Antony and Cleopatra

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ACT 1

Scene 1

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 glowed like plated Mars, now bend, now turn
55The 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
1010To cool a gypsy’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 transformed
Into a strumpet’s fool. Behold and see.

CLEOPATRA


1515If it be love indeed, tell me how much.

ANTONY


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

CLEOPATRA


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

ANTONY


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

Enter a Messenger.

MESSENGER

2020News, my good lord, from Rome.

ANTONY

Grates me, the sum.

CLEOPATRA

Nay, hear them, Antony.
Fulvia perchance is angry. Or who knows
If the scarce-bearded Caesar have not sent
2525His powerful mandate to you: “Do this, or this;
Take in that kingdom, and enfranchise that.
Perform ’t, or else we damn thee.”

ANTONY

How, my love?

CLEOPATRA

Perchance? Nay, and most like.
3030You 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,
3535Thou blushest, Antony, and that blood of thine
Is Caesar’s homager; else so thy cheek pays shame
When shrill-tongued Fulvia scolds. The messengers!

ANTONY


Let Rome in Tiber melt and the wide arch
Of the ranged empire fall. Here is my space.
4040Kingdoms are clay. Our dungy earth alike
Feeds beast as man. The nobleness of life
Is to do thus; when such a mutual pair
And such a twain can do ’t, in which I bind,
On pain of punishment, the world to weet
4545We stand up peerless.

CLEOPATRA

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

ANTONY

5050But stirred 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


5555Hear the ambassadors.

ANTONY

Fie, wrangling queen,
Whom everything becomes—to chide, to laugh,
To weep; whose every passion fully strives
To make itself, in thee, fair and admired!
6060No messenger but thine, and all alone
Tonight we’ll wander through the streets and note
The qualities of people. Come, my queen,
Last night you did desire it. To the Messenger.
Speak not to us.

Antony and Cleopatra exit with the Train.

DEMETRIUS


6565Is 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
7070That he approves the common liar who
Thus speaks of him at Rome; but I will hope
Of better deeds tomorrow. Rest you happy!

They exit.

Scene 2

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

CHARMIAN

Lord Alexas, sweet Alexas, most anything
Alexas, almost most absolute Alexas, where’s the
75soothsayer that you praised so to th’ Queen? O, that
I knew this husband which you say must charge
5his horns with garlands!

ALEXAS

Soothsayer!

SOOTHSAYER

Your will?

CHARMIAN


80Is this the man?—Is ’t you, sir, that know things?

SOOTHSAYER


In nature’s infinite book of secrecy
10A little I can read.

ALEXAS , to Charmian

Show him your hand.

ENOBARBUS , to Servants


Bring in the banquet quickly, wine enough
85Cleopatra’s health to drink.

CHARMIAN , giving her hand to the Soothsayer

Good sir,
15give me good fortune.

SOOTHSAYER

I make not, but foresee.

CHARMIAN

Pray then, foresee me one.

SOOTHSAYER


90You shall be yet far fairer than you are.

CHARMIAN

He means in flesh.

IRAS

20No, you shall paint when you are old.

CHARMIAN

Wrinkles forbid!

ALEXAS

Vex not his prescience. Be attentive.

CHARMIAN

95Hush.

SOOTHSAYER


You shall be more beloving than beloved.

CHARMIAN

25I had rather heat my liver with drinking.

ALEXAS

Nay, hear him.

CHARMIAN

Good now, some excellent fortune! Let me
100be married to three kings in a forenoon and widow
them all. Let me have a child at fifty to whom Herod
30of Jewry may do homage. Find me to marry me
with Octavius Caesar, and companion me with my
mistress.

SOOTHSAYER


105You shall outlive the lady whom you serve.

CHARMIAN

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

SOOTHSAYER


35You have seen and proved a fairer former fortune
Than that which is to approach.

CHARMIAN

Then belike my children shall have no
110names. Prithee, how many boys and wenches must
I have?

SOOTHSAYER


40If every of your wishes had a womb,
And fertile every wish, a million.

CHARMIAN

Out, fool! I forgive thee for a witch.

ALEXAS

115You think none but your sheets are privy to
your wishes.

CHARMIAN , to Soothsayer

45Nay, come. Tell Iras hers.

ALEXAS

We’ll know all our fortunes.

ENOBARBUS

Mine, and most of our fortunes tonight,
120shall be—drunk to bed.

IRAS , giving her hand to the Soothsayer

There’s a palm
50presages chastity, if nothing else.

CHARMIAN

E’en as the o’erflowing Nilus presageth
famine.

IRAS

125Go, you wild bedfellow, you cannot soothsay.

CHARMIAN

Nay, if an oily palm be not a fruitful prognostication,
55I cannot scratch mine ear.—Prithee
tell her but a workaday fortune.

SOOTHSAYER

Your fortunes are alike.

IRAS

130But how, but how? Give me particulars.

SOOTHSAYER

I have said.

IRAS

60Am 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

135Not in my husband’s nose.

CHARMIAN

Our worser thoughts heavens mend. Alexas—
65come, his fortune, his fortune! O, let him marry a
woman that cannot go, sweet Isis, I beseech thee, and
let her die, too, and give him a worse, and let worse
140follow worse, till the worst of all follow him laughing
to his grave, fiftyfold a cuckold. Good Isis, hear me
70this prayer, though thou deny me a matter of more
weight, good Isis, I beseech thee!

IRAS

Amen, dear goddess, hear that prayer of the
145people. For, as it is a heartbreaking to see a handsome
man loose-wived, so it is a deadly sorrow to
75behold a foul knave uncuckolded. Therefore, dear
Isis, keep decorum and fortune him accordingly.

CHARMIAN

Amen.

ALEXAS

150Lo now, if it lay in their hands to make me a
cuckold, they would make themselves whores but
80they’d do ’t.

ENOBARBUS

Hush, here comes Antony.

CHARMIAN

Not he. The Queen.

Enter Cleopatra.

CLEOPATRA

155Saw you my lord?

ENOBARBUS

No, lady.

CLEOPATRA

85Was he not here?

CHARMIAN

No, madam.

CLEOPATRA


He was disposed to mirth, but on the sudden
160A Roman thought hath struck him.—Enobarbus!

ENOBARBUS

Madam?

CLEOPATRA


90Seek him and bring him hither.—Where’s Alexas?

ALEXAS


Here at your service. My lord approaches.

Enter Antony with a Messenger.

CLEOPATRA


We will not look upon him. Go with us.

All but Antony and the Messenger exit.

MESSENGER


165Fulvia thy wife first came into the field.

ANTONY

Against my brother Lucius?

MESSENGER

95Ay.
But soon that war had end, and the time’s state
Made friends of them, jointing their force ’gainst
170Caesar,
Whose better issue in the war from Italy
100Upon the first encounter drave them.

ANTONY

Well, what worst?

MESSENGER


The nature of bad news infects the teller.

ANTONY


175When it concerns the fool or coward. On.
Things that are past are done, with me. ’Tis thus:
105Who tells me true, though in his tale lie death,
I hear him as he flattered.

MESSENGER

Labienus—
180This is stiff news—hath with his Parthian force
Extended Asia: from Euphrates
110His conquering banner shook, from Syria
To Lydia and to Ionia,
Whilst—

ANTONY

185“Antony,” thou wouldst say?

MESSENGER

O, my lord!

ANTONY


115Speak to me home; mince not the general tongue.
Name Cleopatra as she is called in Rome;
Rail thou in Fulvia’s phrase, and taunt my faults
190With such full license as both truth and malice
Have power to utter. O, then we bring forth weeds
120When our quick winds lie still, and our ills told us
Is as our earing. Fare thee well awhile.

MESSENGER

At your noble pleasure.

Messenger exits.Enter another Messenger.

ANTONY


195From Sicyon how the news? Speak there.

SECOND MESSENGER


The man from Sicyon—

ANTONY

125Is there such an one?

SECOND MESSENGER


He stays upon your will.

ANTONY

Let him appear.
Second Messenger exits.
200These strong Egyptian fetters I must break,
Or lose myself in dotage.

Enter another Messenger with a letter.

130What are you?

THIRD MESSENGER


Fulvia thy wife is dead.

ANTONY

Where died she?

THIRD MESSENGER

205In Sicyon.
Her length of sickness, with what else more serious
135Importeth thee to know, this bears.

He hands Antony the letter.

ANTONY

Forbear me.
Third Messenger exits.
There’s a great spirit gone! Thus did I desire it.
210What our contempts doth often hurl from us,
We wish it ours again. The present pleasure,
140By revolution lowering, does become
The opposite of itself. She’s good, being gone.
The hand could pluck her back that shoved her on.
215I must from this enchanting queen break off.
Ten thousand harms more than the ills I know
145My idleness doth hatch.—How now, Enobarbus!

Enter Enobarbus.

ENOBARBUS

What’s your pleasure, sir?

ANTONY

I must with haste from hence.

ENOBARBUS

220Why then we kill all our women. We see
how mortal an unkindness is to them. If they suffer
150our departure, death’s the word.

ANTONY

I must be gone.

ENOBARBUS

Under a compelling occasion, let women
225die. It were pity to cast them away for nothing,
though between them and a great cause, they
155should 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
230think there is mettle in death which commits some
loving act upon her, she hath such a celerity in
160dying.

ANTONY

She is cunning past man’s thought.

ENOBARBUS

Alack, sir, no, her passions are made of
235nothing but the finest part of pure love. We cannot
call her winds and waters sighs and tears; they are
165greater storms and tempests than almanacs can
report. This cannot be cunning in her; if it be, she
makes a shower of rain as well as Jove.

ANTONY

240Would I had never seen her!

ENOBARBUS

O, sir, you had then left unseen a wonderful
170piece of work, which not to have been blest
withal would have discredited your travel.

ANTONY

Fulvia is dead.

ENOBARBUS

245Sir?

ANTONY

Fulvia is dead.

ENOBARBUS

175Fulvia?

ANTONY

Dead.

ENOBARBUS

Why, sir, give the gods a thankful sacrifice.
250When it pleaseth their deities to take the wife of a
man from him, it shows to man the tailors of the
180Earth; 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
255indeed a cut, and the case to be lamented. This grief
is crowned with consolation; your old smock brings
185forth a new petticoat, and indeed the tears live in an
onion that should water this sorrow.

ANTONY


The business she hath broachèd in the state
260Cannot endure my absence.

ENOBARBUS

And the business you have broached here
190cannot be without you, especially that of Cleopatra’s,
which wholly depends on your abode.

ANTONY


No more light answers. Let our officers
265Have notice what we purpose. I shall break
The cause of our expedience to the Queen
195And 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
270Of many our contriving friends in Rome
Petition us at home. Sextus Pompeius
200Hath given the dare to Caesar and commands
The empire of the sea. Our slippery people,
Whose love is never linked to the deserver
275Till his deserts are past, begin to throw
Pompey the Great and all his dignities
205Upon 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,
280The sides o’ th’ world may danger. Much is
breeding
210Which, 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
285Our quick remove from hence.

ENOBARBUS

I shall do ’t.

They exit.

Scene 3

Enter Cleopatra, Charmian, Alexas, and Iras.

CLEOPATRA


Where is he?

CHARMIAN

I did not see him since.

CLEOPATRA , to Alexas


See where he is, who’s with him, what he does.
290I did not send you. If you find him sad,
5Say I am dancing; if in mirth, report
That I am sudden sick. Quick, and return.

Alexas exits.

CHARMIAN


Madam, methinks, if you did love him dearly,
You do not hold the method to enforce
295The like from him.

CLEOPATRA

10What should I do I do not?

CHARMIAN


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

CLEOPATRA


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

CHARMIAN


Tempt him not so too far. I wish, forbear.
300In time we hate that which we often fear.

Enter Antony.

15But here comes Antony.

CLEOPATRA

I am sick and sullen.

ANTONY


I am sorry to give breathing to my purpose—

CLEOPATRA


Help me away, dear Charmian! I shall fall.
305It cannot be thus long; the sides of nature
20Will not sustain it.

ANTONY

Now, my dearest queen—

CLEOPATRA


Pray you stand farther from me.

ANTONY

What’s the matter?

CLEOPATRA


310I know by that same eye there’s some good news.
25What, says the married woman you may go?
Would she had never given you leave to come.
Let her not say ’tis I that keep you here.
I have no power upon you. Hers you are.

ANTONY


315The gods best know—

CLEOPATRA

30O, never was there queen
So mightily betrayed! Yet at the first
I saw the treasons planted.

ANTONY

Cleopatra—

CLEOPATRA


320Why should I think you can be mine, and true—
35Though you in swearing shake the thronèd gods—
Who have been false to Fulvia? Riotous madness,
To be entangled with those mouth-made vows
Which break themselves in swearing!

ANTONY

325Most sweet
40queen—

CLEOPATRA


Nay, pray you seek no color for your going,
But bid farewell and go. When you sued staying,
Then was the time for words. No going then!
330Eternity was in our lips and eyes,
45Bliss 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 turned the greatest liar.

ANTONY

335How now, lady?

CLEOPATRA


50I would I had thy inches. Thou shouldst know
There were a heart in Egypt.

ANTONY

Hear me, queen:
The strong necessity of time commands
340Our services awhile, but my full heart
55Remains 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
345Breed scrupulous faction; the hated grown to
60strength
Are newly grown to love; the condemned Pompey,
Rich in his father’s honor, creeps apace
Into the hearts of such as have not thrived
350Upon the present state, whose numbers threaten;
65And 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


355Though age from folly could not give me freedom,
70It does from childishness. Can Fulvia die?

ANTONY

She’s dead, my queen.He shows her papers.
Look here, and at thy sovereign leisure read
The garboils she awaked; at the last, best,
360See when and where she died.

CLEOPATRA

75O, 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.

ANTONY


365Quarrel no more, but be prepared to know
80The purposes I bear, which are or cease
As you shall give th’ advice. By the fire
That quickens Nilus’ slime, I go from hence
Thy soldier, servant, making peace or war
370As thou affects.

CLEOPATRA

85Cut my lace, Charmian, come!
But let it be; I am quickly ill and well;
So Antony loves.

ANTONY

My precious queen, forbear,
375And give true evidence to his love, which stands
90An honorable trial.

CLEOPATRA

So Fulvia told me.
I prithee turn aside and weep for her,
Then bid adieu to me, and say the tears
380Belong to Egypt. Good now, play one scene
95Of excellent dissembling, and let it look
Like perfect honor.

ANTONY

You’ll heat my blood. No more!

CLEOPATRA


You can do better yet, but this is meetly.

ANTONY


385Now by my sword—

CLEOPATRA

100And target. Still he mends.
But this is not the best. Look, prithee, Charmian,
How this Herculean Roman does become
The carriage of his chafe.

ANTONY

390I’ll leave you, lady.

CLEOPATRA

105Courteous 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—
395O, my oblivion is a very Antony,
110And I am all forgotten.

ANTONY

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

CLEOPATRA

400’Tis sweating labor
115To 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 honor calls you hence;
405Therefore be deaf to my unpitied folly,
120And all the gods go with you. Upon your sword
Sit laurel victory, and smooth success
Be strewed before your feet.

ANTONY

Let us go. Come.
410Our separation so abides and flies
125That thou, residing here, goes yet with me,
And I, hence fleeting, here remain with thee.
Away!

They exit.

Scene 4

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

CAESAR


You may see, Lepidus, and henceforth know,
415It is not Caesar’s natural vice to hate
Our great competitor. From Alexandria
This is the news: he fishes, drinks, and wastes
5The lamps of night in revel, is not more manlike
Than Cleopatra, nor the queen of Ptolemy
420More womanly than he; hardly gave audience, or
Vouchsafed to think he had partners. You shall
find there
10A man who is th’ abstract of all faults
That all men follow.

