E-Text

Antony and Cleopatra

Act III

SCENE I. A plain in Syria.

[Enter VENTIDIUS, in triumph, with SILIUS and other Romans, Officers and Soldiers; the dead body of PACORUS borne in front.]

VENTIDIUS.

Now, darting Parthia, art thou struck; and now

Pleas'd fortune does of Marcus Crassus' death

Make me revenger. -Bear the king's son's body

Before our army. -Thy Pacorus, Orodes,

Pays this for Marcus Crassus.

SILIUS.

Noble Ventidius,

Whilst yet with Parthian blood thy sword is warm

The fugitive Parthians follow; spur through Media,

Mesopotamia, and the shelters whither

The routed fly: so thy grand captain Antony

Shall set thee on triumphant chariots, and

Put garlands on thy head.

VENTIDIUS.

O Silius, Silius,

I have done enough: a lower place, note well,

May make too great an act; for learn this, Silius, -

Better to leave undone, than by our deed

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

Caesar and Antony have ever won

More in their officer, than person: Sossius,

One of my place in Syria, his lieutenant,

For quick accumulation of renown,

Which he achiev'd by 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.]


SCENE II. Rome. An Ante-chamber in CAESAR'S house.

[Enter AGRIPPA and ENOBARBUS, meeting.]

AGRIPPA.

What, are the brothers parted?

ENOBARBUS.

They have despatch'd with Pompey; he is gone;

The other three are sealing. Octavia weeps

To part from Rome: Caesar is sad; and Lepidus,

Since Pompey's feast, as Menas says, is troubled

With the green sickness.

AGRIPPA.

'Tis a noble Lepidus.

ENOBARBUS.

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

AGRIPPA.

Nay, but how dearly he adores Mark Antony!

ENOBARBUS.

Caesar? Why he's the Jupiter of men.

AGRIPPA.

What's Antony? The god of Jupiter.

ENOBARBUS.

Spake you of Caesar? How! the nonpareil!

AGRIPPA.

O, Antony! O thou Arabian bird!

ENOBARBUS.

Would you praise Caesar, say 'Caesar' -go no further.

AGRIPPA.

Indeed, he plied them both with excellent praises.

ENOBARBUS.

But he loves Caesar best; -yet he loves Antony:

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

Think, speak, cast, write, sing, number -hoo! -

His love to Antony. But as for Caesar,

Kneel down, kneel down, and wonder.

AGRIPPA.

Both he loves.

ENOBARBUS.

They are his shards, and he their beetle.

[Trumpets within.]

So, -

This is to horse. -Adieu, noble Agrippa.

AGRIPPA.

Good fortune, worthy soldier; and farewell.

[Enter CAESAR, ANTONY, LEPIDUS, and OCTAVIA.]

ANTONY.

No further, sir.

CAESAR.

You take from me a great part of myself;

Use me well in't. -Sister, prove such a wife

As my thoughts make thee, and as my furthest band

Shall pass on thy approof. -Most noble Antony,

Let not the piece of virtue which is set

Betwixt us as the cement of our love,

To keep it builded, be the ram to batter

The fortress of it; for better might we

Have lov'd without this mean if on both parts

This be not cherish'd.

ANTONY.

Make me not offended

In your distrust.

CAESAR.

I have said.

ANTONY.

You shall not find,

Though you be therein curious, the least cause

For what you seem to fear: so, the gods keep you,

And make the hearts of Romans serve your ends!

We will here part.

CAESAR.

Farewell, my dearest sister, fare thee well:

The elements be kind to thee, and make

Thy spirits all of comfort! Fare thee well.

OCTAVIA.

My noble brother! -

ANTONY.

The April's in her eyes: it is love's spring,

And these the showers to bring it on. -Be cheerful.

OCTAVIA.

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

CAESAR.

What,

Octavia?

OCTAVIA.

I'll tell you in your ear.

ANTONY.

Her tongue will not obey her heart, nor can

Her heart inform her tongue, -the swan's down feather,

That stands upon the swell at the full of tide,

And neither way inclines.

ENOBARBUS.

[Aside to AGRIPPA.] Will Caesar weep?

AGRIPPA.

[Aside to ENOBARBUS.] He has a cloud in's face.

ENOBARBUS.

