 | Catiline His Conspiracy |  |
Act IIII.
Diuers Senators passe by, quaking, and trembling.Allobroges.
Can these men feare? who are not onely yours,
But the worlds masters? Then I see, the gods
Vpbraid our suffrings, or would humble them;
By sending these affrights, while we are here:
That we might laugh at their ridiculous feare,
Whose names, we trembled at, beyond the Alpes.
Of all that passe, I doe not see a face
Worthy a man; that dares looke vp, and stand
One thunder out: but downe-ward all, like beasts,
Running away from euery flash is made.
The falling world could not deserue such basenesse.
Are we emploid here, by our miseries,
Like superstitious fooles (or rather slaues)
To plaine our griefs, wrongs, and oppressions,
To a meere clothed Senate, whom our folly
Hath made, and still intends to keepe our tyrannes?
It is our base petitionarie breath
That blowes 'hem to this greatnesse; which this pricke
Would soone let out, if we were bold, and wretched.
When they haue taken all we haue, our goods,
Crop, lands, and houses, they will leaue vs this:
A weapon, and an arme will still be found,
Though naked left, and lower then the ground.
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, Catvlvs, Cicero, Allobroges.
Doe; vrge thine anger, still: good heauen, and iust.
Tell guiltie men, what powers are aboue them.
In such a confidence of wickednesse,
'Twas time, they should know something fit to feare.
Catv.
I neuer saw a morne more full of horror.
Cato.
To Catiline, and his: But, to iust men,
Though heauen should speake, with all his wrath at once,
That, with his breath, the hinges of the world
Did cracke, we should stand vpright, and vnfear'd.
Cic.
Why, so we doe, good
Cato.
Who be these?
Catv.
Ambassadors, from the Allobroges,
I take 'hem, by their habits.
All.
I, these men
Seeme of another race; let's sue to these,
There's hope of iustice, with their fortitude.
Cic.
Friends of the Senate, and of Rome, to day
We pray you to forbeare vs: on the morrow
What sute you haue, let vs, by Fabivs Sanga,
(Whose patronage your state doth vse) but know it,
And, on the Consul's word, you shall receiue
Dispatch, or else an answere, worth your patience.
All.
We could not hope for more, most worthy Consul.
This magistrate hath strooke an awe into me,
And, by his sweetnesse, wonne a more reguard
Vnto his place, then all the boystrous moodes
That ignorant greatnesse practiseth, to fill
The large, vnfit authoritie it weares.
How easie is a noble spirit discern'd
From harsh, and sulphurous matter, that flies out
In contumelies, makes a noyse, and stinkes!
May we find good, and great men: that know how
To stoupe to wants, and meete necessities,
And will not turne from any equall suites.
Such men, they doe not succour more the cause,
They vnder-take, with fauour, and successe;
Then, by it, their owne iudgements they doe raise,
In turning iust mens needs, into their praise.
The Senate.
Prae.
Roome for the Consuls. Fathers, take your places.
Here, in the house of Ivpiter, the Stayer,
By edict from the Consul, Marcvs Tvllivs.
You'are met, a frequent Senate. Heare him speake.
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What may be happy, and auspicious still
To Rome, and hers. Honor'd, and conscript Fathers,
If I were silent, and that all the dangers
Threatning the state, and you, were yet so hid
In night, or darkenesse thicker in their brests,
That are the blacke contriuers; so, that no
Beame of the light could pierce 'hem: yet the voyce
Of heau'n, this morning, hath spoke loud inough,
T'instruct you with a feeling of the horror;
And wake you from a sleepe, as starke, as death.
I haue, of late, spoke often in this Senate,
Touching this argument, but still haue wanted
Either your eares, or faith: so' incredible
Their plots haue seem'd, or I so vaine, to make
These things for mine owne glorie, and false greatnesse,
As hath beene giuen out. But be it so.
When they breake forth, and shall declare themselues,
By their too foule effects, then, then, the enuy
Of my iust cares will find another name.
For me, I am but one: and this poore life,
So lately aim'd at, not an houre yet since,
They cannot with more eagernesse pursue,
Then I with gladnesse would lay downe, and loose,
To buy Romes peace, if that would purchase it.
But when I see, they'ld make it but the step
To more, and greater; vnto yours, Romes, all:
I would with those preserue it, or then fall.
Caes.
I, I, let you alone, cunning artificer!
See, how his gorget'peeres aboue his gowne;
To tell the people, in what danger he was.
It was absurdly done of Vargvnteivs,
To name himselfe, before he was got in.
Cra.
It matters not, so they denie it all:
And can but carry the lye constantly.
Will Catiline be here?
Caes.
I'haue sent for him.
Cra.
And ha' you bid him to be confident?
Caes.
To that his owne necessitie will prompt him.
Cra.
Seeme to beleeue nothing at all, that Cicero
Relates vs.
Caes.
It will mad him.
Cra.
O, and helpe
The other partie. Who is that? his brother?
What new intelligence ha's he brought him now?
Quintus Cicero brings in the Tribunes, and guards.
Caes.
