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FOR __ COMPLETE SHAKESPEARE **** +["Small Print" V.12.08.93] + +<<THIS ELECTRONIC VERSION OF THE COMPLETE WORKS OF WILLIAM +SHAKESPEARE IS COPYRIGHT 1990-1993 BY WORLD LIBRARY, INC., AND IS +PROVIDED BY PROJECT GUTENBERG ETEXT OF CARNEGIE MELLON UNIVERSITY +WITH PERMISSION. ELECTRONIC AND MACHINE READABLE COPIES MAY BE +DISTRIBUTED SO LONG AS SUCH COPIES (1) ARE FOR YOUR OR OTHERS +PERSONAL USE ONLY, AND (2) ARE NOT DISTRIBUTED OR USED +COMMERCIALLY. PROHIBITED COMMERCIAL DISTRIBUTION INCLUDES BY ANY +SERVICE THAT CHARGES FOR DOWNLOAD TIME OR FOR MEMBERSHIP. + + + + + +1607 + +THE TRAGEDY OF ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA + +by William Shakespeare + + + +DRAMATIS PERSONAE + + MARK ANTONY, Triumvirs + OCTAVIUS CAESAR, " + M. AEMILIUS LEPIDUS, " + SEXTUS POMPEIUS, " + DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS, friend to Antony + VENTIDIUS, " " " + EROS, " " " + SCARUS, " " " + DERCETAS, " " " + DEMETRIUS, " " " + PHILO, " " " + MAECENAS, friend to Caesar + AGRIPPA, " " " + DOLABELLA, " " " + PROCULEIUS, " " " + THYREUS, " " " + GALLUS, " " " + MENAS, friend to Pompey + MENECRATES, " " " + VARRIUS, " " " + TAURUS, Lieutenant-General to Caesar + CANIDIUS, Lieutenant-General to Antony + SILIUS, an Officer in Ventidius's army + EUPHRONIUS, an Ambassador from Antony to Caesar + ALEXAS, attendant on Cleopatra + MARDIAN, " " " + SELEUCUS, " " " + DIOMEDES, " " " + A SOOTHSAYER + A CLOWN + + CLEOPATRA, Queen of Egypt + OCTAVIA, sister to Caesar and wife to Antony + CHARMIAN, lady attending on Cleopatra + IRAS, " " " " + + + + Officers, Soldiers, Messengers, and Attendants + + +<<THIS ELECTRONIC VERSION OF THE COMPLETE WORKS OF WILLIAM +SHAKESPEARE IS COPYRIGHT 1990-1993 BY WORLD LIBRARY, INC., AND IS +PROVIDED BY PROJECT GUTENBERG ETEXT OF CARNEGIE MELLON UNIVERSITY +WITH PERMISSION. ELECTRONIC AND MACHINE READABLE COPIES MAY BE +DISTRIBUTED SO LONG AS SUCH COPIES (1) ARE FOR YOUR OR OTHERS +PERSONAL USE ONLY, AND (2) ARE NOT DISTRIBUTED OR USED +COMMERCIALLY. PROHIBITED COMMERCIAL DISTRIBUTION INCLUDES BY ANY +SERVICE THAT CHARGES FOR DOWNLOAD TIME OR FOR MEMBERSHIP.>> + + +SCENE: +The Roman Empire + +ACT I. SCENE I. +Alexandria. CLEOPATRA'S palace + +Enter DEMETRIUS and PHILO + + PHILO. Nay, but this dotage of our general's + O'erflows the measure. Those his goodly eyes, + That o'er the files and musters of the war + Have glow'd like plated Mars, now bend, now turn, + The office and devotion of their view + Upon a tawny front. His captain's heart, + Which in the scuffles of great fights hath burst + The buckles on his breast, reneges all temper, + And is become the bellows and the fan + To cool a gipsy's lust. + + Flourish. Enter ANTONY, CLEOPATRA, her LADIES, the train, + with eunuchs fanning her + + Look where they come! + Take but good note, and you shall see in him + The triple pillar of the world transform'd + Into a strumpet's fool. Behold and see. + CLEOPATRA. If it be love indeed, tell me how much. + ANTONY. There's beggary in the love that can be reckon'd. + CLEOPATRA. I'll set a bourn how far to be belov'd. + ANTONY. Then must thou needs find out new heaven, new earth. + + Enter a MESSENGER + + MESSENGER. News, my good lord, from Rome. + ANTONY. Grates me the sum. + CLEOPATRA. Nay, hear them, Antony. + Fulvia perchance is angry; or who knows + If the scarce-bearded Caesar have not sent + His pow'rful mandate to you: 'Do this or this; + Take in that kingdom and enfranchise that; + Perform't, or else we damn thee.' + ANTONY. How, my love? + CLEOPATRA. Perchance? Nay, and most like, + You must not stay here longer; your dismission + Is come from Caesar; therefore hear it, Antony. + Where's Fulvia's process? Caesar's I would say? Both? + Call in the messengers. As I am Egypt's Queen, + Thou blushest, Antony, and that blood of thine + Is Caesar's homager. Else so thy cheek pays shame + When shrill-tongu'd Fulvia scolds. The messengers! + ANTONY. Let Rome in Tiber melt, and the wide arch + Of the rang'd empire fall! Here is my space. + Kingdoms are clay; our dungy earth alike + Feeds beast as man. The nobleness of life + Is to do thus [emhracing], when such a mutual pair + And such a twain can do't, in which I bind, + On pain of punishment, the world to weet + We stand up peerless. + CLEOPATRA. Excellent falsehood! + Why did he marry Fulvia, and not love her? + I'll seem the fool I am not. Antony + Will be himself. + ANTONY. But stirr'd by Cleopatra. + Now for the love of Love and her soft hours, + Let's not confound the time with conference harsh; + There's not a minute of our lives should stretch + Without some pleasure now. What sport to-night? + CLEOPATRA. Hear the ambassadors. + ANTONY. Fie, wrangling queen! + Whom everything becomes- to chide, to laugh, + To weep; whose every passion fully strives + To make itself in thee fair and admir'd. + No messenger but thine, and all alone + To-night we'll wander through the streets and note + The qualities of people. Come, my queen; + Last night you did desire it. Speak not to us. + Exeunt ANTONY and CLEOPATRA, with the train + DEMETRIUS. Is Caesar with Antonius priz'd so slight? + PHILO. Sir, sometimes when he is not Antony, + He comes too short of that great property + Which still should go with Antony. + DEMETRIUS. I am full sorry + That he approves the common liar, who + Thus speaks of him at Rome; but I will hope + Of better deeds to-morrow. Rest you happy! Exeunt + + + + +SCENE II. +Alexandria. CLEOPATRA'S palace + +Enter CHARMIAN, IRAS, ALEXAS, and a SOOTHSAYER + + CHARMIAN. Lord Alexas, sweet Alexas, most anything Alexas, +almost + most absolute Alexas, where's the soothsayer that you prais'd +so + to th' Queen? O that I knew this husband, which you say must + charge his horns with garlands! + ALEXAS. Soothsayer! + SOOTHSAYER. Your will? + CHARMIAN. Is this the man? Is't you, sir, that know things? + SOOTHSAYER. In nature's infinite book of secrecy + A little I can read. + ALEXAS. Show him your hand. + + Enter ENOBARBUS + + ENOBARBUS. Bring in the banquet quickly; wine enough + Cleopatra's health to drink. + CHARMIAN. Good, sir, give me good fortune. + SOOTHSAYER. I make not, but foresee. + CHARMIAN. Pray, then, foresee me one. + SOOTHSAYER. You shall be yet far fairer than you are. + CHARMIAN. He means in flesh. + IRAS. No, you shall paint when you are old. + CHARMIAN. Wrinkles forbid! + ALEXAS. Vex not his prescience; be attentive. + CHARMIAN. Hush! + SOOTHSAYER. You shall be more beloving than beloved. + CHARMIAN. I had rather heat my liver with drinking. + ALEXAS. Nay, hear him. + CHARMIAN. Good now, some excellent fortune! Let me be married +to + three kings in a forenoon, and widow them all. Let me have a + child at fifty, to whom Herod of Jewry may do homage. Find me +to + marry me with Octavius Caesar, and companion me with my +mistress. + SOOTHSAYER. You shall outlive the lady whom you serve. + CHARMIAN. O, excellent! I love long life better than figs. + SOOTHSAYER. You have seen and prov'd a fairer former fortune + Than that which is to approach. + CHARMIAN. Then belike my children shall have no names. + Prithee, how many boys and wenches must I have? + SOOTHSAYER. If every of your wishes had a womb, + And fertile every wish, a million. + CHARMIAN. Out, fool! I forgive thee for a witch. + ALEXAS. You think none but your sheets are privy to your +wishes. + CHARMIAN. Nay, come, tell Iras hers. + ALEXAS. We'll know all our fortunes. + ENOBARBUS. Mine, and most of our fortunes, to-night, shall be- + drunk to bed. + IRAS. There's a palm presages chastity, if nothing else. + CHARMIAN. E'en as the o'erflowing Nilus presageth famine. + IRAS. Go, you wild bedfellow, you cannot soothsay. + CHARMIAN. Nay, if an oily palm be not a fruitful +prognostication, I + cannot scratch mine ear. Prithee, tell her but worky-day +fortune. + SOOTHSAYER. Your fortunes are alike. + IRAS. But how, but how? Give me particulars. + SOOTHSAYER. I have said. + IRAS. Am I not an inch of fortune better than she? + CHARMIAN. Well, if you were but an inch of fortune better than +I, + where would you choose it? + IRAS. Not in my husband's nose. + CHARMIAN. Our worser thoughts heavens mend! Alexas- come, his + fortune, his fortune! O, let him marry a woman that cannot +go, + sweet Isis, I beseech thee! And let her die too, and give him +a + worse! And let worse follow worse, till the worst of all +follow + him laughing to his grave, fiftyfold a cuckold! Good Isis, +hear + me this prayer, though thou deny me a matter of more weight; +good + Isis, I beseech thee! + IRAS. Amen. Dear goddess, hear that prayer of the people! For, +as + it is a heartbreaking to see a handsome man loose-wiv'd, so +it is + a deadly sorrow to behold a foul knave uncuckolded. +Therefore, + dear Isis, keep decorum, and fortune him accordingly! + CHARMIAN. Amen. + ALEXAS. Lo now, if it lay in their hands to make me a cuckold, +they + would make themselves whores but they'd do't! + + Enter CLEOPATRA + + ENOBARBUS. Hush! Here comes Antony. + CHARMIAN. Not he; the Queen. + CLEOPATRA. Saw you my lord? + ENOBARBUS. No, lady. + CLEOPATRA. Was he not here? + CHARMIAN. No, madam. + CLEOPATRA. He was dispos'd to mirth; but on the sudden + A Roman thought hath struck him. Enobarbus! + ENOBARBUS. Madam? + CLEOPATRA. Seek him, and bring him hither. Where's Alexas? + ALEXAS. Here, at your service. My lord approaches. + + Enter ANTONY, with a MESSENGER and attendants + + CLEOPATRA. We will not look upon him. Go with us. + Exeunt CLEOPATRA, ENOBARBUS, and the rest + MESSENGER. Fulvia thy wife first came into the field. + ANTONY. Against my brother Lucius? + MESSENGER. Ay. + But soon that war had end, and the time's state + Made friends of them, jointing their force 'gainst Caesar, + Whose better issue in the war from Italy + Upon the first encounter drave them. + ANTONY. Well, what worst? + MESSENGER. The nature of bad news infects the teller. + ANTONY. When it concerns the fool or coward. On! + Things that are past are done with me. 'Tis thus: + Who tells me true, though in his tale lie death, + I hear him as he flatter'd. + MESSENGER. Labienus- + This is stiff news- hath with his Parthian force + Extended Asia from Euphrates, + His conquering banner shook from Syria + To Lydia and to Ionia, + Whilst- + ANTONY. Antony, thou wouldst say. + MESSENGER. O, my lord! + ANTONY. Speak to me home; mince not the general tongue; + Name Cleopatra as she is call'd in Rome. + Rail thou in Fulvia's phrase, and taunt my faults + With such full licence as both truth and malice + Have power to utter. O, then we bring forth weeds + When our quick minds lie still, and our ills told us + Is as our earing. Fare thee well awhile. + MESSENGER. At your noble pleasure. Exit + ANTONY. From Sicyon, ho, the news! Speak there! + FIRST ATTENDANT. The man from Sicyon- is there such an one? + SECOND ATTENDANT. He stays upon your will. + ANTONY. Let him appear. + These strong Egyptian fetters I must break, + Or lose myself in dotage. + + Enter another MESSENGER with a letter + + What are you? + SECOND MESSENGER. Fulvia thy wife is dead. + ANTONY. Where died she? + SECOND MESSENGER. In Sicyon. + Her length of sickness, with what else more serious + Importeth thee to know, this bears. [Gives the letter] + ANTONY. Forbear me. Exit MESSENGER + There's a great spirit gone! Thus did I desire it. + What our contempts doth often hurl from us + We wish it ours again; the present pleasure, + By revolution low'ring, does become + The opposite of itself. She's good, being gone; + The hand could pluck her back that shov'd her on. + I must from this enchanting queen break off. + Ten thousand harms, more than the ills I know, + My idleness doth hatch. How now, Enobarbus! + + Re-enter ENOBARBUS + + ENOBARBUS. What's your pleasure, sir? + ANTONY. I must with haste from hence. + ENOBARBUS. Why, then we kill all our women. We see how mortal +an + unkindness is to them; if they suffer our departure, death's +the + word. + ANTONY. I must be gone. + ENOBARBUS. Under a compelling occasion, let women die. It were +pity + to cast them away for nothing, though between them and a +great + cause they should be esteemed nothing. Cleopatra, catching +but + the least noise of this, dies instantly; I have seen her die + + twenty times upon far poorer moment. I do think there is +mettle + in death, which commits some loving act upon her, she hath +such a + celerity in dying. + ANTONY. She is cunning past man's thought. + ENOBARBUS. Alack, sir, no! Her passions are made of nothing but +the + finest part of pure love. We cannot call her winds and waters + sighs and tears; they are greater storms and tempests than + almanacs can report. This cannot be cunning in her; if it be, +she + makes a show'r of rain as well as Jove. + ANTONY. Would I had never seen her! + ENOBARBUS. O Sir, you had then left unseen a wonderful piece of + work, which not to have been blest withal would have +discredited + your travel. + ANTONY. Fulvia is dead. + ENOBARBUS. Sir? + ANTONY. Fulvia is dead. + ENOBARBUS. Fulvia? + ANTONY. Dead. + ENOBARBUS. Why, sir, give the gods a thankful sacrifice. When +it + pleaseth their deities to take the wife of a man from him, it + + + shows to man the tailors of the earth; comforting therein +that + when old robes are worn out there are members to make new. If + there were no more women but Fulvia, then had you indeed a +cut, + and the case to be lamented. This grief is crown'd with + consolation: your old smock brings forth a new petticoat; and + indeed the tears live in an onion that should water this +sorrow. + ANTONY. The business she hath broached in the state + Cannot endure my absence. + ENOBARBUS. And the business you have broach'd here cannot be + without you; especially that of Cleopatra's, which wholly +depends + on your abode. + ANTONY. No more light answers. Let our officers + Have notice what we purpose. I shall break + The cause of our expedience to the Queen, + And get her leave to part. For not alone + The death of Fulvia, with more urgent touches, + Do strongly speak to us; but the letters too + Of many our contriving friends in Rome + Petition us at home. Sextus Pompeius + Hath given the dare to Caesar, and commands + The empire of the sea; our slippery people, + Whose love is never link'd to the deserver + Till his deserts are past, begin to throw + Pompey the Great and all his dignities + Upon his son; who, high in name and power, + Higher than both in blood and life, stands up + For the main soldier; whose quality, going on, + The sides o' th' world may danger. Much is breeding + Which, like the courser's hair, hath yet but life + And not a serpent's poison. Say our pleasure, + To such whose place is under us, requires + Our quick remove from hence. + ENOBARBUS. I shall do't. Exeunt + + + + +SCENE III. +Alexandria. CLEOPATRA'S palace + +Enter CLEOPATRA, CHARMIAN, IRAS, and ALEXAS + + CLEOPATRA. Where is he? + CHARMIAN. I did not see him since. + CLEOPATRA. See where he is, who's with him, what he does. + I did not send you. If you find him sad, + Say I am dancing; if in mirth, report + That I am sudden sick. Quick, and return. Exit ALEXAS + CHARMIAN. Madam, methinks, if you did love him dearly, + You do not hold the method to enforce + The like from him. + CLEOPATRA. What should I do I do not? + CHARMIAN. In each thing give him way; cross him in nothing. + CLEOPATRA. Thou teachest like a fool- the way to lose him. + CHARMIAN. Tempt him not so too far; I wish, forbear; + In time we hate that which we often fear. + + Enter ANTONY + + But here comes Antony. + CLEOPATRA. I am sick and sullen. + ANTONY. I am sorry to give breathing to my purpose- + CLEOPATRA. Help me away, dear Charmian; I shall fall. + It cannot be thus long; the sides of nature + Will not sustain it. + ANTONY. Now, my dearest queen- + CLEOPATRA. Pray you, stand farther from me. + ANTONY. What's the matter? + CLEOPATRA. I know by that same eye there's some good news. + What says the married woman? You may go. + Would she had never given you leave to come! + Let her not say 'tis I that keep you here- + I have no power upon you; hers you are. + ANTONY. The gods best know- + CLEOPATRA. O, never was there queen + So mightily betray'd! Yet at the first + I saw the treasons planted. + ANTONY. Cleopatra- + CLEOPATRA. Why should I think you can be mine and true, + Though you in swearing shake the throned gods, + Who have been false to Fulvia? Riotous madness, + To be entangled with those mouth-made vows, + Which break themselves in swearing! + ANTONY. Most sweet queen- + CLEOPATRA. Nay, pray you seek no colour for your going, + But bid farewell, and go. When you sued staying, + Then was the time for words. No going then! + Eternity was in our lips and eyes, + Bliss in our brows' bent, none our parts so poor + But was a race of heaven. They are so still, + Or thou, the greatest soldier of the world, + Art turn'd the greatest liar. + ANTONY. How now, lady! + CLEOPATRA. I would I had thy inches. Thou shouldst know + There were a heart in Egypt. + ANTONY. Hear me, queen: + The strong necessity of time commands + Our services awhile; but my full heart + Remains in use with you. Our Italy + Shines o'er with civil swords: Sextus Pompeius + Makes his approaches to the port of Rome; + Equality of two domestic powers + Breed scrupulous faction; the hated, grown to strength, + Are newly grown to love. The condemn'd Pompey, + Rich in his father's honour, creeps apace + Into the hearts of such as have not thrived + Upon the present state, whose numbers threaten; + And quietness, grown sick of rest, would purge + By any desperate change. My more particular, + And that which most with you should safe my going, + Is Fulvia's death. + CLEOPATRA. Though age from folly could not give me freedom, + It does from childishness. Can Fulvia die? + ANTONY. She's dead, my Queen. + Look here, and at thy sovereign leisure read + The garboils she awak'd. At the last, best. + See when and where she died. + CLEOPATRA. O most false love! + Where be the sacred vials thou shouldst fill + With sorrowful water? Now I see, I see, + In Fulvia's death how mine receiv'd shall be. + ANTONY. Quarrel no more, but be prepar'd to know + The purposes I bear; which are, or cease, + As you shall give th' advice. By the fire + That quickens Nilus' slime, I go from hence + Thy soldier, servant, making peace or war + As thou affects. + CLEOPATRA. Cut my lace, Charmian, come! + But let it be; I am quickly ill and well- + So Antony loves. + ANTONY. My precious queen, forbear, + And give true evidence to his love, which stands + An honourable trial. + CLEOPATRA. So Fulvia told me. + I prithee turn aside and weep for her; + Then bid adieu to me, and say the tears + Belong to Egypt. Good now, play one scene + Of excellent dissembling, and let it look + Like perfect honour. + ANTONY. You'll heat my blood; no more. + CLEOPATRA. You can do better yet; but this is meetly. + ANTONY. Now, by my sword- + CLEOPATRA. And target. Still he mends; + But this is not the best. Look, prithee, Charmian, + How this Herculean Roman does become + The carriage of his chafe. + ANTONY. I'll leave you, lady. + CLEOPATRA. Courteous lord, one word. + Sir, you and I must part- but that's not it. + Sir, you and I have lov'd- but there's not it. + That you know well. Something it is I would- + O, my oblivion is a very Antony, + And I am all forgotten! + ANTONY. But that your royalty + Holds idleness your subject, I should take you + For idleness itself. + CLEOPATRA. 