William Shakespeare

Antony and Cleopatra

Antoine et Cléopâtre (Traducción) Antonio e Cleopatra (Traducción) Antonio y Cleopatra (Traducción)

Shakespeare, William. <<Antony and Cleopatra.>> Edited by Barbara Mowat and Paul Werstine. Washington D.C.: Folger Shakespare Library, 2013. Folger Digital Texts. (This text is furnished courtesy of Folger Digital Texts, www.folgerdigitaltexts.org, and is distributed under Creative Commons license Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Unported.)

Joan Oleza Simó (Investigador principal) Stoica, Ruxandra (Editor)

English · Verso · 2843 versos

https://playcode.fly.dev/plays/EMOTHE0038_AntonyAndCleopatra

Tiempo histórico: Antigüedad clásica
First century BC. The play dramatizes events taking place between 40 and 30 BC.
Datación: 1606–1607
desde o posterior 1605 y anterior o hasta 1607; desde o posterior 1606 y anterior o hasta 1607; 1606

Bibliografía

Ediciones modernas

Alexander, Peter, ed. William Shakespeare: The Complete Works. London and Glasgow: Collins, 1951.
Bate, Jonathan; Rasmussen, Eric, ed. Complete Works. Shakespeare, William. London and New York: The Royal Shakespeare Company / Macmillan / Random House, 2007.
Bevington, David, ed. Antony and Cleopatra. Shakespeare, William. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1990. The New Cambridge Shakespeare.
Bourus, Terri, ed. Antony and Cleopatra. Shakespeare, William. In: Taylor, Gary; Jowett, John; Bourus, Terri; Egan, Gabriel, ed. The New Oxford Shakespeare The Complete Works Modern Critical Edition. Shakespeare, William. Oxford: Open University Press, 2016. pp. 2571-2657.
Jones, Emrys, ed. Antony and Cleopatra. Shakespeare, William. Harmondsworth: Penguin Books, 1977. New Penguin Shakespeare.
Kittredge, George Lyma, ed. The Complete Works of Shakespeare. Boston: Ginn and Co., 1936.
Mowat, Barbara, Paul Werstine, ed. Antony and Cleopatra. Shakespeare, William. Washington, DC, 2013. Folger Digital Texts. Digital text editor for EMOTHE Digital Library: Stoica, Ruxandra.Also available at:https://emothe.uv.es/biblioteca/textosEMOTHE/EMOTHE0038_AntonyAndCleopatra.php. URL: https://shakespeare.folger.edu/shakespeares-works/antony-and-cleopatra/
Neill, Michael, ed. Anthony and Cleopatra. Shakespeare, William. Oxford: Open University Press, 1994. The Oxford Shakespeare.
Sisson, Charles Jasper, ed. William Shakespeare: Complete Works. London: Odhams, 1954.
Spevack, Marvin, ed. Antony and Cleopatra. Shakespeare, William. 1990 ed. New York: Modern Language Association of America. The New Variorum Shakespeare.
Vaughan, Virginia Mason, ed. Antony and Cleopatra. Shakespeare, William. In: Greenblatt, Stephen, ed. The Norton Shakespeare Third Edition. Shakespeare, William. New York: W. W. Norton, 2016. vol. 2, pp. 1080-1160.
Wilders, John, ed. Antony and Cleopatra. Shakespeare, William. London: Routledge, 1995. The Arden Shakespeare.
Wilson, John Dover, ed. Antony and Cleopatra. Shakespeare, William. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1950. The New Shakespeare.

Bibliografía crítica

Adelman, Janet. Suffocating Mothers: Fantasies of Maternal Origin in Shakespeare’s Plays. London and New York, 1992.
Adelman, Janet. The Common Liar: An Essay on Antony and Cleopatra. New Haven and London: Yale University Press, 1973.
Bradley, A. C. Shakespearean Tragedy. 1904.
Bullough, Geoffrey. Narrative and Dramatic Sources of Shakespeare (vol. 5), The Roman Plays: Julius Caesar, Antony and Cleopatra, Coriolanus. Ed. Bullough, Geoffrey. Ed. Bullough, Geoffrey. Vol. 5. London: Routledge and Kegan Paul, 1964, 8 vols. Narrative and Dramatic Sources of Shakespeare.
Chambers, E. K. The Elizabethan Stage. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1923.
Charney, Maurice. Shakespeare’s Roman Plays: The Function of Imagery in the Drama. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1961.
Hatchuel, Sarah. Shakespeare and the Cleopatra/Caesar Intertext: Sequel, Conflation, Remake. Fairleigh Dickinson UP--Rowman & Littlefield, 2011.
Jones, Emerys. Scenic Form in Shakespeare. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1971.
Lamb, Margaret. Antony and Cleopatra on the English Stage. London: Fairleigh Dickinson UP, 1980.
Madelaine, Richard. Antony and Cleopatra. Ed. Madelaine, Richard. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1998. Shakespeare in Production.
Schanzer, Ernest. "Antony and Cleopatra and the Countess of Pembroke’s Antonius". Notes & Queries. 1956, 201, p. 152-4.
Spevack, Marvin. Shakespeare, William. Ed. Marvin Spevack. A New Variorum Edition of Shakespeare: Antony and Cleopatra. New York: Modern Language Association of America, 1990.
Steppat, Michael. The Critical Reception of Shakespeare’s Antony and Cleopatra from 1607 to 1905. Amsterdam: B.R. Grüner Publishing Company, 1980.
Various authors. Antony and Cleopatra New Critical Essays. Ed. Sara Munson Deats. New York: Routledge, 2005.
Various. Antony and Cleopatra: A Critical Reader (Arden Early Modern Drama Guides). Ed. Domenico Lovascio. London and New York: Bloomsbury, 2019.

Traducciones

Español

Shakespeare, William. Antonio y Cleopatra. Ed. Andreu Jaume. Tra. María Enriqueta González Padilla. Barcelona, 2012, p. 767-906. William Shakespeare Obra Completa. (Orig: Antony and Cleopatra)

Characters in the Play

ANTONY a triumvir of Rome

CLEOPATRA Queen of Egypt

OCTAVIUS CAESAR a triumvir of Rome

OCTAVIA sister to Caesar, later wife to Antony

LEPIDUS a triumvir of Rome

ENOBARBUS also called DOMITIUS

VENTIDIUS accompanying Antony in Egypt and elsewhere

SILIUS accompanying Antony in Egypt and elsewhere

EROS accompanying Antony in Egypt and elsewhere

CANIDIUS accompanying Antony in Egypt and elsewhere

SCARUS accompanying Antony in Egypt and elsewhere

DERCETUS accompanying Antony in Egypt and elsewhere

DEMETRIUS accompanying Antony in Egypt and elsewhere

PHILO accompanying Antony in Egypt and elsewhere

A SCHOOLMASTER accompanying Antony in Egypt and elsewhere

Antony’s AMBASSADOR to Caesar

CHARMIAN serving in Cleopatra’s court

IRAS serving in Cleopatra’s court

ALEXAS serving in Cleopatra’s court

MARDIAN a Eunuch, serving in Cleopatra’s court

SELEUCUS Cleopatra’s treasurer, serving in Cleopatra’s court

DIOMEDES serving in Cleopatra’s court

MAECENAS supporting and accompanying Caesar

AGRIPPA supporting and accompanying Caesar

TAURUS supporting and accompanying Caesar

THIDIAS supporting and accompanying Caesar

DOLABELLA supporting and accompanying Caesar

GALLUS supporting and accompanying Caesar

PROCULEIUS supporting and accompanying Caesar

SEXTUS POMPEIUS also called POMPEY

MENAS

MENECRATES

VARRIUS

MESSENGERS

SOLDIERS

SENTRIES

GUARDSMEN

A SOOTHSAYER

SERVANTS

A BOY

A CAPTAIN

AN EGYPTIAN

A COUNTRYMAN

BOTH

ALL

Act I

Scene 1

(Enter Demetrius and Philo.)

PHILO

Nay, but this dotage of our general’s 1

O’erflows the measure. Those his goodly eyes, 2

That o’er the files and musters of the war 3

Have glowed like plated Mars, now bend, now turn 4

The office and devotion of their view 5

Upon a tawny front. His captain’s heart, 6

Which in the scuffles of great fights hath burst 7

The buckles on his breast, reneges all temper 8

And is become the bellows and the fan 9

To cool a gypsy’s lust. 10

(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 11

The triple pillar of the world transformed 12

Into a strumpet’s fool. Behold and see. 13

CLEOPATRA

If it be love indeed, tell me how much. 14

ANTONY

There’s beggary in the love that can be reckoned. 15

CLEOPATRA

I’ll set a bourn how far to be beloved. 16

ANTONY

Then must thou needs find out new heaven, new Earth. 17

(Enter a Messenger.)

MESSENGER

News, my good lord, from Rome. 18

ANTONY

Grates me, the sum. 19

CLEOPATRA

Nay, hear them, Antony. 20

Fulvia perchance is angry. Or who knows 21

If the scarce-bearded Caesar have not sent 22

His powerful mandate to you: “Do this, or this; 23

Take in that kingdom, and enfranchise that. 24

Perform ’t, or else we damn thee.” 25

ANTONY

How, my love?

CLEOPATRA

Perchance? Nay, and most like. 26

You must not stay here longer; your dismission 27

Is come from Caesar. Therefore hear it, Antony. 28

Where’s Fulvia’s process? Caesar’s, I would say—both? 29

Call in the messengers. As I am Egypt’s queen, 30

Thou blushest, Antony, and that blood of thine 31

Is Caesar’s homager; else so thy cheek pays shame 32

When shrill-tongued Fulvia scolds. The messengers! 33

ANTONY

Let Rome in Tiber melt and the wide arch 34

Of the ranged empire fall. Here is my space. 35

Kingdoms are clay. Our dungy earth alike 36

Feeds beast as man. The nobleness of life 37

Is to do thus; when such a mutual pair 38

And such a twain can do ’t, in which I bind, 39

On pain of punishment, the world to weet 40

We stand up peerless. 41

CLEOPATRA

Excellent falsehood!

Why did he marry Fulvia, and not love her? 42

I’ll seem the fool I am not. Antony 43

Will be himself. 44

ANTONY

But stirred by Cleopatra.

Now for the love of Love and her soft hours, 45

Let’s not confound the time with conference harsh. 46

There’s not a minute of our lives should stretch 47

Without some pleasure now. What sport tonight? 48

CLEOPATRA

Hear the ambassadors. 49

ANTONY

Fie, wrangling queen,

Whom everything becomes—to chide, to laugh, 50

To weep; whose every passion fully strives 51

To make itself, in thee, fair and admired! 52

No messenger but thine, and all alone 53

Tonight we’ll wander through the streets and note 54

The qualities of people. Come, my queen, 55

Last night you did desire it. 56

To the Messenger. Speak not to us. 57

(Antony and Cleopatra exit with the Train.)

DEMETRIUS

Is Caesar with Antonius prized so slight? 58

PHILO

Sir, sometimes when he is not Antony 59

He comes too short of that great property 60

Which still should go with Antony. 61

DEMETRIUS

I am full sorry

That he approves the common liar who 62

Thus speaks of him at Rome; but I will hope 63

Of better deeds tomorrow. Rest you happy! 64

(They exit.)

Scene 2

(Enter Enobarbus, Lamprius, a Soothsayer, Rannius, Lucillius, Charmian, Iras, Mardian the Eunuch, Alexas, and Servants.)

CHARMIAN

Lord Alexas, sweet Alexas, most anything Alexas, almost most absolute Alexas, where’s the soothsayer that you praised so to th’ Queen? O, that I knew this husband which you say must charge his horns with garlands!

ALEXAS

Soothsayer! 65

SOOTHSAYER

Your will? 66

CHARMIAN

Is this the man?—Is ’t you, sir, that know things? 67

SOOTHSAYER

In nature’s infinite book of secrecy 68

A little I can read. 69

ALEXAS

To Charmian. Show him your hand. 70

ENOBARBUS

To Servants. Bring in the banquet quickly, wine enough 71

Cleopatra’s health to drink. 72

CHARMIAN

Giving her hand to the Soothsayer. Good sir, give me good fortune.

SOOTHSAYER

I make not, but foresee. 73

CHARMIAN

Pray then, foresee me one. 74

SOOTHSAYER

You shall be yet far fairer than you are. 75

CHARMIAN

He means in flesh. 76

IRAS

No, you shall paint when you are old. 77

CHARMIAN

Wrinkles forbid! 78

ALEXAS

Vex not his prescience. Be attentive. 79

CHARMIAN

Hush. 80

SOOTHSAYER

You shall be more beloving than beloved. 81

CHARMIAN

I had rather heat my liver with drinking. 82

ALEXAS

Nay, hear him. 83

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. 84

CHARMIAN

O, excellent! I love long life better than figs. 85

SOOTHSAYER

You have seen and proved a fairer former fortune 86

Than that which is to approach. 87

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, 88

And fertile every wish, a million. 89

CHARMIAN

Out, fool! I forgive thee for a witch. 90

ALEXAS

You think none but your sheets are privy to your wishes.

CHARMIAN

To Soothsayer. Nay, come. Tell Iras hers. 91

ALEXAS

We’ll know all our fortunes. 92

ENOBARBUS

Mine, and most of our fortunes tonight, shall be—drunk to bed.

IRAS

Giving her hand to the Soothsayer. 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. 93

CHARMIAN

Nay, if an oily palm be not a fruitful prognostication, I cannot scratch mine ear.—Prithee tell her but a workaday fortune.

SOOTHSAYER

Your fortunes are alike. 94

IRAS

But how, but how? Give me particulars. 95

SOOTHSAYER

I have said. 96

IRAS

Am I not an inch of fortune better than she? 97

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. 98

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-wived, 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.

ENOBARBUS

Hush, here comes Antony.

CHARMIAN

Not he. The Queen.

(Enter Cleopatra.)

CLEOPATRA

Saw you my lord? 99

ENOBARBUS

No, lady. 100

CLEOPATRA

Was he not here? 101

CHARMIAN

No, madam. 102

CLEOPATRA

He was disposed to mirth, but on the sudden 103

A Roman thought hath struck him.—Enobarbus! 104

ENOBARBUS

Madam? 105

CLEOPATRA

Seek him and bring him hither.—Where’s Alexas? 106

ALEXAS

Here at your service. My lord approaches. 107

(Enter Antony with a Messenger.)

CLEOPATRA

We will not look upon him. Go with us. 108

(All but Antony and the Messenger exit.)

MESSENGER

Fulvia thy wife first came into the field. 109

ANTONY

Against my brother Lucius? 110

MESSENGER

Ay. 111

But soon that war had end, and the time’s state 112

Made friends of them, jointing their force ’gainst Caesar, 113

Whose better issue in the war from Italy 114

Upon the first encounter drave them. 115

ANTONY

Well, what worst? 116

MESSENGER

The nature of bad news infects the teller. 117

ANTONY

When it concerns the fool or coward. On. 118

Things that are past are done, with me. ’Tis thus: 119

Who tells me true, though in his tale lie death, 120

I hear him as he flattered. 121

MESSENGER

Labienus—

This is stiff news—hath with his Parthian force 122

Extended Asia: from Euphrates 123

His conquering banner shook, from Syria 124

To Lydia and to Ionia, 125

Whilst— 126

ANTONY

“Antony,” thou wouldst say?

MESSENGER

O, my lord!

ANTONY

Speak to me home; mince not the general tongue. 127

Name Cleopatra as she is called in Rome; 128

Rail thou in Fulvia’s phrase, and taunt my faults 129

With such full license as both truth and malice 130

Have power to utter. O, then we bring forth weeds 131

When our quick winds lie still, and our ills told us 132

Is as our earing. Fare thee well awhile. 133

MESSENGER

At your noble pleasure. 134

(Messenger exits.)

(Enter another Messenger.)

ANTONY

From Sicyon how the news? Speak there. 135

SECOND MESSENGER

The man from Sicyon— 136

ANTONY

Is there such an one?

SECOND MESSENGER

He stays upon your will. 137

ANTONY

Let him appear.

(Second Messenger exits.)

These strong Egyptian fetters I must break, 138

Or lose myself in dotage. 139

(Enter another Messenger with a letter.)

What are you?

THIRD MESSENGER

Fulvia thy wife is dead. 140

ANTONY

Where died she?

THIRD MESSENGER

In Sicyon. 141

Her length of sickness, with what else more serious 142

Importeth thee to know, this bears. 143

(He hands Antony the letter.)

ANTONY

Forbear me.

(Third Messenger exits.)

There’s a great spirit gone! Thus did I desire it. 144

What our contempts doth often hurl from us, 145

We wish it ours again. The present pleasure, 146

By revolution lowering, does become 147

The opposite of itself. She’s good, being gone. 148

The hand could pluck her back that shoved her on. 149

I must from this enchanting queen break off. 150

Ten thousand harms more than the ills I know 151

My idleness doth hatch.—How now, Enobarbus! 152

(Enter Enobarbus.)

ENOBARBUS

What’s your pleasure, sir? 153

ANTONY

I must with haste from hence. 154

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. 155

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. 156

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 shower of rain as well as Jove.

ANTONY

Would I had never seen her! 157

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. 158

ENOBARBUS

Sir? 159

ANTONY

Fulvia is dead. 160

ENOBARBUS

Fulvia? 161

ANTONY

Dead. 162

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 crowned 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 broachèd in the state 163

Cannot endure my absence. 164

ENOBARBUS

And the business you have broached here cannot be without you, especially that of Cleopatra’s, which wholly depends on your abode.

ANTONY

No more light answers. Let our officers 165

Have notice what we purpose. I shall break 166

The cause of our expedience to the Queen 167

And get her leave to part. For not alone 168

The death of Fulvia, with more urgent touches, 169

Do strongly speak to us, but the letters too 170

Of many our contriving friends in Rome 171

Petition us at home. Sextus Pompeius 172

Hath given the dare to Caesar and commands 173

The empire of the sea. Our slippery people, 174

Whose love is never linked to the deserver 175

Till his deserts are past, begin to throw 176

Pompey the Great and all his dignities 177

Upon his son, who—high in name and power, 178

Higher than both in blood and life—stands up 179

For the main soldier; whose quality, going on, 180

The sides o’ th’ world may danger. Much is breeding 181

Which, like the courser’s hair, hath yet but life 182

And not a serpent’s poison. Say our pleasure, 183

To such whose place is under us, requires 184

Our quick remove from hence. 185

ENOBARBUS

I shall do ’t.

(They exit.)

Scene 3

(Enter Cleopatra, Charmian, Alexas, and Iras.)

CLEOPATRA

Where is he? 186

CHARMIAN

I did not see him since.

CLEOPATRA

To Alexas. See where he is, who’s with him, what he does. 187

I did not send you. If you find him sad, 188

Say I am dancing; if in mirth, report 189

That I am sudden sick. Quick, and return. 190

(Alexas exits.)

CHARMIAN

Madam, methinks, if you did love him dearly, 191

You do not hold the method to enforce 192

The like from him. 193

CLEOPATRA

What should I do I do not?

CHARMIAN

In each thing give him way; cross him in nothing. 194

CLEOPATRA

Thou teachest like a fool: the way to lose him. 195

CHARMIAN

Tempt him not so too far. I wish, forbear. 196

In time we hate that which we often fear. 197

(Enter Antony.)

But here comes Antony. 198

CLEOPATRA

I am sick and sullen.

ANTONY

I am sorry to give breathing to my purpose— 199

CLEOPATRA

Help me away, dear Charmian! I shall fall. 200

It cannot be thus long; the sides of nature 201

Will not sustain it. 202

ANTONY

Now, my dearest queen—

CLEOPATRA

Pray you stand farther from me. 203

ANTONY

What’s the matter?

CLEOPATRA

I know by that same eye there’s some good news. 204

What, says the married woman you may go? 205

Would she had never given you leave to come. 206

Let her not say ’tis I that keep you here. 207

I have no power upon you. Hers you are. 208

ANTONY

The gods best know— 209

CLEOPATRA

O, never was there queen

So mightily betrayed! Yet at the first 210

I saw the treasons planted. 211

ANTONY

Cleopatra—

CLEOPATRA

Why should I think you can be mine, and true— 212

Though you in swearing shake the thronèd gods— 213

Who have been false to Fulvia? Riotous madness, 214

To be entangled with those mouth-made vows 215

Which break themselves in swearing! 216

ANTONY

Most sweet queen—

CLEOPATRA

Nay, pray you seek no color for your going, 217

But bid farewell and go. When you sued staying, 218

Then was the time for words. No going then! 219

Eternity was in our lips and eyes, 220

Bliss in our brows’ bent; none our parts so poor 221

But was a race of heaven. They are so still, 222

Or thou, the greatest soldier of the world, 223

Art turned the greatest liar. 224

ANTONY

How now, lady?

CLEOPATRA

I would I had thy inches. Thou shouldst know 225

There were a heart in Egypt. 226

ANTONY

Hear me, queen:

The strong necessity of time commands 227

Our services awhile, but my full heart 228

Remains in use with you. Our Italy 229

Shines o’er with civil swords; Sextus Pompeius 230

Makes his approaches to the port of Rome; 231

Equality of two domestic powers 232

Breed scrupulous faction; the hated grown to strength 233

Are newly grown to love; the condemned Pompey, 234

Rich in his father’s honor, creeps apace 235

Into the hearts of such as have not thrived 236

Upon the present state, whose numbers threaten; 237

And quietness, grown sick of rest, would purge 238

By any desperate change. My more particular, 239

And that which most with you should safe my going, 240

Is Fulvia’s death. 241

CLEOPATRA

Though age from folly could not give me freedom, 242

It does from childishness. Can Fulvia die? 243

ANTONY

She’s dead, my queen. 244

(He shows her papers.)