LEPIDUS

425I must not think there are
Evils enough to darken all his goodness.
His faults in him seem as the spots of heaven,
15More fiery by night’s blackness, hereditary
Rather than purchased, what he cannot change
430Than what he chooses.

CAESAR


You are too indulgent. Let’s grant it is not
Amiss to tumble on the bed of Ptolemy,
20To give a kingdom for a mirth, to sit
And keep the turn of tippling with a slave,
435To reel the streets at noon and stand the buffet
With knaves that smells of sweat. Say this becomes
him—
25As his composure must be rare indeed
Whom these things cannot blemish—yet must
440Antony
No way excuse his foils when we do bear
So great weight in his lightness. If he filled
30His vacancy with his voluptuousness,
Full surfeits and the dryness of his bones
445Call 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
35As we rate boys who, being mature in knowledge,
Pawn their experience to their present pleasure
450And so rebel to judgment.

Enter a Messenger.

LEPIDUS

Here’s more news.

MESSENGER


Thy biddings have been done, and every hour,
40Most noble Caesar, shalt thou have report
How ’tis abroad. Pompey is strong at sea,
455And it appears he is beloved of those
That only have feared Caesar. To the ports
The discontents repair, and men’s reports
45Give him much wronged.

CAESAR

I should have known no less.
460It hath been taught us from the primal state
That he which is was wished until he were,
And the ebbed man, ne’er loved till ne’er worth love,
50Comes feared by being lacked. This common body,
Like to a vagabond flag upon the stream,
465Goes to and back, lackeying the varying tide
To rot itself with motion.

Enter a Second Messenger.

SECOND MESSENGER

Caesar, I bring thee word
55Menecrates and Menas, famous pirates,
Makes the sea serve them, which they ear and
470wound
With keels of every kind. Many hot inroads
They make in Italy—the borders maritime
60Lack blood to think on ’t—and flush youth revolt.
No vessel can peep forth but ’tis as soon
475Taken as seen, for Pompey’s name strikes more
Than could his war resisted.

CAESAR

Antony,
65Leave thy lascivious wassails. When thou once
Was beaten from Modena, where thou slew’st
480Hirsius and Pansa, consuls, at thy heel
Did famine follow, whom thou fought’st against,
Though daintily brought up, with patience more
70Than savages could suffer. Thou didst drink
The stale of horses and the gilded puddle
485Which beasts would cough at. Thy palate then did
deign
The roughest berry on the rudest hedge.
75Yea, like the stag when snow the pasture sheets,
The barks of trees thou browsèd. On the Alps
490It is reported thou didst eat strange flesh
Which some did die to look on. And all this—
It wounds thine honor that I speak it now—
80Was borne so like a soldier that thy cheek
So much as lanked not.

LEPIDUS

495’Tis pity of him.

CAESAR

Let his shames quickly
Drive him to Rome. ’Tis time we twain
85Did show ourselves i’ th’ field, and to that end
Assemble we immediate council. Pompey
500Thrives in our idleness.

LEPIDUS

Tomorrow, Caesar,
I shall be furnished to inform you rightly
90Both what by sea and land I can be able
To front this present time.

CAESAR

505Till which encounter,
It is my business too. Farewell.

LEPIDUS


Farewell, my lord. What you shall know meantime
95Of stirs abroad, I shall beseech you, sir,
To let me be partaker.

CAESAR


510Doubt not, sir. I knew it for my bond.

They exit.

Scene 5

Enter Cleopatra, Charmian, Iras, and Mardian.

CLEOPATRA

Charmian!

CHARMIAN

Madam?

CLEOPATRA

Ha, ha! Give me to drink mandragora.

CHARMIAN

Why, madam?

CLEOPATRA


5515That 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


10520Thou, 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 unseminared, thy freer thoughts
15525May 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.
20530Yet 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?
25535O happy horse, to bear the weight of Antony!
Do bravely, horse, for wot’st thou whom thou
mov’st?
The demi-Atlas of this Earth, the arm
And burgonet of men. He’s speaking now,
30540Or 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,
35545When 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 Antony.

ALEXAS

40550Sovereign of Egypt, hail!

CLEOPATRA


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

ALEXAS

45555Last thing he did, dear queen,
He kissed—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
50560he,
“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,
55565Say thou, shall call her mistress.” So he nodded
And soberly did mount an arm-gaunt steed,
Who neighed so high that what I would have spoke
Was beastly dumbed by him.

CLEOPATRA

What, was he sad, or merry?

ALEXAS


60570Like to the time o’ th’ year between th’ 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:
65575He was not sad, for he would shine on those
That make their looks by his; he was not merry,
Which seemed to tell them his remembrance lay
In Egypt with his joy; but between both.
O, heavenly mingle!—Be’st thou sad or merry,
70580The violence of either thee becomes,
So does it no man’s else.—Met’st thou my posts?

ALEXAS


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

CLEOPATRA

Who’s born that day
75585When 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


80590Be 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
85595My 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,
90600To 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.

They exit.

ACT 2

Scene 1

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

POMPEY


If the great gods be just, they shall assist
605The deeds of justest men.

MENAS

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

POMPEY


5Whiles we are suitors to their throne, decays
The thing we sue for.

MENAS

610We, ignorant of ourselves,
Beg often our own harms, which the wise powers
Deny us for our good; so find we profit
10By losing of our prayers.

POMPEY

I shall do well.
615The people love me, and the sea is mine;
My powers are crescent, and my auguring hope
Says it will come to th’ full. Mark Antony
15In Egypt sits at dinner, and will make
No wars without doors. Caesar gets money where
620He loses hearts. Lepidus flatters both,
Of both is flattered; but he neither loves,
Nor either cares for him.

MENAS

20Caesar and Lepidus
Are in the field. A mighty strength they carry.

POMPEY


625Where have you this? ’Tis false.

MENAS

From Silvius, sir.

POMPEY


He dreams. I know they are in Rome together,
25Looking for Antony. But all the charms of love,
Salt Cleopatra, soften thy wanned lip!
630Let witchcraft join with beauty, lust with both;
Tie up the libertine in a field of feasts;
Keep his brain fuming. Epicurean cooks
30Sharpen with cloyless sauce his appetite,
That sleep and feeding may prorogue his honor
635Even till a Lethe’d dullness—

Enter Varrius.

How now, Varrius?

VARRIUS


This is most certain that I shall deliver:
35Mark Antony is every hour in Rome
Expected. Since he went from Egypt ’tis
640A space for farther travel.

POMPEY

I could have given less matter
A better ear.—Menas, I did not think
40This amorous surfeiter would have donned his helm
For such a petty war. His soldiership
645Is twice the other twain. But let us rear
The higher our opinion, that our stirring
Can from the lap of Egypt’s widow pluck
45The ne’er lust-wearied Antony.

MENAS

I cannot hope
650Caesar and Antony shall well greet together.
His wife that’s dead did trespasses to Caesar;
His brother warred upon him, although I think
50Not moved by Antony.

POMPEY

I know not, Menas,
655How lesser enmities may give way to greater.
Were ’t not that we stand up against them all,
’Twere pregnant they should square between
55themselves,
For they have entertainèd cause enough
660To draw their swords. But how the fear of us
May cement their divisions and bind up
The petty difference, we yet not know.
60Be ’t as our gods will have ’t. It only stands
Our lives upon to use our strongest hands.
665Come, Menas.

They exit.

Scene 2

Enter Enobarbus and Lepidus.

LEPIDUS


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

ENOBARBUS

I shall entreat him
5670To 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 Antonio’s beard,
I would not shave ’t today.

LEPIDUS


10675’Tis not a time for private stomaching.

ENOBARBUS

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

LEPIDUS


But small to greater matters must give way.

ENOBARBUS

Not if the small come first.

LEPIDUS


15680Your speech is passion; but pray you stir
No embers up. Here comes the noble Antony.

Enter, at one door, Antony and Ventidius.

ENOBARBUS

And yonder Caesar.

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

ANTONY , to Ventidius


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

They talk aside.

CAESAR , to Maecenas


20685I do not know, Maecenas. Ask Agrippa.

LEPIDUS , to Caesar and Antony

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
25690Our trivial difference loud, we do commit
Murder in healing wounds. Then, noble partners,
The rather for I earnestly beseech,
Touch you the sourest points with sweetest terms,
Nor curstness grow to th’ matter.

ANTONY

30695’Tis spoken well.
Were we before our armies, and to fight,
I should do thus.

Flourish.

CAESAR

Welcome to Rome.

ANTONY

Thank you.

CAESAR

35700Sit.

ANTONY

Sit, sir.

CAESAR

Nay, then.

They sit.

ANTONY


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

CAESAR

40705I must be laughed at
If or for nothing or a little, I
Should say myself offended, and with you
Chiefly i’ th’ world; more laughed at, that I should
Once name you derogately when to sound your
45710name
It not concerned me.

ANTONY


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

CAESAR


No more than my residing here at Rome
Might be to you in Egypt. Yet if you there
50715Did practice on my state, your being in Egypt
Might be my question.

ANTONY

How intend you, practiced?

CAESAR


You may be pleased to catch at mine intent
By what did here befall me. Your wife and brother
55720Made wars upon me, and their contestation
Was theme for you; you were the word of war.

ANTONY


You do mistake your business. My brother never
Did urge me in his act. I did inquire it,
And have my learning from some true reports
60725That 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,
65730As matter whole you have to make it with,
It must not be with this.

CAESAR

You praise yourself
By laying defects of judgment to me; but
You patched up your excuses.

ANTONY

70735Not 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
75740Which fronted mine own peace. As for my wife,
I would you had her spirit in such another.
The third o’ th’ world is yours, which with a snaffle
You may pace easy, but not such a wife.

ENOBARBUS

Would we had all such wives, that the men
80745might go to wars with the women!

ANTONY


So much uncurbable, her garboils, Caesar,
Made out of her impatience—which not wanted
Shrewdness of policy too—I grieving grant
Did you too much disquiet. For that you must
85750But say I could not help it.

CAESAR

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

ANTONY

90755Sir,
He fell upon me ere admitted, then;
Three kings I had newly feasted, and did want
Of what I was i’ th’ morning. But next day
I told him of myself, which was as much
95760As to have asked him pardon. Let this fellow
Be nothing of our strife; if we contend,
Out of our question wipe him.

CAESAR

You have broken
The article of your oath, which you shall never
100765Have tongue to charge me with.

LEPIDUS

Soft, Caesar!

ANTONY

No, Lepidus, let him speak.
The honor is sacred which he talks on now,
Supposing that I lacked it.—But on, Caesar:
105770The article of my oath?

CAESAR


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

ANTONY

Neglected, rather;
And then when poisoned hours had bound me up
110775From 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,
115780For which myself, the ignorant motive, do
So far ask pardon as befits mine honor
To stoop in such a case.

LEPIDUS

’Tis noble spoken.

MAECENAS


If it might please you to enforce no further
120785The griefs between you, to forget them quite
Were to remember that the present need
Speaks to atone you.

LEPIDUS

Worthily spoken, Maecenas.

ENOBARBUS

Or, if you borrow one another’s love for
125790the instant, you may, when you hear no more words
of Pompey, return it again. You shall have time to
wrangle in when you have nothing else to do.

ANTONY


Thou art a soldier only. Speak no more.

ENOBARBUS

That truth should be silent I had almost
130795forgot.

ANTONY


You wrong this presence; therefore speak no more.

ENOBARBUS

Go to, then. Your considerate stone.

CAESAR


I do not much dislike the matter, but
The manner of his speech; for ’t cannot be
135800We shall remain in friendship, our conditions
So diff’ring in their acts. Yet if I knew
What hoop should hold us staunch, from edge to
edge
O’ th’ world I would pursue it.

AGRIPPA

140805Give me leave, Caesar.

CAESAR

Speak, Agrippa.

AGRIPPA


Thou hast a sister by the mother’s side,
Admired Octavia. Great Mark Antony
Is now a widower.

CAESAR

145810Say not so, Agrippa.
If Cleopatra heard you, your reproof
Were well deserved of rashness.

ANTONY


I am not married, Caesar. Let me hear
Agrippa further speak.

AGRIPPA


150815To 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;
155820Whose 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,
160825Where now half-tales be truths. Her love to both
Would each to other and all loves to both
Draw after her. Pardon what I have spoke,
For ’tis a studied, not a present thought,
By duty ruminated.

ANTONY

165830Will Caesar speak?

CAESAR


Not till he hears how Antony is touched
With what is spoke already.

ANTONY

What power is in Agrippa,
If I would say “Agrippa, be it so,”
170835To make this good?

CAESAR

The power of Caesar, and
His power unto Octavia.

ANTONY

May I never
To this good purpose, that so fairly shows,
175840Dream of impediment. Let me have thy hand.
Further this act of grace; and from this hour
The heart of brothers govern in our loves
And sway our great designs.

CAESAR

There’s my hand.
They clasp hands.
180845A sister I bequeath you whom no brother
Did ever love so dearly. Let her live
To join our kingdoms and our hearts; and never
Fly off our loves again.

LEPIDUS

Happily, amen!

ANTONY


185850I 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

190855Time calls upon ’s.
Of us must Pompey presently be sought,
Or else he seeks out us.

ANTONY

Where lies he?

CAESAR

About the Mount Misena.

ANTONY

195860What is his strength by land?

CAESAR

Great and increasing;
But by sea he is an absolute master.

ANTONY

So is the fame.
Would we had spoke together. Haste we for it.
200865Yet, ere we put ourselves in arms, dispatch we
The business we have talked of.

CAESAR

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

ANTONY


205870Let us, Lepidus, not lack your company.

LEPIDUS


Noble Antony, not sickness should detain me.

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

MAECENAS , to Enobarbus

Welcome from Egypt, sir.

ENOBARBUS

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

AGRIPPA

210875Good Enobarbus!

MAECENAS

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

ENOBARBUS

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

MAECENAS

215880Eight wild boars roasted whole at a breakfast,
and but twelve persons there. Is this true?

ENOBARBUS

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

MAECENAS

220885She’s a most triumphant lady, if report be
square to her.

ENOBARBUS

When she first met Mark Antony, she
pursed up his heart upon the river of Cydnus.

AGRIPPA

There she appeared indeed, or my reporter
225890devised well for her.

ENOBARBUS

I will tell you.
The barge she sat in like a burnished throne
Burned on the water. The poop was beaten gold,
Purple the sails, and so perfumed that
230895The winds were lovesick 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,
235900It beggared all description: she did lie
In her pavilion—cloth-of-gold, of tissue—
O’erpicturing that Venus where we see
The fancy outwork nature. On each side her
Stood pretty dimpled boys, like smiling Cupids,
240905With divers-colored fans, whose wind did seem
To glow the delicate cheeks which they did cool,
And what they undid did.

AGRIPPA

O, rare for Antony!

ENOBARBUS


Her gentlewomen, like the Nereides,
245910So many mermaids, tended her i’ th’ eyes,
And made their bends adornings. At the helm
A seeming mermaid steers. The silken tackle
Swell with the touches of those flower-soft hands
That yarely frame the office. From the barge
250915A strange invisible perfume hits the sense
Of the adjacent wharfs. The city cast
Her people out upon her; and Antony,
Enthroned i’ th’ market-place, did sit alone,
Whistling to th’ air, which but for vacancy
255920Had gone to gaze on Cleopatra too
And made a gap in nature.

AGRIPPA

Rare Egyptian!

ENOBARBUS


Upon her landing, Antony sent to her,
Invited her to supper. She replied
260925It should be better he became her guest,
Which she entreated. Our courteous Antony,
Whom ne’er the word of “No” woman heard speak,
Being barbered ten times o’er, goes to the feast,
And for his ordinary pays his heart
265930For what his eyes eat only.

AGRIPPA

Royal wench!
She made great Caesar lay his sword to bed;
He ploughed her, and she cropped.

ENOBARBUS

I saw her once
270935Hop forty paces through the public street,
And having lost her breath, she spoke and panted,
That she did make defect perfection,
And breathless pour breath forth.

