Two Voltairean Plays: The Triumvirate and Comedy at Ferney. Voltaire

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      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,

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