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

Notes originally placed at the bottom of each page appear below, following Act III. 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 III begin on page 137 of the original volume.
Layout 2
ACT THIRD
Scene One
[A Plain in Syria]
Ven. Now, darting Parthia, art thou struck; and now Pleas'd fortune does of Marcus Crassus' death Make me revenger. Bear the king's son's body Before our army. Thy Pacorus, Orodes, 4 Pays this for Marcus Crassus.
Sil. Noble Ventidius, Whilst yet with Parthian blood thy sword is warm, The fugitive Parthians follow; spur through Media, Mesopotamia, and the shelters whither 8 The routed fly; so thy grand captain Antony
​Shall set thee on triumphant chariots and Put garlands on thy head.
Ven. O Silius, Silius! I have done enough; a lower place, note well, 12 May make too great an act; for learn this, Silius, Better to leave undone than by our deed Acquire too high a fame when him we serve's away. Cæsar and Antony have ever won 16 More in their officer than person; Sossius, One of my place in Syria, his lieutenant, For quick accumulation of renown, Which he achiev'd by the minute, lost his favour. 20 Who does i' the wars more than his captain can Becomes his captain's captain; and ambition, The soldier's virtue, rather makes choice of loss Than gain which darkens him. 24 I could do more to do Antonius good, But 'twould offend him; and in his offence Should my performance perish.
Sil. Thou hast, Ventidius, that Without the which a soldier, and his sword, 28 Grants scarce distinction. Thou wilt write to Antony?
Ven. I'll humbly signify what in his name, That magical word of war, we have effected; How, with his banners and his well-paid ranks, 32 The ne'er-yet-beaten horse of Parthia We have jaded out o' the field.
Sil. Where is he now?
Ven. He purposeth to Athens; whither, with what haste The weight we must convey with's will permit, 36 We shall appear before him. On, there; pass along.
Exeunt.
Scene Two
[Rome. A Room in Cæsar's House]
Enter Agrippa at one door, Enobarbus at another.
Agr. What! are the brothers parted?
Eno. They have dispatch'd with Pompey; he is gone; The other three are sealing. Octavia weeps To part from Rome; Cæsar is sad; and Lepidus, 4 Since Pompey's feast, as Menas says, is troubled With the green sickness.
Agr. 'Tis a noble Lepidus.
Eno. A very fine one. O! how he loves Cæsar.
Agr. Nay, but how dearly he adores Mark Antony! 8
Eno. Cæsar? Why, he's the Jupiter of men.
Agr. What's Antony? The god of Jupiter.
Eno. Spake you of Cæsar? How! the nonpareil!
Agr. O, Antony! O thou Arabian bird! 12
Eno. Would you praise Cæsar, say, 'Cæsar,' go no further.
Agr. Indeed, he plied them both with excellent praises.
Eno. But he loves Cæsar best; yet he loves Antony. Hoo! hearts, tongues, figures, scribes, bards, poets, cannot 16 Think, speak, cast, write, sing, number; hoo! His love to Antony. But as for Cæsar, Kneel down, kneel down, and wonder.
Agr. Both he loves.
​Eno. They are his shards, and he their beetle. [Trumpets within.] So; 20 This is to horse. Adieu, noble Agrippa.
Agr. Good fortune, worthy soldier, and farewell.
Enter Cæsar, Antony, Lepidus, and Octavia.
Ant. No further, sir.
Cæs. You take from me a great part of myself; 24 Use me well in 't. Sister, prove such a wife As my thoughts make thee, and as my furthest band Shall pass on thy approof. Most noble Antony, Let not the piece of virtue, which is set 28 Betwixt us as the cement of our love To keep it builded, be the ram to batter The fortress of it; for better might we Have lov'd without this mean, if on both parts 32 This be not cherish'd.
Ant. Make me not offended In your distrust.
Cæs. I have said.
Ant. You shall not find, Though you be therein curious, the least cause For what you seem to fear. So, the gods keep you, 36 And make the hearts of Romans serve your ends! We will here part.
Cæs. Farewell, my dearest sister, fare thee well: The elements be kind to thee, and make 40 Thy spirits all of comfort! fare thee well.
Oct. My noble brother!
Ant. The April's in her eyes; it is love's spring, And these the showers to bring it on. Be cheerful. 44
Oct. Sir, look well to my husband's house; and—
Cæs. What, Octavia?
​Oct. I'll tell you in your ear.
Ant. Her tongue will not obey her heart, nor can Her heart obey her tongue; the swan's down-feather, 48 That stands upon the swell at full of tide, And neither way inclines.
Eno. [Aside to Agrippa.] Will Cæsar weep?
Agr. He has a cloud in's face.
Eno. He were the worse for that were he a horse; 52 So is he, being a man.
Agr. Why, Enobarbus, When Antony found Julius Cæsar dead He cried almost to roaring; and he wept When at Philippi he found Brutus slain. 56
Eno. That year, indeed, he was troubled with a rheum; What willingly he did confound he wail'd; Believe 't, till I weep too.
Cæs. No, sweet Octavia, You shall hear from me still; the time shall not 60 Out-go my thinking on you.
