Early Plays, Henrik Ibsen [best historical fiction books of all time TXT] 📗

twilight settles over everything;

And a night swoops down upon me on her wide-spread wing,

Terrible and dark, unpierced, save by the lightning's flare;

I am in a grave-like dungeon, filled with clammy air.

Lofty is the ceiling and with thunderclouds o'ercast;

Multitudes of shadow forms go racing wildly past,

Whirl around in roaring eddies, as the ocean wave

Draws the raging storm and breaks against a rocky cave.

Yet amid this frenzied tumult children often come,

Decked in flowers, singing of a half-forgotten home.

Soon the darkness round them changes to a vivid glare,--

Dimly in the center I descry a lonely pair;

Ah, two women,--stern the one and gloomy as the night,--

And the other gentle, like the evening in its flight.

How familiar to my eyes the two lone figures seemed!

With her smiling countenance the one upon me beamed;

Like the zigzag lightning flashed the other's piercing eye;

Terror seized my soul,--yet on I gazed in ecstasy.

Proudly upright stands the one, the other leans in weariness

On the solitary table, where they play a game of chess.

Pawns they barter, or they move them now from place to place;--

Then the game is lost and won,--she fades away in space,--

She who radiantly smiled, ah, she who lost the game;

Instantly the bands of children vanish whence they came.

Tumult rises; darkness deepens; but from out the night

Two eyes fix upon me, in a victor's gloating right;

Then my brain reels; I see nothing but those baleful eyes.

But what else I dreamed of in that frenzied slumber lies

Far within me hidden, buried deep beyond recall.

Could I but remember.  Gone forever is it all.

 

MANLIUS.  Remarkable, indeed, my Catiline,

Is this your dream.

 

CATILINE.  [Meditating.]  If I could but remember--

But no; my memory fails me--

 

MANLIUS.  Brood no longer

Upon these thoughts.  For what are dreams, indeed,

But pale chimeras only, darkling visions,

On nothing founded, and by naught explained?

 

CATILINE.  Yes, you are right; I will no longer brood;--

Already I am calm.  But go your way;

You need some rest.  The meanwhile I shall walk

In privacy and meditate my plans.

 

[MANLIUS goes into the forest.]

 

CATILINE.  [Paces for some time back and forth by the

camp fire, which is about to go out; then he stops and

speaks thoughtfully.]  If I could only--.  Ah, it is unmanly

To brood and be distressed by thoughts like these.

And yet,--here in the stillness of the night,

This lonely solitude, again I see

Rising before me life-like all I dreamed.

 

[A SHADOW, attired like an old warrior in armor and toga, stems

to rise from the earth among the trees a short distance from

him.]

 

CATILINE.  [Recoils before THE SHADOW.]

Great powers of heaven--!

 

THE SHADOW.  Greetings, Catiline!

 

CATILINE.  What will you have?  Who are you, pallid shade?

 

THE SHADOW.  One moment!  It is here my right to question,--

And you shall answer.  Do you no longer know

This voice from ages long since passed away?

 

CATILINE.  Methinks I do; yet certain I am not--.

But speak, whom seek you at this midnight hour?

 

THE SHADOW.  'Tis you I seek.  Know that this hour alone

Is granted me as respite here on earth.

 

CATILINE.  By all the gods!  Who are you?  Speak!

 

THE SHADOW.  Be calm!

Hither I come to call you to account.

Why do you envy me the peace of death?

Why do you drive me from my earthy dwelling?

Why do you mar my rest with memories,

That I must seek you, whisper menaces,

To guard the honor I so dearly bought?

 

CATILINE.  Alas! this voice--!  Somehow I seem to know--

 

THE SHADOW.  What is there left of my imperial power?

A shadow like myself; yes, scarcely that.

Both sank into the grave--and came to naught.

'Twas dearly bought; dear, dear was it attained.

For it I sacrificed all peace in life,

And waived all claims to peace beyond the grave.

And now you come and want to wrest from me

With daring hands what little I have left.

Are there not paths enough to noble deeds?

Why must you choose the one that I have chosen?

I gave up everything in life to power;

My name--so dreamed I--should forever stand,

Not beaming like a star with friendly lustre,--

No, like a flash against the midnight sky!

I did not covet fame, the goal of hundreds,

For magnanimity and noble deeds;

Nor admiration;--far too many share

That fate already: so will many more

Until the end of time.  Of blood and horror

I wished to build me my renown and fame.

With silent dread, as on some meteor

That now appears in mystery and is gone

Again,--men should gaze back upon my life,

And look askance on me, whom no one ever,

Before or since then, dared to emulate.

Yes, thus I dreamed and dreamed,--and was deceived.

