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Contemning Rome, he has done all this, and more, In Alexandria: here’s the manner of ’t: I’ the market-place, on a tribunal silver’d, Cleopatra and himself in chairs of gold Were publicly enthroned: at the feet sat Caesarion, whom they call my father’s son, And all the unlawful issue that their lust Since then hath made between them. Unto her He gave the stablishment of Egypt; made her Of lower Syria, Cyprus, Lydia, Absolute queen.
Disrespecting Rome, he’s done all this and more, in Alexandria: here’s how it happened: In the marketplace, on a silver platform, Cleopatra and he sat on golden chairs, publicly crowned. At their feet sat Caesarion, whom they call my father’s son, along with all the illegitimate children their passion has created between them since then. To her He gave control of Egypt; made her queen of lower Syria, Cyprus, Lydia, completely in charge.
This in the public eye?
This was in public view?
I’ the common show-place, where they exercise. His sons he there proclaim’d the kings of kings: Great Media, Parthia, and Armenia. He gave to Alexander; to Ptolemy he assign’d Syria, Cilicia, and Phoenicia: she In the habiliments of the goddess Isis That day appear’d; and oft before gave audience, As ’tis reported, so.
In the usual public place where they train. His sons were declared kings of kings there: Great Media, Parthia, and Armenia. He gave these to Alexander; to Ptolemy he gave Syria, Cilicia, and Phoenicia: she Appeared that day in the clothes of the goddess Isis And often before gave speeches, Or so it’s said.
Let Rome be thus Inform’d.
Let Rome know this.
Who, queasy with his insolence Already, will their good thoughts call from him.
Who, already sick of his arrogance, Will soon change their opinion of him.
The people know it; and have now received His accusations.
The people know about it, and have now received His accusations.
Who does he accuse?
Who is he accusing?
Caesar: and that, having in Sicily Sextus Pompeius spoil’d, we had not rated him His part o’ the isle: then does he say, he lent me Some shipping unrestored: lastly, he frets That Lepidus of the triumvirate Should be deposed; and, being, that we detain All his revenue.
Caesar: and he’s saying that, after we defeated Sextus Pompeius in Sicily, we didn’t give him His share of the island: then he says I owe him Some ships that I didn’t return: finally, he’s upset That Lepidus was removed from the triumvirate, And that we’ve kept All his income.
Sir, this should be answer’d.
Sir, this needs to be answered.
’Tis done already, and the messenger gone. I have told him, Lepidus was grown too cruel; That he his high authority abused, And did deserve his change: for what I have conquer’d, I grant him part; but then, in his Armenia, And other of his conquer’d kingdoms, I Demand the like.
It’s already been done, and the messenger is gone. I told him Lepidus had become too cruel; That he misused his high authority, And deserved to be replaced: for what I’ve won, I gave him a share; but then, in his Armenia, And the other kingdoms he conquered, I Demand the same in return.
He’ll never yield to that.
He’ll never agree to that.
Nor must not then be yielded to in this.
And he must not be allowed to win this one.
Hail, Caesar, and my lord! hail, most dear Caesar!
Hail, Caesar, and my lord! Hail, most dear Caesar!
That ever I should call thee castaway!
That I should ever call you a castaway!
You have not call’d me so, nor have you cause.
You haven’t called me that, and you have no reason to.
Why have you stol’n upon us thus! You come not Like Caesar’s sister: the wife of Antony Should have an army for an usher, and The neighs of horse to tell of her approach Long ere she did appear; the trees by the way Should have borne men; and expectation fainted, Longing for what it had not; nay, the dust Should have ascended to the roof of heaven, Raised by your populous troops: but you are come A market-maid to Rome; and have prevented The ostentation of our love, which, left unshown, Is often left unloved; we should have met you By sea and land; supplying every stage With an augmented greeting.
