Early Plays | Page 6

should have been untried, and if I look back upon what I have lived through I do so with thanks for everything and thanks to all.
HENRIK IBSEN.
_Dresden, February, 1875._
* * * * *
DRAMATIS PERSON?
LUCIUS CATILINE A noble Roman.
AURELIA His wife.
FURIA A vestal.
CURIUS A youth related to Catiline.
MANLIUS An old warrior.
LENTULUS Young and noble Roman.
GABINIUS " " " "
STATILIUS " " " "
COEPARIUS " " " "
CETHEGUS " " " "
AMBIORIX Ambassador of the Allobroges.
OLLOVICO " " " "
An old MAN.
PRIESTESSES and SERVANTS in the Temple of Vesta.
GLADIATORS and WARRIORS.
ESCORT of the Allobroges.
Sulla's GHOST.
* * * * *
SETTING
The first and second acts are laid in and near Rome, the third act in Etruria.
* * * * *

FIRST ACT
[The Flaminian Way outside of Rome. Off the road a wooded hillside. In the background loom the walls and the heights of the city. It is evening.]
[CATILINE stands on the hill among the bushes, leaning against a tree.]
CATILINE. I must! I must! A voice deep in my soul Urges me on,--and I will heed its call. Courage I have and strength for something better, Something far nobler than this present life,-- A series of unbridled dissipations--! No, no; they do not satisfy the yearning soul.
CATILINE. I rave and rave,--long only to forget. 'Tis past now,--all is past! Life has no aim.
CATILINE. [After a pause.] And what became of all my youthful dreams? Like flitting summer clouds they disappeared, Left naught behind but sorrow and remorse;-- Each daring hope in turn fate robbed me of.
[He strikes his forehead.]
CATILINE. Despise yourself! Catiline, scorn yourself! You feel exalted powers in your soul;-- And yet what is the goal of all your struggle? The surfeiting of sensual desires.
CATILINE. [More calmly.] But there are times, such as the present hour, When secret longings kindle in my breast. Ah, when I gaze on yonder city, Rome, The proud, the rich,--and when I see that ruin And wretchedness to which it now is sunk Loom up before me like the flaming sun,-- Then loudly calls a voice within my soul: Up, Catiline;--awake and be a man!
CATILINE. [Abruptly.] Ah, these are but delusions of the night, Mere dreaming phantoms born of solitude. At the slightest sound from grim reality,-- They flee into the silent depths within.
[The ambassadors of the Allobroges, AMBIORIX and OLLOVICO, with their Escort, come down the highway without noticing CATILINE.]
AMBIORIX. Behold our journey's end! The walls of Rome! To heaven aspires the lofty Capitol.
OLLOVICO. So that is Rome? Italy's overlord, Germany's soon,--and Gaul's as well, perchance.
AMBIORIX. Ah, yes, alas;--so it may prove betimes; The sovereign power of Rome is merciless; It crushes all it conquers, down to earth. Now shall we see what lot we may expect: If here be help against the wrongs at home, And peace and justice for our native land.
OLLOVICO. It will be granted us.
AMBIORIX. So let us hope; For we know nothing yet with certainty.
OLLOVICO. You fear somewhat, it seems?
AMBIORIX. And with good reason. Jealous was ever Rome of her great power. And bear in mind, this proud and haughty realm Is not by chieftains ruled, as is our land. At home the wise man or the warrior reigns,-- The first in wisdom and in war the foremost; Him choose we as the leader of our people, As arbiter and ruler of our tribe. But here--
CATILINE. [Calls down to them.] --Here might and selfishness hold sway;-- Intrigue and craft are here the keys to power.
OLLOVICO. Woe to us, brethren, woe! He spies upon us.
AMBIORIX. [To CATILINE.] Is such the practice of the high-born Roman? A woman's trick we hold it in our nation.
CATILINE. [comes down on the road.] Ah, have no fear;--spying is not my business; By chance it was I heard your conversation.-- Come you from Allobrogia far away? Justice you think to find in Rome? Ah, never! Turn home again! Here tyranny holds sway, And rank injustice lords it more than ever. Republic to be sure it is in name; And yet all men are slaves who cringe and cower, Vassals involved in debt, who must acclaim A venal senate--ruled by greed and power. Gone is the social consciousness of old, The magnanimity of former ages;-- Security and life are favors sold, Which must be bargained for with hire and wages. Not righteousness, but power here holds sway; The noble man is lost among the gilded--
AMBIORIX. But say,--who then are you to tear away The pillars of the hope on which we builded?
CATILINE. A man who burns in freedom's holy zeal; An enemy of all unrighteous power; Friend of the helpless trodden under heel,-- Eager to hurl the mighty from their tower.
AMBIORIX. The noble race of Rome--? Ah, Roman, speak-- Since we are strangers here you would deceive us? Is Rome no more the guardian of the weak, The dread of tyrants,--ready