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George Sewell [1723–5], The works of Shakespear in six [seven] volumes. Collated and Corrected by the former Editions, By Mr. Pope ([Vol. 7] Printed by J. Darby, for A. Bettesworth [and] F. Fayram [etc.], London) [word count] [S11101].
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ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA.

-- 306 --

Introductory matter

Dramatis Personæ. M. ANTONY [Mark Antony]. Octavius Cæsar [Octavius Caesar]. Lepidus [M. AEmilius Lepidus]. Sex. Pompeius [Sextus Pompeius]. Enobarbus [Domitius Enobarbus], Friend and Follower of Antony. Ventidius, Friend and Follower of Antony. Canidius, Friend and Follower of Antony. Eros, Friend and Follower of Antony. Scarus, Friend and Follower of Antony. Decretas [Dercetas], Friend and Follower of Antony. Demetrius, Friend and Follower of Antony. Philo, Friend and Follower of Antony. Mecænas [Maecenas], Friend to Cæsar. Agrippa, Friend to Cæsar. Dolabella, Friend to Cæsar. Proculeius, Friend to Cæsar. Thidias [Thyreus], Friend to Cæsar. Gallus, Friend to Pompey. Menas, Friend to Pompey. Menecrates, Friend to Pompey. Varrius, Friend to Pompey. Alexas, Servant to Cleopatra. Mardian, Servant to Cleopatra. Diomedes, Servant to Cleopatra. A Soothsayer. Clown. Cleopatra, Queen of Ægypt. Octavia, Sister to Cæsar, and Wife to Antony, Charmian, Lady attending on Cleopatra. Iras, Lady attending on Cleopatra. Ambassadors from Antony to Cæsar, Captains, Soldiers, Messengers, and other Attendants. [Messenger], [Attendant], [Messenger 2], [Servant 1], [Servant 2], [Roman], [Soldier], [Taurus], [Ambassador], [Servant], [AEgyptian], [Seleucus], [Soldier 1], [Soldier 2], [Century], [Watch 1], [Watch 2], [Watch 3], [Guard 1], [Guard 2], [Guard 3], [Guard], [Guards] The SCENE is dispers'd in Several Parts of the Roman Empire.

-- 307 --

Antony and Cleopatra. ACT I. SCENE I. Alexandria in Ægypt. Enter Demetrius and Philo.

Philo.
Nay, but this dotage of our General
O'er-flows the measure; those his goodly eyes,
That o'er the files and musters of the war
Have glow'd 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, † notereneges all temper,
And is become the bellows and the fan
To cool a gypsy's lust. Look where they come! Enter Antony, and Cleopatra, her ladies in the train, Eunuchs fanning her.
Take but good note, and you shall see in him,
The tripple pillar of the world transform'd

-- 308 --


Into a strumpet's fool. Behold and see.

Cleo.
If it be love indeed, tell me how much?

Ant.
There's beggary in the love that can be reckon'd.

Cleo.
I'll set a † notebourn how far to be belov'd.

Ant.
Then must thou needs find out new heav'n, new earth.
Enter a Messenger.

Mess.
News, my good lord, from Rome.

Ant.
It grates me. Tell the sum.

Cleo.
Nay, hear it Antony.
Fulvia perchance is angry; or who knows,
If the scarce-bearded Cæsar have not sent
His powerful mandate to you. Do this, or this;
Take in that kingdom, and infranchise that;
Perform't, or else we damn thee.

Ant.
How, my love?

Cleo.
Perchance, nay, and most like,
You must not stay here longer, your dismission
Is come from Cæsar, therefore hear it, Antony.
Where's Fulvia's process? Cæsar's? I'd say, both?
Call in the messengers; as I'm Ægypt's Queen,
Thou blushest Antony, and that blood of thine
Is Cæsar's homager: so thy cheeks pay shame,
When shrill-tongu'd Fulvia scolds. The messengers.

Ant.
Let Rome in Tyber melt, and the wide arch
Of the rais'd 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; when such a mutual pair, [Embracing.
And such a twain can do't; in which, I bind
(On pain of punishment) the world to † noteweet
We stand up peerless.

Cleo.
Excellent falshood!

-- 309 --


Why did he marry Fulvia, and not love her?
I'll seem the fool I am not. Antony
Will be himself.

Ant.
But stirr'd by Cleopatra,
Now for the love of love, and his 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 to-night?

Cleo.
Hear the ambassadors.

Ant.
Fie wrangling Queen!
Whom every thing becomes, to chide, to laugh,
To weep; whose every passion fully strives
To make it self in thee fair and admir'd.
No messenger but thine, and all alone,
To-night 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 with their train.

Dem.
Is Cæsar with Antonius priz'd so slight?

Phil.
Sir, sometimes when he is not Antony,
He comes too short of that great property
Which still should go with Antony.

Dem.
I'm sorry,
That he approves the common liar Fame,
Who speaks him thus at Rome; but I will hope
Of better deeds to-morrow. Rest you happy.
[Exeunt. SCENE II. Enter Enobarbus, Charmian, Iras, Alexas, and a Sooth-sayer.

Char.

Alexas, sweet Alexas, most any thing Alexas, almost most absolute Alexas, where's the Scothsayer that you prais'd

-- 310 --

to th' Queen? Oh! that I knew this husband, which you say, must change his horns with garlands.

Alex.
Soothsayer.

Sooth.
Your will?

Char.
Is this the man? Is't you, Sir, that know things?

Sooth.
In nature's infinite book of secrecy, a little I can read.

Alex.
Shew him your hand.

Eno.
Bring in the banquet quickly: wine enough,
Cleopatra's health to drink.

Char.
Good Sir, give me good fortune.

Sooth.
I make not, but foresee.

Char.
Pray then, foresee me one.

Sooth.
You shall be yet far fairer than you are.

Char.
He means in flesh.

Iras.
No, you shall paint when you are old.

Char.
Wrinkles forbid.

Alex.
Vex not his a noteprescience, be attentive.

Char.
Hush!

Sooth.
You shall be more beloving, than beloved.

Char.

I had rather heat my liver with drinking.

Alex.

Nay, hear him.

Char.

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 Cæsar, and companion me with my mistress.

Sooth.

You shall out-live the lady whom you serve.

Char.

Oh excellent, I love long life better than figs.

Sooth.

You have seen and proved a fairer former fortune, than that which is to approach.

Char.
Then belike my children shall have no names;
Pr'ythee how many boys and wenches must I have?

Sooth.
If every of your wishes had a womb,

-- 311 --


And foretold every wish, a million.

Char.
Out fool, I forgive thee for a witch

Alex.

You think none but your sheets are privy to your wishes.

Char.

Nay come, tell Iras hers.

Alex.

We'll know all our fortunes.

Eno.

Mine, and most of our fortunes to-night, shall be to go drunk to bed.

Iras.

There's a palm presages chastity, if nothing else.

Char.

E'en as the o'erflowing Nylus presageth famine.

Iras.

Go you wild bedfellow, you cannot soothsay.

Char.

Nay, if an oily palm be not a fruitful prognostication, I cannot scratch mine ear. Pr'ythee tell her but a workyday fortune.

Sooth.

Your fortunes are alike.

Iras.

But how, but how—give me particulars.

Sooth.

I have said.

Iras.

Am I not an inch of fortune better than she?

Char.

Well, if you were but an inch of fortune better than I; where would you chuse it?

Iras.

Not in my husband's nose.

Char.

Our worser thoughts heav'ns mend.

Alex.

Come, his fortune, his fortune. Oh 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, fifty-fold a cuckold. Good Isis, hear me this prayer, though thou deny me a matter of more weight; good Isis, I beseech thee.

Char.

Amen, dear Goddess, hear that prayer of the people. For, as it is a heart-breaking to see a handsome man loose-wiv'd, so it is a deadly sorrow, to behold a foul knave uncuckolded; therefore dear Isis, keep decorum, and fortune him accordingly.

Iras.

Amen.

-- 312 --

Alex.

Lo now, if it lay in their hands to make me a cuckold, they would make themselves whores, but they'd do't.

SCENE III. Enter Cleopatra.

Eno.
Hush, here comes Antony.

Char.
Not he, the Queen.

Cleo.
Saw you my lord?

Eno.
No, lady.

Cleo.
Was he not here?

Char.
No, madam.

Cleo.
He was dispos'd to mirth, but on the sudden
A Roman thought had struck him. Enobarbus.

Eno.
Madam.

Cleo.
Seek him, and bring him hither; where's Alexas?

Alex.
Here at your service, my lord approaches.
Enter Antony with a Messenger and Attendants.

Cleo.
We will not look upon him; go with us.
[Exeunt.

Mes.
Fulvia thy wife first came into the field.

Ant.
Against my brother Lucius?

Mes.
Ay, but soon that war had end, and the time's state
Made friends of them, jointing their force 'gainst Cæsar,
Whose better issue in the war of Italy,
Upon the first encounter drave them.

Ant.
Well, what worst?

Mes.
The nature of bad news infects the teller.

Ant.
When it concerns the fool or coward; on.
Things that are past, are done, with me. 'Tis thus,
Who tells me true, though in the tale lye death,
I hear as if he flatter'd.

Mes.
Labienus (this is stiff news)

-- 313 --


Hath, with his Parthian force, extended Asia;
From Euphrates his conquering banner shook,
From Syria to Lydia, and Ionia;
Whilst—

Ant.
Antony thou wouldst say.

Mes.
Oh, my lord!

Ant.
Speak to me home, mince not the gen'ral tongue,
Name Cleopatra as she's call'd in Rome.
Rail thou in Fulvia's phrase, and taunt my faults
With such full license, as both truth and malice
Have power to utter. Oh then we bring forth weeds,
When our quick winds lye still, and our ill, told us,
Is as our earing; fare thee well a while.

Mes.
At your noble pleasure.

Ant.
From Sicyon how the news? speak there.

Mes.
The man from Sicyon, is there such an one?

Attend.
He stays upon your will.

Ant.
Let him appear;
These strong Ægyptian fetters I must break,
Or lose my self in dotage. What are you?
Enter another Messenger with a letter.

2 Mes.
Fulvia thy wife is dead.

Ant.
Where died she?

2 Mes.
In Sicyon,
Her length of sickness with what else more serious
Importeth thee to know, this bears.

Ant.
Forbear me.
There's a great spirit gone! thus I desir'd it.
What our contempts do often hurl from us,
We wish it ours again; the present pleasure,
By revolution lowring, does become
The opposite of it self; she's good being gone,

-- 314 --


The hand could pluck her back, that shov'd her on.
I must from this Ægyptian Queen break off.
Ten thousand harms, more than the ills I know,
My idleness doth hatch. How now Enobarbus? Enter Enobarbus.

Eno.
What's your pleasure, Sir?

Ant.
I must with haste from hence.

Eno.

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.

Ant.

I must be gone.

Eno.

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 esteem'd 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.

Ant.

She is cunning past man's thought.

Eno.

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 almanacks can report. This cannot be cunning in her: if it be, she makes a show'r of rain as well as Jove.

Ant.

Would I had never seen her!

Eno.

Oh Sir, you had then left unseen a wonderful piece of work, which not to have been blest withal, would have discredited your travel.

Ant.

Fulvia is dead.

Eno.

Sir!

Ant.

Fulvia is dead.

Eno.

Fulvia?

-- 315 --

Ant.

Dead.

Eno.

Why Sir, give the Gods a thankful sacrifice: when it pleaseth their deities to take the wife of a man from him, it shews to man the tailor of the earth (comforting him 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 were 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.

Ant.
The business she hath broach'd here in the state,
Cannot endure my absence.

Eno.

And the business you have broach'd here cannot be without you, especially that of Cleopatra's, which wholly depends on your aboad.

Ant.
No more b notelight answers: let our officers
Have notice what we purpose. I shall break
The cause of our expedience to the Queen,
And get her c noteleave to part. For not alone
The death of Fulvia, with more urgent touches,
Do strongly speak t'us; but the letters too
Of many our contriving friends in Rome
Petition us at home. Sextus Pompeius
Hath giv'n the dare to Cæsar, and commands
The empire of the sea. Our slipp'ry people,
(Whose love is never link'd 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 pow'r,
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,

-- 316 --


Which like the † notecourser'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.

Eno.
I'll do't.
[Exeunt. SCENE IV. Enter Cleopatra, Charmian, Alexas, and Iras.

Cleo.
Where is he?

Char.
I did not see him since.

Cleo.
See where he is, who's with him, what he do's.
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.

Char.
Madam, methinks if you did love him dearly,
You do not hold the method, to enforce
The like from him.

Cleo.
What should I do, I do not?

Char.
In each thing give him way, cross him in nothing.

Cleo.
Thou teachest like a fool: the way to lose him.

Char.
Tempt him not so, too far. I wish, forbear,
In time we hate that which we often fear. Enter Antony.
But here comes Antony.

Cleo.
I'm sick, and sullen.

Ant.
I am sorry to give breathing to my purpose.

Cleo.
Help me away, dear Charmian, I shall fall,
It cannot be thus long, the sides of nature [Seeming to faint.
Will not sustain it.

-- 317 --

Ant.
Now, my dearest Queen.

Cleo.
Pray you stand farther from me.

Ant.
What's the matter?

Cleo.
I know by that same eye there's some good news.
What says the marry'd 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 pow'r upon you: hers you are.

Ant.
The Gods best know.

Cleo.
Oh never was there Queen
So mightily betray'd; yet at the first
I saw the treasons planted.

Ant.
Cleopatra.

Cleo.
Why should I think you can be mine, and true.
Though you with swearing shake the throned Gods,
Who have been false to Fulvia? riotous madness!
To be entangled with these mouth-made vows,
Which break themselves in swearing.

Ant.
Most sweet Queen.

Cleo.
Nay pray you seek no colour for your going,
But bid farewel, 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 heav'n. They are so still,
Or thou the greatest soldier of the world
Art turn'd the greater liar.

Ant.
How now, lady?

Cleo.
I would I had thy inches, thou should'st know
There were a heart in Egypt.

Ant.
Hear me, Queen;
The strong necessity of time commands
Our services awhile; but my full heart

-- 318 --


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 domestick pow'rs
Breeds scrupulous faction; the hated, grown to strength,
Are newly grown to love; the condemn'd Pompey,
Rich in his father's honour, creeps apace
Into the hearts of such, as have not thriv'n
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 save my going,
Is Fulvia's death.

Cleo.
Though age from folly could not give me freedom,
It does from childishness. Can Fulvia die?

Ant.
She's dead, my Queen.
Look here, and at thy soveraign leisure read
The garboyls she awak'd; at the last, best.
See when, and where she died.

Cleo.
O most false love!
Where be the sacred vials thou shou'dst fill
With sorrowful water? now I see, I see,
In Fulvia's death, how mine shall be receiv'd.

Ant.
Quarrel no more, but be prepar'd to know
The purposes I bear; which are, or cease,
As you shall give th' advices, by the fire
That quickens Nilus' d noteslime, I go from hence
Thy soldier, servant, making peace or war,
As thou affect'st.

Cleo.
Cut my lace, Charmian, come,
But let it be, I'm quickly ill, and well,
So Antony loves.

Ant.
My precious Queen, forbear,

-- 319 --


And give true evidence to his love, which stands
An honourable tryal.

