" Cleopatra: I will not be triumphed over. "
She was not either...
But the legendary conquests of this charismatic beauty included Julius Caesar, the emperor who lived by the adage - 'I came, I saw, I conquered' and Mark Antony, the man who would be king.
My poem 'The Last Rendezvous' captures the unyielding fortitude of this pharaoh who held sway over the hearts of the most powerful men in the world but let none dwell in hers...
( The ship sails being set ready to leave for Egypt ;
when Marc Antony comes to meet Cleopatra, for one last time... )
Cleopatra
Antony, in Rome I shall not remain
But go back to Egypt, my country, my people;
For whom, God and Cleopatra, is one and the same.
Not here; Where the king is murdered in a temple.
And why should I risk the life of Caesarion
JC’s last sign;
For though my own life, may be undone.
To my cursed fate, I shall not resign.
Also the cause for which Caesar bled
Is now of no consequence to the masses;
For there in my land, we preserve the dead.
And here; Their thoughts are burnt into ashes.
And the world, shall hence fear friends, not foes
After what Brutus did to Caesar.
For there the enemy, one knows;
Would attack from the front, and not the rear.
But JC for his unmatched deeds and valour
Shall go down the pages of history;
But uncertain lies Rome’s future.
Without the grace of his Majesty.
Antony
Cleopatra, your views are wholly justified
For Rome has nothing to offer;
Except for those ashes, which you specified.
And friends, none better, than traitors.
But then JC too, withheld violent protests
And defeated all his enemies.
So would you not, at my behest;
Help out Rome in her crisis.
But I will not hinder your decision
And prevent you from leaving.
But wait for you and Caesarion;
To return, and fulfill JC’s undertaking.
Goodbye…
( the ship sets sail )
