

Hat Ministers Men must for practice use!
The rash, th' ambitious, needy, desperate,
Foolish, and wretched, ev'n the Dregs of Mankind,
To Whores, and Women! Still it must be so.
Each have their proper place, and in their Rooms
They are the best. Grooms fittest kindle Fires,
Slaves carry Burdens, Butchers are for Slaughters,
Apothecaries, Butlers, Cooks, for Poysons;
As these for me: Dull stupid Lentulus,
My Stale, with whom I stalk; the rash Cethegus
My Executioner; and fat Longinus,
Statilius, Curius, Ceparius, Cimber,
My Labourers, Pioneers, and Incendiaries:
With these Domestick Traitors, Bosom-thieves,
Whom Custom hath call'd Wives; the readiest Helps
To betray heady Husbands, rob the easie,
And lend the Moneys on Returns of Lust.
Shall Catiline not do now, with these Aids,
So sought, so sorted, something shall be call'd
Their Labour, but his Profit? and make Cćsar
Repent his vent'ring Counsels to a Spirit
So much his Lord in Mischief? when all these
Shall, like the Brethren sprung of Dragons Teeth,
Ruin each other, and he fall amongst 'em,
With Crassus, Pompey, or who else appears
But like, or near a Great one. May my Brain
Resolve to Water, and my Blood turn Phlegm,
My Hands drop off, unworthy of my Sword,
And that b' inspired of it self to rip
My Breast for my lost Entrails, when I leave
A Soul that will not serve; and who will, are
The same with Slaves, such Clay I dare not fear.
The Cruelty I mean to act, I wish
Should be call'd mine, and tarry in my Name;
Whilst After-ages do toil out themselves
In thinking for the like, but do it less:
And were the Power of all the Fiends let loose,
With Fate to boot, it should be still Example,
When, what the Gaul or Moor could not effect,
Nor emulous Carthage, with their length of spite,
Shall be the Work of one, and that my Night.

Cicero, Fulvia, Quintus.

Thank your Vigllance. Where's my Brother, Quintus?
Call all my Servants up. Tell noble Curius,
And say it to your self, you are my Savers:
But that's too little for you; you are Romes.
What could I then hope less? O Brother! now
The Engines I told you of are working,
The Machin 'gins to move. Where are your Weapons?
Arm all my Houshold presently, and charge
The Porter, he let no Man in till day.
   Qui. Not Clients, and your Friends?
   Cic. They wear those Names,
That come to murder me. Yet send for Cato,
And Quintus Catulus; those I dare trust:
And Flaccus, and Pomptinius, the Prćtors,
By the back way.   Qui. Take care, good Brother Marcus,
Your Fears be not form'd greater than they should;
And make your Friends grieve, while your Enemies laugh.
   Cic. 'Tis Brothers Counsel, and worth thanks. But do
As I entreat you. I provide, not fear.
Was Cćsar rhere, say you?   Ful. Curius says, he met him
Coming from thence.   Cic. O, so. And had you a Council
Of Ladies too? Who was your Speaker, Madam?
   Ful. She that would be, had there been forty more;
Sempronia, who had both her Greek and Figures,
And ever and anon would ask us if
The witty Consul could have mended that,
Or Orator Cicero could have said it better?

[column break]

   Cic. She's my gentle Enemy. Would Cethegus
Had no more danger in him. But my Guards
Are you, great Powers, and th' unbated Strengths
Of a firm Conscience, which shall arm each Step
Tane for the State; and teach me slack no Pace
For fear of malice. How now, Brother?   Qui. Cato,
And Quintus Catulus were coming to you,
And Crassus with 'em. I have let 'em in
By th' Garden.   Cic. What would Crassus have?   Qui. I hear
Some whispering 'bout the Gate, and making doubt
Whether it be not yet too early, or no?
But I do think, they are your Friends and Clients,
Are fearful to disturb you.   Cic. You will change
T' another thought anon. Ha' you giv'n the Porter
The Charge I will'd you?
   Qui. Yes. Withdraw, and hearken.

Vargunteius, Cornelius, Porter, Cicero, Cato,
Catulus, Crassus.

He Door's not open yet.
   Cor. You were best to knock.
   Var. Let them stand close then; and, when we are in,
Rush after us.   Cor. But where's Cethegus?   Var. He
Has left it, since he might not do't his way.
   Por. Who's there?   Var. A Friend, or more.
   Por. I may not let
Any man in, till day.   Var. No? why?   Cor. Thy Reason?
   Por. I am commanded so.   Var. By whom?   Cor. I hope
We are not discover'd.   Var. Yes, by Revelation.
Pr'y thee, good Slave, who has commanded thee?
   Por. He that may best, the Consul.
   Var. We are his Friends.
   Por. All's one.   Cor. Best give your Name.
   Var. Dost thou hear, Fellow?
I have some instant Business with the Consul.
My Name is Vargunteius.

[Cicero speaks to them

Cic. True, he knows it,

from above.

And for what friendly Office you are sent.
Cornelius too is there?   Var. We are betray'd.
   Cic. And desperate Cethegus, is he not?
   Var. Speak you, he knows my Voice.
   Cic. What say you to't?
   Cor. You are deceiv'd, Sir.   Cic. No, 'tis you are so;
Poor mis-led men. Your States are yet worth Pity,
If you would hear, and change your savage minds.
Leave to be mad; forsake your Purposes
Of Treason, Rapine, Murder, Fire, and Horror;
The Commonwealth hath Eyes, that wake as sharply
Over her Life, as yours do for her Ruin.
Be not deceiv'd, to think her Lenity
Will be perpetual; or, if Men be wanting,
The Gods will be, to such a calling Cause.
Consider your Attempts, and while there's time,
Repent you of 'em. It doth make me tremble,
There should those Spirits yet breath, that when they cannot
Live honestly, would rather perish basely.
   Cato. You talk too much to 'em, Marcus, they are lost.
Go forth, and apprehend 'em.   Catu. If you prove
This Practice, what should let the Commonwealth
To take due Vengeance?   Var. Let us shift away.
The Darkness hath conceal'd us yet. We'll say,
Some have abus'd our Names.   Cor. Deny it all.
   Cato. Quintus, what Guards ha' you? Call the Tribunes Aid,
And raise the City. Consul, you are too mild.
The foulness of some Facts takes thence all Mercy.
Report it to the Senate. Hear! The Gods

[It thunders and lightens violently on the sudden.

Grow angry with your Patience. 'Tis their Care,
And must be yours, that guilty Men escape not.
As Crimes do grow, Justice should rowse it self.

CHORUS.

Catiline.

253

C H O R U S.

Hat is this, Heavens, you prepare
   With so much swiftness, and so sudden rising?
There are no Sons of Earth that dare,
   Again, Rebellion? or the Gods surprising?
The World doth shake, and Nature fears;
   Yet is the Tumult, and the Horror greater
Within our Minds, than in our Ears:
   So much Rome's Faults (now grown her Fate) do threat her.
The Priest and People run about,
   Each Order, Age, and Sex amaz'd at other;
And at the Ports all thronging out,
   As if their Safety were to quit their Mother:
Yet find they the same Dangers there,
   From which they make such haste to be preserved:
For guilty States do ever bear
   The Plagues about them which they have deserved.
And till those Plagues do get above
   The Mountains of our Faults, and there do sit;
We see 'em not. Thus still we love
   The Evil we do, until we suffer it.
But most, Ambition, that near Vice
   To Vertue, hath the Fate of Rome provoked;
And made that now Rome's self no price
   To free her from the Death wherewith she's yoked.
That restless Ill that still doth build
   Upon success; and ends not in aspiring:
But there begins; and ne're is fill'd
   While ought remains that seems but worth desiring.
Wherein the Thought, unlike the Eye,
   To which things far seem smaller than they are,
Deems all Contentment plac'd on high:
   And thinks there's nothing great but what is far.
O, that in time Rome did not cast
   Her Errors up, this Fortune to prevent;
T' have seen her Crimes e're they were past,
   And felt her Faults before her Punishment.

Act IV.

Allobroges.

Divers Senators pass by, quaking and trembling.

AN these Men fear, who are not only ours,
But the World's Masters? Then I see the Gods
Upbraid our Suff'rings, or would humble them,
By sending these affrights while we are here:
That we might laugh at their ridiculous Fear,
Whose Names we trembled at beyond the Alpes.
Of all that pass, I do not see a Face
Worthy a Man; that dares look up, and stand
One Thunder out: but downward all, like Beasts,
Running away from every flash is made.
The falling world could not deserve such baseness.
Are we imploy'd here by our Miseries,
Like superstitious Fools (or rather Slaves)
To plain our Griefs, Wrongs and Oppressions,
To a meer clothed Senate, whom our Folly
Hath made, and still intends to keep our Tyrants?
It is our base petitionary breath
That blows 'em to this Greatness; which this prick
Would soon let out, if we were bold and wretched.
When they have taken all we have, our Goods,
Crop, Lands and Houses, they will leave us this:
A Weapon and an Arm will still be found,
Tho naked left, and lower than the ground.

[column break]

Cato, Catulus, Cicero, Allobroges.

O; urge thine Anger still: good Heaven and just.
Tell guilty men what Powers are above them.
In such a confidence of wickedness
'Twas time they should know something fit to fear.
   Catu. I never saw a Morn more full of Horror.
   Cato. To Catiline and his: But to Just Men,
Tho Heaven should speak with all his wrath at once,
That with his breath the Hinges of the World
Did crack, we should stand upright, and unfear'd.
   Cic. Why, so we do, good Cato. Who be these?
   Catu. Ambassadors from the Allobroges,
I take 'em, by their habits.
   All. I, these Men
Seem of another Race; let's sue to these,
There's hope of Justice with their Fortitude.
   Cic. Friends of the Senate, and of Rome, to day
We pray you to forbear us: On the morrow,
What Suit you have, let us, by Fabius Sanga,
(Whose Patronage your State doth use) but know it,
And on the Consuls Word, you shall receive
Dispatch, or else an Answer worth your Patience.
   All. We could not hope for more, most worthy
      Consul.
This Magistrate hath struck an awe into me,
And by his Sweetness won a more regard
Unto his Place, than all the boistrous Moods
That ignorant Greatness practiseth, to fill
The large unfit Authority it wears.
How easie is a Noble Spirit discern'd
From harsh and sulphurous matter, that flies out
In Contumelies, makes a noise, and stinks!
May we find good and great Men; that know how
To stoop to Wants, and meet Necessities,
And will not turn from any equal Suits.
Such Men, they do not succour more the Cause
They undertake with favour and success,
Than by it their own Judgments they do raise,
In turning just Mens Needs into their Praise.

