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William Aldis Wright [1863–1866], The works of William Shakespeare edited by William George Clark... and John Glover [and William Aldis Wright] (Macmillan and Co., London) [word count] [S10701].
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ACT IV. note Scene I. [Footnote: Before Alexandria. Cæsar's camp. note Enter Cæsar, Agrippa, and Mæcenas, with his army: Cæsar reading a letter.

Cæs.
He calls me boy, and chides as he had power
To beat me out of Egypt; my messenger
He hath whipp'd with rods; dares me to personal combat,
Cæsar to Antony. Let the old ruffian know
I have note many other ways to die, meantime
Laugh at his challenge note.

Mæc.
Cæsar must note 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.

Cæs.
Let our best heads
Know that to-morrow the last of many note battles note
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 note:
And feast the army; we have store to do't,
And they have earn'd the waste. Poor Antony!
[Exeunt.

-- 102 --

note Scene II. [Footnote: Alexandria. Cleopatra's palace. note Enter Antony, Cleopatra, Enobarbus, Charmian, Iras, Alexas, note with others.

Ant.
He will not fight with me, Domitius. note

Eno.
No. note

Ant.
Why should be not?

Eno.
He thinks, being twenty times of better fortune,
He is note twenty men to one.

Ant.
To-morrow, soldier,
By sea and land I'll fight: or I will live,
Or bathe my dying honour in the blood
Shall make it live again. Woo't note thou fight well? note

Eno.
I'll strike, and cry ‘Take all.’

Ant.
Well said; come on.
Call forth my household servants: let's note to-night
Be bounteous at our meal. Enter note three or four Servitors.
Give me thy hand,
Thou hast been rightly honest;—so hast thou;—
Thou note,—and thou,—and thou: you have note served me well,
And kings have been your fellows.

Cleo. [Aside to Eno.]
What means this? note

Eno. [Aside to Cleo.]
'Tis one of those odd tricks note which sorrow shoots

-- 103 --


Out of the mind. note

Ant.
And thou art honest too.
I wish I could be made so many men,
And all of you clapp'd up together in
An Antony, that I might do you service
So good as you have done note.

Serv. note
The gods forbid!

Ant.
Well, my good fellows, wait on me to-night:
Scant not my cups, and make as much of me
As when mine empire was your fellow too note
And suffer'd note my command.

Cleo. [Aside to Eno.]
What does he mean?

Eno. [Aside to Cleo.]
To make his followers weep.

Ant.
Tend me to-night;
May be it is the period of your duty:
Haply you shall not see me more; or if,
A note mangled shadow: perchance note 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 note you for't!

Eno.
What mean you, sir,
To give them this discomfort? Look, they note weep,
And I, an ass, am onion-eyed: for shame,
Transform us not to women.

Ant.
Ho, ho, ho!
Now the witch take me, if I meant it thus!
Grace grow where those drops fall! My hearty friends,
You take me in too note dolorous a sense;
For I spake to you note for your comfort, did desire you

-- 104 --


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,
And drown consideration. [Exeunt. note Scene III. [Footnote: The same. note Before the palace. Enter two Soldiers to their guard. note

First Sold.
Brother, good night: to-morrow is the day.

Sec. Sold.
It will determine one way: fare you well.
Heard you of nothing strange about the streets? note

First Sold. note
Nothing. What news?

Sec. Sold. note
Belike 'tis but a rumour. Good night to you.

First Sold. note
Well, sir, good night.
Enter two other Soldiers. note

Sec. Sold. note
Soldiers, have careful watch.

Third Sold. note
And you. Good night, good night.
[They place themselves in every corner of the stage. note

Fourth Sold. note
Here we: note and if note to-morrow
Our navy thrive, I have an absolute hope
Our landmen will stand up.

-- 105 --

Third Sold. note
'Tis a brave army,
And full of purpose. note
[Music note of hautboys as under the stage.

Fourth Sold. note
Peace! what noise?

First Sold. note
List, list!

noteSec. Sold. note
Hark!

First Sold. note
Music i' the air.

Third Sold. note
Under the earth.

Fourth Sold. note
It signs note well, does it not?

Third Sold. note
No.

First Sold. note
Peace, I say!
What should this mean? note note

Sec. Sold. note
'Tis the god Hercules note, whom Antony loved note,
Now leaves him.

First Sold. note
Walk; let's see if other watchmen
Do hear what we do. note note

Sec. Sold. note
How now, masters!

