Shakespeare Plays and Sonnets

Antony and Cleopatra

Players:

ACT I

ACT I, SCENE I. Alexandria. A room in CLEOPATRA's palace.

[Enter DEMETRIUS and PHILO]

  • PHILO:

  • Nay, but this dotage of our general's
  • O'erflows the measure: those his goodly eyes,
  • That o'er the files and musters of the war
  • Have glow'd like plated Mars, now bend, now turn,
  • The office and devotion of their view
  • Upon a tawny front: his captain's heart,
  • Which in the scuffles of great fights hath burst
  • The buckles on his breast, reneges all temper,
  • And is become the bellows and the fan
  • To cool a gipsy's lust.

  • [Flourish. Enter ANTONY, CLEOPATRA, her Ladies, the Train, with Eunuchs fanning her]

  • Look, where they come:
  • Take but good note, and you shall see in him.
  • The triple pillar of the world transform'd
  • Into a strumpet's fool: behold and see.

  • CLEOPATRA:

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

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • There's beggary in the love that can be reckon'd.

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • I'll set a bourn how far to be beloved.

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • Then must thou needs find out new heaven, new earth.

  • [Enter an Attendant]

  • Attendant:

  • News, my good lord, from Rome.

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • Grates me: the sum.

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • Nay, hear them, Antony:
  • Fulvia perchance is angry; or, who knows
  • If the scarce-bearded Caesar have not sent
  • His powerful mandate to you, 'Do this, or this;
  • Take in that kingdom, and enfranchise that;
  • Perform 't, or else we damn thee.'

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • How, my love!

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • Perchance! nay, and most like:
  • You must not stay here longer, your dismission
  • Is come from Caesar; therefore hear it, Antony.
  • Where's Fulvia's process? Caesar's I would say? both?
  • Call in the messengers. As I am Egypt's queen,
  • Thou blushest, Antony; and that blood of thine
  • Is Caesar's homager: else so thy cheek pays shame
  • When shrill-tongued Fulvia scolds. The messengers!

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • Let Rome in Tiber melt, and the wide arch
  • Of the ranged empire fall! Here is my space.
  • Kingdoms are clay: our dungy earth alike
  • Feeds beast as man: the nobleness of life
  • Is to do thus; when such a mutual pair

  • [Embracing]

  • And such a twain can do't, in which I bind,
  • On pain of punishment, the world to weet
  • We stand up peerless.

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • Excellent falsehood!
  • Why did he marry Fulvia, and not love her?
  • I'll seem the fool I am not; Antony
  • Will be himself.

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • But stirr'd by Cleopatra.
  • Now, for the love of Love and her soft hours,
  • Let's not confound the time with conference harsh:
  • There's not a minute of our lives should stretch
  • Without some pleasure now. What sport tonight?

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • Hear the ambassadors.

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • Fie, wrangling queen!
  • Whom every thing becomes, to chide, to laugh,
  • To weep; whose every passion fully strives
  • To make itself, in thee, fair and admired!
  • No messenger, but thine; and all alone
  • To-night we'll wander through the streets and note
  • The qualities of people. Come, my queen;
  • Last night you did desire it: speak not to us.

  • [Exeunt MARK ANTONY and CLEOPATRA with their train]

  • DEMETRIUS:

  • Is Caesar with Antonius prized so slight?

  • PHILO:

  • Sir, sometimes, when he is not Antony,
  • He comes too short of that great property
  • Which still should go with Antony.

  • DEMETRIUS:

  • I am full sorry
  • That he approves the common liar, who
  • Thus speaks of him at Rome: but I will hope
  • Of better deeds to-morrow. Rest you happy!

  • [Exeunt]

ACT I, SCENE II. Another room in the palace.

[Enter CHARMIAN, IRAS, ALEXAS, and a Soothsayer]

  • CHARMIAN:

  • Lord Alexas, sweet Alexas, most any thing Alexas,
  • almost most absolute Alexas, where's the soothsayer
  • that you praised so to the queen? O, that I knew
  • this husband, which, you say, must charge his horns
  • with garlands!

  • ALEXAS:

  • Soothsayer!

  • Soothsayer:

  • Your will?

  • CHARMIAN:

  • Is this the man? Is't you, sir, that know things?

  • Soothsayer:

  • In nature's infinite book of secrecy
  • A little I can read.

  • ALEXAS:

  • Show him your hand.

  • [Enter DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS]

  • DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS:

  • Bring in the banquet quickly; wine enough
  • Cleopatra's health to drink.

  • CHARMIAN:

  • Good sir, give me good fortune.

  • Soothsayer:

  • I make not, but foresee.

  • CHARMIAN:

  • Pray, then, foresee me one.

  • Soothsayer:

  • You shall be yet far fairer than you are.

  • CHARMIAN:

  • He means in flesh.

  • IRAS:

  • No, you shall paint when you are old.

  • CHARMIAN:

  • Wrinkles forbid!

  • ALEXAS:

  • Vex not his prescience; be attentive.

  • CHARMIAN:

  • Hush!

  • Soothsayer:

  • You shall be more beloving than beloved.

  • CHARMIAN:

  • I had rather heat my liver with drinking.

  • ALEXAS:

  • Nay, hear him.

  • CHARMIAN:

  • Good now, some excellent fortune! Let me be married
  • to three kings in a forenoon, and widow them all:
  • let me have a child at fifty, to whom Herod of Jewry
  • may do homage: find me to marry me with Octavius
  • Caesar, and companion me with my mistress.

  • Soothsayer:

  • You shall outlive the lady whom you serve.

  • CHARMIAN:

  • O excellent! I love long life better than figs.

  • Soothsayer:

  • You have seen and proved a fairer former fortune
  • Than that which is to approach.

  • CHARMIAN:

  • Then belike my children shall have no names:
  • prithee, how many boys and wenches must I have?

  • Soothsayer:

  • If every of your wishes had a womb.
  • And fertile every wish, a million.

  • CHARMIAN:

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

  • ALEXAS:

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

  • CHARMIAN:

  • Nay, come, tell Iras hers.

  • ALEXAS:

  • We'll know all our fortunes.

  • DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS:

  • Mine, and most of our fortunes, to-night, shall
  • be--drunk to bed.

  • IRAS:

  • There's a palm presages chastity, if nothing else.

  • CHARMIAN:

  • E'en as the o'erflowing Nilus presageth famine.

  • IRAS:

  • Go, you wild bedfellow, you cannot soothsay.

  • CHARMIAN:

  • Nay, if an oily palm be not a fruitful
  • prognostication, I cannot scratch mine ear. Prithee,
  • tell her but a worky-day fortune.

  • Soothsayer:

  • Your fortunes are alike.

  • IRAS:

  • But how, but how? give me particulars.

  • Soothsayer:

  • I have said.

  • IRAS:

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

  • CHARMIAN:

  • Well, if you were but an inch of fortune better than
  • I, where would you choose it?

  • IRAS:

  • Not in my husband's nose.

  • CHARMIAN:

  • Our worser thoughts heavens mend! Alexas,--come,
  • his fortune, his fortune! O, let him marry a woman
  • that cannot go, sweet Isis, I beseech thee! and let
  • her die too, and give him a worse! and let worst
  • follow worse, till the worst of all follow him
  • laughing to his grave, fifty-fold 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'ld do't!

  • DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS:

  • Hush! here comes Antony.

  • CHARMIAN:

  • Not he; the queen.

  • [Enter CLEOPATRA]

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • Saw you my lord?

  • DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS:

  • No, lady.

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • Was he not here?

  • CHARMIAN:

  • No, madam.

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • He was disposed to mirth; but on the sudden
  • A Roman thought hath struck him. Enobarbus!

  • DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS:

  • Madam?

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • Seek him, and bring him hither.
  • Where's Alexas?

  • ALEXAS:

  • Here, at your service. My lord approaches.

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • We will not look upon him: go with us.

  • [Exeunt Enter MARK ANTONY with a Messenger and Attendants]

  • Messenger:

  • Fulvia thy wife first came into the field.

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • Against my brother Lucius?

  • Messenger:

  • Ay:
  • But soon that war had end, and the time's state
  • Made friends of them, joining their force 'gainst Caesar;
  • Whose better issue in the war, from Italy,
  • Upon the first encounter, drave them.

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • Well, what worst?

  • Messenger:

  • The nature of bad news infects the teller.

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • When it concerns the fool or coward. On:
  • Things that are past are done with me. 'Tis thus:
  • Who tells me true, though in his tale lie death,
  • I hear him as he flatter'd.

  • Messenger:

  • Labienus--
  • This is stiff news--hath, with his Parthian force,
  • Extended Asia from Euphrates;
  • His conquering banner shook from Syria
  • To Lydia and to Ionia; Whilst--

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • Antony, thou wouldst say,--

  • Messenger:

  • O, my lord!

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • Speak to me home, mince not the general tongue:
  • Name Cleopatra as she is call'd in Rome;
  • Rail thou in Fulvia's phrase; and taunt my faults
  • With such full licence as both truth and malice
  • Have power to utter. O, then we bring forth weeds,
  • When our quick minds lie still; and our ills told us
  • Is as our earing. Fare thee well awhile.

  • Messenger:

  • At your noble pleasure.

  • [Exit]

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • From Sicyon, ho, the news! Speak there!

  • First Attendant:

  • The man from Sicyon,--is there such an one?

  • Second Attendant:

  • He stays upon your will.

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • Let him appear.
  • These strong Egyptian fetters I must break,
  • Or lose myself in dotage.

  • [Enter another Messenger]

  • What are you?

  • Second Messenger:

  • Fulvia thy wife is dead.

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • Where died she?

  • Second Messenger:

  • In Sicyon:
  • Her length of sickness, with what else more serious
  • Importeth thee to know, this bears.
  • Gives a letter

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • Forbear me.

  • [Exit Second Messenger]

  • There's a great spirit gone! Thus did I desire it:
  • What our contempt doth often hurl from us,
  • We wish it ours again; the present pleasure,
  • By revolution lowering, does become
  • The opposite of itself: she's good, being gone;
  • The hand could pluck her back that shoved her on.
  • I must from this enchanting queen break off:
  • Ten thousand harms, more than the ills I know,
  • My idleness doth hatch. How now! Enobarbus!

  • [Re-enter DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS]

  • DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS:

  • What's your pleasure, sir?

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • I must with haste from hence.

  • DOMITIUS 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.

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • I must be gone.

  • DOMITIUS 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.

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • She is cunning past man's thought.

  • [Exit ALEXAS]

  • DOMITIUS 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.

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • Would I had never seen her.

  • DOMITIUS 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.

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • Fulvia is dead.

  • DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS:

  • Sir?

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • Fulvia is dead.

  • DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS:

  • Fulvia!

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • Dead.

  • DOMITIUS 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.

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • The business she hath broached in the state
  • Cannot endure my absence.

  • DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS:

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

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • No more light answers. Let our officers
  • Have notice what we purpose. I shall break
  • The cause of our expedience to the queen,
  • And get her leave to part. For not alone
  • The death of Fulvia, with more urgent touches,
  • Do strongly speak to us; but the letters too
  • Of many our contriving friends in Rome
  • Petition us at home: Sextus Pompeius
  • Hath given the dare to Caesar, and commands
  • The empire of the sea: our slippery people,
  • Whose love is never link'd to the deserver
  • Till his deserts are past, begin to throw
  • Pompey the Great and all his dignities
  • Upon his son; who, high in name and power,
  • Higher than both in blood and life, stands up
  • For the main soldier: whose quality, going on,
  • The sides o' the world may danger: much is breeding,
  • Which, like the courser's hair, hath yet but life,
  • And not a serpent's poison. Say, our pleasure,
  • To such whose place is under us, requires
  • Our quick remove from hence.

  • DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS:

  • I shall do't.

  • [Exeunt]

ACT I, SCENE III. Another room in the palace.

[Enter CLEOPATRA, CHARMIAN, IRAS, and ALEXAS]

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • Where is he?

  • CHARMIAN:

  • I did not see him since.

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • See where he is, who's with him, what he does:
  • I did not send you: if you find him sad,
  • Say I am dancing; if in mirth, report
  • That I am sudden sick: quick, and return.

  • [Exit ALEXAS]

  • CHARMIAN:

  • Madam, methinks, if you did love him dearly,
  • You do not hold the method to enforce
  • The like from him.

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • What should I do, I do not?

  • CHARMIAN:

  • In each thing give him way, cross him nothing.

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • Thou teachest like a fool; the way to lose him.

  • CHARMIAN:

  • Tempt him not so too far; I wish, forbear:
  • In time we hate that which we often fear.
  • But here comes Antony.

  • [Enter MARK ANTONY]

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • I am sick and sullen.

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • I am sorry to give breathing to my purpose,--

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • Help me away, dear Charmian; I shall fall:
  • It cannot be thus long, the sides of nature
  • Will not sustain it.

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • Now, my dearest queen,--

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • Pray you, stand further from me.

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • What's the matter?

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • I know, by that same eye, there's some good news.
  • What says the married woman? You may go:
  • Would she had never given you leave to come!
  • Let her not say 'tis I that keep you here:
  • I have no power upon you; hers you are.

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • The gods best know,--

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • O, never was there queen
  • So mightily betray'd! yet at the first
  • I saw the treasons planted.

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • Cleopatra,--

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • Why should I think you can be mine and true,
  • Though you in swearing shake the throned gods,
  • Who have been false to Fulvia? Riotous madness,
  • To be entangled with those mouth-made vows,
  • Which break themselves in swearing!

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • Most sweet queen,--

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • Nay, pray you, seek no colour for your going,
  • But bid farewell, and go: when you sued staying,
  • Then was the time for words: no going then;
  • Eternity was in our lips and eyes,
  • Bliss in our brows' bent; none our parts so poor,
  • But was a race of heaven: they are so still,
  • Or thou, the greatest soldier of the world,
  • Art turn'd the greatest liar.

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • How now, lady!

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • I would I had thy inches; thou shouldst know
  • There were a heart in Egypt.

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • Hear me, queen:
  • The strong necessity of time commands
  • Our services awhile; but my full heart
  • Remains in use with you. Our Italy
  • Shines o'er with civil swords: Sextus Pompeius
  • Makes his approaches to the port of Rome:
  • Equality of two domestic powers
  • Breed scrupulous faction: the hated, grown to strength,
  • Are newly grown to love: the condemn'd Pompey,
  • Rich in his father's honour, creeps apace,
  • Into the hearts of such as have not thrived
  • Upon the present state, whose numbers threaten;
  • And quietness, grown sick of rest, would purge
  • By any desperate change: my more particular,
  • And that which most with you should safe my going,
  • Is Fulvia's death.

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • Though age from folly could not give me freedom,
  • It does from childishness: can Fulvia die?

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • She's dead, my queen:
  • Look here, and at thy sovereign leisure read
  • The garboils she awaked; at the last, best:
  • See when and where she died.

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • O most false love!
  • Where be the sacred vials thou shouldst fill
  • With sorrowful water? Now I see, I see,
  • In Fulvia's death, how mine received shall be.

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • Quarrel no more, but be prepared to know
  • The purposes I bear; which are, or cease,
  • As you shall give the advice. By the fire
  • That quickens Nilus' slime, I go from hence
  • Thy soldier, servant; making peace or war
  • As thou affect'st.

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • Cut my lace, Charmian, come;
  • But let it be: I am quickly ill, and well,
  • So Antony loves.

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • My precious queen, forbear;
  • And give true evidence to his love, which stands
  • An honourable trial.

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • So Fulvia told me.
  • I prithee, turn aside and weep for her,
  • Then bid adieu to me, and say the tears
  • Belong to Egypt: good now, play one scene
  • Of excellent dissembling; and let it look
  • Life perfect honour.

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • You'll heat my blood: no more.

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • You can do better yet; but this is meetly.

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • Now, by my sword,--

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • And target. Still he mends;
  • But this is not the best. Look, prithee, Charmian,
  • How this Herculean Roman does become
  • The carriage of his chafe.

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • I'll leave you, lady.

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • Courteous lord, one word.
  • Sir, you and I must part, but that's not it:
  • Sir, you and I have loved, but there's not it;
  • That you know well: something it is I would,
  • O, my oblivion is a very Antony,
  • And I am all forgotten.

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • But that your royalty
  • Holds idleness your subject, I should take you
  • For idleness itself.

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • 'Tis sweating labour
  • To bear such idleness so near the heart
  • As Cleopatra this. But, sir, forgive me;
  • Since my becomings kill me, when they do not
  • Eye well to you: your honour calls you hence;
  • Therefore be deaf to my unpitied folly.
  • And all the gods go with you! upon your sword
  • Sit laurel victory! and smooth success
  • Be strew'd before your feet!

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • Let us go. Come;
  • Our separation so abides, and flies,
  • That thou, residing here, go'st yet with me,
  • And I, hence fleeting, here remain with thee. Away!

  • [Exeunt]

ACT I, SCENE IV. Rome. OCTAVIUS CAESAR's house.

[Enter OCTAVIUS CAESAR, reading a letter, LEPIDUS, and their Train]

  • OCTAVIUS CAESAR:

  • You may see, Lepidus, and henceforth know,
  • It is not Caesar's natural vice to hate
  • Our great competitor: from Alexandria
  • This is the news: he fishes, drinks, and wastes
  • The lamps of night in revel; is not more man-like
  • Than Cleopatra; nor the queen of Ptolemy
  • More womanly than he; hardly gave audience, or
  • Vouchsafed to think he had partners: you shall find there
  • A man who is the abstract of all faults
  • That all men follow.

  • LEPIDUS:

  • I must not think there are
  • Evils enow to darken all his goodness:
  • His faults in him seem as the spots of heaven,
  • More fiery by night's blackness; hereditary,
  • Rather than purchased; what he cannot change,
  • Than what he chooses.

  • OCTAVIUS CAESAR:

  • You are too indulgent. Let us grant, it is not
  • Amiss to tumble on the bed of Ptolemy;
  • To give a kingdom for a mirth; to sit
  • And keep the turn of tippling with a slave;
  • To reel the streets at noon, and stand the buffet
  • With knaves that smell of sweat: say this
  • becomes him,--
  • As his composure must be rare indeed
  • Whom these things cannot blemish,--yet must Antony
  • No way excuse his soils, when we do bear
  • So great weight in his lightness. If he fill'd
  • His vacancy with his voluptuousness,
  • Full surfeits, and the dryness of his bones,
  • Call on him for't: but to confound such time,
  • That drums him from his sport, and speaks as loud
  • As his own state and ours,--'tis to be chid
  • As we rate boys, who, being mature in knowledge,
  • Pawn their experience to their present pleasure,
  • And so rebel to judgment.

  • [Enter a Messenger]

  • LEPIDUS:

  • Here's more news.

  • Messenger:

  • Thy biddings have been done; and every hour,
  • Most noble Caesar, shalt thou have report
  • How 'tis abroad. Pompey is strong at sea;
  • And it appears he is beloved of those
  • That only have fear'd Caesar: to the ports
  • The discontents repair, and men's reports
  • Give him much wrong'd.

  • OCTAVIUS CAESAR:

  • I should have known no less.
  • It hath been taught us from the primal state,
  • That he which is was wish'd until he were;
  • And the ebb'd man, ne'er loved till ne'er worth love,
  • Comes dear'd by being lack'd. This common body,
  • Like to a vagabond flag upon the stream,
  • Goes to and back, lackeying the varying tide,
  • To rot itself with motion.

  • Messenger:

  • Caesar, I bring thee word,
  • Menecrates and Menas, famous pirates,
  • Make the sea serve them, which they ear and wound
  • With keels of every kind: many hot inroads
  • They make in Italy; the borders maritime
  • Lack blood to think on't, and flush youth revolt:
  • No vessel can peep forth, but 'tis as soon
  • Taken as seen; for Pompey's name strikes more
  • Than could his war resisted.

  • OCTAVIUS CAESAR:

  • Antony,
  • Leave thy lascivious wassails. When thou once
  • Wast beaten from Modena, where thou slew'st
  • Hirtius and Pansa, consuls, at thy heel
  • Did famine follow; whom thou fought'st against,
  • Though daintily brought up, with patience more
  • Than savages could suffer: thou didst drink
  • The stale of horses, and the gilded puddle
  • Which beasts would cough at: thy palate then did deign
  • The roughest berry on the rudest hedge;
  • Yea, like the stag, when snow the pasture sheets,
  • The barks of trees thou browsed'st; on the Alps
  • It is reported thou didst eat strange flesh,
  • Which some did die to look on: and all this--
  • It wounds thine honour that I speak it now--
  • Was borne so like a soldier, that thy cheek
  • So much as lank'd not.

  • LEPIDUS:

  • 'Tis pity of him.

  • OCTAVIUS CAESAR:

  • Let his shames quickly
  • Drive him to Rome: 'tis time we twain
  • Did show ourselves i' the field; and to that end
  • Assemble we immediate council: Pompey
  • Thrives in our idleness.

  • LEPIDUS:

  • To-morrow, Caesar,
  • I shall be furnish'd to inform you rightly
  • Both what by sea and land I can be able
  • To front this present time.

  • OCTAVIUS CAESAR:

  • Till which encounter,
  • It is my business too. Farewell.

