Catiline His Conspiracy Act 4. Scene 1

Allobroges.
Divers Senators pass by, quaking and trembling.

CAN these Men fear, who are not only ours,
But the World's Masters? Then I see the Gods
Upbraid our Suff'rings, or would humble them,
By sending these affrights while we are here:
That we might laugh at their ridiculous Fear,
Whose Names we trembled at beyond the Alpes.
Of all that pass, I do not see a Face
Worthy a Man; that dares look up, and stand
One Thunder out: but downward all, like Beasts,
Running away from every flash is made.
The falling world could not deserve such baseness.
Are we imploy'd here by our Miseries,
Like superstitious Fools (or rather Slaves)
To plain our Griefs, Wrongs and Oppressions,
To a meer clothed Senate, whom our Folly
Hath made, and still intends to keep our Tyrants?
It is our base petitionary breath
That blows 'em to this Greatness; which this prick
Would soon let out, if we were bold and wretched.
When they have taken all we have, our Goods,
Crop, Lands and Houses, they will leave us this:
A Weapon and an Arm will still be found,
Tho naked left, and lower than the ground.

Cato, Catulus, Cicero, Allobroges.

Do; urge thine Anger still: good Heaven and just.
Tell guilty men what Powers are above them.
In such a confidence of wickedness
'Twas time they should know something fit to fear.

Catu.
I never saw a Morn more full of Horror.

Cato.
To Catiline and his: But to Just Men,
Tho Heaven should speak with all his wrath at once,
That with his breath the Hinges of the World
Did crack, we should stand upright, and unfear'd.

Cic.
Why, so we do, good Cato. Who be these?

Catu.
Ambassadors from the Allobroges,
I take 'em, by their habits.

All.
I, these Men
Seem of another Race; let's sue to these,
There's hope of Justice with their Fortitude.

Cic.
Friends of the Senate, and of Rome, to day
We pray you to forbear us: On the morrow,
What Suit you have, let us, by Fabius Sanga,
(Whose Patronage your State doth use) but know it,
And on the Consuls Word, you shall receive
Dispatch, or else an Answer worth your Patience.

All.
We could not hope for more, most worthy
Consul.

This Magistrate hath struck an awe into me,
And by his Sweetness won a more regard
Unto his Place, than all the boistrous Moods
That ignorant Greatness practiseth, to fill
The large unfit Authority it wears.
How easie is a Noble Spirit discern'd
From harsh and sulphurous matter, that flies out
In Contumelies, makes a noise, and stinks!
May we find good and great Men; that know how
To stoop to Wants, and meet Necessities,
And will not turn from any equal Suits.
Such Men, they do not succour more the Cause
They undertake with favour and success,
Than by it their own Judgments they do raise,
In turning just Mens Needs into their Praise.

The Senate.

PRæ.
Room for the Consuls. Fathers, take your places.
Here in the House of Jupiter the Stayer,
By Edict from the Consul, Marcus Tullius,
You'are met, a frequent Senate. Hear him speak.

Cic.
What may be happy and auspicious, still
To Rome and hers. Honour'd and Conscript Fathers,
If I were silent, and that all the Dangers
Threatning the State any you, were yet so hid
In Night, or Darkness thicker in their Breasts,
That are the black Contrivers; so that no
Beam of the Light could pierce 'em; yet the Voice
Of Heav'n, this Morning, hath spoke loud enough
T' instruct you with a feeling of the Horror,
And wake you from a Sleep as stark as Death.
I have of late spoke often in this Senate
Touching this Argument, but still have wanted
Either your Ears or Faith; So incredible
Their Plots have seem'd, or I so vain, to make
These things for mine own Glory and false Greatness,
As hath been given out. But be it so.
When they break forth, and shall declare themselves
By their too foul Effects, then, then the Envy
Of my just Cares will find another Name.
For me, I am but one, and this poor Life
So lately aim'd at, not an Hour yet since,
They cannot with more eagerness pursue,
Than I with gladness would lay down, and lose,
To buy Romes Peace, if that would purchase it.
But when I see they'ld make it but the step
To more and greater; unto yours, Romes, all;
I would with those preserve it, or then fall.

Cæs.
I, I, let you alone, cunning Artificer!
See how his Gorget peers above his Gown;
To tell the people in what danger he was.
It was absurdly done of Vargunteius,
To name himself before he was got in.

Cra.
It matters not, so they deny it all:
And can but carry the lye constantly.
Will Catiline be here?

Cæs.
I have sent for him.

Cra.
And ha' you bid him to be confident?

Cæs.
To that his own necessity will prompt him.

Cra.
Seem to believe nothing at all that Cicero
Relates us.

Cæs.
It will mad him.

[Quintus Cicero brings in the Tribunes and Guards.

Cra.
O, and help
The other Party. Who is that? his Brother?
What new Intelligence has he brought him now?

Cæs.
Some Cautions from his Wife, how to behave him.

Cic.
Place some of them without, and some bring in.
Thank their kind Loves. It is a comfort yet,
That all depart not from their Countries Cause.

Cæs.
How now, what means this Muster, Consul
Antonius?

