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

Notes originally placed at the bottom of each page appear below, following Act IV. 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 IV begin on page 140 of the original volume.
Layout 2
ACT FOURTH
Scene One
[Before Alexandria. Cæsar's Camp]
Enter Cæsar, Agrippa, and Mæcenas, with his Army, Cæsar reading a letter.
Cæs. He calls me boy, and chides as he had power To beat me out of Egypt; my messenger He hath whipp'd with rods; dares me to personal combat, Cæsar to Antony. Let the old ruffian know 4 I have many other ways to die; meantime Laugh at his challenge.
Mæc. Cæsar 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.
Cæs. 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.
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 fortune, 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 ​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, and 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.
Ant. 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 you 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 ​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!
​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.
Omnes. 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.
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!
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.
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 Cæsar might 36 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, ​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 Cæsar's camp 8 Say, 'I am none of thine.'
Ant. What sayst thou?
Sold. Sir, He is with Cæsar.
Eros. Sir, his chests and treasure He has not with him.
Ant. Is he gone?
Sold. Most certain.
Ant. Go, Eros, send his treasure after; do it; 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. Cæsar's Camp]
Flourish. Enter Agrippa, Cæsar, with Enobarbus and Dolabella.
Cæs. Go forth, Agrippa, and begin the fight: Our will is Antony be took alive; Make it so known.
Agr. Cæsar, I shall. 4
[Exit.]
​Cæs. 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.
Cæs. Go charge Agrippa 8 Plant those that have revolted in the van, That Antony may seem to spend his fury Upon himself. Exeunt [Cæsar 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 Cæsar, And leave his master Antony: for this pains Cæsar 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 Cæsar'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.
​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. Cæsar 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.
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 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 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 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, 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 Phœbus' car. Give me thy hand: Through Alexandria make a jolly march; Bear our hack'd targets like the men that owe them: Had our great palace the capacity 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, ​That heaven and earth may strike their sounds together, Applauding our approach. Exeunt.
Scene Nine
[Cæsar'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! ​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 Cæsar.
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.
​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; order 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 Cæsar and his Army.
Cæs. But being charg'd, we will be still by land, Which, as I take 't, we shall; for his best force Is forth to man his 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 ​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 Cæsar; 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 Cæsar'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 ​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.
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 Cæsar, 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.
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 depart'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 ​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 Æneas shall want troops, And all the haunt be ours. Come, Eros! Eros!
Enter Eros.
Eros. What would my lord?
Ant. Since Cleopatra died, I 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 Cæsar 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 Cæsar thou defeatfst. 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 ​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 Cæsar, 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 sorrow Kills himself. Of Antony's death.
Ant. Thrice-nobler than myself! Thou teachest me, O valiant Eros, what 96 ​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 [Dercetas 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 Cæsar, 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 ​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 prophesying 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 Cæsar, 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 ​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! ​Not Cæsar'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 Cæsar 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: ​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 Cæsar seek your honour with your safety. O!
Cleo. They do not go together.
Ant. Gentle, hear me: None about Cæsar trust, but Proculeius. 48
Cleo. My resolution and my hands I'll trust; None about Cæsar.
Ant. The miserable change now at my end Lament nor sorrow at; but please your thoughts 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
​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.
Footnotes to Act IV
Scene One
​9 boot: profit
Scene Two
​5 or: either ​25 period: end 33 yield: reward
Scene Three
​12 S. d. hautboys: wooden double-reed instruments of high pitch ​16, 17 'Tis the god Hercules . . . leaves him; cf. n. 21 have quarter: occupy positions
Scene Four
​2 chuck: chick, a term of endearment ​13 daff: put off 15 tight: able 22 riveted trim: armor 23 port: gate ​25 blown; cf. n.
Scene Five
This scene has no footnotes in the volume.
Scene Six
​6 three-nook'd: three-cornered (comprising Europe, Asia, Africa) 26 saf'd: conducted safely ​34 blows: swells
Scene Seven
​2 our oppression: the force by which we are overpowered 6 clouts: bandages 9 bench-holes: privy holes 10 scotches: gashes ​16 halt: limp
Scene Eight
​2 gests: deeds 8 clip: embrace ​12 fairy: charmer 15 proof of harness: strength of armor 31 owe: own 37 tabourines: drums
Scene Nine
​2 court of guard: guard house 13 disponge: squeeze as from a sponge ​20 in thine own particular: as far as you are concerned 30 raught: seized
Scene Ten
​10 But being: unless we are 21 fretted: checkered ​29 charm: enchantress 34 spaniel'd: followed like a spaniel 40 crownet: coronet 41 right: true 50 diminutives: insignificant persons ​57 Alcides, thou mine ancestor; cf. n. 60 worthiest: noblest
Scene Eleven
​1, 2 O! he is more mad . . . Thessaly; cf. n. 3 emboss'd: foaming at the mouth 5 rive: are torn
Scene Twelve
​8 vesper's: evening's 10 rack dislimns: the moving cloud mass causes to lose its outlines 19 Pack'd cards: made a fradulent arrangement ​39 battery: assault 40 continent: that which contains ​48, 49 yea, very force . . . strength; cf. n. 49 seal: bring to a conclusion 52 port: bearing, demeanor 63 exigent: emergency ​73 pleach'd: folded 74 corrigible: submissive 86 worship: dignity ​98 instruction: teaching 99 A nobleness in record; cf. n. ​123 dispos'd: come to terms 124 purg'd: cleared away
Scene Thirteen
​25 brooch'd: adorned 28 still conclusion: quiet inference 29 Demuring: looking demurely 39 Quicken: come to life ​44 housewife: hussy 65 pole: pole-star, guiding star 66 the odds is gone; cf. n. ​75 chares: chores, tasks 85 sirs; cf. n.