  • LEPIDUS:

  • Farewell, my lord: what you shall know meantime
  • Of stirs abroad, I shall beseech you, sir,
  • To let me be partaker.

  • OCTAVIUS CAESAR:

  • Doubt not, sir;
  • I knew it for my bond.

  • [Exeunt]

ACT I, SCENE V. Alexandria. CLEOPATRA's palace.

[Enter CLEOPATRA, CHARMIAN, IRAS, and MARDIAN]

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • Charmian!

  • CHARMIAN:

  • Madam?

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • Ha, ha!
  • Give me to drink mandragora.

  • CHARMIAN:

  • Why, madam?

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • That I might sleep out this great gap of time
  • My Antony is away.

  • CHARMIAN:

  • You think of him too much.

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • O, 'tis treason!

  • CHARMIAN:

  • Madam, I trust, not so.

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • Thou, eunuch Mardian!

  • MARDIAN:

  • What's your highness' pleasure?

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • Not now to hear thee sing; I take no pleasure
  • In aught an eunuch has: 'tis well for thee,
  • That, being unseminar'd, thy freer thoughts
  • May not fly forth of Egypt. Hast thou affections?

  • MARDIAN:

  • Yes, gracious madam.

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • Indeed!

  • MARDIAN:

  • Not in deed, madam; for I can do nothing
  • But what indeed is honest to be done:
  • Yet have I fierce affections, and think
  • What Venus did with Mars.

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • O Charmian,
  • Where think'st thou he is now? Stands he, or sits he?
  • Or does he walk? or is he on his horse?
  • O happy horse, to bear the weight of Antony!
  • Do bravely, horse! for wot'st thou whom thou movest?
  • The demi-Atlas of this earth, the arm
  • And burgonet of men. He's speaking now,
  • Or murmuring 'Where's my serpent of old Nile?'
  • For so he calls me: now I feed myself
  • With most delicious poison. Think on me,
  • That am with Phoebus' amorous pinches black,
  • And wrinkled deep in time? Broad-fronted Caesar,
  • When thou wast here above the ground, I was
  • A morsel for a monarch: and great Pompey
  • Would stand and make his eyes grow in my brow;
  • There would he anchor his aspect and die
  • With looking on his life.

  • [Enter ALEXAS, from OCTAVIUS CAESAR]

  • ALEXAS:

  • Sovereign of Egypt, hail!

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • How much unlike art thou Mark Antony!
  • Yet, coming from him, that great medicine hath
  • With his tinct gilded thee.
  • How goes it with my brave Mark Antony?

  • ALEXAS:

  • Last thing he did, dear queen,
  • He kiss'd,--the last of many doubled kisses,--
  • This orient pearl. His speech sticks in my heart.

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • Mine ear must pluck it thence.

  • ALEXAS:

  • 'Good friend,' quoth he,
  • 'Say, the firm Roman to great Egypt sends
  • This treasure of an oyster; at whose foot,
  • To mend the petty present, I will piece
  • Her opulent throne with kingdoms; all the east,
  • Say thou, shall call her mistress.' So he nodded,
  • And soberly did mount an arm-gaunt steed,
  • Who neigh'd so high, that what I would have spoke
  • Was beastly dumb'd by him.

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • What, was he sad or merry?

  • ALEXAS:

  • Like to the time o' the year between the extremes
  • Of hot and cold, he was nor sad nor merry.

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • O well-divided disposition! Note him,
  • Note him good Charmian, 'tis the man; but note him:
  • He was not sad, for he would shine on those
  • That make their looks by his; he was not merry,
  • Which seem'd to tell them his remembrance lay
  • In Egypt with his joy; but between both:
  • O heavenly mingle! Be'st thou sad or merry,
  • The violence of either thee becomes,
  • So does it no man else. Met'st thou my posts?

  • ALEXAS:

  • Ay, madam, twenty several messengers:
  • Why do you send so thick?

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • Who's born that day
  • When I forget to send to Antony,
  • Shall die a beggar. Ink and paper, Charmian.
  • Welcome, my good Alexas. Did I, Charmian,
  • Ever love Caesar so?

  • CHARMIAN:

  • O that brave Caesar!

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • Be choked with such another emphasis!
  • Say, the brave Antony.

  • CHARMIAN:

  • The valiant Caesar!

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • By Isis, I will give thee bloody teeth,
  • If thou with Caesar paragon again
  • My man of men.

  • CHARMIAN:

  • By your most gracious pardon,
  • I sing but after you.

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • My salad days,
  • When I was green in judgment: cold in blood,
  • To say as I said then! But, come, away;
  • Get me ink and paper:
  • He shall have every day a several greeting,
  • Or I'll unpeople Egypt.

  • [Exeunt]

ACT II

ACT II, SCENE I. Messina. POMPEY's house.

[Enter POMPEY, MENECRATES, and MENAS, in warlike manner]

  • POMPEY:

  • If the great gods be just, they shall assist
  • The deeds of justest men.

  • MENECRATES:

  • Know, worthy Pompey,
  • That what they do delay, they not deny.

  • POMPEY:

  • Whiles we are suitors to their throne, decays
  • The thing we sue for.

  • MENECRATES:

  • We, ignorant of ourselves,
  • Beg often our own harms, which the wise powers
  • Deny us for our good; so find we profit
  • By losing of our prayers.

  • POMPEY:

  • I shall do well:
  • The people love me, and the sea is mine;
  • My powers are crescent, and my auguring hope
  • Says it will come to the full. Mark Antony
  • In Egypt sits at dinner, and will make
  • No wars without doors: Caesar gets money where
  • He loses hearts: Lepidus flatters both,
  • Of both is flatter'd; but he neither loves,
  • Nor either cares for him.

  • MENAS:

  • Caesar and Lepidus
  • Are in the field: a mighty strength they carry.

  • POMPEY:

  • Where have you this? 'tis false.

  • MENAS:

  • From Silvius, sir.

  • POMPEY:

  • He dreams: I know they are in Rome together,
  • Looking for Antony. But all the charms of love,
  • Salt Cleopatra, soften thy waned lip!
  • Let witchcraft join with beauty, lust with both!
  • Tie up the libertine in a field of feasts,
  • Keep his brain fuming; Epicurean cooks
  • Sharpen with cloyless sauce his appetite;
  • That sleep and feeding may prorogue his honour
  • Even till a Lethe'd dulness!

  • [Enter VARRIUS]

  • How now, Varrius!

  • VARRIUS:

  • This is most certain that I shall deliver:
  • Mark Antony is every hour in Rome
  • Expected: since he went from Egypt 'tis
  • A space for further travel.

  • POMPEY:

  • I could have given less matter
  • A better ear. Menas, I did not think
  • This amorous surfeiter would have donn'd his helm
  • For such a petty war: his soldiership
  • Is twice the other twain: but let us rear
  • The higher our opinion, that our stirring
  • Can from the lap of Egypt's widow pluck
  • The ne'er-lust-wearied Antony.

  • MENAS:

  • I cannot hope
  • Caesar and Antony shall well greet together:
  • His wife that's dead did trespasses to Caesar;
  • His brother warr'd upon him; although, I think,
  • Not moved by Antony.

  • POMPEY:

  • I know not, Menas,
  • How lesser enmities may give way to greater.
  • Were't not that we stand up against them all,
  • 'Twere pregnant they should square between
  • themselves;
  • For they have entertained cause enough
  • To draw their swords: but how the fear of us
  • May cement their divisions and bind up
  • The petty difference, we yet not know.
  • Be't as our gods will have't! It only stands
  • Our lives upon to use our strongest hands.
  • Come, Menas.

  • [Exeunt]

ACT II, SCENE II. Rome. The house of LEPIDUS.

[Enter DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS and LEPIDUS]

  • LEPIDUS:

  • Good Enobarbus, 'tis a worthy deed,
  • And shall become you well, to entreat your captain
  • To soft and gentle speech.

  • DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS:

  • I shall entreat him
  • To answer like himself: if Caesar move him,
  • Let Antony look over Caesar's head
  • And speak as loud as Mars. By Jupiter,
  • Were I the wearer of Antonius' beard,
  • I would not shave't to-day.

  • LEPIDUS:

  • 'Tis not a time
  • For private stomaching.

  • DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS:

  • Every time
  • Serves for the matter that is then born in't.

  • LEPIDUS:

  • But small to greater matters must give way.

  • DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS:

  • Not if the small come first.

  • LEPIDUS:

  • Your speech is passion:
  • But, pray you, stir no embers up. Here comes
  • The noble Antony.

  • [Enter MARK ANTONY and VENTIDIUS]

  • DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS:

  • And yonder, Caesar.

  • [Enter OCTAVIUS CAESAR, MECAENAS, and AGRIPPA]

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • If we compose well here, to Parthia:
  • Hark, Ventidius.

  • OCTAVIUS CAESAR:

  • I do not know,
  • Mecaenas; ask Agrippa.

  • LEPIDUS:

  • Noble friends,
  • That which combined us was most great, and let not
  • A leaner action rend us. What's amiss,
  • May it be gently heard: when we debate
  • Our trivial difference loud, we do commit
  • Murder in healing wounds: then, noble partners,
  • The rather, for I earnestly beseech,
  • Touch you the sourest points with sweetest terms,
  • Nor curstness grow to the matter.

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • 'Tis spoken well.
  • Were we before our armies, and to fight.
  • I should do thus.

  • [Flourish]

  • OCTAVIUS CAESAR:

  • Welcome to Rome.

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • Thank you.

  • OCTAVIUS CAESAR:

  • Sit.

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • Sit, sir.

  • OCTAVIUS CAESAR:

  • Nay, then.

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • I learn, you take things ill which are not so,
  • Or being, concern you not.

  • OCTAVIUS CAESAR:

  • I must be laugh'd at,
  • If, or for nothing or a little, I
  • Should say myself offended, and with you
  • Chiefly i' the world; more laugh'd at, that I should
  • Once name you derogately, when to sound your name
  • It not concern'd me.

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • My being in Egypt, Caesar,
  • What was't to you?

  • OCTAVIUS CAESAR:

  • No more than my residing here at Rome
  • Might be to you in Egypt: yet, if you there
  • Did practise on my state, your being in Egypt
  • Might be my question.

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • How intend you, practised?

  • OCTAVIUS CAESAR:

  • You may be pleased to catch at mine intent
  • By what did here befal me. Your wife and brother
  • Made wars upon me; and their contestation
  • Was theme for you, you were the word of war.

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • You do mistake your business; my brother never
  • Did urge me in his act: I did inquire it;
  • And have my learning from some true reports,
  • That drew their swords with you. Did he not rather
  • Discredit my authority with yours;
  • And make the wars alike against my stomach,
  • Having alike your cause? Of this my letters
  • Before did satisfy you. If you'll patch a quarrel,
  • As matter whole you have not to make it with,
  • It must not be with this.

  • OCTAVIUS CAESAR:

  • You praise yourself
  • By laying defects of judgment to me; but
  • You patch'd up your excuses.

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • Not so, not so;
  • I know you could not lack, I am certain on't,
  • Very necessity of this thought, that I,
  • Your partner in the cause 'gainst which he fought,
  • Could not with graceful eyes attend those wars
  • Which fronted mine own peace. As for my wife,
  • I would you had her spirit in such another:
  • The third o' the world is yours; which with a snaffle
  • You may pace easy, but not such a wife.

  • DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS:

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

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • So much uncurbable, her garboils, Caesar
  • Made out of her impatience, which not wanted
  • Shrewdness of policy too, I grieving grant
  • Did you too much disquiet: for that you must
  • But say, I could not help it.

  • OCTAVIUS CAESAR:

  • I wrote to you
  • When rioting in Alexandria; you
  • Did pocket up my letters, and with taunts
  • Did gibe my missive out of audience.

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • Sir,
  • He fell upon me ere admitted: then
  • Three kings I had newly feasted, and did want
  • Of what I was i' the morning: but next day
  • I told him of myself; which was as much
  • As to have ask'd him pardon. Let this fellow
  • Be nothing of our strife; if we contend,
  • Out of our question wipe him.

  • OCTAVIUS CAESAR:

  • You have broken
  • The article of your oath; which you shall never
  • Have tongue to charge me with.

  • LEPIDUS:

  • Soft, Caesar!

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • No,
  • Lepidus, let him speak:
  • The honour is sacred which he talks on now,
  • Supposing that I lack'd it. But, on, Caesar;
  • The article of my oath.

  • OCTAVIUS CAESAR:

  • To lend me arms and aid when I required them;
  • The which you both denied.

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • Neglected, rather;
  • And then when poison'd hours had bound me up
  • From mine own knowledge. As nearly as I may,
  • I'll play the penitent to you: but mine honesty
  • Shall not make poor my greatness, nor my power
  • Work without it. Truth is, that Fulvia,
  • To have me out of Egypt, made wars here;
  • For which myself, the ignorant motive, do
  • So far ask pardon as befits mine honour
  • To stoop in such a case.

  • LEPIDUS:

  • 'Tis noble spoken.

  • MECAENAS:

  • If it might please you, to enforce no further
  • The griefs between ye: to forget them quite
  • Were to remember that the present need
  • Speaks to atone you.

  • LEPIDUS:

  • Worthily spoken, Mecaenas.

  • DOMITIUS 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.

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • Thou art a soldier only: speak no more.

  • DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS:

  • That truth should be silent I had almost forgot.

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • You wrong this presence; therefore speak no more.

  • DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS:

  • Go to, then; your considerate stone.

  • OCTAVIUS CAESAR:

  • I do not much dislike the matter, but
  • The manner of his speech; for't cannot be
  • We shall remain in friendship, our conditions
  • So differing in their acts. Yet if I knew
  • What hoop should hold us stanch, from edge to edge
  • O' the world I would pursue it.

  • AGRIPPA:

  • Give me leave, Caesar,--

  • OCTAVIUS CAESAR:

  • Speak, Agrippa.

  • AGRIPPA:

  • Thou hast a sister by the mother's side,
  • Admired Octavia: great Mark Antony
  • Is now a widower.

  • OCTAVIUS CAESAR:

  • Say not so, Agrippa:
  • If Cleopatra heard you, your reproof
  • Were well deserved of rashness.

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • I am not married, Caesar: let me hear
  • Agrippa further speak.

  • AGRIPPA:

  • To hold you in perpetual amity,
  • To make you brothers, and to knit your hearts
  • With an unslipping knot, take Antony
  • Octavia to his wife; whose beauty claims
  • No worse a husband than the best of men;
  • Whose virtue and whose general graces speak
  • That which none else can utter. By this marriage,
  • All little jealousies, which now seem great,
  • And all great fears, which now import their dangers,
  • Would then be nothing: truths would be tales,
  • Where now half tales be truths: her love to both
  • Would, each to other and all loves to both,
  • Draw after her. Pardon what I have spoke;
  • For 'tis a studied, not a present thought,
  • By duty ruminated.

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • Will Caesar speak?

  • OCTAVIUS CAESAR:

  • Not till he hears how Antony is touch'd
  • With what is spoke already.

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • What power is in Agrippa,
  • If I would say, 'Agrippa, be it so,'
  • To make this good?

  • OCTAVIUS CAESAR:

  • The power of Caesar, and
  • His power unto Octavia.

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • May I never
  • To this good purpose, that so fairly shows,
  • Dream of impediment! Let me have thy hand:
  • Further this act of grace: and from this hour
  • The heart of brothers govern in our loves
  • And sway our great designs!

  • OCTAVIUS CAESAR:

  • There is my hand.
  • A sister I bequeath you, whom no brother
  • Did ever love so dearly: let her live
  • To join our kingdoms and our hearts; and never
  • Fly off our loves again!

  • LEPIDUS:

  • Happily, amen!

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • I did not think to draw my sword 'gainst Pompey;
  • For he hath laid strange courtesies and great
  • Of late upon me: I must thank him only,
  • Lest my remembrance suffer ill report;
  • At heel of that, defy him.

  • LEPIDUS:

  • Time calls upon's:
  • Of us must Pompey presently be sought,
  • Or else he seeks out us.

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • Where lies he?

  • OCTAVIUS CAESAR:

  • About the mount Misenum.

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • What is his strength by land?

  • OCTAVIUS CAESAR:

  • Great and increasing: but by sea
  • He is an absolute master.

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • So is the fame.
  • Would we had spoke together! Haste we for it:
  • Yet, ere we put ourselves in arms, dispatch we
  • The business we have talk'd of.

  • OCTAVIUS CAESAR:

  • With most gladness:
  • And do invite you to my sister's view,
  • Whither straight I'll lead you.

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • Let us, Lepidus,
  • Not lack your company.

  • LEPIDUS:

  • Noble Antony,
  • Not sickness should detain me.

  • [Flourish. Exeunt OCTAVIUS CAESAR, MARK ANTONY, and LEPIDUS]

  • MECAENAS:

  • Welcome from Egypt, sir.

  • DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS:

  • Half the heart of Caesar, worthy Mecaenas! My
  • honourable friend, Agrippa!

  • AGRIPPA:

  • Good Enobarbus!

  • MECAENAS:

  • We have cause to be glad that matters are so well
  • digested. You stayed well by 't in Egypt.

  • DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS:

  • Ay, sir; we did sleep day out of countenance, and
  • made the night light with drinking.

  • MECAENAS:

  • Eight wild-boars roasted whole at a breakfast, and
  • but twelve persons there; is this true?

  • DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS:

  • This was but as a fly by an eagle: we had much more
  • monstrous matter of feast, which worthily deserved noting.

  • MECAENAS:

  • She's a most triumphant lady, if report be square to
  • her.

  • DOMITIUS 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.

  • DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS:

  • I will tell you.
  • The barge she sat in, like a burnish'd throne,
  • Burn'd on the water: the poop was beaten gold;
  • Purple the sails, and so perfumed that
  • The winds were love-sick with them; the oars were silver,
  • Which to the tune of flutes kept stroke, and made
  • The water which they beat to follow faster,
  • As amorous of their strokes. For her own person,
  • It beggar'd all description: she did lie
  • In her pavilion--cloth-of-gold of tissue--
  • O'er-picturing that Venus where we see
  • The fancy outwork nature: on each side her
  • Stood pretty dimpled boys, like smiling Cupids,
  • With divers-colour'd fans, whose wind did seem
  • To glow the delicate cheeks which they did cool,
  • And what they undid did.

  • AGRIPPA:

  • O, rare for Antony!

  • DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS:

  • Her gentlewomen, like the Nereides,
  • So many mermaids, tended her i' the eyes,
  • And made their bends adornings: at the helm
  • A seeming mermaid steers: the silken tackle
  • Swell with the touches of those flower-soft hands,
  • That yarely frame the office. From the barge
  • A strange invisible perfume hits the sense
  • Of the adjacent wharfs. The city cast
  • Her people out upon her; and Antony,
  • Enthroned i' the market-place, did sit alone,
  • Whistling to the air; which, but for vacancy,
  • Had gone to gaze on Cleopatra too,
  • And made a gap in nature.

  • AGRIPPA:

  • Rare Egyptian!

  • DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS:

  • Upon her landing, Antony sent to her,
  • Invited her to supper: she replied,
  • It should be better he became her guest;
  • Which she entreated: our courteous Antony,
  • Whom ne'er the word of 'No' woman heard speak,
  • Being barber'd ten times o'er, goes to the feast,
  • And for his ordinary pays his heart
  • For what his eyes eat only.

  • AGRIPPA:

  • Royal wench!
  • She made great Caesar lay his sword to bed:
  • He plough'd her, and she cropp'd.

  • DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS:

  • I saw her once
  • Hop forty paces through the public street;
  • And having lost her breath, she spoke, and panted,
  • That she did make defect perfection,
  • And, breathless, power breathe forth.

  • MECAENAS:

  • Now Antony must leave her utterly.

  • DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS:

  • Never; he will not:
  • Age cannot wither her, nor custom stale
  • Her infinite variety: other women cloy
  • The appetites they feed: but she makes hungry
  • Where most she satisfies; for vilest things
  • Become themselves in her: that the holy priests
  • Bless her when she is riggish.

  • MECAENAS:

  • If beauty, wisdom, modesty, can settle
  • The heart of Antony, Octavia is
  • A blessed lottery to him.

  • AGRIPPA:

  • Let us go.
  • Good Enobarbus, make yourself my guest
  • Whilst you abide here.

  • DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS:

  • Humbly, sir, I thank you.

  • [Exeunt]

ACT II, SCENE III. OCTAVIUS CAESAR's house.

[Enter MARK ANTONY, OCTAVIUS CAESAR, OCTAVIA between them, and Attendants]

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • The world and my great office will sometimes
  • Divide me from your bosom.

  • OCTAVIA:

  • All which time
  • Before the gods my knee shall bow my prayers
  • To them for you.

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • Good night, sir. My Octavia,
  • Read not my blemishes in the world's report:
  • I have not kept my square; but that to come
  • Shall all be done by the rule. Good night, dear lady.
  • Good night, sir.

  • OCTAVIUS CAESAR:

  • Good night.

  • [Exeunt OCTAVIUS CAESAR and OCTAVIA Enter Soothsayer]

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • Now, sirrah; you do wish yourself in Egypt?

