ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA
by William Shakespeare
Contents
ACT I
Scene I.
Alexandria. A Room in Cleopatra’s palace.
Scene II.
Alexandria. Another Room in Cleopatra’s palace.
Scene III.
Alexandria. A Room in Cleopatra’s palace.
Scene IV.
Rome. An Apartment in Caesar’s House
Scene V.
Alexandria. A Room in the Palace.
ACT II
Scene I.
Messina. A Room in Pompey’s house.
Scene II.
Rome. A Room in the House of Lepidus.
Scene III.
Rome. A Room in Caesar’s House.
Scene IV.
Rome. A street.
Scene V.
Alexandria. A Room in the Palace.
Scene VI.
Near Misenum.
Scene VII.
On board Pompey’s Galley, lying near Misenum.
ACT III
Scene I.
A plain in Syria.
Scene II.
Rome. An Ante-chamber in Caesar’s house.
Scene III.
Alexandria. A Room in the Palace.
Scene IV.
Athens. A Room in Antony’s House.
Scene V.
Athens. Another Room in Antony’s House.
Scene VI.
Rome. A Room in Caesar’s House.
Scene VII.
Antony’s Camp near the Promontory of Actium.
Scene VIII.
A plain near Actium.
Scene IX.
Another part of the Plain.
Scene X.
Another part of the Plain.
Scene XI.
Alexandria. A Room in the Palace.
Scene XII.
Caesar’s camp in Egypt.
Scene XIII.
Alexandria. A Room in the Palace.
ACT IV
Scene I.
Caesar’s Camp at Alexandria.
Scene II.
Alexandria. A Room in the Palace.
Scene III.
Alexandria. Before the Palace.
Scene IV.
Alexandria. A Room in the Palace.
Scene V.
Antony’s camp near Alexandria.
Scene VI.
Alexandria. Caesar’s camp.
Scene VII.
Field of battle between the Camps.
Scene VIII.
Under the Walls of Alexandria.
Scene IX.
Caesar’s camp.
Scene X.
Ground between the two Camps.
Scene XI.
Another part of the Ground.
Scene XII.
Another part of the Ground.
Scene XIII.
Alexandria. A Room in the Palace.
Scene XIV.
Alexandria. Another Room.
Scene XV.
Alexandria. A monument.
ACT V
Scene I.
Caesar’s Camp before Alexandria.
Scene II.
Alexandria. A Room in the Monument.
Dramatis Personæ
MARK ANTONY, Triumvir
OCTAVIUS CAESAR, Triumvir
LEPIDUS, Triumvir
SEXTUS POMPEIUS,
DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS, friend to Antony
VENTIDIUS, friend to Antony
EROS, friend to Antony
SCARUS, friend to Antony
DERCETUS, friend to Antony
DEMETRIUS, friend to Antony
PHILO, friend to Antony
MAECENAS, friend to Caesar
AGRIPPA, friend to Caesar
DOLABELLA, friend to Caesar
PROCULEIUS, friend to Caesar
THIDIAS, friend to Caesar
GALLUS, friend to Caesar
MENAS, friend to Pompey
MENECRATES, friend to Pompey
VARRIUS, friend to Pompey
TAURUS, Lieutenant-General to Caesar
CANIDIUS, Lieutenant-General to Antony
SILIUS, an Officer in Ventidius’s army
EUPHRONIUS, an Ambassador from Antony to Caesar
ALEXAS, attendant on Cleopatra
MARDIAN, attendant on Cleopatra
SELEUCUS, attendant on Cleopatra
DIOMEDES, attendant on Cleopatra
A SOOTHSAYER
A CLOWN
CLEOPATRA, Queen of Egypt
OCTAVIA, sister to Caesar and wife to Antony
CHARMIAN, Attendant on Cleopatra
IRAS, Attendant on Cleopatra
Officers, Soldiers, Messengers, and other Attendants
SCENE: Dispersed, in several parts of the Roman Empire.
ACT I
SCENE I. Alexandria. A Room in Cleopatra’s palace.
Enter Demetrius and Philo.
PHILO.
Nay, but this dotage of our general’s
O’erflows the measure. Those his goodly eyes,
That o’er the files and musters of the war
Have glowed like plated Mars, now bend, now turn
The office and devotion of their view
Upon a tawny front. His captain’s heart,
Which in the scuffles of great fights hath burst
The buckles on his breast, reneges all temper
And is become the bellows and the fan
To cool a gipsy’s lust.
Flourish. Enter Antony and 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.
ANTONY.
There’s beggary in the love that can be reckoned.
CLEOPATRA.
I’ll set a bourn how far to be beloved.
ANTONY.
Then must thou needs find out new heaven, new earth.
Enter a Messenger.
MESSENGER.
News, my good lord, from Rome.
ANTONY.
Grates me, the sum.
CLEOPATRA.
Nay, hear them, Antony.
Fulvia perchance is angry; or who knows
If the scarce-bearded Caesar have not sent
His powerful mandate to you: “Do this or this;
Take in that kingdom and enfranchise that.
Perform’t, or else we damn thee.”
ANTONY.
How, my love?
CLEOPATRA.
Perchance! Nay, and most like.
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!
ANTONY.
Let Rome in Tiber melt, and the wide arch
Of the ranged empire fall! Here is my space.
Kingdoms are clay. Our dungy earth alike
Feeds beast as man. The nobleness of life
Is to do thus [_Embracing_]; when such a mutual pair
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.
ANTONY.
But stirred by Cleopatra.
Now, for the love of Love and her soft hours,
Let’s not confound the time with conference harsh.
There’s not a minute of our lives should stretch
Without some pleasure now. What sport tonight?
CLEOPATRA.
Hear the ambassadors.
ANTONY.
Fie, wrangling queen!
Whom everything becomes—to chide, to laugh,
To weep; whose every passion fully strives
To make itself, in thee fair and admired!
No messenger but thine, and all alone
Tonight we’ll wander through the streets and note
The qualities of people. Come, my queen,
Last night you did desire it. Speak not to us.
[_Exeunt Antony and Cleopatra with the Train._]
DEMETRIUS.
Is Caesar with Antonius prized so slight?
PHILO.
Sir, sometimes when he is not Antony,
He comes too short of that great property
Which still should go with Antony.
DEMETRIUS.
I am full sorry
That he approves the common liar who
Thus speaks of him at Rome, but I will hope
Of better deeds tomorrow. Rest you happy!
[_Exeunt._]
SCENE II. Alexandria. Another Room in Cleopatra’s palace.
Enter Enobarbus, a Soothsayer, Charmian, Iras, Mardian and Alexas.
CHARMIAN.
Lord Alexas, sweet Alexas, most anything Alexas, almost most absolute
Alexas, where’s the soothsayer that you praised so to th’ 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.
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.
ENOBARBUS.
Mine, and most of our fortunes tonight, 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 workaday 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 worse follow
worse, till the worst of all follow him laughing to his grave,
fiftyfold a cuckold! Good Isis, hear me this prayer, though thou deny
me a matter of more weight; good Isis, I beseech thee!
IRAS.
Amen. Dear goddess, hear that prayer of the people! For, as it is a
heartbreaking to see a handsome man loose-wived, so it is a deadly
sorrow to behold a foul knave uncuckolded. Therefore, dear Isis, keep
decorum and fortune him accordingly!
CHARMIAN.
Amen.
ALEXAS.