Some cautions from his wife, how to behaue him.
Cic.
Place some of them without, and some bring in.
Thanke their kind loues. It is a comfort yet,
That all depart not from their countries cause.
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How now, what meanes this muster? Consul, Antonivs?
Ant.
I doe not know, aske my colleague, hee'll tell you.
There is some reason in state, that I must yeeld to;
And I haue promis'd him: Indeed he has bought it,
With giuing me the Prouince.
Cic.
I professe,
It grieues me, Fathers, that I am compell'd
To draw these armes, and aides for your defence;
And, more, against a citizen of Rome,
Borne here amongst you, a Patrician,
A man, I must confesse, of no meane house,
Nor no small vertue, if he had employ'd
Those excellent gifts of fortune, and of nature,
Vnto the good, not ruine of the state.
But, being bred in's fathers needy fortunes,
Brought vp in's sisters prostitution,
Confirm'd in ciuill slaughter, entring first
The common-wealth, with murder of the gentrie;
Since, both by studie, and custome, conuersant
With all licentiousnesse: what could be hop'd
In such a field of riot, but a course
Extreme pernicious? Though, I must protest,
I found his mischiefs, sooner, with mine eyes,
Then with my thought; and with these hands of mine,
Before they touch'd, at my suspicion.
Caes.
What are his mischiefs, Consul? you declame
Against his manners, and corrupt your owne:
No wise man should, for hate of guiltie men,
Loose his owne innocence.
Cic.
The noble Caesar
Speakes god-like truth. But, when he heares, I can
Conuince him, by his manners, of his mischiefs,
He might be silent: and not cast away
His sentences in vaine, where they scarce looke
Toward his subiect.
Cato.
Here he comes himselfe.
Catiline sits downe, and Cato rises, from him.
If he be worthy any good mans voyce,
That good man sit downe by him: Cato will not.
Catv.
If Cato leaue him, I'le not keepe aside.
Cati.
What face is this, the Senate here puts on,
Against me, Fathers! Giue my modestie
Leaue, to demand the cause of so much strangenesse.
Caes.
It is reported here, you are the head
To a strange faction, Lvcivs.
Cic.
I, and will
Be prou'd against him.
Cati.
Let it be. Why, Consul,
If in the common-wealth, there be two bodies,
One leane, weake, rotten, and that hath a head;
The other strong, and healthfull, but hath none:
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Restore your selues, vnto your temper, Fathers;
And, without perturbation, heare me speake.
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 nobilitie:
A boasting, insolent tongue-man.
Cato.
Peace, leud traytor.
Or wash thy mouth. He is an honest man
And loues his countrey, would thou didst so, too.
Cati.
Cato, you are too zealous for him.
Cato.
No;
Thou art too impudent.
Catv.
Catiline, be silent.
Cati.
Nay then, I easily feare, my iust defence
Will come too late, to so much preiudice.
Caes.
(Will he sit downe?)
Cati.
Yet, let the world forsake me,
My innocence must not.
Cato.
Thou innocent?
So are the Furies.
Cic.
Yes, and Ate, too.
Do'st thou not blush, pernicious Catiline?
Or, hath the palenesse of thy guilt drunke vp
Thy bloud, and drawne thy veines, as drie of that,
As is thy heart of truth, thy brest of vertue?
Whither at length wilt thou abuse our patience?
Still shall thy furie mocke vs? To what licence
Dares thy vnbridled boldnesse runne it selfe?
Doe all the nightly guards, kept on the palace,
The cities watches, with the peoples feares,
The concourse of all good men, this so strong
And fortified seate here of the Senate,
The present lookes vpon thee, strike thee nothing?
Do'st thou not feele thy counsells all laid open?
And see thy wild conspiracie bound in
With each mans knowledge? which of all this order
Canst thou thinke ignorant (if they'll but vtter
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 vnderstands, yet this man liues!
Liues? I, and comes here into counsell with vs;
Partakes the publique cares: and with his eye
Markes, and points out each man of vs to slaughter.
And we, good men, doe satisfie the state,
If we can shunne but this mans sword, and madnesse.
There was that vertue, once, in Rome, when good men
Would, with more sharpe coērcion, haue restrain'd
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We haue that law still, Catiline, for thee;
An act as graue, as sharpe: The state's not wanting,
Nor the authoritie of this Senate; we,
We, that are Consuls, onely faile our selues.
This twentie dayes, the edge of that decree
We haue let dull, and rust; kept it shut vp,
As in a sheath, which drawne should take thy head.
Yet still thou liu'st: and liu'st not to lay by
Thy wicked confidence, but to confirme it.
I could desire, Fathers, to be found
Still mercifull, to seeme, in these maine perills
Grasping the state, a man remisse, and slacke;
But then, I should condemne my selfe of sloth,
And trecherie. Their campe's in Italie,
Pitch'd in the iawes, here, of Hetruria;
Their numbers daily increasing, and their generall
Within our walls: nay, in our counsell! plotting
Hourely some fatall mischiefe to the publique.
