Antony and Cleopatra

I have your hostages and you have mine. Let’s talk before we fight.

It’s proper that we speak first, which is why we sent our proposals ahead of us for your consideration. If you’ve had time to think over these points, let us know whether they will relieve your frustration. If yes, then a lot of brave young men can return to Sicily who would otherwise die here.

I address the three of you, the sole rulers of this world and the main arbiters of the gods’ will. I don’t know why my father’s death shouldn’t be avenged, since he has a son and friends to do it. You avenged Julius Caesar’s death at Philippi, where his ghost haunted his killer, Brutus. Why did Cassius conspire against Caesar? And why did the honorable, well-intentioned Brutus and the others, men devoted to the ideal of freedom, assassinate Caesar? They didn’t want one man to be king in Rome. And that’s why I’ve built my navy, which is so huge that the weight of the ships makes the sea foam with anger. I will punish Rome for her ingratitude toward my noble father.

Take your time.

Pompey, you cannot frighten us with your navy. We’ll meet you at sea. You know that on land our army is far greater than yours.

Yes, on land you do outnumber me. Even more since you annexed my father’s house and lands. But since, like the cuckoo, you don’t build anything for yourself, live in those lands as long as you can.

To get back to the matter at hand, what do you think of our proposal?

That’s the point.

Don’t let us talk you into anything, but consider carefully the value of our offers.

And consider the possible consequences of fighting against us, in the hopes of gaining a greater fortune.

You have offered me the lands of Sicily and Sardinia. In return, I must clear the sea of pirates and send tributes of wheat to Rome. If I agree to this, we may leave unharmed, with our shields undented.

That’s our offer.

You should know that when I came here I was prepared to accept your offer. But Mark Antony made me somewhat angry. (to ANTONY) Though it would be nobler to for me not to speak of this good act myself, you should know that when Caesar and your brother were fighting, your mother came to Sicily for refuge. I welcomed her gladly.

(to POMPEY) I heard what you did for her, Pompey, and want to give you the many thanks I owe you.

Let me shake your hand.

I didn’t think I would see you here.

The East is very seductive. I have you to thank for my trip here; I wouldn’t have left Egypt otherwise, and I have benefited from it.

(to POMPEY) You’ve changed since the last time I saw you.

Well, I cannot tell how my difficult life has weathered my face, but I will never let those difficulties subdue my courage.

It’s good we had this meeting.

I hope it works out for the best, Lepidus. So we are in agreement. Please have the contract written up so we can all sign it.

That’s the next thing on the agenda.

We’ll have celebration feasts for each other before we go our separate ways. Let’s draw lots to see who will host the first one.

I’ll give the first one, Pompey.

No, Antony. Pick one of these lots. Whether your banquet is first or last, your Egyptian cooking will make it the best. I heard that Julius Caesar got fat from all the feasting there.

You’ve heard a lot.

I mean well, sir.

I’m sure you do.

I’ve heard a lot more. I heard that Apollodorus carried—

(interrupting POMPEY) That’s enough of that. Yes, it’s true.

What did he carry, please?

A certain queen to Caesar, rolled up in a mattress.

Now I know who you are. How are you, soldier?

I’m well, and probably will be for a while, as I hear that four feasts are being prepared.

Let me shake your hand. I’ve never been your enemy. I’ve seen you fight and envied your skill.

Sir, I wouldn’t say I was your friend, but I’ve praised you when you deserved ten times more praise than I gave.

Enjoy your frankness; it suits you. I invite you all aboard my ship. After you, my lords?

Show us the way, sir.

Come with me.

(to himself) Your father would never have agreed to this treaty, Pompey. (to ENOBARBUS) You and I have met, sir.

I think it was at sea.

That it was, sir.

You’ve done well at sea.

And you’ve done well on land.

I’ll flatter anyone who flatters me—though what I’ve accomplished on land cannot be denied.

Neither can my accomplishments at sea.

Yes, for your own safety, you should deny one thing: you have been a great thief at sea.

As you were on land.

That’s the one part of my service on land I do deny. But let’s shake hands, Menas.

If our eyes were policemen, they might capture two thieves at once while we’re embracing.

Men’s faces are truthful, whatever their hands do.

But no beautiful woman has an honest face.

That’s no lie. They steal hearts.

We came here to fight against you.

For my part, I’m sorry this battle turned into a drinking match. Today Pompey laughs away his fortune.

If that’s true, he won’t get it back by crying.

That’s the truth, sir. We didn’t expect Mark Antony to be here. Is he married to Cleopatra?

Caesar’s sister is named Octavia.

That’s true, sir. She was previously Caius Marcellus’ wife.

But she is now Mark Antony’s wife.

Excuse me, sir?

It’s true.

Then Caesar and he will always be united.

If I were to make a prediction regarding this union, I wouldn’t say that.

I think the marriage was made more for political reasons than for love.

I think so too. But you’ll see that the very thing that joins them will be the thing that separates them. Octavia has a pious, chaste, meek disposition.

Doesn’t everyone want a wife like that?

Not someone who doesn’t share that disposition, meaning Mark Antony. He’ll go back to his Egyptian dish. Then Octavia’s complaints will rouse Caesar, and as I said before, the thing that brought them together will part them. Antony will go where his passion is. He only married out of political necessity.

Then that’s the way it may turn out. Come on, sir, will you come aboard? I want to drink your health.

I’ll join you, sir. We did a lot of drinking in Egypt.

Let’s go.