[The sound of arms is heard approaching; he listens.]
CATILINE. They come, they come! Still are there valiant men Among them. Ah, the joyous clang of steel! The merry clash of shields against each other! Anew the fire kindles in my breast; The reckoning is near,—the mighty hour That settles every doubt. I hail the day!
[MANLIUS, STATILIUS, GABINIUS, and many OTHER CONSPIRATORS come through the forest.]
MANLIUS. Here, Catiline, come your friends and comrades true; In camp I spread the alarm, as you commanded—
CATILINE. And have you told them—?
MANLIUS. Yes,—they know our plight.
STATILIUS. We know it well, and we shall follow you With sword in hand to fight for life and death.
CATILINE. I thank you all, my comrades brave in arms! But do not think, my friends, that life or death Is ours to choose;—our only choice is this: Death in heroic battle with the foe, Or death by torture when like savage beasts We shall be hounded down relentlessly. Ah, which do you prefer? To risk in flight A wretched life prolonged in misery, Or like your proud and worthy sires of old To perish nobly on the battlefield?
GABINIUS. We choose to fight and die!
MANY VOICES. Lead us to death!