Imperium: The Cicero Plays (NHB Modern Plays) E-Book

Robert Harris

• Herausgeber: Nick Hern Books
• Kategorie: Poesie und Drama
• Sprache: Englisch
• Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2017

Seitenzahl: 325

Beschreibung

Cicero, the greatest orator of his age, devotes all his energy and cunning to preserve the rule of law, and defend Rome's Republic against the predatory attacks of political rivals, discontented aristocrats, and would-be military dictators. Imperium is a backstage view of Ancient Rome at its most bloody and brutal, told through the eyes of Tiro, Cicero's loyal secretary. Adapted by Mike Poulton from Robert Harris's bestselling The Cicero Trilogy, it was premiered by the Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford-upon-Avon in November 2017 in an epic event comprising six plays presented in two performances.

Leseprobe

IMPERIUM

The Cicero Plays

Adapted for the stage by

Mike Poulton

From the novels by

Robert Harris

With an introduction by Mike Poulton

NICK HERN BOOKS

London

www.nickhernbooks.co.uk

Contents

Introduction by Mike Poulton

Acknowledgements

Characters

Cicero

Catiline

Clodius

Caesar

Mark Antony

Octavian

About the Authors

Copyright and Performing Rights Information

AdaptingImperium

Mike Poulton

I had been planning to adapt Robert Harris’s Cicero trilogy – Imperium, Lustrum and Dictator – even before he had finished the final volume, or at least composing scenes in my head – watching them play out on the stage of the Swan. Presumptuous of me perhaps – but I had mentioned to Robert my ambition to see a stage version of at least part of his epic achievement – a work of astonishing insight and scope which – for me – brought to life those all-absorbing moments when world domination by a single person became a graspable possibility – and then a political reality. Robert’s books take us inside the head of the only man capable of stopping Rome’s headlong slide from an imperfect democracy, with its human rights and good laws, into a military dictatorship. We watch Cicero succeed, and we are with him when he fails.

Fortunately, Robert was very keen on the idea of my adapting his work for the stage. And, equally fortunately, Greg Doran was up for directing it in, what for me, is the perfect theatre – the RSC’s Swan in Stratford-upon-Avon. It was something of a challenge. I’d previously dealt with the Spanish Court of the sixteenth century, had a couple of brief excursions into the Courts of Elizabeth I, and Henry VIII, had fun with the England of Chaucer, and the Britain of Thomas Malory – but this was Rome – the place where, as far as we Westerners are concerned – everything began. We are products of Rome. Shakespeare knew far more about Roman history than he did about the history of Britain – and he had better, and more accurate source material. Like all schoolboys of his time, he owed a great deal to Marcus Tullius Cicero.

The approach to adapting a literary epic is rather like adopting the ‘slash and burn’ approach to forest clearance. You have to brace yourself for the destruction of a vast vista of natural beauty, awe and wonder, in the hopes of creating something new. You can’t put thirty-odd years of Cicero’s life into two evenings in the theatre. The starting point has to be to search out a couple of very strong plotlines – complete with beginning, middle and ending – that is going to have an audience on the edge of its seats for six hours. And you need an understanding – acquired over many years – of your audience.

An audience is a very different animal from the lone reader. The reader can set his or her own pace, take time, absorb, revisit long passages of stunning description, take meal breaks, and walk the dog. An audience is a sort of team, in the act of playing a team game – it brings a variety of communal skills into the theatre, and is prepared to deal with anything a company of actors throws at it. Language challenges are kicked back and forth between them. An audience wants to be surprised, amused, caught-out, frightened, thrilled – especially thrilled – all from the safety of a comfortable seat, over the space of two or three intense hours. And in the case of an adaptation, an audience wants to revisit the pleasures of reading the original novels, and experience the game from a different perspective.

The plays Robert, Greg and I identified, lying below the surface of the trilogy, concerned Cicero’s destruction of the power-crazed and vicious Sergius Catiline, and Cicero’s attempt to prevent Mark Antony from succeeding to Julius Caesar’s dictatorship. The background to all six linked plays is Cicero’s duel with Caesar, and its aftermath. It’s a story of natural humanity, and good laws versus military ambition. Cicero succeeds in one case, and achieves a partial success in the other. But this flawed master of political oratory carries with him the seeds of his own destruction. He is, ultimately, brought low by young men – the next generation – he has trusted, taught and nurtured.

People seem obsessed with looking for ‘relevance’ in plays. A member of the cast pointed out to me that every time he turned on the global horrors of the evening news, he’d see parallels of what we’d spent the day exploring in the rehearsal room. These six plays deal with a period of history when the political values and certainties of local government were overwhelmed by a world in turmoil – does that sound familiar?

I’d like to acknowledge my enormous debt to Robert Harris and Greg Doran.

These six plays are for Bill and Joe.

And for Guy, Dan, Jade, Peter, Joe, John, Michael, Ollie, Paul, Paddy, Hywel, Lily, David, Pierro, Siobhan, Pat, Jay, Chris, Eloise, Simon, Nick, Suzy, Klare, Alice and Chris.