Ant. Come, sir, come; I'll wrestle with you in my strength of love: Look, here I have you; thus I let you go, And give you to the gods.
Cæs. Adieu; be happy! 64
Lep. Let all the number of the stars give light To thy fair way!
Cæs. Farewell, farewell!
Kisses Octavia.
Ant. Farewell!
Trumpets sound. Exeunt.
Scene Three
[Alexandria. A Room in the Palace]
Enter Cleopatra, Charmian, Iras, and Alexas.
Cleo. Where is the fellow?
Alex. Half afeard to come.
Cleo. Go to, go to.
Enter the Messenger as before.
Come hither, sir.
Alex. Good majesty, Herod of Jewry dare not look upon you But when you are well pleas'd.
Cleo. That Herod's head 4 I'll have; but how, when Antony is gone Through whom I might command it? Come thou near.
Mess. Most gracious majesty!
Cleo. Didst thou behold Octavia?
Mess. Ay, dread queen.
Cleo. Where?
Mess. Madam, in Rome; 8 I look'd her in the face, and saw her led Between her brother and Mark Antony.
Cleo. Is she as tall as me?
Mess. She is not, madam.
Cleo. Didst hear her speak? is she shrill-tongu'd, or low? 12
Mess. Madam, I heard her speak; she is low-voic'd.
Cleo. That's not so good. He cannot like her long.
​Char. Like her! O Isis! 'tis impossible.
Cleo. I think so, Charmian: dull of tongue, and dwarfish! 16 What majesty is in her gait? Remember, If e'er thou look'dst on majesty.
Mess. She creeps; Her motion and her station are as one; She shows a body rather than a life, 20 A statue than a breather.
Cleo. Is this certain?
Mess. Or I have no observance.
Char. Three in Egypt Cannot make better note.
Cleo. He's very knowing, I do perceive 't. There's nothing in her yet. 24 The fellow has good judgment.
Char. Excellent.
Cleo. Guess at her years, I prithee.
Mess. Madam, She was a widow,—
Cleo. Widow! Charmian, hark.
Mess. And I do think she's thirty. 28
Cleo. Bear'st thou her face in mind? is 't long or round?
Mess. Round even to faultiness.
Cleo. For the most part, too, they are foolish that are so. Her hair, what colour? 32
Mess. Brown, madam; and her forehead As low as she would wish it.
Cleo. There's gold for thee: Thou must not take my former sharpness ill. I will employ thee back again; I find thee 36 ​Most fit for business. Go, make thee ready; Our letters are prepar'd. [Exit Messenger.]
Char. A proper man.
Cleo. Indeed, he is so; I repent me much That so I harried him. Why, methinks, by him, 40 This creature's no such thing.
Char. Nothing, madam.
Cleo. The man hath seen some majesty, and should know.
Char. Hath he seen majesty? Isis else defend, And serving you so long! 44
Cleo. I have one thing more to ask him yet, good Charmian: But 'tis no matter; thou shalt bring him to me Where I will write. All may be well enough.
Char. I warrant you, madam. 48
Exeunt.
Scene Four
[Athens. A Room in Antony's House]
Enter Antony and Octavia.
Ant. Nay, nay, Octavia, not only that, That were excusable, that, and thousands more Of semblable import, but he hath wag'd New wars 'gainst Pompey; made his will, and read it 4 To public ear: Spoke scantly of me; when perforce he could not But pay me terms of honour, cold and sickly ​He vented them; most narrow measure lent me; 8 When the best hint was given him, he not took 't, Or did it from his teeth.
Oct. O my good lord! Believe not all; or, if you must believe, Stomach not all. A more unhappy lady, 12 If this division chance, ne'er stood between, Praying for both parts: The good gods will mock me presently, When I shall pray, 'O! bless my lord and husband'; 16 Undo that prayer, by crying out as loud, 'O! bless my brother!' Husband win, win brother, Prays, and destroys the prayer; no midway 'Twixt these extremes at all.
Ant. Gentle Octavia, 20 Let your best love draw to that point which seeks Best to preserve it. If I lose mine honour I lose myself; better I were not yours Than yours so branchless. But, as you requested, 24 Yourself shall go between's; the mean time, lady, I'll raise the preparation of a war Shall stain your brother; make your soonest haste, So your desires are yours.
Oct. Thanks to my lord. 28 The Jove of power make me, most weak, most weak, Your reconciler! Wars 'twixt you twain would be As if the world should cleave, and that slain men Should solder up the rift. 32
Ant. When it appears to you where this begins, Turn your displeasure that way; for our faults Can never be so equal that your love ​Can equally move with them. Provide your going; 36 Choose your own company, and command what cost Your heart has mind to. Exeunt.
Scene Five
[Another Room]
Enter Enobarbus and Eros [meeting].
Eno. How now, friend Eros!
Eros. There's strange news come, sir.
Eno. What, man?
Eros. Cæsar and Lepidus have made wars 4 upon Pompey.
Eno. This is old: what is the success?
Eros. Cæsar, having made use of him in the wars 'gainst Pompey, presently denied him 8 rivality, would not let him partake in the glory of the action; and not resting here, accuses him of letters he had formerly wrote to Pompey; upon his own appeal, seizes him: so the poor 12 third is up, till death enlarge his confine.
