THE YALE SHAKESPEARE
ANTONY
AND
CLEOPATRA
Edited by Hexry Seidel Canby
Yale University Press
I - — * -
THE YALE SHAKESPEARE
Edited by Wilbur L. Cross Tucker Brooke
WlLLARD HlGLEY DURHAM
Published under the Direction
OF THE
Department of English, Yale University,
on the Fund
Given to the Yale University Press in 1917
by the Members of the
Kingsley Trust Association
To Commemorate the Seventy-Fifth Anniversary
of the Founding of the Society
• I
• : The Yale Shakespeare \ ■
THE TRAGEDY OF ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA
EDITED BY
HENRY SEIDEL CANBY
NEW HAVEN • YALE UNIVERSITY PRESS
LONDON • HUMPHREY MILFORD OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS • MCMXXI
JJWVERSITY DF FLORIDA L! -S
l§?1
Copyright, l& By Yale University Press
First published, 1921
CONTENTS
The Text . Notes
Appendix A. Appendix B. Appendix C. Appendix D.
The Source of the Play .
The History of the Play .
The Text
Suggestions for Collateral Read ing ....
Index of Words Glossed
Page
1
133 143 145 148
150 151
The facsimile opposite represents the opening of * The Life of Marcus Antonius'' from the 1595 edition of Sir Thomas North's translation of Plutarch. This edition is probably that used by Shakespeare.
THE LIFE OF
<£\tarcus Antonius.
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NTONIPS grandfather was that famous Orator whomt^/w/«r
flew, becaufc he tookc SyBus part . His father was an other Antotiim
furnamcd*C7?/j»,who was not fofamous.norbareany great fway in
1 the common wealth: howbeit otherwife he was an honeft manendi
'of a very good nature, and fpecially very liberal! in giuing , as appca-
)rah by an aft he did. He was not very wealthy, and therefore hi*
1 wifewouldnodethimvfehisliberalitieandfrankenatiirc.Onedajr
' a friend of his comming to him to pray him to helpe him to fome
money, hauing great neede : <^4ntonitu by chance had no money to
glue him , but he commaunded one of his men to bring him fome water in a Clucr bafen, and
after
■ Friends to Antony
[DRAMATIS PERSONS Mark Antony,
Octavius Cesar, {Triumvirs
M. JEmilius Lepidus, . Sextus Pompeius Domitius Enobarbus, Ventidius, Eros,
SCARUS,
Dercetas,
Demetrius,
Philo,
maecenas,
Agrippa,
dolabella,
Proculeius,
Thyreus,
Gallus,
Menas,
Menecrates,
Varrius,
Taurus, Lieut enant-General to Ccesar
Canidius, Lieut enant-General to Antony
Silius, an Officer under Ventidius
Euphronius, a Schoolmaster
Alexas,
Mardian,
Seleucus,
DlOMEDES, .
A Soothsayer A Clown
■Friends to Ccesar
•Friends to Pompey
> Attendants on Cleopatra
Cleopatra, Queen of Egypt
Octavia, Sister to Ccesar, and wife to Antony
j ' \ Attendants on Cleopatra
Officers, Soldiers, Messengers, and other Attendants Scene: In several parts of the Roman Empire]
The Tragedy of Antony and Cleopatra
ACT FIRST
Scene One
[Alexandria. A Room in Cleopatra's Palace~\
Enter Demetrius and Philo.
Phi. Nay, but this dotage of our general's O'erflows the measure; those his goodly eyes, That o'er the files and musters of the war Have glow'd like plated Mars, now bend, now turn 4 The office and devotion of their view Upon a tawny front; his captain's heart, Which in the scuffles of great fights hath burst The buckles on his breast, reneges all temper, 8 And is become the bellows and the fan To cool a gipsy's lust. Look! where they come.
Flourish. Enter Antony, Cleopatra, her Ladies, the Train, with Eunuchs fanning her.
Take but good note, and you shall see in him
The triple pillar of the world transform'd 12
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 bourn how far to be belov'd. 16 Ant. Then must thou needs find out new heaven, new earth.
4 plated: armored 8 reneges: renounces
12 triple: one of three; cf. n. 16 bourn: boundary
The Tragedy of
Enter a Messenger.
Att. News, my good lord, from Rome.
Ant. Grates me; the sum.
Cleo. Nay, hear them, Antony: Fulvia, perchance, is angry; or, who knows 20
If the scarce-bearded Caesar have not sent His powerful mandate to you, 'Do this, or this; Take in that kingdom, and enfranchise that; Perform 't, or else we damn thee.'
Ant. How, my love! 24
Cleo. Perchance! nay, and most like; You must not stay here longer; your dismission Is come from Caesar; therefore hear it, Antony. Where's Fulvia's process? Caesar's I would say? both? 28
Call in the messengers. As I am Egypt's queen, Thou blushest, Antony, and that blood of thine Is Caesar's homager ; else so thy cheek pays shame When shrill-tongu'd Fulvia scolds. The messen- gers ! 32
Ant. Let Rome in Tiber melt, and the wide arch Of the rang'd empire fall! Here is my space. Kingdoms are clay; our dungy earth alike Feeds beast as man; the nobleness of life 36
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 weet We stand up peerless.
Cleo. Excellent falsehood! 40
18 Grates: irritates
23 Take in: conquer enfranchise: set free
26 dismission: discharge from office 28 process: command
31 homager: humble servant 34 rang'd: ordered
35 dungy: vile 39 weet: kn ozv
Antony and Cleopatra, I. %
3
Why did he marry Fill via 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 her soft hours, 44
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! 48
Whom everything becomes, to chide, to laugh, To weep; whose every passion fully strives To make itself, in thee, fair and admir'd. No messenger, but thine; and all alone, 52
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 [Antony and Cleopatra,] with
the Train.
Dem. Is Caesar with Antonius priz'd so slight? 56
Phi. Sir, sometimes, when he is not Antony, He comes too short of that great property Which still should go with Antony.
Dem. I am full sorry
That he approves the common liar, who 60
Thus speaks of him at Rome; but I will hope Of better deeds to-morrow. Rest you happy !
Exeunt.
45 confound: consume 58 property: quality
60 approves: justifies
The Tragedy of
Scene Two
[Another Room']
Enter Enobarbus, Lamprius, a Soothsayer, Rannius, Lucillius, Charmian, Iras, Mardian the Eunuch, and Alexas.
Char. Lord Alexas, sweet Alexas, most any- thing Alexas, almost most absolute Alexas, where's the soothsayer that you praised so to the queen ? O ! that I knew this husband, 4 which, you say, must charge his horns with garlands.
Alex. Soothsayer!
Sooth. Your will? 8
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. Show him your hand. 12
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. 16
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. 20
Char. Wrinkles forbid !
Alex. Vex not his prescience; be attentive.
Char. Hush !
Sooth. You shall be more beloving than belov'd. 24
Scene Two S. d. Rannius, Lucillius; cf. «. 4-6 O! that I knew . . . garlands; cf. n. 13 banquet: dessert and wine
Antony and Cleopatra, I. ii
Char. I had rather heat my liver with drinking. A lex. Nay, hear him.
Char. Good now, some excellent fortune! Let me be married to three kings in a forenoon, 28 and widow them all; let me have a child at fifty, to whom Herod of Jewry may do homage; find me to marry me with Octavius Caesar, and com- panion me with my mistress. 32 Sooth. You shall outlive the lady whom you serve. Char. O excellent ! I love long life better than
figs. Sooth. You have seen and prov'd a fairer former
fortune Than that which is to approach. 36
Char. Then, belike, my children shall have no names; prithee, how many boys and wenches must I have?
Sooth. If every of your wishes had a womb, 40 And fertile 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. 44
Char. Nay, come, tell Iras hers.
Alex. We'll know all our fortunes.
Eno. Mine, and most of our fortunes, to- night, shall be, — drunk to bed. 48
Iras. There's a palm presages chastity, if nothing else.
Char. E'en as the o'er flowing Nilus presageth famine. 52
Iras. Go, you wild bedfellow, you cannot soothsay.
Char. Nay, if an oily palm be not a fruitful
30 Herod of Jewry; cf. n.
31 marry . . . Caesar; cf. n. on V. ii. 16S
6 The Tragedy of
prognostication, I cannot scratch mine ear. 56 Prithee, tell her but a worky-day fortune.
Sooth. Your fortunes are alike.
Iras. But how? but how? give me particulars.
Sooth. I have said. 60
Iras. Am I not an inch of fortune better than she?
Char. Well, if you were but an inch of for- tune better than I, where would you choose it ? 64
Iras. Not in my husband's nose.
Char. Our worser thoughts heaven mend! Alexas, — come, his fortune, his fortune. O ! let him marry a woman that cannot go, sweet 68 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 72 prayer, though thou deny me a matter of more weight; good Isis, I beseech thee!
Iras. Amen. Dear goddess, hear that prayer of the people ! for, as it is a heart-breaking to see 76 a handsome man loose-wived, so it is a deadly sorrow to behold a foul knave uncuckolded: therefore, dear Isis, keep decorum, and fortune him accordingly! &0
Char. Amen.
Alex. Lo, now! if it lay in their hands to make me a cuckold, they would make themselves whores, but they'd do 't ! 84
Enter Cleopatra. Eno. Hush ! here comes Antony.
57 worky-day: ordinary
68 that cannot go: that cannot have children .
72 cuckold: husband with an unfaithful wife; cf. n. on I. M. 4~6
Antony and Cleopatra, I. ii
Char. Not he; the queen.
Cleo. Saw you my lord? Eno. No, lady.
Cleo. Was he not here? 88
Char. No, madam.
Cleo. He was dispos'd to mirth; but on the sudden A Roman thought hath struck him. Enobarbus ! Eno. Madam! 92
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 [Cleopatra, Enobarbus, Alexas, Iras, Charmian, Soothsayer, and Attendants].
Mess. Fulvia thy wife first came into the field. 96
Ant. Against my brother Lucius?
Mess. Ay: But soon that war had end, and the time's state Made friends of them, jointing their force 'gainst Caesar, 100
Whose better issue in the war, from Italy Upon the first encounter drave them.
Ant. Well, what worst?
Mess. The nature of bad news infects the teller.
Ant. When it concerns the fool, or coward. On; 104 Things that are past are done with me. 'Tis thus : Who tells me true, though in his tale lay death, I hear him as he flatter'd.
Mess. Labienus —
This is stiff news — hath, with his Parthian force 108 Extended Asia ; from Euphrates His conquering banner shook from Syria
101 issue: fortune 107 as: as if Labienus; cf. n.
8 The Tragedy of
To Lydia and to Ionia: whilst —
Ant. Antony, thou wouldst say, — 112
Mess. O ! my lord.
Ant. Speak to me home, mince not the general tongue ; Name Cleopatra as she" is call'd in Rome ; Rail thou in Fulvia's phrase ; and taunt my faults 116 With such full licence as both truth and malice Have power to utter. O ! then we bring forth weeds When our quick minds lie still; and our ills told us Is as our earing. Fare thee well awhile. 120
Mess. At your noble pleasure. Exit Messenger,
Ant. From Sicyon, ho, the news! Speak there!
[First A tt.] The man from Sicyon, is there such an one?
[Sec. Att.] He stays upon your will.
Ant. Let him appear. 124
These strong Egyptian fetters I must break, Or lose myself in dotage.
Enter another Messenger, with a letter.
What are you? [Sec. Mess.] Fulvia thy wife is dead. Ant. Where died she?
[Sec. Me**.] In Sicyon: 128
Her length of sickness, with what else more serious Importeth thee to know, this bears.
[Giving a letter.] Ant. Forbear me.
[Exit Second Messenger."] There's a great spirit gone ! Thus did I desire it : What our contempts do often hurl from us 132
We wish it ours again ; the present pleasure,
120 earing: ploughing 133-135 the present pleasu
re . . . itself; cf. n.
Antony and Cleopatra, I. ii
By revolution lowering, does become
The opposite of itself : she's good, being gone ;
The hand could pluck her back that shov'd her on. 136
I must from this enchanting queen break off;
Ten thousand harms, more than the ills I know,
My idleness doth hatch. How now! Enobarbus !
Enter Enobarbus.
Eno. What's your pleasure, sir? 140
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. 144
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 148 should be esteemed nothing. Cleopatra, catch- ing 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 152 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 156 of nothing but the finest part of pure love. We cannot call her winds and waters sighs and tears; they are greater storms and tempests than almanacs can report : this cannot be 160 cunning in her; if it be, she makes a shower of rain as well as Jove.
Ant. Would I had never seen her! Eno. O, sir ! you had then left unseen a won- 164 derful piece of work which not to have been blessed withal would have discredited your travel.
io The Tragedy of
Ant. Fulvia is dead.
Eno. Sir? 168
Ant. Fulvia is dead. Eno. Fulvia ! Ant. Dead.
Eno. Why, sir, give the gods a thankful sacri- 172 flee. When it pleaseth their deities to take the wife of a man from him, it shows to man the tailors of the earth; comforting therein, that when old robes are worn out, there are members 176 to make new. If there were no more women but Fulvia, then had you indeed a cut, and the case to be lamented: this grief is crowned with consolation; your old smock brings forth a new 180 petticoat; and indeed the tears live in an onion that should water this sorrow. Ant. The business she hath broached in the state Cannot endure my absence. 184
Eno. And the business you have broached here cannot be without you; especially that of Cleopatra's, which wholly depends on your abode. 188
Ant. No more light answers. Let our officers Have notice what we purpose. I shall break The cause of our expedience to the queen, And get her leave to part. For not alone 192
The death of Fulvia, with more urgent touches, Do strongly speak to us, but the letters too Of many our contriving friends in Rome Petition us at home. Sextus Pompeius 196
Hath given the dare to Caesar, and commands The empire of the sea; our slippery people — Whose love is never link'd to the deserver
180 smock: an inner garment worn by women
183 broached: begun 191 expedience: expedition
Antony and Cleopatra, I. Hi n
Till his deserts are past — begin to throw 200
Pompey the Great and all his dignities Upon his son; who, high in name and power, Higher than both in blood and life, stands up For the main soldier, whose quality, going on, 204 The sides o' the world may danger. Much is breed- ing. Which, like the courser's hair, hath yet but life,
And not a serpent's poison. Say, our pleasure, To such whose place is under us, requires 208
Our quick remove from hence.
Eno. I shall do it. [Exeunt.]
Scene Three
[Another Room] 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 does; I did not send you: if you find him sad, Say I am dancing; if in mirth, report 4
That I am sudden sick: quick, and return.
[Exit Alexas.] 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? 8
Char. In each thing give him way, cross him in nothing.
204 main: chief quality: character
206 the courser's hair; cf. n.
12 The Tragedy of
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. 12
But here comes Antony.
Enter Antony.
Cleo. I am 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 16
Will not sustain it.
Ant. Now, my dearest queen, —
Cleo. Pray you, stand further from me.
Ant. What's the matter?
Cleo. I know, by that same eye, there's some good news. What says the married woman? You may go? 20 Would she had never given you leave to come ! Let her not say 'tis I that keep you here; I have no power upon you; hers you are.
Ant. The gods best know, —
Cleo. O ! never was there queen 24
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 in swearing shake the throned gods, 28 Who have been false to Fulvia ? Riotous madness, To be entangled with those mouth-made vows, Which break themselves in swearing!
Ant. Most sweet queen, —
Cleo. Nay, pray you, seek no colour for your going, 32
Antony and Cleopatra, I. Hi 13
But bid farewell, and go: when you su'd 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 36
But was a race of heaven. They are so still,
Or thou, the greatest soldier of the world,
Art turn'd the greatest liar.
Ant. How now, lady!
Cleo. I would I had thy inches; thou shouldst know 40
There were a heart in Egypt.
Ant. Hear me, queen:
The strong necessity of time commands Our services awhile, but my full heart Remains in use with you. Our Italy 44
Shines o'er with civil swords; Sextus Pompeius Makes his approaches to the port of Rome; Equality of two domestic powers Breeds scrupulous faction. The hated, grown to strength, 48
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'd Upon the present state, whose numbers threaten; 52 And quietness, grown sick of rest, would purge By any desperate change. My more particular, And that which most with you should safe my going, Is Fulvia's death. 56
Cleo. Though age from folly could not give me freedom, It does from childishness: can Fulvia die?
Ant. She's dead, my queen:
33 su'd staying: begged to stay
36 brows bent: the arch of the eyebrows
48 scrupulous faction: cautious party strife
53 purge: restore itself to activity, seek cure 55 safe: make safe
i* The Tragedy of
Look here, and at thy sovereign leisure read 60
The garboils she awak'd; at the last, best, See when and where she died.
Cleo. O most false love !
Where be the sacred vials thou shouldst fill With sorrowful water? Now I see, I see, 64
In Fulvia's death, how mine receiv'd shall be.
Ant. Quarrel no more, but be prepar'd to know The purposes I bear, which are or cease As you shall give the advice. By the fire 68
That quickens Nilus' slime, 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 am quickly ill, and well; 72
So Antony loves.
Ant. My precious queen, forbear,
And give true evidence to his love which stands An honourable trial.
Cleo. So Fulvia told me.
I prithee, turn aside and weep for her; 76
Then bid adieu to me, and say the tears Belong to Egypt: good now, play one scene Of excellent dissembling, and let it look Like perfect honour.
Ant. You'll heat my blood; no more. 80
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, prithee, Charmian, How this Herculean Roman does become 84
The carriage of his chafe.
61 garboils: brawls 68,69 By the fire . . . slime; cf. n.
71 affect'st: art inclined 81 meetly: fairly good
82 target: shield 84,85 How this Herculean . . . chafe; cf. n.
Antony and Cleopatra,, I. iv 15
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; 88
That you know well: something it is I would, — O ! my oblivion is a very Antony, And I am all forgotten.
Ant. But that your royalty
Holds idleness your subject, I should take you 92 For idleness itself.
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 96
Eye well to you. Your honour calls you hence; Therefore be deaf to my unpitied folly, And all the gods go with you ! Upon your sword Sit laurel victory ! and smooth success 100
Be strew'd before your feet !
Ant. Let us go. Come;
Our separation so abides and flies, That thou, residing here, go'st yet with me, And I, hence fleeting, here remain with thee. 104
Away ! Exeunt,
Scene Four
[Rome. A Room in Ccesars House]
Enter Octavius [Ccesar~\, reading a letter, Lepidus,
and their Train.
Cces. You may see, Lepidus, and henceforth know, It is not Caesar's natural vice to hate
90, 91 O! my oblivion . . . forgotten; cf. n.
96 becomings: graces 97 Eye well: look well
16 The Tragedy of
Our great competitor. From Alexandria This is the news: he fishes, drinks, and wastes 4
The lamps of night in revel; is not more manlike Than Cleopatra, nor the queen of Ptolemy More womanly than he; hardly gave audience, or Vouchsaf'd to think he had partners: you shall find there 8
A man who is the abstract of all faults That all men follow.
Lep. I must not think there are
Evils enow to darken all his goodness; His faults in him seem as the spots of heaven, 12 More fiery by night's blackness; hereditary Rather than purchas'd; what he cannot change Than what he chooses.
Cces. You are too indulgent. Let us grant it is not Amiss to tumble on the bed of Ptolemy, To give a kingdom for a mirth, to sit And keep the turn of tippling with a slave, To reel the streets at noon, and stand the buffet 20 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 24
So great weight in his lightness. If he fill'd His vacancy with his voluptuousness, Full surfeits and the dryness of his bones Call on him for 't ; but to confound such time 28
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,
3 competitor: partner 11 enow: enough
19 keep the turn of: to take turns at 22 composure: disposition
24 foils: disgraces; cf. n. 31 rate: scold
Antony and Cleoyatra, Z. iv !7
Pawn their experience to their present pleasure, 32 And so rebel to judgment.
