Antony and Cleopatra

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Original text
Act III, Scene I
Enter Ventidius as it were in triumph,
the dead body of Pacorus borne before him.

Ven.
Now darting Parthya art thou stroke, and now
Pleas'd Fortune does of Marcus Crassus death
Make me reuenger. Beare the Kings Sonnes body,
Before our Army, thy Pacorus Orades,
Paies this for Marcus Crassus.

Romaine.
Noble Ventidius,
Whil'st yet with Parthian blood thy Sword is warme,
The Fugitiue Parthians follow. Spurre through Media,
Mesapotamia, and the shelters, whether
The routed flie. So thy grand Captaine Anthony
Shall set thee on triumphant Chariots, and
Put Garlands on thy head.

Ven.
Oh Sillius, Sillius,
I haue done enough. A lower place note well
May make too great an act. For learne this Sillius,
Better to leaue vndone, then by our deed
Acquire too high a Fame, when him we serues away.
Casar and Anthony, haue euer wonne
More in their officer, then person. Sossius
One of my place in Syria, his Lieutenant,
For quicke accumulation of renowne,
Which he atchiu'd by'th'minute, lost his fauour.
Who does i'th'Warres more then his Captaine can,
Becomes his Captaines Captaine: and Ambition
(The Souldiers vertue) rather makes choise of losse
Then gaine, which darkens him.
I could do more to do Anthonius good,
But 'twould offend him. And in his offence,
Should my performance perish.

Rom.
Thou hast Ventidius that,
without the which a / Souldier and his Sword
graunts scarce distinction: thou wilt write to Anthony.

Ven.
Ile humbly signifie what in his name,
That magicall word of Warre we haue effected,
How with his Banners, and his well paid ranks,
The nere-yet beaten Horse of Parthia,
We haue iaded out o'th'Field.

Rom.
Where is he now?

Ven.
He purposeth to Athens, whither with what hast
The waight we must conuay with's, will permit:
We shall appeare before him. On there, passe along.
Exeunt.
Original text
Act III, Scene II
Enter Agrippa at one doore, Enobarbus at another.

Agri.
What are the Brothers parted?

Eno.
They haue dispatcht with Pompey, he is gone,
The other three are Sealing. Octauia weepes
To part from Rome: Casar is sad, and Lepidus
Since Pompey's feast, as Menas saies, is troubled
With the Greene-Sicknesse.

Agri.
'Tis a Noble Lepidus.

Eno.
A very fine one: oh, how he loues Casar.

Agri.
Nay but how deerely he adores Mark Anthony.

Eno.
Casar? why he's the Iupiter of men.

Ant.
What's Anthony, the God of Iupiter?

Eno.
Spake you of Casar? How, the non-pareill?

Agri.
Oh Anthony, oh thou Arabian Bird!

Eno.
Would you praise Casar, say Caesar go no further.

Agr.
Indeed he plied them both with excellent praises.

Eno.
But he loues Casar best, yet he loues Anthony:
Hoo, Hearts, Tongues, Figure, Scribes, Bards, Poets, cannot
Thinke speake, cast, write, sing, number: hoo,
His loue to Anthony. But as for Casar,
Kneele downe, kneele downe, and wonder.

Agri.
Both he loues.

Eno.
They are his Shards, and he their Beetle, so:
This is to horse: Adieu, Noble Agrippa.

Agri.
Good Fortune worthy Souldier, and farewell.
Enter Casar, Anthony, Lepidus, and Octauia.

Antho.
No further Sir.

Casar.
You take from me a great part of my selfe:
Vse me well in't. Sister, proue such a wife
As my thoughts make thee, and as my farthest Band
Shall passe on thy approofe: most Noble Anthony,
Let not the peece of Vertue which is set
Betwixt vs, as the Cyment of our loue
To keepe it builded, be the Ramme to batter
The Fortresse of it: for better might we
Haue lou'd without this meane, if on both parts
This be not cherisht.

Ant.
Make me not offended,
in your distrust.

Casar.
I haue said.

Ant.
You shall not finde,
Though you be therein curious, the lest cause
For what you seeme to feare, so the Gods keepe you,
And make the hearts of Romaines serue your ends:
We will heere part.

Casar.
Farewell my deerest Sister, fare thee well,
The Elements be kind to thee, and make
Thy spirits all of comfort: fare thee well.

Octa.
My Noble Brother.

Anth.
The Aprill's in her eyes, it is Loues spring,
And these the showers to bring it on: be cheerfull.

Octa.
Sir, looke well to my Husbands house: and

Casar.
What
Octauia?

Octa.
Ile tell you in your eare.

Ant.
Her tongue will not obey her heart, nor can
Her heart informe her tougue. / The Swannes downe feather
That stands vpon the Swell at the full of Tide:
And neither way inclines.

Eno.
Will Casar weepe?

Agr.

He ha's a cloud in's face.

Eno.
He were the worse for that were he a Horse,
so is he being a man.

Agri.
Why Enobarbus:
When Anthony found Iulius Casar dead,
He cried almost to roaring: And he wept,
When at Phillippi he found Brutus slaine.

Eno.

That year indeed, he was trobled with a rheume,
What willingly he did confound, he wail'd,
Beleeu't till I weepe too.

Casar.
No sweet Octauia,
You shall heare from me still: the time shall not
Out-go my thinking on you.

Ant.
Come Sir, come,
Ile wrastle with you in my strength of loue,
Looke heere I haue you, thus I let you go,
And giue you to the Gods.

Casar.
Adieu, be happy.

Lep.
Let all the number of the Starres giue light
To thy faire way.

Casar.
Farewell, farewell.
Kisses Octauia.

Ant.
Farewell.
Trumpets sound. Exeunt.
Original text
Act III, Scene III
Enter Cleopatra, Charmian, Iras, and Alexas.

Cleo.
Where is the Fellow?

Alex.
Halfe afeard to come.

Cleo.
Go too, go too:
Enter the Messenger as before.
Come hither Sir.

Alex.
Good Maiestie:
Herod of Iury dare not looke vpon you,
but when you are well pleas'd.

Cleo.
That Herods head,
Ile haue: but how? When / Anthony is gone,
through whom I might commaund it: / Come thou neere.

Mes.
Most gratious Maiestie.

Cleo.
Did'st thou behold Octauia?

Mes.
I dread Queene.

Cleo.
Where?

Mes.
Madam in Rome,
I lookt her in the face: and saw her led
betweene her Brother, and Marke Anthony.

Cleo.
Is she as tall as me?

Mes.
She is not Madam.

Cleo.
Didst heare her speake? Is she shrill tongu'd or low?

Mes.
Madam, I heard her speake, she is low voic'd.

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

Char.
Like her? Oh Isis: 'tis impossible.

Cleo.
I thinke so Charmian: dull of tongue, & dwarfish
What Maiestie is in her gate, remember
If ere thou look'st on Maiestie.,

Mes.
She creepes:
her motion, & her station are as one.
She shewes a body, rather then a life,
A Statue, then a Breather.

