University of Virginia Library

Act III.

Cicero
, Cato, Catvlvs, Antonivs, Crassvs, Cæsar, Chorvs, Lictors.
Great honors are great burdens: but, on whom
They'are cast with enuie, he doth beare two loades.
His cares must still be double to his ioyes,
In any dignitie; where, if he erre
He findes no pardon: and, for doing well
A most small praise, and that wrung out by force.
I speake this, Romanes, knowing what the weight
Of the high charge, you haue trusted to me, is.
Not, that thereby I would with art decline
The good, or greatnesse 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 haue no vrnes; no dustie moniments;
No broken images of ancestors,
Wanting an eare, or nose; no forged tables
Of long descents; to boast false honors from:
Or be my vnder-takers to your trust.
But a new man (as I am stil'd in Rome)
Whom you haue dignified; and more, in whom
Yo'haue cut a way, and left it ope for vertue
Hereafter, to that place: which our great men
Held shut vp, with all ramparts, for themselues.
Nor haue but few of them, in time beene made
Your Consuls, so; new men, before me, none:
At my first suite; in my iust yeere; preferd
To all competitors; and some the noblest—

Cra.
Now the vaine swels.

Caes.
Vp glorie.

Cic.
And to haue
Your loud consents, from your owne vtter'd voices;
Not silent bookes: nor from the meaner tribes,
But first, and last, the vniuersall concourse!
This is my ioy, my gladnesse. But my care,
My industrie, and vigilance now must worke,
That still your counsells of me be approu'd;
Both, by your selues, and those, to whom you haue,
With grudge, prefer'd me: two things I must labour,
That neither they vpbraid, nor you repent you.
For euery lapse of mine will, now, be call'd
Your error, if I make such. But, my hope is,
So to beare through, and out, the Consul-ship,
As spight shall ne're wound you, though it may me.
And, for my selfe, I haue prepar'd this strength,
To doe so well; as, if there happen ill
Vnto me, it shall make the gods to blush:
And be their crime, not mine, that I am enui'd.

Caes.
O confidence! more new, then is the man!

Cic.
I know well, in what termes I doe receiue
The common wealth, how vexed, how perplex'd:
In which, there's not that mischiefe, or ill fate,
That good men feare not, wicked men expect not.
I know, beside, some turbulent practises
Alreadie on foot, and rumors of moe dangers—

Cra.
Or you will make them, if there be none.

Cic.
Last,
I know, 'twas this, which made the enuie, and pride
Of the great Romane bloud bate, and giue way
To my election.

Cat.
Marcvs Tvllivs, true;
Our need made thee our Consul, and thy vertue.

Caes.
Cato, you will vn-doe him, with your praise.

Cato.
Caesar will hurt himselfe, with his owne enuie.

Chor.
The voice of Cato is the voice of Rome.

Cato.
The voice of Rome is the consent of heauen!
And that hath plac'd thee, Cicero, at the helme,
Where thou must render, now, thy selfe a man,
And master of thy art. Each petty hand
Can steere a ship becalm'd; but he that will
Gouerne, and carry her to her ends, must know
His tides, his currents; how to shift his sailes;
What shee will beare in foule, what in faire weathers;
Where her springs are, her leakes; and how to stop 'hem;
What sands, what shelues, what rocks doe threaten her;
The forces, and the natures of all winds,
Gusts, stormes, and tempests; when her keele ploughs hell,
And deck knocks heauen: then, to manage her,
Becomes the name, and office of a pilot.

Cic.
Which I'le performe, with all the diligence,
And fortitude I haue; not for my yeere,
But for my life; except my life be lesse,
And that my yeere conclude it: if it must,
Your will, lou'd gods. This heart shall yet employ
A day, an houre is left me, so, for Rome,
As it shall spring a life, out of my death,
To shine, for euer glorious in my facts.
The vicious count their yeeres, vertuous their acts.

Chor.
Most noble Consul! Let vs wait him home.

Caes.
Most popular Consul he is growne, me thinks!

Cra.
How the rout cling to him!

Caes.
And Cato leads 'hem!

Cra.
You, his colleague, Antonivs, are not look't on.

Ant.
Not I, nor doe I care.

Caes.
He enioyes rest,
And ease, the while. Let th'others spirit toile,
And wake it out, that was inspir'd for turmoile.

Catv.
If all reports be true, yet, Caivs, Caesar,
The time hath need of such a watch, and spirit.

Caes.
Reports? Doe you beleeue 'hem Catvlvs,
Why, he do's make, and breed 'hem for the people;
T'endeare his seruice to 'hem. Doe you not tast
An art, that is so common? Popular men,
They must create strange monsters, and then quell 'hem;
To make their artes seeme something. Would you haue
Such an Hercvlean actor in the scene,
And not his Hydra? They must sweat no lesse
To fit their properties, then t'expresse their parts.

Cra.
Treasons, and guiltie men are made in states
Too oft, to dignifie the magistrates.

Catv.
Those states be wretched, that are forc'd to buy
Their rulers fame, with their owne infamy.

Cra.
We therefore, should prouide that ours doe not.

Caes.
That will Antonivs make his care.

Ant.
I shall.

Caes.
And watch the watcher.

Catv.
Here comes Catiline.
How do's he brooke his late repulse?

Caes.
I know not.
But hardly sure.