'Tis sweating labour + To bear such idleness so near the heart + As Cleopatra this. But, sir, forgive me; + Since my becomings kill me when they do not + Eye well to you. Your honour calls you hence; + Therefore be deaf to my unpitied folly, + And all the gods go with you! Upon your sword + Sit laurel victory, and smooth success + Be strew'd before your feet! + ANTONY. Let us go. Come. + Our separation so abides and flies + That thou, residing here, goes yet with me, + And I, hence fleeting, here remain with thee. + Away! Exeunt + + + + +SCENE IV. +Rome. CAESAR'S house + +Enter OCTAVIUS CAESAR, reading a letter; LEPIDUS, and their train + + CAESAR. You may see, Lepidus, and henceforth know, + It is not Caesar's natural vice to hate + Our great competitor. From Alexandria + This is the news: he fishes, drinks, and wastes + The lamps of night in revel; is not more manlike + Than Cleopatra, nor the queen of Ptolemy + More womanly than he; hardly gave audience, or + Vouchsaf'd to think he had partners. You shall find there + A man who is the abstract of all faults + That all men follow. + LEPIDUS. I must not think there are + Evils enow to darken all his goodness. + His faults, in him, seem as the spots of heaven, + More fiery by night's blackness; hereditary + Rather than purchas'd; what he cannot change + Than what he chooses. + CAESAR. You are too indulgent. Let's grant it is not + Amiss to tumble on the bed of Ptolemy, + To give a kingdom for a mirth, to sit + And keep the turn of tippling with a slave, + To reel the streets at noon, and stand the buffet + With knaves that smell of sweat. Say this becomes him- + As his composure must be rare indeed + Whom these things cannot blemish- yet must Antony + No way excuse his foils when we do bear + So great weight in his lightness. If he fill'd + His vacancy with his voluptuousness, + Full surfeits and the dryness of his bones + Call on him for't! But to confound such time + That drums him from his sport and speaks as loud + As his own state and ours- 'tis to be chid + As we rate boys who, being mature in knowledge, + Pawn their experience to their present pleasure, + And so rebel to judgment. + + Enter a MESSENGER + + LEPIDUS. Here's more news. + MESSENGER. Thy biddings have been done; and every hour, + Most noble Caesar, shalt thou have report + How 'tis abroad. Pompey is strong at sea, + And it appears he is belov'd of those + That only have fear'd Caesar. To the ports + The discontents repair, and men's reports + Give him much wrong'd. + CAESAR. I should have known no less. + It hath been taught us from the primal state + That he which is was wish'd until he were; + And the ebb'd man, ne'er lov'd till ne'er worth love, + Comes dear'd by being lack'd. This common body, + Like to a vagabond flag upon the stream, + Goes to and back, lackeying the varying tide, + To rot itself with motion. + MESSENGER. Caesar, I bring thee word + Menecrates and Menas, famous pirates, + Make the sea serve them, which they ear and wound + With keels of every kind. Many hot inroads + They make in Italy; the borders maritime + Lack blood to think on't, and flush youth revolt. + No vessel can peep forth but 'tis as soon + Taken as seen; for Pompey's name strikes more + Than could his war resisted. + CAESAR. Antony, + Leave thy lascivious wassails. When thou once + Was beaten from Modena, where thou slew'st + Hirtius and Pansa, consuls, at thy heel + Did famine follow; whom thou fought'st against, + Though daintily brought up, with patience more + Than savages could suffer. Thou didst drink + The stale of horses and the gilded puddle + Which beasts would cough at. Thy palate then did deign + The roughest berry on the rudest hedge; + Yea, like the stag when snow the pasture sheets, + The barks of trees thou brows'd. On the Alps + It is reported thou didst eat strange flesh, + Which some did die to look on. And all this- + It wounds thine honour that I speak it now- + Was borne so like a soldier that thy cheek + So much as lank'd not. + LEPIDUS. 'Tis pity of him. + CAESAR. Let his shames quickly + Drive him to Rome. 'Tis time we twain + Did show ourselves i' th' field; and to that end + Assemble we immediate council. Pompey + Thrives in our idleness. + LEPIDUS. To-morrow, Caesar, + I shall be furnish'd to inform you rightly + Both what by sea and land I can be able + To front this present time. + CAESAR. Till which encounter + It is my business too. Farewell. + LEPIDUS. Farewell, my lord. What you shall know meantime + Of stirs abroad, I shall beseech you, sir, + To let me be partaker. + CAESAR. Doubt not, sir; + I knew it for my bond. Exeunt + + + + +SCENE V. +Alexandria. CLEOPATRA'S palace + +Enter CLEOPATRA, CHARMIAN, IRAS, and MARDIAN + + CLEOPATRA. Charmian! + CHARMIAN. Madam? + CLEOPATRA. Ha, ha! + Give me to drink mandragora. + CHARMIAN. Why, madam? + CLEOPATRA. That I might sleep out this great gap of time + My Antony is away. + CHARMIAN. You think of him too much. + CLEOPATRA. O, 'tis treason! + CHARMIAN. Madam, I trust, not so. + CLEOPATRA. Thou, eunuch Mardian! + MARDIAN. What's your Highness' pleasure? + CLEOPATRA. Not now to hear thee sing; I take no pleasure + In aught an eunuch has. 'Tis well for thee + That, being unseminar'd, thy freer thoughts + May not fly forth of Egypt. Hast thou affections? + MARDIAN. Yes, gracious madam. + CLEOPATRA. Indeed? + MARDIAN. Not in deed, madam; for I can do nothing + But what indeed is honest to be done. + Yet have I fierce affections, and think + What Venus did with Mars. + CLEOPATRA. O Charmian, + Where think'st thou he is now? Stands he or sits he? + Or does he walk? or is he on his horse? + O happy horse, to bear the weight of Antony! + Do bravely, horse; for wot'st thou whom thou mov'st? + The demi-Atlas of this earth, the arm + And burgonet of men. He's speaking now, + Or murmuring 'Where's my serpent of old Nile?' + For so he calls me. Now I feed myself + With most delicious poison. Think on me, + That am with Phoebus' amorous pinches black, + And wrinkled deep in time? Broad-fronted Caesar, + When thou wast here above the ground, I was + A morsel for a monarch; and great Pompey + Would stand and make his eyes grow in my brow; + There would he anchor his aspect and die + With looking on his life. + + Enter ALEXAS + + ALEXAS. Sovereign of Egypt, hail! + CLEOPATRA. How much unlike art thou Mark Antony! + Yet, coming from him, that great med'cine hath + With his tinct gilded thee. + How goes it with my brave Mark Antony? + ALEXAS. Last thing he did, dear Queen, + He kiss'd- the last of many doubled kisses- + This orient pearl. His speech sticks in my heart. + CLEOPATRA. Mine ear must pluck it thence. + ALEXAS. 'Good friend,' quoth he + 'Say the firm Roman to great Egypt sends + This treasure of an oyster; at whose foot, + To mend the petty present, I will piece + Her opulent throne with kingdoms. All the East, + Say thou, shall call her mistress.' So he nodded, + And soberly did mount an arm-girt steed, + Who neigh'd so high that what I would have spoke + Was beastly dumb'd by him. + CLEOPATRA. What, was he sad or merry? + ALEXAS. Like to the time o' th' year between the extremes + Of hot and cold; he was nor sad nor merry. + CLEOPATRA. O well-divided disposition! Note him, + Note him, good Charmian; 'tis the man; but note him! + He was not sad, for he would shine on those + That make their looks by his; he was not merry, + Which seem'd to tell them his remembrance lay + In Egypt with his joy; but between both. + O heavenly mingle! Be'st thou sad or merry, + The violence of either thee becomes, + So does it no man else. Met'st thou my posts? + ALEXAS. Ay, madam, twenty several messengers. + Why do you send so thick? + CLEOPATRA. Who's born that day + When I forget to send to Antony + Shall die a beggar. Ink and paper, Charmian. + Welcome, my good Alexas. Did I, Charmian, + Ever love Caesar so? + CHARMIAN. O that brave Caesar! + CLEOPATRA. Be chok'd with such another emphasis! + Say 'the brave Antony.' + CHARMIAN. The valiant Caesar! + CLEOPATRA. By Isis, I will give thee bloody teeth + If thou with Caesar paragon again + My man of men. + CHARMIAN. By your most gracious pardon, + I sing but after you. + CLEOPATRA. My salad days, + When I was green in judgment, cold in blood, + To say as I said then. But come, away! + Get me ink and paper. + He shall have every day a several greeting, + Or I'll unpeople Egypt. Exeunt + + + +<<THIS ELECTRONIC VERSION OF THE COMPLETE WORKS OF WILLIAM +SHAKESPEARE IS COPYRIGHT 1990-1993 BY WORLD LIBRARY, INC., AND IS +PROVIDED BY PROJECT GUTENBERG ETEXT OF CARNEGIE MELLON UNIVERSITY +WITH PERMISSION. ELECTRONIC AND MACHINE READABLE COPIES MAY BE +DISTRIBUTED SO LONG AS SUCH COPIES (1) ARE FOR YOUR OR OTHERS +PERSONAL USE ONLY, AND (2) ARE NOT DISTRIBUTED OR USED +COMMERCIALLY. PROHIBITED COMMERCIAL DISTRIBUTION INCLUDES BY ANY +SERVICE THAT CHARGES FOR DOWNLOAD TIME OR FOR MEMBERSHIP.>> + + + + +ACT II. SCENE I. +Messina. POMPEY'S house + +Enter POMPEY, MENECRATES, and MENAS, in warlike manner + + POMPEY. If the great gods be just, they shall assist + The deeds of justest men. + MENECRATES. Know, worthy Pompey, + That what they do delay they not deny. + POMPEY. Whiles we are suitors to their throne, decays + The thing we sue for. + MENECRATES. We, ignorant of ourselves, + Beg often our own harms, which the wise pow'rs + Deny us for our good; so find we profit + By losing of our prayers. + POMPEY. I shall do well. + The people love me, and the sea is mine; + My powers are crescent, and my auguring hope + Says it will come to th' full. Mark Antony + In Egypt sits at dinner, and will make + No wars without doors. Caesar gets money where + He loses hearts. Lepidus flatters both, + Of both is flatter'd; but he neither loves, + Nor either cares for him. + MENAS. Caesar and Lepidus + Are in the field. A mighty strength they carry. + POMPEY. Where have you this? 'Tis false. + MENAS. From Silvius, sir. + POMPEY. He dreams. I know they are in Rome together, + Looking for Antony. But all the charms of love, + Salt Cleopatra, soften thy wan'd lip! + Let witchcraft join with beauty, lust with both; + Tie up the libertine in a field of feasts, + Keep his brain fuming. Epicurean cooks + Sharpen with cloyless sauce his appetite, + That sleep and feeding may prorogue his honour + Even till a Lethe'd dullness- + + Enter VARRIUS + + How now, Varrius! + VARRIUS. This is most certain that I shall deliver: + Mark Antony is every hour in Rome + Expected. Since he went from Egypt 'tis + A space for farther travel. + POMPEY. I could have given less matter + A better ear. Menas, I did not think + This amorous surfeiter would have donn'd his helm + For such a petty war; his soldiership + Is twice the other twain. But let us rear + The higher our opinion, that our stirring + Can from the lap of Egypt's widow pluck + The ne'er-lust-wearied Antony. + MENAS. I cannot hope + Caesar and Antony shall well greet together. + His wife that's dead did trespasses to Caesar; + His brother warr'd upon him; although, I think, + Not mov'd by Antony. + POMPEY. I know not, Menas, + How lesser enmities may give way to greater. + Were't not that we stand up against them all, + 'Twere pregnant they should square between themselves; + For they have entertained cause enough + To draw their swords. But how the fear of us + May cement their divisions, and bind up + The petty difference we yet not know. + Be't as our gods will have't! It only stands + Our lives upon to use our strongest hands. + Come, Menas. Exeunt + + + + +SCENE II. +Rome. The house of LEPIDUS + +Enter ENOBARBUS and LEPIDUS + + LEPIDUS. Good Enobarbus, 'tis a worthy deed, + And shall become you well, to entreat your captain + To soft and gentle speech. + ENOBARBUS. I shall entreat him + To answer like himself. If Caesar move him, + Let Antony look over Caesar's head + And speak as loud as Mars. By Jupiter, + Were I the wearer of Antonius' beard, + I would not shave't to-day. + LEPIDUS. 'Tis not a time + For private stomaching. + ENOBARBUS. Every time + Serves for the matter that is then born in't. + LEPIDUS. But small to greater matters must give way. + ENOBARBUS. Not if the small come first. + LEPIDUS. Your speech is passion; + But pray you stir no embers up. Here comes + The noble Antony. + + Enter ANTONY and VENTIDIUS + + ENOBARBUS. And yonder, Caesar. + + Enter CAESAR, MAECENAS, and AGRIPPA + + ANTONY. If we compose well here, to Parthia. + Hark, Ventidius. + CAESAR. I do not know, Maecenas. Ask Agrippa. + LEPIDUS. Noble friends, + That which combin'd us was most great, and let not + A leaner action rend us. What's amiss, + May it be gently heard. When we debate + Our trivial difference loud, we do commit + Murder in healing wounds. Then, noble partners, + The rather for I earnestly beseech, + Touch you the sourest points with sweetest terms, + Nor curstness grow to th' matter. + ANTONY. 'Tis spoken well. + Were we before our armies, and to fight, + I should do thus. [Flourish] + CAESAR. Welcome to Rome. + ANTONY. Thank you. + CAESAR. Sit. + ANTONY. Sit, sir. + CAESAR. Nay, then. [They sit] + ANTONY. I learn you take things ill which are not so, + Or being, concern you not. + CAESAR. I must be laugh'd at + If, or for nothing or a little, + Should say myself offended, and with you + Chiefly i' the world; more laugh'd at that I should + Once name you derogately when to sound your name + It not concern'd me. + ANTONY. My being in Egypt, Caesar, + What was't to you? + CAESAR. No more than my residing here at Rome + Might be to you in Egypt. Yet, if you there + Did practise on my state, your being in Egypt + Might be my question. + ANTONY. How intend you- practis'd? + CAESAR. You may be pleas'd to catch at mine intent + By what did here befall me. Your wife and brother + Made wars upon me, and their contestation + Was theme for you; you were the word of war. + ANTONY. You do mistake your business; my brother never + Did urge me in his act. I did inquire it, + And have my learning from some true reports + That drew their swords with you. Did he not rather + Discredit my authority with yours, + And make the wars alike against my stomach, + Having alike your cause? Of this my letters + Before did satisfy you. If you'll patch a quarrel, + As matter whole you have not to make it with, + It must not be with this. + CAESAR. You praise yourself + By laying defects of judgment to me; but + You patch'd up your excuses. + ANTONY. Not so, not so; + I know you could not lack, I am certain on't, + Very necessity of this thought, that I, + Your partner in the cause 'gainst which he fought, + Could not with graceful eyes attend those wars + Which fronted mine own peace. As for my wife, + I would you had her spirit in such another! + The third o' th' world is yours, which with a snaffle + You may pace easy, but not such a wife. + ENOBARBUS. Would we had all such wives, that the men might go +to + wars with the women! + ANTONY. So much uncurbable, her garboils, Caesar, + Made out of her impatience- which not wanted + Shrewdness of policy too- I grieving grant + Did you too much disquiet. For that you must + But say I could not help it. + CAESAR. I wrote to you + When rioting in Alexandria; you + Did pocket up my letters, and with taunts + Did gibe my missive out of audience. + ANTONY. Sir, + He fell upon me ere admitted. Then + Three kings I had newly feasted, and did want + Of what I was i' th' morning; but next day + I told him of myself, which was as much + As to have ask'd him pardon. Let this fellow + Be nothing of our strife; if we contend, + Out of our question wipe him. + CAESAR. You have broken + The article of your oath, which you shall never + Have tongue to charge me with. + LEPIDUS. Soft, Caesar! + ANTONY. No; + Lepidus, let him speak. + The honour is sacred which he talks on now, + Supposing that I lack'd it. But on, Caesar: + The article of my oath- + CAESAR. To lend me arms and aid when I requir'd them, + The which you both denied. + ANTONY. Neglected, rather; + And then when poisoned hours had bound me up + From mine own knowledge. As nearly as I may, + I'll play the penitent to you; but mine honesty + Shall not make poor my greatness, nor my power + Work without it. Truth is, that Fulvia, + To have me out of Egypt, made wars here; + For which myself, the ignorant motive, do + So far ask pardon as befits mine honour + To stoop in such a case. + LEPIDUS. 'Tis noble spoken. + MAECENAS. If it might please you to enforce no further + The griefs between ye- to forget them quite + Were to remember that the present need + Speaks to atone you. + LEPIDUS. Worthily spoken, Maecenas. + ENOBARBUS. Or, if you borrow one another's love for the +instant, + you may, when you hear no more words of Pompey, return it +again. + You shall have time to wrangle in when you have nothing else +to + do. + ANTONY. Thou art a soldier only. Speak no more. + ENOBARBUS. That truth should be silent I had almost forgot. + ANTONY. You wrong this presence; therefore speak no more. + ENOBARBUS. Go to, then- your considerate stone! + CAESAR. I do not much dislike the matter, but + The manner of his speech; for't cannot be + We shall remain in friendship, our conditions + So diff'ring in their acts. Yet if I knew + What hoop should hold us stanch, from edge to edge + O' th' world, I would pursue it. + AGRIPPA. Give me leave, Caesar. + CAESAR. Speak, Agrippa. + AGRIPPA. Thou hast a sister by the mother's side, + Admir'd Octavia. Great Mark Antony + Is now a widower. + CAESAR. Say not so, Agrippa. + If Cleopatra heard you, your reproof + Were well deserv'd of rashness. + ANTONY. I am not married, Caesar. Let me hear + Agrippa further speak. + AGRIPPA. To hold you in perpetual amity, + To make you brothers, and to knit your hearts + With an unslipping knot, take Antony + Octavia to his wife; whose beauty claims + No worse a husband than the best of men; + Whose virtue and whose general graces speak + That which none else can utter. By this marriage + All little jealousies, which now seem great, + And all great fears, which now import their dangers, + Would then be nothing. Truths would be tales, + Where now half tales be truths. Her love to both + Would each to other, and all loves to both, + Draw after her. Pardon what I have spoke; + For 'tis a studied, not a present thought, + By duty ruminated. + ANTONY. Will Caesar speak? + CAESAR. Not till he hears how Antony is touch'd + With what is spoke already. + ANTONY. What power is in Agrippa, + If I would say 'Agrippa, be it so,' + To make this good? + CAESAR. The power of Caesar, and + His power unto Octavia. + ANTONY. May I never + To this good purpose, that so fairly shows, + Dream of impediment! Let me have thy hand. + Further this act of grace; and from this hour + The heart of brothers govern in our loves + And sway our great designs! + CAESAR. There is my hand. + A sister I bequeath you, whom no brother + Did ever love so dearly. Let her live + To join our kingdoms and our hearts; and never + Fly off our loves again! + LEPIDUS. Happily, amen! + ANTONY. I did not think to draw my sword 'gainst Pompey; + For he hath laid strange courtesies and great + Of late upon me. I must thank him only, + Lest my remembrance suffer ill report; + At heel of that, defy him. + LEPIDUS. Time calls upon's. + Of us must Pompey presently be sought, + Or else he seeks out us. + ANTONY. Where lies he? + CAESAR. About the Mount Misenum. + ANTONY. What is his strength by land? + CAESAR. Great and increasing; but by sea + He is an absolute master. + ANTONY. So is the fame. + Would we had spoke together! Haste we for it. + Yet, ere we put ourselves in arms, dispatch we + The business we have talk'd of. + CAESAR. With most gladness; + And do invite you to my sister's view, + Whither straight I'll lead you. + ANTONY. Let us, Lepidus, + Not lack your company. + LEPIDUS. Noble Antony, + Not sickness should detain me. [Flourish] + Exeunt all but ENOBARBUS, AGRIPPA, MAECENAS + MAECENAS. Welcome from Egypt, sir. + ENOBARBUS. Half the heart of Caesar, worthy Maecenas! My +honourable + friend, Agrippa! + AGRIPPA. Good Enobarbus! + MAECENAS. We have cause to be glad that matters are so well + digested. You stay'd well by't in Egypt. + ENOBARBUS. Ay, sir; we did sleep day out of countenance and +made + the night light with drinking. + MAECENAS. Eight wild boars roasted whole at a breakfast, and +but + twelve persons there. Is this true? + ENOBARBUS. This was but as a fly by an eagle. We had much more + monstrous matter of feast, which worthily deserved noting. + MAECENAS. She's a most triumphant lady, if report be square to +her. + ENOBARBUS. When she first met Mark Antony she purs'd up his +heart, + upon the river of Cydnus. + AGRIPPA. There she appear'd indeed! Or my reporter devis'd well +for + her. + ENOBARBUS. I will tell you. + The barge she sat in, like a burnish'd throne, + Burn'd on the water. The poop was beaten gold; + Purple the sails, and so perfumed that + The winds were love-sick with them; the oars were silver, + Which to the tune of flutes kept stroke, and made + The water which they beat to follow faster, + As amorous of their strokes. For her own person, + It beggar'd all description. She did lie + In her pavilion, cloth-of-gold, of tissue, + O'erpicturing that Venus where we see + The fancy out-work nature. On each side her + Stood pretty dimpled boys, like smiling Cupids, + With divers-colour'd fans, whose wind did seem + To glow the delicate cheeks which they did cool, + And what they undid did. + AGRIPPA. O, rare for Antony! + ENOBARBUS. Her gentlewomen, like the Nereides, + So many mermaids, tended her i' th' eyes, + And made their bends adornings. At the helm + A seeming mermaid steers. The silken tackle + Swell with the touches of those flower-soft hands + That yarely frame the office. From the barge + A strange invisible perfume hits the sense + Of the adjacent wharfs. The city cast + Her people out upon her; and Antony, + Enthron'd i' th' market-place, did sit alone, + Whistling to th' air; which, but for vacancy, + Had gone to gaze on Cleopatra too, + And made a gap in nature. + AGRIPPA. Rare Egyptian! + ENOBARBUS. Upon her landing, Antony sent to her, + Invited her to supper. She replied + It should be better he became her guest; + Which she entreated. Our courteous Antony, + Whom ne'er the word of 'No' woman heard speak, + Being barber'd ten times o'er, goes to the feast, + And for his ordinary pays his heart + For what his eyes eat only. + AGRIPPA. Royal wench! + She made great Caesar lay his sword to bed. + He ploughed her, and she cropp'd. + ENOBARBUS. I saw her once + Hop forty paces through the public street; + And, having lost her breath, she spoke, and panted, + That she did make defect perfection, + And, breathless, pow'r breathe forth. + MAECENAS. Now Antony must leave her utterly. + ENOBARBUS. Never! He will not. + Age cannot wither her, nor custom stale + Her infinite variety. Other women cloy + The appetites they feed, but she makes hungry + Where most she satisfies; for vilest things + Become themselves in her, that the holy priests + Bless her when she is riggish. + MAECENAS. If beauty, wisdom, modesty, can settle + The heart of Antony, Octavia is + A blessed lottery to him. + AGRIPPA. Let us go. + Good Enobarbus, make yourself my guest + Whilst you abide here. + ENOBARBUS. Humbly, sir, I thank you. Exeunt + + + + +SCENE III. +Rome. CAESAR'S house + +Enter ANTONY, CAESAR, OCTAVIA between them + + ANTONY. The world and my great office will sometimes + Divide me from your bosom. + OCTAVIA. All which time + Before the gods my knee shall bow my prayers + To them for you. + ANTONY. Good night, sir. My Octavia, + Read not my blemishes in the world's report. + I have not kept my square; but that to come + Shall all be done by th' rule. Good night, dear lady. + OCTAVIA. Good night, sir. + CAESAR. Good night. Exeunt CAESAR and OCTAVIA + + Enter SOOTHSAYER + + ANTONY. Now, sirrah, you do wish yourself in Egypt? + SOOTHSAYER. Would I had never come from thence, nor you +thither! + ANTONY. If you can- your reason. + SOOTHSAYER. I see it in my motion, have it not in my tongue; +but + yet hie you to Egypt again. + ANTONY. Say to me, + Whose fortunes shall rise higher, Caesar's or mine? + SOOTHSAYER. Caesar's. + Therefore, O Antony, stay not by his side. + Thy daemon, that thy spirit which keeps thee, is + Noble, courageous, high, unmatchable, + Where Caesar's is not; but near him thy angel + Becomes a fear, as being o'erpow'r'd. Therefore + Make space enough between you. + ANTONY. Speak this no more. + SOOTHSAYER. To none but thee; no more but when to thee. + If thou dost play with him at any game, + Thou art sure to lose; and of that natural luck + He beats thee 'gainst the odds. Thy lustre thickens + When he shines by. I say again, thy spirit + Is all afraid to govern thee near him; + But, he away, 'tis noble. + ANTONY. Get thee gone. + Say to Ventidius I would speak with him. + Exit SOOTHSAYER + He shall to Parthia.- Be it art or hap, + He hath spoken true. The very dice obey him; + And in our sports my better cunning faints + Under his chance. If we draw lots, he speeds; + His cocks do win the battle still of mine, + When it is all to nought, and his quails ever + Beat mine, inhoop'd, at odds. I will to Egypt; + And though I make this marriage for my peace, + I' th' East my pleasure lies. + + Enter VENTIDIUS + + O, come, Ventidius, + You must to Parthia. Your commission's ready; + Follow me and receive't. Exeunt + + + + +SCENE IV. +Rome. A street + +Enter LEPIDUS, MAECENAS, and AGRIPPA + + LEPIDUS. Trouble yourselves no further. Pray you hasten + Your generals after. + AGRIPPA. Sir, Mark Antony + Will e'en but kiss Octavia, and we'll follow. + LEPIDUS. Till I shall see you in your soldier's dress, + Which will become you both, farewell. + MAECENAS. We shall, + As I conceive the journey, be at th' Mount + Before you, Lepidus. + LEPIDUS. Your way is shorter; + My purposes do draw me much about. + You'll win two days upon me. + BOTH. Sir, good success! + LEPIDUS. Farewell. Exeunt + + + + +SCENE V. +Alexandria. CLEOPATRA'S palace + +Enter CLEOPATRA, CHARMIAN, IRAS, and ALEXAS + + CLEOPATRA. Give me some music- music, moody food + Of us that trade in love. + ALL. The music, ho! + + Enter MARDIAN the eunuch + + CLEOPATRA. Let it alone! Let's to billiards. Come, Charmian. + CHARMIAN. My arm is sore; best play with Mardian. + CLEOPATRA. As well a woman with an eunuch play'd + As with a woman. Come, you'll play with me, sir? + MARDIAN. As well as I can, madam. + CLEOPATRA. And when good will is show'd, though't come too +short, + The actor may plead pardon. I'll none now. + Give me mine angle- we'll to th' river. There, + My music playing far off, I will betray + Tawny-finn'd fishes; my bended hook shall pierce + Their slimy jaws; and as I draw them up + I'll think them every one an Antony, + And say 'Ah ha! Y'are caught.' + CHARMIAN. 'Twas merry when + You wager'd on your angling; when your diver + Did hang a salt fish on his hook, which he + With fervency drew up. + CLEOPATRA. That time? O times + I laughed him out of patience; and that night + I laugh'd him into patience; and next morn, + Ere the ninth hour, I drunk him to his bed, + Then put my tires and mantles on him, whilst + I wore his sword Philippan. + + Enter a MESSENGER + + O! from Italy? + Ram thou thy fruitful tidings in mine ears, + That long time have been barren. + MESSENGER. Madam, madam- + CLEOPATRA. Antony's dead! If thou say so, villain, + Thou kill'st thy mistress; but well and free, + If thou so yield him, there is gold, and here + My bluest veins to kiss- a hand that kings + Have lipp'd, and trembled kissing. + MESSENGER. First, madam, he is well. + CLEOPATRA. Why, there's more gold. + But, sirrah, mark, we use + To say the dead are well. Bring it to that, + The gold I give thee will I melt and pour + Down thy ill-uttering throat. + MESSENGER. Good madam, hear me. + CLEOPATRA. Well, go to, I will. + But there's no goodness in thy face. If Antony + Be free and healthful- why so tart a favour + To trumpet such good tidings? If not well, + Thou shouldst come like a Fury crown'd with snakes, + Not like a formal man. + MESSENGER. Will't please you hear me? + CLEOPATRA. I have a mind to strike thee ere thou speak'st. + Yet, if thou say Antony lives, is well, + Or friends with Caesar, or not captive to him, + I'll set thee in a shower of gold, and hail + Rich pearls upon thee. + MESSENGER. Madam, he's well. + CLEOPATRA. Well said. + MESSENGER. And friends with Caesar. + CLEOPATRA. Th'art an honest man. + MESSENGER. Caesar and he are greater friends than ever. + CLEOPATRA. Make thee a fortune from me. + MESSENGER. But yet, madam- + CLEOPATRA. I do not like 'but yet.' It does allay + The good precedence; fie upon 'but yet'! + 'But yet' is as a gaoler to bring forth + Some monstrous malefactor. Prithee, friend, + Pour out the pack of matter to mine ear, + The good and bad together. He's friends with Caesar; + In state of health, thou say'st; and, thou say'st, free. + MESSENGER. Free, madam! No; I made no such report. + He's bound unto Octavia. + CLEOPATRA. For what good turn? + MESSENGER. For the best turn i' th' bed. + CLEOPATRA. I am pale, Charmian. + MESSENGER. Madam, he's married to Octavia. + CLEOPATRA. The most infectious pestilence upon thee! + [Strikes him down] + MESSENGER. Good madam, patience. + CLEOPATRA. What say you? Hence, [Strikes him] + Horrible villain! or I'll spurn thine eyes + Like balls before me; I'll unhair thy head; + [She hales him up and down] + Thou shalt be whipp'd with wire and stew'd in brine, + Smarting in ling'ring pickle. + MESSENGER. Gracious madam, + I that do bring the news made not the match. + CLEOPATRA. Say 'tis not so, a province I will give thee, + And make thy fortunes proud. The blow thou hadst + Shall make thy peace for moving me to rage; + And I will boot thee with what gift beside + Thy modesty can beg. + MESSENGER. He's married, madam. + CLEOPATRA. Rogue, thou hast liv'd too long. [Draws a knife] + MESSENGER. Nay, then I'll run. + What mean you, madam? I have made no fault. Exit + CHARMIAN. Good madam, keep yourself within yourself: + The man is innocent. + CLEOPATRA. Some innocents scape not the thunderbolt. + Melt Egypt into Nile! and kindly creatures + Turn all to serpents! Call the slave again. + Though I am mad, I will not bite him. Call! + CHARMIAN. He is afear'd to come. + CLEOPATRA. I will not hurt him. + These hands do lack nobility, that they strike + A meaner than myself; since I myself + Have given myself the cause. + + Enter the MESSENGER again + + Come hither, sir. + Though it be honest, it is never good + To bring bad news. Give to a gracious message + An host of tongues; but let ill tidings tell + Themselves when they be felt. + MESSENGER. I have done my duty. + CLEOPATRA. Is he married? + I cannot hate thee worser than I do + If thou again say 'Yes.' + MESSENGER. He's married, madam. + CLEOPATRA. The gods confound thee! Dost thou hold there still? + MESSENGER. Should I lie, madam? + CLEOPATRA. O, I would thou didst, + So half my Egypt were submerg'd and made + A cistern for scal'd snakes! Go, get thee hence. + Hadst thou Narcissus in thy face, to me + Thou wouldst appear most ugly. He is married? + MESSENGER. I crave your Highness' pardon. + CLEOPATRA. He is married? + MESSENGER. Take no offence that I would not offend you; + To punish me for what you make me do + Seems much unequal. He's married to Octavia. + CLEOPATRA. O, that his fault should make a knave of thee + That art not what th'art sure of! Get thee hence. + The merchandise which thou hast brought from Rome + Are all too dear for me. Lie they upon thy hand, + And be undone by 'em! Exit MESSENGER + CHARMIAN. Good your Highness, patience. + CLEOPATRA. In praising Antony I have disprais'd Caesar. + CHARMIAN. Many times, madam. + CLEOPATRA. I am paid for't now. Lead me from hence, + I faint. O Iras, Charmian! 'Tis no matter. + Go to the fellow, good Alexas; bid him + Report the feature of Octavia, her years, + Her inclination; let him not leave out + The colour of her hair. Bring me word quickly. + Exit ALEXAS + Let him for ever go- let him not, Charmian- + Though he be painted one way like a Gorgon, + The other way's a Mars. [To MARDIAN] + Bid you Alexas + Bring me word how tall she is.- Pity me, Charmian, + But do not speak to me. Lead me to my chamber. Exeunt + + + + +SCENE VI. +Near Misenum + +Flourish. Enter POMPEY and MENAS at one door, with drum and +trumpet; +at another, CAESAR, ANTONY, LEPIDUS, ENOBARBUS, MAECENAS, +AGRIPPA, +with soldiers marching + + POMPEY. Your hostages I have, so have you mine; + And we shall talk before we fight. + CAESAR. Most meet + That first we come to words; and therefore have we + Our written purposes before us sent; + Which if thou hast considered, let us know + If 'twill tie up thy discontented sword + And carry back to Sicily much tall youth + That else must perish here. + POMPEY. To you all three, + The senators alone of this great world, + Chief factors for the gods: I do not know + Wherefore my father should revengers want, + Having a son and friends, since Julius Caesar, + Who at Philippi the good Brutus ghosted, + There saw you labouring for him. What was't + That mov'd pale Cassius to conspire? and what + Made the all-honour'd honest Roman, Brutus, + With the arm'd rest, courtiers of beauteous freedom, + To drench the Capitol, but that they would + Have one man but a man? And that is it + Hath made me rig my navy, at whose burden + The anger'd ocean foams; with which I meant + To scourge th' ingratitude that despiteful Rome + Cast on my noble father. + CAESAR. Take your time. + ANTONY. Thou canst not fear us, Pompey, with thy sails; + We'll speak with thee at sea; at land thou know'st + How much we do o'er-count thee. + POMPEY. At land, indeed, + Thou dost o'er-count me of my father's house. + But since the cuckoo builds not for himself, + Remain in't as thou mayst. + LEPIDUS. Be pleas'd to tell us- + For this is from the present- how you take + The offers we have sent you. + CAESAR. There's the point. + ANTONY. Which do not be entreated to, but weigh + What it is worth embrac'd. + CAESAR. And what may follow, + To try a larger fortune. + POMPEY. You have made me offer + Of Sicily, Sardinia; and I must + Rid all the sea of pirates; then to send + Measures of wheat to Rome; this 'greed upon, + To part with unhack'd edges and bear back + Our targes undinted. + ALL. That's our offer. + POMPEY. Know, then, + I came before you here a man prepar'd + To take this offer; but Mark Antony + Put me to some impatience. Though I lose + The praise of it by telling, you must know, + When Caesar and your brother were at blows, + Your mother came to Sicily and did find + Her welcome friendly. + ANTONY. I have heard it, Pompey, + And am well studied for a liberal thanks + Which I do owe you. + POMPEY. Let me have your hand. + I did not think, sir, to have met you here. + ANTONY. The beds i' th' East are soft; and thanks to you, + That call'd me timelier than my purpose hither; + For I have gained by't. + CAESAR. Since I saw you last + There is a change upon you. + POMPEY. Well, I know not + What counts harsh fortune casts upon my face; + But in my bosom shall she never come + To make my heart her vassal. + LEPIDUS. Well met here. + POMPEY. I hope so, Lepidus. Thus we are agreed. + I crave our composition may be written, + And seal'd between us. + CAESAR. That's the next to do. + POMPEY. We'll feast each other ere we part, and let's + Draw lots who shall begin. + ANTONY. That will I, Pompey. + POMPEY. No, Antony, take the lot; + But, first or last, your fine Egyptian cookery + Shall have the fame. I have heard that Julius Caesar + Grew fat with feasting there. + ANTONY. You have heard much. + POMPEY. I have fair meanings, sir. + ANTONY. And fair words to them. + POMPEY. Then so much have I heard; + And I have heard Apollodorus carried- + ENOBARBUS. No more of that! He did so. + POMPEY. What, I pray you? + ENOBARBUS. A certain queen to Caesar in a mattress. + POMPEY. I know thee now. How far'st thou, soldier? + ENOBARBUS. Well; + And well am like to do, for I perceive + Four feasts are toward. + POMPEY. Let me shake thy hand. + I never hated thee; I have seen thee fight, + When I have envied thy behaviour. + ENOBARBUS. Sir, + I never lov'd you much; but I ha' prais'd ye + When you have well deserv'd ten times as much + As I have said you did. + POMPEY. Enjoy thy plainness; + It nothing ill becomes thee. + Aboard my galley I invite you all. + Will you lead, lords? + ALL. Show's the way, sir. + POMPEY. Come. Exeunt all but ENOBARBUS and MENAS + MENAS. [Aside] Thy father, Pompey, would ne'er have made this + treaty.- You and I have known, sir. + ENOBARBUS. At sea, I think. + MENAS. We have, sir. + ENOBARBUS. You have done well by water. + MENAS. And you by land. + ENOBARBUS. I Will praise any man that will praise me; though it + + + cannot be denied what I have done by land. + MENAS. Nor what I have done by water. + ENOBARBUS. Yes, something you can deny for your own safety: you + have been a great thief by sea. + MENAS. And you by land. + ENOBARBUS. There I deny my land service. But give me your hand, + Menas; if our eyes had authority, here they might take two + thieves kissing. + MENAS. All men's faces are true, whatsome'er their hands are. + ENOBARBUS. But there is never a fair woman has a true face. + MENAS. No slander: they steal hearts. + ENOBARBUS. We came hither to fight with you. + MENAS. For my part, I am sorry it is turn'd to a drinking. + Pompey doth this day laugh away his fortune. + ENOBARBUS. If he do, sure he cannot weep't back again. + MENAS. Y'have said, sir. We look'd not for Mark Antony here. +Pray + you, is he married to Cleopatra? + ENOBARBUS. Caesar's sister is call'd Octavia. + MENAS. True, sir; she was the wife of Caius Marcellus. + ENOBARBUS. But she is now the wife of Marcus Antonius. + MENAS. Pray ye, sir? + ENOBARBUS. 