If, Catiline, I should command thee, now,
Here, to be taken, kill'd; I make iust doubt,
Whether all good men would not thinke it done
Rather too late, then any man too cruell.
Cato.
Except he were of the same meale, and batch.
Cic.
But that, which ought to haue been done long since,
I will, and (for good reason) yet forbeare.
Then will I take thee, when no man is found
So lost, so wicked, nay, so like thy selfe,
But shall professe, 'tis done of need, and right.
While there is one, that dares defend thee, liue;
Thou shalt haue leaue; but so, as now thou liu'st:
Watch'd at a hand, besieged, and opprest
From working least commotion to the state.
I haue those eyes, and eares, shall still keepe guard,
And spiall on thee, as they haue euer done,
And thou not feele it. What, then, canst thou hope?
If neither night can, with her darknesse, hide
Thy wicked meetings; nor a priuate house
Can, in her walls, contayne the guiltie whispers
Of thy conspiracie: if all breake out,
All be discouered, change thy mind at last,
And loose thy thoughts of ruine, flame, and slaughter.
Remember, how I told, here, to the Senate,
That such a day, thy Lictor, Caivs Manlivs,
Would be in armes. Was I deceiued, Catiline?
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I told too, in this Senate, that thy purpose
Was, on the fifth (the kalends of Nouember)
T'haue slaughter'd this whole order: which my caution
Made many leaue the citie. Canst thou here
Denie, but this thy blacke designe was hindred,
That very day, by me? thy selfe clos'd in
Within my strengths, so that thou could'st not moue
Against a publique reed? when thou wert heard
To say, vpon the parting of the rest,
Thou would'st content thee, with the murder of vs,
That did remaine. Had'st thou not hope, beside,
By a surprize, by night, to take Præneste?
Where when thou cam'st, did'st thou not find the place
Made good against thee, with my aides, my watches?
My garrisons fortified it. Thou do'st nothing, Sergivs,
Thou canst endeauour nothing, nay not thinke,
But I both see, and heare it; and am with thee,
By, and before, about, and in thee, too.
Call but to mind thy last nights businesse. Come,
Ile vse no circumstance: at Lecca's house,
The shop, and mint of your conspiracie,
Among your sword-men, where so many associates
Both of thy mischiefe, and thy madnesse, met.
Dar'st thou denie this? wherefore art thou silent?
Speake, and this shall conuince thee: Here they are,
I see 'hem, in this Senate, that were with thee.
O, you immortall gods! in what clime are we?
What region doe we liue in? in what ayre?
What common-wealth, or state is this we haue?
Here, here, amongst vs, our owne number, Fathers,
In this most holy counsell of the world,
They are, that seeke the spoyle of me, of you,
Of ours, of all; what I can name's too narrow:
Follow the sunne, and find not their ambition.
These I behold, being Consul; nay, I aske
Their counsells 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 voyce.
Thou wast, last night, with Lecca, Catiline,
Your shares, of Italie, you there diuided;
Appointed who, and whither, each should goe;
What men should stay behind, in Rome, were chosen;
Your offices set downe; the parts mark'd out,
And places of the citie, for the fire;
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Onely, a little let there was, that stay'd thee,
That I yet liu'd. Vpon the word, stept forth
Three of thy crew, to rid thee of that care;
Two vnder-tooke this morning, before day,
To kill me in my bed. All this I knew,
Your conuent scarce dismiss'd, arm'd all my seruants,
Call'd both my brother, and friends, shut out your clients,
You sent to visite me; whose names I told
To some there, of good place, before they came.
Cato.
Yes, I, and Qvintvs Catvlvs can affirme it.
Caes.
He's lost, and gone. His spirits haue forsooke him.
Cic.
If this be so, why, Catiline, do'st thou stay?
Goe, where thou mean'st. The ports are open; forth.
The campe abroad wants thee, their chiefe, too long.
Lead with thee all thy troupes out. Purge the citie.
Draw drie that noysome, and pernicious sinke,
Which left, behind thee, would infect the world.
Thou wilt free me of all my feares, at once,
To see a wall betweene vs. Do'st thou stop
To doe that now, commanded; which before,
Of thine owne choice, thou'rt prone to? Goe. The Consul
Bids thee, an enemie, to depart the citie.
Whither, thou'lt aske? to exile? I not bid
Thee that. But aske my counsell, I perswade it.
What is there, here, in Rome, that can delight thee?
Where not a soule, without thine owne foule knot,
But feares, and hates thee. What domesticke note
Of priuate filthinesse, but is burnt in
Into thy life? What close, and secret shame,
But is growne one, with thy knowne infamy?
What lust was euer absent from thine eyes?
What leud fact from thy hands? what wickednesse
From thy whole body? where's that youth drawne in
Within thy nets, or catch'd vp with thy baits,
Before whose rage, thou hast not borne a sword,
And to whose lusts thou hast not held a torch?
Thy latter nuptialls I let passe in silence;
Where sinnes incredible, on sinnes, were heap't:
Which I not name, lest, in a ciuill state,
So monstrous facts should either appeare to be,
Or not to be reueng'd. Thy fortunes, too,
I glance not at, which hang but till next Ides.
