1    Contemning Rome, he has done all this, and more,
2    In Alexandria: here's the manner of 't:
3    I' the market-place, on a tribunal silver'd,
4    Cleopatra and himself in chairs of gold
5    Were publicly enthroned: at the feet sat
6    Caesarion, whom they call my father's son,
7    And all the unlawful issue that their lust
8    Since then hath made between them. Unto her
9    He gave the stablishment of Egypt; made her
10   Of lower Syria, Cyprus, Lydia,
11   Absolute queen.

12   This in the public eye?

13   I' the common show-place, where they exercise.
14   His sons he there proclaim'd the kings of kings:
15   Great Media, Parthia, and Armenia.
16   He gave to Alexander; to Ptolemy he assign'd
17   Syria, Cilicia, and Phoenicia: she
18   In the habiliments of the goddess Isis
19   That day appear'd; and oft before gave audience,
20   As 'tis reported, so.

21   Let Rome be thus Inform'd.

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

24   The people know it; and have now received
25   His accusations.

26   Who does he accuse?

27   Caesar: and that, having in Sicily
28   Sextus Pompeius spoil'd, we had not rated him
29   His part o' the isle: then does he say, he lent me
30   Some shipping unrestored: lastly, he frets
31   That Lepidus of the triumvirate
32   Should be deposed; and, being, that we detain
33   All his revenue.

34   Sir, this should be answer'd.

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

42   He'll never yield to that.

43   Nor must not then be yielded to in this.

44   Hail, Caesar, and my lord! hail, most dear Caesar!

45   That ever I should call thee castaway!

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

47   Why have you stol'n upon us thus! You come not
48   Like Caesar's sister: the wife of Antony
49   Should have an army for an usher, and
50   The neighs of horse to tell of her approach
51   Long ere she did appear; the trees by the way
52   Should have borne men; and expectation fainted,
53   Longing for what it had not; nay, the dust
54   Should have ascended to the roof of heaven,
55   Raised by your populous troops: but you are come
56   A market-maid to Rome; and have prevented
57   The ostentation of our love, which, left unshown,
58   Is often left unloved; we should have met you
59   By sea and land; supplying every stage
60   With an augmented greeting.

61   Good my lord,
62   To come thus was I not constrain'd, but did
63   On my free will. My lord, Mark Antony,
64   Hearing that you prepared for war, acquainted
65   My grieved ear withal; whereon, I begg'd
66   His pardon for return.

67   Which soon he granted,
68   Being an obstruct 'tween his lust and him.

69   Do not say so, my lord.

70   I have eyes upon him,
71   And his affairs come to me on the wind.
72   Where is he now?

73   My lord, in Athens.

74   No, my most wronged sister; Cleopatra
75   Hath nodded him to her. He hath given his empire
76   Up to a whore; who now are levying
77   The kings o' the earth for war; he hath assembled
78   Bocchus, the king of Libya; Archelaus,
79   Of Cappadocia; Philadelphos, king
80   Of Paphlagonia; the Thracian king, Adallas;
81   King Malchus of Arabia; King of Pont;
82   Herod of Jewry; Mithridates, king
83   Of Comagene; Polemon and Amyntas,
84   The kings of Mede and Lycaonia,
85   With a more larger list of sceptres.

86   Ay me, most wretched,
87   That have my heart parted betwixt two friends
88   That do afflict each other!

89   Welcome hither:
90   Your letters did withhold our breaking forth;
91   Till we perceived, both how you were wrong led,
92   And we in negligent danger. Cheer your heart;
93   Be you not troubled with the time, which drives
94   O'er your content these strong necessities;
95   But let determined things to destiny
96   Hold unbewail'd their way. Welcome to Rome;
97   Nothing more dear to me. You are abused
98   Beyond the mark of thought: and the high gods,
99   To do you justice, make them ministers
100  Of us and those that love you. Best of comfort;
101  And ever welcome to us.

102  Welcome, lady.

103  Welcome, dear madam.
104  Each heart in Rome does love and pity you:
105  Only the adulterous Antony, most large
106  In his abominations, turns you off;
107  And gives his potent regiment to a trull,
108  That noises it against us.

109  Is it so, sir?

110  Most certain. Sister, welcome: pray you,
111  Be ever known to patience: my dear'st sister!