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Enter AGRIPPA , MECAENAS , and CAESAR
Enter AGRIPPA , MECAENAS , and CAESAR

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
5 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
10 Of lower Syria, Cyprus, Lydia,
Absolute Queen.

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
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.

MAECENAS

This in the public eye?

MAECENAS

This in the public eye?

CAESAR

I’ th’ common showplace, where they exercise.
His sons he there proclaimed the kings of kings:
Great Media, Parthia, and Armenia
15 He 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

I’ th’ common showplace, where they exercise.
His sons he there proclaimed the kings of kings:
Great Media, Parthia, and Armenia
He 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.

MAECENAS

20 Let Rome be thus informed.

MAECENAS

Let Rome be thus informed.

AGRIPPA

Who, queasy with his insolence already,
Will their good thoughts call from him.

AGRIPPA

Who, queasy with his insolence already,
Will their good thoughts call from him.

CAESAR

The people knows it, and have now received
His accusations.

CAESAR

The people knows it, and have now received
His accusations.

AGRIPPA

Who does he accuse?

AGRIPPA

Who does he accuse?

CAESAR

25 Caesar, and that, having in Sicily
Sextus Pompeius spoiled, we had not rated him
His part o’ th’ isle. Then does he say he lent me
Some shipping, unrestored. Lastly, he frets
That Lepidus of the triumvirate
30 Should be deposed, and, being, that we detain
All his revenue.

CAESAR

Caesar, and that, having in Sicily
Sextus Pompeius spoiled, we had not rated him
His part o’ th’ 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.

AGRIPPA

Sir, this should be answered.

AGRIPPA

Sir, this should be answered.

CAESAR

’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 conquered,
I grant him part; but then, in his Armenia,
And other of his conquered kingdoms, I
Demand the like.

CAESAR

’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 conquered,
I grant him part; but then, in his Armenia,
And other of his conquered kingdoms, I
Demand the like.

MAECENAS

He’ll never yield to that.

MAECENAS

He’ll never yield to that.

CAESAR

Nor must not then be yielded to in this.

CAESAR

Nor must not then be yielded to in this.
Enter OCTAVIA with her train
Enter OCTAVIA with her train

OCTAVIA

Hail, Caesar, and my lord! Hail, most dear Caesar!

OCTAVIA

Hail, Caesar, and my lord! Hail, most dear Caesar!

CAESAR

That ever I should call thee castaway!

CAESAR

That ever I should call thee castaway!

OCTAVIA

You have not called me so, nor have you cause.

OCTAVIA

You have not called me so, nor have you cause.

CAESAR

Why have you stol’n upon us thus? You come not
Like Caesar’s sister. The wife of Antony
45 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 th’ way
Should have borne men, and expectation fainted,
Longing for what it had not. Nay, the dust
50 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
55 By sea and land, supplying every stage
With an augmented greeting.

CAESAR

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 th’ 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.

OCTAVIA

Good my lord,
To come thus was I not constrained, but did it
On my free will. My lord, Mark Antony,
Hearing that you prepared for war, acquainted
60 My grievèd ear withal, whereon I begged
His pardon for return.

OCTAVIA

Good my lord,
To come thus was I not constrained, but did it
On my free will. My lord, Mark Antony,
Hearing that you prepared for war, acquainted
My grievèd ear withal, whereon I begged
His pardon for return.

CAESAR

Which soon he granted,
Being an obstruct ’tween his lust and him.

CAESAR

Which soon he granted,
Being an obstruct ’tween his lust and him.

OCTAVIA

Do not say so, my lord.

OCTAVIA

Do not say so, my lord.

CAESAR

I have eyes upon him,
And his affairs come to me on the wind.
65 Where is he now?

CAESAR

I have eyes upon him,
And his affairs come to me on the wind.
Where is he now?

OCTAVIA

My lord, in Athens.

OCTAVIA

My lord, in Athens.

CAESAR

No, my most wrongèd sister. Cleopatra
Hath nodded him to her. He hath given his empire
Up to a whore; who now are levying
The kings o’ th’ earth for war. He hath assembled
Bocchus, the King of Libya; Archelaus,
Of Cappadocia; Philadelphos, King
Of Paphlagonia; the Thracian king, Adallas;
King Manchus of Arabia; King of Pont;
75 Herod of Jewry; Mithridates, King
Of Comagen; Polemon and Amyntas,
The Kings of Mede and Lycaonia,
With a more larger list of scepters.

