Iulius Caesar
Okay, this is the speech I made up for my declamation at the latin competitions. Tell me how ya'll like it.
Speech:
(as an aside)
Oh bittersweet Rubicon! I stand upon the threshold of my honour and, possibly, Rome’s demise. On this bank I am nothing and Rome as she has been continues; on the other I become something more and Rome, (beat) she becomes something less. How can these gentle waters carry such a treacherous undercurrent?
I hear you speaking to me, Rubicon. The soothing sound of your waters says, “With or without Caesar”. Such a grave question for this light-hearted river! Will the world go on without Caesar? Can it?
To bring about civil war upon Rome or to rob her of this divinity (points to self), this honour, this dignitas, (beat) is the choice you have forced upon me. Shall I let Rome continue to wane perpetually stagnant? Shall I let myself be beaten by the ignorant perpetrators of this crime? Or shall I throw a rock - no, a boulder into the Roman puddle, and possibly destroy her? Do I dare risk the future of Rome, for the future of Rome?
So here I stand on your banks, mighty threshold! “With or without Caesar”. (beat) Rome has languished enough without him, Caesar’s time has come. (Turns to face his men)
“Let us go where the omens of the Gods and the crimes of our enemies summon us! THE DIE MUST BE CAST!” (or he could say: “ALEA IACTA EST!”)
Speech:
(as an aside)
Oh bittersweet Rubicon! I stand upon the threshold of my honour and, possibly, Rome’s demise. On this bank I am nothing and Rome as she has been continues; on the other I become something more and Rome, (beat) she becomes something less. How can these gentle waters carry such a treacherous undercurrent?
I hear you speaking to me, Rubicon. The soothing sound of your waters says, “With or without Caesar”. Such a grave question for this light-hearted river! Will the world go on without Caesar? Can it?
To bring about civil war upon Rome or to rob her of this divinity (points to self), this honour, this dignitas, (beat) is the choice you have forced upon me. Shall I let Rome continue to wane perpetually stagnant? Shall I let myself be beaten by the ignorant perpetrators of this crime? Or shall I throw a rock - no, a boulder into the Roman puddle, and possibly destroy her? Do I dare risk the future of Rome, for the future of Rome?
So here I stand on your banks, mighty threshold! “With or without Caesar”. (beat) Rome has languished enough without him, Caesar’s time has come. (Turns to face his men)
“Let us go where the omens of the Gods and the crimes of our enemies summon us! THE DIE MUST BE CAST!” (or he could say: “ALEA IACTA EST!”)