Mr. William Shakespeare-Tragedy-Antony and Cleopatra

[*JujU*]

[h=3]SCENE IX. Another part of the plain.[/h]

Enter MARK ANTONY and DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS​

MARK ANTONY

Set we our squadrons on yond side o' the hill,
In eye of Caesar's battle; from which place
We may the number of the ships behold,
And so proceed accordingly.
Exeunt

​

 

[*JujU*]

[h=3]SCENE X. Another part of the plain.[/h]

CANIDIUS marcheth with his land army one way over the stage; and TAURUS, the lieutenant of OCTAVIUS CAESAR, the other way. After their going in, is heard the noise of a sea-fight​

Alarum. Enter DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS​

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

Naught, naught all, naught! I can behold no longer:
The Antoniad, the Egyptian admiral,
With all their sixty, fly and turn the rudder:
To see't mine eyes are blasted.
Enter SCARUS
​

SCARUS

Gods and goddesses,
All the whole synod of them!
​

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

What's thy passion!
​

SCARUS

The greater cantle of the world is lost
With very ignorance; we have kiss'd away
Kingdoms and provinces.
​

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

How appears the fight?
​

SCARUS

On our side like the token'd pestilence,
Where death is sure. Yon ribaudred nag of Egypt,--
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,
Hoists sails and flies.
​

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

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

SCARUS

She once being loof'd,
The noble ruin of her magic, Antony,
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
Did violate so itself.
​

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

Alack, alack!
Enter CANIDIUS
​

CANIDIUS

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:
O, he has given example for our flight,
Most grossly, by his own!
​

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

Ay, are you thereabouts?
Why, then, good night indeed.
​

CANIDIUS

Toward Peloponnesus are they fled.
​

SCARUS

'Tis easy to't; and there I will attend
What further comes.
​

CANIDIUS

To Caesar will I render
My legions and my horse: six kings already
Show me the way of yielding.
​

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

I'll yet follow
The wounded chance of Antony, though my reason
Sits in the wind against me.
Exeunt
​

 

[*JujU*]

[h=3]SCENE XI. Alexandria. CLEOPATRA's palace.[/h]

Enter MARK ANTONY with Attendants​

MARK ANTONY

Hark! the land bids me tread no more upon't;
It is ashamed 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
Laden with gold; take that, divide it; fly,
And make your peace with Caesar.
​

All

Fly! not we.
​

MARK ANTONY

I have fled myself; and have instructed cowards
To run and show their shoulders. Friends, be gone;
I have myself resolved 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:
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
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:
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.
Sits down
Enter CLEOPATRA led by CHARMIAN and IRAS; EROS following
​

EROS

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

IRAS

Do, most dear queen.
​

CHARMIAN

Do! why: what else?
​

CLEOPATRA

Let me sit down. O Juno!
​

MARK ANTONY

No, no, no, no, no.
​

EROS

See you here, sir?
​

MARK ANTONY

O fie, fie, fie!
​

CHARMIAN

Madam!
​

IRAS

Madam, O good empress!
​

EROS

Sir, sir,--
​

MARK ANTONY

Yes, my lord, yes; he at Philippi kept
His sword e'en like a dancer; while I struck
The lean and wrinkled Cassius; and 'twas I
That the mad Brutus ended: he alone
Dealt on lieutenantry, and no practise had
In the brave squares of war: yet now--No matter.
​

CLEOPATRA

Ah, stand by.
​

EROS

The queen, my lord, the queen.
​

IRAS

Go to him, madam, speak to him:
He is unqualitied with very shame.
​

CLEOPATRA

Well then, sustain him: O!
​

EROS

Most noble sir, arise; the queen approaches:
Her head's declined, and death will seize her, but
Your comfort makes the rescue.
​

MARK ANTONY

I have offended reputation,
A most unnoble swerving.
​

EROS

Sir, the queen.
​

MARK ANTONY

O, whither hast thou led me, Egypt? See,
How I convey my shame out of thine eyes
By looking back what I have left behind
'Stroy'd in dishonour.
​

CLEOPATRA

O my lord, my lord,
Forgive my fearful sails! I little thought
You would have follow'd.
​

MARK ANTONY

Egypt, thou knew'st too well
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
Command me.
​

CLEOPATRA

O, my pardon!
​

MARK ANTONY

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 pleased,
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.
​

CLEOPATRA

Pardon, pardon!
​

MARK ANTONY

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.
Some wine, within there, and our viands! Fortune knows
We scorn her most when most she offers blows.
Exeunt
​