Enter a Messenger.
Lep. Here's more news.
Mess. Thy biddings have been done, and every hour, Most noble Caesar, shalt thou have report How 'tis abroad. Pompey is strong at sea, 36
And it appears he is belov'd of those That only have fear'd Caesar; to the ports The discontents repair, and men's reports Give him much wrong'd.
Cces. I should have known no less. 40
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 dear'd by being lack'd. This common body, 44 Like to a vagabond flag upon the stream, Goes to and back, lackeying the varying tide, To rot itself with motion.
Mess. Caesar, I bring thee word,
Menecrates and Menas, famous pirates, 48
Make the sea serve them, which they ear and wound With keels of every kind: many hot inroads They make in Italy; the borders maritime Lack blood to think on 't, and flush youth revolt ; 52 No vessel can peep forth, but 'tis as soon Taken as seen; for Pompey's name strikes more Than could his war resisted.
Cces. Antony,
Leave thy lascivious wassails. When thou once 56
44 Comes dear'd: becomes valued 46 lackeying: following closely like a lackey 52 Lack blood: grow pale flush: vigorous
56 wassails: revelry
is The Tragedy of
Wast beaten from Modena, where thou slew'st
Hirtius and Pansa, consuls, at thy heel
Did famine follow, whom thou fought' st against,
Though daintily brought up, with patience more 60
Than savages could suffer; thou didst drink
The stale of horses and the gilded puddle
Which beasts would cough at; thy palate then did
deign The roughest berry on the rudest hedge; 64
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 — 68
It wounds thy honour that I speak it now — Was borne so like a soldier, that thy cheek So much as lank'd not.
Lep. 'Tis pity of him.
Cces. Let his shames quickly 72
Drive him to Rome. 'Tis time we twain Did show ourselves i' the field; and to that end Assemble we immediate council; Pompey Thrives in our idleness.
Lep. To-morrow, Caesar, 76
I shall be furnish'd to inform you rightly Both what by sea and land I can be able To front this present time.
Cces. Till which encounter,
It is my business too. Farewell. 80
Lep. Farewell, my lord. What you shall know meantime Of stirs abroad, I shall beseech you, sir, To let me be partaker.
62 stale: urine gilded: of a golden color
71 lank'd not: did not become shrunken
Antony and Cleopatra, I.v *9
Cobs. Doubt not, sir;
I knew it for my bond. Exeunt.
Scene Five
[Alexandria. A Room in the Palace]
Enter Cleopatra, Charmian, Iras, and Mardian.
Cleo. Charmian!
Char. Madam!
Cleo. Ha, ha ! Give me to drink mandragora.
Char. Why, madam? 4
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? 8
Cleo. Not now to hear thee sing; I take no pleasure In aught a eunuch has. 'Tis well for thee, That, being unseminar'd, thy freer thoughts May not fly forth of Egypt. Hast thou affections? 12
Mar. Yes, gracious madam.
Cleo. Indeed!
Mar. Not in deed, madam; for I can do nothing But what in deed is honest to be done; 16
Yet have I fierce affections, and think What Venus did with Mars.
Cleo. O Charmian!
4 mandragora: mandrake, a narcotic 11 unseminar'd: unsexed
20 The Tragedy of
Where think'st thou he is now? Stands he, or sits
he? Or does he walk? or is he on his horse? 20
O happy horse, to bear the weight of Antony ! Do bravely, horse, for wot'st thou whom thou mov'st? The demi-Atlas of this earth, the arm And burgonet of men. He's speaking now, 24
Or murmuring 'Where's my serpent of old Nile?' For so he calls me. Now I feed myself With most delicious poison. Think on me, That am with Phoebus' amorous pinches black, 28 And wrinkled deep in time? Broad-fronted Caesar, When thou wast here above the ground I was A morsel for a monarch, and great Pompey Would stand and make his eyes grow in my brow ; 32 There would he anchor his aspect and die With looking on his life.
Enter Alexas.
Alex. Sovereign of Egypt, hail!
Cleo. How much unlike art thou Mark Antony ! Yet, coming from him, that great medicine hath 36 With his tinct gilded thee. How goes it with my brave Mark Antony?
Alex. Last thing he did, dear queen, He kiss'd, the last of many doubled kisses, 40
This orient pearl. His speech sticks in my heart.
Cleo. Mine ear must pluck it thence.
Alex. 'Good friend,' quoth he,
'Say, the firm Roman to great Egypt sends This treasure of an oyster; at whose foot, 44
To mend the petty present, I will piece
22 wot'st: knowest 24 burgonet: steel cap
29 Broad-fronted: with a broad forehead
33 aspect: look 37 tinct: color
Antony and Cleopatra, I.v 21
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, 48
Who neigh'd so high that what I would have spoke Was beastly dumb'd by him.
Cleo. What was he, sad or merry?
Alex. Like to the time o' the year between the extremes Of hot and cold; he was nor sad nor merry. 52
Cleo. O well-divided disposition ! Note him, Note him, good Charmian, 'tis the man; but note
him: He was not sad, for he would shine on those That make their looks by his; he was not merry, 56 Which seem'd to tell them his remembrance lay In Egypt with his joy; but between both: O heavenly mingle ! Be'st thou sad or merry, The violence of either thee becomes, 60
So does it no man else. Mett'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, 64
Shall die a beggar. Ink and paper, Charmian. Welcome, my good Alexas. Did I, Charmian, Ever love Caesar so?
Char. O ! that brave Caesar.
Cleo. Be chok'd with such another emphasis ! 68 Say the brave Antony.
Char. The valiant Caesar !
Cleo. By Isis, I will give thee bloody teeth, If thou with Caesar paragon again My man of men.
48 arm-gaunt: with gaunt limbs (?); cf. n. 71 paragon: compare
22 The Tragedy of
Char. By your most gracious pardon, 72
I sing but after you.
Cleo. My salad days,
When I was green in judgment, cold in blood, To say as I said then! But come, away; Get me ink and paper: 76
He shall have every day a several greeting, Or I'll unpeople Egypt. Exeunt.
ACT SECOND
Scene One
[Messina. A Room in Pompey's House]
Enter Pompey, Menecrates, and Menas, in warlike manner.
Pom. 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. Whiles we are suitors to their throne, de- cays 4 The thing we sue for.
Mene. We, ignorant of ourselves,
Beg often our own harms, which the wise powers Deny us for our good; so find we profit By losing of our prayers.
Pom. I shall do well: 8
The people love me, and the sea is mine; My powers are crescent, and my auguring hope
73 salad days: days of youthful inexperience 10 crescent: growing (like the cresent moon) auguring: prophesying
Antony and Cleopatra, II. i 23
Says it will come to the full. Mark Antony
In Egypt sits at dinner, and will make 12
No wars without doors ; Caesar gets money where
He loses hearts; Lepidus flatters both,
Of both is flatter'd; but he neither loves,
Nor either cares for him.
Men. Caesar and Lepidus 16
Are in the field ; a mighty strength they carry.
Pom. Where have you this ? 'tis false.
Men. From Silvius, sir.
Pom. He dreams; I know they are in Rome to- gether, Looking for Antony. But all the charms of love, 20 Salt Cleopatra, soften thy wan'd lip ! Let witchcraft join with beauty, lust with both ! Tie up the libertine in a field of feasts, Keep his brain fuming; Epicurean cooks 24
Sharpen with cloyless sauce his appetite, That sleep and feeding may prorogue his honour Even till a Lethe'd dulness !
Enter Varrius.
How now, Varrius !
Far. This is most certain that I shall deliver: 28 Mark Antony is every hour in Rome Expected; since he went from Egypt 'tis A space for farther travel.
Pom. I could have given less matter
A better ear. Menas, I did not think 32
This amorous 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 36
21 Salt: wanton wan'd: withered
26 prorogue: defer; cf. n. 36 opinion: self-esteem
24 The Tragedy of
Can from the lap of Egypt's widow pluck The ne'er-lust-wearied Antony.
Men. I cannot hope
Caesar and Antony shall well greet together; His wife that's dead did trespasses to Caesar, 40
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 44
'Twere pregnant they should square between them- selves, For they have entertained cause enough To draw their swords ; but how the fear of us May cement their divisions and bind up 48
The petty difference, we yet not know. Be it as our gods will have 't ! It only stands Our lives upon, to use our strongest hands. Come, Menas. Exeunt.
Scene Two
[Rome. A Room in Lepidus' House]
Enter Enobarbus and Lepidus.
Lep. Good Enobarbus, 'tis a worthy deed, And shall become you well, to entreat your captain To soft and gentle speech.
Eno. I shall entreat him
To answer like himself: if Caesar move him, Let Antony look over Caesar's head, And speak as loud as Mars. By Jupiter,
45 pregnant: obvious square: quarrel
Antony and Cleopatra, II. ii
25
Were I the wearer of Antonius' beard, I would not shave 't to-day.
Lep. 'Tis not a time 8
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.
Lep. Your speech is passion; 12
But, pray you, stir no embers up. Here comes The noble Antony.
Enter Antony and Ventidius. Eno. And yonder, Caesar.
Enter Ccesar, Meecenas, and Agrippa.
Ant. If we compose well here, to Parthia: Hark ye, Ventidius.
Cess. I do not know, 16
Maecenas ; 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 20
Our trivial difference loud, we do commit Murder in healing wounds ; then, noble partners, — The rather for I earnestly beseech, — Touch you the sourest points with sweetest terms, 24 Nor curstness grow to the matter.
Ant. 'Tis spoken well.
Were we before our armies, and to fight, I should do thus. Flourish.
Cces. Welcome to Rome. 28
7, 8 Were I the wearer . . . to-day; cf. n.
9 stomaching: resenting 15 compose: come to a settlement
25 curstness: ill humor 27 I should do thus; cf. n.
26 The Tragedy of
Ant. Thank you.
Cces. Sit.
Ant. Sit, sir.
Cces. Nay, then. 32
Ant. I learn, you take things ill which are not so, Or being, concern you not.
Cces. I must be laugh'd at
If, or for nothing or a little, I
Should say myself offended, and with you 36
Chiefly i' the world; more laugh'd at that I should Once name you derogately, when to sound your name It not concern'd me.
Ant. My being in Egypt, Caesar,
What was 't to you ? 40
Cces. No more than my residing here at Rome flight be to you in Egypt; yet, if you there Did practise on my state, your being in Egypt Might be my question.
Ant. How intend you, practis'd? 44
Cces. You may be pleas'd to catch at mine intent By what did here befall me. Your wife and brother Made wars upon me, and their contestation Was theme for you, you were the word of war. 48
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 reports, That drew their swords with you. Did he not rather 52
Discredit my authority with yours, And make the wars alike against my stomach, Having alike your cause? Of this my letters
43 practise on: plot against state: government
44 intend: mean 46-48 Your wife and brother . . . war; cf. n. 54 stomach: inclination
Antony and Cleopatra, II. ii 27
Before did satisfy you. If you'll patch a quarrel, 56 As matter whole you have not to make it with, It must not be with this.
Cces. , You praise yourself
By laying defects of judgment to me, but You patch'd up your excuses.
Ant. Not so, not so; 60
I know you could not lack, I am certain on 't, Very necessity of this thought, that I, Your partner in the cause 'gainst which he fought, Could not with graceful eyes attend those wars 64 Which fronted mine own peace. As for my wife, I would you had her spirit in such another: The third o' the world is yours, which with a snaffle You may pace easy, but not such a wife. 68
Eno. Would we had all such wives, that the
men might go to wars with the women !
Ant. So much uncurbable, her garboils, Caesar, Made out of her impatience, — which not wanted 72 Shrewdness of policy too, — I grieving grant Did you too much disquiet; for that you must But say I could not help it.
Cces. I wrote to you
When rioting in Alexandria; you 76
Did pocket up my letters, and with taunts Did gibe my missive out of audience.
Ant. Sir,
He fell upon me, ere admitted: then Three kings I had newly feasted, and did want 80 Of what I was i' the morning; but next day I told him of myself, which was as much As to have ask'd him pardon. Let this fellow
67, 68 The third o' the world . . . wife; cf. n. 78 missive: messenger
28 The Tragedy of
Be nothing of our strife ; if we contend, 84
Out of our question wipe him.
Cass. You have broken
The article of your oath, which you shall never Have tongue to charge me with.
Lep. Soft, Caesar!
Ant. No,
Lepidus, let him speak: 88
The honour's sacred which he talks on now, Supposing that I lack'd it. But on, Caesar; The article of my oath.
Ccbs. To lend me arms and aid when I requir'd them, 92
The which you both denied.
Ant. Neglected, rather;
And then, when poison'd hours had bound me up From mine own knowledge. As nearly as I may, I'll play the penitent to you; but mine honesty 96 Shall not make poor my greatness, nor my power Work without it. Truth is, that Fulvia, To have me out of Egypt, made wars here; For which myself, the ignorant motive, do 100
So far ask pardon as befits mine honour To stoop in such a case.
Lep. 'Tis noble spoken.
Mcbc. If it might please you, to enforce no further The griefs between ye: to forget them quite 104
Were to remember that the present need Speaks to atone you.
Lep. Worthily spoken, Maecenas.
Eno. Or, if you borrow one another's love
for the instant, you may, when you hear no 108
more words of Pompey, return it again: you
106 atone: reconcile
Antony and Cleopatra, II. ii 29
shall have time to wrangle in when you have
nothing else to do.
Ant. Thou art a soldier only; speak no more. 112 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. 116
Cces. I do not much dislike the matter, but The manner of his speech; for it cannot be We shall remain in friendship, our conditions So differing in their acts. Yet, if I knew 120
What hoop should hold us stanch, from edge to edge O' the world I would pursue it.
Agr. Give me leave, Caesar.
Cces. Speak, Agrippa.
Agr. Thou hast a sister by the mother's side, 124 Admir'd Octavia; great Mark Antony Is now a widower.
Cces. Say not so, Agrippa:
If Cleopatra heard you, your reproof Were well deserv'd of rashness. 128
Ant. I am not married, Caesar; let me hear Agrippa further speak.
Agr. To hold you in perpetual amity, To make you brothers, and to knit your hearts 132 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 136
That which none else can utter. By this marriage, All little jealousies which now seem great,
116 your considerate stone; cf. n. 119 conditions: characters
121 stanch: firmly united
30 The Tragedy of
And all great fears which now import their dangers,
Would then be nothing; truths would be tales 140
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, 144
By duty ruminated.
Ant. Will Caesar speak?
Cces. 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,' 148
To make this good?
Cces. The power of Caesar, and
His power unto O eta via.
Ant. May I never
To this good purpose, that so fairly shows, Dream of impediment! Let me have thy hand; 152 Further this act of grace, and from this hour The heart of brothers govern in our loves And sway our great designs !
Cces. There is my hand.
A sister I bequeath you, whom no brother 156
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, 160
For he hath laid strange courtesies and great Of late upon me; I must thank him only, Lest my remembrance suffer ill report;
139 import: carry with them 140, 141 truths . . . truths; cf. n.
144, 145 For 'tis . . . ruminated; cf. n. 158, 159 and never . . . again; cf. n.
Antony and Cleopatra, II. ii 31
At heel of that, defy him.
Lep. Time calls upon 's: 164
Of us must Pompey presently be sought, Or else he seeks out us.
Ant. Where lies he?
Cees. About the Mount Misenum. Ant. What's his strength
By land?
Coes. Great and increasing; but by sea 168
He is an absolute master.
Ant. So is the fame.
Would we had spoke together! Haste we for it; Yet, ere we put ourselves in arms, dispatch we The business we have talk'd of.
Ccbs. With most gladness; 172
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. 176
Flourish. Exeunt [all save] Enobarbusy
Agrippa, Maecenas. Ma;c. Welcome from Egypt, sir. Eno. Half the heart of Caesar, worthy Mae- cenas ! My honourable friend, Agrippa !
Agr. Good Enobarbus ! 180
Mcec. We have cause to be glad that matters are so well digested. You stayed well by 't in Egypt.
Eno. Ay, sir ; we did sleep day out of coun- 184 tenance, and made the night light with drinking.
169 fame: rumor 170 spoke: euphemism for 'fought'
32 The Tragedy of
Mcec. Eight wild boars roasted whole at a
breakfast, and but twelve persons there; is this
true ? 188
Eno. This was but as a fly by an eagle; we
had much more monstrous matter of feast,
which worthily deserved noting.
Mcec. She's a most triumphant lady, if report 192
be square to her.
Eno. When she first met Mark Antony she
pursed up his heart, upon the river of Cydnus. Agr. There she appeared indeed, or my re- 196
porter devised well for her.
Eno. I will tell you. The barge she sat in, like a burnish'd throne, Burn'd on the water; the poop was beaten gold, 200 Purple the sails, and so perfum'd, that The winds were love-sick with them; the oars were
silver, Which to the tune of flutes kept stroke, and made The water which they beat to follow faster, 204
As amorous of their strokes. For her own person, It beggar'd all description; she did lie In her pavilion, — cloth-of-gold of tissue, — O'er-picturing that Venus where we see 208
The fancy outwork nature ; on each side her 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, 212 And what they undid did.
Agr. O, rare for Antony!
195 pursed: took possession of , pocketed 206 beggar'd: exhausted the resources of
208 O'er-picturing: surpassing the picture of
209 outwork: excel in workmanship 212 glow: to make hot 213 And what they undid did; cf. n.
Antony and Cleopatra, II. ii 33
Eno. Her gentlewomen, like the Nereides, So many mermaids, tended her i' the eyes, And made their bends adornings; at the helm 216 A seeming mermaid steers; the silken tackle Swell with the touches of those flower-soft hands, That yarely frame the office. From the barge A strange invisible perfume hits the sense 220
Of the adjacent wharfs. The city cast Her-people out upon her, and Antony, Enthron'd i' the market-place, did sit alone, Whistling to the air ; which, but for vacancy, 224
Had gone to gaze on Cleopatra too And made a gap in nature.
Agr. Rare Egyptian !
Eno. Upon her landing, Antony sent to her, Invited her to supper; she replied 228
It should be better he became her guest, Which she entreated. Our courteous Antony, Whom ne'er the word of 'No' woman heard speak, Being barber'd ten times o'er, goes to the feast, 232 And for his ordinary pays his heart For what his eyes eat only.
Agr. Royal wench !
She made great Caesar lay his sword to bed; He plough'd her, and she cropp'd.
Eno. I saw her once 236
Hop forty paces through the public street; And having lost her breath, she spoke, and panted That she did make defect perfection, And, breathless, power breathe forth. 240
Mcec. Now Antony must leave her utterly.
Eno. Never; he will not:
214-218 Her gentlewomen . . . hands; cf. n.
214 Nereides : sea nymphs 219 yarely: nimbly
233 ordinary: dinner 239 That: so that
34 The Tragedy of
Age cannot wither her, nor custom stale Her infinite variety; other women cloy 244
The appetites they feed, but she makes hungry Where most she satisfies ; for vilest things Become themselves in her, that the holy priests Bless her when she is riggish. 248
Mcec. If beauty, wisdom, modesty, can settle The heart of Antony, Octavia is A blessed lottery to him.
Agr. Let us go.
Good Enobarbus, make yourself my guest 252
Whilst you abide here.
Eno. Humbly, sir, I thank you.
Exeunt.
Scene Three
[A Room in Ccesar's House"]
Enter Antony, Ccesar, Octavia between them [with Attendants],
Ant. The world and my great office will sometimes Divide me from your bosom.
Oct. All which time
Before the gods my knee shall bow my prayers To them for you.
