188.-SCENE FROM RIENZI. Rienzi, Colonna, Ursini, Frangipani, Cafarello, Angelo, Savelli, the Nuncio, Ambassador, Nobles. Rie. WHY, this Is well, my lords, this full assemblage. Now I should have ask'd thy blessing. I have sent Thy fairest daughter. Angelo, Colonna, Rome lack'd half her state Wanting her princely columns. Col. Sir, I come A suitor to thee. Martin Ursini Rie. When last his name was on thy lips Well, sir, Thy suit, thy suit! If pardon, take at once Ang. Yet, mercy— Rie. Angelo, Waste not thy pleadings on a desperate cause She awaits thee. Haste to that fairer court. And a resolved spirit. My lord Colonna, This is a needful justice. Col. Noble Tribune, It is a crime which custom Rie. Ay, the law (Exit Angelo.) Of the strong against the weak-your law, the law Of the sword and spear. Under the good estate. Sav. He is a noble. Rie. Therefore, But, gentles, ye lie now (Crossing to the centre.) A thousand times he dies. Ye are noble, sirs, And need a warning. Col. Sick, almost to death. Rie. Ye have less cause to grieve. Rie. Ay, Madonna Laura is a blooming dame, And will become her weeds. Caf. Remember, Tribune, He hath two uncles, cardinals. Wouldst outrage Rie. The lord cardinals, Meek, pious, lowly men, and loving virtue, So flagrant from their name. Col. An Ursini ! Head of the Ursini! Urs. Mine only brother! Rie. And darest talk thou to me of brothers? Thou, Had open trial, is guilty, is condemn'd-- Col. Yet listen to us! Rie. Lords, If ye could range before me all the peers, For some vile petty theft, some paltry scudi- There, midst the dangerous coil unmoved, she stood, And those poor innocent babes between the stones Thy son loves my fair daughter. "Tis a union, And now A fair good-morrow. (Exit all but Savelli, Colonna, and Ursini.) Sav Hath stern destiny Clothed him in this man's shape, that in a breath Colonna be ye stunn'd? Col. I'll follow him! Tyrant! usurper! base-born churl! to deem That son of mine Urs. Submit, as I have done, For vengeance. From our grief and shame shall spring A second retribution. The fatal moment Of our disgrace is nigh. Ere evening close, Col. I'll take thy counsel. MITFORD 189.-SCENE FROM CATILINE. Catiline and Aurelius. Aur. WHAT answer's for this pile of bills, As if some demon woke them all at once, These having been crowding on me since the morn. The interest on your bond, ten thousand more. Here, for your Persian horses-your trireme : Aur. It must be now; this day! Or, by to-morrow, we shall have no home. Aur. We are undone ! Cat. Aurelius! All will be well; but hear me-stay-a little : I had intended to consult with you On our departure-from-the city. Aur. (Indignantly and surprised.) Rome! Cat. Even so, Aurelius! even so; we must leave Rome. Aur. Let me look on you; are you Catiline? Cat. I know not what I am,—we must be gone! Aur. Madness! let them take all? Cat. The gods will have it so! Let them have their will. We must endure. Ay, ransack-ruin all; Aur. Before I stir, they shall hew off my Aur. Now hear me, Catiline: hands. This day 'tis three years since there was not in Rome, An eye, however haughty, but would sink When I turn'd on it: when I pass'd the streets Of My chariot-wheel was hung on by a host Cat 'Twas so! 'twas so ! But it is vanish'd—gone. Aur. That day shall come again; or, in its place, One that shall be an era to the world' Cat. What's in your thoughts! Aur. Our high and hurried life Has left us strangers to each other's souls: But now we think alike. You have a sword! Have had a famous name in the legions! Cat. Hush! Aur. Have the walls ears? alas! I wish they had; And tongues too, to bear witness to my oath, And tell it to all Rome. Cat. Would you destroy? Rome's ship is rotten: Has she not cast you out; and would you sink Who'd face the pestilence in his foe's house? Cat. It will not come to this. Aur. (Haughtily.) I'll not be dragg'd, A show to all the city rabble ;-robb'd,— Down to the very mantle on our backs,— A pair of branded beggars! Doubtless Cicero Cat. Cursed be the ground he treads! name him no more. Aur. Doubtless, he'll see us to the city gates; "Twill be the least respect that he can pay To his fall'n rival. With all his lictors shouting, "Room for the noble vagrants; all caps off For Catiline! for him that would be consul." Cat. (Turning away.) Thus to be, like the scorpion ring'd with fire, |