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ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA
DRAMATIS PERSONAE
MARK ANTONY |
|
OCTAVIUS CAESAR | triumvirs.
|
M. AEMILIUS |
LEPIDUS (LEPIDUS:) |
SEXTUS POMPEIUS (POMPEY:)
DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS |
|
VENTIDIUS |
|
DERCETAS |
|
DEMETRIUS |
|
PHILO |
MECAENAS |
|
AGRIPPA |
|
DOLABELLA |
|
PROCULEIUS | friends to Caesar.
|
THYREUS |
|
GALLUS |
|
MENAS |
MENECRATES |
| friends to Pompey.
VARRIUS |
TAURUS lieutenant-general to Caesar.
CANIDIUS lieutenant-general to Antony.
SILIUS an officer in Ventidius's army.
EUPHRONIUS an ambassador from Antony to Caesar.
MARDIAN a Eunuch. |
| attendants on Cleopatra.
SELEUCUS |
|
DIOMEDES |
A Soothsayer. (Soothsayer:)
A Clown. (Clown:)
CLEOPATRA queen of Egypt.
OCTAVIA sister to Caesar and wife to Antony.
CHARMIAN |
| attendants on Cleopatra.
IRAS |
Officers, Soldiers, Messengers, and other Attendants. (First Officer:)
(Second Officer:)
(Third Officer:)
(Messenger:)
(Second Messenger:)
(First Servant:)
(Second Servant:)
(Egyptian:)
(Guard:)
(First Guard:)
(Second Guard:)
(Attendant:)
(First Attendant:)
(Second Attendant:)
ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA
[Enter DEMETRIUS and PHILO]
[Flourish. Enter ANTONY, CLEOPATRA, her Ladies, the Train, with Eunuchs fanning her]
Look, where they come:
Take but good note, and you shall see in him. The triple pillar of the world transform'd
Into a strumpet's fool: behold and see.
CLEOPATRA If it be love indeed, tell me how much. MARK ANTONY There's beggary in the love that can be reckon'd. CLEOPATRA I'll set a bourn how far to be beloved.
[Enter an Attendant]
Attendant News, my good lord, from Rome.
MARK ANTONY Grates me: the sum.
CLEOPATRA Nay, hear them, Antony:
Fulvia perchance is angry; or, who knows
If the scarce-bearded Caesar have not sent
His powerful mandate to you, 'Do this, or this;
Take in that kingdom, and enfranchise that;
Perform 't, or else we damn thee.'
MARK ANTONY How, my love!
CLEOPATRA Perchance! nay, and most like:
You must not stay here longer, your dismission
Is come from Caesar; therefore hear it, Antony.
Where's Fulvia's process? Caesar's I would say? both?
Call in the messengers. As I am Egypt's queen,
Thou blushest, Antony; and that blood of thine Is Caesar's homager: else so thy cheek pays shame When shrill-tongued Fulvia scolds. The messengers!
Of the ranged empire fall! Here is my space. Kingdoms are clay: our dungy earth alike
Feeds beast as man: the nobleness of life
Is to do thus; when such a mutual pair
[Embracing]
And such a twain can do't, in which I bind, On pain of punishment, the world to weet
We stand up peerless.
CLEOPATRA Excellent falsehood!
Why did he marry Fulvia, and not love her?
I'll seem the fool I am not; Antony
Will be himself.
MARK ANTONY But stirr'd by Cleopatra.
Now, for the love of Love and her soft hours,
Let's not confound the time with conference harsh:
There's not a minute of our lives should stretch
Without some pleasure now. What sport tonight?
CLEOPATRA Hear the ambassadors.
Whom every thing becomes, to chide, to laugh, To weep; whose every passion fully strives
To make itself, in thee, fair and admired!
No messenger, but thine; and all alone
To-night we'll wander through the streets and note The qualities of people. Come, my queen;
Last night you did desire it: speak not to us.
[Exeunt MARK ANTONY and CLEOPATRA with
their train]
DEMETRIUS Is Caesar with Antonius prized so slight?
DEMETRIUS I am full sorry
That he approves the common liar, who
Thus speaks of him at Rome: but I will hope
Of better deeds to-morrow. Rest you happy!
[Exeunt]
ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA
SCENE II The same. Another room.
[Enter CHARMIAN, IRAS, ALEXAS, and a Soothsayer]
CHARMIAN Lord Alexas, sweet Alexas, most any thing Alexas,
almost most absolute Alexas, where's the soothsayer
that you praised so to the queen? O, that I knew
this husband, which, you say, must charge his horns
with garlands!
ALEXAS Soothsayer!
Soothsayer Your will?
CHARMIAN Is this the man? Is't you, sir, that know things?
Soothsayer In nature's infinite book of secrecy
A little I can read.
ALEXAS Show him your hand.
[Enter DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS]
DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS Bring in the banquet quickly; wine enough
Cleopatra's health to drink.
CHARMIAN Good sir, give me good fortune.
Soothsayer I make not, but foresee.
CHARMIAN Pray, then, foresee me one.
Soothsayer You shall be yet far fairer than you are.
CHARMIAN He means in flesh.
IRAS No, you shall paint when you are old.
CHARMIAN Wrinkles forbid!
ALEXAS Vex not his prescience; be attentive.
CHARMIAN Hush!
Soothsayer You shall be more beloving than beloved.
CHARMIAN I had rather heat my liver with drinking.
ALEXAS Nay, hear him.
CHARMIAN Good now, some excellent fortune! Let me be married
to three kings in a forenoon, and widow them all:
let me have a child at fifty, to whom Herod of Jewry
may do homage: find me to marry me with Octavius
Caesar, and companion me with my mistress.
Soothsayer You shall outlive the lady whom you serve.
CHARMIAN O excellent! I love long life better than figs.
Soothsayer You have seen and proved a fairer former fortune
Than that which is to approach.
CHARMIAN Then belike my children shall have no names:
prithee, how many boys and wenches must I have?
Soothsayer If every of your wishes had a womb.
And fertile every wish, a million.
CHARMIAN Out, fool! I forgive thee for a witch.
ALEXAS You think none but your sheets are privy to your wishes.
CHARMIAN Nay, come, tell Iras hers.
ALEXAS We'll know all our fortunes.
DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS Mine, and most of our fortunes, to-night, shall
be--drunk to bed.
IRAS There's a palm presages chastity, if nothing else.
CHARMIAN E'en as the o'erflowing Nilus presageth famine.
IRAS Go, you wild bedfellow, you cannot soothsay.
CHARMIAN Nay, if an oily palm be not a fruitful
prognostication, I cannot scratch mine ear. Prithee,
tell her but a worky-day fortune.
Soothsayer Your fortunes are alike.
IRAS But how, but how? give me particulars.
Soothsayer I have said.
IRAS Am I not an inch of fortune better than she?
CHARMIAN Well, if you were but an inch of fortune better than
I, where would you choose it?
IRAS Not in my husband's nose.
CHARMIAN Our worser thoughts heavens mend! Alexas,--come,
his fortune, his fortune! O, let him marry a woman
that cannot go, sweet Isis, I beseech thee! and let
her die too, and give him a worse! and let worst
follow worse, till the worst of all follow him
laughing to his grave, fifty-fold a cuckold! Good Isis, hear me this prayer, though thou deny me a matter of more weight; good Isis, I beseech thee!
CHARMIAN Amen.
DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS Hush! here comes Antony. CHARMIAN Not he; the queen.
[Enter CLEOPATRA]
CLEOPATRA Saw you my lord?
DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS No, lady.
CLEOPATRA Was he not here?
CHARMIAN No, madam.
CLEOPATRA He was disposed to mirth; but on the sudden
A Roman thought hath struck him. Enobarbus!
DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS Madam?
CLEOPATRA Seek him, and bring him hither.
Where's Alexas?
ALEXAS Here, at your service. My lord approaches.
CLEOPATRA We will not look upon him: go with us.
[Exeunt]
[Enter MARK ANTONY with a Messenger and Attendants]
Messenger Fulvia thy wife first came into the field.
MARK ANTONY Against my brother Lucius?