Ant. Good night, sir. My Octavia, 4
Read not my blemishes in the world's report; I have not kept my square, but that to come Shall all be done by the rule. Good night, dear lady.
Oct. Good night, sir. 8
Cces. Good night.
Exeunt [Ccesar and Octavia].
247 Become themselves: are becoming 248 riggish: wanton
6 square: due proportion or bounds (in action)
Antony and Cleopatra, II. in 35
Enter Soothsayer.
Ant. Now, sirrah; you do wish yourself in Egypt?
Sooth. Would I had never come from thence, nor you Thither ! 12
Ant. If you can, your reason?
Sooth. I see it in
My motion, have it not in my tongue: but yet Hie you to Egypt again.
Ant. Say to me,
Whose fortunes shall rise higher, Caesar's or mine? 16
Sooth. Caesar's. Therefore, O Antony! stay not by his side; Thy demon, that thy spirit which keeps thee, is Noble, courageous, high, unmatchable, 20
Where Caesar's is not; but near him thy angel Becomes a fear, as being o'erpower'd; therefore Make space enough between you.
Ant. Speak this no more.
Sooth. To none but thee; no more but when to thee. 24
If thou dost play with him at any game Thou art sure to lose, and, of that natural luck, He beats thee 'gainst the odds ; thy lustre thickens When he shines by. I say again, thy spirit 28
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 [Soothsayer']. He shall to Parthia. Be it art or hap, 32
He hath spoken true; the very dice obey him.
13, 14 in My motion: intuitively or instinctively
27 thickens: grows dim 32 hap: chance
36 The Tragedy of
And in our sports my better cunning faints
Under his chance; if we draw lots he speeds,
His cocks do win the battle still of mine 36
When it is all to nought, and his quails ever
Beat mine, inhoop'd, at odds. I will to Egypt;
And though I make this marriage for my peace,
I' the east my pleasure lies.
Enter Ventidius.
O ! come, Ventidius, 40 You must to Parthia; your commission's ready; Follow me, and receive 't. Exeunt.
Scene Four
[A Street in Rome]
Enter Lepidus, Mcecenas, and Agrippa.
Lep. Trouble yourselves no further; 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, 4 Which will become you both, farewell.
Mcec. We shall,
As I conceive the journey, be at the Mount Before you, Lepidus.
Lep. Your way is shorter;
My purposes do draw me much about: 8
You'll win two days upon me.
35 speeds: is successful 36 still: constantly
37, 38 his quails ... at odds; cf. n.
2 Your generals after: after your generals
Antony and Cleopatra, II. v 37
Mcec. ) r,. j ,
>■ bir, good success !
Lep. Farewell. Exeunt.
Scene Five
[Alexandria. A Room in the Palace]
Enter Cleopatra, Charmian, Iras, Alexas [and
Attendant].
Cleo. Give me some music; music, moody food Of us that trade in love.
Attend. The music, ho!
Enter Mardian the Eunuch.
Cleo. Let it alone; let's to billiards: come, Char- mian.
Char. My arm is sore; best play with Mardian. 4
Cleo. As well a woman with a 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 show'd, though 't come too short, 8
The actor may plead pardon. I'll none now. Give me mine angle; we'll to the river: there — My music playing far off — I will betray Tawny-finn'd fishes ; my bended hook shall pierce 12 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 16 Did hang a salt-fish on his hook, which he With fervency drew up.
3 billiards; cf. n.
38 The Tragedy of
Cleo. That time — O times ! —
I laugh'd him out of patience; and that night I laugh'd him into patience: and next morn, 20
Ere the ninth hour, I drunk him to his bed; Then put my tires and mantles on him, whilst I wore his sword Philippan.
Enter a Messenger.
O ! from Italy ; Ram thou thy fruitful tidings in mine ears, 24
That long time have been barren.
Mess. Madam, madam, —
Cleo. Antony's dead! if thou say so, villain, Thou kill'st thy mistress; but well and free, If thou so yield him, there is gold, and here 28
My bluest veins to kiss ; a hand that kings Have lipp'd, and trembled kissing.
Mess. First, madam, he is well.
Cleo. Why, there's more gold.
But, sirrah, mark, we use 32
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.
Mess. Good madam, hear me.
Cleo. Well, go to, I will; 36
But there's no goodness in thy face; if Antony Be free and healthful, so tart a favour To trumpet such good tidings ! if not well, Thou shouldst come like a Fury crown'd with snakes, 40
Not like a formal man.
Mess. Will 't please you hear me?
22 tires: head-dresses 23 his sword Philippan; cf. n.
38 so tart a favour : so sour an appearance 41 formal: ordinary
Antony and Cleopatra, II. v 39
Cleo. I have a mind to strike thee ere thou speak'st: Yet, if thou say Antony lives, is well, Or friends with Caesar, or not captive to him, 44 I'll set thee in a shower of gold, and hail Rich pearls upon thee.
Mess. Madam, he's well.
Cleo. Well said.
Mess. And friends with Caesar.
Cleo. Thou'rt an honest man.
Mess. Caesar and he are greater friends than ever. 48
Cleo. Make thee a fortune from me.
Mess. But yet, madam, —
Cleo. I do not like 'but yet/ it does allay The good precedence ; fie upon 'but yet !' 'But yet' is as a gaoler to bring forth 52
Some monstrous malefactor. Prithee, friend, Pour out the pack of matter to mine ear, The good and bad together. He's friends with
Caesar ; In state of health, thou sayst ; and thou sayst, free. 56
Mess. Free, madam! no; I made no such report: He's bound unto Octavia.
Cleo. For what good turn?
Mess. For the best turn i' the bed.
Cleo. I am pale, Charmian!
Mess. Madam, he's married to Octavia. 60
Cleo. The most infectious pestilence upon thee !
Strikes him down.
Mess. Good madam, patience.
Cleo. What say you ? Hence,
Strikes him.
51 precedence: something said before
4° The Tragedy of
Horrible villain! or I'll spurn thine eyes Like balls before me; I'll unhair thy head: 64
She hales him up and down. Thou shalt be whipp'd with wire, and stew'd in brine, Smarting in lingering pickle.
Mess. Gracious madam,
I that do bring the news made not the match.
Cleo. Say 'tis not so, a province I will give thee, 68 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.
Mess. He's married, madam. 72
Cleo. Rogue! thou hast liv'd too long.
Draws a knife.
Mess. Nay, then I'll run.
What mean you, madam? I have made no fault.
Exit.
Char. Good madam, keep yourself within your- self; The man is innocent. 76
Cleo. Some innocents 'scape not the thunderbolt. Melt Egypt into Nile! and kindly creatures Turn all to serpents ! Call the slave again : Though I am mad, I will not bite him. Call. 80
Char. He is afeard to come.
Cleo. I will not hurt him.
[Exit Charmian.~\ These hands do lack nobility, that they strike A meaner than myself; since I myself Have given myself the cause.
Enter [Charmian, and] the Messenger again.
Come hither, sir. 84
71 boot: enrich by addition
Antony and Cleopatra, II. v 41
Though it be honest, it is never good To bring bad news ; give to a gracious message A host of tongues, but let ill tidings tell Themselves when they be felt.
Mess. I have done my duty. 88
Cleo. Is he married? I cannot hate thee worser than I do If thou again say 'Yes.'
Mess. He's married, madam.
Cleo. The gods confound thee ! dost thou hold there still? 92
Mess. Should I lie, madam?
Cleo. O ! I would thou didst,
So half my Egypt were submerg'd and made A cistern for scal'd snakes. Go, get thee hence; Hadst thou Narcissus in thy face, to me 96
Thou wouldst appear most ugly. He is married?
Mess. I crave your highness' pardon.
Cleo. He is married?
Mess. Take no offence that I would not offend you; To punish me for what you make me do 100
Seems much unequal; he's married to Octavia.
Cleo. O! that his fault should make a knave of thee, That art not what thou'rt sure of. Get thee hence; The merchandise which thou hast brought from Rome 104
Are all too dear for me; lie they upon thy hand And be undone by 'em! [Exit Messenger."]
Char. Good your highness, patience.
Cleo. In praising Antony I have disprais'd Caesar.
Char. Many times, madam.
94 So: even though 103 That art not what thou'rt sure of; cf. n.
42 The Tragedy of
Cleo. I am paid for 't now. 108
Lead me from hence;
I faint. O Iras ! Charmian ! 'Tis no matter. Go to the fellow, good Alexas ; bid him Report the feature of Octavia, her years, 112
Her inclination, let him not leave out The colour of her hair: bring me word quickly.
[Exit Alexas.] Let him forever go : — let him not — Charmian ! — Though he be painted one way like a Gorgon, lis The other way's a Mars. [To Mardian.] Bid you
Alexas Bring me word how tall she is. Pity me, Charmian, But do not speak to me. Lead me to my chamber.
Exeunt.
Scene Six
[Near Misenum~\
Flourish. Enter Pompey [and Menas,~\ at one door, with drum and trumpet; at another Ccesar, Lepi- dus, Antony, Enobarbus, Maecenas, with Soldiers marching.
Pom. Your hostages I have, so have you mine; And we shall talk before we fight.
Cces. Most meet
That first we come to words, and therefore have we Our written purposes before us sent; 4
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.
113 inclination: disposition 7 tall: sturdy
Antony and Cleopatra, II. vi 43
Pom. To you all three, 8
The senators alone of this great world, Chief factors for the gods : I do not know Wherefore my father should revengers want, Having a son and friends; since Julius Caesar, 12 Who at Philippi the good Brutus ghosted, There saw you labouring for him. What was 't That mov'd pale Cassius to conspire? and what Made the all-honour'd, honest Roman, Brutus, 16 With the arm'd rest, courtiers of beauteous freedom, To drench the Capitol, but that they would Have one man but a man? And that is it Hath made me rig my navy, at whose burden 20
The anger'd ocean foams, with which I meant To scourge the ingratitude that despiteful Rome Cast on my noble father.
Cces. Take your time.
Ant. Thou canst not fear us, Pompey, with thy sails ; 24
Well 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 cuckoo builds not for himself, 28
Remain in 't as thou mayst.
Lep. Be pleas'd to tell us —
For this is from the present — how you take The offers we have sent you.
Cces. There's the point.
Ant. Which do not be entreated to, but weigh 32 What it is worth embrac'd.
Cces. And what may follow,
10 factors: agents 10-14 I do not . . . him; cf. n.
13 ghosted: haunted 24 fear: frighten
26 o'er-count: outnumber 27 o'er-count: over-reach; cf. n.
^ The Tragedy of
To try a larger fortune.
Pom. You have made me offer
Of Sicily, Sardinia; and I must
Rid all the sea of pirates; then, to send 36
Measures of wheat to Rome; this 'greed upon, To part with unhack'd edges, and bear back Our targets undinted.
Cces. J
Ant. > That's our offer.
Lep. )
Pom. Know, then,
I came before you here a man prepar'd 40
To take this offer; but Mark Antony Put me to some impatience. Though I lose The praise of it by telling, you must know, When Caesar and your brother were at blows, 44
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: 48
I did not think, sir, to have met you here.
Ant. The beds i' the east are soft; and thanks to you, That call'd me timelier than my purpose hither, For I have gain'd by 't.
Cces. Since I saw you last, 52
There is a change upon you.
Pom. Well, I know not
What counts harsh Fortune casts upon my face, But in my bosom shall she never come To make my heart her vassal.
54 counts: accounts
Antony and Cleopatra, II. vi 45
Lep. Well met here. 56
Pom. I hope so, Lepidus. Thus we are agreed. I crave our composition may be written And seal'd between us.
Cces. That's the next to do.
Pom. We'll feast each other ere we part; and let's 69
Draw lots who shall begin.
Ant. That will I, Pompey.
Pom. No, Antony, take the lot: But, first or last, your fine Egyptian cookery Shall have the fame. I have heard that Julius Caesar 64
Grew fat with feasting there.
Ant. You have heard much.
Pom. I have fair meanings, sir.
Ant. And fair words to them.
Pom. Then, so much have I heard; And I have heard Apollodorus carried — 68
Eno. No more of that: he did so.
Pom. What, I pray you?
Eno. A certain queen to Caesar in a mattress.
Pom. I know thee now; how far'st thou, soldier?
Eno. Well;
And well am like to do; for I perceive 72
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 76
When you have well deserv'd ten times as much As I have said you did.
46 The Tragedy of
Pom. Enjoy thy plainness,
It nothing ill becomes thee.
Aboard my galley I invite you all: 80
Will you lead, lords? Cces. )
Ant. >■ Show us the way, sir.
Lep. )
Pom. Come.
Exeunt [all except Enobarbus and Menas~\.
Men. Thy father, Pompey, would ne'er have made this treaty. You and I have known, sir.
Eno. At sea, I think. 84
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 88 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 92 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 96 authority, here they might take two thieves kissing.
Men. All men's faces are true, whatsoe'er their hands are. 100
Eno. But there is never a fair woman has a true face.
Men. No slander; they steal hearts.
Eno. We came hither to fight with you. 104
Men. For my part, I am sorry it is turned to
83 known : met 97 authority : warrant to arrest
Antony and Cleopatra, II. vi 47
a drinking. Pompey doth this day laugh away his fortune.
Eno. If he do, sure he cannot weep it back 108 again.
Men. You have said, sir. We looked not for Mark Antony here: pray you, is he married to Cleopatra ? 112
Eno. Caesar's sister is called Octavia.
Men. True, sir; she was the wife of Caius Marcellus.
Eno. But she is now the wife of Marcus 116 Antonius.
Men. Pray ye, sir?
Eno. 'Tis true.
Men. Then is Caesar and he for ever knit 120 together.
Eno. If I were bound to divine of this unity, I would not prophesy so.
Men. I think the policy of that purpose 124 made more in the marriage than the love of the parties.
Eno. I think so too; but you shall find the band that seems to tie their friendship together 128 will be the very strangler 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 132 Mark Antony. He will to his Egyptian dish again; then, shall the sighs of Octavia blow the fire up in Caesar, and, as I said before, that which is the strength of their amity shall prove 136 the immediate author of their variance. Antony
128 band: bond 130 still: quiet conversation : behavior
48 The Tragedy of
will use his affection where it is ; he married but his occasion here.
Men. And thus it may be. Come, sir, will 140 you aboard? I have a health for you.
Eno. I shall take it, sir: we have used our throats in Egypt.
Men. Come; let's away. Exeunt.
Scene Seven
[On board Pompey's Galley off Misenum]
Music plays. Enter two or three Servants, with a
banquet.
First Serv. Here they'll be, man. Some o' their plants are ill-rooted already; the least wind i' the world will blow them down.
Sec. Serv. Lepidus is high-coloured. 4
First Serv. They have made him drink alms- drink.
Sec. Serv. As they pinch one another by the disposition, he cries out, 'No more'; reconciles 8 them to his entreaty, and himself to the drink.
First Serv. But it raises the greater war be- tween him and his discretion.
Sec. Serv. Why, this it is to have a name in 12 great men's fellowship; I had as lief have a reed that will do me no service as a partisan I could not heave.
139 occasion: opportunity for advantage 5 alms-drink: the leavings 7, 8 As they pinch . . . disposition; cf. n. 13-15 I had as lief . . . heave; cf. n.
Antony and Cleopatra, II. vii 49
First Serv. To be called into a huge sphere, 16 and not to be seen to move in 't, are the holes where eyes should be, which pitifully disaster the cheeks.
A sennet sounded. Enter Ccesar, Antony, Pompey, Lepidus, Agrippa, Maecenas, Enobarbus, Menas, with other Captains.
Ant. Thus do they, sir. They take the flow o' the Nile 20
By certain scales i' the pyramid; they know By the height, the lowness, or the mean, if dearth Or foison follow. The higher Nilus swells The more it promises; as it ebbs, the seedsman 24 Upon the slime and ooze scatters his grain, And shortly comes to harvest.
Lep. You've strange serpents there. Ant. Ay, Lepidus. 28
Lep. Your serpent of Egypt is bred now of your mud by the operation of your sun; so is your crocodile.
Ant. They are so. 32
Pom. Sit, — and some wine! A health to Lepidus !
Lep. I am not so well as I should be, but I'll ne'er out. 36
Eno. Not till you have slept; I fear me you'll be in till then.
Lep. Nay, certainly, I have heard the Ptole- mies' pyramises are very goodly things ; without 40 contradiction, I have heard that. Men. Pompey, a word.
16-19 To be called . . . cheeks; cf. n.
19 S. d. sennet: set of notes played on a trumpet.
22, 23 dearth Or foison: scarcity or plenty
50 The Tragedy of
Pom. Say in mine ear; what is 't? Men. Whispers in's ear. Forsake thy seat, I do be- seech thee, captain, 44 And hear me speak a word.
Pom. Forbear me till anon.
This wine for Lepidus !
Lep. What manner o' thing is your crocodile? Ant. It is shaped, sir, like itself, and it is as 48 broad as it hath breadth; it is just so high as it is, and moves with it own organs; it lives by that which nourisheth it; and the elements once out of it, it transmigrates. 52
Lep. What colour is it of? Ant. Of it own colour too. Lep. 'Tis a strange serpent. Ant. 'Tis so; and the tears of it are wet. 56
Cces. Will this description satisfy 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 ! 60
Do as I bid you. Where's this cup I call'd for?
Men. If for the sake of merit thou wilt hear me, Rise from thy stool.
Pom. I think thou'rt mad. The matter?
[Walks aside.] Men. I have ever held my cap off to thy for- tunes. 64 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.
50 it own: its own 51 elements: substances of its body
52 transmigrates: its soul passes to another body
Antony and Cleopatra, II. vii 61
Men. Wilt thou be lord of all the world?
Pom. What sayst thou? 68
Men. Wilt thou be lord of the whole world? That's twice.
Pom. How should 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? 72
Men. No, Pompey, I have kept me from the cup. Thou art, if thou dar'st be, the earthly Jove: Whate'er the ocean pales, or sky inclips, Is thine, if thou wilt ha 't.
Pom. Show me which way. 76
Men. These three world-sharers, these competitors, Are in thy vessel : let me cut the cable ; And, when we are put off, fall to their throats: All there is thine.
Pom. Ah, this thou shouldst have done, 80
And not have spoke on 't. In me 'tis villainy ; In thee 't had been good service. Thou must know 'Tis not my profit that does lead mine honour; Mine honour it. Repent that e'er thy tongue 84
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'. [Aside.] For this, 88
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 ashore. I'll pledge it for him, Pompey. 92
75 pales: surrounds inclips: encloses 89 pall'd: weakened
52 The Tragedy of
Eno. Here's to thee, Menas !
Men. Enobarbus, welcome!
Pom. Fill till the cup be hid.
Eno. There's a strong fellow, Menas.
[Pointing to the Attendant who carries
off Lepidus.]
Men. Why? 96
Eno. A' bears the third part of the world,
man; see'st not?
Men. The third part then is drunk; would it were all, That it might go on wheels ! 100
Eno. Drink thou; increase the reels.
Men. Come.
Pom. This is not yet an Alexandrian feast.
Ant. It ripens towards it. Strike the vessels, ho ! 104
Here is to Caesar !
Cces. I could well forbear 't.
It's monstrous labour, when I wash my brain, And it grows fouler.
Ant. Be a child o' the time.
Cces. Possess it, I'll make answer; 108
But I had rather fast from all four days Than drink so much in one.
Eno. [To Antony.'] Ha! my brave emperor; Shall we dance now the Egyptian Bacchanals, And celebrate our drink?
Pom. Let's ha 't, good soldier. 112
Ant. Come, let's all take hands, Till that the conquering wine hath steep'd our sense In soft and delicate Lethe.
97 A': he 108 Possess: be master of(?)
Ill Bacchanals : dances in honor of Bacchus 114 steep'd: saturated
Antony and Cleopatra, II. vii 53
Eno. All take hands.