[Aside to AGRIPPA.] He were the worse for that, were he a horse;

So is he, being a man.

AGRIPPA.

[Aside to ENOBARBUS.] Why, Enobarbus,

When Antony found Julius Caesar dead,

He cried almost to roaring; and he wept

When at Philippi he found Brutus slain.

ENOBARBUS.

[Aside to AGRIPPA.] That year, indeed, he was troubled with a

rheum;

What willingly he did confound he wail'd:

Believe't till I weep too.

CAESAR.

No, sweet Octavia,

You shall hear from me still; the time shall not

Out-go my thinking on you.

ANTONY.

Come, sir, come;

I'll wrestle with you in my strength of love:

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

And give you to the gods.

CAESAR.

Adieu; be happy!

LEPIDUS.

Let all the number of the stars give light

To thy fair way!

CAESAR.

Farewell, farewell!

[Kisses OCTAVIA.]

ANTONY.

Farewell!

[Trumpets sound within. Exeunt.]


SCENE III. Alexandria. A Room in the Palace.

[Enter CLEOPATRA, CHARMIAN, IRAS, and ALEXAS.]

CLEOPATRA.

Where is the fellow?

ALEXAS.

Half afear'd to come.

CLEOPATRA.

Go to, go to.

[Enter a Messenger.]

Come hither, sir.

ALEXAS.

Good majesty,

Herod of Jewry dare not look upon you

But when you are well pleas'd.

CLEOPATRA.

That Herod's head

I'll have: but how? when Antony is gone,

Through whom I might command it? -Come thou near.

MESSENGER.

Most gracious majesty, -

CLEOPATRA.

Didst thou behold Octavia?

MESSENGER.

Ay, dread queen.

CLEOPATRA.

Where?

MESSENGER.

Madam, in Rome

I look'd her in the face, and saw her led

Between her brother and Mark Antony.

CLEOPATRA.

Is she as tall as me?

MESSENGER.

She is not, madam.

CLEOPATRA.

Didst hear her speak? is she shrill-tongu'd or low?

MESSENGER.

Madam, I heard her speak: she is low-voic'd.

CLEOPATRA.

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

CHARMIAN.

Like her! O Isis! 'tis impossible.

CLEOPATRA.

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

What majesty is in her gait? Remember,

If e'er thou look'dst on majesty.

MESSENGER.

She creeps, -

Her motion and her station are as one;

She shows a body rather than a life,

A statue than a breather.

CLEOPATRA.

Is this certain?

MESSENGER.

Or I have no observance.

CHARMIAN.

Three in Egypt

Cannot make better note.

CLEOPATRA.

He's very knowing;

I do perceive't: -there's nothing in her yet: -

The fellow has good judgment.

CHARMIAN.

Excellent.

CLEOPATRA.

Guess at her years, I pr'ythee.

MESSENGER.

Madam,

She was a widow.

CLEOPATRA.

Widow! -Charmian, hark!

MESSENGER.

And I do think she's thirty.

CLEOPATRA.

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

MESSENGER.

Round even to faultiness.

CLEOPATRA.

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

Her hair, what colour?

MESSENGER.

Brown, madam: and her forehead

As low as she would wish it.

CLEOPATRA.

There's gold for thee.

Thou must not take my former sharpness ill: -

I will employ thee back again; I find thee

Most fit for business: -go make thee ready;

Our letters are prepar'd.

[Exit Messenger.]

CHARMIAN.

A proper man.

CLEOPATRA.

Indeed, he is so: I repent me much

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

This creature's no such thing.

CHARMIAN.

Nothing, madam.

CLEOPATRA.

The man hath seen some majesty, and should know.

CHARMIAN.

Hath he seen majesty? Isis else defend,

And serving you so long!

CLEOPATRA.

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

But 'tis no matter; thou shalt bring him to me

Where I will write. All may be well enough.

CHARMIAN.

I warrant you, madam.

[Exeunt.]


SCENE IV. Athens. A Room in ANTONY'S House.

[Enter ANTONY and OCTAVIA.]

ANTONY.

Nay, nay, Octavia, not only that, -

That were excusable, that and thousands more

Of semblable import -but he hath wag'd

New wars 'gainst Pompey; made his will, and read it

To public ear:

Spoke scandy of me: when perforce he could not

But pay me terms of honour, cold and sickly

He vented them:most narrow measure lent me;

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

Or did it from his teeth.