 

[*JujU*]

[h=3]SCENE XII. Egypt. OCTAVIUS CAESAR's camp.[/h]

Enter OCTAVIUS CAESAR, DOLABELLA, THYREUS, with others​

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

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

DOLABELLA

Caesar, 'tis his schoolmaster:
An argument that he is pluck'd, when hither
He sends so poor a pinion off his wing,
Which had superfluous kings for messengers
Not many moons gone by.
Enter EUPHRONIUS, ambassador from MARK ANTONY
​

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

Approach, and speak.
​

EUPHRONIUS

Such as I am, I come from Antony:
I was of late as petty to his ends
As is the morn-dew on the myrtle-leaf
To his grand sea.
​

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

Be't so: declare thine office.
​

EUPHRONIUS

Lord of his fortunes he salutes thee, and
Requires to live in Egypt: which not granted,
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;
Submits her to thy might; and of thee craves
The circle of the Ptolemies for her heirs,
Now hazarded to thy grace.
​

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

For Antony,
I have no ears to his request. The queen
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.
​

EUPHRONIUS

Fortune pursue thee!
​

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

Bring him through the bands.
Exit EUPHRONIUS
To THYREUS
From Antony win Cleopatra: promise,
And in our name, what she requires; add more,
From thine invention, offers: women are not
In their best fortunes strong; but want will perjure
The ne'er touch'd vestal: try thy cunning, Thyreus;
Make thine own edict for thy pains, which we
Will answer as a law.
​

THYREUS

Caesar, I go.
​

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

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

THYREUS

Caesar, I shall.
Exeunt
​

 

[*JujU*]

[h=3]SCENE XIII. Alexandria. CLEOPATRA's palace.[/h]

Enter CLEOPATRA, DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS, CHARMIAN, and IRAS​

CLEOPATRA

What shall we do, Enobarbus?
​

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

Think, and die.
​

CLEOPATRA

Is Antony or we in fault for this?
​

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

Antony only, that would make his will
Lord of his reason. What though you fled
From that great face of war, whose several ranges
Frighted each other? why should he follow?
The itch of his affection should not then
Have nick'd his captainship; at such a point,
When half to half the world opposed, he being
The meered question: 'twas a shame no less
Than was his loss, to course your flying flags,
And leave his navy gazing.
​

CLEOPATRA

Prithee, peace.
Enter MARK ANTONY with EUPHRONIUS, the Ambassador
​

MARK ANTONY

Is that his answer?
​

EUPHRONIUS

Ay, my lord.
​

MARK ANTONY

The queen shall then have courtesy, so she
Will yield us up.
​

EUPHRONIUS

He says so.
​

MARK ANTONY

Let her know't.
To the boy Caesar send this grizzled head,
And he will fill thy wishes to the brim
With principalities.
​

CLEOPATRA

That head, my lord?
​

MARK ANTONY

To him again: tell him he wears the rose
Of youth upon him; from which the world should note
Something particular: his coin, ships, legions,
May be a coward's; whose ministers would prevail
Under the service of a child as soon
As i' the command of Caesar: I dare him therefore
To lay his gay comparisons apart,
And answer me declined, sword against sword,
Ourselves alone. I'll write it: follow me.
Exeunt MARK ANTONY and EUPHRONIUS
​

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

[Aside] Yes, like enough, high-battled Caesar will
Unstate his happiness, and be staged to the show,
Against a sworder! I see men's judgments are
A parcel of their fortunes; and things outward
Do draw the inward quality after them,
To suffer all alike. That he should dream,
Knowing all measures, the full Caesar will
Answer his emptiness! Caesar, thou hast subdued
His judgment too.
Enter an Attendant
​

Attendant

A messenger from CAESAR.
​

CLEOPATRA

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.
Exit Attendant
​

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

[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
Does conquer him that did his master conquer
And earns a place i' the story.
Enter THYREUS
​

CLEOPATRA

Caesar's will?
​

THYREUS

Hear it apart.
​

CLEOPATRA

None but friends: say boldly.
​

THYREUS

So, haply, are they friends to Antony.
​

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

He needs as many, sir, as Caesar has;
Or needs not us. If Caesar please, our master
Will leap to be his friend: for us, you know,
Whose he is we are, and that is, Caesar's.
​

THYREUS

So.
Thus then, thou most renown'd: Caesar entreats,
Not to consider in what case thou stand'st,
Further than he is Caesar.
​