Messenger Ay:
But soon that war had end, and the time's state
Made friends of them, joining their force 'gainst Caesar;
Whose better issue in the war, from Italy,
Upon the first encounter, drave them.
MARK ANTONY Well, what worst?
Messenger The nature of bad news infects the teller.
Things that are past are done with me. 'Tis thus: Who tells me true, though in his tale lie death, I hear him as he flatter'd.
Messenger Labienus--
This is stiff news--hath, with his Parthian force,
Extended Asia from Euphrates;
His conquering banner shook from Syria
To Lydia and to Ionia; Whilst--
MARK ANTONY Antony, thou wouldst say,--
Messenger O, my lord!
Name Cleopatra as she is call'd in Rome;
Rail thou in Fulvia's phrase; and taunt my faults With such full licence as both truth and malice Have power to utter. O, then we bring forth weeds, When our quick minds lie still; and our ills told us Is as our earing. Fare thee well awhile.
Messenger At your noble pleasure.
[Exit]
Second Attendant He stays upon your will.
These strong Egyptian fetters I must break, Or lose myself in dotage.
[Enter another Messenger]
What are you?
Second Messenger Fulvia thy wife is dead.
MARK ANTONY Where died she?
Second Messenger In Sicyon:
Her length of sickness, with what else more serious
Importeth thee to know, this bears.
[Gives a letter]
[Exit Second Messenger]
There's a great spirit gone! Thus did I desire it: What our contempt doth often hurl from us,
We wish it ours again; the present pleasure, By revolution lowering, does become
The opposite of itself: she's good, being gone; The hand could pluck her back that shoved her on. I must from this enchanting queen break off: Ten thousand harms, more than the ills I know, My idleness doth hatch. How now! Enobarbus!
[Re-enter DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS]
DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS What's your pleasure, sir?
MARK ANTONY I must with haste from hence.
DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS Why, then, we kill all our women:
we see how mortal an unkindness is to them;
if they suffer our departure, death's the word.
MARK ANTONY I must be gone.
DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS Under a compelling occasion, let women die; it were
pity to cast them away for nothing; though, between
them and a great cause, they should be esteemed
nothing. Cleopatra, catching but the least noise of
this, dies instantly; I have seen her die twenty
times upon far poorer moment: I do think there is mettle in death, which commits some loving act upon her, she hath such a celerity in dying.
[Exit ALEXAS]
DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS Alack, sir, no; her passions are made of nothing but
the finest part of pure love: we cannot call her
winds and waters sighs and tears; they are greater
storms and tempests than almanacs can report: this
cannot be cunning in her; if it be, she makes a
shower of rain as well as Jove.
MARK ANTONY Would I had never seen her.
DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS O, sir, you had then left unseen a wonderful piece
of work; which not to have been blest withal would
have discredited your travel.
MARK ANTONY Fulvia is dead.
DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS Sir?
MARK ANTONY Fulvia is dead.
DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS Fulvia!
MARK ANTONY Dead.
DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS Why, sir, give the gods a thankful sacrifice. When
it pleaseth their deities to take the wife of a man
from him, it shows to man the tailors of the earth;
comforting therein, that when old robes are worn
out, there are members to make new. If there were
no more women but Fulvia, then had you indeed a cut, and the case to be lamented: this grief is crowned with consolation; your old smock brings forth a new petticoat: and indeed the tears live in an onion that should water this sorrow.
Cannot endure my absence.
DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS And the business you have broached here cannot be
without you; especially that of Cleopatra's, which
wholly depends on your abode.
MARK ANTONY No more light answers. Let our officers
Have notice what we purpose. I shall break
The cause of our expedience to the queen,
And get her leave to part. For not alone
The death of Fulvia, with more urgent touches, Do strongly speak to us; but the letters too Of many our contriving friends in Rome
Petition us at home: Sextus Pompeius
Hath given the dare to Caesar, and commands The empire of the sea: our slippery people, Whose love is never link'd to the deserver
Till his deserts are past, begin to throw
Pompey the Great and all his dignities
Upon his son; who, high in name and power,
Higher than both in blood and life, stands up For the main soldier: whose quality, going on, The sides o' the world may danger: much is breeding, Which, like the courser's hair, hath yet but life, And not a serpent's poison. Say, our pleasure, To such whose place is under us, requires
Our quick remove from hence.
DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS I shall do't.
[Exeunt]
ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA
SCENE III The same. Another room.
[Enter CLEOPATRA, CHARMIAN, IRAS, and ALEXAS]
CLEOPATRA Where is he?
CHARMIAN I did not see him since.
CLEOPATRA See where he is, who's with him, what he does:
I did not send you: if you find him sad,
Say I am dancing; if in mirth, report
That I am sudden sick: quick, and return.
[Exit ALEXAS]
CHARMIAN Madam, methinks, if you did love him dearly,
You do not hold the method to enforce
The like from him.
CLEOPATRA What should I do, I do not?
CHARMIAN In each thing give him way, cross him nothing.
CLEOPATRA Thou teachest like a fool; the way to lose him.
CHARMIAN Tempt him not so too far; I wish, forbear:
In time we hate that which we often fear.
But here comes Antony.
[Enter MARK ANTONY]
CLEOPATRA I am sick and sullen.
MARK ANTONY I am sorry to give breathing to my purpose,--
CLEOPATRA Help me away, dear Charmian; I shall fall:
It cannot be thus long, the sides of nature
Will not sustain it.
MARK ANTONY Now, my dearest queen,--
CLEOPATRA Pray you, stand further from me.
MARK ANTONY What's the matter?
CLEOPATRA I know, by that same eye, there's some good news.
What says the married woman? You may go:
Would she had never given you leave to come!
Let her not say 'tis I that keep you here:
I have no power upon you; hers you are.
MARK ANTONY The gods best know,--
CLEOPATRA O, never was there queen
So mightily betray'd! yet at the first
I saw the treasons planted.
MARK ANTONY Cleopatra,--
CLEOPATRA Why should I think you can be mine and true,
Though you in swearing shake the throned gods,
Who have been false to Fulvia? Riotous madness,
To be entangled with those mouth-made vows,
Which break themselves in swearing!
MARK ANTONY Most sweet queen,--
CLEOPATRA Nay, pray you, seek no colour for your going,
But bid farewell, and go: when you sued staying,
Then was the time for words: no going then;
Eternity was in our lips and eyes,
Bliss in our brows' bent; none our parts so poor,
But was a race of heaven: they are so still, Or thou, the greatest soldier of the world, Art turn'd the greatest liar.
MARK ANTONY How now, lady!
CLEOPATRA I would I had thy inches; thou shouldst know
There were a heart in Egypt.
MARK ANTONY Hear me, queen:The strong necessity of time commands
Our services awhile; but my full heart
Remains in use with you. Our Italy
Shines o'er with civil swords: Sextus Pompeius Makes his approaches to the port of Rome:
Equality of two domestic powers
Breed scrupulous faction: the hated, grown to strength, Are newly grown to love: the condemn'd Pompey, Rich in his father's honour, creeps apace,
Into the hearts of such as have not thrived Upon the present state, whose numbers threaten; And quietness, grown sick of rest, would purge By any desperate change: my more particular, And that which most with you should safe my going, Is Fulvia's death.
CLEOPATRA Though age from folly could not give me freedom,
It does from childishness: can Fulvia die?
MARK ANTONY She's dead, my queen:Look here, and at thy sovereign leisure read The garboils she awaked; at the last, best: See when and where she died.
CLEOPATRA O most false love!
Where be the sacred vials thou shouldst fill
With sorrowful water? Now I see, I see,
In Fulvia's death, how mine received shall be.
MARK ANTONY Quarrel no more, but be prepared to know
The purposes I bear; which are, or cease,
As you shall give the advice. By the fire
That quickens Nilus' slime, I go from hence Thy soldier, servant; making peace or war
As thou affect'st.
CLEOPATRA Cut my lace, Charmian, come;
But let it be: I am quickly ill, and well,
So Antony loves.
MARK ANTONY My precious queen, forbear;
And give true evidence to his love, which stands
An honourable trial.
CLEOPATRA So Fulvia told me.