The Senate.

Rć. Room for the Consuls. Fathers, take your places.
Here in the House of Jupiter the Stayer,
By Edict from the Consul, Marcus Tullius,
You'are met, a frequent Senate. Hear him speak.
Cic. What may be happy and auspicious, still
To Rome and hers. Honour'd and Conscript Fathers,
If I were silent, and that all the Dangers
Threatning the State any you, were yet so hid
In Night, or Darkness thicker in their Breasts,
That are the black Contrivers; so that no
Beam of the Light could pierce 'em; yet the Voice
Of Heav'n, this Morning, hath spoke loud enough
T' instruct you with a feeling of the Horror,
And wake you from a Sleep as stark as Death.
I have of late spoke often in this Senate
Touching this Argument, but still have wanted
Either your Ears or Faith; So incredible
Their Plots have seem'd, or I so vain, to make
These things for mine own Glory and false Greatness,
As hath been given out. But be it so.
When they break forth, and shall declare themselves
By their too foul Effects, then, then the Envy
Of my just Cares will find another Name.
For me, I am but one, and this poor Life
So lately aim'd at, not an Hour yet since,
They cannot with more eagerness pursue,
Than I with gladness would lay down, and lose,
To buy Romes Peace, if that would purchase it.
But when I see they'ld make it but the step
To more and greater; unto yours, Romes, all;

I would

254	Catiline.

I would with those preserve it, or then fall.
   Cćs. I, I, let you alone, cunning Artificer!
See how his Gorget peers above his Gown;
To tell the people in what danger he was.
It was absurdly done of Vargunteius,
To name himself before he was got in.
   Cra. It matters not, so they deny it all:
And can but carry the lye constantly.
Will Catiline be here?
   Cćs. I have sent for him.
   Cra. And ha' you bid him to be confident?
   Cćs. To that his own necessity will prompt him.
   Cra. Seem to believe nothing at all that Cicero
Relates us.   Cćs. It will mad him.

[Quintus Cicero brings in the Tribunes and Guards.

   Cra. O, and help
The other Party. Who is that? his Brother?
What new Intelligence has he brought him now?
   Cćs. Some Cautions from his Wife, how to behave him.
   Cic. Place some of them without, and some bring in.
Thank their kind Loves. It is a comfort yet,
That all depart not from their Countries Cause.
   Cćs. How now, what means this Muster, Consul
      Antonius?
   Ant. I do not know, ask my Colleague, he'll tell you.
There is some Reason in State that I must yield to;
And I have promis'd him: Indeed he has bought it,
With giving me the Province.
   Cic. I profess,
It grieves me, Fathers, that I am compell'd
To draw these Arms, and aids for your defence;
And more, against a Citizen of Rome,
Born here amongst you, a Patrician,
A man, I must confess, of no mean House,
Nor no small Vertue, if he had employ'd
Those Excellent Gifts of Fortune, and of Nature,
Unto the good, not ruine of the State.
But being bred in's Father's needy Fortunes,
Brought up in's Sisters Prostitution,
Confirm'd in civil Slaughter, entring first
The Commonwealth, with Murder of the Gentry;
Since both by Study and Custom conversant
With all Licentiousness. what could be hop'd
In such a Field of Riot, but a course
Extream pernicious? Tho I must protest,
I found his Mischiefs sooner with mine Eyes
Than with my Thought; and with these Hands of mine,
Before they touch'd at my suspicion.
   Cćs. What are his Mischiefs, Consul? you declame
Against his Manners, and corrupt your own:
No wise man should, for hate of guilty men,
Lose his own Innocence.
   Cic. The Noble Cćsar
Speaks God-like truth. But when he hears I can
Convince him, by his Manners, of his Mischiefs,
He might be silent; and not cast away
His Sentences in vain, where they scarce look
Toward his Subject.
   Cato. Here he comes himself.
If he be worthy any good man's voice,
That good man sit down by him: Cato will not.

[Catiline sits down, and Cato rises from him.

   Catu. If Cato leave him, I'le not keep aside.
   Cati. What Face is this the Senate here puts on
Against me, Fathers! Give my Modesty
Leave to demand the cause of so much strangeness.
   Cćs. It is reported here, you are the Head
To a strange Faction, Lucius.
   Cic. I, and will
Be prov'd against him.
   Cati. Let it be. Why, Consul,
If in the Commonwealth there be two Bodies,
One lean, weak, rotten, and that hath a Head;
The other strong and healthful, but hath none:

[column break]

If I do give it one, do I offend?
Restore your selves unto your temper, Fathers;
And, without perturbation, hear me speak.
Remember who I am, and of what place,
What petty fellow this is that opposes;
One that hath exercis'd his Eloquence
Still to the bane of the Nobility:
A boasting insolent tongue-man.
   Cato. Peace, lewd Traytor,
Or wash thy Mouth. He is an honest man,
And loves his Counttey; would thou didst so too.
   Cati. Cato, you are too zealous for him.
   Cato. No;
Thou art too impudent.
   Catu. Catiline, be silent.
   Cati. Nay then, I easily fear, my just defence
Will come too late to so much prejudice!
   (Cćs. Will he sit down?)
   Cati. Yet let the world forsake me,
My Innocence must not.
   Cato. Thou innocent?
So are the Furies.   Cic. Yes, and Ate too.
Dost thou not blush, pernicious Catiline?
Or hath the paleness of thy Guilt drunk up
Thy Blood, and drawn thy Veins as dry of that
As is thy Heart of Truth, thy Breast of Vertue?
Whither at length wilt thou abuse our patience?
Still shall thy Fury mock us? To what licence
Dares thy unbridled boldness run it self?
Do all the nightly Guards, kept on the Palace,
The Cities Watches, with the Peoples Fears,
The Concourse of all good men, this so strong
And fortified Seat here of the Senate,
The present looks upon thee, strike thee nothing?
Dost thou not feel thy Counsels all laid open?
And see thy wild Conspiracy bound in
With each man's knowledge? which of all this Order
Canst thou think ignorant (if they'll but utter
Their Conscience to the right) of what thou didst
Last Night, what on the former, where thou wert,
Whom thou didst call together, what your Plots were?
O Age and Manners! This the Consul sees,
The Senate understands, yet this man lives!
Lives? I, and comes here into Counsel with us;
Partakes the Publick Cares: and with his Eye
Marks and points out each Man of us to slaughter.
And we, good Men, do satisfie the State,
If we can shun but this Man's Sword and Madness.
There was that Vertue once in Rome, when good men,
Would, with more sharp Coercion, have restrain'd
A wicked Citizen, than the deadliest Foe.
We have that Law still, Catiline, for thee;
An Act as grave, as sharp: The State's not wanting,
Nor the Authority of this Senate; we,
We that are Consuls, only fail our selves.
This twenty days the Edg of that Decree
We have let dull and rust; kept it shut up,
As in a Sheath, which drawn, should take thy Head.
Yet still thou liv'st: and liv'st not to lay by
Thy wicked Confidence, but to confirm it.
I could desire, grave Fathers, to be found
Still merciful, to seem, in these main perils
Grasping the State, a Man remiss and slack;
But then I should condemn my self of Sloth
And Treachery. Their Camp's in Italy,
Pitch'd in the Jaws here of Hetruria;
Their Numbers daily increasing, and their General
Within our Walls: nay, in our Counsel! plotting
Hourly some fatal mischief to the Publick.
If, Catiline, I should command thee now,
Here to be taken, kill'd; I make just doubt,
Whether all good men would not think it done
Rather too late, than any man too cruel.

Cato.

Catiline.

255

   Cato. Except he were of the same Meal and Batch.
   Cic. But that which ought to have been done long
      since,
I will, and (for good Reason) yet forbear.
Then will I take thee, when no Man is found
So lost, so wicked, nay, so like thy self,
But shall profess, 'tis done of need and right.
While there is one that dares defend thee, live;
Thou shalt have leave, but so as now thou liv'st;
Watch'd at a hand, besieged, and opprest
From working least Commotion to the State.
I have those Eyes and Ears shall still keep guard,
And spial on thee, as they have ever done,
And thou not feel it. What then canst thou hope?
If neither Night can with her Darkness hide
Thy wicked Meetings, nor a Private House
Can in her Walls contain the guilty whispers
Of thy Conspiracy: If all break out,
All be discover'd, change thy mind at last,
And lose thy thoughts of Ruine, Flame and Slaughter.
Remember how I told, here to the Senate,
That such a day thy Lictor, Caius Manlius,
Would be in Arms. Was I deceived, Catiline?
Or in the Fact, or in the Time? the Hour?
I told too in this Senate, that thy purpose
Was on the Fifth (the Kalends of November)
T' have slaughter'd this whole Order: which my caution
Made many leave the City. Canst thou here
Deny, but this thy black Design was hindred
That very day by me? Thy self clos'd in
Within my strengths, so that thou could'st not move
Against a publick Reed? When thou wert heard
To say upon the parting of the rest,
Thou would'st content thee with the Murder of us
That did remain. Hadst thou no hope beside,
By a surprize by Night, to take Prćnestć?
Where when thou cam'st, didst thou not find the place
Made good against thee with my Aids, my Watches?
My Garrisons fortified it. Thou dost nothing, Sergius;
Thou canst endeavour nothing, nay, not think,
But I both see and hear it; and am with thee,
By and before, about and in thee too.
Call but to mind thy last Nights business. Come,
I'le use no Circumstance: at Lecca's House,
The Shop, and Mint of your Conspiracy,
Among your Sword-men, where so many Associates
Both of thy Mischief and thy Madness met.
Dar'st thou deny this? Wherefore art thou silent?
Speak, and this shall convince thee: Here they are,
I see 'em in this Senate, that were with thee.
O, you Immortal Gods! in what Clime are we?
What Region do we live in? in what Air?
What Commonwealth or State is this we have?
Here, here, amongst us, our own Number, Fathers,
In this most holy Council of the world
They are that seek the Spoil of me, of you,
Of ours, of all; what I can name's too narrow:
Follow the Sun, and find not their Ambition.
These I behold, being Consul; nay, I ask
Their Counsels of the State, as from good Patriots:
Whom it were fit the Axe should hew in pieces,
I not so much as wound yet with my Voice.
Thou wast last Night with Lecca, Catiline,
Your Shares of Italy you there divided;
Appointed who, and whither each should go;
What Men should stay behind in Rome, were chosen;
Your Offices set down; the parts mark'd out,
And places of the City, for the fire;
Thy self (thou affirm'dst) wast ready to depart,
Only a little let there was that stay'd thee,
That I yet liv'd. Upon the word, stept forth
Three of thy Crew, to rid thee of that Care;
Two undertook this Morning, before Day,
To kill me in my Bed. All this I knew,