Mike Poulton

Characters

CICERO

TIRO

SOSITHEUS

OCTAVIUS

MOB 1

MOB 2

MOB 3

POMPEY

CRASSUS

CATILINE

CAESAR

TERENTIA

VERRES

NUMITORIUS

JUDGE

CATULUS

ISAURICUS

RUFUS

TULLIA

CLODIUS

RABIRIUS

ISAURICUS

POMPEIA

HYBRIDA

CELER

JUNIOR AUGUR

QUINTUS

CATO

CETHEGUS

SURA

PIUS

MARCUS

CAMILLA

LUCULLUS

SERVANT BOY

CLODIA

MURENA

SILANUS

VIRIDORIX

CAEPARIUS

STATILIUS

CAPITO

FULVIA

MARK ANTONY

DOLABELLA

MESSENGER

POMPEY’S OFFICER

FONTEIUS

YOUNG OFFICER

HIRTIUS

PANSA

DECIMUS

POPILLIUS

OCTAVIAN

BRUTUS

CASSIUS

LEPIDUS

PISO

CALPURNIA

SLAVE 1

SLAVE 2

SLAVE 3

TREBONIUS

TILLIUS CIMBER

CASCA

GLADIATOR 1

GLADIATOR 2

CINNA

SERVIUS SULPICIUS

MARCELLUS

CHIEF VESTAL

ACTOR CAESARS

SERVANT

AGRIPPA

SERVILLIA

NURSE

VATIA

CALENUS

JULIA

MESSENGER

OCTAVIAN’S SECRETARY

And MARINES, CROWDS, MOBS, SOLDIERS, AQUILIFERS, SLAVES, THE PEOPLE OF ROME, BEGGARS, PROSTITUTES, GANGS, SENATORS, PRIESTS, VESTALS, SERVANTS, LICTORS, GUESTS, BODYGUARDS, SUPPORTERS, GAULS, GUARDS, OFFICERS, SECRETARIES, EUNUCHS, GLADIATORS, MOURNERS, VETERANS, THUGS, SCRIBES, CENTURIANS

This ebook was created before the end of rehearsals and so may differ slightly from the plays as performed.

PLAY ONE

CICERO

Prologue

A ship shed. Gloom. A liburnian under repair. Shaft of light on a boy’s body, gilded, red fillets in the hair, looks asleep, half-covered by a sailcloth. CICERO and TIRO emerge out of the gloom. They look at the body. CICERO is at pains to hide his nausea. SOSITHEUS carrying a document case joins him, then the elder OCTAVIUS. MARINES on guard duty. Outside, a CROWD has gathered. OCTAVIUS steps forward, MARINES throw back the sailcloth. The body has been slit open from chest to groin, entrails removed. Shock.

OCTAVIUS. I would not have summoned you, Consul – on the eve of your inauguration – but –

CICERO. No, no – you were right to come to me –

OCTAVIUS. Let me show you.

He turns the boy’s head, revealing the slashed throat.

CICERO. Gods!

OCTAVIUS. Felled from behind. By a hammer, I’d say.

TIRO. Throat cut… Eviscerated –

OCTAVIUS. It looks as if his killers – whoever they were – wanted to inspect the entrails.

CICERO (shaken – hiding it). A human sacrifice? Here in Rome?

TIRO. Who’d do such a thing?

SOSITHEUS. Gauls most likely –

CICERO. Has anyone claimed him?

OCTAVIUS. Not yet… But… I’m afraid there’s worse to come – (Turning over the body onto its stomach.) Do you see?

TIRO. There’s an owner’s tattoo – above the left buttock.

SOSITHEUS. A slave.

CICERO. Can you read it, Tiro?

TIRO. ‘C. Ant. M…’ But surely? That’s –

CICERO. Hybrida… the property of Antonius Hybrida.

OCTAVIUS. Your colleague in the Consulship. Sorry to land you with it, Cicero. We fished the poor boy out of the river – we couldn’t just throw him back.

CICERO. You did what duty required of you. Who else knows about this?

OCTAVIUS. The marines who found him – others who saw us bring him ashore… There’s a crowd gathering… They’re saying a ritual killing on the eve of your Consulship’s a bad omen – for you and for the City –

CICERO. They may be right. Have you informed Hybrida?

OCTAVIUS. No, I –

CICERO. Then don’t. Leave Hybrida to me. Burn the remains – let nobody see you doing it.

OCTAVIUS. What about the crowd?

CICERO. Deal with the body. I’ll deal with the People.

CICERO and OCTAVIUS come out of the shed with TIRO and SOSITHEUS. The MOB is established as a force to be reckoned with. They crowd around CICERO.

SOSITHEUS. Get back! Don’t jostle your Consul –

MOB. The Gauls did it! Foreign scum – send ’em home – kick ’em out! It’s Gauls! – Aliens – Savages – Human sacrifice – Purify the City! We don’t want ’em here, send ’em back where they came from – (Etc.)