I prithee, turn aside and weep for her,
Then bid adieu to me, and say the tears
Belong to Egypt: good now, play one scene
Of excellent dissembling; and let it look
Life perfect honour.
MARK ANTONY You'll heat my blood: no more.
CLEOPATRA You can do better yet; but this is meetly.
MARK ANTONY Now, by my sword,--
CLEOPATRA And target. Still he mends;
But this is not the best. Look, prithee, Charmian,
How this Herculean Roman does become
The carriage of his chafe.
MARK ANTONY I'll leave you, lady.
CLEOPATRA Courteous lord, one word.
Sir, you and I must part, but that's not it:
Sir, you and I have loved, but there's not it;
That you know well: something it is I would,
O, my oblivion is a very Antony,
And I am all forgotten.
Holds idleness your subject, I should take you For idleness itself.
CLEOPATRA 'Tis sweating labour
To bear such idleness so near the heart
As Cleopatra this. But, sir, forgive me;
Since my becomings kill me, when they do not
Eye well to you: your honour calls you hence;
Therefore be deaf to my unpitied folly.
And all the gods go with you! upon your sword Sit laurel victory! and smooth success
Be strew'd before your feet!
Our separation so abides, and flies,
That thou, residing here, go'st yet with me, And I, hence fleeting, here remain with thee. Away!
[Exeunt]
ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA
SCENE IV Rome. OCTAVIUS CAESAR's house.
[Enter OCTAVIUS CAESAR, reading a letter, LEPIDUS, and their Train]
It is not Caesar's natural vice to hate
Our great competitor: from Alexandria
This is the news: he fishes, drinks, and wastes The lamps of night in revel; is not more man-like Than Cleopatra; nor the queen of Ptolemy
More womanly than he; hardly gave audience, or Vouchsafed to think he had partners: you shall find there A man who is the abstract of all faults
That all men follow.
Amiss to tumble on the bed of Ptolemy;
To give a kingdom for a mirth; to sit
And keep the turn of tippling with a slave; To reel the streets at noon, and stand the buffet With knaves that smell of sweat: say this
becomes him,--
As his composure must be rare indeed
Whom these things cannot blemish,--yet must Antony No way excuse his soils, when we do bear
So great weight in his lightness. If he fill'd His vacancy with his voluptuousness,
Full surfeits, and the dryness of his bones, Call on him for't: but to confound such time, That drums him from his sport, and speaks as loud As his own state and ours,--'tis to be chid As we rate boys, who, being mature in knowledge, Pawn their experience to their present pleasure, And so rebel to judgment.
[Enter a Messenger]
Messenger Thy biddings have been done; and every hour,
Most noble Caesar, shalt thou have report
How 'tis abroad. Pompey is strong at sea;
And it appears he is beloved of those
That only have fear'd Caesar: to the ports
The discontents repair, and men's reports
Give him much wrong'd.
It hath been taught us from the primal state, That he which is was wish'd until he were;
And the ebb'd man, ne'er loved till ne'er worth love, Comes dear'd by being lack'd. This common body, Like to a vagabond flag upon the stream,
Goes to and back, lackeying the varying tide, To rot itself with motion.
Messenger Caesar, I bring thee word,
Menecrates and Menas, famous pirates,
Make the sea serve them, which they ear and wound
With keels of every kind: many hot inroads
They make in Italy; the borders maritime
Lack blood to think on't, and flush youth revolt: No vessel can peep forth, but 'tis as soon
Taken as seen; for Pompey's name strikes more Than could his war resisted.
Leave thy lascivious wassails. When thou once Wast beaten from Modena, where thou slew'st Hirtius and Pansa, consuls, at thy heel
Did famine follow; whom thou fought'st against, Though daintily brought up, with patience more Than savages could suffer: thou didst drink The stale of horses, and the gilded puddle
Which beasts would cough at: thy palate then did deign The roughest berry on the rudest hedge;
Yea, like the stag, when snow the pasture sheets, The barks of trees thou browsed'st; on the Alps It is reported thou didst eat strange flesh, Which some did die to look on: and all this-- It wounds thine honour that I speak it now-- Was borne so like a soldier, that thy cheek So much as lank'd not.
Drive him to Rome: 'tis time we twain
Did show ourselves i' the field; and to that end Assemble we immediate council: Pompey
Thrives in our idleness.
It is my business too. Farewell.
I knew it for my bond.
[Exeunt]
ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA
[Enter CLEOPATRA, CHARMIAN, IRAS, and MARDIAN]
CLEOPATRA Charmian!
CHARMIAN Madam?
CLEOPATRA Ha, ha!
Give me to drink mandragora.
CHARMIAN Why, madam?
CLEOPATRA That I might sleep out this great gap of time
My Antony is away.
CHARMIAN You think of him too much.
CLEOPATRA O, 'tis treason!
CHARMIAN Madam, I trust, not so.
CLEOPATRA Thou, eunuch Mardian!
MARDIAN What's your highness' pleasure?
CLEOPATRA Not now to hear thee sing; I take no pleasure
In aught an eunuch has: 'tis well for thee,
That, being unseminar'd, thy freer thoughts
May not fly forth of Egypt. Hast thou affections?
MARDIAN Yes, gracious madam.
CLEOPATRA Indeed!
CLEOPATRA O Charmian,
Where think'st thou he is now? Stands he, or sits he?
Or does he walk? or is he on his horse?
O happy horse, to bear the weight of Antony!
Do bravely, horse! for wot'st thou whom thou movest?
The demi-Atlas of this earth, the arm
And burgonet of men. He's speaking now,
Or murmuring 'Where's my serpent of old Nile?' For so he calls me: now I feed myself
With most delicious poison. Think on me,
That am with Phoebus' amorous pinches black, And wrinkled deep in time? Broad-fronted Caesar, When thou wast here above the ground, I was A morsel for a monarch: and great Pompey
Would stand and make his eyes grow in my brow; There would he anchor his aspect and die
With looking on his life.
[Enter ALEXAS, from OCTAVIUS CAESAR]
CLEOPATRA How much unlike art thou Mark Antony!
Yet, coming from him, that great medicine hath
With his tinct gilded thee.
How goes it with my brave Mark Antony?
CLEOPATRA Mine ear must pluck it thence.
CLEOPATRA What, was he sad or merry?
CLEOPATRA O well-divided disposition! Note him,
Note him good Charmian, 'tis the man; but note him:
He was not sad, for he would shine on those
That make their looks by his; he was not merry,
Which seem'd to tell them his remembrance lay
In Egypt with his joy; but between both:
O heavenly mingle! Be'st thou sad or merry, The violence of either thee becomes,
So does it no man else. Met'st thou my posts?
CLEOPATRA Who's born that day
When I forget to send to Antony,
Shall die a beggar. Ink and paper, Charmian.
Welcome, my good Alexas. Did I, Charmian,
Ever love Caesar so?
CHARMIAN O that brave Caesar!
CLEOPATRA Be choked with such another emphasis!
Say, the brave Antony.
CHARMIAN The valiant Caesar!
CLEOPATRA By Isis, I will give thee bloody teeth,
If thou with Caesar paragon again
My man of men.
CHARMIAN By your most gracious pardon,
I sing but after you.
CLEOPATRA My salad days,
When I was green in judgment: cold in blood,
To say as I said then! But, come, away;
Get me ink and paper:
He shall have every day a several greeting,
Or I'll unpeople Egypt.
[Exeunt]
ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA
[Enter POMPEY, MENECRATES, and MENAS, in
warlike manner]
MENECRATES Know, worthy Pompey,
That what they do delay, they not deny.
MENECRATES We, ignorant of ourselves,
Beg often our own harms, which the wise powers
Deny us for our good; so find we profit
By losing of our prayers.
[Enter VARRIUS]
How now, Varrius!
[Exeunt]
ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA
SCENE II Rome. The house of LEPIDUS.
[Enter DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS and LEPIDUS]
DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS I shall entreat him
To answer like himself: if Caesar move him,
Let Antony look over Caesar's head
And speak as loud as Mars. By Jupiter,
Were I the wearer of Antonius' beard,
I would not shave't to-day.
DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS Every time
Serves for the matter that is then born in't.
LEPIDUS But small to greater matters must give way.
DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS Not if the small come first.
[Enter MARK ANTONY and VENTIDIUS]
DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS And yonder, Caesar.
[Enter OCTAVIUS CAESAR, MECAENAS, and AGRIPPA]
Hark, Ventidius.
OCTAVIUS CAESAR I do not know,
Mecaenas; ask Agrippa.
Were we before our armies, and to fight.
I should do thus.
[Flourish]
MARK ANTONY Thank you.
Or being, concern you not.
If, or for nothing or a little, I
Should say myself offended, and with you
Chiefly i' the world; more laugh'd at, that I should Once name you derogately, when to sound your name It not concern'd me.
What was't to you?
Might be to you in Egypt: yet, if you there Did practise on my state, your being in Egypt Might be my question.
By what did here befal me. Your wife and brother Made wars upon me; and their contestation
Was theme for you, you were the word of war.
Did urge me in his act: I did inquire it;
And have my learning from some true reports, That drew their swords with you. Did he not rather Discredit my authority with yours;
And make the wars alike against my stomach, Having alike your cause? Of this my letters Before did satisfy you. If you'll patch a quarrel, As matter whole you have not to make it with, It must not be with this.
By laying defects of judgment to me; but
You patch'd up your excuses.
I know you could not lack, I am certain on't, Very necessity of this thought, that I,
Your partner in the cause 'gainst which he fought, Could not with graceful eyes attend those wars Which fronted mine own peace. As for my wife, I would you had her spirit in such another: The third o' the world is yours; which with a snaffle You may pace easy, but not such a wife.
DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS Would we had all such wives, that the men might go
to wars with the women!
MARK ANTONY So much uncurbable, her garboils, Caesar
Made out of her impatience, which not wanted Shrewdness of policy too, I grieving grant
Did you too much disquiet: for that you must But say, I could not help it.
When rioting in Alexandria; you
Did pocket up my letters, and with taunts
Did gibe my missive out of audience.
He fell upon me ere admitted: then
Three kings I had newly feasted, and did want Of what I was i' the morning: but next day
I told him of myself; which was as much
As to have ask'd him pardon. Let this fellow Be nothing of our strife; if we contend,
Out of our question wipe him.
The article of your oath; which you shall never Have tongue to charge me with.
Lepidus, let him speak:
The honour is sacred which he talks on now, Supposing that I lack'd it. But, on, Caesar; The article of my oath.
The which you both denied.
And then when poison'd hours had bound me up From mine own knowledge. As nearly as I may, I'll play the penitent to you: but mine honesty Shall not make poor my greatness, nor my power Work without it. Truth is, that Fulvia,
To have me out of Egypt, made wars here;
For which myself, the ignorant motive, do
So far ask pardon as befits mine honour
To stoop in such a case.
MECAENAS If it might please you, to enforce no further
The griefs between ye: to forget them quite
Were to remember that the present need
Speaks to atone you.
LEPIDUS Worthily spoken, Mecaenas.
DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS Or, if you borrow one another's love for the
instant, you may, when you hear no more words of
Pompey, return it again: you shall have time to
wrangle in when you have nothing else to do.
MARK ANTONY Thou art a soldier only: speak no more.
DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS That truth should be silent I had almost forgot.
MARK ANTONY You wrong this presence; therefore speak no more.
DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS Go to, then; your considerate stone.
The manner of his speech; for't cannot be
We shall remain in friendship, our conditions So differing in their acts. Yet if I knew
What hoop should hold us stanch, from edge to edge O' the world I would pursue it.
OCTAVIUS CAESAR Say not so, Agrippa:
If Cleopatra heard you, your reproof
Were well deserved of rashness.
MARK ANTONY I am not married, Caesar: let me hear
Agrippa further speak.
MARK ANTONY Will Caesar speak?
With what is spoke already.
If I would say, 'Agrippa, be it so,'
To make this good?
OCTAVIUS CAESAR The power of Caesar, and
His power unto Octavia.
MARK ANTONY May I neverTo this good purpose, that so fairly shows, Dream of impediment! Let me have thy hand:
Further this act of grace: and from this hour The heart of brothers govern in our loves
And sway our great designs!
A sister I bequeath you, whom no brother
Did ever love so dearly: let her live
To join our kingdoms and our hearts; and never Fly off our loves again!
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.
He is an absolute master.
Would we had spoke together! Haste we for it: Yet, ere we put ourselves in arms, dispatch we The business we have talk'd of.
And do invite you to my sister's view,
Whither straight I'll lead you.
Not lack your company.
[Flourish. Exeunt OCTAVIUS CAESAR, MARK ANTONY, and LEPIDUS]
MECAENAS Welcome from Egypt, sir.
DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS Half the heart of Caesar, worthy Mecaenas! My
honourable friend, Agrippa!
AGRIPPA Good Enobarbus!
MECAENAS We have cause to be glad that matters are so well
digested. You stayed well by 't in Egypt.
DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS Ay, sir; we did sleep day out of countenance, and
made the night light with drinking.
MECAENAS Eight wild-boars roasted whole at a breakfast, and
but twelve persons there; is this true?
DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS This was but as a fly by an eagle: we had much more
monstrous matter of feast, which worthily deserved noting.
MECAENAS She's a most triumphant lady, if report be square to
her.
DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS When she first met Mark Antony, she pursed up
his heart, upon the river of Cydnus.
DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS I will tell you.
The barge she sat in, like a burnish'd throne,
Burn'd on the water: the poop was beaten gold;
Purple the sails, and so perfumed that
The winds were love-sick with them; the oars were silver,
Which to the tune of flutes kept stroke, and made The water which they beat to follow faster, As amorous of their strokes. For her own person, It beggar'd all description: she did lie
In her pavilion--cloth-of-gold of tissue--
O'er-picturing that Venus where we see
The fancy outwork nature: on each side her
Stood pretty dimpled boys, like smiling Cupids, With divers-colour'd fans, whose wind did seem To glow the delicate cheeks which they did cool, And what they undid did.
DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS Her gentlewomen, like the Nereides,
So many mermaids, tended her i' the eyes,
And made their bends adornings: at the helm
A seeming mermaid steers: the silken tackle
Swell with the touches of those flower-soft hands,
That yarely frame the office. From the barge A strange invisible perfume hits the sense
Of the adjacent wharfs. The city cast
Her people out upon her; and Antony,
Enthroned i' the market-place, did sit alone, Whistling to the air; which, but for vacancy, Had gone to gaze on Cleopatra too,
And made a gap in nature.
DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS Upon her landing, Antony sent to her,
Invited her to supper: she replied,
It should be better he became her guest;
Which she entreated: our courteous Antony,
Whom ne'er the word of 'No' woman heard speak,
Being barber'd ten times o'er, goes to the feast, And for his ordinary pays his heart
For what his eyes eat only.
DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS I saw her once
Hop forty paces through the public street;
And having lost her breath, she spoke, and panted,
That she did make defect perfection,
And, breathless, power breathe forth.
MECAENAS Now Antony must leave her utterly.
DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS Never; he will not:
Age cannot wither her, nor custom stale
Her infinite variety: other women cloy
The appetites they feed: but she makes hungry
Where most she satisfies; for vilest things
Become themselves in her: that the holy priests Bless her when she is riggish.
MECAENAS If beauty, wisdom, modesty, can settle
The heart of Antony, Octavia is
A blessed lottery to him.
DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS Humbly, sir, I thank you.
[Exeunt]
ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA
SCENE III The same. OCTAVIUS CAESAR's house.
[Enter MARK ANTONY, OCTAVIUS CAESAR, OCTAVIA between them, and Attendants]
Divide me from your bosom.
MARK ANTONY Good night, sir. My Octavia,
Read not my blemishes in the world's report:
I have not kept my square; but that to come
Shall all be done by the rule. Good night, dear lady.
Good night, sir.
OCTAVIUS CAESAR Good night.
[Exeunt OCTAVIUS CAESAR and OCTAVIA]
[Enter Soothsayer]
MARK ANTONY Now, sirrah; you do wish yourself in Egypt?