[column break]

Your Convent scarce dismiss'd, arm'd all my Servants,
Call'd both my Brother and Friends, shut out your
      Clients
You sent to visit me; whose Names I told
To some there, of good place, before they came.
   Cato. Yes, I, and Quintus Catulus can affirm it.
   Cćs. He's lost and gone. His Spirits have forsook him.
   Cic. If this be so, why, Catiline, dost thou stay?
Go where thou mean'st. The Ports are open; forth.
The Camp abroad wants thee, their Chief, too long.
Lead with thee all thy Troops out. Purge the City.
Draw dry that noisom, and pernicious Sink,
Which left behind thee, would infect the World.
Thou wilt free me of all my Fears at once,
To see a Wall between us. Dost thou stop
To do that now commanded; which before,
Of thine own choice, thou'art prone to? Go. The Consul
Bids thee, an Enemy, to depart the City.
Whither, thou'lt ask? to Exile? I not bid
Thee that. But ask my Counsel, I perswade it.
What is there, here, in Rome, that can delight thee?
Where not a Soul, without thine own foul knot,
But fears and hates thee. What Domestick Note
Of private filthiness, but is burnt in
Into thy Life? What close and secret shame
But is grown one with thine own Infamy?
What Lust was ever absent from thine Eyes?
What lewd Fact from thy Hands? what wickedness
From thy whole Body? where's that Youth drawn in
Within thy Nets, or catch'd up with thy baits,
Before whose Rage thou hast not borne a Sword,
And to whose Lusts thou hast not held a Torch?
Thy latter Nuptials I let pass in silence;
Where sins incredible on sins were heapt:
Which I not name, lest in a Civil State
So monstrous Facts should either appear to be,
Or not to be reveng'd. Thy Fortunes too
I glance not at, which hang but still next Ides.
I come to that which is more known, more publick;
The Life and Safety of us all by thee
Threatned and sought. Stood'st thou not in the Field
When Lepidus and Tullus were our Consuls,
Upon the day of Choice, arm'd, and with Forces,
To take their Lives, and our chief Citizens?
When not thy Fear, nor Conscience chang'd thy Mind,
But the meer Fortune of the Commonwealth
Withstood thy active malice? Speak but right.
How often hast thou made attempt on me?
How many of thy Assaults have I declin'd
With shifting but my Body (as we'ld say),
Wrested thy Dagger from thy Hand, how oft?
How often hath it faln, or slipt by chance?
Yet can thy side not want it: which how vow'd,
Or with what Rites, 'tis sacred of thee, I know not,
That still thou mak'st it a Necessity,
To fix it in the Body of a Consul.
But let me lose this way, and speak to thee,
Not as one mov'd with hatred, which I ought,
But pity, of which none is owing thee.
   Cat. No more than unto Tantalus or Tityus.
   Cic. Thou cam'st e're while into this Senate. Who
Of such a frequency, so many Friends
And Kindred thou hast here saluted thee?
Were not the Seats made bare upon thy entrance?
Riss' not the Consular Men, and left their places
So soon as thou sat'st down? and fled thy side,
Like to a Plague or Ruine? Knowing how oft
They had been by thee mark'd out for the Shambles?
How dost thou hear this? Surely, if my Slaves
At home fear'd me with half th' affright and horror,
That here thy Fellow-Citizens do thee,
I should soon quit my House, and think it need too.
Yet thou dar'st tarry here? Go forth at last,

Con-

256	Catiline.

Condemn thy self to flight and solitude.
Discharge the Commonwealth of her deep Fear.
Go; into banishment, if thou wait'st the word.
Why dost thou look? They all consent unto it.
Dost thou expect th' Authority of their Voices,
Whose silent wills condemn thee? While they sit,
They approve it; while they suffer it, they decree it;
And while they are silent to it, they proclaim it.
Prove thou there honest, I'le endure the Envy.
But there's no thought thou shouldst be ever he,
Whom either shame should call from filthiness,
Terror from danger, or discourse from Fury.
Go; I intreat thee: yet why do I so?
When I already know they're sent afore,
That tarry for thee'in Arms, and do expect thee
On th' Aurelian way. I know the day
Set down 'twixt thee and Manlius; unto whom
The Silver Eagle too is sent before:
Which I do hope shall prove to thee as baneful
As thou conceiv'st it to the Commonwealth.
But may this wise and sacred Senate say,
What mean'st thou Marcus Tullius? If thou know'st
That Catiline be look'd for, to be chief
Of an intestine War; that he 'is the Author
Of such a wickedness; the caller out
Of men of mark in mischief, to an action
Of so much Horror; Prince of such a Treason;
Why dost thou send him forth? why let him scape?
This is to give him Liberty and Power:
Rather thou should'st lay hold upon him, send him
To deserv'd death, and a just punishment.
To these so holy Voices thus I answer.
If I did think it timely, Conscript Fathers,
To punish him with death, I would not give
The Fencer use of one short Hour to breathe;
But when there are in this grave Order some,
Who with soft Censures still do nurse his Hopes;
Some that with not believing have confirm'd
His Designs more, and whose Authority
The weaker, as the worst Men too have follow'd:
I would now send him where they all should see
Clear as the Light, his Heart shine; where no man
Could be so wickedly, or fondly stupid,
But should cry out, he saw, touch'd, felt and graspt it.
Then, when he hath run out himself; led forth
His desp'rate party with him; blown together
Aids of all kinds, both shipwrack'd Minds and Fortunes:
Not only the grown Evil that now is sprung
And sprouted forth, would be pluck'd up and weeded;
But the Stock, Root, and Seed of all the Mischiefs,
Choaking the Commonwealth. Where should we take
Of such a swarm of Traitors only him,
Our Cares and Fears might seem a while reliev'd,
But the main peril would bide still inclos'd
Deep in the Veins and Bowels of the State.
As Humane Bodies labouring with Fevers,
VVhile they are tost with heat, if they do take
Cold water, seem for that short space much eas'd,
But afterward are ten times more afflicted.
VVherefore, I say, let all this wicked Crew
Depart, divide themselves from good Men, gather
Their Forces to one Head; as I said oft,
Let 'em be sever'd from us with a wall;
Let 'em leave off attempts upon the Consul
In his own House; to circle in the Prćtor;
To girt the Court with weapons; to prepare
Fire and Balls, Swords, Torches, Sulphur, Brands:
In short, let it be writ in each Man's Forehead
VVhat thoughts he bears the Publick. I here promise,
Fathers Conscript, to you, and to my self,
That Diligence in us Consuls, for my Honour'd
Colleague abroad, and for my self at home;
So great Authority in you; so much
Vertue in these the Gentlemen of Rome;

[column break]

VVhom I could scarce restrain to day, in Zeal,
From seeking out the Parricide to slaughter;
So much consent in all good Men and Minds,
As on the going out of this one Catiline,
All shall be clear, made plain, oppress'd, reveng'd.
And with this Omen go, pernicious Plague,
Out of the City, to the wish'd Destruction
Of thee and those that, to the Ruine of her,
Have tane that bloody and black Sacrament.
Thou Jupiter, whom we do call the Stayer
Both of this City and this Empire, wilt
(VVith the same Auspice thou didst raise it first)
Drive from thy Altars, and all other Temples,
And Buildings of this City; from our VValls,
Lives, States and Fortunes of our Citizens,
This Fiend, this Fury, with his Complices.
And all th' offence of good Men (these known Traytors
Unto their Countrey, Thieves of Italy,
Joyn'd in so damn'd a League of Mischief) thou
VVilt with perpetual Plagues, alive and dead,
Punish for Rome, and save her innocent Head.
   Cati. If an Oration, or high Language, Fathers,
Could make me guilty, here is one hath done it:
H' has strove to emulate this Mornings Thunder,
VVith his prodigious Rhetorick. But I hope
This Senate is more grave than to give credit
Rashly to all the Vomits, 'gainst a Man
Of your own Order; a Patrician;
And one whose Ancestors have more deserv'd
Of Rome than this Man's Eloquence could utter,
Turn'd the best way: as still it is the worst.
   Cato. His Eloquence hath more deserv'd to day,
Speaking thy Ill, than all thy Ancestors
Did in their good: and that the State will find,
Which he hath sav'd.
   Cati. How, he? were I that Enemy
That he would make me: I'ld not wish the State
More wretched than to need his preservation.
What do you make him, Cato, such a Hercules?
An Atlas? a poor petty Inmate!
   Cato. Traytor.
   Cati. He save the State? A Burgess Son of Arpinum.
The Gods would rather twenty Romes should perish,
Than have that Contumely stuck upon 'em,
That he should share with them in the preserving
A Shed or Sign-post.   Cato. Peace, thou Prodigy.
   Cati. They would be forc'd themselves again, and lost
In the first rude and indigested heap;
E're such a wretthed Name as Cicero
Should sound with theirs.
   Catu. Away, thou impudent Head.
   Cati. Do you all back him? are you silent too?

[He turns sud-

Well, I will leave you, Fathers, I will go.

denly on Cicero.

