Antony and Cleopatra-

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Antony and Cleopatra
Entire play

ACT I
SCENE I. Alexandria. A room in CLEOPATRA's palace.

   Enter DEMETRIUS and PHILO 

PHILO

   Nay, but this dotage of our general's
   O'erflows the measure: those his goodly eyes,
   That o'er the files and musters of the war
   Have glow'd like plated Mars, now bend, now turn,
   The office and devotion of their view
   Upon a tawny front: his captain's heart,
   Which in the scuffles of great fights hath burst
   The buckles on his breast, reneges all temper,
   And is become the bellows and the fan
   To cool a gipsy's lust.

   Flourish. Enter ANTONY, CLEOPATRA, her Ladies, the Train, with Eunuchs fanning her
   Look, where they come:
   Take but good note, and you shall see in him.
   The triple pillar of the world transform'd
   Into a strumpet's fool: behold and see.

CLEOPATRA

   If it be love indeed, tell me how much.

MARK ANTONY

   There's beggary in the love that can be reckon'd.

CLEOPATRA

   I'll set a bourn how far to be beloved.

MARK ANTONY

   Then must thou needs find out new heaven, new earth.

   Enter an Attendant

Attendant

   News, my good lord, from Rome.

MARK ANTONY

   Grates me: the sum.

CLEOPATRA

   Nay, hear them, Antony:
   Fulvia perchance is angry; or, who knows
   If the scarce-bearded Caesar have not sent
   His powerful mandate to you, 'Do this, or this;
   Take in that kingdom, and enfranchise that;
   Perform 't, or else we damn thee.'

MARK ANTONY

   How, my love!

CLEOPATRA

   Perchance! nay, and most like:
   You must not stay here longer, your dismission
   Is come from Caesar; therefore hear it, Antony.
   Where's Fulvia's process? Caesar's I would say? both?
   Call in the messengers. As I am Egypt's queen,
   Thou blushest, Antony; and that blood of thine
   Is Caesar's homager: else so thy cheek pays shame
   When shrill-tongued Fulvia scolds. The messengers!

MARK ANTONY

   Let Rome in Tiber melt, and the wide arch
   Of the ranged empire fall! Here is my space.
   Kingdoms are clay: our dungy earth alike
   Feeds beast as man: the nobleness of life
   Is to do thus; when such a mutual pair

   Embracing
   And such a twain can do't, in which I bind,
   On pain of punishment, the world to weet
   We stand up peerless.

CLEOPATRA

   Excellent falsehood!
   Why did he marry Fulvia, and not love her?
   I'll seem the fool I am not; Antony
   Will be himself.

MARK ANTONY

   But stirr'd by Cleopatra.
   Now, for the love of Love and her soft hours,
   Let's not confound the time with conference harsh:
   There's not a minute of our lives should stretch
   Without some pleasure now. What sport tonight?

CLEOPATRA

   Hear the ambassadors.

MARK ANTONY

   Fie, wrangling queen!
   Whom every thing becomes, to chide, to laugh,
   To weep; whose every passion fully strives
   To make itself, in thee, fair and admired!
   No messenger, but thine; and all alone
   To-night we'll wander through the streets and note
   The qualities of people. Come, my queen;
   Last night you did desire it: speak not to us.

   Exeunt MARK ANTONY and CLEOPATRA with their train

DEMETRIUS

   Is Caesar with Antonius prized so slight?

PHILO

   Sir, sometimes, when he is not Antony,
   He comes too short of that great property
   Which still should go with Antony.

DEMETRIUS

   I am full sorry
   That he approves the common liar, who
   Thus speaks of him at Rome: but I will hope
   Of better deeds to-morrow. Rest you happy!

   Exeunt

SCENE II. The same. Another room.

   Enter CHARMIAN, IRAS, ALEXAS, and a Soothsayer 

CHARMIAN

   Lord Alexas, sweet Alexas, most any thing Alexas,
   almost most absolute Alexas, where's the soothsayer
   that you praised so to the queen? O, that I knew
   this husband, which, you say, must charge his horns
   with garlands!

ALEXAS

   Soothsayer!

Soothsayer

   Your will?

CHARMIAN

   Is this the man? Is't you, sir, that know things?