MAECENAS


Now Antony must leave her utterly.

ENOBARBUS

275940Never. 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
280945Become themselves in her, that the holy priests
Bless her when she is riggish.

MAECENAS


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

AGRIPPA

285950Let us go.
Good Enobarbus, make yourself my guest
Whilst you abide here.

ENOBARBUS

Humbly, sir, I thank you.

They exit.

Scene 3

Enter Antony, Caesar; Octavia between them.

ANTONY


The world and my great office will sometimes
955Divide me from your bosom.

OCTAVIA

All which time
Before the gods my knee shall bow my prayers
5To them for you.

ANTONY , to Caesar

Goodnight, sir.—My Octavia,
960Read not my blemishes in the world’s report.
I have not kept my square, but that to come
Shall all be done by th’ rule. Good night, dear
10lady.—
Good night, sir.

CAESAR

965Goodnight.

Caesar and Octavia exit.Enter Soothsayer.

ANTONY


Now, sirrah, you do wish yourself in Egypt?

SOOTHSAYER

Would I had never come from thence,
15nor you thither.

ANTONY

If you can, your reason?

SOOTHSAYER

970I see it in my motion, have it not in my
tongue. But yet hie you to Egypt again.

ANTONY


Say to me, whose fortunes shall rise higher,
20Caesar’s or mine?

SOOTHSAYER

Caesar’s.
975Therefore, O Antony, stay not by his side.
Thy dæmon—that thy spirit which keeps thee—is
Noble, courageous, high, unmatchable,
25Where Caesar’s is not. But near him, thy angel
Becomes afeard, as being o’erpowered. Therefore
980Make space enough between you.

ANTONY

Speak this no more.

SOOTHSAYER


To none but thee; no more but when to thee.
30If thou dost play with him at any game,
Thou art sure to lose; and of that natural luck
985He beats thee ’gainst the odds. Thy luster thickens
When he shines by. I say again, thy spirit
Is all afraid to govern thee near him;
35But he away, ’tis noble.

ANTONY

Get thee gone.
990Say to Ventidius I would speak with him.
Soothsayer exits.
He shall to Parthia. Be it art or hap,
He hath spoken true. The very dice obey him,
40And in our sports my better cunning faints
Under his chance. If we draw lots, he speeds;
995His cocks do win the battle still of mine
When it is all to naught, and his quails ever
Beat mine, inhooped, at odds. I will to Egypt.
45And though I make this marriage for my peace,
I’ th’ East my pleasure lies.

Enter Ventidius.

1000O, come, Ventidius.
You must to Parthia; your commission’s ready.
Follow me and receive ’t.

They exit.

Scene 4

Enter Lepidus, Maecenas, and Agrippa.

LEPIDUS


Trouble yourselves no further. Pray you hasten
Your generals after.

AGRIPPA

1005Sir, Mark Antony
Will e’en but kiss Octavia, and we’ll follow.

LEPIDUS


5Till I shall see you in your soldiers’ dress,
Which will become you both, farewell.

MAECENAS

We shall,
1010As I conceive the journey, be at the Mount
Before you, Lepidus.

LEPIDUS

10Your way is shorter;
My purposes do draw me much about.
You’ll win two days upon me.

BOTH

1015Sir, good success.

LEPIDUS

Farewell.

They exit.

Scene 5

Enter Cleopatra, Charmian, Iras, and Alexas.

CLEOPATRA


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

ALL

The music, ho!

Enter Mardian the eunuch.

CLEOPATRA


1020Let it alone. Let’s to billiards. Come, Charmian.

CHARMIAN


5My arm is sore. Best play with Mardian.

CLEOPATRA


As well a woman with an eunuch played
As with a woman.—Come, you’ll play with me, sir?

MARDIAN

As well as I can, madam.

CLEOPATRA


1025And when good will is showed, though ’t come too
10short,
The actor may plead pardon. I’ll none now.
Give me mine angle; we’ll to th’ river. There,
My music playing far off, I will betray
1030Tawny-finned fishes. My bended hook shall pierce
15Their slimy jaws, and as I draw them up
I’ll think them every one an Antony
And say “Aha! You’re caught.”

CHARMIAN

’Twas merry when
1035You wagered on your angling; when your diver
20Did hang a salt fish on his hook, which he
With fervency drew up.

CLEOPATRA

That time?—O, times!—
I laughed him out of patience; and that night
1040I laughed him into patience; and next morn,
25Ere 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!
1045Ram thou thy fruitful tidings in mine ears,
30That long time have been barren.

MESSENGER

Madam, madam—

CLEOPATRA


Antonio’s dead! If thou say so, villain,
Thou kill’st thy mistress. But well and free,
1050If thou so yield him, there is gold, and here
35My bluest veins to kiss, a hand that kings
Have lipped and trembled kissing.

MESSENGER

First, madam, he is well.

CLEOPATRA


Why, there’s more gold. But sirrah, mark, we use
1055To say the dead are well. Bring it to that,
40The 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.
1060But there’s no goodness in thy face—if Antony
45Be free and healthful, so tart a favor
To trumpet such good tidings! If not well,
Thou shouldst come like a Fury crowned with snakes,
Not like a formal man.

MESSENGER

1065Will ’t please you hear me?

CLEOPATRA


50I 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
1070Rich pearls upon thee.

MESSENGER

55Madam, he’s well.

CLEOPATRA

Well said.

MESSENGER


And friends with Caesar.

CLEOPATRA

Th’ art an honest man.

MESSENGER


1075Caesar and he are greater friends than ever.

CLEOPATRA


60Make 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.”
1080“But yet” is as a jailer to bring forth
65Some 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


1085Free, madam, no. I made no such report.
70He’s bound unto Octavia.

CLEOPATRA

For what good turn?

MESSENGER


For the best turn i’ th’ bed.

CLEOPATRA

I am pale, Charmian.

MESSENGER


1090Madam, he’s married to Octavia.

CLEOPATRA


75The most infectious pestilence upon thee!

Strikes him down.

MESSENGER

Good madam, patience!

CLEOPATRA

What say you?Strikes him.
Hence, horrible villain, or I’ll spurn thine eyes
1095Like balls before me! I’ll unhair thy head!
She hales him up and down.
80Thou shalt be whipped with wire and stewed in
brine,
Smarting in ling’ring pickle.

MESSENGER

Gracious madam,
1100I that do bring the news made not the match.

CLEOPATRA


85Say ’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
1105Thy modesty can beg.

MESSENGER

90He’s married, madam.

CLEOPATRA


Rogue, thou hast lived too long.

Draw a knife.

MESSENGER

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

He exits.

CHARMIAN


1110Good madam, keep yourself within yourself.
95The 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.
1115Though I am mad, I will not bite him. Call!

CHARMIAN


100He is afeard to come.

CLEOPATRA

I will not hurt him.
These hands do lack nobility that they strike
A meaner than myself, since I myself
1120Have given myself the cause.

Enter the Messenger again.

105Come 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
1125Themselves when they be felt.

MESSENGER

110I have done my duty.

CLEOPATRA

Is he married?
I cannot hate thee worser than I do
If thou again say “yes.”

MESSENGER

1130He’s married, madam.

CLEOPATRA


115The 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
1135A cistern for scaled snakes! Go, get thee hence.
120Hadst 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


1140Take no offense that I would not offend you.
125To punish me for what you make me do
Seems much unequal. He’s married to Octavia.

CLEOPATRA


O, that his fault should make a knave of thee
That art not what th’ art sure of! Get thee hence.
1145The merchandise which thou hast brought from
130Rome
Are all too dear for me. Lie they upon thy hand,
And be undone by ’em!

Messenger exits.

CHARMIAN

Good your Highness,
1150patience.

CLEOPATRA


135In 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.—
1155Go to the fellow, good Alexas. Bid him
140Report the feature of Octavia, her years,
Her inclination; let him not leave out
The color of her hair. Bring me word quickly.
Alexas exits.
Let him forever go—let him not, Charmian.
1160Though he be painted one way like a Gorgon,
145The other way ’s a Mars. (To Mardian.) Bid you
Alexas
Bring me word how tall she is.—Pity me,
Charmian,
1165But do not speak to me. Lead me to my chamber.

They exit.

Scene 6

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

POMPEY


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

CAESAR

Most meet
That first we come to words, and therefore have we
51170Our written purposes before us sent,
Which if thou hast considered, let us know
If ’twill tie up thy discontented sword
And carry back to Sicily much tall youth
That else must perish here.

POMPEY

101175To 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,
151180Who at Philippi the good Brutus ghosted,
There saw you laboring for him. What was ’t
That moved pale Cassius to conspire? And what
Made the all-honored, honest, Roman Brutus,
With the armed rest, courtiers of beauteous
201185freedom,
To drench the Capitol, but that they would
Have one man but a man? And that is it
Hath made me rig my navy, at whose burden
The angered ocean foams, with which I meant
251190To scourge th’ ingratitude that despiteful Rome
Cast on my noble father.

CAESAR

Take your time.

ANTONY


Thou canst not fear us, Pompey, with thy sails.
We’ll speak with thee at sea. At land thou know’st
301195How much we do o’ercount thee.

POMPEY

At land indeed
Thou dost o’ercount me of my father’s house;
But since the cuckoo builds not for himself,
Remain in ’t as thou mayst.

LEPIDUS

351200Be pleased to tell us—
For this is from the present—how you take
The offers we have sent you.

CAESAR

There’s the point.

ANTONY


Which do not be entreated to, but weigh
401205What it is worth embraced.

CAESAR

And what may follow
To try a larger fortune.

POMPEY

You have made me offer
Of Sicily, Sardinia; and I must
451210Rid all the sea of pirates; then to send
Measures of wheat to Rome. This ’greed upon,
To part with unhacked edges and bear back
Our targes undinted.

ALL

That’s our offer.

POMPEY

501215Know 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
551220When Caesar and your brother were at blows,
Your mother came to Sicily and did find
Her welcome friendly.

ANTONY

I have heard it, Pompey,
And am well studied for a liberal thanks,
601225Which I do owe you.

POMPEY

Let me have your hand.
They clasp hands.
I did not think, sir, to have met you here.

ANTONY


The beds i’ th’ East are soft; and thanks to you,
That called me timelier than my purpose hither,
651230For I have gained by ’t.

CAESAR , to Pompey

Since I saw you last,
There’s a change upon you.

POMPEY

Well, I know not
What counts harsh Fortune casts upon my face,
701235But 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
751240And sealed between us.

CAESAR

That’s the next to do.

POMPEY


We’ll feast each other ere we part, and let’s
Draw lots who shall begin.

ANTONY

That will I, Pompey.

POMPEY


801245No, Antony, take the lot. But, first or last,
Your fine Egyptian cookery shall have
The fame. I have heard that Julius Caesar
Grew fat with feasting there.

ANTONY

You have heard much.

POMPEY

851250I have fair meanings, sir.

ANTONY

And fair words to them.

POMPEY

Then so much have I heard.
And I have heard Apollodorus carried—

ENOBARBUS


No more of that. He did so.

POMPEY

901255What, I pray you?

ENOBARBUS


A certain queen to Caesar in a mattress.

POMPEY


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

ENOBARBUS

Well,
And well am like to do, for I perceive
951260Four feasts are toward.

POMPEY

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

ENOBARBUS

Sir,
1001265I never loved you much, but I ha’ praised you
When you have well deserved ten times as much
As I have said you did.

POMPEY

Enjoy thy plainness;
It nothing ill becomes thee.—
1051270Aboard my galley I invite you all.
Will you lead, lords?

ALL

Show ’s the way, sir.

POMPEY

Come.

They exit, except for Enobarbus and Menas.

MENAS , aside

Thy father, Pompey, would ne’er have
1101275made this treaty.—You and I have known, sir.

ENOBARBUS

At sea, I think.

MENAS

We have, sir.

ENOBARBUS

You have done well by water.

MENAS

And you by land.

ENOBARBUS

1151280I will praise any man that will praise me,
though it cannot be denied what I have done by
land.

MENAS

Nor what I have done by water.

ENOBARBUS

Yes, something you can deny for your own
1201285safety: you have been a great thief by sea.

MENAS

And you by land.

ENOBARBUS

There I deny my land service. But give me
your hand, Menas. They clasp hands. If our eyes
had authority, here they might take two thieves
1251290kissing.

MENAS

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

ENOBARBUS

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

MENAS

1301295No slander. They steal hearts.

ENOBARBUS

We came hither to fight with you.

MENAS

For my part, I am sorry it is turned to a
drinking. Pompey doth this day laugh away his
fortune.

ENOBARBUS

1351300If he do, sure he cannot weep ’t back
again.

MENAS

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

ENOBARBUS

Caesar’s sister is called Octavia.

MENAS

1401305True, sir. She was the wife of Caius Marcellus.

ENOBARBUS

But she is now the wife of Marcus
Antonius.

MENAS

Pray you, sir?

ENOBARBUS

’Tis true.

MENAS

1451310Then is Caesar and he forever knit together.

ENOBARBUS

If I were bound to divine of this unity, I
would not prophesy so.

MENAS

I think the policy of that purpose made more in
the marriage than the love of the parties.

ENOBARBUS

1501315I think so, too. But you shall find the band
that seems to tie their friendship together will be
the very strangler of their amity. Octavia is of a holy,
cold, and still conversation.

MENAS

Who would not have his wife so?

ENOBARBUS

1551320Not 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
1601325author of their variance. Antony will use his affection
where it is. He married but his occasion here.

MENAS

And thus it may be. Come, sir, will you aboard?
I have a health for you.

ENOBARBUS

I shall take it, sir. We have used our throats
1651330in Egypt.

MENAS

Come, let’s away.

They exit.

Scene 7

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

FIRST SERVANT

Here they’ll be, man. Some o’ their
plants are ill-rooted already. The least wind i’ th’
world will blow them down.

SECOND SERVANT

1335Lepidus is high-colored.

FIRST SERVANT

5They have made him drink alms-drink.

SECOND SERVANT

As they pinch one another by the
disposition, he cries out “No more,” reconciles
them to his entreaty and himself to th’ drink.

FIRST SERVANT

1340But it raises the greater war between
10him and his discretion.

SECOND SERVANT

Why, this it is to have a name in great
men’s fellowship. I had as lief have a reed that will
do me no service as a partisan I could not heave.

FIRST SERVANT

1345To be called into a huge sphere, and not
15to be seen to move in ’t, are the holes where eyes
should be, which pitifully disaster the cheeks.

A sennet sounded. Enter Caesar, Antony, Pompey,
Lepidus, Agrippa, Maecenas, Enobarbus, Menas, with
other Captains and a Boy.

ANTONY


Thus do they, sir: they take the flow o’ th’ Nile
By certain scales i’ th’ Pyramid; they know
1350By th’ height, the lowness, or the mean if dearth
20Or 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

1355You’ve strange serpents there?

ANTONY

25Ay, Lepidus.

LEPIDUS

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

ANTONY

1360They are so.

POMPEY


30Sit, and some wine. A health to Lepidus!

LEPIDUS

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

ENOBARBUS , aside

Not till you have slept. I fear me
1365you’ll be in till then.

LEPIDUS

35Nay, 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

1370Say in mine ear what is ’t.

MENAS (whispers in ’s ear)


40Forsake 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?

ANTONY

1375It is shaped, sir, like itself, and it is as broad as
45it hath breadth. It is just so high as it is, and moves
with it own organs. It lives by that which nourisheth
it, and the elements once out of it, it
transmigrates.

LEPIDUS

1380What color is it of?

ANTONY

50Of it own color too.

LEPIDUS

’Tis a strange serpent.

ANTONY

’Tis so, and the tears of it are wet.

CAESAR , aside to Antony

Will this description satisfy
1385him?

ANTONY

55With 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 called for?

MENAS , aside to Pompey


1390If for the sake of merit thou wilt hear me,
60Rise from thy stool.

