It is not Cæsar, but the gods, my fathers, Unprofitably shed: what men could do Is done already: heaven and earth will witness, Semp. This smooth discourse, and mild behaviour, oft Conceal a traitor-Something whispers me All is not right-Cato, beware of Lucius. Cato. Let us appear nor rash nor diffident: Are grown thus desperate: we have bulwarks round us; VIII.-CATO ON THE SOUL. (ADDISON.) It must be so!-Plato, thou reason'st well! Or whence this secret dread and inward horror 'Tis Heaven itself that points out an Hereafter, Eternity!-thou pleasing-dreadful thought! Through what new scenes and changes must we pass ! Through all her works-He must delight in virtue: [Laying his hand on his sword. Thus I am doubly armed. My death and life, The wreck of matter, and the crush of worlds. 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 concluding his speech. Cicero. OUR long dispute must close. more Of this rebellion. Lucius Catiline Has been commanded to attend the senate. Take one proof He dares not come! I now demand your votes! (Enter Catiline hastily, and as he seats 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, And still do scorn, to hide my sense of wrong; Who brands me on the forehead, breaks my sword, Or lays the bloody scourge upon my back, Wrongs me not half so much as he who shuts The gates of honour on me,-turning out The Roman from his birthright,—and for what? To fling your offices to every slave: (Looking round him.) Vipers, that creep where man disdains to climb; And having wound their loathsome track to the top Of this huge, mouldering monument of Rome, 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 To wreck the provinces; a solemn league, The time Is desperate, all the slaves are up,-Rome shakes!— 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 ! Smile on, my lords! But here I stand and scoff you !-here I fling Your consul's merciful; for this, all thanks! 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! 66 Cat. Traitor!" I go,—but I return! This trial! And make the infant's sinews strong as steel. This day's the birth of sorrows! This hour's work |