Cleo.
So Fulvia told me.
I pr'ythee turn aside, and weep for her,
Then bid adieu to me, and say the tears
Belong to Ægypt. Good now, play one scene
Of excellent dissembling, let it look
Like perfect honour.

Ant.
You'll heat my blood; no more.

Cleo.
You can do better yet; but this is meetly.

Ant.
Now by my sword—

Cleo.
And target. Still he mends.
But this is not the best. Look pr'ythee, Charmian,
How this Herculean Roman does become
The carriage of his chafe.

Ant.
I'll leave you, lady.

Cleo.
Courteous lord, one word:
Sir, you and I must part, but that's not it,
Sir, you and I have lov'd, but there's not it.
That you know well, something it is I would:
Oh, my oblivion is a very Antony,
And I am all forgotten.

Ant.
But that your royalty
Holds idleness your subject, I should take you
For idleness it self.

Cleo.
'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. On your sword
Sit lawrell'd victory, and smooth success

-- 320 --


Be strew'd before your feet.

Ant.
Let us go: come,
Our separation so abides and flies,
That thou residing here, goest yet with me,
And I hence fleeting, here remain with thee.
Away.
[Exeunt. SCENE V. Changes to Rome. Enter Octavius Cæsar reading a letter, Lepidus, and attendants.

Cæs.
You may see, Lepidus, and henceforth know,
It is not Cæsar's natural voice, to hate
One great competitor. From Alexandria
This is the news; he fishes, drinks, and wastes
The lamps of night in revels; not more manly
Than Cleopatra; nor the Queen of Ptolomy
More womanly than he. Hardly gave audience,
Or did vouchsafe to think that h'had partners.
You shall find there a man, who is the abstract
Of all faults all men follow.

Lep.
I must not think
They're evils enough to darken all his goodness;
His faults in him seem as the spots of heav'n,
More fiery by night's blackness; hereditary,
Rather than purchast; what he cannot change,
Than what he chuses.

Cæs.
You're too indulgent. Let us grant it is not
Amiss to tumble on the bed of Ptolomy,
To give a kingdom for a mirth, to sit
And keep the turn of tipling with a slave,
To reel the streets at noon, and stand the buffet

-- 321 --


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 fill'd
His vacancy with his voluptuousness;
Full surfeits, and the driness 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.

Lep.
Here's more news.

Mes.
Thy biddings have been done, and every hour,
Most noble Cæsar, shalt thou have report
How 'tis abroad. Pompey is strong at sea,
And it appears, he is belov'd of those
That only have fear'd Cæsar: to the ports
The discontents repair, and mens reports
Give him much wrong'd.

Cæs.
I should have known no less;
It hath been taught us from the primal state,
That he which is, was wish'd, until he were:
And the ebb'd man, ne'er lov'd 'till ne'er worth love,
Comes fear'd, by being lack'd. This common body,
Like to a vagabond flag upon the stream,
Goes to, and back, e notelashing the varying tide
To rot it self with motion.

Mes.
Cæsar, I bring thee word,
Menecrates and Menas, famous pirates,

-- 322 --


Make the sea serve them, which they † noteear and wound
With keels of every kind. Many hot inrodes
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.

Cæs.
Antony,
Leave thy lascivious wassails. When thou once
Wert beaten from Mutina, 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 pallat 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'st. 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 born so like a soldier, that thy cheek
So much as lank'd not.

Lep.
'Tis pity of him.

Cæs.
Let his shames quickly
Drive him to Rome; time is it that we twain
Did shew our selves i'th' field, and to that end
Assemble we immediate council; Pompey
Thrives in our idleness.

Lep.
To-morrow, Cæsar,
I shall be furnish'd to inform you rightly,
Both what by sea and land I can be able,

-- 323 --


To front this present time.

Cæs.
'Till which encounter,
'Tis my business too. Farewel.

Lep.
Farewel my lord,
What you shall know mean time of stirs abroad,
I shall beseech you, let me be partaker.

Cæs.
Doubt not, I knew it for my bond. Farewel.
[Exeunt. SCENE VI. Alexandria. Enter Cleopatra, Charmian, Iras, and Mardian.

Cleo.
Charmian.

Char.
Madam.

Cleo.
Ha, ha—give me to drink Mandragoras.

Char.
Why, madam?

Cleo.
That I might sleep out this great gap of time,
My Antony is away.

Char.
You think of him too much.

Cleo.
O 'tis treason.

Char.
Madam, I trust not so.

Cleo.
Thou eunuch, Mardian?

Mar.
What's your highness' pleasure?

Cleo.
Not now to hear thee sing. I take no pleasure
In ought an eunuch has; 'tis well for thee,
That being unseminar'd, thy freer thoughts
May not fly forth of Egypt. Hast thou affections?

Mar.
Yes, gracious madam.

Cleo.
Indeed?

Mar.
Not in deed, madam, for I can do nothing
But what indeed is honest to be done:
Yet have I fierce affections, and think

-- 324 --


What Venus did with Mars.

Cleo.
Oh Charmian!
Where think'st thou he is now? stands he, or sits he?
Or does he walk? or is he on his horse?
Oh happy horse to bear the weight of Antony!
Do bravely, horse, for wot'st thou whom thou mov'st?
The demy Atlas of this earth, the arm
And burgonet of man. He's speaking now,
Or murmuring, where's my serpent of old Nile,
For so he calls me; now I feed my self
With most delicious poison. Think on me,
That am with Phœbus' amorous pinches black,
And wrinkled deep in time. Broad-fronted Cæsar,
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.

Alex.
Soveraign of Ægypt, hail.

Cleo.
How much art thou unlike Mark Antony?
Yet coming from him, that great med'cine hath
With his tinct gilded thee.
How goes it with my brave Mark Antony?

Alex.
Last thing he did, dear Queen,
He kist the last of many doubled kisses,
This orient pearl. His speech sticks in my heart.

Cleo.
Mine ear must pluck it thence.

Alex.
Good friends, quoth he,
Say the firm Roman to great Ægypt sends
This treasure of an oyster; at whose foot,
To mend the petty present, I will piece

-- 325 --


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 neigh'd so high, that what I would have spoke,
Was beastly dumb by him.

Cleo.
What, was he sad or merry?

Alex.
Like to the time o'th' year, between th' extreams
Of hot and cold, he was not sad nor merry.

Cleo.
Oh well divided disposition;
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 seem'd to tell them, his remembrance lay
In Ægypt with his joy; but between both.
Oh heav'nly mingle! be'st thou sad, or merry,
The violence of either thee becomes,
So do's it no man else. Met'st thou my posts?

Alex.
Ay, madam, twenty several messengers.
Why do you send so thick?

Cleo.
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 Cæsar so?

Char.
Oh that brave Cæsar!

Cleo.
Be choak'd with such another emphasis,
Say the brave Antony.

Char.
The valiant Cæsar.

Cleo.
By Isis, I will give thee bloody teeth,
If thou with Cæsar paragon again
My man of men.

Char.
By your most gracious pardon,
I sing but after you.

-- 326 --

Cleo.
My sallad 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 several greetings, or I'll unpeople
Ægypt.
[Exeunt. ACT II. SCENE I. Sicily. Enter Pompey, Menecrates, and Menas.

Pompey.
If the great Gods be just, they shall assist
The deeds of justest men.

Mene.
Know, worthy Pompey,
That what they do delay, they not deny.

Pom.
While we are suitors to their throne, decays
The thing we sue for.

Men.
We, ignorant of our selves,
Beg often our own harms, which the wise powers
Deny us for our good; so find we profit
By losing of our prayers.

Pom.
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 Ægypt sits at dinner, and will make
No wars without doors. Cæsar gets mony where
He loses hearts; Lepidus flatters both,

-- 327 --


Of both is flatter'd; but he neither loves,
Nor either cares for him.

Mene.
Cæsar and Lepidus are in the field,
A mighty strength they carry.

Pom.
Where have you this? 'tis false.

Mene.
From Silvius, Sir.

Pom.
He dreams; I know they are in Rome together
Looking for Antony: but all the charms of love,
Salt Cleopatra, soften thy wan 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 sawce his appetite;
That sleep and feeding may prorogue his honour,
Even 'till a Lethe'd dulness— Enter Varrius.
How now Varrius?

Var.
This is most certain, that I shall deliver:
Mark Antony is every hour in Rome
Expected. Since he went from Ægypt, 'tis
A space for farther travel.

Pom.
I could have given less matter
A better ear. Menas, I did not think
This am'rous surfeiter would have donn'd 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 Ægypt's widow pluck
The near lust-wearied Antony.

Men.
I cannot hope,
Cæsar and Antony shall well greet together.
His wife, who's dead, did trespasses to Cæsar,

-- 328 --


His brother warr'd upon him, although I think
Not mov'd by Antony.

Pom.
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. Enter Enobarbus and Lepidus.

Lep.
Good Enobarbus, 'tis a worthy deed,
And shall become you well, t' entreat your captain
To soft and gentle speech.

Eno.
I shall entreat him
To answer like himself; if Cæsar move him,
Let Antony look over Cæsar's head,
And speak as loud as Mars. By Jupiter,
Were I the wearer of Antonio's beard,
I would not shave't to-day.

Lep.
'Tis not a time for private stomaching.

Eno.
Every time
Serves for the matter that is then born in't.

Lep.
But small to greater matters must give way.

Eno.
Not if the small come first.

-- 329 --

Lep.
Your speech is passion;
But pray you stir no embers up. Here comes
The noble Antony.
Enter Antony and Ventidius.

Eno.
And yonder Cæsar.
Enter Cæsar, Mecænas, and Agrippa.

Ant.
If we compose well here, to Parthia
Hark, Ventidius.

Cæs.
I do not know; Mecænas, ask Agrippa.

Lep.
Noble friends,
That which combin'd 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
Murther in healing wounds. Then noble partners,
The rather, for I earnestly beseech,
Touch you the sowrest points with sweetest terms,
Nor curstness grow to th' matter.

Ant.
'Tis spoken well;
Were we before our armies and to fight,
I should do thus.
[Flourish.

Cæs.
Welcome to Rome.

Ant.
Thank you.

Cæs.
Sit.

Ant.
Sit, Sir.

Cæs.
Nay then.

Ant.
I learn you take things ill, which are not so:
Or being, concern you not.

Cæs.
I must be laught at,
If, or for nothing, or a little, I

-- 330 --


Should say my self offended, and with you
Chiefly i'th' world. More laught at, that I should
Once name you derogately: when to sound
Your name it not concern'd me.

Ant.
My being in Ægypt, Cæsar, what was't to you?

Cæs.
No more than my residing here at Rome
Might be to you in Ægypt: if you there
Did practise on my state, your being in Ægypt
Might be my question.

Ant.
How intend you, practis'd?

Cæs.
You may be pleas'd to catch at mine intent,
By what did here befall. Your wife and brother
Made wars upon me, and their contestation
Was theam for you, you were the word of war.

Ant.
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 reporters
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 satisfie you. If you'll patch a quarrel,
(As matter whole you've not to make it with,)
It must not be with this.

Cæs.
You praise your self,
By laying defects of Judgment to me: but
You patch up your excuses.

Ant.
Not so, not so;
I know you could not lack, I'm certain on't,
Very necessity of this thought, that I
Your partner in the cause 'gainst which he fought
Could not with grateful eyes attend those wars
Which fronted mine own peace. As for my wife,

-- 331 --


I would you had her spirit in such another;
The third o'th' world is yours, which with a snaffle
You may pace easie, but not such a wife.

Eno.

Would we had all such wives, that the men might go to wars with the women.

Ant.
So much uncurbable, her garboiles, Cæsar,
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.

Cæs.
I wrote to you,
When rioting in Alexandria you
Did pocket up my letters; and with taunts
Did a notegibe my missive out of audience.

Ant.
Sir, he fell on 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 my self, which was as much
As to have askt him pardon. Let this fellow
Be nothing of our strife: if we contend,
Out of our question wipe him.

Cæs.
You have broken
The article of your oath, which you shall never
Have tongue to charge me with.

Lep.
Soft, Cæsar.

Ant.
No, Lepidus, let him speak,
The honour's sacred which he talks on now,
Supposing that I lackt it: but on, Cæsar,
The article of my oath.

Cæs.
To lend me arms and aid, when I requir'd them,
The which you both deny'd.

Ant.
Neglected rather:
And then when poison'd hours had bound me up

-- 332 --


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 Ægypt, made wars here;
For which my self, the ignorant motive, do
So far ask pardon, as befits mine honour
To stoop in such a case.

Lep.
'Tis nobly spoken.

Mec.
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.

Lep.

Worthily spoken, Mecænas.

Eno.

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.

Ant.
Thou art a soldier, only speak no more.

Eno.
That truth should be silent, I had almost forgot.

Ant.
You wrong this presence, therefore speak no more.

Eno.
Go to then: your considerate stone.

Cæs.
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 would hold us staunch, from edge to edge
O'th' world I would pursue it.

Agr.
Give me leave, Cæsar.

Cæs.
Speak, Agrippa.

Agr.
Thou hast a sister by the mother's side,
Admir'd Octavia! great Mark Antony
Is now a widower.

-- 333 --

Cæs.
Say not so, Agrippa;
If Cleopatra heard you, your proof were
Well deserved of rashness.

Ant.
I am not married, Cæsar; let me hear
Agrippa further speak.

Agr.
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 but 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.

Ant.
Will Cæsar speak?

Cæs.
Not 'till he hears how Antony is touch'd
With what is spoke already.

Ant.
What power is in Agrippa
(If I would say Agrippa, be it so,)
To make this good?

Cæs.
The power of Cæsar,
And his power unto Octavia.

Ant.
May I never
To this good purpose, that so fairly shews,
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,

-- 334 --


And sway our great designs.

Cæs.
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.

Lep.
Happily, amen.

Ant.
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 defie him.

Lep.
Time calls upon's:
Of us must Pompey presently be sought,
Or else he seeks out us.

Ant.
Where lyes he?

Cæs.
About the Mount-Misenum.

Ant.
What is his strength by land?

Cæs.
Great, and increasing:
But by sea he is an absolute master.

Ant.
So is the fame.
Would we had spoke together. Haste we for it,
Yet ere we put our selves in arms, dispatch we
The business we have talk'd of.

Cæs.
With most gladness.
And do invite you to my sister's view,
Whither straight I'll lead you.

Ant.
Let us, Lepidus, not lack your company.

Lep.
Noble Antony, not sickness should detain me.
[Exeunt.

-- 335 --

SCENE III. Manent Enobarbus, Agrippa, Mecænas.

Mec.

Welcome from Ægypt, Sir.

Eno.

Half the heart of Cæsar, worthy Mecænas, my honourable friend Agrippa.

Agr.

Good Enobarbus.

Mec.

We have cause to be glad, that matters are so well digested: you stay'd well by't in Ægypt.

Eno.

Ay Sir, we did sleep day out of countenance, and made the night light with drinking.

Mec.

Eight wild boars roasted whole at a breakfast: and but twelve persons there. Is this true?

Eno.

This was but a flie by an eagle: we had much more monstrous matter of feast, which worthily deserved noting.

Mec.

She's a most triumphant lady, if report be square to her.

Eno.

When she first met Mark Antony, she purs'd up his heart upon the river of Cydnus.

Agr.

There she appear'd indeed: or my reporter devis'd well for her.