All. [Speaking together note]

How now! How now! Do you hear this?

First Sold. note

Ay; note is't not strange?

Third Sold. note

Do you hear, masters? do you hear?

First Sold. note

Follow the noise so far as we have quarter; Let's see how it will note give note off.

All. note

Content. 'Tis strange.

[Exeunt.

-- 106 --

note Scene IV. [Footnote: The same. A room in the palace. note Enter note Antony and Cleopatra, Charmian note and others attending.

Ant.
Eros! mine armour, Eros!

Cleo.
Sleep a little.

Ant.
No, my chuck. Eros, come; mine armour, Eros! Enter note Eros with armour.
Come, good note fellow, put mine note iron on:
If fortune be not ours to-day, it is note
Because we brave her: come.

Cleo.
Nay, I'll help too.
What's this for?

Ant.
Ah, let be, let be! thou art
The armourer of my heart: false, false; this, this.

Cleo.
Sooth, la note, I'll help: thus it must be.

Ant.
Well, well; note
We shall thrive now. Seest thou, my good fellow? note
Go put on thy defences. note

Eros. note
Briefly, sir.

Cleo.
Is not this buckled well?

Ant.
Rarely note, rarely:
He that unbuckles this, till we do please
To daff't note for our repose, shall hear note a storm.

-- 107 --


Thou fumblest, Eros; and my queen's a squire
More tight at this than thou note: dispatch. O love,
That thou couldst see my wars to-day, and knew'st
The royal occupation! thou shouldst see
A workman in't. Enter note an armed Soldier.
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't with delight.

Sold. note
A thousand, sir,
Early though't be, have on their riveted trim,
And at the port expect you. note
[Shout. note Trumpets flourish. Enter note Captains and Soldiers.

Capt. note
The morn is fair. Good morrow, general.

All.
Good morrow, general.

Ant.
'Tis well blown, lads note:
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. note
Fare thee well, dame, whate'er becomes note of me: note
This is a soldier's kiss: rebukeable
And worthy shameful check note it were, to stand
On more mechanic compliment; I'll leave thee

-- 108 --


Now like a man of steel. note You that will fight,
Follow me close; I'll bring you to't. Adieu. [Exeunt note Antony, Eros, Captains, and Soldiers.

Char.
Please you, retire note to your chamber. note

Cleo.
Lead me.
He goes forth gallantly. That he and Cæsar might
Determine this great war in single fight! note
Then Antony—but now— noteWell, on. note
[Exeunt. note Scene V. [Footnote: Alexandria. Antony's camp. note Trumpets sound. note Enter Antony and Eros; a Soldier meeting them. note

Sold. note
The gods make this a happy day to Antony!

Ant.
Would thou and those thy scars had once prevail'd
To make me fight at land!

Sold. note
Hadst thou done so,
The kings that have revolted and the soldier
That has this morning left thee would have still
Follow'd note thy heels.

Ant.
Who's gone this morning?

Sold. note
Who!
One ever near thee: call for Enobarbus, note

-- 109 --


He shall not hear thee, or from Cæsar's camp
Say ‘I am none of thine.’

Ant.
What say'st note thou?

Sold.
Sir,
He is with Cæsar.

Eros.
Sir, his chests and treasure
He has not with him. note

Ant.
Is he gone?

Sold.
Most certain.

Ant.
Go, Eros, send his treasure after; do it;
Detain no jot, I charge thee: write to him—
I will subscribe note—gentle note adieus and greetings;
Say that I wish he never find more cause
To change a master. O, my fortunes have
Corrupted honest men! Dispatch. Enobarbus! note
[Exeunt. note note Scene VI. [Footnote: Alexandria. Cæsar's camp. note Flourish. note Enter note Cæsar with Agrippa, Enobarbus, and others.

Cæs.
Go forth, Agrippa, and begin the fight:
Our will is Antony be took alive;
Make it so known.

Agr.
Cæsar, I shall.
[Exit. note

Cæs.
The time of universal peace is near:

-- 110 --


Prove this a prosperous day, the three-nook'd world
Shall bear the olive freely. Enter a Messenger.

Mess.
Antony note
Is come into the field. note

Cæs.
Go charge Agrippa
Plant note those that have revolted in the van note,
That Antony may seem to spend his fury
Upon himself.
[Exeunt note all but Enobarbus.