Cleo.
Is this certaine?

Mes.
Or I haue no obseruance.

Cha.
Three in Egypt
cannot make better note.

Cleo.
He's very knowing,
I do perceiu't, / There's nothing in her yet.
The Fellow ha's good iudgement.

Char.
Excellent.

Cleo.
Guesse at her yeares, I prythee.

Mess.
Madam,
she was a widdow.

Cleo.
Widdow? Charmian, hearke.

Mes.
And I do thinke she's thirtie.

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

Mess.
Round, euen to faultinesse.

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

Mess.
Browne Madam: and her forehead
As low as she would wish it.

Cleo.
There's Gold for thee,
Thou must not take my former sharpenesse ill,
I will employ thee backe againe: I finde thee
Most fit for businesse. Go, make thee ready,
Our Letters are prepar'd.

Char.
A proper man.

Cleo.
Indeed he is so: I repent me much
That so I harried him. Why me think's by him,
This Creature's no such thing.

Char.
Nothing Madam.

Cleo.
The man hath seene some Maiesty, and should know.

Char.
Hath he seene Maiestie? Isis else defend:
and seruing you so long.

Cleopa.
I haue one thing more to aske him yet good Charmian:
but 'tis no matter, thou shalt bring him to me
where I will write; all may be well enough.

Char.
I warrant you Madam.
Exeunt.
Original text
Act III, Scene IV
Enter Anthony and Octauia.

Ant.
Nay, nay Octauia, not onely that,
That were excusable, that and thousands more
Of semblable import, but he hath wag'd
New Warres 'gainst Pompey. Made his will, and read it,
To publicke eare,
spoke scantly of me, / When perforce he could not
But pay me tearmes of Honour: cold and sickly
He vented then most narrow measure: lent me,
When the best hint was giuen him: he not look't,
Or did it from his teeth.

Octaui.
Oh my good Lord,
Beleeue not all, or if you must beleeue,
Stomacke not all. A more vnhappie Lady,
If this deuision chance, ne're stood betweene
Praying for both parts:
The good Gods wil mocke me presently,
When I shall pray: Oh blesse my Lord, and Husband,
Vndo that prayer, by crying out as loud,
Oh blesse my Brother. Husband winne, winne Brother,
Prayes, and distroyes the prayer, no midway
'Twixt these extreames at all.

Ant.
Gentle Octauia,
Let your best loue draw to that point which seeks
Best to preserue it: if I loose mine Honour,
I loose my selfe: better I were not yours
Then your so branchlesse. But as you requested,
Your selfe shall go between's, the meane time Lady,
Ile raise the preparation of a Warre
Shall staine your Brother, make your soonest hast,
So your desires are yours.

Oct.
Thanks to my Lord,
The Ioue of power make me most weake, most weake,
You reconciler: Warres 'twixt you twaine would be,
As if the world should cleaue, and that slaine men
Should soader vp the Rift.

Anth.
When it appeeres to you where this begins,
Turne your displeasure that way, for our faults
Can neuer be so equall, that your loue
Can equally moue with them. Prouide your going,
Choose your owne company, and command what cost
Your heart he's mind too.
Exeunt.
Original text
Act III, Scene V
Enter Enobarbus, and Eros.

Eno.
How now Friend Eros?

Eros.
Ther's strange Newes come Sir.

Eno.
What man?

Ero.
Casar & Lepidus haue made warres vpon Pompey.

Eno.
This is old, what is the successe?

Eros.
Casar hauing made vse of him in the warres 'gainst
Pompey: presently denied him riuality, would not let
him partake in the glory of the action, and not resting
here, accuses him of Letters he had formerly wrote to
Pompey. Vpon his owne appeale seizes him, so the poore
third is vp, till death enlarge his Confine.

Eno.
Then would thou hadst a paire of chaps no more,
and throw betweene them all the food thou hast,
they'le grinde the other. Where's Anthony?

Eros.
He's walking in the garden thus, and spurnes
The rush that lies before him. Cries Foole Lepidus,
And threats the throate of that his Officer,
That murdred Pompey.

Eno.
Our great Nauies rig'd.

Eros.
For Italy and Casar, more Domitius,
My Lord desires you presently: my Newes
I might haue told heareafter.

Eno.
'Twillbe naught,
but let it be: bring me to Anthony.

Eros.
Come Sir,
Exeunt.
Original text
Act III, Scene VI
Enter Agrippa, Mecenas, and Casar.

Cas.
Contemning Rome he ha's done all this, & more
In Alexandria: heere's the manner of't:
I'th'Market-place on a Tribunall siluer'd,
Cleopatra and himselfe in Chaires of Gold
Were publikely enthron'd: at the feet, sat
Casarion whom they call my Fathers Sonne,
And all the vnlawfull issue, that their Lust
Since then hath made betweene them. Vnto her,
He gaue the stablishment of Egypt, made her
Of lower Syria, Cyprus, Lydia,
absolute Queene.

Mece.
This in the publike eye?

Caesar.
I'th'common shew place, where they exercise,
His Sonnes hither proclaimed the King of Kings,
Great Media, Parthia, and Armenia
He gaue to Alexander. To Ptolomy he assign'd,
Syria, Silicia, and Phonetia: she
In th'abiliments of the Goddesse Isis
That day appeer'd, and oft before gaue audience,
As 'tis reported so.

Mece.
Let Rome be thus inform'd.

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

Casar.
The people knowes it, / And haue now receiu'd
his accusations.

Agri.
Who does he accuse?

Casar.
Casar, and that hauing in Cicilie
Sextus Pompeius spoil'd, we had not rated him
His part o'th'Isle. Then does he say, he lent me
Some shipping vnrestor'd. Lastly, he frets
That Lepidus of the Triumpherate,
should be depos'd, / And being that, we detaine
all his Reuenue.

Agri.
Sir, this should be answer'd.

Casar.
'Tis done already, and the Messenger gone:
I haue told him Lepidus was growne too cruell,
That he his high Authority abus'd,
And did deserue his change: for what I haue conquer'd,
I grant him part: but then in his Armenia,
And other of his conquer'd Kingdoms, / I
demand the like

Mec.
Hee'l neuer yeeld to that.

Cas.
Nor must not then be yeelded to in this.
Enter Octauia with her Traine.

Octa.
Haile Casar, and my L. haile most deere Casar.

Casar.
That euer I should call thee Cast-away.

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

Cas.
Why haue you stoln vpon vs thus? you come not
Like Casars Sister, The wife of Anthony
Should haue an Army for an Vsher, and
The neighes of Horse to tell of her approach,
Long ere she did appeare. The trees by'th'way
Should haue borne men, and expectation fainted,
Longing for what it had not. Nay, the dust
Should haue ascended to the Roofe of Heauen,
Rais'd by your populous Troopes: But you are come
A Market-maid to Rome, and haue preuented
The ostentation of our loue; which left vnshewne,
Is often left vnlou'd: we should haue met you
By Sea, and Land, supplying euery Stage
With an augmented greeting.