Eno.
I will tell you;
The barge she sat in, like a burnish'd throne
Burnt on the water; the poop was beaten gold,
Purple the sails, and so perfumed, that
The winds were love-sick with 'em; th' 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 beggar'd all description; she did lye
In her pavilion, cloth of gold, of tissue,
O'er-picturing that Venus, where we see
The fancy out-work nature. On each side her

-- 336 --


Stood pretty dimpled boys, like smiling Cupids,
With divers-colour'd fans, whose wind did seem
To glow the delicate cheeks which they did cool,
And what they undid did.

Agr.
Oh rare for Antony.

Eno.
Her gentlewomen, like the Nereids,
So many mermaids tended her i'th' eyes,
And made their bends adornings. At the helm,
A seeming mermaid steers; the silken tackles
Swell with the touches of those flower-soft hands,
That b noteyarely 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
Enthron'd 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.

Agr.
Rare Ægyptian!

Eno.
Upon her landing, Antony sent to her,
Invited her to supper: she reply'd,
It should be better he became her guest;
Which she entreated. Courteous Antony,
Whom ne'er the word of No woman heard speak,
Being barber'd ten times o'er, goes to the feast;
And for his ordinary, pays his heart,
For what his eyes eat only.

Agr.
Royal wench!
She made great Cæsar lay his sword to bed,
He plough'd her, and she cropt.

Eno.
I saw her once
Hop forty paces through the publick street.
And having lost her breath, she spoke, and panted,

-- 337 --


That she did make defect, perfection,
And breathless power breathe forth.

Mec.
Now Antony must leave her utterly.

Eno.
Never, he will not.
Age cannot wither her, nor custom c notestale
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 † noteriggish.

Mec.
If beauty, wisdom, modesty, can settle
The heart of Antony, Octavia is
A blessed lottery to him.

Agr.
Let us go.
Good Enobarbus, make your self my guest,
Whilst you abide here.

Eno.
Humbly, Sir, I thank you.
[Exeunt. Enter Antony, Cæsar, Octavia between them.

Ant.
The world, and my great office, will sometimes
Divide me from your bosom.

Octa.
All which time,
Before the Gods my knee shall bow in prayers
To them for you.

Ant.
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.

Oct.
Good-night, Sir.

Cæs.
Good-night.
[Exeunt Cæsar and Octavia.

-- 338 --

SCENE IV. Enter Soothsayer.

Ant.

Now sirrah! do you wish your self in Ægypt?

Sooth.

Would I had never come from thence, nor you thither.

Ant.

If you can, your reason?

Sooth.

I see it in my motion, have it not in my tongue; but yet hie you to Ægypt again.

Ant.

Say to me, whose fortune shall rise higher, Cæsar's or mine?

Sooth.

Cæsar's. Therefore, oh Antony, stay not by his side. Thy Dæmon, that's thy spirit which keeps thee, is noble, couragious, high, unmatchable, where Cæsar's is not. But near him thy angel becomes a fear; as being o'erpower'd, and therefore make space enough between you.

Ant.
Speak this no more.

Sooth.
To none but thee, no more, but when to thee,
If thou dost play with him at any game,
Thou'rt 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.

Ant.
Get thee gone:
Say to Ventidius, I would speak with him. [Exit Sooth.
He shall to Parthia; be it art, or hap,
He hath spoke 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 battel still of mine,
When it is all to nought: and his quailes ever
Beat mine, in-hoop'd at odds. I will to Ægypt;

-- 339 --


And though I make this marriage for my peace,
I'th' east my pleasure lies. Oh come, Ventidius, Enter Ventidius.
You must to Parthia, your commission's ready:
Follow me and receive't. [Exeunt. Enter Lepidus, Mecænas, and Agrippa.

Lep.
Trouble your selves no farther: pray you hasten
Your Generals after.

Agr.

Sir, Mark Antony will e'en but kiss Octavia, and we'll follow.

Lep.
'Till I shall see you in your soldier's dress,
Which will become you both, farewel.

Mec.
We shall,
As I conceive the journey, be at th' mount
Before you, Lepidus.

Lep.
Your way is shorter,
My purposes do draw me much about,
You'll win two days upon me.

Both.
Sir, good success.

Lep.
Farewel.
[Exeunt. SCENE V. Alexandria. Enter Cleopatra, Charmian, Iras and Alexas.

Cleo.
Give me some musick: musick, moody food
Of us that trade in love.

Omnes.
The musick, hoa!

-- 340 --

Enter Mardian the Eunuch.

Cleo.
Let it alone, let's to billiards: come Charmian.

Char.
My arm is sore, best play with Mardian.

Cleo.
As well a woman with an eunuch play'd,
As with a woman. Come, you'll play with me, Sir?

Mar.
As well as I can, madam.

Cleo.
And when good-will is shew'd, tho't come too short,
The actor may plead pardon. I'll none now.
Give me mine angle, we'll to th' river, there
My musick playing far off, I will betray
Tawny-fin fish; 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.

Char.
'Twas merry when
You wager'd on your angling, when your diver
Did hang a salt fish on his hook, which he
With fervency drew up.

Cleo.
That time!—oh times!—
I laught him out of patience, and that night
I laught 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. Oh from Italy. Enter a Messenger.
Ram thou thy fruitful tidings in mine ears,
That long time have been barren.

Mes.
Madam! madam!—

Cleo.
Antony's dead?
If thou say so, villain, thou kill'st thy mistress:
But well and free,

-- 341 --


If thou so yield him. There is gold, and here
My bluest veins to kiss: a hand that Kings
Have lipt, and trembled kissing.

Mes.
First, Madam, he is well.

Cleo.
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.

Mes.
Good madam, hear me.

Cleo.
Well, go to, I will:
But there's no goodness in thy face. If Antony
Be free and healthful; why so tart a favour
To trumpet such good tidings? if not well,
Thou should'st come like a fury crown'd with snakes,
Not like a formal man.

Mes.
Will't please you hear me?

Cleo.
I have a mind to strike thee ere thou speak'st;
Yet if thou say, Antony lives, 'tis well,
Or friends with Cæsar, or not d notecaptive to him,
I'll see thee in a shower of gold, and hail
Rich pearls upon thee.

Mes.
Madam, he's well.

Cleo.
Well said.

Mes.
And friends with Cæsar.

Cleo.
Thou'rt an honest man.

Mes.
Cæsar, and he, are greater friends than ever.

Cleo.
Make thee a fortune from me.

Mes.
But yet, Madam—

Cleo.
I do not like but yet, it do's allay
The good precedence, fie upon but yet,
But yet is as a jaylor to bring forth
Some monstrous malefactor. Pr'ythee, friend,
Pour out the pack of matter to mine ear,

-- 342 --


The good and bad together: he's friends with Cæsar,
In state of health thou say'st, and thou say'st, free.

Mes.
Free, Madam! no: I have made no such sport.
He's bound unto Octavia.

Cleo.
For what good turn?

Mes.
For the best turn i'th' bed.

Cleo.
I am pale, Charmian.

Mes.
Madam, he's married to Octavia.

Cleo.
The most infectious pestilence upon thee.
[Strikes him down.

Mes.
Good Madam, patience.

Cleo.
What say you? [Strikes him.
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 whipt with wyre, and stew'd in brine,
Smarting in lingring pickle.

Mes.
Gracious Madam,
I, that do bring the news, made not the match.

Cleo.
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.

Mes.
He's married, Madam.

Cleo.
Rogue, thou hast liv'd too long.
[Draws a dagger.

Mes.
Nay then I'll run:
What mean you, Madam? I have made no fault.
[Exit.

Char.
Good Madam, keep your self within your self,
The man is innocent.

Cleo.
Some innocents 'scape not the thunderbolt.
Melt Ægypt into Nile; and e notekindly creatures
Turn all to serpents. Call the slave again,

-- 343 --


Though I am mad, I will not bite him; call.

Char.
He is afraid to come.

Cleo.
I will not hurt him.
These hands do lack nobility, that they strike
A meaner than my self: since I my self
Have given my self the cause. Come hither, Sir. Re-enter the Messenger.
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.

Mes.
I have done my duty.

Cleo.
Is he married?
I cannot hate thee worser than I do,
If you again say yes.

Mes.
He's married, Madam.

Cleo.
The Gods confound thee, dost thou hold there still?

Mes.
Should I lie, Madam?

Cleo.
Oh, would thou didst:
So half my Ægypt were submerg'd, and made
A cistern for scal'd snakes. Go get thee hence,
Hadst thou Narcissus in thy face, to me
Thou wouldst appear most ugly: he is married.

Mes.
I crave your highness' pardon.

Cleo.
He is married.

Mes.
Take no offence, for I would not offend you;
To punish me for what you make me do,
Seems much unequal: he's married to Octavia.

Cleo.
Oh that his fault should make a knave of thee,
That art not what thou'rt sure of. Get thee hence,
The merchandises thou hast brought from Rome
Are all too dear for me:

-- 344 --


Lye they upon thy hand, and be undone by 'em. [Exit Mes.

Char.
Good your highness patience.

Cleo.
In praising Antony, I have disprais'd Cæsar.

Char.
Many times, Madam.

Cleo.
I am paid for it now: lead me from hence,
I faint; oh 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,
Let him for ever go—let him not, Charmian,
Though he be painted one way like a Gorgon,
The other way's a Mars. Bid you Alexas
Bring word, how tall she is: pity me, Charmian,
But speak not to me. Lead me to my chamber.
[Exeunt. SCENE VI. The Coast of Italy, near Misenum. Enter Pompey and Menas at one door with drum and trumpet: At another Cæsar, Lepidus, Antony, Enobarbus, Mecænas, Agrippa, with soldiers marching.

Pom.
Your hostages I have, so have you mine;
And we shall talk before we fight.

Cæs.
Most meet
That first we come to words, and therefore have we
Our written purposes before us sent,
Which if thou hast consider'd, let us know
If 'twill tie up thy discontented sword,
And carry back to Sicily much tall youth,
That else must perish here.

-- 345 --

Pom.
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 Cæsar,
(Who at Philippi the good Brutus ghosted,)
There saw you labouring for him. What was it
That mov'd pale Cassius to conspire? and what
Made thee all-honour'd, honest Roman Brutus,
With the arm'd rest, courtiers of beauteous freedom,
To drench the Capitol, but that they would
Have but one man, a man; and that is it
Hath made me rig my navy. At whose burthen
The anger'd ocean foams, with which I meant
To scourge th' ingratitude that despiteful Rome
Cast on my noble father.

Cæs.
Take your time.

Ant.
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'er-count thee.

Pom.
At land indeed
Thou dost o'er-count me of my father's house.
But since the cuckow builds not for himself,
Remain in't as thou may'st.

Lep.
Be pleas'd to tell us,
(For this is from the present now you talk,)
The offers we have sent you—

Cæs.
There's the point.

Ant.
Which do not be intreated to, but weigh
What it is worth embrac'd.

Cæs.
And what may follow
To try a larger fortune.

Pom.
You've made me offer

-- 346 --


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 unhackt edges, and bear back
Our targe undinted.

Omnes.
That's our offer.

Pom.
Know then
I came before you here, a man prepar'd
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 Cæsar and your brother were at blows,
Your mother came to Sicily, and did find
Her welcome friendly.

Ant.
I have heard it, Pompey,
And am well studied for a liberal thanks,
Which I do owe you.

Pom.
Let me have your hand:
I did not think, Sir, to have met you here.

Ant.
The beds i'th' East are soft, and thanks to you,
That call'd me timelier than my purpose hither:
For I've gain'd by it.

Cæs.
Since I saw you last,
There is a change upon you.

Pom.
Well I know not
What counts hard fortune casts upon my face,
But in my bosom she shall never come,
To make my heart a vassal.

Lep.
Well met here.

Pom.
I hope so Lepidus, thus we are agreed:
I crave our composition may be written
And seal'd between us.

Cæs.
That's the next to do.

-- 347 --

Pom.
We'll feast each other ere we part, and let's
Draw lots? who shall begin.

Ant.
That will I, Pompey.

Pom.
No, Antony, take the lot:
But first or last, your fine Ægyptian cookery
Shall have the fame. I've heard that Julius Cæsar
Grew fat with feasting there.

Ant.
You have heard much.

Pom.
I have fair meaning, Sir.

Ant.
And fair words to them.

Pom.
Then so much have I heard.
And I have heard Apollodorus carried—

Eno.
No more of that: he did so.

Pom.
What, I pray you?

Eno.
A certain Queen to Cæsar in a matress.

Pom.
I know thee now, how far'st thou, soldier?

Eno.
Well, and well am like to do, for I perceive
Four feasts are toward.

Pom.
Let me shake thy hand,
I never hated thee: I have seen thee fight,
When I have envied thy behaviour.

Eno.
Sir,
I never lov'd you much, but I ha' prais'd ye,
When you have well deserv'd ten times as much,
As I have said you did.

Pom.
Enjoy thy plainness,
It nothing ill becomes thee;
Aboard my galley I invite you all.
Will you lead, lords?

All.
Shew's the way, Sir.

Pom.
Come.
[Exeunt. Manent Enob. and Menas.

Men.
Thy father, Pompey, would ne'er have made this treaty.
You and I have known, Sir.

-- 348 --

Eno.

At sea, I think,

Men.

We have, Sir.

Eno.

You have done well by water.

Men.

And you by land.

Eno.

I will praise any man that will praise me, though it cannot be denied what I have done by land.

Men.

Nor what I have done by water.

Eno.

Yes, something you can deny for your own safety: you have been a great thief by sea.

Men.

And you by land.

Eno.

There I deny my land-service; but give me your hand, Menas, if our eyes had authority, here they might take two thieves kissing.

Men.

All mens faces are true, whatsoe'er their hands are.

Eno.

But there is ne'er a fair woman, has a true face.

Men.

No slander, they steal hearts.

Eno.

We came hither to fight with you.

Men.

For my part, I am sorry it is turn'd to a drinking. Pompey doth this day laugh away his fortune.

Eno.

If he do, sure he cannot weep't back again.

Men.

You've said, Sir; we look'd not for Mark Antony here; pray you, is he married to Cleopatra?

Eno.

Cæsar's sister is call'd Octavia.

Men.

True, Sir, she was the wife of Caius Marcellus.

Eno.

But now she is the wife of Marcus Antonius.

Men.

Pray ye, Sir?

Eno.

'Tis true.

Men.

Then is Cæsar and he for ever knit together.

Eno.

If I were bound to divine of this unity, I would not prophesie so.

Men.

I think the policy of that purpose, made more in the marriage, than the love of the parties.

Eno.

I think so too. But you shall find the band that seems

-- 349 --

to tie their friendship together, will be the very f notestrangler of their amity: Octavia is of a holy, cold, and still conversation.

Men.

Who would not have his wife so?

Eno.

Not he that himself is not so; which is Mark Antony. He will to his Ægyptian dish again; then shall the sighs of Octavia blow the fire up in Cæsar, 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.

Men.

And thus it may be. Come, Sir, will you aboard? I have a health for you.

Eno.

I shall take it, Sir: we have us'd our throats in Ægypt.

Men.

Come, let's away.

[Exeunt. SCENE VII. Pompey's Galley. Musick plays. Enter two or three servants with a banquet.