Ant.
I do not know, ask my Colleague, he'll tell you.
There is some Reason in State that I must yield to;
And I have promis'd him: Indeed he has bought it,
With giving me the Province.

Cic.
I profess,
It grieves me, Fathers, that I am compell'd
To draw these Arms, and aids for your defence;
And more, against a Citizen of Rome,
Born here amongst you, a Patrician,
A man, I must confess, of no mean House,
Nor no small Vertue, if he had employ'd
Those Excellent Gifts of Fortune, and of Nature,
Unto the good, not ruine of the State.
But being bred in's Father's needy Fortunes,
Brought up in's Sisters Prostitution,
Confirm'd in civil Slaughter, entring first
The Commonwealth, with Murder of the Gentry;
Since both by Study and Custom conversant
With all Licentiousness. what could be hop'd
In such a Field of Riot, but a course
Extream pernicious? Tho I must protest,
I found his Mischiefs sooner with mine Eyes
Than with my Thought; and with these Hands of mine,
Before they touch'd at my suspicion.

Cæs.
What are his Mischiefs, Consul? you declame
Against his Manners, and corrupt your own:
No wise man should, for hate of guilty men,
Lose his own Innocence.

Cic.
The Noble Cæsar
Speaks God-like truth. But when he hears I can
Convince him, by his Manners, of his Mischiefs,
He might be silent; and not cast away
His Sentences in vain, where they scarce look
Toward his Subject.

Cato.
Here he comes himself.
If he be worthy any good man's voice,
That good man sit down by him: Cato will not.

[Catiline sits down, and Cato rises from him.

Catu.
If Cato leave him, I'le not keep aside.

Cati.
What Face is this the Senate here puts on
Against me, Fathers! Give my Modesty
Leave to demand the cause of so much strangeness.

Cæs.
It is reported here, you are the Head
To a strange Faction, Lucius.

Cic. I, and will
Be prov'd against him.

Cati.
Let it be. Why, Consul,
If in the Commonwealth there be two Bodies,
One lean, weak, rotten, and that hath a Head;
The other strong and healthful, but hath none:

If I do give it one, do I offend?
Restore your selves unto your temper, Fathers;
And, without perturbation, hear me speak.
Remember who I am, and of what place,
What petty fellow this is that opposes;
One that hath exercis'd his Eloquence
Still to the bane of the Nobility:
A boasting insolent tongue-man.

Cato.
Peace, lewd Traytor,
Or wash thy Mouth. He is an honest man,
And loves his Counttey; would thou didst so too.

Cati.
Cato, you are too zealous for him.

Cato.
No;
Thou art too impudent.

Catu.
Catiline, be silent.

Cati.
Nay then, I easily fear, my just defence
Will come too late to so much prejudice!
(Cæs. Will he sit down?)
Cati. Yet let the world forsake me,
My Innocence must not.

Cato.
Thou innocent?
So are the Furies.

Cic.
Yes, and Ate too.
Dost thou not blush, pernicious Catiline?
Or hath the paleness of thy Guilt drunk up
Thy Blood, and drawn thy Veins as dry of that
As is thy Heart of Truth, thy Breast of Vertue?
Whither at length wilt thou abuse our patience?
Still shall thy Fury mock us? To what licence
Dares thy unbridled boldness run it self?
Do all the nightly Guards, kept on the Palace,
The Cities Watches, with the Peoples Fears,
The Concourse of all good men, this so strong
And fortified Seat here of the Senate,
The present looks upon thee, strike thee nothing?
Dost thou not feel thy Counsels all laid open?
And see thy wild Conspiracy bound in
With each man's knowledge? which of all this Order
Canst thou think ignorant (if they'll but utter
Their Conscience to the right) of what thou didst
Last Night, what on the former, where thou wert,
Whom thou didst call together, what your Plots were?
O Age and Manners! This the Consul sees,
The Senate understands, yet this man lives!
Lives? I, and comes here into Counsel with us;
Partakes the Publick Cares: and with his Eye
Marks and points out each Man of us to slaughter.
And we, good Men, do satisfie the State,
If we can shun but this Man's Sword and Madness.
There was that Vertue once in Rome, when good men,
Would, with more sharp Coercion, have restrain'd
A wicked Citizen, than the deadliest Foe.
We have that Law still, Catiline, for thee;
An Act as grave, as sharp: The State's not wanting,
Nor the Authority of this Senate; we,
We that are Consuls, only fail our selves.
This twenty days the Edg of that Decree
We have let dull and rust; kept it shut up,
As in a Sheath, which drawn, should take thy Head.
Yet still thou liv'st: and liv'st not to lay by
Thy wicked Confidence, but to confirm it.
I could desire, grave Fathers, to be found
Still merciful, to seem, in these main perils
Grasping the State, a Man remiss and slack;
But then I should condemn my self of Sloth
And Treachery. Their Camp's in Italy,
Pitch'd in the Jaws here of Hetruria;
Their Numbers daily increasing, and their General
Within our Walls: nay, in our Counsel! plotting
Hourly some fatal mischief to the Publick.
If, Catiline, I should command thee now,
Here to be taken, kill'd; I make just doubt,
Whether all good men would not think it done
Rather too late, than any man too cruel.