CICERO. Friends –

MOB 1. Only a Gaul would do that to a child –

MOB. Gauls eat human flesh – drink their blood – too many of them here – (Etc.)

CICERO. Listen to me –

MOB. Not fit to live among decent people – We’re Romans – We don’t want no aliens here – (Etc.)

OCTAVIUS. Citizens – let your Consul speak!

MOB 1. We want answers! Answer, Cicero! (Etc.)

CICERO waits until he can be heard.

CICERO. My friends… I have investigated this poor boy’s death… I’m satisfied it was an accident.

Jeers.

MOB 1. Don’t take us for fools, Cicero – it was no accident! –

CICERO. There’s nothing sinister here. Let’s not trouble the City with false rumours – go home to your families – enjoy the New Year’s festival –

MOB 2. It was a human sacrifice – I saw the body!

Supportive shouts from the MOB.

CICERO. It was nothing of the sort.

MOB 3. Gutted – throat cut – someone’s put a curse on the City – on your Consulship –

CICERO (laughing). Nonsense!

MOB 2. Purify the ground – fetch the priests –

MOB. The gods look down! Sacrifice! Exorcise us! Fetch a priest – Lift the curse – (Etc.)

CICERO. My friends…

MOB 1. Hear him speak –

CICERO. There’s no evidence – none at all – of foul play.

Howls of disbelief from the MOB.

The boy’s been in the river for days – the fish have been feasting on him –

MOB 1. Fetch a priest!

CICERO. Fetch a priest then…! But what do you imagine he can do? Put a curse on all the fishes in the Tiber?

SOSITHEUS giggles. Some laughter from the MOB.

Now listen to me. It’s New Year tomorrow – a new year brings in a new government – and as your First Consul for the coming year I’ll do everything in my power to keep Rome safe and secure… You – the People – have chosen me to lead you… Do I have your trust?

Approval – mostly – from the MOB.

Now return to your homes.

MOB 2. Some of us don’t have homes –

CICERO. May all the gods protect Rome!

TIRO, OCTAVIUS and SOSITHEUS. May the gods protect Rome!

MOB. May the gods protect Rome!

Acclaim from the MOB.

CICERO. And for some days, my friends… I suggest you eat no fish!

Laughter. Exeunt MOB, OCTAVIUS and MARINES.

TIRO. When the throat gaped open, the hairs on the back of my neck spiked up –

CICERO (shaken – hiding it). Tiro – can we not…

TIRO. We were in the presence of evil.

CICERO. I felt it too… A palpable force – potent as lightning. I am going to be… (He is sick.)

TIRO. Put your head down, Master – take deep breaths…

CICERO. Perhaps I should have fetched a priest.

Exit SOSITHEUS. CICERO remains lost in thought. TIRO addresses the audience.

Scene One

TIRO. Welcome to Rome.

My name is Tiro… (Studies the audience.) Who are you?

I’m writing a life of the Roman statesman Marcus Tullius Cicero – the greatest orator of his age – some say of any age…

CICERO turns.

I was Cicero’s confidential secretary – at his side for almost the whole of his life. People ask me what he was really like…

SOLDIERS cross the stage.

Given the current political climate, I hold my tongue… You never know who’s listening, do you? Throughout his life Cicero kept a record of everything he witnessed. We survived decades of political upheaval – a civil war… I have all his papers… But – at the end – Caesar forbade him to publish his account. Those in power were afraid of what he might say and write – they feared his voice – they feared his pen more. So, the task has fallen to me.

Checks he’s not being overheard.

So far, I’ve dealt with his early years – his education in oratory and the law – his arrival in Rome from an insignificant town in the backwoods of –

CICERO. This is getting very expositional.

TIRO (shrugs). Very well. Let’s go straight to the heart of the matter – let’s talk about power –

Drum beats.

– men and power – those in pursuit of power – those in power, those corrupted by power… Romans have a word, ‘Imperium’ – the power of life and death given by the State into the hands of a single individual… Our State was a democracy – Romans were all great voters – and to prevent any one man seizing absolute power we had checks and balances – we had two – two Heads of State – two Consuls. And the law was a major industry with us – we were all very litigious…

CICERO looks impatient.

The Consulship – to preside over the Senate – was the great prize of Roman politics. Cicero was proud of the fact that when – against all the odds – he was elected to his presidency –

CICERO. It was by the unanimous vote of the Roman People –

POMPEY, in his General’s kit, AQUILIFERS, and CRASSUS appear.

TIRO. How did he manage it? He wasn’t from the ruling class – he couldn’t rely on privilege and political favour – he had no legions of soldiers to bully the People and sway an election, like this man – Pompey Magnus. He didn’t have money – he couldn’t bribe his way to high office – like Crassus here – the richest man in Rome at the time – who has six thousand amphorae overflowing with silver coins, and calls it loose change.