Eno.
Alexas did revolt, and went note to Jewry
On note affairs of Antony note; there did persuade note
Great Herod to incline himself to Cæsar
And leave his master Antony: for this note pains
Cæsar hath hang'd him. Canidius note 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 note.
Enter a Soldier of Cæsar's. note

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 give it you.

Sold.
Mock note not, Enobarbus:

-- 111 --


I tell you true: best you safed note the bringer
Out of the host; I must attend mine office,
Or would have done't myself. Your emperor
Continues still a Jove. [Exit.

Eno.
I am alone the villain of the earth,
And feel I am so most. O Antony,
Thou mine of bounty, how wouldst thou have paid note
My better service, when my turpitude
Thou dost so crown with gold! This blows note my heart:
If swift thought break it not, note a swifter note mean
Shall outstrike thought: but thought will do't, I feel. note
I fight against thee! note No: I will go seek
Some ditch wherein to note die; the foul'st best fits
My latter part of life.
[Exit. note Scene VII. [Footnote: Field note of battle between the camps. Alarum. Drums and trumpets. note Enter note Agrippa and others.

Agr.
Retire, we have engaged ourselves too far:
Cæsar himself has work, and note our oppression note
Exceeds what we expected.
[Exeunt. note

-- 112 --

Alarums. note Enter note Antony, and Scarus wounded.

Scar.
O my brave emperor, this is fought indeed!
Had we done so at first, we had droven note them home
With clouts about their heads note.

Ant.
Thou bleed'st apace.

Scar.
I had a wound here that was like a T,
But now 'tis made an H.
[Retreat afar off. note

Ant.
They do retire.

Scar.
We'll beat 'em into bench-holes: I have yet
Room for six scotches more.
Enter Eros.

Eros.
They are note beaten, sir, and our advantage serves
For a fair victory.

Scar.
Let us score their backs
And snatch 'em up, as we take hares, behind:
'Tis sport to maul a runner.

Ant.
I will reward thee
Once for thy spritely comfort, and ten-fold
For thy good valour. Come thee note on.

Scar.
I'll halt after.
[Exeunt.

-- 113 --

note Scene VIII. [Footnote: Under note the walls of Alexandria. Alarum. note Enter note Antony, in a march; Scarus, with others.

Ant.
We have note beat him to his camp: run one before,
And let the queen know of our gests note. To-morrow, note
Before the sun shall see's note, we'll spill the blood
That has to-day escaped. I thank you all;
For doughty-handed are you, and have fought
Not as you served the cause note, but as't had been
Each man's like mine; you have shown all note Hectors. note
Enter the city, clip 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 note whole. [To Scarus note] Give me thy hand; note Enter note Cleopatra, attended.
To this great fairy I'll commend thy acts,
Make her thanks bless thee. O thou day note o' the world,
Chain mine arm'd neck; leap thou, attire and all,
Through proof of harness to my heart note, and there

-- 114 --


Ride on the pants note triumphing!

Cleo.
Lord of lords!
O infinite virtue, comest thou smiling from
The world's great snare uncaught? note

Ant.
My note nightingale,
We have note beat them to their beds. What, girl! though grey note
Do something mingle with our younger note brown, yet ha' we note
A brain that nourishes our nerves and can
Get goal for goal of youth. Behold this man;
Commend unto his lips thy favouring note hand:
Kiss it, my warrior: he hath fought to-day
As if a god in hate of mankind had
Destroy'd note in such a shape.

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

Ant.
He has deserved it, were it carbuncled
Like holy note Phœbus' car. Give me thy hand:
Through Alexandria make a jolly march;
Bear our hack'd targets like the men that owe them:
Had our great palace the capacity
To camp this note 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 note our rattling tabourines;
That heaven and earth make strike their sounds together,
Applauding our approach.
[Exeunt. note

-- 115 --

note Scene IX. [Footnote: Cæsar's camp. note Sentinels note at their post.

First Sold. note
If we be not relieved 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.

Sec. Sold. note
This last day was
A shrewd one to's note. note
Enter Enobarbus. note

Eno.
O, bear me witness, night,— note

Third Sold. note
What man is this? note

Sec. Sold. note
Stand close, and list note him. note

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

First Sold. note
Enobarbus!

Third Sold. note
Peace!
Hark further. note note

Eno.
O sovereign mistress of true melancholy,

-- 116 --


The poisonous damp of night disponge note 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 note and a fugitive:
O Antony! O Antony! [Dies. note

Sec. Sold. note
Let's speak to him. note

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

Third Sold. note
Let's do so. But he sleeps.