Lo now, if it lay in their hands to make me a cuckold, they would make
themselves whores but they’d do’t!
Enter Cleopatra.
ENOBARBUS.
Hush, Here comes Antony.
CHARMIAN.
Not he, the queen.
CLEOPATRA.
Saw you my lord?
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!
ENOBARBUS.
Madam?
CLEOPATRA.
Seek him and bring him hither. Where’s Alexas?
ALEXAS.
Here, at your service. My lord approaches.
Enter Antony with a Messenger.
CLEOPATRA.
We will not look upon him. Go with us.
[_Exeunt Cleopatra, Enobarbus, Charmian, Iras, Alexas and
Soothsayer._]
MESSENGER.
Fulvia thy wife first came into the field.
ANTONY.
Against my brother Lucius.
MESSENGER.
Ay.
But soon that war had end, and the time’s state
Made friends of them, jointing their force ’gainst Caesar,
Whose better issue in the war from Italy
Upon the first encounter drave them.
ANTONY.
Well, what worst?
MESSENGER.
The nature of bad news infects the teller.
ANTONY.
When it concerns the fool or coward. On.
Things that are past are done with me. ’Tis thus:
Who tells me true, though in his tale lie death,
I hear him as he flattered.
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—
ANTONY.
“Antony”, thou wouldst say—
MESSENGER.
O, my lord!
ANTONY.
Speak to me home; mince not the general tongue.
Name Cleopatra as she is called in Rome;
Rail thou in Fulvia’s phrase, and taunt my faults
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 Messenger._]
Enter another Messenger.
ANTONY.
From Sicyon, ho, the news? Speak there!
SECOND MESSENGER.
The man from Sicyon—
ANTONY.
Is there such a one?
SECOND MESSENGER.
He stays upon your will.
ANTONY.
Let him appear.
[_Exit second Messenger._]
These strong Egyptian fetters I must break,
Or lose myself in dotage.
Enter another Messenger with a letter.
What are you?
THIRD MESSENGER.
Fulvia thy wife is dead.
ANTONY.
Where died she?
THIRD MESSENGER.
In Sicyon:
Her length of sickness, with what else more serious
Importeth thee to know, this bears.
[_Gives a letter._]
ANTONY.
Forbear me.
[_Exit third Messenger._]
There’s a great spirit gone! Thus did I desire it.
What our contempts 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!
Enter Enobarbus.
ENOBARBUS.
What’s your pleasure, sir?
ANTONY.
I must with haste from hence.
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.
ANTONY.
I must be gone.
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.
ANTONY.
She is cunning past man’s thought.
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.
ANTONY.
Would I had never seen her!
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.
ANTONY.
Fulvia is dead.
ENOBARBUS.
Sir?
ANTONY.
Fulvia is dead.
ENOBARBUS.
Fulvia?
ANTONY.
Dead.
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.
ANTONY.
The business she hath broached in the state
Cannot endure my absence.
ENOBARBUS.
And the business you have broached here cannot be without you,
especially that of Cleopatra’s, which wholly depends on your abode.
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 linked 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’ th’ 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.
ENOBARBUS.
I shall do’t.
[_Exeunt._]
SCENE III. Alexandria. A Room in Cleopatra’s palace.
Enter Cleopatra, Charmian, Alexas and Iras.
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 in 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 Antony.
CLEOPATRA.
I am sick and sullen.
ANTONY.
I am sorry to give breathing to my purpose—
CLEOPATRA.
Help me away, dear Charmian! I shall fall.
It cannot be thus long; the sides of nature
Will not sustain it.
ANTONY.
Now, my dearest queen—
CLEOPATRA.
Pray you, stand farther from me.
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.
ANTONY.
The gods best know—
CLEOPATRA.
O, never was there queen
So mightily betrayed! Yet at the first
I saw the treasons planted.
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!
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 turned the greatest liar.
ANTONY.
How now, lady!
CLEOPATRA.
I would I had thy inches, thou shouldst know
There were a heart in Egypt.
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 condemned 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?
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.
ANTONY.
Quarrel no more, but be prepared to know
The purposes I bear; which are, or cease,
As you shall give th’ advice. By the fire
That quickens Nilus’ slime, I go from hence
Thy soldier, servant, making peace or war
As thou affects.
CLEOPATRA.
Cut my lace, Charmian, come!
But let it be; I am quickly ill and well,
So Antony loves.
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
Like perfect honour.
ANTONY.
You’ll heat my blood. No more.
CLEOPATRA.
You can do better yet, but this is meetly.
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.
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.
ANTONY.
But that your royalty
Holds idleness your subject, I should take you
For idleness itself.
CLEOPATRA.
’Tis sweating labour
To bear such idleness so near the heart
As Cleopatra this. But, sir, forgive me,
Since my becomings kill me when they do not
Eye well to you. Your honour calls you hence;
Therefore be deaf to my unpitied folly,
And all the gods go with you! Upon your sword
Sit laurel victory, and smooth success
Be strewed before your feet!
ANTONY.
Let us go. Come.
Our separation so abides and flies
That thou, residing here, goes yet with me,
And I, hence fleeting, here remain with thee.
Away!
[_Exeunt._]
SCENE IV. Rome. An Apartment in Caesar’s House.
Enter Octavius [Caesar], Lepidus and their train.
CAESAR.
You may see, Lepidus, and henceforth know,
It is not Caesar’s natural vice to hate
Our great competitor. From Alexandria
This is the news: he fishes, drinks, and wastes
The lamps of night in revel: is not more manlike
Than Cleopatra, nor the queen of Ptolemy
More womanly than he; hardly gave audience, or
Vouchsafed to think he had partners. You shall find there
A man who is the abstract of all faults
That all men follow.
LEPIDUS.
I must not think there are
Evils enough to darken all his goodness.
His faults in him seem as the spots of heaven,
More fiery by night’s blackness; hereditary
Rather than purchased; what he cannot change
Than what he chooses.
CAESAR.
You are too indulgent. Let’s grant it is not
Amiss to tumble on the bed of Ptolemy,
To give a kingdom for a mirth, to sit
And keep the turn of tippling with a slave,
To reel the streets at noon, and stand the buffet
With knaves that smell of sweat. Say this becomes him—
As his composure must be rare indeed
Whom these things cannot blemish—yet must Antony
No way excuse his foils when we do bear
So great weight in his lightness. If he filled
His vacancy with his voluptuousness,
Full surfeits and the dryness of his bones
Call on him for’t. But to confound such time
That drums him from his sport, and speaks as loud
As his own state and ours, ’tis to be chid
As we rate boys who, being mature in knowledge,
Pawn their experience to their present pleasure
And so rebel to judgment.
Enter a Messenger.
LEPIDUS.
Here’s more news.
MESSENGER.
Thy biddings have been done, and every hour,
Most noble Caesar, shalt thou have report
How ’tis abroad. Pompey is strong at sea,
And it appears he is beloved of those
That only have feared Caesar. To the ports
The discontents repair, and men’s reports
Give him much wronged.
CAESAR.
I should have known no less.
It hath been taught us from the primal state
That he which is was wished until he were,
And the ebbed man, ne’er loved till ne’er worth love,
Comes deared by being lacked. This common body,
Like to a vagabond flag upon the stream,
Goes to and back, lackeying the varying tide,
To rot itself with motion.
Enter a second Messenger.
SECOND 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.
CAESAR.
Antony,
Leave thy lascivious wassails. When thou once
Was 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. 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 lanked not.