Eno. Then, world, thou hast a pair of chaps, no more; And throw between them all the food thou hast, They'll grind the one the other. Where's Antony? 16
Eros. He's walking in the garden—thus: and spurns The rush that lies before him; cries, 'Fool, Lepidus!' And threats the throat of that his officer That murder'd Pompey.
Eno. Our great navy's rigg'd. 20
​Eros. For Italy and Cæsar. More, Domitius; My lord desires you presently: my news I might have told hereafter.
Eno. 'Twill be naught; But let it be. Bring me to Antony. 24
Eros. Come, sir. Exeunt.
Scene Six
[Rome. A Room in Cæsar's House]
Enter Agrippa, Mæcenas, and Cæsar.
Cæs. Contemning Rome, he has done all this and more In Alexandria; here's the manner of 't; I' the market-place, on a tribunal silver'd, Cleopatra and himself in chairs of gold 4 Were publicly enthron'd; at the feet sat Cæsarion, whom they call my father's son, And all the unlawful issue that their lust Since then hath made between them. Unto her 8 He gave the 'stablishment of Egypt; made her Of Lower Syria, Cyprus, Lydia, Absolute queen.
Mæc. This in the public eye?
Cæs. I' the common show-place, where they exercise. 12 His sons he there proclaim'd the kings of kings; Great Media, Parthia, and Armenia He gave to Alexander; to Ptolemy he assign'd Syria, Cilicia, and Phœnicia. She 16 In the habiliments of the goddess Isis ​That day appear'd; and oft before gave audience, As 'tis reported, so.
Mæc. Let Rome be thus Informed.
Agr. Who, queasy with his insolence 20 Already, will their good thoughts call from him.
Cæs. The people know it; and have now receiv'd His accusations.
Agr. Whom does he accuse?
Cæs. Cæsar; and that, having in Sicily 24 Sextus Pompeius spoil'd, we had not rated him His part o' the isle; then does he say, he lent me Some shipping unrestor'd; lastly, he frets That Lepidus of the triumvirate 28 Should be depos'd; and, being, that we detain All his revenue.
Agr. Sir, this should be answer'd.
Cæs. 'Tis done already, and the messenger gone. I have told him, Lepidus was grown too cruel; 32 That he his high authority abus'd, And did deserve his change: for what I have conquer'd, I grant him part; but then, in his Armenia, And other of his conquer'd kingdoms, I 36 Demand the like.
Mæc. He'll never yield to that.
Cæs. Nor must not then be yielded to in this.
Enter Octavia, with her Train.
Oct. Hail, Cæsar, and my lord; hail, most dear Cæsar!
Cæs. That ever I should call thee castaway! 40
Oct. You have not call'd me so, nor have you cause.
​Cæs. Why have you stol'n upon us thus? You come not Like Cæsar's sister; the wife of Antony Should have an army for an usher, and 44 The neighs of horse to tell of her approach Long ere she did appear; the trees by the way Should have borne men; and expectation fainted, Longing for what it had not; nay, the dust 48 Should have ascended to the roof of heaven, Rais'd by your populous troops. But you are come A market-maid to Rome, and have prevented The ostentation of our love, which, left unshown, 52 Is often left unlov'd: we should have met you By sea and land, supplying every stage With an augmented greeting.
Oct. Good my lord, To come thus was I not constrain'd, but did it 56 On my free-will. My lord, Mark Antony, Hearing that you prepar'd for war, acquainted My grieved ear withal; whereon, I begg'd His pardon for return.
Cæs. Which soon he granted, 60 Being an abstract 'tween his lust and him.
Oct. Do not say so, my lord.
Cæs. I have eyes upon him, And his affairs come to me on the wind. Where is he now?
Oct. My lord, in Athens. 64
Cæs. No, my most wrong'd sister; Cleopatra Hath nodded him to her. He hath given his empire Up to a whore; who now are levying ​The kings o' the earth for war. He hath assembled 68 Bocchus, the King of Libya; Archelaus, Of Cappadocia; Philadelphos, King Of Paphlagonia; the Thracian king, Adallas; King Malchus of Arabia; King of Pont; 72 Herod of Jewry; Mithridates, King Of Comagene; Polemon and Amintas, The Kings of Mede and Lycaonia, With a more larger list of sceptres.
Oct. Ay me, most wretched, 76 That have my heart parted betwixt two friends That do afflict each other!
Cæs. Welcome hither: Your letters did withhold our breaking forth, Till we perceiv'd both how you were wrong led 80 And we in negligent danger. Cheer your heart; Be you not troubled with the time, which drives O'er your content these strong necessities, But let determin'd things to destiny 84 Hold unbewail'd their way. Welcome to Rome; Nothing more dear to me. You are abus'd Beyond the mark of thought, and the high gods, To do you justice, make their ministers 88 Of us and those that love you. Best of comfort, And ever welcome to us.
Agr. Welcome, lady.
Mæc. Welcome, dear madam. Each heart in Rome does love and pity you; 92 Only the adulterous Antony, most large In his abominations, turns you off, And gives his potent regiment to a trull, That noises it against us.
