SERVANT A messenger from Caesar.
CLEOPATRA What, no more ceremony? See, my women,
Against the blown45 rose may they stop their nose
That kneeled unto the buds. Admit him, sir.
[Exit Servant]
ENOBARBUS Mine honesty47 and I begin to square.
Aside
The loyalty well held to fools does make
Our faith49 mere folly. Yet he that can endure
To follow with allegiance a fall’n lord
Does conquer him that did his master conquer,
And earns a place i’th’story52.
Enter Thidias
CLEOPATRA Caesar’s will?
THIDIAS Hear it apart54.
CLEOPATRA None but friends55: say boldly.
THIDIAS So, haply56, are they friends to Antony.
ENOBARBUS He needs as many, sir, as Caesar has,
Or needs not us58. If Caesar please, our master
Will leap to be his friend: for59 us, you know,
Whose he is we are, and that is Caesar’s60.
THIDIAS So.
Thus then, thou most renowned: Caesar entreats
Not to consider in what case thou stand’st,
Further than he is Caesar63.
CLEOPATRA Go on: right royal65.
THIDIAS He knows that you embrace not Antony
As you did love, but as you feared him.
CLEOPATRA O!
THIDIAS The scars upon your honour, therefore, he
Does pity as constrainèd70 blemishes,
Not as deserved.
CLEOPATRA He is a god and knows
What is most right73: mine honour was not yielded,
But conquered merely74.
ENOBARBUS To be sure of that,
Aside
I will ask Antony. Sir, sir, thou art so leaky
That we must leave thee to thy sinking, for
Thy dearest quit78 thee.
Exit Enobarbus
THIDIAS Shall I say to Caesar
What you require80 of him? For he partly begs
To be desired81 to give. It much would please him
That of his fortunes you should make a staff
To lean upon. But it would warm his spirits
To hear from me you had left Antony
And put yourself under his shroud,
The universal landlord85.
CLEOPATRA What’s your name?
THIDIAS My name is Thidias.
CLEOPATRA Most kind messenger,
Say to great Caesar this in deputation90:
I kiss his conqu’ring hand: tell him I am prompt
To lay my crown at’s feet, and there to kneel:
Tell him from his all-obeying breath93 I hear
The doom94 of Egypt.
THIDIAS ’Tis your noblest course:
Wisdom and fortune combating together,
If that the former dare but what it97 can,
No chance may shake it. Give me grace to lay
My duty on your hand.
CLEOPATRA Your Caesar’s father100 oft —
Offers him her hand
When he hath mused of taking kingdoms in101 —
Bestowed his lips on that unworthy place
As103 it rained kisses.
Enter Antony and Enobarbus
ANTONY Favours?104 By Jove that thunders!
What art thou, fellow105?
THIDIAS One that but performs
The bidding of the fullest107 man and worthiest
To have command obeyed.
ENOBARBUS You will be whipped.
Aside
Calls for Servants
ANTONY Approach there!—Ah, you kite110!—
Now, gods and devils,
Authority melts from me of late. When I cried ‘Ho!’,
Like boys unto a muss112, kings would start forth
And cry ‘Your will?’ Have you no ears? I am
Antony yet.—Take hence this jack114 and whip him.
Enter a Servant
Other Servants follow
ENOBARBUS ’Tis better playing with a lion’s whelp115
Aside
Than with an old one dying.
ANTONY Moon and stars!
Whip him. Were’t twenty of the greatest tributaries118
That do acknowledge Caesar, should I find them
So saucy120 with the hand of she here — what’s her name,
Since she was121 Cleopatra? Whip him, fellows,
Till like a boy you see him cringe122 his face
And whine aloud for mercy. Take him hence.
THIDIAS Mark Antony!
ANTONY Tug him away: being whipped,
Bring him again. The jack of Caesar’s shall
Bear us an errand to him.
Exeunt [Servants] with Thidias
You were half blasted128 ere I knew you: ha?
Have I my pillow left unpressed in Rome,
Forborne130 the getting of a lawful race,
And by a gem of women, to be abused
By one that looks on feeders132?
CLEOPATRA Good my lord—
ANTONY You have been a boggler134 ever,
But when we in our viciousness grow hard —
O, misery on’t! — the wise gods seel136 our eyes,
In our own filth drop our clear judgements, make us
Adore our errors, laugh at’s while we strut
To our confusion139.
CLEOPATRA O, is’t come to this?
ANTONY I found you as a morsel cold upon
Dead Caesar’s trencher142: nay, you were a fragment
Of Gneius Pompey143’s, besides what hotter hours
Unregistered in vulgar fame144 you have
Luxuriously145 picked out. For I am sure,
Though you can guess what temperance146 should be,
You know not what it is.
CLEOPATRA Wherefore is this?
ANTONY To let a fellow that will take rewards
And say ‘God150 quit you!’ be familiar with
My playfellow, your hand, this kingly seal151
And plighter152 of high hearts! O, that I were
Upon the hill of Basan153, to outroar
The hornèd herd! For I have savage cause154,
And to proclaim it civilly155, were like
A haltered neck156 which does the hangman thank
For being yare157 about him.—Is he whipped?
