A Queen in a Bind

Senators,

I firmly believe that one man with the potential to do great good has also the power to wreak great havoc. The late, great Julius Caesar saw a potential in his young nephew. He knew him to be cunning and bright. He saw a brave and courageous leader; he saw much of himself in the young man. Yet, few in the Senate felt the same. You recognize the all of the appointments and suggestions made by Caesar before is death, including the praetorship of the murderous, Brutus, accept for one. The young Caesar has acted according to his own dignitas. He knows he is all that his adopted father could have hoped for and more, but he is very dangerous now. We must not forget how important dignitas is to a Julius Caesar.
I find myself in a bind. I am a definite supporter of the young Julius Caesar, but, though my attempts at reaching out to you so far have been shot down, I still feel a sense of duty to Rome. If I stay in Rome amongst those left in the Senate, am I really going to be heard, understood, cared for, respected, or even recognized as one important to Rome in terms of resources? Catullus may make whatever outrageous claims of whose bed I may take comfort in, but nothing of the sort has happened. I still miss the warmth of the late Caesar. If he is referring to my obvious contact with Marcus Antonius and Gaius Julius Caesar, he should remember 1) These two were Caesar’s close and trusted friends before his death, and 2) they do not stand now beside a murderer and a coward. Also, I am sure as consul, Marcus Antonius receives a great deal of correspondence. There is no proof that any letter snatched by Catullus’ ridiculous fingers came from me.
Back to the topic at hand, where do I go from here? Where does my allegiance lie, with the rightful heir of Julius Caesar or with the Senate of Rome? Unless these two can be reconciled I am going to have to follow my heart. Unless someone wants to recognize that I am a strong, intelligent, and useful human being to the noble cause of protecting Rome, I am going to have to leave and give my support fully to the young Gaius Julius Caesar. I think he has a much to offer to the Senate and people of Rome. The senate has made a grave mistake in not seeing that.
On to Lepidus and Dolabella: I think the senate may regret a few of its recent decisions. 1) Lepidus should have been brought down immediately when he was still in Rome. 2) When Lepidus was declared an enemy of Rome, you sent out one legion, a legion unable to face the forces of Lepidus and led by an inept, debt-ridden fool. How can we be sure Dolabella won’t give in to Lepidus and join up with him after the offer of a bribe? Was Dolabella not a great supporter of Lepidus while he was still in the Senate? Was he not incredibly adamant about NOT sending a formidable force? I guess, we’ll have to wait and see where Dolabella’s heart truly is. I offered my aid, my grain, my friendship, and none of it has been accepted. What is it you want from me, Senators? I have offered it all. I just hope you know what you are doing when you have an army at your door. It is coming.

Cleopatra

P.S. That could have been read as a threat, but I don’t it wasn’t one. It was a warming.