But — my fine dainty Speaker ——
   Cic. What now, Fury?
Wilt thou assault me here?
   (Chor. Help, aid the Consul.)
   Cati. See, Fathers, laugh you not? who threatned him?
In vain thou dost conceive, ambitious Orator,
Hope of so brave a Death as by this Hand.
   (Cato. Out of the Court with the pernicious traytor.)
   Cati. There is no Title that this flattering Senate,
Nor Honour the base Multitude can give thee,
Shall make thee worthy Catiline's Anger.
   (Cato. Stop,
Stop that portentous Mouth.)
   Cati. Or when it shall
I'll look thee dead.
   Cato. Will none restrain the Monster?
   Catu. Parricide.
   Qui. Butcher, Traytor, leave the Senate.
   Cati. I' am gone, to banishment, to please you, Fathers.
Thrust head-long forth?
   Cato. Still dost thou murmur, Monster?

Cati.

Catiline.

257

   Cati. Since I am thus put out, and made a —
   Cic. VVhat?
   Catu. Not guiltier than thou art.
   Cati. I will not burn
VVithout my Funeral Pile.   Cato. VVhat says the Fiend?
   Cati. I will have matter, Timber.
   Cato. Sing out, Scriech-owl.
   Cati. It shall be in ——
   Catu. Speak thy imperfect Thoughts.
   Cati. The common Fire, rather than mine own.
For fall I will with all, e're fall alone.
   Cra. He's lost, there is no hope of him.   Cćs. Unless
He presently take Arms; and give a blow,
Before the Consuls forces can be levi'd.
   Cic. VVhat is your pleasure, Fathers, shall be done?
   Catu. See, that the Commonwealth receive no loss.
   Cato. Commit the care thereof unto the Consuls.
   Cra. 'Tis time.   Cćs. And need.
   Cic. Thanks to this frequent Senate.
But what decree they unto Curius,
And Fulvia?   Catu. VVhat the Consul shall think meet.
   Cic. They must receive reward, though't be not known;
Lest when a State needs Ministers, they ha' none.
   Cato. Yet Marcus Tullius do not I believe,
But Crassus and this Cćsar here ring hollow.
   Cic. And would appear so, if that we durst prove 'em.
   Cato. VVhy dare we not? VVhat honest act is that,
The Roman Senate should not dare and do?
   Cic. Not an unprofitable dangerous Act,
To stir too many Serpents up at once.
Cćsar and Crassus, if they be ill Men,
Are mighty ones; and we must so provide,
That while we take one Head from this foul Hydra,
There spring not twenty more.   Cato. I'prove your Counsel.
   Cic. They shall be watch'd and look'd too. Till they do
Declare themselves, I will not put 'em out
By any question. There they stand. I'll make
My self no Enemies, nor the State no Traytors.

Catiline, Lentulus, Cethegus, Curius, Gabinius, Longinus,
   Statilius.

Alse to our selves? All our design's discover'd
To this State-cat?   Cet. I, had I had my way,
He had mew'd in Flames at home, not i' the Senate:
I had sing'd his Furs by this time.   Cat. Well there's now
No time of calling back, or standing still.
Friends be you selves; keep the same Roman Hearts
And ready Minds you had yester-night. Prepare
To execute what we resolv'd. And let not
Labour, or danger, or discovery fright you.
I'll to the Army: you (the while) mature
Things here at home. Draw to you any Aids
That you think fit, of Men of all Conditions,
Of any Fortunes that may help a War.
I'll bleed a Life, or win an Empire for you.
Within these few days look to see my Ensigns
Here at the VValls: Be you but firm within.
Mean time, to draw an envy on the Consul,
And give a less suspicion of our Course,
Let it be given out here in the City,
That I am gone an innocent Man to exile
Into Massilia, willing to give way
To Fortune and the Times; being unable
To stand so great Faction, without troubling
The Commonwealth: whose peace I rather seek,
Than all the glory of Contention,
Or the support of mine own Innocence.
Farewel the noble Lentulus, Longinus,
Curius, the rest; and thou my better Genius,
The brave Cethegus: when we meet again,
VVe'll sacrifice to Liberty.   Cet. And Revenge.
That we may praise our hands once.   Len. O you Fates,
Give Fortune now her Eyes, to see with whom

[column break]

She goes along, that she may ne're forsake him.
   Cur. He needs not her nor them. Go but on, Sergius.
A valiant Man is his own Fate and Fortune.
   Lon. The Fate and Fortune of us all go with him.
   Gab. Sta. And ever guard him.
   Cat. I am all your Creature.
   Len. Now Friends 'tis left with us. I have already
Dealt by Umbrenus wlth the Allobroges,
Here resiant in Rome; whose State I hear,
Is discontent with the great Usuries
They are oppres'd with: and have made Complaints
Divers unto the Senate, but all vain.
These Men I have thought (both for their own Oppressions,
As also that by Nature, they are a People
Warlike and fierce, still watching after change,
And now in present hatred with our State)
The fittest, and the easiest to be drawn
To our Society, and to aid the War.
The rather for their Seat; being next Bord'rers
On Italy; and that they abound with Horse:
Of which one want our Camp doth only labour.
And I have found 'em coming. They will meet
Soon at Sempronia's House, where I would pray you
All to be present, to confirm 'em more.
The sight of such Spirits hurt not, nor the Store.
   Gab. I will not fail.   Sta. Nor I.
   Cur. Nor I.   Cet. Would I
Had somewhat by my self apart to do.
I ha' no Genius to these many Counsels.
Let me kill all the Senate for my share,
I'll do it at next sitting.   Len. Worthy Caius,
Your presence will add much.   Cet. I shall mar more.

Cicero, Sanga, Allobroges.

He State's beholden unto you, Fabius Sanga,
For this great care. And those Allobroges
Are more than wretched, if they lend a listning
To such perswasion.   San. They, most worthy Consul,
As Men employ'd here, from a grieved State,
Groaning beneath a multitude of Wrongs,
And being told, there was small hope of ease
To be expected to their Evils from hence,
Were willing at the first to give an ear
To any thing that sounded Liberty:
But since, on better Thoughts, and my urg'd Reasons,
They are come about, and won to the true side.
The Fortune of the Common-wealth hath conquer'd.
   Cic. What is that same Umbrenus was the Agent?
   San. One that hath had negotiation
In Gallia oft, and known unto their State.
   Cic. Are th' Ambassadors come with you?   San. Yes.
   Cic. Well, bring 'em in, if they be firm and honest,
Never had Men the means so to deserve
Of Rome as they. A happy wish'd occasion,
And thrust into my hands for the discovery,
And manifest Conviction of these Traytors.
Be thank'd, O Jupiter. My worthy Lords,
Confederates of the Senate, you are welcom.
I understand by Quintius Fabius Sanga,
Your careful Patron here, you have been lately
Sollicited against the Common-wealth
By one Umbrenus (take a seat I pray you)
From Publius Lentulus, to be Associates
In their intended War. I could advise,
That Men whose Fortunes are yet flourishing,
And are Romes Friends, would not without a Cause
Become her Enemies; and mix themselves
And their Estates, with the lost hopes of Catiline,
Or Lentulus, whose meer despair doth arm 'em:
That were to hazard Certainties for Air,
And undergo all danger for a Voice.
Believe me Friends, loud Tumults are not laid
With half the easiness, that they are rais'd.

L l All

258	Catiline.

All may begin a War, but few can end it.
The Senate have decreed, that my Colleague
Shall lead their Army against Catiline,
And have declar'd both him and Manlius Traytors.
Metellus Celer hath already given
Part of their Troops defeat. Honours are promis'd
To all will quit 'em; and Rewards propos'd
Even to Slaves that can detect their Courses.
Here in the City, I have by the Prćtors
And Tribunes, plac'd my Guards and Watches so,
That not a Foot can tread, a Breath can whisper,
But I have knowledge. And be sure, the Senate
And People of Rome, of their accustom'd Greatness,
Will sharply and severely vindicate,
Not only any Fact, but any Practice
Or Purpose 'gainst the State. Therefore my Lords,
Consult of your own ways, and think which hand
Is best to take. You now are present Suitors
For some redress of wrongs; I'll undertake
Not only that shall be assur'd you: but
What Grace, or Priviledge else, Senate or People,
Can cast upou you worthy such a Service,
As you have now the way and means to do 'em,
If but your Wills consent with my Designs.
   All. We covet nothing more, most worthy Consul.
And how so e're we have been tempted lately
To a defection, that not makes us guilty:
We are not yet so wretched in our Fortunes,
Nor in our Wills so lost, as to abandon
A friendship prodigally of that price,
As is the Senate, and the People of Romes,
For hopes that do precipitate themselves.
   Cic. You then are wise and honest. Do but this then:
(When shall you speak with Lentulus and the rest?
   All. We are to meet anon at Brutus House.
   Cic. Who? Decius Brutus? He is not in Rome.
   San. O, but his Wife Sempronia.   Cic. You instruct me,
She is a chief.) Well, fail not you to meet 'em,
And to express the best Affection
You can put on, to all that they intend.
Like it, applaud it, give the Commonwealth
And Senate lost to 'em. Promise any Aids
By Arms or Counsel. What they can desire
I would have you prevent. Only say this,
You have had dispatch in private by the Consul,
Of your Affairs, and for the many fears
The State's now in, you are will'd by him this Evening,
To depart Rome: which you by all sought means
Will do, of reason to decline suspicion.
Now for the more Authority of the business
They 'have trusted to you, and to give it Credit
With your own State at home, you would desire
Their Letters to your Senate and your People,
Which shewn, you durst engage both Life and Honour,
The rest should every way answer their hopes.
Those had, pretend sudden departure, you,
And as you give me notice at what Port
You will go out, I'll ha' you intercepted,
And all the Letters taken with you: So
As you shall be Redeem'd in all Opinions,
And they convicted of their manifest Treason.
Ill Deeds are well turn'd back upon their Authors:
And 'gainst an Injurer, the Revenge is just.
This must be done now.   All. chearfully and firmly.
We'are they would rather haste to undertake it,
Than stay to say so.   Cic. With that confidence, go:
Make your selves happy, while you make Rome so.
By Sanga, let me have notice from you.   All. Yes.

[column break]

Sempronia, Lentulus, Cethegus, Gabinius, Statilius, Longi-
nus, Volturtius, Allobroges.