LEPIDUS.
’Tis pity of him.
CAESAR.
Let his shames quickly
Drive him to Rome. ’Tis time we twain
Did show ourselves i’ th’ field, and to that end
Assemble we immediate council. Pompey
Thrives in our idleness.
LEPIDUS.
Tomorrow, Caesar,
I shall be furnished to inform you rightly
Both what by sea and land I can be able
To front this present time.
CAESAR.
Till which encounter
It is my business too. Farewell.
LEPIDUS.
Farewell, my lord. What you shall know meantime
Of stirs abroad, I shall beseech you, sir,
To let me be partaker.
CAESAR.
Doubt not, sir.
I knew it for my bond.
[_Exeunt._]
SCENE V. Alexandria. A Room in the Palace.
Enter Cleopatra, Charmian, Iras and Mardian.
CLEOPATRA.
Charmian!
CHARMIAN.
Madam?
CLEOPATRA.
Ha, ha!
Give me to drink mandragora.
CHARMIAN.
Why, madam?
CLEOPATRA.
That I might sleep out this great gap of time
My Antony is away.
CHARMIAN.
You think of him too much.
CLEOPATRA.
O, ’tis treason!
CHARMIAN.
Madam, I trust not so.
CLEOPATRA.
Thou, eunuch Mardian!
MARDIAN.
What’s your highness’ pleasure?
CLEOPATRA.
Not now to hear thee sing. I take no pleasure
In aught an eunuch has. ’Tis well for thee
That, being unseminared, thy freer thoughts
May not fly forth of Egypt. Hast thou affections?
MARDIAN.
Yes, gracious madam.
CLEOPATRA.
Indeed?
MARDIAN.
Not in deed, madam, for I can do nothing
But what indeed is honest to be done.
Yet have I fierce affections, and think
What Venus did with Mars.
CLEOPATRA.
O, Charmian,
Where think’st thou he is now? Stands he, or sits he?
Or does he walk? Or is he on his horse?
O happy horse, to bear the weight of Antony!
Do bravely, horse, for wot’st thou whom thou mov’st?
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 Phœbus’ 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.
ALEXAS.
Sovereign of Egypt, hail!
CLEOPATRA.
How much unlike art thou Mark Antony!
Yet, coming from him, that great medicine hath
With his tinct gilded thee.
How goes it with my brave Mark Antony?
ALEXAS.
Last thing he did, dear queen,
He kissed—the last of many doubled kisses—
This orient pearl. His speech sticks in my heart.
CLEOPATRA.
Mine ear must pluck it thence.
ALEXAS.
“Good friend,” quoth he,
“Say, the firm Roman to great Egypt sends
This treasure of an oyster; at whose foot,
To mend the petty present, I will piece
Her opulent throne with kingdoms. All the east,
Say thou, shall call her mistress.” So he nodded
And soberly did mount an arm-gaunt steed,
Who neighed so high that what I would have spoke
Was beastly dumbed by him.
CLEOPATRA.
What, was he sad or merry?
ALEXAS.
Like to the time o’ th’ year between the extremes
Of hot and cold, he was nor sad nor merry.
CLEOPATRA.
O well-divided disposition!—Note him,
Note him, good Charmian, ’tis the man; but note him:
He was not sad, for he would shine on those
That make their looks by his; he was not merry,
Which seemed to tell them his remembrance lay
In Egypt with his joy; but between both.
O heavenly mingle!—Be’st thou sad or merry,
The violence of either thee becomes,
So does it no man else.—Met’st thou my posts?
ALEXAS.
Ay, madam, twenty several messengers.
Why do you send so thick?
CLEOPATRA.
Who’s born that day
When I forget to send to Antony
Shall die a beggar.—Ink and paper, Charmian.—
Welcome, my good Alexas.—Did I, Charmian,
Ever love Caesar so?
CHARMIAN.
O that brave Caesar!
CLEOPATRA.
Be choked with such another emphasis!
Say “the brave Antony.”
CHARMIAN.
The valiant Caesar!
CLEOPATRA.
By Isis, I will give thee bloody teeth
If thou with Caesar paragon again
My man of men.
CHARMIAN.
By your most gracious pardon,
I sing but after you.
CLEOPATRA.
My salad days,
When I was green in judgment, cold in blood,
To say as I said then. But come, away,
Get me ink and paper.
He shall have every day a several greeting,
Or I’ll unpeople Egypt.
[_Exeunt._]
ACT II
SCENE I. Messina. A Room in Pompey’s house.
Enter Pompey, Menecrates and Menas in warlike manner.
POMPEY.
If the great gods be just, they shall assist
The deeds of justest men.
MENECRATES.
Know, worthy Pompey,
That what they do delay they not deny.
POMPEY.
Whiles we are suitors to their throne, decays
The thing we sue for.
MENECRATES.
We, ignorant of ourselves,
Beg often our own harms, which the wise powers
Deny us for our good; so find we profit
By losing of our prayers.
POMPEY.
I shall do well.
The people love me, and the sea is mine;
My powers are crescent, and my auguring hope
Says it will come to th’ full. Mark Antony
In Egypt sits at dinner, and will make
No wars without doors. Caesar gets money where
He loses hearts. Lepidus flatters both,
Of both is flattered; but he neither loves
Nor either cares for him.
MENAS.
Caesar and Lepidus
Are in the field. A mighty strength they carry.
POMPEY.
Where have you this? ’Tis false.
MENAS.
From Silvius, sir.
POMPEY.
He dreams. I know they are in Rome together,
Looking for Antony. But all the charms of love,
Salt Cleopatra, soften thy waned lip!
Let witchcraft join with beauty, lust with both;
Tie up the libertine in a field of feasts;
Keep his brain fuming. Epicurean cooks
Sharpen with cloyless sauce his appetite,
That sleep and feeding may prorogue his honour
Even till a Lethe’d dullness—
Enter Varrius.
How now, Varrius!
VARRIUS.
This is most certain that I shall deliver:
Mark Antony is every hour in Rome
Expected. Since he went from Egypt ’tis
A space for farther travel.
POMPEY.
I could have given less matter
A better ear.—Menas, I did not think
This amorous surfeiter would have donned his helm
For such a petty war. His soldiership
Is twice the other twain. But let us rear
The higher our opinion, that our stirring
Can from the lap of Egypt’s widow pluck
The ne’er lust-wearied Antony.
MENAS.
I cannot hope
Caesar and Antony shall well greet together.
His wife that’s dead did trespasses to Caesar;
His brother warred upon him, although I think,
Not moved by Antony.
POMPEY.
I know not, Menas,
How lesser enmities may give way to greater.
Were’t not that we stand up against them all,
’Twere pregnant they should square between themselves,
For they have entertained cause enough
To draw their swords. But how the fear of us
May cement their divisions, and bind up
The petty difference, we yet not know.
Be’t as our gods will have’t! It only stands
Our lives upon to use our strongest hands.
Come, Menas.
[_Exeunt._]
SCENE II. Rome. A Room in the House of Lepidus.
Enter Enobarbus and Lepidus.
LEPIDUS.
Good Enobarbus, ’tis a worthy deed,
And shall become you well, to entreat your captain
To soft and gentle speech.
ENOBARBUS.
I shall entreat him
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 today.
LEPIDUS.
’Tis not a time
For private stomaching.
ENOBARBUS.
Every time
Serves for the matter that is then born in’t.
