IX.-EXPULSION OF CATILINE FROM THE SENATE. (CROLY.) Catiline conspired with many of the most worthless characters in Rome to overthrow the government and rule the state. The conspiracy being detected by Cicero, the consul, Catiline was driven from the senate and from the city, and was killed at the battle of Pistoria in 63 B.C. SCENE.-Senate in session; a consul in the chair; lictors present. Cicero. OUR long dispute must close. Take one proof Has been commanded to attend the senate. He dares not come! I now demand your votes! Is he condemned to exile? (Enter Catiline hastily, and as he seals himself on one side, all the senators go over to the other.) Cic. (Turning to Catiline.) Here I repeat the charge, to gods and men, Of treasons manifold;—that but this day Under his roof, with mystic rites and oaths, Catiline. Conscript fathers! I do not rise to waste the night in words; But here I stand for right!—Let him show proofs !- Cic. (Interrupting.) Deeds shall convince you! Has the traitor done? Cat. But this I will avow, that I have scorned, The Roman from his birthright,—and for what? To fling your offices to every slave: (Looking round him.) Hang hissing at the nobler men below. Cic. This is his answer! Must I bring more proofs? Fathers, you know there lives not one of us, But lives in peril of his midnight sword. Lists of proscription have been handed round, Your murderer's hire. (A cry without, “More prisoners!" Enter an officer with letters for Cicero, who, after looking at them, sends them round the senate.) Cic. Fathers of Rome! if men can be convinced By proof, as clear as daylight, here it is! Look on these letters! Here's a deep-laid plot The time To wreck the provinces; a solemn league, Is foremost in the league. He was their king. Tried and convicted Traitor! Go from Rome! Cat. (Rising haughtily.) Come, consecrated lictors, from (To the senate.) your thrones! Fling down your sceptres!-take the rod and axe, And make the murder, as you make the law! Cic. (To an officer, and interrupting Catiline.) Give up the record of his banishment. (The officer gives it to the consul.) Cat. (With indignation.) Banished from Rome! What's banished, but set free From daily contact of the things I loathe? this hour, Banished? I thank you for't! It breaks my chain ! But here I stand and scoff you !-here I fling Consul. (Reads.) "Lucius Sergius Catiline! by the decree of the senate, you are declared an enemy and alien to the state, and banished from the territory of the commonwealth!" (Turning to the lictors.) Lictors, drive the traitor from the temple! Cat. Traitor!" I go,-but I return! This trial! Here I devote your senate!-I've had wrongs, And make the infant's sinews strong as steel. This day's the birth of sorrows! This hour's work Will breed proscriptions! Look to your hearths, my lords! X.-CLARENCE'S DREAM. (SHAKSPERE.) George, Duke of Clarence, brother of King Edward IV., died in the Tower of London in 1478. Shakspere adopts the rumour that the Duke of Gloucester assisted the murderers in despatching his unfortunate brother; some alleged that he was the sole executioner. METHOUGHT that I had broken from the Tower, Upon the hatches; thence we looked toward England, Methought that Gloster stumbled; and, in falling, O then methought what pain it was to drown! All scattered in the bottom of the sea. Some lay in dead men's skulls; and in those holes -My dream was lengthened after life; The first that there did greet my stranger-soul Yet execute thy wrath on me alone : O spare my guiltless wife and my poor children!— I pray thee, gentle keeper, stay by me; My soul is heavy, and I fain would sleep. XI.-CASSIUS ROUSING BRUTUS AGAINST CESAR. (SHAKSPERE.) Cas. Well; honour is the subject of my story. I cannot tell what you and other men Think of this life; but, for my single self, I had as lief not be, as live to be In awe of such a thing as I myself. |