POMPEY

I think th’ art mad!
He rises, and they walk aside.
The matter?

MENAS


I have ever held my cap off to thy fortunes.

POMPEY


1395Thou hast served me with much faith. What’s else
65to say?—
Be jolly, lords.

ANTONY

These quicksands, Lepidus,
Keep off them, for you sink.

MENAS , aside to Pompey


1400Wilt thou be lord of all the world?

POMPEY

70What sayst thou?

MENAS


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

POMPEY

How should that be?

MENAS

But entertain it,
1405And though thou think me poor, I am the man
75Will give thee all the world.

POMPEY

Hast thou drunk well?

MENAS


No, Pompey, I have kept me from the cup.
Thou art, if thou dar’st be, the earthly Jove.
1410Whate’er the ocean pales or sky inclips
80Is 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,
1415And when we are put off, fall to their throats.
85All there is thine.

POMPEY

Ah, this thou shouldst have done
And not have spoke on ’t! In me ’tis villainy;
In thee ’t had been good service. Thou must know
1420’Tis not my profit that does lead mine honor;
90Mine honor, it. Repent that e’er thy tongue
Hath so betrayed thine act. Being done unknown,
I should have found it afterwards well done,
But must condemn it now. Desist and drink.

MENAS , aside

1425For this
95I’ll never follow thy palled fortunes more.
Who seeks and will not take when once ’tis offered
Shall never find it more.

POMPEY

This health to Lepidus!

ANTONY , to Servant


1430Bear him ashore.—I’ll pledge it for him, Pompey.

ENOBARBUS


100Here’s to thee, Menas.

MENAS

Enobarbus, welcome.

POMPEY

Fill till the cup be hid.

ENOBARBUS , pointing to the Servant carrying Lepidus


There’s a strong fellow, Menas.

MENAS

1435Why?

ENOBARBUS

105He bears
The third part of the world, man. Seest not?

MENAS


The third part, then, is drunk. Would it were all,
That it might go on wheels.

ENOBARBUS

1440Drink thou. Increase the reels.

MENAS

110Come.

POMPEY


This is not yet an Alexandrian feast.

ANTONY


It ripens towards it. Strike the vessels, ho!
Here’s to Caesar.

CAESAR

1445I could well forbear ’t.
115It’s monstrous labor when I wash my brain
And it grows fouler.

ANTONY

Be a child o’ th’ time.

CAESAR

Possess it, I’ll make answer.
1450But I had rather fast from all, four days,
120Than drink so much in one.

ENOBARBUS , to Antony

Ha, my brave emperor,
Shall we dance now the Egyptian bacchanals
And celebrate our drink?

POMPEY

1455Let’s ha ’t, good soldier.

ANTONY

125Come, let’s all take hands
Till that the conquering wine hath steeped our
sense
In soft and delicate Lethe.

ENOBARBUS

1460All take hands.
130Make battery to our ears with the loud music,
The while I’ll place you; then the boy shall sing.
The holding every man shall beat as loud
As his strong sides can volley.

Music plays. Enobarbus places them hand in hand.

BOY

1465Come, thou monarch of the vine,
135Plumpy Bacchus, with pink eyne.
In thy vats our cares be drowned.
With thy grapes our hairs be crowned.

ALL

Cup us till the world go round,
1470Cup us till the world go round.

CAESAR


140What would you more?—Pompey, goodnight.—
Good brother,
Let me request you off. Our graver business
Frowns at this levity.—Gentle lords, let’s part.
1475You see we have burnt our cheeks. Strong Enobarb
145Is weaker than the wine, and mine own tongue
Splits what it speaks. The wild disguise hath almost
Anticked us all. What needs more words?
Goodnight.
1480Good Antony, your hand.

POMPEY

150I’ll try you on the shore.

ANTONY

And shall, sir. Give ’s your hand.

POMPEY


O, Antony, you have my father’s house.
But what? We are friends! Come down into the boat.

ENOBARBUS


1485Take heed you fall not.
All but Menas and Enobarbus exit.
155Menas, I’ll not on shore.

MENAS


No, to my cabin. These drums, these trumpets,
flutes! What!
Let Neptune hear we bid a loud farewell
1490To these great fellows. Sound and be hanged. Sound
160out!

Sound a flourish, with drums.

ENOBARBUS

Hoo, says ’a! There’s my cap!

He throws his cap in the air.

MENAS

Hoo! Noble captain, come.

They exit.

ACT 3

Scene 1

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

VENTIDIUS


Now, darting Parthia, art thou struck, and now
1495Pleased Fortune does of Marcus Crassus’ death
Make me revenger. Bear the King’s son’s body
Before our army. Thy Pacorus, Orodes,
5Pays this for Marcus Crassus.

SILIUS

Noble Ventidius,
1500Whilst yet with Parthian blood thy sword is warm,
The fugitive Parthians follow. Spur through Media,
Mesopotamia, and the shelters whither
10The routed fly. So thy grand captain, Antony,
Shall set thee on triumphant chariots and
1505Put garlands on thy head.

VENTIDIUS

O, Silius, Silius,
I have done enough. A lower place, note well,
15May make too great an act. For learn this, Silius:
Better to leave undone than by our deed
1510Acquire too high a fame when him we serve ’s away.
Caesar and Antony have ever won
More in their officer than person. Sossius,
20One of my place in Syria, his lieutenant,
For quick accumulation of renown,
1515Which he achieved by th’ minute, lost his favor.
Who does i’ th’ wars more than his captain can
Becomes his captain’s captain; and ambition,
25The soldier’s virtue, rather makes choice of loss
Than gain which darkens him.
1520I could do more to do Antonius good,
But ’twould offend him. And in his offense
Should my performance perish.

SILIUS

30Thou hast, Ventidius, that
Without the which a soldier and his sword
1525Grants scarce distinction. Thou wilt write to
Antony?

VENTIDIUS


I’ll humbly signify what in his name,
35That magical word of war, we have effected;
How, with his banners and his well-paid ranks,
1530The ne’er-yet-beaten horse of Parthia
We have jaded out o’ th’ field.

SILIUS

Where is he now?

VENTIDIUS


40He purposeth to Athens, whither, with what haste
The weight we must convey with ’s will permit,
1535We shall appear before him.—On there, pass along!

They exit.

Scene 2

Enter Agrippa at one door, Enobarbus at another.

AGRIPPA

What, are the brothers parted?

ENOBARBUS


They have dispatched with Pompey; he is gone.
The other three are sealing. Octavia weeps
To part from Rome. Caesar is sad, and Lepidus,
51540Since Pompey’s feast, as Menas says, is troubled
With the greensickness.

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


101545Caesar? 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
151550further.

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
201555Think, 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.
Trumpet within.
251560So,
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.
301565Use me well in ’t.—Sister, prove such a wife
As my thoughts make thee, and as my farthest bond
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
351570To 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 cherished.

ANTONY

Make me not offended
401575In 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,
451580And 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

501585My noble brother.

She weeps.

ANTONY


The April’s in her eyes. It is love’s spring,
And these the showers to bring it on.—Be cheerful.

OCTAVIA , to Caesar


Sir, look well to my husband’s house, and—

CAESAR


What, Octavia?

OCTAVIA

551590I’ll tell you in your ear.

Caesar and Octavia walk aside.

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
601595And neither way inclines.

ENOBARBUS , aside to Agrippa

Will Caesar weep?

AGRIPPA

He has a cloud in ’s face.

ENOBARBUS


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

AGRIPPA

651600Why, Enobarbus,
When Antony found Julius Caesar dead,
He cried almost to roaring. And he wept
When at Philippi he found Brutus slain.

ENOBARBUS


That year indeed he was troubled with a rheum.
701605What willingly he did confound he wailed,
Believe ’t, till I wept too.

CAESAR , coming forward with Octavia

No, sweet Octavia,
You shall hear from me still. The time shall not
Outgo my thinking on you.

ANTONY

751610Come, 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 , to Antony


801615Let all the number of the stars give light
To thy fair way.

CAESAR

Farewell, farewell.

Kisses Octavia.

ANTONY

Farewell.

Trumpets sound. They exit.

Scene 3

Enter Cleopatra, Charmian, Iras, and Alexas.

CLEOPATRA


Where is the fellow?

ALEXAS

1620Half afeard to come.

CLEOPATRA


Go to, go to.—Come hither, sir.

Enter the Messenger as before.

ALEXAS

Good Majesty,
5Herod of Jewry dare not look upon you
But when you are well pleased.

CLEOPATRA

1625That Herod’s head
I’ll have! But how, when Antony is gone,
Through whom I might command it?—Come thou
10near.

MESSENGER


Most gracious Majesty!

CLEOPATRA

1630Did’st thou behold Octavia?

MESSENGER


Ay, dread queen.

CLEOPATRA

Where?

MESSENGER

15Madam, in Rome.
I looked her in the face and saw her led
1635Between her brother and Mark Antony.

CLEOPATRA


Is she as tall as me?

MESSENGER

She is not, madam.

CLEOPATRA


20Didst hear her speak? Is she shrill-tongued or low?

MESSENGER


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

CLEOPATRA


1640That’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
25dwarfish!—
What majesty is in her gait? Remember,
1645If e’er thou looked’st on majesty.

MESSENGER

She creeps.
Her motion and her station are as one.
30She shows a body rather than a life,
A statue than a breather.

CLEOPATRA

1650Is this certain?

MESSENGER


Or I have no observance.

CHARMIAN

Three in Egypt
35Cannot make better note.

CLEOPATRA

He’s very knowing.
1655I do perceive ’t. There’s nothing in her yet.
The fellow has good judgment.

CHARMIAN

Excellent.

CLEOPATRA , to Messenger

40Guess at her years, I
prithee.

MESSENGER

1660Madam, she was a widow.

CLEOPATRA

Widow? Charmian, hark.

MESSENGER

And I do think she’s thirty.

CLEOPATRA


45Bear’st thou her face in mind? Is ’t long or round?

MESSENGER

Round even to faultiness.

CLEOPATRA


1665For the most part, too, they are foolish that are so.
Her hair what color?

MESSENGER

Brown, madam, and her forehead
50As low as she would wish it.

CLEOPATRA , giving money

There’s gold for thee.
1670Thou must not take my former sharpness ill.
I will employ thee back again. I find thee
Most fit for business. Go, make thee ready.
55Our letters are prepared.

Messenger exits.

CHARMIAN

A proper man.

CLEOPATRA


1675Indeed he is so. I repent me much
That so I harried him. Why, methinks, by him,
This creature’s no such thing.

CHARMIAN

60Nothing, madam.

CLEOPATRA


The man hath seen some majesty, and should know.

CHARMIAN


1680Hath he seen majesty? Isis else defend,
And serving you so long!

CLEOPATRA


I have one thing more to ask him yet, good
65Charmian,
But ’tis no matter. Thou shalt bring him to me
1685Where I will write. All may be well enough.

CHARMIAN

I warrant you, madam.

They exit.

Scene 4

Enter Antony and Octavia.

ANTONY


Nay, nay, Octavia, not only that—
That were excusable, that and thousands more
Of semblable import—but he hath waged
1690New wars ’gainst Pompey; made his will and read it
5To public ear;
Spoke scantly of me; when perforce he could not
But pay me terms of honor, cold and sickly
He vented them, most narrow measure lent me;
1695When the best hint was given him, he not took ’t,
10Or 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,
1700If this division chance, ne’er stood between,
15Praying for both parts.
The good gods will mock me presently
When I shall pray “O, bless my lord and husband!”
Undo that prayer by crying out as loud
1705“O, bless my brother!” Husband win, win brother
20Prays and destroys the prayer; no midway
’Twixt these extremes at all.

ANTONY

Gentle Octavia,
Let your best love draw to that point which seeks
1710Best to preserve it. If I lose mine honor,
25I 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
1715Shall stain your brother. Make your soonest haste,
30So 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
1720As if the world should cleave, and that slain men
35Should 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
1725Can equally move with them. Provide your going;
40Choose your own company, and command what cost
Your heart has mind to.

They exit.

Scene 5

Enter Enobarbus and Eros.

ENOBARBUS

How now, friend Eros?

EROS

There’s strange news come, sir.

ENOBARBUS

1730What, man?

EROS

Caesar and Lepidus have made wars upon
5Pompey.

ENOBARBUS

This is old. What is the success?

EROS

Caesar, having made use of him in the wars
1735’gainst Pompey, presently denied him rivality,
would not let him partake in the glory of the action;
10and, 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
1740his confine.

ENOBARBUS


Then, world, thou hast a pair of chaps, no more,
15And 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
1745The rush that lies before him; cries “Fool Lepidus!”
And threats the throat of that his officer
20That murdered Pompey.

ENOBARBUS

Our great navy’s rigged.

EROS


For Italy and Caesar. More, Domitius:
1750My lord desires you presently. My news
I might have told hereafter.

ENOBARBUS

25’Twill be naught,
But let it be. Bring me to Antony.

EROS

Come, sir.

They exit.

Scene 6

Enter Agrippa, Maecenas, and Caesar.

CAESAR


1755Contemning Rome, he has done all this and more
In Alexandria. Here’s the manner of ’t:
I’ th’ marketplace, on a tribunal silvered,
Cleopatra and himself in chairs of gold
5Were publicly enthroned. At the feet sat
1760Caesarion, 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
10Of lower Syria, Cyprus, Lydia,
1765Absolute queen.

MAECENAS

This in the public eye?

CAESAR


I’ th’ common showplace where they exercise.
His sons he there proclaimed the kings of kings.
15Great Media, Parthia, and Armenia
1770He gave to Alexander; to Ptolemy he assigned
Syria, Cilicia, and Phoenicia. She
In th’ habiliments of the goddess Isis
That day appeared, and oft before gave audience,
20As ’tis reported, so.

MAECENAS

1775Let Rome be thus informed.

AGRIPPA


Who, queasy with his insolence already,
Will their good thoughts call from him.

CAESAR


The people knows it and have now received
25His accusations.

AGRIPPA

1780Who does he accuse?

CAESAR


Caesar, and that, having in Sicily
Sextus Pompeius spoiled, we had not rated him
His part o’ th’ isle. Then does he say he lent me
30Some shipping, unrestored. Lastly, he frets
1785That Lepidus of the triumvirate
Should be deposed and, being, that we detain
All his revenue.

AGRIPPA

Sir, this should be answered.

CAESAR


35’Tis done already, and the messenger gone.
1790I have told him Lepidus was grown too cruel,
That he his high authority abused
And did deserve his change. For what I have
conquered,
40I grant him part; but then in his Armenia
1795And other of his conquered 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


45Hail, Caesar, and my lord! Hail, most dear Caesar.

CAESAR


1800That ever I should call thee castaway!

OCTAVIA


You have not called 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
50Should have an army for an usher and
1805The neighs of horse to tell of her approach
Long ere she did appear. The trees by th’ way
Should have borne men, and expectation fainted,
Longing for what it had not. Nay, the dust
55Should have ascended to the roof of heaven,
1810Raised 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
60By sea and land, supplying every stage
1815With an augmented greeting.

OCTAVIA

Good my lord,
To come thus was I not constrained, but did it
On my free will. My lord, Mark Antony,
65Hearing that you prepared for war, acquainted
1820My grievèd ear withal, whereon I begged
His pardon for return.

CAESAR

Which soon he granted,
Being an abstract ’tween his lust and him.

OCTAVIA


70Do not say so, my lord.

CAESAR

1825I have eyes upon him,
And his affairs come to me on the wind.
Where is he now?

OCTAVIA

My lord, in Athens.

CAESAR


75No, my most wrongèd sister. Cleopatra
1830Hath nodded him to her. He hath given his empire
Up to a whore, who now are levying
The kings o’ th’ Earth for war. He hath assembled
Bocchus, the King of Libya; Archelaus
80Of Cappadocia; Philadelphos, King
1835Of Paphlagonia; the Thracian king, Adallas;
King Manchus of Arabia; King of Pont;
Herod of Jewry; Mithridates, King
Of Comagen; Polemon and Amyntas,
85The Kings of Mede and Lycaonia,
1840With a more larger list of scepters.