Look here, and at thy sovereign leisure read 245

The garboils she awaked; at the last, best, 246

See when and where she died. 247

CLEOPATRA

O, most false love!

Where be the sacred vials thou shouldst fill 248

With sorrowful water? Now I see, I see, 249

In Fulvia’s death, how mine received shall be. 250

ANTONY

Quarrel no more, but be prepared to know 251

The purposes I bear, which are or cease 252

As you shall give th’ advice. By the fire 253

That quickens Nilus’ slime, I go from hence 254

Thy soldier, servant, making peace or war 255

As thou affects. 256

CLEOPATRA

Cut my lace, Charmian, come!

But let it be; I am quickly ill and well; 257

So Antony loves. 258

ANTONY

My precious queen, forbear,

And give true evidence to his love, which stands 259

An honorable trial. 260

CLEOPATRA

So Fulvia told me.

I prithee turn aside and weep for her, 261

Then bid adieu to me, and say the tears 262

Belong to Egypt. Good now, play one scene 263

Of excellent dissembling, and let it look 264

Like perfect honor. 265

ANTONY

You’ll heat my blood. No more!

CLEOPATRA

You can do better yet, but this is meetly. 266

ANTONY

Now by my sword— 267

CLEOPATRA

And target. Still he mends.

But this is not the best. Look, prithee, Charmian, 268

How this Herculean Roman does become 269

The carriage of his chafe. 270

ANTONY

I’ll leave you, lady. 271

CLEOPATRA

Courteous lord, one word. 272

Sir, you and I must part, but that’s not it; 273

Sir, you and I have loved, but there’s not it; 274

That you know well. Something it is I would— 275

O, my oblivion is a very Antony, 276

And I am all forgotten. 277

ANTONY

But that your Royalty

Holds idleness your subject, I should take you 278

For idleness itself. 279

CLEOPATRA

’Tis sweating labor

To bear such idleness so near the heart 280

As Cleopatra this. But, sir, forgive me, 281

Since my becomings kill me when they do not 282

Eye well to you. Your honor calls you hence; 283

Therefore be deaf to my unpitied folly, 284

And all the gods go with you. Upon your sword 285

Sit laurel victory, and smooth success 286

Be strewed before your feet. 287

ANTONY

Let us go. Come.

Our separation so abides and flies 288

That thou, residing here, goes yet with me, 289

And I, hence fleeting, here remain with thee. 290

Away! 291

(They exit.)

Scene 4

(Enter Octavius Caesar, reading a letter, Lepidus, and their Train.)

CAESAR

You may see, Lepidus, and henceforth know, 292

It is not Caesar’s natural vice to hate 293

Our great competitor. From Alexandria 294

This is the news: he fishes, drinks, and wastes 295

The lamps of night in revel, is not more manlike 296

Than Cleopatra, nor the queen of Ptolemy 297

More womanly than he; hardly gave audience, or 298

Vouchsafed to think he had partners. You shall find there 299

A man who is th’ abstract of all faults 300

That all men follow. 301

LEPIDUS

I must not think there are

Evils enough to darken all his goodness. 302

His faults in him seem as the spots of heaven, 303

More fiery by night’s blackness, hereditary 304

Rather than purchased, what he cannot change 305

Than what he chooses. 306

CAESAR

You are too indulgent. Let’s grant it is not 307

Amiss to tumble on the bed of Ptolemy, 308

To give a kingdom for a mirth, to sit 309

And keep the turn of tippling with a slave, 310

To reel the streets at noon and stand the buffet 311

With knaves that smells of sweat. Say this becomes him— 312

As his composure must be rare indeed 313

Whom these things cannot blemish—yet must Antony 314

No way excuse his foils when we do bear 315

So great weight in his lightness. If he filled 316

His vacancy with his voluptuousness, 317

Full surfeits and the dryness of his bones 318

Call on him for ’t. But to confound such time 319

That drums him from his sport and speaks as loud 320

As his own state and ours, ’tis to be chid 321

As we rate boys who, being mature in knowledge, 322

Pawn their experience to their present pleasure 323

And so rebel to judgment. 324

(Enter a Messenger.)

LEPIDUS

Here’s more news.

MESSENGER

Thy biddings have been done, and every hour, 325

Most noble Caesar, shalt thou have report 326

How ’tis abroad. Pompey is strong at sea, 327

And it appears he is beloved of those 328

That only have feared Caesar. To the ports 329

The discontents repair, and men’s reports 330

Give him much wronged. 331

CAESAR

I should have known no less.

It hath been taught us from the primal state 332

That he which is was wished until he were, 333

And the ebbed man, ne’er loved till ne’er worth love, 334

Comes feared by being lacked. This common body, 335

Like to a vagabond flag upon the stream, 336

Goes to and back, lackeying the varying tide 337

To rot itself with motion. 338

(Enter a Second Messenger.)

SECOND MESSENGER

Caesar, I bring thee word

Menecrates and Menas, famous pirates, 339

Makes the sea serve them, which they ear and wound 340

With keels of every kind. Many hot inroads 341

They make in Italy—the borders maritime 342

Lack blood to think on ’t—and flush youth revolt. 343

No vessel can peep forth but ’tis as soon 344

Taken as seen, for Pompey’s name strikes more 345

Than could his war resisted. 346

CAESAR

Antony,

Leave thy lascivious wassails. When thou once 347

Was beaten from Modena, where thou slew’st 348

Hirsius and Pansa, consuls, at thy heel 349

Did famine follow, whom thou fought’st against, 350

Though daintily brought up, with patience more 351

Than savages could suffer. Thou didst drink 352

The stale of horses and the gilded puddle 353

Which beasts would cough at. Thy palate then did deign 354

The roughest berry on the rudest hedge. 355

Yea, like the stag when snow the pasture sheets, 356

The barks of trees thou browsèd. On the Alps 357

It is reported thou didst eat strange flesh 358

Which some did die to look on. And all this— 359

It wounds thine honor that I speak it now— 360

Was borne so like a soldier that thy cheek 361

So much as lanked not. 362

LEPIDUS

’Tis pity of him. 363

CAESAR

Let his shames quickly 364

Drive him to Rome. ’Tis time we twain 365

Did show ourselves i’ th’ field, and to that end 366

Assemble we immediate council. Pompey 367

Thrives in our idleness. 368

LEPIDUS

Tomorrow, Caesar, 369

I shall be furnished to inform you rightly 370

Both what by sea and land I can be able 371

To front this present time. 372

CAESAR

Till which encounter,

It is my business too. Farewell. 373

LEPIDUS

Farewell, my lord. What you shall know meantime 374

Of stirs abroad, I shall beseech you, sir, 375

To let me be partaker. 376

CAESAR

Doubt not, sir. I knew it for my bond. 377

(They exit.)

Scene 5

(Enter Cleopatra, Charmian, Iras, and Mardian.)

CLEOPATRA

Charmian! 378

CHARMIAN

Madam? 379

CLEOPATRA

Ha, ha! Give me to drink mandragora. 380

CHARMIAN

Why, madam? 381

CLEOPATRA

That I might sleep out this great gap of time 382

My Antony is away. 383

CHARMIAN

You think of him too much.

CLEOPATRA

O, ’tis treason! 384

CHARMIAN

Madam, I trust not so.

CLEOPATRA

Thou, eunuch Mardian! 385

MARDIAN

What’s your Highness’ pleasure?

CLEOPATRA

Not now to hear thee sing. I take no pleasure 386

In aught an eunuch has. ’Tis well for thee 387

That, being unseminared, thy freer thoughts 388

May not fly forth of Egypt. Hast thou affections? 389

MARDIAN

Yes, gracious madam. 390

CLEOPATRA

Indeed? 391

MARDIAN

Not in deed, madam, for I can do nothing 392

But what indeed is honest to be done. 393

Yet have I fierce affections, and think 394

What Venus did with Mars. 395

CLEOPATRA

O, Charmian,

Where think’st thou he is now? Stands he, or sits he? 396

Or does he walk? Or is he on his horse? 397

O happy horse, to bear the weight of Antony! 398

Do bravely, horse, for wot’st thou whom thou mov’st? 399

The demi-Atlas of this Earth, the arm 400

And burgonet of men. He’s speaking now, 401

Or murmuring “Where’s my serpent of old Nile?” 402

For so he calls me. Now I feed myself 403

With most delicious poison. Think on me 404

That am with Phoebus’ amorous pinches black, 405

And wrinkled deep in time? Broad-fronted Caesar, 406

When thou wast here above the ground, I was 407

A morsel for a monarch. And great Pompey 408

Would stand and make his eyes grow in my brow; 409

There would he anchor his aspect, and die 410

With looking on his life. 411

(Enter Alexas from Antony.)

ALEXAS

Sovereign of Egypt, hail! 412

CLEOPATRA

How much unlike art thou Mark Antony! 413

Yet coming from him, that great med’cine hath 414

With his tinct gilded thee. 415

How goes it with my brave Mark Antony? 416

ALEXAS

Last thing he did, dear queen, 417

He kissed—the last of many doubled kisses— 418

This orient pearl. His speech sticks in my heart. 419

CLEOPATRA

Mine ear must pluck it thence. 420

ALEXAS

“Good friend,” quoth he,

“Say the firm Roman to great Egypt sends 421

This treasure of an oyster; at whose foot, 422

To mend the petty present, I will piece 423

Her opulent throne with kingdoms. All the East, 424

Say thou, shall call her mistress.” So he nodded 425

And soberly did mount an arm-gaunt steed, 426

Who neighed so high that what I would have spoke 427

Was beastly dumbed by him. 428

CLEOPATRA

What, was he sad, or merry?

ALEXAS

Like to the time o’ th’ year between th’ extremes 429

Of hot and cold, he was nor sad nor merry. 430

CLEOPATRA

O, well-divided disposition!—Note him, 431

Note him, good Charmian, ’tis the man! But note him: 432

He was not sad, for he would shine on those 433

That make their looks by his; he was not merry, 434

Which seemed to tell them his remembrance lay 435

In Egypt with his joy; but between both. 436

O, heavenly mingle!—Be’st thou sad or merry, 437

The violence of either thee becomes, 438

So does it no man’s else.—Met’st thou my posts? 439

ALEXAS

Ay, madam, twenty several messengers. 440

Why do you send so thick? 441

CLEOPATRA

Who’s born that day

When I forget to send to Antony 442

Shall die a beggar.—Ink and paper, Charmian.— 443

Welcome, my good Alexas.—Did I, Charmian, 444

Ever love Caesar so? 445

CHARMIAN

O, that brave Caesar!

CLEOPATRA

Be choked with such another emphasis! 446

Say “the brave Antony.” 447

CHARMIAN

The valiant Caesar!

CLEOPATRA

By Isis, I will give thee bloody teeth 448

If thou with Caesar paragon again 449

My man of men. 450

CHARMIAN

By your most gracious pardon,

I sing but after you. 451

CLEOPATRA

My salad days,

When I was green in judgment, cold in blood, 452

To say as I said then. But come, away, 453

Get me ink and paper. 454

He shall have every day a several greeting, 455

Or I’ll unpeople Egypt. 456

They exit. 457

Act II

Scene 1

(Enter Pompey, Menecrates, and Menas, in warlike manner.)

POMPEY

If the great gods be just, they shall assist 458

The deeds of justest men. 459

MENAS

Know, worthy Pompey,

That what they do delay they not deny. 460

POMPEY

Whiles we are suitors to their throne, decays 461

The thing we sue for. 462

MENAS

We, ignorant of ourselves,

Beg often our own harms, which the wise powers 463

Deny us for our good; so find we profit 464

By losing of our prayers. 465

POMPEY

I shall do well.

The people love me, and the sea is mine; 466

My powers are crescent, and my auguring hope 467

Says it will come to th’ full. Mark Antony 468

In Egypt sits at dinner, and will make 469

No wars without doors. Caesar gets money where 470

He loses hearts. Lepidus flatters both, 471

Of both is flattered; but he neither loves, 472

Nor either cares for him. 473

MENAS

Caesar and Lepidus

Are in the field. A mighty strength they carry. 474

POMPEY

Where have you this? ’Tis false. 475

MENAS

From Silvius, sir.

POMPEY

He dreams. I know they are in Rome together, 476

Looking for Antony. But all the charms of love, 477

Salt Cleopatra, soften thy wanned lip! 478

Let witchcraft join with beauty, lust with both; 479

Tie up the libertine in a field of feasts; 480

Keep his brain fuming. Epicurean cooks 481

Sharpen with cloyless sauce his appetite, 482

That sleep and feeding may prorogue his honor 483

Even till a Lethe’d dullness— 484

(Enter Varrius.)

How now, Varrius?

VARRIUS

This is most certain that I shall deliver: 485

Mark Antony is every hour in Rome 486

Expected. Since he went from Egypt ’tis 487

A space for farther travel. 488

POMPEY

I could have given less matter 489

A better ear.—Menas, I did not think 490

This amorous surfeiter would have donned his helm 491

For such a petty war. His soldiership 492

Is twice the other twain. But let us rear 493

The higher our opinion, that our stirring 494

Can from the lap of Egypt’s widow pluck 495

The ne’er lust-wearied Antony. 496

MENAS

I cannot hope

Caesar and Antony shall well greet together. 497

His wife that’s dead did trespasses to Caesar; 498

His brother warred upon him, although I think 499

Not moved by Antony. 500

POMPEY

I know not, Menas,

How lesser enmities may give way to greater. 501

Were ’t not that we stand up against them all, 502

’Twere pregnant they should square between themselves, 503

For they have entertainèd cause enough 504

To draw their swords. But how the fear of us 505

May cement their divisions and bind up 506

The petty difference, we yet not know. 507

Be ’t as our gods will have ’t. It only stands 508

Our lives upon to use our strongest hands. 509

Come, Menas. 510

(They exit.)

Scene 2

(Enter Enobarbus and Lepidus.)

LEPIDUS

Good Enobarbus, ’tis a worthy deed, 511

And shall become you well, to entreat your captain 512

To soft and gentle speech. 513

ENOBARBUS

I shall entreat him

To answer like himself. If Caesar move him, 514

Let Antony look over Caesar’s head 515

And speak as loud as Mars. By Jupiter, 516

Were I the wearer of Antonio’s beard, 517

I would not shave ’t today. 518

LEPIDUS

’Tis not a time for private stomaching. 519

ENOBARBUS

Every time serves for the matter that is then born in ’t.

LEPIDUS

But small to greater matters must give way. 520

ENOBARBUS

Not if the small come first. 521

LEPIDUS

Your speech is passion; but pray you stir 522

No embers up. Here comes the noble Antony. 523

(Enter, at one door, Antony and Ventidius.)

ENOBARBUS

And yonder Caesar. 524

(Enter, at another door, Caesar, Maecenas, and Agrippa.)

ANTONY

To Ventidius. If we compose well here, to Parthia. 525

Hark, Ventidius. 526

(They talk aside.)

CAESAR

To Maecenas. I do not know, Maecenas. Ask Agrippa. 527

LEPIDUS

To Caesar and Antony. Noble friends, 528

That which combined us was most great, and let not 529

A leaner action rend us. What’s amiss, 530

May it be gently heard. When we debate 531

Our trivial difference loud, we do commit 532

Murder in healing wounds. Then, noble partners, 533

The rather for I earnestly beseech, 534

Touch you the sourest points with sweetest terms, 535

Nor curstness grow to th’ matter. 536

ANTONY

’Tis spoken well.

Were we before our armies, and to fight, 537

I should do thus. 538

(Flourish.)

CAESAR

Welcome to Rome. 539

ANTONY

Thank you. 540

CAESAR

Sit. 541

ANTONY

Sit, sir. 542

CAESAR

Nay, then. 543

(They sit.)

ANTONY

I learn you take things ill which are not so, 544

Or, being, concern you not. 545

CAESAR

I must be laughed at

If or for nothing or a little, I 546

Should say myself offended, and with you 547

Chiefly i’ th’ world; more laughed at, that I should 548

Once name you derogately when to sound your name 549

It not concerned me. 550

ANTONY

My being in Egypt, Caesar, what was ’t to you? 551

CAESAR

No more than my residing here at Rome 552

Might be to you in Egypt. Yet if you there 553

Did practice on my state, your being in Egypt 554

Might be my question. 555

ANTONY

How intend you, practiced?

CAESAR

You may be pleased to catch at mine intent 556

By what did here befall me. Your wife and brother 557

Made wars upon me, and their contestation 558

Was theme for you; you were the word of war. 559

ANTONY

You do mistake your business. My brother never 560

Did urge me in his act. I did inquire it, 561

And have my learning from some true reports 562

That drew their swords with you. Did he not rather 563

Discredit my authority with yours, 564

And make the wars alike against my stomach, 565

Having alike your cause? Of this my letters 566

Before did satisfy you. If you’ll patch a quarrel, 567

As matter whole you have to make it with, 568

It must not be with this. 569

CAESAR

You praise yourself

By laying defects of judgment to me; but 570

You patched up your excuses. 571

ANTONY

Not so, not so.

I know you could not lack—I am certain on ’t— 572

Very necessity of this thought, that I, 573

Your partner in the cause ’gainst which he fought, 574

Could not with graceful eyes attend those wars 575

Which fronted mine own peace. As for my wife, 576

I would you had her spirit in such another. 577

The third o’ th’ world is yours, which with a snaffle 578

You may pace easy, but not such a wife. 579

ENOBARBUS

Would we had all such wives, that the men might go to wars with the women!

ANTONY

So much uncurbable, her garboils, Caesar, 580

Made out of her impatience—which not wanted 581

Shrewdness of policy too—I grieving grant 582

Did you too much disquiet. For that you must 583

But say I could not help it. 584

CAESAR

I wrote to you

When rioting in Alexandria; you 585

Did pocket up my letters, and with taunts 586

Did gibe my missive out of audience. 587

ANTONY

Sir,

He fell upon me ere admitted, then; 588

Three kings I had newly feasted, and did want 589

Of what I was i’ th’ morning. But next day 590

I told him of myself, which was as much 591

As to have asked him pardon. Let this fellow 592

Be nothing of our strife; if we contend, 593

Out of our question wipe him. 594

CAESAR

You have broken

The article of your oath, which you shall never 595

Have tongue to charge me with. 596

LEPIDUS

Soft, Caesar! 597

ANTONY

No, Lepidus, let him speak. 598

The honor is sacred which he talks on now, 599

Supposing that I lacked it.—But on, Caesar: 600

The article of my oath? 601

CAESAR

To lend me arms and aid when I required them, 602

The which you both denied. 603

ANTONY

Neglected, rather;

And then when poisoned hours had bound me up 604

From mine own knowledge. As nearly as I may 605

I’ll play the penitent to you. But mine honesty 606

Shall not make poor my greatness, nor my power 607

Work without it. Truth is that Fulvia, 608

To have me out of Egypt, made wars here, 609

For which myself, the ignorant motive, do 610

So far ask pardon as befits mine honor 611

To stoop in such a case. 612

LEPIDUS

’Tis noble spoken.

MAECENAS

If it might please you to enforce no further 613

The griefs between you, to forget them quite 614

Were to remember that the present need 615

Speaks to atone you. 616

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. 617

ENOBARBUS

That truth should be silent I had almost forgot.

ANTONY

You wrong this presence; therefore speak no more. 618

ENOBARBUS

Go to, then. Your considerate stone. 619

CAESAR

I do not much dislike the matter, but 620

The manner of his speech; for ’t cannot be 621

We shall remain in friendship, our conditions 622

So diff’ring in their acts. Yet if I knew 623

What hoop should hold us staunch, from edge to edge 624

O’ th’ world I would pursue it. 625

AGRIPPA

Give me leave, Caesar. 626

CAESAR

Speak, Agrippa. 627

AGRIPPA

Thou hast a sister by the mother’s side, 628

Admired Octavia. Great Mark Antony 629

Is now a widower. 630

CAESAR

Say not so, Agrippa.

If Cleopatra heard you, your reproof 631

Were well deserved of rashness. 632

ANTONY

I am not married, Caesar. Let me hear 633

(Agrippa further speak.)

AGRIPPA

To hold you in perpetual amity, 634

To make you brothers, and to knit your hearts 635

With an unslipping knot, take Antony 636

Octavia to his wife, whose beauty claims 637

No worse a husband than the best of men; 638

Whose virtue and whose general graces speak 639

That which none else can utter. By this marriage 640

All little jealousies, which now seem great, 641

And all great fears, which now import their dangers, 642

Would then be nothing. Truths would be tales, 643

Where now half-tales be truths. Her love to both 644

Would each to other and all loves to both 645

Draw after her. Pardon what I have spoke, 646

For ’tis a studied, not a present thought, 647

By duty ruminated. 648

ANTONY

Will Caesar speak?

CAESAR

Not till he hears how Antony is touched 649

With what is spoke already. 650

ANTONY

What power is in Agrippa, 651

If I would say “Agrippa, be it so,” 652

To make this good? 653

CAESAR

The power of Caesar, and

His power unto Octavia. 654

ANTONY

May I never

To this good purpose, that so fairly shows, 655

Dream of impediment. Let me have thy hand. 656

Further this act of grace; and from this hour 657

The heart of brothers govern in our loves 658

And sway our great designs. 659

CAESAR

There’s my hand.

(They clasp hands.)

A sister I bequeath you whom no brother 660

Did ever love so dearly. Let her live 661

To join our kingdoms and our hearts; and never 662

Fly off our loves again. 663

LEPIDUS

Happily, amen!

