Catiline by Henrik Ibsen--Delphi Classics (Illustrated) by Henrik Ibsen

Author:Henrik Ibsen [IBSEN, HENRIK]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Parts Edition 1 of 29 by Delphi Classics
Publisher: Delphi Classics (Parts Edition)
Published: 2017-08-23T00:00:00+00:00

THIRD ACT

[CATILINE’s camp in a wooded field in Etruria. To the right is seen CATILINE’s tent and close by it an old oak tree. A camp fire is burning outside the tent; similar fires are to be seen among the trees in the background. It is night. At intervals the moon breaks through the clouds.]

[STATILIUS lies stretched out asleep by the camp fire.

MANLIUS paces back and forth in front of the tent.]

MANLIUS. Such is the way of young and buoyant souls.

They slumber on as peaceful and secure

As though embosomed in their mothers’ arms,

Instead of in a forest wilderness.

They rest as though they dream some merry game

Were held in store for them when they awake,

Instead of battle, — the last one, perchance,

That will be theirs to fight.

STATILIUS. [Awakes and rises.] Still standing guard?

You must be weary? I’ll relieve you now.

MANLIUS. Go rest yourself instead. Youth needs his sleep;

His untamed passions tax his native strength.

‘Tis otherwise when once the hair turns gray,

When in our veins the blood flows lazily,

And age weighs heavily upon our shoulders.

STATILIUS. Yes, you are right. Thus I too shall in time,

An old and hardened warrior —

MANLIUS. Are you sure

The fates decreed you such a destiny?

STATILIUS. And pray, why not? Why all these apprehensions?

Has some misfortune chanced?

MANLIUS. You think no doubt

That we have naught to fear, foolhardy youth?

STATILIUS. Our troops are strongly reenforced —

MANLIUS. Indeed, —

With fugitive slaves and gladiators —

STATILIUS. Well, —

Grant that they are; together they may prove

No little aid, and all the tribes of Gaul

Will send us help —

MANLIUS. — Which has not yet arrived.

STATILIUS. You doubt that the Allobroges will keep

Their promised word?

MANLIUS. I know these people well

From days gone by. However, let that pass.

The day that dawns will doubtless bring to light

What destinies the gods have set for us.

MANLIUS. But go the rounds, my friend, and ascertain

If all the guards perform their proper tasks.

For we must fend against a night attack;

We know not where the enemy makes his stand.

[STATILIUS goes into the forest.]

MANLIUS. [Alone by the camp fire.]

The clouds begin to gather thick and fast;

It is a dark and storm-presaging night; —

A misty fog hangs heavy on my breast,

As though foreboding mishap to us all.

Where is it now, that easy carefree spirit

With which in former times I went to war?

Ah, can it be the weight of years alone

That now I feel? Strange — strange, indeed, — last night

Even the young seemed sorely out of heart.

MANLIUS. [After a pause.]

The gods shall know revenge was not the aim

For which I joined and followed Catiline.

My wrath flared up within me for a space

When first I felt I had been wronged, insulted; —

The old blood is not yet entirely cold;

Now and again it courses warmly through my veins.

But the humiliation is forgotten.

I followed Catiline for his own sake;

And I shall watch o’er him with zealous care.

Here stands he all alone amidst these hosts

Of paltry knaves and dissolute companions.

They cannot comprehend him, — he in turn

Is far too proud to wish to fathom them.

[He throws some branches on the fire and remains standing in silence.

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