First Sold. note
Swoons note rather; for note so bad a prayer as his
Was never yet for sleep note note.

Sec. Sold. note
Go we to him.
note

Third Sold. note
Awake, sir, awake; speak to us.
note

Sec. Sold. note
Hear you, note sir?

First Sold. note
The hand note of death hath raught note him. [Drums afar off.] Hark! the note drums

-- 117 --


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

Third Sold. note
Come on, then note; note he may recover yet.
[Exeunt note with the body. note Scene X. [Footnote: Between the two camps. note Enter Antony and Scarus, note with their Army.

Ant.
Their preparation is to-day by sea note;
We please them not by land.

Scar.
For both, my lord.

Ant.
I would they'ld fight i' the fire or i' the air note;
We'ld fight there too. But this note it is; our foot
Upon the hills note adjoining to the city
Shall stay with us: order for sea is given;
They note have put forth the haven note.. note....
Where note their appointment we may best discover note
And look on their endeavour.
[Exeunt.

-- 118 --

note Scene XI. [Footnote: Another note part of the same. Enter Cæsar, and his Army.

Cæs.
But note being charged, we will be still by land,
Which, as I take't, we shall note; for his best force
Is forth to man his galleys. To the vales,
And hold our best advantage.
[Exeunt. note Scene XII. [Footnote: Hills note adjoining to Alexandria. Enter note Antony and Scarus.

Ant.
Yet they are note not join'd: where yond note pine does stand note,
I shall discover all: I'll bring thee word
Straight, how 'tis like to go. note
[Exit.

Scar.
Swallows have built
In Cleopatra's sails their nests: the augurers note
Say they know not, they cannot tell; look grimly
And dare not speak their knowledge. Antony
Is valiant, and dejected, and by starts
His fretted fortunes give him hope, and fear,
Of what he has, and has not.
[Alarum note afar off, as at a sea-fight.

-- 119 --

noteRe-enter note Antony.

Ant.
All is lost;
This foul Egyptian hath betrayed me note:
My fleet hath yielded to the foe; and yonder
They cast their caps up and carouse together
Like friends long lost. Triple-turn'd note whore! 'tis thou
Hast sold me to this novice, and my heart
Makes only wars on thee. Bid them all fly;
For when I am revenged upon my charm note,
I have done all. Bid them all fly; begone. [Exit Scarus. note
O sun, thy uprise shall I see no more:
Fortune and Antony part here, even here
Do we shake hands. note All come to this? The hearts
That spaniel'd note me at heels note, to whom I gave
Their wishes, do discandy note, melt their sweets
On blossoming Cæsar; and this pine is bark'd note,
That overtopp'd them all. Betray'd I am.
O note this false soul note of Egypt! this grave note charm note,
Whose eye beck'd forth my wars and call'd them home,
Whose bosom was my crownet, my chief end,
Like a right note gipsy hath at fast and loose
Beguiled me to the very heart of loss.
What, Eros, Eros!

-- 120 --

Enter Cleopatra.
Ah, thou spell! Avaunt!

Cleo.
Why is my lord enraged against his love?

Ant.
Vanish, or I shall give thee thy deserving,
And blemish Cæsar's triumph. Let him take thee,
And hoist thee up to note the shouting plebeians:
Follow his chariot, like the greatest spot
Of all thy sex: most note monster-like, be shown note
For note poor'st diminutives, for doits note; and let
Patient note Octavia plough thy visage up
With her prepared nails. [Exit Cleopatra.
'Tis well thou'rt note gone, note
If it be well to live; but better 'twere
Thou fell'st into note my fury, for one death
Might have prevented many. Eros, ho!
The shirt of Nessus is upon me: teach me,
Alcides, thou mine ancestor, thy rage:
Let me note lodge Lichas on the horns o' the moon,
And with those hands that grasp'd the heaviest club
Subdue my note worthiest self note. The witch shall die:
To the young note Roman boy she hath sold me, and I fall
Under this note plot: she dies for't. Eros, ho!
[Exit.

-- 121 --

note Scene XIII. [Footnote: Alexandria. Cleopatra's palace. note Enter note Cleopatra, Charmian, Iras, and Mardian. note

Cleo.
Help me, my women note! O, he is note more mad
Than Telamon for his shield; the boar of Thessaly
Was never so emboss'd note.