Cat.
Longinvs, too, did stand?

Caes.
At first: but he gaue way vnto his friend.

Catv.
Who's that come? Lentvlvs?

Caes.
Yes. He is againe
Taken into the Senate.

Ant.
And made Prætor.

Cat.
I know't. He had my suffrage, next the Consuls;

Caes.
True, you were there, Prince of the Senate, then.

Catiline
, Antonivs, Catvlvs, Cæsar, Crassvs, Longinvs, Lentvlvs.
Haile noblest Romanes. The most worthy Consul,
I gratulate your honor.

Ant.
I could wish
It had beene happier, by your fellowship,
Most noble Sergivs, had it pleas'd the people.

Cati.
It did not please the gods; who instruct the people:
And their vnquestion'd pleasures must be seru'd.
They know what's fitter for vs, then our selues;
And 'twere impietie, to thinke against them.

Catv.
You beare it rightly, Lvcivs; and, it glads me,
To find your thoughts so euen.

Cati.
I shall still
Studie to make them such to Rome, and heauen.
(I would with draw with you, a little, Ivlivs.

Caes.
Ile come home to you: Crassvs would not ha' you
To speake to him, 'fore Qvintvs Catvlvs.

Cati.
I apprehend you.) No, when they shall iudge
Honors conuenient for me, I shall haue 'hem,
With a full hand: I know it. In meane time,
They are no lesse part of the common-wealth,
That doe obey, then those, that doe command.

Catv.
O, let me kisse your fore-head, Lvcivs.
How are you wrong'd!

Cati.
By whom?

Catv.
Publike report.
That giues you out, to stomack your repulse;
And brooke it deadly.

Cati.
Sir, shee brookes not me.
Beleeue me rather, and your selfe, now, of me:
It is a kinde of slander, to trust rumour.

Catv.
I know it. And I could be angrie with it.

Cati.
So may not I. Where it concernes himselfe,
Who's angrie at a slander, makes it true.

Catv.
Most noble Sergivs! This your temper melts me.

Cra.
Will you doe office to the Consul, Qvintvs?

Caes.
Which Cato, and the rout haue done the other?

Catv.
I wait, when he will goe. Be still your selfe.
He wants no state, or honors, that hath vertue,

Cati.
Did I appeare so tame, as this man thinkes me?
Look'd I so poore? so dead? So like that nothing,
Which he calls vertuous? O my breast, breake quickly;
And shew my friends my in-parts, lest they thinke
I haue betraid 'hem.

Lon.
(Where's Gabinivs?

Len.
Gone.

Lon.
And Vargvnteivs?

Len.
Slipt away; all shrunke:
Now that he mist the Consul-ship.)

Cati.
I am
The scorne of bond-men; who are next to beasts.
What can I worse pronounce my selfe, that's fitter?
The owle of Rome, whom boyes, and girles will hout!
That were I set vp, for that woodden god,
That keeps our gardens, could not fright the crowes,
Or the least bird from muiting on my head.

Lon.
('Tis strange how he should misse it.

Len.
Isn't not stranger,
The vpstart Cicero should carrie it so,
By all consents, from men so much his masters?

Lon.
'Tis true.)

Cati.
To what a shaddow, am I melted!

Lon.
(Antonivs wan it but by some few voices.)

Cati.
Strooke through, like aire, and feele it not. My wounds
Close faster, then they're made.

Len.
The whole designe,
And enterprise is lost by't. All hands quit it,
Vpon his faile.)

Cati.
I grow mad at my patience.
It is a visor that hath poison'd me.
Would it had burnt me vp, and I died inward:
My heart first turn'd to ashes.

Lon.
(Here's Cethegvs yet.)

Catiline
, Cethegvs, Lentvlvs, Longinvs, Cato.
Repulse vpon repulse? An in-mate, Consul?
That I could reach the axell, where the pinnes are,
Which bolt this frame; that I might pull 'hem out,
And pluck all into chaos, with my selfe.

Cet.
What, are we wishing now?

Cati.
Yes, my Cethegvs.
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 tast of woman, not of Romane.
Let vs seeke other armes.

Cati.
What should we doe?

Cet.
Doe, and not wish; something, that wishes take not:
So sodaine, as the gods should not preuent,
Nor scarce haue time, to feare.

Cati.
O noble Caivs!

Cet.
It likes me better, that you are not Consul.
I would not goe through open dores, but breake 'hem;
Swim to my ends, through bloud; or build a bridge
Of carcasses; make on, vpon the heads
Of men, strooke downe, like piles; to reach the liues
Of those remaine, and stand: Then is't a prey,
When danger stops, and ruine makes the way.

Cati.
How thou dost vtter me, braue soule, that may not,
At all times, shew such as I am; but bend
Vnto occasion? Lentvlvs, this man,
If all our fire were out, would fetch downe new,
Out of the hand of Iove; and riuet him
To Caucasus, should he but frowne: and let
His owne gaunt Eagle flie at him, to tire.

Len.
Peace, here comes Cato.

Cati.
Let him come, and heare.
I will no more dissemble. Quit vs all;
I, and my lou'd Cethegvs here, alone
Will vndertake this giants warre, and carrie it.

Len.
What needs this, Lvcivs?

Lon.
Sergivs, be more warie.

Cati.
Now, Marcvs Cato, our new Consuls spie,
What is your sowre austeritie sent t'explore.