Why did I not surmise, when you stood near me,

The secret thoughts then growing in your soul.

Yet, Catiline, beware; know that I see

Beyond the veil that hides from you the future.

Written among the stars--I read your fate!

 

CATILINE.  You read my fate?  Expound it then to me!

 

THE SHADOW.  No, first beyond death's gloomy gate

  Shall fade away the mists that hide

  The gruesome and the nobly great,

  Borne ever on by time and tide.

  This from thy book of fate alone

  A liberated soul may tell thee:

  Perish thou shalt by deed thine own,

  And yet a stranger's hand shall fell thee.

 

[THE SHADOW glides away as in a mist.]

 

CATILINE.  [After a pause.]

Ah, he has vanished.  Was it but a dream?

No, no; even here he stood; the moonbeams played

Upon his sallow visage.  Yes, I knew him!

It was the man of blood, the old dictator,

Who sallied from his grave to frighten me.

He feared lest he should lose the victor's crown,--

Not the reward of honor, but the terror

Whereby his memory lives.  Are bloodless shades

Spurred onward also by the thought of glory?

 

[Paces to and fro uneasily.]

 

CATILINE.  All things storm in upon me.  Now Aurelia

In gentle admonition speaks,--and now

In me reechoes Furia's warning cry.

Nay, more than that;--out of the grave appear

The pallid shadows of a by-gone age.

They threaten me.  I should now stop and pause?

I should turn back?  No.  I shall venture on

Unfaltering;--the victory soon is mine!

 

[CURIUS comes through the forest in great agitation.]

 

CURIUS.  O Catiline--!

 

CATILINE.  [Surprised.]  What, you,--you here, my friend!

 

CURIUS.  I had to--

 

CATILINE.  Wherefore staid you not in town?

 

CURIUS.  Fear prompted me; I had to seek you here.

 

CATILINE.  You rush for my sake blindly into danger.

You thoughtless lad!  Yet, come into my arms!

 

[Moves to embrace him.]

 

CURIUS.  [Draws back.]

No!  Do not touch me!  Do not even come near me!

 

CATILINE.  What ails you, my dear Curius?

 

CURIUS.  Up!  Break camp!

Flee, if you can, even this very hour!

On every highway come the enemy troops;

Your camp is being surrounded.

 

CATILINE.  Calm yourself;

You rave.  Speak, has the journey shaken you--?

 

CURIUS.  Oh no; but save yourself while there is time!

You are betrayed--

 

[Prostrates himself before him.]

 

CATILINE.  [Starts back.]  Betrayed!  What are you saying?

 

CURIUS.  Betrayed by one in friendly guise!

 

CATILINE.  You err;

These stormy friends are loyal even as you.

 

CURIUS.  Then woe to you for all their loyalty!

 

CATILINE.  Compose yourself!  It is your love for me,

Your interest in my safety, that has wakened

Imaginary dangers in your mind.

 

CURIUS.  Oh, do you know these words do murder me?

But flee!  I do entreat you earnestly--

 

CATILINE.  Be calm and speak your mind.  Why should I flee?

The enemy knows not where I make my stand.

 

CURIUS.  Indeed he does,--he knows your every plan!

 

CATILINE.  What, are you mad?  He knows--?  Impossible!

 

CURIUS.  Oh, were it so!  But use the hour remaining;

Still you may save yourself perhaps in flight!

 

CATILINE.  Betrayed?  No,--ten times no; impossible!

 

CURIUS.  [Seizes his dagger and holds it out to him.]

Catiline, plunge this dagger in my bosom;--

Straight through the heart!  'Twas I betrayed your plans!

 

CATILINE.  You?  What madness!

 

CURIUS.  Yes, it was in madness!

Ask not the reason; scarce I know myself;

I say,--I have revealed your every counsel.

 

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!

 

CATILINE.  I have forgiven you.

 

CATILINE.  [As he goes.]  But one thing now

Is there to choose!

 

CURIUS.  [Jumps up.]  Yes, flight!

 

CATILINE.  Heroic death!

 

[He goes away through the forest.]

 

CURIUS.  'Tis all in vain!  Ruin awaits him here.

This mildness is a tenfold punishment!

I'll follow him; one thing I shall be granted:--

To perish fighting by the hero's side!

 

[He rushes out.  LENTULUS and TWO GLADIATORS come stealing among

the trees.]

 

LENTULUS.  [Softly.]  Some one was speaking--

 

ONE OF THE GLADIATORS.  Aye, but now all's quiet.

 

THE OTHER GLADIATOR.  Perchance it was the sentinel relieved

Of duty.

 

LENTULUS.  That may be.  This is the place;

Here shall you wait.  Are both your weapons sharp,

Ground for their purpose?

