CATILINE. [In bitter grief.] Now have you killed my faith in sacred friendship!

CURIUS. Oh, send the dagger home, and torture me No longer with forbearance—!

CATILINE. [Kindly.] Live, my Curius! Arise! You erred;—but I forgive you all.

CURIUS. [Overcome.] O Catiline, my heart is crushed with grief—! But hasten; flee! There is no time to tarry. Soon will the Roman troops invade your camp; They're under way; on every side they come.

CATILINE. Our comrades in the city—?

CURIUS. They are captured;— Some were imprisoned, most of them were killed!

CATILINE. [To himself.] What fate—what fate!

CURIUS. [Again holds out the dagger to him.] Then plunge it in my heart!

CATILINE. [Looks at him calmly.] No, you were but a tool. You acted well—

CURIUS. Oh, let me die and expiate my sin!