'Tis true. + MENAS. Then is Caesar and he for ever knit together. + ENOBARBUS. If I were bound to divine of this unity, I would not + prophesy so. + MENAS. I think the policy of that purpose made more in the +marriage + than the love of the parties. + ENOBARBUS. I think so too. But you shall find the band that +seems + to tie their friendship together will be the very strangler +of + their amity: Octavia is of a holy, cold, and still +conversation. + MENAS. Who would not have his wife so? + ENOBARBUS. Not he that himself is not so; which is Mark Antony. +He + will to his Egyptian dish again; then shall the sighs of +Octavia + blow the fire up in Caesar, and, as I said before, that which +is + the strength of their amity shall prove the immediate author +of + their variance. Antony will use his affection where it is; he + married but his occasion here. + MENAS. And thus it may be. Come, sir, will you aboard? I have a + health for you. + ENOBARBUS. I shall take it, sir. We have us'd our throats in +Egypt. + MENAS. Come, let's away. Exeunt + +ACT_2|SC_7 + SCENE VII. + On board POMPEY'S galley, off Misenum + + Music plays. Enter two or three SERVANTS with a banquet + + FIRST SERVANT. Here they'll be, man. Some o' their plants are + ill-rooted already; the least wind i' th' world will blow +them + down. + SECOND SERVANT. Lepidus is high-colour'd. + FIRST SERVANT. They have made him drink alms-drink. + SECOND SERVANT. As they pinch one another by the disposition, +he + cries out 'No more!'; reconciles them to his entreaty and +himself + to th' drink. + FIRST SERVANT. But it raises the greater war between him and +his + discretion. + SECOND SERVANT. Why, this it is to have a name in great men's + fellowship. I had as lief have a reed that will do me no +service + as a partizan I could not heave. + FIRST SERVANT. To be call'd into a huge sphere, and not to be +seen + to move in't, are the holes where eyes should be, which +pitifully + disaster the cheeks. + + A sennet sounded. Enter CAESAR, ANTONY, LEPIDUS, + POMPEY, AGRIPPA, MAECENAS, ENOBARBUS, MENAS, + with other CAPTAINS + + ANTONY. [To CAESAR] Thus do they, sir: they take the flow o' +th' + Nile + By certain scales i' th' pyramid; they know + By th' height, the lowness, or the mean, if dearth + Or foison follow. The higher Nilus swells + The more it promises; as it ebbs, the seedsman + Upon the slime and ooze scatters his grain, + And shortly comes to harvest. + LEPIDUS. Y'have strange serpents there. + ANTONY. Ay, Lepidus. + LEPIDUS. Your serpent of Egypt is bred now of your mud by the + operation of your sun; so is your crocodile. + ANTONY. They are so. + POMPEY. Sit- and some wine! A health to Lepidus! + LEPIDUS. I am not so well as I should be, but I'll ne'er out. + ENOBARBUS. Not till you have slept. I fear me you'll be in till + + + then. + LEPIDUS. Nay, certainly, I have heard the Ptolemies' pyramises +are + very goodly things. Without contradiction I have heard that. + MENAS. [Aside to POMPEY] Pompey, a word. + POMPEY. [Aside to MENAS] Say in mine ear; what is't? + MENAS. [Aside to POMPEY] Forsake thy seat, I do beseech thee, + Captain, + And hear me speak a word. + POMPEY. [ Whispers in's ear ] Forbear me till anon- + This wine for Lepidus! + LEPIDUS. What manner o' thing is your crocodile? + ANTONY. It is shap'd, sir, like itself, and it is as broad as +it + hath breadth; it is just so high as it is, and moves with it +own + organs. It lives by that which nourisheth it, and the +elements + once out of it, it transmigrates. + LEPIDUS. What colour is it of? + ANTONY. Of its own colour too. + LEPIDUS. 'Tis a strange serpent. + ANTONY. 'Tis so. And the tears of it are wet. + CAESAR. Will this description satisfy him? + ANTONY. With the health that Pompey gives him, else he is a +very + epicure. + POMPEY. [Aside to MENAS] Go, hang, sir, hang! Tell me of that! + Away! + Do as I bid you.- Where's this cup I call'd for? + MENAS. [Aside to POMPEY] If for the sake of merit thou wilt +hear + me, + Rise from thy stool. + POMPEY. [Aside to MENAS] I think th'art mad. [Rises and walks + aside] The matter? + MENAS. I have ever held my cap off to thy fortunes. + POMPEY. Thou hast serv'd me with much faith. What's else to +say?- + Be jolly, lords. + ANTONY. These quicksands, Lepidus, + Keep off them, for you sink. + MENAS. Wilt thou be lord of all the world? + POMPEY. What say'st thou? + MENAS. Wilt thou be lord of the whole world? That's twice. + POMPEY. How should that be? + MENAS. But entertain it, + And though you think me poor, I am the man + Will give thee all the world. + POMPEY. Hast thou drunk well? + MENAS. No, Pompey, I have kept me from the cup. + Thou art, if thou dar'st be, the earthly Jove; + Whate'er the ocean pales or sky inclips + Is thine, if thou wilt ha't. + POMPEY. Show me which way. + MENAS. These three world-sharers, these competitors, + Are in thy vessel. Let me cut the cable; + And when we are put off, fall to their throats. + All there is thine. + POMPEY. Ah, this thou shouldst have done, + And not have spoke on't. In me 'tis villainy: + In thee't had been good service. Thou must know + 'Tis not my profit that does lead mine honour: + Mine honour, it. Repent that e'er thy tongue + Hath so betray'd thine act. Being done unknown, + I should have found it afterwards well done, + But must condemn it now. Desist, and drink. + MENAS. [Aside] For this, + I'll never follow thy pall'd fortunes more. + Who seeks, and will not take when once 'tis offer'd, + Shall never find it more. + POMPEY. This health to Lepidus! + ANTONY. Bear him ashore. I'll pledge it for him, Pompey. + ENOBARBUS. Here's to thee, Menas! + MENAS. Enobarbus, welcome! + POMPEY. Fill till the cup be hid. + ENOBARBUS. There's a strong fellow, Menas. + [Pointing to the servant who carries off LEPIDUS] + MENAS. Why? + ENOBARBUS. 'A bears the third part of the world, man; see'st +not? + MENAS. The third part, then, is drunk. Would it were all, + That it might go on wheels! + ENOBARBUS. Drink thou; increase the reels. + MENAS. Come. + POMPEY. This is not yet an Alexandrian feast. + ANTONY. It ripens towards it. Strike the vessels, ho! + Here's to Caesar! + CAESAR. I could well forbear't. + It's monstrous labour when I wash my brain + And it grows fouler. + ANTONY. Be a child o' th' time. + CAESAR. Possess it, I'll make answer. + But I had rather fast from all four days + Than drink so much in one. + ENOBARBUS. [To ANTONY] Ha, my brave emperor! + Shall we dance now the Egyptian Bacchanals + And celebrate our drink? + POMPEY. Let's ha't, good soldier. + ANTONY. Come, let's all take hands, + Till that the conquering wine hath steep'd our sense + In soft and delicate Lethe. + ENOBARBUS. All take hands. + Make battery to our ears with the loud music, + The while I'll place you; then the boy shall sing; + The holding every man shall bear as loud + As his strong sides can volley. + [Music plays. ENOBARBUS places them hand in hand] + + + THE SONG + Come, thou monarch of the vine, + Plumpy Bacchus with pink eyne! + In thy fats our cares be drown'd, + With thy grapes our hairs be crown'd. + Cup us till the world go round, + Cup us till the world go round! + + CAESAR. What would you more? Pompey, good night. Good brother, + Let me request you off; our graver business + Frowns at this levity. Gentle lords, let's part; + You see we have burnt our cheeks. Strong Enobarb + Is weaker than the wine, and mine own tongue + Splits what it speaks. The wild disguise hath almost + Antick'd us all. What needs more words? Good night. + Good Antony, your hand. + POMPEY. I'll try you on the shore. + ANTONY. And shall, sir. Give's your hand. + POMPEY. O Antony, + You have my father's house- but what? We are friends. + Come, down into the boat. + ENOBARBUS. Take heed you fall not. + Exeunt all but ENOBARBUS and MENAS + Menas, I'll not on shore. + MENAS. No, to my cabin. + These drums! these trumpets, flutes! what! + Let Neptune hear we bid a loud farewell + To these great fellows. Sound and be hang'd, sound out! + [Sound a flourish, with drums] + ENOBARBUS. Hoo! says 'a. There's my cap. + MENAS. Hoo! Noble Captain, come. Exeunt +ACT_3|SC_1 + ACT III. SCENE I. + A plain in Syria + + Enter VENTIDIUS, as it were in triumph, with SILIUS + and other Romans, OFFICERS and soldiers; the dead body + of PACORUS borne before him + + VENTIDIUS. Now, darting Parthia, art thou struck, and now + Pleas'd fortune does of Marcus Crassus' death + Make me revenger. Bear the King's son's body + Before our army. Thy Pacorus, Orodes, + Pays this for Marcus Crassus. + SILIUS. Noble Ventidius, + Whilst yet with Parthian blood thy sword is warm + The fugitive Parthians follow; spur through Media, + Mesopotamia, and the shelters whither + The routed fly. So thy grand captain, Antony, + Shall set thee on triumphant chariots and + Put garlands on thy head. + VENTIDIUS. O Silius, Silius, + I have done enough. A lower place, note well, + May make too great an act; for learn this, Silius: + Better to leave undone than by our deed + Acquire too high a fame when him we serve's away. + Caesar and Antony have ever won + More in their officer, than person. Sossius, + One of my place in Syria, his lieutenant, + For quick accumulation of renown, + Which he achiev'd by th' minute, lost his favour. + Who does i' th' wars more than his captain can + Becomes his captain's captain; and ambition, + The soldier's virtue, rather makes choice of loss + Than gain which darkens him. + I could do more to do Antonius good, + But 'twould offend him; and in his offence + Should my performance perish. + SILIUS. Thou hast, Ventidius, that + Without the which a soldier and his sword + Grants scarce distinction. Thou wilt write to Antony? + VENTIDIUS. I'll humbly signify what in his name, + That magical word of war, we have effected; + How, with his banners, and his well-paid ranks, + The ne'er-yet-beaten horse of Parthia + We have jaded out o' th' field. + SILIUS. Where is he now? + VENTIDIUS. He purposeth to Athens; whither, with what haste + The weight we must convey with's will permit, + We shall appear before him.- On, there; pass along. + Exeunt + +ACT_3|SC_2 + SCENE II. Rome. CAESAR'S house + + Enter AGRIPPA at one door, ENOBARBUS at another + + AGRIPPA. What, are the brothers parted? + ENOBARBUS. They have dispatch'd with Pompey; he is gone; + The other three are sealing. Octavia weeps + To part from Rome; Caesar is sad; and Lepidus, + Since Pompey's feast, as Menas says, is troubled + With the green sickness. + AGRIPPA. 'Tis a noble Lepidus. + ENOBARBUS. A very fine one. O, how he loves Caesar! + AGRIPPA. Nay, but how dearly he adores Mark Antony! + ENOBARBUS. Caesar? Why he's the Jupiter of men. + AGRIPPA. What's Antony? The god of Jupiter. + ENOBARBUS. Spake you of Caesar? How! the nonpareil! + AGRIPPA. O, Antony! O thou Arabian bird! + ENOBARBUS. Would you praise Caesar, say 'Caesar'- go no +further. + AGRIPPA. Indeed, he plied them both with excellent praises. + ENOBARBUS. But he loves Caesar best. Yet he loves Antony. + Hoo! hearts, tongues, figures, scribes, bards, poets, cannot + + Think, speak, cast, write, sing, number- hoo!- + His love to Antony. But as for Caesar, + Kneel down, kneel down, and wonder. + AGRIPPA. Both he loves. + ENOBARBUS. They are his shards, and he their beetle. [Trumpets + within] So- + This is to horse. Adieu, noble Agrippa. + AGRIPPA. Good fortune, worthy soldier, and farewell. + + Enter CAESAR, ANTONY, LEPIDUS, and OCTAVIA + + ANTONY. No further, sir. + CAESAR. You take from me a great part of myself; + Use me well in't. Sister, prove such a wife + As my thoughts make thee, and as my farthest band + Shall pass on thy approof. Most noble Antony, + Let not the piece of virtue which is set + Betwixt us as the cement of our love + To keep it builded be the ram to batter + The fortress of it; for better might we + Have lov'd without this mean, if on both parts + This be not cherish'd. + ANTONY. Make me not offended + In your distrust. + CAESAR. I have said. + ANTONY. You shall not find, + Though you be therein curious, the least cause + For what you seem to fear. So the gods keep you, + And make the hearts of Romans serve your ends! + We will here part. + CAESAR. Farewell, my dearest sister, fare thee well. + The elements be kind to thee and make + Thy spirits all of comfort! Fare thee well. + OCTAVIA. My noble brother! + ANTONY. The April's in her eyes. It is love's spring, + And these the showers to bring it on. Be cheerful. + OCTAVIA. Sir, look well to my husband's house; and- + CAESAR. What, Octavia? + OCTAVIA. I'll tell you in your ear. + ANTONY. Her tongue will not obey her heart, nor can + Her heart inform her tongue- the swan's down feather, + That stands upon the swell at the full of tide, + And neither way inclines. + ENOBARBUS. [Aside to AGRIPPA] Will Caesar weep? + AGRIPPA. [Aside to ENOBARBUS] He has a cloud in's face. + ENOBARBUS. [Aside to AGRIPPA] He were the worse for that, were +he a + horse; + So is he, being a man. + AGRIPPA. [Aside to ENOBARBUS] Why, Enobarbus, + When Antony found Julius Caesar dead, + He cried almost to roaring; and he wept + When at Philippi he found Brutus slain. + ENOBARBUS. [Aside to AGRIPPA] That year, indeed, he was +troubled + with a rheum; + What willingly he did confound he wail'd, + Believe't- till I weep too. + CAESAR. No, sweet Octavia, + You shall hear from me still; the time shall not + Out-go my thinking on you. + ANTONY. Come, sir, come; + I'll wrestle with you in my strength of love. + Look, here I have you; thus I let you go, + And give you to the gods. + CAESAR. Adieu; be happy! + LEPIDUS. Let all the number of the stars give light + To thy fair way! + CAESAR. Farewell, farewell! [Kisses OCTAVIA] + ANTONY. Farewell! Trumpets sound. Exeunt + +ACT_3|SC_3 + SCENE III. + Alexandria. CLEOPATRA'S palace + + Enter CLEOPATRA, CHARMIAN, IRAS, and ALEXAS + + CLEOPATRA. Where is the fellow? + ALEXAS. Half afeard to come. + CLEOPATRA. Go to, go to. + + Enter the MESSENGER as before + + Come hither, sir. + ALEXAS. Good Majesty, + Herod of Jewry dare not look upon you + But when you are well pleas'd. + CLEOPATRA. That Herod's head + I'll have. But how, when Antony is gone, + Through whom I might command it? Come thou near. + MESSENGER. Most gracious Majesty! + CLEOPATRA. Didst thou behold Octavia? + MESSENGER. Ay, dread Queen. + CLEOPATRA. Where? + MESSENGER. Madam, in Rome + I look'd her in the face, and saw her led + Between her brother and Mark Antony. + CLEOPATRA. Is she as tall as me? + MESSENGER. She is not, madam. + CLEOPATRA. Didst hear her speak? Is she shrill-tongu'd or low? + MESSENGER. Madam, I heard her speak: she is low-voic'd. + CLEOPATRA. That's not so good. He cannot like her long. + CHARMIAN. Like her? O Isis! 'tis impossible. + CLEOPATRA. I think so, Charmian. Dull of tongue and dwarfish! + What majesty is in her gait? Remember, + If e'er thou look'dst on majesty. + MESSENGER. She creeps. + Her motion and her station are as one; + She shows a body rather than a life, + A statue than a breather. + CLEOPATRA. Is this certain? + MESSENGER. Or I have no observance. + CHARMIAN. Three in Egypt + Cannot make better note. + CLEOPATRA. He's very knowing; + I do perceive't. There's nothing in her yet. + The fellow has good judgment. + CHARMIAN. Excellent. + CLEOPATRA. Guess at her years, I prithee. + MESSENGER. Madam, + She was a widow. + CLEOPATRA. Widow? Charmian, hark! + MESSENGER. And I do think she's thirty. + CLEOPATRA. Bear'st thou her face in mind? Is't long or round? + MESSENGER. Round even to faultiness. + CLEOPATRA. For the most part, too, they are foolish that are +so. + Her hair, what colour? + MESSENGER. Brown, madam; and her forehead + As low as she would wish it. + CLEOPATRA. There's gold for thee. + Thou must not take my former sharpness ill. + I will employ thee back again; I find thee + Most fit for business. Go make thee ready; + Our letters are prepar'd. Exit MESSENGER + + CHARMIAN. A proper man. + CLEOPATRA. Indeed, he is so. I repent me much + That so I harried him. Why, methinks, by him, + This creature's no such thing. + CHARMIAN. Nothing, madam. + CLEOPATRA. The man hath seen some majesty, and should know. + CHARMIAN. Hath he seen majesty? Isis else defend, + And serving you so long! + CLEOPATRA. I have one thing more to ask him yet, good Charmian. + But 'tis no matter; thou shalt bring him to me + Where I will write. All may be well enough. + CHARMIAN. I warrant you, madam. Exeunt + +ACT_3|SC_4 + SCENE IV. + Athens. ANTONY'S house + + Enter ANTONY and OCTAVIA + + ANTONY. Nay, nay, Octavia, not only that- + That were excusable, that and thousands more + Of semblable import- but he hath wag'd + New wars 'gainst Pompey; made his will, and read it + To public ear; + Spoke scandy of me; when perforce he could not + But pay me terms of honour, cold and sickly + He vented them, most narrow measure lent me; + When the best hint was given him, he not took't, + Or did it from his teeth. + OCTAVIA. O my good lord, + Believe not all; or if you must believe, + Stomach not all. A more unhappy lady, + If this division chance, ne'er stood between, + Praying for both parts. + The good gods will mock me presently + When I shall pray 'O, bless my lord and husband!' + Undo that prayer by crying out as loud + 'O, bless my brother!' Husband win, win brother, + Prays, and destroys the prayer; no mid-way + 'Twixt these extremes at all. + ANTONY. Gentle Octavia, + Let your best love draw to that point which seeks + Best to preserve it. If I lose mine honour, + I lose myself; better I were not yours + Than yours so branchless. But, as you requested, + Yourself shall go between's. The meantime, lady, + I'll raise the preparation of a war + Shall stain your brother. Make your soonest haste; + So your desires are yours. + OCTAVIA. Thanks to my lord. + The Jove of power make me, most weak, most weak, + Your reconciler! Wars 'twixt you twain would be + As if the world should cleave, and that slain men + Should solder up the rift. + ANTONY. When it appears to you where this begins, + Turn your displeasure that way, for our faults + Can never be so equal that your love + Can equally move with them. Provide your going; + Choose your own company, and command what cost + Your heart has mind to. Exeunt + +ACT_3|SC_5 + SCENE V. + Athens. ANTONY'S house + + Enter ENOBARBUS and EROS, meeting + + ENOBARBUS. How now, friend Eros! + EROS. There's strange news come, sir. + ENOBARBUS. What, man? + EROS. Caesar and Lepidus have made wars upon Pompey. + ENOBARBUS. This is old. What is the success? + EROS. Caesar, having made use of him in the wars 'gainst +Pompey, + presently denied him rivality, would not let him partake in +the + glory of the action; and not resting here, accuses him of +letters + he had formerly wrote to Pompey; upon his own appeal, seizes +him. + So the poor third is up, till death enlarge his confine. + ENOBARBUS. Then, world, thou hast a pair of chaps- no more; + And throw between them all the food thou hast, + They'll grind the one the other. Where's Antony? + EROS. He's walking in the garden- thus, and spurns + The rush that lies before him; cries 'Fool Lepidus!' + And threats the throat of that his officer + That murd'red Pompey. + ENOBARBUS. Our great navy's rigg'd. + EROS. For Italy and Caesar. More, Domitius: + My lord desires you presently; my news + I might have told hereafter. + ENOBARBUS. 'Twill be naught; + But let it be. Bring me to Antony. + EROS. Come, sir. Exeunt + +ACT_3|SC_6 + SCENE VI. + Rome. CAESAR'S house + + Enter CAESAR, AGRIPPA, and MAECENAS + + CAESAR. Contemning Rome, he has done all this and more + In Alexandria. Here's the manner of't: + I' th' market-place, on a tribunal silver'd, + Cleopatra and himself in chairs of gold + Were publicly enthron'd; at the feet sat + Caesarion, whom they call my father's son, + And all the unlawful issue that their lust + Since then hath made between them. Unto her + He gave the stablishment of Egypt; made her + Of lower Syria, Cyprus, Lydia, + Absolute queen. + MAECENAS. This in the public eye? + CAESAR. I' th' common show-place, where they exercise. + His sons he there proclaim'd the kings of kings: + Great Media, Parthia, and Armenia, + He gave to Alexander; to Ptolemy he assign'd + Syria, Cilicia, and Phoenicia. She + In th' habiliments of the goddess Isis + That day appear'd; and oft before gave audience, + As 'tis reported, so. + MAECENAS. Let Rome be thus + Inform'd. + AGRIPPA. Who, queasy with his insolence + Already, will their good thoughts call from him. + CAESAR. The people knows it, and have now receiv'd + His accusations. + AGRIPPA. Who does he accuse? + CAESAR. Caesar; and that, having in Sicily + Sextus Pompeius spoil'd, we had not rated him + His part o' th' isle. Then does he say he lent me + Some shipping, unrestor'd. Lastly, he frets + That Lepidus of the triumvirate + Should be depos'd; and, being, that we detain + All his revenue. + AGRIPPA. Sir, this should be answer'd. + CAESAR. 