Soothsayer

   In nature's infinite book of secrecy
   A little I can read.

ALEXAS

   Show him your hand.

   Enter DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   Bring in the banquet quickly; wine enough
   Cleopatra's health to drink.

CHARMIAN

   Good sir, give me good fortune.

Soothsayer

   I make not, but foresee.

CHARMIAN

   Pray, then, foresee me one.

Soothsayer

   You shall be yet far fairer than you are.

CHARMIAN

   He means in flesh.

IRAS

   No, you shall paint when you are old.

CHARMIAN

   Wrinkles forbid!

ALEXAS

   Vex not his prescience; be attentive.

CHARMIAN

   Hush!

Soothsayer

   You shall be more beloving than beloved.

CHARMIAN

   I had rather heat my liver with drinking.

ALEXAS

   Nay, hear him.

CHARMIAN

   Good now, some excellent fortune! Let me be married
   to three kings in a forenoon, and widow them all:
   let me have a child at fifty, to whom Herod of Jewry
   may do homage: find me to marry me with Octavius
   Caesar, and companion me with my mistress.

Soothsayer

   You shall outlive the lady whom you serve.

CHARMIAN

   O excellent! I love long life better than figs.

Soothsayer

   You have seen and proved a fairer former fortune
   Than that which is to approach.

CHARMIAN

   Then belike my children shall have no names:
   prithee, how many boys and wenches must I have?

Soothsayer

   If every of your wishes had a womb.
   And fertile every wish, a million.

CHARMIAN

   Out, fool! I forgive thee for a witch.

ALEXAS

   You think none but your sheets are privy to your wishes.

CHARMIAN

   Nay, come, tell Iras hers.

ALEXAS

   We'll know all our fortunes.

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   Mine, and most of our fortunes, to-night, shall
   be--drunk to bed.

IRAS

   There's a palm presages chastity, if nothing else.

CHARMIAN

   E'en as the o'erflowing Nilus presageth famine.

IRAS

   Go, you wild bedfellow, you cannot soothsay.

CHARMIAN

   Nay, if an oily palm be not a fruitful
   prognostication, I cannot scratch mine ear. Prithee,
   tell her but a worky-day fortune.

Soothsayer

   Your fortunes are alike.

IRAS

   But how, but how? give me particulars.

Soothsayer

   I have said.

IRAS

   Am I not an inch of fortune better than she?

CHARMIAN

   Well, if you were but an inch of fortune better than
   I, where would you choose it?

IRAS

   Not in my husband's nose.

CHARMIAN

   Our worser thoughts heavens mend! Alexas,--come,
   his fortune, his fortune! O, let him marry a woman
   that cannot go, sweet Isis, I beseech thee! and let
   her die too, and give him a worse! and let worst
   follow worse, till the worst of all follow him
   laughing to his grave, fifty-fold a cuckold! Good
   Isis, hear me this prayer, though thou deny me a
   matter of more weight; good Isis, I beseech thee!

IRAS

   Amen. Dear goddess, hear that prayer of the people!
   for, as it is a heartbreaking to see a handsome man
   loose-wived, so it is a deadly sorrow to behold a
   foul knave uncuckolded: therefore, dear Isis, keep
   decorum, and fortune him accordingly!

CHARMIAN

   Amen.

ALEXAS

   Lo, now, if it lay in their hands to make me a
   cuckold, they would make themselves whores, but
   they'ld do't!

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   Hush! here comes Antony.

CHARMIAN

   Not he; the queen.

   Enter CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA

   Saw you my lord?

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   No, lady.

CLEOPATRA

   Was he not here?

CHARMIAN

   No, madam.

CLEOPATRA

   He was disposed to mirth; but on the sudden
   A Roman thought hath struck him. Enobarbus!

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   Madam?

CLEOPATRA

   Seek him, and bring him hither.
   Where's Alexas?

ALEXAS

   Here, at your service. My lord approaches.

CLEOPATRA

   We will not look upon him: go with us.

   Exeunt

   Enter MARK ANTONY with a Messenger and Attendants

Messenger

   Fulvia thy wife first came into the field.

MARK ANTONY

   Against my brother Lucius?

Messenger

   Ay:
   But soon that war had end, and the time's state
   Made friends of them, joining their force 'gainst Caesar;
   Whose better issue in the war, from Italy,
   Upon the first encounter, drave them.