ANTONY

I did not think to draw my sword ’gainst Pompey, 664

For he hath laid strange courtesies and great 665

Of late upon me. I must thank him only, 666

Lest my remembrance suffer ill report; 667

At heel of that, defy him. 668

LEPIDUS

Time calls upon ’s.

Of us must Pompey presently be sought, 669

Or else he seeks out us. 670

ANTONY

Where lies he? 671

CAESAR

About the Mount Misena. 672

ANTONY

What is his strength by land? 673

CAESAR

Great and increasing; 674

But by sea he is an absolute master. 675

ANTONY

So is the fame. 676

Would we had spoke together. Haste we for it. 677

Yet, ere we put ourselves in arms, dispatch we 678

The business we have talked of. 679

CAESAR

With most gladness,

And do invite you to my sister’s view, 680

Whither straight I’ll lead you. 681

ANTONY

Let us, Lepidus, not lack your company. 682

LEPIDUS

Noble Antony, not sickness should detain me. 683

(Flourish. All but Enobarbus, Agrippa, and Maecenas exit.)

MAECENAS

To Enobarbus. Welcome from Egypt, sir. 684

ENOBARBUS

Half the heart of Caesar, worthy Maecenas!—My honorable friend Agrippa!

AGRIPPA

Good Enobarbus!

MAECENAS

We have cause to be glad that matters are so well digested. You stayed 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 pursed up his heart upon the river of Cydnus.

AGRIPPA

There she appeared indeed, or my reporter devised well for her.

ENOBARBUS

I will tell you. 685

The barge she sat in like a burnished throne 686

Burned on the water. The poop was beaten gold, 687

Purple the sails, and so perfumed that 688

The winds were lovesick with them. The oars were silver, 689

Which to the tune of flutes kept stroke, and made 690

The water which they beat to follow faster, 691

As amorous of their strokes. For her own person, 692

It beggared all description: she did lie 693

In her pavilion—cloth-of-gold, of tissue— 694

O’erpicturing that Venus where we see 695

The fancy outwork nature. On each side her 696

Stood pretty dimpled boys, like smiling Cupids, 697

With divers-colored fans, whose wind did seem 698

To glow the delicate cheeks which they did cool, 699

And what they undid did. 700

AGRIPPA

O, rare for Antony!

ENOBARBUS

Her gentlewomen, like the Nereides, 701

So many mermaids, tended her i’ th’ eyes, 702

And made their bends adornings. At the helm 703

A seeming mermaid steers. The silken tackle 704

Swell with the touches of those flower-soft hands 705

That yarely frame the office. From the barge 706

A strange invisible perfume hits the sense 707

Of the adjacent wharfs. The city cast 708

Her people out upon her; and Antony, 709

Enthroned i’ th’ market-place, did sit alone, 710

Whistling to th’ air, which but for vacancy 711

Had gone to gaze on Cleopatra too 712

And made a gap in nature. 713

AGRIPPA

Rare Egyptian!

ENOBARBUS

Upon her landing, Antony sent to her, 714

Invited her to supper. She replied 715

It should be better he became her guest, 716

Which she entreated. Our courteous Antony, 717

Whom ne’er the word of “No” woman heard speak, 718

Being barbered ten times o’er, goes to the feast, 719

And for his ordinary pays his heart 720

For what his eyes eat only. 721

AGRIPPA

Royal wench!

She made great Caesar lay his sword to bed; 722

He ploughed her, and she cropped. 723

ENOBARBUS

I saw her once

Hop forty paces through the public street, 724

And having lost her breath, she spoke and panted, 725

That she did make defect perfection, 726

And breathless pour breath forth. 727

MAECENAS

Now Antony must leave her utterly. 728

ENOBARBUS

Never. He will not. 729

Age cannot wither her, nor custom stale 730

Her infinite variety. Other women cloy 731

The appetites they feed, but she makes hungry 732

Where most she satisfies. For vilest things 733

Become themselves in her, that the holy priests 734

Bless her when she is riggish. 735

MAECENAS

If beauty, wisdom, modesty can settle 736

The heart of Antony, Octavia is 737

A blessèd lottery to him. 738

AGRIPPA

Let us go.

Good Enobarbus, make yourself my guest 739

Whilst you abide here. 740

ENOBARBUS

Humbly, sir, I thank you.

(They exit.)

Scene 3

(Enter Antony, Caesar; Octavia between them.)

ANTONY

The world and my great office will sometimes 741

Divide me from your bosom. 742

OCTAVIA

All which time

Before the gods my knee shall bow my prayers 743

To them for you. 744

ANTONY

To Caesar. Goodnight, sir.—My Octavia,

Read not my blemishes in the world’s report. 745

I have not kept my square, but that to come 746

Shall all be done by th’ rule. Good night, dear lady.— 747

Good night, sir. 748

CAESAR

Goodnight. 749

(Caesar and Octavia exit.)

(Enter Soothsayer.)

ANTONY

Now, sirrah, you do wish yourself in Egypt? 750

SOOTHSAYER

Would I had never come from thence, nor you thither. 751

ANTONY

If you can, your reason? 752

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, 753

Caesar’s or mine? 754

SOOTHSAYER

Caesar’s. 755

Therefore, O Antony, stay not by his side. 756

Thy dæmon—that thy spirit which keeps thee—is 757

Noble, courageous, high, unmatchable, 758

Where Caesar’s is not. But near him, thy angel 759

Becomes afeard, as being o’erpowered. Therefore 760

Make space enough between you. 761

ANTONY

Speak this no more.

SOOTHSAYER

To none but thee; no more but when to thee. 762

If thou dost play with him at any game, 763

Thou art sure to lose; and of that natural luck 764

He beats thee ’gainst the odds. Thy luster thickens 765

When he shines by. I say again, thy spirit 766

Is all afraid to govern thee near him; 767

But he away, ’tis noble. 768

ANTONY

Get thee gone.

Say to Ventidius I would speak with him. 769

(Soothsayer exits.)

He shall to Parthia. Be it art or hap, 770

He hath spoken true. The very dice obey him, 771

And in our sports my better cunning faints 772

Under his chance. If we draw lots, he speeds; 773

His cocks do win the battle still of mine 774

When it is all to naught, and his quails ever 775

Beat mine, inhooped, at odds. I will to Egypt. 776

And though I make this marriage for my peace, 777

I’ th’ East my pleasure lies. 778

(Enter Ventidius.)

O, come, Ventidius. 779

You must to Parthia; your commission’s ready. 780

Follow me and receive ’t. 781

(They exit.)

Scene 4

(Enter Lepidus, Maecenas, and Agrippa.)

LEPIDUS

Trouble yourselves no further. Pray you hasten 782

Your generals after. 783

AGRIPPA

Sir, Mark Antony

Will e’en but kiss Octavia, and we’ll follow. 784

LEPIDUS

Till I shall see you in your soldiers’ dress, 785

Which will become you both, farewell. 786

MAECENAS

We shall,

As I conceive the journey, be at the Mount 787

Before you, Lepidus. 788

LEPIDUS

Your way is shorter;

My purposes do draw me much about. 789

You’ll win two days upon me. 790

BOTH

Sir, good success.

LEPIDUS

Farewell. 791

(They exit.)

Scene 5

(Enter Cleopatra, Charmian, Iras, and Alexas.)

CLEOPATRA

Give me some music—music, moody food 792

Of us that trade in love. 793

ALL

The music, ho!

(Enter Mardian the eunuch.)

CLEOPATRA

Let it alone. Let’s to billiards. Come, Charmian. 794

CHARMIAN

My arm is sore. Best play with Mardian. 795

CLEOPATRA

As well a woman with an eunuch played 796

As with a woman.—Come, you’ll play with me, sir? 797

MARDIAN

As well as I can, madam. 798

CLEOPATRA

And when good will is showed, though ’t come too short, 799

The actor may plead pardon. I’ll none now. 800

Give me mine angle; we’ll to th’ river. There, 801

My music playing far off, I will betray 802

Tawny-finned fishes. My bended hook shall pierce 803

Their slimy jaws, and as I draw them up 804

I’ll think them every one an Antony 805

And say “Aha! You’re caught.” 806

CHARMIAN

’Twas merry when

You wagered on your angling; when your diver 807

Did hang a salt fish on his hook, which he 808

With fervency drew up. 809

CLEOPATRA

That time?—O, times!—

I laughed him out of patience; and that night 810

I laughed him into patience; and next morn, 811

Ere the ninth hour, I drunk him to his bed, 812

Then put my tires and mantles on him, whilst 813

I wore his sword Philippan. 814

(Enter a Messenger.)

O, from Italy!

Ram thou thy fruitful tidings in mine ears, 815

That long time have been barren. 816

MESSENGER

Madam, madam—

CLEOPATRA

Antonio’s dead! If thou say so, villain, 817

Thou kill’st thy mistress. But well and free, 818

If thou so yield him, there is gold, and here 819

My bluest veins to kiss, a hand that kings 820

Have lipped and trembled kissing. 821

MESSENGER

First, madam, he is well. 822

CLEOPATRA

Why, there’s more gold. But sirrah, mark, we use 823

To say the dead are well. Bring it to that, 824

The gold I give thee will I melt and pour 825

Down thy ill-uttering throat. 826

MESSENGER

Good madam, hear me. 827

CLEOPATRA

Well, go to, I will. 828

But there’s no goodness in thy face—if Antony 829

Be free and healthful, so tart a favor 830

To trumpet such good tidings! If not well, 831

Thou shouldst come like a Fury crowned with snakes, 832

Not like a formal man. 833

MESSENGER

Will ’t please you hear me?

CLEOPATRA

I have a mind to strike thee ere thou speak’st 834

Yet if thou say Antony lives, is well, 835

Or friends with Caesar or not captive to him, 836

I’ll set thee in a shower of gold and hail 837

Rich pearls upon thee. 838

MESSENGER

Madam, he’s well.

CLEOPATRA

Well said.

MESSENGER

And friends with Caesar. 839

CLEOPATRA

Th’ art an honest man.

MESSENGER

Caesar and he are greater friends than ever. 840

CLEOPATRA

Make thee a fortune from me. 841

MESSENGER

But yet, madam—

CLEOPATRA

I do not like “But yet.” It does allay 842

The good precedence. Fie upon “But yet.” 843

“But yet” is as a jailer to bring forth 844

Some monstrous malefactor. Prithee, friend, 845

Pour out the pack of matter to mine ear, 846

The good and bad together: he’s friends with Caesar, 847

In state of health, thou say’st, and, thou say’st, free. 848

MESSENGER

Free, madam, no. I made no such report. 849

He’s bound unto Octavia. 850

CLEOPATRA

For what good turn?

MESSENGER

For the best turn i’ th’ bed. 851

CLEOPATRA

I am pale, Charmian.

MESSENGER

Madam, he’s married to Octavia. 852

CLEOPATRA

The most infectious pestilence upon thee! 853

(Strikes him down.)

MESSENGER

Good madam, patience! 854

CLEOPATRA

What say you? 855

(Strikes him.)

Hence, horrible villain, or I’ll spurn thine eyes 856

Like balls before me! I’ll unhair thy head! 857

(She hales him up and down.)

Thou shalt be whipped with wire and stewed in brine, 858

Smarting in ling’ring pickle. 859

MESSENGER

Gracious madam,

I that do bring the news made not the match. 860

CLEOPATRA

Say ’tis not so, a province I will give thee 861

And make thy fortunes proud. The blow thou hadst 862

Shall make thy peace for moving me to rage, 863

And I will boot thee with what gift beside 864

Thy modesty can beg. 865

MESSENGER

He’s married, madam.

CLEOPATRA

Rogue, thou hast lived too long. 866

(Draw a knife.)

MESSENGER

Nay then, I’ll run.

What mean you, madam? I have made no fault. 867

(He exits.)

CHARMIAN

Good madam, keep yourself within yourself. 868

The man is innocent. 869

CLEOPATRA

Some innocents ’scape not the thunderbolt. 870

Melt Egypt into Nile, and kindly creatures 871

Turn all to serpents! Call the slave again. 872

Though I am mad, I will not bite him. Call! 873

CHARMIAN

He is afeard to come. 874

CLEOPATRA

I will not hurt him. 875

These hands do lack nobility that they strike 876

A meaner than myself, since I myself 877

Have given myself the cause. 878

(Enter the Messenger again.)

Come hither, sir.

Though it be honest, it is never good 879

To bring bad news. Give to a gracious message 880

An host of tongues, but let ill tidings tell 881

Themselves when they be felt. 882

MESSENGER

I have done my duty. 883

CLEOPATRA

Is he married? 884

I cannot hate thee worser than I do 885

If thou again say “yes.” 886

MESSENGER

He’s married, madam.

CLEOPATRA

The gods confound thee! Dost thou hold there still? 887

MESSENGER

Should I lie, madam? 888

CLEOPATRA

O, I would thou didst,

So half my Egypt were submerged and made 889

A cistern for scaled snakes! Go, get thee hence. 890

Hadst thou Narcissus in thy face, to me 891

Thou wouldst appear most ugly. He is married? 892

MESSENGER

I crave your Highness’ pardon. 893

CLEOPATRA

He is married?

MESSENGER

Take no offense that I would not offend you. 894

To punish me for what you make me do 895

Seems much unequal. He’s married to Octavia. 896

CLEOPATRA

O, that his fault should make a knave of thee 897

That art not what th’ art sure of! Get thee hence. 898

The merchandise which thou hast brought from Rome 899

Are all too dear for me. Lie they upon thy hand, 900

And be undone by ’em! 901

(Messenger exits.)

CHARMIAN

Good your Highness, patience.

CLEOPATRA

In praising Antony, I have dispraised Caesar. 902

CHARMIAN

Many times, madam. 903

CLEOPATRA

I am paid for ’t now. Lead me from hence; 904

I faint. O, Iras, Charmian! ’Tis no matter.— 905

Go to the fellow, good Alexas. Bid him 906

Report the feature of Octavia, her years, 907

Her inclination; let him not leave out 908

The color of her hair. Bring me word quickly. 909

(Alexas exits.)

Let him forever go—let him not, Charmian. 910

Though he be painted one way like a Gorgon, 911

The other way ’s a Mars. 912

(To Mardian.) Bid you Alexas 913

Bring me word how tall she is.—Pity me, Charmian, 914

But do not speak to me. Lead me to my chamber. 915

(They exit.)

Scene 6

(Flourish. Enter Pompey and Menas at one door, with Drum and Trumpet; at another Caesar, Lepidus, Antony, Enobarbus, Maecenas, and Agrippa, with Soldiers marching.)

POMPEY

Your hostages I have, so have you mine, 916

And we shall talk before we fight. 917

CAESAR

Most meet

That first we come to words, and therefore have we 918

Our written purposes before us sent, 919

Which if thou hast considered, let us know 920

If ’twill tie up thy discontented sword 921

And carry back to Sicily much tall youth 922

That else must perish here. 923

POMPEY

To you all three,

The senators alone of this great world, 924

Chief factors for the gods: I do not know 925

Wherefore my father should revengers want, 926

Having a son and friends, since Julius Caesar, 927

Who at Philippi the good Brutus ghosted, 928

There saw you laboring for him. What was ’t 929

That moved pale Cassius to conspire? And what 930

Made the all-honored, honest, Roman Brutus, 931

With the armed rest, courtiers of beauteous freedom, 932

To drench the Capitol, but that they would 933

Have one man but a man? And that is it 934

Hath made me rig my navy, at whose burden 935

The angered ocean foams, with which I meant 936

To scourge th’ ingratitude that despiteful Rome 937

Cast on my noble father. 938

CAESAR

Take your time.

ANTONY

Thou canst not fear us, Pompey, with thy sails. 939

We’ll speak with thee at sea. At land thou know’st 940

How much we do o’ercount thee. 941

POMPEY

At land indeed

Thou dost o’ercount me of my father’s house; 942

But since the cuckoo builds not for himself, 943

Remain in ’t as thou mayst. 944

LEPIDUS

Be pleased to tell us—

For this is from the present—how you take 945

The offers we have sent you. 946

CAESAR

There’s the point.

ANTONY

Which do not be entreated to, but weigh 947

What it is worth embraced. 948

CAESAR

And what may follow

To try a larger fortune. 949

POMPEY

You have made me offer

Of Sicily, Sardinia; and I must 950

Rid all the sea of pirates; then to send 951

Measures of wheat to Rome. This ’greed upon, 952

To part with unhacked edges and bear back 953

Our targes undinted. 954

ALL

That’s our offer.

POMPEY

Know then

I came before you here a man prepared 955

To take this offer. But Mark Antony 956

Put me to some impatience.—Though I lose 957

The praise of it by telling, you must know 958

When Caesar and your brother were at blows, 959

Your mother came to Sicily and did find 960

Her welcome friendly. 961

ANTONY

I have heard it, Pompey,

And am well studied for a liberal thanks, 962

Which I do owe you. 963

POMPEY

Let me have your hand.

(They clasp hands.)

I did not think, sir, to have met you here. 964

ANTONY

The beds i’ th’ East are soft; and thanks to you, 965

That called me timelier than my purpose hither, 966

For I have gained by ’t. 967

CAESAR

To Pompey. Since I saw you last,

There’s a change upon you. 968

POMPEY

Well, I know not

What counts harsh Fortune casts upon my face, 969

But in my bosom shall she never come 970

To make my heart her vassal. 971

LEPIDUS

Well met here.

POMPEY

I hope so, Lepidus. Thus we are agreed. 972

I crave our composition may be written 973

And sealed between us. 974

CAESAR

That’s the next to do.

POMPEY

We’ll feast each other ere we part, and let’s 975

Draw lots who shall begin. 976

ANTONY

That will I, Pompey.

POMPEY

No, Antony, take the lot. But, first or last, 977

Your fine Egyptian cookery shall have 978

The fame. I have heard that Julius Caesar 979

Grew fat with feasting there. 980

ANTONY

You have heard much. 981

POMPEY

I have fair meanings, sir. 982

ANTONY

And fair words to them. 983

POMPEY

Then so much have I heard. 984

And I have heard Apollodorus carried— 985

ENOBARBUS

No more of that. He did so. 986

POMPEY

What, I pray you?

ENOBARBUS

A certain queen to Caesar in a mattress. 987

POMPEY

I know thee now. How far’st thou, soldier? 988

ENOBARBUS

Well,

And well am like to do, for I perceive 989

Four feasts are toward. 990

POMPEY

Let me shake thy hand.

I never hated thee. I have seen thee fight 991

When I have envied thy behavior. 992

ENOBARBUS

Sir,

I never loved you much, but I ha’ praised you 993

When you have well deserved ten times as much 994

As I have said you did. 995

POMPEY

Enjoy thy plainness;

It nothing ill becomes thee.— 996

Aboard my galley I invite you all. 997

Will you lead, lords? 998

ALL

Show ’s the way, sir.

POMPEY

Come.

(They exit, except for Enobarbus and Menas.)

MENAS

Thy father, Pompey, would ne’er have

made this treaty.—You and I have known, sir. 999

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.

(They clasp hands. 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 turned to a drinking. Pompey doth this day laugh away his fortune.

ENOBARBUS

If he do, sure he cannot weep ’t back again.

MENAS

You’ve said, sir. We looked not for Mark Antony here. Pray you, is he married to Cleopatra?

ENOBARBUS

Caesar’s sister is called Octavia.

MENAS

True, sir. She was the wife of Caius Marcellus.

ENOBARBUS

But she is now the wife of Marcus Antonius.

MENAS

Pray you, sir?

ENOBARBUS

’Tis true.

MENAS

Then is Caesar and he forever 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 used our throats in Egypt.

MENAS

Come, let’s away.

(They exit.)

Scene 7

(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-colored.

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 partisan I could not heave.

FIRST SERVANT

To be called 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, Pompey, Lepidus, Agrippa, Maecenas, Enobarbus, Menas, with other Captains and a Boy.)

ANTONY

Thus do they, sir: they take the flow o’ th’ Nile 1000

By certain scales i’ th’ Pyramid; they know 1001

By th’ height, the lowness, or the mean if dearth 1002

Or foison follow. The higher Nilus swells, 1003

The more it promises. As it ebbs, the seedsman 1004

Upon the slime and ooze scatters his grain, 1005

And shortly comes to harvest. 1006

LEPIDUS

You’ve strange serpents there? 1007

ANTONY

Ay, Lepidus. 1008

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. 1009

POMPEY

Sit, and some wine. A health to Lepidus! 1010

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. 1011

LEPIDUS

Nay, certainly, I have heard the Ptolemies’ pyramises are very goodly things. Without contradiction I have heard that.

MENAS

Pompey, a word. 1012

POMPEY

Say in mine ear what is ’t. 1013

MENAS

Forsake thy seat, I do beseech thee, captain, 1014

And hear me speak a word. 1015

POMPEY

Forbear me till anon.—This wine for Lepidus! 1016

LEPIDUS

What manner o’ thing is your crocodile? 1017

ANTONY

It is shaped, 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 color is it of? 1018

ANTONY

Of it own color too. 1019

LEPIDUS

’Tis a strange serpent. 1020

ANTONY

’Tis so, and the tears of it are wet. 1021

CAESAR

Will this description satisfy him? 1022

ANTONY

With the health that Pompey gives him, else he is a very epicure.

POMPEY

Go hang, sir, hang! Tell me of that? Away! 1023

Do as I bid you.—Where’s this cup I called for? 1024

MENAS

If for the sake of merit thou wilt hear me, 1025

Rise from thy stool. 1026

POMPEY

I think th’ art mad!

(He rises, and they walk aside.)

The matter?

