Part 98 (2/2)
Outside, on the teures carved into the bases of the coluht breeze whispered, and the still-flat surface of the sea was a shi+ning sheet reflecting the late afternoon sun
Antony stood iht froers When I aone, it is difficult to lose h, I turned from the columns I would return another day But I was annoyed, and as soon as he spoke, I disagreed with hi with his hand toward the soaring columns, white as milk, ”is what they do not understand”
What was he talking about? And why s? ”Who? Who does not understand what?” I said, hoping for a short answer
Instead he launched into a list of his s about the Senate, and how they must be made to understand--and approve of--his actions here in the east
”It is different here,” he said ”These ancient kingdoms--they do not wish to becos Just because Ro does not mean others must follow suit”
Well, what of it? ”Yes, true,” I concurred
”The Rorants I made in Alexandria,” he said
So that hat this was about! Before I could say anything, he went on
”But they must be made to understand--and approve I will announce it in a letter, which the new Consuls will read to the Senate when they take office Thanks be to all the Gods that the two Consuls for next year are my men--my admirals Sosius and Ahenobarbus I will address the Senate through theainst Octavian!”
Why was he so obstinate, so blind? I looked longingly at the carvings; hopeless to focus on their pristine beauty now ”Curse the Senate!” I said, too loudly
Heads of others on the platfor to hear ould follow Even Antony was brought up short
”I--” he began, casting about for words ”The Senate--”
”The Senate ceased to have any moral authority when it stood by and saw Caesar one, and have been replaced by--what? Little et the”
”The constitution of Rome abides with the Senate,” he said quietly ” ”But of course, I cannot expect you you to understand!” to understand!”
”It's you who do not understand!” I shot back ”You cannot see the changes that have swept over Roone, it's as cut off as--these priests'down the steps He glared at us
”They are the only authority left,” he maintained stubbornly
”They are the only semblance semblance of authority left But it is only the shadow of authority The Senate died along with Caesar And it didn't even have an official funeral” of authority left But it is only the shadow of authority The Senate died along with Caesar And it didn't even have an official funeral”
Angrily he strode down the steps Whenever he heard so he did not fancy, he rejected it
I followed hi to you!” I said If any of ht up with him We were still in the temple precincts, and a quarrel see,” I said ”Behave yourself!” Had he no thought for our reputations?
”I don't care!” He stamped away
”You mustthe streets of Rome with Curio now! If you would rule the world--”
He turned on me ”It's you ould have , and listening I fell silent, and began walking swiftly by his side This must be suspended until ere in private
Alone that night, in our spacious house so graciously provided by one of the city councillors, Antony appeared to forget the tiff He was high-spirited, drinking tootoo u roo bits of food s from a banquet--there were bones and fruit skins and shellfish littering the floor It was much in fashi+on at the ti the food, although I thought it rather wasted Why portray garbage? But Antony, as he drankhis own food on the floor
”Why, I can hardly tell the difference!” he said, watching a melon rind wheel across the floor and finally lie still next to a bunch of mosaic cherries ”Look!”
He leaned on his forearrown such behavior,” I said, more sharply than I intended ”Now you are on a level with Philadelphos”
He cocked his head ”They say infants have great wisdorown people wish they had time to play?”
”It seems you must be either an infant or the ruler of the world to do so All the people in between do not have the luxury”
”Ahthe ruler-of-the-world business again I kneas bound to coave a half-sh destiny” He reached out and took his goblet, peering into its depths He sloshed some more wine into it and drank it down
”Antony, you drink too much” There, I had said it
He laid his hand over his heart ”You woundstricken
”It is true It is not--not good for you” What I wanted to say was that when he was younger it had not affected hiue, but he did not ”I know,” he said But that did not stop hiain ”But I like the way it sets my mind freelets it roam where it willand sometimes it shows me wisdom, or a neay” He sed it down ”And sometioblet ”Farewell, fair friend--since Cleopatra will have it so” He put it down cereion with the world's best wines nearby Lesbos and your sweet nectar, Chios with your o to extremes?” I asked ”You do not have to banish it froether Just ether seriously ”There are some of us with a temperament that precludes ” He stood up He was not unsteady, and his words were clear ”Had I not been such a man, I would not be here noith you I would have played with you, enjoyed our tied myself That would have made Rome happy Rome--which was all too pleased to see you as my mistress, but horrified to see you as my wife I spit on such conventions”
”Why then, oh, why, do you then ache for their approval? If you do not approve of them, why should they approve of you?” Why should ish those we do not respect to respect us?
”I do not know,” he said ”In Roood or ill, Rome is my mother”
By now I had risen frothere was so I could do to lessen his pain It was clear he must displease his mother, Mother Roma, at least the Ro in the feats of ard sons, if they were only successful
”You underestimate the love of a mother,” I finally said ”She will never abandon you Rome elcome you Rome is not the Senate, nor is she Octavian You are as Roman as either of them And when you prevail, and return victorious to the hills of Rohed ”It always comes to that”
”Yes, it comes to armies,” I said ”Rome has always been about armies The history of Rome is the story of her armies”
Arms about each other's waists, ove our way slowly to bed, picking our steps carefully My reluctant Imperator, my jolly Dionysus, quiet now, subduedhe seeht of what he ht the wine in order to be free And I had spoiled it, ruined his escape
But as he lay silent beside ers reached out and began to play with le
”A wo to himself ”Most beautiful of all her jewels”
I lay silent, my eyes closed Let him do what he wished I loved him so--I only wished the best for him Why could he not understand that?
”My Queen,” he finally said ”I have never really grown used to having a queen ina hearty mortal in mine