I come to that which is more knowne, more publike;
The life, and safetie of vs all, by thee
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When Lepidvs, and Tvllvs were our Consuls,
Vpon the day of choice, arm'd, and with forces,
To take their liues, and our chiefe citizens?
When, not thy feare, nor conscience chang'd thy mind,
But the meere fortune of the common-wealth
With-stood thy actiue malice? Speake but right.
How often hast thou made attempt on me?
How many of thy assaults haue I declin'd
With shifting but my body (as wee'ld say)
Wrested thy dagger from thy hand, how oft?
How often hath it falne, or slip't 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 necessitie,
To fixe it in the body of a Consul.
But let me loose this way, and speake to thee,
Not as one mou'd with hatred, which I ought,
But pitty, of which none is owing thee.
Cat.
No more then vnto Tantalvs, or Tityvs.
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 seates made bare, vpon thy entrance?
Riss' not the consular men? and left their places,
So soone as thou sat'st downe? and fled thy side,
Like to a plague, or ruine? knowing, how oft
They had beene, by thee, mark'd out for the shambles?
How dost thou beare this? Surely, if my slaues
At home fear'd me, with halfe th'affright, and horror,
That, here, thy fellow-citizens doe thee,
I should soone quit my house, and thinke it need too.
Yet thou dar'st tarry here? Goe forth, at last;
Condemne thy selfe to flight, and solitude.
Discharge the common-wealth, of her deepe feare.
Goe; into banishment, if thou wait'st the word.
Why do'st thou looke? They all consent vnto it.
Do'st thou expect th'authoritie of their voyces,
Whose silent wills condemne thee? While they sit,
They approue it; while they suffer it, they decree it;
And while they'are silent to it, they proclaime it.
Proue thou there honest, Ile endure the enuie.
But there's no thought, thou should'st be euer he,
Whom either shame should call from filthinesse,
Terror from danger, or discourse from furie.
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When I alreadie know, they'are sent afore,
That tarry for thee'in armes, and doe expect thee
On th'Avrelian way. I know the day
Set downe, 'twixt thee, and Manlivs; vnto whom
The siluer eagle too is sent, before:
Which I doe hope shall proue, to thee as banefull,
As thou conceiu'st it to the common-wealth.
But, may this wise, and sacred Senate say,
What mean'st thou Marcvs Tvllivs? If thou know'st
That Catiline be look'd for, to be chiefe
Of an intestine warre; that he'is the author
Of such a wickednesse; the caller out
Of men of marke in mischiefe, to an action
Of so much horror; Prince of such a treason;
Why do'st thou send him forth? why let him scape?
This is, to giue him libertie, and power:
Rather, thou should'st lay hold vpon him, send him
To deseru'd death, and a iust punishment.
To these so holy voices, thus I answere.
If I did thinke it timely, Conscript Fathers,
To punish him with death, I would not giue
The Fencer vse of one short houre, to breath;
But when there are in this graue order, some,
Who, with soft censures, still doe nource his hopes;
Some, that with not beleeuing, haue confirm'd
His designes more, and whose authoritie
The weaker, as the worst men, too, haue follow'd:
I would now send him, where they all should see
Cleere, as the light, his heart shine; where no man
Could be so wickedly, or fondly stupide,
But should cry out, he saw, touch'd, felt, and grasp't it.
Then, when he hath runne out himselfe; led forth
His desp'rate partie with him; blowne together
Aides of all kindes, both shipwrack'd mindes and fortunes:
Not onely the growne euill, that now is sprung,
And sprouted forth, would be pluck'd vp, and weeded;
But the stocke, roote, and seed of all the mischiefes,
Choking the common-wealth. Where, should we take,
Of such a swarme of traytors, onely him,
Our cares, and feares might seeme a while relieu'd,
But the maine perill would bide still enclos'd
Deepe, in the veines, and bowells of the state.
As humane bodies, labouring with feuers,
While they are tost with heate, if they doe take
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But afterward, are ten times more afflicted.
Wherefore, I say, let all this wicked crew
Depart, diuide themselues from good men, gather
Their forces to one head; as I said oft,
Let 'hem be seuer'd from vs with a wall;
Let 'hem leaue off attempts, vpon the Consul,
In his owne house; to circle in the Prætor;
To girt the court with weapons; to prepare
Fire, and balls, swords, torches, sulphure, brands:
In short, let it be writ in each mans fore-head
What thoughts he beares the publike. I here promise,
Fathers Conscript, to you, and to my selfe,
That diligence in vs Consuls, for my honor'd
Colleague, abroad, and for my selfe, at home;
So great authoritie in you; so much
Vertue, in these, the gentlemen of Rome;
Whom I could scarce restraine to day, in zeale,
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 cleere, made plaine, oppress'd, reueng'd.
And, with this omen, goe, pernicious plague,
Out of the citie, to the wish'd destruction
Of thee, and those, that, to the ruine of her,
Haue tane that bloudie, and black sacrament.