Make battery to our ears with the loud music; 116 The while I'll place you; then the boy shall sing, The holding every man shall bear as loud As his strong sides can volley.
Music plays. Enobarbus places them
hand in hand.
The Song.
'Come, thou monarch of the vine, 120
Plumpy Bacchus, with pink eyne! In thy fats our cares be drown'd, With thy grapes our hairs be crown'd:
Cup us, till the world go round, 124
Cup us, till the world go round !'
Cces. 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; 128 You see we have burnt our cheeks; strong Enobarb Is weaker than the wine, and mine own tongue Splits what it speaks ; the wild disguise hath almost Antick'd us all. What needs more words? Good night. 132
Good Antony, your hand.
Pom. I'll try you on the shore.
Ant. And shall, sir. Give's your hand.
Pom. O, Antony!
You have my father's house, — But, what? we are
friends. Come down into the boat.
116 Make battery to our ears: let the music beat upon our ears.
118 holding: burden or chorus
121 pink eyne: blinking eyes 122 fats : wine vats
127 Let me request you off: let me request you to leave
132 Antick'd: made us all like buffoons
54 The Tragedy of
Eno. Take heed you fall not. 136
[Exeunt Pompey, Ccesar, Antony,
and Attendants.] Menas, I'll not on shore.
Men. No, to my cabin.
These drums ! these trumpets, flutes ! what ! Let Neptune hear we bid a loud farewell To these great fellows: sound and be hang'd! sound out! 140
A flourish [of trumpets] with drums. Eno. Hoo! says a'. There's my cap. Men. Hoa! noble captain! come. Exeunt.
ACT THIRD
Scene One
[A Plain in Syria]
Enter Ventidius, as it were in triumph, [with Silius and other Romans, Officers, and Soldiers;] the dead body of Pacorus borne before him.
Ven. 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 army. Thy Pacorus, Orodes, . 4
Pays this for Marcus Crassus.
Sil. Noble Ventidius,
Whilst yet with Parthian blood thy sword is warm, The fugitive Parthians follow; spur through Media, Mesopotamia, and the shelters whither 8
The routed fly; so thy grand captain Antony
1-5 Now, darting Parthia . . . Marcus Crassus; cf. n.
Antony and Cleopatra, III. i 55
Shall set thee on triumphant chariots and Put garlands on thy head.
Ven. O Silius, Silius !
I have done enough;. a lower place, note well, 12
May make too great an act; for learn this, Silius, Better to leave undone than by our deed Acquire too high a fame when him we serve's away. Caesar and Antony have ever won 16
More in their officer than person; Sossius, One of my place in Syria, his lieutenant, For quick accumulation of renown, Which he achiev'd by the minute, lost his favour. 20 Who does i' the wars more than his captain can Becomes his captain's captain; and ambition, The soldier's virtue, rather makes choice of loss Than gain which darkens him. 24
I could do more to do Antonius good, But 'twould offend him; and in his offence Should my performance perish.
Sil. Thou hast, Ventidius, that
Without the which a soldier, and his sword, 28
Grants scarce distinction. Thou wilt write to Antony ?
Ven. I'll humbly signify what in his name, That magical word of war, we have effected; How, with his banners and his well-paid ranks, 32 The ne'er-vet-beaten horse of Parthia We have j aded out o' the field.
Sil. Where is he now?
Ven. He purposeth to Athens; whither, with what haste The weight we must convey with's will permit, 36 We shall appear before him. On, there; pass along.
Exeunt.
20 by the minute: every moment
34 jaded: driven exhausted 36 with's : with us
66 The Tragedy of
Scene Two
[Rome. A Room in Ccesar's House]
Enter Agrippa at one door, Enobarbus at another.
Agr. What! are the brothers parted?
Eno. They have dispatch'd with Pompey; he is gone; The other three are sealing. Octavia weeps To part from Rome; Caesar is sad; and Lepidus, 4 Since Pompey's feast, as Menas says, is troubled With the green sickness.
Agr. 'Tis a noble Lepidus.
Eno. A very fine one. O ! how he loves Caesar.
Agr. Nay, but how dearly he adores Mark Antony ! 8
Eno. Caesar? Why, he's the Jupiter of men.
Agr. What's Antony? The god of Jupiter.
Eno. Spake you of Caesar? How! the nonpareil!
Agr. O, Antony! O thou Arabian bird! 12
Eno. Would you praise Caesar, say, 'Caesar/ go no further.
Agr. Indeed, he plied them both with excellent praises.
Eno. But he loves Caesar best ; yet he loves Antony. Hoo ! hearts, tongues, figures, scribes, bards, poets, cannot 16
Think, speak, cast, write, sing, number; hoo! His love to Antony. But as for Caesar, Kneel down, kneel down, and wonder.
Agr. Both he loves.
3 sealing: concluding their agreements
6 green sickness: biliousness 11 nonpareil: one that has no equal
12 Arabian bird: the pfurnix, figurative for 'unique specimen'
16 figures: mathematical figures of the horoscope (?)
17 cast: calculate
Antony and Cleopatra, III. ii 67
Eno. They are his shards, and he their beetle. [Trumpets within.] So; 20
This is to horse. Adieu, noble Agrippa.
Agr. Good fortune, worthy soldier, and farewell.
Enter Caesar, Antony, Lepidus, and Octavia.
Ant. No further, sir.
Cobs. You take from me a great part of myself; 24 Use me well in 't. Sister, prove such a wife As my thoughts make thee, and as my furthest band Shall pass on thy approof . Most noble Antony, Let not the piece of virtue, which is set 28
Betwixt us as the cement of our love To keep it builded, be the ram to batter The fortress of it; for better might we Have lov'd without this mean, if on both parts 32 This be not cherish'd.
Ant. Make me not offended
In your distrust.
Cces. I have said.
Ant. You shall not find,
Though you be therein curious, the least cause For what you seem to fear. So, the gods keep you, 36 And make the hearts of Romans serve your ends ! We will here part.
Cces. Farewell, my dearest sister, fare thee well: The elements be kind to thee, and make 40
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 cheerful. 44
Oct. Sir, look well to my husband's house; and —
Cces. What,
Octavia ?
20 shards: wing-cases 26 band: security; cf. n.
32 mean: means 35 curious : fast id iously particular
58 The Tragedy of
Oct. I'll tell you in your ear.
Ant. Her tongue will not obey her heart, nor can Her heart obey her tongue; the swan's down- feather, 48 That stands upon the swell at full of tide, And neither way inclines.
Eno. [Aside to Agrippa.] Will Caesar weep?
Agr. He has a cloud in's face.
Eno. He were the worse for that were he a horse; 52
So is he, being a man.
Agr. Why, Enobarbus,
WTien Antony found Julius Caesar dead He cried almost to roaring; and he wept When at Philippi he found Brutus slain. 56
Eno. That year, indeed, he was troubled with a rheum ; What willingly he did confound he wail'd; Believe 't, till I weep too.
Cobs. No, sweet Octavia,
You shall hear from me still; the time shall not 60 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.
Cces. Adieu ; be happy ! 64
Lep. Let all the number of the stars give light To thy fair way !
Cobs. Farewell, farewell !
Kisses Octavia.
Ant. Farewell!
Trumpets sound. Exeunt.
51, 52 He has a cloud in's face . . . horse; cf. n.
57 rheum: cold 58 confound: destroy
Antony and Cleopatra, III. Hi 59
Scene Three [Alexandria. A Room in the Palace]
|i
Enter Cleopatra, Charmian, Iras, and Alexas.
Cleo. Where is the fellow?
Alex. Half afeard to come.
Cleo. Go to, go to.
Enter the Messenger as before.
Come hither, sir.
Alex. Good majesty,
Herod of Jewry dare not look upon you But when you are well pleas'd.
Cleo. That Herod's head 4
I'll have; but how, when Antony is gone Through whom I might command it? Come thou near.
Mess. Most gracious majesty!
Cleo. Didst thou behold
0 eta via ?
Mess. Ay, dread queen.
Cleo. Where?
Mess. Madam, in Rome; 8
1 look'd her in the face, and saw her led Between her brother and Mark Antony.
Cleo. Is she as tall as me?
Mess. She is not, madam.
Cleo. Didst hear her speak? is she shrill-tongu'd,
or low? 12
Mess. Madam, I heard her speak; she is low-
voie'd. Cleo. That's not so good. He cannot like her long.
3 Herod of Jewry; cf. n.
60 The Tragedy of
Char. Like her ! O Isis ! 'tis impossible.
Cleo. I think so, Charmian: dull of tongue, and dwarfish ! 16
What majesty is in her gait? Remember, If e'er thou look'dst on majesty.
Mess. She creeps;
Her motion and her station are as one; She shows a body rather than a life, 20
A statue than a breather.
Cleo. Is this certain?
Mess. Or I have no observance.
Char. Three in Egypt
Cannot make better note.
Cleo. He's very knowing,
I do perceive *t. There's nothing in her yet. 24
The fellow has good judgment.
Char. Excellent.
Cleo. Guess at her years, I prithee.
Mess. Madam,
She was a widow, —
Cleo. Widow! Charmian, hark.
Mess. And I do think she's thirty. 28
Cleo. Bear'st thou her face in mind? is 't long or round ?
Mess. Round even to faultiness.
Cleo. For the most part, too, they are foolish that are so. Her hair, what colour? 32
Mess. 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 36
19 station: standin g still
33, 34 and her forehead As low as she would wish it; cf. ft.
Antony and Cleopatra, III. iv 61
Most fit for business. Go, make thee ready;
Our letters are prepar'd. [Exit Messenger.]
Char. A proper man.
Cleo. Indeed, he. is so ; I repent me much That so I harried him. Why, methinks, by him, 40 This creature's no such thing.
Char. 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 ! 44
Cleo. I have one thing more to ask him yet, good Charmian : But 'tis no matter; thou shalt bring him to me Where I will write. All may be well enough.
Char. I warrant you, madam. 48
Exeunt.
Scene Four
[Athens. A Room in Antony's House]
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 4
To public ear:
Spoke scantly of me; when perforce he could not But pay me terms of honour, cold and sickly
Scene Four S. d. Athens; cf. n.
3 semblable import : similar meaning
4 made his will, and read it; cf. n.
62 The Tragedy of
He vented them; most narrow measure lent me; 8 When the best hint was given him, he not took % Or did it from his teeth.
Oct. O my good lord !
Believe not all; or, if you must believe, Stomach not all. A more unhappy lady, 12
If this division chance, ne'er stood between, Praying for both parts: The good gods will mock me presently, When I shall pray, 'O ! bless my lord and hus- band' ; 16 Undo that prayer, by crying out as loud, 'O ! bless my brother !' Husband win, win brother, Prays, and destroys the prayer; no midway 'Twixt these extremes at all.
Ant. Gentle Octavia, 20
Let your best love draw to that point which seeks Best to preserve it. If I lose mine honour I lose myself; better I were not yours Than yours so branchless. But, as you requested, 24 Yourself shall go between's; the mean time, lady, I'll raise the preparation of a war Shall stain your brother; make your soonest haste, So your desires are yours.
Oct. Thanks to my lord. 28
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. 32
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
8 narrow measure lent me: gave me as little credit as possible
10 from his teeth: spoke from his teeth, not his heart
24 branchless: destitute 27 stain: make dim, eclipse
Antony and Cleopatra, III. v 63
Can equally move with them. Provide your going; 36 Choose your own company, and command what cost Your heart has mind to. Exeunt.
Scene Five
[Another Room]
Enter Enobarbus and Eros [meeting'].
Eno. How now, friend Eros ! Eros. There's strange news come, sir. Eno. What, man?
Eros. Caesar and Lepidus have made wars 4 upon Pompey.
Eno. This is old: what is the success? Eros. Caesar, having made use of him in the wars 'gainst Pompey, presently denied him 8 rivality, would not let him partake in the glory of the action; and not resting here, accuses him of letters he had formerly wrote to Pompey; upon his own appeal, seizes him : so the poor 12 third is up, till death enlarge his confine. Eno. Then, world, thou hast a pair of chaps, no more; And throw between them all the food thou hast, They'll grind the one the other. Where's Antony? 16 Eros. He's walking in the garden — thus: and spurns The rush that lies before him ; cries, 'Fool, Lepidus !' And threats the throat of that his officer That murder'd Pompey.
Eno. Our great navy's rigg'd. 20
36 Provide: make ready for
6 success: outcome 9 rivality: partnership
12, 13 so the poor third is up . . . confine; cf. n. 14 chaps: jaws
64
The Tragedy of
Eros. For Italy and Caesar. 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. 24
Eros. Come, sir. Exeunt.
Scene Six [Rome. A Room in Ceesar's House] Enter Agrippa, Mcecenas, and Ccesar.
Cces. Contemning Rome, he has done all this and more In Alexandria; here's the manner of 't; r the market-place, on a tribunal silver'd, Cleopatra and himself in chairs of gold 4
Were publicly enthron'd; at the feet sat Caesarion, whom they call my father's son, And all the unlawful issue that their lust Since then hath made between them. Unto her 8 He gave the 'stablishment of Egypt; made her Of Lower Syria, Cyprus, Lydia, Absolute queen.
Mcec. This in the public eye?
Cas. V the common show-place., where they exer- cise. 12 His sons he there proclaim'd the kings of kings ; Great Media, Parthia, and Armenia He gave to Alexander; to Ptolemy he assign'd Syria, Cilicia, and Phoenicia. She 16 In the habiliments of the goddess Isis
22 presently: at once 1 Contemning: scortiing
3 tribunal : raised platform 6 my father's son; cf. n.
9 stablishment: settled occupation
Antony and Cleopatra, III. vi 65
That day appear'd; and oft before gave audience, As 'tis reported, so.
Mac. Let Rome be thus
Informed.
Agr. Who, queasy with his insolence 20
Already, will their good thoughts call from him.
Cas. The people know it ; and have now receiv'd His accusations.
Agr. Whom does he accuse?
Cas. Caesar; and that, having in Sicily 24
Sextus Pompeius spoil'd, we had not rated him His part o' the isle; then does he say, he lent me Some shipping unrestor'd; lastly, he frets That Lepidus of the triumvirate 28
Should be depos'd; and, being, that we detain All his revenue.
Agr. Sir, this should be answer'd.
Cws. 'Tis done already, and the messenger gone. I have told him, Lepidus was grown too cruel ; 32
That he his high authority abus'd, And did deserve his change: for what I have con-
quer'd, I grant him part ; but then, in his Armenia, And other of his conquer'd kingdoms, I 36
Demand the like.
Mac. He'll never yield to that.
Cas. Nor must not then be yielded to in this.
Enter Octavia, with her Train.
Oct. Hail, Caesar, and my lord; hail, most dear
Caesar ! Cces. That ever I should call thee castaway! 40 Oct. You have not call'd me so, nor have you cause.
20 queasy: disgusted 25 rated: allotted
66 The Tragedy of
Cces. Why have you stol'n upon us thus? You come not Like Caesar's sister; the wife of Antony Should have an army for an usher, and 44
The neighs of horse to tell of her approach Long ere she did appear; the trees by the way Should have borne men; and expectation fainted, Longing for what it had not; nay, the dust 48
Should have ascended to the roof of heaven, 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 unshown, 52 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 56 On my free-will. My lord, Mark Antony, Hearing that you prepar'd for war, acquainted My grieved ear withal; whereon, I begg'd His pardon for return.
Cces. Which soon he granted, 60
Being an abstract 'tween his lust and him.
Oct. Do not say so, my lord.
Cces. I have eyes upon him,
And his affairs come to me on the wind. Where is he now ?
Oct. My lord, in Athens. 64
Cces. No, my most wrong'd sister; Cleopatra Hath nodded him to her. He hath given his empire Up to a whore; who now are levying
51, 52 prevented The ostentation: anticipated the display
52, 53 which, left unshown . . . unlov'd; cf. n. 61 abstract: abbreviation, shortening; cf. n.
Antony and Cleopatra, III. vi 67
The kings o' the earth for war. He hath assem- bled 68 Bocchus, the King of Libya; Archelaus, Of Cappadocia; Philadelphos, King Of Paphlagonia; the Thracian king, Adallas; King Malchus of Arabia; King of Pont; 72 Herod of Jewry; Mithridates, King Of Comagene; Polemon and Amintas, The Kings of Mede and Lycaonia, With a more larger list of sceptres.
Oct. Ay me, most wretched, 76
That have my heart parted betwixt two friends That do afflict each other !
Cobs. Welcome hither:
Your letters did withhold our breaking forth, Till we perceiv'd both how you were wrong led 80 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 84
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 their ministers 88
Of us and those that love you. Best of comfort, And ever welcome to us.
Agr. Welcome, lady.
Mcbc. Welcome, dear madam. Each heart in Rome does love and pity you; 92
Only the adulterous Antony, most large In his abominations, turns you off, And gives his potent regiment to a trull, That noises it against us.
93 large: unrestrained
95 potent regiment: powerful rule trull: a lewd woman
68 The Tragedy of
Oct. Is it so, sir? 96
Cces. Most certain. Sister, welcome; pray you, Be ever known to patience ; my dearest sister !
Exeunt.
Scene Seven
[Antony's Camp, near to the Promontory of Actium]
Enter Cleopatra and Enobarbus.
Cleo. I will be even with thee, doubt it not.
Eno. But why, why, why?
Cleo. Thou hast forspoke my being in these wars, And sayst it is not fit.
Eno. Well, is it, is it? 4
Cleo. If not denounc'd against us, why should not we Be there in person?
Eno. [Aside.-] Well, I could reply: If we should serve with horse and mares together, The horse were merely lost; the mares would bear 8 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 12 Traduc'd for levity, and 'tis said in Rome That Photinus a eunuch and your maids Manage this war.
Cleo. Sink Rome, and their tongues rot
Scene Seven S. d. the Promontory of Actium; cf. n.
3 forspoke: spoken against
5, 6 If not denounc'd . . . person?; cf. n.
5 denounc'd: declared 13 Traduc'd: defamed
Antony and Cleopatra, III. vii 69
That speak against us! A charge we bear i' the war, ie
And, as the president of my kingdom, will Appear there for a man. Speak not against it; I will not stay behind.
Eno. Nay, I have done.
Here comes the emperor.
Enter Antony and Canidius.
Ant. Is it not strange, Canidius, 20
That from Tarentum and Brundusium He could so quickly cut the Ionian sea, And take in Toryne? You have heard on 't, sweet?
Cleo. Celerity is never more admir'd 24
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 ? 28
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 battle at Pharsalia, Where Caesar fought with Pompey ; but these offers, 32 Which serve not for his vantage, he shakes off; And so should you.
Eno. Your ships are not well mann'd;
Your mariners are muleters, reapers, people Ingross'd by swift impress ; in Caesar's fleet 36
Are those that often have 'gainst Pompey fought: Their ships are yare; yours, heavy. No disgrace
16 charge: military command
25, 26 A good rebuke . . . men; cf. n.
36 Ingross'd: collected impress: conscription
38 yare: quick, easily handled
70 The Tragedy of
Shall fall you for refusing him at sea, Being prepar'd for land.
Ant. By sea, by sea. 40
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 44
Your own renowned knowledge; quite forgo The way which promises assurance; and Give up yourself merely to chance and hazard From firm security.
Ant. I'll fight at sea. 48
Cleo. I have sixty sails, Caesar none better. Ant. Our overplus of shipping will we burn; And with the rest, full-mann'd, from the head of
Actium Beat the approaching Caesar. But if we fail, 52
We then can do 't at land.
Enter a Messenger.
Thy business ?
Mess. The news is true, my lord; he is descried; Caesar has taken Toryne.
