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 friendship 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 perish! 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!