Thou Ivpiter, whom we doe call the Stayer,
Both of this citie, and this empire, wilt
(With the same auspice thou didst raise it first)
Driue from thy altars, and all other temples,
And buildings of this citie; from our walls;
Liues, states, and fortunes of our citizens;
This fiend, this furie, with his complices.
And all the 'offence of good men (these knowne traytors
Vnto their countrey, theeues of Italie,
Ioyn'd in so damn'd a league of mischiefe) thou
Wilt with perpetuall plagues, aliue, and dead,
Punish for Rome, and saue her innocent head.
Cati.
If an oration, or high language, Fathers,
Could make me guiltie, here is one, hath done it:
H' has stroue to emulate this mornings thunder,
With his prodigious rhetoricke. But I hope,
This Senate is more graue, then to giue credit
Rashly to all he vomits, 'gainst a man
Of your owne order, a Patrician;
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Of Rome, then this mans eloquence could vtter,
Turn'd the best way: as still, it is the worst.
Cato.
His eloquence hath more deseru'd to day,
Speaking thy ill, then all thy ancestors
Did, in their good: and, that the state will find,
Which he hath sau'd.
Cati.
How, he? were I that enemie,
That he would make me: Il'd not wish the state
More wretched, then to need his preseruation.
What doe you make him, Cato, such a Hercvles?
An Atlas? A poore petty in-mate!
Cato.
Traytor.
Cati.
He saue the state? A burgesse sonne of Arpinum.
The gods would rather twentie Romes should perish,
Then haue that contumely stucke vpon 'hem,
That he should share with them, in the preseruing
A shed, or signe-post.
Cato.
Peace, thou prodigie.
Cati.
They would be forc'd themselues, againe, and lost
In the first, rude, and indigested heape;
Ere such a wretched name, as Cicero,
Should sound with theirs.
Catv.
Away, thou impudent head.
Cati.
Doe you all backe him? are you silent too?
Well, I will leaue you, Fathers; I will goe.
He turnes sodainly on Cicero.
But—my fine daintie speaker—
Cic.
What now, Furie?
Wilt thou assault me here?
Cho.
(Helpe, aide the Consul.)
Cati.
See, Fathers, laugh you not? who threatned him?
In vaine thou do'st conceiue, ambitious orator,
Hope of so braue 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 honor, the base multitude can giue thee,
Shall make thee worthy Catilines anger.
Cato.
(Stop,
Stop that portentous mouth.)
Cati.
Or, when it shall,
Ile looke thee dead.
Cato.
Will none restraine the monster?
Catv.
Parricide.
Qvi.
Butcher, traytor, leaue the Senate.
Cati.
I'am gone, to banishment, to please you, Fathers.
Thrust head-long forth?
Cato.
Still, do'st thou murmure, monster?
Cati.
Since, I am thus put out, and made a—
Cic.
What?
Catv.
Not guiltier then thou art.
Cati.
I will not burne
Without my funerall pile.
Cato.
What saies the fiend?
Cati.
I will haue matter, timber:
Cato.
Sing out scrich-owle.
Cati.
It shall be in—
Catv.
Speake thy imperfect thoughts.
Cati.
The common fire, rather then mine owne.
For fall I will with all, ere fall alone.
Cra.
H'is lost, there is no hope of him.
Caes.
Vnlesse
He presently take armes; and giue a blow,
739
Cic.
What is your pleasure, Fathers, shall be done?
Catv.
See, that the common-wealth receiue no losse.
Cato.
Commit the care thereof vnto the Consuls.
Cra.
'Tis time.
Caes.
And need.
Cic.
Thankes to this frequent Senate.
But what decree they, vnto Cvrivs,
And Fvlvia?
Catv.
What the Consul shall thinke meete.
Cic.
They must receiue reward, though 't be not knowne;
Lest when a state needs ministers, they ha' none.
Cato.
Yet, Marcvs Tvllivs, doe not I beleeue,
But Crassvs, and this Caesar here ring hollow.
Cic.
And would appeare so, if that we durst proue 'hem.
Cato.
Why dare we not? What honest act is that,
The Roman Senate should not dare, and doe?
Cic.
Not an vnprofitable, dangerous act,
To stirre too many serpents vp at once.
Caesar, and Crassvs, if they be ill men,
Are mightie ones; and, we must so prouide,
That, while we take one head, from this foule Hydra,
There spring not twentie more.
Cato.
I' proue your counsell.
Cic.
They shall be watch'd, and look'd too. Till they doe
Declare themselues, I will not put 'hem out
By any question. There they stand. Ile make
My selfe no enemies, nor the state no traytors.
Catiline
, Lentvlvs, Cethecvs, Cvrivs, Gabinivs, Longinvs, Statilivs.
False to our selues? All our designes discouer'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 furres, by this time.
Cat.
Well, there's, now,
No time of calling backe, or standing still.
Friends, be your selues; keepe the same Roman hearts,
And readie minds, you' had yester-night. Prepare
To execute, what we resolu'd. And let not
Labour, or danger, or discouerie fright you.