MENAS

I have ever held my cap off to thy fortunes. 1027

POMPEY

Thou hast served me with much faith. What’s else to say?—

Be jolly, lords. 1028

ANTONY

These quicksands, Lepidus,

Keep off them, for you sink. 1029

MENAS

Wilt thou be lord of all the world? 1030

POMPEY

What sayst thou?

MENAS

Wilt thou be lord of the whole world? That’s twice. 1031

POMPEY

How should that be? 1032

MENAS

But entertain it, 1033

And though thou think me poor, I am the man 1034

Will give thee all the world. 1035

POMPEY

Hast thou drunk well?

MENAS

No, Pompey, I have kept me from the cup. 1036

Thou art, if thou dar’st be, the earthly Jove. 1037

Whate’er the ocean pales or sky inclips 1038

Is thine, if thou wilt ha ’t. 1039

POMPEY

Show me which way.

MENAS

These three world-sharers, these competitors, 1040

Are in thy vessel. Let me cut the cable, 1041

And when we are put off, fall to their throats. 1042

All there is thine. 1043

POMPEY

Ah, this thou shouldst have done

And not have spoke on ’t! In me ’tis villainy; 1044

In thee ’t had been good service. Thou must know 1045

’Tis not my profit that does lead mine honor; 1046

Mine honor, it. Repent that e’er thy tongue 1047

Hath so betrayed thine act. Being done unknown, 1048

I should have found it afterwards well done, 1049

But must condemn it now. Desist and drink. 1050

MENAS

For this

I’ll never follow thy palled fortunes more. 1051

Who seeks and will not take when once ’tis offered 1052

Shall never find it more. 1053

POMPEY

This health to Lepidus!

ANTONY

To Servant. Bear him ashore.—I’ll pledge it for him, Pompey. 1054

ENOBARBUS

Here’s to thee, Menas. 1055

MENAS

Enobarbus, welcome.

POMPEY

Fill till the cup be hid. 1056

ENOBARBUS

Pointing to the Servant carrying Lepidus. There’s a strong fellow, Menas. 1057

MENAS

Why?

ENOBARBUS

He bears

The third part of the world, man. Seest not? 1058

MENAS

The third part, then, is drunk. Would it were all, 1059

That it might go on wheels. 1060

ENOBARBUS

Drink thou. Increase the reels. 1061

MENAS

Come. 1062

POMPEY

This is not yet an Alexandrian feast. 1063

ANTONY

It ripens towards it. Strike the vessels, ho! 1064

Here’s to Caesar. 1065

CAESAR

I could well forbear ’t.

It’s monstrous labor when I wash my brain 1066

And it grows fouler. 1067

ANTONY

Be a child o’ th’ time.

CAESAR

Possess it, I’ll make answer. 1068

But I had rather fast from all, four days, 1069

Than drink so much in one. 1070

ENOBARBUS

To Antony. Ha, my brave emperor,

Shall we dance now the Egyptian bacchanals 1071

And celebrate our drink? 1072

POMPEY

Let’s ha ’t, good soldier. 1073

ANTONY

Come, let’s all take hands 1074

Till that the conquering wine hath steeped our sense 1075

In soft and delicate Lethe. 1076

ENOBARBUS

All take hands.

Make battery to our ears with the loud music, 1077

The while I’ll place you; then the boy shall sing. 1078

The holding every man shall beat as loud 1079

As his strong sides can volley. 1080

(Music plays. Enobarbus places them hand in hand.)

(The Song.)

BOY

Come, thou monarch of the vine, 1081

Plumpy Bacchus, with pink eyne. 1082

In thy vats our cares be drowned. 1083

With thy grapes our hairs be crowned. 1084

ALL

Cup us till the world go round, 1085

Cup us till the world go round. 1086

CAESAR

What would you more?—Pompey, goodnight.—Good brother, 1087

Let me request you off. Our graver business 1088

Frowns at this levity.—Gentle lords, let’s part. 1089

You see we have burnt our cheeks. Strong Enobarb 1090

Is weaker than the wine, and mine own tongue 1091

Splits what it speaks. The wild disguise hath almost 1092

Anticked us all. What needs more words? Goodnight. 1093

Good Antony, your hand. 1094

POMPEY

I’ll try you on the shore. 1095

ANTONY

And shall, sir. Give ’s your hand. 1096

POMPEY

O, Antony, you have my father’s house. 1097

But what? We are friends! Come down into the boat. 1098

ENOBARBUS

Take heed you fall not. 1099

(All but Menas and Enobarbus exit.)

Menas, I’ll not on shore.

MENAS

No, to my cabin. These drums, these trumpets, flutes! What! 1100

Let Neptune hear we bid a loud farewell 1101

To these great fellows. Sound and be hanged. Sound out! 1102

Sound a flourish, with drums. 1103

ENOBARBUS

Hoo, says ’a! There’s my cap! 1104

(He throws his cap in the air.)

MENAS

Hoo! Noble captain, come. 1105

(They exit.)

Act III

Scene 1

(Enter Ventidius as it were in triumph, the dead body of Pacorus borne before him; with Silius and Soldiers.)

VENTIDIUS

Now, darting Parthia, art thou struck, and now 1106

Pleased Fortune does of Marcus Crassus’ death 1107

Make me revenger. Bear the King’s son’s body 1108

Before our army. Thy Pacorus, Orodes, 1109

Pays this for Marcus Crassus. 1110

SILIUS

Noble Ventidius,

Whilst yet with Parthian blood thy sword is warm, 1111

The fugitive Parthians follow. Spur through Media, 1112

Mesopotamia, and the shelters whither 1113

The routed fly. So thy grand captain, Antony, 1114

Shall set thee on triumphant chariots and 1115

Put garlands on thy head. 1116

VENTIDIUS

O, Silius, Silius,

I have done enough. A lower place, note well, 1117

May make too great an act. For learn this, Silius: 1118

Better to leave undone than by our deed 1119

Acquire too high a fame when him we serve ’s away. 1120

Caesar and Antony have ever won 1121

More in their officer than person. Sossius, 1122

One of my place in Syria, his lieutenant, 1123

For quick accumulation of renown, 1124

Which he achieved by th’ minute, lost his favor. 1125

Who does i’ th’ wars more than his captain can 1126

Becomes his captain’s captain; and ambition, 1127

The soldier’s virtue, rather makes choice of loss 1128

Than gain which darkens him. 1129

I could do more to do Antonius good, 1130

But ’twould offend him. And in his offense 1131

Should my performance perish. 1132

SILIUS

Thou hast, Ventidius, that 1133

Without the which a soldier and his sword 1134

Grants scarce distinction. Thou wilt write to Antony? 1135

VENTIDIUS

I’ll humbly signify what in his name, 1136

That magical word of war, we have effected; 1137

How, with his banners and his well-paid ranks, 1138

The ne’er-yet-beaten horse of Parthia 1139

We have jaded out o’ th’ field. 1140

SILIUS

Where is he now?

VENTIDIUS

He purposeth to Athens, whither, with what haste 1141

The weight we must convey with ’s will permit, 1142

We shall appear before him.—On there, pass along! 1143

(They exit.)

Scene 2

(Enter Agrippa at one door, Enobarbus at another.)

AGRIPPA

What, are the brothers parted? 1144

ENOBARBUS

They have dispatched with Pompey; he is gone. 1145

The other three are sealing. Octavia weeps 1146

To part from Rome. Caesar is sad, and Lepidus, 1147

Since Pompey’s feast, as Menas says, is troubled 1148

With the greensickness. 1149

AGRIPPA

’Tis a noble Lepidus.

ENOBARBUS

A very fine one. O, how he loves Caesar! 1150

AGRIPPA

Nay, but how dearly he adores Mark Antony! 1151

ENOBARBUS

Caesar? Why, he’s the Jupiter of men. 1152

AGRIPPA

What’s Antony? The god of Jupiter. 1153

ENOBARBUS

Spake you of Caesar? How, the nonpareil! 1154

AGRIPPA

O Antony, O thou Arabian bird! 1155

ENOBARBUS

Would you praise Caesar, say “Caesar.” Go no further. 1156

AGRIPPA

Indeed, he plied them both with excellent praises. 1157

ENOBARBUS

But he loves Caesar best, yet he loves Antony. 1158

Hoo, hearts, tongues, figures, scribes, bards, poets, cannot 1159

Think, speak, cast, write, sing, number—hoo!— 1160

His love to Antony. But as for Caesar, 1161

Kneel down, kneel down, and wonder. 1162

AGRIPPA

Both he loves.

ENOBARBUS

They are his shards and he their beetle. 1163

(Trumpet within.)

So,

This is to horse. Adieu, noble Agrippa. 1164

AGRIPPA

Good fortune, worthy soldier, and farewell. 1165

(Enter Caesar, Antony, Lepidus, and Octavia.)

ANTONY

No further, sir.

CAESAR

You take from me a great part of myself. 1166

Use me well in ’t.—Sister, prove such a wife 1167

As my thoughts make thee, and as my farthest bond 1168

Shall pass on thy approof.—Most noble Antony, 1169

Let not the piece of virtue which is set 1170

Betwixt us, as the cement of our love 1171

To keep it builded, be the ram to batter 1172

The fortress of it. For better might we 1173

Have loved without this mean, if on both parts 1174

This be not cherished. 1175

ANTONY

Make me not offended

In your distrust. 1176

CAESAR

I have said.

ANTONY

You shall not find,

Though you be therein curious, the least cause 1177

For what you seem to fear. So the gods keep you, 1178

And make the hearts of Romans serve your ends. 1179

We will here part. 1180

CAESAR

Farewell, my dearest sister, fare thee well. 1181

The elements be kind to thee and make 1182

Thy spirits all of comfort. Fare thee well. 1183

OCTAVIA

My noble brother. 1184

(She weeps.)

ANTONY

The April’s in her eyes. It is love’s spring, 1185

And these the showers to bring it on.—Be cheerful. 1186

OCTAVIA

To Caesar. Sir, look well to my husband’s house, and— 1187

CAESAR

What, Octavia? 1188

OCTAVIA

I’ll tell you in your ear.

(Caesar and Octavia walk aside.)

ANTONY

Her tongue will not obey her heart, nor can 1189

Her heart inform her tongue—the swan’s-down feather 1190

That stands upon the swell at the full of tide 1191

And neither way inclines. 1192

ENOBARBUS

Will Caesar weep?

AGRIPPA

He has a cloud in ’s face. 1193

ENOBARBUS

He were the worse for that were he a horse; 1194

So is he being a man. 1195

AGRIPPA

Why, Enobarbus,

When Antony found Julius Caesar dead, 1196

He cried almost to roaring. And he wept 1197

When at Philippi he found Brutus slain. 1198

ENOBARBUS

That year indeed he was troubled with a rheum. 1199

What willingly he did confound he wailed, 1200

Believe ’t, till I wept too. 1201

CAESAR

Coming forward with Octavia. No, sweet Octavia,

You shall hear from me still. The time shall not 1202

Outgo my thinking on you. 1203

ANTONY

Come, sir, come,

I’ll wrestle with you in my strength of love. 1204

Look, here I have you, thus I let you go, 1205

And give you to the gods. 1206

CAESAR

Adieu, be happy.

LEPIDUS

To Antony. Let all the number of the stars give light 1207

To thy fair way. 1208

CAESAR

Farewell, farewell.

(Kisses Octavia.)

ANTONY

Farewell.

(Trumpets sound. They exit.)

Scene 3

(Enter Cleopatra, Charmian, Iras, and Alexas.)

CLEOPATRA

Where is the fellow? 1209

ALEXAS

Half afeard to come.

CLEOPATRA

Go to, go to.—Come hither, sir. 1210

(Enter the Messenger as before.)

ALEXAS

Good Majesty,

Herod of Jewry dare not look upon you 1211

But when you are well pleased. 1212

CLEOPATRA

That Herod’s head

I’ll have! But how, when Antony is gone, 1213

Through whom I might command it?—Come thou near. 1214

MESSENGER

Most gracious Majesty! 1215

CLEOPATRA

Did’st thou behold Octavia?

MESSENGER

Ay, dread queen. 1216

CLEOPATRA

Where?

MESSENGER

Madam, in Rome.

I looked her in the face and saw her led 1217

Between her brother and Mark Antony. 1218

CLEOPATRA

Is she as tall as me? 1219

MESSENGER

She is not, madam.

CLEOPATRA

Didst hear her speak? Is she shrill-tongued or low? 1220

MESSENGER

Madam, I heard her speak. She is low-voiced. 1221

CLEOPATRA

That’s not so good. He cannot like her long. 1222

CHARMIAN

Like her? O Isis, ’tis impossible! 1223

CLEOPATRA

I think so, Charmian: dull of tongue, and dwarfish!— 1224

What majesty is in her gait? Remember, 1225

If e’er thou looked’st on majesty. 1226

MESSENGER

She creeps.

Her motion and her station are as one. 1227

She shows a body rather than a life, 1228

A statue than a breather. 1229

CLEOPATRA

Is this certain?

MESSENGER

Or I have no observance. 1230

CHARMIAN

Three in Egypt

Cannot make better note. 1231

CLEOPATRA

He’s very knowing.

I do perceive ’t. There’s nothing in her yet. 1232

The fellow has good judgment. 1233

CHARMIAN

Excellent.

CLEOPATRA

To Messenger. Guess at her years, I prithee. 1234

MESSENGER

Madam, she was a widow. 1235

CLEOPATRA

Widow? Charmian, hark. 1236

MESSENGER

And I do think she’s thirty. 1237

CLEOPATRA

Bear’st thou her face in mind? Is ’t long or round? 1238

MESSENGER

Round even to faultiness. 1239

CLEOPATRA

For the most part, too, they are foolish that are so. 1240

Her hair what color? 1241

MESSENGER

Brown, madam, and her forehead 1242

As low as she would wish it. 1243

CLEOPATRA

Giving money. There’s gold for thee.

Thou must not take my former sharpness ill. 1244

I will employ thee back again. I find thee 1245

Most fit for business. Go, make thee ready. 1246

Our letters are prepared. 1247

(Messenger exits.)

CHARMIAN

A proper man.

CLEOPATRA

Indeed he is so. I repent me much 1248

That so I harried him. Why, methinks, by him, 1249

This creature’s no such thing. 1250

CHARMIAN

Nothing, madam.

CLEOPATRA

The man hath seen some majesty, and should know. 1251

CHARMIAN

Hath he seen majesty? Isis else defend, 1252

And serving you so long! 1253

CLEOPATRA

I have one thing more to ask him yet, good Charmian, 1254

But ’tis no matter. Thou shalt bring him to me 1255

Where I will write. All may be well enough. 1256

CHARMIAN

I warrant you, madam. 1257

(They exit.)

Scene 4

(Enter Antony and Octavia.)

ANTONY

Nay, nay, Octavia, not only that— 1258

That were excusable, that and thousands more 1259

Of semblable import—but he hath waged 1260

New wars ’gainst Pompey; made his will and read it 1261

To public ear; 1262

Spoke scantly of me; when perforce he could not 1263

But pay me terms of honor, cold and sickly 1264

He vented them, most narrow measure lent me; 1265

When the best hint was given him, he not took ’t, 1266

Or did it from his teeth. 1267

OCTAVIA

O, my good lord,

Believe not all, or if you must believe, 1268

Stomach not all. A more unhappy lady, 1269

If this division chance, ne’er stood between, 1270

Praying for both parts. 1271

The good gods will mock me presently 1272

When I shall pray “O, bless my lord and husband!” 1273

Undo that prayer by crying out as loud 1274

“O, bless my brother!” Husband win, win brother 1275

Prays and destroys the prayer; no midway 1276

’Twixt these extremes at all. 1277

ANTONY

Gentle Octavia,

Let your best love draw to that point which seeks 1278

Best to preserve it. If I lose mine honor, 1279

I lose myself; better I were not yours 1280

Than yours so branchless. But, as you requested, 1281

Yourself shall go between ’s. The meantime, lady, 1282

I’ll raise the preparation of a war 1283

Shall stain your brother. Make your soonest haste, 1284

So your desires are yours. 1285

OCTAVIA

Thanks to my lord.

The Jove of power make me, most weak, most weak, 1286

Your reconciler. Wars ’twixt you twain would be 1287

As if the world should cleave, and that slain men 1288

Should solder up the rift. 1289

ANTONY

When it appears to you where this begins, 1290

Turn your displeasure that way, for our faults 1291

Can never be so equal that your love 1292

Can equally move with them. Provide your going; 1293

Choose your own company, and command what cost 1294

Your heart has mind to. 1295

(They exit.)

Scene 5

(Enter Enobarbus and Eros.)

ENOBARBUS

How now, friend Eros? 1296

EROS

There’s strange news come, sir. 1297

ENOBARBUS

What, man? 1298

EROS

Caesar and Lepidus have made wars upon Pompey. 1299

ENOBARBUS

This is old. What is the success? 1300

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. 1301

ENOBARBUS

Then, world, thou hast a pair of chaps, no more, 1302

And throw between them all the food thou hast, 1303

They’ll grind the one the other. Where’s Antony? 1304

EROS

He’s walking in the garden, thus, and spurns 1305

The rush that lies before him; cries “Fool Lepidus!” 1306

And threats the throat of that his officer 1307

That murdered Pompey. 1308

ENOBARBUS

Our great navy’s rigged.

EROS

For Italy and Caesar. More, Domitius: 1309

My lord desires you presently. My news 1310

I might have told hereafter. 1311

ENOBARBUS

’Twill be naught,

But let it be. Bring me to Antony. 1312

EROS

Come, sir. 1313

(They exit.)

Scene 6

(Enter Agrippa, Maecenas, and Caesar.)

CAESAR

Contemning Rome, he has done all this and more 1314

In Alexandria. Here’s the manner of ’t: 1315

I’ th’ marketplace, on a tribunal silvered, 1316

Cleopatra and himself in chairs of gold 1317

Were publicly enthroned. At the feet sat 1318

Caesarion, whom they call my father’s son, 1319

And all the unlawful issue that their lust 1320

Since then hath made between them. Unto her 1321

He gave the stablishment of Egypt, made her 1322

Of lower Syria, Cyprus, Lydia, 1323

Absolute queen. 1324

MAECENAS

This in the public eye?

CAESAR

I’ th’ common showplace where they exercise. 1325

His sons he there proclaimed the kings of kings. 1326

Great Media, Parthia, and Armenia 1327

He gave to Alexander; to Ptolemy he assigned 1328

Syria, Cilicia, and Phoenicia. She 1329

In th’ habiliments of the goddess Isis 1330

That day appeared, and oft before gave audience, 1331

As ’tis reported, so. 1332

MAECENAS

Let Rome be thus informed.

AGRIPPA

Who, queasy with his insolence already, 1333

Will their good thoughts call from him. 1334

CAESAR

The people knows it and have now received 1335

His accusations. 1336

AGRIPPA

Who does he accuse?

CAESAR

Caesar, and that, having in Sicily 1337

Sextus Pompeius spoiled, we had not rated him 1338

His part o’ th’ isle. Then does he say he lent me 1339

Some shipping, unrestored. Lastly, he frets 1340

That Lepidus of the triumvirate 1341

Should be deposed and, being, that we detain 1342

All his revenue. 1343

AGRIPPA

Sir, this should be answered.

CAESAR

’Tis done already, and the messenger gone. 1344

I have told him Lepidus was grown too cruel, 1345

That he his high authority abused 1346

And did deserve his change. For what I have conquered, 1347

I grant him part; but then in his Armenia 1348

And other of his conquered kingdoms I 1349

Demand the like. 1350

MAECENAS

He’ll never yield to that.

CAESAR

Nor must not then be yielded to in this. 1351

(Enter Octavia with her Train.)

OCTAVIA

Hail, Caesar, and my lord! Hail, most dear Caesar. 1352

CAESAR

That ever I should call thee castaway! 1353

OCTAVIA

You have not called me so, nor have you cause. 1354

CAESAR

Why have you stol’n upon us thus? You come not 1355

Like Caesar’s sister. The wife of Antony 1356

Should have an army for an usher and 1357

The neighs of horse to tell of her approach 1358

Long ere she did appear. The trees by th’ way 1359

Should have borne men, and expectation fainted, 1360

Longing for what it had not. Nay, the dust 1361

Should have ascended to the roof of heaven, 1362

Raised by your populous troops. But you are come 1363

A market-maid to Rome, and have prevented 1364

The ostentation of our love, which, left unshown, 1365

Is often left unloved. We should have met you 1366

By sea and land, supplying every stage 1367

With an augmented greeting. 1368

OCTAVIA

Good my lord,

To come thus was I not constrained, but did it 1369

On my free will. My lord, Mark Antony, 1370

Hearing that you prepared for war, acquainted 1371

My grievèd ear withal, whereon I begged 1372

His pardon for return. 1373

CAESAR

Which soon he granted,

Being an abstract ’tween his lust and him. 1374

OCTAVIA

Do not say so, my lord. 1375

CAESAR

I have eyes upon him,

And his affairs come to me on the wind. 1376

Where is he now? 1377

OCTAVIA

My lord, in Athens.

CAESAR

No, my most wrongèd sister. Cleopatra 1378

Hath nodded him to her. He hath given his empire 1379

Up to a whore, who now are levying 1380

The kings o’ th’ Earth for war. He hath assembled 1381

Bocchus, the King of Libya; Archelaus 1382

Of Cappadocia; Philadelphos, King 1383

Of Paphlagonia; the Thracian king, Adallas; 1384

King Manchus of Arabia; King of Pont; 1385

Herod of Jewry; Mithridates, King 1386

Of Comagen; Polemon and Amyntas, 1387

The Kings of Mede and Lycaonia, 1388

With a more larger list of scepters. 1389

OCTAVIA

Ay me, most wretched, 1390

That have my heart parted betwixt two friends 1391

That does afflict each other! 1392

CAESAR

Welcome hither.