Cato.
Nothing in thee, licentious Catiline:
Halters, and racks cannot expresse from thee
More, then thy deeds. 'Tis onely iudgement waits thee.

Cati.
Whose? Cato's? shall he iudge me?

Cato.
No, the gods;
Who, euer, follow those, they goe not with:
And Senate; who, with fire, must purge sicke Rome
Of noisome citizens, whereof thou art one.
Be gone, or else let me. 'Tis bane to draw
The same aire with thee.

Cet.
Strike him.

Len.
Hold, good Caivs;

Cet.
Fear'st thou not, Cato?

Cato.
Rash Cethegvs, no.
'Twere wrong with Rome, when Catiline and thou
Doe threat, if Cato fear'd.

Cati.
The fire you speake of
If any flame of it approch my fortunes,
Ile quench it, not with water, but with ruine.

Cato.
You heare this, Romanes.

Cati.
Beare it to the Consul.

Cet.
I would haue sent away his soule, before him.
You are too heauie, Lentvlvs, and remisse;
It is for you we labour, and the kingdome
Promis'd you by the Sybill's.

Cati.
Which his Prætor-ship,
And some small flatterie of the Senate more,
Will make him to forget.

Len.
You wrong me, Lvcivs.

Lon.
He will not need these spurres.

Cet.
The action needs 'hem.
These things, when they proceed not, they goe backward.

Len.
Let vs consult then.

Cet.
Let vs, first, take armes.
They that denie vs iust things, now, will giue
All that we aske; if once they see our swords.

Cat.
Our obiects must be sought with wounds, not words.

Cicero
, Fvlvia.
Is there a heauen? and gods? and can it be
They should so slowly heare, so slowly see!
Hath Iove no thunder? or is Iove become
Stupide as thou art? Ô neere-wretched Rome,
When both thy Senate, and thy gods doe sleepe,
And neither thine, nor their owne states doe keepe!
What will awake thee, heauen? what can excite
Thine anger, if this practice be too light?
His former drifts partake of former times,
But this last plot was onely Catilines.
O, that it were his last. But he, before
Hath safely done so much, hee'll still dare more.
Ambition, like a torrent, ne're lookes back;
And is a swelling, and the last affection
A high minde can put off: being both a rebell
Vnto the soule, and reason, and enforceth
All lawes, all conscience, treades vpon religion,
And offereth violence to natures selfe.
But, here, is that transcends it! A black purpose
To confound nature: and to ruine that,
Which neuer age, nor mankinde can repaire!
Sit downe, good lady; Cicero is lost
In this your fable: for, to thinke it true
Tempteth my reason. It so farre exceedes
All insolent fictions of the tragick scene!
The common-wealth, yet panting, vnder-neath
The stripes, and wounds of a late ciuill warre,
Gasping for life, and scarce restor'd to hope;
To seeke t'oppresse her, with new crueltie,
And vtterly extinguish her long name,
With so prodigious, and vnheard-of fiercenesse!
What sinke of monsters, wretches of lost minds,
Mad after change, and desp'rate in their states,
Wearied, and gall'd with their necessities,
(For all this I allow them) durst haue thought it?
Would not the barbarous deeds haue beene beleeu'd,
Of Marivs, and Sylla, by our children,
Without this fact had rise forth greater, for them?
All, that they did, was pietie, to this!
They, yet, but murdred kinsfolke, brothers, parents,
Rauish'd the virgins, and, perhaps, some matrons;
They left the citie standing, and the temples:
The gods, and maiestie of Rome were safe yet!
These purpose to fire it, to dispoile them,
(Beyond the other euils) and lay wast
The farre-triumphed world: for, vnto whom
Rome is too little, what can be inough?

Fvl.
'Tis true, my lord, I had the same discourse.

Cic.
And, then, to take a horride sacrament
In humane bloud, for execution
Of this their dire designe; which might be call'd
The height of wickednesse: but that, that was higher,
For which they did it!

Fvl.
I assure your lordship,
The extreme horror of it almost turn'd me
To aire, when first I heard it; I was all
A vapor, when 'twas told me: and I long'd
To vent it any where. 'Twas such a secret,
I thought, it would haue burnt me vp.

Cic.
Good Fvlvia,
Feare not your act; and lesse repent you of it.

Fvl.
I doe not, my good lord. I know to whom
I haue vtter'd it.

Cic.
You haue discharg'd it, safely.
Should Rome, for whom you haue done the happy seruice,
Turne most ingrate; yet were your vertue paid
In conscience of the fact: so much good deedes
Reward themselues.

Fvl.
My lord, I did it not
To any other aime, but for it selfe.
To no ambition.

Cic.
You haue learn'd the difference
Of doing office to the publike weale,
And priuate friendship: and haue shewne it, lady.
Be still your selfe. I haue sent for Qvintvs Cvrivs,
And (for your vertuous sake) if I can winne him,
Yet, to the common-wealth; he shall be safe too.

Fvl.
Ile vnder-take, my lord, he shall be won.

Cic.
Pray you, ioyne with me, then: and helpe to worke him.

Cicero
, Lictor, Fvlvia, Cvrivs.
How now? Is he come?

Lic.
He is here, my lord.