Ant. Can he be there in person? 'tis impossible; 56 Strange that his power should be. Canidius, Our nineteen legions thou shalt hold by land, And our twelve thousand horse. We'll to our ship: Away, my Thetis !
Enter a Soldier.
How now, worthy soldier ! 60
Sold. O noble emperor ! do not fight by sea ; Trust not to rotten planks : do you misdoubt
39 fall: befall 60 Thetis: the name of a sea nymph
Antony and Cleopatra, III. vii 71
This sword and these my wounds? Let the Egyp- tians And the Phoenicians go a-ducking; we 64
Have used to conquer, standing on the earth, And fighting foot to foot.
Ant. Well, well: away!
Exeunt Antony, Cleopatra, and Enobarbus.
Sold. By Hercules, I think I am i' the right.
Can. Soldier, thou art; but his whole action grows 68
Not in the power on 't: so our leader's led, And we are women's men.
Sold. You keep by land
The legions and the horse whole, do you not?
Can. Marcus Octavius, Marcus Justeius, 72
Publicola, and Caelius, are for sea; But we keep whole by land. This speed of Caesar's Carries beyond belief.
Sold. While he was yet in Rome
His power went out in such distractions as 76
Beguil'd all spies.
Can. Who's his lieutenant, hear you?
Sold. They say, one Taurus. .
Can. Well I know the man.
Enter a Messenger.
Mess. The emperor calls Canidius. Can. With news the time's with labour, and throes forth 80
Each minute some. Exeunt.
68, 69 but his whole action . . . on't; cf. n. 76 distractions: detachments, separate bodies 80, 81 With news the time's . . . some; cf. n.
72 The Tragedy of
Scene Eight
[A Plain near Actium]
Enter Casar [and Taurus] with his army, marching.
Cees. Taurus !
Taur. My lord?
C&s. Strike not by land; keep whole: provoke not battle, Till we have done at sea. Do not exceed 4
The prescript of this scroll: our fortune lies Upon this jump. Exeunt.
Enter Antony and Enobarbus.
Ant. Set we our squadrons on yond side o' the hill, In eye of Caesar's battle; from which place 8
We may the number of the ships behold And so proceed accordingly. Exeunt.
Canidius marcheth with his land army one way over the stage; and Taurus, the lieutenant of Casar, 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. The Antoniad, the Egyptian admiral, 12
With all their sixty, fly, and turn the rudder; To see 't mine eyes are blasted.
Enter Scarus.
Scar. Gods and goddesses,
All the whole synod of them !
6 jump: venture 8 battle: line of battle
12 admiral : flagship 15 synod: assembly
Antony and Cleopatra, III. viii 73
Eno. What's thy passion?
Scar. The greater cantle of the world is lost 16 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. Yon ribaudred nag of Egypt, 20 Whom leprosy o'ertake! i' the midst o' the fight, When vantage like a pair of twins appear'd, Both as the same, or rather ours the elder, The breese upon her, like a cow in June, 24
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 loof'd,
The noble ruin of her magic, Antony, 28
Claps on his sea-wing, and like a doting mallard, Leaving the fight in height, flies after her. I never saw an action of such shame; Experience, manhood, honour, ne'er before 32
Did violate so itself.
Eno. Alack, alack!
Enter Canidius.
Can. Our fortune on the sea is out of breath, And sinks most lamentably. Had our general Been what he knew himself, it had gone well: 36
O ! he has given example for our flight Most grossly by his own.
Eno. Ay, are you thereabouts ?
Why, then, good night, indeed.
16 cantle: part 19 token'd pestilence: the plague with its marks
20 ribaudred: wanton (?) 24 breese : gadfly
27 loof'd: luffed, meaning here, probably, 'turned aside'
74 The Tragedy of
Can. Towards Peloponnesus are they fled. 40
Scar. 'Tis easy to 't; and there I will attend What further comes.
Can. To Caesar will I render
My legions and my horse ; six kings already Show me the way of yielding.
Eno. I'll yet follow 44
The wounded chance of Antony, though my reason Sits in the wind against me. [Exeunt.]
Scene Nine
[Alexandria. A Room in the Palace]
Enter Antony with 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 have a ship 4
Laden with gold; take that, divide it; fly, And make your peace with Caesar.
Att. Fly! not we.
Ant. I have fled myself, and have instructed cowards To run and show their shoulders. Friends, be gone; 8 I have myself resolv'd upon a course Which has no need of you; be gone: My treasure's in the harbour, take it. O ! I follow'd that I blush to look upon: 12
My very hairs do mutiny, for the white Reprove the brown for rashness, and they them For fear and doting. Friends, be gone; you shall Have letters from me to some friends that will 16
3 lated: belated
Antony and Cleopatra, IH.ioc ™
Sweep your way for you. Pray you, look not sad, Nor make replies of loathness ; take the hint Which my despair proclaims ; let that be left Which leaves itself; to the sea-side straightway; 20 I will possess you of that ship and treasure. Leave me, I pray, a little ; pray you now : Nay, do so ; for, indeed, I have lost command, Therefore I pray you. I'll see you by and by. 24
Sits down.
Enter Cleopatra, led by Charmian and [Iras,]
Eros [following].
Eros. Nay, gentle madam, to him, comfort him.
Iras. Do, most dear queen.
Char. Do! Why, what else?
Cleo. Let me sit down. O Juno! 28
Ant. No, no, no, no, no.
Eros. See you here, sir?
Ant. O fie, fie, fie!
Char. Madam! 32
Iras. Madam; O good empress!
Eros. Sir, sir!
Ant. Yes, my lord, yes. He at Philippi kept His sword e'en like a dancer, while I struck 36
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. 40
Cleo. Ah ! stand by.
Eros. The queen, my lord, the queen.
Iras. Go to him, madam, speak to him; He is unqualitied with very shame. 44
Cleo. Well then, sustain me : O !
39 Dealt on lieutenantry: fought by proxy 40 squares: squadrons
44 unqualitied: divested of his manly qualities
76 The Tragedy of
Eros. Most noble sir, arise; the queen approaches: Her head's declin'd, and death will seize her, but Your comfort makes the rescue. 48
Ant. I have offended reputation, A most unnoble swerving.
Eros. Sir, the queen.
Ant. O! whither hast thou led me, Egypt? See, How I convey my shame out of thine eyes 52
By looking back what I have left behind 'Stroy'd in dishonour.
Cleo. O my lord, my lord !
Forgive my fearful sails : I little thought You would have follow'd.
Ant. Egypt, thou knew'st too well 56
My heart was to thy rudder tied by the strings, And thou shouldst tow me after; o'er my spirit Thy full supremacy thou knew'st, and that Thy beck might from the bidding of the gods 60
Command me.
Cleo. O ! my pardon.
Ant. Now I must
To the young man send humble treaties, dodge And palter in the shifts of lowness, who With half the bulk o' the world play'd as I pleas'd, 64 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! 68
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? Love, I am full of lead. 72
52-54 How I convey . . . dishonour; cf. n.
63 palter: use tricks 69 rates: is of equal value with
Antony and Cleopatra, III. x 77
Some wine, within there, and our viands ! Fortune
knows, We scorn her most when most she offers blows.
Exeunt.
Scene Ten
[Egypt. Caesar's Camp']
Enter Ccesar, Agrippa, Dolabella, [Thyreus]
with Others.
Cces. Let him appear that's come from Antony. Know you him?
Dol. Caesar, 'tis his schoolmaster:
An argument that he is pluck'd, when hither He sends so poor a pinion of his wing, 4
Which had superfluous kings for messengers Not many moons gone by.
Enter [Euphronius] Ambassador from Antony.
Cces. Approach, and speak.
Euph. Such as I am, I come from Antony: I was of late as petty to his ends 8
As is the morn-dew on the myrtle-leaf To his grand sea.
Cces. Be 't so. Declare thine office.
Euph. Lord of his fortunes he salutes thee, and Requires to live in Egypt; which not granted, 12 He lessens his requests, and to thee sues To let him breathe between the heavens and earth, A private man in Athens ; this for him. Next, Cleopatra does confess thy greatness, 16
Submits her to thy might, and of thee craves The circle of the Ptolemies for her heirs,
IS circle: crown
78 The Tragedy of
Now hazarded to thy grace.
Cces. For Antony,
I have no ears to his request. The queen 20
Of audience nor desire shall fail, so she From Egypt drive her all-disgraced friend, Or take his life there ; this if she perform, She shall not sue unheard. So to them both. 24
Euph. Fortune pursue thee!
Cces. Bring him through the bands.
[Exit Euphronius.] [To Thy reus.] To try thy eloquence, now 'tis time;
dispatch. From Antony win Cleopatra; promise, And in our name, what she requires; add more, 28 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, Thyreus ; Make thine own edict for thy pains, which we 32 Will answer as a law.
Thyr. Caesar, I go.
Cces. Observe how Antony becomes his flaw, And what thou think'st his very action speaks In every power that moves.
Thyr. Caesar, I shall. 36
Exeunt.
Scene Eleven
[Alexandria. A Room in the Palace']
Enter Cleopatra, Enobarbus, Charmian, and Iras.
Cleo. What shall we do, Enobarbus?
Eno. Think, and die.
25 bands: troops 34 flaw: crack (in his fortunes)
35, 36 And what thou think'st . . . moves; cf. n.
Antony and Cleopatra, III. xi 79
Cleo. Is Antony or we, in fault for this?
Eno. Antony only, that would make his will Lord of his reason. What though you fled 4
From that great face of war, whose several ranges Frighted each other, why should he follow? The itch of his affection should not then Have nick'd his captainship; at such a point, 8
When half to half the world oppos'd, he being The mered question. 'Twas a shame no less Than was his loss, to course your flying flags, And leave his navy gazing.
Cleo. Prithee, peace. 12
Enter [Euphronius] the Ambassador, with Antony.
Ant. Is that his answer?
Euph. Ay, my lord.
Ant. The queen shall then have courtesy, so she Will yield us up?
Euph. He says so.
Ant. Let her know 't. 16
To the boy Caesar send this grizzled 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 20 Of youth upon him, from which the world should note Something particular ; his coin, ships, legions, May be a coward's, whose ministers would prevail Under the service of a child as soon 24
As i' the command of Caesar : I dare him therefore To lay his gay comparisons apart, And answer me, declin'd, sword against sword,
5 ranges: ranks^ 8 nick'd: cut short
10 mered question: sole ground of dispute (?) 11 course : pursue
26 comparisons: advantages by comparison 27 declin'd: enfeebled
80 The Tragedy of
Ourselves alone. Ill write it: follow me. 28
[Exeunt Antony and Euphronius.] Eno. [Aside.] Yes, like enough, high-battled Caesar will Unstate his happiness, and be stag'd to the show Against a sworder! I see men's judgments are A parcel of their fortunes, and things outward 32 Do draw the inward quality after them, To suffer all alike. That he should dream, Knowing all measures, the full Caesar will Answer his emptiness ! Caesar, thou hast subdu'd 36 His judgment too.
Enter a Servant.
Serv. A messenger from Caesar.
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. 40
[Exit Servant.]
Eno. [Aside.] Mine honesty and I begin to square. The loyalty well held to fools does make Our faith mere folly; yet he that can endure To follow with allegiance a fall'n lord, 44
Does conquer him that did his master conquer, And earns a place i' the story.
Enter Thyreus.
Cleo. Caesar's will?
Thyr. Hear it apart.
Cleo. None but friends ; say boldly.
Thyr. So, haply, are they friends to Antony. 48 Eno. He needs as many, sir, as Caesar has, Or needs not us. If Caesar please, our master
29 high-battled: having a lofty command
30 Unstate: strip of state and dignity 31 sworder: gladiator 32 parcel: part 48 haply: perhaps
Antony and Cleopatra, III. xi 81
Will leap to be his friend; for us, you know Whose he is we are, and that is Caesar's.
Thyr. So. 52
Thus then, thou most renown'd: Caesar entreats, Not to consider in what case thou stand'st, Further than he is Caesar.
Cleo. Go on ; right royal.
Thyr. He knows that you embrace not Antony 56 As you did love, but as you fear'd him.
Cleo. O !
Thyr. The scars upon your honour therefore he Does pity, as constrained blemishes, Not as deserv'd.
Cleo. He is a god, and knows 60
What is most right. Mine honour was not yielded, But conquer'd merely.
Eno. [Aside.] To be sure of that,
I will ask Antony. Sir, sir, thou'rt so leaky, That we must leave thee to thy sinking, for 64
Thy dearest quit thee. Exit Enobarbus.
Thyr. Shall I say to Caesar
What you require of him? for he partly begs To be desir'd to give. It much would please him, That of his fortunes you should make a staff 68
To lean upon; but it would warm his spirits To hear from me you had left Antony, And put yourself under his shroud, The universal landlord.
Cleo. What's your name? 72
Thyr. My name is Thyreus.
Cleo. Most kind messenger,
Say to great Caesar this : in deputation I kiss his conqu'ring hand; tell him, I am prompt
71 shroud: pro tection 74 in deputation : by proxy
82 The Tragedy of
To lay my crown at's feet, and there to kneel; 76 Tell him, from his all-obeying breath I hear The doom of Egypt.
Thyr. 'Tis your noblest course.
Wisdom and fortune combating together, If that the former dare but what it can, 80
No chance may shake it. Give me grace to lay My duty on your hand.
Cleo. Your Caesar's father oft,
When he hath mus'd of taking kingdoms in, Bestow'd his lips on that unworthy place, 84
As it rain'd kisses.
Enter Antony and Enobarbus.
Ant. Favours, by Jove that thunders!
What art thou, fellow?
Thyr. One that but performs
The bidding of the fullest man, and worthiest To have command obey'd.
Eno. [Aside.] You will be whipp'd. 88
Ant. Approach there! Ah, you kite! Now, gods and devils ! Authority melts from me: of late, when I cried 'Ho!' Like boys unto a muss, kings would start forth, And cry, 'Your will?' Have you no ears? I am 92 Antony yet.
Enter a Servant.
Take hence this Jack and whip him. Eno. [Aside.] 'Tis better playing with a lion's whelp Than with an old one dying.
Ant. Moon and stars!
77 all-obeying: which all obey 91 muss: scramble
93 Jack: common fellow
Antony and Cleopatra, III. cci 83
Whip him. Were 't twenty of the greatest tribu- taries 96 That do acknowledge Caesar, should I find them So saucy with the * hand of — she here, what's her
name, Since she was Cleopatra? Whip him, fellows, Till, like a boy, you see him cringe his face 100
And whine aloud for mercy; take him hence.
Thyr. Mark Antony, —
Ant. Tug him away; being whipp'd,
Bring him again; this Jack of Caesar's shall Bear us an errand to him. 104
Exeunt [Attendants] with Thy reus. You were half blasted ere I knew you: ha? Have I my pillow left unpress'd in Rome, Forborne the getting of a lawful race, And by a gem of women, to be abus'd 108
By one that looks on feeders?
Cleo. Good my lord, —
Ant. You have been a boggier ever: But when we in our viciousness grow hard, — O misery on 't! — the wise gods seel our eyes; 112 In our own filth drop our clear judgments; make us Adore our errors ; laugh at's while we strut To our confusion.
Cleo. O ! is 't come to this ?
Ant. I found you as a morsel, cold upon 116
Dead Caesar's trencher; nay, you were a fragment Of Cneius Pompey's ; besides what hotter hours, Unregister'd in vulgar fame, you have Luxuriously pick'd out; for, I am sure, 120
105 blasted: withered 109 feeders: dependents
110 boggier: waverer 112 seel: blind
120 Luxuriously: lustfully
84 The Tragedy of
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 124
My playfellow, your hand; this kingly seal And plighter of high hearts. O ! that I were Upon the hill of Basan, to outroar The horned herd; for I have savage cause; 128
And to proclaim it civilly were like A halter'd neck, which does the hangman thank For being yare about him.
Enter a Servant with Thyreus.
Is he whipp'd?
First Att. Soundly, my lord.
Ant. Cried he? and begg'd a' pardon? 132
First Att. He did ask favour.
Ant. If that thy father live, let him repent Thou wast not made his daughter; and be thou sorry To follow Caesar in his triumph, since 136
Thou hast been whipp'd for following him: hence- forth, The white hand of a lady fever thee, Shake thou to look on 't. Get thee back to Caesar, Tell him thy entertainment; look thou say 140
He makes me angry with him; for he seems Proud and disdainful, harping on what I am, Not what he knew I was: he makes me angry; And at this time most easy 'tis to do 't, 144
When my good stars, that were my former guides, Have empty left their orbs, and shot their fires
124 quit: reward
126-128 O! that I were Upon the hill . . . herd; cf. n.
Antony and Cleopatra, III. cci
85
Into the abysm of hell. If he mislike
My speech and what is done, tell him he has 148
Hipparchus, my enfranched bondman, whom
He may at pleasure whip, or hang, or torture,
As he shall like, to quit me: urge it thou:
Hence with thy stripes; be gone! 152
Exit Thyreus. Cleo. Have you done yet?
Ant. Alack! our terrene moon
Is now eelips'd; and it portends alone The faU of Antony.
Cleo. I must stay his time.
Ant. To flatter Caesar, would you mingle eyes 156 With one that ties his points?
Cleo. Not know me yet?
Ant. Cold-hearted toward me?
Cleo. Ah! dear, if I be so,
From my cold heart let heaven engender hail, And poison it in the source; and the first stone 160 Drop in my neck: as it determines, so Dissolve my life. The next Caesarion smite, Till by degrees the memory of my womb, Together with my brave Egyptians all, 164
By the discandying of this pelleted storm, Lie graveless, till the flies and gnats of Nile Have buried them for prey !
Ant. I am satisfied.
Caesar sits down in Alexandria, where 168
I will oppose his fate. Our force by land Hath nobly held; our sever'd navy too Have knit again, and fleet, threat'ning most sea-like.
149 enfranched: enfranchised 153 terrene: terrestrial 161 determines: comes to an end 171 fleet: are afloat
151 quit: be even with
157 points: laces
165 discandying: dissolving
«6 The Tragedy of
Where hast thou been, my heart? Dost thou hear, lady ? 172
If from the field I shall return once more To kiss these lips, I will appear in blood; I and my sword will earn our chronicle: There's hope in 't yet.
Cleo. That's my brave lord ! 176
Ant. I will be treble-sinew'd, hearted, breath'd, And fight maliciously; for when mine hours Were nice and lucky, men did ransom lives Of me for jests; but now I'll set my teeth, 180
And send to darkness all that stop me. Come, Let's have one other gaudy night: call to me All my sad captains; fill our bowls once more; Let's mock the midnight bell.
Cleo. It is my birth-day: 184
I had thought to 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. 188
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 192
Even with his pestilent scythe.
Exeunt [all but Enobarbus].
Eno. Now he'll outstare the lightning. To be furious Is to be frighted out of fear, and in that mood The dove will peck the estridge ; and I see still, 196
179 nice: fastidious, particular 196 estridge: ostrich
Antony and Cleopatra, IV. i 87
A diminution in our captain's brain Restores his heart. When valour preys on reason It eats the sword it fights with. I will seek Some way to leave him. 200
Exit.
ACT FOURTH
Scene One
[Before Alexandria. Ccesar's Camp]
Enter Casar, Agrippa, and Maecenas, with his Army, C&sar reading a letter.
Cas. He calls me boy, and chides as he had power To beat me out of Egypt; my messenger He hath whipp'd with rods; dares me to personal
combat, Caesar to Antony. Let the old ruffian know 4
I have many other ways to die; meantime Laugh at his challenge.
Mcec. Caesar must think,
When one so great begins to rage, he's hunted Even to falling. Give him no breath, but now 8
Make boot of his distraction: never anger Made good guard for itself.