Cato.
Except he were of the same Meal and Batch.

Cic.
But that which ought to have been done long
since, I will, and (for good Reason) yet forbear.
Then will I take thee, when no Man is found
So lost, so wicked, nay, so like thy self,
But shall profess, 'tis done of need and right.
While there is one that dares defend thee, live;
Thou shalt have leave, but so as now thou liv'st;
Watch'd at a hand, besieged, and opprest
From working least Commotion to the State.
I have those Eyes and Ears shall still keep guard,
And spial on thee, as they have ever done,
And thou not feel it. What then canst thou hope?
If neither Night can with her Darkness hide
Thy wicked Meetings, nor a Private House
Can in her Walls contain the guilty whispers
Of thy Conspiracy: If all break out,
All be discover'd, change thy mind at last,
And lose thy thoughts of Ruine, Flame and Slaughter.
Remember how I told, here to the Senate,
That such a day thy Lictor, Caius Manlius,
Would be in Arms. Was I deceived, Catiline?
Or in the Fact, or in the Time? the Hour?
I told too in this Senate, that thy purpose
Was on the Fifth (the Kalends of November)
T' have slaughter'd this whole Order: which my caution
Made many leave the City. Canst thou here
Deny, but this thy black Design was hindred
That very day by me? Thy self clos'd in
Within my strengths, so that thou could'st not move
Against a publick Reed? When thou wert heard
To say upon the parting of the rest,
Thou would'st content thee with the Murder of us
That did remain. Hadst thou no hope beside,
By a surprize by Night, to take Prænestæ?
Where when thou cam'st, didst thou not find the place
Made good against thee with my Aids, my Watches?
My Garrisons fortified it. Thou dost nothing, Sergius;
Thou canst endeavour nothing, nay, not think,
But I both see and hear it; and am with thee,
By and before, about and in thee too.
Call but to mind thy last Nights business. Come,
I'le use no Circumstance: at Lecca's House,
The Shop, and Mint of your Conspiracy,
Among your Sword-men, where so many Associates
Both of thy Mischief and thy Madness met.
Dar'st thou deny this? Wherefore art thou silent?
Speak, and this shall convince thee: Here they are,
I see 'em in this Senate, that were with thee.
O, you Immortal Gods! in what Clime are we?
What Region do we live in? in what Air?
What Commonwealth or State is this we have?
Here, here, amongst us, our own Number, Fathers,
In this most holy Council of the world
They are that seek the Spoil of me, of you,
Of ours, of all; what I can name's too narrow:
Follow the Sun, and find not their Ambition.
These I behold, being Consul; nay, I ask
Their Counsels of the State, as from good Patriots:
Whom it were fit the Axe should hew in pieces,
I not so much as wound yet with my Voice.
Thou wast last Night with Lecca, Catiline,
Your Shares of Italy you there divided;
Appointed who, and whither each should go;
What Men should stay behind in Rome, were chosen;
Your Offices set down; the parts mark'd out,
And places of the City, for the fire;
Thy self (thou affirm'dst) wast ready to depart,
Only a little let there was that stay'd thee,
That I yet liv'd. Upon the word, stept forth
Three of thy Crew, to rid thee of that Care;
Two undertook this Morning, before Day,
To kill me in my Bed. All this I knew,

Your Convent scarce dismiss'd, arm'd all my Servants,
Call'd both my Brother and Friends, shut out your
Clients You sent to visit me; whose Names I told
To some there, of good place, before they came.

Cato.
Yes, I, and Quintus Catulus can affirm it.

Cæs.
He's lost and gone. His Spirits have forsook him.

Cic.
If this be so, why, Catiline, dost thou stay?
Go where thou mean'st. The Ports are open; forth.
The Camp abroad wants thee, their Chief, too long.
Lead with thee all thy Troops out. Purge the City.
Draw dry that noisom, and pernicious Sink,
Which left behind thee, would infect the World.
Thou wilt free me of all my Fears at once,
To see a Wall between us. Dost thou stop
To do that now commanded; which before,
Of thine own choice, thou'art prone to? Go. The Consul
Bids thee, an Enemy, to depart the City.
Whither, thou'lt ask? to Exile? I not bid
Thee that. But ask my Counsel, I perswade it.
What is there, here, in Rome, that can delight thee?
Where not a Soul, without thine own foul knot,
But fears and hates thee. What Domestick Note
Of private filthiness, but is burnt in
Into thy Life? What close and secret shame
But is grown one with thine own Infamy?
What Lust was ever absent from thine Eyes?
What lewd Fact from thy Hands? what wickedness
From thy whole Body? where's that Youth drawn in
Within thy Nets, or catch'd up with thy baits,
Before whose Rage thou hast not borne a Sword,
And to whose Lusts thou hast not held a Torch?
Thy latter Nuptials I let pass in silence;
Where sins incredible on sins were heapt:
Which I not name, lest in a Civil State
So monstrous Facts should either appear to be,
Or not to be reveng'd. Thy Fortunes too
I glance not at, which hang but still next Ides.
I come to that which is more known, more publick;
The Life and Safety of us all by thee
Threatned and sought. Stood'st thou not in the Field
When Lepidus and Tullus were our Consuls,
Upon the day of Choice, arm'd, and with Forces,
To take their Lives, and our chief Citizens?
When not thy Fear, nor Conscience chang'd thy Mind,
But the meer Fortune of the Commonwealth
Withstood thy active malice? Speak but right.
How often hast thou made attempt on me?
How many of thy Assaults have I declin'd
With shifting but my Body (as we'ld say),
Wrested thy Dagger from thy Hand, how oft?
How often hath it faln, or slipt by chance?
Yet can thy side not want it: which how vow'd,
Or with what Rites, 'tis sacred of thee, I know not,
That still thou mak'st it a Necessity,
To fix it in the Body of a Consul.
But let me lose this way, and speak to thee,
Not as one mov'd with hatred, which I ought,
But pity, of which none is owing thee.