1 Ser.

Here they'll be, man: some o' their plants are ill rooted already, the least wind i'th' world will blow them down.

2 Ser.

Lepidus is high-colour'd.

1 Ser.

They have made him drink alms drink.

2 Ser.

As they pinch one another by the disposition he cries out, no more; reconciles them to his entreaty, and himself to th' drink.

1 Ser.

But it raises the greater war between him and his discretion.

2 Ser.

Why this it is to have a name in a great men's fellowship: I had as lieve have a reed that will do me no service, as a partizan I could not heave.

1 Sær.

To be call'd into a huge sphere, and not to be seen

-- 350 --

to move in't, are the holes where eyes should be, which pitifully disaster the cheeks.

Trumpets. Enter Cæsar, Antony, Pompey, Lepidus, Agrippa, Mecænas, Enobarbus, Menas, with other Captains.

Ant.
Thus do they, Sir: they take the flow o'th' Nile
By certain scale, i'th' pyramid; they know
By th' height, the lowness, or the mean, if dearth
Or foizon 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.

Lep.
You've strange serpents there.

Ant.
Ay, Lepidus.

Lep.

Your serpent of Ægypt is bred now of your mud by the operation of your sun; so is your crocodile.

Ant.

They are so.

Pom.
Sirrah, some wine! a health to Lepidus.

Lep.
I am not so well as I should be:
But I'll ne'er out.

Eno.

Not 'till you have slept; I fear me, you'll be in, 'till then.

Lep.

Nay certainly, I have heard the Ptolomy's pyramisis are very goodly things; without contradiction I have heard that.

Men.
Pompey, a word.
[Aside.

Pom.
Say in mine ear what is't?

Men.
Forsake thy seat, I do beseech thee, captain,
And hear me speak a word.

Pom.
Forbear me 'till anon. [Whispers.
This wine for Lepidus.

Lep.

What manner o'thing is your crocodile?

Ant.

It is shap'd, Sir, like it self, and it is as broad as it hath breadth; it is just so high as it is, and moves with its own organs.

-- 351 --

It lives by that which nourisheth it, and the elements once out of it, it transmigrates.

Lep.

What colour is it of!

Ant.

Of it's own colour too.

Lep.

'Tis a strange serpent.

Ant.

'Tis so, and the tears of it are wet.

Cæs.

Will this description satisfie him?

Ant.

With the health that Pompey gives him, else he is a very epicure.

Pom.
Go hang, Sir, hang! tell me of that? away!
Do as I bid you. Where's the cup I call'd for?

Men.
If for the sake of merit thou wilt hear me,
Rise from the stool.

Pom.
I think thou'rt mad; the matter?

Men.
I have ever held my cap off to thy fortunes.

Pom.

Thou hast serv'd me with much faith: what's else to say? be jolly, lords.

Ant.
These quick-sands, Lepidus,
Keep off them, for you sink.

Men.
Wilt thou be lord of all the world?

Pom.
What say'st thou?

Men.
Wilt thou be lord of the whole world? that's twice.

Pom.
How shall that be?

Men.
But entertain it,
And though thou think me poor, I am the man
Will give thee all the world.

Pom.
Hast thou drunk well?

Men.
No Pompey, I have kept me from the cup.
Thou art, if thou dar'st be, the earthly Jove:
What e'er the ocean pales, or sky inclips,
Is thine, if thou wilt ha't.

Pom.
Shew me which way.

Men.
These three world-sharers, these competitors

-- 352 --


Are in thy vessel. Let me cut the cable.
And when we are put off, fall to their throats:
All then is thine.

Pom.
Ah, this thou shouldst have done,
And not have spoken on't. In me 'tis villany,
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.

Men.
For this
I'll never follow thy pall'd fortunes more;
Who seeks and will not take, when once 'tis offer'd,
Shall never find it more.

Pom.
This health to Lepidus.

Ant.
Bear him ashoar, I'll pledge it for him, Pompey.

Eno.

Here's to thee Menas.

Men.

Enobarbus, welcome.

Pom.
Fill 'till the cup be hid.

Eno.

There's a g notestrong fellow, Menas.

[Pointing to Lepidus.

Men.

Why?

Eno.

He bears the third part of the world, man! seest not?

Men.

The third part then is drunk; would it were all, that it might go on wheels.

Eno.
Drink thou, encrease the reels.

Men.
Come.

Pom.
This is not yet an Alexandrian feast.

Ant.
It ripens towards it; strike the vessels hoa.
Here is to Cæsar.

Cæs.
I could well forbear it,
It's monstrous labour when I wash my brain,
And it grows fouler.

-- 353 --

Ant.
Be a child o'th' time.

Cæs.

Possess it, I'll make answer; but I had rather fast from all, four days, than drink so much in one.

Eno.

Ha, my brave emperor, shall we dance now the Ægyptian bacchanals, and celebrate our drink?

Pomp.
Let's ha't, good soldier.

Ant.
Come let's all take hands,
'Till that the conquering wine hath steept our sense
In soft and delicate Lethe.

Eno.
All take hands:
Make battery to our ears with the loud musick,
The while I'll place you, then the boy shall sing.
The holding every man shall beat as loud,
As his strong sides can volly. [Musick 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 drown'd:
With thy grapes our hairs be crown'd.
  Cup us 'till the world go round,
  Cup us 'till the world go round.

Cæs.
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 cheek. Strong Enobarbus
Is weaker than the wind; and mine own tongue
Splits what it speaks; the wild disguise hath almost
Antickt us all. What needs more words; good night.
Good Antony, your hand.

-- 354 --

Pom.
I'll try you on the shoar.

Ant.
And shall, Sir; give's your hand.

Pom.
Oh, Antony, you h notehate my father's house.
But what, we're friends? come down into the boat.

Eno.
Take heed you fall not, Menas.

Men.
I'll not on shoar.
No, to my cabin—these drums!
These trumpets, flutes! what!
Let Neptune hear, we bid a loud farewel
To these great fellows. Sound and be hang'd, sound out.
[Sound a flourish, with drums.

Eno.
Hoo says a! there's my cap.

Men.
Hoa, noble captain, come.
[Exeunt. ACT III. SCENE I. A CAMP. Enter Ventidius in Triumph, the dead body of Pacorus born before him, Roman soldiers and attendants.

Ventidius.
Now darting Parthia art thou struck, and now
Pleas'd fortune does of Marcus Crassus' death
Make me revenger. Bear the King's son's body
Before our host; thy Pacorus, Orodes,
Pays this for Marcus Crassus.

Rom.
Noble Ventidius,
Whilst yet with Parthian blood thy sword is warm,
The fugitive Parthians follow. Spur through Media,
Mesopotamia, and the shelters whither

-- 355 --


The routed fly. So thy grand captain Antony
Shall set thee on triumphant chariots, and
Put garlands on thy head.

Ven.
Oh Silius, Silius,
I've 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 he we serve's away.
Cæsar and Antony have ever won
More in their officer, than person. Sosius,
One of my place in Syria, his lieutenant,
For quick accumulation of renown,
Which he atchiev'd by th' minute, lost his favour.
Who does i'th' was 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.

Rom.
Thou hast, Ventidius, that, without the which
A soldier and his sword grants scarce distinction:
Thou wilt write to Antony,

Ven.
I'll humbly signifie what in his name,
That magical word of war, we have effected;
How with his banners, and his well-paid ranks,
That ne'er-yet beaten horse of Parthia
We've jaded out o'th' field.

Rom.
Where is he now?

Ven.
He purposeth to Athens; with what haste
The weight we must convey with's will permit,
We shall appear before him. Pass along.
[Exeunt.

-- 356 --

SCENE II. Rome. Enter Agrippa at one door, Enobarbus at another.

Agr.
What, are the brothers parted?

Eno.
They have dispatcht with Pompey, he is gone,
The other three are sealing. Octavia weeps
To part from Rome: Cæsar is sad, and Lepidus
Since Pompey's feast, as Menas says, is troubled
With the green-sickness.

Agr.
'Tis a noble Lepidus.

Eno.
A very fine one; oh, how he loves Cæsar.

Agr.
Nay but how dearly he adores Mark Antony!

Eno.
Cæsar? why he's the Jupiter of men.

Agr.
What's Antony, the God of Jupiter?

Eno.
Speak you of Cæsar? oh! the non-pareil!

Agr.
Oh Antony, oh thou Arabian bird!

Eno.
Would you praise Cæsar, say, Cæsar, go no further.

Agr.
Indeed he plied them both with excellent praises.

Eno.
But he loves Cæsar best, yet he loves Antony:
Ho! hearts, tongues, figure, scribes, bards, poets, cannot
Think, speak, cast, write, sing, number; ho,
His love to Antony. But as for Cæsar,
Kneel down, kneel down, and wonder—

Agr.
Both he loves.

Eno.
They are his shards, and he their beetle, so—
This is to horse; adieu, noble Agrippa.
[Trumpets.

Agr.
Good fortune, worthy soldier, and farewel.
Enter Cæsar, Antony, Lepidus, and Octavia.

Ant.
No farther, Sir.

-- 357 --

Cæs.
You take from me a great part of my self:
Use me well in't. Sister, prove such a wife
As my thoughts make thee, and 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 fortune of it; for better might we
Have lov'd without this mean, if on both parts
This be not cherisht.

Ant.
Make me not offended
In your distrust.

Cæs.
I have said.

Ant.
You shall not find,
Though you be certain 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.

Cæs.
Farewel, my dearest sister, fare thee well;
The elements be kind to thee, and make
Thy spirits all of comfort; fare thee well.

Oct.
My noble brother.

Ant.
The April's in her eyes, it is love's spring,
And these the showers to bring it on; be chearful.

Oct.
Sir, look well to my husband's house; and—

Cæs.
What Octavia?

Oct.
I'll tell you in your ear.

Ant.
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 full of tide,
And neither way inclines.

Eno.
Will Cæsar weep?

Agr.
He has a cloud in's face.

-- 358 --

Eno.
He were the worse for that were he a horse;
So is he being a man.

Agr.
Why, Enobarbus?
When Antony found Julius Cæsar dead,
He cryed almost to roaring: and he wept,
When at Philippi he found Brutus slain.

Eno.
That year indeed he was troubled with a rheum,
What willingly he did confound, he wail'd;
Believe't 'till I weep too.

Cæs.
No, sweet Octavia,
You shall hear from me still; the time shall not
Out-go my thinking on you.

Ant.
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.

Cæs.
Adieu, be happy!

Lep.
Let all the number of the stars give light
To thy fair way.

Cæs.
Farewel, farewel.
[Kisses Octavia.

Ant.
Farewel!
[Trumpets sound. Exeunt. SCENE III. Alexandria. Enter Cleopatra, Charmian, Iras, and Alexas.

Cleo.
Where is the fellow?

Alex.
Half afraid to come.

Cleo.
Go to, go to: come hither, Sir.

-- 359 --

Enter the Messenger as before.

Alex.
Good majesty,
Herod of Jewry dare not look upon you,
But when you are well pleas'd.

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

Mes.
Most gracious majesty.

Cleo.
Didst thou behold Octavia?

Mes.
Ay, dread Queen.

Cleo.
Where?

Mes.
Madam, in Rome, I lookt her in the face:
And saw her led between her brother and
Mark Antony.

Cleo.
Is she as tall as me?

Mes.
She is not, Madam.

Cleo.
Didst hear her speak? is she shrill-tongu'd or low?

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

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

Char.
Like her? oh Isis! 'tis impossible.

Cleo.
I think so, Charmian; dull of tongue, and dwarfish.
What majesty is in her gate? remember
If e'er thou look'dst on majesty.

Mes.
She creeps;
Her motion and her station are as one:
She shews a body rather than a life,
A statue than a breather.

Cleo.
Is this certain?

Mes.
Or I have no observance.

Char.
Not three in Ægypt can make better note.

Cleo.
He's very knowing, I do perceive't,

-- 360 --


There's nothing in her yet.
The fellow has good judgment.

Char.
Excellent.

Cleo.
Guess at her years, I pr'ythee.

Mes.
Madam, she was a widow.

Cleo.
Widow? Charmian, hark.

Mes.
And I do think she's thirty.

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

Mes.
Round even to faultiness.

Cleo.
For th' most part too,
They're foolish that are so. Her hair what colour?

Mes.
Brown, Madam; and her forehead
As low as she would wish it.

Cleo.
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 prepar'd.

Char.
A proper man.

Cleo.
Indeed he is so; I repent me much
That so I harried him. Methinks by him,
This creature's no such thing.

Char.
O nothing, Madam.

Cleo.
The man hath seen some majesty, and should know.

Char.
Hath he seen majesty? Isis else defend!
And serving you so long.

Cleo.
I've 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.

Char.
I warrant you, Madam.
[Exeunt.

-- 361 --

SCENE IV. Athens. Enter Antony and Octavia.

Ant.
Nay, nay Octavia, not only that,
That were excusable, that and thousands more
Of semblable import, but he hath wag'd
New wars 'gainst Pompey; made his will, and read it
To publick 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 o'er-look'd,
Or did it from his teeth.

Oct.
Oh, 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,
When I shall pray, oh bless my lord and husband,
Undo that prayer, by crying out as loud,
Oh bless my brother. Husband win, win brother,
Prays, and destroys the prayer; no midway
'Twixt these extreams at all.

Ant.
Gentle Octavia,
Let your best love draw to that point which seeks
Best to preserve it: if I lose mine honour,
I lose my self; better I were not yours,
Than yours so branchless. But as you requested,
Your self shall go between's; the mean time, lady,
I'll raise the preparation of a war

-- 362 --


Shall stain your brother; make your soonest haste
So your desires are yours.

Oct.
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.

Ant.
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,
Chuse your own company, and command what cost
Your heart has mind to.
[Exeunt. Enter Enobarbus and Eros.

Eno.

How now, friend Eros?

Eros.

There's strange news come, Sir.

Eno.

What, man?

Eros.

Cæsar and Lepidus have made war upon Pompey.

Eno.

This is old; what is the success?

Ero.

Cæsar having made use of him in the wars 'gainst Pompey, presently denied him rivalty, would not let him partake of 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.

Eno.

Then would thou hadst a pair of chaps no more, and throw between them all the food thou hast, they'll grind the other. Where's Antony?

Eros.
He's walking in the garden thus; and spurns
The rush that lies before him. Crys, fool Lepidus,
And threats the throat of that his officer
That murder'd Pompey.

-- 363 --

Eno.
Our great navy's rigg'd.

Eros.
For Italy and Cæsar; more Domitius,
My lord desires you presently; my news
I might have told hereafter.

Eno.
'Twill be naught, but let it be; bring me to Antony.

Eros.
Come, Sir.
[Exeunt. SCENE V. Rome. Enter Cæsar, Agrippa, and Mecænas.

Cæs.
Contemning Rome, he has done all this, and more,
In Alexandria; here's the matter of it:
I'th' market-place on a tribunal silver'd,
Cleopatra and himself in chairs of gold
Were publickly enthron'd; at the feet sat
Cæsario, 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 Ægypt, made her
Of lower Syria, Cyprus, Lydia,
Absolute Queen.

Mec.
This in the publick eye?

Cæs.
I'th' common shew-place where they exercise,
His sons were there proclaim'd the Kings of Kings.
Great Media, Parthia, and Armenia
He gave to Alexander; to Ptolemy he assign'd
Syria, Cilicia, and Phœnicia: she
In the habiliments of the Goddess Isis
That day appear'd, and oft before gave audience,
As 'tis reported, so.

