'Twas moonset at starting; but while we drew near Lokeren, the cocks crew and twilight dawned clear; At Boom, a great yellow star came out to see; At Duffeld 'twas morning as plain as could be; And from Mechlen church-steeple we heard the halfchime So Joris broke silence with "Yet there is time!" At Aerschot, up leaped of a sudden the sun, And his low head and crest, just one sharp ear bent back For my voice, and the other pricked out on his track; And one eye's black intelligence,-ever that glance O'er its white edge at me, his own master, askance; And the thick heavy spume-flakes, which aye and anon His fierce lips shook upward in galloping on. By Hasselt Dirck groaned; and cried Joris, "Stay spur! Your Roos galloped bravely, the fault's not in her; wheeze Of her chest, saw the stretched neck, and staggering knees, And sunk tail, and horrible heave of the flank, As down on her haunches she shuddered and sank. So we were left galloping Joris and I, Past Looz and past Tongres, no cloud in the sky; 'Neath our feet broke the brittle, bright stubble like chaff; Till over by Dalhem a dome-spire sprang white, And "Gallop!" gasped Joris, "for Aix is in sight! "How they'll greet us!"—and all in a moment his roan Rolled neck and croup over, lay dead as a stone; And there was my Roland to bear the whole weight Then I cast loose my buff-coat, each holster let fall, Called my Roland his pet-name, my horse without peer; Clapped my hands, laughed and sang, any noise, bad or good, Till at length into Aix Roland galloped and stood. And all I remember is friends flocking round, As I sate with his head 'twixt my knees on the ground; SCENE FROM CATILINE. (CROLY.) [In the Senate.] Cicero. Our long dispute must close. Take one proof more Of this rebellion.-Lucius Catiline Has been commanded to attend the senate. He dares not come. I now demand your votes!— [CATILINE comes in hastily, and flings himself on the bench; all the senators go over to the other side. Cicero. [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. rising calmly.] Conscript fathers! But here I stand for right-let him show proofs— Cat. But this I will avow, that I have scorned, To fling your offices to every slave; Vipers that creep where man disdains to climb; 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. [A cry is heard without—" More prisoners!" An officer enters with letters for CICERO; who, after glancing at them, sends them round the Senate. CATILINE is strongly perturbed. Cic. Fathers of Rome! If man can be convinced The time By proof, as clear as daylight, here it is! Cat. [haughtily rising.] Come, consecrated lictors, from your thrones: [To the Senate. Fling down your sceptres:-take the rod and axe, And make the murder as you make the law. Cic. [interrupting him.] Give up the record of his [To an officer. [The officer gives it to the CONSUL.] Cat. Banished from Rome! What's banished, but banishment. set free From daily contact of the things I loathe? "Tried and convicted traitor!" Who says this? Who'll prove it, at his peril, on my head? Banished-I thank you for 't. It breaks my chain! But now my sword's my own. Smile on, my lords! To leave you in your lazy dignities. But here I stand and scoff you: here I fling Your Consul's merciful. For this, all thanks. [The 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." The Consul. Lictors, drive the traitor from the temple! Cat. [furious.] "Traitor!" I go-but I return. This trial! Here I devote your Senate! I've had wrongs To stir a fever in the blood of age, Or make the infant's sinews strong as steel, This day's the birth of sorrows!-this hour's work Will breed proscriptions:-look to your hearths, my lords! For there, henceforth, shall sit, for household gods, [The Senators rise in tumult and cry out, Go, enemy and parricide, from Rome! Cic. Expel him, lictors! Clear the Senate-house! [They surround him. Cat. [struggling through them]. I go, but not to leap the gulf alone. I go-but when I come, 'Twill be the burst Of ocean in the earthquake-rolling back In swift and mountainous ruin. Fare you well! You build my funeral-pile, but your best blood Shall quench its flame. Back, slaves! [To the lictors.] -I will return! [He rushes out.] THE END. |