Cæs.
Contemning Rome, he has ^note done ^note all this, and more, ^note
In Alexandria: here's the manner ^note of't:
I' the market-place, on a tribunal silver'd
Cleopatra and himself in chairs of gold
Were publicly enthroned: at the feet ^note sat
Cæsarion ^note, whom they call my father's ^note 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 ^note,
Absolute queen. ^note

Mæc.
This in ^note the public eye?

Cæs.
I' the common show-place, where they exercise.
His sons he there ^note proclaim'd the ^note kings of kings ^note:
Great Media, Parthia and Armenia,
He gave to Alexander; to Ptolemy ^note he ^note assign'd
Syria, Cilicia and Phœnicia ^note: she
In the habiliments ^note of the goddess Isis

That day appear'd, and oft before gave audience,
As 'tis reported, so ^note.

Mæc.
Let Rome be thus
Inform'd. ^note

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

Cæs.
The people know ^note it, and have now received
His accusations. ^note

Agr.
Who ^note does he accuse?

Cæs.
Cæsar: and that, ^note 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 ^note
Should be deposed; and, being, that ^note we detain
All his revenue. ^note

Agr.
Sir, this should be answer'd.

Cæs.
'Tis done already, and the ^note messenger gone.
I have ^note told him, Lepidus was grown too cruel;
That he ^note his high authority abused
And did deserve his change ^note: for ^note what I have ^note conquer'd,
I grant him part; but then, in his Armenia
And other of his conquer'd kingdoms, I
Demand the like. ^note

Mæc.
He'll never yield to that.

Cæs.
Nor must not ^note then be yielded to in this. Enter Octavia, with her train. ^note

Octa.
Hail, Cæsar, and my lord ^note! hail, most dear Cæsar!

Cæs.
That ever I should call thee castaway!

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

Cæs.
Why have you ^note stol'n upon us ^note thus? You come ^note 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; 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 ^note of our love, which, left unshown,
Is often left ^note unloved ^note: we should have met you
By sea and land, supplying every stage
With an augmented greeting.

Octa.
Good my lord,
To come thus was I not constrain'd, but did it
On ^note my free will. My lord, Mark Antony,
Hearing that you prepared for war, acquainted
My grieved ^note ear withal; whereon, I begg'd
His pardon for return.

Cæs.
Which soon he granted,
Being an obstruct ^note 'tween his lust and him.

Octa.
Do not say so, my lord.

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

Octa.
My lord, in ^note Athens.

Cæs.
No ^note, my most wronged sister; Cleopatra
Hath nodded him to her. He hath given his empire
Up to a whore; who ^note now are ^note levying
The kings o' the earth for war: he ^note hath assembled
Bocchus ^note, the king of Libya; Archelaus ^note,
Of Cappadocia; Philadelphos, king
Of Paphlagonia; the Thracian king, Adallas ^note;
King Malchus ^note of Arabia; King of Pont ^{note note};
Herod of Jewry; Mithridates, king
Of Comagene ^note; Polemon ^note and Amyntas ^note,
The kings ^note of Mede ^note and Lycaonia ^note, ^note
With a ^note more ^note larger list of sceptres.

Octa.
Ay ^note me, most wretched,
That have my heart parted betwixt two friends
That do ^note afflict each other!

Cæs.
Welcome hither:
Your letters did withhold our breaking forth, ^note

Till we perceived both how you were wrong led ^note
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 ^note,
To do you justice, make them ^note ministers
Of us and those that love you. Best ^note of comfort;
And ever welcome to us.

Agr.
Welcome, lady.

Mæc.
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 ^note it against us.

Octa.
Is it so, sir?

Cæs.
Most ^note certain. Sister, welcome: pray you, ^note
Be ever known ^note to patience: my dear'st ^note sister! [Exeunt. ^note

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