​Oct. Is it so, sir? 96
Cæs. Most certain. Sister, welcome; pray you, Be ever known to patience; my dearest sister!
Exeunt.
Scene Seven
[Antony's Camp, near to the Promontory of Actium]
Enter Cleopatra and Enobarbus.
Cleo. I will be even with thee, doubt it not.
Eno. But why, why, why?
Cleo. Thou hast forspoke my being in these wars, And sayst it is not fit.
Eno. Well, is it, is it? 4
Cleo. If not denounc'd against us, why should not we Be there in person?
Eno. [Aside.] Well, I could reply: If we should serve with horse and mares together, The horse were merely lost; the mares would bear 8 A soldier and his horse.
Cleo. What is 't you say?
Eno. Your presence needs must puzzle Antony; Take from his heart, take from his brain, from's time, What should not then be spar'd. He is already 12 Traduc'd for levity, and 'tis said in Rome That Photinus a eunuch and your maids Manage this war.
Cleo. Sink Rome, and their tongues rot ​That speak against us! A charge we bear i' the war, 16 And, as the president of my kingdom, will Appear there for a man. Speak not against it; I will not stay behind.
Eno. Nay, I have done. Here comes the emperor.
Enter Antony and Canidius.
Ant. Is it not strange, Canidius, 20 That from Tarentum and Brundusium He could so quickly cut the Ionian sea, And take in Toryne? You have heard on 't, sweet?
Cleo. Celerity is never more admir'd 24 Than by the negligent.
Ant. A good rebuke, Which might have well becom'd the best of men, To taunt at slackness. Canidius, we Will fight with him by sea.
Cleo. By sea! What else? 28
Can. Why will my lord do so?
Ant. For that he dares us to 't.
Eno. So hath my lord dar'd him to single fight.
Can. Ay, and to wage this battle at Pharsalia, Where Cæsar fought with Pompey; but these offers, 32 Which serve not for his vantage, he shakes off; And so should you.
Eno. Your ships are not well mann'd; Your mariners are muleters, reapers, people Ingross'd by swift impress; in Cæsar's fleet 36 Are those that often have 'gainst Pompey fought: Their ships are yare; yours, heavy, No disgrace ​Shall fall you for refusing him at sea, Being prepar'd for land.
Ant. By sea, by sea. 40
Eno. Most worthy sir, you therein throw away The absolute soldiership you have by land; Distract your army, which doth most consist Of war-mark'd footmen; leave unexecuted 44 Your own renowned knowledge; quite forgo The way which promises assurance; and Give up yourself merely to chance and hazard From firm security.
Ant. I'll fight at sea. 48
Cleo. I have sixty sails, Cæsar none better.
Ant. Our overplus of shipping will we burn; And with the rest, full-mann'd, from the head of Actium Beat the approaching Cæsar. But if we fail, 52 We then can do 't at land.
Enter a Messenger.
Thy business?
Mess. The news is true, my lord; he is descried; Cæsar has taken Toryne.
Ant. Can he be there in person? 'tis impossible; 56 Strange that his power should be. Canidius, Our nineteen legions thou shalt hold by land, And our twelve thousand horse. We'll to our ship: Away, my Thetis!
Enter a Soldier.
How now, worthy soldier! 60
Sold. O noble emperor! do not fight by sea; Trust not to rotten planks: do you misdoubt ​This sword and these my wounds? Let the Egyptians And the Phœnicians go a-ducking; we 64 Have used to conquer, standing on the earth, And fighting foot to foot.
Ant. Well, well: away!
Exeunt Antony, Cleopatra, and Enobarbus.
Sold. By Hercules, I think I am i' the right.
Can. Soldier, thou art; but his whole action grows 68 Not in the power on 't: so our leader's led, And we are women's men.
Sold. You keep by land The legions and the horse whole, do you not?
Can. Marcus Octavius, Marcus Justeius, 72 Publicola, and Cælius, are for sea; But we keep whole by land. This speed of Cæsar's Carries beyond belief.
Sold. While he was yet in Rome His power went out in such distractions as 76 Beguil'd all spies.
Can. Who's his lieutenant, hear you?
Sold. They say, one Taurus.
Can. Well I know the man.
Enter a Messenger.
Mess. The emperor calls Canidius.
Can. With news the time's with labour, and throes forth 80 Each minute some. Exeunt.
Scene Eight
[A Plain near Actium]
Enter Cæsar [and Taurus] with his army, marching.
Cæs. Taurus!
Taur. My lord?
Cæs. Strike not by land; keep whole: provoke not battle, Till we have done at sea. Do not exceed 4 The prescript of this scroll: our fortune lies Upon this jump. Exeunt.
Enter Antony and Enobarbus.
Ant. Set we our squadrons on yond side o' the hill, In eye of Cæsar's battle; from which place 8 We may the number of the ships behold And so proceed accordingly. Exeunt.
Alarum. Enter Enobarbus.
Eno. Naught, naught, all naught! I can behold no longer. The Antoniad, the Egyptian admiral, 12 With all their sixty, fly, and turn the rudder; To see 't mine eyes are blasted.
Enter Scarus.