Hen come these Creatures, the Ambassadors?
I would fain see 'me. Are they any Scholars?
   Len. I think not, Madam.
   Sem. Ha' they no Greek?   Len. No surely.
   Sem. Fie, what do I here? waiting on 'em then,
If they be nothing but meer States-men?   Len. Yes,
Your Ladiship shall observe their Gravity,
And their Reservedness, their many Cautions,
Fitting their Persons.   Sem. I do wonder much,
That States and Common-wealths employ not Women
To be Ambassadors, sometimes! we should
Do as good publick Service, and could make
As honourable Spies (for so Thucidides
Calls all Ambassadors.) Are they come, Cethegus?
   Cet. Do you ask me? Am I your Scout or Bawd?
   Len. O, Caius, it is no such business.   Cet. No?
What does a Woman at it then?   Sem. Good Sir,
There are of us can be as exquisite Traytors,
As e're a Male-conspirator of you all.
   Cet. I, at Smock-treason, Matron, I believe you;
And if I were your Husband; but when I
Trust to your Cob-web-bosoms any other,
Let me there dye a Fly, and feast you, Spider.
   Len. You are too sowre, and harsh, Cethegus.   Cet. You
Are kind and courtly. I'ld be torn in peices,
With wild Hippolytus, nay prove the death
Every Limb over, e're I'ld trust a Woman
With wind, could I retain it.
   Sem. Sir, they'll be trusted
With as good Secrets yet as you have any:
And carry 'em too as close and as conceal'd,
As you shall for your Heart.
   Cet. I'll not contend with you
Either in Tongue, or Carriage, good Calipso:
   Lon. Th' Ambassadors are come.
   Cet. Thanks to thee Mercury,
That so hast rescu'd me.   Len. How now, Volturtius?
   Vol. They do desire some speech with you in private.
   Len. O! 'tis about the Prophesie belike,
And promise of the Sibylls.   Gab. It may be.
   Sem. Shun they to treat with me too?
   Gab. No good Lady,
You may partake: I have told 'em who you are.
   Sem. I should be loth to be left out, and here too.
   Cet. Can these or such be any aids to us?
Look they, as they were built to shake the World,
Or be a moment to our Enterprise?
A thousand such as they are could uot make
One Attom of our Souls. They should be Men
Worth Heavens fear, that looking up but thus
Would make Jove stand upon his Guard, and draw
Himself within his Thunder; which amaz'd,
He should discharge in vain, and they unhurt.
Or if they were like Capaneus at Thebes,
They should hang dead upon the highest Spires,
And ask the second Bolt to be thrown down.
VVhy Lentulus talk you so long? This time
Had been enough, t' have scatter'd all the Stars,
T' have quench'd the Sun and Moon, and made the World
Despair of day, or any light but ours.
   Len. How do you like this Spirit? In such Men
Mankind doth live. They are such Souls as these
That move the VVorld.   Sem. I, though he bear me hard,
I yet must do him right. He is a Spirit
Of the right Martian breed.   All. He is a Mars!
VVould we had time to live here and admire him.
   Len. VVell, I do see you would prevent the Consul.
And I commend your care: It was but reason,
To ask our Letters, and we had prepar'd them.

Catiline.

259

Go in, and we will take an Oath, and seal 'em.
You shall have Letters too to Catiline,
To visit him i' the way, and to confirm
The Association. This our Friend, Volturtius,
Shall go along with you. Tell our great General
That we are ready here; that Lucius Bestia
The Tribune is provideded of a Speech,
To lay the envy of the War upon Cicero;
That all but long for his approach and Person;
And then you are made Free-men as our selves.

Cicero, Flaccus, Pomtinius, Sanga.

Cannot fear the War but to succeed well,
Both for the honour of the Cause, and worth
Of him that doth Command. For my Colleague,
Being so ill affected with the Gout,
Will not be able to be there in Person;
And then Petreius, his Lieutenant, must
Of need take charge o' the Army; who is much
The better Soldier, having been a Tribune,
Prefect, Lieutenant, Prćtor in the War
These Thirty years, so conversant i' the Army,
As he knows all the Soldiers by their Names.
   Fla. They'll fight then bravely with him.
   Pom. I, and he
Will lead 'em on as bravely.   Cic. They' have a Foe
Will ask their Braveries, whose necessities
Will arm him like a Fury. But however
I'll trust it to the Manage and the Fortune
Of good Petreius, who's a worthy Patriot:
Metellus Celer, with three Legions too,
Will stop their course for Gallia. How now Fabius?
   San. The Train hath taken. You must instantly
Dispose your Guards upon the Milvian Bridge:
For by that way they mean to come.   Cic. Then thither
Pomtinius and Flaccus, I must pray you
To lead that force you have; and seize them all:
Let not a Person scape. Th' Ambassadors
Will yield themselves. If there be any tumult,
I'll send you aid. I, in mean time, will call
Lentulus to me, Gabinius and Cethegus,
Statilius, Ceparius, and all these,
By several Messengers: who no doubt will come
Without sense or suspicion. Prodigal Men
Feel not their own stock wasting. When I have 'em,
I'll place those Guards upon 'em, that they start not.
   San. But what'll you do with Sempronia?
   Cic. A States anger
Should not take knowledge either of Fools or Women.
I do not know whether my joy or care
Ought to be greater, that I have discover'd
So foul a Treason, or must undergo
The envy of so many great Mens fate.
But happen what there can, I will be just,
My Fortune may forsake me, not my Vertue:
That shall go with me, and before me still,
And glad me doing well, though I hear ill.

Prćtors, Allobroges, Volturtius.

La. Stand, who goes there?
   All. We are th' Allobroges,
And Friends of Rome.   Pom. If you be so, then yield
Your selves unto the Prćtors, who in name
Of the whole Senate and the People of Rome,
Yet, till you clear your selves, charge you of Practise
Against the State.   Vol. Dye Friends, and be not taken.
   Fla. What Voice is that? Down with 'em all.
   All. We yield.
   Pom. What's he stands out? Kill him there.
   Vol. Hold, hold, hold.
I yield upon Conditions.   Fla. We give none
To Traitors, strike him down.   Vol. My name's Volturtius,

[column break]

I know Pomtinius.   Pom. But he knows not you,
While you stand out upon these trayterous Terms.
   Vol. I'll yield upon the safety of my Life.
   Pom. If it be forfeited, we cannot save it.
   Vol. Promise to do your best. I am not so guilty
As many others I can name; and will,
If you will grant me favour.   Pom. All we can
Is to deliver you to the Consul. Take him,
And thank the Gods that thus have saved Rome.

C H O R U S.

Ow do our Ears before our Eyes,
   Like men in Mists,
Discover who'ld the State surprise,
   And who resists?
And as these Clouds do yield to light,
   Now do we see
Our Thoughts of things, how they did fight,
   Which seem'd t'agree?
Of what strange Pieces are we made,
   Who nothing know;
But as new Airs our Ears invade,
   Still censure so?
That now do hope, and now do fear,
   And now envy;
And then do hate, and then love dear,
   But know not why:
Or if we do, it is so late,
   As our best mood,
Though true, is then thought out of date,
   And empty of good.
How have we chang'd and come about
   In every doome,
Since wicked Catiline went out,
   And quitted Rome?
One while we thought him innocent;
   And then w' accus'd
The Consul, for his malice spent,
   And power abus'd.
Since that, we hear he is in Arms,
   We think not so:
Yet charge the Consul with our harms,
   That let him go.
So in our censure of the State,
   We still do wander;
And make the careful Magistrate
   The mark of slander.
What Age is this, where honest Men,
   Plac'd at the Helm,
A Sea of some foul Mouth or Pen,
   Shall over-whelm?
And call their diligence deceit;
   Their vertue vice;
Their watchfulness but lying in wait;
   And Blood the price.
O, let us pluck this evil Seed
   Out of our Spirits;
And give to every noble Deed
   The name it merits.
Lest we seem faln (if this endures)
   Into those times,
To love Disease; and brook the Cures
   Worse than the Crimes.

Act V.

[The Army.

Petreius.

T is my Fortune and my Glory, Soldiers,
This day, to lead you on; the worthy Consul
Kept from the honour of it by Disease:
And I am proud to have so brave a Cause

L l 2 To

260	Catiline.

To exercise your Arms in. We not now
Fight for how long, how broad, how great, and large
Th' extent, and bounds o' th' People of Rome shall be;
But to retain what our great Ancestors,
With all their Labours, Counsels, Arts, and Actions,
For us, were purchasing so many years.
The quarrel is not now of Fame or Tribute,
Or of wrongs done unto Confederates,
For which the Army of the People of Rome
Was wont to move: but for your own Republick,
For the rais'd Temples of th' immortal Gods,
For all your Fortunes, Altars, and your Fires,
For the dear Souls of your lov'd Wives and Children,
Your Parents Tombs, your Rites, Laws, Liberty,
And briefly, for the safety of the World:
Against such Men, as only by their Crimes
Are known; thrust out by Riot, Want, or Rashness.
One sort, Sylla's old Troops, left here in Fesulć,
Who suddenly made rich in those dire Times,
Are since, by their unbounded vast expence,
Grown needy and poor; and have but left t' expect
From Catiline new Bills, and new Proscriptions.
These Men (they say) are Valiant; yet, I think 'em
Not worth your pause: For either their old Vertue
Is in their Sloth and Pleasures lost; or, if
It tarry with 'em, so ill match for yours,
As they are short in Number or in Cause.
The second sort are of those (City-beasts,
Rather than Citizens) who whilst they reach
After our Fortunes, have let fly their own;
These whelm'd in Wine, swell'd up with Meats, and weakned
With hourly whoredoms, never left the side
Of Catiline in Rome; nor here are loos'd
From his Embraces: such as (trust me) never
In riding or in using well their Arms,
VVatching, or other Military Labour,
Did exercise their Youth; but learn'd to Love,
Drink, Dance, and Sing, make Feasts, and be fine Gamsters:
And these will wish more hurt to you than they bring you.
The rest are a mixt kind, all sorts of Furies,
Adulterers, Dicers, Fencers, Out-laws, Thieves,
The Murderers of their Parents, all the Sink
And Plague of Italy met in one Torrent,
To take, to day, from us the Punishment,
Due to their mischiefs, for so many years.
And who in such a Cause, 'gainst such Fiends,
VVould not now wish himself all Arm and VVeapon?
To cut such Poysons from the Earth, and let
Their Blood out to be drawn away in Clouds,
And pour'd on some inhabitable Place,
Where the hot Sun and Slime breeds nought but Monsters?
Chiefly when this sure joy shall crown our side,
That the least Man that falls upon our Party
This day (as some must give their happy Names
To Fate, and that eternal Memory
Of the best Death, writ with it, for their Countrey)
Shall walk at pleasure in the Tents of rest;
And see far off, beneath him, all their Host
Tormented after Life: and Catiline there
Walking a wretched and less Ghost than he.
I'll urge no more: Move forward with your Eagles,
And trust the Senates and Romes Cause to Heaven.
Arm. To thee, great Father Mars, and greater Jove.