Octa.
Good my Lord,
To come thus was I not constrain'd, but did it
On my free-will. My Lord Marke Anthony,
Hearing that you prepar'd for Warre, acquainted
My greeued eare withall: whereon I begg'd
His pardon for returne.

Cas.
Which soone he granted,
Being an abstract 'tweene his Lust, and him.

Octa.
Do not say so, my Lord.

Cas.
I haue eyes vpon him,
And his affaires come to me on the wind:
wher is he now?

Octa.
My Lord, in Athens.

Casar.
No my most wronged Sister, Cleopatra
Hath nodded him to her. He hath giuen his Empire
Vp to a Whore, who now are leuying
The Kings o'th'earth for Warre. He hath assembled,
Bochus the King of Lybia, Archilaus
Of Cappadocia, Philadelphos King
Of Paphlagonia: the Thracian King Adullas,
King Manchus of Arabia, King of Pont,
Herod of Iewry, Mithridates King
Of Comageat, Polemen and Amintas,
The Kings of Mede, and Licoania,
With a more larger List of Scepters.

Octa.
Aye me most wretched,
That haue my heart parted betwixt two Friends,
That does afflict each other.

Cas.
Welcom hither:
your Letters did with-holde our breaking forth
Till we perceiu'd both how you were wrong led,
And we in negligent danger: cheere your heart,
Be you not troubled with the time, which driues
O're your content, these strong necessities,
But let determin'd things to destinie
Hold vnbewayl'd their way. Welcome to Rome,
Nothing more deere to me: You are abus'd
Beyond the marke of thought: and the high Gods
To do you Iustice, makes his Ministers
Of vs, and those that loue you. Best of comfort,
And euer welcom to vs.

Agrip.
Welcome Lady.

Mec.
Welcome deere Madam,
Each heart in Rome does loue and pitty you,
Onely th'adulterous Anthony, most large
In his abhominations, turnes you off,
And giues his potent Regiment to a Trull
That noyses it against vs.

Octa.
Is it so sir?

Cas.
Most certaine: Sister welcome: pray you
Be euer knowne to patience. My deer'st Sister.
Exeunt
Original text
Act III, Scene VII
Enter Cleopatra, and Enobarbus.

Cleo.
I will be euen with thee, doubt it not.

Eno.
But why, why, why?

Cleo.
Thou hast forespoke my being in these warres,
And say'st it it not fit.

Eno.
Well: is it, is it.

Cleo.
If not, denounc'd against vs, why should not we
be there in person.

Enob.
Well, I could reply:
if wee should serue with / Horse and Mares together,
the Horse were meerly lost: the Mares would beare
a Soldiour and his Horse.

Cleo.
What is't you say?

Enob.
Your presence needs must puzle Anthony,
Take from his heart, take from his Braine, from's time,
What should not then be spar'd. He is already
Traduc'd for Leuity, and 'tis said in Rome,
That Photinus an Eunuch, and your Maides
Mannage this warre.

Cleo.
Sinke Rome, and their tongues rot
That speake against vs. A Charge we beare i'th'Warre,
And as the president of my Kingdome will
Appeare there for a man. Speake not against it,
I will not stay behinde.
Enter Anthony and Camidias.

Eno.
Nay I haue done,
here comes the Emperor.

Ant.
Is it not strange Camidius,
That from Tarrentum, and Brandusium,
He could so quickly cut the Ionian Sea,
And take in Troine. You haue heard on't (Sweet?)

Cleo.
Celerity is neuer more admir'd,
Then by the negligent.

Ant.
A good rebuke,
Which might haue well becom'd the best of men
To taunt at slacknesse. Camidius, wee
Will fight with him by Sea.

Cleo.
By Sea, what else?

Cam.
Why will my Lord, do so?

Ant.
For that he dares vs too't.

Enob.
So hath my Lord, dar'd him to single fight.

Cam.
I, and to wage this Battell at Pharsalia,
Where Casar fought with Pompey. But these offers
Which serue not for his vantage, he shakes off,
And so should you.

Enob.
Your Shippes are not well mann'd,
Your Marriners are Militers, Reapers, people
Ingrost by swift Impresse. In Casars Fleete,
Are those, that often haue 'gainst Pompey fought,
Their shippes are yare, yours heauy: no disgrace
Shall fall you for refusing him at Sea,
Being prepar'd for Land.

Ant.
By Sea, by Sea.

Eno.
Most worthy Sir, you therein throw away
The absolute Soldiership you haue by Land,
Distract your Armie, which doth most consist
Of Warre-markt-footmen, leaue vnexecuted
Your owne renowned knowledge, quite forgoe
The way which promises assurance, and
Giue vp your selfe meerly to chance and hazard,
From firme Securitie.

Ant.
Ile fight at Sea.

Cleo.
I haue sixty Sailes, Caesar none better.

Ant.
Our ouer-plus of shipping will we burne,
And with the rest full mann'd, from th'head of Action
Beate th'approaching Casar. But if we faile,
We then can doo't at Land.
Enter a Messenger.
Thy Businesse?

Mes.
The Newes is true, my Lord, he is descried,
Casar ha's taken Toryne.

Ant,
Can he be there in person? 'Tis impossible
Strange, that his power should be. Camidius,
Our nineteene Legions thou shalt hold by Land,
And our twelue thousand Horse. Wee'l to our Ship,
Away my Thetis.
Enter a Soldiour.
How now worthy Souldier?

Soul.
Oh Noble Emperor, do not fight by Sea,
Trust not to rotten plankes: Do you misdoubt
This Sword, and these my Wounds; let th'Egyptians
And the Phonicians go a ducking: wee
Haue vs'd to conquer standing on the earth,
And fighting foot to foot.

Ant.
Well, well, away.
exit Ant. Cleo. & Enob.

Soul.
By Hercules I thinke I am i'th' right.

Cam.
Souldier thou art: but his whole action growes
Not in the power on't: so our Leaders leade,
And we are Womens men.

Soul.
You keepe by Land
the Legions and the Horse whole, do you not?

Ven.
Marcus Octauius, Marcus Iusteus,
Publicola, and Celius, are for Sea:
But we keepe whole by Land. This speede of Casars
Carries beyond beleefe.

Soul.
While he was yet in Rome,
His power went out in such distractions, / As
beguilde all Spies.

Cam.
Who's his Lieutenant, heare you?

Soul.
They say, one Towrus.

Cam.
Well, I know the man.
Enter a Messenger.

Mes.
The Emperor cals Camidius.

Cam.
With Newes the times with Labour, / And throwes forth
each minute, some.
exeunt
Original text
Act III, Scene VIII
Enter Casar with his Army, marching.

Cas.
Towrus?

Tow.
My Lord.

Cas.
Strike not by Land, / Keepe whole, prouoke not Battaile
Till we haue done at Sea. Do not exceede
The Prescript of this Scroule: Our fortune lyes
Vpon this iumpe.
exit.
Original text
Act III, Scene IX
Enter Anthony, and Enobarbus.

