Catiline to the Roman Army

George Croly (1780–1860)

From “Catiline,” Act V. Sc. 2.

SOUND all to arms!(A flourish of trumpets.)

Call in the captains,—(To an officer.)
I would speak with them!

(The officer goes.)

Now, Hope! away,—and welcome gallant Death!

Welcome the clanging shield, the trumpet’s yell,—

Welcome the fever of the mounting blood,

That makes wounds light, and battle’s crimson toil

Seem but a sport,—and welcome the cold bed,

Where soldiers with their upturned faces lie,—

And welcome wolf’s and vulture’s hungry throats,

That make their sepulchres! We fight to-night.

(The soldiery enter.)

Centurions! all is ruined! I disdain

To hide the truth from you. The die is thrown!

And now, let each that wishes for long life

Put up his sword, and kneel for peace to Rome.

Ye all are free to go. What! no man stirs!

Not one! a soldier’s spirit in you all?

Give me your hands! (This moisture in my eyes

Is womanish,—’t will pass.) My noble hearts!

Well have you chosen to die! For, in my mind,

The grave is better than o’erburdened life;

Better the quick release of glorious wounds,

Than the eternal taunts of galling tongues;

Better the spear-head quivering in the heart,

Than daily struggle against fortune’s curse;

Better, in manhood’s muscle and high blood,

To leap the gulf, than totter to its edge

In poverty, dull pain, and base decay.

Once more, I say,—are ye resolved?(The soldiers shout, “All! All!”)

Then, each man to his tent, and take the arms

That he would love to die in,—for, this hour,

We storm the Consul’s camp. A last farewell!

(He takes their hands.)

When next we meet,—we ’ll have no time to look,

How parting clouds a soldier’s countenance.

Few as we are, we ’ll rouse them with a peal

That shall shake Rome!

Now to your cohorts’ heads;—the word ’s—Revenge!