Scar. Gods and goddesses, All the whole synod of them!
​Eno. What's thy passion?
Scar. The greater cantle of the world is lost 16 With very ignorance; we have kiss'd away Kingdoms and provinces.
Eno. How appears the fight?
Scar. On our side like the token'd pestilence, Where death is sure. Yon ribaudred nag of Egypt, 20 Whom leprosy o'ertake! i' the midst o' the fight, When vantage like a pair of twins appear'd, Both as the same, or rather ours the elder, The breese upon her, like a cow in June, 24 Hoists sails and flies.
Eno. That I beheld: Mine eyes did sicken at the sight, and could not Endure a further view.
Scar. She once being loof'd, The noble ruin of her magic, Antony, 28 Claps on his sea-wing, and like a doting mallard, Leaving the fight in height, flies after her. I never saw an action of such shame; Experience, manhood, honour, ne'er before 32 Did violate so itself.
Eno. Alack, alack!
Enter Canidius.
Can. Our fortune on the sea is out of breath, And sinks most lamentably. Had our general Been what he knew himself, it had gone well: 36 O! he has given example for our flight Most grossly by his own.
Eno. Ay, are you thereabouts? Why, then, good night, indeed.
​Can. Towards Peloponnesus are they fled. 40
Scar. 'Tis easy to 't; and there I will attend What further comes.
Can. To Cæsar will I render My legions and my horse; six kings already Show me the way of yielding.
Eno. I'll yet follow 44 The wounded chance of Antony, though my reason Sits in the wind against me. [Exeunt.]
Scene Nine
[Alexandria. A Room in the Palace]
Enter Antony with Attendants.
Ant. Hark! the land bids me tread no more upon 't; It is asham'd to bear me. Friends, come hither: I am so lated in the world that I Have lost my way for ever. I have a ship 4 Laden with gold; take that, divide it; fly, And make your peace with Cæsar.
Att. Fly! not we.
Ant. I have fled myself, and have instructed cowards To run and show their shoulders. Friends, be gone; 8 I have myself resolv'd upon a course Which has no need of you; be gone: My treasure's in the harbour, take it. O! I follow'd that I blush to look upon: 12 My very hairs do mutiny, for the white Reprove the brown for rashness, and they them For fear and doting. Friends, be gone; you shall Have letters from me to some friends that will 16 ​Sweep your way for you. Pray you, look not sad, Nor make replies of loathness; take the hint Which my despair proclaims; let that be left Which leaves itself; to the sea-side straightway; 20 I will possess you of that ship and treasure. Leave me, I pray, a little; pray you now: Nay, do so; for, indeed, I have lost command, Therefore I pray you. I'll see you by and by. 24
Sits down.
Enter Cleopatra, led by Charmian and [Iras,] Eros [following].
Eros. Nay, gentle madam, to him, comfort him.
Iras. Do, most dear queen.
Char. Do! Why, what else?
Cleo. Let me sit down. O Juno! 28
Ant. No, no, no, no, no.
Eros. See you here, sir?
Ant. O fie, fie, fie!
Char. Madam! 32
Iras. Madam; O good empress!
Eros. Sir, sir!
Ant. Yes, my lord, yes. He at Philippi kept His sword e'en like a dancer, while I struck 36 The lean and wrinkled Cassius; and 'twas I That the mad Brutus ended: he alone Dealt on lieutenantry, and no practice had In the brave squares of war: yet now—No matter. 40
Cleo. Ah! stand by.
Eros. The queen, my lord, the queen.
Iras. Go to him, madam, speak to him; He is unqualitied with very shame. 44
Cleo. Well then, sustain me: O!
​Eros. Most noble sir, arise; the queen approaches: Her head's declin'd, and death will seize her, but Your comfort makes the rescue. 48
Ant. I have offended reputation, A most unnoble swerving.
Eros. Sir, the queen.
Ant. O! whither hast thou led me, Egypt? See, How I convey my shame out of thine eyes 52 By looking back what I have left behind 'Stroy'd in dishonour.
Cleo. O my lord, my lord! Forgive my fearful sails: I little thought You would have follow'd.
Ant. Egypt, thou knew'st too well 56 My heart was to thy rudder tied by the strings, And thou shouldst tow me after; o'er my spirit Thy full supremacy thou knew'st, and that Thy beck might from the bidding of the gods 60 Command me.
Cleo. O! my pardon.
Ant. Now I must To the young man send humble treaties, dodge And palter in the shifts of lowness, who With half the bulk o' the world play'd as I pleas'd, 64 Making and marring fortunes. You did know How much you were my conqueror, and that My sword, made weak by my affection, would Obey it on all cause.
Cleo. Pardon, pardon! 68
Ant. Fall not a tear, I say; one of them rates All that is won and lost. Give me a kiss; Even this repays me. We sent our schoolmaster; Is he come back? Love, I am full of lead. 72 ​Some wine, within there, and our viands! Fortune knows, We scorn her most when most she offers blows.
Exeunt.
Scene Ten
[Egypt. Cæsar's Camp]
Enter Cæsar, Agrippa, Dolabella, [Thyreus] with Others.
Cæs. Let him appear that's come from Antony. Know you him?