Enter a Servant with Thidias
SERVANT Soundly, my lord.
ANTONY Cried he? And begged a159 pardon?
SERVANT He did ask favour.
ANTONY If that thy father live, let him repent
To Thidias
Thou wast not made his daughter, and be thou sorry
To follow Caesar in his triumph163, since
Thou hast been whipped for following him. Henceforth
The white hand of a lady165 fever thee,
Shake thou to look on’t. Get thee back to Caesar:
Tell him thy entertainment167: look thou say
He makes me angry with him. For he seems
Proud and disdainful, harping on what I am,
Not what he knew I was. He makes me angry,
And at this time most easy ’tis to do’t,
When my good stars that were my former guides
Have empty left their orbs173 and shot their fires
Into th’abysm174 of hell. If he mislike
My speech and what is done, tell him he has
Hipparchus, my enfranchèd bondman176, whom
He may at pleasure whip or hang or torture,
As he shall like to quit178 me. Urge it thou.
Hence with thy stripes! Be gone!
Exit Thidias [with Servant]
CLEOPATRA Have you done yet?
ANTONY Alack, our terrene moon181 is now eclipsed
And it portends alone182 the fall of Antony.
CLEOPATRA I must stay his time183.
With one that ties his points185?
CLEOPATRA Not know me yet?
ANTONY Cold-hearted toward me?
CLEOPATRA Ah, dear, if I be so,
From my cold heart let heaven engender hail
And poison it in the source, and the first stone
Drop in my neck191: as it determines, so
Dissolve my life! The next Caesarion192 smite,
Till by degrees the memory of my womb,
Together with my brave Egyptians all,
By the discandying195 of this pelleted storm
Lie graveless, till the flies and gnats of Nile
Have buried them for prey197!
ANTONY I am satisfied.
Caesar sets down199 in Alexandria, where
I will oppose his fate200. Our force by land
Hath nobly held, our severed navy too
Have knit again, and fleet202, threat’ning most sea-like.
Where hast thou been, my heart? Dost thou hear, lady?
If from the field I shall return once more
To kiss these lips, I will appear in blood205:
I and my sword will earn our chronicle206:
There’s hope in’t yet.
CLEOPATRA That’s my brave lord!
ANTONY I will be treble-sinewed, hearted, breathed209,
And fight maliciously210. For when mine hours
Were nice211 and lucky, men did ransom lives
Of me for jests. But now I’ll set my teeth
And send to darkness all that stop me. Come,
Let’s have one other gaudy214 night: call to me
All my sad215 captains: fill our bowls once more:
Let’s mock the midnight bell216.
CLEOPATRA It is my birthday:
I had thought t’have held it poor218, but since my lord
Is Antony again, I will be Cleopatra.
ANTONY We will yet do well.
CLEOPATRA Call all his noble captains to my
To Charmian and Iras
lord!
ANTONY Do so, we’ll speak to them, and tonight I’ll force
The wine peep through their scars. Come on, my queen,
There’s sap in’t yet224. The next time I do fight
I’ll make death love me, for I will contend
Even with his pestilent scythe225.
Exeunt [all but Enobarbus]
ENOBARBUS Now he’ll outstare227 the lightning. To be furious
Is to be frighted out of fear, and in that mood
The dove will peck the estridge229; and I see still,
A diminution in our captain’s brain
Restores his heart231. When valour preys on reason,
It eats the sword it fights with. I will seek
Some way to leave him.
Exit
[Act 4 Scene 1]
running scene 19
Location: Caesar’s camp outside Alexandria
* * *
Enter Caesar, Agrippa and Maecenas with his Army, Caesar reading a letter
CAESAR He calls me boy, and chides as1 he had power
To beat me out of Egypt. My messenger
He hath whipped with rods, dares me to personal combat,
Caesar to Antony. Let the old ruffian4 know
I have many other ways to die: meantime
Laugh at his challenge.
MAECENAS Caesar must think,
When one so great begins to rage, he’s hunted
Even to falling. Give him no breath9, but now
Make boot10 of his distraction: never anger
Made good guard for itself.
CAESAR Let our best heads12
Know that tomorrow the last of many battles
We mean to fight. Within our files14 there are,
Of those that served Mark Antony but late15,
Enough to fetch him in16. See it done,
And feast the army. We have store17 to do’t
And they have earned the waste18. Poor Antony!
Exeunt
[Act 4 Scene 2]
running scene 20
Location: Alexandria
* * *
Enter Antony, Cleopatra, Enobarbus, Charmian, Iras, Alexas with others
ANTONY He will not fight with me, Domitius1?
ENOBARBUS No.
ANTONY Why should he not?
ENOBARBUS He thinks, being twenty times of better fortune4,
He is twenty men to one.
ANTONY Tomorrow, soldier,
By sea and land I’ll fight: or7 I will live,
Or bathe my dying honour in the blood
Shall make it live again8. Woo’t9 thou fight well?