OCTAVIA.

O my good lord,

Believe not all; or if you must believe,

Stomach not all. A more unhappy lady,

If this division chance, ne'er stood between,

Praying for both parts:

Sure the good gods will mock me presently

When I shall pray 'O, bless my lord and husband!'

Undo that prayer by crying out as loud

'O, bless my brother!' Husband win, win brother,

Prays and destroys the prayer; no mid-way

'Twixt these extremes at all.

ANTONY.

Gentle Octavia,

Let your best love draw to that point which seeks

Best to preserve it: if I lose mine honour,

I lose myself: better I were not yours

Than yours so branchless. But, as you requested,

Yourself shall go between's: the meantime, lady,

I'll raise the preparation of a war

Shall stain your brother: make your soonest haste;

So your desires are yours.

OCTAVIA.

Thanks to my lord.

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

Your reconciler! Wars 'twixt you twain would be

As if the world should cleave, and that slain men

Should solder up the rift.

ANTONY.

When it appears to you where this begins,

Turn your displeasure that way; for our faults

Can never be so equal that your love

Can equally move with them. Provide your going;

Choose your own company, and command what cost

Your heart has mind to.

[Exeunt.]


SCENE V. Athens. Another Room in ANTONY'S House.

[Enter ENOBARBUS and EROS, meeting.]

ENOBARBUS.

How now, friend Eros!

EROS.

There's strange news come, sir.

ENOBARBUS.

What, man?

EROS.

Caesar and Lepidus have made wars upon Pompey.

ENOBARBUS.

This is old: what is the success?

EROS.

Caesar, having made use of him in the wars 'gainst Pompey,

presently denied him rivality; would not let him partake in the

glory of the action: and not resting here, accuses him of letters

he had formerly wrote to Pompey; upon his own appeal, seizes him:

so the poor third is up, till death enlarge his confine.

ENOBARBUS.

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

And throw between them all the food thou hast,

They'll grind the one the other. Where's Antony?

EROS.

He's walking in the garden -thus; and spurns

The rush that lies before him; cries 'Fool Lepidus!'

And threats the throat of that his officer

That murder'd Pompey.

ENOBARBUS.

Our great navy's rigg'd.

EROS.

For Italy and Caesar. More, Domitius;

My lord desires you presently: my news

I might have told hereafter.

ENOBARBUS.

'Twill be naught;

But let it be. -Bring me to Antony.

EROS.

Come, sir.

[Exeunt.]


SCENE VI. Rome. A Room in CAESAR'S House.

[Enter CAESAR, AGRIPPA, and MAECENAS.]

CAESAR.

Contemning Rome, he has done all this, and more,

In Alexandria. Here's the manner of't: -

I' the market-place, on a tribunal silver'd,

Cleopatra and himself in chairs of gold

Were publicly enthron'd: at the feet sat

Caesarion, whom they call my father's son,

And all the unlawful issue that their lust

Since then hath made between them. Unto her

He gave the 'stablishment of Egypt; made her

Of lower Syria, Cyprus, Lydia,

Absolute queen.

MAECENAS.

This in the public eye?

CAESAR.

I' 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.

MAECENAS.

Let Rome be thus

Inform'd.

AGRIPPA.

Who, queasy with his insolence

Already, will their good thoughts call from him.

CAESAR.

The people knows it: and have now receiv'd

His accusations.

AGRIPPA.

Who does he accuse?

CAESAR.

Caesar: and that, having in Sicily

Sextus Pompeius spoil'd, we had not rated him

His part o' the isle: then does he say he lent me

Some shipping, unrestor'd: lastly, he frets

That Lepidus of the triumvirate

Should be depos'd; and, being, that we detain

All his revenue.

AGRIPPA.

Sir, this should be answer'd.

CAESAR.

'Tis done already, and messenger gone.

I have told him Lepidus was grown too cruel;

That he his high authority abus'd,

And did deserve his change: for what I have conquer'd

I grant him part; but then, in his Armenia

And other of his conquer'd kingdoms, I

Demand the like.

MAECENAS.

He'll never yield to that.

CAESAR.

Nor must not then be yielded to in this.

[Enter OCTAVIA, with her train.]

OCTAVIA.

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

CAESAR.

