I, Claudius (TV Mini Series)

A Touch of Murder (1976)

Brian Blessed: Augustus

Quotes 

• [about the Greek Poet] 

  Augustus : I've asked him to prepare a piece to celebrate the seventh anniversary of the Battle of Actium.

  Marcellus : [sarcastically]  Oh no.

  Augustus : What's the matter? Is it too boring for you?

  Marcellus : We had one last year.

  Augustus : That was last year and the speaker was very dull. This man they say is wonderful.

  Marcellus : [impersonating the speaker from last year]  "Seven year this day did Antony's hopes sink in the harbor of Actium."

  Augustus : You see how the young mock the battle scars of their elders?

• Augustus : Wait till you see what Marcellus has in store for us. He's got a rhinoceros.

  Livia : What on Earth is that?

  Augustus : A remarkable creature. It has a horn on its nose.

  Livia : So has Scipio's wife, he should have used her.

• Augustus : Look everyone, it's the cake.

  Julia : [wittily]  Do we get one each?

  Augustus : [laughing]  Julia, for heaven's sake.

  [all laugh at her comment] 

  Marcus Agrippa : It's my ship.

  Augustus : Yes, the one you made your headquarters.

  Marcus Agrippa : She was a fine ship.

  Marcellus : Ah.

  [short pause; pointing to the cherry on the top] 

  Marcellus : That must be you, Marcus; The candied-cherry in the prow.