CRASSUS waits for CAESAR and CATILINE, before he and CATILINE join the jury.

TERENTIA (studying CICERO). He did have his wife’s fortune. Had I not paid his election expenses he’d have got nowhere.

Enter CAESAR and CATILINE.

TIRO. He faced powerful opposition – from Catiline – mad as a baited bull… And from a young chancer called Gaius Julius Caesar.

All Cicero had was his voice… By a sheer effort of will he turned it into the most powerful instrument of political persuasion in the Republic… If only you’d seen him in action in the law courts at the beginning of his career!

Enter VERRES.

I wonder if I could show you? I don’t like doing it – I prefer to set things down chronologically – but as you’ve turned up rather late in the story…

Blistering sunshine. TIRO stands behind VERRES. The Court assembles.

When a politician leaves high office, and returns to private life, his crimes sometimes catch up with him. Is it the same with you? Is there much corruption in the politics of your times? Documents are examined – accounts scrutinised – unsuspected evils and long-concealed frauds are brought to light. When the dossier of deceit is complete the accused is put on trial. This… is Gaius Verres – facing prosecution for corruption and extortion during his term as Governor of Sicily.

CICERO stands behind NUMITORIUS. Tone shifts to grim.

CICERO. Gentlemen of the jury, I’m going to question this witness –

NUMITORIUS. Gaius Numitorius –

CICERO. About the execution of one, Publius Gavius – a man who had knowledge of the criminal activities of Governor Verres there – and had made public his intention to expose them. Numitorius – tell the Court what happened to Publius Gavius.

NUMITORIUS. The Governor had him dragged to the marketplace. He shouted to the crowds that Gavius was a spy – and he was going to pay the penalty –

CICERO. A spy? For whom?

NUMITORIUS. Verres never said.

CICERO. And what was that penalty?

NUMITORIUS. Gavius was stripped naked and flogged.

CICERO. In front of the crowds – in the marketplace in Messina?

NUMITORIUS. Then they tortured him with hot irons.

CICERO. Did the victim speak?

NUMITORIUS. He swore he was innocent. Said he’d served in the Roman cavalry. He cried out that he was a Roman citizen.

CICERO. A Roman citizen! Mark that, members of the jury.

NUMITORIUS. A cross was set up overlooking the Straits of Regium so the prisoner could gaze upon Italy as he died.

CICERO. Gavius was crucified?

NUMITORIUS. He was.

CICERO. Without a trial… (Advancing on VERRES.) How did he meet his death?

NUMITORIUS. Bravely – like a Roman. While they were nailing him he never made a sound – but while they were whipping him – he cried out then. Every time a blow landed, he shouted, ‘I am a Roman citizen!’

CICERO. Turn and face the jury, friend. Would you repeat what Gavius said? Speak up so they can all hear.

NUMITORIUS. He said, ‘I am a Roman citizen!’

CICERO. A blow lands – (Raising his wrists above his head, jerks forward as if lashed.) and Gavius shouts through gritted teeth, ‘I am a Roman citizen.’ Another blow lands: ‘I am a Roman citizen!’ (Repeats his act.) Again, a blow: ‘I am a Roman citizen!’

VERRES. That man’s a liar –

NUMITORIUS. The whole town witnessed it –

CATILINE. Verres –

CRASSUS. Verres –

VERRES. He claimed he was a citizen to delay his just punishment –

CICERO. But he did say it…? You admit he said it?

VERRES. I…

CICERO (triumphant). You heard him say, ‘I am a Roman citizen!’ and you ignored his cries? Members of the jury, from his own mouth, Verres condemns himself. You heard Gavius claim his inalienable right to be tried before a jury, here in Rome –

VERRES. I tell you he was a liar and a spy!

JUDGE. Order!

CICERO. You crucified a Roman citizen!

VERRES is restrained by CATULUS and ISAURICUS.

JUDGE. Order – I’ll have order in my Court!

CICERO. The poorest man of humblest birth knows himself possessed of one sure and certain hope and defence: it is that cry: ‘I am a Roman citizen!’

SPECTATOR concurrence.

In every region of the known world it will gain him sanctuary. Except… except, it would seem, in a Court presided over by Governor Gaius Verres.

Anger from SPECTATORS.

You shame us, Verres – you have shamed Rome! What shall Rome say to you?

VERRES. Who was this Gavius anyway!

CICERO. He asks, ‘Who was Gavius?’

CATILINE. He was a nobody!

CICERO (advancing on CATILINE). True! Gavius was nobody – an insignificant fellow no one had ever heard of…

VERRES. Why then! Why am I on trial?!

CICERO. Because it was not Gavius you nailed up on that cross, Verres… You nailed up – you crucified – the universal principle that a Roman citizen – any Roman citizen – is, and will always be, a free man – entitled to the protection of good government and the rule of law!

Uproar. A furious VERRES is dragged to safety by CATULUS and ISAURICUS, pursued by a LYNCH MOB. CATILINE remains – flanked by CAESAR and CRASSUS.