  • Soothsayer:

  • Would I had never come from thence, nor you Thither!

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • If you can, your reason?

  • Soothsayer:

  • I see it in
  • My motion, have it not in my tongue: but yet
  • Hie you to Egypt again.

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • Say to me,
  • Whose fortunes shall rise higher, Caesar's or mine?

  • Soothsayer:

  • Caesar's.
  • Therefore, O Antony, stay not by his side:
  • Thy demon, that's thy spirit which keeps thee, is
  • Noble, courageous high, unmatchable,
  • Where Caesar's is not; but, near him, thy angel
  • Becomes a fear, as being o'erpower'd: therefore
  • Make space enough between you.

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • Speak this no more.

  • Soothsayer:

  • To none but thee; no more, but when to thee.
  • If thou dost play with him at any game,
  • Thou art sure to lose; and, of that natural luck,
  • He beats thee 'gainst the odds: thy lustre thickens,
  • When he shines by: I say again, thy spirit
  • Is all afraid to govern thee near him;
  • But, he away, 'tis noble.

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • Get thee gone:
  • Say to Ventidius I would speak with him:

  • [Exit Soothsayer]

  • He shall to Parthia. Be it art or hap,
  • He hath spoken true: the very dice obey him;
  • And in our sports my better cunning faints
  • Under his chance: if we draw lots, he speeds;
  • His cocks do win the battle still of mine,
  • When it is all to nought; and his quails ever
  • Beat mine, inhoop'd, at odds. I will to Egypt:
  • And though I make this marriage for my peace,
  • I' the east my pleasure lies.

  • [Enter VENTIDIUS]

  • O, come, Ventidius,
  • You must to Parthia: your commission's ready;
  • Follow me, and receive't.

  • [Exeunt]

ACT II, SCENE IV. A street.

[Enter LEPIDUS, MECAENAS, and AGRIPPA]

  • LEPIDUS:

  • Trouble yourselves no further: pray you, hasten
  • Your generals after.

  • AGRIPPA:

  • Sir, Mark Antony
  • Will e'en but kiss Octavia, and we'll follow.

  • LEPIDUS:

  • Till I shall see you in your soldier's dress,
  • Which will become you both, farewell.

  • MECAENAS:

  • We shall,
  • As I conceive the journey, be at the Mount
  • Before you, Lepidus.

  • LEPIDUS:

  • Your way is shorter;
  • My purposes do draw me much about:
  • You'll win two days upon me.

  • MECAENAS and AGRIPPA:

  • Sir, good success!

  • LEPIDUS:

  • Farewell.

  • [Exeunt]

ACT II, SCENE V. Alexandria. CLEOPATRA's palace.

[Enter CLEOPATRA, CHARMIAN, IRAS, and ALEXAS]

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • Give me some music; music, moody food
  • Of us that trade in love.

  • Attendants:

  • The music, ho!

  • [Enter MARDIAN]

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • Let it alone; let's to billiards: come, Charmian.

  • CHARMIAN:

  • My arm is sore; best play with Mardian.

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • As well a woman with an eunuch play'd
  • As with a woman. Come, you'll play with me, sir?

  • MARDIAN:

  • As well as I can, madam.

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • And when good will is show'd, though't come
  • too short,
  • The actor may plead pardon. I'll none now:
  • Give me mine angle; we'll to the river: there,
  • My music playing far off, I will betray
  • Tawny-finn'd fishes; my bended hook shall pierce
  • Their slimy jaws; and, as I draw them up,
  • I'll think them every one an Antony,
  • And say 'Ah, ha! you're caught.'

  • CHARMIAN:

  • 'Twas merry when
  • You wager'd on your angling; when your diver
  • Did hang a salt-fish on his hook, which he
  • With fervency drew up.

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • That time,--O times!--
  • I laugh'd him out of patience; and that night
  • I laugh'd him into patience; and next morn,
  • Ere the ninth hour, I drunk him to his bed;
  • Then put my tires and mantles on him, whilst
  • I wore his sword Philippan.

  • [Enter a Messenger]

  • O, from Italy
  • Ram thou thy fruitful tidings in mine ears,
  • That long time have been barren.

  • Messenger:

  • Madam, madam,--

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • Antonius dead!--If thou say so, villain,
  • Thou kill'st thy mistress: but well and free,
  • If thou so yield him, there is gold, and here
  • My bluest veins to kiss; a hand that kings
  • Have lipp'd, and trembled kissing.

  • Messenger:

  • First, madam, he is well.

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • Why, there's more gold.
  • But, sirrah, mark, we use
  • To say the dead are well: bring it to that,
  • The gold I give thee will I melt and pour
  • Down thy ill-uttering throat.

  • Messenger:

  • Good madam, hear me.

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • Well, go to, I will;
  • But there's no goodness in thy face: if Antony
  • Be free and healthful,--so tart a favour
  • To trumpet such good tidings! If not well,
  • Thou shouldst come like a Fury crown'd with snakes,
  • Not like a formal man.

  • Messenger:

  • Will't please you hear me?

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • I have a mind to strike thee ere thou speak'st:
  • Yet if thou say Antony lives, is well,
  • Or friends with Caesar, or not captive to him,
  • I'll set thee in a shower of gold, and hail
  • Rich pearls upon thee.

  • Messenger:

  • Madam, he's well.

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • Well said.

  • Messenger:

  • And friends with Caesar.

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • Thou'rt an honest man.

  • Messenger:

  • Caesar and he are greater friends than ever.

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • Make thee a fortune from me.

  • Messenger:

  • But yet, madam,--

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • I do not like 'But yet,' it does allay
  • The good precedence; fie upon 'But yet'!
  • 'But yet' is as a gaoler to bring forth
  • Some monstrous malefactor. Prithee, friend,
  • Pour out the pack of matter to mine ear,
  • The good and bad together: he's friends with Caesar:
  • In state of health thou say'st; and thou say'st free.

  • Messenger:

  • Free, madam! no; I made no such report:
  • He's bound unto Octavia.

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • For what good turn?

  • Messenger:

  • For the best turn i' the bed.

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • I am pale, Charmian.

  • Messenger:

  • Madam, he's married to Octavia.

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • The most infectious pestilence upon thee!
  • Strikes him down

  • Messenger:

  • Good madam, patience.

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • What say you? Hence,
  • Strikes him again
  • Horrible villain! or I'll spurn thine eyes
  • Like balls before me; I'll unhair thy head:
  • She hales him up and down
  • Thou shalt be whipp'd with wire, and stew'd in brine,
  • Smarting in lingering pickle.

  • Messenger:

  • Gracious madam,
  • I that do bring the news made not the match.

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • Say 'tis not so, a province I will give thee,
  • And make thy fortunes proud: the blow thou hadst
  • Shall make thy peace for moving me to rage;
  • And I will boot thee with what gift beside
  • Thy modesty can beg.

  • Messenger:

  • He's married, madam.

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • Rogue, thou hast lived too long.
  • Draws a knife

  • Messenger:

  • Nay, then I'll run.
  • What mean you, madam? I have made no fault.

  • [Exit]

  • CHARMIAN:

  • Good madam, keep yourself within yourself:
  • The man is innocent.

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • Some innocents 'scape not the thunderbolt.
  • Melt Egypt into Nile! and kindly creatures
  • Turn all to serpents! Call the slave again:
  • Though I am mad, I will not bite him: call.

  • CHARMIAN:

  • He is afeard to come.

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • I will not hurt him.

  • [Exit CHARMIAN]

  • These hands do lack nobility, that they strike
  • A meaner than myself; since I myself
  • Have given myself the cause.

  • [Re-enter CHARMIAN and Messenger]

  • Come hither, sir.
  • Though it be honest, it is never good
  • To bring bad news: give to a gracious message.
  • An host of tongues; but let ill tidings tell
  • Themselves when they be felt.

  • Messenger:

  • I have done my duty.

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • Is he married?
  • I cannot hate thee worser than I do,
  • If thou again say 'Yes.'

  • Messenger:

  • He's married, madam.

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • The gods confound thee! dost thou hold there still?

  • Messenger:

  • Should I lie, madam?

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • O, I would thou didst,
  • So half my Egypt were submerged and made
  • A cistern for scaled snakes! Go, get thee hence:
  • Hadst thou Narcissus in thy face, to me
  • Thou wouldst appear most ugly. He is married?

  • Messenger:

  • I crave your highness' pardon.

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • He is married?

  • Messenger:

  • Take no offence that I would not offend you:
  • To punish me for what you make me do.
  • Seems much unequal: he's married to Octavia.

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • O, that his fault should make a knave of thee,
  • That art not what thou'rt sure of! Get thee hence:
  • The merchandise which thou hast brought from Rome
  • Are all too dear for me: lie they upon thy hand,
  • And be undone by 'em!

  • [Exit Messenger]

  • CHARMIAN:

  • Good your highness, patience.

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • In praising Antony, I have dispraised Caesar.

  • CHARMIAN:

  • Many times, madam.

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • I am paid for't now.
  • Lead me from hence:
  • I faint: O Iras, Charmian! 'tis no matter.
  • Go to the fellow, good Alexas; bid him
  • Report the feature of Octavia, her years,
  • Her inclination, let him not leave out
  • The colour of her hair: bring me word quickly.

  • [Exit ALEXAS]

  • Let him for ever go:--let him not--Charmian,
  • Though he be painted one way like a Gorgon,
  • The other way's a Mars. Bid you Alexas

  • [To MARDIAN]

  • Bring me word how tall she is. Pity me, Charmian,
  • But do not speak to me. Lead me to my chamber.

  • [Exeunt]

ACT II, SCENE VI. Near Misenum.

[Flourish. Enter POMPEY and MENAS at one door, with drum and trumpet: at another, OCTAVIUS CAESAR, MARK ANTONY, LEPIDUS, DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS, MECAENAS, with Soldiers marching]

  • POMPEY:

  • Your hostages I have, so have you mine;
  • And we shall talk before we fight.

  • OCTAVIUS CAESAR:

  • Most meet
  • That first we come to words; and therefore have we
  • Our written purposes before us sent;
  • Which, if thou hast consider'd, let us know
  • If 'twill tie up thy discontented sword,
  • And carry back to Sicily much tall youth
  • That else must perish here.

  • POMPEY:

  • To you all three,
  • The senators alone of this great world,
  • Chief factors for the gods, I do not know
  • Wherefore my father should revengers want,
  • Having a son and friends; since Julius Caesar,
  • Who at Philippi the good Brutus ghosted,
  • There saw you labouring for him. What was't
  • That moved pale Cassius to conspire; and what
  • Made the all-honour'd, honest Roman, Brutus,
  • With the arm'd rest, courtiers and beauteous freedom,
  • To drench the Capitol; but that they would
  • Have one man but a man? And that is it
  • Hath made me rig my navy; at whose burthen
  • The anger'd ocean foams; with which I meant
  • To scourge the ingratitude that despiteful Rome
  • Cast on my noble father.

  • OCTAVIUS CAESAR:

  • Take your time.

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • Thou canst not fear us, Pompey, with thy sails;
  • We'll speak with thee at sea: at land, thou know'st
  • How much we do o'er-count thee.

  • POMPEY:

  • At land, indeed,
  • Thou dost o'er-count me of my father's house:
  • But, since the cuckoo builds not for himself,
  • Remain in't as thou mayst.

  • LEPIDUS:

  • Be pleased to tell us--
  • For this is from the present--how you take
  • The offers we have sent you.

  • OCTAVIUS CAESAR:

  • There's the point.

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • Which do not be entreated to, but weigh
  • What it is worth embraced.

  • OCTAVIUS CAESAR:

  • And what may follow,
  • To try a larger fortune.

  • POMPEY:

  • You have made me offer
  • Of Sicily, Sardinia; and I must
  • Rid all the sea of pirates; then, to send
  • Measures of wheat to Rome; this 'greed upon
  • To part with unhack'd edges, and bear back
  • Our targes undinted.

  • OCTAVIUS CAESAR:

  • That's our offer.

  • POMPEY:

  • Know, then,
  • I came before you here a man prepared
  • To take this offer: but Mark Antony
  • Put me to some impatience: though I lose
  • The praise of it by telling, you must know,
  • When Caesar and your brother were at blows,
  • Your mother came to Sicily and did find
  • Her welcome friendly.

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • I have heard it, Pompey;
  • And am well studied for a liberal thanks
  • Which I do owe you.

  • POMPEY:

  • Let me have your hand:
  • I did not think, sir, to have met you here.

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • The beds i' the east are soft; and thanks to you,
  • That call'd me timelier than my purpose hither;
  • For I have gain'd by 't.

  • OCTAVIUS CAESAR:

  • Since I saw you last,
  • There is a change upon you.

  • POMPEY:

  • Well, I know not
  • What counts harsh fortune casts upon my face;
  • But in my bosom shall she never come,
  • To make my heart her vassal.

  • LEPIDUS:

  • Well met here.

  • POMPEY:

  • I hope so, Lepidus. Thus we are agreed:
  • I crave our composition may be written,
  • And seal'd between us.

  • OCTAVIUS CAESAR:

  • That's the next to do.

  • POMPEY:

  • We'll feast each other ere we part; and let's
  • Draw lots who shall begin.

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • That will I, Pompey.

  • POMPEY:

  • No, Antony, take the lot: but, first
  • Or last, your fine Egyptian cookery
  • Shall have the fame. I have heard that Julius Caesar
  • Grew fat with feasting there.

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • You have heard much.

  • POMPEY:

  • I have fair meanings, sir.

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • And fair words to them.

  • POMPEY:

  • Then so much have I heard:
  • And I have heard, Apollodorus carried--

  • DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS:

  • No more of that: he did so.

  • POMPEY:

  • What, I pray you?

  • DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS:

  • A certain queen to Caesar in a mattress.

  • POMPEY:

  • I know thee now: how farest thou, soldier?

  • DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS:

  • Well;
  • And well am like to do; for, I perceive,
  • Four feasts are toward.

  • POMPEY:

  • Let me shake thy hand;
  • I never hated thee: I have seen thee fight,
  • When I have envied thy behavior.

  • DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS:

  • Sir,
  • I never loved you much; but I ha' praised ye,
  • When you have well deserved ten times as much
  • As I have said you did.

  • POMPEY:

  • Enjoy thy plainness,
  • It nothing ill becomes thee.
  • Aboard my galley I invite you all:
  • Will you lead, lords?

  • OCTAVIUS CAESAR:

  • Show us the way, sir.

  • POMPEY:

  • Come.

  • [Exeunt all but MENAS and ENOBARBUS]

  • MENAS:

  • [Aside]

  • Thy father, Pompey, would ne'er have
  • made this treaty.--You and I have known, sir.

  • DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS:

  • At sea, I think.

  • MENAS:

  • We have, sir.

  • DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS:

  • You have done well by water.

  • MENAS:

  • And you by land.

  • DOMITIUS 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.

  • DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS:

  • Yes, something you can deny for your own
  • safety: you have been a great thief by sea.

  • MENAS:

  • And you by land.

  • DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS:

  • There I deny my land service. But give me your
  • hand, Menas: if our eyes had authority, here they
  • might take two thieves kissing.

  • MENAS:

  • All men's faces are true, whatsome'er their hands are.

  • DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS:

  • But there is never a fair woman has a true face.

  • MENAS:

  • No slander; they steal hearts.

  • DOMITIUS 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.

  • DOMITIUS 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?

  • DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS:

  • Caesar's sister is called Octavia.

  • MENAS:

  • True, sir; she was the wife of Caius Marcellus.

  • DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS:

  • But she is now the wife of Marcus Antonius.

  • MENAS:

  • Pray ye, sir?

  • DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS:

  • 'Tis true.

  • MENAS:

  • Then is Caesar and he for ever knit together.

  • DOMITIUS 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.

  • DOMITIUS 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?

  • DOMITIUS 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.

  • DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS:

  • I shall take it, sir: we have used our throats in Egypt.

  • MENAS:

  • Come, let's away.

  • [Exeunt]

ACT II, SCENE VII. On board POMPEY's galley, off Misenum.

[Music plays. Enter two or three Servants with a banquet]

  • First Servant:

  • Here they'll be, man. Some o' their plants are
  • ill-rooted already: the least wind i' the world
  • will blow them down.

  • Second Servant:

  • Lepidus is high-coloured.

  • 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 the drink.

  • First Servant:

  • But it raises the greater war between him and
  • his discretion.

  • Second Servant:

  • Why, this 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 OCTAVIUS CAESAR, MARK ANTONY, LEPIDUS, POMPEY, AGRIPPA, MECAENAS, DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS, MENAS, with other captains]

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • [To OCTAVIUS CAESAR]

  • Thus do they, sir: they take
  • the flow o' the Nile
  • By certain scales i' the pyramid; they know,
  • By the height, the lowness, or the mean, if dearth
  • Or foison follow: the higher Nilus swells,
  • The more it promises: as it ebbs, the seedsman
  • Upon the slime and ooze scatters his grain,
  • And shortly comes to harvest.

  • LEPIDUS:

  • You've strange serpents there.

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • Ay, Lepidus.

  • LEPIDUS:

  • Your serpent of Egypt is bred now of your mud by the
  • operation of your sun: so is your crocodile.

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • They are so.

  • POMPEY:

  • Sit,--and some wine! A health to Lepidus!

  • LEPIDUS:

  • I am not so well as I should be, but I'll ne'er out.

  • DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS:

  • Not till you have slept; I fear me you'll be in till then.

  • LEPIDUS:

  • Nay, certainly, I have heard the Ptolemies'
  • pyramises are very goodly things; without
  • contradiction, I have heard that.

  • MENAS:

  • [Aside to POMPEY]

  • Pompey, a word.

  • POMPEY:

  • [Aside to MENAS]

  • Say in mine ear:
  • what is't?

  • MENAS:

  • [Aside to POMPEY]

  • Forsake thy seat, I do beseech
  • thee, captain,
  • And hear me speak a word.

  • POMPEY:

  • [Aside to MENAS]

  • Forbear me till anon.
  • This wine for Lepidus!

  • LEPIDUS:

  • What manner o' thing is your crocodile?

  • MARK 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 its own organs: it lives by that
  • which nourisheth it; and the elements once out of
  • it, it transmigrates.

  • LEPIDUS:

  • What colour is it of?

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • Of it own colour too.

  • LEPIDUS:

  • 'Tis a strange serpent.

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • 'Tis so. And the tears of it are wet.

  • OCTAVIUS CAESAR:

  • Will this description satisfy him?

  • MARK ANTONY:

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

  • POMPEY:

  • [Aside to MENAS]

  • Go hang, sir, hang! Tell me of
  • that? away!
  • Do as I bid you. Where's this cup I call'd for?

  • MENAS:

  • [Aside to POMPEY]

  • If for the sake of merit thou
  • wilt hear me,
  • Rise from thy stool.

  • POMPEY:

  • [Aside to MENAS]

  • I think thou'rt mad.
  • The matter?
  • Rises, and walks aside

  • MENAS:

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

  • POMPEY:

  • Thou hast served me with much faith. What's else to say?
  • Be jolly, lords.

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • These quick-sands, Lepidus,
  • Keep off them, for you sink.

  • MENAS:

  • Wilt thou be lord of all the world?

  • POMPEY:

  • What say'st thou?

  • MENAS:

  • Wilt thou be lord of the whole world? That's twice.

  • POMPEY:

  • How should that be?

  • MENAS:

  • But entertain it,
  • And, though thou think me poor, I am the man
  • Will give thee all the world.

  • POMPEY:

  • Hast thou drunk well?

  • MENAS:

  • Now, Pompey, I have kept me from the cup.
  • Thou art, if thou darest be, the earthly Jove:
  • Whate'er the ocean pales, or sky inclips,
  • Is thine, if thou wilt ha't.

  • POMPEY:

  • Show me which way.

  • MENAS:

  • These three world-sharers, these competitors,
  • Are in thy vessel: let me cut the cable;
  • And, when we are put off, fall to their throats:
  • All there is thine.

  • POMPEY:

  • Ah, this thou shouldst have done,
  • And not have spoke on't! In me 'tis villany;
  • In thee't had been good service. Thou must know,
  • 'Tis not my profit that does lead mine honour;
  • Mine honour, it. Repent that e'er thy tongue
  • Hath so betray'd thine act: being done unknown,
  • I should have found it afterwards well done;
  • But must condemn it now. Desist, and drink.

  • MENAS:

  • [Aside]

  • For this,
  • I'll never follow thy pall'd fortunes more.
  • Who seeks, and will not take when once 'tis offer'd,
  • Shall never find it more.

  • POMPEY:

  • This health to Lepidus!

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • Bear him ashore. I'll pledge it for him, Pompey.

  • DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS:

  • Here's to thee, Menas!

  • MENAS:

  • Enobarbus, welcome!

  • POMPEY:

  • Fill till the cup be hid.

  • DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS:

  • There's a strong fellow, Menas.
  • Pointing to the Attendant who carries off LEPIDUS

  • MENAS:

  • Why?

  • DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS:

  • A' bears the third part of the world, man; see'st
  • not?