Char.
To the monument!
There lock yourself, and send him word you are note dead. note
The soul and body rive not more in parting
Than greatness going off.

Cleo.
To the monument!
Mardian, go tell him I have slain myself;
Say that the last I spoke was ‘Antony,’
And word it, prithee, piteously: hence, Mardian,
And bring me how he takes my death. To note the monument! note
[Exeunt. note Scene XIV. [Footnote: The same. Another room. note Enter note Antony and Eros.

Ant.
Eros, thou yet behold'st me? note

Eros.
Ay, noble lord.

-- 122 --

Ant.
Sometime we see a cloud that's dragonish,
A vapour sometime like a bear or lion,
A tower'd note citadel, a pendent rock,
A forked mountain, or blue promontory
With trees upon't, that nod unto the world note
And mock our eyes with air: thou hast note seen these signs; note
They are black vesper's pageants.

Eros.
Ay, my lord.

Ant.
That which is now a horse, even with a thought
The note rack dislimns note and makes it indistinct
As water is in water.

Eros.
It does, my lord.

Ant.
My good knave Eros, now thy captain is
Even such a body: here I am note Antony,
Yet cannot hold this visible shape, my knave.
I made these wars for Egypt; and the queen—
Whose heart I thought I had, for she had mine,
Which, whilst it was mine, had annex'd unto't
A million moe note, now lost,—she, Eros, has
Pack'd cards with Cæsar note, and false-play'd note my glory
Unto an enemy's note triumph.
Nay, weep not, gentle Eros; there is left us
Ourselves to end ourselves. Enter Mardian. note
O, thy note vile note lady!
She has robb'd me of my sword. note

Mar.
No, Antony;
My mistress loved thee and her fortunes mingled

-- 123 --


With thine entirely.

Ant.
Hence, saucy eunuch; peace!
She hath betray'd me, and shall note die the death. note

Mar.
Death of one person can be paid but once,
And that she has note discharged: what thou wouldst do
Is done unto thy hand: the last she spake
Was ‘Antony! most noble Antony!’
Then in the midst a tearing groan did break
The name of Antony; it was divided
Between her heart and lips: she render'd note life,
Thy name so buried in her.

Ant.
Dead then?

Mar.
Dead.

Ant.
Unarm, Eros note; the long day's task is done,
And we must sleep. [To Mar. note] That thou depart'st hence safe,
Does pay thy labour richly; go. [Exit Mardian. note
Off, note pluck off: note
The seven-fold shield of Ajax cannot keep
The battery note from my heart. O, cleave, my sides! note
Heart, once be stronger than thy continent,
Crack thy frail case! Apace, Eros, apace! note
No more a soldier. Bruised pieces, go;
You have been nobly borne. From me awhile. [Exit Eros.
I will o'ertake thee, Cleopatra, and
Weep for my pardon. So it note must be, for now
All length note is torture: since the torch note is out,
Lie down and stray no farther note: now all labour

-- 124 --


Mars what it does; yea, very force entangles
Itself with strength: seal note then, and all is done.
Eros!—I come, my queen. Eros!—Stay note for me:
Where souls do couch on flowers, we'll hand in hand,
And with our sprightly port make the ghosts gaze:
Dido and her Æneas note shall want troops,
And all the haunt be ours. Come, Eros, Eros! Re-enter Eros.

Eros.
What would my lord?

Ant.
Since Cleopatra died
I have lived note in such dishonour that the gods
Detest my baseness. I, that with my sword
Quarter'd the world, and o'er green Neptune's back note
With ships made cities, condemn myself to lack
The courage of a woman; less noble mind note
Than she which by her death our Cæsar tells
‘I am note conqueror of myself.’ Thou art sworn, Eros,
That, when the exigent should come—which now
Is come indeed—when I should see behind me
The inevitable prosecution of
Disgrace and horror, that, on my command,
Thou then wouldst kill me: do't; the note time is come:
Thou strikest not me, 'tis Cæsar thou defeat'st.
Put colour in thy note cheek. note

Eros.
The gods withhold me!
Shall I do that which all the Parthian darts,
Though enemy note, lost aim and could not? note

-- 125 --

Ant.
Eros,
Wouldst thou be window'd in great Rome, and see
Thy master thus with pleach'd arms, bending down
His corrigible neck, his face subdued
To penetrative shame, whilst the wheel'd note seat
Of fortunate Cæsar, drawn before him, branded
His baseness that ensued? note

Eros.
I would not see't.