Why have you snuck up on us like this! You don’t come As Caesar’s sister: the wife of Antony Should have an army to announce her arrival, and The sounds of horses to tell of her coming Long before she appears; the trees on the road Should have had men in them; and the people should have fainted With anticipation, longing for what was yet to come; no, the dust Should have risen to the sky, Lifted by your great army: but you’ve come Like a humble market-woman to Rome; and you’ve stopped The show of our love, which, when left unseen, Often ends up unloved; we should have met you By sea and land; greeting you at every step With an even grander welcome.
Good my lord, To come thus was I not constrain’d, but did On my free will. My lord, Mark Antony, Hearing that you prepared for war, acquainted My grieved ear withal; whereon, I begg’d His pardon for return.
My lord, I wasn’t forced to come like this, I came Of my own free will. My lord, Mark Antony, Heard that you were preparing for war, and told My sad ear about it; so, I begged His forgiveness to return.
Which soon he granted, Being an obstruct ’tween his lust and him.
Which soon he agreed to, Being a barrier between his desire and himself.
Do not say so, my lord.
Don’t say that, my lord.
I have eyes upon him, And his affairs come to me on the wind. Where is he now?
I have my eye on him, And I hear about his actions through rumors. Where is he now?
My lord, in Athens.
My lord, he’s in Athens.
No, my most wronged sister; Cleopatra Hath nodded him to her. He hath given his empire Up to a whore; who now are levying The kings o’ the earth for war; he hath assembled Bocchus, the king of Libya; Archelaus, Of Cappadocia; Philadelphos, king Of Paphlagonia; the Thracian king, Adallas; King Malchus of Arabia; King of Pont; Herod of Jewry; Mithridates, king Of Comagene; Polemon and Amyntas, The kings of Mede and Lycaonia, With a more larger list of sceptres.
No, my most wronged sister; Cleopatra Has called him to her. He’s given up his empire To a prostitute; who now is gathering The kings of the world for war; he’s brought together Bocchus, the king of Libya; Archelaus, From Cappadocia; Philadelphos, king Of Paphlagonia; the Thracian king, Adallas; King Malchus of Arabia; King of Pont; Herod of Judea; Mithridates, king Of Comagene; Polemon and Amyntas, The kings of Media and Lycaonia, With an even longer list of rulers.
Ay me, most wretched, That have my heart parted betwixt two friends That do afflict each other!
Oh, how wretched I am, To have my heart torn between two friends Who are hurting each other!
Welcome hither: Your letters did withhold our breaking forth; Till we perceived, both how you were wrong led, And we in negligent danger. Cheer your heart; Be you not troubled with the time, which drives O’er your content these strong necessities; But let determined things to destiny Hold unbewail’d their way. Welcome to Rome; Nothing more dear to me. You are abused Beyond the mark of thought: and the high gods, To do you justice, make them ministers Of us and those that love you. Best of comfort; And ever welcome to us.
Welcome here: Your letters kept us from acting sooner; Until we saw how you were misled, And we were in danger without realizing it. Stay strong; Don’t let the troubles of the time upset you, As they overwhelm your peace of mind; But let fate take its course without mourning. Welcome to Rome; Nothing is more precious to me. You’ve been wronged Beyond belief: and the gods, To give you justice, make us their instruments And those who love you. Best of comfort; And always welcome here.
Welcome, lady.
Welcome, lady.
Welcome, dear madam. Each heart in Rome does love and pity you: Only the adulterous Antony, most large In his abominations, turns you off; And gives his potent regiment to a trull, That noises it against us.
Welcome, dear madam. Every heart in Rome loves and pities you: Only the adulterous Antony, most extreme In his wickedness, rejects you; And gives his powerful army to a whore, Who now stirs up trouble against us.
Is it so, sir?
Is that true, sir?
Most certain. Sister, welcome: pray you, Be ever known to patience: my dear’st sister!
Absolutely. Sister, welcome: please, Always be patient: my dearest sister!