Ile to the armie: you (the while) mature
Things, here, at home. Draw to you any aides,
That you thinke fit, of men of all conditions,
Or any fortunes, that may helpe a warre.
Ile bleede a life, or winne an empire for you.
Within these few dayes, looke to see my ensignes,
740
Meane time, to draw an enuy on the Consul,
And giue a lesse suspicion of our course,
Let it be giuen out, here in the citie,
That I am gone, an innocent man, to exile,
Into Massilia, willing to giue way
To fortune, and the times; being vnable
To stand so great a faction, without troubling
The common-wealth: whose peace I rather seeke,
Then all the glory of contention,
Or the support of mine owne innocence.
Farewell the noble Lentvlvs, Longinvs,
Cvrivs, the rest; and thou, my better Genius,
The braue Cethegvs: when we meete againe,
Wee'll sacrifice to libertie.
Cet.
And reuenge.
That we may praise our hands once.
Len.
O, you Fates,
Giue Fortune now her eyes, to see with whom
Shee goes along, that shee may ne're forsake him.
Cvr.
He needs not her, nor them. Goe but on, Sergivs.
A valiant man is his owne fate, and fortune.
Lon.
The fate, and fortune of vs all goe with him.
Gab., Sta.
And euer guard him.
Cat.
I am all your creature.
Len.
Now friends, 'tis left with vs. I haue alreadie
Dealt, by Vmbrenvs, with the Allobroges,
Here resiant in Rome; whose state, I heare,
Is discontent with the great vsuries,
They are oppress'd with: and haue made complaints
Diuers, vnto the Senate, but all vaine.
These men, I'haue thought (both for their owne 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 drawne
To our societie, and to aide the warre.
The rather, for their seate; being next bordrers
On Italie; and that they abound with horse:
Of which one want our campe doth onely labour.
And I haue found 'hem comming. They will meete
Soone, at Sempronia's house, where I would pray you
All to be present, to confirme 'hem more.
The sight of such spirits hurt not, nor the store.
Gab.
I will not faile.
Sta.
Nor I.
Cvr.
Nor I.
Cet.
Would!
Had somewhat by my selfe, apart, to doe.
I ha'no Genius to these many counsells.
741
Ile doe it at next sitting.
Len.
Worthy Caivs,
Your presence will adde much.
Cet.
I shall marre more.
Cicero
, Sanga, Allobroges.
The state's beholden to you, Fabivs Sanga,
For this great care: And those Allobroges
Are more then wretched, if they lend a listning
To such perswasion.
San.
They, most worthy Consul,
As men employ'd here, from a grieued state,
Groning beneath a multitude of wrongs,
And being told, there was small hope of ease
To be expected, to their euills, from hence,
Were willing, at the first to giue an eare
To any thing, that sounded libertie:
But since, on better thoughts, and my vrg'd reasons,
They'are come about, and wonne, to the true side.
The fortune of the common-wealth hath conquer'd.
Cic.
What is that same Vmbrenvs, was the agent?
San.
One that hath had negotiation
In Gallia oft, and knowne vnto their state.
Cic.
Are th'Ambassadors come with you?
San.
Yes,
Cic.
Well, bring 'hem in, if they be firme, and honest,
Neuer had men the meanes so to deserue
Of Rome, as they. A happy, wish'd occasion,
And thrust into my hands, for the discouery,
And manifest conuiction of these traytors.
Be thank'd, Ô Ivpiter. My worthy lords,
The Allobroges enter.
Confederates of the Senate, you are welcome.
I vnderstand by Qvintvs Fabivs Sanga,
Your carefull patron here, you haue beene lately
Sollicited against the common-wealth,
By one Vmbrenvs (take a seate, I pray you)
From Pvblivs Lentvlvs, to be associates
In their intended warre. I could aduise,
That men, whose fortunes are yet flourishing,
And are Romes friends, would not, without a cause,
Become her enemies; and mixe themselues
And their estates, with the lost hopes of Catiline,
Or Lentvlvs, whose meere despaire doth arme 'hem:
That were to hazard certainties, for aire,
And vnder-goe all danger, for a voice.
Beleeue me, friends, loud tumults are not laid
With halfe the easinesse, that they are rais'd.
742
The Senate haue decreed, that my colleague
Shall leade their armie, against Catiline,
And haue declar'd both him, and Manlivs traytors.
Metellvs Celer hath alreadie giuen
Part of their troops defeate. Honors are promis'd
To all, will quit 'hem; and rewards propos'd
Euen to slaues, that can detect their courses.
Here, in the citie, I haue by the Prætors,
And Tribunes, plac'd my guards, and watches so,
That not a foote can treade, a breath can whisper,
But I haue knowledge. And be sure, the Senate,
And people of Rome, of their accustom'd greatnesse,
Will sharply, and seuerely vindicate,
Not onely any fact, but any practice,
Or purpose, 'gainst the state. Therefore, my lords,
Consult of your owne wayes, and thinke which hand
Is best to take. You, now, are present suters
For some redresse of wrongs; Ile vnder-take
Not onely that shall be assur'd you: but
What grace, or priuiledge else, Senate, or people,
Can cast vpon you, worthy such a seruice,
As you haue now the way, and meanes, to doe 'hem,
If but your wills consent, with my designes.