CLEOPATRA

Go on: right royal.
​

THYREUS

He knows that you embrace not Antony
As you did love, but as you fear'd him.
​

CLEOPATRA

O!
​

THYREUS

The scars upon your honour, therefore, he
Does pity, as constrained blemishes,
Not as deserved.
​

CLEOPATRA

He is a god, and knows
What is most right: mine honour was not yielded,
But conquer'd merely.
​

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

[Aside] To be sure of that,
I will ask Antony. Sir, sir, thou art so leaky,
That we must leave thee to thy sinking, for
Thy dearest quit thee.
Exit
​

THYREUS

Shall I say to Caesar
What you require of him? for he partly begs
To be desired to give. It much would please him,
That of his fortunes you should make a staff
To lean upon: but it would warm his spirits,
To hear from me you had left Antony,
And put yourself under his shrowd,
The universal landlord.
​

CLEOPATRA

What's your name?
​

THYREUS

My name is Thyreus.
​

CLEOPATRA

Most kind messenger,
Say to great Caesar this: in deputation
I kiss his conquering hand: tell him, I am prompt
To lay my crown at 's feet, and there to kneel:
Tell him from his all-obeying breath I hear
The doom of Egypt.
​

THYREUS

'Tis your noblest course.
Wisdom and fortune combating together,
If that the former dare but what it can,
No chance may shake it. Give me grace to lay
My duty on your hand.
​

CLEOPATRA

Your Caesar's father oft,
When he hath mused of taking kingdoms in,
Bestow'd his lips on that unworthy place,
As it rain'd kisses.
Re-enter MARK ANTONY and DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS
​

MARK ANTONY

Favours, by Jove that thunders!
What art thou, fellow?
​

THYREUS

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

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

[Aside] You will be whipp'd.
​

MARK ANTONY

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
Antony yet.
Enter Attendants
Take hence this Jack, and whip him.
​

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

[Aside] 'Tis better playing with a lion's whelp
Than with an old one dying.
​

MARK ANTONY

Moon and stars!
Whip him. Were't twenty of the greatest tributaries
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,
And whine aloud for mercy: take him hence.
​

THYREUS

Mark Antony!
​

MARK ANTONY

Tug him away: being whipp'd,
Bring him again: this Jack of Caesar's shall
Bear us an errand to him.
Exeunt Attendants with THYREUS
You were half blasted ere I knew you: ha!
Have I my pillow left unpress'd in Rome,
Forborne the getting of a lawful race,
And by a gem of women, to be abused
By one that looks on feeders?
​

CLEOPATRA

Good my lord,--
​

MARK ANTONY

You have been a boggler ever:
But when we in our viciousness grow hard--
O misery on't!--the wise gods seel our eyes;
In our own filth drop our clear judgments; make us
Adore our errors; laugh at's, while we strut
To our confusion.
​

CLEOPATRA

O, is't come to this?
​

MARK ANTONY

I found you as a morsel cold upon
Dead Caesar's trencher; nay, you were a fragment
Of Cneius Pompey's; besides what hotter hours,
Unregister'd in vulgar fame, you have
Luxuriously pick'd out: for, I am sure,
Though you can guess what temperance should be,
You know not what it is.
​

CLEOPATRA

Wherefore is this?
​

MARK ANTONY

To let a fellow that will take rewards
And say 'God quit you!' be familiar with
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;
And to proclaim it civilly, were like
A halter'd neck which does the hangman thank
For being yare about him.
Re-enter Attendants with THYREUS
Is he whipp'd?
​

First Attendant

Soundly, my lord.
​

MARK ANTONY

Cried he? and begg'd a' pardon?
​

First Attendant

He did ask favour.
​

MARK ANTONY

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
Thou hast been whipp'd for following him: henceforth
The white hand of a lady fever thee,
Shake thou to look on 't. Get thee back to Caesar,
Tell him thy entertainment: look, thou say
He makes me angry with him; for he seems
Proud and disdainful, harping on what I am,
Not what he knew I was: he makes me angry;
And at this time most easy 'tis to do't,
When my good stars, that were my former guides,
Have empty left their orbs, and shot their fires
Into the abysm of hell. If he mislike
My speech and what is done, tell him he has
Hipparchus, my 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, begone!
Exit THYREUS
​

CLEOPATRA

Have you done yet?
​

MARK ANTONY

Alack, our terrene moon
Is now eclipsed; and it portends alone
The fall of Antony!
​