Cic.
Go presently,
Pray my colleague Antonivs, I may speake with him,
About some present businesse of the state;
And (as you goe) call on my brother Qvintvs,
And pray him, with the Tribunes to come to me.
Bid Cvrivs enter. Fvlvia, you will aide me?

Fvl.
It is my dutie.

Cic.
O, my noble lord!
I haue to chide you, yfaith. Giue me your hand.
Nay, be not troubled; 't shall be gently, Cvrivs.
You looke vpon this lady? What! doe you ghesse
My businesse, yet? Come, if you frowne, I thunder:
Therefore, put on your better lookes, and thoughts.
There's nought but faire, 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 ha' done
The stupide, and vngratefull Lentvlvs
(Excuse me, that I name you thus, together,
For, yet, you are not such) would you, I say,
A person both of bloud and honor, stock't
In a long race of vertuous ancestors,
Embarke your selfe for such a hellish action,
With parricides, and traytors; men turn'd furies,
Out of the wast, and ruine of their fortunes!
(For 'tis despaire, that is the mother of madnesse)
Such as want (that, which all conspirators,
But they, haue first) meere colour for their mischiefe?
O, I must blush with you. Come, you shall not labour
To extenuate your guilt, but quit it cleane;
Bad men excuse their faults, good men will leaue 'hem.
He acts the third crime, that defends the first.
Here is a lady, that hath got the start,
In pietie of vs all; and, for whose vertue,
I could almost turne louer, againe: but that
Terentia would be iealous. What an honor
Hath shee atchieued to her selfe! What voices,
Titles, and loud applauses will pursue her,
Through euery street! What windores will be fill'd,
To shoot eyes at her! What enuy, and griefe in matrons,
They are not shee! when this her act shall seeme
Worthier a chariot, then if Pompey came,
With Asia chain'd! All this is, while shee liues.
But dead, her very name will be a statue!
Not wrought for time, but rooted in the minds
Of all posteritie: when brasse, and marble,
I, and the Capitol it selfe is dust!

Fvl.
Your honor thinks too highly of me.

Cic.
No:
I cannot thinke inough. And I would haue
Him emulate you. 'Tis no shame, to follow
The better precedent. Shee shewes you, Cvrivs,
What claime your countrey layes to you; and what dutie
You owe to it: be not afraid, to breake
With murderers, and traytors, for the sauing
A life, so neere, and necessary to you,
As is your countries. Thinke but on her right.
No child can be too naturall to his parent.
Shee is our common mother, and doth challenge
The prime part of vs; doe not stop, but giue it:
He, that is void of feare, may soone be iust.
And no religion binds men to be traitors.

Fvl.
My lord, he vnderstands it; and will follow
Your sauing counsell: but his shame, yet, stayes him.
I know, that he is comming.

Cvr.
Doe you know it?

Fvl.
Yes, let me speake with you.

Cvr.
O you are—

Fvl.
What am I?

Cvr.
Speake not so loud.

Fvl.
I am, what you should be,
Come, doe you thinke, I'ld walke in any plot,
Where madame Sempronia should take place of me,
And Fvlvia come i' the rere, or o'the by?
That I would be her second, in a businesse,
Though it might vantage me all the sunne sees?
It was a silly phant'sie of yours. Apply
Your selfe to me, and the Consul, and be wise;
Follow the fortune I ha' put you into:
You may be something this way, and with safetie.

Cic.
Nay, I must tolerate no whisperings, lady.

Fvl.
Sir, you may heare. I tell him, in the way,
Wherein he was, how hazardous his course was.

Cic.
How hazardous? how certayne to all ruine.
Did he, or doe, yet, any of them imagine
The gods would sleepe, to such a Stygian practice,
Against that common-wealth, which they haue founded
With so much labour, and like care haue kept,
Now neere seuen hundred yeeres? It is a madnesse,
Wherewith heauen blinds 'hem, when it would confound 'hem,
That they should thinke it. Come, my Cvrivs,
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 farder. Stand
Firme for your countrey; and become a man
Honor'd, and lou'd. It were a noble life,
To be found dead, embracing her. Know you,
What thankes, what titles, what rewards the Senate
Will heape vpon you, certaine, for your seruice?
Let not a desperate action more engage you,
Then safetie should: and wicked friendship force
What honestie, and vertue cannot worke.

Fvl.
He tells you right, sweet friend: 'Tis sauing counsaile,

Cvr.
Most noble Consul, I am yours, and hers;
I meane my countries: you' haue form'd me new.
Inspiring me, with what I should be, truely.
And I intreat, my faith may not seeme cheaper
For springing out of penitence.

Cic.
Good Cvrivs,
It shall be dearer rather, and because
Il'd make it such, heare, how I trust you more.
Keepe still your former face: and mixe againe
With these lost spirits. Runne all their mazes with 'hem:
For such are treasons. Find their windings out,
And subtle turnings, watch their snaky wayes,
Through brakes, and hedges, into woods of darkenesse,
Where they are faine to creepe vpon their brests
In paths ne're trod by men, but wolues, and panthers.
Learne, beside Catiline, Lentvlvs, and those,
Whose names I haue; what new ones they draw in;
Who else are likely; what those great ones are,
They doe not name; what wayes they meane to take;
And whither their hopes point: to warre, or ruine,
By some surprize. Explore all their intents,
And what you finde may profit the republique,
Acquaint me with it, either, by your selfe,
Or this your vertuous friend, on whom I lay
The care of vrging you. Ile see, that Rome
Shall proue a thankeful, and a bounteous mother:
Be secret as the night.