  • MENAS:

  • The third part, then, is drunk: would it were all,
  • That it might go on wheels!

  • DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS:

  • Drink thou; increase the reels.

  • MENAS:

  • Come.

  • POMPEY:

  • This is not yet an Alexandrian feast.

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • It ripens towards it. Strike the vessels, ho?
  • Here is to Caesar!

  • OCTAVIUS CAESAR:

  • I could well forbear't.
  • It's monstrous labour, when I wash my brain,
  • And it grows fouler.

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • Be a child o' the time.

  • OCTAVIUS CAESAR:

  • Possess it, I'll make answer:
  • But I had rather fast from all four days
  • Than drink so much in one.

  • DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS:

  • Ha, my brave emperor!
  • To MARK ANTONY
  • Shall we dance now the Egyptian Bacchanals,
  • And celebrate our drink?

  • POMPEY:

  • Let's ha't, good soldier.

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • Come, let's all take hands,
  • Till that the conquering wine hath steep'd our sense
  • In soft and delicate Lethe.

  • DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS:

  • All take hands.
  • Make battery to our ears with the loud music:
  • The while I'll place you: then the boy shall sing;
  • The holding every man shall bear as loud
  • As his strong sides can volley.

  • [Music plays. DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS places them hand in hand THE SONG.]

  • Come, thou monarch of the vine,
  • Plumpy Bacchus with pink eyne!
  • In thy fats our cares be drown'd,
  • With thy grapes our hairs be crown'd:
  • Cup us, till the world go round,
  • Cup us, till the world go round!

  • OCTAVIUS CAESAR:

  • What would you more? Pompey, good night. Good brother,
  • Let me request you off: our graver business
  • Frowns at this levity. Gentle lords, let's part;
  • You see we have burnt our cheeks: strong Enobarb
  • Is weaker than the wine; and mine own tongue
  • Splits what it speaks: the wild disguise hath almost
  • Antick'd us all. What needs more words? Good night.
  • Good Antony, your hand.

  • POMPEY:

  • I'll try you on the shore.

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • And shall, sir; give's your hand.

  • POMPEY:

  • O Antony,
  • You have my father's house,--But, what? we are friends.
  • Come, down into the boat.

  • DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS:

  • Take heed you fall not.

  • [Exeunt all but DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS and MENAS]

  • Menas, I'll not on shore.

  • MENAS:

  • No, to my cabin.
  • These drums! these trumpets, flutes! what!
  • Let Neptune hear we bid a loud farewell
  • To these great fellows: sound and be hang'd, sound out!

  • [Sound a flourish, with drums]

  • DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS:

  • Ho! says a' There's my cap.

  • MENAS:

  • Ho! Noble captain, come.

  • [Exeunt]

ACT III

ACT III, SCENE I. A plain in Syria.

[Enter VENTIDIUS as it were in triumph, with SILIUS, and other Romans, Officers, and Soldiers; the dead body of PACORUS borne before him]

  • VENTIDIUS:

  • Now, darting Parthia, art thou struck; and now
  • Pleased fortune does of Marcus Crassus' death
  • Make me revenger. Bear the king's son's body
  • Before our army. Thy Pacorus, Orodes,
  • Pays this for Marcus Crassus.

  • SILIUS:

  • Noble Ventidius,
  • Whilst yet with Parthian blood thy sword is warm,
  • The fugitive Parthians follow; spur through Media,
  • Mesopotamia, and the shelters whither
  • The routed fly: so thy grand captain Antony
  • Shall set thee on triumphant chariots and
  • Put garlands on thy head.

  • VENTIDIUS:

  • O Silius, Silius,
  • I have done enough; a lower place, note well,
  • May make too great an act: for learn this, Silius;
  • Better to leave undone, than by our deed
  • Acquire too high a fame when him we serve's away.
  • Caesar and Antony have ever won
  • More in their officer than person: Sossius,
  • One of my place in Syria, his lieutenant,
  • For quick accumulation of renown,
  • Which he achieved by the minute, lost his favour.
  • Who does i' the wars more than his captain can
  • Becomes his captain's captain: and ambition,
  • The soldier's virtue, rather makes choice of loss,
  • Than gain which darkens him.
  • I could do more to do Antonius good,
  • But 'twould offend him; and in his offence
  • Should my performance perish.

  • SILIUS:

  • Thou hast, Ventidius,
  • that
  • Without the which a soldier, and his sword,
  • Grants scarce distinction. Thou wilt write to Antony!

  • VENTIDIUS:

  • I'll humbly signify what in his name,
  • That magical word of war, we have effected;
  • How, with his banners and his well-paid ranks,
  • The ne'er-yet-beaten horse of Parthia
  • We have jaded out o' the field.

  • SILIUS:

  • Where is he now?

  • VENTIDIUS:

  • He purposeth to Athens: whither, with what haste
  • The weight we must convey with's will permit,
  • We shall appear before him. On there; pass along!

  • [Exeunt]

ACT III, SCENE II. Rome. An ante-chamber in OCTAVIUS CAESAR's house.

[Enter AGRIPPA at one door, DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS at another]

  • AGRIPPA:

  • What, are the brothers parted?

  • DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS:

  • They have dispatch'd with Pompey, he is gone;
  • The other three are sealing. Octavia weeps
  • To part from Rome; Caesar is sad; and Lepidus,
  • Since Pompey's feast, as Menas says, is troubled
  • With the green sickness.

  • AGRIPPA:

  • 'Tis a noble Lepidus.

  • DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS:

  • A very fine one: O, how he loves Caesar!

  • AGRIPPA:

  • Nay, but how dearly he adores Mark Antony!

  • DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS:

  • Caesar? Why, he's the Jupiter of men.

  • AGRIPPA:

  • What's Antony? The god of Jupiter.

  • DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS:

  • Spake you of Caesar? How! the non-pareil!

  • AGRIPPA:

  • O Antony! O thou Arabian bird!

  • DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS:

  • Would you praise Caesar, say 'Caesar:' go no further.

  • AGRIPPA:

  • Indeed, he plied them both with excellent praises.

  • DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS:

  • But he loves Caesar best; yet he loves Antony:
  • Ho! hearts, tongues, figures, scribes, bards,
  • poets, cannot
  • Think, speak, cast, write, sing, number, ho!
  • His love to Antony. But as for Caesar,
  • Kneel down, kneel down, and wonder.

  • AGRIPPA:

  • Both he loves.

  • DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS:

  • They are his shards, and he their beetle.
  • Trumpets within
  • So;
  • This is to horse. Adieu, noble Agrippa.

  • AGRIPPA:

  • Good fortune, worthy soldier; and farewell.

  • [Enter OCTAVIUS CAESAR, MARK ANTONY, LEPIDUS, and OCTAVIA]

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • No further, sir.

  • OCTAVIUS CAESAR:

  • You take from me a great part of myself;
  • Use me well in 't. Sister, prove such a wife
  • As my thoughts make thee, and as my farthest band
  • Shall pass on thy approof. Most noble Antony,
  • Let not the piece of virtue, which is set
  • Betwixt us as the cement of our love,
  • To keep it builded, be the ram to batter
  • The fortress of it; for better might we
  • Have loved without this mean, if on both parts
  • This be not cherish'd.

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • Make me not offended
  • In your distrust.

  • OCTAVIUS CAESAR:

  • I have said.

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • You shall not find,
  • Though you be therein curious, the least cause
  • For what you seem to fear: so, the gods keep you,
  • And make the hearts of Romans serve your ends!
  • We will here part.

  • OCTAVIUS CAESAR:

  • Farewell, my dearest sister, fare thee well:
  • The elements be kind to thee, and make
  • Thy spirits all of comfort! fare thee well.

  • OCTAVIA:

  • My noble brother!

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • The April 's in her eyes: it is love's spring,
  • And these the showers to bring it on. Be cheerful.

  • OCTAVIA:

  • Sir, look well to my husband's house; and--

  • OCTAVIUS CAESAR:

  • What, Octavia?

  • OCTAVIA:

  • I'll tell you in your ear.

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • Her tongue will not obey her heart, nor can
  • Her heart inform her tongue,--the swan's
  • down-feather,
  • That stands upon the swell at full of tide,
  • And neither way inclines.

  • DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS:

  • [Aside to AGRIPPA]

  • Will Caesar weep?

  • AGRIPPA:

  • [Aside to DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS]

  • He has a cloud in 's face.

  • DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS:

  • [Aside to AGRIPPA]

  • He were the worse for that,
  • were he a horse;
  • So is he, being a man.

  • AGRIPPA:

  • [Aside to DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS]

  • Why, Enobarbus,
  • When Antony found Julius Caesar dead,
  • He cried almost to roaring; and he wept
  • When at Philippi he found Brutus slain.

  • DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS:

  • [Aside to AGRIPPA]

  • That year, indeed, he was
  • troubled with a rheum;
  • What willingly he did confound he wail'd,
  • Believe't, till I wept too.

  • OCTAVIUS CAESAR:

  • No, sweet Octavia,
  • You shall hear from me still; the time shall not
  • Out-go my thinking on you.

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • Come, sir, come;
  • I'll wrestle with you in my strength of love:
  • Look, here I have you; thus I let you go,
  • And give you to the gods.

  • OCTAVIUS CAESAR:

  • Adieu; be happy!

  • LEPIDUS:

  • Let all the number of the stars give light
  • To thy fair way!

  • OCTAVIUS CAESAR:

  • Farewell, farewell!

  • [Kisses OCTAVIA]

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • Farewell!

  • [Trumpets sound. Exeunt]

ACT III, SCENE III. Alexandria. CLEOPATRA's palace.

[Enter CLEOPATRA, CHARMIAN, IRAS, and ALEXAS]

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • Where is the fellow?

  • ALEXAS:

  • Half afeard to come.

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • Go to, go to.

  • [Enter the Messenger as before]

  • Come hither, sir.

  • ALEXAS:

  • Good majesty,
  • Herod of Jewry dare not look upon you
  • But when you are well pleased.

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • That Herod's head
  • I'll have: but how, when Antony is gone
  • Through whom I might command it? Come thou near.

  • Messenger:

  • Most gracious majesty,--

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • Didst thou behold Octavia?

  • Messenger:

  • Ay, dread queen.

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • Where?

  • Messenger:

  • Madam, in Rome;
  • I look'd her in the face, and saw her led
  • Between her brother and Mark Antony.

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • Is she as tall as me?

  • Messenger:

  • She is not, madam.

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • Didst hear her speak? is she shrill-tongued or low?

  • Messenger:

  • Madam, I heard her speak; she is low-voiced.

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • That's not so good: he cannot like her long.

  • CHARMIAN:

  • Like her! O Isis! 'tis impossible.

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • I think so, Charmian: dull of tongue, and dwarfish!
  • What majesty is in her gait? Remember,
  • If e'er thou look'dst on majesty.

  • Messenger:

  • She creeps:
  • Her motion and her station are as one;
  • She shows a body rather than a life,
  • A statue than a breather.

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • Is this certain?

  • Messenger:

  • Or I have no observance.

  • CHARMIAN:

  • Three in Egypt
  • Cannot make better note.

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • He's very knowing;
  • I do perceive't: there's nothing in her yet:
  • The fellow has good judgment.

  • CHARMIAN:

  • Excellent.

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • Guess at her years, I prithee.

  • Messenger:

  • Madam,
  • She was a widow,--

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • Widow! Charmian, hark.

  • Messenger:

  • And I do think she's thirty.

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • Bear'st thou her face in mind? is't long or round?

  • Messenger:

  • Round even to faultiness.

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • For the most part, too, they are foolish that are so.
  • Her hair, what colour?

  • Messenger:

  • Brown, madam: and her forehead
  • As low as she would wish it.

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • There's gold for thee.
  • Thou must not take my former sharpness ill:
  • I will employ thee back again; I find thee
  • Most fit for business: go make thee ready;
  • Our letters are prepared.

  • [Exit Messenger]

  • CHARMIAN:

  • A proper man.

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • Indeed, he is so: I repent me much
  • That so I harried him. Why, methinks, by him,
  • This creature's no such thing.

  • CHARMIAN:

  • Nothing, madam.

  • CLEOPATRA:

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

  • CHARMIAN:

  • Hath he seen majesty? Isis else defend,
  • And serving you so long!

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • I have one thing more to ask him yet, good Charmian:
  • But 'tis no matter; thou shalt bring him to me
  • Where I will write. All may be well enough.

  • CHARMIAN:

  • I warrant you, madam.

  • [Exeunt]

ACT III, SCENE IV. Athens. A room in MARK ANTONY's house.

[Enter MARK ANTONY and OCTAVIA]

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • Nay, nay, Octavia, not only that,--
  • That were excusable, that, and thousands more
  • Of semblable import,--but he hath waged
  • New wars 'gainst Pompey; made his will, and read it
  • To public ear:
  • Spoke scantly of me: when perforce he could not
  • But pay me terms of honour, cold and sickly
  • He vented them; most narrow measure lent me:
  • When the best hint was given him, he not took't,
  • Or did it from his teeth.

  • OCTAVIA:

  • O my good lord,
  • Believe not all; or, if you must believe,
  • Stomach not all. A more unhappy lady,
  • If this division chance, ne'er stood between,
  • Praying for both parts:
  • The good gods me presently,
  • When I shall pray, 'O bless my lord and husband!'
  • Undo that prayer, by crying out as loud,
  • 'O, bless my brother!' Husband win, win brother,
  • Prays, and destroys the prayer; no midway
  • 'Twixt these extremes at all.

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • Gentle Octavia,
  • Let your best love draw to that point, which seeks
  • Best to preserve it: if I lose mine honour,
  • I lose myself: better I were not yours
  • Than yours so branchless. But, as you requested,
  • Yourself shall go between 's: the mean time, lady,
  • I'll raise the preparation of a war
  • Shall stain your brother: make your soonest haste;
  • So your desires are yours.

  • OCTAVIA:

  • Thanks to my lord.
  • The Jove of power make me most weak, most weak,
  • Your reconciler! Wars 'twixt you twain would be
  • As if the world should cleave, and that slain men
  • Should solder up the rift.

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • When it appears to you where this begins,
  • Turn your displeasure that way: for our faults
  • Can never be so equal, that your love
  • Can equally move with them. Provide your going;
  • Choose your own company, and command what cost
  • Your heart has mind to.

  • [Exeunt]

ACT III, SCENE V. Another room.

[Enter DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS and EROS, meeting]

  • DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS:

  • How now, friend Eros!

  • EROS:

  • There's strange news come, sir.

  • DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS:

  • What, man?

  • EROS:

  • Caesar and Lepidus have made wars upon Pompey.

  • DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS:

  • This is old: what is the success?

  • EROS:

  • Caesar, having made use of him in the wars 'gainst
  • Pompey, presently denied him rivality; would not let
  • him partake in the glory of the action: and not
  • resting here, accuses him of letters he had formerly
  • wrote to Pompey; upon his own appeal, seizes him: so
  • the poor third is up, till death enlarge his confine.

  • DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS:

  • Then, world, thou hast a pair of chaps, no more;
  • And throw between them all the food thou hast,
  • They'll grind the one the other. Where's Antony?

  • EROS:

  • He's walking in the garden--thus; and spurns
  • The rush that lies before him; cries, 'Fool Lepidus!'
  • And threats the throat of that his officer
  • That murder'd Pompey.

  • DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS:

  • Our great navy's rigg'd.

  • EROS:

  • For Italy and Caesar. More, Domitius;
  • My lord desires you presently: my news
  • I might have told hereafter.

  • DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS:

  • 'Twill be naught:
  • But let it be. Bring me to Antony.

  • EROS:

  • Come, sir.

  • [Exeunt]

ACT III, SCENE VI. Rome. OCTAVIUS CAESAR's house.

[Enter OCTAVIUS CAESAR, AGRIPPA, and MECAENAS]

  • OCTAVIUS CAESAR:

  • Contemning Rome, he has done all this, and more,
  • In Alexandria: here's the manner of 't:
  • I' the market-place, on a tribunal silver'd,
  • Cleopatra and himself in chairs of gold
  • Were publicly enthroned: at the feet sat
  • Caesarion, whom they call my father's son,
  • And all the unlawful issue that their lust
  • Since then hath made between them. Unto her
  • He gave the stablishment of Egypt; made her
  • Of lower Syria, Cyprus, Lydia,
  • Absolute queen.

  • MECAENAS:

  • This in the public eye?

  • OCTAVIUS CAESAR:

  • I' the common show-place, where they exercise.
  • His sons he there proclaim'd the kings of kings:
  • Great Media, Parthia, and Armenia.
  • He gave to Alexander; to Ptolemy he assign'd
  • Syria, Cilicia, and Phoenicia: she
  • In the habiliments of the goddess Isis
  • That day appear'd; and oft before gave audience,
  • As 'tis reported, so.

  • MECAENAS:

  • Let Rome be thus Inform'd.

  • AGRIPPA:

  • Who, queasy with his insolence
  • Already, will their good thoughts call from him.

  • OCTAVIUS CAESAR:

  • The people know it; and have now received
  • His accusations.

  • AGRIPPA:

  • Who does he accuse?

  • OCTAVIUS CAESAR:

  • Caesar: and that, having in Sicily
  • Sextus Pompeius spoil'd, we had not rated him
  • His part o' the isle: then does he say, he lent me
  • Some shipping unrestored: lastly, he frets
  • That Lepidus of the triumvirate
  • Should be deposed; and, being, that we detain
  • All his revenue.

  • AGRIPPA:

  • Sir, this should be answer'd.

  • OCTAVIUS CAESAR:

  • 'Tis done already, and the messenger gone.
  • I have told him, Lepidus was grown too cruel;
  • That he his high authority abused,
  • And did deserve his change: for what I have conquer'd,
  • I grant him part; but then, in his Armenia,
  • And other of his conquer'd kingdoms, I
  • Demand the like.

  • MECAENAS:

  • He'll never yield to that.

  • OCTAVIUS CAESAR:

  • Nor must not then be yielded to in this.

  • [Enter OCTAVIA with her train]

  • OCTAVIA:

  • Hail, Caesar, and my lord! hail, most dear Caesar!

  • OCTAVIUS CAESAR:

  • That ever I should call thee castaway!

  • OCTAVIA:

  • You have not call'd me so, nor have you cause.

  • OCTAVIUS CAESAR:

  • Why have you stol'n upon us thus! You come not
  • Like Caesar's sister: the wife of Antony
  • Should have an army for an usher, and
  • The neighs of horse to tell of her approach
  • Long ere she did appear; the trees by the way
  • Should have borne men; and expectation fainted,
  • Longing for what it had not; nay, the dust
  • Should have ascended to the roof of heaven,
  • Raised by your populous troops: but you are come
  • A market-maid to Rome; and have prevented
  • The ostentation of our love, which, left unshown,
  • Is often left unloved; we should have met you
  • By sea and land; supplying every stage
  • With an augmented greeting.

  • OCTAVIA:

  • Good my lord,
  • To come thus was I not constrain'd, but did
  • On my free will. My lord, Mark Antony,
  • Hearing that you prepared for war, acquainted
  • My grieved ear withal; whereon, I begg'd
  • His pardon for return.

  • OCTAVIUS CAESAR:

  • Which soon he granted,
  • Being an obstruct 'tween his lust and him.

  • OCTAVIA:

  • Do not say so, my lord.

  • OCTAVIUS CAESAR:

  • I have eyes upon him,
  • And his affairs come to me on the wind.
  • Where is he now?

  • OCTAVIA:

  • My lord, in Athens.

  • OCTAVIUS CAESAR:

  • No, my most wronged sister; Cleopatra
  • Hath nodded him to her. He hath given his empire
  • Up to a whore; who now are levying
  • The kings o' the earth for war; he hath assembled
  • Bocchus, the king of Libya; Archelaus,
  • Of Cappadocia; Philadelphos, king
  • Of Paphlagonia; the Thracian king, Adallas;
  • King Malchus of Arabia; King of Pont;
  • Herod of Jewry; Mithridates, king
  • Of Comagene; Polemon and Amyntas,
  • The kings of Mede and Lycaonia,
  • With a more larger list of sceptres.

  • OCTAVIA:

  • Ay me, most wretched,
  • That have my heart parted betwixt two friends
  • That do afflict each other!

  • OCTAVIUS CAESAR:

  • Welcome hither:
  • Your letters did withhold our breaking forth;
  • Till we perceived, both how you were wrong led,
  • And we in negligent danger. Cheer your heart;
  • Be you not troubled with the time, which drives
  • O'er your content these strong necessities;
  • But let determined things to destiny
  • Hold unbewail'd their way. Welcome to Rome;
  • Nothing more dear to me. You are abused
  • Beyond the mark of thought: and the high gods,
  • To do you justice, make them ministers
  • Of us and those that love you. Best of comfort;
  • And ever welcome to us.

  • AGRIPPA:

  • Welcome, lady.

  • MECAENAS:

  • Welcome, dear madam.
  • Each heart in Rome does love and pity you:
  • Only the adulterous Antony, most large
  • In his abominations, turns you off;
  • And gives his potent regiment to a trull,
  • That noises it against us.

  • OCTAVIA:

  • Is it so, sir?