CLEOPATRA

I must stay his time.
​

MARK ANTONY

To flatter Caesar, would you mingle eyes
With one that ties his points?
​

CLEOPATRA

Not know me yet?
​

MARK ANTONY

Cold-hearted toward me?
​

CLEOPATRA

Ah, dear, if I be so,
From my cold heart let heaven engender hail,
And poison it in the source; and the first stone
Drop in my neck: as it determines, so
Dissolve my life! The next Caesarion smite!
Till by degrees the memory of my womb,
Together with my brave Egyptians all,
By the discandying of this pelleted storm,
Lie graveless, till the flies and gnats of Nile
Have buried them for prey!
​

MARK ANTONY

I am satisfied.
Caesar sits down in Alexandria; where
I will oppose his fate. Our force by land
Hath nobly held; our sever'd navy too
Have knit again, and fleet, threatening most sea-like.
Where hast thou been, my heart? Dost thou hear, lady?
If from the field I shall return once more
To kiss these lips, I will appear in blood;
I and my sword will earn our chronicle:
There's hope in't yet.
​

CLEOPATRA

That's my brave lord!
​

MARK ANTONY

I will be treble-sinew'd, hearted, breathed,
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,
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.
​

CLEOPATRA

It is my birth-day:
I had thought to have held it poor: but, since my lord
Is Antony again, I will be Cleopatra.
​

MARK ANTONY

We will yet do well.
​

CLEOPATRA

Call all his noble captains to my lord.
​

MARK ANTONY

Do so, we'll speak to them; and to-night I'll force
The wine peep through their scars. Come on, my queen;
There's sap in't yet. The next time I do fight,
I'll make death love me; for I will contend
Even with his pestilent scythe.
Exeunt all but DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS
​

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

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,
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.
Exit
​

 

[*JujU*]

[h=3]SCENE I. Before Alexandria. OCTAVIUS CAESAR's camp.[/h]

Enter OCTAVIUS CAESAR, AGRIPPA, and MECAENAS, with his Army; OCTAVIUS CAESAR reading a letter​

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

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
I have many other ways to die; meantime
Laugh at his challenge.
​

MECAENAS

Caesar must think,
When one so great begins to rage, he's hunted
Even to falling. Give him no breath, but now
Make boot of his distraction: never anger
Made good guard for itself.
​

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

Let our best heads
Know, that to-morrow the last of many battles
We mean to fight: within our files there are,
Of those that served Mark Antony but late,
Enough to fetch him in. See it done:
And feast the army; we have store to do't,
And they have earn'd the waste. Poor Antony!
Exeunt

​

 

[*JujU*]

[h=3]SCENE II. Alexandria. CLEOPATRA's palace.[/h]

Enter MARK ANTONY, CLEOPATRA, DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS, CHARMIAN, IRAS, ALEXAS, with others​

MARK ANTONY

He will not fight with me, Domitius.
​

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

No.
​

MARK ANTONY

Why should he not?
​

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

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

MARK ANTONY

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

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

I'll strike, and cry 'Take all.'
​

MARK ANTONY

Well said; come on.
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 served me well,
And kings have been your fellows.
​

CLEOPATRA

[Aside to DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS] What means this?
​

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

[Aside to CLEOPATRA] 'Tis one of those odd
tricks which sorrow shoots
Out of the mind.
​

MARK ANTONY

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

All

The gods forbid!
​

MARK ANTONY

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

CLEOPATRA

[Aside to DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS] What does he mean?
​

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

[Aside to CLEOPATRA] To make his followers weep.
​

MARK ANTONY

Tend me to-night;
May be it is the period of your duty:
Haply you shall not see me more; or if,
A mangled shadow: perchance to-morrow
You'll serve another master. I look on you
As one that takes his leave. Mine honest friends,
I turn you not away; but, like a master
Married to your good service, stay till death:
Tend me to-night two hours, I ask no more,
And the gods yield you for't!
​

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

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

MARK ANTONY

Ho, ho, ho!
Now the witch take me, if I meant it thus!
Grace grow where those drops fall!
My hearty friends,
You take me in too dolorous a sense;
For I spake to you for your comfort; did desire you
To burn this night with torches: know, my hearts,
I hope well of to-morrow; and will lead you
Where rather I'll expect victorious life
Than death and honour. Let's to supper, come,
And drown consideration.
Exeunt
​

 

[*JujU*]

[h=3]SCENE III. The same. Before the palace.[/h]