Ant.
Set we our Squadrons on yond side o'th'Hill,
In eye of Casars battaile, from which place
We may the number of the Ships behold,
And so proceed accordingly.
exit.
Original text
Act III, Scene X
Camidius Marcheth with his Land Army one way ouer
the stage, and Towrus the Lieutenant of Casar
the other way: After their going in, is heard
the noise of a Sea-fight.
Alarum. Enter Enobarbus and Scarus.

Eno.
Naught, naught, al naught, I can behold no longer:
Thantoniad, the Egyptian Admirall,
With all their sixty flye, and turne the Rudder:
To see't, mine eyes are blasted.
Enter Scarrus.

Scar.
Gods, & Goddesses,
all the whol synod of them!

Eno.
What's thy passion.

Scar.
The greater Cantle of the world, is lost
With very ignorance, we haue kist away
Kingdomes, and Prouinces.

Eno.
How appeares the Fight?

Scar.
On our side, like the Token'd Pestilence,
Where death is sure. Yon ribaudred Nagge of Egypt,
(Whom Leprosie o're-take) i'th'midst o'th'fight,
When vantage like a payre of Twinnes appear'd
Both as the same, or rather ours the elder;
(The Breeze vpon her) like a Cow in Inne,
Hoists Sailes, and flyes.

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

Scar.
She once being looft,
The Noble ruine of her Magicke, Anthony,
Claps on his Sea-wing, and (like a doting Mallard)
Leauing the Fight in heighth, flyes after her:
I neuer saw an Action of such shame;
Experience, Man-hood, Honor, ne're before,
Did violate so it selfe.

Enob.
Alacke, alacke.
Enter Camidius.

Cam.
Our Fortune on the Sea is out of breath,
And sinkes most lamentably. Had our Generall
Bin what he knew himselfe, it had gone well:
Oh his ha's giuen example for our flight,
Most grossely by his owne.

Enob.
I, are you thereabouts? Why then goodnight indeede.

Cam.
Toward Peloponnesus are they fled.

Scar.
'Tis easie toot, / And there I will attend
what further comes.

Camid.
To Casar will I render
My Legions and my Horse, sixe Kings alreadie
Shew me the way of yeelding.

Eno.
Ile yet follow
The wounded chance of Anthony, though my reason
Sits in the winde against me.
Original text
Act III, Scene XI
Enter Anthony with Attendants.

Ant.
Hearke, the Land bids me tread no more vpon't,
It is asham'd to beare me. Friends, come hither,
I am so lated in the world, that I
Haue lost my way for euer. I haue a shippe,
Laden with Gold, take that, diuide it: flye,
And make your peace with Casar.

Omnes.
Fly? Not wee.

Ant.
I haue fled my selfe, and haue instructed cowards
To runne, and shew their shoulders. Friends be gone,
I haue my selfe resolu'd vpon a course,
Which has no neede of you. Be gone,
My Treasure's in the Harbour. Take it: Oh,
I follow'd that I blush to looke vpon,
My very haires do mutiny: for the white
Reproue the browne for rashnesse, and they them
For feare, and doting. Friends be gone, you shall
Haue Letters from me to some Friends, that will
Sweepe your way for you. Pray you looke not sad,
Nor make replyes of loathnesse, take the hint
Which my dispaire proclaimes. Let them be left
Which leaues it selfe, to the Sea-side straight way;
I will possesse you of that ship and Treasure.
Leaue me, I pray a little: pray you now,
Nay do so: for indeede I haue lost command,
Therefore I pray you, Ile see you by and by.
Sits downe
Enter Cleopatra led by Charmian and Eros.

Eros.
Nay gentle Madam, to him, comfort him.

Iras.
Do most deere Queene.

Char.
Do, why, what else?

Cleo.
Let me sit downe: Oh Iuno.

Ant.
No, no, no, no, no.

Eros.
See you heere, Sir?

Ant.
Oh fie, fie, fie.

Char.
Madam.

Iras.
Madam, oh good Empresse.

Eros.
Sir, sir.

Ant.
Yes my Lord, yes; he at Philippi kept
His sword e'ne like a dancer, while I strooke
The leane and wrinkled Cassius, and 'twas I
That the mad Brutus ended: he alone
Dealt on Lieutenantry, and no practise had
In the braue squares of Warre: yet now: no matter.

Cleo.
Ah stand by.

Eros.
The Queene my Lord, the Queene.

Iras.
Go to him, Madam, speake to him,
Hee's vnqualited with very shame.

Cleo.
Well then, sustaine me: Oh.

Eros.
Most Noble Sir arise, the Queene approaches,
Her head's declin'd, and death will cease her, but
Your comfort makes the rescue.

Ant.
I haue offended Reputation,
A most vnnoble sweruing.

Eros.
Sir, the Queene.

Ant.
Oh whether hast thou lead me Egypt, see
How I conuey my shame, out of thine eyes,
By looking backe what I haue left behinde
Stroy'd in dishonor.

Cleo.
Oh my Lord, my Lord
Forgiue my fearfull sayles, I little thought
You would haue followed.

Ant.
Egypt, thou knew'st too well,
My heart was to thy Rudder tyed by'th'strings,
And thou should'st stowe me after. O're my spirit
The full supremacie thou knew'st, and that
Thy becke, might from the bidding of the Gods
Command mee.

Cleo.
Oh my pardon.

Ant.
Now I must
To the young man send humble Treaties, dodge
And palter in the shifts of lownes, who
With halfe the bulke o'th'world plaid as I pleas'd,
Making, and marring Fortunes. You did know
How much you were my Conqueror, and that
My Sword, made weake by my affection, would
Obey it on all cause.

Cleo.
Pardon, pardon.

Ant
Fall not a teare I say, one of them rates
All that is wonne and lost: Giue me a kisse,
Euen this repayes me. / We sent our Schoolemaster,
is a come backe? / Loue I am full of Lead:
some Wine / Within there, and our Viands: Fortune knowes,
We scorne her most, when most she offers blowes.
Exeunt
Original text
Act III, Scene XII
Enter Casar, Agrippa, and Dollabello, with
others.

Cas.
Let him appeare that's come from Anthony.
Know you him.

Dolla.
Casar, 'tis his Schoolemaster,
An argument that he is pluckt, when hither
He sends so poore a Pinnion of his Wing,
Which had superfluous Kings for Messengers,
Not many Moones gone by.
Enter Ambassador from Anthony.

Casar.
Approach, and speake.

Amb.
Such as I am, I come from Anthony:
I was of late as petty to his ends,
As is the Morne-dew on the Mertle leafe
To his grand Sea.

Cas.
Bee't so, declare thine office.

Amb.
Lord of his Fortunes he salutes thee, and
Requires to liue in Egypt, which not granted
He Lessons his Requests, and to thee sues
To let him breath betweene the Heauens and Earth
A priuate man in Athens: this for him.
Next, Cleopatra does confesse thy Greatnesse,
Submits her to thy might, and of thee craues
The Circle of the Ptolomies for her heyres,
Now hazarded to thy Grace.