  • OCTAVIUS CAESAR:

  • Most certain. Sister, welcome: pray you,
  • Be ever known to patience: my dear'st sister!

  • [Exeunt]

ACT III, SCENE VII. Near Actium. MARK ANTONY's camp.

[Enter CLEOPATRA and DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS]

  • CLEOPATRA:

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

  • DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS:

  • But why, why, why?

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • Thou hast forspoke my being in these wars,
  • And say'st it is not fit.

  • DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS:

  • Well, is it, is it?

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • If not denounced against us, why should not we
  • Be there in person?

  • DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS:

  • [Aside]

  • Well, I could reply:
  • If we should serve with horse and mares together,
  • The horse were merely lost; the mares would bear
  • A soldier and his horse.

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • What is't you say?

  • DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS:

  • Your presence needs must puzzle Antony;
  • Take from his heart, take from his brain,
  • from's time,
  • What should not then be spared. He is already
  • Traduced for levity; and 'tis said in Rome
  • That Photinus an eunuch and your maids
  • Manage this war.

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • Sink Rome, and their tongues rot
  • That speak against us! A charge we bear i' the war,
  • And, as the president of my kingdom, will
  • Appear there for a man. Speak not against it:
  • I will not stay behind.

  • DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS:

  • Nay, I have done.
  • Here comes the emperor.

  • [Enter MARK ANTONY and CANIDIUS]

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • Is it not strange, Canidius,
  • That from Tarentum and Brundusium
  • He could so quickly cut the Ionian sea,
  • And take in Toryne? You have heard on't, sweet?

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • Celerity is never more admired
  • Than by the negligent.

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • A good rebuke,
  • Which might have well becomed the best of men,
  • To taunt at slackness. Canidius, we
  • Will fight with him by sea.

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • By sea! what else?

  • CANIDIUS:

  • Why will my lord do so?

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • For that he dares us to't.

  • DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS:

  • So hath my lord dared him to single fight.

  • CANIDIUS:

  • Ay, and to wage this battle at Pharsalia.
  • Where Caesar fought with Pompey: but these offers,
  • Which serve not for his vantage, be shakes off;
  • And so should you.

  • DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS:

  • Your ships are not well mann'd;
  • Your mariners are muleters, reapers, people
  • Ingross'd by swift impress; in Caesar's fleet
  • Are those that often have 'gainst Pompey fought:
  • Their ships are yare; yours, heavy: no disgrace
  • Shall fall you for refusing him at sea,
  • Being prepared for land.

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • By sea, by sea.

  • DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS:

  • Most worthy sir, you therein throw away
  • The absolute soldiership you have by land;
  • Distract your army, which doth most consist
  • Of war-mark'd footmen; leave unexecuted
  • Your own renowned knowledge; quite forego
  • The way which promises assurance; and
  • Give up yourself merely to chance and hazard,
  • From firm security.

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • I'll fight at sea.

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • I have sixty sails, Caesar none better.

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • Our overplus of shipping will we burn;
  • And, with the rest full-mann'd, from the head of Actium
  • Beat the approaching Caesar. But if we fail,
  • We then can do't at land.

  • [Enter a Messenger]

  • Thy business?

  • Messenger:

  • The news is true, my lord; he is descried;
  • Caesar has taken Toryne.

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • Can he be there in person? 'tis impossible;
  • Strange that power should be. Canidius,
  • Our nineteen legions thou shalt hold by land,
  • And our twelve thousand horse. We'll to our ship:
  • Away, my Thetis!

  • [Enter a Soldier]

  • How now, worthy soldier?

  • Soldier:

  • O noble emperor, do not fight by sea;
  • Trust not to rotten planks: do you misdoubt
  • This sword and these my wounds? Let the Egyptians
  • And the Phoenicians go a-ducking; we
  • Have used to conquer, standing on the earth,
  • And fighting foot to foot.

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • Well, well: away!

  • [Exeunt MARK ANTONY, QUEEN CLEOPATRA, and DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS]

  • Soldier:

  • By Hercules, I think I am i' the right.

  • CANIDIUS:

  • Soldier, thou art: but his whole action grows
  • Not in the power on't: so our leader's led,
  • And we are women's men.

  • Soldier:

  • You keep by land
  • The legions and the horse whole, do you not?

  • CANIDIUS:

  • Marcus Octavius, Marcus Justeius,
  • Publicola, and Caelius, are for sea:
  • But we keep whole by land. This speed of Caesar's
  • Carries beyond belief.

  • Soldier:

  • While he was yet in Rome,
  • His power went out in such distractions as
  • Beguiled all spies.

  • CANIDIUS:

  • Who's his lieutenant, hear you?

  • Soldier:

  • They say, one Taurus.

  • CANIDIUS:

  • Well I know the man.

  • [Enter a Messenger]

  • Messenger:

  • The emperor calls Canidius.

  • CANIDIUS:

  • With news the time's with labour, and throes forth,
  • Each minute, some.

  • [Exeunt]

ACT III, SCENE VIII. A plain near Actium.

[Enter OCTAVIUS CAESAR, and TAURUS, with his army, marching]

  • OCTAVIUS CAESAR:

  • Taurus!

  • TAURUS:

  • My lord?

  • OCTAVIUS CAESAR:

  • Strike not by land; keep whole: provoke not battle,
  • Till we have done at sea. Do not exceed
  • The prescript of this scroll: our fortune lies
  • Upon this jump.

  • [Exeunt]

ACT III, SCENE IX. Another part of the plain.

[Enter MARK ANTONY and DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS]

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • Set we our squadrons on yond side o' the hill,
  • In eye of Caesar's battle; from which place
  • We may the number of the ships behold,
  • And so proceed accordingly.

  • [Exeunt]

ACT III, SCENE X. Another part of the plain.

[CANIDIUS marcheth with his land army one way over the stage; and TAURUS, the lieutenant of OCTAVIUS CAESAR, the other way. After their going in, is heard the noise of a sea-fight Alarum. Enter DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS]

  • DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS:

  • Naught, naught all, naught! I can behold no longer:
  • The Antoniad, the Egyptian admiral,
  • With all their sixty, fly and turn the rudder:
  • To see't mine eyes are blasted.

  • [Enter SCARUS]

  • SCARUS:

  • Gods and goddesses,
  • All the whole synod of them!

  • DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS:

  • What's thy passion!

  • SCARUS:

  • The greater cantle of the world is lost
  • With very ignorance; we have kiss'd away
  • Kingdoms and provinces.

  • DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS:

  • How appears the fight?

  • SCARUS:

  • On our side like the token'd pestilence,
  • Where death is sure. Yon ribaudred nag of Egypt,--
  • Whom leprosy o'ertake!--i' the midst o' the fight,
  • When vantage like a pair of twins appear'd,
  • Both as the same, or rather ours the elder,
  • The breese upon her, like a cow in June,
  • Hoists sails and flies.

  • DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS:

  • That I beheld:
  • Mine eyes did sicken at the sight, and could not
  • Endure a further view.

  • SCARUS:

  • She once being loof'd,
  • The noble ruin of her magic, Antony,
  • Claps on his sea-wing, and, like a doting mallard,
  • Leaving the fight in height, flies after her:
  • I never saw an action of such shame;
  • Experience, manhood, honour, ne'er before
  • Did violate so itself.

  • DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS:

  • Alack, alack!

  • [Enter CANIDIUS]

  • CANIDIUS:

  • Our fortune on the sea is out of breath,
  • And sinks most lamentably. Had our general
  • Been what he knew himself, it had gone well:
  • O, he has given example for our flight,
  • Most grossly, by his own!

  • DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS:

  • Ay, are you thereabouts?
  • Why, then, good night indeed.

  • CANIDIUS:

  • Toward Peloponnesus are they fled.

  • SCARUS:

  • 'Tis easy to't; and there I will attend
  • What further comes.

  • CANIDIUS:

  • To Caesar will I render
  • My legions and my horse: six kings already
  • Show me the way of yielding.

  • DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS:

  • I'll yet follow
  • The wounded chance of Antony, though my reason
  • Sits in the wind against me.

  • [Exeunt]

ACT III, SCENE XI. Alexandria. CLEOPATRA's palace.

[Enter MARK ANTONY with Attendants]

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • Hark! the land bids me tread no more upon't;
  • It is ashamed to bear me! Friends, come hither:
  • I am so lated in the world, that I
  • Have lost my way for ever: I have a ship
  • Laden with gold; take that, divide it; fly,
  • And make your peace with Caesar.

  • All:

  • Fly! not we.

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • I have fled myself; and have instructed cowards
  • To run and show their shoulders. Friends, be gone;
  • I have myself resolved upon a course
  • Which has no need of you; be gone:
  • My treasure's in the harbour, take it. O,
  • I follow'd that I blush to look upon:
  • My very hairs do mutiny; for the white
  • Reprove the brown for rashness, and they them
  • For fear and doting. Friends, be gone: you shall
  • Have letters from me to some friends that will
  • Sweep your way for you. Pray you, look not sad,
  • Nor make replies of loathness: take the hint
  • Which my despair proclaims; let that be left
  • Which leaves itself: to the sea-side straightway:
  • I will possess you of that ship and treasure.
  • Leave me, I pray, a little: pray you now:
  • Nay, do so; for, indeed, I have lost command,
  • Therefore I pray you: I'll see you by and by.

  • [Sits down]

  • [Enter CLEOPATRA led by CHARMIAN and IRAS; EROS following]

  • EROS:

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

  • IRAS:

  • Do, most dear queen.

  • CHARMIAN:

  • Do! why: what else?

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • Let me sit down. O Juno!

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • No, no, no, no, no.

  • EROS:

  • See you here, sir?

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • O fie, fie, fie!

  • CHARMIAN:

  • Madam!

  • IRAS:

  • Madam, O good empress!

  • EROS:

  • Sir, sir,--

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • Yes, my lord, yes; he at Philippi kept
  • His sword e'en like a dancer; while I struck
  • The lean and wrinkled Cassius; and 'twas I
  • That the mad Brutus ended: he alone
  • Dealt on lieutenantry, and no practise had
  • In the brave squares of war: yet now--No matter.

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • Ah, stand by.

  • EROS:

  • The queen, my lord, the queen.

  • IRAS:

  • Go to him, madam, speak to him:
  • He is unqualitied with very shame.

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • Well then, sustain him: O!

  • EROS:

  • Most noble sir, arise; the queen approaches:
  • Her head's declined, and death will seize her, but
  • Your comfort makes the rescue.

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • I have offended reputation,
  • A most unnoble swerving.

  • EROS:

  • Sir, the queen.

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • O, whither hast thou led me, Egypt? See,
  • How I convey my shame out of thine eyes
  • By looking back what I have left behind
  • 'Stroy'd in dishonour.

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • O my lord, my lord,
  • Forgive my fearful sails! I little thought
  • You would have follow'd.

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • Egypt, thou knew'st too well
  • My heart was to thy rudder tied by the strings,
  • And thou shouldst tow me after: o'er my spirit
  • Thy full supremacy thou knew'st, and that
  • Thy beck might from the bidding of the gods
  • Command me.

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • O, my pardon!

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • Now I must
  • To the young man send humble treaties, dodge
  • And palter in the shifts of lowness; who
  • With half the bulk o' the world play'd as I pleased,
  • Making and marring fortunes. You did know
  • How much you were my conqueror; and that
  • My sword, made weak by my affection, would
  • Obey it on all cause.

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • Pardon, pardon!

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • Fall not a tear, I say; one of them rates
  • All that is won and lost: give me a kiss;
  • Even this repays me. We sent our schoolmaster;
  • Is he come back? Love, I am full of lead.
  • Some wine, within there, and our viands! Fortune knows
  • We scorn her most when most she offers blows.

  • [Exeunt]

ACT III, SCENE XII. Egypt. OCTAVIUS CAESAR's camp.

[Enter OCTAVIUS CAESAR, DOLABELLA, THYREUS, with others]

  • OCTAVIUS CAESAR:

  • Let him appear that's come from Antony.
  • Know you him?

  • DOLABELLA:

  • Caesar, 'tis his schoolmaster:
  • An argument that he is pluck'd, when hither
  • He sends so poor a pinion off his wing,
  • Which had superfluous kings for messengers
  • Not many moons gone by.

  • [Enter EUPHRONIUS, ambassador from MARK ANTONY]

  • OCTAVIUS CAESAR:

  • Approach, and speak.

  • EUPHRONIUS:

  • Such as I am, I come from Antony:
  • I was of late as petty to his ends
  • As is the morn-dew on the myrtle-leaf
  • To his grand sea.

  • OCTAVIUS CAESAR:

  • Be't so: declare thine office.

  • EUPHRONIUS:

  • Lord of his fortunes he salutes thee, and
  • Requires to live in Egypt: which not granted,
  • He lessens his requests; and to thee sues
  • To let him breathe between the heavens and earth,
  • A private man in Athens: this for him.
  • Next, Cleopatra does confess thy greatness;
  • Submits her to thy might; and of thee craves
  • The circle of the Ptolemies for her heirs,
  • Now hazarded to thy grace.

  • OCTAVIUS CAESAR:

  • For Antony,
  • I have no ears to his request. The queen
  • Of audience nor desire shall fail, so she
  • From Egypt drive her all-disgraced friend,
  • Or take his life there: this if she perform,
  • She shall not sue unheard. So to them both.

  • EUPHRONIUS:

  • Fortune pursue thee!

  • OCTAVIUS CAESAR:

  • Bring him through the bands.

  • [Exit EUPHRONIUS]

  • [To THYREUS]

  • From Antony win Cleopatra: promise,
  • And in our name, what she requires; add more,
  • From thine invention, offers: women are not
  • In their best fortunes strong; but want will perjure
  • The ne'er touch'd vestal: try thy cunning, Thyreus;
  • Make thine own edict for thy pains, which we
  • Will answer as a law.

  • THYREUS:

  • Caesar, I go.

  • OCTAVIUS CAESAR:

  • Observe how Antony becomes his flaw,
  • And what thou think'st his very action speaks
  • In every power that moves.

  • THYREUS:

  • Caesar, I shall.

  • [Exeunt]

ACT III, SCENE XIII. Alexandria. CLEOPATRA's palace.

[Enter CLEOPATRA, DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS, CHARMIAN, and IRAS]

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • What shall we do, Enobarbus?

  • DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS:

  • Think, and die.

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • Is Antony or we in fault for this?

  • DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS:

  • Antony only, that would make his will
  • Lord of his reason. What though you fled
  • From that great face of war, whose several ranges
  • Frighted each other? why should he follow?
  • The itch of his affection should not then
  • Have nick'd his captainship; at such a point,
  • When half to half the world opposed, he being
  • The meered question: 'twas a shame no less
  • Than was his loss, to course your flying flags,
  • And leave his navy gazing.

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • Prithee, peace.

  • [Enter MARK ANTONY with EUPHRONIUS, the Ambassador]

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • Is that his answer?

  • EUPHRONIUS:

  • Ay, my lord.

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • The queen shall then have courtesy, so she
  • Will yield us up.

  • EUPHRONIUS:

  • He says so.

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • Let her know't.
  • To the boy Caesar send this grizzled head,
  • And he will fill thy wishes to the brim
  • With principalities.

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • That head, my lord?

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • To him again: tell him he wears the rose
  • Of youth upon him; from which the world should note
  • Something particular: his coin, ships, legions,
  • May be a coward's; whose ministers would prevail
  • Under the service of a child as soon
  • As i' the command of Caesar: I dare him therefore
  • To lay his gay comparisons apart,
  • And answer me declined, sword against sword,
  • Ourselves alone. I'll write it: follow me.

  • [Exeunt MARK ANTONY and EUPHRONIUS]

  • DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS:

  • [Aside]

  • Yes, like enough, high-battled Caesar will
  • Unstate his happiness, and be staged to the show,
  • Against a sworder! I see men's judgments are
  • A parcel of their fortunes; and things outward
  • Do draw the inward quality after them,
  • To suffer all alike. That he should dream,
  • Knowing all measures, the full Caesar will
  • Answer his emptiness! Caesar, thou hast subdued
  • His judgment too.

  • [Enter an Attendant]

  • Attendant:

  • A messenger from Caesar.

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • What, no more ceremony? See, my women!
  • Against the blown rose may they stop their nose
  • That kneel'd unto the buds. Admit him, sir.

  • [Exit Attendant]

  • DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS:

  • [Aside]

  • Mine honesty and I begin to square.
  • The loyalty well held to fools does make
  • Our faith mere folly: yet he that can endure
  • To follow with allegiance a fall'n lord
  • Does conquer him that did his master conquer
  • And earns a place i' the story.

  • [Enter THYREUS]

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • Caesar's will?

  • THYREUS:

  • Hear it apart.

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • None but friends: say boldly.

  • THYREUS:

  • So, haply, are they friends to Antony.

  • DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS:

  • He needs as many, sir, as Caesar has;
  • Or needs not us. If Caesar please, our master
  • Will leap to be his friend: for us, you know,
  • Whose he is we are, and that is, Caesar's.

  • THYREUS:

  • So.
  • Thus then, thou most renown'd: Caesar entreats,
  • Not to consider in what case thou stand'st,
  • Further than he is Caesar.

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • Go on: right royal.

  • THYREUS:

  • He knows that you embrace not Antony
  • As you did love, but as you fear'd him.

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • O!

  • THYREUS:

  • The scars upon your honour, therefore, he
  • Does pity, as constrained blemishes,
  • Not as deserved.

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • He is a god, and knows
  • What is most right: mine honour was not yielded,
  • But conquer'd merely.

  • DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS:

  • [Aside]

  • To be sure of that,
  • I will ask Antony. Sir, sir, thou art so leaky,
  • That we must leave thee to thy sinking, for
  • Thy dearest quit thee.

  • [Exit]

  • THYREUS:

  • Shall I say to Caesar
  • What you require of him? for he partly begs
  • To be desired to give. It much would please him,
  • That of his fortunes you should make a staff
  • To lean upon: but it would warm his spirits,
  • To hear from me you had left Antony,
  • And put yourself under his shrowd,
  • The universal landlord.

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • What's your name?

  • THYREUS:

  • My name is Thyreus.

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • Most kind messenger,
  • Say to great Caesar this: in deputation
  • I kiss his conquering hand: tell him, I am prompt
  • To lay my crown at 's feet, and there to kneel:
  • Tell him from his all-obeying breath I hear
  • The doom of Egypt.

  • THYREUS:

  • 'Tis your noblest course.
  • Wisdom and fortune combating together,
  • If that the former dare but what it can,
  • No chance may shake it. Give me grace to lay
  • My duty on your hand.

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • Your Caesar's father oft,
  • When he hath mused of taking kingdoms in,
  • Bestow'd his lips on that unworthy place,
  • As it rain'd kisses.

  • [Re-enter MARK ANTONY and DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS]

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • Favours, by Jove that thunders!
  • What art thou, fellow?

  • THYREUS:

  • One that but performs
  • The bidding of the fullest man, and worthiest
  • To have command obey'd.

  • DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS:

  • [Aside]

  • You will be whipp'd.

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • Approach, there! Ah, you kite! Now, gods
  • and devils!
  • Authority melts from me: of late, when I cried 'Ho!'
  • Like boys unto a muss, kings would start forth,
  • And cry 'Your will?' Have you no ears? I am
  • Antony yet.

  • [Enter Attendants]

  • Take hence this Jack, and whip him.

  • DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS:

  • [Aside]

  • 'Tis better playing with a lion's whelp
  • Than with an old one dying.

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • Moon and stars!
  • Whip him. Were't twenty of the greatest tributaries
  • That do acknowledge Caesar, should I find them
  • So saucy with the hand of she here,--what's her name,
  • Since she was Cleopatra? Whip him, fellows,
  • Till, like a boy, you see him cringe his face,
  • And whine aloud for mercy: take him hence.

  • THYREUS:

  • Mark Antony!

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • Tug him away: being whipp'd,
  • Bring him again: this Jack of Caesar's shall
  • Bear us an errand to him.

  • [Exeunt Attendants with THYREUS]

  • You were half blasted ere I knew you: ha!
  • Have I my pillow left unpress'd in Rome,
  • Forborne the getting of a lawful race,
  • And by a gem of women, to be abused
  • By one that looks on feeders?

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • Good my lord,--

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • You have been a boggler ever:
  • But when we in our viciousness grow hard--
  • O misery on't!--the wise gods seel our eyes;
  • In our own filth drop our clear judgments; make us
  • Adore our errors; laugh at's, while we strut
  • To our confusion.

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • O, is't come to this?

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • I found you as a morsel cold upon
  • Dead Caesar's trencher; nay, you were a fragment
  • Of Cneius Pompey's; besides what hotter hours,
  • Unregister'd in vulgar fame, you have
  • Luxuriously pick'd out: for, I am sure,
  • Though you can guess what temperance should be,
  • You know not what it is.

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • Wherefore is this?

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • To let a fellow that will take rewards
  • And say 'God quit you!' be familiar with
  • My playfellow, your hand; this kingly seal
  • And plighter of high hearts! O, that I were
  • Upon the hill of Basan, to outroar
  • The horned herd! for I have savage cause;
  • And to proclaim it civilly, were like
  • A halter'd neck which does the hangman thank
  • For being yare about him.

