However, if you were to judge evenly, you would be considered more at fault<hr>
than Antony, for he is blinded by love and can no longer heed reason, whereas<hr>
my reputation shouldn't trouble your mind as it does. Cleopatra's love has<hr>
clouded his judgement so much that he is dazzled, forgetting his own interests. He didn't think<hr>
that he was offending me by accepting the gifts I offered him and by refusing to meet with me,<hr>
preferring instead to return to Alexandria. He didn't intend to upset Octavia, rather to<hr>
please Cleopatra. He feared that my presence might stir other feelings within him, and he<hr>
admitted that he still loved me enough to not bear my presence<hr>
without confusion or pain. Finally, Octavius, we must pity his weakness and his<hr>
blindness and not mimic him in his error. The feelings that are desired for me to feel are<hr>
even more dangerous than those that have taken possession of Antony. And if they were to transition from my<hr>
heart to yours, you would no doubt act with more violence and injustice than him, as these<hr>
feelings would pass onto you their characteristic fury. This offense that<hr>
I've suffered doesn’t require Roman blood to be wiped away. Declaring war on Antony for<hr>
my sake is not a way to reclaim his affection. Rather, it will justify his error and<hr>
infidelity, for it is certain that I would deserve the treatment I receive if, because he has<hr>
dismissed me from his heart, I banished him from my home and sided with his enemies. I<hr>
know that I am Roman and that I have the honor of being your sister. But I also know that I am the<hr>
wife of Antony and that his interests must be mine. Even if he doesn't show me all the<hr>
affection he should, my own will does not allow me to neglect the affection I owe him.<hr>
If I were to act differently, it would be recognizing Cleopatra as Antony's legitimate wife and<hr>
willingly ceding her a status that she cannot take from me today.<hr>
       So, allow me to lock away my pain and tears within my husband's residence, for fear of<hr>
making it public and thus provoking new enemies for him. Let me<hr>
conceal my sorrow and bitterness. And if it is true that my interests are yours as you've<hr>
always shown, assist me in justifying Antony to the Senate. Tell them that this love<hr>
is too violent to last, that just as Julius Caesar was strong enough to forget<hr>
the charms of this beautiful Egyptian, Antony, struck by the same feelings, will have enough<hr>
courage to break this enchantment. But ensure this love does not lead to a war.<hr>
Remember that day when my tears made two of the greatest generals drop their weapons. You were then surrounded by your legions,<hr>
your army was already preparing to fight, Antony's three hundred sails were<hr>
visible to your troops. Both camps were already displaying that ardor which the sight of the<hr>
enemy incites before battle. The desire to win lived in the hearts of all soldiers,<hr>
who were already thinking about the wealth of the spoils.<hr>
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                                                   137<hr>