The Plays of William Shakespeare

SCENE XI-Alexandria. A Room in the Palace.
Enter Cleopatra, Enobarbus, Charmian, and Iras.
Cleo. What shall we do, Enobarbus ?
Eno.

Think, and die.

Cleo. Is Antony, or we, in fault for this? Eno. Antony only, that would make his will Lord of his reason. What although you fled From that great face of war, whose several ranges Frighted each other? why should he follow? The itch of his affection should not then Have nick'd his captainship; at such a point, When half to half the world oppos'd, he being The mered question: "Twas a shame no less Than was his loss, to course your flying flags, And leave his navy gazing.

Cleo.

Pr'ythee, peace.

Ant. 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'the command of Cæsar: I dare him therefore
To lay his gay comparisons apart,
And answer me declin'd, sword against sword,
Ourselves alone: I'll write it; follow me.

[Exeunt Antony and Euphronius.
Eno. Yes, like enough, high-battled Cæsar will
Unstate his happiness, and be stag'd to the show
Against a sworder.—I see, men's judgements are
A parcel of their fortunes; and things outward
Do draw the inward quality after them,
To suffer all alike. That he should dream,
Knowing all measures, the full Cæsar will
Answer his emptiness!-Cæsar, thou hast subdued
His judgement too.

Cleo.

Enter Thyreus.

Cæsar's will?

None but friends; say boldly.'

Thyr. Hear it apart.

Cleo.

Thyr. So, haply, are they friends to Antony. Eno. He needs as many, sir, as Cæsar has; Or needs not us. If Cæsar please, our master Will leap to be his friend: For us, you know, Whose he is, we are; and that's, Cæsar's.

Thyr. So.

Thus then, thou most renown'd; Cæsar entreats, Not to consider in what case thou stand'st, Further than he is Cæsar.

Cleo. Go on: Right royal. Thyr. He knows, that you embrace not Antony As did love, but as you fear'd him. you Cleo.

Thyr. The scars upon your honour, therefore, he Does pity, as constrained blemishes, Not as deserv'd.

What is most right: Mine honour was not yielded,
But conquer'd merely.

To be sure of that,
Eno.
I will ask Antony.-Sir, sir, thou'rt so leaky,
That we must leave thee to thy sinking, for
Thy dearest quit thee.

Thyr.

[Aside

[Exit Eno

Shall I say to Cæsar

What you require of him? For he partly begs
To be desir'd to give. It much would please him,
That of his fortunes you should make a staff
To lean upon:

But it would warm his spirits,

To hear from me you had left Antony,
And put yourself under his shrowd,
The universal landlord.

Cleo.

What's your name?

Ant.

ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA.

Moon and stars!

Whip him:-Were't twenty of the greatest tributaries
That do acknowledge Cæsar, 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.
Thyr. Mark Antony,-

Ant.

Tug him away: being whipp'd,
Bring him again :-This Jack of Cæsar's shall
Bear us an errand to him.-

[Exeunt Attend. with Thyreus.
You were half blasted ere I knew you:-Ha!
Have I my pillow left unpress'd in Rome,
Forborne the getting of a lawful race,
And by a gem of women, to be abus'd
By one that looks on feeders?

Cleo

Good my lord,-
Ant. You have been a boggler ever :-
But when we in our viciousness grow hard,
(O misery on't!) the wise gods seel our eyes;

In our own filth drop our clear judgements; make us
Adore our errors; laugh at us, while we strut
To our confusion.

Cleo.

O, is it come to this?

Ant. I found you as a morsel, cold upon
Dead Caesar's trencher: nay, you were a fragment
Of Cneius Pompey's; besides what hotter hours,
Unregister'd 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.

Cleo.

Wherefore is this?

Ant. To let a fellow that will take rewards,
And say, God quit you! be familiar with
My play fellow, your hand; this kingly seal,
And plighter of high hearts !-O, that I were
Upon the hill of Basan, to outroar

The horned herd! for I haveavage cause;
And to proclaim it civilly, were like

A halter'd neck, which does the hangman thank
For being yare about him.-Is he whipp'd?

Re-enter Attendants with Thyreus.

1 Att. Soundly, my lord. Ant.

Ant. Cold-hearted toward me?
Cleo.

Ab, 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 Cæsarion 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!

Ant.
I am satisfied:
Cæsar sits down in Alexandria; where

I will oppose his fate. Our force by land
Hath nobly held; our sever'd 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 is hope in it yet.

Cleo.
That's my brave lord!
Ant. I will be treble-sinew'd, hearted, breath'd,
And fight maliciously: for when mine hours
Were nice and lucky, men did ransome 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.

Cleo.

It is my birth-day:

I had thought, to have held it poor; but, since my lord
Is Antony again, I will be Cleopatra.

Ant. We'll yet do well.