  • [Re-enter Attendants with THYREUS]

  • Is he whipp'd?

  • First Attendant:

  • Soundly, my lord.

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • Cried he? and begg'd a' pardon?

  • First Attendant:

  • He did ask favour.

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • If that thy father live, let him repent
  • Thou wast not made his daughter; and be thou sorry
  • To follow Caesar in his triumph, since
  • Thou hast been whipp'd for following him: henceforth
  • The white hand of a lady fever thee,
  • Shake thou to look on 't. Get thee back to Caesar,
  • Tell him thy entertainment: look, thou say
  • He makes me angry with him; for he seems
  • Proud and disdainful, harping on what I am,
  • Not what he knew I was: he makes me angry;
  • And at this time most easy 'tis to do't,
  • When my good stars, that were my former guides,
  • Have empty left their orbs, and shot their fires
  • Into the abysm of hell. If he mislike
  • My speech and what is done, tell him he has
  • Hipparchus, my enfranched bondman, whom
  • He may at pleasure whip, or hang, or torture,
  • As he shall like, to quit me: urge it thou:
  • Hence with thy stripes, begone!

  • [Exit THYREUS]

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • Have you done yet?

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • Alack, our terrene moon
  • Is now eclipsed; and it portends alone
  • The fall of Antony!

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • I must stay his time.

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • To flatter Caesar, would you mingle eyes
  • With one that ties his points?

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • Not know me yet?

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • Cold-hearted toward me?

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • Ah, dear, if I be so,
  • From my cold heart let heaven engender hail,
  • And poison it in the source; and the first stone
  • Drop in my neck: as it determines, so
  • Dissolve my life! The next Caesarion smite!
  • Till by degrees the memory of my womb,
  • Together with my brave Egyptians all,
  • By the discandying of this pelleted storm,
  • Lie graveless, till the flies and gnats of Nile
  • Have buried them for prey!

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • I am satisfied.
  • Caesar sits down in Alexandria; where
  • I will oppose his fate. Our force by land
  • Hath nobly held; our sever'd navy too
  • Have knit again, and fleet, threatening most sea-like.
  • Where hast thou been, my heart? Dost thou hear, lady?
  • If from the field I shall return once more
  • To kiss these lips, I will appear in blood;
  • I and my sword will earn our chronicle:
  • There's hope in't yet.

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • That's my brave lord!

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • I will be treble-sinew'd, hearted, breathed,
  • And fight maliciously: for when mine hours
  • Were nice and lucky, men did ransom lives
  • Of me for jests; but now I'll set my teeth,
  • And send to darkness all that stop me. Come,
  • Let's have one other gaudy night: call to me
  • All my sad captains; fill our bowls once more;
  • Let's mock the midnight bell.

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • It is my birth-day:
  • I had thought to have held it poor: but, since my lord
  • Is Antony again, I will be Cleopatra.

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • We will yet do well.

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • Call all his noble captains to my lord.

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • Do so, we'll speak to them; and to-night I'll force
  • The wine peep through their scars. Come on, my queen;
  • There's sap in't yet. The next time I do fight,
  • I'll make death love me; for I will contend
  • Even with his pestilent scythe.

  • [Exeunt all but DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS]

  • DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS:

  • Now he'll outstare the lightning. To be furious,
  • Is to be frighted out of fear; and in that mood
  • The dove will peck the estridge; and I see still,
  • A diminution in our captain's brain
  • Restores his heart: when valour preys on reason,
  • It eats the sword it fights with. I will seek
  • Some way to leave him.

  • [Exit]

ACT IV

ACT IV, SCENE I. Before Alexandria. OCTAVIUS CAESAR's camp.

[Enter OCTAVIUS CAESAR, AGRIPPA, and MECAENAS, with his Army; OCTAVIUS CAESAR reading a letter]

  • OCTAVIUS CAESAR:

  • He calls me boy; and chides, as he had power
  • To beat me out of Egypt; my messenger
  • He hath whipp'd with rods; dares me to personal combat,
  • Caesar to Antony: let the old ruffian know
  • I have many other ways to die; meantime
  • Laugh at his challenge.

  • MECAENAS:

  • Caesar must think,
  • When one so great begins to rage, he's hunted
  • Even to falling. Give him no breath, but now
  • Make boot of his distraction: never anger
  • Made good guard for itself.

  • OCTAVIUS CAESAR:

  • Let our best heads
  • Know, that to-morrow the last of many battles
  • We mean to fight: within our files there are,
  • Of those that served Mark Antony but late,
  • Enough to fetch him in. See it done:
  • And feast the army; we have store to do't,
  • And they have earn'd the waste. Poor Antony!

  • [Exeunt]

ACT IV, SCENE II. Alexandria. CLEOPATRA's palace.

[Enter MARK ANTONY, CLEOPATRA, DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS, CHARMIAN, IRAS, ALEXAS, with others]

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • He will not fight with me, Domitius.

  • DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS:

  • No.

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • Why should he not?

  • DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS:

  • He thinks, being twenty times of better fortune,
  • He is twenty men to one.

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • To-morrow, soldier,
  • By sea and land I'll fight: or I will live,
  • Or bathe my dying honour in the blood
  • Shall make it live again. Woo't thou fight well?

  • DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS:

  • I'll strike, and cry 'Take all.'

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • Well said; come on.
  • Call forth my household servants: let's to-night
  • Be bounteous at our meal.

  • [Enter three or four Servitors]

  • Give me thy hand,
  • Thou hast been rightly honest;--so hast thou;--
  • Thou,--and thou,--and thou:--you have served me well,
  • And kings have been your fellows.

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • [Aside to DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS]

  • What means this?

  • DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS:

  • [Aside to CLEOPATRA]

  • 'Tis one of those odd
  • tricks which sorrow shoots
  • Out of the mind.

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • And thou art honest too.
  • I wish I could be made so many men,
  • And all of you clapp'd up together in
  • An Antony, that I might do you service
  • So good as you have done.

  • All:

  • The gods forbid!

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • Well, my good fellows, wait on me to-night:
  • Scant not my cups; and make as much of me
  • As when mine empire was your fellow too,
  • And suffer'd my command.

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • [Aside to DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS]

  • What does he mean?

  • DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS:

  • [Aside to CLEOPATRA]

  • To make his followers weep.

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • Tend me to-night;
  • May be it is the period of your duty:
  • Haply you shall not see me more; or if,
  • A mangled shadow: perchance to-morrow
  • You'll serve another master. I look on you
  • As one that takes his leave. Mine honest friends,
  • I turn you not away; but, like a master
  • Married to your good service, stay till death:
  • Tend me to-night two hours, I ask no more,
  • And the gods yield you for't!

  • DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS:

  • What mean you, sir,
  • To give them this discomfort? Look, they weep;
  • And I, an ass, am onion-eyed: for shame,
  • Transform us not to women.

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • Ho, ho, ho!
  • Now the witch take me, if I meant it thus!
  • Grace grow where those drops fall!
  • My hearty friends,
  • You take me in too dolorous a sense;
  • For I spake to you for your comfort; did desire you
  • To burn this night with torches: know, my hearts,
  • I hope well of to-morrow; and will lead you
  • Where rather I'll expect victorious life
  • Than death and honour. Let's to supper, come,
  • And drown consideration.

  • [Exeunt]

ACT IV, SCENE III. Before the palace.

[Enter two Soldiers to their guard]

  • First Soldier:

  • Brother, good night: to-morrow is the day.

  • Second Soldier:

  • It will determine one way: fare you well.
  • Heard you of nothing strange about the streets?

  • First Soldier:

  • Nothing. What news?

  • Second Soldier:

  • Belike 'tis but a rumour. Good night to you.

  • First Soldier:

  • Well, sir, good night.

  • [Enter two other Soldiers]

  • Second Soldier:

  • Soldiers, have careful watch.

  • Third Soldier:

  • And you. Good night, good night.

  • [They place themselves in every corner of the stage]

  • Fourth Soldier:

  • Here we: and if to-morrow
  • Our navy thrive, I have an absolute hope
  • Our landmen will stand up.

  • Third Soldier:

  • 'Tis a brave army,
  • And full of purpose.

  • [Music of the hautboys as under the stage]

  • Fourth Soldier:

  • Peace! what noise?

  • First Soldier:

  • List, list!

  • Second Soldier:

  • Hark!

  • First Soldier:

  • Music i' the air.

  • Third Soldier:

  • Under the earth.

  • Fourth Soldier:

  • It signs well, does it not?

  • Third Soldier:

  • No.

  • First Soldier:

  • Peace, I say!
  • What should this mean?

  • Second Soldier:

  • 'Tis the god Hercules, whom Antony loved,
  • Now leaves him.

  • First Soldier:

  • Walk; let's see if other watchmen
  • Do hear what we do?

  • [They advance to another post]

  • Second Soldier:

  • How now, masters!

  • All:

  • [Speaking together]

  • How now!
  • How now! do you hear this?

  • First Soldier:

  • Ay; is't not strange?

  • Third Soldier:

  • Do you hear, masters? do you hear?

  • First Soldier:

  • Follow the noise so far as we have quarter;
  • Let's see how it will give off.

  • All:

  • Content. 'Tis strange.

  • [Exeunt]

ACT IV, SCENE IV. A room in the palace.

[Enter MARK ANTONY and CLEOPATRA, CHARMIAN, and others attending]

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • Eros! mine armour, Eros!

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • Sleep a little.

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • No, my chuck. Eros, come; mine armour, Eros!

  • [Enter EROS with armour]

  • Come good fellow, put mine iron on:
  • If fortune be not ours to-day, it is
  • Because we brave her: come.

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • Nay, I'll help too.
  • What's this for?

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • Ah, let be, let be! thou art
  • The armourer of my heart: false, false; this, this.

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • Sooth, la, I'll help: thus it must be.

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • Well, well;
  • We shall thrive now. Seest thou, my good fellow?
  • Go put on thy defences.

  • EROS:

  • Briefly, sir.

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • Is not this buckled well?

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • Rarely, rarely:
  • He that unbuckles this, till we do please
  • To daff't for our repose, shall hear a storm.
  • Thou fumblest, Eros; and my queen's a squire
  • More tight at this than thou: dispatch. O love,
  • That thou couldst see my wars to-day, and knew'st
  • The royal occupation! thou shouldst see
  • A workman in't.

  • [Enter an armed Soldier]

  • Good morrow to thee; welcome:
  • Thou look'st like him that knows a warlike charge:
  • To business that we love we rise betime,
  • And go to't with delight.

  • Soldier:

  • A thousand, sir,
  • Early though't be, have on their riveted trim,
  • And at the port expect you.

  • [Shout. Trumpets flourish]

  • [Enter Captains and Soldiers]

  • Captain:

  • The morn is fair. Good morrow, general.

  • All:

  • Good morrow, general.

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • 'Tis well blown, lads:
  • This morning, like the spirit of a youth
  • That means to be of note, begins betimes.
  • So, so; come, give me that: this way; well said.
  • Fare thee well, dame, whate'er becomes of me:
  • This is a soldier's kiss: rebukeable

  • [Kisses her]

  • And worthy shameful cheque it were, to stand
  • On more mechanic compliment; I'll leave thee
  • Now, like a man of steel. You that will fight,
  • Follow me close; I'll bring you to't. Adieu.

  • [Exeunt MARK ANTONY, EROS, Captains, and Soldiers]

  • CHARMIAN:

  • Please you, retire to your chamber.

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • Lead me.
  • He goes forth gallantly. That he and Caesar might
  • Determine this great war in single fight!
  • Then Antony,--but now--Well, on.

  • [Exeunt]

ACT IV, SCENE V. Alexandria. MARK ANTONY's camp.

[Trumpets sound. Enter MARK ANTONY and EROS; a Soldier meeting them]

  • Soldier:

  • The gods make this a happy day to Antony!

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • Would thou and those thy scars had once prevail'd
  • To make me fight at land!

  • Soldier:

  • Hadst thou done so,
  • The kings that have revolted, and the soldier
  • That has this morning left thee, would have still
  • Follow'd thy heels.

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • Who's gone this morning?

  • Soldier:

  • Who!
  • One ever near thee: call for Enobarbus,
  • He shall not hear thee; or from Caesar's camp
  • Say 'I am none of thine.'

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • What say'st thou?

  • Soldier:

  • Sir,
  • He is with Caesar.

  • EROS:

  • Sir, his chests and treasure
  • He has not with him.

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • Is he gone?

  • Soldier:

  • Most certain.

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • Go, Eros, send his treasure after; do it;
  • Detain no jot, I charge thee: write to him--
  • I will subscribe--gentle adieus and greetings;
  • Say that I wish he never find more cause
  • To change a master. O, my fortunes have
  • Corrupted honest men! Dispatch.--Enobarbus!

  • [Exeunt]

ACT IV, SCENE VI. Alexandria. OCTAVIUS CAESAR's camp.

[Flourish. Enter OCTAVIUS CAESAR, AGRIPPA, with DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS, and others]

  • OCTAVIUS CAESAR:

  • Go forth, Agrippa, and begin the fight:
  • Our will is Antony be took alive;
  • Make it so known.

  • AGRIPPA:

  • Caesar, I shall.

  • [Exit]

  • OCTAVIUS CAESAR:

  • The time of universal peace is near:
  • Prove this a prosperous day, the three-nook'd world
  • Shall bear the olive freely.

  • [Enter a Messenger]

  • Messenger:

  • Antony
  • Is come into the field.

  • OCTAVIUS CAESAR:

  • Go charge Agrippa
  • Plant those that have revolted in the van,
  • That Antony may seem to spend his fury
  • Upon himself.

  • [Exeunt all but DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS]

  • DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS:

  • Alexas did revolt; and went to Jewry on
  • Affairs of Antony; there did persuade
  • Great Herod to incline himself to Caesar,
  • And leave his master Antony: for this pains
  • Caesar hath hang'd him. Canidius and the rest
  • That fell away have entertainment, but
  • No honourable trust. I have done ill;
  • Of which I do accuse myself so sorely,
  • That I will joy no more.

  • [Enter a Soldier of CAESAR's]

  • Soldier:

  • Enobarbus, Antony
  • Hath after thee sent all thy treasure, with
  • His bounty overplus: the messenger
  • Came on my guard; and at thy tent is now
  • Unloading of his mules.

  • DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS:

  • I give it you.

  • Soldier:

  • Mock not, Enobarbus.
  • I tell you true: best you safed the bringer
  • Out of the host; I must attend mine office,
  • Or would have done't myself. Your emperor
  • Continues still a Jove.

  • [Exit]

  • DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS:

  • I am alone the villain of the earth,
  • And feel I am so most. O Antony,
  • Thou mine of bounty, how wouldst thou have paid
  • My better service, when my turpitude
  • Thou dost so crown with gold! This blows my heart:
  • If swift thought break it not, a swifter mean
  • Shall outstrike thought: but thought will do't, I feel.
  • I fight against thee! No: I will go seek
  • Some ditch wherein to die; the foul'st best fits
  • My latter part of life.

  • [Exit]

ACT IV, SCENE VII. Field of battle between the camps.

[Alarum. Drums and trumpets. Enter AGRIPPA and others]

  • AGRIPPA:

  • Retire, we have engaged ourselves too far:
  • Caesar himself has work, and our oppression
  • Exceeds what we expected.

  • [Exeunt Alarums. Enter MARK ANTONY and SCARUS wounded]

  • SCARUS:

  • O my brave emperor, this is fought indeed!
  • Had we done so at first, we had droven them home
  • With clouts about their heads.

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • Thou bleed'st apace.

  • SCARUS:

  • I had a wound here that was like a T,
  • But now 'tis made an H.

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • They do retire.

  • SCARUS:

  • We'll beat 'em into bench-holes: I have yet
  • Room for six scotches more.

  • [Enter EROS]

  • EROS:

  • They are beaten, sir, and our advantage serves
  • For a fair victory.

  • SCARUS:

  • Let us score their backs,
  • And snatch 'em up, as we take hares, behind:
  • 'Tis sport to maul a runner.

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • I will reward thee
  • Once for thy spritely comfort, and ten-fold
  • For thy good valour. Come thee on.

  • SCARUS:

  • I'll halt after.

  • [Exeunt]

ACT IV, SCENE VIII. Under the walls of Alexandria.

[Alarum. Enter MARK ANTONY, in a march; SCARUS, with others]

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • We have beat him to his camp: run one before,
  • And let the queen know of our gests. To-morrow,
  • Before the sun shall see 's, we'll spill the blood
  • That has to-day escaped. I thank you all;
  • For doughty-handed are you, and have fought
  • Not as you served the cause, but as 't had been
  • Each man's like mine; you have shown all Hectors.
  • Enter the city, clip your wives, your friends,
  • Tell them your feats; whilst they with joyful tears
  • Wash the congealment from your wounds, and kiss
  • The honour'd gashes whole.

  • [To SCARUS]

  • Give me thy hand

  • [Enter CLEOPATRA, attended]

  • To this great fairy I'll commend thy acts,
  • Make her thanks bless thee.

  • [To CLEOPATRA]

  • O thou day o' the world,
  • Chain mine arm'd neck; leap thou, attire and all,
  • Through proof of harness to my heart, and there
  • Ride on the pants triumphing!

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • Lord of lords!
  • O infinite virtue, comest thou smiling from
  • The world's great snare uncaught?

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • My nightingale,
  • We have beat them to their beds. What, girl!
  • though grey
  • Do something mingle with our younger brown, yet ha' we
  • A brain that nourishes our nerves, and can
  • Get goal for goal of youth. Behold this man;
  • Commend unto his lips thy favouring hand:
  • Kiss it, my warrior: he hath fought to-day
  • As if a god, in hate of mankind, had
  • Destroy'd in such a shape.

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • I'll give thee, friend,
  • An armour all of gold; it was a king's.

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • He has deserved it, were it carbuncled
  • Like holy Phoebus' car. Give me thy hand:
  • Through Alexandria make a jolly march;
  • Bear our hack'd targets like the men that owe them:
  • Had our great palace the capacity
  • To camp this host, we all would sup together,
  • And drink carouses to the next day's fate,
  • Which promises royal peril. Trumpeters,
  • With brazen din blast you the city's ear;
  • Make mingle with rattling tabourines;
  • That heaven and earth may strike their sounds together,
  • Applauding our approach.

  • [Exeunt]

ACT IV, SCENE IX. OCTAVIUS CAESAR's camp.

[Sentinels at their post]

  • First Soldier:

  • If we be not relieved within this hour,
  • We must return to the court of guard: the night
  • Is shiny; and they say we shall embattle
  • By the second hour i' the morn.

  • Second Soldier:

  • This last day was
  • A shrewd one to's.

  • [Enter DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS]

  • DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS:

  • O, bear me witness, night,--

  • Third Soldier:

  • What man is this?

  • Second Soldier:

  • Stand close, and list him.

  • DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS:

  • Be witness to me, O thou blessed moon,
  • When men revolted shall upon record
  • Bear hateful memory, poor Enobarbus did
  • Before thy face repent!

  • First Soldier:

  • Enobarbus!

  • Third Soldier:

  • Peace!
  • Hark further.

  • DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS:

  • O sovereign mistress of true melancholy,
  • The poisonous damp of night disponge upon me,
  • That life, a very rebel to my will,
  • May hang no longer on me: throw my heart
  • Against the flint and hardness of my fault:
  • Which, being dried with grief, will break to powder,
  • And finish all foul thoughts. O Antony,
  • Nobler than my revolt is infamous,
  • Forgive me in thine own particular;
  • But let the world rank me in register
  • A master-leaver and a fugitive:
  • O Antony! O Antony!

  • [Dies]

  • Second Soldier:

  • Let's speak To him.

  • First Soldier:

  • Let's hear him, for the things he speaks
  • May concern Caesar.

  • Third Soldier:

  • Let's do so. But he sleeps.

  • First Soldier:

  • Swoons rather; for so bad a prayer as his
  • Was never yet for sleep.

  • Second Soldier:

  • Go we to him.

  • Third Soldier:

  • Awake, sir, awake; speak to us.

  • Second Soldier:

  • Hear you, sir?

  • First Soldier:

  • The hand of death hath raught him.

  • [Drums afar off]

  • Hark! the drums
  • Demurely wake the sleepers. Let us bear him
  • To the court of guard; he is of note: our hour
  • Is fully out.

  • Third Soldier:

  • Come on, then;
  • He may recover yet.

  • [Exeunt with the body]

ACT IV, SCENE X. Between the two camps.

[Enter MARK ANTONY and SCARUS, with their Army]

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • Their preparation is to-day by sea;
  • We please them not by land.

  • SCARUS:

  • For both, my lord.

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • I would they'ld fight i' the fire or i' the air;
  • We'ld fight there too. But this it is; our foot
  • Upon the hills adjoining to the city
  • Shall stay with us: order for sea is given;
  • They have put forth the haven
  • Where their appointment we may best discover,
  • And look on their endeavour.

  • [Exeunt]

ACT IV, SCENE XI. Another part of the camp.

