# Antony and Cleopatra (1921) Yale/Text/Act II

Notes originally placed at the bottom of each page appear below, following Act II. Where these notes gloss a word in the text, the gloss can also be found by hovering over the text.
Where these notes refer to an end note (cf. n. = confer notam; "consult note"), a link to the accompanying end note is provided from the Footnotes section. The end notes accompanying Act II begin on page 135 of the original volume.
Layout 2
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, decays 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 ​Says it will come to the full. Mark Antony In Egypt sits at dinner, and will make 12 No wars without doors; Cæsar gets money where He loses hearts; Lepidus flatters both, Of both is flatter'd; but he neither loves, Nor either cares for him.
Men. Cæsar 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 together, 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!
Var. 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 ​Can from the lap of Egypt's widow pluck The ne'er-lust-wearied Antony.
Men. I cannot hope Cæsar and Antony shall well greet together; His wife that's dead did trespasses to Cæsar, 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 themselves, 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 Cæsar move him, 4 Let Antony look over Cæsar's head, And speak as loud as Mars. By Jupiter, ​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, Cæsar.
Enter Cæsar, Mæcenas, and Agrippa.
Ant. If we compose well here, to Parthia: Hark ye, Ventidius.
Cæs. I do not know, 16 Mæcenas; 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.
Cæs. Welcome to Rome. 28
​Ant. Thank you.
Cæs. Sit.
Ant. Sit, sir.
Cæs. Nay, then. 32
Ant. I learn, you take things ill which are not so, Or being, concern you not.
Cæs. 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, Cæsar, What was 't to you? 40
Cæs. No more than my residing here at Rome Might be to you in Egypt; yet, if you there Did practise on on my state, your being in Egypt Might be my question.
Ant. How intend you, practis'd? 44
Cæs. 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 ​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.
Cæs. 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, Cæsar, 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.
Cæs. 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 ​Be nothing of our strife; if we contend, 84 Out of our question wipe him.
Cæs. You have broken The article of your oath, which you shall never Have tongue to charge me with.
Lep. Soft, Cæsar!
Ant. No, Lepidus, let him speak: 88 The honour's sacred which he talks on now, Supposing that I lack'd it. But on, Cæsar; The article of my oath.
Cæs. 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.
Mæc. 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, Mæcenas.
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 ​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
Cæs. 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, Cæsar.
Cæs. Speak, Agrippa.
Agr. Thou hast a sister by the mother's side, 124 Admir'd Octavia; great Mark Antony Is now a widower.
Cæs. Say not so, Agrippa: If Cleopatra heard you, your reproof Were well deserv'd of rashness. 128
Ant. I am not married, Cæsar; let me hear Agrippa further speak.
Agr. To hold you in perpetual amity, To make you brothers, and to knit your hearts 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, ​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 Cæsar speak?
Cæs. Not till he hears how Antony is touch'd With what is spoke already.
Ant. What power is in Agrippa, If I would say, 'Agrippa, be it so,' 148 To make this good?
Cæs. The power of Cæsar, and His power unto Octavia.
Ant. May I never To this good purpose, that so fairly 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!
Cæs. 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; ​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?
Cæs. About the Mount Misenum.
Ant. What's his strength By land?
Cæs. 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.
Cæs. 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] Enobarbus, Agrippa, Mæcenas.
Mæc. Welcome from Egypt, sir.
Eno. Half the heart of Cæsar, worthy Mæ- cenas! My honourable friend, Agrippa!
Agr. Good Enobarbus! 180
Mæc. 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.
​Mæc. 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.
Mæc. 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!
​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 Cæsar 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
Mæc. Now Antony must leave her utterly.
Eno. Never; he will not: ​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
Mæc. 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 Cæsar's House]
Enter Antony, Cæsar, 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
Cæs. Good night.
Exeunt [Cæsar and Octavia].
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, Cæsar's or mine? 16
Sooth. Cæsar's.
Therefore, O Antony! stay not by his side; Thy demon, that thy spirit which keeps thee, is Noble, courageous, high, unmatchable, 20 Where Cæsar'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. ​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, Mæcenas, 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.
Mæc. 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.
| Mæc. | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Sir, good success! |
| Agr. | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Sir, 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, Charmian.
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.
​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?
​Cleo. I have a mind to strike thee ere thou speak'st: Yet, if thou say Antony lives, is well, Or friends with Cæsar, 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 Cæsar.
Cleo. Thou'rt an honest man.