Cass. Let our best heads
Know that to-morrow the last of many battles We mean to fight. Within our files there are, 12 Of those that serv'd Mark Antony but late, Enough to fetch him in. See it done; And feast the army; we have store to do *t, And they have earn'd the waste. Poor Antony ! 16
Exeunt.
9 boot: profit
88 The Tragedy of
Scene Two
[Alexandria. A Room in the Palace]
Enter Antony, 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 for- tune, He is twenty men to one.
Ant. To-morrow, soldier, 4
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. 8
Call forth my household servants; let's to-night Be bounteous at our meal.
Enter three or four Servitors.
Give me thy hand, Thou hast been rightly honest; so hast thou; Thou ; and thou, and thou : you have serv'd me well, 12 And kings have been your fellows.
Cleo. What means this?
Eno. [Aside to Cleopatra.] '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, 16
And all of you clapp'd up together in An Antony, that I might do you service
5 or: either
Antony and Cleopatra, IV. ii 89
So good as you have done.
Servants. The gods forbid!
Ant. Well, my good fellows, wait on me to-night, 20 Scant not my cups, tmd make as much of me As when mine empire was your fellow too, And suffer'd my command.
Cleo. [Aside to Enobarbus.] What does he mean?
Eno. [Aside to Cleopatra.] To make his followers weep.
Ant. Tend me to-night; 24
May be it is the period of your duty: Haply, you shall not see me more; or if, A mangled shadow: perchance to-morrow You'll serve another master. I look on you 28
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, 32
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.
dnt- Ho, ho, ho ! 36
Now, the witch take me, if I meant it thus ! Grace grow where those drops fall! My hearty
friends, You take me in too dolorous a sense, For I spake to you for your comfort; did desire 7°u 40
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
25 period: end 33 yield . reward
90 The Tragedy of
Than death and honour. Let's to supper, come, 44 And drown consideration. Exeunt.
Scene Three
[Before the Palace]
Enter a Company of Soldiers.
First Sold. Brother, good night; to-morrow is the
day. Sec. Sold. It will determine one way ; fare you
well. Heard you of nothing strange about the streets ? First Sold. Nothing. What news ? 4
Sec. Sold. Belike, 'tis but a rumour. Good night
to you. First Sold. Well, sir, good night.
They meet other Soldiers.
Sec. Sold. Soldiers, have careful watch. Third Sold. And you. Good night, good night. 8
They place themselves in every corner of the stage. Fourth Sold. Here we :
[They take their posts.] And if to-morrow Our navy thrive, I have an absolute hope Our landmen will stand up.
Third Sold. 'Tis a brave army,
And full of purpose.
Music of the hautboys is under the stage. Fourth Sold. Peace! what noise?
First Sold. List, list ! 12
Sec. Sold. Hark !
12 S. d. hautboys: wooden double-reed instruments of high pitch
Antony and Cleopatra, IV. iv 91
First Sold. Music i' the air.
Third Sold. Under the earth.
Fourth Sold. It signs well, does it not ? Third Sold. - No.
First Sold. Peace, I say !
What should this mean?
Sec. Sold. 'Tis the god Hercules, whom Antony lov'd, 16
Now leaves him.
First Sold. Walk ; let's see if other watchmen
Do hear what we do.
[They advance to another post.] Sec. Sold. How now, masters !
[They] speak together. 0 nines. How now ! —
How now! — do you hear this?
First Sold. Ay ; is 't not strange ?
Third Sold. Do you hear, masters ? do you
hear ? 20
First Sold. Follow the noise so far as we have
quarter ;
Let's see how 't will give off.
Omnes. Content. — 'Tis strange. Exeunt.
Scene Four
[A Room in the 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 !
16, 17 'Tis the god Hercules . . . leaves him; cf. n. 21 have quarter: occupy positions 2 chuck: chick, a term of endearment
92 The Tragedy of
Enter Eros [with armour~\.
Come, good fellow, put mine iron on:
If Fortune be not ours to-day, it is 4
Because we brave her. Come.
Cleo. Nay, I'll help too.
What's this for?
Ant. Ah, let be, let be; thou art
The armourer of my heart: false, false; this, this.
Cleo. Sooth, la! I'll help: thus it must be.
Ant. Well, well; 8
We shall thrive now. Seest thou, my good fellow? Go put on thy defences.
Eros. Briefly, sir.
Cleo. Is not this buckled well?
Ant. Rarely, rarely:
He that unbuckles this, till we do please 12
To daff '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 couldst see my wars to-day, and knew'st 16 The royal occupation, thou shouldst 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, 20
And go to 't with delight.
Sold. A thousand, sir,
Early though 't be, have on their riveted trim, And at the port expect you.
Shout. Trumpets flourish.
13 daff: put off 15 tight: able
22 riveted trim : armor 23 port: gate
Antony and Cleopatra, IV. v 93
Enter Captains and Soldiers.
Capt. The morn is fair. Good morrow, general. 24
All. Good morrow, general.
-Ant. 'Tis well blown, lads.
This morning, like the spirit of a youth That means to be of note, begins betimes. So, so; come, give me that: this way; well said. 28 Fare thee well, dame, whate'er becomes of me; This is a soldier's kiss. [Kisses her.] Rebukeable And worthy shameful check it were, to stand On more mechanic compliment; I'll leave thee 32
Now, like a man of steel. You that will fight, Follow me close ; I'll bring you to 't. Adieu.
Exeunt [Antony, Eros, Captains,
and Soldiers],
Char. Please you, retire to your chamber.
Cleo. Lead me.
He goes forth gallantly. That he and Csesar
might S6
Determine this great war in single fight!
Then, Antony, — but now. — Well, on. Exeunt.
Scene Five [Alexandria. Antony's Camp]
Trumpets sound. Enter Antony and Eros [a Soldier
meeting them].
Sold. The gods make this a happy day to Antony ! Ant. Would thou and those thy scars had once prevail'd To make me fight at land!
Sold. Hadst thou done so,
25 blown; cf. n.
9* The Tragedy of
The kings that have revolted, and the soldier 4
That has this morning left thee, would have still Follow'd thy heels.
Ant. Who's gone this morning?
Sold. Who !
One ever near thee: call for Enobarbus, He shall not hear thee; or from Caesar's camp 8
Sav, 'I am none of thine.'
Ant. What sayst thou?
Sold. Sir,
He is with Caesar.
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; 12 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. O ! my fortunes have 16
Corrupted honest men. Dispatch. Enobarbus !
Exeunt.
Scene Six
[Before Alexandria. Ccesar's Camp]
Flourish. Enter Agrippa, Casar, with Enobarbus
and Dolabella.
Cces. Go forth, Agrippa, and begin the fight: Our will is Antony be took alive; Make it so known.
Agr. Caesar, I shall. 4
[Exit.]
Antony and Cleopatra, IV. vi 95
Cces. The time of universal peace is near: Prove this a prosperous day, the three-nook'd world Shall bear the olive freely.
Enter a Messenger.
Mess. Antony
Is come into the field.
C(bs. Go charge Agrippa 8
Plant those that have revolted in the van, That Antony may seem to spend his fury Upon himself. Exeunt [Ccesar and his Train].
Eno. Alexas did revolt, and went to Jewry on 12 Affairs of Antony; there did persuade Great Herod to incline himself to Caesar, And leave his master Antony: for this pains Caesar hath hang'd him. Canidius and the rest 16 That fell away have entertainment, but No honourable trust. I have done ill, Of which I do accuse myself so sorely That I will joy no more.
Enter a Soldier of Ccesar's.
Sold. Enobarbus, Antony 20
Hath after thee sent all thy treasure, with His bounty overplus: the messenger Came on my guard; and at thy tent is now Unloading of his mules.
Eno. I give it you. 24
Sold. Mock not, Enobarbus. I tell you true: best you saf'd the bringer Out of the host ; I must attend mine office Or would have done 't myself. Your emperor 28
Continues still a Jove. Exit.
6 three-nook'd: three-cornered {comprising Europe, Asia, Africa) 26 saf'd: conducted safely
96 The Tragedy of
Eno. I am alone the villain of the earth, And feel I am so most. O Antony ! Thou mine of bounty, how wouldst thou have paid 32 My better service, when my turpitude Thou dost so crown with gold ! This blows my heart : If swift thought break it not, a swifter mean Shall outstrike thought; but thought will do 't, I feel. 36
I fight against thee ! No : I will go seek Some ditch, wherein to die; the foul'st best fits My latter part of life. Exit.
Scene Seven
[Field of Battle between the Camps]
Alarum. Drums and trumpets. Enter Agrippa.
Agr. Retire, we have engag'd ourselves too far. Caesar himself has work, and our oppression Exceeds what we expected. Exit.
Alarums. Enter Antony, and Scarus wounded.
Scar. O my brave emperor, this is fought indeed ! 4 Had we done so at first, we had droven them home With clouts about their heads.
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. 8
Scar. We'll beat 'em into bench-holes : I have yet Room for six scotches more.
34 blows: swells
2 our oppression: the force by which we are overpowered
6 clouts: bandages 9 bench-holes: privy holes
10 scotches: gashes
Antony and Cleopatra, IV. viii 97
Enter Eros.
Eros. They are beaten, sir; and our advantage serves For a fair victory. *
Scar. Let us score their backs, 12
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.
Scene Eight
[Under the Walls of Alexandria]
Alarum. Enter Antony again in a march; Scarus,
with Others.
Ant. We have beat him to his camp; run one be- fore And let the queen know of our gests. To-morrow, Before the sun shall see's, we'll spill the blood That has to-day escap'd. I thank you all; 4
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 have shown all Hectors. Enter the city, clip your wives, your friends, 8
Tell them your feats ; whilst they with j oyf ul tears Wash the congealment from your wounds, and kiss The honour'd gashes whole. [To Scarus.] Give me thy hand:
Enter Cleopatra [attended].
16 halt: limp 2 gests: deeds 8 clip: embrace
98 The Tragedy of
To this great fairy I'll commend thy acts, 12
Make her thanks bless thee. O thou day o' the
world ! Chain mine arm'd neck; leap thou, attire and all, Through proof of harness to my heart, and there Ride on the pants triumphing.
Cleo. Lord of lords ! 16
O infinite virtue ! com'st thou smiling from The world's great snare uncaught?
Ant. My nightingale,
We have beat them to their beds. What, girl ! though
grey Do something mingle with our younger brown, yet ha'
we 20
A brain that nourishes our nerves, and can
Get goal for goal of youth. Behold this man;
Commend unto his lips thy favouring hand:
Kiss it, my warrior: he hath fought to-day 24
As if a god, in hate of mankind, had
Destroy'd 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 carbuncled 28 Like holy Phoebus' car. Give me thy hand: Through Alexandria make a jolly march; Bear our hack'd targets like the men that owe them: Had our great palace the capacity 32
To camp this host, we all would sup together And drink carouses to the next day's fate, Which promises royal peril. Trumpeters, With brazen din blast you the city's ear, 36
Make mingle with our rattling tabourines,
12 fairy: charmer 15 proof of harness: strength of armor
31 owe: own 37 tabourines: drums
Antony and Cleopatra, IV. ice 99
That heaven and earth may strike their sounds to- gether, Applauding our approach. Exeunt.
Scene Nine
[C cesar's Camp] Enter a Sentry and his Company; Enobarbus follows.
First Sold. If we be not reliev'd within this hour, We must return to the court of guard: the night Is shiny, and they say we shall embattle By the second hour i' the morn.
Sec. Sold. This last day was 4
A shrewd one to's.
Eno. O ! bear me witness, night, —
Third Sold. What man is this ?
Sec. Sold. Stand close and list him.
Eno. Be witness to me, O thou blessed moon, When men revolted shall upon record 8
Bear hateful memory, poor Enobarbus did Before thy face repent!
First Sold. Enobarbus !
Third Sold. Peace !
Hark further.
Eno. O sovereign mistress of true melancholy, 12 The poisonous damp of night disponge upon me, That life, a very rebel to my will, May hang no longer on me ; throw my heart Against the flint and hardness of my fault, 16
Which, being dried with grief, will break to powder, And finish all foul thoughts. O Antony !
2 court of guard: guard house
13 disponge: squeeze as from a sponge
ioo The Tragedy of
Nobler than my revolt is infamous,
Forgive me in thine own particular ; 20
But let the world rank me in register
A master-leaver and a fugitive.
O Antony! O Antony! [Dies.]
Sec. Sold. Let's speak to him. 24
First Sold. Let's hear him, for the things he speaks May concern Caesar.
Third Sold. Let's do so. But he sleeps.
First Sold. Swounds rather ; for so bad a prayer as his Was never yet for sleep.
Sec. Sold. Go we to him. 28
Third Sold. Awake, sir, awake ! speak to us.
Sec. Sold. Hear you, sir ?
First Sold. The hand of death hath raught him.
Drums afar off. Hark! the drums Demurely wake the sleepers. Let us bear him To the court of guard; he is of note: our hour 32
Is fully out.
Third Sold. Come on, then ; He may recover yet. Exeunt [with the body].
Scene Ten
[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.
20 in thine own particular: as far as you are concerned 30 raught: seized
Antony and Cleopatra, IV. oo 101
Ant. I would they'd fight i' the fire or i' the air; We'd fight there too. But this it is; our foot 4
Upon the hills adjoining to the city Shall stay with us; drder for sea is given, They have put forth the haven,
Where their appointment we may best discover 8
And look on their endeavour. Exeunt.
Enter Ccesar and his Army.
Cces. 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 galleys. To the vales, 12
And hold our best advantage ! Exeunt.
Enter Antony and Scarus.
Ant. Yet they are not join'd. Where yond pine does stand I shall discover all; I'll bring thee word Straight how 'tis like to go. Exit.
Scar. Swallows have built 16
In Cleopatra's sails their nests; the augurers Say they know not, they cannot tell; look grimly, And dare not speak their knowledge. Antony Is valiant, and dejected; and, by starts, 20
His fretted fortunes give him hope and fear Of what he has and has not.
Alarum afar off, as at a sea fight.
Enter Antony.
Ant. All is lost!
This foul Egyptian hath betrayed me; My fleet hath yielded to the foe, and yonder 24
They cast their caps up and carouse together Like friends long lost. Triple-turn'd whore ! 'tis thou
10 But being: unless we are 21 fretted: check ere d
102 The Tragedy of
Hast sold me to this novice, and my heart
Makes only wars on thee. Bid them all fly; 28
For when I am reveng'd upon my charm,
I have done all. Bid them all fly ; be gone.
[Exit Scarus.] O sun! thy uprise shall I see no more; Fortune and Antony part here; even here 32
Do we shake hands. All come to this? The hearts That spaniel'd me at heels, to whom I gave Their wishes, do discandy, melt their sweets On blossoming Caesar; and this pine is bark'd, 36 That overtopp'd them all. Betray'd I am. O this false soul of Egypt! this grave charm, Whose eye beck'd forth my wars, and call'd them
home, Whose bosom was my crownet, my chief end, 40
Like a right gipsy, hath, at fast and loose, Beguil'd me to the very heart of loss. What, Eros ! Eros !
Enter Cleopatra.
Ah! thou spell. Avaunt! Cleo. Why is my lord enrag'd against his love? 44 Ant. Vanish, or I shall give thee thy deserving, And blemish Caesar's triumph. Let him take thee, And hoist thee up to the shouting plebeians ; Follow his chariot, like the greatest spot 48
Of all thy sex; most monster-like, be shown For poor'st diminutives, for dolts; and let Patient Octavia plough thy visage up With her prepared nails. Exit Cleopatra.
'Tis well thou'rt gone, 52
29 charm: enchantress 34 spaniel'd: followed like a spaniel
40 crownet: coronet 41 right: true
50 diminutives: insignificant persons
Antony and Cleopatra, IV. oci
103
If it be well to live; but better 'twere
Thou fell'st into my fury, for one death
Might have prevented many. Eros, ho !
The shirt of Nessus is upon me; teach me, 56
Alcides, thou mine ancestor, thy rage;
Let me lodge Lichas on the horns o' the moon ;
And with those hands, that grasp'd the heaviest club,
Subdue my worthiest self. The witch shall die: 60
To the young Roman boy she hath sold me, and I
fall Under this plot; she dies for 't. Eros, ho! Exit.
Scene Eleven
^Alexandria. A Room in the Palace] Enter Cleopatra, Charmian, Iras, and Mardian.
Cleo. Help me, my women ! O ! he is more mad Than Telamon for his shield; the boar of Thessaly Was never so emboss'd.
Char. To the monument !
There lock yourself, and send him word you are dead. 4
The soul and body rive not more in parting Than greatness going off.
Cleo. To the monument !
Mardian, go tell him I have slain myself; Say that the last I spoke was 'Antony,' 8
And word it, prithee, piteously. Hence, Mardian, and bring me how he takes my death. To the monument! Exeunt.
57 Alcides, thou mine ancestor; cf. n.
1, 2 O! he is more mad . . . Thessaly; cf. n.
3 emboss'd: foaming at the mouth
60 worthiest: noblest 5 rive: are torn
\
104 The Tragedy of
Scene Twelve
[Another Room]
Enter Antony and Eros.
Ant. Eros, thou yet behold' st me?
Eros. Ay, noble lord.
Ant. Sometimes we see a cloud that's dragonish; A vapour sometime like a bear or lion, A tower'd citadel, a pendent rock, 4
A forked mountain, or blue promontory With trees upon 't, that nod unto the world And mock our eyes with air: thou hast seen these
signs; They are black vesper's pageants.
Eros. Ay, my lord. 8
Ant. That which is now a horse, even with a thought The rack dislimns, and makes it indistinct, As water is in water.
Eros. It does, my lord.
Ant. My good knave, Eros, now thy captain- is 12 Even such a body: here I am Antony; Yet cannot hold this visible shape, my knave. I made these wars for Egypt; and the queen, Whose heart I thought I had, for she had mine, 16 Which whilst it was mine had annex'd unto 't A million more, now lost; she, Eros, has Pack'd cards with Caesar, and false-play'd my glory Unto an enemy's triumph. 20
Nay, weep not, gentle Eros; there is left us Ourselves to end ourselves.
8 vesper's: evening's
10 rack dislimns: the moving cloud mass causes to Jose its outlines
19 Pack'd cards: made a fradulent arrangement
Antony and Cleopatra, IV, xii 105
Enter Mardian.
O! thy vile lady; She has robb'd me of my sword.
Mar. " No, Antony ;
My mistress lov'd thee, and her fortunes mingled 24 With thine entirely.
Ant. Hence, saucy eunuch; peace!
She hath betray'd me and shall die the death.
Mar. Death of one person can be paid but once, And that she has discharg'd. What thou wouldst do 28
Is done unto thy hand; the last she spake Was 'Antony! most noble Antony!' Then in the midst a tearing groan did break The name of Antony; it was divided 32
Between her heart and lips. She render'd life, Thy name so buried in her.
Ant. Dead, then?
Mar. Dead.
Ant. Unarm, Eros; the long day's task is done, And we must sleep. [To Mardian.'] That thou de- part'st hence safe, 36
Does pay thy labour richly; go. Exit Mardian.
Off, pluck off: The seven- fold shield of Ajax cannot keep The battery from my heart. O ! cleave, my sides ; Heart, once be stronger than thy continent, 40
Crack thy frail case! Apace, Eros, apace. No more a soldier; bruised pieces, go; You have been nobly borne. From me awhile.
Exit Eros. I will o'ertake thee, Cleopatra, and 44
Weep for my pardon. So it must be, for now
39 battery: assault 40 continent: that which contains
106 The Tragedy of
All length is torture; since the torch is out,
Lie down, and stray no further. Now all labour
Mars what it does; yea, very force entangles 48
Itself 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 ; 52
Dido and her iEneas shall want troops,
And all the haunt be ours. Come, Eros ! Eros !