Cat.
No more than unto Tantalus or Tityus.

Cic.
Thou cam'st e're while into this Senate. Who
Of such a frequency, so many Friends
And Kindred thou hast here saluted thee?
Were not the Seats made bare upon thy entrance?
Riss' not the Consular Men, and left their places
So soon as thou sat'st down? and fled thy side,
Like to a Plague or Ruine? Knowing how oft
They had been by thee mark'd out for the Shambles?
How dost thou hear this? Surely, if my Slaves
At home fear'd me with half th' affright and horror,
That here thy Fellow-Citizens do thee,
I should soon quit my House, and think it need too.
Yet thou dar'st tarry here? Go forth at last,

Condemn thy self to flight and solitude.
Discharge the Commonwealth of her deep Fear.
Go; into banishment, if thou wait'st the word.
Why dost thou look? They all consent unto it.
Dost thou expect th' Authority of their Voices,
Whose silent wills condemn thee? While they sit,
They approve it; while they suffer it, they decree it;
And while they are silent to it, they proclaim it.
Prove thou there honest, I'le endure the Envy.
But there's no thought thou shouldst be ever he,
Whom either shame should call from filthiness,
Terror from danger, or discourse from Fury.
Go; I intreat thee: yet why do I so?
When I already know they're sent afore,
That tarry for thee'in Arms, and do expect thee
On th' Aurelian way. I know the day
Set down 'twixt thee and Manlius; unto whom
The Silver Eagle too is sent before:
Which I do hope shall prove to thee as baneful
As thou conceiv'st it to the Commonwealth.
But may this wise and sacred Senate say,
What mean'st thou Marcus Tullius? If thou know'st
That Catiline be look'd for, to be chief
Of an intestine War; that he 'is the Author
Of such a wickedness; the caller out
Of men of mark in mischief, to an action
Of so much Horror; Prince of such a Treason;
Why dost thou send him forth? why let him scape?
This is to give him Liberty and Power:
Rather thou should'st lay hold upon him, send him
To deserv'd death, and a just punishment.
To these so holy Voices thus I answer.
If I did think it timely, Conscript Fathers,
To punish him with death, I would not give
The Fencer use of one short Hour to breathe;
But when there are in this grave Order some,
Who with soft Censures still do nurse his Hopes;
Some that with not believing have confirm'd
His Designs more, and whose Authority
The weaker, as the worst Men too have follow'd:
I would now send him where they all should see
Clear as the Light, his Heart shine; where no man
Could be so wickedly, or fondly stupid,
But should cry out, he saw, touch'd, felt and graspt it.
Then, when he hath run out himself; led forth
His desp'rate party with him; blown together
Aids of all kinds, both shipwrack'd Minds and Fortunes:
Not only the grown Evil that now is sprung
And sprouted forth, would be pluck'd up and weeded;
But the Stock, Root, and Seed of all the Mischiefs,
Choaking the Commonwealth. Where should we take
Of such a swarm of Traitors only him,
Our Cares and Fears might seem a while reliev'd,
But the main peril would bide still inclos'd
Deep in the Veins and Bowels of the State.
As Humane Bodies labouring with Fevers,
VVhile they are tost with heat, if they do take
Cold water, seem for that short space much eas'd,
But afterward are ten times more afflicted.
VVherefore, I say, let all this wicked Crew
Depart, divide themselves from good Men, gather
Their Forces to one Head; as I said oft,
Let 'em be sever'd from us with a wall;
Let 'em leave off attempts upon the Consul
In his own House; to circle in the Prætor;
To girt the Court with weapons; to prepare
Fire and Balls, Swords, Torches, Sulphur, Brands:
In short, let it be writ in each Man's Forehead
VVhat thoughts he bears the Publick. I here promise,
Fathers Conscript, to you, and to my self,
That Diligence in us Consuls, for my Honour'd
Colleague abroad, and for my self at home;
So great Authority in you; so much
Vertue in these the Gentlemen of Rome;

VVhom I could scarce restrain to day, in Zeal,
From seeking out the Parricide to slaughter;
So much consent in all good Men and Minds,
As on the going out of this one Catiline,
All shall be clear, made plain, oppress'd, reveng'd.
And with this Omen go, pernicious Plague,
Out of the City, to the wish'd Destruction
Of thee and those that, to the Ruine of her,
Have tane that bloody and black Sacrament.
Thou Jupiter, whom we do call the Stayer
Both of this City and this Empire, wilt
(VVith the same Auspice thou didst raise it first)
Drive from thy Altars, and all other Temples,
And Buildings of this City; from our VValls,
Lives, States and Fortunes of our Citizens,
This Fiend, this Fury, with his Complices.
And all th' offence of good Men (these known Traytors
Unto their Countrey, Thieves of Italy,
Joyn'd in so damn'd a League of Mischief) thou
VVilt with perpetual Plagues, alive and dead,
Punish for Rome, and save her innocent Head.