Soothsayer Would I had never come from thence, nor you Thither!
MARK ANTONY If you can, your reason?
Soothsayer I see it in
My motion, have it not in my tongue: but yet
Hie you to Egypt again.
MARK ANTONY Say to me,Whose fortunes shall rise higher, Caesar's or mine?
Soothsayer Caesar's.
Therefore, O Antony, stay not by his side:
Thy demon, that's thy spirit which keeps thee, is
Noble, courageous high, unmatchable,
Where Caesar's is not; but, near him, thy angel
Becomes a fear, as being o'erpower'd: therefore Make space enough between you.
MARK ANTONY Speak this no more.
Soothsayer To none but thee; no more, but when to thee.
If thou dost play with him at any game,
Thou art sure to lose; and, of that natural luck,
He beats thee 'gainst the odds: thy lustre thickens,
When he shines by: I say again, thy spirit
Is all afraid to govern thee near him;
But, he away, 'tis noble.
Say to Ventidius I would speak with him:
[Exit Soothsayer]
He shall to Parthia. Be it art or hap,
He hath spoken true: the very dice obey him; And in our sports my better cunning faints
Under his chance: if we draw lots, he speeds; His cocks do win the battle still of mine,
When it is all to nought; and his quails ever Beat mine, inhoop'd, at odds. I will to Egypt: And though I make this marriage for my peace, I' the east my pleasure lies.
[Enter VENTIDIUS]
O, come, Ventidius,
You must to Parthia: your commission's ready; Follow me, and receive't.
[Exeunt]
ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA
SCENE IV The same. A street.
[Enter LEPIDUS, MECAENAS, and AGRIPPA]
MECAENAS We shall,
As I conceive the journey, be at the Mount
Before you, Lepidus.
MECAENAS |
| Sir, good success!
AGRIPPA |
[Exeunt]
ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA
[Enter CLEOPATRA, CHARMIAN, IRAS, and ALEXAS]
CLEOPATRA Give me some music; music, moody food
Of us that trade in love.
Attendants The music, ho!
[Enter MARDIAN]
CLEOPATRA Let it alone; let's to billiards: come, Charmian.
CHARMIAN My arm is sore; best play with Mardian.
CLEOPATRA As well a woman with an eunuch play'd
As with a woman. Come, you'll play with me, sir?
MARDIAN As well as I can, madam.
CLEOPATRA And when good will is show'd, though't come
too short,
The actor may plead pardon. I'll none now:
Give me mine angle; we'll to the river: there,
My music playing far off, I will betray
Tawny-finn'd fishes; my bended hook shall pierce Their slimy jaws; and, as I draw them up,
I'll think them every one an Antony,
And say 'Ah, ha! you're caught.'
CHARMIAN 'Twas merry when
You wager'd on your angling; when your diver
Did hang a salt-fish on his hook, which he
With fervency drew up.
CLEOPATRA That time,--O times!--
I laugh'd him out of patience; and that night
I laugh'd him into patience; and next morn,
Ere the ninth hour, I drunk him to his bed;
Then put my tires and mantles on him, whilst
I wore his sword Philippan.
[Enter a Messenger]
O, from Italy
Ram thou thy fruitful tidings in mine ears, That long time have been barren.
Messenger Madam, madam,--
CLEOPATRA Antonius dead!--If thou say so, villain,
Thou kill'st thy mistress: but well and free,
If thou so yield him, there is gold, and here
My bluest veins to kiss; a hand that kings
Have lipp'd, and trembled kissing.
Messenger First, madam, he is well.
CLEOPATRA Why, there's more gold.
But, sirrah, mark, we use
To say the dead are well: bring it to that,
The gold I give thee will I melt and pour
Down thy ill-uttering throat.
Messenger Good madam, hear me.
CLEOPATRA Well, go to, I will;
But there's no goodness in thy face: if Antony
Be free and healthful,--so tart a favour
To trumpet such good tidings! If not well,
Thou shouldst come like a Fury crown'd with snakes,
Not like a formal man.
Messenger Will't please you hear me?
CLEOPATRA I have a mind to strike thee ere thou speak'st:
Yet if thou say Antony lives, is well,
Or friends with Caesar, or not captive to him,
I'll set thee in a shower of gold, and hail
Rich pearls upon thee.
Messenger Madam, he's well.
CLEOPATRA Well said.
Messenger And friends with Caesar.
CLEOPATRA Thou'rt an honest man.
Messenger Caesar and he are greater friends than ever.
CLEOPATRA Make thee a fortune from me.
Messenger But yet, madam,--
CLEOPATRA I do not like 'But yet,' it does allay
The good precedence; fie upon 'But yet'!
'But yet' is as a gaoler to bring forth
Some monstrous malefactor. Prithee, friend,
Pour out the pack of matter to mine ear,
The good and bad together: he's friends with Caesar: In state of health thou say'st; and thou say'st free.
Messenger Free, madam! no; I made no such report:
He's bound unto Octavia.
CLEOPATRA For what good turn?
Messenger For the best turn i' the bed.
CLEOPATRA I am pale, Charmian.
Messenger Madam, he's married to Octavia.
CLEOPATRA The most infectious pestilence upon thee!
[Strikes him down]
Messenger Good madam, patience. CLEOPATRA What say you? Hence,
[Strikes him again]
Horrible villain! or I'll spurn thine eyes
Like balls before me; I'll unhair thy head:
[She hales him up and down]
Thou shalt be whipp'd with wire, and stew'd in brine, Smarting in lingering pickle.
Messenger Gracious madam,
I that do bring the news made not the match.
CLEOPATRA Say 'tis not so, a province I will give thee,
And make thy fortunes proud: the blow thou hadst
Shall make thy peace for moving me to rage;
And I will boot thee with what gift beside
Thy modesty can beg.
Messenger He's married, madam.
CLEOPATRA Rogue, thou hast lived too long.
[Draws a knife]
Messenger Nay, then I'll run.
What mean you, madam? I have made no fault.
[Exit]
CHARMIAN Good madam, keep yourself within yourself:
The man is innocent.
CLEOPATRA Some innocents 'scape not the thunderbolt.
Melt Egypt into Nile! and kindly creatures
Turn all to serpents! Call the slave again:
Though I am mad, I will not bite him: call.
CHARMIAN He is afeard to come.
CLEOPATRA I will not hurt him.
[Exit CHARMIAN]
These hands do lack nobility, that they strike A meaner than myself; since I myself
Have given myself the cause.
[Re-enter CHARMIAN and Messenger]
Come hither, sir.
Though it be honest, it is never good
To bring bad news: give to a gracious message. An host of tongues; but let ill tidings tell Themselves when they be felt.
Messenger I have done my duty.
CLEOPATRA Is he married?
I cannot hate thee worser than I do,
If thou again say 'Yes.'
Messenger He's married, madam.
CLEOPATRA The gods confound thee! dost thou hold there still?
Messenger Should I lie, madam?
CLEOPATRA O, I would thou didst,
So half my Egypt were submerged and made
A cistern for scaled snakes! Go, get thee hence:
Hadst thou Narcissus in thy face, to me
Thou wouldst appear most ugly. He is married?
Messenger I crave your highness' pardon.
CLEOPATRA He is married?
Messenger Take no offence that I would not offend you:
To punish me for what you make me do.
Seems much unequal: he's married to Octavia.
CLEOPATRA O, that his fault should make a knave of thee,
That art not what thou'rt sure of! Get thee hence:
The merchandise which thou hast brought from Rome
Are all too dear for me: lie they upon thy hand,
And be undone by 'em!
[Exit Messenger]
CHARMIAN Good your highness, patience.
CLEOPATRA In praising Antony, I have dispraised Caesar.
CHARMIAN Many times, madam.
CLEOPATRA I am paid for't now.
Lead me from hence:
I faint: O Iras, Charmian! 'tis no matter.
Go to the fellow, good Alexas; bid him
Report the feature of Octavia, her years,
Her inclination, let him not leave out
The colour of her hair: bring me word quickly.