Enter Eros.
Eros. What would my lord?
Ant. Since Cleopatra died,
I have liv'd in such dishonour, that the gods 56
Detest my baseness. I, that with my sword Quarter'd the world, and o'er green Neptune's back With ships made cities, condemn myself to lack The courage of a woman; less noble mind 60
Than she, which by her death our Caesar tells 'I am conqueror of myself.' Thou art sworn, Eros, That, when the exigent should come, — which now Is come indeed, — when I should see behind me 64
The inevitable prosecution of Disgrace and horror, that, on my command, Thou then wouldst kill me: do 't; the time is come. Thou strik'st not me, 'tis Caesar thou defeat'st. 68 Put colour in thy cheek.
Eros. The gods withhold 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 72
48, 49 yea, very force . . . strength; cf. n.
49 seal: bring to a conclusion
52 port: bearing, demeanor 63 exigent: emergency
Antony and Cleopatra, IV. ocii 107
Thy master thus with pleach'd arms, bending down
His corrigible neck, his face subdu'd
To penetrative shame, whilst the wheel'd seat
Of fortunate Caesar,, drawn before him, branded 76
His baseness that ensu'd?
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. O, sir ! pardon me. 80
Ant. When I did make thee free, swor'st thou not then To do this when I bade thee? Do it at once, Or thy precedent services are all But accidents unpurpos'd. Draw, and come. 84
Eros. Turn from me then that noble countenance, Wherein the worship of the whole world lies.
Ant. Lo thee! [Turning from him.~\
Eros. My sword is drawn.
Ant. Then let it do at once 88
The thing why thou hast drawn it.
Eros. My dear master,
My captain, and my emperor, let me say, Before I strike this bloody stroke, farewell.
Ant. 'Tis said, man; and farewell. 92
Eros. Farewell, great chief. Shall I strike now?
Ant. Now, Eros.
Eros. Why, there then; thus do I escape the sor- row Kills himself. Of Antony's death.
Ant. Thrice-nobler than myself !
Thou teachest me, O valiant Eros, what 96
73 pleach'd: folded 74 corrigible: submissive
86 worship: dignity
108 The Tragedy of
I should, and thou couldst not. My queen and Eros
Have by their brave instruction got upon me
A nobleness in record; but I will be
A bridegroom in my death, and run into 't 100
As to a lover's bed. Come, then; and, Eros,
Thy master dies thy scholar: to do thus
[Falls on his sword.] I learn'd of thee. How! not dead? not dead? The guard, ho ! O ! dispatch me.
Enter [JDercetas and] Guard.
First Guard. What's the noise? 104
Ant. I have done my work ill, friends: O! make an end. Of what I have begun.
Sec. Guard. The star is fallen.
First Guard. And time is at his period.
All. Alas, and woe!
Ant. Let him that loves me strike me dead.
First Guard. Not I. 108
Sec. Guard. Nor I.
Third Guard. Nor any one. Exeunt [Guard],
Der. Thy death and fortunes bid thy followers fly. This sword but shown to Caesar, with this tidings, 112 Shall enter me with him.
Enter Diomedes.
Dio. Where's Antony? Der. There, Diomed, there.
Dio. Lives he?
Wilt thou not answer, man? [Exit Dercetas.]
Ant. Art thou there, Diomed? Draw thy sword, and give me 116
98 instruction: teaching 99 A nobleness in record; cf. n.
Antony and Cleopatra, IV. ocii 109
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. Lock'd in her monument. She had a proph- esying fear 120 Of what hath come to pass; for when she saw — Which never shall be found — you did suspect She had dispos'd with Caesar, and that your rage Would not be purg'd, she sent you word she was dead ; 124 But, fearing since how it might work, hath sent Me to proclaim the truth; and I am come, I dread, too late.
Ant. Too late, good Diomed. Call my guard, I prithee. 128
Dio. What, ho ! the emperor's guard ! The guard, what, ho! Come, your lord calls !
Enter four or five of the Guard of Antony.
Ant. Bear me, good friends, where Cleopatra bides ; 'Tis the last service that I shall command you. 132 First Guard. Woe, woe are we, sir, you may not live to wear All your true followers out.
All. Most heavy day!
Ant. Nay, good my fellows, do not please sharp fate To grace it with your sorrows ; bid that welcome 136
123 dispos'd: come to terms 124 purg'd: cleared away
no The Tragedy of
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. 140
Exeunt, bearing Antony.
Scene Thirteen
[A Monument]
Enter Cleopatra and her maids aloft, with Charmian
and Iras.
Cleo. O Charmian ! I will never go from hence.
Char. Be comforted, dear madam.
Cleo. No, I will not.
All strange and terrible events are welcome, But comforts we despise; our size of sorrow, 4
Proportion'd to our cause, must be as great As that which makes it.
Enter [below] Diomedes.
How now ! is he dead? Dio. His death's upon him, but not dead. Look out o' the other side your monument; 8
His guard have brought him thither.
Enter [below] Antony [borne by] the Guard.
Cleo. O sun!
Burn the great sphere thou mov'st in; darkling stand The varying shore o' the world. O Antony, Antony, Antony ! Help, Charmian, help, Iras, help ; 12
Help, friends below ! let's draw him hither.
Ant. Peace!
Antony and Cleopatra, IV. xiii m
Not Caesar's valour hath o'erthrown Antony, But Antony's hath triumph'd on itself.
Cleo. So it should be, that none but Antony 16 Should conquer Antony ; but woe 'tis so !
Ant. I am dying, Egypt, dying; only I here importune death awhile, until Of many thousand kisses the poor last 20
I lay upon thy lips.
Cleo. I dare not, dear, —
Dear my lord, pardon, — I dare not, Lest I be taken: not the imperious show Of the full-fortun'd Caesar ever shall 24
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 28
Demuring upon me. But come, come, Antony, — Help me, my women, — we must draw thee up. Assist, good friends.
Ant. O! quick, or I am gone.
Cleo. Here's sport indeed ! How heavy weighs my lord ! 32
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, 36 Wishers were ever fools. O! come, come, come;
They heave Antony aloft 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. A heavy sight.' 40
Ant. I am dying, Egypt, dying:
25 brooch'd: adorned 28 still conclusion: quiet inference
29 Demuring: looking demurely 39 Quicken : come to life
112 The Tragedy of
Give me some wine, and let me speak a little.
Cleo. No, let me speak; and let me rail so high, That the false housewife Fortune break her wheel, 44 Provok'd by my offence.
Ant. One word, sweet queen.
Of Caesar seek your honour with your safety. O !
Cleo. They do not go together.
Ant. Gentle, hear me:
None about Caesar trust, but Proculeius. 48
Cleo. My resolution and my hands I'll trust; None about Caesar.
Ant. The miserable change now at my end Lament nor sorrow at ; but please your thoughts 52 In feeding them with those my former fortunes Wherein I liv'd, the greatest prince o' the world, The noblest; and do now not basely die, Not cowardly put off my helmet to 56
My countryman; a Roman by a Roman Valiantly vanquish'd. Now my spirit is going; I can no more.
Cleo. Noblest of men, woo 't die?
Hast thou no care of me? shall I abide 60
In this dull world, which in thy absence is No better than a sty ? O ! see, my women,
[Antony dies.] The crown o' the earth doth melt. My lord! O ! wither'd is the garland of the war, 64
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. [Swoons.]
Char. O, quietness, lady! 68
44 housewife: hussy 65 pole: pole-star, guiding star
66 the odds is gone; cf. n.
Antony and Cleopatra, IV. ooiii H3
Iras. She is dead too, our sovereign.
Char. Lady !
Iras. Madam !
Char. O madam, madam, madam !
Iras. Royal Egypt!
Empress !
Char. Peace, peace, Iras ! 72
Cleo. No more, but e'en a woman, and commanded By such poor passion as the maid that milks And does the meanest chares. It were for me To throw my sceptre at the injurious gods; 76
To tell them that this world did equal theirs Till they had stol'n our jewel. All's but naught; Patience is sottish, and impatience does Become a dog that's mad; then is it sin 80
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 ! 84
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 ; 88 This case of that huge spirit now is cold; Ah ! women, women. Come ; we have no friend But resolution, and the briefest end.
Exeunt, [those above\ bearing off Antony's body.
75 chares: chores, tasks 85 sirs; cf. n.
114 The Tragedy of
ACT FIFTH
Scene One
[Alexandria. Ccesar's Camp]
Enter Casar, Agrippa, Dolabella, Maecenas, with [Gallus, Proculeius, and Others,] his Council of War.
Cces. Go to him, Dolabella, bid him yield; Being so frustrate, tell him he mocks The pauses that he makes.
Dol. Caesar, I shall. [Exit.]
Enter Dercetas, with the sword of Antony.
Cces. Wherefore is that? and what art thou that dar'st 4
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 8
To spend upon his haters. If thou please To take me to thee, as I was to him I'll be to Caesar; if thou pleasest not, I yield thee up my life.
Cces. What is 't thou sayst? 12
Der. I say, O Caesar, Antony is dead.
Cces. The breaking of so great a thing should make A greater crack; the round world Should have shook lions into civil streets, 16
And citizens to their dens. The death of Antony Is not a single doom ; in the name lay
2,3 Being so frustrate . . . makes; cf. n. 16 civil: orderly
Antony and Cleopatra, V.i us
A moiety of the world.
Der. He is dead, Caesar;
Not by a public minister of justice, 20
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; 24
I robb'd his wound of it; behold it stain'd With his most noble blood.
Cces. Look you sad, friends?
The gods rebuke me, but it is tidings To wash the eyes of kings.
Agr. And strange it is, 28
That nature must compel us to lament Our most persisted deeds.
Mcec. His taints and honours
Wag'd equal with him.
Agr. A rarer spirit never
Did steer humanity; but you, gods, will give us 32 Some faults to make us men. Caesar is touch'd.
Mcec. When such a spacious mirror's set before him, He needs must see himself.
Cces. O Antony !
I have f ollow'd thee to this ; but we do lance 36
Diseases in our bodies: I must perforce Have shown to thee such a declining day, Or look on thine; we could not stall together In the whole world. But yet let me lament, 40
With tears as sovereign 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, 44
The arm of mine own body, and the heart
19 moiety: half 43 top of all design: in all high ambitions
"6 The Tragedy of
Where mine his thoughts did kindle, that our stars,
Unreconciliable, should divide
Our equalness to this. Hear me, good friends, — 48
Enter an Egyptian.
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?
Egyp. A poor Egyptian yet. The queen my mis- tress, 52 Confin'd in all she has, her monument, Of thy intents desires instruction, That she preparedly may frame herself To the way she's forc'd to.
Cces. Bid her have good heart; 56
She soon shall know of us, by some of ours, How honourable and how kindly we Determine for her; for Caesar cannot live To be ungentle.
Egyp. So the gods preserve thee ! 60
Exit.
Cats. 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 64
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. Caesar, I shall. 68
Exit Proculeius.
Cces. Gallus, go you along. [Exit Gallus.~\
Where's Dolabella,
63 passion: feelings, state of mind
Antony and Cleopatra, V . ii 117
To second Proculeius?
f/r' i Dolabella ! Mcec. )
Cass. Let him alone, for I remember now
How he's employ'd; he shall in time be ready. 72
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 76
What I can show in this. Exeunt.
Scene Two
[The Monument]
Enter [aloft,] Cleopatra, Charmian, Iras, and
Mardian.
Cleo. My desolation does begin to make A better life. 'Tis paltry to be Caesar; Not being Fortune, he's but Fortune's knave, A minister of her will; and it is great 4
To do that thing that ends all other deeds, Which shackles accidents, and bolts up change, Which sleeps, and never palates more the dug, The beggar's nurse and Caesar's. 8
Enter [below,] Proculeius [Gallus, and Soldiers].
Pro. Caesar sends greeting to the Queen of Egypt; 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 12
6-8 Which shackles accidents . . . Caesar's; cf. n.
118 The Tragedy of
Did tell me of you, bade 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, 16
That majesty, to keep decorum, must
No less beg than a kingdom: if he please
To give me conquer'd Egypt for my son,
He gives me so much of mine own as I 20
Will kneel to him with thanks.
Pro. Be of good cheer;
You're fall'n into a princely hand, fear nothing. Make your full reference freely to my lord, Who is so full of grace, that it flows over 24
On all that need; let me report to him Your sweet dependancy, and you shall find A conqueror that will pray in aid for kindness Where he for grace is kneel'd to.
Cleo. Pray you, tell him 28
I am his fortune's vassal, and I send him The greatness he has got. I hourly learn A doctrine of obedience, and would gladly Look him i' the face.
Pro. This I'll report, dear lady: 32
Have comfort, for I know your plight is pitied Of him that caus'd it.
Gal. You see how easily she may be surpris'd.
[Proculeius and two of the Guard ascend the monument by a ladder, and come behind Cleopatra. Some of the Guard unbar and open the gates, discovering the lower room of the monument.]
23 Make . . . reference: refer the whole matter 27, 28 A conqueror . . . kneel'd to; cf. n.
Antony and Cleopatra, V. ii 119
[To Proculeius and the Guard.] Guard her till Csesar come. 36
[Exit.] Iras. Royal queen!
Char. O Cleopatra ! thou art taken, queen. Cleo. Quick, quick, good hands.
[Drawing a dagger.] Pro. Hold, worthy lady, hold!
[Seizes and disarms her.] Do not yourself such wrong, who are in this 40
Reliev'd, but not betray'd.
Cle<>' What, of death too,
That rids our dogs of languish?
Pro. Cleopatra,
Do not abuse my master's bounty by The undoing of yourself; let the world see 44
His nobleness well acted, which your death Will never let come forth.
Cleo- Where art thou, death?
Come hither, come ! come, come, and take a queen Worth many babes and beggars !
Pro. O ! temperance, lady. 48
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 Caesar what he can. Know, sir, that I 52
Will not wait pinion'd at your master's court, Nor once be chastis'd with the sober eye Of dull Octavia. Shall they hoist me up And show me to the shouting varletry 56
Of censuring Rome? Rather a ditch in Egypt Be gentle grave unto me ! rather on Nilus' mud Lay me stark nak'd, and let the water-flies
56 varletry: rabble
120 The Tragedy of
Blow me into abhorring! rather make 60
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 Caesar.
Enter Dolabella.
Dol. Proculeius, 64
What thou hast done thy master Caesar 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. 68
[To Cleopatra.'] To Caesar 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.
Dol. Assuredly you know me. 72
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 Emperor Antony: 76 O ! such another sleep, that I might see But such another man.
Dol. If it might please ye, —
Cleo. His face was as the heavens, and therein stuck A sun and moon, which kept their course, and lighted 80
Antony and Cleopatra, V. ii 121
The little O, the 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; 84
But when he meant to quail and shake the orb, He was as rattling thunder. For his bounty, There was no winter in % an autumn 'twas That grew the more by reaping; his delights 88
Were dolphin-like, they show'd his back above The element they liv'd in; in his livery Walk'd crowns and crownets, realms and islands were As plates dropp'd from his pocket.
Dol. Cleopatra, — 92
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, 96
It's past the size of dreaming; nature wants stuff To vie strange forms with fancy; yet to imagine An Antony were nature's piece 'gainst fancy, Condemning shadows quite.
Dol. Hear me, good madam. 100
Your loss is as yourself, great; and you bear it As answering to the weight: would I might never O'ertake pursu'd success, but I do feel, By the rebound of yours, a grief that smites 104
My very heart at root.
Cleo. I thank you, sir.
Know you what Caesar means to do with me?
85 quail: overpower 88-90 his delights . . . in; cf. n.
92 plates: pieces of money
97-99 nature wants stuff . . . fancy; cf. n.
122 The Tragedy of
Dol. I am loath to tell you what I would you
knew. Cleo. Nay, pray you, sir, —
Dol. Though he be honourable, — 108
Cleo. He'll lead me then in triumph? Dol. Madam, he will; I know 't. Flourish.
[Within'] 'Make way there! — Caesar!'
Enter Proculeius, Ccesar, Gallus, Mcecenas and Others
of his Train.
Cces. Which is the Queen of Egypt?
Dol. It is the emperor, madam. 112
Cleopatra kneels.
Cces. Arise, you shall not kneel. I pray you, rise; rise, Egypt.
Cleo. Sir, the gods
Will have it thus ; my master and my lord I must obey.
Cces. Take to you no hard thoughts; 116
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' the world,
I cannot project mine own cause so well 120
To make it clear; but do confess I have Been laden with like frailties which before Have often sham'd our sex.
Cces. Cleopatra, know,
We will extenuate rather than enforce: 124
If you apply yourself to our intents, — Which towards you are most gentle, — you shall find A benefit in this change; but if you seek To lay on me a cruelty, by taking 128
120 project: exhibit
Antony and Cleopatra, V. ii
123
Antony's course, you shall bereave yourself
Of my good purposes, and put your children
To that destruction which I'll guard them from,
If thereon you rely. I'll take my leave. 132
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.
Cgbs. You shall advise me in all for Cleopatra. 136
Cleo. [Giving a Scroll.] This is the brief of money, plate, and jewels, I am possess'd of: 'tis exactly valued; Not petty things admitted. Where's Seleucus?
Sel. Here, madam. 140
Cleo. This is my treasurer ; let him speak, my lord, Upon his peril, that I have reserv'd To myself nothing. Speak the truth, Seleucus.
Sel. Madam, 144
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.
Cces. Nay, blush not, Cleopatra ; I approve 148
Your wisdom in the deed.
Cleo. See ! Caesar ! O, behold,
How pomp is f ollow'd ; mine will now be yours ; And, should we shift estates, yours would be mine. The ingratitude of this Seleucus does 152
Even make me wild. O slave ! of no more trust Than love that's hir'd. What! goest thou back? thou shalt
134 scutcheons: shields of armorial bearings 139 Not petty things admitted: except for trifles
124 The Tragedy of
Go back, I warrant thee; but I'll catch thine eyes, Though they had wings: slave, soulless villain, dog ! 156
O rarely base !
Cass. Good queen, let us entreat you.
Cleo. O Caesar ! what a wounding shame is this, That thou, vouchsafing here to visit me, Doing the honour of thy lordliness 160
To one so meek, that mine own servant should Parcel the sum of my disgraces by Addition of his envy. Say, good Caesar, That I some lady trifles have reserv'd, 164
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 168
Their mediation; must I be unfolded With one that I have bred ? The gods ! it smites me Beneath the fall I have. [To Seleucus.] Prithee, go
hence; Or I shall show the cinders of my spirits 172
Through the ashes of my chance. Wert thou a man, Thou wouldst have mercy on me.
Caes. Forbear, Seleucus.
[Exit Seleucus.]
Cleo. Be it known that we, the greatest, are mis- thought For things that others do; and, when we fall, 176 We answer others' merits in our name, Are therefore to be pitied.
Cces. Cleopatra,
162 Parcel the sum: sum up 164 lady: feminine
165 Immoment toys: trifles of no importance
166 modern: ordinary 168 Livia; cf. n. 169 unfolded: betrayed 170 With: fey 173 chance: fortune 176-178 and, when we fall . . . pitied; cf. n.
Antony and Cleopatra, V. ii 125
Not what you have reserv'd, nor what acknowledg'd, Put we i' the roll of conquest: still be 't yours, 180 Bestow it at your pleasure; and believe, Caesar'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 ; 184
For we intend so to dispose you as Yourself shall give us counsel. Feed, and sleep: , Our care and pity is so much upon you, That we remain your friend; and so, adieu. 188
Cleo. My master, and my lord!