'Tis done already, and messenger gone. + I have told him Lepidus was grown too cruel, + That he his high authority abus'd, + And did deserve his change. For what I have conquer'd + I grant him part; but then, in his Armenia + And other of his conquer'd kingdoms, I + Demand the like. + MAECENAS. He'll never yield to that. + CAESAR. Nor must not then be yielded to in this. + + Enter OCTAVIA, with her train + + OCTAVIA. Hail, Caesar, and my lord! hail, most dear Caesar! + CAESAR. That ever I should call thee cast-away! + OCTAVIA. You have not call'd me so, nor have you cause. + CAESAR. Why have you stol'n upon us thus? You come not + Like Caesar's sister. The wife of Antony + Should have an army for an usher, and + The neighs of horse to tell of her approach + Long ere she did appear. The trees by th' way + Should have borne men, and expectation fainted, + Longing for what it had not. Nay, the dust + Should have ascended to the roof of heaven, + Rais'd by your populous troops. But you are come + A market-maid to Rome, and have prevented + The ostentation of our love, which left unshown + Is often left unlov'd. We should have met you + By sea and land, supplying every stage + With an augmented greeting. + OCTAVIA. Good my lord, + To come thus was I not constrain'd, but did it + On my free will. My lord, Mark Antony, + Hearing that you prepar'd for war, acquainted + My grieved ear withal; whereon I begg'd + His pardon for return. + CAESAR. Which soon he granted, + Being an obstruct 'tween his lust and him. + OCTAVIA. Do not say so, my lord. + CAESAR. I have eyes upon him, + And his affairs come to me on the wind. + Where is he now? + OCTAVIA. My lord, in Athens. + CAESAR. No, my most wronged sister: Cleopatra + Hath nodded him to her. He hath given his empire + Up to a whore, who now are levying + The kings o' th' earth for war. He hath assembled + Bocchus, the king of Libya; Archelaus + Of Cappadocia; Philadelphos, king + Of Paphlagonia; the Thracian king, Adallas; + King Manchus of Arabia; King of Pont; + Herod of Jewry; Mithridates, king + Of Comagene; Polemon and Amyntas, + The kings of Mede and Lycaonia, with + More larger list of sceptres. + OCTAVIA. Ay me most wretched, + That have my heart parted betwixt two friends, + That does afflict each other! + CAESAR. Welcome hither. + Your letters did withhold our breaking forth, + Till we perceiv'd both how you were wrong led + And we in negligent danger. Cheer your heart; + Be you not troubled with the time, which drives + O'er your content these strong necessities, + But let determin'd things to destiny + Hold unbewail'd their way. Welcome to Rome; + Nothing more dear to me. You are abus'd + Beyond the mark of thought, and the high gods, + To do you justice, make their ministers + Of us and those that love you. Best of comfort, + And ever welcome to us. + AGRIPPA. Welcome, lady. + MAECENAS. Welcome, dear madam. + Each heart in Rome does love and pity you; + Only th' adulterous Antony, most large + In his abominations, turns you off, + And gives his potent regiment to a trull + That noises it against us. + OCTAVIA. Is it so, sir? + CAESAR. Most certain. Sister, welcome. Pray you + Be ever known to patience. My dear'st sister! Exeunt + +ACT_3|SC_7 + SCENE VII. + ANTONY'S camp near Actium + + Enter CLEOPATRA and ENOBARBUS + + CLEOPATRA. I will be even with thee, doubt it not. + ENOBARBUS. But why, why, why? + CLEOPATRA. Thou hast forspoke my being in these wars, + And say'st it is not fit. + ENOBARBUS. Well, is it, is it? + CLEOPATRA. Is't not denounc'd against us? Why should not we + Be there in person? + ENOBARBUS. [Aside] Well, I could reply: + If we should serve with horse and mares together + The horse were merely lost; the mares would bear + A soldier and his horse. + CLEOPATRA. What is't you say? + ENOBARBUS. Your presence needs must puzzle Antony; + Take from his heart, take from his brain, from's time, + What should not then be spar'd. He is already + Traduc'd for levity; and 'tis said in Rome + That Photinus an eunuch and your maids + Manage this war. + CLEOPATRA. Sink Rome, and their tongues rot + That speak against us! A charge we bear i' th' war, + And, as the president of my kingdom, will + Appear there for a man. Speak not against it; + I will not stay behind. + + Enter ANTONY and CANIDIUS + + ENOBARBUS. Nay, I have done. + Here comes the Emperor. + ANTONY. Is it not strange, Canidius, + That from Tarentum and Brundusium + He could so quickly cut the Ionian sea, + And take in Toryne?- You have heard on't, sweet? + CLEOPATRA. Celerity is never more admir'd + Than by the negligent. + ANTONY. A good rebuke, + Which might have well becom'd the best of men + To taunt at slackness. Canidius, we + Will fight with him by sea. + CLEOPATRA. By sea! What else? + CANIDIUS. Why will my lord do so? + ANTONY. For that he dares us to't. + ENOBARBUS. So hath my lord dar'd him to single fight. + CANIDIUS. Ay, and to wage this battle at Pharsalia, + Where Caesar fought with Pompey. But these offers, + Which serve not for his vantage, he shakes off; + And so should you. + ENOBARBUS. Your ships are not well mann'd; + Your mariners are muleteers, reapers, people + Ingross'd by swift impress. In Caesar's fleet + Are those that often have 'gainst Pompey fought; + Their ships are yare; yours heavy. No disgrace + Shall fall you for refusing him at sea, + Being prepar'd for land. + ANTONY. By sea, by sea. + ENOBARBUS. Most worthy sir, you therein throw away + The absolute soldiership you have by land; + Distract your army, which doth most consist + Of war-mark'd footmen; leave unexecuted + Your own renowned knowledge; quite forgo + The way which promises assurance; and + Give up yourself merely to chance and hazard + From firm security. + ANTONY. I'll fight at sea. + CLEOPATRA. I have sixty sails, Caesar none better. + ANTONY. Our overplus of shipping will we burn, + And, with the rest full-mann'd, from th' head of Actium + Beat th' approaching Caesar. But if we fail, + We then can do't at land. + + Enter a MESSENGER + + Thy business? + MESSENGER. The news is true, my lord: he is descried; + Caesar has taken Toryne. + ANTONY. Can he be there in person? 'Tis impossible- + Strange that his power should be. Canidius, + Our nineteen legions thou shalt hold by land, + And our twelve thousand horse. We'll to our ship. + Away, my Thetis! + + Enter a SOLDIER + + How now, worthy soldier? + SOLDIER. O noble Emperor, do not fight by sea; + Trust not to rotten planks. Do you misdoubt + This sword and these my wounds? Let th' Egyptians + And the Phoenicians go a-ducking; we + Have us'd to conquer standing on the earth + And fighting foot to foot. + ANTONY. Well, well- away. + Exeunt ANTONY, CLEOPATRA, and ENOBARBUS + SOLDIER. By Hercules, I think I am i' th' right. + CANIDIUS. Soldier, thou art; but his whole action grows + Not in the power on't. So our leader's led, + And we are women's men. + SOLDIER. You keep by land + The legions and the horse whole, do you not? + CANIDIUS. Marcus Octavius, Marcus Justeius, + Publicola, and Caelius are for sea; + But we keep whole by land. This speed of Caesar's + Carries beyond belief. + SOLDIER. While he was yet in Rome, + His power went out in such distractions as + Beguil'd all spies. + CANIDIUS. Who's his lieutenant, hear you? + SOLDIER. They say one Taurus. + CANIDIUS. Well I know the man. + + Enter a MESSENGER + + MESSENGER. The Emperor calls Canidius. + CANIDIUS. With news the time's with labour and throes forth + Each minute some. Exeunt + +ACT_3|SC_8 + SCENE VIII. + A plain near Actium + + Enter CAESAR, with his army, marching + + CAESAR. Taurus! + TAURUS. My lord? + CAESAR. Strike not by land; keep whole; provoke not battle + Till we have done at sea. Do not exceed + The prescript of this scroll. Our fortune lies + Upon this jump. Exeunt + +ACT_3|SC_9 + SCENE IX. + Another part of the plain + + Enter ANTONY and ENOBARBUS + + ANTONY. Set we our squadrons on yon side o' th' hill, + In eye of Caesar's battle; from which place + We may the number of the ships behold, + And so proceed accordingly. Exeunt + +ACT_3|SC_10 + SCENE X. + Another part of the plain + + CANIDIUS marcheth with his land army one way + over the stage, and TAURUS, the Lieutenant of + CAESAR, the other way. After their going in is heard + the noise of a sea-fight + + Alarum. Enter ENOBARBUS + + ENOBARBUS. Naught, naught, all naught! I can behold no longer. + Th' Antoniad, the Egyptian admiral, + With all their sixty, fly and turn the rudder. + To see't mine eyes are blasted. + + Enter SCARUS + + SCARUS. Gods and goddesses, + All the whole synod of them! + ENOBARBUS. What's thy passion? + SCARUS. The greater cantle of the world is lost + With very ignorance; we have kiss'd away + Kingdoms and provinces. + ENOBARBUS. How appears the fight? + SCARUS. On our side like the token'd pestilence, + Where death is sure. Yon ribaudred nag of Egypt- + Whom leprosy o'ertake!- i' th' midst o' th' fight, + When vantage like a pair of twins appear'd, + Both as the same, or rather ours the elder- + The breese upon her, like a cow in June- + Hoists sails and flies. + ENOBARBUS. That I beheld; + Mine eyes did sicken at the sight and could not + Endure a further view. + SCARUS. She once being loof'd, + The noble ruin of her magic, Antony, + Claps on his sea-wing, and, like a doting mallard, + Leaving the fight in height, flies after her. + I never saw an action of such shame; + Experience, manhood, honour, ne'er before + Did violate so itself. + ENOBARBUS. Alack, alack! + + Enter CANIDIUS + + CANIDIUS. Our fortune on the sea is out of breath, + And sinks most lamentably. Had our general + Been what he knew himself, it had gone well. + O, he has given example for our flight + Most grossly by his own! + ENOBARBUS. Ay, are you thereabouts? + Why then, good night indeed. + CANIDIUS. Toward Peloponnesus are they fled. + SCARUS. 'Tis easy to't; and there I will attend + What further comes. + CANIDIUS. To Caesar will I render + My legions and my horse; six kings already + Show me the way of yielding. + ENOBARBUS. I'll yet follow + The wounded chance of Antony, though my reason + Sits in the wind against me. Exeunt + +ACT_3|SC_11 + SCENE XI. + Alexandria. CLEOPATRA'S palace + + Enter ANTONY with attendants + + ANTONY. Hark! the land bids me tread no more upon't; + It is asham'd to bear me. Friends, come hither. + I am so lated in the world that I + Have lost my way for ever. I have a ship + Laden with gold; take that; divide it. Fly, + And make your peace with Caesar. + ALL. Fly? Not we! + ANTONY. I have fled myself, and have instructed cowards + To run and show their shoulders. Friends, be gone; + I have myself resolv'd upon a course + Which has no need of you; be gone. + My treasure's in the harbour, take it. O, + I follow'd that I blush to look upon. + My very hairs do mutiny; for the white + Reprove the brown for rashness, and they them + For fear and doting. Friends, be gone; you shall + Have letters from me to some friends that will + Sweep your way for you. Pray you look not sad, + Nor make replies of loathness; take the hint + Which my despair proclaims. Let that be left + Which leaves itself. To the sea-side straight way. + I will possess you of that ship and treasure. + Leave me, I pray, a little; pray you now; + Nay, do so, for indeed I have lost command; + Therefore I pray you. I'll see you by and by. [Sits down] + + Enter CLEOPATRA, led by CHARMIAN and IRAS, + EROS following + + EROS. Nay, gentle madam, to him! Comfort him. + IRAS. Do, most dear Queen. + CHARMIAN. Do? Why, what else? + CLEOPATRA. Let me sit down. O Juno! + ANTONY. No, no, no, no, no. + EROS. See you here, sir? + ANTONY. O, fie, fie, fie! + CHARMIAN. Madam! + IRAS. Madam, O good Empress! + EROS. Sir, sir! + ANTONY. Yes, my lord, yes. He at Philippi kept + His sword e'en like a dancer, while I struck + The lean and wrinkled Cassius; and 'twas I + That the mad Brutus ended; he alone + Dealt on lieutenantry, and no practice had + In the brave squares of war. Yet now- no matter. + CLEOPATRA. Ah, stand by! + EROS. The Queen, my lord, the Queen! + IRAS. Go to him, madam, speak to him. + He is unqualitied with very shame. + CLEOPATRA. Well then, sustain me. O! + EROS. Most noble sir, arise; the Queen approaches. + Her head's declin'd, and death will seize her but + Your comfort makes the rescue. + ANTONY. I have offended reputation- + A most unnoble swerving. + EROS. Sir, the Queen. + ANTONY. O, whither hast thou led me, Egypt? See + How I convey my shame out of thine eyes + By looking back what I have left behind + 'Stroy'd in dishonour. + CLEOPATRA. O my lord, my lord, + Forgive my fearful sails! I little thought + You would have followed. + ANTONY. Egypt, thou knew'st too well + My heart was to thy rudder tied by th' strings, + And thou shouldst tow me after. O'er my spirit + Thy full supremacy thou knew'st, and that + Thy beck might from the bidding of the gods + Command me. + CLEOPATRA. O, my pardon! + ANTONY. Now I must + To the young man send humble treaties, dodge + And palter in the shifts of lowness, who + With half the bulk o' th' world play'd as I pleas'd, + Making and marring fortunes. You did know + How much you were my conqueror, and that + My sword, made weak by my affection, would + Obey it on all cause. + CLEOPATRA. Pardon, pardon! + ANTONY. Fall not a tear, I say; one of them rates + All that is won and lost. Give me a kiss; + Even this repays me. + We sent our schoolmaster; is 'a come back? + Love, I am full of lead. Some wine, + Within there, and our viands! Fortune knows + We scorn her most when most she offers blows. Exeunt + +ACT_3|SC_12 + SCENE XII. + CAESAR'S camp in Egypt + + Enter CAESAR, AGRIPPA, DOLABELLA, THYREUS, with others + + CAESAR. Let him appear that's come from Antony. + Know you him? + DOLABELLA. Caesar, 'tis his schoolmaster: + An argument that he is pluck'd, when hither + He sends so poor a pinion of his wing, + Which had superfluous kings for messengers + Not many moons gone by. + + Enter EUPHRONIUS, Ambassador from ANTONY + + CAESAR. Approach, and speak. + EUPHRONIUS. Such as I am, I come from Antony. + I was of late as petty to his ends + As is the morn-dew on the myrtle leaf + To his grand sea. + CAESAR. Be't so. Declare thine office. + EUPHRONIUS. Lord of his fortunes he salutes thee, and + Requires to live in Egypt; which not granted, + He lessens his requests and to thee sues + To let him breathe between the heavens and earth, + A private man in Athens. This for him. + Next, Cleopatra does confess thy greatness, + Submits her to thy might, and of thee craves + The circle of the Ptolemies for her heirs, + Now hazarded to thy grace. + CAESAR. For Antony, + I have no ears to his request. The Queen + Of audience nor desire shall fail, so she + From Egypt drive her all-disgraced friend, + Or take his life there. This if she perform, + She shall not sue unheard. So to them both. + EUPHRONIUS. Fortune pursue thee! + CAESAR. Bring him through the bands. Exit EUPHRONIUS + [To THYREUS] To try thy eloquence, now 'tis time. Dispatch; + From Antony win Cleopatra. Promise, + And in our name, what she requires; add more, + From thine invention, offers. Women are not + In their best fortunes strong; but want will perjure + The ne'er-touch'd vestal. Try thy cunning, Thyreus; + Make thine own edict for thy pains, which we + Will answer as a law. + THYREUS. Caesar, I go. + CAESAR. Observe how Antony becomes his flaw, + And what thou think'st his very action speaks + In every power that moves. + THYREUS. Caesar, I shall. Exeunt + +ACT_3|SC_13 + SCENE XIII. + Alexandria. CLEOPATRA'S palace + + Enter CLEOPATRA, ENOBARBUS, CHARMIAN, and IRAS + + CLEOPATRA. What shall we do, Enobarbus? + ENOBARBUS. Think, and die. + CLEOPATRA. Is Antony or we in fault for this? + ENOBARBUS. Antony only, that would make his will + Lord of his reason. What though you fled + From that great face of war, whose several ranges + Frighted each other? Why should he follow? + The itch of his affection should not then + Have nick'd his captainship, at such a point, + When half to half the world oppos'd, he being + The mered question. 'Twas a shame no less + Than was his loss, to course your flying flags + And leave his navy gazing. + CLEOPATRA. Prithee, peace. + + Enter EUPHRONIUS, the Ambassador; with ANTONY + + ANTONY. Is that his answer? + EUPHRONIUS. Ay, my lord. + ANTONY. The Queen shall then have courtesy, so she + Will yield us up. + EUPHRONIUS. He says so. + ANTONY. Let her know't. + To the boy Caesar send this grizzled head, + And he will fill thy wishes to the brim + With principalities. + CLEOPATRA. That head, my lord? + ANTONY. To him again. Tell him he wears the rose + Of youth upon him; from which the world should note + Something particular. His coin, ships, legions, + May be a coward's whose ministers would prevail + Under the service of a child as soon + As i' th' command of Caesar. I dare him therefore + To lay his gay comparisons apart, + And answer me declin'd, sword against sword, + Ourselves alone. I'll write it. Follow me. + Exeunt ANTONY and EUPHRONIUS + + EUPHRONIUS. [Aside] Yes, like enough high-battled Caesar will + Unstate his happiness, and be stag'd to th' show + Against a sworder! I see men's judgments are + A parcel of their fortunes, and things outward + Do draw the inward quality after them, + To suffer all alike. That he should dream, + Knowing all measures, the full Caesar will + Answer his emptiness! Caesar, thou hast subdu'd + His judgment too. + + Enter a SERVANT + + SERVANT. A messenger from Caesar. + CLEOPATRA. What, no more ceremony? See, my women! + Against the blown rose may they stop their nose + That kneel'd unto the buds. Admit him, sir. Exit SERVANT + ENOBARBUS. [Aside] Mine honesty and I begin to square. + The loyalty well held to fools does make + Our faith mere folly. Yet he that can endure + To follow with allegiance a fall'n lord + Does conquer him that did his master conquer, + And earns a place i' th' story. + + Enter THYREUS + + CLEOPATRA. Caesar's will? + THYREUS. Hear it apart. + CLEOPATRA. None but friends: say boldly. + THYREUS. So, haply, are they friends to Antony. + ENOBARBUS. He needs as many, sir, as Caesar has, + Or needs not us. If Caesar please, our master + Will leap to be his friend. For us, you know + Whose he is we are, and that is Caesar's. + THYREUS. So. + Thus then, thou most renown'd: Caesar entreats + Not to consider in what case thou stand'st + Further than he is Caesar. + CLEOPATRA. Go on. Right royal! + THYREUS. He knows that you embrace not Antony + As you did love, but as you fear'd him. + CLEOPATRA. O! + THYREUS. The scars upon your honour, therefore, he + Does pity, as constrained blemishes, + Not as deserv'd. + CLEOPATRA. He is a god, and knows + What is most right. Mine honour was not yielded, + But conquer'd merely. + ENOBARBUS. [Aside] To be sure of that, + I will ask Antony. Sir, sir, thou art so leaky + That we must leave thee to thy sinking, for + Thy dearest quit thee. Exit + THYREUS. Shall I say to Caesar + What you require of him? For he partly begs + To be desir'd to give. It much would please him + That of his fortunes you should make a staff + To lean upon. But it would warm his spirits + To hear from me you had left Antony, + And put yourself under his shroud, + The universal landlord. + CLEOPATRA. What's your name? + THYREUS. My name is Thyreus. + CLEOPATRA. Most kind messenger, + Say to great Caesar this: in deputation + I kiss his conquring hand. Tell him I am prompt + To lay my crown at 's feet, and there to kneel. + Tell him from his all-obeying breath I hear + The doom of Egypt. + THYREUS. 'Tis your noblest course. + Wisdom and fortune combating together, + If that the former dare but what it can, + No chance may shake it. Give me grace to lay + My duty on your hand. + CLEOPATRA. Your Caesar's father oft, + When he hath mus'd of taking kingdoms in, + Bestow'd his lips on that unworthy place, + As it rain'd kisses. + + Re-enter ANTONY and ENOBARBUS + + ANTONY. Favours, by Jove that thunders! + What art thou, fellow? + THYREUS. One that but performs + The bidding of the fullest man, and worthiest + To have command obey'd. + ENOBARBUS. [Aside] You will be whipt. + ANTONY. Approach there.