TIRO. That was the end of Gaius Verres, and the start of my master’s rapid rise to high office… Er… My friends, there are a lot of characters in my story – quite a few of them are called Gaius – so try to keep up. When my master stood for Consul he topped the poll.

CATILINE (through gritted teeth, to the audience). How! A nobody! He has no people – all farmers, labourers, slaves…

TIRO. But Cicero was a man of integrity – something of a novelty among our politicians –

CATILINE. A man without honour – no valour, no breeding, no history… Yet he has the insolence to stand against me for high office? And the People vote him into power! The fools! What insolence… the insolence of the creature.

CATILINE is led away by CRASSUS and CAESAR.

TIRO. Bad loser. I must go home – we’ve still not finished writing Cicero’s inaugural address… (Exits.)

Scene Two

CICERO’s house establishes itself. SLAVES preparing for New Year, and inaugural celebrations. RUFUS and CLODIUS reading copies of the draft of the inaugural speech – SOSITHEUS, and TERENTIA studying accounts. TULLIA picks up CICERO’s copy.

TULLIA. ‘I have been elected Consul – not relying on the support of powerful individuals, nor through the influence of a few aristocratic families, but by a unanimous decision of the whole electorate – ’

CICERO. Very good, Tullia. Give it back to me now –

TULLIA. Is it your speech for tomorrow? –

CICERO. Give.

TULLIA gives him the speech, and goes out.

CLODIUS. ‘Roman People’ would be better than ‘the whole electorate’ –

CICERO. Thank you, Clodius. ‘Not through the influence of a few aristocratic families, but by a unanimous decision – a unanimous decision of the Roman People, that raises me far above men of the highest social standing…’

RUFUS. Oouff! Catiline won’t like that –

CICERO. It’s not my intention to give Catiline pleasure.

CLODIUS. Not much he can do about it – not during an inaugural address.

TULLIA runs back in, followed by TIRO.

TULLIA. It’s snowing! Come and see!

TERENTIA. Not in here, Tullia – your father is working –

CICERO. Trying to.

TULLIA. He doesn’t mind –

TIRO. There’s a blanket of pure white over the whole City – it’s a very good omen.

CICERO. No, Tiro – it’s just snow. If Jupiter had wanted to congratulate me on my election he’d have sent an eagle with a letter in its beak.

TERENTIA. Don’t mock the gods. You’ve a difficult year ahead – pray for their protection.

CICERO. Where was I?

TIRO. I’ll go tell them to start shovelling. (Exits.)

RUFUS. ‘In this office, and in the conduct of my life – ’

CICERO. Thank you, Rufus. ‘In this office, and in the conduct of my life, I am of the People.’

TERENTIA (under her breath). Pah!

TULLIA. After tomorrow – when you’re Consul, Papa – will we be rich?

TERENTIA. Yes –

CICERO. No. Not especially –

TERENTIA. We’d better be!

CLODIUS. When your father’s term of office is over –

TULLIA. After a year?

CLODIUS. Yes – after a year – they’ll give him a province to rule –

TERENTIA. Then we’ll be very rich –

TULLIA. What’s a province?

CLODIUS. A small country.

TULLIA. Which country?

TERENTIA. Macedonia.

TULLIA. Will Papa be like a king?

TERENTIA. Yes.

CICERO (horrified). No!

CLODIUS. No – not exactly like a king – Romans don’t approve of kings.

RUFUS. He’ll be more like a judge.

TULLIA. That’s a shame. I’d rather be a king than a judge.

CICERO. ‘In the business of government, let me say, I wish to be known as the People’s Consul…’

Enter TIRO.

What now?! No, don’t tell me – the Tiber’s running with blood? Ghosts are squeaking and gibbering in the streets?

SOSITHEUS and RUFUS snigger.

TIRO. It’s a delegation from the Senate.

CLODIUS. That is ominous.

TULLIA. Are they very old, and incontinent?

TERENTIA. Tullia!

TIRO. I’ll fetch them in.

Exeunt TIRO, TERENTIA and TULLIA, hobbling like an ancient Senator.

CICERO. How do I look?

RUFUS. Consular.

CLODIUS. Well… Getting there.

CLODIUS arranges CICERO’s toga. The delegation arrives – five or six, if possible.

CICERO. Catulus – I’m honoured! Isauricus – Senators –

CATULUS. If they want a fight, we’ll give them one! It’s a declaration of war!

CICERO. I –

CATULUS. They’ve thrown down a challenge to the Senate – before you’ve even taken office –

CICERO. Who – who has?

CATULUS. Caesar, Crassus, Catiline – their gang of pleb-loving ruffians – I’ll not stand for it –

RABIRIUS. I want to go home –

ISAURICUS. Pay no attention – his mind has gone –

CICERO. Rabirius? Senator Rabirius? Senator, do you know me? –

CATULUS. Well, of course he doesn’t!