OCTAVIA

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

CAESAR

90Welcome hither.
1845Your 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
95O’er your content these strong necessities,
1850But let determined things to destiny
Hold unbewailed their way. Welcome to Rome,
Nothing more dear to me. You are abused
Beyond the mark of thought, and the high gods,
100To do you justice, makes his ministers
1855Of us and those that love you. Best of comfort,
And ever welcome to us.

AGRIPPA

Welcome, lady.

MAECENAS

Welcome, dear madam.
105Each heart in Rome does love and pity you;
1860Only th’ adulterous Antony, most large
In his abominations, turns you off
And gives his potent regiment to a trull
That noises it against us.

OCTAVIA , to Caesar

110Is it so, sir?

CAESAR


1865Most certain. Sister, welcome. Pray you
Be ever known to patience. My dear’st sister!

They exit.

Scene 7

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
1870And say’st it is not fit.

ENOBARBUS

5Well, is it, is it?

CLEOPATRA


Is ’t not denounced against us? Why should not we
Be there in person?

ENOBARBUS

Well, I could reply:
1875If we should serve with horse and mares together,
10The 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,
1880Take from his heart, take from his brain, from ’s time
15What 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

1885Sink Rome, and their tongues rot
20That speak against us! A charge we bear i’ th’ war,
And as the president of my kingdom will
Appear there for a man. Speak not against it.
I will not stay behind.

Enter Antony and Canidius.

ENOBARBUS

1890Nay, I have done.
25Here comes the Emperor.

ANTONY

Is it not strange, Canidius,
That from Tarentum and Brundusium
He could so quickly cut the Ionian Sea
1895And take in Toryne?—You have heard on ’t, sweet?

CLEOPATRA


30Celerity is never more admired
Than by the negligent.

ANTONY

A good rebuke,
Which might have well becomed the best of men,
1900To taunt at slackness.—Canidius, we will fight
35With him by sea.

CLEOPATRA

By sea, what else?

CANIDIUS

Why will
My lord do so?

ANTONY

1905For that he dares us to ’t.

ENOBARBUS


40So 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, he shakes off,
1910And so should you.

ENOBARBUS

45Your ships are not well manned,
Your mariners are muleteers, reapers, people
Engrossed by swift impress. In Caesar’s fleet
Are those that often have ’gainst Pompey fought.
1915Their ships are yare, yours heavy. No disgrace
50Shall fall you for refusing him at sea,
Being prepared for land.

ANTONY

By sea, by sea.

ENOBARBUS


Most worthy sir, you therein throw away
1920The absolute soldiership you have by land,
55Distract your army, which doth most consist
Of war-marked footmen, leave unexecuted
Your own renownèd knowledge, quite forgo
The way which promises assurance, and
1925Give up yourself merely to chance and hazard
60From firm security.

ANTONY

I’ll fight at sea.

CLEOPATRA


I have sixty sails, Caesar none better.

ANTONY


Our overplus of shipping will we burn,
1930And with the rest full-manned, from th’ head of
65Actium
Beat th’ approaching Caesar. But if we fail,
We then can do ’t at land.

Enter a Messenger.

Thy business?

MESSENGER


1935The news is true, my lord; he is descried.
70Caesar has taken Toryne.

He exits.

ANTONY


Can he be there in person? ’Tis impossible;
Strange that his power should be. Canidius,
Our nineteen legions thou shalt hold by land,
1940And our twelve thousand horse. We’ll to our ship.—
75Away, 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
1945This sword and these my wounds? Let th’ Egyptians
80And the Phoenicians go a-ducking. We
Have used to conquer standing on the earth
And fighting foot to foot.

ANTONY

Well, well, away.

Antony, Cleopatra, and Enobarbus exit.

SOLDIER


1950By Hercules, I think I am i’ th’ right.

CANIDIUS


85Soldier, 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
1955The legions and the horse whole, do you not?

CANIDIUS


90Marcus Octavius, Marcus Justeius,
Publicola, and Caelius are for sea,
But we keep whole by land. This speed of Caesar’s
Carries beyond belief.

SOLDIER

1960While he was yet in Rome,
95His power went out in such distractions as
Beguiled all spies.

CANIDIUS

Who’s his lieutenant, hear you?

SOLDIER


They say one Taurus.

CANIDIUS

1965Well I know the man.

Enter a Messenger.

MESSENGER

100The Emperor calls Canidius.

CANIDIUS


With news the time’s in labor, and throws forth
Each minute some.

They exit.

Scene 8

Enter Caesar with his army, and Taurus, marching.

CAESAR

Taurus!

TAURUS

1970My lord?

CAESAR


Strike not by land, keep whole. Provoke not battle
Till we have done at sea. Do not exceed
5The prescript of this scroll.Hands him a scroll.
Our fortune lies
1975Upon this jump.

They exit.

Scene 9

Enter Antony and Enobarbus.

ANTONY


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

They exit.

Scene 10

Canidius marcheth with his land army one way
over the stage, and Taurus the lieutenant of Caesar
the other way. After their going in is heard the
noise of a sea fight.Alarum. Enter Enobarbus.

ENOBARBUS


1980Naught, naught, all naught! I can behold no longer.
Th’ Antoniad, the Egyptian admiral,
With all their sixty, fly and turn the rudder.
To see ’t mine eyes are blasted.

Enter Scarus.

SCARUS

5Gods and goddesses,
1985All the whole synod of them!

ENOBARBUS

What’s thy passion?

SCARUS


The greater cantle of the world is lost
With very ignorance. We have kissed away
10Kingdoms and provinces.

ENOBARBUS

1990How appears the fight?

SCARUS


On our side, like the tokened pestilence,
Where death is sure. Yon ribaudred nag of Egypt,
Whom leprosy o’ertake, i’ th’ midst o’ th’ fight,
15When vantage like a pair of twins appeared
1995Both as the same—or, rather, ours the elder—
The breeze upon her like a cow in June,
Hoists sails and flies.

ENOBARBUS

That I beheld.
20Mine eyes did sicken at the sight and could not
2000Endure a further view.

SCARUS

She once being loofed,
The noble ruin of her magic, Antony,
Claps on his sea-wing and, like a doting mallard,
25Leaving the fight in height, flies after her.
2005I never saw an action of such shame.
Experience, manhood, honor ne’er before
Did violate so itself.

ENOBARBUS

Alack, alack.

Enter Canidius.

CANIDIUS


30Our fortune on the sea is out of breath
2010And 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


35Ay, are you thereabouts? Why then goodnight
2015indeed.

CANIDIUS

Toward Peloponnesus are they fled.

SCARUS


’Tis easy to ’t, and there I will attend
What further comes.

He exits.

CANIDIUS

40To Caesar will I render
2020My legions and my horse. Six kings already
Show me the way of yielding.

He exits.

ENOBARBUS

I’ll yet follow
The wounded chance of Antony, though my reason
45Sits in the wind against me.

He exits.

Scene 11

Enter Antony with Attendants.

ANTONY


2025Hark, 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 forever. I have a ship
5Laden with gold. Take that, divide it. Fly,
2030And 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, begone.
10I have myself resolved upon a course
2035Which has no need of you. Begone.
My treasure’s in the harbor; take it. O,
I followed that I blush to look upon!
My very hairs do mutiny, for the white
15Reprove the brown for rashness, and they them
2040For fear and doting. Friends, begone. 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
20Which my despair proclaims. Let that be left
2045Which leaves itself. To the seaside 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.
25Therefore I pray you—I’ll see you by and by.

Attendants move aside. Antony sits down.Enter Cleopatra led by Charmian, Iras, and Eros.

EROS


2050Nay, gentle madam, to him, comfort him.

IRAS

Do, most dear queen.

CHARMIAN

Do! Why, what else?

CLEOPATRA

Let me sit down. O Juno!

She sits down.

ANTONY

30No, no, no, no, no.

EROS

2055See you here, sir?

ANTONY

Oh fie, fie, fie!

CHARMIAN

Madam.

IRAS

Madam, O good empress!

EROS

35Sir, sir—

ANTONY


2060Yes, 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
40Dealt on lieutenantry, and no practice had
2065In 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.
45He’s unqualitied with very shame.

CLEOPATRA , rising

2070Well, then, sustain me. O!

EROS


Most noble sir, arise. The Queen approaches.
Her head’s declined, and death will seize her but
Your comfort makes the rescue.

ANTONY

50I have offended reputation,
2075A most unnoble swerving.

EROS

Sir, the Queen.

ANTONY , rising


O, whither hast them led me, Egypt? See
How I convey my shame out of thine eyes,
55By looking back what I have left behind
2080’Stroyed in dishonor.

CLEOPATRA

O, my lord, my lord,
Forgive my fearful sails! I little thought
You would have followed.

ANTONY

60Egypt, thou knew’st too well
2085My heart was to thy rudder tied by th’ strings,
And thou shouldst tow me after. O’er my spirit
Thy full supremacy thou knew’st, and that
Thy beck might from the bidding of the gods
65Command me.

CLEOPATRA

2090O, my pardon!

ANTONY

Now I must
To the young man send humble treaties, dodge
And palter in the shifts of lowness, who
70With half the bulk o’ th’ world played as I pleased,
2095Making 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

75Pardon, pardon!

ANTONY


2100Fall not a tear, I say; one of them rates
All that is won and lost. Give me a kiss.They kiss.
Even this repays me.—
We sent our schoolmaster. Is he come back?—
80Love, I am full of lead.—Some wine
2105Within there, and our viands! Fortune knows
We scorn her most when most she offers blows.

They exit.

Scene 12

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

CAESAR


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

DOLABELLA

Caesar, ’tis his schoolmaster—
2110An argument that he is plucked, when hither
5He sends so poor a pinion of his wing,
Which had superfluous kings for messengers
Not many moons gone by.

Enter Ambassador from Antony.

CAESAR

Approach, and speak.

AMBASSADOR


2115Such as I am, I come from Antony.
10I 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.

AMBASSADOR


2120Lord of his fortunes he salutes thee, and
15Requires 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.
2125Next, Cleopatra does confess thy greatness,
20Submits her to thy might, and of thee craves
The circle of the Ptolemies for her heirs,
Now hazarded to thy grace.

CAESAR

For Antony,
2130I have no ears to his request. The Queen
25Of audience nor desire shall fail, so she
From Egypt drive her all-disgracèd friend,
Or take his life there. This if she perform,
She shall not sue unheard. So to them both.

AMBASSADOR


2135Fortune pursue thee!

CAESAR

30Bring him through the bands.
Ambassador exits, with Attendants.
To Thidias. To try thy eloquence now ’tis time.
Dispatch.
From Antony win Cleopatra. Promise,
2140And in our name, what she requires; add more,
35From thine invention, offers. Women are not
In their best fortunes strong, but want will perjure
The ne’er-touched vestal. Try thy cunning, Thidias.
Make thine own edict for thy pains, which we
2145Will answer as a law.

THIDIAS

40Caesar, I go.

CAESAR


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

THIDIAS

2150Caesar, I shall.

They exit.

Scene 13

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
52155Lord 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 nicked his captainship, at such a point,
102160When half to half the world opposed, he being
The merèd question. ’Twas a shame no less
Than was his loss, to course your flying flags
And leave his navy gazing.

CLEOPATRA

Prithee, peace.

Enter the Ambassador with Antony.

ANTONY

152165Is that his answer?

AMBASSADOR

Ay, my lord.

ANTONY


The Queen shall then have courtesy, so she
Will yield us up?

AMBASSADOR

He says so.

ANTONY

202170Let 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 Ambassador


252175To 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
302180Under the service of a child as soon
As i’ th’ command of Caesar. I dare him therefore
To lay his gay caparisons apart
And answer me declined, sword against sword,
Ourselves alone. I’ll write it. Follow me.

Antony and Ambassador exit.

ENOBARBUS , aside


352185Yes, like enough, high-battled Caesar will
Unstate his happiness and be staged to th’ show
Against a sworder! I see men’s judgments are
A parcel of their fortunes, and things outward
Do draw the inward quality after them
402190To 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 a Servant.

SERVANT

A messenger from Caesar.

CLEOPATRA


452195What, no more ceremony? See, my women,
Against the blown rose may they stop their nose
That kneeled unto the buds.—Admit him, sir.

Servant exits.

ENOBARBUS , aside


Mine honesty and I begin to square.
The loyalty well held to fools does make
502200Our faith mere folly. Yet he that can endure
To follow with allegiance a fall’n lord
Does conquer him that did his master conquer,
And earns a place i’ th’ story.

Enter Thidias.

CLEOPATRA

Caesar’s will?

THIDIAS


552205Hear it apart.

CLEOPATRA

None but friends. Say boldly.

THIDIAS


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
602210Will leap to be his friend. For us, you know
Whose he is we are, and that is Caesar’s.

THIDIAS

So.—
Thus then, thou most renowned: Caesar entreats
Not to consider in what case thou stand’st
652215Further than he is Caesar.

CLEOPATRA

Go on; right royal.

THIDIAS


He knows that you embrace not Antony
As you did love, but as you feared him.

CLEOPATRA

O!

THIDIAS


702220The scars upon your honor therefore he
Does pity as constrainèd blemishes,
Not as deserved.

CLEOPATRA

He is a god and knows
What is most right. Mine honor was not yielded,
752225But conquered 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.

Enobarbus exits.

THIDIAS

802230Shall 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
852235To hear from me you had left Antony
And put yourself under his shroud,
The universal landlord.

CLEOPATRA

What’s your name?

THIDIAS


My name is Thidias.

CLEOPATRA

902240Most kind messenger,
Say to great Caesar this in deputation:
I kiss his conqu’ring 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
952245The doom of Egypt.

THIDIAS

’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
1002250My duty on your hand.

She gives him her hand to kiss.

CLEOPATRA

Your Caesar’s father oft,
When he hath mused of taking kingdoms in,
Bestowed his lips on that unworthy place
As it rained kisses.

Enter Antony and Enobarbus.

ANTONY

1052255Favors? By Jove that thunders!
What art thou, fellow?

THIDIAS

One that but performs
The bidding of the fullest man and worthiest
To have command obeyed.

ENOBARBUS

1102260You will be whipped.

ANTONY , calling for Servants


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
1152265And cry “Your will?” Have you no ears? I am
Antony yet.

Enter Servants.

Take hence this jack and whip him.

ENOBARBUS , aside


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

ANTONY

1202270Moon 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
1252275Since she was Cleopatra? Whip him, fellows,
Till like a boy you see him cringe his face
And whine aloud for mercy. Take him hence.

THIDIAS


Mark Antony—

ANTONY

Tug him away. Being whipped,
1302280Bring him again. This jack of Caesar’s shall
Bear us an errand to him.
Servants exit with Thidias.
To Cleopatra. You were half blasted ere I knew you.
Ha!
Have I my pillow left unpressed in Rome,
1352285Forborne 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—

ANTONY

You have been a boggler ever.
1402290But 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

1452295O, is ’t come to this?

ANTONY


I found you as a morsel cold upon
Dead Caesar’s trencher; nay, you were a fragment
Of Gneius Pompey’s, besides what hotter hours,
Unregistered in vulgar fame, you have
1502300Luxuriously picked 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
1552305And 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 hornèd herd! For I have savage cause,
1602310And to proclaim it civilly were like
A haltered neck which does the hangman thank
For being yare about him.

Enter a Servant with Thidias.

Is he whipped?

SERVANT

Soundly, my lord.

ANTONY

1652315Cried he? And begged he pardon?

SERVANT

He did ask favor.