LEPIDUS.
But small to greater matters must give way.
ENOBARBUS.
Not if the small come first.
LEPIDUS.
Your speech is passion;
But pray you stir no embers up. Here comes
The noble Antony.
Enter Antony and Ventidius.
ENOBARBUS.
And yonder Caesar.
Enter Caesar, Maecenas and Agrippa.
ANTONY.
If we compose well here, to Parthia.
Hark, Ventidius.
CAESAR.
I do not know, Maecenas. Ask Agrippa.
LEPIDUS.
Noble friends,
That which combined us was most great, and let not
A leaner action rend us. What’s amiss,
May it be gently heard. When we debate
Our trivial difference loud, we do commit
Murder in healing wounds. Then, noble partners,
The rather for I earnestly beseech,
Touch you the sourest points with sweetest terms,
Nor curstness grow to th’ matter.
ANTONY.
’Tis spoken well.
Were we before our armies, and to fight,
I should do thus.
CAESAR.
Welcome to Rome.
ANTONY.
Thank you.
CAESAR.
Sit.
ANTONY.
Sit, sir.
CAESAR.
Nay, then.
ANTONY.
I learn you take things ill which are not so,
Or being, concern you not.
CAESAR.
I must be laughed at
If, or for nothing or a little, I
Should say myself offended, and with you
Chiefly i’ th’ world; more laughed at that I should
Once name you derogately when to sound your name
It not concerned me.
ANTONY.
My being in Egypt, Caesar,
What was’t to you?
CAESAR.
No more than my residing here at Rome
Might be to you in Egypt. Yet if you there
Did practise on my state, your being in Egypt
Might be my question.
ANTONY.
How intend you, practised?
CAESAR.
You may be pleased to catch at mine intent
By what did here befall me. Your wife and brother
Made wars upon me, and their contestation
Was theme for you; you were the word of war.
ANTONY.
You do mistake your business. My brother never
Did urge me in his act. I did inquire it,
And have my learning from some true reports
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.
CAESAR.
You praise yourself
By laying defects of judgment to me; but
You patched up your excuses.
ANTONY.
Not so, not so.
I know you could not lack—I am certain on’t—
Very necessity of this thought, that I,
Your partner in the cause ’gainst which he fought,
Could not with graceful eyes attend those wars
Which fronted mine own peace. As for my wife,
I would you had her spirit in such another.
The third o’ th’ world is yours, which with a snaffle
You may pace easy, but not such a wife.
ENOBARBUS.
Would we had all such wives, that the men
Might go to wars with the women.
ANTONY.
So much uncurbable, her garboils, Caesar,
Made out of her impatience—which not wanted
Shrewdness of policy too—I grieving grant
Did you too much disquiet. For that you must
But say I could not help it.
CAESAR.
I wrote to you
When rioting in Alexandria; you
Did pocket up my letters, and with taunts
Did gibe my missive out of audience.
ANTONY.
Sir,
He fell upon me ere admitted, then.
Three kings I had newly feasted, and did want
Of what I was i’ th’ morning. But next day
I told him of myself, which was as much
As to have asked him pardon. Let this fellow
Be nothing of our strife; if we contend,
Out of our question wipe him.
CAESAR.
You have broken
The article of your oath, which you shall never
Have tongue to charge me with.
LEPIDUS.
Soft, Caesar!
ANTONY.
No, Lepidus, let him speak.
The honour is sacred which he talks on now,
Supposing that I lacked it. But on, Caesar:
The article of my oath?
CAESAR.
To lend me arms and aid when I required them,
The which you both denied.
ANTONY.
Neglected, rather;
And then when poisoned hours had bound me up
From mine own knowledge. As nearly as I may
I’ll play the penitent to you. But mine honesty
Shall not make poor my greatness, nor my power
Work without it. Truth is that Fulvia,
To have me out of Egypt, made wars here,
For which myself, the ignorant motive, do
So far ask pardon as befits mine honour
To stoop in such a case.
LEPIDUS.
’Tis noble spoken.
MAECENAS.
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, Maecenas.
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.
ANTONY.
Thou art a soldier only. Speak no more.
ENOBARBUS.
That truth should be silent I had almost forgot.
ANTONY.
You wrong this presence; therefore speak no more.
ENOBARBUS.
Go to, then. Your considerate stone!
CAESAR.
I do not much dislike the matter, but
The manner of his speech; for’t cannot be
We shall remain in friendship, our conditions
So differing in their acts. Yet if I knew
What hoop should hold us staunch, from edge to edge
O’ th’ world I would pursue it.
AGRIPPA.
Give me leave, Caesar.
CAESAR.
Speak, Agrippa.
AGRIPPA.
Thou hast a sister by the mother’s side,
Admired Octavia. Great Mark Antony
Is now a widower.
CAESAR.
Say not so, Agrippa.
If Cleopatra heard you, your reproof
Were well deserved of rashness.
ANTONY.
I am not married, Caesar. Let me hear
Agrippa further speak.
AGRIPPA.
To hold you in perpetual amity,
To make you brothers, and to knit your hearts
With an unslipping knot, take Antony
Octavia to his wife; whose beauty claims
No worse a husband than the best of men;
Whose virtue and whose general graces speak
That which none else can utter. By this marriage
All little jealousies, which now seem great,
And all great fears, which now import their dangers,
Would then be nothing. Truths would be tales,
Where now half-tales be truths. Her love to both
Would each to other, and all loves to both,
Draw after her. Pardon what I have spoke,
For ’tis a studied, not a present thought,
By duty ruminated.
ANTONY.
Will Caesar speak?
CAESAR.
Not till he hears how Antony is touched
With what is spoke already.
ANTONY.
What power is in Agrippa,
If I would say “Agrippa, be it so,”
To make this good?
CAESAR.
The power of Caesar, and
His power unto Octavia.
ANTONY.
May I never
To this good purpose, that so fairly shows,
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!
CAESAR.
There’s my hand.
A sister I bequeath you, whom no brother
Did ever love so dearly. Let her live
To join our kingdoms and our hearts; and never
Fly off our loves again!
LEPIDUS.
Happily, amen!
ANTONY.
I did not think to draw my sword ’gainst Pompey,
For he hath laid strange courtesies and great
Of late upon me. I must thank him only,
Lest my remembrance suffer ill report;
At heel of that, defy him.
LEPIDUS.
Time calls upon ’s.
Of us must Pompey presently be sought,
Or else he seeks out us.
ANTONY.
Where lies he?
CAESAR.
About the Mount Misena.
ANTONY.
What is his strength by land?
CAESAR.
Great and increasing; but by sea
He is an absolute master.
ANTONY.
So is the fame.
Would we had spoke together! Haste we for it.
Yet, ere we put ourselves in arms, dispatch we
The business we have talked of.
CAESAR.
With most gladness,
And do invite you to my sister’s view,
Whither straight I’ll lead you.
ANTONY.
Let us, Lepidus, not lack your company.
LEPIDUS.
Noble Antony, not sickness should detain me.
[_Flourish. Exeunt all except Enobarbus, Agrippa and Maecenas._]
MAECENAS.
Welcome from Egypt, sir.
ENOBARBUS.
Half the heart of Caesar, worthy Maecenas! My honourable friend,
Agrippa!
AGRIPPA.
Good Enobarbus!
MAECENAS.
We have cause to be glad that matters are so well digested. You stayed
well by ’t in Egypt.
ENOBARBUS.