[Exit ALEXAS]
Let him for ever go:--let him not--Charmian, Though he be painted one way like a Gorgon, The other way's a Mars. Bid you Alexas
[To MARDIAN]
Bring me word how tall she is. Pity me, Charmian, But do not speak to me. Lead me to my chamber.
[Exeunt]
ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA
SCENE VI Near Misenum.
[Flourish. Enter POMPEY and MENAS at one door, with drum and trumpet: at another, OCTAVIUS CAESAR, MARK ANTONY, LEPIDUS, DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS, MECAENAS, with Soldiers marching]
That first we come to words; and therefore have we Our written purposes before us sent;
Which, if thou hast consider'd, let us know If 'twill tie up thy discontented sword,
And carry back to Sicily much tall youth
That else must perish here.
We'll speak with thee at sea: at land, thou know'st How much we do o'er-count thee.
What it is worth embraced.
To try a larger fortune.
|
|
And am well studied for a liberal thanks
Which I do owe you.
That call'd me timelier than my purpose hither; For I have gain'd by 't.
There is a change upon you.
DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS No more of that: he did so.
POMPEY What, I pray you?
DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS A certain queen to Caesar in a mattress.
POMPEY I know thee now: how farest thou, soldier?
DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS Well;
And well am like to do; for, I perceive,
Four feasts are toward.
DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS Sir,
I never loved you much; but I ha' praised ye,
When you have well deserved ten times as much
As I have said you did.
|
|
[Exeunt all but MENAS and ENOBARBUS]
DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS At sea, I think.
MENAS We have, sir.
DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS You have done well by water.
MENAS And you by land.
DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS I will praise any man that will praise me; though it
cannot be denied what I have done by land.
MENAS Nor what I have done by water.
DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS Yes, something you can deny for your own
safety: you have been a great thief by sea.
MENAS And you by land.
DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS There I deny my land service. But give me your
hand, Menas: if our eyes had authority, here they
might take two thieves kissing.
MENAS All men's faces are true, whatsome'er their hands are.
DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS But there is never a fair woman has a true face.
MENAS No slander; they steal hearts.
DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS We came hither to fight with you.
DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS If he do, sure, he cannot weep't back again.
DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS Caesar's sister is called Octavia.
MENAS True, sir; she was the wife of Caius Marcellus.
DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS But she is now the wife of Marcus Antonius.
MENAS Pray ye, sir?
DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS 'Tis true.
MENAS Then is Caesar and he for ever knit together.
DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS If I were bound to divine of this unity, I would
not prophesy so.
DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS I think so too. But you shall find, the band that
seems to tie their friendship together will be the
very strangler of their amity: Octavia is of a
holy, cold, and still conversation.
MENAS Who would not have his wife so?
DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS Not he that himself is not so; which is Mark Antony.
He will to his Egyptian dish again: then shall the
sighs of Octavia blow the fire up in Caesar; and, as
I said before, that which is the strength of their
amity shall prove the immediate author of their
variance. Antony will use his affection where it is: he married but his occasion here.
DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS I shall take it, sir: we have used our throats in Egypt.
[Exeunt]
ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA
SCENE VII On board POMPEY's galley, off Misenum.
[Music plays. Enter two or three Servants with a banquet]
ill-rooted already: the least wind i' the world will blow them down.
cries out 'No more;' reconciles them to his entreaty, and himself to the drink.
his discretion.
fellowship: I had as lief have a reed that will do me no service as a partisan I could not heave.
to move in't, are the holes where eyes should be, which pitifully disaster the cheeks.
[A sennet sounded. Enter OCTAVIUS CAESAR, MARK ANTONY, LEPIDUS, POMPEY, AGRIPPA, MECAENAS, DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS, MENAS, with other captains]
the flow o' the Nile
By certain scales i' the pyramid; they know, By the height, the lowness, or the mean, if dearth Or foison follow: the higher Nilus swells,
The more it promises: as it ebbs, the seedsman Upon the slime and ooze scatters his grain, And shortly comes to harvest.
DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS Not till you have slept; I fear me you'll be in till then.
MENAS [Aside to POMPEY] Pompey, a word.
as it hath breadth: it is just so high as it is, and moves with its own organs: it lives by that which nourisheth it; and the elements once out of it, it transmigrates.
very epicure.
[Rises, and walks aside]
MARK ANTONY These quick-sands, Lepidus,
Keep off them, for you sink.
MENAS Wilt thou be lord of all the world?
MARK ANTONY Bear him ashore. I'll pledge it for him, Pompey. DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS Here's to thee, Menas!
DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS There's a strong fellow, Menas.
[Pointing to the Attendant who carries off LEPIDUS]
MENAS Why?
DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS A' bears the third part of the world, man; see'st
not?
DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS Drink thou; increase the reels.
Here is to Caesar!
OCTAVIUS CAESAR I could well forbear't.
It's monstrous labour, when I wash my brain,
And it grows fouler.
MARK ANTONY Be a child o' the time.
But I had rather fast from all four days
Than drink so much in one.
DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS Ha, my brave emperor!
[To MARK ANTONY]
Shall we dance now the Egyptian Bacchanals, And celebrate our drink?
Till that the conquering wine hath steep'd our sense In soft and delicate Lethe.
DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS All take hands.
Make battery to our ears with the loud music:
The while I'll place you: then the boy shall sing;
The holding every man shall bear as loud
As his strong sides can volley.
[Music plays. DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS places them hand in hand]
THE SONG.
Come, thou monarch of the vine,
Plumpy Bacchus with pink eyne!
In thy fats our cares be drown'd,
With thy grapes our hairs be crown'd:
Cup us, till the world go round,
Cup us, till the world go round!
OCTAVIUS CAESAR What would you more? Pompey, good night. Good brother,
Let me request you off: our graver business Frowns at this levity. Gentle lords, let's part; You see we have burnt our cheeks: strong Enobarb Is weaker than the wine; and mine own tongue Splits what it speaks: the wild disguise hath almost Antick'd us all. What needs more words? Good night. Good Antony, your hand.
DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS Take heed you fall not.
[Exeunt all but DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS and MENAS]
Menas, I'll not on shore.
[Sound a flourish, with drums]
DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS Ho! says a' There's my cap.
[Exeunt]
ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA
[Enter VENTIDIUS as it were in triumph, with SILIUS, and other Romans, Officers, and Soldiers; the dead body of PACORUS borne before him]
VENTIDIUS Now, darting Parthia, art thou struck; and now
Pleased fortune does of Marcus Crassus' death
Make me revenger. Bear the king's son's body
Before our army. Thy Pacorus, Orodes,
Pays this for Marcus Crassus.
VENTIDIUS O Silius, Silius,
I have done enough; a lower place, note well,
May make too great an act: for learn this, Silius;
Better to leave undone, than by our deed
Acquire too high a fame when him we serve's away.
Caesar and Antony have ever won
More in their officer than person: Sossius, One of my place in Syria, his lieutenant,
For quick accumulation of renown,
Which he achieved by the minute, lost his favour. Who does i' the wars more than his captain can Becomes his captain's captain: and ambition, The soldier's virtue, rather makes choice of loss, Than gain which darkens him.
I could do more to do Antonius good,
But 'twould offend him; and in his offence
Should my performance perish.
VENTIDIUS I'll humbly signify what in his name,
That magical word of war, we have effected;
How, with his banners and his well-paid ranks,
The ne'er-yet-beaten horse of Parthia
We have jaded out o' the field.
SILIUS Where is he now?
VENTIDIUS He purposeth to Athens: whither, with what haste
The weight we must convey with's will permit,
We shall appear before him. On there; pass along!
[Exeunt]
ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA
SCENE II Rome. An ante-chamber in OCTAVIUS CAESAR's house.
[Enter AGRIPPA at one door, DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS at another]
DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS They have dispatch'd with Pompey, he is gone;
The other three are sealing. Octavia weeps
To part from Rome; Caesar is sad; and Lepidus,
Since Pompey's feast, as Menas says, is troubled
With the green sickness.
AGRIPPA 'Tis a noble Lepidus.
DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS A very fine one: O, how he loves Caesar!