Cas.
For Anthony,
I haue no eares to his request. The Queene,
Of Audience, nor Desire shall faile, so shee
From Egypt driue her all-disgraced Friend,
Or take his life there. This if shee performe,
She shall not sue vnheard. So to them both.

Amb.
Fortune pursue thee.

Cas.
Bring him through the Bands:
To try thy Eloquence, now 'tis time, dispatch,
From Anthony winne Cleopatra, promise
And in our Name, what she requires, adde more
From thine inuention, offers. Women are not
In their best Fortunes strong; but want will periure
The ne're touch'd Vestall. Try thy cunning Thidias,
Make thine owne Edict for thy paines, which we
Will answer as a Law.

Thid.
Casar. I go.

Casar.
Obserue how Anthony becomes his flaw,
And what thou think'st his very action speakes
In euery power that mooues.

Thid.
Casar, I shall.
exeunt.
Original text
Act III, Scene XIII
Enter Cleopatra, Enobarbus, Charmian, & Iras.

Cleo.
What shall we do, Enobarbus?

Eno.
Thinke, and dye.

Cleo.
Is Anthony, or we in fault for this?

Eno.
Anthony onely, that would make his will
Lord of his Reason. What though you fled,
From that great face of Warre, whose seuerall ranges
Frighted each other? Why should he follow?
The itch of his Affection should not then
Haue nickt his Captain-ship, at such a point,
When halfe to halfe the world oppos'd, he being
The meered question? 'Twas a shame no lesse
Then was his losse, to course your flying Flagges,
And leaue his Nauy gazing.

Cleo.
Prythee peace.
Enter the Ambassador, with Anthony.

Ant.
Is that his answer?

Amb.
I my Lord.

Ant.
The Queene shall then haue courtesie, / So she
will yeeld vs vp.

Am.
He sayes so.

Antho.
Let her know't.
To the Boy Casar send this grizled head,
and he will fill thy wishes to the brimme,
With Principalities.

Cleo.
That head my Lord?

Ant.
To him againe, tell him he weares the Rose
Of youth vpon him: from which, the world should note
Something particular: His Coine, Ships, Legions,
May be a Cowards, whose Ministers would preuaile
Vnder the seruice of a Childe, as soone
As i'th'Command of Casar. I dare him therefore
To lay his gay Comparisons a-part,
And answer me declin'd, Sword against Sword,
Our selues alone: Ile write it: Follow me.

Eno.

Yes like enough: hye battel'd Casar will
Vnstate his happinesse, and be Stag'd to'th'shew
Against a Sworder. I see mens Iudgements are
A parcell of their Fortunes, and things outward
Do draw the inward quality after them
To suffer all alike, that he should dreame,
Knowing all measures, the full Casar will
Answer his emptinesse; Casar thou hast subdu'de
His iudgement too.
Enter a Seruant.

Ser.
A Messenger from Casar.

Cleo.
What no more Ceremony? See my Women,
Against the blowne Rose may they stop their nose,
That kneel'd vnto the Buds. Admit him sir.

Eno.

Mine honesty, and I, beginne to square,
The Loyalty well held to Fooles, does make
Our Faith meere folly: yet he that can endure
To follow with Allegeance a falne Lord,
Does conquer him that did his Master conquer,
And earnes a place i'th'Story.
Enter Thidias.

Cleo.
Casars will.

Thid.
Heare it apart.

Cleo.
None but Friends: say boldly.

Thid.
So haply are they Friends to Anthony.

Enob.
He needs as many (Sir) as Casar ha's,
Or needs not vs. If Casar please, our Master
Will leape to be his Friend: For vs you know,
Whose he is, we are, and that is Caesars.

Thid.
So.
Thus then thou most renown'd, Casar intreats,
Not to consider in what case thou stand'st
Further then he is Casars.

Cleo.
Go on, right Royall.

Thid.
He knowes that you embrace not Anthony
As you did loue, but as you feared him.

Cleo.
Oh.

Thid.
The scarre's vpon your Honor, therefore he
Does pitty, as constrained blemishes,
Not as deserued.

Cleo.
He is a God, / And knowes
what is most right. Mine Honour / Was not yeelded,
but conquer'd meerely.

Eno.
To be sure of that,
I will aske Anthony. / Sir, sir, thou art so leakie
That we must leaue thee to thy sinking, for
Thy deerest quit thee.
Exit Enob.

Thid.
Shall I say to Casar,
What you require of him: for he partly begges
To be desir'd to giue. It much would please him,
That of his Fortunes you should make a staffe
To leane vpon. But it would warme his spirits
To heare from me you had left Anthony,
And put your selfe vnder his shrowd,
the vniuersal Landlord.

Cleo.
What's your name?

Thid.
My name is Thidias.

Cleo.
Most kinde Messenger,
Say to great Casar this in disputation,
I kisse his conqu'ring hand: Tell him, I am prompt
To lay my Crowne at's feete, and there to kneele.
Tell him, from his all-obeying breath, I heare
The doome of Egypt.

Thid.
'Tis your Noblest course:
Wisedome and Fortune combatting together,
If that the former dare but what it can,
No chance may shake it. Giue me grace to lay
My dutie on your hand.

Cleo.
Your Casars Father oft,
(When he hath mus'd of taking kingdomes in)
Bestow'd his lips on that vnworthy place,
As it rain'd kisses.
Enter Anthony and Enobarbus.

Ant.
Fauours? By Ioue that thunders.
What art thou Fellow?

Thid.
One that but performes
The bidding of the fullest man, and worthiest
To haue command obey'd.

Eno.
You will be whipt.

Ant.
Approch there: ah you Kite. Now Gods & diuels
Authority melts from me of late. When I cried hoa,
Like Boyes vnto a musse, Kings would start forth,
And cry, your will. Haue you no eares? / I am
Anthony yet.
Enter a Seruant.
Take hence this Iack, and whip him.

Eno.
'Tis better playing with a Lions whelpe,
Then with an old one dying.

Ant.
Moone and Starres,
Whip him: wer't twenty of the greatest Tributaries
That do acknowledge Caesar, should I finde them
So sawcy with the hand of she heere, what's her name
Since she was Cleopatra? Whip him Fellowes,
Till like a Boy you see him crindge his face,
And whine aloud for mercy. Take him hence.

Thid.
Marke Anthony.

Ant.
Tugge him away: being whipt
Bring him againe, the Iacke of Casars shall
Exeunt with Thidius.
Beare vs an arrant to him.
You were halfe blasted ere I knew you: Ha?
Haue I my pillow left vnprest in Rome,
Forborne the getting of a lawfull Race,
And by a Iem of women, to be abus'd
By one that lookes on Feeders?

Cleo.
Good my Lord.

Ant.
You haue beene a boggeler euer,
But when we in our viciousnesse grow hard
(Oh misery on't) the wise Gods seele our eyes
In our owne filth, drop our cleare iudgements, make vs
Adore our errors, laugh at's while we strut
To our confusion.