- Ah, you kite!- Now, gods and devils! + Authority melts from me. Of late, when I cried 'Ho!' + Like boys unto a muss, kings would start forth + And cry 'Your will?' Have you no ears? I am + Antony yet. + + Enter servants + + Take hence this Jack and whip him. + ENOBARBUS. 'Tis better playing with a lion's whelp + Than with an old one dying. + ANTONY. Moon and stars! + Whip him. Were't twenty of the greatest tributaries + That do acknowledge Caesar, should I find them + So saucy with the hand of she here- what's her name + Since she was Cleopatra? Whip him, fellows, + Till like a boy you see him cringe his face, + And whine aloud for mercy. Take him hence. + THYMUS. Mark Antony- + ANTONY. Tug him away. Being whipt, + Bring him again: the Jack of Caesar's shall + Bear us an errand to him. Exeunt servants with THYREUS + You were half blasted ere I knew you. Ha! + Have I my pillow left unpress'd in Rome, + Forborne the getting of a lawful race, + And by a gem of women, to be abus'd + By one that looks on feeders? + CLEOPATRA. Good my lord- + ANTONY. You have been a boggler ever. + But when we in our viciousness grow hard- + O misery on't!- the wise gods seel our eyes, + In our own filth drop our clear judgments, make us + Adore our errors, laugh at's while we strut + To our confusion. + CLEOPATRA. O, is't come to this? + ANTONY. I found you as a morsel cold upon + Dead Caesar's trencher. Nay, you were a fragment + Of Cneius Pompey's, besides what hotter hours, + Unregist'red in vulgar fame, you have + Luxuriously pick'd out; for I am sure, + Though you can guess what temperance should be, + You know not what it is. + CLEOPATRA. Wherefore is this? + ANTONY. To let a fellow that will take rewards, + And say 'God quit you!' be familiar with + My playfellow, your hand, this kingly seal + And plighter of high hearts! O that I were + Upon the hill of Basan to outroar + The horned herd! For I have savage cause, + And to proclaim it civilly were like + A halter'd neck which does the hangman thank + For being yare about him. + + Re-enter a SERVANT with THYREUS + + Is he whipt? + SERVANT. Soundly, my lord. + ANTONY. Cried he? and begg'd 'a pardon? + SERVANT. He did ask favour. + ANTONY. If that thy father live, let him repent + Thou wast not made his daughter; and be thou sorry + To follow Caesar in his triumph, since + Thou hast been whipt for following him. Henceforth + The white hand of a lady fever thee! + Shake thou to look on't. Get thee back to Caesar; + Tell him thy entertainment; look thou say + He makes me angry with him; for he seems + Proud and disdainful, harping on what I am, + Not what he knew I was. He makes me angry; + And at this time most easy 'tis to do't, + When my good stars, that were my former guides, + Have empty left their orbs and shot their fires + Into th' abysm of hell. If he mislike + My speech and what is done, tell him he has + Hipparchus, my enfranched bondman, whom + He may at pleasure whip or hang or torture, + As he shall like, to quit me. Urge it thou. + Hence with thy stripes, be gone. Exit THYREUS + CLEOPATRA. Have you done yet? + ANTONY. Alack, our terrene moon + Is now eclips'd, and it portends alone + The fall of Antony. + CLEOPATRA. I must stay his time. + ANTONY. To flatter Caesar, would you mingle eyes + With one that ties his points? + CLEOPATRA. Not know me yet? + ANTONY. Cold-hearted toward me? + CLEOPATRA. Ah, dear, if I be so, + From my cold heart let heaven engender hail, + And poison it in the source, and the first stone + Drop in my neck; as it determines, so + Dissolve my life! The next Caesarion smite! + Till by degrees the memory of my womb, + Together with my brave Egyptians all, + By the discandying of this pelleted storm, + Lie graveless, till the flies and gnats of Nile + Have buried them for prey. + ANTONY. I am satisfied. + Caesar sits down in Alexandria, where + I will oppose his fate. Our force by land + Hath nobly held; our sever'd navy to + Have knit again, and fleet, threat'ning most sea-like. + Where hast thou been, my heart? Dost thou hear, lady? + If from the field I shall return once more + To kiss these lips, I will appear in blood. + I and my sword will earn our chronicle. + There's hope in't yet. + CLEOPATRA. That's my brave lord! + ANTONY. I will be treble-sinew'd, hearted, breath'd, + And fight maliciously. For when mine hours + Were nice and lucky, men did ransom lives + Of me for jests; but now I'll set my teeth, + And send to darkness all that stop me. Come, + Let's have one other gaudy night. Call to me + All my sad captains; fill our bowls once more; + Let's mock the midnight bell. + CLEOPATRA. It is my birthday. + I had thought t'have held it poor; but since my lord + Is Antony again, I will be Cleopatra. + ANTONY. We will yet do well. + CLEOPATRA. Call all his noble captains to my lord. + ANTONY. Do so, we'll speak to them; and to-night I'll force + The wine peep through their scars. Come on, my queen, + There's sap in't yet. The next time I do fight + I'll make death love me; for I will contend + Even with his pestilent scythe. Exeunt all but ENOBARBUS + ENOBARBUS. Now he'll outstare the lightning. To be furious + Is to be frighted out of fear, and in that mood + The dove will peck the estridge; and I see still + A diminution in our captain's brain + Restores his heart. When valour preys on reason, + It eats the sword it fights with. I will seek + Some way to leave him. Exit + +ACT_4|SC_1 + ACT IV. SCENE I. + CAESAR'S camp before Alexandria + + Enter CAESAR, AGRIPPA, and MAECENAS, with his army; + CAESAR reading a letter + + CAESAR. He calls me boy, and chides as he had power + To beat me out of Egypt. My messenger + He hath whipt with rods; dares me to personal combat, + Caesar to Antony. Let the old ruffian know + I have many other ways to die, meantime + Laugh at his challenge. + MAECENAS. Caesar must think + When one so great begins to rage, he's hunted + Even to falling. Give him no breath, but now + Make boot of his distraction. Never anger + Made good guard for itself. + CAESAR. Let our best heads + Know that to-morrow the last of many battles + We mean to fight. Within our files there are + Of those that serv'd Mark Antony but late + Enough to fetch him in. See it done; + And feast the army; we have store to do't, + And they have earn'd the waste. Poor Antony! Exeunt + +ACT_4|SC_2 + SCENE II. + Alexandria. CLEOPATRA's palace + + Enter ANTONY, CLEOPATRA, ENOBARBUS, CHARMIAN, IRAS, + ALEXAS, with others + + ANTONY. He will not fight with me, Domitius? + ENOBARBUS. No. + ANTONY. Why should he not? + ENOBARBUS. He thinks, being twenty times of better fortune, + He is twenty men to one. + ANTONY. To-morrow, soldier, + By sea and land I'll fight. Or I will live, + Or bathe my dying honour in the blood + Shall make it live again. Woo't thou fight well? + ENOBARBUS. I'll strike, and cry 'Take all.' + ANTONY. Well said; come on. + Call forth my household servants; let's to-night + Be bounteous at our meal. + + Enter three or four servitors + + Give me thy hand, + Thou has been rightly honest. So hast thou; + Thou, and thou, and thou. You have serv'd me well, + And kings have been your fellows. + CLEOPATRA. [Aside to ENOBARBUS] What means this? + ENOBARBUS. [Aside to CLEOPATRA] 'Tis one of those odd tricks +which + sorrow shoots + Out of the mind. + ANTONY. And thou art honest too. + I wish I could be made so many men, + And all of you clapp'd up together in + An Antony, that I might do you service + So good as you have done. + SERVANT. The gods forbid! + ANTONY. Well, my good fellows, wait on me to-night. + Scant not my cups, and make as much of me + As when mine empire was your fellow too, + And suffer'd my command. + CLEOPATRA. [Aside to ENOBARBUS] What does he mean? + ENOBARBUS. [Aside to CLEOPATRA] To make his followers weep. + ANTONY. Tend me to-night; + May be it is the period of your duty. + Haply you shall not see me more; or if, + A mangled shadow. Perchance to-morrow + You'll serve another master. I look on you + As one that takes his leave. Mine honest friends, + I turn you not away; but, like a master + Married to your good service, stay till death. + Tend me to-night two hours, I ask no more, + And the gods yield you for't! + ENOBARBUS. What mean you, sir, + To give them this discomfort? Look, they weep; + And I, an ass, am onion-ey'd. For shame! + Transform us not to women. + ANTONY. Ho, ho, ho! + Now the witch take me if I meant it thus! + Grace grow where those drops fall! My hearty friends, + You take me in too dolorous a sense; + For I spake to you for your comfort, did desire you + To burn this night with torches. Know, my hearts, + I hope well of to-morrow, and will lead you + Where rather I'll expect victorious life + Than death and honour. Let's to supper, come, + And drown consideration. Exeunt + +ACT_4|SC_3 + SCENE III. + Alexandria. Before CLEOPATRA's palace + + Enter a company of soldiers + + FIRST SOLDIER. Brother, good night. To-morrow is the day. + SECOND SOLDIER. It will determine one way. Fare you well. + Heard you of nothing strange about the streets? + FIRST SOLDIER. Nothing. What news? + SECOND SOLDIER. Belike 'tis but a rumour. Good night to you. + FIRST SOLDIER. Well, sir, good night. + [They meet other soldiers] + SECOND SOLDIER. Soldiers, have careful watch. + FIRST SOLDIER. And you. Good night, good night. + [The two companies separate and place themselves + in every corner of the stage] + SECOND SOLDIER. Here we. And if to-morrow + Our navy thrive, I have an absolute hope + Our landmen will stand up. + THIRD SOLDIER. 'Tis a brave army, + And full of purpose. + [Music of the hautboys is under the stage] + + SECOND SOLDIER. Peace, what noise? + THIRD SOLDIER. List, list! + SECOND SOLDIER. Hark! + THIRD SOLDIER. Music i' th' air. + FOURTH SOLDIER. Under the earth. + THIRD SOLDIER. It signs well, does it not? + FOURTH SOLDIER. No. + THIRD SOLDIER. Peace, I say! + What should this mean? + SECOND SOLDIER. 'Tis the god Hercules, whom Antony lov'd, + Now leaves him. + THIRD SOLDIER. Walk; let's see if other watchmen + Do hear what we do. + SECOND SOLDIER. How now, masters! + SOLDIERS. [Speaking together] How now! + How now! Do you hear this? + FIRST SOLDIER. Ay; is't not strange? + THIRD SOLDIER. Do you hear, masters? Do you hear? + FIRST SOLDIER. Follow the noise so far as we have quarter; + Let's see how it will give off. + SOLDIERS. Content. 'Tis strange. Exeunt + +ACT_4|SC_4 + SCENE IV. + Alexandria. CLEOPATRA's palace + + Enter ANTONY and CLEOPATRA, CHARMIAN, IRAS, + with others + + ANTONY. Eros! mine armour, Eros! + CLEOPATRA. Sleep a little. + ANTONY. No, my chuck. Eros! Come, mine armour, Eros! + + Enter EROS with armour + + Come, good fellow, put mine iron on. + If fortune be not ours to-day, it is + Because we brave her. Come. + CLEOPATRA. Nay, I'll help too. + What's this for? + ANTONY. Ah, let be, let be! Thou art + The armourer of my heart. False, false; this, this. + CLEOPATRA. Sooth, la, I'll help. Thus it must be. + ANTONY. Well, well; + We shall thrive now. Seest thou, my good fellow? + Go put on thy defences. + EROS. Briefly, sir. + CLEOPATRA. Is not this buckled well? + ANTONY. Rarely, rarely! + He that unbuckles this, till we do please + To daff't for our repose, shall hear a storm. + Thou fumblest, Eros, and my queen's a squire + More tight at this than thou. Dispatch. O love, + That thou couldst see my wars to-day, and knew'st + The royal occupation! Thou shouldst see + A workman in't. + + Enter an armed SOLDIER + + Good-morrow to thee. Welcome. + Thou look'st like him that knows a warlike charge. + To business that we love we rise betime, + And go to't with delight. + SOLDIER. A thousand, sir, + Early though't be, have on their riveted trim, + And at the port expect you. + [Shout. Flourish of trumpets within] + + Enter CAPTAINS and soldiers + + CAPTAIN. The morn is fair. Good morrow, General. + ALL. Good morrow, General. + ANTONY. 'Tis well blown, lads. + This morning, like the spirit of a youth + That means to be of note, begins betimes. + So, so. Come, give me that. This way. Well said. + Fare thee well, dame, whate'er becomes of me. + This is a soldier's kiss. Rebukeable, + And worthy shameful check it were, to stand + On more mechanic compliment; I'll leave thee + Now like a man of steel. You that will fight, + Follow me close; I'll bring you to't. Adieu. + Exeunt ANTONY, EROS, CAPTAINS and soldiers + CHARMIAN. Please you retire to your chamber? + CLEOPATRA. Lead me. + He goes forth gallantly. That he and Caesar might + Determine this great war in single fight! + Then, Antony- but now. Well, on. Exeunt + +ACT_4|SC_5 + SCENE V. + Alexandria. ANTONY'S camp + + Trumpets sound. Enter ANTONY and EROS, a SOLDIER + meeting them + + SOLDIER. The gods make this a happy day to Antony! + ANTONY. Would thou and those thy scars had once prevail'd + To make me fight at land! + SOLDIER. Hadst thou done so, + The kings that have revolted, and the soldier + That has this morning left thee, would have still + Followed thy heels. + ANTONY. Who's gone this morning? + SOLDIER. Who? + One ever near thee. Call for Enobarbus, + He shall not hear thee; or from Caesar's camp + Say 'I am none of thine.' + ANTONY. What say'st thou? + SOLDIER. Sir, + He is with Caesar. + EROS. Sir, his chests and treasure + He has not with him. + ANTONY. Is he gone? + SOLDIER. Most certain. + ANTONY. Go, Eros, send his treasure after; do it; + Detain no jot, I charge thee. Write to him- + I will subscribe- gentle adieus and greetings; + Say that I wish he never find more cause + To change a master. O, my fortunes have + Corrupted honest men! Dispatch. Enobarbus! Exeunt + +ACT_4|SC_6 + SCENE VI. + Alexandria. CAESAR'S camp + + Flourish. Enter AGRIPPA, CAESAR, with DOLABELLA + and ENOBARBUS + + CAESAR. Go forth, Agrippa, and begin the fight. + Our will is Antony be took alive; + Make it so known. + AGRIPPA. Caesar, I shall. Exit + CAESAR. The time of universal peace is near. + Prove this a prosp'rous day, the three-nook'd world + Shall bear the olive freely. + + Enter A MESSENGER + + MESSENGER. Antony + Is come into the field. + CAESAR. Go charge Agrippa + Plant those that have revolted in the vant, + That Antony may seem to spend his fury + Upon himself. Exeunt all but ENOBARBUS + + ENOBARBUS. Alexas did revolt and went to Jewry on + Affairs of Antony; there did dissuade + Great Herod to incline himself to Caesar + And leave his master Antony. For this pains + Casaer hath hang'd him. Canidius and the rest + That fell away have entertainment, but + No honourable trust. I have done ill, + Of which I do accuse myself so sorely + That I will joy no more. + + Enter a SOLDIER of CAESAR'S + + SOLDIER. Enobarbus, Antony + Hath after thee sent all thy treasure, with + His bounty overplus. The messenger + Came on my guard, and at thy tent is now + Unloading of his mules. + ENOBARBUS. I give it you. + SOLDIER. Mock not, Enobarbus. + I tell you true. Best you saf'd the bringer + Out of the host. I must attend mine office, + Or would have done't myself. Your emperor + Continues still a Jove. Exit + ENOBARBUS. I am alone the villain of the earth, + And feel I am so most. O Antony, + Thou mine of bounty, how wouldst thou have paid + My better service, when my turpitude + Thou dost so crown with gold! This blows my heart. + If swift thought break it not, a swifter mean + Shall outstrike thought; but thought will do't, I feel. + I fight against thee? No! I will go seek + Some ditch wherein to die; the foul'st best fits + My latter part of life. Exit + +ACT_4|SC_7 + SCENE VII. + Field of battle between the camps + + Alarum. Drums and trumpets. Enter AGRIPPA + and others + + AGRIPPA. Retire. We have engag'd ourselves too far. + Caesar himself has work, and our oppression + Exceeds what we expected. Exeunt + + Alarums. Enter ANTONY, and SCARUS wounded + + SCARUS. O my brave Emperor, this is fought indeed! + Had we done so at first, we had droven them home + With clouts about their heads. + ANTONY. Thou bleed'st apace. + SCARUS. I had a wound here that was like a T, + But now 'tis made an H. + ANTONY. They do retire. + SCARUS. We'll beat'em into bench-holes. I have yet + Room for six scotches more. + + Enter EROS + + EROS. They are beaten, sir, and our advantage serves + For a fair victory. + SCARUS. Let us score their backs + And snatch 'em up, as we take hares, behind. + 'Tis sport to maul a runner. + ANTONY. I will reward thee + Once for thy sprightly comfort, and tenfold + For thy good valour. Come thee on. + SCARUS. I'll halt after. Exeunt + +ACT_4|SC_8 + SCENE VIII. + Under the walls of Alexandria + + Alarum. Enter ANTONY, again in a march; SCARUS + with others + + ANTONY. We have beat him to his camp. Run one before + And let the Queen know of our gests. To-morrow, + Before the sun shall see's, we'll spill the blood + That has to-day escap'd. I thank you all; + For doughty-handed are you, and have fought + Not as you serv'd the cause, but as't had been + Each man's like mine; you have shown all Hectors. + Enter the city, clip your wives, your friends, + Tell them your feats; whilst they with joyful tears + Wash the congealment from your wounds and kiss + The honour'd gashes whole. + + Enter CLEOPATRA, attended + + [To SCARUS] Give me thy hand- + To this great fairy I'll commend thy acts, + Make her thanks bless thee. O thou day o' th' world, + Chain mine arm'd neck. Leap thou, attire and all, + Through proof of harness to my heart, and there + Ride on the pants triumphing. + CLEOPATRA. Lord of lords! + O infinite virtue, com'st thou smiling from + The world's great snare uncaught? + ANTONY. Mine nightingale, + We have beat them to their beds. What, girl! though grey + Do something mingle with our younger brown, yet ha' we + A brain that nourishes our nerves, and can + Get goal for goal of youth. Behold this man; + Commend unto his lips thy favouring hand- + Kiss it, my warrior- he hath fought to-day + As if a god in hate of mankind had + Destroyed in such a shape. + CLEOPATRA. I'll give thee, friend, + An armour all of gold; it was a king's. + ANTONY. He has deserv'd it, were it carbuncled + Like holy Phoebus' car. Give me thy hand. + Through Alexandria make a jolly march; + Bear our hack'd targets like the men that owe them. + Had our great palace the capacity + To camp this host, we all would sup together, + And drink carouses to the next day's fate, + Which promises royal peril. Trumpeters, + With brazen din blast you the city's ear; + Make mingle with our rattling tabourines, + That heaven and earth may strike their sounds together + Applauding our approach. Exeunt + +ACT_4|SC_9 + SCENE IX. + CAESAR'S camp + + Enter a CENTURION and his company; ENOBARBUS follows + + CENTURION. If we be not reliev'd within this hour, + We must return to th' court of guard. The night + Is shiny, and they say we shall embattle + By th' second hour i' th' morn. + FIRST WATCH. This last day was + A shrewd one to's. + ENOBARBUS. O, bear me witness, night- + SECOND WATCH. What man is this? + FIRST WATCH. Stand close and list him. + ENOBARBUS. Be witness to me, O thou blessed moon, + When men revolted shall upon record + Bear hateful memory, poor Enobarbus did + Before thy face repent! + CENTURION. Enobarbus? + SECOND WATCH. Peace! + Hark further. + ENOBARBUS. O sovereign mistress of true melancholy, + The poisonous damp of night disponge upon me, + That life, a very rebel to my will, + May hang no longer on me. Throw my heart + Against the flint and hardness of my fault, + Which, being dried with grief, will break to powder, + And finish all foul thoughts. O Antony, + Nobler than my revolt is infamous, + Forgive me in thine own particular, + But let the world rank me in register + A master-leaver and a fugitive! + O Antony! O Antony! [Dies] + FIRST WATCH. Let's speak to him. + CENTURION. Let's hear him, for the things he speaks + May concern Caesar. + SECOND WATCH. Let's do so. But he sleeps. + CENTURION. Swoons rather; for so bad a prayer as his + Was never yet for sleep. + FIRST WATCH. Go we to him. + SECOND WATCH. Awake, sir, awake; speak to us. + FIRST WATCH. Hear you, sir? + CENTURION. The hand of death hath raught him. + [Drums afar off ] Hark! the drums + Demurely wake the sleepers. Let us bear him + To th' court of guard; he is of note. Our hour + Is fully out. + SECOND WATCH. Come on, then; + He may recover yet. Exeunt with the body + +ACT_4|SC_10 + SCENE X. + Between the two camps + + Enter ANTONY and SCARUS, with their army + + ANTONY. Their preparation is to-day by sea; + We please them not by land. + SCARUS. For both, my lord. + ANTONY. I would they'd fight i' th' fire or i' th' air; + We'd fight there too. But this it is, our foot + Upon the hills adjoining to the city + Shall stay with us- Order for sea is given; + They have put forth the haven- + Where their appointment we may best discover + And look on their endeavour. Exeunt + +ACT_4|SC_11 + SCENE XI. + Between the camps + + Enter CAESAR and his army + + CAESAR. But being charg'd, we will be still by land, + Which, as I take't, we shall; for his best force + Is forth to man his galleys. To the vales, + And hold our best advantage. Exeunt + +ACT_4|SC_12 + SCENE XII. + A hill near Alexandria + + Enter ANTONY and SCARUS + + ANTONY. Yet they are not join'd. Where yond pine does stand + I shall discover all. I'll bring thee word + Straight how 'tis like to go. Exit + SCARUS. Swallows have built + In Cleopatra's sails their nests. The augurers + Say they know not, they cannot tell; look grimly, + And dare not speak their knowledge. Antony + Is valiant and dejected; and by starts + His fretted fortunes give him hope and fear + Of what he has and has not. + [Alarum afar off, as at a sea-fight] + + Re-enter ANTONY + + ANTONY. All is lost! + This foul Egyptian hath betrayed me. + My fleet hath yielded to the foe, and yonder + They cast their caps up and carouse together + Like friends long lost. Triple-turn'd whore! 