That ever I should call thee castaway!

OCTAVIA.

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

CAESAR.

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

Like Caesar's sister: the wife of Antony

Should have an army for an usher, and

The neighs of horse to tell of her approach

Long ere she did appear; the trees by 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,

Rais'd by your populous troops: but you are come

A market-maid to Rome; and have prevented

The ostentation of our love, which left unshown

Is often left unlov'd; we should have met you

By sea and land; supplying every stage

With an augmented greeting.

OCTAVIA.

Good my lord,

To come thus was I not constrain'd, but did it

On my free will. My lord, Mark Antony,

Hearing that you prepar'd for war, acquainted

My grieved ear withal: whereon I begg'd

His pardon for return.

CAESAR.

Which soon he granted,

Being an obstruct 'tween his lust and him.

OCTAVIA.

Do not say so, my lord.

CAESAR.

I have eyes upon him,

And his affairs come to me on the wind.

Where is he now?

OCTAVIA.

My lord, in Athens.

CAESAR.

No, my most wronged sister; Cleopatra

Hath nodded him to her. He hath given his empire

Up to a whore; who now are levying

The kings o' theearth for war: he hath assembled

Bocchus, the king of Libya; Archelaus

Of Cappadocia; Philadelphos, king

Of Paphlagonia; the Thracian king, Adallas;

King Manchus of Arabia; King of Pont;

Herod of Jewry; Mithridates, king

Of Comagene; Polemon and Amyntas,

The kings of Mede and Lycaonia, with

More larger list of sceptres.

OCTAVIA.

Ay me, most wretched,

That have my heart parted betwixt two friends,

That do afflict each other!

CAESAR.

Welcome hither:

Your letters did withhold our breaking forth,

Till we perceiv'd both how you were wrong led

And we in negligent danger. Cheer your heart:

Be you not troubled with the time, which drives

O'er your content these strong necessities;

But let determin'd things to destiny

Hold unbewail'd their way. Welcome to Rome;

Nothing more dear to me. You are abus'd

Beyond the mark of thought: and the high gods,

To do you justice, make their ministers

Of us and those that love you. Best of comfort;

And ever welcome to us.

AGRIPPA.

Welcome, lady.

MAECENAS.

Welcome, dear madam.

Each heart in Rome does love and pity you:

Only theadulterous Antony, most large

In his abominations, turns you off,

And gives his potent regiment to a trull

That noises it against us.

OCTAVIA.

Is it so, sir?

CAESAR.

Most certain. Sister, welcome: pray you

Be ever known to patience: my dear'st sister!

[Exeunt.]


SCENE VII. ANTONY'S Camp near the Promontory of Actium.

[Enter CLEOPATRA and ENOBARBUS.]

CLEOPATRA.

I will be even with thee, doubt it not.

ENOBARBUS.

But why, why, why?

CLEOPATRA.

Thou hast forspoke my being in these wars,

And say'st it is not fit.

ENOBARBUS.

Well, is it, is it?

CLEOPATRA.

If not denounc'd against us, why should not we

Be there in person?

ENOBARBUS.

[Aside.] Well, I could reply: -

If we should serve with horse and mares together

The horse were merely lost; the mares would bear

A soldier and his horse.

CLEOPATRA.

What is't you say?

ENOBARBUS.

Your presence needs must puzzle Antony;

Take from his heart, take from his brain, from's time,

What should not then be spar'd. He is already

Traduc'd for levity: and 'tis said in Rome

That Photinus an eunuch and your maids

Manage this war.

CLEOPATRA.

Sink Rome, and their tongues rot

That speak against us! A charge we bear i' the war,

And, as the president of my kingdom, will

Appear there for a man. Speak not against it;

I will not stay behind.

ENOBARBUS.

Nay, I have done.

Here comes the emperor.

[Enter ANTONY and CANIDIUS.]

ANTONY.

Is it not strange, Canidius,

That from Tarentum and Brundusium

He could so quickly cut the Ionian sea,

And take in Toryne? -You have heard on't, sweet?

CLEOPATRA.

Celerity is never more admir'd

Than by the negligent.

ANTONY.

A good rebuke,

Which might have well becom'd the best of men

To taunt at slackness. -Canidius, we

Will fight with him by sea.

CLEOPATRA.

By sea! what else?