Enter two Soldiers to their guard​

First Soldier

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

Second Soldier

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

First Soldier

Nothing. What news?
​

Second Soldier

Belike 'tis but a rumour. Good night to you.
​

First Soldier

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

Second Soldier

Soldiers, have careful watch.
​

Third Soldier

And you. Good night, good night.
They place themselves in every corner of the stage
​

Fourth Soldier

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

Third Soldier

'Tis a brave army,
And full of purpose.
Music of the hautboys as under the stage
​

Fourth Soldier

Peace! what noise?
​

First Soldier

List, list!
​

Second Soldier

Hark!
​

First Soldier

Music i' the air.
​

Third Soldier

Under the earth.
​

Fourth Soldier

It signs well, does it not?
​

Third Soldier

No.
​

First Soldier

Peace, I say!
What should this mean?
​

Second Soldier

'Tis the god Hercules, whom Antony loved,
Now leaves him.
​

First Soldier

Walk; let's see if other watchmen
Do hear what we do?
They advance to another post
​

Second Soldier

How now, masters!
​

All

[Speaking together] How now!
How now! do you hear this?
​

First Soldier

Ay; is't not strange?
​

Third Soldier

Do you hear, masters? do you hear?
​

First Soldier

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

All

Content. 'Tis strange.
Exeunt
​

 

[*JujU*]

[h=3]SCENE IV. The same. A room in the palace.[/h]

Enter MARK ANTONY and CLEOPATRA, CHARMIAN, and others attending​

MARK ANTONY

Eros! mine armour, Eros!
​

CLEOPATRA

Sleep a little.
​

MARK ANTONY

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

CLEOPATRA

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

MARK ANTONY

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

CLEOPATRA

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

MARK ANTONY

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

EROS

Briefly, sir.
​

CLEOPATRA

Is not this buckled well?
​

MARK ANTONY

Rarely, rarely:
He that unbuckles this, till we do please
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
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,
And go to't with delight.
​

Soldier

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

Captain

The morn is fair. Good morrow, general.
​

All

Good morrow, general.
​

MARK ANTONY

'Tis well blown, lads:
This morning, like the spirit of a youth
That means to be of note, begins betimes.
So, so; come, give me that: this way; well said.
Fare thee well, dame, whate'er becomes of me:
This is a soldier's kiss: rebukeable
Kisses her
And worthy shameful cheque it were, to stand
On more mechanic compliment; I'll leave thee
Now, like a man of steel. You that will fight,
Follow me close; I'll bring you to't. Adieu.
Exeunt MARK ANTONY, EROS, Captains, and Soldiers
​

CHARMIAN

Please you, retire to your chamber.
​

CLEOPATRA

Lead me.
He goes forth gallantly. That he and Caesar might
Determine this great war in single fight!
Then Antony,--but now--Well, on.
Exeunt
​

 

[*JujU*]

[h=3]SCENE V. Alexandria. MARK ANTONY's camp.[/h]

Trumpets sound. Enter MARK ANTONY and EROS; a Soldier meeting them​

Soldier

The gods make this a happy day to Antony!
​

MARK ANTONY

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

Soldier

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

MARK ANTONY

Who's gone this morning?
​

Soldier

Who!
One ever near thee: call for Enobarbus,
He shall not hear thee; or from Caesar's camp
Say 'I am none of thine.'
​

MARK ANTONY

What say'st thou?
​

Soldier

Sir,
He is with Caesar.
​

EROS

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

MARK ANTONY

Is he gone?
​

Soldier

Most certain.
​

MARK ANTONY

Go, Eros, send his treasure after; do it;
Detain no jot, I charge thee: write to him--
I will subscribe--gentle adieus and greetings;
Say that I wish he never find more cause
To change a master. O, my fortunes have
Corrupted honest men! Dispatch.--Enobarbus!
Exeunt
​

 

[*JujU*]

[h=3]SCENE VI. Alexandria. OCTAVIUS CAESAR's camp.[/h]

Flourish. Enter OCTAVIUS CAESAR, AGRIPPA, with DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS, and others​

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

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

AGRIPPA

Caesar, I shall.
Exit
​

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

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
​

Messenger

Antony
Is come into the field.
​

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

Go charge Agrippa
Plant those that have revolted in the van,
That Antony may seem to spend his fury
Upon himself.
Exeunt all but DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS
​

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

Alexas did revolt; and went to Jewry on
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
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 CAESAR's
​