Ant.
Come, then; for with a wound I must be cured.
Draw that thy honest sword, which thou hast worn
Most useful for thy country.

Eros.
O, sir, pardon me!

Ant.
When I did make thee free, sworest thou note not then
To do this when I bade thee? Do it at once;
Or thy precedent services are all
But accidents unpurposed. Draw, and come note.

Eros.
Turn from me then that noble countenance,
Wherein the worship of the whole world lies.

Ant.
Lo thee note!
[Turning note from him.

Eros.
My sword is drawn.

Ant.
Then let it do at once note
The thing why thou hast drawn it.

Eros.
My dear master,
My captain, and my emperor, let me say,
Before I strike this bloody stroke, farewell.

Ant.
'Tis said, man; and farewell.

Eros.
Farewell, great chief. note Shall I strike now?

Ant.
Now, Eros.

Eros.
Why, there then: note thus I do escape the sorrow
Of Antony's death. note
[Kills himself. note

-- 126 --

Ant.
Thrice-nobler than myself!
Thou teachest me, note O valiant Eros, what
I should and thou note couldst not. My queen and Eros
Have by their brave instruction got upon me
A nobleness in record: but I will be
A bridegroom in my death, and run into't
As to a lover's bed. Come then; note and, Eros,
Thy master dies thy scholar: to do thus [Falling note on his sword.
I learn'd note of thee. How! not note dead? not dead?
The guard, ho! note O, dispatch me!
noteEnter note Dercetas and Guard.

First Guard. note
What's the noise?

Ant.
I have note done my work ill, friends: O, make an end
Of what I have begun. note

Sec. Guard. note
The star is fall'n note.

First Guard. note
And time is at his period.

All.
Alas, and woe!

Ant.
Let him that loves me strike me dead.

First Guard. note
Not I.

Sec. Guard. note
Nor note I.

Third Guard. note
Nor any one.
[Exeunt Guard. note

Der. note
Thy death and fortunes bid thy followers fly.
This sword but shown to Cæsar, with this note tidings,
Shall enter me with him.

-- 127 --

Enter Diomedes. note

Dio.
Where's Antony?

Der. note
There, Diomed, there.

Dio.
Lives he?
Wilt thou not answer, man note? note
[Exit Dercetas. note

Ant.
Art thou there, Diomed? Draw thy sword, and give me note
Sufficing strokes for death.

Dio.
Most absolute lord,
My mistress note Cleopatra sent me to thee.

Ant.
When did she send thee?

Dio.
Now, my lord.

Ant.
Where is she?

Dio.
Lock'd in her monument. She had note a prophesying note fear
Of what hath come to pass: for when she saw—
Which never shall be found—you did suspect
She had disposed note with Cæsar, and that your rage
Would not be purged, she sent you word she was dead;
But, fearing since how it might work, hath sent
Me to proclaim the truth; and I am come,
I dread, too late.

Ant.
Too late, good Diomed: call my guard, I prithee.

Dio.
What, ho, the emperor's guard! The guard, what, ho!
Come, your lord calls. note

-- 128 --

Enter note four or five of the Guard of Antony.

Ant.
Bear me, good friends, where note Cleopatra bides note;
'Tis the last service note that I shall command you.

First Guard. note
Woe, woe note are we, sir, you may not live to wear
All your true followers out.

All.
Most heavy day!

Ant.
Nay, good my fellows, do not please sharp fate
To grace it with your sorrows: bid that welcome
Which comes to punish us, and we punish it
Seeming to bear it lightly. Take me up:
I have led you oft: carry me now, good friends,
And have my thanks for all.
[Exeunt, note bearing Antony. note Scene XV. [Footnote: The same. A monument. note Enter note Cleopatra, and her maids aloft, with Charmian, and Iras.

Cleo.
O Charmian, I will never go from hence.

Char.
Be comforted, dear madam.

Cleo.
No, I will not:
All strange and terrible events are welcome,
But comforts we despise; our size of sorrow,
Proportion'd to our cause, must be as great
As that which makes it.

-- 129 --

Enter note, below, Diomedes.
How now! is he dead?

Dio.
His death's note upon him, but not note dead.
Look out o' the other side your monument note; note
His guard have brought him thither note.
Enter note, below, Antony, borne by the Guard.