MARK ANTONY

   Well, what worst?

Messenger

   The nature of bad news infects the teller.

MARK ANTONY

   When it concerns the fool or coward. On:
   Things that are past are done with me. 'Tis thus:
   Who tells me true, though in his tale lie death,
   I hear him as he flatter'd.

Messenger

   Labienus--
   This is stiff news--hath, with his Parthian force,
   Extended Asia from Euphrates;
   His conquering banner shook from Syria
   To Lydia and to Ionia; Whilst--

MARK ANTONY

   Antony, thou wouldst say,--

Messenger

   O, my lord!

MARK ANTONY

   Speak to me home, mince not the general tongue:
   Name Cleopatra as she is call'd in Rome;
   Rail thou in Fulvia's phrase; and taunt my faults
   With such full licence as both truth and malice
   Have power to utter. O, then we bring forth weeds,
   When our quick minds lie still; and our ills told us
   Is as our earing. Fare thee well awhile.

Messenger

   At your noble pleasure.

   Exit

MARK ANTONY

   From Sicyon, ho, the news! Speak there!

First Attendant

   The man from Sicyon,--is there such an one?

Second Attendant

   He stays upon your will.

MARK ANTONY

   Let him appear.
   These strong Egyptian fetters I must break,
   Or lose myself in dotage.

   Enter another Messenger
   What are you?

Second Messenger

   Fulvia thy wife is dead.

MARK ANTONY

   Where died she?

Second Messenger

   In Sicyon:
   Her length of sickness, with what else more serious
   Importeth thee to know, this bears.

   Gives a letter

MARK ANTONY

   Forbear me.

   Exit Second Messenger
   There's a great spirit gone! Thus did I desire it:
   What our contempt doth often hurl from us,
   We wish it ours again; the present pleasure,
   By revolution lowering, does become
   The opposite of itself: she's good, being gone;
   The hand could pluck her back that shoved her on.
   I must from this enchanting queen break off:
   Ten thousand harms, more than the ills I know,
   My idleness doth hatch. How now! Enobarbus!

   Re-enter DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   What's your pleasure, sir?

MARK ANTONY

   I must with haste from hence.

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   Why, then, we kill all our women:
   we see how mortal an unkindness is to them;
   if they suffer our departure, death's the word.

MARK ANTONY

   I must be gone.

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   Under a compelling occasion, let women die; it were
   pity to cast them away for nothing; though, between
   them and a great cause, they should be esteemed
   nothing. Cleopatra, catching but the least noise of
   this, dies instantly; I have seen her die twenty
   times upon far poorer moment: I do think there is
   mettle in death, which commits some loving act upon
   her, she hath such a celerity in dying.

MARK ANTONY

   She is cunning past man's thought.

   Exit ALEXAS

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   Alack, sir, no; her passions are made of nothing but
   the finest part of pure love: we cannot call her
   winds and waters sighs and tears; they are greater
   storms and tempests than almanacs can report: this
   cannot be cunning in her; if it be, she makes a
   shower of rain as well as Jove.

MARK ANTONY

   Would I had never seen her.

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   O, sir, you had then left unseen a wonderful piece
   of work; which not to have been blest withal would
   have discredited your travel.

MARK ANTONY

   Fulvia is dead.

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   Sir?

MARK ANTONY

   Fulvia is dead.

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   Fulvia!

MARK ANTONY

   Dead.

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   Why, sir, give the gods a thankful sacrifice. When
   it pleaseth their deities to take the wife of a man
   from him, it shows to man the tailors of the earth;
   comforting therein, that when old robes are worn
   out, there are members to make new. If there were
   no more women but Fulvia, then had you indeed a cut,
   and the case to be lamented: this grief is crowned
   with consolation; your old smock brings forth a new
   petticoat: and indeed the tears live in an onion
   that should water this sorrow.

MARK ANTONY

   The business she hath broached in the state
   Cannot endure my absence.

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   And the business you have broached here cannot be
   without you; especially that of Cleopatra's, which
   wholly depends on your abode.