ANTONY , to Thidias


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
1702320Thou hast been whipped 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
1752325He 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
1802330Have empty left their orbs and shot their fires
Into th’ abysm of hell. If he mislike
My speech and what is done, tell him he has
Hipparchus, my enfranchèd bondman, whom
He may at pleasure whip, or hang, or torture,
1852335As he shall like to quit me. Urge it thou.
Hence with thy stripes, begone!

Thidias exits.

CLEOPATRA

Have you done yet?

ANTONY


Alack, our terrene moon is now eclipsed,
And it portends alone the fall of Antony.

CLEOPATRA

1902340I must stay his time.

ANTONY


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

CLEOPATRA

Not know me yet?

ANTONY


Coldhearted toward me?

CLEOPATRA

1952345Ah, 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,
2002350Till 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

2052355I am satisfied.
Caesar sits down in Alexandria, where
I will oppose his fate. Our force by land
Hath nobly held; our severed navy too
Have knit again, and fleet, threatening most sealike.
2102360Where 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.
2152365There’s hope in ’t yet.

CLEOPATRA

That’s my brave lord!

ANTONY


I will be treble-sinewed, -hearted, -breathed,
And fight maliciously; for when mine hours
Were nice and lucky, men did ransom lives
2202370Of 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

2252375It 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


2302380Do so; we’ll speak to them, and tonight 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
2352385Even with his pestilent scythe.

All but Enobarbus exit.

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
2402390Restores his heart. When valor preys on reason,
It eats the sword it fights with. I will seek
Some way to leave him.

He exits.

ACT 4

Scene 1

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

CAESAR


He calls me “boy,” and chides as he had power
To beat me out of Egypt. My messenger
2395He hath whipped with rods, dares me to personal
combat,
5Caesar to Antony. Let the old ruffian know
I have many other ways to die; meantime
Laugh at his challenge.

MAECENAS

2400Caesar must think,
When one so great begins to rage, he’s hunted
10Even to falling. Give him no breath, but now
Make boot of his distraction. Never anger
Made good guard for itself.

CAESAR

2405Let our best heads
Know that tomorrow the last of many battles
15We mean to fight. Within our files there are,
Of those that served Mark Antony but late,
Enough to fetch him in. See it done,
2410And feast the army; we have store to do ’t,
And they have earned the waste. Poor Antony.

They exit.

Scene 2

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

ANTONY


He will not fight with me, Domitius?

ENOBARBUS

No.

ANTONY

Why should he not?

ENOBARBUS


2415He thinks, being twenty times of better fortune,
5He is twenty men to one.

ANTONY

Tomorrow, soldier,
By sea and land I’ll fight. Or I will live
Or bathe my dying honor in the blood
2420Shall make it live again. Woo’t thou fight well?

ENOBARBUS


10I’ll strike and cry “Take all.”

ANTONY

Well said. Come on.
Call forth my household servants.

Enter three or four Servitors.

Let’s tonight
2425Be bounteous at our meal.—Give me thy hand;
15Thou 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 Enobarbus

2430What means this?

ENOBARBUS , aside to Cleopatra


20’Tis one of those odd tricks which sorrow shoots
Out of the mind.

ANTONY , to another Servitor

And thou art honest too.
I wish I could be made so many men,
2435And all of you clapped up together in
25An Antony, that I might do you service
So good as you have done.

ALL THE SERVITORS

The gods forbid!

ANTONY


Well, my good fellows, wait on me tonight.
2440Scant not my cups, and make as much of me
30As when mine empire was your fellow too
And suffered my command.

CLEOPATRA , aside to Enobarbus

What does he mean?

ENOBARBUS , aside to Cleopatra


To make his followers weep.

ANTONY , to the Servitors

2445Tend me tonight;
35May be it is the period of your duty.
Haply you shall not see me more, or if,
A mangled shadow. Perchance tomorrow
You’ll serve another master. I look on you
2450As one that takes his leave. Mine honest friends,
40I turn you not away, but, like a master
Married to your good service, stay till death.
Tend me tonight two hours—I ask no more—
And the gods yield you for ’t!

ENOBARBUS

2455What mean you, sir,
45To give them this discomfort? Look, they weep,
And I, an ass, am onion-eyed. For shame,
Transform us not to women.

ANTONY

Ho, ho, ho!
2460Now the witch take me if I meant it thus!
50Grace 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
2465To burn this night with torches. Know, my hearts,
55I hope well of tomorrow, and will lead you
Where rather I’ll expect victorious life
Than death and honor. Let’s to supper, come,
And drown consideration.

They exit.

Scene 3

Enter a company of Soldiers.

FIRST SOLDIER


2470Brother, goodnight. Tomorrow 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


5Belike ’tis but a rumor. Goodnight to you.

FIRST SOLDIER

2475Well, sir, goodnight.

They meet other Soldiers who are entering.

SECOND SOLDIER

Soldiers, have careful watch.

THIRD SOLDIER

And you. Goodnight, goodnight.

They place themselves in every corner of the stage.

SECOND SOLDIER

Here we; and if tomorrow
10Our navy thrive, I have an absolute hope
2480Our landmen will stand up.

FIRST SOLDIER

’Tis a brave army, and full of purpose.

Music of the hautboys is under the stage.

SECOND SOLDIER

Peace. What noise?

FIRST SOLDIER

List, list!

SECOND SOLDIER

15Hark!

FIRST SOLDIER

2485Music i’ th’ air.

THIRD SOLDIER

Under the earth.

FOURTH SOLDIER

It signs well, does it not?

THIRD SOLDIER

No.

FIRST SOLDIER

20Peace, I say. What should this mean?

SECOND SOLDIER


2490’Tis the god Hercules, whom Antony loved,
Now leaves him.

FIRST SOLDIER

Walk. Let’s see if other watchmen
Do hear what we do.

SECOND SOLDIER

25How now, masters?

Speak together.

ALL

2495How 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.
30Let’s see how it will give off.

ALL

2500Content. ’Tis strange.

They exit.

Scene 4

Enter Antony and Cleopatra, with
Charmian, and others.

ANTONY , calling


Eros! Mine armor, Eros!

CLEOPATRA

Sleep a little.

ANTONY


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

Enter Eros, carrying armor.

Come, good fellow, put thine iron on.
52505If fortune be not ours today, it is
Because we brave her. Come.

CLEOPATRA

Nay, I’ll help too.
What’s this for?

ANTONY

Ah, let be, let be! Thou art
102510The armorer of my heart. False, false. This, this!

CLEOPATRA


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

ANTONY

Well, well,
We shall thrive now.—Seest thou, my good fellow?
Go, put on thy defenses.

EROS

152515Briefly, sir.

CLEOPATRA


Is not this buckled well?

ANTONY

Rarely, rarely.
He that unbuckles this, till we do please
To daff ’t for our repose, shall hear a storm.—
202520Thou fumblest, Eros, and my queen’s a squire
More tight at this than thou. Dispatch.—O love,
That thou couldst see my wars today, and knew’st
The royal occupation, thou shouldst see
A workman in ’t.

Enter an armed Soldier.

252525Good 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,
302530Early 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.

ANTONY

’Tis well blown, lads.
352535This 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.He kisses her.
Whate’er becomes of me,
402540This is a soldier’s kiss. Rebukable
And worthy shameful check it were to stand
On more mechanic compliment. I’ll leave thee
Now like a man of steel.—You that will fight,
Follow me close. I’ll bring you to ’t.—Adieu.

Antony, Eros, Captains, and Soldiers exit.

CHARMIAN


452545Please 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.

They exit.

Scene 5

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

SOLDIER


2550The gods make this a happy day to Antony.

ANTONY


Would thou and those thy scars had once prevailed
To make me fight at land.

SOLDIER

Had’st thou done so,
5The kings that have revolted and the soldier
2555That has this morning left thee would have still
Followed thy heels.

ANTONY

Who’s gone this morning?

SOLDIER

Who?
10One ever near thee. Call for Enobarbus,
2560He shall not hear thee, or from Caesar’s camp
Say “I am none of thine.”

ANTONY

What sayest thou?

SOLDIER

Sir,
15He is with Caesar.

EROS

2565Sir, his chests and treasure
He has not with him.

ANTONY

Is he gone?

SOLDIER

Most certain.

ANTONY


20Go, Eros, send his treasure after. Do it.
2570Detain 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
25Corrupted honest men. Dispatch.—Enobarbus!

They exit.

Scene 6

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

CAESAR


2575Go forth, Agrippa, and begin the fight.
Our will is Antony be took alive;
Make it so known.

AGRIPPA

Caesar, I shall.

He exits.

CAESAR


5The time of universal peace is near.
2580Prove this a prosp’rous day, the three-nooked world
Shall bear the olive freely.

Enter a Messenger.

MESSENGER

Antony
Is come into the field.

CAESAR

10Go charge Agrippa
2585Plant those that have revolted in the vant
That Antony may seem to spend his fury
Upon himself.

All but Enobarbus exit.

ENOBARBUS


Alexas did revolt and went to Jewry on
15Affairs of Antony, there did dissuade
2590Great Herod to incline himself to Caesar
And leave his master Antony. For this pains,
Caesar hath hanged him. Canidius and the rest
That fell away have entertainment but
20No honorable trust. I have done ill,
2595Of 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
25His bounty overplus. The messenger
2600Came on my guard, and at thy tent is now
Unloading of his mules.

ENOBARBUS

I give it you.

SOLDIER

Mock not, Enobarbus.
30I tell you true. Best you safed the bringer
2605Out of the host. I must attend mine office
Or would have done ’t myself. Your emperor
Continues still a Jove.

He exits.

ENOBARBUS


I am alone the villain of the Earth,
35And feel I am so most. O Antony,
2610Thou mine of bounty, how wouldst thou have paid
My better service, when my turpitude
Thou dost so crown with gold! This blows my
heart.
40If swift thought break it not, a swifter mean
2615Shall 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.

He exits.

Scene 7

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

AGRIPPA


Retire! We have engaged ourselves too far.
2620Caesar himself has work, and our oppression
Exceeds what we expected.

They exit.Alarums. Enter Antony, and Scarus wounded.

SCARUS


O my brave emperor, this is fought indeed!
5Had we done so at first, we had droven them home
With clouts about their heads.

ANTONY

2625Thou bleed’st apace.

SCARUS


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

Sound of retreat far off.

ANTONY

10They do retire.

SCARUS


We’ll beat ’em into bench-holes. I have yet
2630Room for six scotches more.

Enter Eros.

EROS


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

SCARUS

15Let us score their backs
And snatch ’em up as we take hares, behind.
2635’Tis sport to maul a runner.

ANTONY

I will reward thee
Once for thy sprightly comfort and tenfold
20For thy good valor. Come thee on.

SCARUS

I’ll halt after.

They exit.

Scene 8

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

ANTONY


2640We have beat him to his camp. Run one before
And let the Queen know of our gests.
A Soldier exits.
Tomorrow
Before the sun shall see ’s, we’ll spill the blood
5That has today escaped. I thank you all,
2645For 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.
10Tell them your feats, whilst they with joyful tears
2650Wash the congealment from your wounds and kiss
The honored gashes whole.

Enter Cleopatra.

To Scarus. Give me thy hand.
To this great fairy I’ll commend thy acts,
15Make her thanks bless thee.—O, thou day o’ th’
2655world,
Chain mine armed neck. Leap thou, attire and all,
Through proof of harness to my heart, and there
Ride on the pants triumphing.

CLEOPATRA

20Lord of lords!
2660O infinite virtue, com’st thou smiling from
The world’s great snare uncaught?

ANTONY

Mine nightingale,
We have beat them to their beds. What, girl, though
25gray
2665Do 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.
30Commend unto his lips thy favoring hand.—
2670Kiss it, my warrior.Scarus kisses her hand.
He hath fought today
As if a god in hate of mankind had
Destroyed in such a shape.

CLEOPATRA , to Scarus

35I’ll give thee, friend,
2675An armor all of gold. It was a king’s.

ANTONY


He has deserved it, were it carbuncled
Like holy Phoebus’ car. Give me thy hand.
Through Alexandria make a jolly march.
40Bear our hacked targets like the men that owe
2680them.
Had our great palace the capacity
To camp this host, we all would sup together
And drink carouses to the next day’s fate,
45Which promises royal peril.—Trumpeters,
2685With brazen din blast you the city’s ear.
Make mingle with our rattling taborins,
That heaven and Earth may strike their sounds
together,
50Applauding our approach.

They exit.

Scene 9

Enter a Sentry and his company. Enobarbus follows.

SENTRY


2690If we be not relieved within this hour,
We must return to th’ court of guard. The night
Is shiny, and they say we shall embattle
By th’ second hour i’ th’ morn.

FIRST WATCH

5This last day was a shrewd one to ’s.

ENOBARBUS

2695O, bear me witness, night—

SECOND WATCH

What man is this?

FIRST WATCH

Stand close, and list him.

ENOBARBUS


Be witness to me, O thou blessèd moon,
10When men revolted shall upon record
2700Bear hateful memory, poor Enobarbus did
Before thy face repent.

SENTRY

Enobarbus?

SECOND WATCH

Peace! Hark further.

ENOBARBUS


15O sovereign mistress of true melancholy,
2705The poisonous damp of night dispunge 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,
20Which, being dried with grief, will break to powder
2710And 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
25A master-leaver and a fugitive.
2715O Antony! O Antony!

He dies.

FIRST WATCH

Let’s speak to him.

SENTRY

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

SECOND WATCH

30Let’s do so. But he sleeps.

SENTRY


2720Swoons rather, for so bad a prayer as his
Was never yet for sleep.

FIRST WATCH

Go we to him.

SECOND WATCH

Awake, sir, awake! Speak to us.

FIRST WATCH

35Hear you, sir?

SENTRY


2725The hand of death hath raught him.Drums afar off.
Hark, the drums
Demurely wake the sleepers. Let us bear him
To th’ court of guard; he is of note. Our hour
40Is fully out.

SECOND WATCH

2730Come on then. He may recover yet.

They exit, carrying Enobarbus’ body.

Scene 10

Enter Antony and Scarus, with their army.

ANTONY


Their preparation is today by sea;
We please them not by land.

SCARUS

For both, my lord.

ANTONY


I would they’d fight i’ th’ fire or i’ th’ air;
52735We’d fight there too. But this it is: our foot
Upon the hills adjoining to the city
Shall stay with us—order for sea is given;
They have put forth the haven—
Where their appointment we may best discover
102740And look on their endeavor.

They exit.

Scene 11

Enter Caesar and his army.

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.

They exit.

Scene 12

Enter Antony and Scarus.

ANTONY


2745Yet they are not joined. Where yond pine does stand,
I shall discover all. I’ll bring thee word
Straight how ’tis like to go.

He exits.Alarum afar off, as at a sea fight.

SCARUS

Swallows have built
5In Cleopatra’s sails their nests. The augurs
2750Say 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
10Of what he has and has not.

Enter Antony.

ANTONY

2755All is lost!
This foul Egyptian hath betrayèd me.
My fleet hath yielded to the foe, and yonder
They cast their caps up and carouse together
15Like friends long lost. Triple-turned whore! ’Tis thou
2760Hast 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!
Scarus exits.
20O sun, thy uprise shall I see no more.
2765Fortune and Antony part here; even here
Do we shake hands. All come to this? The hearts
That spanieled me at heels, to whom I gave
Their wishes, do discandy, melt their sweets
25On blossoming Caesar, and this pine is barked
2770That overtopped them all. Betrayed I am.
O, this false soul of Egypt! This grave charm,
Whose eye becked forth my wars and called them
home,
30Whose bosom was my crownet, my chief end,
2775Like a right gypsy hath at fast and loose
Beguiled me to the very heart of loss.—
What Eros, Eros!

Enter Cleopatra.

Ah, thou spell! Avaunt!

CLEOPATRA


35Why is my lord enraged against his love?