Cleo.
Oh, is't come to this?

Ant.
I found you as a Morsell, cold vpon
Dead Casars Trencher: Nay, you were a Fragment
Of Gneius Pompeyes, besides what hotter houres
Vnregistred in vulgar Fame, you haue
Luxuriously pickt out. For I am sure,
Though you can guesse what Temperance should be,
You know not what it is.

Cleo.
Wherefore is this?

Ant.
To let a Fellow that will take rewards,
And say, God quit you, be familiar with
My play-fellow, your hand; this Kingly Seale,
And plighter of high hearts. O that I were
Vpon the hill of Basan, to out-roare
The horned Heard, for I haue sauage cause,
And to proclaime it ciuilly, were like
A halter'd necke, which do's the Hangman thanke,
For being yare about him.
Enter a Seruant with Thidias.
Is he whipt?

Ser.
Soundly, my Lord.

Ant.
Cried he? and begg'd a Pardon?

Ser.
He did aske fauour.

Ant.
If that thy Father liue, let him repent
Thou was't not made his daughter, and be thou sorrie
To follow Casar in his Triumph, since
Thou hast bin whipt. For following him, henceforth
The white hand of a Lady Feauer thee,
Shake thou to looke on't. Get thee backe to Casar,
Tell him thy entertainment: looke thou say
He makes me angry with him. For he seemes
Proud and disdainfull, harping on what I am,
Not what he knew I was. He makes me angry,
And at this time most easie 'tis to doo't:
When my good Starres, that were my former guides
Haue empty left their Orbes, and shot their Fires
Into th'Abisme of hell. If he mislike,
My speech, and what is done, tell him he has
Hiparchus, my enfranched Bondman, whom
He may at pleasure whip, or hang, or torture,
As he shall like to quit me. Vrge it thou:
Hence with thy stripes, be gone.
Exit Thid.

Cleo.
Haue you done yet?

Ant.
Alacke our Terrene Moone
is now Eclipst, / And it portends alone
the fall of Anthony.

Cleo.
I must stay his time?

Ant.
To flatter Casar, would you mingle eyes
With one that tyes his points.

Cleo.
Not know me yet?

Ant.
Cold-hearted toward me?

Cleo.
Ah (Deere) if I be so,
From my cold heart let Heauen ingender haile,
And poyson it in the sourse, and the first stone
Drop in my necke: as it determines so
Dissolue my life, the next Casarian smile,
Till by degrees the memory of my wombe,
Together with my braue Egyptians all,
By the discandering of this pelleted storme,
Lye grauelesse, till the Flies and Gnats of Nyle
Haue buried them for prey.

Ant.
I am satisfied:
Casar sets downe in Alexandria, where
I will oppose his Fate. Our force by Land,
Hath Nobly held, our seuer'd Nauie too
Haue knit againe, and Fleete, threatning most Sea-like.
Where hast thou bin my heart? Dost thou heare Lady?
If from the Field I shall returne once more
To kisse these Lips, I will appeare in Blood,
I, and my Sword, will earne our Chronicle,
There's hope in't yet.

Cleo.
That's my braue Lord.

Ant.
I will be trebble-sinewed, hearted, breath'd,
And fight maliciously: for when mine houres
Were nice and lucky, men did ransome liues
Of me for iests: But now, Ile set my teeth,
And send to darkenesse all that stop me. Come,
Let's haue one other gawdy night: Call to me
All my sad Captaines, fill our Bowles once more:
Let's mocke the midnight Bell.

Cleo.
It is my Birth-day,
I had thought t'haue held it poore. But since my Lord
Is Anthony againe, I will be Cleopatra.

Ant.
We will yet do well.

Cleo.
Call all his Noble Captaines to my Lord.

Ant.
Do so, wee'l speake to them, / And to night Ile force
The Wine peepe through their scarres. / Come on (my Queene)
There's sap in't yet. The next time I do fight
Ile make death loue me: for I will contend
Euen with his pestilent Sythe.
Exeunt.

Eno.
Now hee'l out-stare the Lightning, to be furious
Is to be frighted out of feare, and in that moode
The Doue will pecke the Estridge; and I see still
A diminution in our Captaines braine,
Restores his heart; when valour prayes in reason,
It eates the Sword it fights with: I will seeke
Some way to leaue him.
Exeunt.
Modern text
Act III, Scene I
Enter Ventidius, as it were in triumph, with Silius and
other officers and soldiers. Before Ventidius is borne
the dead body of Pacorus

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

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

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

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

VENTIDIUS
I'll humbly signify what in his name,
That magical word of war, we have effected;
How, with his banners and his well-paid ranks,
The ne'er-yet-beaten horse of Parthia
We have jaded out o'th' 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
Modern text
Act III, Scene II
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
Since Pompey's feast, as Menas says, is troubled
With the green-sickness.

AGRIPPA
'Tis a noble Lepidus.

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

AGRIPPA
Nay, but how dearly he adores Mark Antony!

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

AGRIPPA
What's Antony? The god of Jupiter.

ENOBARBUS
Spake you of Caesar? How! The nonpareil!

AGRIPPA
O Antony! O thou Arabian bird!

ENOBARBUS
Would you praise Caesar, say ‘ Caesar ’ – go no further.

AGRIPPA
Indeed, he plied them both with excellent praises.

ENOBARBUS
But he loves Caesar best, yet he loves Antony –
Hoo! Hearts, tongues, figures, scribes, bards, poets, cannot
Think, speak, cast, write, sing, number – hoo! –
His love to Antony. But as for Caesar,
Kneel down, kneel down, and wonder.

AGRIPPA
Both he loves.

ENOBARBUS
They are his shards, and he their beetle. So –
(Trumpet within)
This is to horse. Adieu, noble Agrippa.

AGRIPPA
Good fortune, worthy soldier, and farewell!
Enter Caesar, Antony, Lepidus, and Octavia

ANTONY
No further, sir.

CAESAR
You take from me a great part of myself;
Use me well in't. Sister, prove such a wife
As my thoughts make thee, and as my 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 cherished.

ANTONY
Make me not offended
In your distrust.

CAESAR
I have said.

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

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

OCTAVIA
(weeping)
My noble brother!

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

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

CAESAR
What,
Octavia?

OCTAVIA
I'll tell you in your ear.

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

ENOBARBUS
(aside to Agrippa)
Will Caesar weep?

AGRIPPA
(aside to Enobarbus)
He has a cloud in's face.

ENOBARBUS
(aside to Agrippa)
He were the worse for that, were he a horse;
So is he, being a man.

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

ENOBARBUS
(aside to Agrippa)
That year indeed he was troubled with a rheum.
What willingly he did confound he wailed,
Believe't, till I wept too.

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

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

CAESAR
Adieu; be happy!

LEPIDUS
(to Octavia)
Let all the number of the stars give light
To thy fair way!

CAESAR
Farewell, farewell!
He kisses Octavia

ANTONY
Farewell!
Trumpets sound. Exeunt
Modern text
Act III, Scene III
Enter Cleopatra, Charmian, Iras, and Alexas

CLEOPATRA
Where is the fellow?