[Enter OCTAVIUS CAESAR, and his Army]

  • OCTAVIUS CAESAR:

  • But being charged, we will be still by land,
  • Which, as I take't, we shall; for his best force
  • Is forth to man his galleys. To the vales,
  • And hold our best advantage.

  • [Exeunt]

ACT IV, SCENE XII. Another part of the camp.

[Enter MARK ANTONY and SCARUS]

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • Yet they are not join'd: where yond pine
  • does stand,
  • I shall discover all: I'll bring thee word
  • Straight, how 'tis like to go.

  • [Exit]

  • SCARUS:

  • Swallows have built
  • In Cleopatra's sails their nests: the augurers
  • Say they know not, they cannot tell; look grimly,
  • And dare not speak their knowledge. Antony
  • Is valiant, and dejected; and, by starts,
  • His fretted fortunes give him hope, and fear,
  • Of what he has, and has not.

  • [Alarum afar off, as at a sea-fight Re-enter MARK ANTONY]

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • All is lost;
  • This foul Egyptian hath betrayed me:
  • My fleet hath yielded to the foe; and yonder
  • They cast their caps up and carouse together
  • Like friends long lost. Triple-turn'd whore!
  • 'tis thou
  • Hast sold me to this novice; and my heart
  • Makes only wars on thee. Bid them all fly;
  • For when I am revenged upon my charm,
  • I have done all. Bid them all fly; begone.

  • [Exit SCARUS]

  • O sun, thy uprise shall I see no more:
  • Fortune and Antony part here; even here
  • Do we shake hands. All come to this? The hearts
  • That spaniel'd me at heels, to whom I gave
  • Their wishes, do discandy, melt their sweets
  • On blossoming Caesar; and this pine is bark'd,
  • That overtopp'd them all. Betray'd I am:
  • O this false soul of Egypt! this grave charm,--
  • Whose eye beck'd forth my wars, and call'd them home;
  • Whose bosom was my crownet, my chief end,--
  • Like a right gipsy, hath, at fast and loose,
  • Beguiled me to the very heart of loss.
  • What, Eros, Eros!

  • [Enter CLEOPATRA]

  • Ah, thou spell! Avaunt!

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • Why is my lord enraged against his love?

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • Vanish, or I shall give thee thy deserving,
  • And blemish Caesar's triumph. Let him take thee,
  • And hoist thee up to the shouting plebeians:
  • Follow his chariot, like the greatest spot
  • Of all thy sex; most monster-like, be shown
  • For poor'st diminutives, for doits; and let
  • Patient Octavia plough thy visage up
  • With her prepared nails.

  • [Exit CLEOPATRA]

  • 'Tis well thou'rt gone,
  • If it be well to live; but better 'twere
  • Thou fell'st into my fury, for one death
  • Might have prevented many. Eros, ho!
  • The shirt of Nessus is upon me: teach me,
  • Alcides, thou mine ancestor, thy rage:
  • Let me lodge Lichas on the horns o' the moon;
  • And with those hands, that grasp'd the heaviest club,
  • Subdue my worthiest self. The witch shall die:
  • To the young Roman boy she hath sold me, and I fall
  • Under this plot; she dies for't. Eros, ho!

  • [Exit]

ACT IV, SCENE XIII. Alexandria. Cleopatra's palace.

[Enter CLEOPATRA, CHARMIAN, IRAS, and MARDIAN]

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • Help me, my women! O, he is more mad
  • Than Telamon for his shield; the boar of Thessaly
  • Was never so emboss'd.

  • CHARMIAN:

  • To the monument!
  • There lock yourself, and send him word you are dead.
  • The soul and body rive not more in parting
  • Than greatness going off.

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • To the monument!
  • Mardian, go tell him I have slain myself;
  • Say, that the last I spoke was 'Antony,'
  • And word it, prithee, piteously: hence, Mardian,
  • And bring me how he takes my death.
  • To the monument!

  • [Exeunt]

ACT IV, SCENE XIV. Another room.

[Enter MARK ANTONY and EROS]

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • Eros, thou yet behold'st me?

  • EROS:

  • Ay, noble lord.

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • Sometimes we see a cloud that's dragonish;
  • A vapour sometime like a bear or lion,
  • A tower'd citadel, a pendent rock,
  • A forked mountain, or blue promontory
  • With trees upon't, that nod unto the world,
  • And mock our eyes with air: thou hast seen
  • these signs;
  • They are black vesper's pageants.

  • EROS:

  • Ay, my lord,

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • That which is now a horse, even with a thought
  • The rack dislimns, and makes it indistinct,
  • As water is in water.

  • EROS:

  • It does, my lord.

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • My good knave Eros, now thy captain is
  • Even such a body: here I am Antony:
  • Yet cannot hold this visible shape, my knave.
  • I made these wars for Egypt: and the queen,--
  • Whose heart I thought I had, for she had mine;
  • Which whilst it was mine had annex'd unto't
  • A million more, now lost,--she, Eros, has
  • Pack'd cards with Caesar, and false-play'd my glory
  • Unto an enemy's triumph.
  • Nay, weep not, gentle Eros; there is left us
  • Ourselves to end ourselves.

  • [Enter MARDIAN]

  • O! thy vile lady!
  • She has robb'd me of my sword.

  • MARDIAN:

  • No, Antony;
  • My mistress loved thee, and her fortunes mingled
  • With thine entirely.

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • Hence, saucy eunuch; peace!
  • She hath betray'd me and shall die the death.

  • MARDIAN:

  • Death of one person can be paid but once,
  • And that she has discharged: what thou wouldst do
  • Is done unto thy hand: the last she spake
  • Was 'Antony! most noble Antony!'
  • Then in the midst a tearing groan did break
  • The name of Antony; it was divided
  • Between her heart and lips: she render'd life,
  • Thy name so buried in her.

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • Dead, then?

  • MARDIAN:

  • Dead.

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • Unarm, Eros; the long day's task is done,
  • And we must sleep.

  • [To MARDIAN]

  • That thou depart'st hence safe,
  • Does pay thy labour richly; go.

  • [Exit MARDIAN]

  • Off, pluck off:
  • The seven-fold shield of Ajax cannot keep
  • The battery from my heart. O, cleave, my sides!
  • Heart, once be stronger than thy continent,
  • Crack thy frail case! Apace, Eros, apace.
  • No more a soldier: bruised pieces, go;
  • You have been nobly borne. From me awhile.

  • [Exit EROS]

  • I will o'ertake thee, Cleopatra, and
  • Weep for my pardon. So it must be, for now
  • All length is torture: since the torch is out,
  • Lie down, and stray no farther: now all labour
  • Mars what it does; yea, very force entangles
  • Itself with strength: seal then, and all is done.
  • Eros!--I come, my queen:--Eros!--Stay for me:
  • Where souls do couch on flowers, we'll hand in hand,
  • And with our sprightly port make the ghosts gaze:
  • Dido and her AEneas shall want troops,
  • And all the haunt be ours. Come, Eros, Eros!

  • [Re-enter EROS]

  • EROS:

  • What would my lord?

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • Since Cleopatra died,
  • I have lived in such dishonour, that the gods
  • Detest my baseness. I, that with my sword
  • Quarter'd the world, and o'er green Neptune's back
  • With ships made cities, condemn myself to lack
  • The courage of a woman; less noble mind
  • Than she which by her death our Caesar tells
  • 'I am conqueror of myself.' Thou art sworn, Eros,
  • That, when the exigent should come, which now
  • Is come indeed, when I should see behind me
  • The inevitable prosecution of
  • Disgrace and horror, that, on my command,
  • Thou then wouldst kill me: do't; the time is come:
  • Thou strikest not me, 'tis Caesar thou defeat'st.
  • Put colour in thy cheek.

  • EROS:

  • The gods withhold me!
  • Shall I do that which all the Parthian darts,
  • Though enemy, lost aim, and could not?

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • Eros,
  • Wouldst thou be window'd in great Rome and see
  • Thy master thus with pleach'd arms, bending down
  • His corrigible neck, his face subdued
  • To penetrative shame, whilst the wheel'd seat
  • Of fortunate Caesar, drawn before him, branded
  • His baseness that ensued?

  • EROS:

  • I would not see't.

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • Come, then; for with a wound I must be cured.
  • Draw that thy honest sword, which thou hast worn
  • Most useful for thy country.

  • EROS:

  • O, sir, pardon me!

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • When I did make thee free, sworest thou not then
  • To do this when I bade thee? Do it at once;
  • Or thy precedent services are all
  • But accidents unpurposed. Draw, and come.

  • EROS:

  • Turn from me, then, that noble countenance,
  • Wherein the worship of the whole world lies.

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • Lo thee!
  • Turning from him

  • EROS:

  • My sword is drawn.

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • Then let it do at once
  • The thing why thou hast drawn it.

  • EROS:

  • My dear master,
  • My captain, and my emperor, let me say,
  • Before I strike this bloody stroke, farewell.

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • 'Tis said, man; and farewell.

  • EROS:

  • Farewell, great chief. Shall I strike now?

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • Now, Eros.

  • EROS:

  • Why, there then: thus I do escape the sorrow
  • Of Antony's death.

  • [Kills himself]

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • Thrice-nobler than myself!
  • Thou teachest me, O valiant Eros, what
  • I should, and thou couldst not. My queen and Eros
  • Have by their brave instruction got upon me
  • A nobleness in record: but I will be
  • A bridegroom in my death, and run into't
  • As to a lover's bed. Come, then; and, Eros,
  • Thy master dies thy scholar: to do thus

  • [Falling on his sword]

  • I learn'd of thee. How! not dead? not dead?
  • The guard, ho! O, dispatch me!

  • [Enter DERCETAS and Guard]

  • First Guard:

  • What's the noise?

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • I have done my work in, friends: O, make an end
  • Of what I have begun.

  • Second Guard:

  • The star is fall'n.

  • First Guard:

  • And time is at his period.

  • All:

  • Alas, and woe!

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • Let him that loves me strike me dead.

  • First Guard:

  • Not I.

  • Second Guard:

  • Nor I.

  • Third Guard:

  • Nor any one.

  • [Exeunt Guard]

  • DERCETAS:

  • Thy death and fortunes bid thy followers fly.
  • This sword but shown to Caesar, with this tidings,
  • Shall enter me with him.

  • [Enter DIOMEDES]

  • DIOMEDES:

  • Where's Antony?

  • DERCETAS:

  • There, Diomed there.

  • DIOMEDES:

  • Lives he?
  • Wilt thou not answer, man?

  • [Exit DERCETAS]

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • Art thou there, Diomed? Draw thy sword, and give me
  • Sufficing strokes for death.

  • DIOMEDES:

  • Most absolute lord,
  • My mistress Cleopatra sent me to thee.

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • When did she send thee?

  • DIOMEDES:

  • Now, my lord.

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • Where is she?

  • DIOMEDES:

  • Lock'd in her monument. She had a prophesying fear
  • Of what hath come to pass: for when she saw--
  • Which never shall be found--you did suspect
  • She had disposed with Caesar, and that your rage
  • Would not be purged, she sent you word she was dead;
  • But, fearing since how it might work, hath sent
  • Me to proclaim the truth; and I am come,
  • I dread, too late.

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • Too late, good Diomed: call my guard, I prithee.

  • DIOMEDES:

  • What, ho, the emperor's guard! The guard, what, ho!
  • Come, your lord calls!

  • [Enter four or five of the Guard of MARK ANTONY]

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • Bear me, good friends, where Cleopatra bides;
  • 'Tis the last service that I shall command you.

  • First Guard:

  • Woe, woe are we, sir, you may not live to wear
  • All your true followers out.

  • All:

  • Most heavy day!

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • Nay, good my fellows, do not please sharp fate
  • To grace it with your sorrows: bid that welcome
  • Which comes to punish us, and we punish it
  • Seeming to bear it lightly. Take me up:
  • I have led you oft: carry me now, good friends,
  • And have my thanks for all.

  • [Exeunt, bearing MARK ANTONY]

ACT IV, SCENE XV. A monument.

[Enter CLEOPATRA and her maids aloft, with CHARMIAN and IRAS]

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • O Charmian, I will never go from hence.

  • CHARMIAN:

  • Be comforted, dear madam.

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • No, I will not:
  • All strange and terrible events are welcome,
  • But comforts we despise; our size of sorrow,
  • Proportion'd to our cause, must be as great
  • As that which makes it.

  • [Enter, below, DIOMEDES]

  • How now! is he dead?

  • DIOMEDES:

  • His death's upon him, but not dead.
  • Look out o' the other side your monument;
  • His guard have brought him thither.

  • [Enter, below, MARK ANTONY, borne by the Guard]

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • O sun,
  • Burn the great sphere thou movest in!
  • darkling stand
  • The varying shore o' the world. O Antony,
  • Antony, Antony! Help, Charmian, help, Iras, help;
  • Help, friends below; let's draw him hither.

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • Peace!
  • Not Caesar's valour hath o'erthrown Antony,
  • But Antony's hath triumph'd on itself.

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • So it should be, that none but Antony
  • Should conquer Antony; but woe 'tis so!

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • I am dying, Egypt, dying; only
  • I here importune death awhile, until
  • Of many thousand kisses the poor last
  • I lay up thy lips.

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • I dare not, dear,--
  • Dear my lord, pardon,--I dare not,
  • Lest I be taken: not the imperious show
  • Of the full-fortuned Caesar ever shall
  • Be brooch'd with me; if knife, drugs,
  • serpents, have
  • Edge, sting, or operation, I am safe:
  • Your wife Octavia, with her modest eyes
  • And still conclusion, shall acquire no honour
  • Demuring upon me. But come, come, Antony,--
  • Help me, my women,--we must draw thee up:
  • Assist, good friends.

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • O, quick, or I am gone.

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • Here's sport indeed! How heavy weighs my lord!
  • Our strength is all gone into heaviness,
  • That makes the weight: had I great Juno's power,
  • The strong-wing'd Mercury should fetch thee up,
  • And set thee by Jove's side. Yet come a little,--
  • Wishes were ever fools,--O, come, come, come;
  • They heave MARK ANTONY aloft to CLEOPATRA
  • And welcome, welcome! die where thou hast lived:
  • Quicken with kissing: had my lips that power,
  • Thus would I wear them out.

  • All:

  • A heavy sight!

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • I am dying, Egypt, dying:
  • Give me some wine, and let me speak a little.

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • No, let me speak; and let me rail so high,
  • That the false housewife Fortune break her wheel,
  • Provoked by my offence.

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • One word, sweet queen:
  • Of Caesar seek your honour, with your safety. O!

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • They do not go together.

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • Gentle, hear me:
  • None about Caesar trust but Proculeius.

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • My resolution and my hands I'll trust;
  • None about Caesar.

  • MARK ANTONY:

  • The miserable change now at my end
  • Lament nor sorrow at; but please your thoughts
  • In feeding them with those my former fortunes
  • Wherein I lived, the greatest prince o' the world,
  • The noblest; and do now not basely die,
  • Not cowardly put off my helmet to
  • My countryman,--a Roman by a Roman
  • Valiantly vanquish'd. Now my spirit is going;
  • I can no more.

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • Noblest of men, woo't die?
  • Hast thou no care of me? shall I abide
  • In this dull world, which in thy absence is
  • No better than a sty? O, see, my women,

  • [MARK ANTONY dies]

  • The crown o' the earth doth melt. My lord!
  • O, wither'd is the garland of the war,
  • The soldier's pole is fall'n: young boys and girls
  • Are level now with men; the odds is gone,
  • And there is nothing left remarkable
  • Beneath the visiting moon.

  • [Faints]

  • CHARMIAN:

  • O, quietness, lady!

  • IRAS:

  • She is dead too, our sovereign.

  • CHARMIAN:

  • Lady!

  • IRAS:

  • Madam!

  • CHARMIAN:

  • O madam, madam, madam!

  • IRAS:

  • Royal Egypt, Empress!

  • CHARMIAN:

  • Peace, peace, Iras!

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • No more, but e'en a woman, and commanded
  • By such poor passion as the maid that milks
  • And does the meanest chares. It were for me
  • To throw my sceptre at the injurious gods;
  • To tell them that this world did equal theirs
  • Till they had stol'n our jewel. All's but naught;
  • Patience is scottish, and impatience does
  • Become a dog that's mad: then is it sin
  • To rush into the secret house of death,
  • Ere death dare come to us? How do you, women?
  • What, what! good cheer! Why, how now, Charmian!
  • My noble girls! Ah, women, women, look,
  • Our lamp is spent, it's out! Good sirs, take heart:
  • We'll bury him; and then, what's brave,
  • what's noble,
  • Let's do it after the high Roman fashion,
  • And make death proud to take us. Come, away:
  • This case of that huge spirit now is cold:
  • Ah, women, women! come; we have no friend
  • But resolution, and the briefest end.

  • [Exeunt; those above bearing off MARK ANTONY's body]

ACT V

ACT V, SCENE I. Alexandria. OCTAVIUS CAESAR's camp.

[Enter OCTAVIUS CAESAR, AGRIPPA, DOLABELLA, MECAENAS, GALLUS, PROCULEIUS, and others, his council of war]

  • OCTAVIUS CAESAR:

  • Go to him, Dolabella, bid him yield;
  • Being so frustrate, tell him he mocks
  • The pauses that he makes.

  • DOLABELLA:

  • Caesar, I shall.

  • [Exit]

  • [Enter DERCETAS, with the sword of MARK ANTONY]

  • OCTAVIUS CAESAR:

  • Wherefore is that? and what art thou that darest
  • Appear thus to us?

  • DERCETAS:

  • I am call'd Dercetas;
  • Mark Antony I served, who best was worthy
  • Best to be served: whilst he stood up and spoke,
  • He was my master; and I wore my life
  • To spend upon his haters. If thou please
  • To take me to thee, as I was to him
  • I'll be to Caesar; if thou pleasest not,
  • I yield thee up my life.

  • OCTAVIUS CAESAR:

  • What is't thou say'st?

  • DERCETAS:

  • I say, O Caesar, Antony is dead.

  • OCTAVIUS CAESAR:

  • The breaking of so great a thing should make
  • A greater crack: the round world
  • Should have shook lions into civil streets,
  • And citizens to their dens: the death of Antony
  • Is not a single doom; in the name lay
  • A moiety of the world.

  • DERCETAS:

  • He is dead, Caesar:
  • Not by a public minister of justice,
  • Nor by a hired knife; but that self hand,
  • Which writ his honour in the acts it did,
  • Hath, with the courage which the heart did lend it,
  • Splitted the heart. This is his sword;
  • I robb'd his wound of it; behold it stain'd
  • With his most noble blood.

  • OCTAVIUS CAESAR:

  • Look you sad, friends?
  • The gods rebuke me, but it is tidings
  • To wash the eyes of kings.

  • AGRIPPA:

  • And strange it is,
  • That nature must compel us to lament
  • Our most persisted deeds.

  • MECAENAS:

  • His taints and honours
  • Waged equal with him.

  • AGRIPPA:

  • A rarer spirit never
  • Did steer humanity: but you, gods, will give us
  • Some faults to make us men. Caesar is touch'd.

  • MECAENAS:

  • When such a spacious mirror's set before him,
  • He needs must see himself.

  • OCTAVIUS CAESAR:

  • O Antony!
  • I have follow'd thee to this; but we do lance
  • Diseases in our bodies: I must perforce
  • Have shown to thee such a declining day,
  • Or look on thine; we could not stall together
  • In the whole world: but yet let me lament,
  • With tears as sovereign as the blood of hearts,
  • That thou, my brother, my competitor
  • In top of all design, my mate in empire,
  • Friend and companion in the front of war,
  • The arm of mine own body, and the heart
  • Where mine his thoughts did kindle,--that our stars,
  • Unreconciliable, should divide
  • Our equalness to this. Hear me, good friends--
  • But I will tell you at some meeter season:

  • [Enter an Egyptian]

  • The business of this man looks out of him;
  • We'll hear him what he says. Whence are you?

  • Egyptian:

  • A poor Egyptian yet. The queen my mistress,
  • Confined in all she has, her monument,
  • Of thy intents desires instruction,
  • That she preparedly may frame herself
  • To the way she's forced to.

  • OCTAVIUS CAESAR:

  • Bid her have good heart:
  • She soon shall know of us, by some of ours,
  • How honourable and how kindly we
  • Determine for her; for Caesar cannot live
  • To be ungentle.

  • Egyptian:

  • So the gods preserve thee!

  • [Exit]

  • OCTAVIUS CAESAR:

  • Come hither, Proculeius. Go and say,
  • We purpose her no shame: give her what comforts
  • The quality of her passion shall require,
  • Lest, in her greatness, by some mortal stroke
  • She do defeat us; for her life in Rome
  • Would be eternal in our triumph: go,
  • And with your speediest bring us what she says,
  • And how you find of her.

  • PROCULEIUS:

  • Caesar, I shall.

  • [Exit]

  • OCTAVIUS CAESAR:

  • Gallus, go you along.

  • [Exit GALLUS]

  • Where's Dolabella,
  • To second Proculeius?

  • All:

  • Dolabella!