Ay, sir, we did sleep day out of countenance and made the night light
with drinking.
MAECENAS.
Eight wild boars roasted whole at a breakfast, and but twelve persons
there. Is this true?
ENOBARBUS.
This was but as a fly by an eagle. We had much more monstrous matter of
feast, which worthily deserved noting.
MAECENAS.
She’s a most triumphant lady, if report be square to her.
ENOBARBUS.
When she first met Mark Antony, she pursed up his heart upon the river
of Cydnus.
AGRIPPA.
There she appeared indeed, or my reporter devised well for her.
ENOBARBUS.
I will tell you.
The barge she sat in, like a burnished throne,
Burned on the water. The poop was beaten gold;
Purple the sails, and so perfumed that
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 beggared all description: she did lie
In her pavilion, cloth-of-gold of tissue,
O’erpicturing that Venus where we see
The fancy outwork nature. On each side her
Stood pretty dimpled boys, like smiling Cupids,
With divers-coloured fans, whose wind did seem
To glow the delicate cheeks which they did cool,
And what they undid did.
AGRIPPA.
O, rare for Antony!
ENOBARBUS.
Her gentlewomen, like the Nereides,
So many mermaids, tended her i’ th’ eyes,
And made their bends adornings. At the helm
A seeming mermaid steers. The silken tackle
Swell with the touches of those flower-soft hands
That yarely frame the office. From the barge
A strange invisible perfume hits the sense
Of the adjacent wharfs. The city cast
Her people out upon her, and Antony,
Enthroned i’ th’ market-place, did sit alone,
Whistling to th’ air, which, but for vacancy,
Had gone to gaze on Cleopatra too,
And made a gap in nature.
AGRIPPA.
Rare Egyptian!
ENOBARBUS.
Upon her landing, Antony sent to her,
Invited her to supper. She replied
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 barbered ten times o’er, goes to the feast,
And, for his ordinary, pays his heart
For what his eyes eat only.
AGRIPPA.
Royal wench!
She made great Caesar lay his sword to bed.
He ploughed her, and she cropped.
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, pour breath forth.
MAECENAS.
Now Antony must leave her utterly.
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.
MAECENAS.
If beauty, wisdom, modesty can settle
The heart of Antony, Octavia is
A blessed lottery to him.
AGRIPPA.
Let us go.
Good Enobarbus, make yourself my guest
Whilst you abide here.
ENOBARBUS.
Humbly, sir, I thank you.
[_Exeunt._]
SCENE III. Rome. A Room in Caesar’s House.
Enter Antony, Caesar, Octavia between them.
ANTONY.
The world and my great office will sometimes
Divide me from your bosom.
OCTAVIA.
All which time
Before the gods my knee shall bow my prayers
To them for you.
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 th’ rule. Good night, dear lady.
OCTAVIA.
Good night, sir.
CAESAR.
Good night.
[_Exeunt Caesar and Octavia._]
Enter Soothsayer.
ANTONY.
Now, sirrah, you do wish yourself in Egypt?
SOOTHSAYER.
Would I had never come from thence, nor you thither!
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.
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 dæmon—that thy spirit which keeps thee—is
Noble, courageous, high, unmatchable,
Where Caesar’s is not. But near him, thy angel
Becomes afeard, as being o’erpowered. Therefore
Make space enough between you.
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.
ANTONY.
Get thee gone.
Say to Ventidius I would speak with him.
[_Exit Soothsayer._]
He shall to Parthia. Be it art or hap,
He hath spoken true. The very dice obey him,
And in our sports my better cunning faints
Under his chance. If we draw lots, he speeds;
His cocks do win the battle still of mine
When it is all to naught, and his quails ever
Beat mine, inhooped, at odds. I will to Egypt:
And though I make this marriage for my peace,
I’ th’ East my pleasure lies.
Enter Ventidius.
O, come, Ventidius,
You must to Parthia. Your commission’s ready.
Follow me and receive ’t.
[_Exeunt._]
SCENE IV. Rome. A street.
Enter Lepidus, Maecenas and Agrippa.
LEPIDUS.
Trouble yourselves no further. Pray you hasten
Your generals after.
AGRIPPA.
Sir, Mark Antony
Will e’en but kiss Octavia, and we’ll follow.
LEPIDUS.
Till I shall see you in your soldier’s dress,
Which will become you both, farewell.
MAECENAS.
We shall,
As I conceive the journey, be at the Mount
Before you, Lepidus.
LEPIDUS.
Your way is shorter;
My purposes do draw me much about.
You’ll win two days upon me.
BOTH.
Sir, good success!
LEPIDUS.
Farewell.
[_Exeunt._]
SCENE V. Alexandria. A Room in the Palace.
Enter Cleopatra, Charmian, Iras, Alexas.
CLEOPATRA.
Give me some music—music, moody food
Of us that trade in love.
ALL.
The music, ho!
Enter Mardian, the eunuch.
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 played
As with a woman. Come, you’ll play with me, sir?
MARDIAN.
As well as I can, madam.
CLEOPATRA.
And when good will is showed, 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-finned 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 wagered 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 laughed him out of patience; and that night
I laughed 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 Messenger.
O! from Italy!
Ram thou thy fruitful tidings in mine ears,
That long time have been barren.
MESSENGER.
Madam, madam—
CLEOPATRA.
Antony’s 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 lipped, and trembled kissing.
MESSENGER.
First, madam, he’s 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 crowned 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.
Th’ art 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’ th’ 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?
[_Strikes him again._]
Hence, 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 whipped with wire and stewed in brine,
Smarting in ling’ring 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.
Enter the Messenger again with Charmian.
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. [_To Mardian_] Bid you Alexas
Bring me word how tall she is. Pity me, Charmian,
But do not speak to me. Lead me to my chamber.
[_Exeunt._]
SCENE VI. Near Misenum.
Flourish. Enter Pompey and Menas at one door, with drum and trumpet;
at another, Caesar, Lepidus, Antony, Enobarbus, Maecenas, Agrippa,
with Soldiers marching.
POMPEY.
Your hostages I have, so have you mine,
And we shall talk before we fight.
CAESAR.
Most meet
That first we come to words, and therefore have we
Our written purposes before us sent,
Which if thou hast considered, let us know
If ’twill tie up thy discontented sword
And carry back to Sicily much tall youth
That else must perish here.
POMPEY.
To you all three,
The senators alone of this great world,
Chief factors for the gods: I do not know
Wherefore my father should revengers want,
Having a son and friends, since Julius Caesar,
Who at Philippi the good Brutus ghosted,
There saw you labouring for him. What was’t
That moved pale Cassius to conspire? And what
Made the all-honoured, honest Roman, Brutus,
With the armed rest, courtiers of beauteous freedom,
To drench the Capitol, but that they would
Have one man but a man? And that is it
Hath made me rig my navy, at whose burden
The angered ocean foams, with which I meant
To scourge th’ ingratitude that despiteful Rome
Cast on my noble father.
CAESAR.
Take your time.
ANTONY.
Thou canst not fear us, Pompey, with thy sails.
We’ll speak with thee at sea. At land thou know’st
How much we do o’ercount thee.
POMPEY.
At land indeed
Thou dost o’ercount me of my father’s house;
But since the cuckoo builds not for himself,
Remain in’t as thou mayst.
LEPIDUS.
Be pleased to tell us—
For this is from the present—how you take
The offers we have sent you.