Cleo. Call all his noble captains to my lord.

Ant. Do so, we'll speak to them; and to-night I'll force

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

queen;

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

Cried he? and begg'd he pardon? I'll make death love me; for I will contend
Even with his pestilent scythe.

1 Att. He did ask favour.
Ant. If that thy father live, let him repent
Thou wast not made his daughter: and be thou sorry
To follow Cæsar in bis triumph, since
Thou hast been whipp'd for following him: henceforth,
The white hand of a lady fever thee,
Shake thou to look on't.-Get thee back to Cæsar,
Tell him thy entertainment: Look, thou say,
He makes me angry with him: for he seems
Proud and disdainful; harping on what I am;
Not what he knew I was: he makes me angry;
And at this time most easy 'tis to do't;
When my good stars, that were my former guides,
Have empty left their orbs, and shot their fires
Into the abysm of hell. If he mislike

My speech, and what is done; tell him, he has
Hipparchus, my enfranchis'd 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, begone.
Cleo.

You take me in too dolorous a sense :

I spake to you for your comfort; did desire you
To burn this night with torches: Know, my hearts,
I hope well of to-morrow; and will lead you,
Where rather I'll expect victorious life,

Than death and honour. Let's to supper; come,
[Exeunt.
And drown consideration.

SCENE III-The same. Before the Palace. Enter two Soldiers to their Guard.

1 Sold. Brother, good-night: to-morrow is the day. 2 Sold. It will determine one way: fare you well. Heard you of nothing strange about the streets? 1 Sold. Nothing: What news?

Belike, 'tis but a rumour:

2 Sold.

Good night to you.

1 Sold.

Well, sir, good night. Enter two other Soldiers.

Have careful watch.

And you: Good night, good night [The first two place themselves at their posts.

4 Sold. Here we: [They take their posts.] and if to

What means this?

Eno. [Aside.] 'Tis one of those odd tricks, which sorrow shoots

Tend me to-night;

Eno. To make his followers weep.
Ant.
May be, it is the period of your duty;
Haply, you shall not see me more; or if,
A mangled shadow: perchance, to-morrow
You'll serve another master. I look on you,
As one that takes his leave. Mine honest friends,

I turn you not away; but. like a master
Married to your good service, stay till death:
Tend me to-night two hours, I ask no more,
And the gods yield you for't!

Eno.

What mean you, sir, To give them this discomfort? Look, they weep; And I, an ass, am onion-ey'd: for shame,

Transform us not to women.

List, Int!

Under the earth.

It signs well,

Peace, I say. What should this mean? 2 Sold. "Tis the god lercules, whom Antony lov'd Now leaves him.

1 Sold.

Walk; let's see if other watemen Do hear what we do. [They advance to another pest How now, masters?

2 Sold.

Sold.

How now? do you hear this?

1 Sold.

How now?

[Several speaking together. Ay; is't not strange?

3 Sold. Do you hear, masters? do you hear?

1 Sold. Follow the noise so far as we have quarter; Let's see how 'twill give off.

Sold. [Several speaking.] Content: 'Tis strange. [Exeunt.

SCENE IV-The same. A Room in the Palace. Enter Antony and Cleopatra: Charmian, and others, attending.

Ant. Eros! mine armour, Eros!

Ab, let be, let be! thou art The armourer of my heart :-False, false; this, this Cleo. Sooth, la, I'll help: Thus it must be.

A workman in't-Good-morrow to thee; welcome:
Thou look'st like him that knows a warlike charge:
To business that we love, we rise betime,

And go to it with delight.

1 off.

A thousand, sir,

Early though it be, have on their riveted trim,

And at the port expect you.

[Shout. Trumpets. Flourish.
Enter other Officers and Soldiers.
Off. The morn is fair.-Good-morrow, general.
All. Good-morrow, general.

Ant.

'Tis well blown, lads.
This morning, like the spirit of a youth
That means to be of note, begins betimes.-
So, so; Come, give me that: this way; well said.
Fare thee well, dame, whate'er becomes of me:
This is a soldier's kiss; rebukable,
And worthy shameful check it were, to stand
On more mechanic compliment; I'll leave thee
Now, like a man of steel.-You, that will fight,
Follow me close; I'll bring you to't.-Adieu.

[Kisses her.

Lead me.

[Exeunt Ant. Eros, Officers and Soldiers.
Char. Please you, retire to your chamber?
Cleo.
He goes forth gallantly. That he and Cæsar might
Determine this great war in single fight!
Then, Antony,-But now,-Well, on.

[Exeunt.

SCENE VI.-Caesar's Camp before Alexandria. Flour ish. Enter Cæsar, with Agrippa, Enobarbus, and others.

Cas. Go forth, Agrippa, and begin the fight:
Our will is, Antony be took alive;

Make it so known.

Agr.