Cvr.
And constant, sir.

Cic.
He whispers with him.

Lic.
Your brother,
Will streight be here; and your colleague Antonivs
Said, coldly, he would follow me.

Cic.
I, that
Troubles me somewhat, and is worth my feare.
He is a man, 'gainst whom I must prouide,
That (as hee'll doe no good) he doe no harme.
He, though he be not of the plot, will like it,
And wish it should proceed: for, vnto men,
Prest with their wants, all change is euer welcome.
I must with offices, and patience win him;
Make him, by art, that which he is not borne,
A friend vnto the publique; and bestow
The prouince on him; which is by the Senate
Decreed to me: that benefit will bind him.
'Tis well, if some men will doe well, for price:
So few are vertuous, when the reward's away.
Nor must I be vnmindfull of my priuate;
For which I haue call'd my brother, and the tribunes,
My kins-folke, and my clients to be neere me:
He that stands vp 'gainst traytors, and their ends,
Shall need a double guard, of law, and friends:
Especially, in such an enuious state,
That sooner will accuse the magistrate,
Then the delinquent; and will rather grieue
The treason is not acted, then beleeue.

Cæsar
, Catiline.
The night growes on; and you are for your meeting:
Ile therefore end in few. Be resolute,
And put your enterprise in act: the more
Actions of depth, and danger are consider'd,
The lesse assuredly they are perform'd.
And thence it hapneth, that the brauest plots
(Not executed straight) haue beene discouer'd.
Say, you are constant, or another, a third,
Or more; there may be yet one wretched spirit,
With whom the feare of punishment shall worke
'Boue all the thoughts of honor, and reuenge.
You are not, now, to thinke what's best to doe,
As in beginnings; but, what must be done,
Being thus entred: and slip no aduantage
That may secure you. Let 'hem call it mischiefe;
When it is past, and prosper'd, 'twill be vertue.
Th'are petty crimes are punish'd, great rewarded.
Nor must you thinke of perill; since, attempts,
Begunne with danger, still doe end with glory:
And, when need spurres, despaire will be call'd wisdome.
Lesse ought the care of men, or fame to fright you;
For they, that win, doe seldome receiue shame
Of victorie: how ere it be atchiu'd;
And vengeance, least. For who, besieg'd with wants,
Would stop at death, or any thing beyond it?
Come, there was neuer any great thing, yet,
Aspired, but by violence, or fraud:
And he that sticks (for folly of a conscience)
To reach it—

Cat.
Is a good religious foole.

Caes.
A superstitious slaue, and will die beast.
Good night. You know what Crassvs thinkes, and I,
By this: Prepare you wings, as large as sayles,
To cut through ayre, and leaue no print behind you.
A serpent, ere he comes to be a dragon,
Do's eate a bat: and so must you a Consul,
That watches. What you doe, doe quickly Sergivs.
You shall not stir for me.

Cat.
Excuse me, lights there.

Caes.
By no meanes.

Cat.
Stay then. All good thoughts to Caesar,
And like to Crassvs.

Caes.
Mind but your friends counsells.

Catiline
, Avrelia, Lecca.
Or, I will beare no mind. How now, Avrelia?
Are your confederates come? the ladies?

Avr.
Yes.

Cat.
And is Sempronia there?

Avr.
She is.

Cat.
That's well.
Shee ha's a sulphurous spirit, and will take
Light at a sparke. Breake with them, gentle loue,
About the drawing as many of their husbands,
Into the plot, as can: if not, to rid 'hem.
That'll be the easier practice, vnto some,
Who haue beene tir'd with 'hem long. Sollicite
Their aydes, for money: and their seruants helpe,
In firing of the citie, at the time
Shall be design'd. Promise 'hem states, and empires,
And men, for louers, made of better clay,
Then euer the old potter Titan knew.
Who's that? O, Porcivs Lecca! are they met?

Lec.
They are all, here.

Cat.
Loue, you haue your instructions:
Ile trust you with the stuffe you haue to worke on.
You'll forme it? Porcivs, fetch the siluer eagle
I ga' you in charge. And pray 'hem, they will enter.

Catiline
, Cethegvs, Cvrivs, Lentvlvs, Vargvnteivs, Longinvs, Gabinivs, Ceparivs, Avtronivs, &c.
O, friends, your faces glad me. This will be
Our last, I hope, of consultation.

Cet.
So, it had need.

Cvr.
We loose occasion, daily.

Cat.
I, and our meanes: whereof one wounds me most,
That was the fairest. Piso is dead, in Spaine.

Cet.
As we are, here.

Lon.
And, as it is thought, by enuy
Of Pompey's followers.

Len.
He too's comming backe,
Now, out of Asia.