'tis thou + Hast sold me to this novice; and my heart + Makes only wars on thee. Bid them all fly; + For when I am reveng'd upon my charm, + I have done all. Bid them all fly; begone. Exit SCARUS + O sun, thy uprise shall I see no more! + Fortune and Antony part here; even here + Do we shake hands. All come to this? The hearts + That spaniel'd me at heels, to whom I gave + Their wishes, do discandy, melt their sweets + On blossoming Caesar; and this pine is bark'd + That overtopp'd them all. Betray'd I am. + O this false soul of Egypt! this grave charm- + Whose eye beck'd forth my wars and call'd them home, + Whose bosom was my crownet, my chief end- + Like a right gypsy hath at fast and loose + Beguil'd me to the very heart of loss. + What, Eros, Eros! + + Enter CLEOPATRA + + Ah, thou spell! Avaunt! + CLEOPATRA. Why is my lord enrag'd against his love? + ANTONY. Vanish, or I shall give thee thy deserving + And blemish Caesar's triumph. Let him take thee + And hoist thee up to the shouting plebeians; + Follow his chariot, like the greatest spot + Of all thy sex; most monster-like, be shown + For poor'st diminutives, for doits, and let + Patient Octavia plough thy visage up + With her prepared nails. Exit CLEOPATRA + 'Tis well th'art gone, + If it be well to live; but better 'twere + Thou fell'st into my fury, for one death + Might have prevented many. Eros, ho! + The shirt of Nessus is upon me; teach me, + Alcides, thou mine ancestor, thy rage; + Let me lodge Lichas on the horns o' th' moon, + And with those hands that grasp'd the heaviest club + Subdue my worthiest self. The witch shall die. + To the young Roman boy she hath sold me, and I fall + Under this plot. She dies for't. Eros, ho! Exit + +ACT_4|SC_13 + SCENE XIII. + Alexandria. CLEOPATRA's palace + + Enter CLEOPATRA, CHARMIAN, IRAS, and MARDIAN + + CLEOPATRA. Help me, my women. O, he is more mad + Than Telamon for his shield; the boar of Thessaly + Was never so emboss'd. + CHARMIAN. To th'monument! + There lock yourself, and send him word you are dead. + The soul and body rive not more in parting + Than greatness going off. + CLEOPATRA. To th' monument! + Mardian, go tell him I have slain myself; + Say that the last I spoke was 'Antony' + And word it, prithee, piteously. Hence, Mardian, + And bring me how he takes my death. To th' monument! + Exeunt + +ACT_4|SC_14 + SCENE XIV. + CLEOPATRA'S palace + + Enter ANTONY and EROS + + ANTONY. Eros, thou yet behold'st me? + EROS. Ay, noble lord. + ANTONY. Sometime we see a cloud that's dragonish; + A vapour sometime like a bear or lion, + A tower'd citadel, a pendent rock, + A forked mountain, or blue promontory + With trees upon't that nod unto the world + And mock our eyes with air. Thou hast seen these signs; + They are black vesper's pageants. + EROS. Ay, my lord. + ANTONY. That which is now a horse, even with a thought + The rack dislimns, and makes it indistinct, + As water is in water. + EROS. It does, my lord. + ANTONY. My good knave Eros, now thy captain is + Even such a body. Here I am Antony; + Yet cannot hold this visible shape, my knave. + I made these wars for Egypt; and the Queen- + Whose heart I thought I had, for she had mine, + Which, whilst it was mine, had annex'd unto't + A million moe, now lost- she, Eros, has + Pack'd cards with Caesar, and false-play'd my glory + Unto an enemy's triumph. + Nay, weep not, gentle Eros; there is left us + Ourselves to end ourselves. + + Enter MARDIAN + + O, thy vile lady! + She has robb'd me of my sword. + MARDIAN. No, Antony; + My mistress lov'd thee, and her fortunes mingled + With thine entirely. + ANTONY. Hence, saucy eunuch; peace! + She hath betray'd me, and shall die the death. + MARDIAN. Death of one person can be paid but once, + And that she has discharg'd. What thou wouldst do + Is done unto thy hand. The last she spake + Was 'Antony! most noble Antony!' + Then in the midst a tearing groan did break + The name of Antony; it was divided + Between her heart and lips. She rend'red life, + Thy name so buried in her. + ANTONY. Dead then? + MARDIAN. Dead. + ANTONY. Unarm, Eros; the long day's task is done, + And we must sleep. That thou depart'st hence safe + Does pay thy labour richly. Go. Exit MARDIAN + Off, pluck off! + The sevenfold shield of Ajax cannot keep + The battery from my heart. O, cleave, my sides! + Heart, once be stronger than thy continent, + Crack thy frail case. Apace, Eros, apace.- + No more a soldier. Bruised pieces, go; + You have been nobly borne.- From me awhile. Exit EROS + I will o'ertake thee, Cleopatra, and + Weep for my pardon. So it must be, for now + All length is torture. Since the torch is out, + Lie down, and stray no farther. Now all labour + Mars what it does; yea, very force entangles + Itself with strength. Seal then, and all is done. + Eros!- I come, my queen.- Eros!- Stay for me; + Where souls do couch on flowers, we'll hand in hand, + And with our sprightly port make the ghosts gaze. + Dido and her Aeneas shall want troops, + And all the haunt be ours.- Come, Eros, Eros! + + Re-enter EROS + + EROS. What would my lord? + ANTONY. Since Cleopatra died, + I have liv'd in such dishonour that the gods + Detest my baseness. I, that with my sword + Quarter'd the world, and o'er green Neptune's back + With ships made cities, condemn myself to lack + The courage of a woman; less noble mind + Than she which by her death our Caesar tells + 'I am conqueror of myself.' Thou art sworn, Eros, + That, when the exigent should come- which now + Is come indeed- when I should see behind me + Th' inevitable prosecution of + Disgrace and horror, that, on my command, + Thou then wouldst kill me. Do't; the time is come. + Thou strik'st not me; 'tis Caesar thou defeat'st. + Put colour in thy cheek. + EROS. The gods withhold me! + Shall I do that which all the Parthian darts, + Though enemy, lost aim and could not? + ANTONY. Eros, + Wouldst thou be window'd in great Rome and see + Thy master thus with pleach'd arms, bending down + His corrigible neck, his face subdu'd + To penetrative shame, whilst the wheel'd seat + Of fortunate Caesar, drawn before him, branded + His baseness that ensued? + EROS. I would not see't. + ANTONY. Come, then; for with a wound I must be cur'd. + Draw that thy honest sword, which thou hast worn + Most useful for thy country. + EROS. O, sir, pardon me! + ANTONY. When I did make thee free, swor'st thou not then + To do this when I bade thee? Do it at once, + Or thy precedent services are all + But accidents unpurpos'd. Draw, and come. + EROS. Turn from me then that noble countenance, + Wherein the worship of the whole world lies. + ANTONY. Lo thee! [Turning from him] + EROS. My sword is drawn. + ANTONY. Then let it do at once + The thing why thou hast drawn it. + EROS. My dear master, + My captain and my emperor, let me say, + Before I strike this bloody stroke, farewell. + ANTONY. 'Tis said, man; and farewell. + EROS. Farewell, great chief. Shall I strike now? + ANTONY. Now, Eros. + EROS. Why, there then! Thus do I escape the sorrow + Of Antony's death. [Kills himself + ANTONY. Thrice nobler than myself! + Thou teachest me, O valiant Eros, what + I should, and thou couldst not. My queen and Eros + Have, by their brave instruction, got upon me + A nobleness in record. But I will be + A bridegroom in my death, and run into't + As to a lover's bed. Come, then; and, Eros, + Thy master dies thy scholar. To do thus + [Falling on his sword] + I learn'd of thee. How? not dead? not dead?- + The guard, ho! O, dispatch me! + + Enter DERCETAS and a guard + + FIRST GUARD. What's the noise? + ANTONY. I have done my work ill, friends. O, make an end + Of what I have begun. + SECOND GUARD. The star is fall'n. + FIRST GUARD. And time is at his period. + ALL. Alas, and woe! + ANTONY. Let him that loves me, strike me dead. + FIRST GUARD. Not I. + SECOND GUARD. Nor I. + THIRD GUARD. Nor any one. Exeunt guard + DERCETAS. Thy death and fortunes bid thy followers fly. + This sword but shown to Caesar, with this tidings, + Shall enter me with him. + + Enter DIOMEDES + + DIOMEDES. Where's Antony? + DERCETAS. There, Diomed, there. + DIOMEDES. Lives he? + Wilt thou not answer, man? Exit DERCETAS + ANTONY. Art thou there, Diomed? Draw thy sword and give me + Sufficing strokes for death. + DIOMEDES. Most absolute lord, + My mistress Cleopatra sent me to thee. + ANTONY. When did she send thee? + DIOMEDES. Now, my lord. + ANTONY. Where is she? + DIOMEDES. Lock'd in her monument. She had a prophesying fear + Of what hath come to pass; for when she saw- + Which never shall be found- you did suspect + She had dispos'd with Caesar, and that your rage + Would not be purg'd, she sent you word she was dead; + But fearing since how it might work, hath sent + Me to proclaim the truth; and I am come, + I dread, too late. + ANTONY. Too late, good Diomed. Call my guard, I prithee. + DIOMEDES. What, ho! the Emperor's guard! The guard, what ho! + Come, your lord calls! + + Enter four or five of the guard of ANTONY + + ANTONY. Bear me, good friends, where Cleopatra bides; + 'Tis the last service that I shall command you. + FIRST GUARD. Woe, woe are we, sir, you may not live to wear + All your true followers out. + ALL. Most heavy day! + ANTONY. Nay, good my fellows, do not please sharp fate + To grace it with your sorrows. Bid that welcome + Which comes to punish us, and we punish it, + Seeming to bear it lightly. Take me up. + I have led you oft; carry me now, good friends, + And have my thanks for all. Exeunt, hearing ANTONY +ACT_4|SC_15 + SCENE XV. + Alexandria. A monument + + Enter CLEOPATRA and her maids aloft, with CHARMIAN + and IRAS + + CLEOPATRA. O Charmian, I will never go from hence! + CHARMIAN. Be comforted, dear madam. + CLEOPATRA. No, I will not. + All strange and terrible events are welcome, + But comforts we despise; our size of sorrow, + Proportion'd to our cause, must be as great + As that which makes it. + + Enter DIOMEDES, below + + How now! Is he dead? + DIOMEDES. His death's upon him, but not dead. + Look out o' th' other side your monument; + His guard have brought him thither. + + Enter, below, ANTONY, borne by the guard + + CLEOPATRA. O sun, + Burn the great sphere thou mov'st in! Darkling stand + The varying shore o' th' world. O Antony, + Antony, Antony! Help, Charmian; help, Iras, help; + Help, friends below! Let's draw him hither. + ANTONY. Peace! + Not Caesar's valour hath o'erthrown Antony, + But Antony's hath triumph'd on itself. + CLEOPATRA. So it should be, that none but Antony + Should conquer Antony; but woe 'tis so! + ANTONY. I am dying, Egypt, dying; only + I here importune death awhile, until + Of many thousand kisses the poor last + I lay upon thy lips. + CLEOPATRA. I dare not, dear. + Dear my lord, pardon! I dare not, + Lest I be taken. Not th' imperious show + Of the full-fortun'd Caesar ever shall + Be brooch'd with me. If knife, drugs, serpents, have + Edge, sting, or operation, I am safe. + Your wife Octavia, with her modest eyes + And still conclusion, shall acquire no honour + Demuring upon me. But come, come, Antony- + Help me, my women- we must draw thee up; + Assist, good friends. + ANTONY. O, quick, or I am gone. + CLEOPATRA. Here's sport indeed! How heavy weighs my lord! + Our strength is all gone into heaviness; + That makes the weight. Had I great Juno's power, + The strong-wing'd Mercury should fetch thee up, + And set thee by Jove's side. Yet come a little. + Wishers were ever fools. O come, come, + [They heave ANTONY aloft to CLEOPATRA] + And welcome, welcome! Die where thou hast liv'd. + Quicken with kissing. Had my lips that power, + Thus would I wear them out. + ALL. A heavy sight! + ANTONY. I am dying, Egypt, dying. + Give me some wine, and let me speak a little. + CLEOPATRA. No, let me speak; and let me rail so high + That the false huswife Fortune break her wheel, + Provok'd by my offence. + ANTONY. One word, sweet queen: + Of Caesar seek your honour, with your safety. O! + CLEOPATRA. They do not go together. + ANTONY. Gentle, hear me: + None about Caesar trust but Proculeius. + CLEOPATRA. My resolution and my hands I'll trust; + None about Caesar + ANTONY. The miserable change now at my end + Lament nor sorrow at; but please your thoughts + In feeding them with those my former fortunes + Wherein I liv'd the greatest prince o' th' world, + The noblest; and do now not basely die, + Not cowardly put off my helmet to + My countryman- a Roman by a Roman + Valiantly vanquish'd. Now my spirit is going + I can no more. + CLEOPATRA. Noblest of men, woo't die? + Hast thou no care of me? Shall I abide + In this dull world, which in thy absence is + No better than a sty? O, see, my women, [Antony dies] + The crown o' th' earth doth melt. My lord! + O, wither'd is the garland of the war, + The soldier's pole is fall'n! Young boys and girls + Are level now with men. The odds is gone, + And there is nothing left remarkable + Beneath the visiting moon. [Swoons] + CHARMIAN. O, quietness, lady! + IRAS. She's dead too, our sovereign. + CHARMIAN. Lady! + IRAS. Madam! + CHARMIAN. O madam, madam, madam! + IRAS. Royal Egypt, Empress! + CHARMIAN. Peace, peace, Iras! + CLEOPATRA. No more but e'en a woman, and commanded + By such poor passion as the maid that milks + And does the meanest chares. It were for me + To throw my sceptre at the injurious gods; + To tell them that this world did equal theirs + Till they had stol'n our jewel. All's but nought; + Patience is sottish, and impatience does + Become a dog that's mad. Then is it sin + To rush into the secret house of death + Ere death dare come to us? How do you, women? + What, what! good cheer! Why, how now, Charmian! + My noble girls! Ah, women, women, look, + Our lamp is spent, it's out! Good sirs, take heart. + We'll bury him; and then, what's brave, what's noble, + Let's do it after the high Roman fashion, + And make death proud to take us. Come, away; + This case of that huge spirit now is cold. + Ah, women, women! Come; we have no friend + But resolution and the briefest end. + Exeunt; those above hearing off ANTONY'S body + +ACT_5|SC_1 + ACT V. SCENE I. + Alexandria. CAESAR'S camp + + Enter CAESAR, AGRIPPA, DOLABELLA, MAECENAS, GALLUS, + PROCULEIUS, and others, his Council of War + + CAESAR. Go to him, Dolabella, bid him yield; + Being so frustrate, tell him he mocks + The pauses that he makes. + DOLABELLA. Caesar, I shall. Exit + + Enter DERCETAS with the sword of ANTONY + + CAESAR. Wherefore is that? And what art thou that dar'st + Appear thus to us? + DERCETAS. I am call'd Dercetas; + Mark Antony I serv'd, who best was worthy + Best to be serv'd. Whilst he stood up and spoke, + He was my master, and I wore my life + To spend upon his haters. If thou please + To take me to thee, as I was to him + I'll be to Caesar; if thou pleasest not, + I yield thee up my life. + CAESAR. What is't thou say'st? + DERCETAS. I say, O Caesar, Antony is dead. + CAESAR. The breaking of so great a thing should make + A greater crack. The round world + Should have shook lions into civil streets, + And citizens to their dens. The death of Antony + Is not a single doom; in the name lay + A moiety of the world. + DERCETAS. He is dead, Caesar, + Not by a public minister of justice, + Nor by a hired knife; but that self hand + Which writ his honour in the acts it did + Hath, with the courage which the heart did lend it, + Splitted the heart. This is his sword; + I robb'd his wound of it; behold it stain'd + With his most noble blood. + CAESAR. Look you sad, friends? + The gods rebuke me, but it is tidings + To wash the eyes of kings. + AGRIPPA. And strange it is + That nature must compel us to lament + Our most persisted deeds. + MAECENAS. His taints and honours + Wag'd equal with him. + AGRIPPA. A rarer spirit never + Did steer humanity. But you gods will give us + Some faults to make us men. Caesar is touch'd. + MAECENAS. When such a spacious mirror's set before him, + He needs must see himself. + CAESAR. O Antony, + I have follow'd thee to this! But we do lance + Diseases in our bodies. I must perforce + Have shown to thee such a declining day + Or look on thine; we could not stall together + In the whole world. But yet let me lament, + With tears as sovereign as the blood of hearts, + That thou, my brother, my competitor + In top of all design, my mate in empire, + Friend and companion in the front of war, + The arm of mine own body, and the heart + Where mine his thoughts did kindle- that our stars, + Unreconciliable, should divide + Our equalness to this. Hear me, good friends- + + Enter an EGYPTIAN + + But I will tell you at some meeter season. + The business of this man looks out of him; + We'll hear him what he says. Whence are you? + EGYPTIAN. A poor Egyptian, yet the Queen, my mistress, + Confin'd in all she has, her monument, + Of thy intents desires instruction, + That she preparedly may frame herself + To th' way she's forc'd to. + CAESAR. Bid her have good heart. + She soon shall know of us, by some of ours, + How honourable and how kindly we + Determine for her; for Caesar cannot learn + To be ungentle. + EGYPTIAN. So the gods preserve thee! Exit + CAESAR. Come hither, Proculeius. Go and say + We purpose her no shame. Give her what comforts + The quality of her passion shall require, + Lest, in her greatness, by some mortal stroke + She do defeat us; for her life in Rome + Would be eternal in our triumph. Go, + And with your speediest bring us what she says, + And how you find her. + PROCULEIUS. Caesar, I shall. Exit + CAESAR. Gallus, go you along. Exit GALLUS + Where's Dolabella, to second Proculeius? + ALL. Dolabella! + CAESAR. Let him alone, for I remember now + How he's employ'd; he shall in time be ready. + Go with me to my tent, where you shall see + How hardly I was drawn into this war, + How calm and gentle I proceeded still + In all my writings. Go with me, and see + What I can show in this. Exeunt + +ACT_5|SC_2 + SCENE II. + Alexandria. The monument + + Enter CLEOPATRA, CHARMIAN, IRAS, and MARDIAN + + CLEOPATRA. My desolation does begin to make + A better life. 