CAESAR.
There’s the point.
ANTONY.
Which do not be entreated to, but weigh
What it is worth embraced.
CAESAR.
And what may follow
To try a larger fortune.
POMPEY.
You have made me offer
Of Sicily, Sardinia; and I must
Rid all the sea of pirates; then to send
Measures of wheat to Rome. This ’greed upon,
To part with unhacked edges and bear back
Our targes undinted.
CAESAR, ANTONY, and LEPIDUS.
That’s our offer.
POMPEY.
Know, then,
I came before you here a man prepared
To take this offer. But Mark Antony
Put me to some impatience. Though I lose
The praise of it by telling, you must know
When Caesar and your brother were at blows,
Your mother came to Sicily and did find
Her welcome friendly.
ANTONY.
I have heard it, Pompey,
And am well studied for a liberal thanks
Which I do owe you.
POMPEY.
Let me have your hand.
I did not think, sir, to have met you here.
ANTONY.
The beds i’ th’ East are soft; and thanks to you,
That called me timelier than my purpose hither,
For I have gained by ’t.
CAESAR.
Since I saw you last,
There is a change upon you.
POMPEY.
Well, I know not
What counts harsh Fortune casts upon my face,
But in my bosom shall she never come
To make my heart her vassal.
LEPIDUS.
Well met here.
POMPEY.
I hope so, Lepidus. Thus we are agreed.
I crave our composition may be written
And sealed between us.
CAESAR.
That’s the next to do.
POMPEY.
We’ll feast each other ere we part, and let’s
Draw lots who shall begin.
ANTONY.
That will I, Pompey.
POMPEY.
No, Antony, take the lot.
But, first or last, your fine Egyptian cookery
Shall have the fame. I have heard that Julius Caesar
Grew fat with feasting there.
ANTONY.
You have heard much.
POMPEY.
I have fair meanings, sir.
ANTONY.
And fair words to them.
POMPEY.
Then so much have I heard.
And I have heard Apollodorus carried—
ENOBARBUS.
No more of that. He did so.
POMPEY.
What, I pray you?
ENOBARBUS.
A certain queen to Caesar in a mattress.
POMPEY.
I know thee now. How far’st thou, soldier?
ENOBARBUS.
Well;
And well am like to do, for I perceive
Four feasts are toward.
POMPEY.
Let me shake thy hand.
I never hated thee. I have seen thee fight
When I have envied thy behaviour.
ENOBARBUS.
Sir,
I never loved you much, but I ha’ praised ye
When you have well deserved ten times as much
As I have said you did.
POMPEY.
Enjoy thy plainness;
It nothing ill becomes thee.
Aboard my galley I invite you all.
Will you lead, lords?
CAESAR, ANTONY, and LEPIDUS.
Show’s the way, sir.
POMPEY.
Come.
[_Exeunt all but Enobarbus and Menas._]
MENAS.
[_Aside_.] Thy father, Pompey, would ne’er have made this treaty.—
You and I have known, sir.
ENOBARBUS.
At sea, I think.
MENAS.
We have, sir.
ENOBARBUS.
You have done well by water.
MENAS.
And you by land.
ENOBARBUS.
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.
ENOBARBUS.
Yes, something you can deny for your own safety: you have been a great
thief by sea.
MENAS.
And you by land.
ENOBARBUS.
There I deny my land service. But give me your hand, Menas. If our eyes
had authority, here they might take two thieves kissing.
MENAS.
All men’s faces are true, whatsome’er their hands are.
ENOBARBUS.
But there is never a fair woman has a true face.
MENAS.
No slander. They steal hearts.
ENOBARBUS.
We came hither to fight with you.
MENAS.
For my part, I am sorry it is turned to a drinking. Pompey doth this
day laugh away his fortune.
ENOBARBUS.
If he do, sure he cannot weep ’t back again.
MENAS.
You have said, sir. We looked not for Mark Antony here. Pray you, is he
married to Cleopatra?
ENOBARBUS.
Caesar’s sister is called Octavia.
MENAS.
True, sir. She was the wife of Caius Marcellus.
ENOBARBUS.
But she is now the wife of Marcus Antonius.
MENAS.
Pray you, sir?
ENOBARBUS.
’Tis true.
MENAS.
Then is Caesar and he for ever knit together.
ENOBARBUS.
If I were bound to divine of this unity, I would not prophesy so.
MENAS.
I think the policy of that purpose made more in the marriage than the
love of the parties.
ENOBARBUS.
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?
ENOBARBUS.
Not he that himself is not so; which is Mark Antony. He will to his
Egyptian dish again. Then shall the sighs of Octavia blow the fire up
in Caesar, and, as I said before, that which is the strength of their
amity shall prove the immediate author of their variance. Antony will
use his affection where it is. He married but his occasion here.
MENAS.
And thus it may be. Come, sir, will you aboard? I have a health for
you.
ENOBARBUS.
I shall take it, sir. We have used our throats in Egypt.
MENAS.
Come, let’s away.
[_Exeunt._]
SCENE VII. On board Pompey’s Galley, lying near Misenum.
Music. Enter two or three Servants with a banquet.
FIRST SERVANT.
Here they’ll be, man. Some o’ their plants are ill-rooted already; the
least wind i’ th’ world will blow them down.
SECOND SERVANT.
Lepidus is high-coloured.
FIRST SERVANT.
They have made him drink alms-drink.
SECOND SERVANT.
As they pinch one another by the disposition, he cries out “no more”,
reconciles them to his entreaty and himself to th’ drink.
FIRST SERVANT.
But it raises the greater war between him and his discretion.
SECOND SERVANT.
Why, this it is to have a name in great men’s fellowship. I had as lief
have a reed that will do me no service as a partisan I could not heave.
FIRST SERVANT.
To be called into a huge sphere, and not to be seen to move in ’t, are
the holes where eyes should be, which pitifully disaster the cheeks.
A sennet sounded. Enter Caesar, Antony, Pompey, Lepidus, Agrippa,
Maecenas, Enobarbus, Menas with other Captains.
ANTONY.
[_To Caesar_.] Thus do they, sir: they take the flow o’ th’ Nile
By certain scales i’ th’ pyramid; they know
By th’ height, the lowness, or the mean, if dearth
Or foison follow. The higher Nilus swells,
The more it promises. As it ebbs, the seedsman
Upon the slime and ooze scatters his grain,
And shortly comes to harvest.
LEPIDUS.
You’ve strange serpents there?
ANTONY.
Ay, Lepidus.
LEPIDUS.
Your serpent of Egypt is bred now of your mud by the operation of your
sun; so is your crocodile.
ANTONY.
They are so.
POMPEY.
Sit, and some wine! A health to Lepidus!
LEPIDUS.
I am not so well as I should be, but I’ll ne’er out.
ENOBARBUS.
Not till you have slept. I fear me you’ll be in till then.
LEPIDUS.
Nay, certainly, I have heard the Ptolemies’ pyramises are very goodly
things. Without contradiction I have heard that.
MENAS.
[_Aside to Pompey_.] Pompey, a word.
POMPEY.
[_Aside to Menas_.] Say in mine ear what is ’t?
MENAS.
[_Whispers in ’s ear._] Forsake thy seat, I do beseech thee, captain,
And hear me speak a word.
POMPEY.
[_Aside to Menas._] Forbear me till anon.—
This wine for Lepidus!
LEPIDUS.
What manner o’ thing is your crocodile?