Mec.
Let Rome be thus inform'd.

-- 364 --

Agr.
Who queasie with his insolence already
Will their good thoughts call from him.

Cæs.
The people know it, and have now receiv'd
His accusations.

Agr.
Whom does he accuse?

Cæs.
Cæsar, and that having in Sicily
Sextus Pompeius spoil'd, we had not rated him
His part o'th' isle. Then does he say, he lent me
Some shipping unrestor'd. Lastly he frets
That Lepidus of the triumvirate
Should be depos'd, and being, that we detain
All his revenue.

Agr.
Sir, this should be answer'd.

Cæs.
'Tis done already, and his messenger gone:
I told him Lepidus was grown too cruel,
That he his high authority abus'd,
And did deserve his change. For what I've conquer'd,
I grant him part; but then in his Armenia,
And other of his conquer'd kingdoms, I
Demand the like.

Mec.
He'll never yield to that.

Cæs.
Nor must he then be yielded to in this.
Enter Octavia with attendants.

Oct.
Hail Cæsar, and my lord! hail, most dear Cæsar!

Cæs.
That ever I should call thee cast-away.

Oct.
You have not call'd me so, nor have you cause.

Cæs.
Why hast thou stoln upon me thus? you come not
Like Cæsar'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

-- 365 --


Should have born men, and expectation fainted
Longing for what it had not. Nay, the dust
Should have ascended to the roof of heav'n,
Rais'd by your populous troops: but you are come
A market-maid to Rome, and have prevented
The ostentation of our love; which left unshewn,
Is often left unlov'd; we should have met you
By sea, and land, supplying every stage
With an augmented greeting.

Oct.
Good my lord,
To come thus was I not constrain'd, but did it
On my free will. My lord, Mark Antony,
Hearing that you prepar'd for war, acquainted
My grieving ear withal; whereon I begg'd
His pardon for return.

Cæs.
Which soon he granted,
Being an abstract 'tween his lust and him.

Oct.
Do not say so, my lord.

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

Oct.
My lord, in Athens.

Cæs.
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,
Bochus the King of Libya, Archilaus
Of Cappadocia, Philadelphos King
Of Paphlagonia; the Thracian King Adallas,
King Malichus of Arabia, King of Pont,
Herod of Jewry, Mithridates King
Of Comagene, Polemen and Amintas,
The King of Mede, and Lycaonia,

-- 366 --


With a more larger list of scepters.

Oct.
Ay me most wretched,
That have my heart parted betwixt two friends,
That do afflict each other.

Cæs.
Welcome hither;
Your letters did with-hold our breaking forth,
'Till we perceiv'd 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 determin'd things to destiny
Hold unbewail'd their way. Welcome to Rome:
Nothing more dear to me. You are abus'd
Beyond the mark of thought; and the high Gods
To do you justice, make his ministers
Of us, and those that love you. Be of comfort,
And ever welcome to us.

Agr.
Welcome lady.

Mec.
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 noses it against us.

Oct.
Is it so, Sir?

Cæs.
It is most certain: sister, welcome; pray you
Be ever known to patience. My dear'st sister.
[Exeunt.

-- 367 --

SCENE VI. Actium. Enter Cleopatra, and Enobarbus.

Cleo.
I will be even with thee; doubt it not.

Eno.
But why, why, why?

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

Eno.
Well; is it, is it?

Cleo.

Is't not denounc'd against us? why should not we be there in person?

Eno.

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.

Cleo.
What is't you say?

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

Cleo.
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 I
Appear there for a man. Speak not against it,
I will not stay behind.
Enter Antony and Canidius.

Eno.
Nay I have done: here comes the emperor.

Ant.
Is it not strange, Canidius,
That from Tarentum, and Brundusium,

-- 368 --


He could so quickly cut th' Ionian sea,
And take in Toryne? You have heard on't, sweet?

Cleo.
Celerity is never more admir'd
Than by the negligent.

Ant.
A good rebuke,
Which might have well becom'd the best of men
To taunt at slackness. Canidius, we
Will fight with him by sea.

Cleo.
By sea, what else?

Can.
Why will my lord do so?

Ant.
For that he dares us to't.

Eno.
So hath my lord dar'd him to single fight.

Can.
Ay, and to wage this battel at 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 muliteers, reapers, people
Ingrost by swift impress. In Cæsar's fleet
Are those, that often have 'gainst Pompey fought,
Their ships are † noteyare, yours heavy: no disgrace
Shall fall you for refusing him at sea,
Being prepar'd for land.

Ant.
By sea, by sea.

Eno.
Most worthy Sir, you therein throw away
The absolute soldiership you have by land,
Distract your army, which doth most consist
Of war-mark'd footmen, leave unexecuted
Your own renowned knowledge, quite forego
The way which promises assurance, and
Give up your self meerly to chance and hazard,
From firm security.

Ant.
I'll fight at sea.

-- 369 --

Cleo.
I have sixty sails, Cæsar none better.

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

Mes.
The news is true, my lord, he is descried,
Cæsar has taken Toryne.

Ant.
Can he be there in person? 'tis impossible.
Strange that his power should be so. 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?

Sold.
Oh noble Emperor, do not fight by sea,
Trust not to rotten planks: do you misdoubt
This sword, and these my wounds? let th' Ægyptians
And the Phœnicians go a ducking: we
Have us'd to conquer standing on the earth,
And fighting foot to foot.

Ant.
Well, well, away.
[Exeunt Ant. Cleo. and Enob.

Sold.
By Hercules I think I am i'th' right.

Can.
Soldier, thou art: but his whole action grows
Not in the power on't: so our leaders lead,
And we are womens men.

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

Can.
Marcus Octavius, Marcus Justius,
Publicola, and Celius, are for sea:

-- 370 --


But we keep whole by land. This speed of Cæsar's
Carries beyond belief.

Sold.
While he was yet in Rome
His power went out in such distractions, as
Beguil'd all spies.

Can.
Who's his lieutenant, hear you?

Sold.
They say, one Torus.

Can.
Well I know the man.
Enter a Messenger.

Mes.
The Emperor calls Canidius.

Can.
With news the time's in labour, and throws forth
Each minute, some.
[Exeunt. Enter Cæsar with his army, marching.

Cæs.
Torus?

Tor.
My lord.

Cæs.
Strike not by land. Keep whole, provoke not battel
'Till we have done at sea. Do not exceed
The prescript of this scroul: our fortune lyes
Upon this jump.
[Exeunt. Enter Antony, and Enobarbus.

Ant.
Set we our squadrons on yond side o'th' hill,
In eye of Cæsar's battle, from which place
We may the number of the ships behold,
And so proceed accordingly.
[Exeunt. SCENE VII. Canidius marching with his land army one way over the stage, and Torus the lieutenant of Cæsar the other way: after their going in, is heard the noise of a sea-fight. Alarum. Enter Enobarbus.

Eno.
Naught, naught, all naught, I can behold no longer;

-- 371 --


noteTh' Antonias, th' Ægyptian admiral,
With all their sixty flie, and turn the rudder:
To fee't, mine eyes are blasted. Enter Scarus.

Scar.
Gods, and Goddesses, all the whole synod of them!

Eno.
What's thy passion?

Scar.
The greater ‡ notecantle of the world is lost
With very ignorance, we have kiss'd away
Kingdoms and provinces.

Eno.
How appears the fight?

Scar.
On our side like the token'd pestilence,
Where death is sure. Your * noteribauld nag of Ægypt,
(Whom leprosie o'ertake) i'th' midst o'th' fight,
(When vantage like a pair of twins appear'd
Both as the same, or rather ours the elder;)
The breeze upon her, like a cow in June,
Hoists sails, and flies.

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

Scar.
She once being looft;
The noble ruin of her magick, Antony,
Claps on his sea-wing, like a doating mallard,
Leaving the fight in heighth, flies after her:
I never saw an action of such shame;
Experience, manhood, honour ne'er before
Did violate so it self.

Eno.
Alack, alack.
Enter Canidius.

Can.
Our fortune on the sea is out of breath,

-- 372 --


And sinks most lamentably. Had our General
Been what he knew himself, it had gone well:
Oh he has given example for our flight,
Most grosly by his own

Eno.
Ay, are you thereabouts? why then good-night indeed.

Can.
Toward Peloponnesus are they fled.

Scar.
'Tis easie to't.
And there I will attend what further comes.

Can.
To Cæsar will I render
My legions and my horse, six Kings already
Shew me the way of yielding.

Eno.
I'll yet follow
The wounded chance of Antony, though my reason
Sits in the wind against me.
SCENE VIII. Enter Antony, with Eros and other Attendants.

Ant.
Hark, the land bids me tread no more upon't,
It is asham'd to bear me. Friends, come hither,
I am so lated in the world, that I
Have lost my way for ever. I've a ship
Laden with gold, take that, divide it; flie,
And make your peace with Cæsar.

Omnes.
Fly! not we.

Ant.
I've fled my self, and have instructed cowards
To run, and shew their shoulders. Friends, be gone.
I have my self resolv'd upon a course,
Which has no need of you. Be gone,
My treasure's in the harbour. Take it—oh,
I follow'd that I blush to look upon,
My very hairs do mutiny; for the white
Reprove the brown for rashness, and they them

-- 373 --


For fear and doating. 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 lothness; take the hint
Which my despair proclaims. Let them be left
Which leave themselves. To the sea-side straight-way:
I will possess you of that ship and treasure.
Leave me, I pray, a little; pray you now—
Nay, do so; for indeed I've lost command,
Therefore, I pray you—I'll see you by and by. [Sits down. Enter Cleopatra, led by Charmian and Iras, to Antony.

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

Iras.
Do, most dear Queen.

Char.
Do? why, what else?

Cleo.
Let me sit down; oh Juno!

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

Eros.
See you here, Sir?

Ant.
Oh fie, fie, fie.

Char.
Madam.

Iras.
Madam, oh good Empress.

Eros.
Sir, Sir.

Ant.
Yes my lord, yes; he at Philippi kept
His sword e'en like a dancer, while I strook
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—

Cleo.
Ah stand by.

Eros.
The Queen, my lord, the Queen—

Iras.
Go to him, madam, speak to him,
He is unqualited with very shame.

Cleo.
Well then, sustain me: oh!

-- 374 --

Eros.
Most noble Sir, arise, the Queen approaches,
Her head's declin'd, and death will seize her, but
Your comfort makes the rescue.

Ant.
I have offended reputation;
A most unnoble swerving—

Eros.
Sir, the Queen.

Ant.
O whither hast thou led me, Ægypt? see
How I convey my shame out of thine eyes,
By looking back on what I've left behind
'Stroy'd in dishonour.

Cleo.
Oh, my lord, my lord;
Forgive my fearful sails; I little thought
You would have follow'd.

Ant.
Ægypt, thou knew'st too well,
My heart was to thy rudder ty'd by th' string,
And thou should'st towe me after. O'er my spirit
The full supremacy thou knew'st, and that
Thy beck, might from the bidding of the Gods
Command me.

Cleo.
Oh, my pardon.

Ant.
Now I must
To the young man send humble treaties, dodge
And palter in the shift of lowness, who
With half the bulk o'th' world play'd as I pleas'd,
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.

Cleo.
Pardon, pardon.

Ant.
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?

-- 375 --


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 VIII. Cæsar's Camp. Enter Cæsar, Agrippa, Dolabella, Thidias, with others.

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

Dol.
Cæsar, 'tis his schoolmaster,
An argument that he is pluckt, when hither
He sends so poor a pinnion of his wing,
Which had superfluous Kings for messengers,
Not many moons gone by.
Enter Ambassador from Antony.

Cæs.
Approach and speak.

Amb.
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.

Cæs.
Be't so, declare thine office.

Amb.
Lord of his fortunes he salutes thee, and
Requires to live in Ægypt; which not granted
He lessens his requests, and to thee sues
To let him breathe between the heav'ns 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 Ptolomies for her heirs,
Now hazarded to thy grace.

-- 376 --

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

Amb.
Fortune pursue thee.

Cæs.
Bring him through the bands: [Exit Ambassador.
To try thy eloquence now 'tis time, dispatch,
From Antony win Cleopatra, promise, [To Thidias.
And in our name, when 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.

Thid.
Cæsar, I go.

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

Thid.
Cæsar, I shall.
[Exeunt. SCENE IX. Alexandria. Enter Cleopatra, Enobarbus, Charmian, and Iras.

Cleo.
What shall we do, Enobarbus?

Eno.
Think, and dye.

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

-- 377 --


Frighted each other? why should he follow you?
The itch of his affection should not then
Have nickt his captainship at such a point,
When half to half the world oppos'd, he being
The meered question. 'Twas a shame no less
Than was his loss to course your flying flags,
And leave his navy gazing.

Cleo.
Pr'ythee peace.
Enter Antony, with the Ambassador.

Ant.
Is that his answer?

Amb.
Ay, my lord.

Ant.
The Queen shall then have courtesie,
So she will yield us up.

Amb.
He says so.

Ant.
Let her know't.
To the boy Cæsar send this grizled head,
And he will fill thy wishes to the brim,
With principalities.

Cleo.
That head, my lord?

Ant.
To him again, tell him he wears the rose
Of youth upon him; from which, the world should note
Something particular; his coyn, ships, legions,
May be a coward's, whose ministers would prevail
Under the service of a child, as soon
As i'th' comand of Cæsar. I dare him therefore
To lay his gay a notecaparisons apart,
And answer me declin'd, sword against sword,
Our selves alone; I'll write it, follow me. [Exit Antony.

Eno.
Yes, like enough: high-battel'd Cæsar will
Unstate his happiness, and be stag'd to th' shew
Against a sworder. I see mens judgments are
A parcel of their fortunes, and things outward

-- 378 --


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 subdu'd
His judgment too. Enter a Servant.

Ser.
A messenger from Cæsar.

Cleo.
What, no more ceremony? see my women,
Against the blown rose may they stop their nose,
That kneel'd unto the buds. Admit him, Sir.

Eno.
Mine honesty and I begin to square;
The loyalty, well held to fools, does make
Our faith meer folly: yet he that can endure
To follow with allegiance a fall'n lord,
Do's conquer him that did his master conquer,
And earns a place i'th' story.
Enter Thidias.

Cleo.
Cæsar's will.

Thid.
Hear it apart.

Cleo.
None but friends; say boldly.

Thid.
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 as you know,
Whose he is, we are, and that's Cæsar's.

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

Cleo.
Go on, right royal.

Thid.
He knows that you embrace not Antony

-- 379 --


As you did love, but as you feared him.

Cleo.
Oh!
[Aside.

Thid.
The scars upon your honour, therefore he
Do's pity, as constrained blemishes,
Not as deserv'd.

Cleo.
He is a God, and knows
What is most right. Mine honour was not yielded,
But conquer'd meerly.

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

Thid.
Shall I say to Cæsar,
What you require of him? he partly begs
To be desir'd to give. It much would please him,
That of his fortunes you would make a staff
To lean upon. But it would warm his spirits,
To hear from me you had left Antony,
And put your self under his shrowd, the universal landlord.

Cleo.
What's your name?

Thid.
My name is Thidias.