Cat.
Therefore, what we intend,
We must be swift in. Take your seates, and heare.
I haue, already, sent Septimivs
Into the Picene territorie; and Ivlivs,
To raise force, for vs, in Apulia:
Manlivs at Fesulæ, is (by this time) vp,
With the old needie troops, that follow'd Sylla:
And all doe but expect, when we will giue
The blow at home. Behold this siluer eagle,
'Twas Marivs standard, in the Cimbrian warre,
Fatall to Rome; and, as our augures tell me,
Shall still be so: for which one ominous cause,
I'haue kept it safe, and done it sacred rites,
As to a god-head, in a chappell built
Of purpose to it. Pledge then all your hands,
To follow it, with vowes of death, and ruine,
Strooke silently, and home. So waters speake
When they runne deepest. Now's the time, this yeere,
The twenti'th, from the firing of the Capitol,
As fatall too, to Rome, by all predictions:
And, in which, honor'd Lentvlvs must rise
A king, if he pursue it.

Cvr.
If he doe not,
He is not worthy the great destinie.

Len.
It is too great for me, but what the gods,
And their great loues decree me, I must not
Seeme carelesse of.

Cat.
No, nor we enuious.
We haue enough beside, all Gallia, Belgia,
Greece, Spaine, and Africke.

Cvr.
I, and Asia too,
Now Pompey is returning.

Cat.
Noblest Romanes,
Me thinkes our lookes, are not so quicke and high,
As they were wont.

Cvr.
No? whose is not?

Cat.
We haue
No anger in our eyes, no storme, no lightning:
Our hate is spent, and fum'd away in vapor,
Before our hands be at worke. I can accuse
Not any one, but all of slacknesse.

Cet.
Yes,
And be your selfe such while you doe it.

Cat.
Ha?
'Tis sharply answer'd, Caivs.

Cet.
Truly, truly.

Len.
Come, let vs each one know his part to doe,
And then be accus'd. Leaue these vntimely quarrells.

Cvr.
I would there were more Romes then one, to ruine.

Cet.
More Romes? More worlds.

Cvr.
Nay, then, more gods, and natures,
If they tooke part.

Len.
When shall the time be, first?

Cat.
I thinke the Saturnalls.

Cet.
'Twill be too long.

Cat.
They are not now farre off, 'tis not a month.

Cet.
A weeke, a day, an houre is too farre off,
Now, were the fittest time.

Cat.
We ha' not laid
All things so safe, and readie.

Cet.
While we'are laying,
We shall all lye; and grow to earth. Would I
Were nothing in it, if not now. These things
They should be done, e're thought.

Cat.
Nay, now your reason
Forsakes you, Caivs. Thinke, but what commodity
That time will minister; the cities custome
Of being, then, in mirth, and feast—

Len.
Loos'd whole
In pleasure and securitie—

Avt.
Each house
Resolu'd in freedome—

Cvr.
Euery slaue a master—

Lon.
And they too no meane aides—

Cvr.
Made from their hope
Of libertie—

Len.
Or hate vnto their lords.

Var.
'Tis sure, there cannot be a time found out
More apt, and naturall.

Len.
Nay, good Cethegvs,
Why doe your passions, now, disturbe our hopes?

Cet.
Why doe your hopes delude your certainties?

Cat.
You must lend him his way. Thinke, for the order,
And processe of it.

Lon.
Yes.

Len.
I like not fire:
'Twill too much wast my citie.

Cat.
Were it embers,
There will be wealth enough, rak't out of them,
To spring a new. It must be fire, or nothing.

Lon.
What else should fright, or terrifie 'hem?

Var.
True.
In that confusion, must be the chiefe slaughter.

Cvr.
Then we shall kill 'hem brauest.

Cep.
And in heaps.

Avt.
Strew sacrifices.

Cvr.
Make the earth an altar.

Lon.
And Rome the fire.

Lec.
'Twill be a noble night.

Var.
And worth all Sylla's dayes.

Cvr.
When husbands, wiues,
Grandsires, and nephewes, seruants, and their lords,
Virgins, and priests, the infant, and the nurse
Goe all to hell, together, in a fleet.

Cat.
I would haue you, Longinvs, and Statilivs,
To take the charge o' the firing, which must be,
At a signe giuen with a trumpet, done
In twelue chiefe places of the citie, at once.
The flaxe, and sulphure, are alreadie laid
In, at Cethegvs house. So are the weapons.
Gabinivs, you, with other force, shall stop
The pipes, and conduits: and kill those that come
For water.

Cvr.
What shall I doe?

Cat.
All will haue
Employment, feare not: Ply the execution.

Cvr.
For that, trust me, and Cethegvs.

Cat.
I will be
At hand, with the armie, to meet those that scape.
And Lentvlvs, begirt you Pompey's house,
To seize his sonnes aliue: for they are they
Must make our peace with him. All else cut off,
As Tarqvine did the poppy heads; or mowers
A field of thistles; or else, vp, as ploughes
Doe barren lands; and strike together flints,
And clods; th'vngratefull Senate, and the people:
Till no rage, gone before, or comming after,
May weigh with yours, though horror leapt her selfe
Into the scale; but, in your violent acts,
The fall of torrents, and the noyse of tempests,
The boyling of Charybdis, the seas wildnesse,
The eating force of flames, and wings of winds,
Be all out-wrought, by your transcendent furies.
It had beene done, e're this, had I beene Consul;
We had had no stop, no let.

Len.
How find you Antonivs?

Cat.
The'other ha's wonne him, lost: that Cicero
Was borne to be my opposition,
And stands in all our wayes.

Cvr.
Remoue him first.

Cet.
May that, yet, be done sooner?

Cat.
Would it were done.

Cvr., Var.
I'll do't.

Cet.
It is my prouince; none vsurpe it.