ANTONY.
It is shaped, sir, like itself, and it is as broad as it hath breadth.
It is just so high as it is, and moves with it own organs. It lives by
that which nourisheth it, and the elements once out of it, it
transmigrates.
LEPIDUS.
What colour is it of?
ANTONY.
Of its own colour too.
LEPIDUS.
’Tis a strange serpent.
ANTONY.
’Tis so, and the tears of it are wet.
CAESAR.
Will this description satisfy him?
ANTONY.
With the health that Pompey gives him, else he is a very epicure.
POMPEY.
[_Aside to Menas._] Go hang, sir, hang! Tell me of that? Away!
Do as I bid you.—Where’s this cup I called for?
MENAS.
[_Aside to Pompey_.] If for the sake of merit thou wilt hear me,
Rise from thy stool.
POMPEY.
[_Aside to Menas_.] I think thou’rt mad.
[_Rises and walks aside._]
The matter?
MENAS.
I have ever held my cap off to thy fortunes.
POMPEY.
Thou hast served me with much faith. What’s else to say?—
Be jolly, lords.
ANTONY.
These quicksands, Lepidus,
Keep off them, for you sink.
MENAS.
Wilt thou be lord of all the world?
POMPEY.
What sayst thou?
MENAS.
Wilt thou be lord of the whole world?
That’s twice.
POMPEY.
How should that be?
MENAS.
But entertain it,
And though you think me poor, I am the man
Will give thee all the world.
POMPEY.
Hast thou drunk well?
MENAS.
No, Pompey, I have kept me from the cup.
Thou art, if thou dar’st be, the earthly Jove.
Whate’er the ocean pales or sky inclips
Is thine, if thou wilt have’t.
POMPEY.
Show me which way.
MENAS.
These three world-sharers, these competitors,
Are in thy vessel. Let me cut the cable,
And when we are put off, fall to their throats.
All then is thine.
POMPEY.
Ah, this thou shouldst have done
And not have spoke on ’t! In me ’tis villainy;
In thee ’t had been good service. Thou must know
’Tis not my profit that does lead mine honour;
Mine honour it. Repent that e’er thy tongue
Hath so betray’d thine act. Being done unknown,
I should have found it afterwards well done,
But must condemn it now. Desist, and drink.
MENAS.
[_Aside_.] For this,
I’ll never follow thy palled fortunes more.
Who seeks, and will not take when once ’tis offered,
Shall never find it more.
POMPEY.
This health to Lepidus!
ANTONY.
Bear him ashore. I’ll pledge it for him, Pompey.
ENOBARBUS.
Here’s to thee, Menas!
MENAS.
Enobarbus, welcome!
POMPEY.
Fill till the cup be hid.
ENOBARBUS.
There’s a strong fellow, Menas.
[_Pointing to the servant who carries off Lepidus._]
MENAS.
Why?
ENOBARBUS.
’A bears the third part of the world, man. Seest not?
MENAS.
The third part, then, is drunk. Would it were all,
That it might go on wheels!
ENOBARBUS.
Drink thou. Increase the reels.
MENAS.
Come.
POMPEY.
This is not yet an Alexandrian feast.
ANTONY.
It ripens towards it. Strike the vessels, ho!
Here is to Caesar!
CAESAR.
I could well forbear’t.
It’s monstrous labour when I wash my brain
And it grows fouler.
ANTONY.
Be a child o’ the time.
CAESAR.
Possess it, I’ll make answer.
But I had rather fast from all, four days,
Than drink so much in one.
ENOBARBUS.
[_To Antony_.] Ha, my brave emperor,
Shall we dance now the Egyptian Bacchanals
And celebrate our drink?
POMPEY.
Let’s ha’t, good soldier.
ANTONY.
Come, let’s all take hands
Till that the conquering wine hath steeped our sense
In soft and delicate Lethe.
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 beat as loud
As his strong sides can volley.
Music plays. Enobarbus places them hand in hand.
THE SONG.
Come, thou monarch of the vine,
Plumpy Bacchus with pink eyne!
In thy vats our cares be drowned,
With thy grapes our hairs be crowned.
Cup us till the world go round,
Cup us till the world go round!
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
Anticked us all. What needs more words. Good night.
Good Antony, your hand.
POMPEY.
I’ll try you on the shore.
ANTONY.
And shall, sir. Give’s your hand.
POMPEY.
O Antony,
You have my father’s house.
But, what? We are friends. Come, down into the boat.
ENOBARBUS.
Take heed you fall not.
[_Exeunt Pompey, Caesar, Antony and Attendants._]
Menas, I’ll not on shore.
MENAS.
No, to my cabin. These drums, these trumpets, flutes! What!
Let Neptune hear we bid a loud farewell
To these great fellows. Sound and be hanged, sound out!
[_Sound a flourish with drums._]
ENOBARBUS.
Hoo, says ’a! There’s my cap!
MENAS.
Hoo! Noble captain, come.
[_Exeunt._]
ACT III
SCENE I. A plain in Syria.
Enter Ventidius as it were in triumph, with Silius and other Romans,
Officers and Soldiers; the dead body of Pacorus borne before him.
VENTIDIUS.
Now, darting Parthia, art thou struck, and now
Pleased Fortune does of Marcus Crassus’ death
Make me revenger. Bear the king’s son’s body
Before our army. Thy Pacorus, Orodes,
Pays this for Marcus Crassus.
SILIUS.
Noble Ventidius,
Whilst yet with Parthian blood thy sword is warm,
The fugitive Parthians follow. Spur through Media,
Mesopotamia, and the shelters whither
The routed fly. So thy grand captain Antony
Shall set thee on triumphant chariots, and
Put garlands on thy head.
VENTIDIUS.
O Silius, Silius,
I have done enough. A lower place, note well,
May make too great an act. For learn this, Silius:
Better to leave undone than by our deed
Acquire too high a fame when him we serve’s away.
Caesar and Antony have ever won
More in their officer, than person. Sossius,
One of my place in Syria, his lieutenant,
For quick accumulation of renown,
Which he achieved by 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._]
SCENE II. Rome. An Ante-chamber in Caesar’s house.
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 greensickness.
AGRIPPA.
’Tis a noble Lepidus.
ENOBARBUS.
A very fine one. O, how he loves Caesar!
AGRIPPA.
Nay, but how dearly he adores Mark Antony!
ENOBARBUS.
Caesar? Why he’s the Jupiter of men.
AGRIPPA.
What’s Antony? The god of Jupiter.
ENOBARBUS.
Spake you of Caesar? How, the nonpareil!
AGRIPPA.
O, Antony! O thou Arabian bird!
ENOBARBUS.
Would you praise Caesar, say “Caesar”. Go no further.
AGRIPPA.
Indeed, he plied them both with excellent praises.
ENOBARBUS.
But he loves Caesar best, yet he loves Antony.
Hoo! Hearts, tongues, figures, scribes, bards, poets, cannot
Think, speak, cast, write, sing, number—hoo!—
His love to Antony. But as for Caesar,
Kneel down, kneel down, and wonder.
AGRIPPA.
Both he loves.
ENOBARBUS.
They are his shards, and he their beetle.
[_Trumpets within._]
So,
This is to horse. Adieu, noble Agrippa.
AGRIPPA.
Good fortune, worthy soldier, and farewell.
Enter Caesar, Antony, Lepidus and Octavia.
ANTONY.
No further, sir.
CAESAR.