'Tis paltry to be Caesar: + Not being Fortune, he's but Fortune's knave, + A minister of her will; and it is great + To do that thing that ends all other deeds, + Which shackles accidents and bolts up change, + Which sleeps, and never palates more the dug, + The beggar's nurse and Caesar's. + + Enter, to the gates of the monument, PROCULEIUS, GALLUS, + and soldiers + + PROCULEIUS. Caesar sends greetings to the Queen of Egypt, + And bids thee study on what fair demands + Thou mean'st to have him grant thee. + CLEOPATRA. What's thy name? + PROCULEIUS. My name is Proculeius. + CLEOPATRA. Antony + Did tell me of you, bade me trust you; but + I do not greatly care to be deceiv'd, + That have no use for trusting. If your master + Would have a queen his beggar, you must tell him + That majesty, to keep decorum, must + No less beg than a kingdom. If he please + To give me conquer'd Egypt for my son, + He gives me so much of mine own as I + Will kneel to him with thanks. + PROCULEIUS. Be of good cheer; + Y'are fall'n into a princely hand; fear nothing. + Make your full reference freely to my lord, + Who is so full of grace that it flows over + On all that need. Let me report to him + Your sweet dependency, and you shall find + A conqueror that will pray in aid for kindness + Where he for grace is kneel'd to. + CLEOPATRA. Pray you tell him + I am his fortune's vassal and I send him + The greatness he has got. I hourly learn + A doctrine of obedience, and would gladly + Look him i' th' face. + PROCULEIUS. This I'll report, dear lady. + Have comfort, for I know your plight is pitied + Of him that caus'd it. + GALLUS. You see how easily she may be surpris'd. + + Here PROCULEIUS and two of the guard ascend the + monument by a ladder placed against a window, + and come behind CLEOPATRA. Some of the guard + unbar and open the gates + + Guard her till Caesar come. Exit + IRAS. Royal Queen! + CHARMIAN. O Cleopatra! thou art taken, Queen! + CLEOPATRA. Quick, quick, good hands. [Drawing a dagger] + PROCULEIUS. Hold, worthy lady, hold, [Disarms her] + Do not yourself such wrong, who are in this + Reliev'd, but not betray'd. + CLEOPATRA. What, of death too, + That rids our dogs of languish? + PROCULEIUS. Cleopatra, + Do not abuse my master's bounty by + Th' undoing of yourself. Let the world see + His nobleness well acted, which your death + Will never let come forth. + CLEOPATRA. Where art thou, death? + Come hither, come! Come, come, and take a queen + Worth many babes and beggars! + PROCULEIUS. O, temperance, lady! + CLEOPATRA. Sir, I will eat no meat; I'll not drink, sir; + If idle talk will once be necessary, + I'll not sleep neither. This mortal house I'll ruin, + Do Caesar what he can. Know, sir, that I + Will not wait pinion'd at your master's court, + Nor once be chastis'd with the sober eye + Of dull Octavia. Shall they hoist me up, + And show me to the shouting varletry + Of censuring Rome? Rather a ditch in Egypt + Be gentle grave unto me! Rather on Nilus' mud + Lay me stark-nak'd, and let the water-flies + Blow me into abhorring! Rather make + My country's high pyramides my gibbet, + And hang me up in chains! + PROCULEIUS. You do extend + These thoughts of horror further than you shall + Find cause in Caesar. + + Enter DOLABELLA + + DOLABELLA. Proculeius, + What thou hast done thy master Caesar knows, + And he hath sent for thee. For the Queen, + I'll take her to my guard. + PROCULEIUS. So, Dolabella, + It shall content me best. Be gentle to her. + [To CLEOPATRA] To Caesar I will speak what you shall please, + If you'll employ me to him. + CLEOPATRA. Say I would die. + Exeunt PROCULEIUS and soldiers + DOLABELLA. Most noble Empress, you have heard of me? + CLEOPATRA. I cannot tell. + DOLABELLA. Assuredly you know me. + CLEOPATRA. No matter, sir, what I have heard or known. + You laugh when boys or women tell their dreams; + Is't not your trick? + DOLABELLA. I understand not, madam. + CLEOPATRA. I dreamt there was an Emperor Antony- + O, such another sleep, that I might see + But such another man! + DOLABELLA. If it might please ye- + CLEOPATRA. His face was as the heav'ns, and therein stuck + A sun and moon, which kept their course and lighted + The little O, the earth. + DOLABELLA. Most sovereign creature- + CLEOPATRA. His legs bestrid the ocean; his rear'd arm + Crested the world. His voice was propertied + As all the tuned spheres, and that to friends; + But when he meant to quail and shake the orb, + He was as rattling thunder. For his bounty, + There was no winter in't; an autumn 'twas + That grew the more by reaping. His delights + Were dolphin-like: they show'd his back above + The element they liv'd in. In his livery + Walk'd crowns and crownets; realms and islands were + As plates dropp'd from his pocket. + DOLABELLA. Cleopatra- + CLEOPATRA. Think you there was or might be such a man + As this I dreamt of? + DOLABELLA. Gentle madam, no. + CLEOPATRA. You lie, up to the hearing of the gods. + But if there be nor ever were one such, + It's past the size of dreaming. Nature wants stuff + To vie strange forms with fancy; yet t' imagine + An Antony were nature's piece 'gainst fancy, + Condemning shadows quite. + DOLABELLA. Hear me, good madam. + Your loss is, as yourself, great; and you bear it + As answering to the weight. Would I might never + O'ertake pursu'd success, but I do feel, + By the rebound of yours, a grief that smites + My very heart at root. + CLEOPATRA. I thank you, sir. + Know you what Caesar means to do with me? + DOLABELLA. I am loath to tell you what I would you knew. + CLEOPATRA. Nay, pray you, sir. + DOLABELLA. Though he be honourable- + CLEOPATRA. He'll lead me, then, in triumph? + DOLABELLA. Madam, he will. I know't. [Flourish] + [Within: 'Make way there-Caesar!'] + + Enter CAESAR; GALLUS, PROCULEIUS, MAECENAS, SELEUCUS, + and others of his train + + CAESAR. Which is the Queen of Egypt? + DOLABELLA. It is the Emperor, madam. [CLEOPATRA kneels] + CAESAR. Arise, you shall not kneel. + I pray you, rise; rise, Egypt. + CLEOPATRA. Sir, the gods + Will have it thus; my master and my lord + I must obey. + CAESAR. Take to you no hard thoughts. + The record of what injuries you did us, + Though written in our flesh, we shall remember + As things but done by chance. + CLEOPATRA. Sole sir o' th' world, + I cannot project mine own cause so well + To make it clear, but do confess I have + Been laden with like frailties which before + Have often sham'd our sex. + CAESAR. Cleopatra, know + We will extenuate rather than enforce. + If you apply yourself to our intents- + Which towards you are most gentle- you shall find + A benefit in this change; but if you seek + To lay on me a cruelty by taking + Antony's course, you shall bereave yourself + Of my good purposes, and put your children + To that destruction which I'll guard them from, + If thereon you rely. I'll take my leave. + CLEOPATRA. And may, through all the world. 'Tis yours, and we, + Your scutcheons and your signs of conquest, shall + Hang in what place you please. Here, my good lord. + CAESAR. You shall advise me in all for Cleopatra. + CLEOPATRA. This is the brief of money, plate, and jewels, + I am possess'd of. 'Tis exactly valued, + Not petty things admitted. Where's Seleucus? + SELEUCUS. Here, madam. + CLEOPATRA. This is my treasurer; let him speak, my lord, + Upon his peril, that I have reserv'd + To myself nothing. Speak the truth, Seleucus. + SELEUCUS. Madam, + I had rather seal my lips than to my peril + Speak that which is not. + CLEOPATRA. What have I kept back? + SELEUCUS. Enough to purchase what you have made known. + CAESAR. Nay, blush not, Cleopatra; I approve + Your wisdom in the deed. + CLEOPATRA. See, Caesar! O, behold, + How pomp is followed! Mine will now be yours; + And, should we shift estates, yours would be mine. + The ingratitude of this Seleucus does + Even make me wild. O slave, of no more trust + Than love that's hir'd! What, goest thou back? Thou shalt + Go back, I warrant thee; but I'll catch thine eyes + Though they had wings. Slave, soulless villain, dog! + O rarely base! + CAESAR. Good Queen, let us entreat you. + CLEOPATRA. O Caesar, what a wounding shame is this, + That thou vouchsafing here to visit me, + Doing the honour of thy lordliness + To one so meek, that mine own servant should + Parcel the sum of my disgraces by + Addition of his envy! Say, good Caesar, + That I some lady trifles have reserv'd, + Immoment toys, things of such dignity + As we greet modern friends withal; and say + Some nobler token I have kept apart + For Livia and Octavia, to induce + Their mediation- must I be unfolded + With one that I have bred? The gods! It smites me + Beneath the fall I have. [To SELEUCUS] Prithee go hence; + Or I shall show the cinders of my spirits + Through th' ashes of my chance. Wert thou a man, + Thou wouldst have mercy on me. + CAESAR. Forbear, Seleucus. Exit SELEUCUS + CLEOPATRA. Be it known that we, the greatest, are misthought + For things that others do; and when we fall + We answer others' merits in our name, + Are therefore to be pitied. + CAESAR. Cleopatra, + Not what you have reserv'd, nor what acknowledg'd, + Put we i' th' roll of conquest. Still be't yours, + Bestow it at your pleasure; and believe + Caesar's no merchant, to make prize with you + Of things that merchants sold. Therefore be cheer'd; + Make not your thoughts your prisons. No, dear Queen; + For we intend so to dispose you as + Yourself shall give us counsel. Feed and sleep. + Our care and pity is so much upon you + That we remain your friend; and so, adieu. + CLEOPATRA. My master and my lord! + CAESAR. Not so. Adieu. + Flourish. Exeunt CAESAR and his train + CLEOPATRA. He words me, girls, he words me, that I should not + Be noble to myself. But hark thee, Charmian! + [Whispers CHARMIAN] + IRAS. Finish, good lady; the bright day is done, + And we are for the dark. + CLEOPATRA. Hie thee again. + I have spoke already, and it is provided; + Go put it to the haste. + CHARMIAN. Madam, I will. + + Re-enter DOLABELLA + + DOLABELLA. Where's the Queen? + CHARMIAN. Behold, sir. Exit + CLEOPATRA. Dolabella! + DOLABELLA. Madam, as thereto sworn by your command, + Which my love makes religion to obey, + I tell you this: Caesar through Syria + Intends his journey, and within three days + You with your children will he send before. + Make your best use of this; I have perform'd + Your pleasure and my promise. + CLEOPATRA. Dolabella, + I shall remain your debtor. + DOLABELLA. I your servant. + Adieu, good Queen; I must attend on Caesar. + CLEOPATRA. Farewell, and thanks. Exit DOLABELLA + Now, Iras, what think'st thou? + Thou an Egyptian puppet shall be shown + In Rome as well as I. Mechanic slaves, + With greasy aprons, rules, and hammers, shall + Uplift us to the view; in their thick breaths, + Rank of gross diet, shall we be enclouded, + And forc'd to drink their vapour. + IRAS. The gods forbid! + CLEOPATRA. Nay, 'tis most certain, Iras. Saucy lictors + Will catch at us like strumpets, and scald rhymers + Ballad us out o' tune; the quick comedians + Extemporally will stage us, and present + Our Alexandrian revels; Antony + Shall be brought drunken forth, and I shall see + Some squeaking Cleopatra boy my greatness + I' th' posture of a whore. + IRAS. O the good gods! + CLEOPATRA. Nay, that's certain. + IRAS. I'll never see't, for I am sure mine nails + Are stronger than mine eyes. + CLEOPATRA. Why, that's the way + To fool their preparation and to conquer + Their most absurd intents. + + Enter CHARMIAN + + Now, Charmian! + Show me, my women, like a queen. Go fetch + My best attires. I am again for Cydnus, + To meet Mark Antony. Sirrah, Iras, go. + Now, noble Charmian, we'll dispatch indeed; + And when thou hast done this chare, I'll give thee leave + To play till doomsday. Bring our crown and all. + Exit IRAS. A noise within + Wherefore's this noise? + + Enter a GUARDSMAN + + GUARDSMAN. Here is a rural fellow + That will not be denied your Highness' presence. + He brings you figs. + CLEOPATRA. Let him come in. Exit GUARDSMAN + What poor an instrument + May do a noble deed! He brings me liberty. + My resolution's plac'd, and I have nothing + Of woman in me. Now from head to foot + I am marble-constant; now the fleeting moon + No planet is of mine. + + Re-enter GUARDSMAN and CLOWN, with a basket + + GUARDSMAN. This is the man. + CLEOPATRA. Avoid, and leave him. Exit GUARDSMAN + Hast thou the pretty worm of Nilus there + That kills and pains not? + CLOWN. Truly, I have him. But I would not be the party that +should + desire you to touch him, for his biting is immortal; those +that + do die of it do seldom or never recover. + CLEOPATRA. Remember'st thou any that have died on't? + CLOWN. Very many, men and women too. I heard of one of them no + longer than yesterday: a very honest woman, but something +given + to lie, as a woman should not do but in the way of honesty; +how + she died of the biting of it, what pain she felt- truly she +makes + a very good report o' th' worm. But he that will believe all +that + they say shall never be saved by half that they do. But this +is + most falliable, the worm's an odd worm. + CLEOPATRA. Get thee hence; farewell. + CLOWN. I wish you all joy of the worm. + [Sets down the basket] + CLEOPATRA. Farewell. + CLOWN. You must think this, look you, that the worm will do his + kind. + CLEOPATRA. Ay, ay; farewell. + CLOWN. Look you, the worm is not to be trusted but in the +keeping + of wise people; for indeed there is no goodness in the worm. + CLEOPATRA. Take thou no care; it shall be heeded. + CLOWN. Very good. Give it nothing, I pray you, for it is not +worth + the feeding. + CLEOPATRA. Will it eat me? + CLOWN. You must not think I am so simple but I know the devil + himself will not eat a woman. I know that a woman is a dish +for + the gods, if the devil dress her not. But truly, these same + whoreson devils do the gods great harm in their women, for in + every ten that they make the devils mar five. + CLEOPATRA. Well, get thee gone; farewell. + CLOWN. Yes, forsooth. I wish you joy o' th' worm. Exit + + Re-enter IRAS, with a robe, crown, &c. + + CLEOPATRA. Give me my robe, put on my crown; I have + Immortal longings in me. Now no more + The juice of Egypt's grape shall moist this lip. + Yare, yare, good Iras; quick. Methinks I hear + Antony call. I see him rouse himself + To praise my noble act. I hear him mock + The luck of Caesar, which the gods give men + To excuse their after wrath. Husband, I come. + Now to that name my courage prove my title! + I am fire and air; my other elements + I give to baser life. So, have you done? + Come then, and take the last warmth of my lips. + Farewell, kind Charmian. Iras, long farewell. + [Kisses them. IRAS falls and dies] + Have I the aspic in my lips? Dost fall? + If thus thou and nature can so gently part, + The stroke of death is as a lover's pinch, + Which hurts and is desir'd. Dost thou lie still? + If thou vanishest, thou tell'st the world + It is not worth leave-taking. + CHARMIAN. Dissolve, thick cloud, and rain, that I may say + The gods themselves do weep. + CLEOPATRA. This proves me base. + If she first meet the curled Antony, + He'll make demand of her, and spend that kiss + Which is my heaven to have. Come, thou mortal wretch, + [To an asp, which she applies to her breast] + With thy sharp teeth this knot intrinsicate + Of life at once untie. Poor venomous fool, + Be angry and dispatch. O couldst thou speak, + That I might hear thee call great Caesar ass + Unpolicied! + CHARMIAN. O Eastern star! + CLEOPATRA. Peace, peace! + Dost thou not see my baby at my breast + That sucks the nurse asleep? + CHARMIAN. O, break! O, break! + CLEOPATRA. As sweet as balm, as soft as air, as gentle- + O Antony! Nay, I will take thee too: + [Applying another asp to her arm] + What should I stay- [Dies] + CHARMIAN. In this vile world? So, fare thee well. + Now boast thee, death, in thy possession lies + A lass unparallel'd. Downy windows, close; + And golden Phoebus never be beheld + Of eyes again so royal! Your crown's awry; + I'll mend it and then play- + + Enter the guard, rushing in + + FIRST GUARD. Where's the Queen? + CHARMIAN. Speak softly, wake her not. + FIRST GUARD. Caesar hath sent- + CHARMIAN. Too slow a messenger. [Applies an asp] + O, come apace, dispatch. I partly feel thee. + FIRST GUARD. Approach, ho! All's not well: Caesar's beguil'd. + SECOND GUARD. There's Dolabella sent from Caesar; call him. + FIRST GUARD. What work is here! Charmian, is this well done? + CHARMIAN. It is well done, and fitting for a princes + Descended of so many royal kings. + Ah, soldier! [CHARMIAN dies] + + Re-enter DOLABELLA + + DOLABELLA. How goes it here? + SECOND GUARD. All dead. + DOLABELLA. Caesar, thy thoughts + Touch their effects in this. Thyself art coming + To see perform'd the dreaded act which thou + So sought'st to hinder. + [Within: 'A way there, a way for Caesar!'] + + Re-enter CAESAR and all his train + + DOLABELLA. O sir, you are too sure an augurer: + That you did fear is done. + CAESAR. Bravest at the last, + She levell'd at our purposes, and being royal, + Took her own way. The manner of their deaths? + I do not see them bleed. + DOLABELLA. Who was last with them? + FIRST GUARD. A simple countryman that brought her figs. + This was his basket. + CAESAR. Poison'd then. + FIRST GUARD. O Caesar, + This Charmian liv'd but now; she stood and spake. + I found her trimming up the diadem + On her dead mistress. Tremblingly she stood, + And on the sudden dropp'd. + CAESAR. O noble weakness! + If they had swallow'd poison 'twould appear + By external swelling; but she looks like sleep, + As she would catch another Antony + In her strong toil of grace. + DOLABELLA. Here on her breast + There is a vent of blood, and something blown; + The like is on her arm. + FIRST GUARD. This is an aspic's trail; and these fig-leaves + Have slime upon them, such as th' aspic leaves + Upon the caves of Nile. + CAESAR. Most probable + That so she died; for her physician tells me + She hath pursu'd conclusions infinite + Of easy ways to die. Take up her bed, + And bear her women from the monument. + She shall be buried by her Antony; + No grave upon the earth shall clip in it + A pair so famous. High events as these + Strike those that make them; and their story is + No less in pity than his glory which + Brought them to be lamented. Our army shall + In solemn show attend this funeral, + And then to Rome. Come, Dolabella, see + High order in this great solemnity. Exeunt + + +THE END + + +<<THIS ELECTRONIC VERSION OF THE COMPLETE WORKS OF WILLIAM +SHAKESPEARE IS COPYRIGHT 1990-1993 BY WORLD LIBRARY, INC., AND IS +PROVIDED BY PROJECT GUTENBERG ETEXT OF CARNEGIE MELLON UNIVERSITY +WITH PERMISSION. ELECTRONIC AND MACHINE READABLE COPIES MAY BE +DISTRIBUTED SO LONG AS SUCH COPIES (1) ARE FOR YOUR OR OTHERS +PERSONAL USE ONLY, AND (2) ARE NOT DISTRIBUTED OR USED +COMMERCIALLY. PROHIBITED COMMERCIAL DISTRIBUTION INCLUDES BY ANY +SERVICE THAT CHARGES FOR DOWNLOAD TIME OR FOR MEMBERSHIP.>> + + + + + +End of this Etext of The Complete Works of William Shakespeare, THE TRAGEDY OF +ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA + |