Cleopatra Page #6

as you are for what you are:

Liar, swindler, bully and coward.

Brutus, you'll turn Casca's head

with your flattery.

And Casca's head, if turned,

will see Marc Antony.

A part of Caesar more to be feared

than his infant son.

But it is for the good of Rome that

Caesar has stayed so long in Egypt.

In his absence, the people

have come to worship him as a god.

Why should he return to show himself

as mortal as the rest?

There are those

who fear Caesar's ambition.

But what is to fear?

That he will destroy the republic?

Yes, he will.

I promise you he will.

Your tongue is old but sharp, Cicero.

Be careful how you waggle it.

It may cut off your head.

It will more likely

be your sword, Antony.

'Tis just as sharp and quicker...

...and frightened of heads.

There'll be a strong smell

of wine in the Senate today.

We must breathe with restraint.

Octavian, this what's his name,

this son of Caesar...

...does it upset you?

No.

You run off at the mouth so...

...one thinks your words

are as precious as your gold.

Like my gold, I use them

where they are worth most.

And your virtue?

My friend has a friend.

That too.

You know, it's quite possible

that when you die...

...you will die without

ever having been alive.

I can't leave without saying

goodbye to my son and to you.

We thought, your son and I,

that if we came to you...

...we would have those

few minutes more.

A good thing to remember, my son...

...what you will not let go,

no one will take from you.

Hail and farewell, little Caesar.

Was it a century ago when I was dropped

at your feet, wrapped in a carpet?

Or was it last night?

When will you send for us? When?

- Soon.

- How soon? When?

So much time must go by

before even I reach Rome.

And then how soon?

Within reasonable time.

Time is never reasonable.

Time is our enemy, Caesar.

Am I to conquer it for you?

What plan of battle do you suggest?

I must bring your son to Rome.

Rome must see Caesar's son...

...who will one day rule

over Caesar's world.

Caesar?

I'm afraid the tides

will soon be against you.

Not only time, but the tides.

Even as divinities, there seems

little we can do about either.

But only after more than two years...

... and many wars

in Africa and Asia Minor...

... was Caesar able to cross over

to Italy and come home at last...

... to celebrate his triumphs

and see to his affairs.

"In recognition, the Senate

has bestowed upon Caesar...

...the rank, privilege and title

of dictator of Rome for life."

Dictator for life!

At long last, he is master of Rome.

Apollodorus,

everything must be made ready at once.

- Ships, servants...

- We are prepared.

Surely now nothing

can prevent his sending for us...

...if only to attend

his coronation as he did mine.

- Your Majesty...

- Three long, wasted years!

Why should the Senate

have taken so long...

...to recognize what the world

has already known?

That Caesar was master of Rome.

Rufio wishes to speak.

Your Majesty seems to misunderstand.

It seems quite clear. Caesar has been

declared dictator of Rome for life.

True. But there is a vast difference

between dictator and master.

No man can call himself

master of Rome.

Why not?

It has a meaning far too close

to a word no Roman will tolerate:

King.

And to be dictator of Rome for life?

Is to be granted the lifelong respect

and honor of the Roman people.

And the dictates of the dictator?

Must in each case, of course,

be approved by the Senate of Rome.

Thank you, Rufio.

The enemy! The enemy! The enemy!

Sisogenes.

You must think it odd that I propose

an invitation to Queen Cleopatra.

Do you?

Egypt, after all, has been

officially declared ally of Rome.

Still, I confess I was surprised

at some of those who voted in favor.

Were you?

May I express my gratitude for being

permitted to visit today's session?

It was truly inspiring...

...to witness the free will

of free men so fearlessly expressed.

He seemed most anxious to be present.

- I saw no harm in granting permission.

- Didn't you?

After today, never again shall I

doubt the extent of Egypt's wealth.

I don't like Cicero's implication.

There's not enough gold in Egypt

to buy a Roman senator.

More than enough, it seems,

to buy his vote.

How was it now?

"Rome will know him in cloth of gold."

By reports, the reception

in the streets is extraordinary.

The queen has instructed

the procession to move slowly...

...for the people's enjoyment.

I might almost believe Cleopatra set

out to capture the citizens of Rome.

One would have every reason

for believing exactly that.

Nothing like this has come

into Rome since Romulus and Remus.

How unafraid he is.

How unafraid he is.

Your queen has conquered

the people of Rome.

The people, yes.

Now then, walk like a king.

Head up.

Listen to them cheer.

Take your throne.

Bow to the right, left.

Now an angry glance at someone

who's displeased you.

Very good. I tremble.

See me tremble?

No, don't smile.

Not when they're trembling.

It makes them stop.

Now the prisoners

are dragged before you, one by one.

This one has no power anywhere,

therefore means nothing.

But you wish to be known

as a noble ruler. What do you say?

"I pardon you."

Louder. You pardon somebody,

you want it known.

"I pardon you!"

Ah, now, who comes here?

Once your friend. You trusted him,

and he turned against you.

He has power, wealth and family.

He kneels.

He begs you to be his friend again.

To have you trust him again.

And then? What then, little king?

Caesar must wish

what needs commanding.

To drain the Pontine Marshes.

To free Rome from malaria.

To fill my belly.

To control the Tiber's floods.

To improve the harbor at Ostia.

To please my ambition.

And must I wish roads to be built,

libraries for public use?

The men of Italy to be equal

to those of Rome?

Many of these have merits

and merit our approval.

"Merit your approval." Is Caesar

to come before the Senate each day...

...like a schoolboy,

now passing, now failing?

Do you suggest the Senate no longer

deliberate the welfare of Rome?

To end the process of Roman law?

I must be the law! And my word

must be the welfare of Rome.

Else, take from me

this meaningless title of dictator.

I've carried a sword for too long.

I cannot now pretend

with an empty scabbard.

Surely Caesar recalls the symbolic

nature of the title "dictator"...

...at the time it was conferred.

It was to honor Caesar

above all men...

...and to indicate Rome's gratitude

for your triumphs in its name.

Brutus, I recall them well,

those triumphs.

Do you?

Pharsalia, for one.

You trembled in Antony's hand...

...when he was hot

to separate you from your head...

...with just cause.

My command spared your life.

There was no deliberating body.

It was not my wish, but my command.

By my dictate that you stand here

dribbling virtue out of your mouth.

Sit down.

No, I want no more meaningless

privileges and considerations.

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