Cćsar, Crassus.

Ever look'd for this of Lentulus,
When Catiline was gone.   Cra. I gave 'em lost,
Many days since.   Cćs. But, wherefore did you bear
Their Letter to the Consul, that they sent you
To warn you from the City?   Cra. Did I know
Whether he made it? It might come from him,
For ought I could assure me: if they meant
I should be safe among so many, they might

[column break]

Have come as well as writ.   Cćs. There is no loss
In being secure. I have of late too ply'd him
Thick with Intelligences, but they have been
Of things he knew before.   Cra. A little serves
To keep a Man upright on these State-bridges,
Although the Passage were more dangerous.
Let us now take the standing part.   Cćs. We must,
And be as zealous for't, as Cato. Yet,
I would fain help these wretched Men.   Cra. You cannot.
Who would save them, that have betrayd themselves?

Cicero, Quintus, Cato.

Will not be wrought to it, Brother Quintus.
There's no Mans private enmity shall make
Me violate the Dignity of another.
If there were Proof 'gainst Cćsar, or who ever,
To speak him guilty, I would so declare him.
But Quintus Catulus, and Piso both
Shall know, the Consul will not, for their grudge,
Have any Man accus'd or named falsly.
   Qui. Not falsly: but if any Circumstance,
By the Allobroges, or from Volturtius,
Would carry it.   Cic. That shall not be sought by me.
If it reveal it self, I would not spare
You, Brother, if it pointed at you, trust me.
   Cato. Good Marcus Tullius (which is more than great)
Thou hadst thy Education with the Gods.
   Cic. Send Lentulus forth, and bring away the rest.
This Office I am sorry, Sir, to do you.

The Senate.

Hat may be happy still and fortunate,
To Rome, and to this Senate: Please you, Fathers,
To break these Letters, and to view them round.
If that be not found in them, which I fear,
I yet intreat at such a time as this,
My diligence be not contemn'd. Ha' you brought
The Weapons hither from Cethegus House?
   Prć. They are without.   Cic. Be ready with Volturtius,
To bring him when the Senate calls; and see
None of the rest confer together. Fathers,
What do you read? Is it yet worth your care,
If not your fear, what you find practis'd there?
   Cćs. It hath a Face of horror!   Cra. I am amaz'd!
   Cato. Loook there.
   Syl. Gods! Can such Men draw common Air?
   Cic. Although the greatness of the mischief, Fathers,
Hath often made my Faith small in this Senate,
Yet since my casting Catiline out (for now
I do not fear the envy of the Word,
Unless the Deed be rather to be fear'd,
That he went hence alive; when those I meant
Should follow him, did not) I have spent both days
And nights in watching what their fury and rage
Was bent on, that so staid against my thought:
And that I might but take 'em in that light,
Where when you met their Treason with your Eyes,
Your minds at length would think for your own safety.
And now 'tis done. There are their Hands and Seals.
Their Persons too are safe, thanks to the Gods.
Bring in Volturtius and the Allobroges.
These be the Men were trusted with their Letters.
   Vol. Fathers, believe me, I knew nothing: I
Was travelling for Gallia, and am sorry ——
   Cic. Quake not Volturtius, speak the truth, and hope
Well of this Senate, on the Consuls word.
   Vol. Then I knew all. But truly I was drawn in
But t'other day.   Cćs. Say what thou know'st, and fear not.
Thou hast the Senates, Faith and Consuls word

[He answers with fear and interruptions.

To fortifie thee. Vol. I was sent with Letters —
And had a Message too — from Lentulus —

Catiline.

261

To Catiline — that he should use all Aids —
Servants, or others — and come with his Army,
As soon unto the City as he could —
For they were ready, and but staid for him —
To intercept those that should flee the Fire —
These Men (the Allobroges) did hear it too.
All. Yes, Fathers, and they took an Oath to us,
Besides their Letters, that we should be free;
And urg'd us for some present aid of Horse.
Cic. Nay, here be other Testimonies, Fathers,

[The Weapons and Arms are brought forth.

Cethegus Armoury.   Cra. What, not all these?
   Cic. Here's not the hundred Part. Call in the Fencer,
That we may know the Arms to all these Weapons.
Come my brave Sword-player, to what active use
Was all this Steel provided?   Cet. Had you ask'd
In Sylla's days, it had been to cut Throats;
But now it was to look on only: I lov'd
To see good Blades, and feel their Edge, and Points,
To put a Helm upon a Block, and cleave it,
And now and then to stab an Armour through.
   Cic. Know you that Paper? That will stab you through.
Is it your hand? Hold, save the pieces. Traytor,
Hath thy guilt wak'd thy Fury?   Cet. I did write
I know not what; nor care not: That Fool Lentulus
Did dictate, and I t'other Fool did sign it.
   Cic. Bring in Statilius: Does he know his hand too?
And Lentulus. Reach him that Letter.   Sta. I
Confess it all.   Cic. Know you that seal yet, Publius?
   Len. Yes, it is mine.   Cic. Whose Image is that on it?
   Len. My Grand-fathers.
   Cic. What, that renown'd good Man,
That did so only embrace his Countrey, and lov'd
His fellow Citizens! Was not his Picture,
Though mute, of Power to call thee from a Fact
So foul —   Len. As what, impetuous Cicero?
   Cic. As thou art, for I do not know what's fouler.
Look upon these. Do not these Faces argue
Thy guilt and impudence?   Len. What are these to me?
I know 'em not.   All. No, Publius? we were with you
At Brutus House.   Vol. Last night.
   Len. What did you there?
Who sent for you?   All. Your self did. We had Letters
From you, Cethegus, this Statilius here,
Gabinius Cimber, all but from Longinus,
Who would not write, because he was to come
Shortly in Person after us (he said)
To take the charge o' the Horse, which we should levy.
   Cic. And he is fled to Catiline I hear.
   Len. Spies? Spies?   All. You told us too o' the Sybils Books,
And how you were to be a King this year,
The Twentieth from the burning of the Capitol,
That three Cornellii were to Raign in Rome,
Of which you were the last: and prais'd Cethegus,
And the great Spirits were with you in the Action.
   Cet. These are your honourable Ambassadors,
My Soveraign Lord.   Cat. Peace, that too bold Cethegus.
   All. Besides Gabinius, your Agent nam'd
Autronius, Servius Sylla, Vargunteius,
And divers others.   Vol. I had Letters from you
To Catiline, and a Message, which I have told
Unto the Senate truly word for word:
For which I hope they will be gracious to me.
I was drawn in by that same wicked Cimber,
And thought no hurt at all.   Cic. Volturtius, peace.
Where is thy Visor or thy Voice now Lentulus?
Art thou confounded? Wherefore speak'st thou not?
Is all so clear, so plain, so manifest,
That both thy Eloquence and Impudence,
And thy ill Nature too, have left thee at once?
Take him aside. There's yet one more, Gabinius,
The Engineer of all. Shew him that Paper,
If he do know it?   Gab. I know nothing.   Cic. No?
   Gab. No. Neither will I know.   Cat. Impudent Head!

[column break]

Stick it into his Throat; were I the Consul,
Il'd make thee eat the mischief thou hast vented.
   Gab. Is there a Law for't, Cato?   Cat. Dost thou ask
After a Law, that would'st have broke all Laws
Of Nature, Manhood, Conscience, and Religion?
   Gab. Yes I may ask for't.   Cat. No, pernicions Cimber.
Th' inquiring after good does not belong
Unto a wicked Person.   Gab. I, but Cato
Does nothing but by Law.   Cra. Take him aside.
There's Proof enough though he confess not.   Gab. Stay,
I will confess. All's true your Spies have told you,
Make much of 'em.   Cet. Yes, and reward 'em well,
For fear you get no more such. See they do not
Dye in a Ditch, and stink now you ha' done with 'em;
Or beg o' the Bridges here in Rome, whose Arches
Their active industry hath sav'd.   Cic. See Fathers
What Minds and Spirits these are, that being convicted
Of such a Treason, and by such a Cloud
Of Witnesses, dare yet retain their boldness?
What would their Rage have done, if they had conquer'd?
I thought when I had thrust out Catiline,
Neither the State nor I should need t' have fear'd
Lentulus sleep here, or Longinus fat,
Or this Cethegus rashness; it was he
I only watch'd, while he was in our Walls,
As one that had the Brain, the Hand, the Heart.
But now we find the contrary! Where was there
A People griev'd, or a State discontent,
Able to make or help a War 'gainst Rome,
But these, th' Allobroges, and those they found?
Whom had not the just Gods been pleas'd to make
More Friends unto our safety than their own,
As it then seem'd, neglecting these Mens offers,
Where had we been? or where the Commonwealth?
When their great Chief had been call'd home; this Man,
Their absolute King (whose noble Grand-father,
Arm'd in pursuit of the seditious Gracchus,
Took a brave wound for dear defence of that
Which he would spoil) had gather'd all his Aids
Of Ruffians, Slaves, and other Slaughter-men?
Given us up for murder to Cethegus?
The other rank of Citizens to Gabinius?
The City to be fir'd by Cassius?
And Italy, nay the World, to be laid wast
By cursed Catiline and his Complices?
Lay but the thought of it before you Fathers,
Think but with me you saw his glorious City,
The Light of all the Earth, Tower of all Nations,
Suddenly falling in one Flame. Imagine
You view'd your Countrey buried with the heaps
Of slaughter'd Citizens that had no Grave;
This Lentulus here, raigning, (as he dreamt)
And those his Purple Senate; Catiline come
With his fierce Army; and the cries of Matrons,
The flight of Children, and the rape of Virgins,
Shriekes of the living, with the dying Groans
On every side t' invade your Sense; until
The Blood of Rome were mixed with her Ashes!
This was the Spectacle these Fiends intended
To please their Malice.   Cet. I, and it would
Have been a brave one, Consul. But your Part
Had not then been so long as now it is:
I should have quite defeated your Oration,
And slit that fine rhetorical Pipe of yours
I' the first Scene.   Cat. Insolent Monster!   Cic. Fathers,
Is it your Pleasures they shall be committed
Unto some safe, but a free Custody,
Until the Senate can determine farther?
   Sen. It pleaseth well.   Cic. Then Marcus Crassus,
Take you charge of Gabinius: send him home
Unto your House. You Cćsar, of Statilius.
Cethegus shall be sent to Cornificius:
And Lentulus to Publius Lentulus Spinther,
Who now is Ćdile.   Cat. It were best, the Prćtors