AGRIPPA Nay, but how dearly he adores Mark Antony!
DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS Caesar? Why, he's the Jupiter of men.
AGRIPPA What's Antony? The god of Jupiter.
DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS Spake you of Caesar? How! the non-pareil!
AGRIPPA O Antony! O thou Arabian bird!
DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS Would you praise Caesar, say 'Caesar:' go no further.
AGRIPPA Indeed, he plied them both with excellent praises.
DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS But he loves Caesar best; yet he loves Antony:
Ho! hearts, tongues, figures, scribes, bards,
poets, cannot
Think, speak, cast, write, sing, number, ho!
His love to Antony. But as for Caesar,
Kneel down, kneel down, and wonder.
DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS They are his shards, and he their beetle.
[Trumpets within]
So;
This is to horse. Adieu, noble Agrippa.
[Enter OCTAVIUS CAESAR, MARK ANTONY, LEPIDUS, and OCTAVIA]
Use me well in 't. Sister, prove such a wife As my thoughts make thee, and as my farthest band Shall pass on thy approof. Most noble Antony, Let not the piece of virtue, which is set
Betwixt us as the cement of our love,
To keep it builded, be the ram to batter
The fortress of it; for better might we
Have loved without this mean, if on both parts This be not cherish'd.
In your distrust.
OCTAVIUS CAESAR I have said.
Though you be therein curious, the least cause For what you seem to fear: so, the gods keep you, And make the hearts of Romans serve your ends! We will here part.
The elements be kind to thee, and make
Thy spirits all of comfort! fare thee well.
And these the showers to bring it on. Be cheerful.
OCTAVIA I'll tell you in your ear.
Her heart inform her tongue,--the swan's
down-feather,
That stands upon the swell at full of tide, And neither way inclines.
DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS [Aside to AGRIPPA] Will Caesar weep?
AGRIPPA [Aside to DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS] He has a cloud in 's face.
DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS [Aside to AGRIPPA] He were the worse for that,
were he a horse;
So is he, being a man.
DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS [Aside to AGRIPPA] That year, indeed, he was
troubled with a rheum;
What willingly he did confound he wail'd,
Believe't, till I wept too.
OCTAVIUS CAESAR No, sweet Octavia,You shall hear from me still; the time shall not Out-go my thinking on you.
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.
[Kisses OCTAVIA]
[Trumpets sound. Exeunt]
ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA
SCENE III Alexandria. CLEOPATRA's palace.
[Enter CLEOPATRA, CHARMIAN, IRAS, and ALEXAS]
CLEOPATRA Where is the fellow? ALEXAS Half afeard to come. CLEOPATRA Go to, go to.
[Enter the Messenger as before]
Come hither, sir.
CLEOPATRA That Herod's head
I'll have: but how, when Antony is gone
Through whom I might command it? Come thou near.
Messenger Most gracious majesty,--
CLEOPATRA Didst thou behold Octavia?
Messenger Ay, dread queen.
CLEOPATRA Where?
Messenger Madam, in Rome;
I look'd her in the face, and saw her led
Between her brother and Mark Antony.
CLEOPATRA Is she as tall as me?
Messenger She is not, madam.
CLEOPATRA Didst hear her speak? is she shrill-tongued or low?
Messenger Madam, I heard her speak; she is low-voiced.
CLEOPATRA That's not so good: he cannot like her long.
CHARMIAN Like her! O Isis! 'tis impossible.
CLEOPATRA I think so, Charmian: dull of tongue, and dwarfish!
What majesty is in her gait? Remember,
If e'er thou look'dst on majesty.
Messenger She creeps:
Her motion and her station are as one;
She shows a body rather than a life,
A statue than a breather.
CLEOPATRA Is this certain?
Messenger Or I have no observance.
CHARMIAN Three in Egypt
Cannot make better note.
CLEOPATRA He's very knowing;
I do perceive't: there's nothing in her yet:
The fellow has good judgment.
CHARMIAN Excellent.
CLEOPATRA Guess at her years, I prithee.
Messenger Madam,
She was a widow,--
CLEOPATRA Widow! Charmian, hark.
Messenger And I do think she's thirty.
CLEOPATRA Bear'st thou her face in mind? is't long or round?
Messenger Round even to faultiness.
CLEOPATRA For the most part, too, they are foolish that are so.
Her hair, what colour?
Messenger Brown, madam: and her forehead
As low as she would wish it.
CLEOPATRA There's gold for thee.
Thou must not take my former sharpness ill:
I will employ thee back again; I find thee
Most fit for business: go make thee ready;
Our letters are prepared.
[Exit Messenger]
CHARMIAN A proper man.
CLEOPATRA Indeed, he is so: I repent me much
That so I harried him. Why, methinks, by him,
This creature's no such thing.
CHARMIAN Nothing, madam.
CLEOPATRA The man hath seen some majesty, and should know.
CHARMIAN Hath he seen majesty? Isis else defend,
And serving you so long!
CLEOPATRA I have one thing more to ask him yet, good Charmian:
But 'tis no matter; thou shalt bring him to me
Where I will write. All may be well enough.
CHARMIAN I warrant you, madam.
[Exeunt]
ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA
SCENE IV Athens. A room in MARK ANTONY's house.
[Enter MARK ANTONY and OCTAVIA]
That were excusable, that, and thousands more Of semblable import,--but he hath waged
New wars 'gainst Pompey; made his will, and read it To public ear:
Spoke scantly of me: when perforce he could not But pay me terms of honour, cold and sickly He vented them; most narrow measure lent me: When the best hint was given him, he not took't, Or did it from his teeth.
Let your best love draw to that point, which seeks Best to preserve it: if I lose mine honour, I lose myself: better I were not yours
Than yours so branchless. But, as you requested, Yourself shall go between 's: the mean time, lady, I'll raise the preparation of a war
Shall stain your brother: make your soonest haste; So your desires are yours.
Turn your displeasure that way: for our faults Can never be so equal, that your love
Can equally move with them. Provide your going; Choose your own company, and command what cost Your heart has mind to.
[Exeunt]
ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA
[Enter DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS and EROS, meeting]
DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS How now, friend Eros! EROS There's strange news come, sir. DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS What, man? EROS Caesar and Lepidus have made wars upon Pompey. DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS This is old: what is the success?
DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS Then, world, thou hast a pair of chaps, no more;
And throw between them all the food thou hast,
They'll grind the one the other. Where's Antony?
DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS Our great navy's rigg'd.
DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS 'Twill be naught:
But let it be. Bring me to Antony.
[Exeunt]
ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA
SCENE VI Rome. OCTAVIUS CAESAR's house.
[Enter OCTAVIUS CAESAR, AGRIPPA, and MECAENAS]
In Alexandria: here's the manner of 't:
I' the market-place, on a tribunal silver'd, Cleopatra and himself in chairs of gold
Were publicly enthroned: at the feet sat
Caesarion, whom they call my father's son,
And all the unlawful issue that their lust
Since then hath made between them. Unto her He gave the stablishment of Egypt; made her Of lower Syria, Cyprus, Lydia,
Absolute queen.
MECAENAS This in the public eye?
His sons he there proclaim'd the kings of kings: Great Media, Parthia, and Armenia.
He gave to Alexander; to Ptolemy he assign'd Syria, Cilicia, and Phoenicia: she
In the habiliments of the goddess Isis
That day appear'd; and oft before gave audience, As 'tis reported, so.
MECAENAS Let Rome be thus Inform'd.
His accusations.
AGRIPPA Who does he accuse?
Sextus Pompeius spoil'd, we had not rated him His part o' the isle: then does he say, he lent me Some shipping unrestored: lastly, he frets
That Lepidus of the triumvirate
Should be deposed; and, being, that we detain All his revenue.
AGRIPPA Sir, this should be answer'd.
I have told him, Lepidus was grown too cruel; That he his high authority abused,
And did deserve his change: for what I have conquer'd, I grant him part; but then, in his Armenia, And other of his conquer'd kingdoms, I
Demand the like.
MECAENAS He'll never yield to that.