Your letters did withhold our breaking forth 1393

Till we perceived both how you were wrong led 1394

And we in negligent danger. Cheer your heart. 1395

Be you not troubled with the time, which drives 1396

O’er your content these strong necessities, 1397

But let determined things to destiny 1398

Hold unbewailed their way. Welcome to Rome, 1399

Nothing more dear to me. You are abused 1400

Beyond the mark of thought, and the high gods, 1401

To do you justice, makes his ministers 1402

Of us and those that love you. Best of comfort, 1403

And ever welcome to us. 1404

AGRIPPA

Welcome, lady.

MAECENAS

Welcome, dear madam. 1405

Each heart in Rome does love and pity you; 1406

Only th’ adulterous Antony, most large 1407

In his abominations, turns you off 1408

And gives his potent regiment to a trull 1409

That noises it against us. 1410

OCTAVIA

To Caesar Is it so, sir?

CAESAR

Most certain. Sister, welcome. Pray you 1411

Be ever known to patience. My dear’st sister! 1412

(They exit.)

Scene 7

(Enter Cleopatra and Enobarbus.)

CLEOPATRA

I will be even with thee, doubt it not. 1413

ENOBARBUS

But why, why, why? 1414

CLEOPATRA

Thou hast forspoke my being in these wars 1415

And say’st it is not fit. 1416

ENOBARBUS

Well, is it, is it?

CLEOPATRA

Is ’t not denounced against us? Why should not we 1417

Be there in person? 1418

ENOBARBUS

Well, I could reply:

If we should serve with horse and mares together, 1419

The horse were merely lost. The mares would bear 1420

A soldier and his horse. 1421

CLEOPATRA

What is ’t you say?

ENOBARBUS

Your presence needs must puzzle Antony, 1422

Take from his heart, take from his brain, from ’s time 1423

What should not then be spared. He is already 1424

Traduced for levity, and ’tis said in Rome 1425

That Photinus, an eunuch, and your maids 1426

Manage this war. 1427

CLEOPATRA

Sink Rome, and their tongues rot

That speak against us! A charge we bear i’ th’ war, 1428

And as the president of my kingdom will 1429

Appear there for a man. Speak not against it. 1430

I will not stay behind. 1431

(Enter Antony and Canidius.)

ENOBARBUS

Nay, I have done.

Here comes the Emperor. 1432

ANTONY

Is it not strange, Canidius,

That from Tarentum and Brundusium 1433

He could so quickly cut the Ionian Sea 1434

And take in Toryne?—You have heard on ’t, sweet? 1435

CLEOPATRA

Celerity is never more admired 1436

Than by the negligent. 1437

ANTONY

A good rebuke,

Which might have well becomed the best of men, 1438

To taunt at slackness.—Canidius, we will fight 1439

With him by sea. 1440

CLEOPATRA

By sea, what else?

CANIDIUS

Why will

My lord do so? 1441

ANTONY

For that he dares us to ’t.

ENOBARBUS

So hath my lord dared him to single fight. 1442

CANIDIUS

Ay, and to wage this battle at Pharsalia, 1443

Where Caesar fought with Pompey. But these offers, 1444

Which serve not for his vantage, he shakes off, 1445

And so should you. 1446

ENOBARBUS

Your ships are not well manned,

Your mariners are muleteers, reapers, people 1447

Engrossed by swift impress. In Caesar’s fleet 1448

Are those that often have ’gainst Pompey fought. 1449

Their ships are yare, yours heavy. No disgrace 1450

Shall fall you for refusing him at sea, 1451

Being prepared for land. 1452

ANTONY

By sea, by sea.

ENOBARBUS

Most worthy sir, you therein throw away 1453

The absolute soldiership you have by land, 1454

Distract your army, which doth most consist 1455

Of war-marked footmen, leave unexecuted 1456

Your own renownèd knowledge, quite forgo 1457

The way which promises assurance, and 1458

Give up yourself merely to chance and hazard 1459

From firm security. 1460

ANTONY

I’ll fight at sea.

CLEOPATRA

I have sixty sails, Caesar none better. 1461

ANTONY

Our overplus of shipping will we burn, 1462

And with the rest full-manned, from th’ head of Actium 1463

Beat th’ approaching Caesar. But if we fail, 1464

We then can do ’t at land. 1465

(Enter a Messenger.)

Thy business?

MESSENGER

The news is true, my lord; he is descried. 1466

Caesar has taken Toryne. 1467

(He exits.)

ANTONY

Can he be there in person? ’Tis impossible; 1468

Strange that his power should be. Canidius, 1469

Our nineteen legions thou shalt hold by land, 1470

And our twelve thousand horse. We’ll to our ship.— 1471

Away, my Thetis. 1472

(Enter a Soldier.)

How now, worthy soldier?

SOLDIER

O noble emperor, do not fight by sea! 1473

Trust not to rotten planks. Do you misdoubt 1474

This sword and these my wounds? Let th’ Egyptians 1475

And the Phoenicians go a-ducking. We 1476

Have used to conquer standing on the earth 1477

And fighting foot to foot. 1478

ANTONY

Well, well, away.

(Antony, Cleopatra, and Enobarbus exit.)

SOLDIER

By Hercules, I think I am i’ th’ right. 1479

CANIDIUS

Soldier, thou art, but his whole action grows 1480

Not in the power on ’t. So our leader’s led, 1481

And we are women’s men. 1482

SOLDIER

You keep by land

The legions and the horse whole, do you not? 1483

CANIDIUS

Marcus Octavius, Marcus Justeius, 1484

Publicola, and Caelius are for sea, 1485

But we keep whole by land. This speed of Caesar’s 1486

Carries beyond belief. 1487

SOLDIER

While he was yet in Rome,

His power went out in such distractions as 1488

Beguiled all spies. 1489

CANIDIUS

Who’s his lieutenant, hear you?

SOLDIER

They say one Taurus. 1490

CANIDIUS

Well I know the man.

(Enter a Messenger.)

MESSENGER

The Emperor calls Canidius. 1491

CANIDIUS

With news the time’s in labor, and throws forth 1492

Each minute some. 1493

(They exit.)

Scene 8

(Enter Caesar with his army, and Taurus, marching.)

CAESAR

Taurus! 1494

TAURUS

My lord? 1495

CAESAR

Strike not by land, keep whole. Provoke not battle 1496

Till we have done at sea. Do not exceed 1497

The prescript of this scroll. 1498

(Hands him a scroll.)

Our fortune lies

Upon this jump. 1499

(They exit.)

Scene 9

(Enter Antony and Enobarbus.)

ANTONY

Set we our squadrons on yond side o’ th’ hill 1500

In eye of Caesar’s battle, from which place 1501

We may the number of the ships behold 1502

And so proceed accordingly. 1503

(They exit.)

Scene 10

(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. 1504

Th’ Antoniad, the Egyptian admiral, 1505

With all their sixty, fly and turn the rudder. 1506

To see ’t mine eyes are blasted. 1507

(Enter Scarus.)

SCARUS

Gods and goddesses,

All the whole synod of them! 1508

ENOBARBUS

What’s thy passion?

SCARUS

The greater cantle of the world is lost 1509

With very ignorance. We have kissed away 1510

Kingdoms and provinces. 1511

ENOBARBUS

How appears the fight?

SCARUS

On our side, like the tokened pestilence, 1512

Where death is sure. Yon ribaudred nag of Egypt, 1513

Whom leprosy o’ertake, i’ th’ midst o’ th’ fight, 1514

When vantage like a pair of twins appeared 1515

Both as the same—or, rather, ours the elder— 1516

The breeze upon her like a cow in June, 1517

Hoists sails and flies. 1518

ENOBARBUS

That I beheld.

Mine eyes did sicken at the sight and could not 1519

Endure a further view. 1520

SCARUS

She once being loofed,

The noble ruin of her magic, Antony, 1521

Claps on his sea-wing and, like a doting mallard, 1522

Leaving the fight in height, flies after her. 1523

I never saw an action of such shame. 1524

Experience, manhood, honor ne’er before 1525

Did violate so itself. 1526

ENOBARBUS

Alack, alack.

(Enter Canidius.)

CANIDIUS

Our fortune on the sea is out of breath 1527

And sinks most lamentably. Had our general 1528

Been what he knew himself, it had gone well. 1529

O, he has given example for our flight 1530

Most grossly by his own. 1531

ENOBARBUS

Ay, are you thereabouts? Why then goodnight indeed. 1532

CANIDIUS

Toward Peloponnesus are they fled. 1533

SCARUS

’Tis easy to ’t, and there I will attend 1534

What further comes. 1535

(He exits.)

CANIDIUS

To Caesar will I render

My legions and my horse. Six kings already 1536

Show me the way of yielding. 1537

(He exits.)

ENOBARBUS

I’ll yet follow

The wounded chance of Antony, though my reason 1538

Sits in the wind against me. 1539

(He exits.)

Scene 11

(Enter Antony with Attendants.)

ANTONY

Hark, the land bids me tread no more upon ’t. 1540

It is ashamed to bear me. Friends, come hither. 1541

I am so lated in the world that I 1542

Have lost my way forever. I have a ship 1543

Laden with gold. Take that, divide it. Fly, 1544

And make your peace with Caesar. 1545

ALL

Fly? Not we!

ANTONY

I have fled myself and have instructed cowards 1546

To run and show their shoulders. Friends, begone. 1547

I have myself resolved upon a course 1548

Which has no need of you. Begone. 1549

My treasure’s in the harbor; take it. O, 1550

I followed that I blush to look upon! 1551

My very hairs do mutiny, for the white 1552

Reprove the brown for rashness, and they them 1553

For fear and doting. Friends, begone. You shall 1554

Have letters from me to some friends that will 1555

Sweep your way for you. Pray you look not sad, 1556

Nor make replies of loathness. Take the hint 1557

Which my despair proclaims. Let that be left 1558

Which leaves itself. To the seaside straightway! 1559

I will possess you of that ship and treasure. 1560

Leave me, I pray, a little—pray you, now, 1561

Nay, do so—for indeed I have lost command. 1562

Therefore I pray you—I’ll see you by and by. 1563

(Attendants move aside. Antony sits down.)

(Enter Cleopatra led by Charmian, Iras, and Eros.)

EROS

Nay, gentle madam, to him, comfort him. 1564

IRAS

Do, most dear queen. 1565

CHARMIAN

Do! Why, what else? 1566

CLEOPATRA

Let me sit down. O Juno! 1567

(She sits down.)

ANTONY

No, no, no, no, no. 1568

EROS

See you here, sir? 1569

ANTONY

Oh fie, fie, fie! 1570

CHARMIAN

Madam. 1571

IRAS

Madam, O good empress! 1572

EROS

Sir, sir— 1573

ANTONY

Yes, my lord, yes. He at Philippi kept 1574

His sword e’en like a dancer, while I struck 1575

The lean and wrinkled Cassius, and ’twas I 1576

That the mad Brutus ended. He alone 1577

Dealt on lieutenantry, and no practice had 1578

In the brave squares of war, yet now—no matter. 1579

CLEOPATRA

Ah, stand by. 1580

EROS

The Queen, my lord, the Queen.

IRAS

Go to him, madam; speak to him. 1581

He’s unqualitied with very shame. 1582

CLEOPATRA

Rising. Well, then, sustain me. O! 1583

EROS

Most noble sir, arise. The Queen approaches. 1584

Her head’s declined, and death will seize her but 1585

Your comfort makes the rescue. 1586

ANTONY

I have offended reputation,

A most unnoble swerving. 1587

EROS

Sir, the Queen.

ANTONY

Rising. O, whither hast them led me, Egypt? See 1588

How I convey my shame out of thine eyes, 1589

By looking back what I have left behind 1590

’Stroyed in dishonor. 1591

CLEOPATRA

O, my lord, my lord,

Forgive my fearful sails! I little thought 1592

You would have followed. 1593

ANTONY

Egypt, thou knew’st too well

My heart was to thy rudder tied by th’ strings, 1594

And thou shouldst tow me after. O’er my spirit 1595

Thy full supremacy thou knew’st, and that 1596

Thy beck might from the bidding of the gods 1597

Command me. 1598

CLEOPATRA

O, my pardon!

ANTONY

Now I must

To the young man send humble treaties, dodge 1599

And palter in the shifts of lowness, who 1600

With half the bulk o’ th’ world played as I pleased, 1601

Making and marring fortunes. You did know 1602

How much you were my conqueror, and that 1603

My sword, made weak by my affection, would 1604

Obey it on all cause. 1605

CLEOPATRA

Pardon, pardon!

ANTONY

Fall not a tear, I say; one of them rates 1606

All that is won and lost. Give me a kiss. 1607

(They kiss.)

Even this repays me.— 1608

We sent our schoolmaster. Is he come back?— 1609

Love, I am full of lead.—Some wine 1610

Within there, and our viands! Fortune knows 1611

We scorn her most when most she offers blows. 1612

(They exit.)

Scene 12

(Enter Caesar, Agrippa, Thidias, and Dolabella, with others.)

CAESAR

Let him appear that’s come from Antony. 1613

Know you him? 1614

DOLABELLA

Caesar, ’tis his schoolmaster—

An argument that he is plucked, when hither 1615

He sends so poor a pinion of his wing, 1616

Which had superfluous kings for messengers 1617

Not many moons gone by. 1618

(Enter Ambassador from Antony.)

CAESAR

Approach, and speak.

AMBASSADOR

Such as I am, I come from Antony. 1619

I was of late as petty to his ends 1620

As is the morn-dew on the myrtle leaf 1621

To his grand sea. 1622

CAESAR

Be ’t so. Declare thine office.

AMBASSADOR

Lord of his fortunes he salutes thee, and 1623

Requires to live in Egypt, which not granted, 1624

He lessens his requests, and to thee sues 1625

To let him breathe between the heavens and Earth, 1626

A private man in Athens. This for him. 1627

Next, Cleopatra does confess thy greatness, 1628

Submits her to thy might, and of thee craves 1629

The circle of the Ptolemies for her heirs, 1630

Now hazarded to thy grace. 1631

CAESAR

For Antony,

I have no ears to his request. The Queen 1632

Of audience nor desire shall fail, so she 1633

From Egypt drive her all-disgracèd friend, 1634

Or take his life there. This if she perform, 1635

She shall not sue unheard. So to them both. 1636

AMBASSADOR

Fortune pursue thee! 1637

CAESAR

Bring him through the bands.

(Ambassador exits, with Attendants.)

(To Thidias. To try thy eloquence now ’tis time. Dispatch.)

From Antony win Cleopatra. Promise, 1638

And in our name, what she requires; add more, 1639

From thine invention, offers. Women are not 1640

In their best fortunes strong, but want will perjure 1641

The ne’er-touched vestal. Try thy cunning, Thidias. 1642

Make thine own edict for thy pains, which we 1643

Will answer as a law. 1644

THIDIAS

Caesar, I go.

CAESAR

Observe how Antony becomes his flaw, 1645

And what thou think’st his very action speaks 1646

In every power that moves. 1647

THIDIAS

Caesar, I shall.

(They exit.)

Scene 13

(Enter Cleopatra, Enobarbus, Charmian, and Iras.)

CLEOPATRA

What shall we do, Enobarbus? 1648

ENOBARBUS

Think, and die.

CLEOPATRA

Is Antony or we in fault for this? 1649

ENOBARBUS

Antony only, that would make his will 1650

Lord of his reason. What though you fled 1651

From that great face of war, whose several ranges 1652

Frighted each other? Why should he follow? 1653

The itch of his affection should not then 1654

Have nicked his captainship, at such a point, 1655

When half to half the world opposed, he being 1656

The merèd question. ’Twas a shame no less 1657

Than was his loss, to course your flying flags 1658

And leave his navy gazing. 1659

CLEOPATRA

Prithee, peace.

(Enter the Ambassador with Antony.)

ANTONY

Is that his answer? 1660

AMBASSADOR

Ay, my lord. 1661

ANTONY

The Queen shall then have courtesy, so she 1662

Will yield us up? 1663

AMBASSADOR

He says so.

ANTONY

Let her know ’t.—

To the boy Caesar send this grizzled head, 1664

And he will fill thy wishes to the brim 1665

With principalities. 1666

CLEOPATRA

That head, my lord?

ANTONY

To Ambassador. To him again. Tell him he wears the rose 1667

Of youth upon him, from which the world should note 1668

Something particular: his coin, ships, legions 1669

May be a coward’s, whose ministers would prevail 1670

Under the service of a child as soon 1671

As i’ th’ command of Caesar. I dare him therefore 1672

To lay his gay caparisons apart 1673

And answer me declined, sword against sword, 1674

Ourselves alone. I’ll write it. Follow me. 1675

(Antony and Ambassador exit.)

ENOBARBUS

Yes, like enough, high-battled Caesar will 1676

Unstate his happiness and be staged to th’ show 1677

Against a sworder! I see men’s judgments are 1678

A parcel of their fortunes, and things outward 1679

Do draw the inward quality after them 1680

To suffer all alike. That he should dream, 1681

Knowing all measures, the full Caesar will 1682

Answer his emptiness! Caesar, thou hast subdued 1683

His judgment too. 1684

(Enter a Servant.)

SERVANT

A messenger from Caesar.

CLEOPATRA

What, no more ceremony? See, my women, 1685

Against the blown rose may they stop their nose 1686

That kneeled unto the buds.—Admit him, sir. 1687

(Servant exits.)

ENOBARBUS

Mine honesty and I begin to square. 1688

The loyalty well held to fools does make 1689

Our faith mere folly. Yet he that can endure 1690

To follow with allegiance a fall’n lord 1691

Does conquer him that did his master conquer, 1692

And earns a place i’ th’ story. 1693

(Enter Thidias.)

CLEOPATRA

Caesar’s will?

THIDIAS

Hear it apart. 1694

CLEOPATRA

None but friends. Say boldly.

THIDIAS

So haply are they friends to Antony. 1695

ENOBARBUS

He needs as many, sir, as Caesar has, 1696

Or needs not us. If Caesar please, our master 1697

Will leap to be his friend. For us, you know 1698

Whose he is we are, and that is Caesar’s. 1699

THIDIAS

So.—

Thus then, thou most renowned: Caesar entreats 1700

Not to consider in what case thou stand’st 1701

Further than he is Caesar. 1702

CLEOPATRA

Go on; right royal.

THIDIAS

He knows that you embrace not Antony 1703

As you did love, but as you feared him. 1704

CLEOPATRA

THIDIAS

The scars upon your honor therefore he 1705

Does pity as constrainèd blemishes, 1706

Not as deserved. 1707

CLEOPATRA

He is a god and knows

What is most right. Mine honor was not yielded, 1708

But conquered merely. 1709

ENOBARBUS

To be sure of that,

I will ask Antony. Sir, sir, thou art so leaky 1710

That we must leave thee to thy sinking, for 1711

Thy dearest quit thee. 1712

(Enobarbus exits.)

THIDIAS

Shall I say to Caesar

What you require of him? For he partly begs 1713

To be desired to give. It much would please him 1714

That of his fortunes you should make a staff 1715

To lean upon. But it would warm his spirits 1716

To hear from me you had left Antony 1717

And put yourself under his shroud, 1718

The universal landlord. 1719

CLEOPATRA

What’s your name?

THIDIAS

My name is Thidias. 1720

CLEOPATRA

Most kind messenger,

Say to great Caesar this in deputation: 1721

I kiss his conqu’ring hand. Tell him I am prompt 1722

To lay my crown at ’s feet, and there to kneel. 1723

Tell him, from his all-obeying breath I hear 1724

The doom of Egypt. 1725

THIDIAS

’Tis your noblest course.

Wisdom and fortune combating together, 1726

If that the former dare but what it can, 1727

No chance may shake it. Give me grace to lay 1728

My duty on your hand. 1729

(She gives him her hand to kiss.)

CLEOPATRA

Your Caesar’s father oft,

When he hath mused of taking kingdoms in, 1730

Bestowed his lips on that unworthy place 1731

As it rained kisses. 1732

(Enter Antony and Enobarbus.)

ANTONY

Favors? By Jove that thunders!

What art thou, fellow? 1733

THIDIAS

One that but performs

The bidding of the fullest man and worthiest 1734

To have command obeyed. 1735

ENOBARBUS

You will be whipped.

ANTONY

Calling for Servants. Approach there!—Ah, you kite!—Now, gods and devils, 1736

Authority melts from me. Of late when I cried “Ho!” 1737

Like boys unto a muss kings would start forth 1738

And cry “Your will?” Have you no ears? I am 1739

Antony yet. 1740

(Enter Servants.)

Take hence this jack and whip him.

ENOBARBUS

’Tis better playing with a lion’s whelp 1741

Than with an old one dying. 1742

ANTONY

Moon and stars!

Whip him! Were ’t twenty of the greatest tributaries 1743

That do acknowledge Caesar, should I find them 1744

So saucy with the hand of she here—what’s her name 1745

Since she was Cleopatra? Whip him, fellows, 1746

Till like a boy you see him cringe his face 1747

And whine aloud for mercy. Take him hence. 1748

THIDIAS

Mark Antony— 1749

ANTONY

Tug him away. Being whipped,

Bring him again. This jack of Caesar’s shall 1750

Bear us an errand to him. 1751

(Servants exit with Thidias.)

To Cleopatra. You were half blasted ere I knew you. Ha!