You take from me a great part of myself.
Use me well in’t. Sister, prove such a wife
As my thoughts make thee, and as my farthest bond
Shall pass on thy approof. Most noble Antony,
Let not the piece of virtue which is set
Betwixt us, as the cement of our love
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.
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 weep 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.
Let all the number of the stars give light
To thy fair way!
CAESAR.
Farewell, farewell!
[_Kisses Octavia._]
ANTONY.
Farewell!
[_Trumpets sound. Exeunt._]
SCENE III. Alexandria. A Room in the Palace.
Enter Cleopatra, Charmian, Iras and Alexas.
CLEOPATRA.
Where is the fellow?
ALEXAS.
Half afeared to come.
CLEOPATRA.
Go to, go to.
Enter a 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’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._]
SCENE IV. Athens. A Room in Antony’s House.
Enter Antony and Octavia.
ANTONY.
Nay, nay, Octavia, not only that—
That were excusable, that and thousands more
Of semblable import—but he hath 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._]
SCENE V. Athens. Another Room in Antony’s House.
Enter Enobarbus and Eros meeting.
ENOBARBUS.
How now, friend Eros?
EROS.
There’s strange news come, sir.
ENOBARBUS.
What, man?
EROS.
Caesar and Lepidus have made wars upon Pompey.
ENOBARBUS.
This is old. What is the success?
EROS.
Caesar, having made use of him in the wars ’gainst Pompey, presently
denied him rivality; would not let him partake in the glory of the
action, and, not resting here, accuses him of letters he had formerly
wrote to Pompey; upon his own appeal, seizes him. So the poor third is
up, till death enlarge his confine.
ENOBARBUS.
Then, world, thou hast a pair of chaps, no more,
And throw between them all the food thou hast,
They’ll grind the one the other. Where’s Antony?
EROS.
He’s walking in the garden, thus, and spurns
The rush that lies before him; cries “Fool Lepidus!”
And threats the throat of that his officer
That 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._]
SCENE VI. Rome. A Room in Caesar’s House.
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 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 stolen 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 abstract ’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 Manchus 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, make their ministers
Of us and those that love you. Best of comfort,
And ever welcome to us.
AGRIPPA.
Welcome, lady.
MAECENAS.
Welcome, dear madam.
Each heart in Rome does love and pity you.
Only 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._]
SCENE VII. Antony’s Camp near the Promontory of Actium.
Enter Cleopatra and Enobarbus.
CLEOPATRA.
I will be even with thee, doubt it not.
ENOBARBUS.
But why, why, why?
CLEOPATRA.
Thou hast forspoke my being in these wars
And say’st it is not fit.
ENOBARBUS.
Well, is it, is it?
CLEOPATRA.
Is ’t not denounced against us? Why should not we
Be there in person?
ENOBARBUS.
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 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.
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, he 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._]
SCENE VIII. A plain near Actium.
Enter Caesar with his army and Taurus 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._]
SCENE IX. Another part of the Plain.
Enter Antony and Enobarbus.
ANTONY.
Set we our squadrons on yon 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._]
SCENE X. Another part of the Plain.
Canidius marching 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 breeze 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._]
SCENE XI. Alexandria. A Room in the Palace.
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 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, 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 is 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 he come back?
Love, I am full of lead. Some wine
Within there, and our viands! Fortune knows
We scorn her most when most she offers blows.
[_Exeunt._]
SCENE XII. Caesar’s camp in Egypt.
Enter Caesar, Agrippa, Dolabella 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 Anthony.
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 lessens his requests, and to thee sues
To let him breathe between the heavens and earth,
A private man in Athens. This for him.
Next, Cleopatra does confess thy greatness,
Submits her to thy might, and of thee craves
The circle of the Ptolemies for her heirs,
Now hazarded to thy grace.
CAESAR.
For Antony,
I have no ears to his request. The queen
Of audience nor desire shall fail, so she
From Egypt drive her all-disgraced friend,
Or take his life there. This if she perform,
She shall not sue unheard. So to them both.
AMBASSADOR.
Fortune pursue thee!
CAESAR.
Bring him through the bands.
[_Exit Ambassador, attended._]
[_To Thidias_.] To try thy 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-touch’d 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._]
SCENE XIII. Alexandria. A Room in the Palace.
Enter Cleopatra, Enobarbus, Charmian and Iras.
CLEOPATRA.
What shall we do, Enobarbus?
ENOBARBUS.
Think, and die.
CLEOPATRA.
Is Antony or we in fault for this?
ENOBARBUS.
Antony only, that would make his will
Lord of his reason. What though you fled
From that great face of war, whose several ranges
Frighted each other? Why should he follow?
The itch of his affection should not then
Have 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 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.
Yes, like enough high-battled Caesar will
Unstate his happiness, and be staged to th’ show
Against a sworder! I see men’s judgments are
A parcel of their fortunes, and things outward
Do draw the inward quality after them
To suffer all alike. That he should dream,
Knowing all measures, the full Caesar will
Answer his emptiness! Caesar, thou hast subdued
His judgment too.
Enter 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 embrace 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 Enobarbus._]
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 conqu’ring hand. Tell him I am prompt
To lay my crown at’s feet, and there to kneel.
Tell him, from his all-obeying breath I hear
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.
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.
’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 whipp’d,
Bring him again. This jack of Caesar’s shall
Bear us an errand to him.
[_Exeunt Servants with Thidias._]
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 seal our eyes,
In our own filth drop our clear judgments, make us
Adore our errors, laugh at’s while we strut
To our confusion.
CLEOPATRA.
O, is’t come to this?
ANTONY.
I found you as a morsel cold upon
Dead Caesar’s trencher; nay, you were a fragment
Of Gneius Pompey’s, besides what hotter hours,
Unregistered in vulgar fame, you have
Luxuriously pick’d out. For I am sure,
Though you can guess what temperance should be,
You know not what it is.
CLEOPATRA.
Wherefore is this?
ANTONY.
To let a fellow that will take rewards
And say “God quit you!” be familiar with
My playfellow, your hand, this kingly seal
And plighter of high hearts! O that I were
Upon the hill of Basan, to outroar
The horned herd! For I have savage cause,
And to proclaim it civilly were like
A 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 he 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, threat’ning most sea-like.
Where hast thou been, my heart? Dost thou hear, lady?
If from the field I shall return once more
To kiss these lips, I will appear in blood.
I and my sword will earn our chronicle.
There’s hope in’t yet.
CLEOPATRA.
That’s my brave lord!
ANTONY.
I will be treble-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._]
ACT IV
SCENE I. Caesar’s Camp at Alexandria.
Enter Caesar, Agrippa, and Maecenas, with his army.
Caesar reading a letter.
CAESAR.
He calls me boy, and chides as he had power
To beat me out of Egypt. My messenger
He hath whipped with rods; dares me to personal combat,
Caesar to Antony. Let the old ruffian know
I have many other ways to die; meantime
Laugh at his challenge.
MAECENAS.
Caesar must think,
When one so great begins to rage, he’s hunted
Even to falling. Give him no breath, but now
Make boot of his distraction. Never anger
Made good guard for itself.
CAESAR.
Let our best heads
Know that tomorrow the last of many battles
We mean to fight. Within our files there are,
Of those that served Mark Antony but late,
Enough to fetch him in. See it done,
And feast the army; we have store to do’t,
And they have earned the waste. Poor Antony!
[_Exeunt._]