ALEXAS
Half afeard to come.

CLEOPATRA
Go to, go to.
Enter the Messenger as before
Come hither, sir.

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

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

MESSENGER
Most gracious majesty!

CLEOPATRA
Didst thou behold Octavia?

MESSENGER
Ay, dread queen.

CLEOPATRA
Where?

MESSENGER
Madam, in Rome.
I looked 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'st 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 judgement.

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.
Exit Messenger
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
Modern text
Act III, Scene IV
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
New wars 'gainst Pompey; made his will, and read it
To public ear;
Spoke scantly of me; when perforce he could not
But pay me terms of honour, cold and sickly
He vented them, most narrow measure lent me;
When the best hint was given him, he not took't,
Or did it from his teeth.

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

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

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

ANTONY
When it appears to you where this begins,
Turn your displeasure that way, for our faults
Can never be so equal that your love
Can equally move with them. Provide your going;
Choose your own company, and command what cost
Your heart has mind to.
Exeunt
Modern text
Act III, Scene V
Enter Enobarbus and Eros

ENOBARBUS
How now, friend Eros?

EROS
There's strange news come, sir.

ENOBARBUS
What, man?

EROS
Caesar and Lepidus have made wars upon Pompey.

ENOBARBUS
This is old. What is the success?

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

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

EROS
He's walking in the garden – thus, and spurns
The rush that lies before him; cries ‘ Fool Lepidus!’
And threats the throat of that his officer
That murdered Pompey.

ENOBARBUS
Our great navy's rigged.

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

ENOBARBUS
'Twill be naught;
But let it be. Bring me to Antony.

EROS
Come, sir.
Exeunt
Modern text
Act III, Scene VI
Enter Agrippa, Maecenas, and Caesar

CAESAR
Contemning Rome, he has done all this and more
In Alexandria. Here's the manner of't:
I'th' market-place, on a tribunal silvered,
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.

MAECENAS
This in the public eye?

CAESAR
I'th' common showplace, where they exercise.
His sons he there proclaimed the kings of kings;
Great Media, Parthia, and Armenia.
He 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,
As 'tis reported, so.

MAECENAS
Let 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
His accusations.

AGRIPPA
Who 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
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 answered.

CAESAR
'Tis done already, and the messenger gone.
I have told him Lepidus was grown too cruel,
That he his high authority abused,
And did deserve his change. For what I have conquered,
I grant him part; but then in his Armenia,
And 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
Hail, Caesar and my lord! Hail, most dear Caesar!

CAESAR
That 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
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 th' way
Should have borne men, and expectation fainted,
Longing for what it had not. Nay, the dust
Should have ascended to the roof of heaven,
Raised by your populous troops. But you are come
A market maid to Rome, and have prevented
The ostentation of our love; which, left unshown,
Is often left unloved. We should have met you
By sea and land, supplying every stage
With an augmented greeting.

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

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

OCTAVIA
Do not say so, my lord.

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

OCTAVIA
My lord, in Athens.

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

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

CAESAR
Welcome hither.
Your letters did withhold our breaking forth,
Till we perceived both how you were wrong led
And we in negligent danger. Cheer your heart;
Be you not troubled with the time, which drives
O'er your content these strong necessities;
But let determined things to destiny
Hold unbewailed 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, makes his ministers
Of us and those that love you. Best of comfort,
And ever welcome to us.

AGRIPPA
Welcome, lady.

MAECENAS
Welcome, dear madam.
Each heart in Rome does love and pity you.
Only 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
Is it so, sir?

CAESAR
Most certain. Sister, welcome. Pray you
Be ever known to patience. My dear'st sister!
Exeunt
Modern text
Act III, Scene VII
Enter Cleopatra and Enobarbus

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

ENOBARBUS
But why, why, why?

CLEOPATRA
Thou hast forspoke my being in these wars,
And sayst it is not fit.

ENOBARBUS
Well, is it, is it?

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

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

CLEOPATRA
What is't you say?

ENOBARBUS
Your presence needs must puzzle Antony,
Take from his heart, take from his brain, from's time,
What should not then be 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'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
Nay, I have done.
Here comes the Emperor.

ANTONY
Is it not strange, Canidius,
That from Tarentum and Brundisium
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.

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?

ANTONY
For that he dares us to't.

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.

ENOBARBUS
Your 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;
Their ships are yare; yours, heavy. No disgrace
Shall fall you for refusing him at sea,
Being prepared for land.

ANTONY
By sea, by sea.

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

ANTONY
I'll fight at sea.

CLEOPATRA
I have sixty sails, Caesar none better.

ANTONY
Our overplus of shipping will we burn,
And with the rest full-manned, from th' head of Actium
Beat th' approaching Caesar. But if we fail,
We then can do't at land.
Enter a Messenger
Thy business?

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

ANTONY
Can he be there in person? 'Tis impossible;
Strange that his power should be. Canidius,
Our nineteen legions thou shalt hold by land
And our twelve thousand horse. We'll to our ship.
Away, my Thetis!
Enter a Soldier
How now, worthy soldier?

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

ANTONY
Well, well; away!
Exeunt Antony, Cleopatra, and Enobarbus

SOLDIER
By Hercules, I think I am i'th' right.

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

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

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

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

CANIDIUS
Who's his lieutenant, hear you?

SOLDIER
They say one Taurus.

CANIDIUS
Well I know the man.
Enter a Messenger

MESSENGER
The Emperor calls Canidius.

CANIDIUS
With news the time's with labour and throes forth
Each minute some.
Exeunt
Modern text
Act III, Scene VIII
Enter Caesar and Taurus, with their army, marching

CAESAR
Taurus!

TAURUS
My lord?

CAESAR
Strike not by land; keep whole: provoke not battle
Till we have done at sea. Do not exceed
The prescript of this scroll. Our fortune lies
Upon this jump.
Exeunt
Modern text
Act III, Scene IX
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.
Exeunt
Modern text
Act III, Scene X
Canidius marcheth with his land army one way over
the stage, and Taurus, the lieutenant of Caesar, with
his army, the other way. After their going in is heard
the noise of a sea fight
Alarum. Enter Enobarbus

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

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

ENOBARBUS
What's thy passion?

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

ENOBARBUS
How 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,
When vantage like a pair of twins appeared,
Both as the same, or rather ours the elder,
The breese upon her, like a cow in June,
Hoists sails and flies.

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

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

ENOBARBUS
Alack, alack!
Enter Canidius

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

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

CANIDIUS
Toward Peloponnesus are they fled.

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

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

ENOBARBUS
I'll yet follow
The wounded chance of Antony, though my reason
Sits in the wind against me.
Exeunt
Modern text
Act III, Scene XI
Enter Antony with attendants

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

ALL
Fly? Not we.