Cleo.
Most kind messenger;
Say to great Cæsar this in disputation,
I kiss his conqu'ring hand: tell him, I'm prompt
To lay my crown at's feet, and there to kneel.
Tell him, that from his all-obeying breath
I hear the doom of Ægypt.

Thid.
'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.

Cleo.
Your Cæsar's father oft,

-- 380 --


When he hath mus'd of taking kingdoms in,
Bestow'd his lips on that unworthy place,
As it rain'd kisses. SCENE X. Enter Antony, and Enobarbus.

Ant.
Favours! by Jove that thunders. [Seeing Thidias kiss her hand.
What art thou fellow?

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

Eno.
You will be whipp'd.

Ant.
Approach there—ah you kite! now Gods and devils!
Authority melts from me of late. When I cry'd hoa!
Like boys unto a b notemuss, Kings would start forth,
And cry, your will? have you no ears?
I'm Antony yet. Take hence this jack and whip him.
Enter a Servant.

Eno.
'Tis better playing with a lion's whelp,
Than with an old one dying.

Ant.
Moon and stars!
Whip him: were twenty of the greatest Tributaries
That do acknowledge Cæsar, should I find them
So sawcy 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.

Thid.
Mark Antony—

Ant.
Tug him away; being whipp'd
Bring him again, this jack of Cæsar's shall

-- 381 --


Bear us an errand to him. [Exeunt with Thidias.
You were half blasted ere I knew you: ha!
Have I my pillow left unprest in Rome,
Forborn the getting of a lawful race,
And by a jem 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,
Oh 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.

Cleo.
Oh, is't come to this?

Ant.
I found you as a morsel, cold upon
Dead Cæsar's trencher: nay, you were a fragment
Of Cneius Pompey's, besides what hotter hours
Unregistred in vulgar fame, you have
Luxuriously pickt 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 out-roar
The horned herd, for I have savage cause.
And to proclaim it civilly, were like
A halter'd neck, which does the hangman thank
For being † noteyare about him. Is he whipp'd?

-- 382 --

Enter a Servant with Thidias.

Ser.
Soundly, my lord.

Ant.
Cry'd he? and begg'd a pardon?

Ser.
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 his triumph, since
Thou hast been whipp'd, for following him. Henceforth
The white hand of a lady, feaver thee,
Shake to look on't. Go 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 easie '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
Hiparchus 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 Thid.

Cleo.
Have you done yet?

Ant.
Alack, our terrene moon is now eclips'd,
And it portends alone the fall of Antony.

Cleo.
I must stay his time.

Ant.
To flatter Cæsar, would you mingle eyes
With one that ties his points?

Cleo.
Not know me yet?

Ant.
Cold-hearted toward me?

Cleo.
Ah dear, if I be so,

-- 383 --


From my cold heart let heaven ingender hail,
And poison't in the source, and the first stone
Drop in my neck; as it determines, so
Dissolve my life; the next Cesario smite!
'Till by degrees the memory of my womb,
Together with my brave Ægyptians all,
By the discattering of this pelletted storm,
Lie graveless; 'till the flies and gnats of Nile
Have buried them for prey.

Ant.
I'm satisfied:
Cæsar sets 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 float, threatning 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 my chronicle,
There's hope in't 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 gawdy 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 t'have held it poor. But since my lord
Is Antony again, I will be Cleopatra.

Ant.
We will yet do well.

Cleo.
Call all his noble captains to my lord.

-- 384 --

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
I'll make death love me: for I will contend
Even with his pestilent scythe.
[Exeunt.

Eno.
Now he'll out-stare 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 swords it fights with: I will seek
Some way to leave him.
[Exit. ACT IV. SCENE I. Cæsar's Camp. Enter Cæsar, Agrippa, and Mecænas with his army. Cæsar reading a letter.

Cæsar.
He calls me boy, and chides as he had power
To beat me out of Ægypt. My messenger
He hath whipt with rods, dares me to personal combat,
Cæsar to Antony. Let the old ruffian know,
I have many other ways to die: mean time
Laugh at this challenge.

Mec.
Cæsar must think,
When one so great begins to rage, he's hunted
Even to falling. Give him no breath, but now

-- 385 --


Make boot of his distraction: never anger
Made good guard for it self.

Cæs.
Let our best heads know,
That to-morrow the last of battels
We mean to fight. Within our files there are,
Of those that serv'd Mark Antony but late,
Enough to fetch him in. See it be done,
And feast the army, we have store to do't,
And they have earn'd the waste. Poor Antony!
[Exeunt. SCENE II. Alexandria. Enter Antony and Cleopatra, Enobarbus, Charmian, Iras, Alexas, with others.

Ant.
He will not fight with me, Domitius.

Eno.
No?

Ant.
Why should he not?

Eno.
He thinks, being twenty times of better fortune,
He's 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 thou fight well?

Eno.
I'll strike, and cry, take all.

Ant.
Well said, come on:
Call forth my houshold servants, let's to-night Enter Servants.
Be bounteous at our meal. Give me thy hand,
Thou hast been rightly honest, so hast thou,
And thou, and thou, and thou: you've serv'd me well,

-- 386 --


And Kings have been your fellows.

Cleo.
What means this?

Eno.
'Tis one of those odd tricks which sorrow shoots
Out of the mind.

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

Omnes.
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,
And suffer'd my command.

Cleo.
What does he mean?

Eno.
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 mangled shadow. It may chance 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.

Ant.
Ho, ho, ho:
Now the witch take me, if I meant it thus.
Grace grow where those drops fall; my hearty friends,

-- 387 --


You take me in too dolorous a sense;
I speake t' 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,
And drown consideration. [Exeunt. Enter a company of Soldiers.

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?

2 Sold.
Belike 'tis but a rumour, good-night to you.

1 Sold.
Well, Sir, good-night.
[They meet with other soldiers.

2 Sold.
Soldiers, have careful watch.

1 Sold.
And you, good-night, good-night.
[They place themselves in every corner of the stage.

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

1 Sold.
'Tis a brave army, and full of purpose.
[Musick of the hautboys is under the stage.

2 Sold.
Peace, what noise?

1 Sold.
List, list!

2 Sold.
Hark!

1 Sold.
Musick i'th' air.

3 Sold.
Under the earth.
It sings well, do's it not?

2 Sold.
No.

1 Sold.
Peace I say: what should this mean?

2 Sold.
'Tis the God Hercules, who loved Antony,
Now leaves him.

-- 388 --

1 Sold.
Walk, let's see if other watchmen
Do hear what we do?

2 Sold.
How now, masters?
[Speak together.

Omnes.
How now? how now? do you hear this?

1 Sold.
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.

Omnes.
Content: 'tis strange.
[Exeunt. SCENE III. Cleopatra's Palace. Enter Antony and Cleopatra, with others.

Ant.
Eros, mine armour, Eros.

Cleo.
Sleep a little.

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

Cleo.
Nay, I'll help too, Antony.
What's this for? ah, let be, let be, thou art
The armourer of my heart; false; this this,
Sooth-law I'll help: thus it must be.

Ant.
Well, well, we shall thrive now.
Seest thou, my good fellow. Go put on thy defences.

Eno.
Briefly, Sir.

Cleo.
Is not this buckled well?

Ant.
Rarely, rarely:

-- 389 --


He that unbuckles this, 'till we do please
To dos't for our repose, shall hear a storm.
Thou fumblest Eros, and my Queen's a Squire
More tight at this than thou; dispatch. O love!
That thou could'st see my wars to-day, and knew'st
The royal occupation; thou should'st see
A workman in't. Enter 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.
A thousand, Sir,
Early though't be, have on their rivetted trim,
And at the port expect you.
[Shout. Trumpets flourish. Enter Captains and Soldiers.

Cap.
The morn is fair; good-morrow General.

All.
Good-morrow, General.

Ant.
'Tis well blown, lad.
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, what e'er becomes of me,
This is a soldier's kiss: rebukeable,
And worthy shameful check it were, to stand
On more mechanick 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.
[Exeunt.

Char.
Please you to retire to your chamber?

Cleo.
Lead me:
He goes forth gallantly: That he and Cæsar might

-- 390 --


Determine this great war in single fight!
Then Antony—but now—well on. [Exeunt. SCENE IV. Trumpets sound. Enter Antony and Eros.

Eros.
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.

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

Ant.
Who's gone this morning?

Eros.
Who?
One ever near thee. Call for Enobarbus,
He shall not hear thee, or from Cæsar's camp
Say, I am none of thine.

Ant.
What say'st thou?

Sold.
Sir, he is with Cæsar.

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

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 gentle adieus, and greetings:
Say, that I wish he never find more cause
To change a master. Oh my fortunes have
Corrupted honest men! dispatch my Eros.
[Exeunt.

-- 391 --

SCENE V. Cæsar's Camp. Enter Cæsar, Agrippa, with Enobarbus, and Dolabella.

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

Agr.
Cæsar, I shall.

Cæs.
The time of universal peace is near;
Prove this a prosp'rous day, the three-nook'd world
Shall bear the olive freely.
Enter a Messenger.

Mes.
Mark Antony is come into the field.

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

Eno.
Alexas doth revolt, and went to Jewry on
Affairs of Antony; there did perswade
Great Herod to incline himself to Cæsar,
And leave his master Antony. For this pains
Cæsar 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 my self 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

-- 392 --


His bounty over-plus. The messenger
Came on my guard, and at thy tent is now
Unloading of his mules.

Eno.
I give it you.

Sold.
Mock not, Enobarbus,
I tell you true: best you see safe the bringer
Out of the host: I must attend mine office,
Or would have done't my self. Your Emperor
Continues still a Jove.
[Exit.

Eno.
I am alone the villain of the earth,
And feel I am so most. Oh Antony,
Thou mine of bounty, how wouldst thou have paid
My better service, when my turpitude
Thou dost so crown with gold. This bows 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, where I my die; the foul'st best fits
My latter part of life.
[Exit. SCENE VI. Before the Walls of Alexandria. Alarum. Drums and Trumpets. Enter Agrippa.

Agr.
Retire, we have engag'd our selves too far:
Cæsar himself has work, and our oppression
Exceeds what we expected.
[Exit. Alarum. Enter Antony, and Scarus wounded.

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

-- 393 --

Ant.
Thou bleed'st apace.

Scar.
I had a wound here that was like a T,
But now 'tis made an H.

Ant.
They do retire.

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

Eros.
They're 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 sprightly comfort, and ten-fold
For thy good valour. Come thee on.

Scar.
I'll halt after.
[Exeunt. Alarum. Enter Antony again in a March, Scarus with others.

Ant.
We've beat him to his camp; run one before,
And let the Queen know of our Guests; to-morrow
Before the sun shall see's, 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't had been
Each man's like mine; you've shewn your selves all Hectors.
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 whole. Give me thy hand, [To Scarus. Enter Cleopatra.
To this great faiery I'll commend thy acts,

-- 394 --


Make her thanks bless thee. O thou day o'th' 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.

Cleo.
Lord of lords,
Oh infinite virtue, com'st thou smiling from
The world's great snare, uncaught?

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

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

Ant.
He has deserv'd it, were it carbunkled
Like holy Phœbus' car. Give me thy hand,
Through Alexandria make a jolly march,
Bear our hackt targets, like the men that owe them.
Had our great palace the capacity
To camp this host, we all would sup together,
And drink carowses to the next day's fate
Which promises royal peril. Trumpeters
With brazen din blast you the city's ear,
Make mingle with our ratling tabourines,
That heav'n and earth may strike their sounds together,
Applauding our approach.
[Exeunt.

-- 395 --

SCENE VII. Cæsar's Camp. Enter a Century, and his Company. Enobarbus follows.

Cent.
If we be not reliev'd within this hour,
We must return to th' court of guard; the night
Is shiny, and they say, we shall embattel
By th' second hour i'th' morn.

1 Watch.
This last day was a shrewd one to's.

Eno.
Oh bear me witness night!

2 Watch.
What man is this?

1 Watch.
Stand close, and list him.

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.

Cent.
Enobarbus?

3 Watch.
Peace; hark further.

Eno.
Oh sovereign mistress of true melancholy,
The poisonous damp of night dispunge 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. Oh 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:
Oh Antony! oh Antony!
[Dies.

-- 396 --

1 Watch.
Let's speak to him.

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

2 Watch.
Let's do so, but he sleeps.

Cent.
Swoons rather, for so bad a prayer as his
Was never yet for sleep.

1 Watch.
Go we to him.

2 Watch.
Awake, Sir, awake, speak to us.

1 Watch.
Hear you, Sir?

Cent.
The hand of death hath caught him. [Drums afar off.
Hark how the drums demurely wake the sleepers:
Let us bear him to th' court of guard; he is of note.
Our hour is fully out.

2 Watch.
Come on then, he may recover yet.
[Exeunt. SCENE VIII. Between the two Camps. Enter Antony, and Scarus, with their army.

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'th' fire, or in the air,
We'd fight there too. But this it is, our foot
Upon the hills adjoyning 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.

-- 397 --

Enter Cæsar, and his army.

Cæs.
But being charg'd, we will be still by land,
Which as I take't we shall; for his best force
Is forth to man his gallies. To the vales,
And hold our best advantage.
[Exeunt. [Alarum afar off, as at a sea-fight. Enter Antony and Scarus.

Ant.
Yet they are not join'd:
Where yond pine stands, I shall discover all.
I'll bring thee word straight, how 'tis like to go.
[Exit.

Scar.
Swallows have built
In Cleopatra's sails their nests. The augurs
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.
[Exit. SCENE IX. Alexandria. Enter Antony.

Ant.
All is lost!
This foul Ægyptian hath betray'd me!
My fleet hath yielded to the foe, and yonder
They cast their caps up, and carouse together
Like friends long lost. Triple-turn'd 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 reveng'd upon my charm,

-- 398 --


I have done all. Bid them all fly, be gone.
Oh sun, thy uprise shall I see no more:
Fortune and Antony part here, even here
Do we shake hands—all come to this!—the hearts
That pannell'd me at heels, to whom I gave
Their wishes, do dis-candy, melt their sweets
On blossoming Cæsar: and this pine is bark'd,
That over-topt them all. Betray'd I am.
Oh this false soul of Ægypt! this a notegay charm,
Whose eye beck'd forth my wars, and call'd them home:
Whose bosom was my crownet, my chief end,
Like a right gipsie, hath at fast and loose
Beguil'd me to the very heart of loss.
What Eros, Eros! Enter Cleopatra.
Ah, thou spell! avant.

Cleo.
Why is my lord enrag'd 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 the shouting Plebeians;
Follow his chariot, like the greatest spot
Of all thy sex. Most monster-like be shewn
For poor'st diminutives, for dolts; and let
Patient Octavia plough thy visage up
With her prepared nails. 'Tis well thou'rt gone, [Exit Cleopatra.
If it be well to live. But better 'twere
Thou fell'st into my fury, for one death
Might have prevented many. Eros, hoa!
The shirt of Nessus is upon me; teach me,
Alcides, thou mine ancestor, thy rage:
Let me lodge Licas on the horns o'th' moon,
And with those hands that graspt the heaviest club,

-- 399 --


Subdue my worthiest self. The witch shall die;
To the young Roman boy she hath sold me, and I fall
Under his plot: she dies for't. Eros, hoa! [Exit. Re-enter Cleopatra, Charmian, Iras, and Mardian.