All.
We couet nothing more, most worthy Consul.
And how so e're we haue beene tempted lately,
To a defection, that not makes vs guiltie:
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 doe precipitate themselues.
Cic.
You then are wise, and honest. Doe but this, then:
(When shall you speake with Lentvlvs, and the rest?
All.
We are to meete anone, at Brvtvs house.
Cic.
Who? Decivs Brvtvs? He is not in Rome.
San.
O, but his wife Sempronia.
Cic.
You instruct me,
Shee is a chiefe.) Well, faile not you to meete 'hem,
And to expresse the best affection
You can put on, to all that they intend.
Like it, applaud it, giue the common-wealth,
And Senate lost to 'hem. Promise any aides
By armes, or counsell. What they can desire,
I would haue you preuent. Onely, say this,
You'haue had dispatch, in priuate, by the Consul,
743
The state's now in, you are will'd by him, this euening,
To depart Rome: which you, by all sought meanes,
Will doe, of reason to decline suspicion.
Now, for the more authoritie of the businesse
They'haue trusted to you, and to giue it credit
With your owne state, at home, you would desire
Their letters to your Senate, and your people,
Which shewne, you durst engage both life, and honor,
The rest should euery way answere their hopes.
Those had, pretend sodaine departure, you,
And, as you giue me notice, at what port
You will goe out, Ile ha' you intercepted,
And all the letters taken with you: So
As you shall be redeem'd in all opinions,
And they conuicted of their manifest treason.
Ill deedes are well turn'd backe, vpon their authors:
And 'gainst an iniurer, the reuenge is iust.
This must be done, now.
All.
Chearefully, and firmely.
We'are they, would rather hast to vndertake it,
Then stay, to say so.
Cic.
With that confidence, goe:
Make your selues happy, while you make Rome so.
By Sanga, let me haue notice from you.
All.
Yes.
Sempronia
, Lentvlvs, Cethegvs, Gabinivs, Statilivs, Longinvs, Voltvrtivs, Allobroges.
When come these creatures, the Ambassadors?
I would faine see 'hem. Are they any schollers?
Len.
I think not, madame.
Sem.
Ha'they no greeke?
Len.
No surely.
Sem.
Fie, what doe I here, wayting on 'hem then?
If they be nothing but meere states-men.
Len.
Yes,
Your ladiship shall obserue their grauitie,
And their reseruednesse, their many cautions,
Fitting their persons.
Sem.
I doe wonder much,
That states, and common-wealths employ not women,
To be Ambassadors, sometimes! we should
Doe as good publike seruice, and could make
As honorable spies (for so Thvcidides
Calls all Ambassadors.) Are they come, Cethegvs?
Cet.
Doe you aske me? Am I your scout, or baud?
Len.
O, Caivs, it is no such businesse.
Cet.
No?
What do's a woman at it then?
Sem.
Good sir,
There are of vs can be as exquisite traytors,
744
Cet.
I, at smock-treason, matron, I beleeue you;
And if I were your husband; but when I
Trust to your cob-web-bosomes any other
Let me there die a flie, and feast you, spider.
Len.
You are too sowre, and harsh Cethegvs.
Cet.
You
Are kind, and courtly. Il'd be torne in pieces,
With wild Hippolytvs, nay proue the death,
Euery limbe ouer, e're Il'd trust a woman,
With wind, could I retaine it.
Sem.
Sir. They'll be trusted
With as good secrets, yet, as you haue any:
And carry 'hem too, as close, and as conceal'd,
As you shall for your heart.
Cet.
Ile not contend with you
Either in tongue, or carriage, good Calipso:
Lon.
Th'ambassadors are come.
Cet.
Thanks to thee Mercvry,
That so hast rescu'd me.
Len.
How now, Voltvrtivs?
Vol.
They doe desire some speech with you, in priuate.
Len.
O! 'tis about the prophecie, 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 haue told 'hem, who you are.
Sem.
I should be loth to be left out, and here too.
Cet.
Can these, or such, be any aides, to vs?
Looke they, as they were built to shake the world,
Or be a moment, to our enterprise?
A thousand, such as they are, could not make
One atome of our soules. They should be men
Worth heauens feare, that looking vp, but thus,
Would make Iove stand vpon his guard, and draw
Himselfe within his thonder; which, amaz'd,
He should discharge in vaine, and they vn-hurt.
Or, if they were, like Capanevs, at Thebes,
They should hang dead, vpon the highest spires,
And aske the second bolt, to be throwne downe.
Why, Letvlvs, talke you so long? This time
Had beene enough, t'haue scatter'd all the starres,
T'haue quench'd the sunne, and moone, and made the world
Despaire of day, or any light, but ours.
Len.
How doe you like this spirit? In such men,
Mankind doth liue. They are such soules as these,
That moue the world.
Sen.