ANTONY
I have fled myself, and have instructed cowards
To run and show their shoulders. Friends, be gone.
I have myself resolved upon a course
Which has no need of you. Be gone.
My treasure's in the harbour. Take it. O,
I followed 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 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.
Therefore I pray you. I'll see you by and by.
Exeunt attendants. Antony sits down
Enter Cleopatra, led by Charmian, Iras, and Eros

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

IRAS
Do, most dear queen.

CHARMIAN
Do; why, what else?

CLEOPATRA
Let me sit down. O, Juno!

ANTONY
No, no, no, no, no.

EROS
See you here, sir?

ANTONY
O, fie, fie, fie!

CHARMIAN
Madam!

IRAS
Madam, O, good empress!

EROS
Sir, sir!

ANTONY
Yes, my lord, yes. He at Philippi kept
His sword e'en like a dancer, while I struck
The lean and wrinkled Cassius; and 'twas I
That the mad Brutus ended. He alone
Dealt on lieutenantry, and no practice had
In the brave squares of war. Yet now – no matter.

CLEOPATRA
Ah, stand by.

EROS
The Queen, my lord, the Queen.

IRAS
Go to him, madam, speak to him;
He's unqualitied with very shame.

CLEOPATRA
Well 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
I have offended reputation,
A most unnoble swerving.

EROS
Sir, the Queen.

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

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

ANTONY
Egypt, thou knew'st too well
My 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
Command me.

CLEOPATRA
O, my pardon!

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

CLEOPATRA
Pardon, pardon!

ANTONY
Fall not a tear, I say; one of them rates
All that is won and lost. Give me a kiss.
Even this repays me. – We sent our schoolmaster;
Is 'a come back? – Love, I am full of lead.
Some wine, within there, and our viands! Fortune knows
We scorn her most when most she offers blows.
Exeunt
Modern text
Act III, Scene XII
Enter Caesar, Agrippa, Dolabella, and Thidias, with
others

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

DOLABELLA
Caesar, 'tis his schoolmaster:
An argument that he is plucked, when hither
He 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
Such as I am, I come from Antony.
I was of late as petty to his ends
As is the morn-dew on the myrtle leaf
To his grand sea.

CAESAR
Be't so. Declare thine office.

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

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

AMBASSADOR
Fortune pursue thee!

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

THIDIAS
Caesar, I go.

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

THIDIAS
Caesar, I shall.
Exeunt
Modern text
Act III, Scene XIII
Enter Cleopatra, Enobarbus, Charmian, and Iras

CLEOPATRA
What shall we do, Enobarbus?

ENOBARBUS
Think, and die.

CLEOPATRA
Is Antony or we in fault for this?

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

CLEOPATRA
Prithee, peace.
Enter the Ambassador, with Antony

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

CLEOPATRA
That head, my lord?

ANTONY
(to Ambassador)
To him again! Tell him he wears the rose
Of youth upon him; from which the world should note
Something particular. His coin, ships, legions,
May be a coward's, whose ministers would prevail
Under the service of a child as soon
As i'th' command of Caesar. I dare him therefore
To lay his gay comparisons apart,
And answer me declined, sword against sword,
Ourselves alone. I'll write it. Follow me.
Exeunt Antony and Ambassador

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

SERVANT
A messenger from Caesar.

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

ENOBARBUS
(aside)
Mine honesty and I begin to square.
The loyalty well held to fools does make
Our faith mere folly. Yet he that can endure
To follow with allegiance a fallen lord
Does conquer him that did his master conquer
And earns a place i'th' story.
Enter Thidias

CLEOPATRA
Caesar's will?

THIDIAS
Hear 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
Will 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
Further than he is Caesar.

CLEOPATRA
Go on; right royal.

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

CLEOPATRA
O!

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

CLEOPATRA
He is a god, and knows
What is most right. Mine honour was not yielded,
But 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.
Exit

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

CLEOPATRA
What's your name?

THIDIAS
My name is Thidias.

CLEOPATRA
Most kind messenger,
Say to great Caesar this: in deputation
I kiss his conquering hand. Tell him I am prompt
To lay my crown at's feet, and there to kneel,
Till him from his all-obeying breath I hear
The 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
My duty on your hand.
She gives him her hand

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
Favours, 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
(aside)
You will be whipped.

ANTONY
Approach there! – Ah, you kite! Now, gods and devils!
Authority melts from me. Of late, when I cried ‘ Ho!’,
Like boys unto a muss, kings would start forth
And cry ‘ Your will?’ Have you no ears? I am
Antony yet.
Enter 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
Moon and stars!
Whip him! Were't twenty of the greatest tributaries
That do acknowledge Caesar, should I find them
So saucy with the hand of she here – what's her name,
Since she was Cleopatra? Whip him, fellows,
Till like a boy you see him cringe his face
And whine aloud for mercy. Take him hence.

THIDIAS
Mark Antony –

ANTONY
Tug him away. Being whipped,
Bring him again. This Jack of Caesar's shall
Exeunt servants with Thidias
Bear us an errand to him.
You were half blasted ere I knew you. Ha!
Have I my pillow left unpressed in Rome,
Forborne the getting of a lawful race,
And by a gem of women, to be abused
By one that looks on feeders?

CLEOPATRA
Good my lord –

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

CLEOPATRA
O, is't come to this?

ANTONY
I found you as a morsel cold upon
Dead Caesar's trencher. Nay, you were a fragment
Of Gnaeus Pompey's, besides what hotter hours,
Unregistered in vulgar fame, you have
Luxuriously 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
And say ‘ God quit you!’ be familiar with
My playfellow, your hand, this kingly seal
And plighter of high hearts! O that I were
Upon the hill of Basan to outroar
The horned herd! For I have savage cause,
And to proclaim it civilly were like
A 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
Cried he? And begged 'a pardon?

SERVANT
He did ask favour.

ANTONY
If that thy father live, let him repent
Thou wast not made his daughter; and be thou sorry
To follow Caesar in his triumph, since
Thou hast been 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
He makes me angry with him; for he seems
Proud and disdainful, harping on what I am,
Not what he knew I was. He makes me angry,
And at this time most easy 'tis to do't,
When my good stars that were my former guides
Have empty left their orbs and shot their fires
Into th' abysm of hell. If he mislike
My speech and what is done, tell him he has
Hipparchus, my enfranched bondman, whom
He may at pleasure whip, or hang, or torture,
As he shall like, to quit me. Urge it thou.
Hence with thy stripes, be gone!
Exit Thidias

CLEOPATRA
Have you done yet?

ANTONY
Alack, our terrene moon
Is now eclipsed, and it portends alone
The fall of Antony.

CLEOPATRA
I must stay his time.

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

CLEOPATRA
Not know me yet?

ANTONY
Cold-hearted toward me?

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

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

CLEOPATRA
That's my brave lord!

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

CLEOPATRA
It is my birthday.
I had thought t' have held it poor. But since my lord
Is Antony again, I will be Cleopatra.

ANTONY
We will yet do well.

CLEOPATRA
Call all his noble captains to my lord.

ANTONY
Do so, we'll speak to them; and 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
Even with his pestilent scythe.
Exeunt all but Enobarbus

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

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