Have I my pillow left unpressed in Rome, 1752

Forborne the getting of a lawful race, 1753

And by a gem of women, to be abused 1754

By one that looks on feeders? 1755

CLEOPATRA

Good my lord—

ANTONY

You have been a boggler ever. 1756

But when we in our viciousness grow hard— 1757

O, misery on ’t!—the wise gods seel our eyes, 1758

In our own filth drop our clear judgments, make us 1759

Adore our errors, laugh at ’s while we strut 1760

To our confusion. 1761

CLEOPATRA

O, is ’t come to this?

ANTONY

I found you as a morsel cold upon 1762

Dead Caesar’s trencher; nay, you were a fragment 1763

Of Gneius Pompey’s, besides what hotter hours, 1764

Unregistered in vulgar fame, you have 1765

Luxuriously picked out. For I am sure, 1766

Though you can guess what temperance should be, 1767

You know not what it is. 1768

CLEOPATRA

Wherefore is this?

ANTONY

To let a fellow that will take rewards 1769

And say “God quit you!” be familiar with 1770

My playfellow, your hand, this kingly seal 1771

And plighter of high hearts! O, that I were 1772

Upon the hill of Basan, to outroar 1773

The hornèd herd! For I have savage cause, 1774

And to proclaim it civilly were like 1775

A haltered neck which does the hangman thank 1776

For being yare about him. 1777

(Enter a Servant with Thidias.)

Is he whipped?

SERVANT

Soundly, my lord. 1778

ANTONY

Cried he? And begged he pardon? 1779

SERVANT

He did ask favor. 1780

ANTONY

To Thidias. If that thy father live, let him repent 1781

Thou wast not made his daughter; and be thou sorry 1782

To follow Caesar in his triumph, since 1783

Thou hast been whipped for following him. Henceforth 1784

The white hand of a lady fever thee; 1785

Shake thou to look on ’t. Get thee back to Caesar. 1786

Tell him thy entertainment. Look thou say 1787

He makes me angry with him; for he seems 1788

Proud and disdainful, harping on what I am, 1789

Not what he knew I was. He makes me angry, 1790

And at this time most easy ’tis to do ’t, 1791

When my good stars that were my former guides 1792

Have empty left their orbs and shot their fires 1793

Into th’ abysm of hell. If he mislike 1794

My speech and what is done, tell him he has 1795

Hipparchus, my enfranchèd bondman, whom 1796

He may at pleasure whip, or hang, or torture, 1797

As he shall like to quit me. Urge it thou. 1798

Hence with thy stripes, begone! 1799

(Thidias exits.)

CLEOPATRA

Have you done yet?

ANTONY

Alack, our terrene moon is now eclipsed, 1800

And it portends alone the fall of Antony. 1801

CLEOPATRA

I must stay his time. 1802

ANTONY

To flatter Caesar, would you mingle eyes 1803

With one that ties his points? 1804

CLEOPATRA

Not know me yet?

ANTONY

Coldhearted toward me? 1805

CLEOPATRA

Ah, dear, if I be so,

From my cold heart let heaven engender hail 1806

And poison it in the source, and the first stone 1807

Drop in my neck; as it determines, so 1808

Dissolve my life! The next Caesarion smite, 1809

Till by degrees the memory of my womb, 1810

Together with my brave Egyptians all, 1811

By the discandying of this pelleted storm 1812

Lie graveless till the flies and gnats of Nile 1813

Have buried them for prey! 1814

ANTONY

I am satisfied.

Caesar sits down in Alexandria, where 1815

I will oppose his fate. Our force by land 1816

Hath nobly held; our severed navy too 1817

Have knit again, and fleet, threatening most sealike. 1818

Where hast thou been, my heart? Dost thou hear, lady? 1819

If from the field I shall return once more 1820

To kiss these lips, I will appear in blood. 1821

I and my sword will earn our chronicle. 1822

There’s hope in ’t yet. 1823

CLEOPATRA

That’s my brave lord!

ANTONY

I will be treble-sinewed, -hearted, -breathed, 1824

And fight maliciously; for when mine hours 1825

Were nice and lucky, men did ransom lives 1826

Of me for jests. But now I’ll set my teeth 1827

And send to darkness all that stop me. Come, 1828

Let’s have one other gaudy night. Call to me 1829

All my sad captains. Fill our bowls once more. 1830

Let’s mock the midnight bell. 1831

CLEOPATRA

It is my birthday.

I had thought t’ have held it poor. But since my lord 1832

Is Antony again, I will be Cleopatra. 1833

ANTONY

We will yet do well. 1834

CLEOPATRA

Call all his noble captains to my lord. 1835

ANTONY

Do so; we’ll speak to them, and tonight I’ll force 1836

The wine peep through their scars.—Come on, my queen, 1837

There’s sap in ’t yet. The next time I do fight 1838

I’ll make Death love me, for I will contend 1839

Even with his pestilent scythe. 1840

(All but Enobarbus exit.)

ENOBARBUS

Now he’ll outstare the lightning. To be furious 1841

Is to be frighted out of fear, and in that mood 1842

The dove will peck the estridge; and I see still 1843

A diminution in our captain’s brain 1844

Restores his heart. When valor preys on reason, 1845

It eats the sword it fights with. I will seek 1846

Some way to leave him. 1847

(He exits.)

Act IV

Scene 1

(Enter Caesar, Agrippa, and Maecenas, with his army, Caesar reading a letter.)

CAESAR

He calls me “boy,” and chides as he had power 1848

To beat me out of Egypt. My messenger 1849

He hath whipped with rods, dares me to personal combat, 1850

Caesar to Antony. Let the old ruffian know 1851

I have many other ways to die; meantime 1852

Laugh at his challenge. 1853

MAECENAS

Caesar must think,

When one so great begins to rage, he’s hunted 1854

Even to falling. Give him no breath, but now 1855

Make boot of his distraction. Never anger 1856

Made good guard for itself. 1857

CAESAR

Let our best heads

Know that tomorrow the last of many battles 1858

We mean to fight. Within our files there are, 1859

Of those that served Mark Antony but late, 1860

Enough to fetch him in. See it done, 1861

And feast the army; we have store to do ’t, 1862

And they have earned the waste. Poor Antony. 1863

(They exit.)

Scene 2

(Enter Antony, Cleopatra, Enobarbus, Charmian, Iras, with others.)

ANTONY

He will not fight with me, Domitius? 1864

ENOBARBUS

No.

ANTONY

Why should he not? 1865

ENOBARBUS

He thinks, being twenty times of better fortune, 1866

He is twenty men to one. 1867

ANTONY

Tomorrow, soldier,

By sea and land I’ll fight. Or I will live 1868

Or bathe my dying honor in the blood 1869

Shall make it live again. Woo’t thou fight well? 1870

ENOBARBUS

I’ll strike and cry “Take all.” 1871

ANTONY

Well said. Come on.

Call forth my household servants. 1872

(Enter three or four Servitors.)

Let’s tonight

Be bounteous at our meal.—Give me thy hand; 1873

Thou hast been rightly honest.—So hast thou,— 1874

Thou,—and thou,—and thou. You have served me well, 1875

And kings have been your fellows. 1876

CLEOPATRA

What means this?

ENOBARBUS

’Tis one of those odd tricks which sorrow shoots 1877

Out of the mind. 1878

ANTONY

To another Servitor. And thou art honest too.

I wish I could be made so many men, 1879

And all of you clapped up together in 1880

An Antony, that I might do you service 1881

So good as you have done. 1882

ALL THE SERVITORS

The gods forbid!

ANTONY

Well, my good fellows, wait on me tonight. 1883

Scant not my cups, and make as much of me 1884

As when mine empire was your fellow too 1885

And suffered my command. 1886

CLEOPATRA

What does he mean?

ENOBARBUS

To make his followers weep. 1887

ANTONY

To the Servitors. Tend me tonight;

May be it is the period of your duty. 1888

Haply you shall not see me more, or if, 1889

A mangled shadow. Perchance tomorrow 1890

You’ll serve another master. I look on you 1891

As one that takes his leave. Mine honest friends, 1892

I turn you not away, but, like a master 1893

Married to your good service, stay till death. 1894

Tend me tonight two hours—I ask no more— 1895

And the gods yield you for ’t! 1896

ENOBARBUS

What mean you, sir,

To give them this discomfort? Look, they weep, 1897

And I, an ass, am onion-eyed. For shame, 1898

Transform us not to women. 1899

ANTONY

Ho, ho, ho!

Now the witch take me if I meant it thus! 1900

Grace grow where those drops fall! My hearty friends, 1901

You take me in too dolorous a sense, 1902

For I spake to you for your comfort, did desire you 1903

To burn this night with torches. Know, my hearts, 1904

I hope well of tomorrow, and will lead you 1905

Where rather I’ll expect victorious life 1906

Than death and honor. Let’s to supper, come, 1907

And drown consideration. 1908

(They exit.)

Scene 3

(Enter a company of Soldiers.)

FIRST SOLDIER

Brother, goodnight. Tomorrow is the day. 1909

SECOND SOLDIER

It will determine one way. Fare you well. 1910

Heard you of nothing strange about the streets? 1911

FIRST SOLDIER

Nothing. What news? 1912

SECOND SOLDIER

Belike ’tis but a rumor. Goodnight to you. 1913

FIRST SOLDIER

Well, sir, goodnight. 1914

(They meet other Soldiers who are entering.)

SECOND SOLDIER

Soldiers, have careful watch. 1915

THIRD SOLDIER

And you. Goodnight, goodnight. 1916

(They place themselves in every corner of the stage.)

SECOND SOLDIER

Here we; and if tomorrow 1917

Our navy thrive, I have an absolute hope 1918

Our landmen will stand up. 1919

FIRST SOLDIER

’Tis a brave army, and full of purpose. 1920

(Music of the hautboys is under the stage.)

SECOND SOLDIER

Peace. What noise? 1921

FIRST SOLDIER

List, list! 1922

SECOND SOLDIER

Hark! 1923

FIRST SOLDIER

Music i’ th’ air. 1924

THIRD SOLDIER

Under the earth. 1925

FOURTH SOLDIER

It signs well, does it not? 1926

THIRD SOLDIER

No. 1927

FIRST SOLDIER

Peace, I say. What should this mean? 1928

SECOND SOLDIER

’Tis the god Hercules, whom Antony loved, 1929

Now leaves him. 1930

FIRST SOLDIER

Walk. Let’s see if other watchmen

Do hear what we do. 1931

SECOND SOLDIER

How now, masters?

(Speak together.)

ALL

How now? How now? Do you hear this? 1932

FIRST SOLDIER

Ay. Is ’t not strange? 1933

THIRD SOLDIER

Do you hear, masters? Do you hear? 1934

FIRST SOLDIER

Follow the noise so far as we have quarter. 1935

Let’s see how it will give off. 1936

ALL

Content. ’Tis strange.

(They exit.)

Scene 4

(Enter Antony and Cleopatra, with Charmian, and others.)

ANTONY

Calling. Eros! Mine armor, Eros! 1937

CLEOPATRA

Sleep a little.

ANTONY

No, my chuck.—Eros, come, mine armor, Eros. 1938

(Enter Eros, carrying armor.)

Come, good fellow, put thine iron on. 1939

If fortune be not ours today, it is 1940

Because we brave her. Come. 1941

CLEOPATRA

Nay, I’ll help too.

What’s this for? 1942

ANTONY

Ah, let be, let be! Thou art

The armorer of my heart. False, false. This, this! 1943

CLEOPATRA

Sooth, la, I’ll help. Thus it must be. 1944

ANTONY

Well, well,

We shall thrive now.—Seest thou, my good fellow? 1945

Go, put on thy defenses. 1946

EROS

Briefly, sir.

CLEOPATRA

Is not this buckled well? 1947

ANTONY

Rarely, rarely.

He that unbuckles this, till we do please 1948

To daff ’t for our repose, shall hear a storm.— 1949

Thou fumblest, Eros, and my queen’s a squire 1950

More tight at this than thou. Dispatch.—O love, 1951

That thou couldst see my wars today, and knew’st 1952

The royal occupation, thou shouldst see 1953

A workman in ’t. 1954

(Enter an armed Soldier.)

Good morrow to thee. Welcome.

Thou look’st like him that knows a warlike charge. 1955

To business that we love we rise betime 1956

And go to ’t with delight. 1957

SOLDIER

A thousand, sir,

Early though ’t be, have on their riveted trim 1958

And at the port expect you. 1959

(Shout. Trumpets flourish.)

(Enter Captains and Soldiers.)

CAPTAIN

The morn is fair. Good morrow, general. 1960

ALL

Good morrow, general. 1961

ANTONY

’Tis well blown, lads.

This morning, like the spirit of a youth 1962

That means to be of note, begins betimes. 1963

So, so.—Come, give me that. This way.—Well said.— 1964

Fare thee well, dame. 1965

(He kisses her.)

Whate’er becomes of me,

This is a soldier’s kiss. Rebukable 1966

And worthy shameful check it were to stand 1967

On more mechanic compliment. I’ll leave thee 1968

Now like a man of steel.—You that will fight, 1969

Follow me close. I’ll bring you to ’t.—Adieu. 1970

(Antony, Eros, Captains, and Soldiers exit.)

CHARMIAN

Please you retire to your chamber? 1971

CLEOPATRA

Lead me.

He goes forth gallantly. That he and Caesar might 1972

Determine this great war in single fight, 1973

Then Antony—but now—. Well, on. 1974

(They exit.)

Scene 5

(Trumpets sound. Enter Antony and Eros, and a Soldier who meets them.)

SOLDIER

The gods make this a happy day to Antony. 1975

ANTONY

Would thou and those thy scars had once prevailed 1976

To make me fight at land. 1977

SOLDIER

Had’st thou done so,

The kings that have revolted and the soldier 1978

That has this morning left thee would have still 1979

Followed thy heels. 1980

ANTONY

Who’s gone this morning?

SOLDIER

Who?

One ever near thee. Call for Enobarbus, 1981

He shall not hear thee, or from Caesar’s camp 1982

Say “I am none of thine.” 1983

ANTONY

What sayest thou?

SOLDIER

Sir,

He is with Caesar. 1984

EROS

Sir, his chests and treasure

He has not with him. 1985

ANTONY

Is he gone?

SOLDIER

Most certain.

ANTONY

Go, Eros, send his treasure after. Do it. 1986

Detain no jot, I charge thee. Write to him— 1987

I will subscribe—gentle adieus and greetings. 1988

Say that I wish he never find more cause 1989

To change a master. O, my fortunes have 1990

Corrupted honest men. Dispatch.—Enobarbus! 1991

(They exit.)

Scene 6

(Flourish. Enter Agrippa, Caesar, with Enobarbus and Dolabella.)

CAESAR

Go forth, Agrippa, and begin the fight. 1992

Our will is Antony be took alive; 1993

Make it so known. 1994

AGRIPPA

Caesar, I shall.

(He exits.)

CAESAR

The time of universal peace is near. 1995

Prove this a prosp’rous day, the three-nooked world 1996

Shall bear the olive freely. 1997

(Enter a Messenger.)

MESSENGER

Antony

Is come into the field. 1998

CAESAR

Go charge Agrippa

Plant those that have revolted in the vant 1999

That Antony may seem to spend his fury 2000

Upon himself. 2001

(All but Enobarbus exit.)

ENOBARBUS

Alexas did revolt and went to Jewry on 2002

Affairs of Antony, there did dissuade 2003

Great Herod to incline himself to Caesar 2004

And leave his master Antony. For this pains, 2005

Caesar hath hanged him. Canidius and the rest 2006

That fell away have entertainment but 2007

No honorable trust. I have done ill, 2008

Of which I do accuse myself so sorely 2009

That I will joy no more. 2010

(Enter a Soldier of Caesar’s.)

SOLDIER

Enobarbus, Antony

Hath after thee sent all thy treasure, with 2011

His bounty overplus. The messenger 2012

Came on my guard, and at thy tent is now 2013

Unloading of his mules. 2014

ENOBARBUS

I give it you. 2015

SOLDIER

Mock not, Enobarbus. 2016

I tell you true. Best you safed the bringer 2017

Out of the host. I must attend mine office 2018

Or would have done ’t myself. Your emperor 2019

Continues still a Jove. 2020

(He exits.)

ENOBARBUS

I am alone the villain of the Earth, 2021

And feel I am so most. O Antony, 2022

Thou mine of bounty, how wouldst thou have paid 2023

My better service, when my turpitude 2024

Thou dost so crown with gold! This blows my heart. 2025

If swift thought break it not, a swifter mean 2026

Shall outstrike thought, but thought will do ’t, I feel. 2027

I fight against thee? No. I will go seek 2028

Some ditch wherein to die; the foul’st best fits 2029

My latter part of life. 2030

(He exits.)

Scene 7

(Alarum, Drums and Trumpets. Enter Agrippa, with other of Caesar’s soldiers.)

AGRIPPA

Retire! We have engaged ourselves too far. 2031

Caesar himself has work, and our oppression 2032

Exceeds what we expected. 2033

(They exit.)

(Alarums. Enter Antony, and Scarus wounded.)

SCARUS

O my brave emperor, this is fought indeed! 2034

Had we done so at first, we had droven them home 2035

With clouts about their heads. 2036

ANTONY

Thou bleed’st apace.

SCARUS

I had a wound here that was like a T, 2037

But now ’tis made an H. 2038

(Sound of retreat far off.)

ANTONY

They do retire.

SCARUS

We’ll beat ’em into bench-holes. I have yet 2039

Room for six scotches more. 2040

(Enter Eros.)

EROS

They are beaten, sir, and our advantage serves 2041

For a fair victory. 2042

SCARUS

Let us score their backs

And snatch ’em up as we take hares, behind. 2043

’Tis sport to maul a runner. 2044

ANTONY

I will reward thee

Once for thy sprightly comfort and tenfold 2045

For thy good valor. Come thee on. 2046

SCARUS

I’ll halt after.

(They exit.)

Scene 8

(Alarum. Enter Antony again in a march; Scarus, with others.)

ANTONY

We have beat him to his camp. Run one before 2047

And let the Queen know of our gests. 2048

(A Soldier exits.)

Tomorrow

Before the sun shall see ’s, we’ll spill the blood 2049

That has today escaped. I thank you all, 2050

For doughty-handed are you, and have fought 2051

Not as you served the cause, but as ’t had been 2052

Each man’s like mine. You have shown all Hectors. 2053

Enter the city. Clip your wives, your friends. 2054

Tell them your feats, whilst they with joyful tears 2055

Wash the congealment from your wounds and kiss 2056

The honored gashes whole. 2057

(Enter Cleopatra.)

To Scarus. Give me thy hand.

To this great fairy I’ll commend thy acts, 2058

Make her thanks bless thee.—O, thou day o’ th’ world, 2059

Chain mine armed neck. Leap thou, attire and all, 2060

Through proof of harness to my heart, and there 2061

Ride on the pants triumphing. 2062

CLEOPATRA

Lord of lords!

O infinite virtue, com’st thou smiling from 2063

The world’s great snare uncaught? 2064

ANTONY

Mine nightingale,

We have beat them to their beds. What, girl, though gray 2065

Do something mingle with our younger brown, yet ha’ we 2066

A brain that nourishes our nerves and can 2067

Get goal for goal of youth. Behold this man. 2068

Commend unto his lips thy favoring hand.— 2069

Kiss it, my warrior. 2070

(Scarus kisses her hand.)

He hath fought today

As if a god in hate of mankind had 2071

Destroyed in such a shape. 2072

CLEOPATRA

To Scarus. I’ll give thee, friend,

An armor all of gold. It was a king’s. 2073

ANTONY

He has deserved it, were it carbuncled 2074

Like holy Phoebus’ car. Give me thy hand. 2075

Through Alexandria make a jolly march. 2076

Bear our hacked targets like the men that owe them. 2077

Had our great palace the capacity 2078

To camp this host, we all would sup together 2079

And drink carouses to the next day’s fate, 2080

Which promises royal peril.—Trumpeters, 2081

With brazen din blast you the city’s ear. 2082

Make mingle with our rattling taborins, 2083

That heaven and Earth may strike their sounds together, 2084

Applauding our approach. 2085

(They exit.)

Scene 9

(Enter a Sentry and his company. Enobarbus follows.)

SENTRY

If we be not relieved within this hour, 2086

We must return to th’ court of guard. The night 2087

Is shiny, and they say we shall embattle 2088

By th’ second hour i’ th’ morn. 2089

FIRST WATCH

This last day was a shrewd one to ’s. 2090

ENOBARBUS

O, bear me witness, night— 2091

SECOND WATCH

What man is this? 2092

FIRST WATCH

Stand close, and list him. 2093

ENOBARBUS

Be witness to me, O thou blessèd moon, 2094

When men revolted shall upon record 2095

Bear hateful memory, poor Enobarbus did 2096

Before thy face repent. 2097

SENTRY

Enobarbus?

SECOND WATCH

Peace! Hark further.

ENOBARBUS

O sovereign mistress of true melancholy, 2098

The poisonous damp of night dispunge upon me, 2099

That life, a very rebel to my will, 2100

May hang no longer on me. Throw my heart 2101

Against the flint and hardness of my fault, 2102

Which, being dried with grief, will break to powder 2103

And finish all foul thoughts. O Antony, 2104

Nobler than my revolt is infamous, 2105

Forgive me in thine own particular, 2106

But let the world rank me in register 2107

A master-leaver and a fugitive. 2108

O Antony! O Antony! 2109

(He dies.)

FIRST WATCH

Let’s speak to him.

SENTRY

Let’s hear him, for the things he speaks may concern Caesar. 2110

SECOND WATCH

Let’s do so. But he sleeps. 2111

SENTRY

Swoons rather, for so bad a prayer as his 2112

Was never yet for sleep. 2113

FIRST WATCH

Go we to him.