ENOBARBUS I’ll strike, and cry ‘Take all.’10
ANTONY Well said. Come on.
Call forth my household servants, let’s tonight
Enter three or four Servitors
Be bounteous at our meal.—Give me thy hand:
Thou hast been rightly honest14.—So hast thou.—
Thou, and thou, and thou: you have served me well,
And kings have been your fellows16.
CLEOPATRA What means this?
Aside to Enobarbus
ENOBARBUS ’Tis one of those odd tricks18 which
Aside to Cleopatra
sorrow shoots
Out of the mind.
ANTONY And thou art honest too:
I wish I could be made so many men,
And all of you clapped up22 together in
An Antony, that I might do you service
So good as you have done.
ALL The gods forbid!
ANTONY Well, my good fellows, wait on me tonight:
Scant not my cups27, and make as much of me
As when mine empire was your fellow too
And suffered29 my command.
CLEOPATRA What does he mean?
Aside to Enobarbus
ENOBARBUS To make his followers weep.
Aside to Cleopatra
ANTONY Tend me tonight:
Maybe it is the period33 of your duty.
Haply34 you shall not see me more, or if,
A mangled shadow. Perchance35 tomorrow
You’ll serve another master. I look on you
As one that takes his leave. Mine honest friends,
I turn you not away, but, like a master
Married to your good service, stay till death.
Tend me tonight two hours, I ask no more,
And the gods yield41 you for’t.
ENOBARBUS What mean you, sir,
To give them this discomfort43? Look, they weep,
And I, an ass, am onion-eyed44. For shame,
Transform us not to women.
ANTONY Ho, ho, ho!
Now the witch take me47 if I meant it thus!
Grace48 grow where those drops fall! My hearty friends,
You take me in too dolorous49 a sense,
For I spake to you for your comfort50, did desire you
To burn this night with torches51: know, my hearts,
I hope well of tomorrow, and will lead you
Where rather I’ll expect victorious life
Than death and honour. Let’s to supper, come,
And drown consideration55.
Exeunt
[Act 4 Scene 3]
running scene 21
* * *
Enter a Company of Soldiers
FIRST SOLDIER Brother, goodnight: tomorrow is the day1.
SECOND SOLDIER It will determine one way2. Fare you well.
Heard you of nothing strange about the streets?
FIRST SOLDIER Nothing. What news?
SECOND SOLDIER Belike5 ’tis but a rumour. Goodnight to you.
FIRST SOLDIER Well, sir, goodnight.
They meet other Soldiers
SECOND SOLDIER Soldiers, have careful7 watch.
THIRD SOLDIER And you. Goodnight, goodnight.
They place themselves in every corner of the stage
SECOND SOLDIER Here we: and if tomorrow
Our navy thrive, I have an absolute10 hope
Our landmen will stand up.
FIRST SOLDIER ’Tis a brave12 army, and full of purpose.
Music of the hautboys is under the stage
SECOND SOLDIER Peace! What noise?
FIRST SOLDIER List14, list!
SECOND SOLDIER Hark!
FIRST SOLDIER Music i’th’air.
THIRD SOLDIER Under the earth.
FOURTH SOLDIER It signs well18, does it not?
THIRD SOLDIER No.
FIRST SOLDIER Peace, I say! What should this mean?
SECOND SOLDIER ’Tis the god Hercules21, whom Antony loved,
Now leaves him.
FIRST SOLDIER Walk. Let’s see if other watchmen
Do hear what we do.
SECOND SOLDIER How now, masters?
ALL How now? How now? Do you hear this?
Speak together
FIRST SOLDIER Ay. Is’t not strange?
THIRD SOLDIER Do you hear, masters28? Do you hear?
FIRST SOLDIER Follow the noise so far as we have quarter29.
Let’s see how it will give off30.
ALL Content. ’Tis strange.
Exeunt
[Act 4 Scene 4]
running scene 22
* * *
Enter Antony and Cleopatra with others
ANTONY Eros! Mine armour, Eros!
CLEOPATRA Sleep a little.
ANTONY No, my chuck3. Eros! Come, mine armour, Eros!
Enter Eros
With armor
Come, good fellow, put thine iron4 on.
If fortune be not ours today, it is
Because we brave6 her. Come.
CLEOPATRA Nay, I’ll help too, Antony.
What’s this for?
Picks up a piece of armor
ANTONY Ah, let be, let be! Thou art
The armourer of my heart. False10, false: this, this!
CLEOPATRA Sooth11, la, I’ll help: thus it must be.
She helps arm him
ANTONY Well12, well,
We shall thrive now. See’st thou, my good fellow?
Go, put on thy defences14.
EROS Briefly15, sir.
CLEOPATRA Is not this buckled well?
ANTONY Rarely17, rarely:
He that unbuckles this, till we do please
To doff’t19 for our repose18, shall hear a storm.
Thou fumblest, Eros, and my queen’s a squire20
More tight21 at this than thou: dispatch!—O love,
That thou couldst see my wars today, and knew’st22
The royal occupation23, thou shouldst see
Antony and Cleopatra Page 10