Soldier

Enobarbus, Antony
Hath after thee sent all thy treasure, with
His bounty overplus: the messenger
Came on my guard; and at thy tent is now
Unloading of his mules.
​

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

I give it you.
​

Soldier

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

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

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
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.
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
​

 

[*JujU*]

[h=3]SCENE VII. Field of battle between the camps.[/h]

Alarum. Drums and trumpets. Enter AGRIPPA and others​

AGRIPPA

Retire, we have engaged ourselves too far:
Caesar himself has work, and our oppression
Exceeds what we expected.
Exeunt
Alarums. Enter MARK ANTONY and SCARUS wounded
​

SCARUS

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

MARK ANTONY

Thou bleed'st apace.
​

SCARUS

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

MARK ANTONY

They do retire.
​

SCARUS

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

EROS

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

SCARUS

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

MARK ANTONY

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

SCARUS

I'll halt after.
Exeunt

​

 

[*JujU*]

[h=3]SCENE VIII. Under the walls of Alexandria.[/h]

Alarum. Enter MARK ANTONY, in a march; SCARUS, with others​

MARK ANTONY

We have beat him to his camp: run one before,
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 escaped. I thank you all;
For doughty-handed are you, and have fought
Not as you served 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,
Tell them your feats; whilst they with joyful tears
Wash the congealment from your wounds, and kiss
The honour'd gashes whole.
To SCARUS
Give me thy hand
Enter CLEOPATRA, attended
To this great fairy I'll commend thy acts,
Make her thanks bless thee.
To CLEOPATRA
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!
​

CLEOPATRA

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

MARK ANTONY

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

CLEOPATRA

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

MARK ANTONY

He has deserved it, were it carbuncled
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
To camp this host, we all would sup together,
And drink carouses to the next day's fate,
Which promises royal peril. Trumpeters,
With brazen din blast you the city's ear;
Make mingle with rattling tabourines;
That heaven and earth may strike their sounds together,
Applauding our approach.
Exeunt
​

 

[*JujU*]

[h=3]SCENE IX. OCTAVIUS CAESAR's camp.[/h]

Sentinels at their post​

First Soldier

If we be not relieved within this hour,
We must return to the court of guard: the night
Is shiny; and they say we shall embattle
By the second hour i' the morn.
​

Second Soldier

This last day was
A shrewd one to's.
Enter DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS
​

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

O, bear me witness, night,--
​

Third Soldier

What man is this?
​

Second Soldier

Stand close, and list him.
​

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

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

First Soldier

Enobarbus!
​

Third Soldier

Peace!
Hark further.
​

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

O sovereign mistress of true melancholy,
The poisonous damp of night disponge upon me,
That life, a very rebel to my will,
May hang no longer on me: throw my heart
Against the flint and hardness of my fault:
Which, being dried with grief, will break to powder,
And finish all foul thoughts. O Antony,
Nobler than my revolt is infamous,
Forgive me in thine own particular;
But let the world rank me in register
A master-leaver and a fugitive:
O Antony! O Antony!
Dies
​

Second Soldier

Let's speak To him.
​

First Soldier

Let's hear him, for the things he speaks
May concern Caesar.
​

Third Soldier

Let's do so. But he sleeps.
​

First Soldier

Swoons rather; for so bad a prayer as his
Was never yet for sleep.
​

Second Soldier

Go we to him.
​

Third Soldier

Awake, sir, awake; speak to us.
​

Second Soldier

Hear you, sir?
​

First Soldier

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
Is fully out.
​

Third Soldier

Come on, then;
He may recover yet.
Exeunt with the body
​

 

[*JujU*]

[h=3]SCENE X. Between the two camps.[/h]

Enter MARK ANTONY and SCARUS, with their Army​

MARK ANTONY

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

SCARUS

For both, my lord.
​

MARK ANTONY

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

 

[*JujU*]

[h=3]SCENE XI. Another part of the same.[/h]

Enter OCTAVIUS CAESAR, and his Army​

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

But being charged, 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,
And hold our best advantage.
Exeunt

​

 

[*JujU*]

[h=3]SCENE XII. Another part of the same.[/h]

Enter MARK ANTONY and SCARUS​

MARK ANTONY

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
​

SCARUS

Swallows have built
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,
His fretted fortunes give him hope, and fear,
Of what he has, and has not.
Alarum afar off, as at a sea-fight
Re-enter MARK ANTONY
​