Cati.
If an Oration, or high Language, Fathers,
Could make me guilty, here is one hath done it:
H' has strove to emulate this Mornings Thunder,
VVith his prodigious Rhetorick. But I hope
This Senate is more grave than to give credit
Rashly to all the Vomits, 'gainst a Man
Of your own Order; a Patrician;
And one whose Ancestors have more deserv'd
Of Rome than this Man's Eloquence could utter,
Turn'd the best way: as still it is the worst.

Cato.
His Eloquence hath more deserv'd to day,
Speaking thy Ill, than all thy Ancestors
Did in their good: and that the State will find,
Which he hath sav'd.

Cati.
How, he? were I that Enemy
That he would make me: I'ld not wish the State
More wretched than to need his preservation.
What do you make him, Cato, such a Hercules?
An Atlas? a poor petty Inmate!

Cato.
Traytor.

Cati.
He save the State? A Burgess Son of Arpinum.
The Gods would rather twenty Romes should perish,
Than have that Contumely stuck upon 'em,
That he should share with them in the preserving
A Shed or Sign-post.

Cato.
Peace, thou Prodigy.

Cati.
They would be forc'd themselves again, and lost
In the first rude and indigested heap;
E're such a wretthed Name as Cicero
Should sound with theirs.

Catu.
Away, thou impudent Head.

Cati.
Do you all back him? are you silent too?

[He turns sud-

Well, I will leave you, Fathers, I will go.

denly on Cicero.

But — my fine dainty Speaker ——
Cic.
What now, Fury?
Wilt thou assault me here?

(Chor.
Help, aid the Consul.)

Cati.
See, Fathers, laugh you not? who threatned him?
In vain thou dost conceive, ambitious Orator,
Hope of so brave a Death as by this Hand.

(Cato.
Out of the Court with the pernicious traytor.)

Cati.
There is no Title that this flattering Senate,
Nor Honour the base Multitude can give thee,
Shall make thee worthy Catiline's Anger.

(Cato.
Stop,
Stop that portentous Mouth.)

Cati.
Or when it shall
I'll look thee dead.

Cato.
Will none restrain the Monster?

Catu.
Parricide.

Qui.
Butcher, Traytor, leave the Senate.

Cati.
I' am gone, to banishment, to please you, Fathers.
Thrust head-long forth?

Cato.
Still dost thou murmur, Monster?

Cati.
Since I am thus put out, and made a —

Cic.
VVhat?

Catu.
Not guiltier than thou art.

Cati.
I will not burn
VVithout my Funeral Pile.

Cato.
VVhat says the Fiend?

Cati.
I will have matter, Timber.

Cato.
Sing out, Scriech-owl.

Cati.
It shall be in ——

Catu.
Speak thy imperfect Thoughts.

Cati.
The common Fire, rather than mine own.
For fall I will with all, e're fall alone.

Cra.
He's lost, there is no hope of him.

Cæs. Unless
He presently take Arms; and give a blow,
Before the Consuls forces can be levi'd.

Cic.
VVhat is your pleasure, Fathers, shall be done?

Catu.
See, that the Commonwealth receive no loss.

Cato.
Commit the care thereof unto the Consuls.

Cra.
'Tis time.

Cæs.
And need.

Cic.
Thanks to this frequent Senate.
But what decree they unto Curius,
And Fulvia?

Catu.
VVhat the Consul shall think meet.

Cic.
They must receive reward, though't be not known;
Lest when a State needs Ministers, they ha' none.

Cato.
Yet Marcus Tullius do not I believe,
But Crassus and this Cæsar here ring hollow.

Cic.
And would appear so, if that we durst prove 'em.

Cato.
VVhy dare we not? VVhat honest act is that,
The Roman Senate should not dare and do?

Cic.
Not an unprofitable dangerous Act,
To stir too many Serpents up at once.
Cæsar and Crassus, if they be ill Men,
Are mighty ones; and we must so provide,
That while we take one Head from this foul Hydra,
There spring not twenty more.

Cato.
I'prove your Counsel.

Cic.
They shall be watch'd and look'd too. Till they do
Declare themselves, I will not put 'em out
By any question. There they stand. I'll make
My self no Enemies, nor the State no Traytors.

Catiline, Lentulus, Cethegus, Curius, Gabinius, Longinus,
Statilius.

FAlse to our selves? All our design's discover'd
To this State-cat?

Cet.
I, had I had my way,
He had mew'd in Flames at home, not i' the Senate:
I had sing'd his Furs by this time.

