Tony and Cleop Act Three Scene Thirteen Sub-Scene One

 

Act Three

Scene Thirteen

Sub-Scene One

Defeat is hard.

 

The Queen sat by herself at the library. She was thinking of the war and Mark Antony’s surrender. She felt the loss in herself—once the mighty Queen and now a weakling to submit to the new Caesar. She recalled once asking Julius Caesar what it was like to win.

““Be not afraid of greatness. Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and others have greatness thrust upon them.” (William Shakespeare, Twelfth Night.) Julius told her.

“You were born to be the Queen. You will die as one.”

Her thoughts were then disturbed by the arrival of the maid, who told Enobarbus to seek her attention. The Romans entered and bowed to the Queen.

“What can or will we do, Enobarbus?” The Queen asked.

“Given the situation, we could die.”

“Is Mark Antony at fault for this, or am I?” The Queen asked then.

“I …...” Enobarbus thought of his reply. “Mark Antony, who allowed his appetite to overcome his reason, He was overzealous, thinking he could win the battle at sea. He had not fought one before, or even if he did, it was on still water or the rivers. I cautioned him, but he would not listen.”

“On me, your wiser words, please? I fled when I was in battle.” The Queen looked at the Roman.

“What does it matter that you fled from the dangerous battlefield, where ranks of ships frightened both sides? What could you do? Your ships are under armed, and more to it, you know it was suicide to battle.”

“Why should he have followed you? His affection for you should not have undermined his skill as captain; he was lost.  While one half of the world opposed the other, and when he himself was the reason for this fight, he disliked Caesar, and he fought. His shame of defeat was as great as his loss when he followed the flags of your fleeing ships and left his navy watching him go.”

“It was no cowardice but a lack of leadership.” Enobarbus sighed.

“Please, be quiet. I hear him coming.” The Queen hushed the others.

Mark Antony arrived with a messenger. Mark Antony saw Enobarbus and ignored the others.

“Is that Caesar's answer? Do tell it to the Queen.”

“Yes, my lord. Caesar said,”

“He will treat the Queen favourably, so long as she hands me over to him.” Mark spoke to the Queen.

“That's what he says.” The messenger continued. “He …...”

“If you send my old body to that young boy Caesar, he will give you all the kingdoms you wish.” Mark Antony laughed.

“Your body, my love?” The Queen was shocked.

“Go to Caesar. Tell him that he is still in the first bloom of youth, and the world should expect things from him.” Mark told the messenger. “The last Caesar left him money, ships, and legions of boys, just as well as belonging to a coward. His boys may be so gifted that they would win under the command of a child just as well as under Caesar.”

“If he dares, leave aside his flashy decorations and answer my challenge, even though I am well past the prime of my youth, to fight a duel of guns or swords, just the two of us.”

“I will convey the message.” The messenger bowed and left. Mark took his leave without a glance at Enobarbus.

“Yes, I am sure. It is very unlikely that Caesar, with all his armies, will give up his advantage and agree to show himself in public and fight against a trained man.” Enobarbus burst out. “Foolish of Mark Antony.”

“What does he think? A duel of gentlemen? That has died years ago.” Enobarbus sighed. “Does he not see that men's judgment improves or declines in accordance with their luck? External events shape our inner qualities, so if we suffer externally, we suffer internally too.”

“How could he dream, having known both good and bad fortune, that Caesar, with all his good fortune, would answer a challenge from a man in such bad condition? Caesar, you have destroyed his judgment too. Mark Antony is...” Enobarbus was upset.

“A messenger from Caesar.” The servant called from the doorway.

“He calls from the door. Am I a leper that he fears to step in? Why do they not treat me with more respect?” The Queen burst out.

“See here, Enobarbus. When a great person has fallen low, the people who once kneeled before her instead turn their noses up at her. Let him in, sir.”

“Let the man in.” Enobarbus called out. He then whispered to himself.

“My mind was clouded with many judgments; they began to come into conflict with my honour. Am I the fool who thinks he is wise? But the wise man knows himself to be a fool. The bard was right.” (Extract from William Shakespeare, As You Like It.).

“The perseverance to follow his lord faithfully even after his lord has fallen proves that he is stronger even than the person who conquered his master, and so makes a great name for himself.” Enobarbus held his respect for Mark Antony.

The messenger was Thidias.