Carried

262	Catiline.

Carried 'em to their Houses, and deliver'd 'em.
   Cic. Let it be so. Take 'em from hence.   Cćs. But first
Let Lentulus put off his Prćtorship.
   Len. I do resign it here unto the Senate.
   Cćs. So, now there's no Offence done to Religion.
   Cat. Cćsar, 'twas piously and timely urg'd.
   Cic. What do you decree to th' Allobroges,
That were the Lights to this Discovery?
   Cra. A free Grant from the State, of all their Suits.
   Cćs. And a Reward out of the Publick Treasure.
   Cat. I, and the Title of Honest Men, to crown 'em.
   Cic. What to Volturtius?   Cćs. Life, and Favour's well.
   Vol. I ask no more.   Cat. Yes, yes, some Mony, thou needst it:
'Twill keep thee honest; want made thee a Knave.
   Syl. Let Flaccus, and Pomtinius, the Prćtors,
Have publick Thanks, and Quintus Fabius Sanga,
For their good Service.   Cra. They deserve it all.
   Cat. But what do we decree unto the Consul,
Whose Vertue, Counsel, Watchfulness, and Wisdom
Hath freed the Commonwealth, and without Tumult,
Slaughter, or Blood, or scarce raising a Force,
Rescu'd us all out of the Jaws of Fate?
   Cra. VVe owe our Lives unto him, and our Fortunes.
   Cćs. Our VVives, our Children, Parents, and our Gods.
   Syl. VVe all are saved by his Fortitude.
   Cat. The Commonwealth owes him a Civick Garland.
He is the only Father of his Country.
   Cćs. Let there be Publick Prayer, to all the Gods,
Made in that Name, for him.   Cra. And in these words:
For that he hath, by his Vigilance, preserv'd
Rome from the Flame, the Senate from the Sword,
And all her Citizens from Massacre.
   Cic. How are my Labours more than paid, grave Fathers,
In these great Titles, and decreed Honours!
Such as to me, first of the Civil Robe,
Of any Man since Rome was Rome, have hapned;
And from this frequent Senate; which more glads me,
That I now see yo' have sense of your own safety.
If those good days come no less grateful to us,
Wherein we are preserv'd from some great Danger,
Than those wherein w' are born, and brought to light,
Because the gladness of our Safety is certain,
But the condition of our Birth not so;
And that w' are sav'd with pleasure, but are born
Without the sense of Joy: Why should not then
This Day, to us, and all Posterity
Of ours, be had in equal Fame and Honour,
With that when Romulus first rear'd these Walls,
When so much more is saved, than he built?
   Cćs. It ought.   Cra. Let it be added to our Fasti.
   Cic. What Tumult's that?
   Fla. Here's one Tarquinius taken,
Going to Catiline, and says he was sent
By Marcus Crassus, whom he names to be
Guilty of the Conspiracy.   Cic. Some lying Varlet.
Take him away to Prison.   Cra. Bring him in,
And let me see him.   Cic. He is not worth it, Crassus.
Keep him up close, and hungry, till he tell
By whose pernicious Counsel he durst slander
So great and good a Citizen.   (Cra. By yours,
I fear, 'twill prove.)   Syl. Some o' the Traitors, sure,
To give their Action the more Credit, bid him
Name you, or any Man.   Cic. I know my self,
By all the Tracts and Courses of this Business,
Crassus is noble, just, and loves his Country.
   Fla. Here is a Libel too, accusing Cćsar,
From Lucius Vectius, and confirm'd by Curius.
   Cic. Away with all, throw it out o' the Court.
   Cćs. A Trick on me too?   Cic. It is some mens malice.
I said to Curius, I did not believe him.
   Cćs. Was not that Curius your Spy, that had
Reward decreed unto him the last Senate,
With Fulvia, upon your private Motion?
   Cic. Yes.

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   Cćs. But he has not that Reward yet?   Cic. No.
Let not this trouble you, Cćsar; none believes it.
   Cćs. It shall not, if that he have no Reward.
But if he have, sure I shall think my self
Very untimely and unsafely honest,
Where such as he is may have Pay t' accuse me.
   Cic. You shall have no wrong done you, noble Cćsar,
But all Contentment.   Cćs. Consul, I am silent.

[The Army.

Catiline.

Never yet knew, Soldiers, that in Fight
Words added Vertue unto valiant Men;
Or, that a General's Oration made
An Army fall or stand: But how much Prowess,
Habitual or natural, each Mans Breast
Was Owner of, so much in act it shew'd.
Whom neither Glory' or Danger can excite,
'Tis vain t' attempt with Speech; for the Minds fear
Keeps all brave Sounds from entring at that Ear.
I yet would warn you some few things, my Friends,
And give you Reason of my present Counsels.
You know, no less than I, what State, what Point
Our Affairs stand in; and you all have heard
What a calamitous Misery the Sloth
And Sleepiness of Lentulus hath pluck'd
Both on himself, and us; how, whilst our Aids
There, in the City look'd for, are defeated;
Our entrance into Gallia too is stopt:
Two Armies wait us; one from Rome, the other
From the Gaul-Provinces: And where we are,
(Although I most desire it) the great want
Of Corn and Victuals forbids longer stay.
So that of need we must remove; but whither,
The Sword must both direct, and cut the Passage.
I only therefore wish you, when you strike,
To have your Valours and your Souls about you,
And think you carry in your labouring Hands
The things you seek, Glory, and Liberty,
Your Country, which you want now, with the Fates,
That are to be instructed by our Swords.
If we can give the Blow, all will be safe to us.
We shall not want Provision, nor Supplies.
The Colonies and Free Towns will lie open;
Where, if we yield to fear, expect no Place,
Nor Friend, to shelter those whom their own Fortune,
And ill-us'd Arms have left without Protection.
You might have liv'd in Servitude, or Exile,
Or safe at Rome, depending on the Great ones;
But that you thought those things unfit for Men:
And, in that thought, you then were valiant.
For no Man ever yet chang'd Peace for War,
But he that meant to conquer. Hold that purpose.
There's more necessity you should be such,
In fighting for your selves, than they for others.
He's base that trusts his Feet, whose Hands are arm'd.
Me thinks I see Death and the Furies waiting
What we will do, and all the Heav'n at leisure
For the great Spectacle. Draw then your Swords;
And if our Destiny envy our Vertue
The Honour of the Day, yet let us care
To sell our selves at such a Price as may
Undo the World to buy us, and make Fate,
While she tempts ours, fear her own Estate.

The Senate.

En. What means this hasty calling of the Senate?
Sen. We shall know streight. Wait till the Consul speaks.
Pom. Fathers Conscript, bethink you of your Safeties,
And what to do with these Conspirators:
Some of their Clients, their Freed-men, and Slaves,
'Gin to make Head: There is one of Lentulus Bawds
Runs up and down the Shops, through every Street,

With

Catiline.

263

With Money, to corrupt the poor Artificers,
And needy Tradesmen, to their aid. Cethegus
Hath sent too to his Servants, who are many,
Chosen, and exercis'd in bold Attemptings,
That forthwith they should arm themselves, and prove
His Rescue: All will be in instant Uproar,
If you prevent it not with present Counsels.
We have done what we can to meet the Fury,
And will do more. Be you good to your selves.
   Cic. What is your pleasure, Fathers, shall be done?
Syllanus, you are Consul next design'd;
Your Sentence of these Men.   Syl. 'Tis short, and this.
Since they have sought to blot the name of Rome
Out of the World, and raze this glorious Empire
With her own Hands, and Arms turn'd on her self,
I think it fit they die: And could my Breath
Now execute 'em, they should not enjoy
An Article of Time, or Eye of Light,
Longer, to poyson this our Common air.
   Sen. I think so too.
   Sen. And I.   Sen. And I.   Sen. And I.
   Cic. Your Sentence, Caius Cćsar.
   Cćs. Conscript Fathers,
In great Affairs, and doubtful, it behoves
Men that are ask'd their Sentence, to be free
From either Hate or Love, Anger or Pity:
For where the least of these do hinder, there
The Mind not easily discerns the Truth.
I speak this to you in the Name of Rome,
For whom you stand; and to the present Cause:
That this foul Fact of Lentulus, and the rest,
Weigh not more with you than your Dignity;
And you be more indulgent to your Passion,
Than to your Honour. If there could be found
A Pain or Punishment equal to their Crimes,
I would devise, and help: But if the greatness
Of what they ha' done, exceed all Mans Invention,
I think it fit to stay where our Laws do.
Poor petty States may alter, upon humour,
Where, if th' offend with anger, few do know it,
Because they are obscure; their Fame and Fortune
Is equal, and the same. But they that are
Head of the World, and live in that seen height,
All Mankind knows their Actions. So we see,
The greater Fortune hath the lesser Licence.
They must not favour, hate, and least be angry:
For what with others is call'd Anger, there
Is Cruelty and Pride. I know Syllanus,
Who spoke before me, a just, valiant Man,
A Lover of the State, and one that would not,
In such a Business, use or Grace or Hatred;
I know too, well, his Manners and Modesty:
Nor do I think his Sentence cruel, (for
'Gainst such Delinquents what can be too bloody?)
But that it is abhorring from our State:
Since to a Citizen of Rome, offending,
Our Laws give Exile, and not Death. Why then
Decrees he that? 'Twere vain to think, for fear;
When, by the diligence of so worthy a Consul,
All is made safe and certain. Is't for Punishment?
Why, Death's the end of Evils, and a Rest,
Rather than Torment: It dissolves all Griefs;
And beyond that, is neither Care nor Joy.
You hear, my Sentence would not have 'em die.
How then? set free, and increase Catiline's Army?
So will they, being but banish'd. No, Grave Fathers,
I judge 'em, first, to have their States confiscate;
Then, that their Persons remain Prisoners
I' the Free Towns, far off from Rome, and sever'd;
Where they might neither have Relation,
Hereafter, to the Senate, or the People.
Or, if they had, those Towns then to be mulcted,
As Enemies to the State, that had their Guard.
   Sen. 'Tis good and honourable, Cćsar hath utter'd.

