University of Virginia Library

SCENE III.

Night. The interior of a Roman fortified Camp. Walls, with Towers and military Engines. A palisadoed great Gate; Troops on either side, with Torches. On the left a group of Standards. On the right a General's Tent. Shouts, and Sounds of Battle.
Hamilcar comes in, speaking to an Officer.
HAMILCAR.
I think those shouts are nigh the westward trench.
The Consul's weakest there. (Officer goes.)
And here I stand,
Leaving to others the bold outward fight,
To lurk behind a wall.—I should have faced
The proudest sword on earth—but Catiline's.—
His eye would drink the spirit of my blood,
And make my scimitar a reed.—Who's here?
[Shouts, “A prisoner!” Cethegus is brought in.
Cethegus taken—alive!

[In surprise.
CETHEGUS.
(to HAMILCAR).
Dog of an African!
Betrayer!—perjurer!—felon! Give me breath!—
Had not my charger fallen, that villain head
Had been upon my spear.

HAMILCAR
(anxiously).
Is Catiline slain?

CETHEGUS.
How dare you name him?

HAMILCAR.
(with haughtiness.)
Is the rebel dead?

CETHEGUS.
Dead or alive, he's glorious! In the rout
That bore him backwards o'er the fatal trench,
I saw him fighting, with a giant's strength,
Cover'd with wounds,—his corslet beaten off,—
His unhelm'd brow mask'd with his spouting blood;—
The battle's soul,—knight, spearman, general, all;—
Shouting to this man,—grasping t'other's robe,—
Slaying a third,—and ever turning back
To charge the cow'd pursuers—

HAMILCAR
(to the Soldiers).
Set him free.
[Cethegus is taken out; shouts and trumpets.
My mind misgives me, or the battle's turn'd!—
Stand to your arms.—What ensign 's in the field?

SOLDIER
(from the Walls).
The Marian Eagle,—and a column comes,
Straight on the Consul's centre. Now, they charge!—
The trench is taken.

HAMILCAR
(hastily).
To the ramparts, all!—
Quick, load the engines,—let the archers shoot,—
Whirl slings,—rain lances,—give them steel i'the teeth;
Fight all, as if, upon his single arm,
Each bore the whole high fortunes of the night.

[Shouts at the Gates. Trumpets.
CATILINE
(without).
Once more!—and put your souls into your blows;
Be iron, like your lances,—fierce as fire,—
Strong as the whirlwind!—Charge!—The word's “Revenge!”

[The Gates are beaten down, and the Works fired; Catiline rushes in unhelmed and wounded; the Troops give way; Hamilcar, after a struggle with himself, bends to the ground; Catiline approaches; he stops before Hamilcar, who strips his bosom.
HAMILCAR.
Strike here, and be revenged!

CATILINE.
Die!

[He lifts his Sword, but turns away; Hamilcar starts on his feet and stabs himself; Catiline stands, gazing at him.
CECINA
(coming in).
Triumph, my general!—For the field's our own.
The Consul's flank is turn'd, and all his line
Are chaff before the wind.

CATILINE
(exclaims).
Onwards!—To Rome!—

[Voices of the Captains, in succession, without:
“Onwards!—Onwards!—Onwards!—”

CATILINE.
[Falling.
[She bends over him.

[He falls suddenly, and dies.