Dol. Cæsar, 'tis his schoolmaster: An argument that he is pluck'd, when hither He sends so poor a pinion of his wing, 4 Which had superfluous kings for messengers Not many moons gone by.
Enter [Euphronius] Ambassador from Antony.
Cæs. Approach, and speak.
Euph. Such as I am, I come from Antony: I was of late as petty to his ends 8 As is the morn-dew on the myrtle-leaf To his grand sea.
Cæs. Be 't so. Declare thine office.
Euph. Lord of his fortunes he salutes thee, and Requires to live in Egypt; which not granted, 12 He lessens his requests, and to thee sues To let him breathe between the heavens and earth, A private man in Athens; this for him. Next, Cleopatra does confess thy greatness, 16 Submits her to thy might, and of thee craves The circle of the Ptolemies for her heirs, ​Now hazarded to thy grace.
Cæs. For Antony, I have no ears to his request. The queen 20 Of audience nor desire shall fail, so she From Egypt drive her all-disgraced friend, Or take his life there; this if she perform, She shall not sue unheard. So to them both. 24
Euph. Fortune pursue thee!
Cæs. Bring him through the bands. [Exit Euphronius.] [To Thyreus.] To try thy eloquence, now 'tis time; dispatch. From Antony win Cleopatra; promise, And in our name, what she requires; add more, 28 From thine invention, offers. Women are not In their best fortunes strong, but want will perjure The ne'er-touch'd vestal. Try thy cunning, Thyreus; Make thine own edict for thy pains, which we 32 Will answer as a law.
Thyr. Cæsar, I go.
Cæs. Observe how Antony becomes his flaw, And what thou think'st his very action speaks In every power that moves.
Thyr. Cæsar, I shall. 36
Exeunt.
Scene Eleven
[Alexandria. A Room in the Palace]
Enter Cleopatra, Enobarbus, Charmian, and Iras.
Cleo. What shall we do, Enobarbus?
Eno. Think, and die.
​Cleo. Is Antony or we, in fault for this?
Eno. Antony only, that would make his will Lord of his reason. What though you fled 4 From that great face of war, whose several ranges Frighted each other, why should he follow? The itch of his affection should not then Have nick'd his captainship; at such a point, 8 When half to half the world oppos'd, he being The mered question. 'Twas a shame no less Than was his loss, to course your flying flags, And leave his navy gazing.
Cleo. Prithee, peace. 12
Enter [Euphronius] the Ambassador, with Antony.
Ant. Is that his answer?
Euph. Ay, my lord.
Ant. The queen shall then have courtesy, so she Will yield us up?
Euph. He says so.
Ant. Let her know 't. 16 To the boy Cæsar send this grizzled head, And he will fill thy wishes to the brim With principalities.
Cleo. That head, my lord?
Ant. To him again. Tell him he wears the rose 20 Of youth upon him, from which the world should note Something particular; his coin, ships, legions, May be a coward's, whose ministers would prevail Under the service of a child as soon 24 As i' the command of Cæsar: I dare him therefore To lay his gay comparisons apart, And answer me, declin'd, sword against sword, ​Ourselves alone. I'll write it: follow me. 28
[Exeunt Antony and Euphronius.]
Eno. [Aside.] Yes, like enough, high-battled Cæsar will Unstate his happiness, and be stag'd to the show Against a sworder! I see men's judgments are A parcel of their fortunes, and things outward 32 Do draw the inward quality after them, To suffer all alike. That he should dream, Knowing all measures, the full Cæsar will Answer his emptiness! Cæsar, thou hast subdu'd 36 His judgment too.
Enter a Servant.
Serv. A messenger from Cæsar.
Cleo. What! no more ceremony? See! my women; Against the blown rose may they stop their nose, That kneel'd unto the buds. Admit him, sir. 40
[Exit Servant.]
Eno. [Aside.] Mine honesty and I begin to square. The loyalty well held to fools does make Our faith mere folly; yet he that can endure To follow with allegiance a fall'n lord, 44 Does conquer him that did his master conquer, And earns a place i' the story.
Enter Thyreus.
Cleo. Cæsar's will?
Thyr. Hear it apart.
Cleo. None but friends; say boldly.
Thyr. So, haply, are they friends to Antony. 48
Eno. He needs as many, sir, as Cæsar has, Or needs not us. If Cæsar please, our master ​Will leap to be his friend; for us, you know Whose he is we are, and that is Cæsar's.
Thyr. So, 52 Thus then, thou most renown'd: Cæsar entreats, Not to consider in what case thou stand'st, Further than he is Cæsar.
Cleo. Go on; right royal.
Thyr. He knows that you embrace not Antony 56 As you did love, but as you fear'd him.
Cleo. O!
Thyr. The scars upon your honour therefore he Does pity, as constrained blemishes, Not as deserv'd.
Cleo. He is a god, and knows 60 What is most right. Mine honour was not yielded, But conquer'd merely.
Eno. [Aside.] To be sure of that, I will ask Antony. Sir, sir, thou'rt so leaky, That we must leave thee to thy sinking, for 64 Thy dearest quit thee. Exit Enobarbus.
