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John Philip Kemble [1813], Shakspeare's tragedy of Antony and Cleopatra; with alterations, and with additions from Dryden; as now perform'd at the Theatre-Royal, Covent-Garden (Printed and Publish'd by J. Barker [etc.], London) [word count] [S30200].
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Scene 2 SCENE.—Near Actium.—The Outskirts of Antony's Camp. Enter Cleopatra, and Enobarbus.

Cle.
I will be even with thee, doubt it not.
And have command, here, while we stay in Actium.

Eno.
But why, why, why?

Cle.
Thou hast forspoke my being in these wars;
And say'st it is not fit.

Eno.
Well, is it? is it?

Cle.
Is't not denounced 'gainst Us? Why should not we
Be there in person?

Eno.
Your presence needs must puzzle Antony;
Take from his heart, take from his brain, from his time,
What should not then be spar'd. He is already
Traduc'd for levity; and 'tis said, in Rome,
You, and your maids, manage this war.

Cle.
Sink Rome, and their tongues rot,
That speak against us! A charge we bear i'the war,
And, as the President of my kingdom, will
Appear there for a man. Speak not against it,
I will be in the action.

Eno.
I have done.

-- 38 --

Enter Antony, and Canidius.

Ant.
Canidius, we will fight with them by sea.

Cle.
By sea! what else?

Can.
Why will my Lord do so?

Ant.
For that he dares us to't.

Eno.
So hath my Lord dared him to single fight.

Can.
Ay, and to wage this battle in Pharsalia,
Where Cæsar fought with Pompey: But these offers,
Which serve not for his 'vantage, he shakes off,
And so should you.

Eno.
Your ships are not well mann'd;
Your mariners are muleteers, reapers, people
Ingrost by swift impress: in Cæsar's fleet
Are those that, often, have 'gainst Pompey fought:
Their ships are yare, your's heavy:—No disgrace
Awaits you for refusing him by sea.

Ant.
By sea, by sea.

Eno.
Why, Sir, you throw away
The absolute soldiership you have by land;
Distract your army; leave unexecuted
Your own renowned knowledge; quite forego
The way which promises assurance; and
Give up yourself merely to chance and peril,
From firm security.

Ant.
I'll fight by sea.

Cle.
I have sixty sail; Cæsar's none better.

Ant
Our overplus of shipping we will burn,
And, with the rest full mann'd, from the head of Actium,
Beat the approaching Cæsar.—If we fail,
We then can do't by land. Enter Messenger.
Thy business?

Mess.
The enemy, my Lord, is now descried.
Cæsar has taken Toryne.

-- 39 --

Ant.
There in person!
Well, to our ships:—this speed of Cæsar carries
Beyond belief.

Mess.
While he was, yet, in Rome,
His power went out in such detatchments, as
Beguil'd all spies.
[Retires.

Ant.
Canidius,
Our nineteen legions thou shalt hold by land,
And our twelve thousand horse. Haste to thy charge. [Exit Canidius.
So now on board—and cheerly!—Come, my I hetis! [To Cleop.
Away! Away!
[Martial flourish. [Exeunt Antony, Cleopatra, Enobarbus, and followers.
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John Philip Kemble [1813], Shakspeare's tragedy of Antony and Cleopatra; with alterations, and with additions from Dryden; as now perform'd at the Theatre-Royal, Covent-Garden (Printed and Publish'd by J. Barker [etc.], London) [word count] [S30200].
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