Cat.
Well there's now
No time of calling back, or standing still.
Friends be you selves; keep the same Roman Hearts
And ready Minds you had yester-night. Prepare
To execute what we resolv'd. And let not
Labour, or danger, or discovery fright you.
I'll to the Army: you (the while) mature
Things here at home. Draw to you any Aids
That you think fit, of Men of all Conditions,
Of any Fortunes that may help a War.
I'll bleed a Life, or win an Empire for you.
Within these few days look to see my Ensigns
Here at the VValls: Be you but firm within.
Mean time, to draw an envy on the Consul,
And give a less suspicion of our Course,
Let it be given out here in the City,
That I am gone an innocent Man to exile
Into Massilia, willing to give way
To Fortune and the Times; being unable
To stand so great Faction, without troubling
The Commonwealth: whose peace I rather seek,
Than all the glory of Contention,
Or the support of mine own Innocence.
Farewel the noble Lentulus, Longinus,
Curius, the rest; and thou my better Genius,
The brave Cethegus: when we meet again,
VVe'll sacrifice to Liberty.

Cet.
And Revenge.
That we may praise our hands once.

Len.
O you Fates,
Give Fortune now her Eyes, to see with whom

She goes along, that she may ne're forsake him.

Cur.
He needs not her nor them. Go but on, Sergius.
A valiant Man is his own Fate and Fortune.

Lon.
The Fate and Fortune of us all go with him.

Gab. Sta.
And ever guard him.

Cat.
I am all your Creature.

Len.
Now Friends 'tis left with us. I have already
Dealt by Umbrenus wlth the Allobroges,
Here resiant in Rome; whose State I hear,
Is discontent with the great Usuries
They are oppres'd with: and have made Complaints
Divers unto the Senate, but all vain.
These Men I have thought (both for their own Oppressions,
As also that by Nature, they are a People
Warlike and fierce, still watching after change,
And now in present hatred with our State)
The fittest, and the easiest to be drawn
To our Society, and to aid the War.
The rather for their Seat; being next Bord'rers
On Italy; and that they abound with Horse:
Of which one want our Camp doth only labour.
And I have found 'em coming. They will meet
Soon at Sempronia's House, where I would pray you
All to be present, to confirm 'em more.
The sight of such Spirits hurt not, nor the Store.

Gab.
I will not fail.

Sta.
Nor I.

Cur.
Nor I.

Cet.
Would I
Had somewhat by my self apart to do.
I ha' no Genius to these many Counsels.
Let me kill all the Senate for my share,
I'll do it at next sitting.

Len.
Worthy Caius,
Your presence will add much.

Cet.
I shall mar more.

Cicero, Sanga, Allobroges.

THe State's beholden unto you, Fabius Sanga,
For this great care. And those Allobroges
Are more than wretched, if they lend a listning
To such perswasion.

San.
They, most worthy Consul,
As Men employ'd here, from a grieved State,
Groaning beneath a multitude of Wrongs,
And being told, there was small hope of ease
To be expected to their Evils from hence,
Were willing at the first to give an ear
To any thing that sounded Liberty:
But since, on better Thoughts, and my urg'd Reasons,
They are come about, and won to the true side.
The Fortune of the Common-wealth hath conquer'd.

Cic.
What is that same Umbrenus was the Agent?

San.
One that hath had negotiation
In Gallia oft, and known unto their State.

Cic.
Are th' Ambassadors come with you?

San.
Yes.

Cic.
Well, bring 'em in, if they be firm and honest,
Never had Men the means so to deserve
Of Rome as they. A happy wish'd occasion,
And thrust into my hands for the discovery,
And manifest Conviction of these Traytors.
Be thank'd, O Jupiter. My worthy Lords,
Confederates of the Senate, you are welcom.
I understand by Quintius Fabius Sanga,
Your careful Patron here, you have been lately
Sollicited against the Common-wealth
By one Umbrenus (take a seat I pray you)
From Publius Lentulus, to be Associates
In their intended War. I could advise,
That Men whose Fortunes are yet flourishing,
And are Romes Friends, would not without a Cause
Become her Enemies; and mix themselves
And their Estates, with the lost hopes of Catiline,
Or Lentulus, whose meer despair doth arm 'em:
That were to hazard Certainties for Air,
And undergo all danger for a Voice.
Believe me Friends, loud Tumults are not laid
With half the easiness, that they are rais'd.

All may begin a War, but few can end it.
The Senate have decreed, that my Colleague
Shall lead their Army against Catiline,
And have declar'd both him and Manlius Traytors.
Metellus Celer hath already given
Part of their Troops defeat. Honours are promis'd
To all will quit 'em; and Rewards propos'd
Even to Slaves that can detect their Courses.
Here in the City, I have by the Prætors
And Tribunes, plac'd my Guards and Watches so,
That not a Foot can tread, a Breath can whisper,
But I have knowledge. And be sure, the Senate
And People of Rome, of their accustom'd Greatness,
Will sharply and severely vindicate,
Not only any Fact, but any Practice
Or Purpose 'gainst the State. Therefore my Lords,
Consult of your own ways, and think which hand
Is best to take. You now are present Suitors
For some redress of wrongs; I'll undertake
Not only that shall be assur'd you: but
What Grace, or Priviledge else, Senate or People,
Can cast upou you worthy such a Service,
As you have now the way and means to do 'em,
If but your Wills consent with my Designs.