CANIDIUS.

Why will my lord do so?

ANTONY.

For that he dares us to't.

ENOBARBUS.

So hath my lord dar'd him to single fight.

CANIDIUS.

Ay, and to wage this battle at Pharsalia,

Where Caesar fought with Pompey. But these offers,

Which serve not for his vantage, he shakes off;

And so should you.

ENOBARBUS.

Your ships are not well mann'd:

Your mariners are muleteers, reapers, people

Ingross'd by swift impress; in Caesar's fleet

Are those that often have 'gainst Pompey fought:

Their ships are yare; yours heavy: no disgrace

Shall fall you for refusing him at sea,

Being prepar'd for land.

ANTONY.

By sea, by sea.

ENOBARBUS.

Most worthy sir, you therein throw away

The absolute soldiership you have by land;

Distract your army, which doth most consist

Of war-mark'd footmen; leave unexecuted

Your own renowned knowledge; quite forgo

The way which promises assurance; and

Give up yourself merely to chance and hazard

From firm security.

ANTONY.

I'll fight at sea.

CLEOPATRA.

I have sixty sails, Caesar none better.

ANTONY.

Our overplus of shipping will we burn;

And, with the rest full-mann'd, from 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.

ANTONY.

Can he be there in person? 'tis impossible -

Strange that his power should be. -Canidius,

Our nineteen legions thou shalt hold by land,

And our twelve thousand horse. -We'll to our ship:

Away, my Thetis!

[Enter a SOLDIER.]

How now, worthy soldier?

SOLDIER.

O noble emperor, do not fight by sea;

Trust not to rotten planks: do you misdoubt

This sword and these my wounds? Let the Egyptians

And the Phoenicians go a-ducking: we

Have us'd to conquer standing on the earth

And fighting foot to foot.

ANTONY.

Well, well: -away.

[Exeunt ANTONY, CLEOPATRA, and ENOBARBUS.]

SOLDIER.

By Hercules, I think I am i' 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

Beguil'd all spies.

CANIDIUS.

Who's his lieutenant, hear you?

SOLDIER.

They say one Taurus.

CANIDIUS.

Well I know the man.

[Enter a Messenger.]

MESSENGER.

The Emperor calls Canidius.

CANIDIUS.

With news the time's with labour; and throes forth

Each minute some.

[Exeunt.]


SCENE VIII. A plain near Actium.

[Enter CAESAR, TAURUS, Officers, and others.]

CAESAR.

Taurus, -

TAURUS.

My lord?

CAESAR.

Strike not by land; keep whole; provoke not battle

Till we have done at sea. Do not exceed

The prescript of this scroll: our fortune lies

Upon this jump.

[Exeunt.]


SCENE IX. Another part of the Plain.

[Enter ANTONY and ENOBARBUS.]

ANTONY.

Set we our squadrons on yon 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.]


SCENE X. Another part of the Plain.

[Enter CANIDIUS, marching with his land Army one way; and

TAURUS, the Lieutenant of CAESAR, with his Army, the other way.

After their going in, is heard the noise of a sea-fight.]

[Alarum. Enter ENOBARBUS.]

ENOBARBUS.

Naught, naught, all naught! I can behold no longer:

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!

ENOBARBUS.

What's thy passion?

SCARUS.

The greater cantle of the world is lost

With very ignorance; we have kiss'd away

Kingdoms and provinces.

ENOBARBUS.

How appears the fight?

SCARUS.

On our side like the token'd pestilence,

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

Whom leprosy o'ertake! -i' 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.

ENOBARBUS.

That I beheld:

Mine eyes did sicken at the sight, and could not

Endure a further view.

SCARUS.

She once being loof'd,

The noble ruin of her magic, Antony,

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

Leaving the fight in height, flies after her:

I never saw an action of such shame;

Experience, manhood, honour, ne'er before

Did violate so itself.

ENOBARBUS.

Alack, alack!

[Enter CANIDIUS.]

CANIDIUS.

Our fortune on the sea is out of breath,

And sinks most lamentably. Had our general

Been what he knew himself, it had gone well:

O, he has given example for our flight

Most grossly by his own!

ENOBARBUS.

Ay, are you thereabouts?

Why, then, good night indeed.

CANIDIUS.

Toward Peloponnesus are they fled.

SCARUS.