[Enter OCTAVIA with her train]
Like Caesar's sister: the wife of Antony
Should have an army for an usher, and
The neighs of horse to tell of her approach Long ere she did appear; the trees by the way Should have borne men; and expectation fainted, Longing for what it had not; nay, the dust
Should have ascended to the roof of heaven, Raised by your populous troops: but you are come A market-maid to Rome; and have prevented
The ostentation of our love, which, left unshown, Is often left unloved; we should have met you By sea and land; supplying every stage
With an augmented greeting.
Being an obstruct 'tween his lust and him.
And his affairs come to me on the wind.
Where is he now?
OCTAVIA My lord, in Athens.
Hath nodded him to her. He hath given his empire Up to a whore; who now are levying
The kings o' the earth for war; he hath assembled Bocchus, the king of Libya; Archelaus,
Of Cappadocia; Philadelphos, king
Of Paphlagonia; the Thracian king, Adallas; King Malchus of Arabia; King of Pont;
Herod of Jewry; Mithridates, king
Of Comagene; Polemon and Amyntas,
The kings of Mede and Lycaonia,
With a more larger list of sceptres.
Your letters did withhold our breaking forth; Till we perceived, both how you were wrong led, And we in negligent danger. Cheer your heart; Be you not troubled with the time, which drives O'er your content these strong necessities; But let determined things to destiny
Hold unbewail'd their way. Welcome to Rome; Nothing more dear to me. You are abused
Beyond the mark of thought: and the high gods, To do you justice, make them ministers
Of us and those that love you. Best of comfort; And ever welcome to us.
MECAENAS Welcome, dear madam.
Each heart in Rome does love and pity you:
Only the adulterous Antony, most large
In his abominations, turns you off;
And gives his potent regiment to a trull,
That noises it against us.
Be ever known to patience: my dear'st sister!
[Exeunt]
ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA
SCENE VII Near Actium. MARK ANTONY's camp.
[Enter CLEOPATRA and DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS]
CLEOPATRA I will be even with thee, doubt it not.
DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS But why, why, why?
CLEOPATRA Thou hast forspoke my being in these wars,
And say'st it is not fit.
DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS Well, is it, is it?
CLEOPATRA If not denounced against us, why should not we
Be there in person?
DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS [Aside] Well, I could reply:
If we should serve with horse and mares together,
The horse were merely lost; the mares would bear
A soldier and his horse.
CLEOPATRA What is't you say?
DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS Your presence needs must puzzle Antony;
Take from his heart, take from his brain,
from's time,
What should not then be spared. He is already
Traduced for levity; and 'tis said in Rome
That Photinus an eunuch and your maids
Manage this war.
CLEOPATRA Sink Rome, and their tongues rot
That speak against us! A charge we bear i' the war,
And, as the president of my kingdom, will
Appear there for a man. Speak not against it:
I will not stay behind.
DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS Nay, I have done.
Here comes the emperor.
[Enter MARK ANTONY and CANIDIUS]
That from Tarentum and Brundusium
He could so quickly cut the Ionian sea,
And take in Toryne? You have heard on't, sweet?
CLEOPATRA Celerity is never more admired
Than by the negligent.
MARK ANTONY A good rebuke,Which might have well becomed the best of men, To taunt at slackness. Canidius, we
Will fight with him by sea.
CLEOPATRA By sea! what else?
CANIDIUS Why will my lord do so?
MARK ANTONY For that he dares us to't.
DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS So hath my lord dared him to single fight.
CANIDIUS Ay, and to wage this battle at Pharsalia.
Where Caesar fought with Pompey: but these offers,
Which serve not for his vantage, be shakes off;
And so should you.
DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS Your ships are not well mann'd;
Your mariners are muleters, reapers, people
Ingross'd by swift impress; in Caesar's fleet
Are those that often have 'gainst Pompey fought:
Their ships are yare; yours, heavy: no disgrace
Shall fall you for refusing him at sea,
Being prepared for land.
MARK ANTONY By sea, by sea.
DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS Most worthy sir, you therein throw away
The absolute soldiership you have by land;
Distract your army, which doth most consist
Of war-mark'd footmen; leave unexecuted
Your own renowned knowledge; quite forego
The way which promises assurance; and
Give up yourself merely to chance and hazard, From firm security.
MARK ANTONY I'll fight at sea. CLEOPATRA I have sixty sails, Caesar none better.
And, with the rest full-mann'd, from the head of Actium Beat the approaching Caesar. But if we fail, We then can do't at land.
[Enter a Messenger]
Thy business?
Messenger The news is true, my lord; he is descried;
Caesar has taken Toryne.
MARK ANTONY Can he be there in person? 'tis impossible;
Strange that power should be. Canidius,
Our nineteen legions thou shalt hold by land, And our twelve thousand horse. We'll to our ship: Away, my Thetis!
[Enter a Soldier]
How now, worthy soldier?
[Exeunt MARK ANTONY, QUEEN CLEOPATRA, and DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS]
CANIDIUS Soldier, thou art: but his whole action grows
Not in the power on't: so our leader's led,
And we are women's men.
CANIDIUS Marcus Octavius, Marcus Justeius,
Publicola, and Caelius, are for sea:
But we keep whole by land. This speed of Caesar's
Carries beyond belief.
CANIDIUS Who's his lieutenant, hear you? Soldier They say, one Taurus. CANIDIUS Well I know the man.
[Enter a Messenger]
Messenger The emperor calls Canidius.
CANIDIUS With news the time's with labour, and throes forth,
Each minute, some.
[Exeunt]
ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA
SCENE VIII A plain near Actium.
[Enter OCTAVIUS CAESAR, and TAURUS, with his army, marching]
Till we have done at sea. Do not exceed
The prescript of this scroll: our fortune lies Upon this jump.
[Exeunt]
ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA
SCENE IX Another part of the plain.
[Enter MARK ANTONY and DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS]
In eye of Caesar's battle; from which place We may the number of the ships behold,
And so proceed accordingly.
[Exeunt]
ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA
[CANIDIUS marcheth with his land army one way over the stage; and TAURUS, the lieutenant of OCTAVIUS CAESAR, the other way. After their going in, is heard the noise of a sea-fight]
[Alarum. Enter DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS]
DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS Naught, naught all, naught! I can behold no longer:
The Antoniad, the Egyptian admiral,
With all their sixty, fly and turn the rudder:
To see't mine eyes are blasted.
[Enter SCARUS]
DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS What's thy passion!
DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS How appears the fight?
DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS That I beheld:
Mine eyes did sicken at the sight, and could not
Endure a further view.
DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS Alack, alack!
[Enter CANIDIUS]
CANIDIUS Our fortune on the sea is out of breath,
And sinks most lamentably. Had our general
Been what he knew himself, it had gone well:
O, he has given example for our flight,
Most grossly, by his own!
DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS Ay, are you thereabouts?
Why, then, good night indeed.
CANIDIUS Toward Peloponnesus are they fled.
CANIDIUS To Caesar will I render
My legions and my horse: six kings already
Show me the way of yielding.
DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS I'll yet follow
The wounded chance of Antony, though my reason
Sits in the wind against me.
[Exeunt]
ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA
SCENE XI Alexandria. CLEOPATRA's palace.
[Enter MARK ANTONY with Attendants]
It is ashamed to bear me! Friends, come hither: I am so lated in the world, that I
Have lost my way for ever: I have a ship
Laden with gold; take that, divide it; fly, And make your peace with Caesar.
To run and show their shoulders. Friends, be gone; I have myself resolved upon a course
Which has no need of you; be gone:
My treasure's in the harbour, take it. O,
I follow'd that I blush to look upon:
My very hairs do mutiny; for the white
Reprove the brown for rashness, and they them For fear and doting. Friends, be gone: you shall Have letters from me to some friends that will Sweep your way for you. Pray you, look not sad, Nor make replies of loathness: take the hint Which my despair proclaims; let that be left Which leaves itself: to the sea-side straightway: I will possess you of that ship and treasure. Leave me, I pray, a little: pray you now:
Nay, do so; for, indeed, I have lost command, Therefore I pray you: I'll see you by and by.
[Sits down]
[Enter CLEOPATRA led by CHARMIAN and IRAS; EROS following]