Len.
What are your meanes?

Cet.
Enquire not. He shall die.
Shall, was too slowly said. He is dying. That
Is, yet, too slow. He is dead.

Cat.
Braue, only Romane,
Whose soule might be the worlds soule, were that dying;
Refuse not, yet, the aides of these your friends.

Len.
Here's Vargvnteivs holds good quarter with him.

Cat.
And vnder the pretext of clientele,
And visitation, with the morning haile,
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 owne.

Cat.
Follow him, Vargvnteivs, and perswade,
The morning is the fittest time.

Lon.
The night
Will turne all into tumult.

Len.
And perhaps
Misse of him too.

Cat.
Intreat, and coniure him,
In all our names—

Len.
By all our vowes, and friendships.

To them.
Sempronia
, Avrelia, Fvlvia.
What! is our counsell broke vp first?

Avr.
You say,
Women are greatest talkers.

Sem.
We ha' done;
And are now fit for act on.

Lon.
Which is passion.
There's your best actiuitie, lady.

Sem.
How
Knowes your wise fatnesse that?

Lon.
Your mothers daughter
Did teach me, madame.

Cet.
Come Sempronia, leaue him:
He is a giber. And our present businesse
Is of more serious consequence. Avrelia
Tells me, you haue done most masculinely within,
And plaid the orator.

Sem.
But we must hasten
To our designe as well, and execute:
Not hang still, in the feuer of an accident.

Cat.
You say well, lady.

Sem.
I doe like our plot
Exceeding well, 'tis sure; and we shall leaue
Little to fortune, in it.

Cat.
Your banquet stayes.
Avrelia, take her in. Where's Fvlvia?

Sem.
O, the two louers are coupling.

Cvr.
In good faith,
Shee's very ill, with sitting vp.

Sem.
Youl'd haue her
Laugh, and lye downe?

Fvl.
No, faith, Sempronia,
I am not well: I'le take my leaue, it drawes
Toward the morning. Cvrivs shall stay with you.
Madame, I pray you, pardon me, my health
I must respect.

Avr.
Fare-well, good Fvlvia.

Cvr.
Make hast, and bid him get his guards about him.
Curius whispers this to Fuluia.
For Vargvnteivs, and Cornelivs
Haue vndertane it, should Cethegvs misse:
Their reason, that they thinke his open rashnesse
Will suffer easier discouerie,
Then their attempt, so vayled vnder friendship.
Ile bring you to your coach. Tell him, beside,
Of Caesars comming forth, here.

Cat.
My sweet madame,
Will you be gone?

Fvl.
I am, my lord, in truth,
In some indisposition.

Cat.
I doe wish
You had all your health, sweet lady: Lentvlvs,
You'll doe her seruice.

Len.
To her coach, and dutie.

Catiline.
What ministers men must, for practice, vse!
The rash, th'ambitious, needy, desperate,
Foolish, and wretched, eu'n the dregs of mankind,
To whores, and women! still, it must be so.
Each haue their proper place; and, in their roomes,
They are the best. Groomes fittest kindle fires,
Slaues carry burdens, butchers are for slaughters,
Apothecaries, butlers, cookes for poysons;
As these for me: dull, stupide Lentvlvs,
My stale, with whom I stalke; the rash Cethegvs,
My executioner; and fat Longinvs,
Statilivs, Cvrivs, Ceparivs, Cimber,
My labourers, pioners, and incendiaries;
With these domesticke traytors, bosome theeues,
Whom custome hath call'd wiues; the readiest helps,
To betray headie husbands; rob the easie:
And lend the moneys, on returnes of lust.
Shall Catiline not doe, now, with these aides,
So sought, so sorted, something shall be call'd
Their labour, but his profit? and make Caesar
Repent his ventring counsells, to a spirit,
So much his lord in mischiefe? when all these,
Shall, like the brethren sprung of dragons teeth,
Ruine each other; and he fall amongst 'hem:
With Crassvs, Pompey, or who else appeares,
But like, or neere a great one. May my braine
Resolue to water, and my bloud turne phlegme,
My hands drop off, vnworthy of my sword,
And that b'inspired, of it selfe, to rip
My brest, for my lost entraills; when I leaue
A soule, that will not serue: and who will, are
The same with slaues, such clay I dare not feare.
The cruelty, I meane to act, I wish
Should be call'd mine, and tarry in my name;
Whil'st, after-ages doe toile out themselues,
In thinking for the like, but doe it lesse:
And, were the power of all the fiends let loose,
With fate to boot, it should be, still, example.
When, what the Gaule, or Moore could not effect,
Nor emulous Carthage, with their length of spight,
Shall be the worke of one, and that my night.

Cicero
, Fvlvia, Qvintvs.
I Thanke your vigilance. Where's my brother, Qvintvs?
Call all my seruants vp. Tell noble Cvrivs,
And say it to your selfe, you are my sauers;
But that's too little for you, you are Romes:
What could I then, hope lesse? O brother! now,
The engines I told you of, are working;
The machine 'gin's to moue. Where are your weapons?
Arme all my house-hold presently. And charge
The porter, he let no man in, till day.

Qvi.
Not clients, and your friends?

Cic.
They weare those names,
That come to murther me. Yet send for Cato,
And Qvintvs Catvlvs; those I dare trust:
And Flaccvs, and Pomtinivs, the Prætors,
By the backe way.

