Original Text |
Modern Text |
|
Enter AGRIPPA,
MECAENAS, and
CAESAR
|
AGRIPPA, MAECENAS,
and CAESAR enter.
|
|
CAESAR Contemning Rome, he has done all this and more
In Alexandria. Here’s the manner of ’t:
I’ th’ marketplace, on a tribunal silvered,
Cleopatra and himself in chairs of gold
5Were 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
10Of lower Syria, Cyprus, Lydia,
Absolute Queen.
|
CAESAR In Alexandria he condemned Rome, and that’s not all. This is what
happened: he and Cleopatra sat on chairs of gold on a silver-covered
stage in the marketplace.
Caesarion—whom they call my father’s son—Julius Caesar was Octavius Caesar’s adopted father (biologically, he was his uncle). Caesarion—whom they call my father’s son— and all their illegitimate children sat at their feet. Antony confirmed her possession of Egypt and made her absolute Queen of lower Syria, Cyprus, and Lydia. |
|
MAECENAS This in the public eye?
|
MAECENAS He did this in public?
|
|
CAESAR I’ th’ common showplace, where they exercise.
His sons he there proclaimed the kings of kings:
Great Media, Parthia, and Armenia
15He gave to Alexander; to Ptolemy he assigned
Syria, Cilicia, and Phoenicia. She
In th’ habiliments of the goddess Isis
That day appeared, and oft before gave audience,
As ’tis reported, so.
|
CAESAR In the public arena, where they perform sporting events. He
proclaimed his sons to be kings of kings. He gave Media, Parthia,
and Armenia to Alexander. He gave Syria, Cilicia, and Phoenicia to
Ptolemy. Cleopatra was dressed like the goddess Isis. They say she
often attended her public functions like that.
|
|
MAECENAS
20Let Rome be thus informed.
|
MAECENAS Let’s send this news to Rome.
|
|
AGRIPPA Who, queasy with his insolence already,
Will their good thoughts call from him.
|
AGRIPPA The Roman people are fed up with his arrogance already. They’ll
abandon him completely when they hear this.
|