All.
We covet nothing more, most worthy Consul.
And how so e're we have been tempted lately
To a defection, that not makes us guilty:
We are not yet so wretched in our Fortunes,
Nor in our Wills so lost, as to abandon
A friendship prodigally of that price,
As is the Senate, and the People of Romes,
For hopes that do precipitate themselves.

Cic.
You then are wise and honest. Do but this then:
(When shall you speak with Lentulus and the rest?

All.
We are to meet anon at Brutus House.

Cic.
Who? Decius Brutus? He is not in Rome.

San.
O, but his Wife Sempronia.

Cic.
You instruct me,
She is a chief.) Well, fail not you to meet 'em,
And to express the best Affection
You can put on, to all that they intend.
Like it, applaud it, give the Commonwealth
And Senate lost to 'em. Promise any Aids
By Arms or Counsel. What they can desire
I would have you prevent. Only say this,
You have had dispatch in private by the Consul,
Of your Affairs, and for the many fears
The State's now in, you are will'd by him this Evening,
To depart Rome: which you by all sought means
Will do, of reason to decline suspicion.
Now for the more Authority of the business
They 'have trusted to you, and to give it Credit
With your own State at home, you would desire
Their Letters to your Senate and your People,
Which shewn, you durst engage both Life and Honour,
The rest should every way answer their hopes.
Those had, pretend sudden departure, you,
And as you give me notice at what Port
You will go out, I'll ha' you intercepted,
And all the Letters taken with you: So
As you shall be Redeem'd in all Opinions,
And they convicted of their manifest Treason.
Ill Deeds are well turn'd back upon their Authors:
And 'gainst an Injurer, the Revenge is just.
This must be done now. and firmly.
We'are they would rather haste to undertake it,
Than stay to say so.

Cic.
With that confidence, go:
Make your selves happy, while you make Rome so.
By Sanga, let me have notice from you.

All.
Yes.

Sempronia, Lentulus, Cethegus, Gabinius, Statilius, Longi-
nus, Volturtius, Allobroges.

WHen come these Creatures, the Ambassadors?
I would fain see 'me. Are they any Scholars?

Len.
I think not, Madam.

Sem.
Ha' they no Greek?

Len.
No surely.

Sem.
Fie, what do I here? waiting on 'em then,
If they be nothing but meer States-men?

Len.
Yes,
Your Ladiship shall observe their Gravity,
And their Reservedness, their many Cautions,
Fitting their Persons.

Sem.
I do wonder much,
That States and Common-wealths employ not Women
To be Ambassadors, sometimes! we should
Do as good publick Service, and could make
As honourable Spies (for so Thucidides
Calls all Ambassadors.) Are they come, Cethegus?

Cet.
Do you ask me? Am I your Scout or Bawd?

Len. O, Caius, it is no such business.

Cet.
No?
What does a Woman at it then?

Sem.
Good Sir,
There are of us can be as exquisite Traytors,
As e're a Male-conspirator of you all.

Cet.
I, at Smock-treason, Matron, I believe you;
And if I were your Husband; but when I
Trust to your Cob-web-bosoms any other,
Let me there dye a Fly, and feast you, Spider.

Len.
You are too sowre, and harsh, Cethegus.

Cet.
You
Are kind and courtly. I'ld be torn in peices,
With wild Hippolytus, nay prove the death
Every Limb over, e're I'ld trust a Woman
With wind, could I retain it.

Sem.
Sir, they'll be trusted
With as good Secrets yet as you have any:
And carry 'em too as close and as conceal'd,
As you shall for your Heart.

Cet.
I'll not contend with you
Either in Tongue, or Carriage, good Calipso:

Lon.
Th' Ambassadors are come.

Cet.
Thanks to thee Mercury,
That so hast rescu'd me.

Len.
How now, Volturtius?

Vol.
They do desire some speech with you in private.

Len.
O! 'tis about the Prophesie belike,
And promise of the Sibylls.

Gab.
It may be.

Sem.
Shun they to treat with me too?

Gab.
No good Lady,
You may partake: I have told 'em who you are.

Sem.
I should be loth to be left out, and here too.

Cet.
Can these or such be any aids to us?
Look they, as they were built to shake the World,
Or be a moment to our Enterprise?
A thousand such as they are could uot make
One Attom of our Souls. They should be Men
Worth Heavens fear, that looking up but thus
Would make Jove stand upon his Guard, and draw
Himself within his Thunder; which amaz'd,
He should discharge in vain, and they unhurt.
Or if they were like Capaneus at Thebes,
They should hang dead upon the highest Spires,
And ask the second Bolt to be thrown down.
VVhy Lentulus talk you so long? This time
Had been enough, t' have scatter'd all the Stars,
T' have quench'd the Sun and Moon, and made the World
Despair of day, or any light but ours.

Len.
How do you like this Spirit? In such Men
Mankind doth live. They are such Souls as these
That move the VVorld.