CAESAR

No, my most wrongèd sister. Cleopatra
Hath nodded him to her. He hath given his empire
Up to a whore; who now are levying
The kings o’ th’ earth for war. He hath assembled
Bocchus, the King of Libya; Archelaus,
Of Cappadocia; Philadelphos, King
Of Paphlagonia; the Thracian king, Adallas;
King Manchus of Arabia; King of Pont;
Herod of Jewry; Mithridates, King
Of Comagen; Polemon and Amyntas,
The Kings of Mede and Lycaonia,
With a more larger list of scepters.

OCTAVIA

Ay me, most wretched,
80 That have my heart parted betwixt two friends
That does afflict each other!

OCTAVIA

Ay me, most wretched,
That have my heart parted betwixt two friends
That does afflict each other!

CAESAR

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 unbewailed their way. Welcome to Rome,
Nothing more dear to me. You are abused
90 Beyond the mark of thought, and the high gods,
To do you justice, makes his ministers
Of us and those that love you. Best of comfort,
And ever welcome to us.

CAESAR

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 unbewailed 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, makes his ministers
Of us and those that love you. Best of comfort,
And ever welcome to us.

AGRIPPA

Welcome, lady.

AGRIPPA

Welcome, lady.

MAECENAS

Welcome, dear madam.
95 Each heart in Rome does love and pity you.
Only th’ adulterous Antony, most large
In his abominations, turns you off
And gives his potent regiment to a trull
That noises it against us.

MAECENAS

Welcome, dear madam.
Each heart in Rome does love and pity you.
Only th’ adulterous Antony, most large
In his abominations, turns you off
And gives his potent regiment to a trull
That noises it against us.

OCTAVIA

 (to CAESAR)            Is it so, sir?

OCTAVIA

 (to CAESAR)            Is it so, sir?

CAESAR

100 Most certain. Sister, welcome. Pray you
Be ever known to patience. My dear’st sister!

CAESAR

Most certain. Sister, welcome. Pray you
Be ever known to patience. My dear’st sister!
Exeunt Exeunt

Original Text

Modern Text

Enter AGRIPPA , MECAENAS , and CAESAR
Enter AGRIPPA , MECAENAS , and CAESAR

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
5 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
10 Of lower Syria, Cyprus, Lydia,
Absolute Queen.

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
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.

MAECENAS

This in the public eye?

MAECENAS

This in the public eye?

CAESAR

I’ th’ common showplace, where they exercise.
His sons he there proclaimed the kings of kings:
Great Media, Parthia, and Armenia
15 He 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

I’ th’ common showplace, where they exercise.
His sons he there proclaimed the kings of kings:
Great Media, Parthia, and Armenia
He 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.

MAECENAS

20 Let Rome be thus informed.

MAECENAS

Let Rome be thus informed.

AGRIPPA

Who, queasy with his insolence already,
Will their good thoughts call from him.

AGRIPPA

Who, queasy with his insolence already,
Will their good thoughts call from him.

CAESAR

The people knows it, and have now received
His accusations.

CAESAR

The people knows it, and have now received
His accusations.

AGRIPPA

Who does he accuse?

AGRIPPA

Who does he accuse?

CAESAR

25 Caesar, and that, having in Sicily
Sextus Pompeius spoiled, we had not rated him
His part o’ th’ isle. Then does he say he lent me
Some shipping, unrestored. Lastly, he frets
That Lepidus of the triumvirate
30 Should be deposed, and, being, that we detain
All his revenue.

CAESAR

Caesar, and that, having in Sicily
Sextus Pompeius spoiled, we had not rated him
His part o’ th’ 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.

AGRIPPA

Sir, this should be answered.

AGRIPPA

Sir, this should be answered.

CAESAR

’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 conquered,
I grant him part; but then, in his Armenia,
And other of his conquered kingdoms, I
Demand the like.

CAESAR

’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 conquered,
I grant him part; but then, in his Armenia,
And other of his conquered kingdoms, I
Demand the like.

MAECENAS

He’ll never yield to that.

MAECENAS

He’ll never yield to that.

CAESAR

Nor must not then be yielded to in this.