ANTONY


2780Vanish, 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
40Of all thy sex; most monster-like be shown
2785For poor’st diminutives, for dolts, and let
Patient Octavia plow thy visage up
With her preparèd nails.Cleopatra exits.
’Tis well th’ art gone,
45If it be well to live. But better ’twere
2790Thou 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.
50Let me lodge Lichas on the horns o’ th’ moon,
2795And with those hands that grasped the heaviest
club
Subdue my worthiest self. The witch shall die.
To the young Roman boy she hath sold me, and I
55fall
2800Under this plot. She dies for ’t.—Eros, ho!

He exits.

Scene 13

Enter Cleopatra, Charmian, Iras, and Mardian.

CLEOPATRA


Help me, my women! O, he’s more mad
Than Telamon for his shield; the boar of Thessaly
Was never so embossed.

CHARMIAN

To th’ monument!
52805There lock yourself and send him word you are
dead.
The soul and body rive not more in parting
Than greatness going off.

CLEOPATRA

To th’ monument!—
102810Mardian, go tell him I have slain myself.
Say that the last I spoke was “Antony,”
And word it, prithee, piteously. Hence, Mardian,
And bring me how he takes my death.—To th’
monument!

They exit.

Scene 14

Enter Antony and Eros.

ANTONY


2815Eros, thou yet behold’st me?

EROS

Ay, noble lord.

ANTONY


Sometime we see a cloud that’s dragonish,
A vapor sometime like a bear or lion,
5A towered citadel, a pendent rock,
2820A forkèd mountain, or blue promontory
With trees upon ’t that nod unto the world
And mock our eyes with air. Thou hast seen these
signs.
10They are black vesper’s pageants.

EROS

2825Ay, my lord.

ANTONY


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

EROS

15It does, my lord.

ANTONY


2830My 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,
20Whose heart I thought I had, for she had mine—
2835Which whilst it was mine had annexed unto ’t
A million more, now lost—she, Eros, has
Packed cards with Caesar and false-played my glory
Unto an enemy’s triumph.
25Nay, weep not, gentle Eros. There is left us
2840Ourselves to end ourselves.

Enter Mardian.

O, thy vile lady!
She has robbed me of my sword.

MARDIAN

No, Antony,
30My mistress loved thee and her fortunes mingled
2845With thine entirely.

ANTONY

Hence, saucy eunuch! Peace!
She hath betrayed me and shall die the death.

MARDIAN


Death of one person can be paid but once,
35And that she has discharged. What thou wouldst do
2850Is 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
40Between her heart and lips. She rendered life
2855Thy name so buried in her.

ANTONY

Dead, then?

MARDIAN

Dead.

ANTONY


Unarm, Eros. The long day’s task is done,
45And we must sleep.—That thou depart’st hence safe
2860Does pay thy labor richly. Go.Mardian exits.
Off, pluck off!
Eros begins to remove Antony’s armor.
The sevenfold shield of Ajax cannot keep
The battery from my heart. O, cleave, my sides!
50Heart, once be stronger than thy continent;
2865Crack thy frail case. Apace, Eros, apace!
No more a soldier. Bruisèd pieces, go.
You have been nobly borne.—From me awhile.
Eros exits.
I will o’ertake thee, Cleopatra, and
55Weep for my pardon. So it must be, for now
2870All length is torture. Since the torch is out,
Lie down and stray no farther. Now all labor
Mars what it does; yea, very force entangles
Itself with strength. Seal, then, and all is done.—
60Eros!—I come, my queen.—Eros!—Stay for me.
2875Where 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!

Enter Eros.

EROS


65What would my lord?

ANTONY

2880Since Cleopatra died
I have lived in such dishonor that the gods
Detest my baseness. I, that with my sword
Quartered the world and o’er green Neptune’s back
70With ships made cities, condemn myself to lack
2885The 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
75Is come indeed, when I should see behind me
2890Th’ inevitable prosecution of
Disgrace and horror, that on my command
Thou then wouldst kill me. Do ’t. The time is come.
Thou strik’st not me; ’tis Caesar thou defeat’st.
80Put color in thy cheek.

EROS

2895The gods withhold me!
Shall I do that which all the Parthian darts,
Though enemy, lost aim and could not?

ANTONY

Eros,
85Wouldst thou be windowed in great Rome and see
2900Thy master thus with pleached arms, bending down
His corrigible neck, his face subdued
To penetrative shame, whilst the wheeled seat
Of fortunate Caesar, drawn before him, branded
90His baseness that ensued?

EROS

2905I would not see ’t.

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

95O, sir, pardon me!

ANTONY


2910When I did make thee free, swor’st thou not then
To do this when I bade thee? Do it at once,
Or thy precedent services are all
But accidents unpurposed. Draw, and come.

EROS


100Turn from me then that noble countenance
2915Wherein the worship of the whole world lies.

ANTONY

Lo thee!

He turns away.

EROS


My sword is drawn.

ANTONY

Then let it do at once
105The thing why thou hast drawn it.

EROS

2920My dear master,
My captain, and my emperor, let me say,
Before I strike this bloody stroke, farewell.

ANTONY

’Tis said, man, and farewell.

EROS


110Farewell, great chief. Shall I strike now?

ANTONY

2925Now, Eros.

EROS


Why, there, then.Stabs himself.
Thus I do escape the sorrow
Of Antony’s death.

Dies.

ANTONY

115Thrice nobler than myself,
2930Thou 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
120A bridegroom in my death and run into ’t
2935As to a lover’s bed. Come then, and, Eros,
Thy master dies thy scholar. To do thus
I learned of thee. He stabs himself. How, not dead?
Not dead?
125The guard, ho! O, dispatch me!

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

FIRST GUARD

2940What’s the noise?

ANTONY


I have done my work ill, friends. O, make an end
Of what I have begun!

SECOND GUARD

The star is fall’n.

FIRST GUARD


130And time is at his period.

ALL

2945Alas, and woe!

ANTONY

Let him that loves me strike me dead.

FIRST GUARD

Not I.

SECOND GUARD

Nor I.

THIRD GUARD

135Nor anyone.

All but Antony and Dercetus exit.

DERCETUS


2950Thy death and fortunes bid thy followers fly.
He takes Antony’s sword.
This sword but shown to Caesar with this tidings
Shall enter me with him.

Enter Diomedes.

DIOMEDES

Where’s Antony?

DERCETUS

140There, Diomed, there.

DIOMEDES

2955Lives he? Wilt thou not answer, man?

Dercetus exits.

ANTONY


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

DIOMEDES

Most absolute lord,
145My mistress Cleopatra sent me to thee.

ANTONY


2960When did she send thee?

DIOMEDES

Now, my lord.

ANTONY

Where is she?

DIOMEDES


Locked in her monument. She had a prophesying
150fear
2965Of 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
155dead;
2970But fearing since how it might work, hath sent
Me to proclaim the truth, and I am come,
I dread, too late.

ANTONY


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

DIOMEDES


160What ho! The Emperor’s guard! The guard, what ho!
2975Come, your lord calls.

Enter four or five of the Guard of Antony.

ANTONY


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

FIRST GUARD


Woe, woe are we, sir, you may not live to wear
165All your true followers out.

ALL

2980Most heavy day!

ANTONY


Nay, good my fellows, do not please sharp fate
To grace it with your sorrows. Bid that welcome
Which comes to punish us, and we punish it,
170Seeming to bear it lightly. Take me up.
2985I have led you oft; carry me now, good friends,
And have my thanks for all.

They exit bearing Antony and the body of Eros.

Scene 15

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

CLEOPATRA


O Charmian, I will never go from hence.

CHARMIAN


Be comforted, dear madam.

CLEOPATRA

No, I will not.
2990All strange and terrible events are welcome,
5But comforts we despise. Our size of sorrow,
Proportioned to our cause, must be as great
As that which makes it.

Enter Diomedes below.

How now? Is he dead?

DIOMEDES


2995His death’s upon him, but not dead.
10Look out o’ th’ other side your monument.
His guard have brought him thither.

Enter Antony below, and the Guard bearing him.

CLEOPATRA

O sun,
Burn the great sphere thou mov’st in. Darkling stand
3000The varying shore o’ th’ world! O Antony, Antony,
15Antony! Help, Charmian! Help, Iras, help!
Help, friends below! Let’s draw him hither.

ANTONY

Peace!
Not Caesar’s valor hath o’erthrown Antony,
3005But Antony’s hath triumphed on itself.

CLEOPATRA


20So it should be that none but Antony
Should conquer Antony, but woe ’tis so!

ANTONY


I am dying, Egypt, dying. Only
I here importune death awhile until
3010Of many thousand kisses the poor last
25I lay upon thy lips.

CLEOPATRA

I dare not, dear,
Dear my lord, pardon, I dare not,
Lest I be taken. Not th’ imperious show
3015Of the full-fortuned Caesar ever shall
30Be brooched 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 honor
3020Demuring upon me. But come, come, Antony.—
35Help me, my women!—We must draw thee up.—
Assist, good friends.

They begin lifting him.

ANTONY

O, quick, or I am gone.

CLEOPATRA


Here’s sport indeed. How heavy weighs my lord!
3025Our strength is all gone into heaviness;
40That makes the weight. Had I great Juno’s power,
The strong-winged Mercury should fetch thee up
And set thee by Jove’s side. Yet come a little.
Wishers were ever fools. O, come, come, come!
They heave Antony aloft to Cleopatra.
3030And welcome, welcome! Die when thou hast lived;
45Quicken with kissing. Had my lips that power,
Thus would I wear them out.

She kisses him.

ALL

A heavy sight!

ANTONY

I am dying, Egypt, dying.
3035Give me some wine, and let me speak a little.

CLEOPATRA


50No, let me speak, and let me rail so high
That the false huswife Fortune break her wheel,
Provoked by my offense.

ANTONY

One word, sweet queen:
3040Of Caesar seek your honor with your safety—O!

CLEOPATRA


55They do not go together.

ANTONY

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

CLEOPATRA


My resolution and my hands I’ll trust,
3045None about Caesar.

ANTONY


60The 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’ th’ world,
3050The noblest, and do now not basely die,
65Not cowardly put off my helmet to
My countryman—a Roman by a Roman
Valiantly vanquished. Now my spirit is going;
I can no more.

CLEOPATRA

3055Noblest of men, woo’t die?
70Hast 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,
The crown o’ th’ Earth doth melt.—My lord!
Antony dies.
3060O, withered is the garland of the war;
75The 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.

CHARMIAN

3065O, quietness, lady!

Cleopatra swoons.

IRAS

80She’s dead, too, our sovereign.

CHARMIAN

Lady!

IRAS

Madam!

CHARMIAN

O madam, madam, madam!

IRAS

3070Royal Egypt! Empress!

Cleopatra stirs.

CHARMIAN

85Peace, 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
3075To throw my scepter at the injurious gods,
90To tell them that this world did equal theirs
Till they had stolen our jewel. All’s but naught.
Patience is sottish, and impatience does
Become a dog that’s mad. Then is it sin
3080To rush into the secret house of death
95Ere 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.
3085We’ll bury him; and then, what’s brave, what’s
100noble,
Let’s do ’t after the high Roman fashion
And make death proud to take us. Come, away.
This case of that huge spirit now is cold.
3090Ah women, women! Come, we have no friend
105But resolution and the briefest end.

They exit, bearing off Antony’s body.

ACT 5

Scene 1

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

CAESAR , aside to Dolabella


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

DOLABELLA

3095Caesar, I shall.

Dolabella exits.Enter Dercetus with the sword of Antony.

CAESAR


5Wherefore is that? And what art thou that dar’st
Appear thus to us?

DERCETUS

I am called Dercetus.
Mark Antony I served, who best was worthy
3100Best to be served. Whilst he stood up and spoke,
10He 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,
3105I yield thee up my life.

CAESAR

15What is ’t thou say’st?

DERCETUS


I say, O Caesar, Antony is dead.

CAESAR


The breaking of so great a thing should make
A greater crack. The round world
3110Should have shook lions into civil streets
20And citizens to their dens. The death of Antony
Is not a single doom; in the name lay
A moiety of the world.

DERCETUS

He is dead, Caesar,
3115Not by a public minister of justice,
25Nor by a hirèd knife, but that self hand
Which writ his honor in the acts it did
Hath, with the courage which the heart did lend it,
Splitted the heart. This is his sword.
3120I robbed his wound of it. Behold it stained
30With his most noble blood.

CAESAR

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

AGRIPPA

3125And strange it is
35That nature must compel us to lament
Our most persisted deeds.

MAECENAS

His taints and honors
Waged equal with him.

AGRIPPA

3130A rarer spirit never
40Did steer humanity, but you gods will give us
Some faults to make us men. Caesar is touched.

MAECENAS


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

CAESAR

3135O Antony,
45I have followed 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
3140In the whole world. But yet let me lament
50With 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,
3145The arm of mine own body, and the heart
55Where mine his thoughts did kindle—that our stars
Unreconciliable should divide
Our equalness to this. Hear me, good friends—

Enter an Egyptian.

But I will tell you at some meeter season.
3150The business of this man looks out of him.
60We’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,
3155That she preparedly may frame herself
65To th’ way she’s forced to.

CAESAR

Bid her have good heart.
She soon shall know of us, by some of ours,
How honorable and how kindly we
3160Determine for her. For Caesar cannot live
70To be ungentle.

EGYPTIAN

So the gods preserve thee.

He exits.

CAESAR


Come hither, Proculeius. Go and say
We purpose her no shame. Give her what comforts
3165The quality of her passion shall require,
75Lest, 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
3170And how you find of her.

PROCULEIUS

80Caesar, I shall.

Proculeius exits.

CAESAR


Gallus, go you along.Gallus exits.
Where’s Dolabella,
To second Proculeius?

ALL

3175Dolabella!

CAESAR


85Let him alone, for I remember now
How he’s employed. He shall in time be ready.
Go with me to my tent, where you shall see
How hardly I was drawn into this war,
3180How calm and gentle I proceeded still
90In all my writings. Go with me and see
What I can show in this.

They exit.

Scene 2

Enter Cleopatra, Charmian, and Iras.

CLEOPATRA


My desolation does begin to make
A better life. ’Tis paltry to be Caesar;
3185Not being Fortune, he’s but Fortune’s knave,
A minister of her will. And it is great
5To do that thing that ends all other deeds,
Which shackles accidents and bolts up change,
Which sleeps and never palates more the dung,
3190The beggar’s nurse, and Caesar’s.

Enter Proculeius.

PROCULEIUS


Caesar sends greeting to the Queen of Egypt,
10And bids thee study on what fair demands
Thou mean’st to have him grant thee.

CLEOPATRA

What’s thy name?

PROCULEIUS


3195My name is Proculeius.

CLEOPATRA

Antony
15Did 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
3200Would have a queen his beggar, you must tell him
That majesty, to keep decorum, must
20No less beg than a kingdom. If he please
To give me conquered Egypt for my son,
He gives me so much of mine own as I
3205Will kneel to him with thanks.

PROCULEIUS

Be of good cheer.
25You’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
3210On all that need. Let me report to him
Your sweet dependency, and you shall find
30A conqueror that will pray in aid for kindness
Where he for grace is kneeled to.

CLEOPATRA

Pray you tell him
3215I am his fortune’s vassal and I send him
The greatness he has got. I hourly learn
35A doctrine of obedience, and would gladly
Look him i’ th’ face.

PROCULEIUS

This I’ll report, dear lady.
3220Have comfort, for I know your plight is pitied
Of him that caused it.

Gallus and Soldiers enter and seize Cleopatra.

GALLUS


40You see how easily she may be surprised.
Guard her till Caesar come.

IRAS

Royal queen!

CHARMIAN


3225O, Cleopatra, thou art taken, queen!

CLEOPATRA , drawing a dagger


Quick, quick, good hands!

PROCULEIUS , seizing the dagger

45Hold, worthy lady, hold!
Do not yourself such wrong, who are in this
Relieved, but not betrayed.