CICERO. What’s this about –

ISAURICUS (waving it). This – this is what it’s about.

CATULUS. They’ve served a writ on our Senatorial colleague here.

CICERO. What’s the charge?

CATULUS. Murder.

CICERO. Murder! Rabirius! He can hardly stand.

RABIRIUS. I’m not a troublemaker…

ISAURICUS. Not now, Senator –

CICERO. Who’s he supposed to have murdered?

ISAURICUS. A gang-leader – Lucius Saturninus. And, as Saturninus was killed in the sacred precincts of the Senate House, they’re charging Rabirius with sacrilege as well as murder –

CICERO. But…! That was forty years ago!

CATULUS. Thirty-six years ago. I was part of it. Killing Saturninus was a public service. He rampaged through the City at the head of a mob – terrorising decent citizens.

CICERO. He was a Tribune of the People.

CATULLUS (contempt). The People!

CICERO. Was it Rabirius who killed him?

ISAURICUS. We all killed him – cornered him – pelted him with roof tiles –

CATULUS. Got to him before the public executioner, that’s all. We were young then. We still had some juice in us.

RABIRIUS. I was young once…

CICERO. No jury would find this man guilty.

ISAURICUS. What jury? The charge is sacrilege – it won’t come before a jury. It’s to be heard before two judges. Julius Caesar’s one – his cousin’s the other.

CATULUS. A fix! A guilty verdict’s a foregone conclusion.

RABIRIUS. Is this somebody’s house? It’s very small.

CICERO. I’m Consul – I won’t let it happen. They can’t execute a Roman citizen without a trial.

CLODIUS. If Caesar fetches the mob onto the streets, anything could happen. What’s Caesar up to?

CICERO. Whatever it is, it has little to do with this poor fellow.

CLODIUS. He’s sending you a warning –

ISAURICUS. No – he’s punishing us for ditching his friend Catiline and making you Consul in his place –

CICERO. I was elected by the unanimous vote of the Roman People –

CATULUS. The People! Pah! ‘Power to the People!’ ‘Bread for the People!’ ‘Land for the People!’ Hang the People! Against our better judgement we made you Consul – do something!

CICERO. You’d have preferred Catiline as Head of State?

ISAURICUS. At least Catiline’s one of our own –

CICERO. He disgraces you –

CLODIUS. He’s barking mad!

CICERO. You say you performed a public service in killing Saturninus? If you really want to serve your country, bring your roof tiles and pelt Catiline.

ISAURICUS. Catiline’s a Sergius – from one of the founding families of Rome –

CICERO. Had I not topped the poll, your Consuls for the coming year would have been Catiline and Antonius Hybrida – the dangerous lunatic and the hopeless drunk – both of them Caesar’s creatures! As it is you’ve foisted the drunk on me –

ISAURICUS. It was Hybrida’s turn – he’s from one of the oldest –

CICERO. Families in Rome – yes, I know…

CLODIUS. What will you do?

CICERO. I’d better go and speak to Caesar – find out what he really wants.

CATULUS. You’ll do no such thing!

ISAURICUS. The man’s a traitor to his class! Does he imagine he can dictate terms to his betters?

CATULUS. I say we should call Pompey home – his soldiers would soon put Caesar in his place!

CICERO. I’m more than capable of dealing with Caesar.

CLODIUS. His bill for the redistribution of public land will be somewhere at the back of it.

CICERO. It wouldn’t surprise me.

ISAURICUS. And what is that bill but shameless bribery? Free land for the poor in return for their voices and votes.

CLODIUS. Cunning.

CATULUS. They want to give away our property to the unwashed. Over my dead body!

ISAURICUS. Caesar’s bill doesn’t worry me – it could never pass in the Senate. Surely not? No Senator in his right mind would…

They all look at RABIRIUS.

RABIRIUS. Have we voted yet? Who must I vote for?

Scene Three

TIRO. So off we trudged through the snow to see Gaius Julius Caesar.

CICERO. The old guard will have to compromise – they’ll resist it, but in the end everybody’ll have to work together for the good of… for the good of… (Kicks a pile of snow in anger.) Is this what it’s going to be like? A year spent running back and forth – carrying messages – trying to stop patricians and populists tearing each other to pieces…

TIRO. Probably.

CICERO and TIRO try to avoid importunate BEGGARS, dangerous STREET GANGS, and female and male PROSTITUTES. TIRO speaks to the audience.

Julius Caesar. People ask me what he was like. ‘No – you actually met him! You conversed with a god!’ Well, Caesar was no god… He wasn’t even Caesar back then. He hadn’t commanded legions – he was just another ambitious young politician…

CICERO. This is his house.

TIRO. Even so he had… something… How can I describe him? – An athlete’s muscles under the silken tunic of a scented dandy – forever in debt – honeyed charm – pitiless ambition – The mob loved him. They gave my master their trust, but Caesar they loved.

CICERO. Ready?

TIRO. Sorry.