MARK ANTONY

   No more light answers. Let our officers
   Have notice what we purpose. I shall break
   The cause of our expedience to the queen,
   And get her leave to part. For not alone
   The death of Fulvia, with more urgent touches,
   Do strongly speak to us; but the letters too
   Of many our contriving friends in Rome
   Petition us at home: Sextus Pompeius
   Hath given the dare to Caesar, and commands
   The empire of the sea: our slippery people,
   Whose love is never link'd to the deserver
   Till his deserts are past, begin to throw
   Pompey the Great and all his dignities
   Upon his son; who, high in name and power,
   Higher than both in blood and life, stands up
   For the main soldier: whose quality, going on,
   The sides o' the world may danger: much is breeding,
   Which, like the courser's hair, hath yet but life,
   And not a serpent's poison. Say, our pleasure,
   To such whose place is under us, requires
   Our quick remove from hence.

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   I shall do't.

   Exeunt

SCENE III. The same. Another room.

   Enter CLEOPATRA, CHARMIAN, IRAS, and ALEXAS 

CLEOPATRA

   Where is he?

CHARMIAN

   I did not see him since.

CLEOPATRA

   See where he is, who's with him, what he does:
   I did not send you: if you find him sad,
   Say I am dancing; if in mirth, report
   That I am sudden sick: quick, and return.

   Exit ALEXAS

CHARMIAN

   Madam, methinks, if you did love him dearly,
   You do not hold the method to enforce
   The like from him.

CLEOPATRA

   What should I do, I do not?

CHARMIAN

   In each thing give him way, cross him nothing.

CLEOPATRA

   Thou teachest like a fool; the way to lose him.

CHARMIAN

   Tempt him not so too far; I wish, forbear:
   In time we hate that which we often fear.
   But here comes Antony.

   Enter MARK ANTONY

CLEOPATRA

   I am sick and sullen.

MARK ANTONY

   I am sorry to give breathing to my purpose,--

CLEOPATRA

   Help me away, dear Charmian; I shall fall:
   It cannot be thus long, the sides of nature
   Will not sustain it.

MARK ANTONY

   Now, my dearest queen,--

CLEOPATRA

   Pray you, stand further from me.

MARK ANTONY

   What's the matter?

CLEOPATRA

   I know, by that same eye, there's some good news.
   What says the married woman? You may go:
   Would she had never given you leave to come!
   Let her not say 'tis I that keep you here:
   I have no power upon you; hers you are.

MARK ANTONY

   The gods best know,--

CLEOPATRA

   O, never was there queen
   So mightily betray'd! yet at the first
   I saw the treasons planted.

MARK ANTONY

   Cleopatra,--

CLEOPATRA

   Why should I think you can be mine and true,
   Though you in swearing shake the throned gods,
   Who have been false to Fulvia? Riotous madness,
   To be entangled with those mouth-made vows,
   Which break themselves in swearing!

MARK ANTONY

   Most sweet queen,--

CLEOPATRA

   Nay, pray you, seek no colour for your going,
   But bid farewell, and go: when you sued staying,
   Then was the time for words: no going then;
   Eternity was in our lips and eyes,
   Bliss in our brows' bent; none our parts so poor,
   But was a race of heaven: they are so still,
   Or thou, the greatest soldier of the world,
   Art turn'd the greatest liar.

MARK ANTONY

   How now, lady!

CLEOPATRA

   I would I had thy inches; thou shouldst know
   There were a heart in Egypt.

MARK ANTONY

   Hear me, queen:
   The strong necessity of time commands
   Our services awhile; but my full heart
   Remains in use with you. Our Italy
   Shines o'er with civil swords: Sextus Pompeius
   Makes his approaches to the port of Rome:
   Equality of two domestic powers
   Breed scrupulous faction: the hated, grown to strength,
   Are newly grown to love: the condemn'd Pompey,
   Rich in his father's honour, creeps apace,
   Into the hearts of such as have not thrived
   Upon the present state, whose numbers threaten;
   And quietness, grown sick of rest, would purge
   By any desperate change: my more particular,
   And that which most with you should safe my going,
   Is Fulvia's death.

CLEOPATRA

   Though age from folly could not give me freedom,
   It does from childishness: can Fulvia die?

MARK ANTONY

   She's dead, my queen:
   Look here, and at thy sovereign leisure read
   The garboils she awaked; at the last, best:
   See when and where she died.