Thyr. Shall I say to Cæsar What you require of him? for he partly begs To be desir'd to give. It much would please him, That of his fortunes you should make a staff 68 To lean upon; but it would warm his spirits To hear from me you had left Antony, And put yourself under his shroud, The universal landlord.
Cleo. What's your name? 72
Thyr. My name is Thyreus.
Cleo. Most kind messenger, Say to great Cæsar this: in in deputation I kiss his conqu'ring hand; tell him, I am prompt ​To lay my crown at's feet, and there to kneel; 76 Tell him, from his all-obeying breath I hear The doom of Egypt.
Thyr. 'Tis your noblest course. Wisdom and fortune combating together, If that the former dare but what it can, 80 No chance may shake it. Give me grace to lay My duty on your hand.
Cleo. Your Cæsar's father oft, When he hath mus'd of taking kingdoms in, Bestow'd his lips on that unworthy place, 84 As it rain'd kisses.
Enter Antony and Enobarbus.
Ant. Favours, by Jove that thunders! What art thou, fellow?
Thyr. One that but performs The bidding of the fullest man, and worthiest To have command obey'd.
Eno. [Aside.] You will be whipp'd. 88
Ant. Approach there! Ah, you kite! Now, gods and devils! Authority melts from me: of late, when I cried 'Ho!' Like boys unto a muss, kings would start forth, And cry, 'Your will?' Have you no ears? I am 92 Antony yet.
Enter a Servant.
Take hence this Jack and whip him.
Eno. [Aside.] 'Tis better playing with a lion's whelp Than with an old one dying.
Ant. Moon and stars! ​Whip him. Were 't twenty of the greatest tributaries 96 That do acknowledge Cæsar, should I find them So saucy with the hand of—she here, what's her name, Since she was Cleopatra? Whip him, fellows, Till, like a boy, you see him cringe his face 100 And whine aloud for mercy; take him hence.
Thyr. Mark Antony,—
Ant. Tug him away; being whipp'd, Bring him again; this Jack of Cæsar's shall Bear us an errand to him. 104 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 abus'd 108 By one that looks on feeders?
Cleo. Good my lord,—
Ant. You have been a boggler ever: But when we in our viciousness grow hard,— O misery on 't!—the wise gods seel our eyes; 112 In our own filth drop our clear judgments; make us Adore our errors; laugh at's while we strut To our confusion.
Cleo. O! is 't come to this?
Ant. I found you as a morsel, cold upon 116 Dead Cæsar's trencher; nay, you were a fragment Of Cneius Pompey's; besides what hotter hours, Unregister'd in vulgar fame, you have Luxuriously pick'd out; for, I am sure, 120 ​Though you can guess what temperance should be, You know not what it is.
Cleo. Wherefore is this?
Ant. To let a fellow that will take rewards And say 'God quit you!' be familiar with 124 My playfellow, your hand; this kingly seal And plighter of high hearts. O! that I were Upon the hill of Basan, to outroar The horned herd; for I have savage cause; 128 And to proclaim it civilly were like A halter'd neck, which does the hangman thank For being yare about him.
Enter a Servant with Thyreus.
Is he whipp'd?
First Att. Soundly, my lord.
Ant. Cried he? and begg'd a' pardon? 132
First Att. He did ask favour.
Ant. If that thy father live, let him repent Thou wast not made his daughter; and be thou sorry To follow Cæsar in his triumph, since 136 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 Cæsar, Tell him thy entertainment; look thou say 140 He makes me angry with him; for he seems Proud and disdainful, harping on what I am, Not what he knew I was: he makes me angry; And at this time most easy 'tis to do 't, 144 When my good stars, that were my former guides, Have empty left their orbs, and shot their fires ​Into the abysm of hell. If he mislike My speech and what is done, tell him he has 148 Hipparchus, my enfranched bondman, whom He may at pleasure whip, or hang, or torture, As he shall like, to quit me: urge it thou: Hence with thy stripes; be gone! 152
Exit Thyreus.
Cleo. Have you done yet?
Ant. Alack! our terrene moon Is now eclips'd; and it portends alone The fall of Antony.
Cleo. I must stay his time.
Ant. To flatter Cæsar, would you mingle eyes 156 With one that ties his points?
Cleo. Not know me yet?
Ant. Cold-hearted toward me?
Cleo. Ah! dear, if I be so, From my cold heart let heaven engender hail, And poison it in the source; and the first stone 160 Drop in my neck: as it determines, so Dissolve my life. The next Cæsarion smite, Till by degrees the memory of my womb, Together with my brave Egyptians all, 164 By the discandying of this pelleted storm, Lie graveless, till the flies and gnats of Nile Have buried them for prey!
Ant. I am satisfied. Cæsar sits down in Alexandria, where 168 I will oppose his fate. Our force by land Hath nobly held; our sever'd navy too Have knit again, and fleet, threat'ning most sea-like. ​Where hast thou been, my heart? Dost thou hear, lady? 172 If from the field I shall return once more To kiss these lips, I will appear in blood; I and my sword will earn our chronicle: There's hope in 't yet.