CLEOPATRA

3230What, of death, too,
That rids our dogs of languish?

PROCULEIUS

50Cleopatra,
Do not abuse my master’s bounty by
Th’ undoing of yourself. Let the world see
3235His nobleness well acted, which your death
Will never let come forth.

CLEOPATRA

55Where art thou, Death?
Come hither, come! Come, come, and take a queen
Worth many babes and beggars.

PROCULEIUS

3240O, temperance, lady!

CLEOPATRA


Sir, I will eat no meat; I’ll not drink, sir.
60If 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
3245Will not wait pinioned at your master’s court,
Nor once be chastised with the sober eye
65Of dull Octavia. Shall they hoist me up
And show me to the shouting varletry
Of censuring Rome? Rather a ditch in Egypt
3250Be gentle grave unto me; rather on Nilus’ mud
Lay me stark naked, and let the waterflies
70Blow me into abhorring; rather make
My country’s high pyramides my gibbet
And hang me up in chains!

PROCULEIUS

3255You do extend
These thoughts of horror further than you shall
75Find cause in Caesar.

Enter Dolabella.

DOLABELLA

Proculeius,
What thou hast done thy master Caesar knows,
3260And he hath sent for thee. For the Queen,
I’ll take her to my guard.

PROCULEIUS

80So, Dolabella,
It shall content me best. Be gentle to her.
To Cleopatra. To Caesar I will speak what you
3265shall please,
If you’ll employ me to him.

CLEOPATRA

85Say I would die.

Proculeius, Gallus, and Soldiers exit.

DOLABELLA


Most noble empress, you have heard of me.

CLEOPATRA


I cannot tell.

DOLABELLA

3270Assuredly you know me.

CLEOPATRA


No matter, sir, what I have heard or known.
90You laugh when boys or women tell their dreams;
Is ’t not your trick?

DOLABELLA

I understand not, madam.

CLEOPATRA


3275I dreamt there was an emperor Antony.
O, such another sleep, that I might see
95But such another man.

DOLABELLA

If it might please you—

CLEOPATRA


His face was as the heavens, and therein stuck
3280A sun and moon, which kept their course and
lighted
100The little O, the Earth.

DOLABELLA

Most sovereign creature—

CLEOPATRA


His legs bestrid the ocean, his reared arm
3285Crested the world. His voice was propertied
As all the tunèd spheres, and that to friends;
105But 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
3290That grew the more by reaping. His delights
Were dolphin-like; they showed his back above
110The element they lived in. In his livery
Walked crowns and crownets; realms and islands
were
3295As plates dropped from his pocket.

DOLABELLA

Cleopatra—

CLEOPATRA


115Think you there was, or might be, such a man
As this I dreamt of?

DOLABELLA

Gentle madam, no.

CLEOPATRA


3300You lie up to the hearing of the gods!
But if there be nor ever were one such,
120It’s past the size of dreaming. Nature wants stuff
To vie strange forms with fancy, yet t’ imagine
An Antony were nature’s piece ’gainst fancy,
3305Condemning shadows quite.

DOLABELLA

Hear me, good madam.
125Your 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,
3310By the rebound of yours, a grief that smites
My very heart at root.

CLEOPATRA

130I 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


3315Nay, pray you, sir.

DOLABELLA

Though he be honorable—

CLEOPATRA

135He’ll lead me, then, in triumph.

DOLABELLA

Madam, he will. I know ’t.

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

ALL

Make way there! Caesar!

CAESAR

3320Which is the Queen of Egypt?

DOLABELLA

It is the Emperor, madam.

Cleopatra kneels.

CAESAR

140Arise. You shall not kneel.
I pray you, rise. Rise, Egypt.

CLEOPATRA

Sir, the gods
3325Will have it thus. My master and my lord
I must obey.

She stands.

CAESAR

145Take to you no hard thoughts.
The record of what injuries you did us,
Though written in our flesh, we shall remember
3330As things but done by chance.

CLEOPATRA

Sole sir o’ th’ world,
150I cannot project mine own cause so well
To make it clear, but do confess I have
Been laden with like frailties which before
3335Have often shamed our sex.

CAESAR

Cleopatra, know
155We will extenuate rather than enforce.
If you apply yourself to our intents,
Which towards you are most gentle, you shall find
3340A benefit in this change; but if you seek
To lay on me a cruelty by taking
160Antony’s course, you shall bereave yourself
Of my good purposes, and put your children
To that destruction which I’ll guard them from
3345If thereon you rely. I’ll take my leave.

CLEOPATRA


And may through all the world. ’Tis yours, and we,
165Your scutcheons and your signs of conquest, shall
Hang in what place you please. Here, my good lord.

She holds out a paper.

CAESAR


You shall advise me in all for Cleopatra.

CLEOPATRA


3350This is the brief of money, plate, and jewels
I am possessed of. ’Tis exactly valued,
170Not petty things admitted.—Where’s Seleucus?

Enter Seleucus.

SELEUCUS

Here, madam.

CLEOPATRA


This is my treasurer. Let him speak, my lord,
3355Upon his peril, that I have reserved
To myself nothing.—Speak the truth, Seleucus.

SELEUCUS


175Madam, I had rather seel my lips
Than to my peril speak that which is not.

CLEOPATRA

What have I kept back?

SELEUCUS


3360Enough to purchase what you have made known.

CAESAR


Nay, blush not, Cleopatra. I approve
180Your wisdom in the deed.

CLEOPATRA

See, Caesar, O, behold
How pomp is followed! Mine will now be yours,
3365And should we shift estates, yours would be mine.
The ingratitude of this Seleucus does
185Even make me wild.—O slave, of no more trust
Than love that’s hired! What, goest thou back? Thou
shalt
3370Go back, I warrant thee! But I’ll catch thine eyes
Though they had wings. Slave, soulless villain, dog!
190O rarely base!

CAESAR

Good queen, let us entreat you—

CLEOPATRA


O Caesar, what a wounding shame is this,
3375That thou vouchsafing here to visit me,
Doing the honor of thy lordliness
195To one so meek, that mine own servant should
Parcel the sum of my disgraces by
Addition of his envy! Say, good Caesar,
3380That I some lady trifles have reserved,
Immoment toys, things of such dignity
200As we greet modern friends withal, and say
Some nobler token I have kept apart
For Livia and Octavia, to induce
3385Their mediation, must I be unfolded
With one that I have bred? The gods! It smites me
205Beneath the fall I have. To Seleucus. Prithee, go
hence,
Or I shall show the cinders of my spirits
3390Through th’ ashes of my chance. Wert thou a man,
Thou wouldst have mercy on me.

CAESAR

210Forbear, Seleucus.

Seleucus exits.

CLEOPATRA


Be it known that we, the greatest, are misthought
For things that others do; and when we fall,
3395We answer others’ merits in our name—
Are therefore to be pitied.

CAESAR

215Cleopatra,
Not what you have reserved nor what acknowledged
Put we i’ th’ roll of conquest. Still be ’t yours!
3400Bestow it at your pleasure, and believe
Caesar’s no merchant to make prize with you
220Of things that merchants sold. Therefore be
cheered.
Make not your thoughts your prisons. No, dear
3405queen,
For we intend so to dispose you as
225Yourself 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


3410My master and my lord!

CAESAR

Not so. Adieu.

Flourish. Caesar and his train exit.

CLEOPATRA


230He words me, girls, he words me, that I should not
Be noble to myself. But hark thee, Charmian.

She whispers to Charmian.

IRAS


Finish, good lady. The bright day is done,
3415And we are for the dark.

CLEOPATRA , to Charmian

Hie thee again.
235I have spoke already, and it is provided.
Go put it to the haste.

CHARMIAN

Madam, I will.

Enter Dolabella.

DOLABELLA


3420Where’s the Queen?

CHARMIAN

Behold, sir.

She exits.

CLEOPATRA

240Dolabella.

DOLABELLA


Madam, as thereto sworn by your command,
Which my love makes religion to obey,
3425I tell you this: Caesar through Syria
Intends his journey, and within three days
245You with your children will he send before.
Make your best use of this. I have performed
Your pleasure and my promise.

CLEOPATRA

3430Dolabella,
I shall remain your debtor.

DOLABELLA

250I your servant.
Adieu, good queen. I must attend on Caesar.

CLEOPATRA


Farewell, and thanks.He exits.
3435Now, Iras, what think’st thou?
Thou an Egyptian puppet shall be shown
255In Rome as well as I. Mechanic slaves
With greasy aprons, rules, and hammers shall
Uplift us to the view. In their thick breaths,
3440Rank of gross diet, shall we be enclouded
And forced to drink their vapor.

IRAS

260The gods forbid!

CLEOPATRA


Nay, ’tis most certain, Iras. Saucy lictors
Will catch at us like strumpets, and scald rhymers
3445Ballad us out o’ tune. The quick comedians
Extemporally will stage us and present
265Our Alexandrian revels. Antony
Shall be brought drunken forth, and I shall see
Some squeaking Cleopatra boy my greatness
3450I’ th’ posture of a whore.

IRAS

O the good gods!

CLEOPATRA

270Nay, that’s certain.

IRAS


I’ll never see ’t! For I am sure mine nails
Are stronger than mine eyes.

CLEOPATRA

3455Why, that’s the way
To fool their preparation and to conquer
275Their most absurd intents.

Enter Charmian.

Now, Charmian!
Show me, my women, like a queen. Go fetch
3460My best attires. I am again for Cydnus
To meet Mark Antony. Sirrah Iras, go.—
280Now, noble Charmian, we’ll dispatch indeed,
And when thou hast done this chare, I’ll give thee
leave
3465To play till Doomsday.—Bring our crown and all.
Iras exits. A noise within.
Wherefore’s this noise?

Enter a Guardsman.

GUARDSMAN

285Here is a rural fellow
That will not be denied your Highness’ presence.
He brings you figs.

CLEOPATRA


3470Let him come in.Guardsman exits.
What poor an instrument
290May 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
3475I am marble-constant. Now the fleeting moon
No planet is of mine.

Enter Guardsman and Countryman, with a basket.

GUARDSMAN

295This is the man.

CLEOPATRA

Avoid, and leave him.Guardsman exits.
Hast thou the pretty worm of Nilus there
3480That kills and pains not?

COUNTRYMAN

Truly I have him, but I would not be
300the 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

3485Remember’st thou any that have died on ’t?

COUNTRYMAN

Very many, men and women too. I
305heard 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—
3490how she died of the biting of it, what pain she felt.
Truly, she makes a very good report o’ th’ worm.
310But he that will believe all that they say shall never
be saved by half that they do. But this is most
falliable, the worm’s an odd worm.

CLEOPATRA

3495Get thee hence. Farewell.

COUNTRYMAN

I wish you all joy of the worm.

He sets down the basket.

CLEOPATRA

315Farewell.

COUNTRYMAN

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

CLEOPATRA

3500Ay, ay, farewell.

COUNTRYMAN

Look you, the worm is not to be trusted
320but in the keeping of wise people, for indeed there
is no goodness in the worm.

CLEOPATRA

Take thou no care; it shall be heeded.

COUNTRYMAN

3505Very good. Give it nothing, I pray you,
for it is not worth the feeding.

CLEOPATRA

325Will it eat me?

COUNTRYMAN

You must not think I am so simple but
I know the devil himself will not eat a woman. I
3510know that a woman is a dish for the gods if the devil
dress her not. But truly these same whoreson devils
330do the gods great harm in their women, for in every
ten that they make, the devils mar five.

CLEOPATRA

Well, get thee gone. Farewell.

COUNTRYMAN

3515Yes, forsooth. I wish you joy o’ th’
worm.

He exits.Enter Iras bearing Cleopatra’s royal regalia.

CLEOPATRA


335Give 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.
Charmian and Iras begin to dress her.
3520Yare, yare, good Iras, quick. Methinks I hear
Antony call. I see him rouse himself
340To 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!
3525Now to that name my courage prove my title.
I am fire and air; my other elements
345I give to baser life.—So, have you done?
Come then, and take the last warmth of my lips.
Farewell, kind Charmian.—Iras, long farewell.
She kisses them. Iras falls and dies.
3530Have I the aspic in my lips? Dost fall?
If thou and nature can so gently part,
350The 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
3535It is not worth leave-taking.

CHARMIAN


Dissolve, thick cloud, and rain, that I may say
355The gods themselves do weep!

CLEOPATRA

This proves me base.
If she first meet the curlèd Antony,
3540He’ll make demand of her, and spend that kiss
Which is my heaven to have.—Come, thou mortal
360wretch,She places an asp on her breast.
With thy sharp teeth this knot intrinsicate
Of life at once untie. Poor venomous fool,
3545Be angry and dispatch. O, couldst thou speak,
That I might hear thee call great Caesar ass
365Unpolicied!

CHARMIAN

O eastern star!

CLEOPATRA

Peace, peace!
3550Dost thou not see my baby at my breast,
That sucks the nurse asleep?

CHARMIAN

370O, break! O, break!

CLEOPATRA


As sweet as balm, as soft as air, as gentle—
O Antony!—Nay, I will take thee too.
She places an asp on her arm.
3555What should I stay—

Dies.

CHARMIAN

In this wild world? So, fare thee well.
375Now boast thee, Death, in thy possession lies
A lass unparalleled. Downy windows, close,
She closes Cleopatra’s eyes.
And golden Phoebus, never be beheld
3560Of eyes again so royal. Your crown’s awry.
I’ll mend it, and then play—

Enter the Guard rustling in.

FIRST GUARD


380Where’s the Queen?

CHARMIAN

Speak softly. Wake her not.

FIRST GUARD


Caesar hath sent—

CHARMIAN

3565Too slow a messenger.
She takes out an asp.
O, come apace, dispatch! I partly feel thee.

FIRST GUARD


385Approach, ho! All’s not well. Caesar’s beguiled.

SECOND GUARD


There’s Dolabella sent from Caesar. Call him.

A Guardsman exits.

FIRST GUARD


What work is here, Charmian? Is this well done?

CHARMIAN


3570It is well done, and fitting for a princess
Descended of so many royal kings.
390Ah, soldier!

Charmian dies.Enter Dolabella.

DOLABELLA


How goes it here?

SECOND GUARD

All dead.

DOLABELLA

3575Caesar, thy thoughts
Touch their effects in this. Thyself art coming
395To see performed the dreaded act which thou
So sought’st to hinder.

Enter Caesar and all his train, marching.

ALL

A way there, a way for Caesar!

DOLABELLA


3580O sir, you are too sure an augurer:
That you did fear is done.

CAESAR

400Bravest at the last,
She leveled at our purposes and, being royal,
Took her own way. The manner of their deaths?
3585I do not see them bleed.

DOLABELLA

Who was last with them?

FIRST GUARD


405A simple countryman that brought her figs.
This was his basket.

CAESAR

Poisoned, then.

FIRST GUARD

3590O Caesar,
This Charmian lived but now; she stood and spake.
410I found her trimming up the diadem
On her dead mistress; tremblingly she stood,
And on the sudden dropped.

CAESAR

3595O, noble weakness!
If they had swallowed poison, ’twould appear
415By external swelling; but she looks like sleep,
As she would catch another Antony
In her strong toil of grace.

DOLABELLA

3600Here on her breast
There is a vent of blood, and something blown.
420The like is on her arm.

FIRST GUARD


This is an aspic’s trail, and these fig leaves
Have slime upon them, such as th’ aspic leaves
3605Upon the caves of Nile.

CAESAR

Most probable
425That so she died, for her physician tells me
She hath pursued conclusions infinite
Of easy ways to die. Take up her bed,
3610And bear her women from the monument.
She shall be buried by her Antony.
430No 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
3615No less in pity than his glory which
Brought them to be lamented. Our army shall
435In solemn show attend this funeral,
And then to Rome. Come, Dolabella, see
High order in this great solemnity.

They all exit, the Guards
bearing the dead bodies.