'Tis easy to't; and there I will attend

What further comes.

CANIDIUS.

To Caesar will I render

My legions and my horse; six kings already

Show me the way of yielding.

ENOBARBUS.

I'll yet follow

The wounded chance of Antony, though my reason

Sits in the wind against me.

[Exeunt.]


SCENE XI. Alexandria. A Room in the Palace.

[Enter ANTONY and attendants.]

ANTONY.

Hark! the land bids me tread no more upon't; -

It is asham'd to bear me. -Friends, come hither:

I am so lated in the world that I

Have lost my way for ever: -I have a ship

Laden with gold; take that; divide it; fly,

And make your peace with Caesar.

ALL.

Fly! Not we.

ANTONY.

I have fled myself, and have instructed cowards

To run and show their shoulders. -Friends, be gone;

I have myself resolv'd upon a course

Which has no need of you; be gone;

My treasure's in the harbour, take it. -O,

I follow'd that I blush to look upon:

My very hairs do mutiny; for the white

Reprove the brown for rashness, and they them

For fear and doting. -Friends, be gone: you shall

Have letters from me to some friends that will

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

Nor make replies of loathness: take the hint

Which my despair proclaims; let that be left

Which leaves itself: to the sea-side 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!

ANTONY.

No, no, no, no, no.

EROS.

See you here, sir?

ANTONY.

O, fie, fie, fie!

CHARMIAN.

Madam, -

IRAS.

Madam, O good empress, -

EROS.

Sir, sir, -

ANTONY.

Yes, my lord, yes; -he at Philippi kept

His sword e'en like a dancer; while I struck

The lean and wrinkled Cassius; and 'twas I

That the mad Brutus ended; he alone

Dealt on lieutenantry, and no practice had

In the brave squares of war: yet now -no matter.

CLEOPATRA.

Ah, stand by.

EROS.

The queen, my lord, the queen!

IRAS.

Go to him, madam, speak to him:

He is unqualitied with very shame.

CLEOPATRA.

Well then, -sustain me. -O!

EROS.

Most noble sir, arise; the queen approaches:

Her head's declin'd, and death will seize her, but

Your comfort makes the rescue.

ANTONY.

I have offended reputation, -

A most unnoble swerving.

EROS.

Sir, the queen.

ANTONY.

O, whither hast thou led me, Egypt? See

How I convey my shame out of thine eyes

By looking back, what I have left behind

'Stroy'd in dishonour.

CLEOPATRA.

O my lord, my lord,

Forgive my fearful sails! I little thought

You would have follow'd.

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!

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 pleas'd,

Making and marring fortunes. You did know

How much you were my conqueror; and that

My sword, made weak by my affection, would

Obey it on all cause.

CLEOPATRA.

Pardon, pardon!

ANTONY.

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

All that is won and lost: give me a kiss;

Even this repays me. -We sent our schoolmaster;

Is 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.]


SCENE XII. CAESAR'S camp in Egypt.

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

CAESAR.

Let him appear that's come from Antony. -

Know you him?

DOLABELLA.

Caesar, 'tis his schoolmaster:

An argument that he is pluck'd, when hither

He sends so poor a pinion of his wing,

Which had superfluous kings for messengers

Not many moons gone by.

[Enter EUPHRONIUS.]

CAESAR.

Approach, and speak.

EUPHRONIUS.

Such as I am, I come from Antony:

I was of late as petty to his ends

As is the morn-dew on the myrtle leaf

To his grand sea.

CAESAR.

Be't so: declare thine office.

EUPHRONIUS.

Lord of his fortunes he salutes thee, and

Requires to live in Egypt: which not granted,

He lessens his requests; and to thee sues

To let him breathe between the heavens and earth,

A private man in Athens: this for him.

Next, Cleopatra does confess thy greatness;

Submits her to thy might, and of thee craves

The circle of the Ptolemies for her heirs,

Now hazarded to thy grace.

CAESAR.

For Antony,

I have no ears to his request. The queen

Of audience nor desire shall fail; so she

From Egypt drive her all-disgraced friend,

Or take his life there: this if she perform,

She shall not sue unheard. So to them both.

EUPHRONIUS.

Fortune pursue thee!

CAESAR.

Bring him through the bands.

[Exit EUPHRONIUS.]