CAESAR

Nor must not then be yielded to in this.
Enter OCTAVIA with her train
Enter OCTAVIA with her train

OCTAVIA

Hail, Caesar, and my lord! Hail, most dear Caesar!

OCTAVIA

Hail, Caesar, and my lord! Hail, most dear Caesar!

CAESAR

That ever I should call thee castaway!

CAESAR

That ever I should call thee castaway!

OCTAVIA

You have not called me so, nor have you cause.

OCTAVIA

You have not called me so, nor have you cause.

CAESAR

Why have you stol’n upon us thus? You come not
Like Caesar’s sister. The wife of Antony
45 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 th’ way
Should have borne men, and expectation fainted,
Longing for what it had not. Nay, the dust
50 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
55 By sea and land, supplying every stage
With an augmented greeting.

CAESAR

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 th’ 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.

OCTAVIA

Good my lord,
To come thus was I not constrained, but did it
On my free will. My lord, Mark Antony,
Hearing that you prepared for war, acquainted
60 My grievèd ear withal, whereon I begged
His pardon for return.

OCTAVIA

Good my lord,
To come thus was I not constrained, but did it
On my free will. My lord, Mark Antony,
Hearing that you prepared for war, acquainted
My grievèd ear withal, whereon I begged
His pardon for return.

CAESAR

Which soon he granted,
Being an obstruct ’tween his lust and him.

CAESAR

Which soon he granted,
Being an obstruct ’tween his lust and him.

OCTAVIA

Do not say so, my lord.

OCTAVIA

Do not say so, my lord.

CAESAR

I have eyes upon him,
And his affairs come to me on the wind.
65 Where is he now?

CAESAR

I have eyes upon him,
And his affairs come to me on the wind.
Where is he now?

OCTAVIA

My lord, in Athens.

OCTAVIA

My lord, in Athens.

CAESAR

No, my most wrongèd sister. Cleopatra
Hath nodded him to her. He hath given his empire
Up to a whore; who now are levying
The kings o’ th’ earth for war. He hath assembled
Bocchus, the King of Libya; Archelaus,
Of Cappadocia; Philadelphos, King
Of Paphlagonia; the Thracian king, Adallas;
King Manchus of Arabia; King of Pont;
75 Herod of Jewry; Mithridates, King
Of Comagen; Polemon and Amyntas,
The Kings of Mede and Lycaonia,
With a more larger list of scepters.

CAESAR

No, my most wrongèd sister. Cleopatra
Hath nodded him to her. He hath given his empire
Up to a whore; who now are levying
The kings o’ th’ earth for war. He hath assembled
Bocchus, the King of Libya; Archelaus,
Of Cappadocia; Philadelphos, King
Of Paphlagonia; the Thracian king, Adallas;
King Manchus of Arabia; King of Pont;
Herod of Jewry; Mithridates, King
Of Comagen; Polemon and Amyntas,
The Kings of Mede and Lycaonia,
With a more larger list of scepters.

OCTAVIA

Ay me, most wretched,
80 That have my heart parted betwixt two friends
That does afflict each other!

OCTAVIA

Ay me, most wretched,
That have my heart parted betwixt two friends
That does afflict each other!

CAESAR

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 unbewailed their way. Welcome to Rome,
Nothing more dear to me. You are abused
90 Beyond the mark of thought, and the high gods,
To do you justice, makes his ministers
Of us and those that love you. Best of comfort,
And ever welcome to us.

CAESAR

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 unbewailed 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, makes his ministers
Of us and those that love you. Best of comfort,
And ever welcome to us.

AGRIPPA

Welcome, lady.

AGRIPPA

Welcome, lady.

MAECENAS

Welcome, dear madam.
95 Each heart in Rome does love and pity you.
Only th’ adulterous Antony, most large
In his abominations, turns you off
And gives his potent regiment to a trull
That noises it against us.

MAECENAS

Welcome, dear madam.
Each heart in Rome does love and pity you.
Only th’ adulterous Antony, most large
In his abominations, turns you off
And gives his potent regiment to a trull
That noises it against us.

OCTAVIA

 (to CAESAR)            Is it so, sir?

OCTAVIA

 (to CAESAR)            Is it so, sir?

CAESAR

100 Most certain. Sister, welcome. Pray you
Be ever known to patience. My dear’st sister!

CAESAR

Most certain. Sister, welcome. Pray you
Be ever known to patience. My dear’st sister!
Exeunt Exeunt