Qvi.
Take care, good brother Marcvs,
Your feares be not form'd greater, then they should;
And make your friends grieue, while your enemies laugh.

Cic.
'Tis brothers counsell, and worth thankes. But doe
As I intreat you. I prouide, not feare.
Was Caesar there, say you?

Fvl.
Cvrivs sayes, he met him,
Comming from thence.

Cic.
O, so. And, had you a counsell
Of ladies too? Who was your speaker, madame?

Fvl.
Shee that would be, had there beene fortie more;
Sempronia, who had both her greeke, and figures;
And, euer and anone, would aske vs, if
The witty Consul could haue mended that?
Or Orator Cicero could haue said it better?

Cic.
Shee's my gentle enemy. Would Cethegvs
Had no more danger in him. But, my guards
Are you, great powers; and th'vnbated strengths
Of a firme conscience, which shall arme each step
Tane for the state: and teach me slacke no pace
For feare of malice. How now, brother?

Qvi.
Cato,
And Qvintvs, Catvivs were comming to you,
And Crassvs with 'hem. I haue let 'hem in,
By th'garden.

Cic.
What would Crassvs haue?

Qvi.
I heare
Some whispering 'bout the gate; and making doubt,
Whether it be not yet too early, or no?
But I doe thinke, they are your friends, and clients,
Are fearefull to disturbe you.

Cic.
You will change
To 'another thought, anone. Ha' you giu'n the porter
The charge, I will'd you?

Qvi.
Yes.

Cic.
With-draw, and hearken.

Vargvnteivs
, Cornelivs, Porter, Cicero, Cato, Catvlvs, Crassvs.
The dore's not open, yet.

Cor.
You'were best to knocke.

Var.
Let them stand close, then: And, when we are in,
Rush after vs.

Cor.
But where's Cethegvs?

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 discouer'd.

Var.
Yes, by reuelation.
Pray thee, good slaue, who has commanded thee?

Por.
He that may best, the Consul.

Var.
We are his friends.

Por.
All's one.

Cor.
Best giue your name.

Var.
Do'st thou heare, fellow?
I haue some instant businesse with the Consul.
My name is Vargvnteivs.

Cic.
True, he knowes it;
Cicero speakes to them from aboue.
And for what friendly office you are sent.
Cornelivs, too, is there?

Var.
We are betraid.

Cic.
And desperate Cethegvs, is he not?

Var.
Speake you, he knowes my voyce.

Cic.
What say you to't?

Cor.
You are deceiu'd, sir.

Cic.
No, 'tis you are so;
Poore, misse-led men. Your states are yet worth pitty,
If you would heare, and change your sauage minds.
Leaue to be mad; forsake your purposes
Of treason, rapine, murder, fire, and horror:
The common-wealth hath eyes, that wake as sharpely
Ouer her life, as yours doe for her ruine.
Be not deceiu'd, to thinke her lenitie
Will be perpetuall; 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 'hem. It doth make me tremble
There should those spirits yet breath, that when they cannot
Liue honestly, would rather perish basely.

Cato.
You talke too much to 'hem, Marcvs, they' are lost.
Goe forth, and apprehend 'hem.

Catv.
If you proue
This practice, what should let the common-wealth
To take due vengeance?

Var.
Let vs shift, away.
The darkenesse hath conceal'd vs, yet. Wee'll say
Some haue abus'd our names.

Cor.
Deny it all.

Cato.
Qvintvs, what guards ha' you? Call the Tribunes aide,
And raise the citie. Consul, you are too mild,
The foulenesse of some facts takes thence all mercy:
Report it to the Senate. Heare: The gods
Jt thunders, and lightens violently on the sodaine.
Grow angrie with your patience. 'Tis their care,
And must be yours, that guiltie men escape not.
As crimes doe grow, iustice should rouse it selfe.

Chorvs.
What is it, heauens, you prepare
With so much swiftnesse, and so sodaine rising?
There are no sonnes of earth, that dare,
Againe, rebellion? or the gods surprising?
The world doth shake, and nature feares,
Yet is the tumult, and the horror greater
Within our minds, then in our eares:
So much Romes faults (now growne her fate) doe threat her.
The priests, and people runne about,
Each order, age, and sexe amaz'd at other;
And, at the ports, all thronging out,
As if their safety were to quit their mother:
Yet finde they the same dangers there,
From which they make such hast to be preserued;
For guiltie states doe euer beare
The plagues about them, which they haue deserued.
And, till those plagues doe get aboue
The mountayne of our faults, and there doe sit;
We see 'hem not. Thus, still we loue
The'euill we doe, vntill we suffer it.
But, most, ambition, that neere vice
To vertue, hath the fate of Rome prouoked;
And made, that now Rome's selfe no price,
To free her from the death, wherewith shee's yoked.
That restlesse ill, that still doth build
Vpon successe; and ends not in aspiring:
But there begins. And ne're is fill'd,
While ought remaines that seemes but worth desiring.
Wherein the thought, vnlike the eye,
To which things farre, seeme smaller then they are,
Deemes all contentment plac'd on high:
And thinkes there's nothing great, but what is farre.
O, that in time, Rome did not cast
Her errors vp, this fortune to preuent;
T'haue seene her crimes 'ere they were past:
And felt her faults, before her punishment.