[To THYREUS.] To try thy eloquence, now 'tis time. Despatch;

From Antony win Cleopatra. Promise,

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

From thine invention, offers: women are not

In their best fortunes strong; but want will perjure

The ne'er-touch'd vestal: try thy cunning, Thyreus;

Make thine own edict for thy pains, which we

Will answer as a law.

THYREUS.

Caesar, I go.

CAESAR.

Observe how Antony becomes his flaw,

And what thou think'st his very action speaks

In every power that moves.

THYREUS.

Caesar, I shall.

[Exeunt.]


SCENE XIII. Alexandria. A Room in the Palace.

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

CLEOPATRA.

What shall we do, Enobarbus?

ENOBARBUS.

Think, and die.

CLEOPATRA.

Is Antony or we in fault for this?

ENOBARBUS.

Antony only, that would make his will

Lord of his reason. What though you fled

From that great face of war, whose several ranges

Frighted each other? why should he follow?

The itch of his affection should not then

Have nick'd his captainship; at such a point,

When half to half the world oppos'd, he being

The mered question; 'twas a shame no less

Than was his loss, to course your flying flags

And leave his navy gazing.

CLEOPATRA.

Pr'ythee, peace.

[Enter ANTONY, with EUPHRONIUS.]

ANTONY.

Is that his answer?

EUPHRONIUS.

Ay, my lord.

ANTONY.

The queen shall then have courtesy, so she

Will yield us up.

EUPHRONIUS.

He says so.

ANTONY.

Let her know't. -

To the boy Caesar send this grizzled head,

And he will fill thy wishes to the brim

With principalities.

CLEOPATRA.

That head, my lord?

ANTONY.

To him again: tell him he wears the rose

Of youth upon him; from which the world should note

Something particular: his coins, 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 declin'd, sword against sword,

Ourselves alone. I'll write it: follow me.

[Exeunt ANTONY and EUPHRONIUS.]

EUPHRONIUS.

Yes, like enough high-battled Caesar will

Unstate his happiness, and be stag'd 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 subdu'd

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.]

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 fallen 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.

ENOBARBUS.

He needs as many, sir, as Caesar has;

Or needs not us. If Caesar please, our master

Will leap to be his friend: for us, you know

Whose he is we are, and that is Caesar's.

THYREUS.

So. -

Thus then, thou most renown'd: Caesar entreats

Not to consider in what case thou stand'st

Further than he is Caesar.

CLEOPATRA.

Go on: right royal.

THYREUS.

He knows that you embrace not Antony

As you did love, but as you fear'd him.

CLEOPATRA.

O!

THYREUS.

The scars upon your honour, therefore, he

Does pity, as constrained blemishes,

Not as deserv'd.

CLEOPATRA.

He is a god, and knows

What is most right: mine honour was not yielded,

But conquer'd merely.

ENOBARBUS.

[Aside.] To be sure of that,

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

That we must leave thee to thy sinking, for

Thy dearest quit thee.

[Exit.]

THYREUS.

Shall I say to Caesar

What you require of him? for he partly begs

To be desir'd to give. It much would please him

That of his fortunes you should make a staff

To lean upon: but it would warm his spirits

To hear from me you had left Antony,

And put yourself under his shroud, who is

The universal landlord.

CLEOPATRA.

What's your name?

THYREUS.

My name is Thyreus.

CLEOPATRA.

Most kind messenger,

Say to great Caesar this: -in deputation

I kiss his conquring hand: tell him I am prompt

To lay my crown at's feet, and there to kneel:

Tell him, from his all-obeying breath I hear

The doom of Egypt.

THYREUS.

'Tis your noblest course.

Wisdom and fortune combating together,

If that the former dare but what it can,

No chance may shake it. Give me grace to lay

My duty on your hand.

CLEOPATRA.

Your Caesar's father

Oft, when he hath mus'd of taking kingdoms in,

Bestow'd his lips on that unworthy place,

As it rain'd kisses.

[Re-enter ANTONY and ENOBARBUS.]

ANTONY.

Favours, by Jove that thunders! -

What art thou, fellow?

THYREUS.

One that but performs

The bidding of the fullest man, and worthiest

To have command obey'd.

ENOBARBUS.

[Aside.] You will be whipp'd.

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.

ENOBARBUS.