Cleo.
O sun note,
Burn the great note sphere thou movest in! darkling stand note
The varying shore o' the world. O Antony,
Antony, Antony! note Help, Charmian, help, Iras, help note;
Help, note friends below; let's note draw him hither. note

Ant.
Peace!
Not Cæsar's valour hath o'erthrown Antony,
But Antony's note note hath triumph'd on itself note. note

Cleo.
So it should be, that none but Antony
Should conquer Antony; but woe 'tis so! note

Ant.
I am dying, Egypt, dying note; note only note

-- 130 --


I here importune death awhile, until
Of many thousand kisses the poor last
I lay upon thy lips. note

Cleo.
I dare not, dear,
Dear my lord note, pardon, note I dare not, note
Lest I be taken: not the imperious show
Of the full-fortuned Cæsar ever shall
Be brooch'd with me; if knife note, drugs, serpents, have
Edge, sting, or operation note, I am safe:
Your wife Octavia, with her modest eyes
And still conclusion note, shall acquire no honour
Demuring upon me. But come, come, Antony,—
Help me, my women,—we must draw thee up; note
Assist, good friends.

Ant.
O, quick, or I am gone.

Cleo.
Here's sport note note indeed! How heavy weighs my lord! note
Our strength is all gone into heaviness; note
That makes the weight. Had I great Juno's power,
The strong-wing'd Mercury should fetch thee up
And set thee by Jove's side. Yet come a little—
Wishers were ever fools—O, come, come, come; [They note heave Antony aloft to Cleopatra.
And welcome, welcome! die where note thou hast lived:
Quicken with kissing: had my lips that power,
Thus would I wear them out.

-- 131 --

All.
A note heavy sight!

Ant.
I am dying, Egypt, dying:
Give me some wine, and let me speak a little.

Cleo.
No, let me speak, and let me rail so high,
That the false housewife note Fortune break her wheel,
Provoked by my offence.

Ant.
One word, sweet queen:
Of Cæsar seek your honour, with your safety. O! note

Cleo.
They do not go together.

Ant.
Gentle, hear me:
None about Cæsar trust but Proculeius.

Cleo.
My resolution and my hands I'll trust;
None about Cæsar.

Ant.
The miserable change now at my end
Lament nor sorrow at, but please your thoughts
In feeding them with those my former fortunes
Wherein I lived, the note greatest prince o' the world,
The noblest, and do now note not basely die,
Not cowardly note put off note my helmet to note
My countryman, a Roman by a Roman
Valiantly vanquish'd. Now my spirit is going; note
I can no more.

Cleo.
Noblest of men, woo't note die?
Hast thou no care of me? shall I abide
In this dull world, which in thy absence is
No better than a sty? O, see, my women, [Antony dies. note
The crown o' the note earth doth melt. My lord! note
O, wither'd is the garland of the war,

-- 132 --


The soldier's note pole is fall'n: young boys and girls
Are level now with men; the odds is gone,
And there is nothing left remarkable
Beneath the visiting moon. [Faints. note

Char.
O, quietness note, lady!

Iras.
She's note dead too, our sovereign.

Char.
Lady!

Iras.
Madam!

Char.
O madam, madam, madam! note

Iras.
Royal Egypt, note Empress! note

Char.
Peace, peace, Iras!

Cleo.
No note more, but e'en a woman note, and commanded
By such poor passion note as the maid that milks
And does the meanest chares. It were for me
To throw my sceptre at the injurious gods,
To tell them that this world did equal theirs
Till they had stol'n our jewel. All's but naught;
Patience is sottish, and impatience does
Become a dog that's mad: then is it sin
To rush into the secret house of death,
Ere death dare come to us? note How do you, women?
What, what! good cheer! note Why, how now, Charmian!
My noble girls! Ah, women, women, look, note
Our lamp is spent, it's out! Good sirs, take heart:
We'll bury him; and then, what's brave, what's noble note,
Let's do it note after the high Roman fashion,

-- 133 --


And make death proud to take us. Come, away:
This case of that huge spirit now is cold:
Ah, women, women! Come; we have no friend
But resolution and the briefest end. [Exeunt note; those above bearing off Antony's body.
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William Aldis Wright [1863–1866], The works of William Shakespeare edited by William George Clark... and John Glover [and William Aldis Wright] (Macmillan and Co., London) [word count] [S10701].
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