CLEOPATRA AND CAESAR
Act 1 Scene 1
Caesar's Room
(Caesar is in his room. He is happy to destroy Cleopatra's rule over Egypt yet is angry at her attempt for suicide. He paces, uncontrollably, trying to find a way to breakd0wn the complex queen)
Caesar: I may be zealous yet my mind is in ruins! That gipsy queen seeks to tear my brain! Good captain hark my council, you done well, so, to stop the madness of the queen as in self-death she tried to win over my better judgment.
Captain: Not a trouble my lord.
Caesar: Hark Soldier, tell me, what does the queen does now?
Captain: She weeps my lord.
Caesar: (Angrily) She weeps! That serpent-wrench! Bring her to me this moment soldier!
Captain: Yes Sir.
(Exeunt)
Caesar: (Thinking angrily) This vile serpent-wrench was the fancy of my comrade, Anthony, you deserve your lust's prime and fall for it is the fool that flashes in mine memory (hearing footsteps) so, she gives me attendance, (amused) I will teach the woman her place!
(Enter Charmian with the captain)
Charmian: My lady is ill she does not wish to see you, sir.
Caesar: (In absolute fury) THAT WRETCH MUST INDEED KNOW HER PLACE! CALL HER NOW OR UPON YOUR BREAST WILL LAY THE DAGGER!
Charmian: (Somewhat effected) A dagger's kiss I do not care, yet for sir, (almost mockingly) I will bid her council for your attendance.
Captain: Sir, if the queen rejects?
Caesar: (Smiling smugly) Then I will bid the guards do their jobs
Captain: (Nervously, very disturbed) Let us just hope the conclusion forbids such matter.
Caesar: (smiling sinisterly) Let us hope…indeed…
(Enter Cleopatra with her maids Iras and Charmian)
Cleopatra: Charmian trembles only in slight, only the dagger sitting at my breast gives her sickness. 'Tis not your threats to her, they die in meaning.
Caesar: What meaning? You are not afraid of the sacrifice of life – pray, does Charmian and her feelings give you release from nonsensical stubbornness?
Cleopatra: No reason liberates me, gentle emperor, hark my words, to which I come for council.
Caesar: What words, speak thee…
Cleopatra: I do not like you.
Caesar: (unimpressed, stoical) So, what other words do you gallantly deliver.
Cleopatra: (slaps Octavius Caesar across his face) Does the gallantry please thee?
Captain: (seizes Cleopatra immediately as her maids yell for her release) My Lord! Thou sting of redness!
Caesar: (angrily, looking vehemently at Cleopatra) Mark my words harpy I will give you to the filth of the rank you deserve! YOU PUTRID UGLY WRETCH!
Cleopatra: (Stoically) If I am to be ugly, let me stand, you multiply ten folds in the department.
Captain: Seize thy tongue, my lord is gentle!
Charmian: (angrily grabs the wrist of the guard) So is my lady!
Iras: (pulling Cleopatra free) Methinks it is better to return to the chambers.
Caesar: You should be jailed! (Smiling) And jailed you should be! Captain, attend to her quarters! She has thrown her liberty with her council with me, (grabs Cleopatra's face harshly) You will serve the tramp's cause.
Cleopatra: As you do now? You are my comrade in harlot's games.
Caesar: (itching to slap her) Captain! Keep her locked in her quarters!
Iras: (frees Cleopatra from Octavius) Madam, we must leave.
(Exeunt all except Caesar)
Caesar: I bid the promise Gipsy queen! You mark my vow! I will make your lusts and tricks give you downfall! I cannot see what pines my father had for you or the fool that was once my comrade! I stay blinded! And blinded shall I stay! You need not think you will nurse me with your loins in your harpy's nest!