'Tis better playing with a lion's whelp

Than with an old one dying.

ANTONY.

Moon and stars!

Whip him. -Were't twenty of the greatest tributaries

That do acknowledge Caesar, should I find them

So saucy with the hand of she here, -what's her name

Since she was Cleopatra? -Whip him, fellows,

Till like a boy you see him cringe his face,

And whine aloud for mercy: take him hence.

THYMUS.

Mark Antony, -

ANTONY.

Tug him away: being 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 abus'd

By one that looks on feeders?

CLEOPATRA.

Good my lord, -

ANTONY.

You have been a boggler ever: -

But when we in our viciousness grow hard, -

O misery on't! -the wise gods seal our eyes;

In our own filth drop our clear judgments: make us

Adore our errors; laugh at's while we strut

To our confusion.

CLEOPATRA.

O, is't come to this?

ANTONY.

I found you as a morsel cold upon

Dead Caesar's trencher; nay, you were a fragment

Of Cneius Pompey's; besides what hotter hours,

Unregist'red in vulgar fame, you have

Luxuriously pick'd out: -for I am sure,

Though you can guess what temperance should be,

You know not what it is.

CLEOPATRA.

Wherefore is this?

ANTONY.

To let a fellow that will take rewards,

And say 'God quit you!' be familiar with

My playfellow, your hand; this kingly seal

And plighter of high hearts! -O that I were

Upon the hill of Basan, to outroar

The horned herd! for I have savage cause;

And to proclaim it civilly were like

A halter'd neck which does the hangman thank

For being yare about him.

[Re-enter Attendants with THYREUS.]

Is he whipp'd?

FIRST ATTENDANT.

Soundly, my lord.

ANTONY.

Cried he? and begg'd he pardon?

FIRST ATTENDANT.

He did ask favour.

ANTONY.

If that thy father live, let him repent

Thou wast not made his daughter; and be thou sorry

To follow Caesar in his triumph, since

Thou hast been 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, be gone.

[Exit THYREUS.]

CLEOPATRA.

Have you done yet?

ANTONY.

Alack, our terrene moon

Is now eclips'd, and it portends alone

The fall of Antony!

CLEOPATRA.

I must stay his time.

ANTONY.

To flatter Caesar, would you mingle eyes

With one that ties his points?

CLEOPATRA.

Not know me yet?

ANTONY.

Cold-hearted toward me?

CLEOPATRA.

Ah, dear, if I be so,

From my cold heart let heaven engender hail,

And poison it in the source; and the first stone

Drop in my neck: as it determines, so

Dissolve my life! The next Caesarion smite!

Till, by degrees, the memory of my womb,

Together with my brave Egyptians all,

By the discandying of this pelleted storm,

Lie graveless, -till the flies and gnats of Nile

Have buried them for prey!

ANTONY.

I am satisfied.

Caesar sits down in Alexandria; where

I will oppose his fate. Our force by land

Hath nobly held: our sever'd navy to

Have knit again, and fleet, threat'ning most sea-like.

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

If from the field I shall return once more

To kiss these lips, I will appear in blood:

I and my sword will earn our chronicle:

There's hope in't yet.

CLEOPATRA.

That's my brave lord!

ANTONY.

I will be treble-sinew'd, hearted, breath'd,

And fight maliciously: for when mine hours

Were nice and lucky, men did ransom lives

Of me for jests; but now I'll set my teeth,

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

Let's have one other gaudy night: call to me

All my sad captains; fill our bowls; once more

Let's mock the midnight bell.

CLEOPATRA.

It is my birthday.

I had thought t'have held it poor; but since my lord

Is Antony again I will be Cleopatra.

ANTONY.

We will yet do well.

CLEOPATRA.

Call all his noble captains to my lord.

ANTONY.

Do so; we'll speak to them: and to-night I'll force

The wine peep through their scars. -Come on, my queen;

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

I'll make death love me; for I will contend

Even with his pestilent scythe.

[Exeunt all but ENOBARBUS.]

ENOBARBUS.

Now he'll outstare the lightning. To be furious

Is to be frighted out of fear; and in that mood

The dove will peck the estridge; and I see still

A diminution in our captain's brain

Restores his heart: when valour preys on reason,

It eats the sword it fights with. I will seek

Some way to leave him.

[Exit.]

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