“Red Sea,” indeed! Talk not to me

“Red Sea,” indeed! Talk not to me
Of purple Pharaoh—
I have a Navy in the West
Would pierce his Columns thro’—
Guileless, yet of such Glory fine
That all along the Line
Is it, or is it not, divine—
The Eye inquires with a sigh
That Earth sh’d be so big—
What Exultation in the Woe—
What Wine in the fatigue!          

Emily Dickinson

Cleopatra’s Monologue before Battle of Actium

“Red Sea,” indeed! Don’t talk to me
Of the Purple Sinking Sun(It’s ominous!)—
I have a Navy in the West
Which would pierce through Octavian’s Columns—
Fair and square, yet of such fine Glory
That my Navy  is all along the Horizon
or it  is not, Oh my God—
The Eye inquires with a sigh
That Earth should be so big— 
What Pleasure to enjoy in the Woe—
What Wine to drink in the fatigue!

* Cleopatra(avatar of Emily) talks to herself, while looking at literally “Red Sea” at Gulf of Actium bathed in the red Sunset.

* “ purple Pharaoh ”is crimson Sunset that always fascinates her. But she felt an ill omen of the Fall of her Dynasty. She is not joyful.

* Emily’s usage of “Red Sea” is confusing. It is different from what is called “Red Sea” now. This is an example of Emily’s mischievous trick.

* “his’ means Octavian’s.