Cleo.
Help me, my women! oh he is more mad
Than Telamon for his shield, the boar of Thessaly
Was never so imbost.

Char.
To th' monument,
There lock your self, and send him word you're dead:
The soul and body rive not more in parting,
Than greatness going off.

Cleo.
To th' monument:
Mardian, go tell him I have slain my self,
Say, that the last I spoke was Antony,
And word it, pr'ythee, piteously. Hence, Mardian,
And bring me how he takes my death. To th' monument.
[Exeunt. SCENE X. Enter Antony and Eros.

Ant.
Eros, thou yet behold'st me?

Eros.
Ay, noble lord.

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

Eros.
Ay, my lord.

&plquo;Ant.
&plquo;That which is now a horse, even with a thought
&plquo;The rack dislimn's, and makes it indistinct

-- 400 --


&plquo;As water is in water.

Eros.
It do's, my lord.

Ant.
My good knave, Eros, now thy captain is
Even such a body; here I'm Antony,
Yet cannot hold this visible shape, my knave.
I made these wars for Ægypt; and the Queen,
Whose heart I thought I had, (for she had mine)
Which whilst it was mine, had annext unto't
A million more, now lost! she, Eros, has
Packt cards with Cæsar, and false play'd my glory
Unto an enemy's triumph—
Nay, weep not, gentle Eros, there is left us
Our selves to end our selves. Oh the vile lady! Enter Mardian.
Sh' has robb'd me of my sword.

Mar.
No, Antony,
My mistress lov'd thee, and her fortunes mingled
With thine intirely.

Ant.
Hence, sawcy eunuch, peace, she hath betray'd me,
And she shall die the death.

&plquo;Mar.
&plquo;Death of one person can be paid but once,
&plquo;And that she has discharg'd. What thou would'st do
&plquo;Is done unto thy hand; the last she spake
&plquo;Was Antony! most noble Antony!
&plquo;Then in the midst a tearing groan did break
&plquo;The name of Antony; it was divided
&plquo;Between her heart and lips; she rendred life,
&plquo;Thy name so buried in her.

Ant.
Dead then?

Mar.
Dead.

Ant.
Unarm me, Eros, the long day's task is done,
And we must sleep; that thou depart'st hence safe

-- 401 --


Does pay thy labour richly; go. Oh, pluck off, [Exit Mardian.
The seven-fold shield of Ajax cannot keep
The battery from my heart. Oh cleave my sides.
Heart, once be stronger than thy continent,
Crack thy frail case! apace, Eros, apace,
No more a soldier—bruised pieces go, [Unarming himself.
You have been nobly born; from me a while, [Exit Eros.
I will o'er-take thee, Cleopatra, and
Weep for my pardon. So't must be, for now
All length is torture; since the torch is out,
Lye down and stray no further. Now all labour
Marrs what it does, yea, very force entangles
It self with strength; seal then and all is done.
Eros!—I come, my Queen—Eros!—stay 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 shall want troops,
And all the haunt be ours. Come, Eros, Eros! Enter Eros.

Eros.
What would my lord?

Ant.
Since Cleopatra died,
I've liv'd 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
With ships, made cities; condemn my self, to lack
The courage of a woman; less noble-minded
Than she which, by her death, our Cæsar tells,
I'm conqueror of my self. Thou art sworn, Eros,
That when the exigent should come, which now
Is come indeed, when I should see behind me
Th'inevitable prosecution of disgrace
And horrour, that on my command thou then

-- 402 --


Wouldst kill me. Do it, for the time is come:
Thou strik'st not me, 'tis Cæsar thou defeat'st.
Put colour in my cheek.

Eros.
The Gods with-hold me:
Shall I do that which all the Parthian darts,
Though enemy, lost aim, and could not?

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

Eros.
I would not see't.

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

Eros.
Oh, Sir, pardon me.

Ant.
When I did make thee free, swor'st thou not then
To do this when I bad thee? do it at once,
Or thy precedent services are all
But accidents unpurpos'd. Draw, and come.

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

Ant.
Lo thee.
[Turning from him.

Eros.
My sword is drawn.

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

Eros.
My dear master,
My captain, and my emp'ror. Let me say,
Before I strike this bloody stroke, farewel.

Ant.
'Tis said, man, and farewel.

Eros.
Farewel, great chief. Shall I strike now?

-- 403 --

Ant.
Now, Eros.

Eros.
Why there then— [Eros kills himself.
Thus I do escape the sorrow
Of Antony's death.

Ant.
Thrice nobler than my self!
Thou teachest me, oh valiant Eros, what
I should, and thou could'st 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, and Eros,
Thy master dies thy scholar; to do thus [Falling on his sword.
I learnt of thee. How, not yet dead? not dead?—
The guard—how!—oh dispatch me.
SCENE XI. Enter Dercetas and guard.

1 Guard.
What's the noise?

Ant.
I've done my work ill, friends:
O make an end of what I have begun.

2 Guard.
The star is faln.

1 Guard.
And time is at his period!

All.
Alas, and woe!

Ant.
Let him that loves me, strike me dead.

1 Guard.
Not I.

2 Guard.
Not I.

3 Guard.
Nor any one.
[Exeunt.

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

-- 404 --

Enter Diomedes.

Dio.
Where's Antony?

Der.
There, Diomed, there.

Dio.
Lives he? wilt thou not answer, man?

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

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

Ant.
When did she send thee?

Dio.
Now, my lord.

Ant.
Where is she?

Dio
Lockt in her monument. She had a prophesying fear
Of what hath come to pass; for when she saw
(Which never shall be found (you did suspect)
She had dispos'd with Cæsar, and that your rage
Would not be purg'd, she sent 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 pr'ythee.

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

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

Guard.
Woe are we, Sir! you may not live to wear
All your true follow'rs out.

All.
Most heavy day!

Ant.
Nay, good my fellows, do not please sharp fate
To grace it with your sorrows. Bid that welcome

-- 405 --


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, bearing Antony. SCENE XII. A magnificent Monument. Enter Cleopatra, Charmian, and Iras, above.

Cleo.
Oh 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. Enter Diomedes.
How now? is he dead?

Dio.
His death's upon him, but not dead.
Look out o'th' other side your monument,
His guard have brought him hither.
Enter Antony born by the guard.

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

Ant.
Peace.
Not Cæsar's valour hath o'er-thrown Antony,
But Antony hath triumpht on himself.

-- 406 --

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

Ant.
I am dying, Ægypt, dying; only yet
I here importune death a while, until
Of many thousand kisses the poor last
I lay upon thy lips.

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

Ant.
Oh quick, or I am gone.

Cleo.
Here's sport indeed; how heavy weighs my lord!
Our strength is all gone into heaviness,
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. Oh come, come, come— [They draw Antony up to Cleopatra.
And welcome, welcome. Die where thou hast liv'd,
Quicken with kissing; had my lips that power,
Thus would I wear them out.

All.
Oh heavy sight!

Ant.
I am dying, Ægypt, 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 huswife, fortune, break her wheel,

-- 407 --


Provok'd by my offence.

Ant.
One word, sweet Queen.
Of Cæsar seek your honour, with your safety—oh—

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 liv'd. The greatest Prince o'th' world,
The noblest once; and now not basely die,
Nor cowardly put off my helmet to
My countryman. A Roman, by a Roman
Valiantly vanquish'd. Now my spirit is going,
I can no more—
[Antony dies.

Cleo.
Noblest of men—woo't die?
Hast thou no care of me? shall I abide
In this dull world, which in thy absence is
No better than a stye? O see, my women!
The crown o'th' earth doth melt—my lord!—
Oh wither'd is the garland of the war,
The soldier's 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.
[She faints.

Char.
Oh quietness, lady.

Iras.
She's dead too, our sovereign.

Char.
Lady!

Iras.
Madam!

Char.
Oh Madam, Madam, Madam—

Iras.
Royal Ægypt! Empress!

-- 408 --

Char.
Peace, peace, Iras.

&plquo;Cleo.
&plquo;No more but a meer woman, and commanded
&plquo;By such poor passion as the maid that milks,
And does the meanest chares. It were for me
To throw my scepter at th' injurious Gods,
To tell them that this world did equal theirs,
'Till they had stoll'n our jewel. All's but nought:
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? how do you, women?
What, what good cheer? why how now, Charmian?
My noble girls?—ah, women, women! look,
Our lamp is spent, it's out—good Sirs, take heart,
We'll bury him: and then what's brave, what's noble,
Let's do it after the high Roman fashion,
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 bearing off Antony's body.

-- 409 --

ACT V. SCENE I. Cæsar's Camp. Enter Cæsar, Agrippa, Dolabella, and Menas.

Cæsar.
Go to him, Dolabella, bid him yield,
Being so frustrate, tell him,
He mocks the pauses that he makes.

Dol.
Cæsar, I shall.
Enter Dercetas with the sword of Antony.

Cæs.
Wherefore is that? and what art thou that dar'st
Appear thus to us?

Der.
I am call'd Dercetas,
Mark Antony I serv'd, who best was worthy
Best to be serv'd; whilst he stood up, and spoke,
He was my master, and I wore my life
To spend upon his haters. If thou please
To take me to thee, as I was to him
I'll be to Cæsar: If thou pleasest not,
I yield thee up my life.

Cæs.
What is't thou say'st?

Der.
I say, oh Cæsar, Antony is dead.

Cæs.
The breaking of so great a thing should make
A greater crack. The round world
Should have shook lions into civil streets,
And citizens to their dens. The death of Antony
Is not a single doom, in that name lay

-- 410 --


A moiety of the world.

Der.
He is dead, Cæsar,
Not by a publick minister of justice,
Nor by a hired knife: but that self-hand
Which writ his honour in the acts it did,
Hath with the courage which the heart did lend it
Splitted the heart. This is his sword,
I robb'd his wound of it: behold it stain'd
With his most noble blood.

Cæs.
Look you, sad friends:
The Gods rebuke me but it is a tiding
To wash the eyes of Kings.

Dol.
And strange it is,
That nature must compel us to lament
Our most persisted deeds.

Men.
His taints and honours
Weigh'd equal in him.

Dol.
A rarer spirit never
Did steer humanity; but you Gods will give us
Some faults to make us men. Cæsar is touch'd.

Men.
When such a spacious mirror's set before him,
He needs must see himself.

Cæs.
O Antony!
I've follow'd thee to this—but we do launce
Diseases in our bodies. I must perforce
Have shewn to thee such a declining day,
Or look on thine; we could not stall together
In the whole world. But yet let me lament
With tears as soveraign as the blood of hearts,
That thou my brother, my competitor,
In top of all design, my mate in empire,
Friend and companion in the front of war,
The arm of mine own body, and the heart

-- 411 --


Where mine its thoughts did kindle; that our stars
Unreconcilable, should have divided
Our equalness to this. Hear me, good friends,
But I will tell you at some meeter season—
The business of this man looks out of him,
We'll hear him what he says. Whence are you? Enter an Ægyptian.

Ægypt.
A poor Ægyptian yet; the Queen my mistress
Confin'd in all she has (her monument)
Of thy intents desires instruction,
That she preparedly may frame her self
To th' way she's forc'd to.

Cæs.
Bid her have good heart,
She soon shall know of us, by some of ours,
How honourably and how kindly we
Determine for her. For Cæsar cannot live
To be ungentle.

Ægypt.
May the Gods preserve thee.
[Exit.

Cæs.
Come hither Proculeius, go and say
We purpose her no shame; give her what comforts
The quality of her passion shall require;
Lest in her greatness by some mortal stroke
She do defeat us: for her life in Rome
Would be eternal in our triumph. Go,
And with your speediest bring us what she says,
And how you find of her.

Pro.
Cæsar, I shall. [Exit Proculeius.

Cæs.
Gallus, go you along; where's Dolabella,
To second Proculeius?

All.
Dolabella!

Cæs.
Let him alone; for I remember now
How he's employ'd: he shall in time be ready.

-- 412 --


Go with me to my tent, where you shall see
How hardly I was drawn into this war,
How calm and gentle I proceeded still
In all my writings. Go with me, and see
What I can shew in this. [Exeunt. SCENE II. The Monument. Enter Cleopatra, Charmian, Iras, Mardian, and Seleucus.

Cleo.
My desolation does begin to make
A better life; 'tis paltry to be Cæsar:
Not being fortune, he's but fortune's knave,
A minister of her will; and it is great,
To do that thing that ends all other deeds,
Which shackles accidents, and bolts up change,
Which sleeps, and never pallats more the dung,
(The beggar's nurse, and Cæsar's.)
Enter Proculeius.

Pro.
Cæsar sends greeting to the Queen of Ægypt,
And bids thee study on what fair demands
Thou mean'st to have him grant thee.

Cleo.
What's thy name?

Pro.
My name is Proculeius.

Cleo.
Antony
Did tell me of you, bad me trust you, but
I do not greatly care to be deceiv'd,
That have no use for trusting. If your master
Would have a Queen his beggar, you must tell him,
That majesty, to keep decorum, must
No less beg than a kingdom: if he please

-- 413 --


To give me conquer'd Ægypt for my son,
He gives me so much of mine own, as I
Will kneel to him with thanks.

Pro.
Be of good cheer:
You're faln into a princely hand, fear nothing,
Make your full ref'rence freely to my lord,
Who is so full of grace, that it flows over
On all that need. Let me report to him
Your sweet dependency, and you shall find
A conqu'ror that will pray, in aid for kindness,
Where he for grace is kneel'd to.

Cleo.
Pray you tell him,
I am his fortunes vassal, and I send him
The greatness he has got. I hourly learn
A doctrine of obedience, and would gladly
Look him i'th' face.

Pro.
This I'll report, dear lady.
Have comfort, for I know your plight is pity'd
Of him that caus'd it.

Char.
You see how easily she may be surpris'd.

Pro.
Guard her 'till Cæsar come.

Iras.
Royal Queen.

Char.
Oh Cleopatra, thou art taken, Queen.

Cleo.
Quick, quick, good hands.

Pro.
Hold, worthy lady, hold:
Do not your self such wrong, who are in this
Reliev'd, but not betray'd.

Cleo.
What of death too, that rids our dogs of languish?

Pro.
Do not abuse my master's bounty, by
Th' undoing of your self: let the world see
His nobleness well acted, which your death
Will never let come forth.

Cleo.
Where art thou, death?

-- 414 --


Come hither, come: oh come, and take a Queen
Worth many babes and beggars.

Pro.
Oh temperance, lady!

Cleo.
Sir, I will eat no meat, I'll not drink, Sir:
If idle talk will once be necessary,
I'll not sleep neither. This mortal house I'll ruin,
Do Cæsar what he can. Know, Sir, that I
Will not wait pinion'd at your master's court,
Not once be chastis'd with the sober eye
Of dull Octavia. Shall they hoist me up,
And shew me to the shouting varlotry
Of cens'ring Rome? rather a ditch in Ægypt
Be gentle grave unto me: rather on Nilus' mud
Lay me stark-nak'd, and let the water-flies
Blow me into abhorring: rather make
My country's high Pyramides my gibbet,
And hang me up in chains.

Pro.
You do extend
These thoughts of horror further than you shall
Find cause in Cæsar.
Enter Dolabella.