I, though he beare me hard,
I, yet, must doe him right. He is a spirit
Of the right Martian breed.
All.
He is a Mars!
Would we had time to liue here, and admire him.
Len.
Well, I doe see you would preuent the Consul.
745
To aske our letters, and we had prepar'd them.
Goe in, and we will take an oath, and seale 'hem.
You shall haue letters, too, to Catiline,
To visite him i'the way, and to confirme
The association. This our friend, Voltvrtivs,
Shall goe along with you. Tell our great generall,
That we are readie here; that Lvcivs Bestia
The Tribune, is prouided of a speech,
To lay the enuie of the warre on Cicero;
That all but long for his approach, and person:
And then, you are made free-men, as our selues.
Cicero
, Flaccvs, Pomtinivs, Sanga.
I cannot feare the warre but to succeed well,
Both for the honor 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 Petreivs, his lieutenant, must
Of need take charge o'the armie: who is much
The better souldier, hauing beene a Tribune,
Prefect, Lieutenant, Prætor in the warre,
These thirtie yeeres, so conuersant i'the armie,
As he knowes all the souldiers, by their names.
Fla.
They'll fight then, brauely, with him.
Pom.
I, and he
Will lead 'hem on, as brauely.
Cic.
They'haue a foe
Will aske their braueries, whose necessities
Will arme him like a furie. But, how euer,
I'le trust it to the manage, and the fortune
Of good Petreivs, who's a worthy patriot:
Metellvs Celer, with three legions, too,
Will stop their course, for Gallia. How now, Fabivs?
San.
The traine hath taken. You must instantly
Dispose your guards vpon the Miluian bridge:
For, by that way, they meane to come.
Cic.
Then, thither
Pomtinivs, and Flaccvs, I must pray you
To lead that force you haue; and seize them all:
Let not a person scape. Th'ambassadors
Will yeeld themselues. If there be any tumult
Ile send you aide. I, in meane time will call
Lentvlvs to me, Gabinivs, and Cethegvs,
Statilivs, Ceparivs, and all these,
746
Without sense, or suspicion. Prodigall men
Feele not their owne stocke wasting. When I haue 'hem,
Ile place those guards, vpon 'hem, that they start not.
San.
But what'll you doe with Sempronia?
Cic.
A states anger
Should not take knowledge eyther of fooles, or women.
I do not know whether my ioy or care
Ought to be greater; that I haue discouer'd
So foule a treason: or must vndergoe
The enuie of so many great mens fate.
But, happen what there can, I will be iust,
My fortune may forsake me, not my vertue:
That shall goe with me, and before me, still,
And glad me, doing well, though I heare ill.
Praetors, Allobroges, Voltvrtivs.
Fla.
Stand, who goes there?
All.
We are th'Allobroges
And friends of Rome.
Pom.
If you be so, then yeeld
Your selues vnto the Prætors, who in name
Of the whole Senate, and the people of Rome,
Yet, till you cleare your selues, charge you of practise
Against the State.
Vol.
Die friends, and be not taken.
Fla.
What voyce is that? Downe with 'hem all.
All:
We yeeld.
Pom.
What's he stands out? Kill him there.
Vol.
Hold, hold, hold.
I yeeld vpon conditions.
Fla.
We giue none
To traytors, strike him downe.
Vol.
My name's Voltvrtivs
I know Pomtinivs.
Pom.
But he knowes not you,
While you stand out vpon these trayterous termes.
Vol.
I'le yeeld vpon the safety of my life.
Pom.
If it be forfeyted, we cannot saue it.
Vol.
Promise to doe your best. I'am not so guilty,
As many others, I can name; and will:
If you will grant me fauour.
Pom.
All we can
Is to deliuer you to the Consul. Take him,
And thanke the gods, that thus haue saued Rome.
Chorvs.
Now, do our eares, before our eyes,
Like men in mists,
Discouer, who'ld the state surprise,
And who resists?
And, as these clouds doe yeeld to light,
Now, do we see,
Our thoughts of things, how they did fight,
Which seem'd t'agree?
747
Who nothing know;
But, as new ayres our eares inuade,
Still censure so?
That now doe hope, and now doe feare,
And now enuy;
And then doe hate, and then loue deare,
But know not, why:
Or, if we doe, it is so late,
As our best mood,
Though true, is then thought out of date,
And emptie of good.
How haue we chang'd, and come about
In euery 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 heare, he is in armes,
We thinke not so:
Yet charge the Consul, with our harmes,
That let him goe.
So, in our censure of the state,
We still doe wander;
And make the carefull magistrate
The marke of slander.
What age is this, where honest men,
Plac'd at the helme,
A sea of some soule mouth, or pen,
Shall ouer-whelme?
And call their diligence, deceipt;
Their vertue, vice;
Their watchfulnesse, but lying in wait;
And bloud, the price.
O, let vs plucke this euill seede
Out of our spirits;
And giue, to euery noble deede,
The name it merits.
Lest we seeme falne (if this endures)
Into those times,
To loue disease: and brooke the cures
Worse, then the crimes.
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