MARK ANTONY

All is lost;
This foul Egyptian hath betrayed me:
My fleet hath yielded to the foe; and yonder
They cast their caps up and carouse together
Like friends long lost. Triple-turn'd whore!
'tis thou
Hast sold me to this novice; and my heart
Makes only wars on thee. Bid them all fly;
For when I am revenged upon my charm,
I have done all. Bid them all fly; begone.
Exit SCARUS
O sun, thy uprise shall I see no more:
Fortune and Antony part here; even here
Do we shake hands. All come to this? The hearts
That 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,
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,--
Like a right gipsy, hath, at fast and loose,
Beguiled me to the very heart of loss.
What, Eros, Eros!
Enter CLEOPATRA
Ah, thou spell! Avaunt!
​

CLEOPATRA

Why is my lord enraged against his love?
​

MARK ANTONY

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
Of all thy sex; most monster-like, be shown
For poor'st diminutives, for doits; and let
Patient Octavia plough thy visage up
With her prepared nails.
Exit CLEOPATRA
'Tis well thou'rt gone,
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,
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:
To the young Roman boy she hath sold me, and I fall
Under this plot; she dies for't. Eros, ho!
Exit
​

 

[*JujU*]

[h=3]SCENE XIII. Alexandria. Cleopatra's palace.[/h]

Enter CLEOPATRA, CHARMIAN, IRAS, and MARDIAN​

CLEOPATRA

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

CHARMIAN

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

CLEOPATRA

To the monument!
Mardian, go tell him I have slain myself;
Say, that the last I spoke was 'Antony,'
And word it, prithee, piteously: hence, Mardian,
And bring me how he takes my death.
To the monument!
Exeunt
​

 

[*JujU*]

[h=3]SCENE XIV. The same. Another room.[/h]

Enter MARK ANTONY and EROS​

MARK ANTONY

Eros, thou yet behold'st me?
​

EROS

Ay, noble lord.
​

MARK ANTONY

Sometimes we see a cloud that's dragonish;
A vapour sometime like a bear or lion,
A tower'd citadel, a pendent rock,
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,
​

MARK ANTONY

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.
​

MARK ANTONY

My good knave Eros, now thy captain is
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;
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.
Nay, weep not, gentle Eros; there is left us
Ourselves to end ourselves.
Enter MARDIAN
O! thy vile lady!
She has robb'd me of my sword.
​

MARDIAN

No, Antony;
My mistress loved thee, and her fortunes mingled
With thine entirely.
​

MARK ANTONY

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

MARDIAN

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

MARK ANTONY

Dead, then?
​

MARDIAN

Dead.
​

MARK ANTONY

Unarm, Eros; the long day's task is done,
And we must sleep.
To MARDIAN
That thou depart'st hence safe,
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,
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
Weep for my pardon. So it must be, for now
All length is torture: since the torch is out,
Lie down, and stray no farther: now all labour
Mars what it does; yea, very force entangles
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:
Dido and her AEneas shall want troops,
And all the haunt be ours. Come, Eros, Eros!
Re-enter EROS
​

EROS

What would my lord?
​

MARK ANTONY

Since Cleopatra died,
I have lived in such dishonour, that the gods
Detest my baseness. I, that with my sword
Quarter'd the world, and o'er green Neptune's back
With ships made cities, condemn myself to lack
The courage of a woman; less noble mind
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
The inevitable prosecution of
Disgrace and horror, that, on my command,
Thou then wouldst kill me: do't; the time is come:
Thou strikest not me, 'tis Caesar thou defeat'st.
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?
​

MARK ANTONY

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

EROS

I would not see't.
​

MARK ANTONY

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

EROS

O, sir, pardon me!
​

MARK ANTONY

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

EROS

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

MARK ANTONY

Lo thee!
Turning from him
​

EROS

My sword is drawn.
​

MARK ANTONY

Then let it do at once
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.
​

MARK ANTONY

'Tis said, man; and farewell.
​

EROS

Farewell, great chief. Shall I strike now?
​

MARK ANTONY

Now, Eros.
​

EROS

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

MARK ANTONY

Thrice-nobler than myself!
Thou teachest me, O valiant Eros, what
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
As to a lover's bed. Come, then; and, Eros,
Thy master dies thy scholar: to do thus
Falling on his sword
I learn'd of thee. How! not dead? not dead?
The guard, ho! O, dispatch me!
Enter DERCETAS and Guard
​