Dol.
Proculeius,
What thou hast done my master Cæsar knows,
And he hath sent for thee: as for the Queen,
I'll take her to my guard.

Pro.
So, Dolabella,
It shall content me best; be gentle to her:
To Cæsar I will speak what you shall please,
If you'll employ me to him.

Cleo.
Say, I would die.
[Exit Proculeius.

Dol.
Most noble Empress, you have heard of me.

Cleo.
I cannot tell.

-- 415 --

Dol.
Assuredly you know me.

Cleo.
No matter, Sir, what I have heard or known:
You laugh when boys or women tell their dreams,
Is't not your trick?

Dol.
I understand not, Madam.

Cleo.
I dreamt there was an Emp'ror Antony;
Oh such another sleep, that I might see
But such another man!

Dol.
If it might please ye—

Cleo.
His face was as the heav'ns, and therein stuck
A sun and moon, which kept their course, and lighted
The little o'th' earth.

Dol.
Most sovereign creature—

Cleo.
His legs bestrid the ocean, his rear'd arm
Crested the world: his voice was propertied
As all the tuned spheres, and that to friends:
But when he meant to quail, and shake the Orb,
He was as ratling thunder. For his bounty,
There was no winter in't. An Antony it was,
That grew the more by reaping: his delights
Were dolphin like, they shew'd his back above
The element they liv'd in; in his livery
Walk'd crowns and coronets, realms and islands
As plates dropt from his pocket.

Dol.
Cleopatra—

Cleo.
Think you there was, or might be such a man
As this I dreamt of?

Dol.
Gentle Madam, no.

Cleo.
You lie, up to the hearing of the Gods;
But if there be, or ever were one such,
It's past the size of dreaming: nature wants stuff
To vye strange forms with fancy, yet t'imagine
An Antony were nature's piece, 'gainst fancy,

-- 416 --


Condemning shadows quite.

Dol.
Hear me, good Madam:
Your loss is as your self, great; and you bear it
As answ'ring to the weight: would I might never
O'er-take pursu'd success, but I do feel
By the rebound of yours, a grief that shoots
My very heart at root.

Cleo.
I thank you, Sir.
Know you what Cæsar means to do with me?

Dol.
I'm loth to tell you what I would you knew.

Cleo.
Nay, pray you, Sir.

Dol.
Though he be honourable—

Cleo.
He'll lead me then in triumph?

Dol.
Madam, he will, I know't.

All.
Make way there—Cæsar.
SCENE III. Enter Cæsar, Gallus, Mecænas, Proculeius and Attendants.

Cæs.
Which is the Queen of Ægypt?

Dol.
It is the Emperor, Madam.
[Cleo. kneels.

Cæs.
Arise, you shall not kneel:
I pray you rise, rise, Ægypt.

Cleo.
Sir, the Gods
Will have it thus, my master and my lord
I must obey.

Cæs.
Take to you no hard thoughts:
The record of what injuries you did us,
Though written in our flesh, we shall remember
As things but done by chance

Cleo.
Sole Sir o'th' world,
I cannot project mine own cause so well

-- 417 --


To make it clear, but do confess I have
Been laden with like frailties which before
Have often sham'd our sex.

Cæs.
Cleopatra, know,
We will extenuate rather than inforce:
If you apply your self to our intents,
(Which tow'rds you are most gentle) you shall find
A benefit in this change; but if you seek
To lay on me a cruelty by taking
Antony's course, you shall bereave your self
Of my good purposes, and put your children
To that destruction which I'll guard them from,
If thereon you relie. I'll take my leave.

Cleo.
And may through all the world: 'tis yours, and we
Your scutcheons, and your signs of conquest, shall
Hang in what place you please. Here, my good lord.

Cæs.
You shall advise me of all, Cleopatra.

Cleo.
This is the brief of mony, plate, and jewels
I am possest of—'tis exactly valued,
Not petty things admitted—where's Seleucus?

Sel.
Here Madam.

Cleo.
This is my treasurer, let him speak, my lord,
Upon his peril, that I have reserv'd
To my self nothing. Speak the truth, Seleucus.

Sel.
Madam, I had rather seal my lips,
Than to my peril speak that which is not.

Cleo.
What have I kept back?

Sel.
Enough to purchase what you have made known.

Cæs.
Nay, blush not Cleopatra, I approve
Your wisdom in the deed.

Cleo.
See Cæsar! Oh behold,
How pomp is follow'd: mine will now be yours,
And should we shift estates, yours would be mine.

-- 418 --


Th' ingratitude of this Seleucus do's
Ev'n make me wild. Oh slave, of no more trust
Than love that's hir'd. What, goest thou back? thou shalt
Go back, I warrant thee: but I'll catch thine eyes
Though they had wings. Slave, soul-less villain, dog,
O rarely base!

Cæs.
Good Queen, let us intreat you.

Cleo.
O Cæsar, what a wounding shame is this,
That thou vouchsafing here to visit me,
Doing the honour of thy lordliness
To one so meek, that mine own servant should
Parcel the sum of my disgraces by
Addition of his envy! Say, good Cæsar,
That I some lady-trifles have reserv'd,
Immoment toys, things of such dignity
As we greet modern friends withal, and say
Some nobler token I have kept apart
For Livia and Octavia, to induce
Their mediation, must I be unfolded
By one that I have bred? the Gods! it smites me
Beneath the fall I have. Pr'ythee go hence,
Or I shall shew the cynders of my spirits
Through th' ashes of my chance: wert thou a man,
Thou would'st have mercy on me.

Cæs.
Forbear, Seleucus.

Cleo.
Be't known, that we the greatest are mis-thought
For things that others do; and when we fall,
We answer others merits, in our names
Are therefore to be pitied.

Cæs.
Cleopatra,
Not what you have reserv'd, nor what acknowledg'd
Put me i'th' roll of conquest, still be't yours;
Bestow it at your pleasure, and believe

-- 419 --


Cæsar's no merchant to make prize with you
Of things that merchants sold. Therefore be cheer'd,
Make not your thoughts your prisons; no, dear Queen,
For we intend so to dispose you, as
Your self shall give us counsel: feed, and sleep.
Our care and pity is so much upon you,
That we remain your friend, and so adieu.

Cleo.
My master, and my lord.

Cæs.
Not so: adieu.
[Exeunt Cæsar, and his train. SCENE V.

Cleo.
He words me, girls, he words me,
That I should not be noble to my self.
But hark thee, Charmian.

Iras.
Finish, good lady, the bright day is done,
And we are for the dark.

Cleo.
Hie thee again.
I've spoke already, and it is provided,
Go put it to the haste.

Char.
Madam, I will.
Enter Dolabella.

Dol.
Where is the Queen?

Char.
Behold, Sir.

Cleo.
Dolabella.

Dol.
Madam, as thereto sworn, by your command,
Which my love makes religion to obey,
I tell you this: Cæsar through Syria
Intends his journey, and within three days
You with your children will he send before;
Make your best use of this. I have perform'd

-- 420 --


Your pleasure and my promise.

Cleo.
Dolabella,
I shall remain your debtor.

Dol.
I your servant.
Adieu, good Queen, I must attend on Cæsar.
[Exit.

Cleo.
Farewel, and thanks. Now, Iras, what think'st thou?
Thou, an Ægyptian puppet, shalt be shewn
In Rome as well as I: mechanick slaves
With greasie aprons, rules, and hammers shall
Uplift us to the view. In their thick breaths,
Rank of gross diet, shall we be enclouded,
And forc'd to drink their vapour.

Iras.
The Gods forbid.

Cleo.
Nay, 'tis most certain, Iras: sawcy lictors
Will catch at us like strumpets, and scall'd rhimers
Ballad us out-a-tune. The quick comedians
Extemp'rally will stage us, and present
Our Alexandrian revels: Antony
Shall be brought drunken forth, and I shall see
Some squeaking Cleopatra boy my greatness
I'th' posture of a whore.

Iras.
O the good Gods!

Cleo.
Nay, that's certain.

Iras.
I'll never see it; for I'm sure my nails
Are stronger than mine eyes.

Cleo.
Why that's the way
To fool their preparation, and to conquer
Their most absurd intents. Now Charmian, Enter Charmian.
Shew me, my women, like a Queen: go fetch
My best attires. I am again for Cidnus
To meet Mark Antony. Sirrah Iras, go—

-- 421 --


Now, noble Charmian, we'll dispatch indeed,
And when thou'ast done this chare, I'll give thee leave
To play 'till dooms-day—bring our crown, and all. [A noise within.
Wherefore this noise? Enter a Guardsman.

Guards.
Here is a rural fellow,
That will not be deny'd your highness' presence,
He brings you figs.

Cleo.
Let him come in. How poor an instrument [Exit Guardsman.
May do a noble deed? he brings me liberty.
My resolution's plac'd, and I have nothing
Of woman in me; now from head to foot
I'm marble constant: now the fleeting moon
No planet is of mine.
Enter Guardsman, and Clown with a basket.

Guards.
This is the man.

Cleo.
Avoid and leave him. [Exit Guardsman.
Hast thou the pretty worm of Nilus there,
That kills and pains not?

&plquo;Clown.

&plquo;Truly I have him: but I would not be the party that should desire you to touch him, for his biting is immortal: those that do die of it, do seldom or never recover.&prquo;

Cleo.

Remember'st thou any that have dy'd on't?

&plquo;Clown.

&plquo;Very many, men and women too. I heard of one of them no longer than yesterday, a very honest woman, but something given to lie, as a woman should not do, but in the way of honesty. How she dy'd of the biting of it, what pain she felt! truly, she makes a very good report o'th' worm: but he that will believe all that they say, shall never be saved by half that they do: but this is most fallible, the worm's an odd worm.&prquo;

-- 422 --

Cleo.

Get thee hence, farewel.

&plquo;Clown.

&plquo;I wish you all joy of the worm.&prquo;

Cleo.

Farewel.

&plquo;Clown.

&plquo;You must think this, look you, that the worm will do his kind.&prquo;

Cleo.

Ay, ay, farewel.

&plquo;Clown.

&plquo;Look you, the worm is not to be trusted; but in the keeping of wise people; for indeed there is no goodness in the worm.&prquo;

Cleo.

Take no care, it shall be heeded.

&plquo;Clown.

&plquo;Very good: give it nothing I pray you, for it is not worth the feeding.&prquo;

Cleo.

Will it eat me?

&plquo;Clown.

&plquo;You must not think I am so simple, but I know the devil himself will not eat a woman: I know, that a woman is a dish for the Gods, if the devil dress her not. But truly, these same whore-son devils do the Gods great harm in their women: for in every ten that they make, the devils mar five.&prquo;

Cleo.

Well, get thee gone, farewel.

&plquo;Clown.

&plquo;Yes forsooth, I wish you joy o'th' worm.&prquo;

[Exit. SCENE VI.

Cleo.
Give me my robe, put on my crown; I have
Immortal longings in me. Now no more
The juice of Ægypt's grape shall moist this lip.
Yare, yare, good Iras, quick—methinks I hear
Antony call, I see him rowse himself
To praise my noble act. I hear him mock
The luck of Cæsar, which the Gods give men
T' excuse their after-wrath. Husband, I come;
Now to that name my courage prove my title.
I am fire, and air; my other elements

-- 423 --


I give to baser life. So—have you done?
Come then, and take the last warmth of my lips.
Farewel kind Charmian, Iras, long farewel. [Applying the asp.
Have I the aspick in my lips? dost fall? [To Iras.
If thou and nature can so gently part,
The stroke of death is as a lover's pinch,
Which hurts, and is desir'd. Dost thou lye still?
If thus thou vanishest, thou tell'st the world
It is not worth leave-taking. [Iras dies.

Char.
Dissolve thick cloud and rain, that I may say,
The Gods themselves do weep.

Cleo.
This proves me base—
If she first meet the curled Antony,
He'll make demand of her, and spend that kiss
Which is my heav'n to have. Come, mortal wretch,
With thy sharp teeth this knot intrinsicate [To the serpent.
Of life, at once untie: poor venomous fool,
Be angry and dispatch. Oh couldst thou speak,
That I might hear thee call great Cæsar ass,
Unpolicied

Char.
Oh eastern star!

&plquo;Cleo.
&plquo;Peace, peace!
&plquo;Dost thou not see my baby at my breast,
&plquo;That sucks the nurse asleep?

Char.
O break! O break!

Cleo.
As sweet as balm, as soft as air, as gentle.
O Antony! nay I will take thee too.
What should I stay—
[Dies.

Char.
In this wild world? so fare thee well:
Now boast thee death, in thy possession lyes
A lass unparallel'd. Downy windows close,
And golden Phœbus never be beheld
Of eyes again so royal! your crown's awry,

-- 424 --


I'll mend it, and then play— Enter the Guard rushing in.

1 Guard.
Where's the Queen?

Char.
Speak softly, wake her not.

1 Guard.
Cæsar hath sent—
[Charmian applys the Asp.

Char.
Too slow a messenger.
Oh come apace, dispatch, I partly feel thee.

1 Guard.
Approach ho!
All's not well. Cæsar's beguil'd.

2 Guard.
There's Dolabella sent from Cæsar; call him.

1 Guard.
What work is here, Charmian? is this well done?

Char.
It is well done, and fitting for a princess
Descended of so many royal Kings.
Ah soldiers!—
[Charmian dies. Enter Dolabella.

Dol.
How goes it here?

2 Guard.
All dead!

Dol.
Cæsar, thy thoughts
Touch their effects in this; thy self art coming
To see perform'd the dreaded act which thou
So sought'st to hinder.
Enter Cæsar and Attendants.

All.
Make way there, make way for Cæsar.

Dol.
Oh, Sir, you are too sure an augurer;
That you did fear, is done.

Cæs.
Bravest at last,
She levell'd at our purpose, and being royal
Took her own way. The manner of their deaths?
I do not see them bleed.

Dol.
Who was last with them?

-- 425 --

1 Guard.
A simple countryman, that brought her figs:
This was his basket.

Cæs.
Poison'd then!

1 Gent.
Oh Cæsar!
This Charmian liv'd but now, she stood and spake:
I found her trimming up the diadem
On her dead mistress, tremblingly she stood,
And on the sudden dropt.

Cæs.
Oh noble weakness!
If they had swallow'd poison, 'twould appear
By external swelling; but she looks like sleep;
As she would catch another Antony
In her strong toil of grace.

Dol.
Here on her breast
There is a vent of blood and something blown,
The like is on her arm.

1 Guard.
This is an aspick's trail,
And these fig-leaves have slime upon them, such
As th' aspick leaves upon the caves of Nyle.

Cæs.
Most probable
That so she died; for her physician tells me
She hath pursu'd conclusions infinite
Of easie ways to die. Take up her bed,
And bear her women from the monument;
She shall be buried by her Antony.
No grave upon the earth shall clip in it
A pair so famous. High events as these
Strike those that make them; and their story is
No less in pity, than his glory, which
Brought them to be lamented. Our army shall,
In solemn shew, attend this funeral,
And then to Rome: come, Dolabella, see
High order in this great solemnity.
[Exeunt Omnes.

-- 427 --

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George Sewell [1723–5], The works of Shakespear in six [seven] volumes. Collated and Corrected by the former Editions, By Mr. Pope ([Vol. 7] Printed by J. Darby, for A. Bettesworth [and] F. Fayram [etc.], London) [word count] [S11101].
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