SECOND WATCH

Awake, sir, awake! Speak to us. 2114

FIRST WATCH

Hear you, sir? 2115

SENTRY

The hand of death hath raught him. 2116

(Drums afar off.)

Hark, the drums

Demurely wake the sleepers. Let us bear him 2117

To th’ court of guard; he is of note. Our hour 2118

Is fully out. 2119

SECOND WATCH

Come on then. He may recover yet.

(They exit, carrying Enobarbus’ body.)

Scene 10

(Enter Antony and Scarus, with their army.)

ANTONY

Their preparation is today by sea; 2120

We please them not by land. 2121

SCARUS

For both, my lord.

ANTONY

I would they’d fight i’ th’ fire or i’ th’ air; 2122

We’d fight there too. But this it is: our foot 2123

Upon the hills adjoining to the city 2124

Shall stay with us—order for sea is given; 2125

They have put forth the haven— 2126

Where their appointment we may best discover 2127

And look on their endeavor. 2128

(They exit.)

Scene 11

(Enter Caesar and his army.)

CAESAR

But being charged, we will be still by land— 2129

Which, as I take ’t, we shall, for his best force 2130

Is forth to man his galleys. To the vales, 2131

And hold our best advantage. 2132

(They exit.)

Scene 12

(Enter Antony and Scarus.)

ANTONY

Yet they are not joined. Where yond pine does stand, 2133

I shall discover all. I’ll bring thee word 2134

Straight how ’tis like to go. 2135

(He exits.)

(Alarum afar off, as at a sea fight.)

SCARUS

Swallows have built

In Cleopatra’s sails their nests. The augurs 2136

Say they know not, they cannot tell, look grimly 2137

And dare not speak their knowledge. Antony 2138

Is valiant and dejected, and by starts 2139

His fretted fortunes give him hope and fear 2140

Of what he has and has not. 2141

(Enter Antony.)

ANTONY

All is lost!

This foul Egyptian hath betrayèd me. 2142

My fleet hath yielded to the foe, and yonder 2143

They cast their caps up and carouse together 2144

Like friends long lost. Triple-turned whore! ’Tis thou 2145

Hast sold me to this novice, and my heart 2146

Makes only wars on thee. Bid them all fly— 2147

For when I am revenged upon my charm, 2148

I have done all. Bid them all fly. Begone! 2149

(Scarus exits.)

O sun, thy uprise shall I see no more. 2150

Fortune and Antony part here; even here 2151

Do we shake hands. All come to this? The hearts 2152

That spanieled me at heels, to whom I gave 2153

Their wishes, do discandy, melt their sweets 2154

On blossoming Caesar, and this pine is barked 2155

That overtopped them all. Betrayed I am. 2156

O, this false soul of Egypt! This grave charm, 2157

Whose eye becked forth my wars and called them home, 2158

Whose bosom was my crownet, my chief end, 2159

Like a right gypsy hath at fast and loose 2160

Beguiled me to the very heart of loss.— 2161

What Eros, Eros! 2162

(Enter Cleopatra.)

Ah, thou spell! Avaunt!

CLEOPATRA

Why is my lord enraged against his love? 2163

ANTONY

Vanish, or I shall give thee thy deserving 2164

And blemish Caesar’s triumph. Let him take thee 2165

And hoist thee up to the shouting plebeians! 2166

Follow his chariot, like the greatest spot 2167

Of all thy sex; most monster-like be shown 2168

For poor’st diminutives, for dolts, and let 2169

Patient Octavia plow thy visage up 2170

With her preparèd nails. 2171

(Cleopatra exits.)

’Tis well th’ art gone,

If it be well to live. But better ’twere 2172

Thou fell’st into my fury, for one death 2173

Might have prevented many.—Eros, ho!— 2174

The shirt of Nessus is upon me. Teach me, 2175

Alcides, thou mine ancestor, thy rage. 2176

Let me lodge Lichas on the horns o’ th’ moon, 2177

And with those hands that grasped the heaviest club 2178

Subdue my worthiest self. The witch shall die. 2179

To the young Roman boy she hath sold me, and I fall 2180

Under this plot. She dies for ’t.—Eros, ho! 2181

(He exits.)

Scene 13

(Enter Cleopatra, Charmian, Iras, and Mardian.)

CLEOPATRA

Help me, my women! O, he’s more mad 2182

Than Telamon for his shield; the boar of Thessaly 2183

Was never so embossed. 2184

CHARMIAN

To th’ monument!

There lock yourself and send him word you are dead. 2185

The soul and body rive not more in parting 2186

Than greatness going off. 2187

CLEOPATRA

To th’ monument!—

Mardian, go tell him I have slain myself. 2188

Say that the last I spoke was “Antony,” 2189

And word it, prithee, piteously. Hence, Mardian, 2190

And bring me how he takes my death.—To th’ monument! 2191

(They exit.)

Scene 14

(Enter Antony and Eros.)

ANTONY

Eros, thou yet behold’st me? 2192

EROS

Ay, noble lord.

ANTONY

Sometime we see a cloud that’s dragonish, 2193

A vapor sometime like a bear or lion, 2194

A towered citadel, a pendent rock, 2195

A forkèd mountain, or blue promontory 2196

With trees upon ’t that nod unto the world 2197

And mock our eyes with air. Thou hast seen these signs. 2198

They are black vesper’s pageants. 2199

EROS

Ay, my lord.

ANTONY

That which is now a horse, even with a thought 2200

The rack dislimns and makes it indistinct 2201

As water is in water. 2202

EROS

It does, my lord.

ANTONY

My good knave Eros, now thy captain is 2203

Even such a body. Here I am Antony, 2204

Yet cannot hold this visible shape, my knave. 2205

I made these wars for Egypt, and the Queen, 2206

Whose heart I thought I had, for she had mine— 2207

Which whilst it was mine had annexed unto ’t 2208

A million more, now lost—she, Eros, has 2209

Packed cards with Caesar and false-played my glory 2210

Unto an enemy’s triumph. 2211

Nay, weep not, gentle Eros. There is left us 2212

Ourselves to end ourselves. 2213

(Enter Mardian.)

O, thy vile lady!

She has robbed me of my sword. 2214

MARDIAN

No, Antony,

My mistress loved thee and her fortunes mingled 2215

With thine entirely. 2216

ANTONY

Hence, saucy eunuch! Peace!

She hath betrayed me and shall die the death. 2217

MARDIAN

Death of one person can be paid but once, 2218

And that she has discharged. What thou wouldst do 2219

Is done unto thy hand. The last she spake 2220

Was “Antony, most noble Antony.” 2221

Then in the midst a tearing groan did break 2222

The name of Antony; it was divided 2223

Between her heart and lips. She rendered life 2224

Thy name so buried in her. 2225

ANTONY

Dead, then?

MARDIAN

Dead.

ANTONY

Unarm, Eros. The long day’s task is done, 2226

And we must sleep.—That thou depart’st hence safe 2227

Does pay thy labor richly. Go. 2228

(Mardian exits.)

Off, pluck off!

(Eros begins to remove Antony’s armor.)

The sevenfold shield of Ajax cannot keep 2229

The battery from my heart. O, cleave, my sides! 2230

Heart, once be stronger than thy continent; 2231

Crack thy frail case. Apace, Eros, apace! 2232

No more a soldier. Bruisèd pieces, go. 2233

You have been nobly borne.—From me awhile. 2234

(Eros exits.)

I will o’ertake thee, Cleopatra, and 2235

Weep for my pardon. So it must be, for now 2236

All length is torture. Since the torch is out, 2237

Lie down and stray no farther. Now all labor 2238

Mars what it does; yea, very force entangles 2239

Itself with strength. Seal, then, and all is done.— 2240

Eros!—I come, my queen.—Eros!—Stay for me. 2241

Where souls do couch on flowers, we’ll hand in hand, 2242

And with our sprightly port make the ghosts gaze. 2243

Dido and her Aeneas shall want troops, 2244

And all the haunt be ours.—Come, Eros, Eros! 2245

(Enter Eros.)

EROS

What would my lord? 2246

ANTONY

Since Cleopatra died

I have lived in such dishonor that the gods 2247

Detest my baseness. I, that with my sword 2248

Quartered the world and o’er green Neptune’s back 2249

With ships made cities, condemn myself to lack 2250

The courage of a woman—less noble mind 2251

Than she which, by her death, our Caesar tells 2252

“I am conqueror of myself.” Thou art sworn, Eros, 2253

That when the exigent should come, which now 2254

Is come indeed, when I should see behind me 2255

Th’ inevitable prosecution of 2256

Disgrace and horror, that on my command 2257

Thou then wouldst kill me. Do ’t. The time is come. 2258

Thou strik’st not me; ’tis Caesar thou defeat’st. 2259

Put color in thy cheek. 2260

EROS

The gods withhold me!

Shall I do that which all the Parthian darts, 2261

Though enemy, lost aim and could not? 2262

ANTONY

Eros,

Wouldst thou be windowed in great Rome and see 2263

Thy master thus with pleached arms, bending down 2264

His corrigible neck, his face subdued 2265

To penetrative shame, whilst the wheeled seat 2266

Of fortunate Caesar, drawn before him, branded 2267

His baseness that ensued? 2268

EROS

I would not see ’t.

ANTONY

Come, then, for with a wound I must be cured. 2269

Draw that thy honest sword, which thou hast worn 2270

Most useful for thy country. 2271

EROS

O, sir, pardon me!

ANTONY

When I did make thee free, swor’st thou not then 2272

To do this when I bade thee? Do it at once, 2273

Or thy precedent services are all 2274

But accidents unpurposed. Draw, and come. 2275

EROS

Turn from me then that noble countenance 2276

Wherein the worship of the whole world lies. 2277

ANTONY

Lo thee! 2278

(He turns away.)

EROS

My sword is drawn. 2279

ANTONY

Then let it do at once

The thing why thou hast drawn it. 2280

EROS

My dear master,

My captain, and my emperor, let me say, 2281

Before I strike this bloody stroke, farewell. 2282

ANTONY

’Tis said, man, and farewell. 2283

EROS

Farewell, great chief. Shall I strike now? 2284

ANTONY

Now, Eros.

EROS

Why, there, then. 2285

(Stabs himself.)

Thus I do escape the sorrow

Of Antony’s death. 2286

(Dies.)

ANTONY

Thrice nobler than myself,

Thou teachest me, O valiant Eros, what 2287

I should and thou couldst not. My queen and Eros 2288

Have by their brave instruction got upon me 2289

A nobleness in record. But I will be 2290

A bridegroom in my death and run into ’t 2291

As to a lover’s bed. Come then, and, Eros, 2292

Thy master dies thy scholar. To do thus 2293

I learned of thee. 2294

He stabs himself. How, not dead? Not dead? 2295

The guard, ho! O, dispatch me! 2296

(Enter a company of the Guard, one of them named Dercetus.)

FIRST GUARD

What’s the noise?

ANTONY

I have done my work ill, friends. O, make an end 2297

Of what I have begun! 2298

SECOND GUARD

The star is fall’n.

FIRST GUARD

And time is at his period. 2299

ALL

Alas, and woe!

ANTONY

Let him that loves me strike me dead. 2300

FIRST GUARD

Not I. 2301

SECOND GUARD

Nor I. 2302

THIRD GUARD

Nor anyone. 2303

(All but Antony and Dercetus exit.)

DERCETUS

Thy death and fortunes bid thy followers fly. 2304

(He takes Antony’s sword.)

This sword but shown to Caesar with this tidings 2305

Shall enter me with him. 2306

(Enter Diomedes.)

DIOMEDES

Where’s Antony? 2307

DERCETUS

There, Diomed, there. 2308

DIOMEDES

Lives he? Wilt thou not answer, man? 2309

(Dercetus exits.)

ANTONY

Art thou there, Diomed? Draw thy sword, and give me 2310

Sufficing strokes for death. 2311

DIOMEDES

Most absolute lord,

My mistress Cleopatra sent me to thee. 2312

ANTONY

When did she send thee? 2313

DIOMEDES

Now, my lord.

ANTONY

Where is she?

DIOMEDES

Locked in her monument. She had a prophesying fear 2314

Of what hath come to pass. For when she saw— 2315

Which never shall be found—you did suspect 2316

She had disposed with Caesar, and that your rage 2317

Would not be purged, she sent you word she was dead; 2318

But fearing since how it might work, hath sent 2319

Me to proclaim the truth, and I am come, 2320

I dread, too late. 2321

ANTONY

Too late, good Diomed. Call my guard, I prithee. 2322

DIOMEDES

What ho! The Emperor’s guard! The guard, what ho! 2323

Come, your lord calls. 2324

(Enter four or five of the Guard of Antony.)

ANTONY

Bear me, good friends, where Cleopatra bides. 2325

’Tis the last service that I shall command you. 2326

FIRST GUARD

Woe, woe are we, sir, you may not live to wear 2327

All your true followers out. 2328

ALL

Most heavy day!

ANTONY

Nay, good my fellows, do not please sharp fate 2329

To grace it with your sorrows. Bid that welcome 2330

Which comes to punish us, and we punish it, 2331

Seeming to bear it lightly. Take me up. 2332

I have led you oft; carry me now, good friends, 2333

And have my thanks for all. 2334

(They exit bearing Antony and the body of Eros.)

Scene 15

(Enter Cleopatra and her maids aloft, with Charmian and Iras.)

CLEOPATRA

O Charmian, I will never go from hence. 2335

CHARMIAN

Be comforted, dear madam. 2336

CLEOPATRA

No, I will not.

All strange and terrible events are welcome, 2337

But comforts we despise. Our size of sorrow, 2338

Proportioned to our cause, must be as great 2339

As that which makes it. 2340

(Enter Diomedes below.)

How now? Is he dead?

DIOMEDES

His death’s upon him, but not dead. 2341

Look out o’ th’ other side your monument. 2342

His guard have brought him thither. 2343

(Enter Antony below, and the Guard bearing him.)

CLEOPATRA

O sun,

Burn the great sphere thou mov’st in. Darkling stand 2344

The varying shore o’ th’ world! O Antony, Antony, 2345

Antony! Help, Charmian! Help, Iras, help! 2346

Help, friends below! Let’s draw him hither. 2347

ANTONY

Peace!

Not Caesar’s valor hath o’erthrown Antony, 2348

But Antony’s hath triumphed on itself. 2349

CLEOPATRA

So it should be that none but Antony 2350

Should conquer Antony, but woe ’tis so! 2351

ANTONY

I am dying, Egypt, dying. Only 2352

I here importune death awhile until 2353

Of many thousand kisses the poor last 2354

I lay upon thy lips. 2355

CLEOPATRA

I dare not, dear,

Dear my lord, pardon, I dare not, 2356

Lest I be taken. Not th’ imperious show 2357

Of the full-fortuned Caesar ever shall 2358

Be brooched with me; if knife, drugs, serpents have 2359

Edge, sting, or operation, I am safe. 2360

Your wife Octavia, with her modest eyes 2361

And still conclusion, shall acquire no honor 2362

Demuring upon me. But come, come, Antony.— 2363

Help me, my women!—We must draw thee up.— 2364

Assist, good friends. 2365

(They begin lifting him.)

ANTONY

O, quick, or I am gone.

CLEOPATRA

Here’s sport indeed. How heavy weighs my lord! 2366

Our strength is all gone into heaviness; 2367

That makes the weight. Had I great Juno’s power, 2368

The strong-winged Mercury should fetch thee up 2369

And set thee by Jove’s side. Yet come a little. 2370

Wishers were ever fools. O, come, come, come! 2371

(They heave Antony aloft to Cleopatra.)

And welcome, welcome! Die when thou hast lived; 2372

Quicken with kissing. Had my lips that power, 2373

Thus would I wear them out. 2374

(She kisses him.)

ALL

A heavy sight! 2375

ANTONY

I am dying, Egypt, dying. 2376

Give me some wine, and let me speak a little. 2377

CLEOPATRA

No, let me speak, and let me rail so high 2378

That the false huswife Fortune break her wheel, 2379

Provoked by my offense. 2380

ANTONY

One word, sweet queen:

Of Caesar seek your honor with your safety—O! 2381

CLEOPATRA

They do not go together. 2382

ANTONY

Gentle, hear me.

None about Caesar trust but Proculeius. 2383

CLEOPATRA

My resolution and my hands I’ll trust, 2384

None about Caesar. 2385

ANTONY

The miserable change now at my end 2386

Lament nor sorrow at, but please your thoughts 2387

In feeding them with those my former fortunes 2388

Wherein I lived the greatest prince o’ th’ world, 2389

The noblest, and do now not basely die, 2390

Not cowardly put off my helmet to 2391

My countryman—a Roman by a Roman 2392

Valiantly vanquished. Now my spirit is going; 2393

I can no more. 2394

CLEOPATRA

Noblest of men, woo’t die?

Hast thou no care of me? Shall I abide 2395

In this dull world, which in thy absence is 2396

No better than a sty? O see, my women, 2397

The crown o’ th’ Earth doth melt.—My lord! 2398

(Antony dies.)

O, withered is the garland of the war; 2399

The soldier’s pole is fall’n; young boys and girls 2400

Are level now with men. The odds is gone, 2401

And there is nothing left remarkable 2402

Beneath the visiting moon. 2403

CHARMIAN

O, quietness, lady!

(Cleopatra swoons.)

IRAS

She’s dead, too, our sovereign. 2404

CHARMIAN

Lady! 2405

IRAS

Madam! 2406

CHARMIAN

O madam, madam, madam! 2407

IRAS

Royal Egypt! Empress! 2408

(Cleopatra stirs.)

CHARMIAN

Peace, peace, Iras! 2409

CLEOPATRA

No more but e’en a woman, and commanded 2410

By such poor passion as the maid that milks 2411

And does the meanest chares. It were for me 2412

To throw my scepter at the injurious gods, 2413

To tell them that this world did equal theirs 2414

Till they had stolen our jewel. All’s but naught. 2415

Patience is sottish, and impatience does 2416

Become a dog that’s mad. Then is it sin 2417

To rush into the secret house of death 2418

Ere death dare come to us? How do you, women? 2419

What, what, good cheer! Why, how now, Charmian? 2420

My noble girls! Ah, women, women! Look, 2421

Our lamp is spent; it’s out. Good sirs, take heart. 2422

We’ll bury him; and then, what’s brave, what’s noble, 2423

Let’s do ’t after the high Roman fashion 2424

And make death proud to take us. Come, away. 2425

This case of that huge spirit now is cold. 2426

Ah women, women! Come, we have no friend 2427

But resolution and the briefest end. 2428

(They exit, bearing off Antony’s body.)

Act V

Scene 1

(Enter Caesar with Agrippa, Dolabella, Maecenas, Gallus, and Proculeius, his council of war.)

CAESAR

Go to him, Dolabella, bid him yield. 2429

Being so frustrate, tell him, he mocks 2430

The pauses that he makes. 2431

DOLABELLA

Caesar, I shall.

(Dolabella exits.)

(Enter Dercetus with the sword of Antony.)

CAESAR

Wherefore is that? And what art thou that dar’st 2432

Appear thus to us? 2433

DERCETUS

I am called Dercetus.

Mark Antony I served, who best was worthy 2434

Best to be served. Whilst he stood up and spoke, 2435

He was my master, and I wore my life 2436

To spend upon his haters. If thou please 2437

To take me to thee, as I was to him 2438

I’ll be to Caesar; if thou pleasest not, 2439

I yield thee up my life. 2440

CAESAR

What is ’t thou say’st?

DERCETUS

I say, O Caesar, Antony is dead. 2441

CAESAR

The breaking of so great a thing should make 2442

A greater crack. The round world 2443

Should have shook lions into civil streets 2444

And citizens to their dens. The death of Antony 2445

Is not a single doom; in the name lay 2446

A moiety of the world. 2447

DERCETUS

He is dead, Caesar,

Not by a public minister of justice, 2448

Nor by a hirèd knife, but that self hand 2449

Which writ his honor in the acts it did 2450

Hath, with the courage which the heart did lend it, 2451

Splitted the heart. This is his sword. 2452

I robbed his wound of it. Behold it stained 2453

With his most noble blood. 2454

CAESAR

Look you sad, friends?

The gods rebuke me, but it is tidings 2455

To wash the eyes of kings. 2456

AGRIPPA

And strange it is

That nature must compel us to lament 2457

Our most persisted deeds. 2458

MAECENAS

His taints and honors

Waged equal with him. 2459

AGRIPPA

A rarer spirit never

Did steer humanity, but you gods will give us 2460

Some faults to make us men. Caesar is touched. 2461

MAECENAS

When such a spacious mirror’s set before him, 2462

He needs must see himself. 2463

CAESAR

O Antony,

I have followed thee to this, but we do lance 2464

Diseases in our bodies. I must perforce 2465

Have shown to thee such a declining day 2466

Or look on thine. We could not stall together 2467

In the whole world. But yet let me lament 2468

With tears as sovereign as the blood of hearts 2469

That thou my brother, my competitor 2470

In top of all design, my mate in empire, 2471

Friend and companion in the front of war, 2472

The arm of mine own body, and the heart 2473

Where mine his thoughts did kindle—that our stars 2474

Unreconciliable should divide 2475

Our equalness to this. Hear me, good friends— 2476

(Enter an Egyptian.)

But I will tell you at some meeter season. 2477

The business of this man looks out of him. 2478

We’ll hear him what he says.—Whence are you? 2479

EGYPTIAN

A poor Egyptian yet, the Queen my mistress, 2480

Confined in all she has, her monument, 2481

Of thy intents desires instruction, 2482

That she preparedly may frame herself 2483

To th’ way she’s forced to. 2484

CAESAR

Bid her have good heart.