[column break]

   Cic. Fathers, I see your Faces and your Eyes
All bent on me, to note, of these two Censures,
Which I incline to. Either of them are grave,
And answering the Dignity of the Speakers,
The greatness of th' Affair, and both severe.
One urgeth Death; and he may well remember
This State hath punish'd wicked Citizens so.
The other Bonds, and those perpetual, which
He thinks found out for the more singular Plague.
Decree which you shall please: You have a Consul,
Not readier to obey, than to defend
Whatever you shall act, for the Republick;
And meet with willing Shoulders any Burden,
Or any Fortune, with an even Face,
Though it were Death; which to a valiant Man
Can never happen foul, nor to a Consul
Be immature, or to a wise man wretched.
   Syl. Fathers, I spake but as I thought the Needs
O' th' Commonwealth requir'd.   Cat. Excuse it not.
   Cic. Cato, speak your Sentence.   Cat. This it is.
You here dispute on kinds of Punishment,
And stand consulting what you should decree
'Gainst those of whom you rather should beware:
This Mischief is not like those common Facts,
Which, when they are done, the Laws may prosecute.
But this, if you provide not ere it happen,
When it is hap'ned, will not wait your Judgment.
Good Caius Cćsar here hath very well,
And subtilly discours'd of Life and Death,
As if he thought those things a pretty Fable,
That are deliver'd us of Hell and Furies,
Or of the divers way that ill Men go
From good, to filthy, dark, and ugly Places.
And therefore he would have these live, and long too;
But far from Rome, and in the small Free Towns,
Lest here they might have Rescue: As if Men
Fit for such Acts were only in the City,
And not throughout all Italy; or, that Boldness
Could not do more, where it found least resistance?
'Tis a vain Counsel, if he think them dangerous:
Which if he do not, but that he alone,
In so great fear of all Men, stand unfrighted,
He gives me cause, and you, more to fear him.
I am plain, Fathers. Here you look about
One at another, doubting what to do;
With Faces, as you trusted to the Gods,
That still have sav'd you; and they can do't: But
They are not Wishings, or base womanish Prayers,
Can draw their Aids; but Vigilance, Counsel, Action;
Which they will be ashamed to forsake.
'Tis Sloth they hate, and Cowardise. Here you have
The Traitors in your Houses; yet you stand,
Fearing what to do with 'em: Let 'em loose,
And send 'em hence with Arms too, that your Mercy
May turn your Misery, as soon as't can.
O, but they are Great Men, and have offended
But through Ambition: We would spare their Honour.
I, if themselves had spar'd it, or their Fame,
Or Modesty, or either God, or Man:
Then I would spare 'em. But as things now stand,
Fathers, to spare these Men, were to commit
A greater Wickedness than you would revenge.
If there had been but time and Place for you
To have repair'd this Fault, you should have made it;
It should have been your Punishment, to have felt
Your tardy Error: but Necessity
Now bids me say, Let 'em not live an Hour,
If you mean Rome should live a Day. I have done.
   Sen. Cato hath spoken like an Oracle.
   Cra. Let it be so decreed.   Sen. We are all fearful.
   Syl. And had been base, had not his Vertue rais'd us.
   Sen. Go forth, most worthy Consul. we'll assist you.
   Cćs. I am not yet chang'd in my Sentence, Fathers.
   Cat. No matter. What be those?   Sen. Letters for Cćsar.

Cat. From

264	Catiline.

   Cat. From whom? Let 'em be read in open Senate.
Fathers, they come from the Conspirators;
I crave to have 'em read, for the Republick.
   Cćs. Cato, read you it. 'Tis a Love-letter,
From your dear Sister, to me: though you hate me,
Do not discover it.   Cat. Hold thee, Drunkard. Consul,
Go forth, and confidently.   Cćs. You'll repent
This rashness, Cicero.   Prć. Cćsar shall repent it.
   Cic. Hold, Friends.
   Prć. He's scarce a Friend unto the Publick.
   Cic. No violence. Cćsar, be safe. Lead on.
Where are the Publick Executioners?
Bid 'em wait on us. On to Spinther's House.
   Bring Lentulus forth. Here, you, the sad Revengers
Of Capital Crimes against the Publick, take
This Man unto your Justice; strangle him.
   Len. Thou dost well, Consul. 'Twas a Cast at Dice,
In Fortune's Hand, not long since, that thy self
Should'st have heard these, or other words as fatal.
   Cic. Lead on to Quintus Cornificius House.
   Bring forth Cethegus. Take him to the due
Death that he hath deserv'd, and let it be
Said, he was once.   Cet. A Beast, or, what is worse,
A Slave, Cethegus. Let that be the Name
For all that's base, hereafter; that would let
This Worm pronounce on him, and not have trampled
His Body into — Ha! art thou not mov'd?
   Cic. Justice is never angty. Take him hence.
   Cet. O, the Whore Fortune, and her Bawds the Fates!
That put these Tricks on Men, whick knew the way
To Death by' a Sword. Strangle me, I may sleep;
I shall grow angry with the Gods else.   Cic. Lead
To Caius Cćsar, for Statilius.
   Bring him, and rude Gabinius out. Here, take 'em
To your cold Hands, and let 'em feel Death from you.
   Gab. I thank you, you do me a pleasure.
   Sta. And me too.
   Cat. So, Marcus Tullius, thou maist now stand up,
And call it happy Rome, thou being Consul.
Great Parent of thy Country, go, and let
The old Men of the City, ere they die,
Kiss thee; the Matrons dwell about thy Neck;
The Youths and Maids lay up, 'gainst they are old,
What kind of Man thou wert, to tell their Nephews,
When, such a Year, they read, within our Fasti,
Thy Consulship. Who's this? Petreius?   Cic. Welcome,
Welcome, renowned Soldier. VVhat's the News?
This Face can bring no ill with't unto Rome.
How does the worthy Consul, my Colleague?
   Pet. As well as Victory can make him, Sir.
He greets the Fathers, and to me hath trusted
The sad Relation of the Civil Strife;
For, in such VVar, the Conquest still is black.
   Cic. Shall we withdraw into the House of Concord?
   Cat. No, happy Consul: Here let all Ears take
The Benefit of this Tale. If he had Voice
To spread unto the Poles, and strike it through
The Center, to th' Antipodes, it would ask it.
   Pet. The Straits and Needs of Catiline being such,
As he must fight with one of the two Armies,
That then had neer enclos'd him; it pleas'd Fate
To make us th' Object of his desperate Choice,
VVherein the Danger almost poiz'd the Honour:
And as he riss', the Day grew black with him,
And Fate descended nearer to the Earth,
As if she meant to hide the name of things
Under her VVings, and make the VVorld her Quarry.

[column break]

At this we rous'd, lest one small Minutes stay
Had left it to be inquir'd, what Rome was:
And (as we ought) arm'd in the confidence
Of our great Cause, in form of Battel stood:
VVhilst Catiline came on, not with the Face
Of any Man, but of a Publick Ruin:
His Count'nance was a Civil VVar it self;
And all his Host had standing in their Looks
The Paleness of the Death that was to come.
Yet cried they out like Vultures, and urg'd on,
As if they would precipitate our Fates.
Nor staid we longer for 'em: But himself
Struck the first Stroke; and with it fled a Life,
Which cut, it seem'd a narrow Neck of Land
Had broke between two mighty Seas, and either
Flow'd into other; for so did the Slaughter:
Aud whirl'd about, as when two violent Tides
Meet, and not yield. The Furies stood on Hills,
Circling the Place, and trembled to see Men
Do more than thcy; whilst Piety left the Field,
Griev'd for that Side, that in so bad a Cause
They knew not what a Crime their Valour was.
The Sun stood still, and was, behind the Cloud
The Battel made, seen sweating, to drive up
His frighted Horse, whom still the Noise drove backward.
And now had fierce Enyo, like a Flame,
Consum'd all it could reach, and then it self;
Had not the Fortune of the Commonwealth
Come, Pallas-like, to every Roman thought.
Which Catiline seeing, and that now his Troops
Cover'd that Earth they had fought on, with their Trunks,
Ambitious of great Fame, to crown his Ill,
Collected all his Fury, and ran in
(Arm'd with a Glory high as his Despair)
Into our Battel, like a Lybian Lion
Upon his Hunters, scornful of our Weapons,
Careless of Wounds, plucking down Lives about him,
Till he had circled in himself with Death:
Then fell he too, t' embrace it where it lay.
And as in that Rebellion 'gainst the Gods,
Minerva holding forth Medusa's Head,
One of the Gyant-Brethren felt himself
Grow Marble at the killing Sight, and now
Almost made Stone, began t' inquire, what Flint,
What Rock it was, that crept through all his Limbs,
And, ere he could think more, was that he fear'd;
So Catiline, at the sight of Rome in us,
Became his Tomb: Yet did his Look retain
Some of his Fierceness, and his Hands still mov'd,
As if he labour'd yet to grasp the State
With those Rebellious Parts.   Cat. A brave bad Death!
Had this been honest now, and for his Country,
As 'twas against it, who had ere fallen greater?
   Cic. Honour'd Petreius, Rome, not I, must thank you.
How modestly has he spoken of himself!
   Cat. He did the more.
   Cic. Thanks to the immortal Gods,
Romans, I now am paid for all my Labours,
My VVatchings, and my Dangers. Here conclude
Your Praises, Triumphs, Honours, and Rewards,
Decreed to me: Only the Memory
Of this glad Day, if I may know it live
VVithin your Thoughts, shall much affect my Conscience,
VVhich I must always study before Fame.
Though both be good, the latter yet is worst,
And ever is ill got, without the first.

T H E E N D.

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