 

THE FIRST GLADIATOR.  Bright as is the lightning!

 

THE SECOND GLADIATOR.

Mine, too, cuts well.  In the last Roman games

Two gladiators died beneath this sword.

 

LENTULUS.  Then stand you ready in this thicket here.

And when a man, whom I shall designate,

Goes toward the tent, then shall you rush out quick

And strike him from behind.

 

THE FIRST GLADIATOR.  It shall be done!

 

[Both GLADIATORS conceal themselves; LENTULUS goes spying

around.]

 

LENTULUS.  [To himself.]

It is a daring game I here attempt;--

Yet must it be performed this very night,

If done at all.--If Catiline should fall,

No one can lead them on except myself;

I'll purchase them with golden promises,

And march without delay upon the city,

Where still the senate, struck with panic fear,

Neglects to arm itself against the danger.

 

[He goes in among the trees.]

 

THE FIRST GLADIATOR.  [Softly to the other.]

Who is this stranger we must fall upon?

 

THE SECOND GLADIATOR.  What matters it to us who he may be?

Lentulus pays our hire; the blame is his:

He must himself defend the act we do.

 

LENTULUS.  [Returns quickly.]

Stand ready now; the man we wait is coming!

 

[LENTULUS and the GLADIATORS lie in wait among the bushes.]

 

[Soon after, CATILINE comes through the forest and goes toward

the tent.]

 

LENTULUS.  [Whispering.]

Out!  Fall upon him!  Strike him from behind!

 

[All three rush on CATILINE.]

 

CATILINE.  [Draws his sword and defends himself.]

Ah, scoundrels,--do you dare to--?

 

LENTULUS.  [To the GLADIATORS.]  Cut him down!

 

CATILINE.  [Recognizes him.]

You, Lentulus, would murder Catiline?

 

THE FIRST GLADIATOR.  [Terrified.]  He it is!

 

THE SECOND GLADIATOR.  [Draws back.]  Catiline!  I'll never use

The sword on him.  Come flee!

 

[Both GLADIATORS make their escape.]

 

LENTULUS.  Then die by mine!

 

[They fight; CATILINE strikes the sword from the hand of

Lentulus; the latter tries to escape, but CATILINE holds him

fast.]

 

CATILINE.  Murderer!  Traitor!

 

LENTULUS.  [Entreating.]  Mercy, Catiline!

 

CATILINE.  I spell your plans upon your countenance.

You wished to murder me, and put yourself

Into the chieftain's place.  Was it not so?

 

LENTULUS.  Yes, Catiline, it was even so!

 

CATILINE.  [Looks at him with repressed scorn.]  What then?

If 'tis the power you want,--so let it be!

 

LENTULUS.  Explain,--what do you mean?

 

CATILINE.  I shall resign;

And you may lead the army--

 

LENTULUS.  [Surprised.]  You resign?

 

CATILINE.  I shall.  But be prepared for all events;

Know this--our undertaking is revealed:

The senate is informed of every plan;

Its troops hem us about--

 

LENTULUS.  What do you say?

 

CATILINE.  Now shall I call a council of our friends;

Do you come too,--announce your leadership;

I shall resign.

 

LENTULUS.  [Detains him.]  One moment, Catiline!

 

CATILINE.  Your time is precious; ere the dawn of day

You may expect an onslaught--

Volume: 2

LENTULUS.  [Anxiously.]  Hear me, friend!

Surely you jest?  It is impossible--

 

CATILINE.  Our project, I have told you, is betrayed.

Show now your firmness and sagacity!

 

LENTULUS.  Betrayed?  Then woe to us!

 

CATILINE.  [Smiles scornfully.]  You paltry coward!

You tremble _now_;--yet _you_ would murder _me_;

You think a man like you is called to rule?

 

LENTULUS.  Forgive me, Catiline!

 

CATILINE.  Make your escape

By hurried flight, if still it can be done.

 

LENTULUS.  Ah, you permit me then--?

 

CATILINE.  And did you think

It was my purpose to forsake this post

In such an hour as this?  You little know me.

 

LENTULUS.  O, Catiline--!

 

CATILINE.  [Coldly.]  Waste not your moments here!

Seek your own safety;--I know how to die.

 

[He turns away from him.]

 

LENTULUS.  [To himself.]

I thank you for these tidings, Catiline;--

I shall make use of them to serve my end.

'Twill stand me in good stead now that I know

This region well; I'll seek the hostile army

And guide it hitherward by secret paths,

To your destruction and to my salvation.--

The serpent that you trample in the dust

So arrogantly still retains its sting!

 

[He goes.]

 

CATILINE.  [After a pause.]

This is the trust I