She soon shall know of us, by some of ours, 2485

How honorable and how kindly we 2486

Determine for her. For Caesar cannot live 2487

To be ungentle. 2488

EGYPTIAN

So the gods preserve thee.

(He exits.)

CAESAR

Come hither, Proculeius. Go and say 2489

We purpose her no shame. Give her what comforts 2490

The quality of her passion shall require, 2491

Lest, in her greatness, by some mortal stroke 2492

She do defeat us, for her life in Rome 2493

Would be eternal in our triumph. Go, 2494

And with your speediest bring us what she says 2495

And how you find of her. 2496

PROCULEIUS

Caesar, I shall.

(Proculeius exits.)

CAESAR

Gallus, go you along. 2497

(Gallus exits.)

Where’s Dolabella,

To second Proculeius? 2498

ALL

Dollabella!

CAESAR

Let him alone, for I remember now 2499

How he’s employed. He shall in time be ready. 2500

Go with me to my tent, where you shall see 2501

How hardly I was drawn into this war, 2502

How calm and gentle I proceeded still 2503

In all my writings. Go with me and see 2504

What I can show in this. 2505

(They exit.)

Scene 2

(Enter Cleopatra, Charmian, and Iras.)

CLEOPATRA

My desolation does begin to make 2506

A better life. ’Tis paltry to be Caesar; 2507

Not being Fortune, he’s but Fortune’s knave, 2508

A minister of her will. And it is great 2509

To do that thing that ends all other deeds, 2510

Which shackles accidents and bolts up change, 2511

Which sleeps and never palates more the dung, 2512

The beggar’s nurse, and Caesar’s. 2513

(Enter Proculeius.)

PROCULEIUS

Caesar sends greeting to the Queen of Egypt, 2514

And bids thee study on what fair demands 2515

Thou mean’st to have him grant thee. 2516

CLEOPATRA

What’s thy name?

PROCULEIUS

My name is Proculeius. 2517

CLEOPATRA

Antony

Did tell me of you, bade me trust you, but 2518

I do not greatly care to be deceived 2519

That have no use for trusting. If your master 2520

Would have a queen his beggar, you must tell him 2521

That majesty, to keep decorum, must 2522

No less beg than a kingdom. If he please 2523

To give me conquered Egypt for my son, 2524

He gives me so much of mine own as I 2525

Will kneel to him with thanks. 2526

PROCULEIUS

Be of good cheer.

You’re fall’n into a princely hand; fear nothing. 2527

Make your full reference freely to my lord, 2528

Who is so full of grace that it flows over 2529

On all that need. Let me report to him 2530

Your sweet dependency, and you shall find 2531

A conqueror that will pray in aid for kindness 2532

Where he for grace is kneeled to. 2533

CLEOPATRA

Pray you tell him

I am his fortune’s vassal and I send him 2534

The greatness he has got. I hourly learn 2535

A doctrine of obedience, and would gladly 2536

Look him i’ th’ face. 2537

PROCULEIUS

This I’ll report, dear lady.

Have comfort, for I know your plight is pitied 2538

Of him that caused it. 2539

(Gallus and Soldiers enter and seize Cleopatra.)

GALLUS

You see how easily she may be surprised. 2540

Guard her till Caesar come. 2541

IRAS

Royal queen!

CHARMIAN

O, Cleopatra, thou art taken, queen! 2542

CLEOPATRA

Drawing a dagger. Quick, quick, good hands! 2543

PROCULEIUS

Seizing the dagger. Hold, worthy lady, hold! 2544

Do not yourself such wrong, who are in this 2545

Relieved, but not betrayed. 2546

CLEOPATRA

What, of death, too,

That rids our dogs of languish? 2547

PROCULEIUS

Cleopatra,

Do not abuse my master’s bounty by 2548

Th’ undoing of yourself. Let the world see 2549

His nobleness well acted, which your death 2550

Will never let come forth. 2551

CLEOPATRA

Where art thou, Death?

Come hither, come! Come, come, and take a queen 2552

Worth many babes and beggars. 2553

PROCULEIUS

O, temperance, lady!

CLEOPATRA

Sir, I will eat no meat; I’ll not drink, sir. 2554

If idle talk will once be necessary— 2555

I’ll not sleep neither. This mortal house I’ll ruin, 2556

Do Caesar what he can. Know, sir, that I 2557

Will not wait pinioned at your master’s court, 2558

Nor once be chastised with the sober eye 2559

Of dull Octavia. Shall they hoist me up 2560

And show me to the shouting varletry 2561

Of censuring Rome? Rather a ditch in Egypt 2562

Be gentle grave unto me; rather on Nilus’ mud 2563

Lay me stark naked, and let the waterflies 2564

Blow me into abhorring; rather make 2565

My country’s high pyramides my gibbet 2566

And hang me up in chains! 2567

PROCULEIUS

You do extend

These thoughts of horror further than you shall 2568

Find cause in Caesar. 2569

(Enter Dolabella.)

DOLABELLA

Proculeius,

What thou hast done thy master Caesar knows, 2570

And he hath sent for thee. For the Queen, 2571

I’ll take her to my guard. 2572

PROCULEIUS

So, Dolabella,

It shall content me best. Be gentle to her. 2573

To Cleopatra. To Caesar I will speak what you shall please, 2574

If you’ll employ me to him. 2575

CLEOPATRA

Say I would die.

(Proculeius, Gallus, and Soldiers exit.)

DOLABELLA

Most noble empress, you have heard of me. 2576

CLEOPATRA

I cannot tell. 2577

DOLABELLA

Assuredly you know me.

CLEOPATRA

No matter, sir, what I have heard or known. 2578

You laugh when boys or women tell their dreams; 2579

Is ’t not your trick? 2580

DOLABELLA

I understand not, madam.

CLEOPATRA

I dreamt there was an emperor Antony. 2581

O, such another sleep, that I might see 2582

But such another man. 2583

DOLABELLA

If it might please you—

CLEOPATRA

His face was as the heavens, and therein stuck 2584

A sun and moon, which kept their course and lighted 2585

The little O, the Earth. 2586

DOLABELLA

Most sovereign creature—

CLEOPATRA

His legs bestrid the ocean, his reared arm 2587

Crested the world. His voice was propertied 2588

As all the tunèd spheres, and that to friends; 2589

But when he meant to quail and shake the orb, 2590

He was as rattling thunder. For his bounty, 2591

There was no winter in ’t; an autumn ’twas 2592

That grew the more by reaping. His delights 2593

Were dolphin-like; they showed his back above 2594

The element they lived in. In his livery 2595

Walked crowns and crownets; realms and islands were 2596

As plates dropped from his pocket. 2597

DOLABELLA

Cleopatra—

CLEOPATRA

Think you there was, or might be, such a man 2598

As this I dreamt of? 2599

DOLABELLA

Gentle madam, no.

CLEOPATRA

You lie up to the hearing of the gods! 2600

But if there be nor ever were one such, 2601

It’s past the size of dreaming. Nature wants stuff 2602

To vie strange forms with fancy, yet t’ imagine 2603

An Antony were nature’s piece ’gainst fancy, 2604

Condemning shadows quite. 2605

DOLABELLA

Hear me, good madam.

Your loss is as yourself, great; and you bear it 2606

As answering to the weight. Would I might never 2607

O’ertake pursued success but I do feel, 2608

By the rebound of yours, a grief that smites 2609

My very heart at root. 2610

CLEOPATRA

I thank you, sir.

Know you what Caesar means to do with me? 2611

DOLABELLA

I am loath to tell you what I would you knew. 2612

CLEOPATRA

Nay, pray you, sir. 2613

DOLABELLA

Though he be honorable—

CLEOPATRA

He’ll lead me, then, in triumph. 2614

DOLABELLA

Madam, he will. I know ’t. 2615

(Flourish. Enter Caesar, Proculeius, Gallus, Maecenas, and others of his train.)

ALL

Make way there! Caesar! 2616

CAESAR

Which is the Queen of Egypt? 2617

DOLABELLA

It is the Emperor, madam. 2618

(Cleopatra kneels.)

CAESAR

Arise. You shall not kneel. 2619

I pray you, rise. Rise, Egypt. 2620

CLEOPATRA

Sir, the gods

Will have it thus. My master and my lord 2621

I must obey. 2622

(She stands.)

CAESAR

Take to you no hard thoughts.

The record of what injuries you did us, 2623

Though written in our flesh, we shall remember 2624

As things but done by chance. 2625

CLEOPATRA

Sole sir o’ th’ world,

I cannot project mine own cause so well 2626

To make it clear, but do confess I have 2627

Been laden with like frailties which before 2628

Have often shamed our sex. 2629

CAESAR

Cleopatra, know

We will extenuate rather than enforce. 2630

If you apply yourself to our intents, 2631

Which towards you are most gentle, you shall find 2632

A benefit in this change; but if you seek 2633

To lay on me a cruelty by taking 2634

Antony’s course, you shall bereave yourself 2635

Of my good purposes, and put your children 2636

To that destruction which I’ll guard them from 2637

If thereon you rely. I’ll take my leave. 2638

CLEOPATRA

And may through all the world. ’Tis yours, and we, 2639

Your scutcheons and your signs of conquest, shall 2640

Hang in what place you please. Here, my good lord. 2641

(She holds out a paper.)

CAESAR

You shall advise me in all for Cleopatra. 2642

CLEOPATRA

This is the brief of money, plate, and jewels 2643

I am possessed of. ’Tis exactly valued, 2644

Not petty things admitted.—Where’s Seleucus? 2645

(Enter Seleucus.)

SELEUCUS

Here, madam. 2646

CLEOPATRA

This is my treasurer. Let him speak, my lord, 2647

Upon his peril, that I have reserved 2648

To myself nothing.—Speak the truth, Seleucus. 2649

SELEUCUS

Madam, I had rather seel my lips 2650

Than to my peril speak that which is not. 2651

CLEOPATRA

What have I kept back? 2652

SELEUCUS

Enough to purchase what you have made known. 2653

CAESAR

Nay, blush not, Cleopatra. I approve 2654

Your wisdom in the deed. 2655

CLEOPATRA

See, Caesar, O, behold

How pomp is followed! Mine will now be yours, 2656

And should we shift estates, yours would be mine. 2657

The ingratitude of this Seleucus does 2658

Even make me wild.—O slave, of no more trust 2659

Than love that’s hired! What, goest thou back? Thou shalt 2660

Go back, I warrant thee! But I’ll catch thine eyes 2661

Though they had wings. Slave, soulless villain, dog! 2662

O rarely base! 2663

CAESAR

Good queen, let us entreat you—

CLEOPATRA

O Caesar, what a wounding shame is this, 2664

That thou vouchsafing here to visit me, 2665

Doing the honor of thy lordliness 2666

To one so meek, that mine own servant should 2667

Parcel the sum of my disgraces by 2668

Addition of his envy! Say, good Caesar, 2669

That I some lady trifles have reserved, 2670

Immoment toys, things of such dignity 2671

As we greet modern friends withal, and say 2672

Some nobler token I have kept apart 2673

For Livia and Octavia, to induce 2674

Their mediation, must I be unfolded 2675

With one that I have bred? The gods! It smites me 2676

Beneath the fall I have. To Seleucus. Prithee, go hence, 2677

Or I shall show the cinders of my spirits 2678

Through th’ ashes of my chance. Wert thou a man, 2679

Thou wouldst have mercy on me. 2680

CAESAR

Forbear, Seleucus.

(Seleucus exits.)

CLEOPATRA

Be it known that we, the greatest, are misthought 2681

For things that others do; and when we fall, 2682

We answer others’ merits in our name— 2683

Are therefore to be pitied. 2684

CAESAR

Cleopatra,

Not what you have reserved nor what acknowledged 2685

Put we i’ th’ roll of conquest. Still be ’t yours! 2686

Bestow it at your pleasure, and believe 2687

Caesar’s no merchant to make prize with you 2688

Of things that merchants sold. Therefore be cheered. 2689

Make not your thoughts your prisons. No, dear queen, 2690

For we intend so to dispose you as 2691

Yourself shall give us counsel. Feed and sleep. 2692

Our care and pity is so much upon you 2693

That we remain your friend. And so adieu. 2694

CLEOPATRA

My master and my lord! 2695

CAESAR

Not so. Adieu.

Flourish. Caesar and his train exit. 2696

CLEOPATRA

He words me, girls, he words me, that I should not 2697

Be noble to myself. But hark thee, Charmian. 2698

(She whispers to Charmian.)

IRAS

Finish, good lady. The bright day is done, 2699

And we are for the dark. 2700

CLEOPATRA

To Charmian. Hie thee again.

I have spoke already, and it is provided. 2701

Go put it to the haste. 2702

CHARMIAN

Madam, I will.

(Enter Dolabella.)

DOLABELLA

Where’s the Queen? 2703

CHARMIAN

Behold, sir.

(She exits.)

CLEOPATRA

Dolabella.

DOLABELLA

Madam, as thereto sworn by your command, 2704

Which my love makes religion to obey, 2705

I tell you this: Caesar through Syria 2706

Intends his journey, and within three days 2707

You with your children will he send before. 2708

Make your best use of this. I have performed 2709

Your pleasure and my promise. 2710

CLEOPATRA

Dolabella,

I shall remain your debtor. 2711

DOLABELLA

I your servant.

Adieu, good queen. I must attend on Caesar. 2712

CLEOPATRA

Farewell, and thanks. 2713

(He exits.)

Now, Iras, what think’st thou?

Thou an Egyptian puppet shall be shown 2714

In Rome as well as I. Mechanic slaves 2715

With greasy aprons, rules, and hammers shall 2716

Uplift us to the view. In their thick breaths, 2717

Rank of gross diet, shall we be enclouded 2718

And forced to drink their vapor. 2719

IRAS

The gods forbid!

CLEOPATRA

Nay, ’tis most certain, Iras. Saucy lictors 2720

Will catch at us like strumpets, and scald rhymers 2721

Ballad us out o’ tune. The quick comedians 2722

Extemporally will stage us and present 2723

Our Alexandrian revels. Antony 2724

Shall be brought drunken forth, and I shall see 2725

Some squeaking Cleopatra boy my greatness 2726

I’ th’ posture of a whore. 2727

IRAS

O the good gods!

CLEOPATRA

Nay, that’s certain. 2728

IRAS

I’ll never see ’t! For I am sure mine nails 2729

Are stronger than mine eyes. 2730

CLEOPATRA

Why, that’s the way

To fool their preparation and to conquer 2731

Their most absurd intents. 2732

(Enter Charmian.)

Now, Charmian!

Show me, my women, like a queen. Go fetch 2733

My best attires. I am again for Cydnus 2734

To meet Mark Antony. Sirrah Iras, go.— 2735

Now, noble Charmian, we’ll dispatch indeed, 2736

And when thou hast done this chare, I’ll give thee leave 2737

To play till Doomsday.—Bring our crown and all. 2738

(Iras exits. A noise within.)

Wherefore’s this noise? 2739

(Enter a Guardsman.)

GUARDSMAN

Here is a rural fellow

That will not be denied your Highness’ presence. 2740

He brings you figs. 2741

CLEOPATRA

Let him come in. 2742

(Guardsman exits.)

What poor an instrument

May do a noble deed! He brings me liberty. 2743

My resolution’s placed, and I have nothing 2744

Of woman in me. Now from head to foot 2745

I am marble-constant. Now the fleeting moon 2746

No planet is of mine. 2747

(Enter Guardsman and Countryman, with a basket.)

GUARDSMAN

This is the man.

CLEOPATRA

Avoid, and leave him. 2748

(Guardsman exits.)

Hast thou the pretty worm of Nilus there 2749

That kills and pains not? 2750

COUNTRYMAN

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? 2751

COUNTRYMAN

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. 2752

COUNTRYMAN

I wish you all joy of the worm.

(He sets down the basket.)

CLEOPATRA

Farewell. 2753

COUNTRYMAN

You must think this, look you, that the worm will do his kind.

CLEOPATRA

Ay, ay, farewell. 2754

COUNTRYMAN

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. 2755

COUNTRYMAN

Very good. Give it nothing, I pray you, for it is not worth the feeding.

CLEOPATRA

Will it eat me? 2756

COUNTRYMAN

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. 2757

COUNTRYMAN

Yes, forsooth. I wish you joy o’ th’ worm.

(He exits.)

(Enter Iras bearing Cleopatra’s royal regalia.)

CLEOPATRA

Give me my robe. Put on my crown. I have 2758

Immortal longings in me. Now no more 2759

The juice of Egypt’s grape shall moist this lip. 2760

(Charmian and Iras begin to dress her.)

Yare, yare, good Iras, quick. Methinks I hear 2761

Antony call. I see him rouse himself 2762

To praise my noble act. I hear him mock 2763

The luck of Caesar, which the gods give men 2764

To excuse their after wrath.—Husband, I come! 2765

Now to that name my courage prove my title. 2766

I am fire and air; my other elements 2767

I give to baser life.—So, have you done? 2768

Come then, and take the last warmth of my lips. 2769

Farewell, kind Charmian.—Iras, long farewell. 2770

(She kisses them. Iras falls and dies.)

Have I the aspic in my lips? Dost fall? 2771

If thou and nature can so gently part, 2772

The stroke of death is as a lover’s pinch, 2773

Which hurts and is desired. Dost thou lie still? 2774

If thus thou vanishest, thou tell’st the world 2775

It is not worth leave-taking. 2776

CHARMIAN

Dissolve, thick cloud, and rain, that I may say 2777

The gods themselves do weep! 2778

CLEOPATRA

This proves me base.

If she first meet the curlèd Antony, 2779

He’ll make demand of her, and spend that kiss 2780

Which is my heaven to have.—Come, thou mortal wretch, 2781

(She places an asp on her breast.)

With thy sharp teeth this knot intrinsicate 2782

Of life at once untie. Poor venomous fool, 2783

Be angry and dispatch. O, couldst thou speak, 2784

That I might hear thee call great Caesar ass 2785

Unpolicied! 2786

CHARMIAN

O eastern star!

CLEOPATRA

Peace, peace!

Dost thou not see my baby at my breast, 2787

That sucks the nurse asleep? 2788

CHARMIAN

O, break! O, break!

CLEOPATRA

As sweet as balm, as soft as air, as gentle— 2789

O Antony!—Nay, I will take thee too. 2790

(She places an asp on her arm.)

What should I stay— 2791

(Dies.)

CHARMIAN

In this wild world? So, fare thee well.

Now boast thee, Death, in thy possession lies 2792

A lass unparalleled. Downy windows, close, 2793

(She closes Cleopatra’s eyes.)

And golden Phoebus, never be beheld 2794

Of eyes again so royal. Your crown’s awry. 2795

I’ll mend it, and then play— 2796

(Enter the Guard rustling in.)

FIRST GUARD

Where’s the Queen? 2797

CHARMIAN

Speak softly. Wake her not.

FIRST GUARD

Caesar hath sent— 2798

CHARMIAN

Too slow a messenger.

(She takes out an asp.)

O, come apace, dispatch! I partly feel thee. 2799

FIRST GUARD

Approach, ho! All’s not well. Caesar’s beguiled. 2800

SECOND GUARD

There’s Dolabella sent from Caesar. Call him. 2801

(A Guardsman exits.)

FIRST GUARD

What work is here, Charmian? Is this well done? 2802

CHARMIAN

It is well done, and fitting for a princess 2803

Descended of so many royal kings. 2804

Ah, soldier! 2805

(Charmian dies.)

(Enter Dolabella.)

DOLABELLA

How goes it here? 2806

SECOND GUARD

All dead.

DOLABELLA

Caesar, thy thoughts

Touch their effects in this. Thyself art coming 2807

To see performed the dreaded act which thou 2808

So sought’st to hinder. 2809

(Enter Caesar and all his train, marching.)

ALL

A way there, a way for Caesar! 2810

DOLABELLA

O sir, you are too sure an augurer: 2811

That you did fear is done. 2812

CAESAR

Bravest at the last,

She leveled at our purposes and, being royal, 2813

Took her own way. The manner of their deaths? 2814

I do not see them bleed. 2815

DOLABELLA

Who was last with them?

FIRST GUARD

A simple countryman that brought her figs. 2816

This was his basket. 2817

CAESAR

Poisoned, then.

FIRST GUARD

O Caesar,

This Charmian lived but now; she stood and spake. 2818

I found her trimming up the diadem 2819

On her dead mistress; tremblingly she stood, 2820

And on the sudden dropped. 2821

CAESAR

O, noble weakness!

If they had swallowed poison, ’twould appear 2822

By external swelling; but she looks like sleep, 2823

As she would catch another Antony 2824

In her strong toil of grace. 2825

DOLABELLA

Here on her breast

There is a vent of blood, and something blown. 2826

The like is on her arm. 2827

FIRST GUARD

This is an aspic’s trail, and these fig leaves 2828

Have slime upon them, such as th’ aspic leaves 2829

Upon the caves of Nile. 2830

CAESAR

Most probable

That so she died, for her physician tells me 2831

She hath pursued conclusions infinite 2832

Of easy ways to die. Take up her bed, 2833

And bear her women from the monument. 2834

She shall be buried by her Antony. 2835

No grave upon the earth shall clip in it 2836

A pair so famous. High events as these 2837

Strike those that make them; and their story is 2838

No less in pity than his glory which 2839

Brought them to be lamented. Our army shall 2840

In solemn show attend this funeral, 2841

And then to Rome. Come, Dolabella, see 2842

High order in this great solemnity. 2843

(They all exit, the Guards bearing the dead bodies.)