In the atrium, SLAVES come and go – like Party HQ. Wax death masks of CAESAR’s ancestors – only three Consuls.

Decayed grandeur in a slum. Why does he still live here?

CICERO. Look around. Catulus, or Isauricus, would see only beggars living in filth – thugs looking for victims – whores and rent boys. Caesar sees votes. He swims through the slums like some great shark – shoals of minnows in his wake – snapping up scraps. These down-and-outs – (Re: the audience.) are his power base. We sail in dangerous waters, Tiro.

TIRO. I’ll look out for the rocks. (Looks at the death masks.) Caesar’s ancestors.

CICERO. Only three made it to Consul.

TIRO. For one of the founding families of Rome it’s not much of a showing.

CICERO. Especially not for one who claims to be descended from the goddess Venus.

TIRO. He doesn’t believe that nonsense?

CICERO. The mob believes it.

TIRO. The mob will believe anything.

CICERO. Fortunately.

A WOMAN hurries away adjusting her clothing. CICERO pretends not to notice her.

TIRO. Was that his wife?

CICERO. It was a wife.

TIRO. Venus was a bit of a slut too, wasn’t she? Must run in the family… You know what they say of him? ‘Gaius Julius Caesar – Every woman’s husband – ’

CAESAR is suddenly in the room – he appears from nowhere.

CAESAR. ‘And every man’s wife.’ Some exaggeration there, surely, Tiro? (Laughs.) Sorry to keep you waiting – I was discussing land reform with the wife of a client. How’s your own wife – the formidable Terentia?

CICERO. I’m not here to discuss women, Caesar.

CAESAR. Pity. What are you here for?

TIRO takes the writ from his satchel – hands it to CAESAR – he reacts as if it’s red hot, hands it back to TIRO.

No – no! I can’t talk about the case – I’m to be one of the judges. (Smiles.) Are you trying to corrupt me?

CICERO. I want you to acquit Rabirius of these trumped-up charges.

CAESAR (mirthless chuckle). I’m sure you do!

CICERO. Your true purpose in bringing this prosecution is to intimidate the Senate. And me.

CAESAR. Why should a clique of patricians think they’ve the god-given right to rule over us for all eternity? It’s time for a change. (Thinks.) Perhaps my purpose is to remind the Senate that if they oppose the will of the People, the People will revenge themselves. Even if it takes thirty or forty years.

CICERO. So, you’d demonstrate the moral superiority of the People by terrorising a helpless old man? Rabirius has lost his wits – he’s no idea what’s going on.

CAESAR. Then how can he be terrorised?

CICERO fixes him with a stare. Even CAESAR looks unnerved.

CICERO (a different tone). Let’s not play games, Gaius. We’ve been friends many years…

CAESAR. I’d like to think so.

CICERO. You’re still young –

CAESAR (serious). At my age, Alexander the Great had been three years in his grave –

CICERO. Why jeopardise your whole future? Set the People against their elected representatives – and there’ll be riots – the innocent will die… Why d’you ally yourself with crooks like Crassus – ghouls like Catiline? It’s a stain on your honour –

CAESAR (a button has been pushed). My honour… is inviolable! –

CICERO. Oh, it may play well with the mob today –

CAESAR. The mob? Do you mean the citizens of Rome? –

CICERO. A glittering career lies ahead of you… If only you’d start working within the laws and customs of the State – work with us – work with me –

CAESAR. Consider the forces ranged against you. As well as the people on the streets, we have support within the Government – the Tribunes, half the Praetors. Even your fellow Consul, Antonius Hybrida, will oppose you –

CICERO. If he can stay sober long enough –

CAESAR. Who are your faction – a few men of business, and the rags and tatters of our patrician elite? And they despise you! You’re a ‘nobody’ – the ‘new man’? Once the establishment has chewed you over they’ll spit you out. As I see it – Consul – there’s only one course open to you. (Studies him.) You can’t beat us… Why not join us?

CICERO. I didn’t see that one coming!

CAESAR. Look, I don’t give a fuck for Rabirius – you’ll think of a way to get him off… But I shall do whatever it takes to manoeuvre myself into a position where I can reform this tired old Republic – root and branch.

CICERO. If you acted within the law –

CAESAR. The People are sick of your system – nothing changes – nothing moves. Rome’s destiny and mine are one and the same –

CICERO. Pompey and his legions might have something to say about that!

CAESAR. Pompey’s away at the wars – half a world away! It’ll be years before the fighting’s over. In Rome I’m going to change everything – pull down what’s old and worm-eaten – lay deep foundations – and build a new and better world… And I could use some help. Say you’ll support me?

CICERO. How?

CAESAR. Back my campaign for land reform.

Pause.

CICERO. What do I get in return?

Enter POMPEIA – she’s young – twenty – and drunk.

CAESAR. Ah – here’s my wife. Where have you been, Pompeia?

POMPEIA (embracing CAESAR). Nowhere. Shopping.