Mess. Cæsar 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 Cæsar; 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. ​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 yourself; 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 ​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 Cæsar.
Char. Many times, madam.
​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, 116 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]
Pom. Your hostages I have, so have you mine; And we shall talk before we fight.
Cæs. Most meet That first we come to words, and therefore have we Our written purposes before us sent; 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.
​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 Cæsar, 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.
Cæs. Take your time.
Ant. Thou canst not fear us, Pompey, with thy sails; 24 We'll speak with thee at sea: at land, thou know'st How much we do o'er-count thee.
Pom. At land, indeed, Thou dost o'er-count me of my father's house; But, since the 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.
Cæs. There's the point.
Ant. Which do not be entreated to, but weigh 32 What it is worth embrac'd.
Cæs. And what may follow, ​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.
| Cæs. | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | That's our offer. |
| Ant. | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | That's our offer. |
| Lep. | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | That's our offer. |
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 Cæsar 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.
Cæs. 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.
​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.
Cass. That's the next to do.
Pom. We'll feast each other ere we part; and let's 60 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 Cæsar 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 Cæsar 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.
​Pom. Enjoy thy plainness, It nothing ill becomes thee. Aboard my galley I invite you all: 80 Will you lead, lords?
| Cæs. | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Show us the way, sir. |
| Ant. | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Show us the way, sir. |
| Lep. | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Show us the way, sir. |
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 ​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. Cæsar'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 Cæsar 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 Cæsar, and, as I said before, that which is the strength of their amity shall prove 136 the immediate author of their variance. Antony ​will use his affection where it is; he married but his occasion here.
Men. And thus it may be. Come, sir, will 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.
​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.
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.
​Pom. Say in mine ear; what is 't?
Men. Whispers in's ear. Forsake thy seat, I do beseech 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
Cæs. 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 fortunes. 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.
​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
​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 Cæsar!
Cæs. 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.
Cæs. 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.
​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!'
Cæs. What would you more? Pompey, good night. Good brother, Let me request you off; our graver business Frowns at this levity. Gentle lords, let's part;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.
​Eno. Take heed you fall not. 136 [Exeunt Pompey, Cæsar, 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.
Footnotes to Act II
Scene One
​10 crescent: growing (like the cresent moon) auguring: prophesying ​21 Salt: wanton wan'd: withered 26 prorogue: defer; cf. n. 36 opinion: self-esteem ​45 pregnant: obvious square: quarrel
Scene Two
​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. ​43 practise on: plot against state: government 44 intend: mean 46–48 Your wife and brother . . . war; cf. n. 54 stomach: inclination ​67, 68 The third o' the world . . . wife; cf. n. 78 missive: messenger ​106 atone: reconcile ​116 your considerate stone; cf. n. 119 conditions: characters 121 stanch: firmly united ​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. ​169 fame: rumor 170 spoke: euphemism for 'fought' ​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. ​214–218 Her gentlewomen . . . hands; cf. n. 214 Nereides: sea nymphs 219 yarely: nimbly 233 ordinary: dinner 239 That: so that ​247 Become themselves: are becoming 248 riggish: wanton
Scene Three
​6 square: due proportion or bounds (in action) ​13, 14 in My motion: intuitively or instinctively 27 thickens: grows dim 32 hap: chance ​35 speeds: is successful 36 still: constantly 37, 38 his quails . . . at odds; cf. n.
Scene Four
​2 Your generals after: after your generals
Scene Five
​3 billiards; cf. n. ​22 tires: head-dresses 23 his sword Philippan; cf. n. 38 so tart a favour: so sour an appearance 41 formal: ordinary ​51 precedence: something said before ​71 boot: enrich by addition ​94 So: even though 103 That art not what thou'rt sure of; cf. n. ​113 inclination: disposition
Scene Six
​7 tall: sturdy ​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. ​54 counts: accounts ​83 known: met 97 authority: warrant to arrest ​128 band: bond 130 still: quiet conversation: behavior ​139 occasion: opportunity for advantage
Scene Seven
​5 alms-drink: the leavings 7, 8 As they pinch . . . disposition; cf. n. 13–15 I had as lief . . . heave; cf. n. ​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 it own: its own 51 elements: substances of its body 52 transmigrates: its soul passes to another body ​75 pales: surrounds inclips: encloses 89 pall'd: weakened ​97 A': he 108 Possess: be master of (?) 111 Bacchanals: dances in honor of Bacchus 114 steep'd: saturated ​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