  • OCTAVIUS CAESAR:

  • Let him alone, for I remember now
  • How he's employ'd: he shall in time be ready.
  • Go with me to my tent; where you shall see
  • How hardly I was drawn into this war;
  • How calm and gentle I proceeded still
  • In all my writings: go with me, and see
  • What I can show in this.

  • [Exeunt]

ACT V, SCENE II. Alexandria. A room in the monument.

[Enter CLEOPATRA, CHARMIAN, and IRAS]

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • My desolation does begin to make
  • A better life. 'Tis paltry to be Caesar;
  • Not being Fortune, he's but Fortune's knave,
  • A minister of her will: and it is great
  • To do that thing that ends all other deeds;
  • Which shackles accidents and bolts up change;
  • Which sleeps, and never palates more the dug,
  • The beggar's nurse and Caesar's.

  • [Enter, to the gates of the monument, PROCULEIUS, GALLUS and Soldiers]

  • PROCULEIUS:

  • Caesar sends greeting to the Queen of Egypt;
  • And bids thee study on what fair demands
  • Thou mean'st to have him grant thee.

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • What's thy name?

  • PROCULEIUS:

  • My name is Proculeius.

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • Antony
  • Did tell me of you, bade me trust you; but
  • I do not greatly care to be deceived,
  • That have no use for trusting. If your master
  • Would have a queen his beggar, you must tell him,
  • That majesty, to keep decorum, must
  • No less beg than a kingdom: if he please
  • To give me conquer'd Egypt for my son,
  • He gives me so much of mine own, as I
  • Will kneel to him with thanks.

  • PROCULEIUS:

  • Be of good cheer;
  • You're fall'n into a princely hand, fear nothing:
  • Make your full reference freely to my lord,
  • Who is so full of grace, that it flows over
  • On all that need: let me report to him
  • Your sweet dependency; and you shall find
  • A conqueror that will pray in aid for kindness,
  • Where he for grace is kneel'd to.

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • Pray you, tell him
  • I am his fortune's vassal, and I send him
  • The greatness he has got. I hourly learn
  • A doctrine of obedience; and would gladly
  • Look him i' the face.

  • PROCULEIUS:

  • This I'll report, dear lady.
  • Have comfort, for I know your plight is pitied
  • Of him that caused it.

  • GALLUS:

  • You see how easily she may be surprised:

  • [Here PROCULEIUS and two of the Guard ascend the monument by a ladder placed against a window, and, having descended, come behind CLEOPATRA. Some of the Guard unbar and open the gates]

  • [To PROCULEIUS and the Guard]

  • Guard her till Caesar come.

  • [Exit]

  • IRAS:

  • Royal queen!

  • CHARMIAN:

  • O Cleopatra! thou art taken, queen:

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • Quick, quick, good hands.

  • [Drawing a dagger]

  • PROCULEIUS:

  • Hold, worthy lady, hold:

  • [Seizes and disarms her]

  • Do not yourself such wrong, who are in this
  • Relieved, but not betray'd.

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • What, of death too,
  • That rids our dogs of languish?

  • PROCULEIUS:

  • Cleopatra,
  • Do not abuse my master's bounty by
  • The undoing of yourself: let the world see
  • His nobleness well acted, which your death
  • Will never let come forth.

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • Where art thou, death?
  • Come hither, come! come, come, and take a queen
  • Worthy many babes and beggars!

  • PROCULEIUS:

  • O, temperance, lady!

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • Sir, I will eat no meat, I'll not drink, sir;
  • If idle talk will once be necessary,
  • I'll not sleep neither: this mortal house I'll ruin,
  • Do Caesar what he can. Know, sir, that I
  • Will not wait pinion'd at your master's court;
  • Nor once be chastised with the sober eye
  • Of dull Octavia. Shall they hoist me up
  • And show me to the shouting varletry
  • Of censuring Rome? Rather a ditch in Egypt
  • Be gentle grave unto me! rather on Nilus' mud
  • Lay me stark naked, and let the water-flies
  • Blow me into abhorring! rather make
  • My country's high pyramides my gibbet,
  • And hang me up in chains!

  • PROCULEIUS:

  • You do extend
  • These thoughts of horror further than you shall
  • Find cause in Caesar.

  • [Enter DOLABELLA]

  • DOLABELLA:

  • Proculeius,
  • What thou hast done thy master Caesar knows,
  • And he hath sent for thee: for the queen,
  • I'll take her to my guard.

  • PROCULEIUS:

  • So, Dolabella,
  • It shall content me best: be gentle to her.

  • [To CLEOPATRA]

  • To Caesar I will speak what you shall please,
  • If you'll employ me to him.

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • Say, I would die.

  • [Exeunt PROCULEIUS and Soldiers]

  • DOLABELLA:

  • Most noble empress, you have heard of me?

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • I cannot tell.

  • DOLABELLA:

  • Assuredly you know me.

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • No matter, sir, what I have heard or known.
  • You laugh when boys or women tell their dreams;
  • Is't not your trick?

  • DOLABELLA:

  • I understand not, madam.

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • I dream'd there was an Emperor Antony:
  • O, such another sleep, that I might see
  • But such another man!

  • DOLABELLA:

  • If it might please ye,--

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • His face was as the heavens; and therein stuck
  • A sun and moon, which kept their course,
  • and lighted
  • The little O, the earth.

  • DOLABELLA:

  • Most sovereign creature,--

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • His legs bestrid the ocean: his rear'd arm
  • Crested the world: his voice was propertied
  • As all the tuned spheres, and that to friends;
  • But when he meant to quail and shake the orb,
  • He was as rattling thunder. For his bounty,
  • There was no winter in't; an autumn 'twas
  • That grew the more by reaping: his delights
  • Were dolphin-like; they show'd his back above
  • The element they lived in: in his livery
  • Walk'd crowns and crownets; realms and islands were
  • As plates dropp'd from his pocket.

  • DOLABELLA:

  • Cleopatra!

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • Think you there was, or might be, such a man
  • As this I dream'd of?

  • DOLABELLA:

  • Gentle madam, no.

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • You lie, up to the hearing of the gods.
  • But, if there be, or ever were, one such,
  • It's past the size of dreaming: nature wants stuff
  • To vie strange forms with fancy; yet, to imagine
  • And Antony, were nature's piece 'gainst fancy,
  • Condemning shadows quite.

  • DOLABELLA:

  • Hear me, good madam.
  • Your loss is as yourself, great; and you bear it
  • As answering to the weight: would I might never
  • O'ertake pursued success, but I do feel,
  • By the rebound of yours, a grief that smites
  • My very heart at root.

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • I thank you, sir,
  • Know you what Caesar means to do with me?

  • DOLABELLA:

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

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • Nay, pray you, sir,--

  • DOLABELLA:

  • Though he be honourable,--

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • He'll lead me, then, in triumph?

  • DOLABELLA:

  • Madam, he will; I know't.

  • [Flourish, and shout within, 'Make way there: Octavius Caesar!' Enter OCTAVIUS CAESAR, GALLUS, PROCULEIUS, MECAENAS, SELEUCUS, and others of his Train]

  • OCTAVIUS CAESAR:

  • Which is the Queen of Egypt?

  • DOLABELLA:

  • It is the emperor, madam.

  • [CLEOPATRA kneels]

  • OCTAVIUS CAESAR:

  • Arise, you shall not kneel:
  • I pray you, rise; rise, Egypt.

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • Sir, the gods
  • Will have it thus; my master and my lord
  • I must obey.

  • OCTAVIUS CAESAR:

  • Take to you no hard thoughts:
  • The record of what injuries you did us,
  • Though written in our flesh, we shall remember
  • As things but done by chance.

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • Sole sir o' the world,
  • I cannot project mine own cause so well
  • To make it clear; but do confess I have
  • Been laden with like frailties which before
  • Have often shamed our sex.

  • OCTAVIUS CAESAR:

  • Cleopatra, know,
  • We will extenuate rather than enforce:
  • If you apply yourself to our intents,
  • Which towards you are most gentle, you shall find
  • A benefit in this change; but if you seek
  • To lay on me a cruelty, by taking
  • Antony's course, you shall bereave yourself
  • Of my good purposes, and put your children
  • To that destruction which I'll guard them from,
  • If thereon you rely. I'll take my leave.

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • And may, through all the world: 'tis yours; and we,
  • Your scutcheons and your signs of conquest, shall
  • Hang in what place you please. Here, my good lord.

  • OCTAVIUS CAESAR:

  • You shall advise me in all for Cleopatra.

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • This is the brief of money, plate, and jewels,
  • I am possess'd of: 'tis exactly valued;
  • Not petty things admitted. Where's Seleucus?

  • SELEUCUS:

  • Here, madam.

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • This is my treasurer: let him speak, my lord,
  • Upon his peril, that I have reserved
  • To myself nothing. Speak the truth, Seleucus.

  • SELEUCUS:

  • Madam,
  • I had rather seal my lips, than, to my peril,
  • Speak that which is not.

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • What have I kept back?

  • SELEUCUS:

  • Enough to purchase what you have made known.

  • OCTAVIUS CAESAR:

  • Nay, blush not, Cleopatra; I approve
  • Your wisdom in the deed.

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • See, Caesar! O, behold,
  • How pomp is follow'd! mine will now be yours;
  • And, should we shift estates, yours would be mine.
  • The ingratitude of this Seleucus does
  • Even make me wild: O slave, of no more trust
  • Than love that's hired! What, goest thou back? thou shalt
  • Go back, I warrant thee; but I'll catch thine eyes,
  • Though they had wings: slave, soulless villain, dog!
  • O rarely base!

  • OCTAVIUS CAESAR:

  • Good queen, let us entreat you.

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • O Caesar, what a wounding shame is this,
  • That thou, vouchsafing here to visit me,
  • Doing the honour of thy lordliness
  • To one so meek, that mine own servant should
  • Parcel the sum of my disgraces by
  • Addition of his envy! Say, good Caesar,
  • That I some lady trifles have reserved,
  • Immoment toys, things of such dignity
  • As we greet modern friends withal; and say,
  • Some nobler token I have kept apart
  • For Livia and Octavia, to induce
  • Their mediation; must I be unfolded
  • With one that I have bred? The gods! it smites me
  • Beneath the fall I have.

  • [To SELEUCUS]

  • Prithee, go hence;
  • Or I shall show the cinders of my spirits
  • Through the ashes of my chance: wert thou a man,
  • Thou wouldst have mercy on me.

  • OCTAVIUS CAESAR:

  • Forbear, Seleucus.

  • [Exit SELEUCUS]

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • Be it known, that we, the greatest, are misthought
  • For things that others do; and, when we fall,
  • We answer others' merits in our name,
  • Are therefore to be pitied.

  • OCTAVIUS CAESAR:

  • Cleopatra,
  • Not what you have reserved, nor what acknowledged,
  • Put we i' the roll of conquest: still be't yours,
  • Bestow it at your pleasure; and believe,
  • Caesar's no merchant, to make prize with you
  • Of things that merchants sold. Therefore be cheer'd;
  • Make not your thoughts your prisons: no, dear queen;
  • For we intend so to dispose you as
  • Yourself shall give us counsel. Feed, and sleep:
  • Our care and pity is so much upon you,
  • That we remain your friend; and so, adieu.

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • My master, and my lord!

  • OCTAVIUS CAESAR:

  • Not so. Adieu.

  • [Flourish. Exeunt OCTAVIUS CAESAR and his train]

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • He words me, girls, he words me, that I should not
  • Be noble to myself: but, hark thee, Charmian.

  • [Whispers CHARMIAN]

  • IRAS:

  • Finish, good lady; the bright day is done,
  • And we are for the dark.

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • Hie thee again:
  • I have spoke already, and it is provided;
  • Go put it to the haste.

  • CHARMIAN:

  • Madam, I will.

  • [Re-enter DOLABELLA]

  • DOLABELLA:

  • Where is the queen?

  • CHARMIAN:

  • Behold, sir.

  • [Exit]

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • Dolabella!

  • DOLABELLA:

  • Madam, as thereto sworn by your command,
  • Which my love makes religion to obey,
  • I tell you this: Caesar through Syria
  • Intends his journey; and within three days
  • You with your children will he send before:
  • Make your best use of this: I have perform'd
  • Your pleasure and my promise.

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • Dolabella,
  • I shall remain your debtor.

  • DOLABELLA:

  • I your servant,
  • Adieu, good queen; I must attend on Caesar.

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • Farewell, and thanks.

  • [Exit DOLABELLA]

  • Now, Iras, what think'st thou?
  • Thou, an Egyptian puppet, shalt be shown
  • In Rome, as well as I mechanic slaves
  • With greasy aprons, rules, and hammers, shall
  • Uplift us to the view; in their thick breaths,
  • Rank of gross diet, shall be enclouded,
  • And forced to drink their vapour.

  • IRAS:

  • The gods forbid!

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • Nay, 'tis most certain, Iras: saucy lictors
  • Will catch at us, like strumpets; and scald rhymers
  • Ballad us out o' tune: the quick comedians
  • Extemporally will stage us, and present
  • Our Alexandrian revels; Antony
  • Shall be brought drunken forth, and I shall see
  • Some squeaking Cleopatra boy my greatness
  • I' the posture of a whore.

  • IRAS:

  • O the good gods!

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • Nay, that's certain.

  • IRAS:

  • I'll never see 't; for, I am sure, my nails
  • Are stronger than mine eyes.

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • Why, that's the way
  • To fool their preparation, and to conquer
  • Their most absurd intents.

  • [Re-enter CHARMIAN]

  • Now, Charmian!
  • Show me, my women, like a queen: go fetch
  • My best attires: I am again for Cydnus,
  • To meet Mark Antony: sirrah Iras, go.
  • Now, noble Charmian, we'll dispatch indeed;
  • And, when thou hast done this chare, I'll give thee leave
  • To play till doomsday. Bring our crown and all.
  • Wherefore's this noise?

  • [Exit IRAS. A noise within Enter a Guardsman]

  • Guard:

  • Here is a rural fellow
  • That will not be denied your highness presence:
  • He brings you figs.

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • Let him come in.

  • [Exit Guardsman]

  • What poor an instrument
  • May do a noble deed! he brings me liberty.
  • My resolution's placed, and I have nothing
  • Of woman in me: now from head to foot
  • I am marble-constant; now the fleeting moon
  • No planet is of mine.

  • [Re-enter Guardsman, with Clown bringing in a basket]

  • Guard:

  • This is the man.

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • Avoid, and leave him.

  • [Exit Guardsman]

  • Hast thou the pretty worm of Nilus there,
  • That kills and pains not?

  • CLOWN:

  • Truly, I have him: but I would not be the party
  • that should desire you to touch him, for his biting
  • is immortal; those that do die of it do seldom or
  • never recover.

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • Rememberest thou any that have died on't?

  • CLOWN:

  • Very many, men and women too. I heard of one of
  • them no longer than yesterday: a very honest woman,
  • but something given to lie; as a woman should not
  • do, but in the way of honesty: how she died of the
  • biting of it, what pain she felt: truly, she makes
  • a very good report o' the worm; but he that will
  • believe all that they say, shall never be saved by
  • half that they do: but this is most fallible, the
  • worm's an odd worm.

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • Get thee hence; farewell.

  • CLOWN:

  • I wish you all joy of the worm.

  • [Setting down his basket]

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • Farewell.

  • CLOWN:

  • You must think this, look you, that the worm will
  • do his kind.

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • Ay, ay; farewell.

  • CLOWN:

  • Look you, the worm is not to be trusted but in the
  • keeping of wise people; for, indeed, there is no
  • goodness in worm.

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • Take thou no care; it shall be heeded.

  • CLOWN:

  • Very good. Give it nothing, I pray you, for it is
  • not worth the feeding.

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • Will it eat me?

  • CLOWN:

  • You must not think I am so simple but I know the
  • devil himself will not eat a woman: I know that a
  • woman is a dish for the gods, if the devil dress her
  • not. But, truly, these same whoreson devils do the
  • gods great harm in their women; for in every ten
  • that they make, the devils mar five.

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • Well, get thee gone; farewell.

  • CLOWN:

  • Yes, forsooth: I wish you joy o' the worm.

  • [Exit]

  • [Re-enter IRAS with a robe, crown, & c]

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • Give me my robe, put on my crown; I have
  • Immortal longings in me: now no more
  • The juice of Egypt's grape shall moist this lip:
  • Yare, yare, good Iras; quick. Methinks I hear
  • Antony call; I see him rouse himself
  • To praise my noble act; I hear him mock
  • The luck of Caesar, which the gods give men
  • To excuse their after wrath: husband, I come:
  • Now to that name my courage prove my title!
  • I am fire and air; my other elements
  • I give to baser life. So; have you done?
  • Come then, and take the last warmth of my lips.
  • Farewell, kind Charmian; Iras, long farewell.

  • [Kisses them. IRAS falls and dies]

  • Have I the aspic in my lips? Dost fall?
  • If thou and nature can so gently part,
  • The stroke of death is as a lover's pinch,
  • Which hurts, and is desired. Dost thou lie still?
  • If thus thou vanishest, thou tell'st the world
  • It is not worth leave-taking.

  • CHARMIAN:

  • Dissolve, thick cloud, and rain; that I may say,
  • The gods themselves do weep!

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • This proves me base:
  • If she first meet the curled Antony,
  • He'll make demand of her, and spend that kiss
  • Which is my heaven to have. Come, thou
  • mortal wretch,

  • [To an asp, which she applies to her breast]

  • With thy sharp teeth this knot intrinsicate
  • Of life at once untie: poor venomous fool
  • Be angry, and dispatch. O, couldst thou speak,
  • That I might hear thee call great Caesar ass
  • Unpolicied!

  • CHARMIAN:

  • O eastern star!

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • Peace, peace!
  • Dost thou not see my baby at my breast,
  • That sucks the nurse asleep?

  • CHARMIAN:

  • O, break! O, break!

  • CLEOPATRA:

  • As sweet as balm, as soft as air, as gentle,--
  • O Antony!--Nay, I will take thee too.

  • [Applying another asp to her arm]

  • What should I stay--

  • [Dies]

  • CHARMIAN:

  • In this vile world? So, fare thee well.
  • Now boast thee, death, in thy possession lies
  • A lass unparallel'd. Downy windows, close;
  • And golden Phoebus never be beheld
  • Of eyes again so royal! Your crown's awry;
  • I'll mend it, and then play.

  • [Enter the Guard, rushing in]

  • First Guard:

  • Where is the queen?

  • CHARMIAN:

  • Speak softly, wake her not.

  • First Guard:

  • Caesar hath sent--

  • CHARMIAN:

  • Too slow a messenger.

  • [Applies an asp]

  • O, come apace, dispatch! I partly feel thee.

  • First Guard:

  • Approach, ho! All's not well: Caesar's beguiled.

  • Second Guard:

  • There's Dolabella sent from Caesar; call him.

  • First Guard:

  • What work is here! Charmian, is this well done?

  • CHARMIAN:

  • It is well done, and fitting for a princess
  • Descended of so many royal kings.
  • Ah, soldier!

  • [Dies]

  • [Re-enter DOLABELLA]

  • DOLABELLA:

  • How goes it here?

  • Second Guard:

  • All dead.

  • DOLABELLA:

  • Caesar, thy thoughts
  • Touch their effects in this: thyself art coming
  • To see perform'd the dreaded act which thou
  • So sought'st to hinder.

  • [Within]

  • 'A way there, a way for Caesar!'

  • [Re-enter OCTAVIUS CAESAR and all his train marching]

  • DOLABELLA:

  • O sir, you are too sure an augurer;
  • That you did fear is done.

  • OCTAVIUS CAESAR:

  • Bravest at the last,
  • She levell'd at our purposes, and, being royal,
  • Took her own way. The manner of their deaths?
  • I do not see them bleed.

  • DOLABELLA:

  • Who was last with them?

  • First Guard:

  • A simple countryman, that brought her figs:
  • This was his basket.

  • OCTAVIUS CAESAR:

  • Poison'd, then.

  • First Guard:

  • O Caesar,
  • This Charmian lived but now; she stood and spake:
  • I found her trimming up the diadem
  • On her dead mistress; tremblingly she stood
  • And on the sudden dropp'd.

  • OCTAVIUS CAESAR:

  • O noble weakness!
  • If they had swallow'd poison, 'twould appear
  • By external swelling: but she looks like sleep,
  • As she would catch another Antony
  • In her strong toil of grace.

  • DOLABELLA:

  • Here, on her breast,
  • There is a vent of blood and something blown:
  • The like is on her arm.

  • First Guard:

  • This is an aspic's trail: and these fig-leaves
  • Have slime upon them, such as the aspic leaves
  • Upon the caves of Nile.

  • OCTAVIUS CAESAR:

  • Most probable
  • That so she died; for her physician tells me
  • She hath pursued conclusions infinite
  • Of easy ways to die. Take up her bed;
  • And bear her women from the monument:
  • She shall be buried by her Antony:
  • No grave upon the earth shall clip in it
  • A pair so famous. High events as these
  • Strike those that make them; and their story is
  • No less in pity than his glory which
  • Brought them to be lamented. Our army shall
  • In solemn show attend this funeral;
  • And then to Rome. Come, Dolabella, see
  • High order in this great solemnity.

  • [Exeunt]