CLEOPATRA

   O most false love!
   Where be the sacred vials thou shouldst fill
   With sorrowful water? Now I see, I see,
   In Fulvia's death, how mine received shall be.

MARK ANTONY

   Quarrel no more, but be prepared to know
   The purposes I bear; which are, or cease,
   As you shall give the advice. By the fire
   That quickens Nilus' slime, I go from hence
   Thy soldier, servant; making peace or war
   As thou affect'st.

CLEOPATRA

   Cut my lace, Charmian, come;
   But let it be: I am quickly ill, and well,
   So Antony loves.

MARK ANTONY

   My precious queen, forbear;
   And give true evidence to his love, which stands
   An honourable trial.

CLEOPATRA

   So Fulvia told me.
   I prithee, turn aside and weep for her,
   Then bid adieu to me, and say the tears
   Belong to Egypt: good now, play one scene
   Of excellent dissembling; and let it look
   Life perfect honour.

MARK ANTONY

   You'll heat my blood: no more.

CLEOPATRA

   You can do better yet; but this is meetly.

MARK ANTONY

   Now, by my sword,--

CLEOPATRA

   And target. Still he mends;
   But this is not the best. Look, prithee, Charmian,
   How this Herculean Roman does become
   The carriage of his chafe.

MARK ANTONY

   I'll leave you, lady.

CLEOPATRA

   Courteous lord, one word.
   Sir, you and I must part, but that's not it:
   Sir, you and I have loved, but there's not it;
   That you know well: something it is I would,
   O, my oblivion is a very Antony,
   And I am all forgotten.

MARK ANTONY

   But that your royalty
   Holds idleness your subject, I should take you
   For idleness itself.

CLEOPATRA

   'Tis sweating labour
   To bear such idleness so near the heart
   As Cleopatra this. But, sir, forgive me;
   Since my becomings kill me, when they do not
   Eye well to you: your honour calls you hence;
   Therefore be deaf to my unpitied folly.
   And all the gods go with you! upon your sword
   Sit laurel victory! and smooth success
   Be strew'd before your feet!

MARK ANTONY

   Let us go. Come;
   Our separation so abides, and flies,
   That thou, residing here, go'st yet with me,
   And I, hence fleeting, here remain with thee. Away!

   Exeunt

SCENE IV. Rome. OCTAVIUS CAESAR's house.

   Enter OCTAVIUS CAESAR, reading a letter, LEPIDUS, and their Train 

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   You may see, Lepidus, and henceforth know,
   It is not Caesar's natural vice to hate
   Our great competitor: from Alexandria
   This is the news: he fishes, drinks, and wastes
   The lamps of night in revel; is not more man-like
   Than Cleopatra; nor the queen of Ptolemy
   More womanly than he; hardly gave audience, or
   Vouchsafed to think he had partners: you shall find there
   A man who is the abstract of all faults
   That all men follow.

LEPIDUS

   I must not think there are
   Evils enow to darken all his goodness:
   His faults in him seem as the spots of heaven,
   More fiery by night's blackness; hereditary,
   Rather than purchased; what he cannot change,
   Than what he chooses.

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   You are too indulgent. Let us grant, it is not
   Amiss to tumble on the bed of Ptolemy;
   To give a kingdom for a mirth; to sit
   And keep the turn of tippling with a slave;
   To reel the streets at noon, and stand the buffet
   With knaves that smell of sweat: say this
   becomes him,--
   As his composure must be rare indeed
   Whom these things cannot blemish,--yet must Antony
   No way excuse his soils, when we do bear
   So great weight in his lightness. If he fill'd
   His vacancy with his voluptuousness,
   Full surfeits, and the dryness of his bones,
   Call on him for't: but to confound such time,
   That drums him from his sport, and speaks as loud
   As his own state and ours,--'tis to be chid
   As we rate boys, who, being mature in knowledge,
   Pawn their experience to their present pleasure,
   And so rebel to judgment.

   Enter a Messenger

LEPIDUS

   Here's more news.

Messenger

   Thy biddings have been done; and every hour,
   Most noble Caesar, shalt thou have report
   How 'tis abroad. Pompey is strong at sea;
   And it appears he is beloved of those
   That only have fear'd Caesar: to the ports
   The discontents repair, and men's reports
   Give him much wrong'd.