Cæsar, I shall.

[Exit Agri

Cas. The time of universal peace is near:
Prove this a prosperous day, the three-nook'd world
Shall bear the olive freely.

Mes.

Enter a Messenger.

Is come into the field.

Cæs.

Antony

Go, charge Agrippa

Plant those that have revolted in the van,
That Antony may seem to spend his fury
Upon himself.
[Exeunt Cæsar and his train.
Eno. Alexas did revolt; and went to Jewry,
On affairs of Antony; there did persuade
Great Herod to incline himself to Cæsar,
And leave his master Antony: for this pains,
Casar hath hang'd him. Canidius, and the rest
That fell away, have entertainment, but
No honourable trust. I have done ill;
Of which I do accuse myself so sorely,
That I will joy no more.

Enter a Soldier of Cæsar's.
Sold.
Enobarbus, Antony
Hath after thee sent all thy treasure, with
His bounty overplus: The messenger
Came on my guard; and at thy tent is now,
Unloading of his mules.

Eno. I am alone the villain of the earth,
And feel I am so most. O Antony,
Thou mine of bounty, how would'st thou have paid
My better service, when my turpitude

Thou dost so crown with gold! This blows my heart:
If swift thought break it not, a swifter mean
Shall out-strike thought; but thought will do't, I feel.
I fight against thee !-No: I will go seek
Some ditch, wherein to die; the foul'st best fits
My latter part of life.

fore, And let the queen know of our guests.-To-morrow, Before the sun shall see us, we'll spill the blood That has to-day escap'd. I thank you all; For doughty-handed are you; and have fought Not as you serv'd the cause, but as it had been Each man's like mine; you have shown all Hectors. Enter the city, elip your wives, your friends, Tell them your feats; whilst they with joyful tears Wash the congealment from your wounds, and kiss The honour'd gashes whole.-Give me thy hand; [To Scarus.

Enter Cleopatra, attended.

To this great fairy I'll commend thy acts,
Make her thanks bless thee-O thou day o'the world,
Chain mine arm'd neck; leap thou, attire and all,
Through proof of harness to my heart, and there
Ride on the pants triumphing.

Clea

Lord of lords!

Clen

I'll give thee, friend, An armour all of gold; it was a king's

Ant. He has deserv'd it, were it carbuncled Like holy Phoebus' car.-Give me thy hand; Through Alexandria make a jolly march;

Bear our back'd targets like the men that owe them:
Had our great palace the capacity

To camp this host, we all would sup together;
And drink carouses to the next day's fate,
Which promises royal peril-Trumpeters,
With brazen din blast you the city's ear;
Make mingle with our rattling taborines;

That heaven and earth may strike their sounds together,

Applauding our approach.

[Exeunt.

SCENE IX.-Cæsar's Camp. Sentinçis on their post, Enter Enobarbus.

1 Sold. If we be not reliev'd within this hour, We must return to the court of guard: The night Is shiny; and, they say, we shall embattle

By the second hour i’the morn.

2 Sold.

A shrewd one to us. Eno.

Eno. Be witness to me, Ở thou blessed moor, When men revolted shall upon record Bear hateful memory, poor Enobarbus did Before thy face repent!

1 Sold.

3 Sold. Peace;

Hark further.

Enobarbus!

Eno. O sovereign mistress of true melancholy, The poisonous damp of night disponge upon me; That life, a very rebel to my will,

May hang no longer on me: Throw my heart
Against the flint and hardness of my fault;
Which, being dried with grief, will break to powder,
And finish all foul thoughts. O Antony,
Nobler than my revolt is infamous,
Forgive me in thine own particular;
But let the world rank me in register
A master-leaver, and a fugitive:
O Antony! O Antony !

(Diez

1 Sold. Let's hear him, for the things he speaks May concern Cæsar.

3 Sold. Let's do so. But he sleeps, 1 Sold. Swoons rather; for so bad a prayer as his Was never yet for sleeping.

2 Sold.

Go we to him.

Demurely wake the sleepers: Let us bear him To the court of guard; he is of note: our bour Is fully out.

3 Sold. Come on then ;

He may recover yet.

[Exeunt with the body.

SCENE X-Between the two Camps. Enter Antony
and Scarus, with Forces, marching.
Ant. Their preparation is to-day by sea;
We please them not by land.

Scar.

For both, my lord. Ant. I would, they'd fight i'the fire, or in the air; We'd fight there too. But this it is; Our foot Upon the hills adjoining to the city

Shall stay with us: order for sea is given; They have put forth the haven: Further on, Where their appointment we may best discover, And look on their endeavour.

[Exeunt.

This last day was

3 Sold. What man is this? 2 Said.

【Alarum afar off, as at a sexfight. Re-enter Antony.

All is lost;

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Livros

The Plays of William Shakespeare, Volume 1