Early Plays - Catiline, the Warrior's Barrow, Olaf Liljekrans - LightNovelsOnl.com
You're reading novel online at LightNovelsOnl.com. Please use the follow button to get notifications about your favorite novels and its latest chapters so you can come back anytime and won't miss anything.
CURIUS. Ah, him you seek?
FURIA. Yes, him I seek.
CURIUS. Then him you still pursue?
FURIA. Why rose I from the spirit underworld Tonight, if not because of Catiline?
CURIUS. Alas, this fury that has seized your soul--!
Yet you are lovely even in your madness.
Oh, Furia, think no more of Catiline!
Come, flee with me! Command me,--I shall serve you!
[He prostrates himself before her.]
CURIUS. A prostrate slave I here entreat of you One single look. Oh, hear me, Furia, hear me!
I love but you! A sweet and lethal fire Consumes my soul, and you--ah, you alone-- Can ease my suffering.--
FURIA. [Looks towards the house.] Yonder there's a light-- And many men. What now is going on Within the house of Catiline?
CURIUS. [Jumps up.] Again This name! Around him hover all your thoughts.
Oh, I could hate him--!
FURIA. Has he then resolved To launch at last the daring enterprise He long has cherished?
CURIUS. Then you know--?
FURIA. Yes, all.
CURIUS. Ah, then you doubtless know, too, he himself Is foremost in this daring enterprise?
Yet, I adjure you, beg you, think no more Of Catiline!
FURIA. Answer me this alone; 'Tis all I ask of you. Do you go with him?
CURIUS. He is to me a tender father--
FURIA. [Smiling.] He?
My Catiline?
CURIUS. Ah!
FURIA. He,--round whom my thoughts Course without rest?
CURIUS. My brain is in a tumult-- I hate this man--! Oh, I could murder him!
FURIA. Did you not lately swear you were prepared To do my bidding?
CURIUS. Ask me what you will; In everything I serve you and obey!
I only beg,--forget this Catiline.
FURIA. I shall forget him first--when he has stepped Into his grave.
CURIUS. [Draws back.] Ah, you demand that I--?
FURIA. You need not use the steel; you can betray His enterprise--
CURIUS. Murder and treachery At once! Remember, Furia, he is still My foster-father and--
FURIA. --My aim in life!
Ah, timid fool,--so you dare speak of love,-- Who lack the fort.i.tude to strike him down That stands across your path? Away from me!
[She turns her back on him.]
CURIUS. [Holding her back.]
No;--do not leave me! I am in all things willing!
A shudder chills me as I look on you; And yet I cannot break this net asunder Wherein you trapped my soul.
FURIA. Then you are willing?
CURIUS. Why do you mock me with such questioning?
If I am willing? Have I any will?
Your gaze is like the serpent's when 'tis fixed With magic power upon the bird, that circles Wildly about in terror-stricken awe, Drawn ever nearer to the dreadful fangs.
FURIA. Then to your task!
CURIUS. And when I've sacrificed My friends.h.i.+p to my love for you,--what then?
FURIA. I shall forget that Catiline existed.
Then will my task be ended. Ask no more!
CURIUS. For this reward I should--?
FURIA. You hesitate?
Is then your hope so faint that you forget What gifts a grateful woman can bestow, When first the time--?
CURIUS. By all the powers of night,-- I'll not delay! He only stands between us.
Then let him peris.h.!.+ Quenched is every spark Of feeling for him; every bond is sundered!-- Who are you, lovely vision of the night?
Near you I'm turned to marble, burned to ashes.
My longing chills me,--terror fires the soul; My love is blended hate and sorcery.
Who am I now? I know myself no more; One thing I know; I am not he I was, Ere you I saw. I'll plunge into the deep To follow you! Doomed--doomed is Catiline!
I'll to the Capitol. This very night The senate is a.s.sembled. Then farewell!
A written note betrays his enterprise.
[He goes out hastily.]
FURIA. [To herself.]
The heavens grow dark; soon will the lightning play.
The end is fast approaching, Catiline;-- With measured steps you journey to your grave!