First Guard

What's the noise?
​

MARK ANTONY

I have done my work in, friends: O, make an end
Of what I have begun.
​

Second Guard

The star is fall'n.
​

First Guard

And time is at his period.
​

All

Alas, and woe!
​

MARK ANTONY

Let him that loves me strike me dead.
​

First Guard

Not I.
​

Second Guard

Nor I.
​

Third Guard

Nor any one.
Exeunt Guard
​

DERCETAS

Thy death and fortunes bid thy followers fly.
This sword but shown to Caesar, with this tidings,
Shall enter me with him.
Enter DIOMEDES
​

DIOMEDES

Where's Antony?
​

DERCETAS

There, Diomed there.
​

DIOMEDES

Lives he?
Wilt thou not answer, man?
Exit DERCETAS
​

MARK ANTONY

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

DIOMEDES

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

MARK ANTONY

When did she send thee?
​

DIOMEDES

Now, my lord.
​

MARK ANTONY

Where is she?
​

DIOMEDES

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

MARK ANTONY

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

DIOMEDES

What, ho, the emperor's guard! The guard, what, ho!
Come, your lord calls!
Enter four or five of the Guard of MARK ANTONY
​

MARK ANTONY

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

First Guard

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

All

Most heavy day!
​

MARK ANTONY

Nay, good my fellows, do not please sharp fate
To grace it with your sorrows: bid that welcome
Which comes to punish us, and we punish it
Seeming to bear it lightly. Take me up:
I have led you oft: carry me now, good friends,
And have my thanks for all.
Exeunt, bearing MARK ANTONY
​

 

[*JujU*]

[h=3]SCENE XV. The same. A monument.[/h]

Enter CLEOPATRA and her maids aloft, with CHARMIAN and IRAS​

CLEOPATRA

O Charmian, I will never go from hence.
​

CHARMIAN

Be comforted, dear madam.
​

CLEOPATRA

No, I will not:
All strange and terrible events are welcome,
But comforts we despise; our size of sorrow,
Proportion'd to our cause, must be as great
As that which makes it.
Enter, below, DIOMEDES
How now! is he dead?
​

DIOMEDES

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

CLEOPATRA

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

MARK ANTONY

Peace!
Not Caesar's valour hath o'erthrown Antony,
But Antony's hath triumph'd on itself.
​

CLEOPATRA

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

MARK ANTONY

I am dying, Egypt, dying; only
I here importune death awhile, until
Of many thousand kisses the poor last
I lay up thy lips.
​

CLEOPATRA

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

MARK ANTONY

O, quick, or I am gone.
​

CLEOPATRA

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

All

A heavy sight!
​

MARK ANTONY

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

CLEOPATRA

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

MARK ANTONY

One word, sweet queen:
Of Caesar seek your honour, with your safety. O!
​

CLEOPATRA

They do not go together.
​

MARK ANTONY

Gentle, hear me:
None about Caesar trust but Proculeius.
​

CLEOPATRA

My resolution and my hands I'll trust;
None about Caesar.
​

MARK ANTONY

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

CLEOPATRA

Noblest of men, woo't die?
Hast thou no care of me? shall I abide
In this dull world, which in thy absence is
No better than a sty? O, see, my women,
MARK ANTONY dies
The crown o' the earth doth melt. My lord!
O, wither'd is the garland of the war,
The soldier's pole is fall'n: young boys and girls
Are level now with men; the odds is gone,
And there is nothing left remarkable
Beneath the visiting moon.
Faints
​

CHARMIAN

O, quietness, lady!
​

IRAS

She is dead too, our sovereign.
​

CHARMIAN

Lady!
​

IRAS

Madam!
​

CHARMIAN

O madam, madam, madam!
​

IRAS

Royal Egypt, Empress!
​

CHARMIAN

Peace, peace, Iras!
​

CLEOPATRA

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;
To tell them that this world did equal theirs
Till they had stol'n our jewel. All's but naught;
Patience is scottish, and impatience does
Become a dog that's mad: then is it sin
To rush into the secret house of death,
Ere death dare come to us? How do you, women?
What, what! good cheer! Why, how now, Charmian!
My noble girls! Ah, women, women, look,
Our lamp is spent, it's out! Good sirs, take heart:
We'll bury him; and then, what's brave,
what's noble,
Let's do it after the high Roman fashion,
And make death proud to take us. Come, away:
This case of that huge spirit now is cold:
Ah, women, women! come; we have no friend
But resolution, and the briefest end.
Exeunt; those above bearing off MARK ANTONY's body
​