Cces. Not so. Adieu.
Flourish. Exeunt Ccesar and his Train.
Cleo. He words me, girls, he words me, that I should not Be noble to myself: but, hark thee, Charmian.
[Whispers Charmian.]
Iras. Finish, good lady ; the bright day is done, 192 And we are for the dark.
Cleo. Hie thee again:
I have 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. [Exit.]
Cleo. Dolabella! 196
Dol. Madam, as thereto sworn by your command,
Which my love makes religion to obey,
I tell you this: Caesar through Syria
Intends his journey; and within three days 200
182 prize: appraisement 190 words: flatters; cf. n.
126 The Tragedy of
You with your children will he send before. Make your best use of this; I have perform'd Your pleasure and my promise.
Cleo. Dolabella,
I shall remain your debtor.
Dol. I your servant. 204
Adieu, good queen; I must attend on Caesar.
Cleo. Farewell, and thanks. Exit [Dolabella].
Now, Iras, what think'st thou? Thou, an Egyptian puppet, shalt be shown In Rome, as well as I ; mechanic slaves 208
With greasy 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! 212
Cleo. Nay, 'tis most certain, Iras. Saucy lictors Will catch at us, like strumpets, and scald rimers Ballad us out o' tune; the quick comedians Extemporally will stage us, and present 216
Our Alexandrian revels. Antony Shall be brought drunken forth, and I shall see Some squeaking Cleopatra boy my greatness I' the posture of a whore.
Iras. O, the good gods ! 220
Cleo. Nay, that's certain.
Iras. I'll never see it; for, I am sure my nails Are stronger than mine eyes.
Cleo. Why, that's the way
To fool their preparation, and to conquer 224
Their most absurd intents.
213 lictors: officials attendant on Roman magistrates
214 scald: mean 218,219 and I shall see . . . greatness; cf. n. 220 posture: behavior
4
Antony and Cleopatra, V. ii 12?
Enter Charmian.
Now Charmian, Show me, my women, like a queen; go fetch My best attires; I am again for Cydnus, To meet Mark Antony. Sirrah Iras, go. 228
Now, noble Charmian, we'll dispatch indeed; And, when thou hast done this chare, I'll give thee
leave To play till doomsday. Bring our crown and all.
[Exit Iras.] A noise within. Wherefore's this noise?
Enter a Guardsman.
Guard. Here is a rural fellow 232
That will not be denied your highness' presence: He brings you figs.
Cleo. Let him come in. Exit Guardsman. What poor an instrument May do a noble deed ! he brings me liberty. 236
My resolution's plac'd, and I have nothing Of woman in me; now from head to foot I am marble-constant, now the fleeting moon No planet is of mine.
Enter Guardsman and Clown [bringing in a basket].
Guard. This is the man. 240
Cleo. Avoid, and leave him. [Exit Guardsman.]
Hast thou the pretty worm of Nilus there,
That kills and pains not?
Clo. Truly, I have him ; but I would not 244 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.
241 Avoid: withdraw
128 The Tragedy of
Cleo. Remember'st thou any that have died
on 't? 248
Clo. 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 252 honesty, how she died of the biting of it, what pain she felt. Truly, she makes a very good report o' the worm; but he that will believe all that they say shall never be saved by half that 256 they do. But this is most fallible, the worm's an odd worm. Cleo. Get thee hence; farewell.
Clo. I wish you all joy of the worm. 260
[Sets down the basket,] Cleo. Farewell.
Clo. You must think this, look you, that the worm will do his kind. Cleo. Ay, ay; farewell. 264
Clo. 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. Cleo. Take thou no care; it shall be heeded. 268
Clo. Very good. Give it nothing, I pray you, for it is not worth the feeding. Cleo. Will it eat me?
Clo. You must not think I am so simple 272 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 whoreson devils do the gods great 276
257 fallible: mistake for 'infallible'
263 do his kind: act according to his nature
Antony and Cleopatra, V. ii 129
harm in their women, for in every ten that they
make, the devils mar five.
Cleo. Well, get thee gone; farewell.
Clo. Yes, forsooth; I wish you joy of the 280 worm. Exit.
[Enter Iras, with a robe, crown, 8fC.~\
Cleo. Give me my robe, put on my crown; I have Immortal longings in me; now no more The juice of Egypt's grape shall moist this lip. 284 Yare, yare, good Iras; quick. Methinks I hear Antony call; I see him rouse himself To praise my noble act; I hear him mock The luck of Caesar, which the gods give men 288 To excuse their after wrath: husband, I come: Now to that name my courage prove my title ! I am fire, and air; my other elements I give to baser life. So; have you done? 292
Come then, and take the last warmth of my lips. Farewell, kind Charmian; Iras, long farewell.
[Kisses them. Iras falls and dies.~\ Have I the aspic in my lips? Dost fall? If thou and nature can so gently part, 296
The stroke of death is as a lover's pinch, Which hurts, and is desir'd. Dost thou lie still? If thus thou vanishes t, thou tell'st the world It is not worth leave-taking. 300
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 304
295 aspic: asp
130 The Tragedy of
Which is my heaven to have. Come, thou mortal wretch,
[To the asp, which she applies to her breast.] With thy sharp teeth this knot intrinsicate Of life at once untie; poor venomous fool, Be angry, and dispatch. O ! couldst thou speak, 308 That I might hear thee call great Caesar ass Unpolicied.
Char. O eastern star !
Cleo. Peace, peace!
Dost thou not see my baby at my breast, That sucks the nurse asleep?
Char. O, break ! O, break ! 312
Cleo. As sweet as balm, as soft as air, as gentle, — O Antony ! — Nay, I will take thee too.
[Applying another asp to her arm.] What should I stay — Dies.
Char. In this vile world? So, fare thee well. 316 Now boast thee, death, in thy possession lies A lass unparallel'd. Downy windows, close; And golden Phoebus never be beheld Of eyes again so royal! Your crown's awry; 320
I'll mend it, and then play.
Enter the Guard, rushing in.
First Guard. Where is the queen? Char. Speak softly, wake her not.
First Guard. Caesar hath sent — Char. Too slow a messenger.
[Applies an asp.] O ! come apace, dispatch ; I partly feel thee. 324 First Guard. Approach, ho! All's not well; Caesar's beguil'd.
306 intrinsicate: intricate
Antony and Cleopatra, V. it 131
Sec. Guard. There's Dolabella sent from Caesar;
call him. First Guard. What work is here ! Charmian, is
this well done? Char. It is well done, and fitting for a princess 328 Descended of so many royal kings. Ah ! soldier. Charmian dies.
Enter Dolabella.
Dol. How goes it here?
Sec. Guard. All dead.
Dol. Caesar, thy thoughts
Touch their effects in this; thyself art coming 332 To see perform'd the dreaded act which thou So sought'st to hinder.
[Within,'] 'A way there! — a way for Caesar!'
Enter Casar and all his Train marching.
Dol. O ! sir, you are too sure an augurer ; That you did fear is done.
Cobs. Bravest at the last, 336
She levell'd at our purposes, and, being royal, Took her own way. The manner of their deaths? I do not see them bleed.
Dol. Who was last with them?
First Guard. A simple countryman that brought her figs: 340
This was his basket.
Cces. Poison'd then.
First Guard. O Caesar !
This Charmian liv'd but now; she stood, and spake: I found her trimming up the diadem On her dead mistress; tremblingly she stood, 344
332 effects: fulfilment 337 levell'd: guessed
132 Antony and Cleopatra, V. ii
And on the sudden dropp'd.
Cobs. O noble weakness !
If they had swallow'd poison 'twould appear By external swelling; but she looks like sleep, As she would catch another Antony 348
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.
First Guard. This is an aspic's trail; and these fig- leaves 352 Have slime upon them, such as the aspic leaves Upon the caves of Nile.
Cobs. Most probable
That so she died ; for her physician tells me She hath pursu'd conclusions infinite 356
Of easy 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 360
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, 364 In solemn show, attend this funeral, And then to Rome. Come, Dolabella, see High order in this great solemnity. Exeunt omnes.
349 toil: net 350 vent: effusion blown : swollen
356 conclusions: experiments 360 clip: enfold
FINIS
NOTES
I. i. 12. triple pillar of the world. A reference to the triumvirate,, Octavius Caesar, Antony, and Lepi- dus, then governing the Roman world. 'After the murder of Caesar (44 B. C.) . . . Antony conceived the idea of making himself sole ruler . . . Brutus refused to surrender . . . and Antony set out to attack him in October, 44 B. C. But at this time Octavian, whom Caesar had adopted as his son, arrived from Illyria, and claimed the inheritance of his "father." Octavian obtained the support of the Senate and . . . Antony was defeated at Mutina (43 B. C.) where he was besieging Brutus. The con- suls, Aulus Hirtius and C. Vibius Pansa, however, fell in the battle, and the Senate became suspicious of Octavian, who . . . entered Rome at the head of his troops, and forced the Senate to bestow the con- sulship upon him. . . . Meanwhile Antony escaped . . . effected a junction with Lepidus, and marched towards Rome with a large force of infantry and cavalry. Octavian betrayed his party, and came to terms with Antony and Lepidus. The three lead- ers . . . adopted the title of Triumviri reipublicce constituencies as joint rulers. Gaul was to belong to Antony, Spain to Lepidus, and Africa, Sardinia, and Sicily to Octavian. . . . [The East was held for the Republic by Brutus and Cassius.] In the following year (42 B. C.) Antony and Octavian proceeded against the conspirators Cassius and Brutus, and by the two battles of Philippi annihilated the senatorial and republican parties. Antony proceeded to Greece, and thence to Asia Minor, to procure money for his veterans and complete the subjugation of the eastern provinces. On his passage through Cilicia in 41 B. C.
134 The Tragedy of
he fell a victim to the charms of Cleopatra, in whose company he spent the winter in Alexandria. At length he was aroused by the Parthian invasion of Syria [by Labienus and Pacorus] and the report of an outbreak between Fulvia his wife and Lucius his brother, on the one hand, and Octavian on the other.' The Encyclopedia Britannica, 'Marcus Antonius.'
I. ii. S. d. Rannius, Lucillius. These characters take no part in the dialogue and do not appear again in the play.
I. ii. 4-6. 0! that I knew this husband, which, you say, must charge his horns with garlands. The sooth- sayer apparently has been saying that Charmian will deceive her husband when she gets him. This, in the current Elizabethan phrase, was to make a cuckold of him, to give him invisible horns. That the horns were to be wreathed with garlands is a reflection, perhaps, upon the guile of Charmian.
I. ii. 30. Herod of Jewry. The Herod of the New Testament, with a slanting reference in the context to the Three Kings from the East and their adoration of the infant Jesus.
I. ii. 107. Labienus. Labienus, a republican gen- eral and therefore opposed to Antony (cf. I. i. 12, note), had united with Pacorus (cf. III. i. 1-5, note) and his Parthians, and had harried Syria and Asia Minor.
I. ii. 133-135. The present pleasure, By revolu- tion lowering, does become The opposite of itself. What is pleasure (in this case the hope that Fulvia might die) revolves and becomes the opposite.
I. ii. 206. the courser's hair. It was an old belief that a hair from a horse's tail or mane when thrown into water would sometimes take life and become a worm.
I. iii. 68, 69. By the fire that quickens Nilus' slime. The reference is to the sun.
Antony and Cleopatra 135
I. iii. 84, 85. How this Herculean Roman does become The carriage of his chafe. How becomingly this descendant of Hercules displays his irritation. Cleopatra is teasing Antony.
I. iii. 90, 91. 01 my oblivion is a very Antony, And I am all forgotten. My memory deserts me like Antony; or, perhaps, 'I forget myself in thinking of Antony/
I. iv. 24. foils. Many editors have substituted the word soils, with the same meaning.
I. v. 48. arm-gaunt. No very satisfactory expla- nation of this word has been offered. It is, perhaps, a misprint, possibly for 'rampaunt.'
II. i. 26, 27. That sleep and feeding may prorogue his honour Even till a Lethe' d dulness! That with too much sleeping and eating any thought of his honor may be deferred until it sinks into dull forget- fulness. Lethe was the river of forgetfulness.
II. ii. 7, 8. Were I the wearer of Antonius' beard, I would not shave 't to-day. I would permit Caesar to 'beard me,' that is, to defy me, if he dared.
II. ii. 27. I should do thus. Apparently Antony either embraced, or shook hands with, Caesar.
II. ii. 46-48. Your wife and brother Made wars upon me, and their contestation Was theme for you, you were the word of war. The passage is probably corrupt. Was theme'd for you, and Was then for you have been suggested as emendations. The con- text indicates that the meaning is, 'their contesta- tion drew its cause from you; you were the excuse for their going to war.' See especially 11. 98-102 of the present scene.
II. ii. 67, 68. The third o' the world is yours, which with a snaffle You may pace easy, but not such a wife. You may control your share of the world as
136 The Tragedy of
easily as you can pace a good horse with a snaffle bit, but not such a wife.
II. ii. 116. your considerate stone. I shall be thoughtful, but as dumb as a stone.
II. ii. 140, 141. truths would be tales Where now half tales be truths. True reports of differences be- tween you would be regarded as tales, where now mere rumors are regarded as truth.
II. ii. 144, 145. For 'tis a studied, not a present thought, By duty ruminated. For it is an idea sug- gested by duty and carefully considered, not a casual thought.
II. ii. 158, 159. and never Fly off our loves again. And may our loves never fly apart again.
II. ii. 213. And what they undid did. While cool- ing her cheeks they made them glow with apparent warmth.
II. ii. 214-218. Her gentlewomen, like the Nere- ides, So many mermaids, tended her i' the eyes, And made their bends adornings. Deighton paraphrases as follows: — 'the mermaids (sic) waited upon her, ever observant of her wishes as shown by her looks, and lent fresh beauty to the picture by the grace with which they paid their homage.' It is possible, however, that by the phrase tended her i' the eyes Shakespeare had reference to the bow, where are the eyes, or hawse holes, for the tackle. North writes in the translation of Plutarch which Shakespeare used, 'some steering the helm, others tending the tackle and ropes of the barge.' the silken tackle Swell with the touches of those flower-soft hands. At the touch of their hands the ropes swell with delight.
II. iii. 37, 38. his quails ever Beat mine, inhoop'd, at odds. His quails, fighting within a hoop, or ring, beat mine, even when the odds are against them.
II. v. 3. let's to billiards. An anachronism. Bil-
Antony and Cleopatra 137
liards are not known to have been played in the Roman period.
II. v. 23. his sword Philippan. The sword which Antony had worn at the battle of Philippi.
II. v. 103. That art not what thou'rt sure of. The probable meaning is, 'thou art not the cause of that unwelcome information of which thou art so sure.'
II. vi. 10-14. I do not know Wherefore my father should revengers want, Having a son and friends; since Julius Caesar, Who at Philippi the good Brutus ghosted, There saw you labouring for him. Why should my father, who has a son and friends, go unrevenged, when you labored at the battle of Phi- lippi in the cause of the dead Julius Caesar.
II. vi. 27. Thou dost o'er-count me of my father's house. Antony, in the days of Julius Caesar, had professedly bought the property of Pompey senior, but actually confiscated it.
II. vii. 7, 8. As they pinch one another by the disposition. As they irritate one another by refer- ences to subjects upon which one or the other is sensitive (?).
II. vii. 13-15. J had as lief have a reed that will do me no service as a partisan I could not heave. A weapon that cannot be lifted is no more valuable than a reed. Lepidus' position does him little service since he is not great enough to fill it.
II. vii. 16-19. To be called into a huge sphere, and not to be seen to move in 't, are the holes where eyes should be, which pitifully disaster the cheeks. To occupy an important position without doing any- thing is as bad as an empty socket where there should be an eye.
III. i. 1-5. Now, darting Parthia, art thou struck; and now Pleas'd fortune does of Marcus
!38 The Tragedy of
Crassus' death Make me revenger. Bear the Icing's son's body Before our army. Thy Pacorus, Orodes, Pays this for Marcus Crassus. The Parthians, who were famed for their shooting of arrows, especially when in retreat, had defeated and slain the Roman proconsul Marcus Crassus and later under Labienus and Pacorus (cf. note on I. ii. 107) had ravaged Asia Minor and Syria. Their defeat by Ventidius, with the slaying of Pacorus^ son of the king Orodes, avenged the Roman dead.
III. ii. 26, 27. as my furthest band Shall pass on thy approof. As the greatest security I can give shall be ventured on your conduct.
III. ii. 51, 52. He has a cloud in's face. Eno. He were the worse for that were he a horse. A horse without a white mark, or star, on his forehead was supposed to have a mischievous or dogged disposi- tion. He was said to have a cloud in his face.
III. iii. 3. Herod of Jewry. Herod, king of the Jews, was presented as a fierce blusterer in the miracle plays.
III. iii. 33, 34. and her forehead As low as she would wish it. Low foreheads were not esteemed in Shakespeare's day, especially among the ladies. The words 'as low as she would wish it' are ironical.
III. iv. S. d. Athens. Antony married Octavia in 40 B. C. and took the eastern half of the Roman empire for his province. In 32 B. C. he repudiated Octavia, and in the same year war was declared by Octavius, against Cleopatra. The battle of Actium in 31 B. C. and the capture of Alexandria in 30 B. C, with the death of Antony and Cleopatra, immediately succeeded. There is, therefore, a space of about eight years between Act II, Scene 2 and Act III, Scene 4. Within this period came the agreement with Pompey, a renewal of the triumvirate, and a war with the Parthians in which Antony was unsuccess- ful.
Antony and Cleopatra 139
III. iv. 4. made his will, and read it. This is a mistake on Shakespeare's part. It was Antony's will that Caesar took out of custody, read publicly, and criticised.
III. v. 12, 13. so the poor third is up, till death enlarge his confine. This may be paraphrased: 'so the weak third member of the triumvirate is done for, until death set him free.'
III. vi. 6. my father's son. Octavius Caesar was a grandnephew of Julius Caesar, but had been adopted by him as heir. Caesarion was son of Julius Caesar and Cleopatra.
III. vi. 52, 53. which, left unshown, Is often left unlov'd. This may be paraphrased: 'Love, like mine, when it is not displayed, often fails to develop itself.'
III. vi. 61. Being an abstract 'tween his lust and him. That is, Octavia's departure shortened the in- terval between Antony and Cleopatra, the object of his lust. Theobald and other editors read 'obstruct' in the sense of 'obstruction,' but the reference seems to be to 'which' in 1. 60 rather than to Octavia.
III. vii. S. d. the Promontory of Actium. Actium is on the west coast of Greece above the Pelopon- nesus. The Antony of history seems to have chosen to fight here by sea, either because his army was short of provisions and declining in morale, or, and more probably, because the control of the Eastern Mediterranean was essential in order to safeguard his power over Egypt, Greece, and Asia Minor.
III. vii. 5, 6. If not denounced against us, why should not we Be there in person? The meaning is, even if the war is not declared against us, i.e., Cleo- patra, there is no reason why we should not be there in person. Historically, the war was declared against Cleopatra, not Antony.
III. vii. 25, 26. A good rebuke, Which might have well becom'd the best of men. This may be para-
140 The Tragedy of
phrased: 'The best of men might so have rebuked me.'
III. vii. 68, 69. but his whole action grows Not in the power on 't. Perhaps this means: 'but his whole action develops not according to the power (Antony's ability and resources) on which it should be based.'
III. vii. 80, 81. With news the time's with labour, and throes forth Each minute some. This may be paraphrased: 'The time gives birth each minute to some piece of news.'
III. ix. 52-54. How I convey my shame out of thine eyes By looking bach what I have left behind 'Stroy'd in dishonour. This may be paraphrased: 'How I carry my shame out of thy sight by