Sem.
I, though he bear me hard,
I yet must do him right. He is a Spirit
Of the right Martian breed.

All.
He is a Mars!
VVould we had time to live here and admire him.

Len.
VVell, I do see you would prevent the Consul.
And I commend your care: It was but reason,
To ask our Letters, and we had prepar'd them.

Go in, and we will take an Oath, and seal 'em.
You shall have Letters too to Catiline,
To visit him i' the way, and to confirm
The Association. This our Friend, Volturtius,
Shall go along with you. Tell our great General
That we are ready here; that Lucius Bestia
The Tribune is provideded of a Speech,
To lay the envy of the War upon Cicero;
That all but long for his approach and Person;
And then you are made Free-men as our selves.

Cicero, Flaccus, Pomtinius, Sanga.

I Cannot fear the War but to succeed well,
Both for the honour of the Cause, and worth
Of him that doth Command. For my Colleague,
Being so ill affected with the Gout,
Will not be able to be there in Person;
And then Petreius, his Lieutenant, must
Of need take charge o' the Army; who is much
The better Soldier, having been a Tribune,
Prefect, Lieutenant, Prætor in the War
These Thirty years, so conversant i' the Army,
As he knows all the Soldiers by their Names.

Fla.
They'll fight then bravely with him.

Pom.
I, and he
Will lead 'em on as bravely.

Cic.
They' have a Foe
Will ask their Braveries, whose necessities
Will arm him like a Fury. But however
I'll trust it to the Manage and the Fortune
Of good Petreius, who's a worthy Patriot:
Metellus Celer, with three Legions too,
Will stop their course for Gallia. How now Fabius?

San.
The Train hath taken. You must instantly
Dispose your Guards upon the Milvian Bridge:
For by that way they mean to come.

Cic.
Then thither
Pomtinius and Flaccus, I must pray you
To lead that force you have; and seize them all:
Let not a Person scape. Th' Ambassadors
Will yield themselves. If there be any tumult,
I'll send you aid. I, in mean time, will call
Lentulus to me, Gabinius and Cethegus,
Statilius, Ceparius, and all these,
By several Messengers: who no doubt will come
Without sense or suspicion. Prodigal Men
Feel not their own stock wasting. When I have 'em,
I'll place those Guards upon 'em, that they start not.

San.
But what'll you do with Sempronia?

Cic.
A States anger
Should not take knowledge either of Fools or Women.
I do not know whether my joy or care
Ought to be greater, that I have discover'd
So foul a Treason, or must undergo
The envy of so many great Mens fate.
But happen what there can, I will be just,
My Fortune may forsake me, not my Vertue:
That shall go with me, and before me still,
And glad me doing well, though I hear ill.

Prætors, Allobroges, Volturtius.

FLa. Stand, who goes there?

All.
We are th'Allobroges,
And Friends of Rome.

Pom.
If you be so, then yield
Your selves unto the Prætors, who in name
Of the whole Senate and the People of Rome,
Yet, till you clear your selves, charge you of Practise
Against the State.

Vol.
Dye Friends, and be not taken.

Fla.
What Voice is that? Down with 'em all.

All.
We yield.

Pom.
What's he stands out? Kill him there.

Vol.
Hold, hold, hold.
I yield upon Conditions.

Fla.
We give none
To Traitors, strike him down.

Vol.
My name's Volturtius,

I know Pomtinius.

Pom.
But he knows not you,
While you stand out upon these trayterous Terms.

Vol.
I'll yield upon the safety of my Life.

Pom.
If it be forfeited, we cannot save it.

Vol.
Promise to do your best. I am not so guilty
As many others I can name; and will,
If you will grant me favour.

Pom.
All we can
Is to deliver you to the Consul. Take him,
And thank the Gods that thus have saved Rome.

C H O R U S.

NOw do our Ears before our Eyes,
Like men in Mists,
Discover who'ld the State surprise,
And who resists?
And as these Clouds do yield to light,
Now do we see
Our Thoughts of things, how they did fight,
Which seem'd t'agree?
Of what strange Pieces are we made,
Who nothing know;
But as new Airs our Ears invade,
Still censure so?
That now do hope, and now do fear,
And now envy;
And then do hate, and then love dear,
But know not why:
Or if we do, it is so late,
As our best mood,
Though true, is then thought out of date,
And empty of good.
How have we chang'd and come about
In every doome,
Since wicked Catiline went out,
And quitted Rome?
One while we thought him innocent;
And then w' accus'd
The Consul, for his malice spent,
And power abus'd.
Since that, we hear he is in Arms,
We think not so:
Yet charge the Consul with our harms,
That let him go.
So in our censure of the State,
We still do wander;
And make the careful Magistrate
The mark of slander.
What Age is this, where honest Men,
Plac'd at the Helm,
A Sea of some foul Mouth or Pen,
Shall over-whelm?
And call their diligence deceit;
Their vertue vice;
Their watchfulness but lying in wait;
And Blood the price.
O, let us pluck this evil Seed
Out of our Spirits;
And give to every noble Deed
The name it merits.
Lest we seem faln (if this endures)
Into those times,
To love Disease; and brook the Cures
Worse than the Crimes.