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   I should have known no less.
   It hath been taught us from the primal state,
   That he which is was wish'd until he were;
   And the ebb'd man, ne'er loved till ne'er worth love,
   Comes dear'd by being lack'd. This common body,
   Like to a vagabond flag upon the stream,
   Goes to and back, lackeying the varying tide,
   To rot itself with motion.

Messenger

   Caesar, I bring thee word,
   Menecrates and Menas, famous pirates,
   Make the sea serve them, which they ear and wound
   With keels of every kind: many hot inroads
   They make in Italy; the borders maritime
   Lack blood to think on't, and flush youth revolt:
   No vessel can peep forth, but 'tis as soon
   Taken as seen; for Pompey's name strikes more
   Than could his war resisted.

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   Antony,
   Leave thy lascivious wassails. When thou once
   Wast beaten from Modena, where thou slew'st
   Hirtius and Pansa, consuls, at thy heel
   Did famine follow; whom thou fought'st against,
   Though daintily brought up, with patience more
   Than savages could suffer: thou didst drink
   The stale of horses, and the gilded puddle
   Which beasts would cough at: thy palate then did deign
   The roughest berry on the rudest hedge;
   Yea, like the stag, when snow the pasture sheets,
   The barks of trees thou browsed'st; on the Alps
   It is reported thou didst eat strange flesh,
   Which some did die to look on: and all this--
   It wounds thine honour that I speak it now--
   Was borne so like a soldier, that thy cheek
   So much as lank'd not.

LEPIDUS

   'Tis pity of him.

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   Let his shames quickly
   Drive him to Rome: 'tis time we twain
   Did show ourselves i' the field; and to that end
   Assemble we immediate council: Pompey
   Thrives in our idleness.

LEPIDUS

   To-morrow, Caesar,
   I shall be furnish'd to inform you rightly
   Both what by sea and land I can be able
   To front this present time.

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   Till which encounter,
   It is my business too. Farewell.

LEPIDUS

   Farewell, my lord: what you shall know meantime
   Of stirs abroad, I shall beseech you, sir,
   To let me be partaker.

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   Doubt not, sir;
   I knew it for my bond.

   Exeunt

SCENE V. Alexandria. CLEOPATRA's palace.

   Enter CLEOPATRA, CHARMIAN, IRAS, and MARDIAN 

CLEOPATRA

   Charmian!

CHARMIAN

   Madam?

CLEOPATRA

   Ha, ha!
   Give me to drink mandragora.

CHARMIAN

   Why, madam?

CLEOPATRA

   That I might sleep out this great gap of time
   My Antony is away.

CHARMIAN

   You think of him too much.

CLEOPATRA

   O, 'tis treason!

CHARMIAN

   Madam, I trust, not so.

CLEOPATRA

   Thou, eunuch Mardian!

MARDIAN

   What's your highness' pleasure?

CLEOPATRA

   Not now to hear thee sing; I take no pleasure
   In aught an eunuch has: 'tis well for thee,
   That, being unseminar'd, thy freer thoughts
   May not fly forth of Egypt. Hast thou affections?

MARDIAN

   Yes, gracious madam.

CLEOPATRA

   Indeed!

MARDIAN

   Not in deed, madam; for I can do nothing
   But what indeed is honest to be done:
   Yet have I fierce affections, and think
   What Venus did with Mars.

CLEOPATRA

   O Charmian,
   Where think'st thou he is now? Stands he, or sits he?
   Or does he walk? or is he on his horse?
   O happy horse, to bear the weight of Antony!
   Do bravely, horse! for wot'st thou whom thou movest?
   The demi-Atlas of this earth, the arm
   And burgonet of men. He's speaking now,
   Or murmuring 'Where's my serpent of old Nile?'
   For so he calls me: now I feed myself
   With most delicious poison. Think on me,
   That am with Phoebus' amorous pinches black,
   And wrinkled deep in time? Broad-fronted Caesar,
   When thou wast here above the ground, I was
   A morsel for a monarch: and great Pompey
   Would stand and make his eyes grow in my brow;
   There would he anchor his aspect and die
   With looking on his life.