Cleo. That's my brave lord! 176
Ant. I will be treble-sinew'd, hearted, breath'd, And fight maliciously; for when mine hours Were nice and lucky, men did ransom lives Of me for jests; but now I'll set my teeth, 180 And send to darkness all that stop me. Come, Let's have one other gaudy night: call to me All my sad captains; fill our bowls once more; Let's mock the midnight bell.
Cleo. It is my birth-day: 184 I had thought to have held it poor; but, since my lord Is Antony again, I will be Cleopatra.
Ant. We will yet do well.
Cleo. Call all his noble captains to my lord. 188
Ant. Do so, we'll speak to them; and to-night I'll force The wine peep through their scars. Come on, my queen; There's sap in 't yet. The next time I do fight I'll make death love me, for I will contend 192 Even with his pestilent scythe.
Exeunt [all but Enobarbus].
Eno. Now he'll outstare the lightning. To be furious Is to be frighted out of fear, and in that mood The dove will peck the estridge; and I see still, 196 ​A diminution in our captain's brain Restores his heart. When valour preys on reason It eats the sword it fights with. I will seek Some way to leave him. 200
Exit.
Footnotes to Act III
Scene One
​1–5 Now, darting Parthia . . . Marcus Crassus; cf. n. ​20 by the minute: every moment 34 jaded: driven exhausted 36 with's: with us
Scene Two
​3 sealing: concluding their agreements 6 green sickness: biliousness 11 nonpareil: one that has no equal 12 Arabian bird: the phœnix, figurative for 'unique specimen' 16 figures: mathematical figures of the horoscope (?) 17 cast: calculate ​20 shards: wing-cases 26 band: security; cf. n. 32 mean: means 35 curious: fastidiously particular ​51, 52 He has a cloud in's face . . . horse; cf. n. 57 rheum: cold 58 confound: destroy
Scene Three
​3 Herod of Jewry; cf. n. ​19 station: standing still 33, 34 and her forehead As low as she would wish it; cf. n.
Scene Four
​Scene Four S. d. Athens; cf. n. 3 semblable import: similar meaning 4 made his will, and read it; cf. n. ​8 narrow measure lent me: gave me as little credit as possible 10 from his teeth: spoke from his teeth, not his heart 24 branchless: destitute 27 stain: make dim, eclipse ​36 Provide: make ready for
Scene Five
​6 success: outcome 9 rivality: partnership 12, 13 so the poor third is up . . . confine; cf. n. 14 chaps: jaws ​22 presently: at once
Scene Six
​1 Contemning: scorning 3 tribunal: raised platform 6 my father's son; cf. n. 9 'stablishment: settled occupation ​20 queasy: disgusted 25 rated: allotted ​51, 52 prevented The ostentation: anticipated the display 52, 53 which, left unshown . . . unlov'd; cf. n. 61 abstract: abbreviation, shortening; cf. n. ​93 large: unrestrained 95 potent regiment: powerful rule trull: a lewd woman
Scene Seven
​Scene Seven S. d. the Promontory of Actium; cf. n. 3 forspoke: spoken against 5, 6 If not denounc'd . . . person?; cf. n. 5 denounc'd: declared 13 Traduc'd: defamed ​16 charge: military command 25, 26 A good rebuke . . . men; cf. n. 36 Ingross'd: collected impress: conscription 38 yare: quick, easily handled ​39 fall: befall 60 Thetis: the name of a sea nymph ​68, 69 but his whole action . . . on't; cf. n. 76 distractions: detachments, separate bodies 80, 81 With news the time's . . . some; cf. n.
Scene Eight
​6 jump: venture 8 battle: line of battle 12 admiral: flagship 15 synod: assembly ​16 cantle: part 19 token'd pestilence: the plague with its marks 20 ribaudred: wanton (?) 24 breese: gadfly 27 loof'd: luffed, meaning here, probably, 'turned aside'
Scene Nine
​3 lated: belated ​39 Dealt on lieutenantry: fought by proxy 40 squares: squadrons 44 unqualitied: divested of his manly qualities ​52–54 How I convey . . . dishonour; cf. n. 63 palter: use tricks 69 rates: is of equal value with
Scene Ten
​18 circle: crown ​25 bands: troops 34 flaw: crack (in his fortunes) 35, 36 And what thou think'st . . . moves; cf. n.
Scene Eleven
​5 ranges: ranks 8 nick'd: cut short 10 mered question: sole ground of dispute (?) 11 course: pursue 26 comparisons: advantages by comparison 27 declin'd: enfeebled ​29 high-battled: having a lofty command 30 Unstate: strip of state and dignity 31 sworder: gladiator 32 parcel: part 48 haply: perhaps ​71 shroud: protection 74 in deputation: by proxy ​77 all-obeying: which all obey 91 muss: scramble 93 Jack: common fellow ​105 blasted: withered 109 feeders: dependents 110 boggler: waverer 112 seel: blind 120 Luxuriously: lustfully ​124 quit: reward 126–128 O! that I were Upon the hill . . . herd; cf. n. ​149 enfranched: enfranchised 151 quit: be even with 153 terrene: terrestrial 157 points: laces 161 determines: comes to an end 165 discandying: dissolving 171 fleet: are afloat ​179 nice: fastidious, particular 196 estridge: ostrich