CAESAR. Mother’s angry with you –

POMPEIA. She’s always angry with me. What have I done now?

CAESAR. Have you been drinking?

POMPEIA. No.

CAESAR. This is Cicero – he’s our new Consul.

POMPEIA. Oh… I thought it was going to be. That… Cati… (Grinds to a halt.)

CAESAR. Shhhhh! Perhaps you should go and lie down. (Pinches her behind.)

POMPEIA. That Cat… Cati… (Exit staggering, and giggling.)

CAESAR. I fear you’ve formed a bad impression of me, Consul.

CICERO. No – my impression is unchanged, I assure you.

CAESAR. She’s not at vacuous as you may imagine.

CICERO. I’m sure she couldn’t be.

CAESAR (laughs). We’re very much in love.

POMPEIA (stumbling). Whoops!

CICERO. I’ve a speech to write. Come on, Tiro.

CAESAR. Work with me – I could guarantee you a trouble-free year in office. When it’s over you’ll go to Macedonia – make your fortune! You’ll buy a villa on the Bay of Naples – study philosophy – publish your memoirs. (Pause.) But if you oppose me…

CICERO. Oho – a threat? If I oppose you, what then?

CAESAR (studies him). My dear friend, it’s nothing personal. We mean you no harm. Even Catiline wouldn’t…

CICERO. Catiline wouldn’t what?

CAESAR. He’s prowling around like a rabid mastiff – howling on every street corner you rigged the election – cheated him of his Consulship! He’s demanding a re-count! (Laughs.)

CICERO. I was elected by the unanimous vote of the Roman People. They may love you, Caesar – it’s me they vote for.

CAESAR. For the moment… If ever you feel threatened – or find yourself in personal danger – I hope you know you can always rely on my protection.

CICERO. I can rely on your protection?

CAESAR. You have my word on it – the word of Caesar. I can control Catiline.

CICERO and TIRO go out into the snow, among the BEGGARS.

CICERO. I’m lost for words.

TIRO. That’s a first… He seems very confident.

CICERO. Confident! I’m Consul – he treats me like his client!

TIRO. Don’t take it personally – he treats everybody like that.

CRASSUS arrives.

CRASSUS. Consul.

CICERO. Crassus.

CRASSUS. Slumming it?

CICERO. Yes – I see you are.

CRASSUS goes into CAESAR.

Caesar will never get the better of me… No… The real problem we face is Pompey. If I lose control here, Pompey will march his army home ‘to restore order’, and we’ll have another military dictatorship. How do I prevent that? My only weapons are words.

TIRO. Well… At least it would be the end of Caesar.

CICERO. It would be the end of the Republic – the end of me – the end of everything…

TIRO. What are you thinking about?

CICERO. That dead boy.

TIRO. Where are we going?

CICERO. To visit my befuddled fellow Consul – Antonius Hybrida…

Scene Four

HYBRIDA’s house.

HYBRIDA. Drink?

CICERO. No thank you.

HYBRIDA. Fellow Consuls, eh? (Drinks.) We’ll have to find some way of working together, won’t we? It’s a problem – opposite sides of the House and all that… Doubt I could ever get on with a man who won’t drink with me –

CICERO (takes wine). Tell me, Hybrida – did you lose a boy a few days ago?

HYBRIDA. A what?

CICERO. A boy. About twelve years old.

HYBRIDA. Oh, him! You heard about that then?

CICERO. What happened? (Pause.) If we’re to serve together we’ll have to trust each other.

HYBRIDA. Trust takes time – I can’t go against Caesar and Crassus, can I? They pick up the bills… What about the slave?

CICERO. Tiro is utterly discreet.

HYBRIDA. I had nothing to do with it. (Pouring.) More?

CICERO puts his hand over the cup, shakes his head.

Never off-guard, are you? (Pouring.) Go on. (Considers.) He was a singing boy – a Smyrnan. I lent him to Catiline for a party.

CICERO. Catiline?

HYBRIDA. Gnawing himself away with hatred, isn’t he? You’ve noticed how he never takes his eyes off you? Glowing red coals –

CICERO. I have.

HYBRIDA. That’s a Sergius for you! Terrible people – old Roman princelings… (Drinks.) He can’t bear the thought you cheated him of his Consul’s chair – (Drinks.)

CICERO. I was elected by –

HYBRIDA. The boy was meant to be the entertainment – one way or another. Very beautiful – very musical… (Studies him.) I mean, who are you? Not even a true Roman – and now you’re up there with the best of us. Who are your people – chickpea sellers in some shit-spattered village a country mile north of nowhere… Now you’re Consul – next year you’ll be ruling Macedonia – (Rubs his fingers in a ‘money’ gesture.) lucky bugger – how did you rig the ballot – who did you bribe? Wish I had your nerve. (Drinks.)

CICERO. The boy?

HYBRIDA (drinks). The boy was a sacrifice to seal an oath. Gods! I’ve seen some hair-raising things in my time… (Shudders.