Cæs.
CONTEMNING Rome, he did all this, and more.
In Alexandria—here's (Shewing papers.) the manner of it,—
I' the market-place, on a tribunal silver'd,
Cleopatra and himself, in chains of gold,
Were publicly enthron'd: at the feet sat
Cæsarion, whom they call my father's son,
And all the unlawful issue, that their crime
Since then hath made between them. Unto her
He gave the 'stablishment of Ægypt; made her,
Of Lower Syria, Cyprus, Lydia,
Absolute queen.

Mæc.
This in the public eye?

Cæs.
I' the common shew-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 Phœnicia: She,
In the habiliments of the goddess, Isis,
That day appear'd, and oft before gave audience,
As 'tis reported so.

Mæc.
Let Rome be thus
Inform'd.

Agr
Who, queasy with his insolence
Already, will their good thoughts call from him.

Cæs.
The people know it; and have now receiv'd
His accusations.

Agr.
Whom does he accuse?

Cæs.
Cæsar: 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, unrestor'd; lastly, he frets,
That Lepidus of the triumvirate
Should be depos'd; and being, that we detain
All his revenue.

Agr.
Sir, this should be answer'd.

Cæs.
'Tis done already, and the messenger gone.
I have told him, Lepidus was grown too cruel;
That he his high authority abus'd,
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.

Mæc.
He'll never yield to that.

Cæs.
Nor must not then be yielded to in this. Enter Octavia.

Oct.
Hail, Cæsar, and my Lord! hail, most dear Cæsar!
Had not the adverse wind, and raging seas,
Prolong'd my voyage, and driv'n our labouring bark
Leagues from its course. I sooner had embraced you.

Cæs.
That ever I should call thee, cast-away!

Oct.
You have not call'd me so, nor have you cause.

Cæs.
Why have you stol'n upon us thus? You come not
Like Cæsar'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: But you are come
A market-maid to Rome; We should have met you
By sea, and land; supplying every stage
With an augmented greeting.

Oct
Good my Lord,
To come thus was I not constrain'd, but did it
On my free will. My Lord, Mark Antony,
Hearing that you prepared for war, acquainted
My grieving ear withal; whereon I beg'd
His pardon for return.

Cæs.
Which soon he granted,
Being an obstruct 'twixt his love and him.

Oct.
Do not say so, my Lord.

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

Oct.
My Lord, in Athens.

Cæs.
No, no, my most wrong'd sister: Cleopatra
Hath nodded him to her; and they are levying
The kings o'the earth for war against me. Now,
E'en now, they head their force at Actium;
But they have found, I trust, to their confusion,
Our fleet and armies there, prepared to meet them.

Oct.
Ah me most wretched!
That have my heart parted betwixt two friends,
That do afflict each other.

Cæs.
Welcome hither:
Your letters so far check'd our breaking forth,
Till we perceiv'd, both how you were wrong led,
And we in negligent danger. Cheer your heart:
Be you not troubl'd with the time, which drives
O'er your content these strong necessities;
But let determin'd things to destiny,
Hold unbewail'd their way. Welcome to Rome:
Nothing more dear to me.—You are abus'd
Beyond the mark of thought: and the high gods,
To do you justice, make them ministers

Of us, and those that love you. Be of comfort;—
And ever welcome to us.

Agr.
Welcome, Lady.

Mæc.
Welcome, dear Madam.
Each heart in Rome does love and pity you.

Oct.
Is it so, Sir?

Cæs.
Most certain. Sister, welcome: 'Pray you, now,
Be ever known to patience. My dearest sister! [Exeunt.

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