Two Voltairean Plays: The Triumvirate and Comedy at Ferney. Voltaire
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to blame me?
Today it’s Anthony who forbids me to love?
ANTHONY
Both of us have mixed festivities
And pleasures with the fury of arms.
Caesar did it, too. But through sensuality
The course of his exploits was not hindered.
I saw him in Egypt, amorous and cruel
Adoring Cleopatra, and sacrificing her brother.
OCTAVIAN
That was to serve her, I can see you one day,
More blind than he, weaker in your turn.
I know you well enough, whatever may happen
I’ve scratched out Lucius, and I insist that he live.
ANTHONY
I will consent to it when seeing you sign
The executions of those proscribed not to be spared.
OCTAVIAN
I’ve already said, I’m weary of carnage
To which Caesar’s death forced my courage.
But since of necessity nothing be done by half
That the safety of Rome be affirmed,
I must consummate the horror that brings us together.
(he sits and signs)
Go, Tribune, bear these unhappy edicts.
(to Anthony who sits and signs)
And as for us, may we be forever joined!
ANTHONY
Yes. Aufidius, tomorrow you will escort Fulvia
Her retreat is limited to the country of Apulia
Let me no longer hear her seditious screams.
OCTAVIAN
Let’s hear this Tribune who’s returning to these parts.
He’s coming from Rome and can inform us
With what respect the Senate has completed our laws.
ANTHONY (to Tribune)
Have they accomplished the Triumvirs’ plans?
Does blood assure the repose of humanity?
TRIBUNE
Rome trembles and holds its peace amidst executions
What remains for us is to strike some secret conspirators
Some vile enemies of Anthony’s and Caesar’s,
Remain from the conspirators of the Ides of March,
Who in their last raids conceal their obscure hate
Are going in secret to the people to excite murmurs.
Paulus, Albin, Cotter, the greatest have fallen;
From the proscription few have escaped.
OCTAVIAN
Have they affirmed the conquest of the universe?
And brought the head of the son of Pompey?
For the good of the state, I had to demand it.
TRIBUNE
The gods didn’t wish, lords, to grant it to you.
This bold youth, very dear to the Romans,
Appears to their eyes with the virtues of his father,
And when through my efforts, the heads of the proscribed
To the walls of the capitol the rewards are affixed,
Pompey to their safety set forth rewards,
He had by his benefits combated your vengeance.
But when your legions, marching on our heels,
Then, fleeing from Rome, and seeking battle
He advanced to Ceseria, and near the Pyrenees
Joined his destiny to that of Cato’s son.
While in the Orient, Cassius and Brutus
Conspirators very famous for their false virtues
To their weak party gave a bit of audacity,
They dared to defy you in the fields of Thrace.
ANTHONY
Pompey has escaped!
OCTAVIAN
Don’t be alarmed!
No matter what place he may be in, death is on his heels;
If my father owed his triumph in Pharsalia
I expect against the son an equal fortune
And the name of Caesar by which I am honored
Has made his ruin a sacred duty to my arm.
ANTHONY
Let’s prepare this great enterprise suddenly
But let our interests never divide us.
The blood of great Caesar is already joined to mine
Your sister is my wife; and this double bond
Must affirm the yoke by which our victorious hands
Will hold trembling nations at our knees.
(Anthony and his party leave)
OCTAVIAN (alone—the Tribune at a distance)
What will all these knots do? We are two tyrants!
Powers of the earth—do you have relatives?
Julia was born in the blood of Caesars—
And far from seeking my useful alliance
She looks on this sad union
Only as one of the decrees of proscription.
(To Tribune)
Come back!— What, Pompey has escaped my vengeance?
What—Julia is in communication with him?
Is she unaware in what parts she has come?
TRIBUNE
Her father is aware, and doesn’t doubt
Himself to prepare the flight of his daughter.
OCTAVIAN
What is my overly seduced reason being informed of?
What! When it’s necessary to govern the consternated universe
Surrounded by enemies, environed by murder
Stained by the blood of the proscribed I sacrifice to my father
Detested by Romans, perhaps, by a brother-in-law,
In the midst of war, in the breast of factions
To other passions my heart is open.
What unheard of mixture, what astonishing intoxication
With love, ambition, crimes, weakness!
What devouring cares are coming to consume me!
Destroyer of humans, is it suitable for you to love?
C U R T A I N
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