   Enter ALEXAS, from OCTAVIUS CAESAR

ALEXAS

   Sovereign of Egypt, hail!

CLEOPATRA

   How much unlike art thou Mark Antony!
   Yet, coming from him, that great medicine hath
   With his tinct gilded thee.
   How goes it with my brave Mark Antony?

ALEXAS

   Last thing he did, dear queen,
   He kiss'd,--the last of many doubled kisses,--
   This orient pearl. His speech sticks in my heart.

CLEOPATRA

   Mine ear must pluck it thence.

ALEXAS

   'Good friend,' quoth he,
   'Say, the firm Roman to great Egypt sends
   This treasure of an oyster; at whose foot,
   To mend the petty present, I will piece
   Her opulent throne with kingdoms; all the east,
   Say thou, shall call her mistress.' So he nodded,
   And soberly did mount an arm-gaunt steed,
   Who neigh'd so high, that what I would have spoke
   Was beastly dumb'd by him.

CLEOPATRA

   What, was he sad or merry?

ALEXAS

   Like to the time o' the year between the extremes
   Of hot and cold, he was nor sad nor merry.

CLEOPATRA

   O well-divided disposition! Note him,
   Note him good Charmian, 'tis the man; but note him:
   He was not sad, for he would shine on those
   That make their looks by his; he was not merry,
   Which seem'd to tell them his remembrance lay
   In Egypt with his joy; but between both:
   O heavenly mingle! Be'st thou sad or merry,
   The violence of either thee becomes,
   So does it no man else. Met'st thou my posts?

ALEXAS

   Ay, madam, twenty several messengers:
   Why do you send so thick?

CLEOPATRA

   Who's born that day
   When I forget to send to Antony,
   Shall die a beggar. Ink and paper, Charmian.
   Welcome, my good Alexas. Did I, Charmian,
   Ever love Caesar so?

CHARMIAN

   O that brave Caesar!

CLEOPATRA

   Be choked with such another emphasis!
   Say, the brave Antony.

CHARMIAN

   The valiant Caesar!

CLEOPATRA

   By Isis, I will give thee bloody teeth,
   If thou with Caesar paragon again
   My man of men.

CHARMIAN

   By your most gracious pardon,
   I sing but after you.

CLEOPATRA

   My salad days,
   When I was green in judgment: cold in blood,
   To say as I said then! But, come, away;
   Get me ink and paper:
   He shall have every day a several greeting,
   Or I'll unpeople Egypt.

   Exeunt

ACT II SCENE I. Messina. POMPEY's house.

   Enter POMPEY, MENECRATES, and MENAS, in warlike manner 

POMPEY

   If the great gods be just, they shall assist
   The deeds of justest men.

MENECRATES

   Know, worthy Pompey,
   That what they do delay, they not deny.

POMPEY

   Whiles we are suitors to their throne, decays
   The thing we sue for.

MENECRATES

   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.

POMPEY

   I shall do well:
   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
   No wars without doors: Caesar gets money where
   He loses hearts: Lepidus flatters both,
   Of both is flatter'd; but he neither loves,
   Nor either cares for him.

MENAS

   Caesar and Lepidus
   Are in the field: a mighty strength they carry.

POMPEY

   Where have you this? 'tis false.

MENAS

   From Silvius, sir.

POMPEY

   He dreams: I know they are in Rome together,
   Looking for Antony. But all the charms of love,
   Salt Cleopatra, soften thy waned lip!
   Let witchcraft join with beauty, lust with both!
   Tie up the libertine in a field of feasts,
   Keep his brain fuming; Epicurean cooks
   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!

VARRIUS

   This is most certain that I shall deliver:
   Mark Antony is every hour in Rome
   Expected: since he went from Egypt 'tis
   A space for further travel.

POMPEY

   I could have given less matter
   A better ear. Menas, I did not think
   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
   Can from the lap of Egypt's widow pluck
   The ne'er-lust-wearied Antony.

MENAS

   I cannot hope
   Caesar and Antony shall well greet together:
   His wife that's dead did trespasses to Caesar;
   His brother warr'd upon him; although, I think,
   Not moved by Antony.

POMPEY

   I know not, Menas,
   How lesser enmities may give way to greater.
   Were't not that we stand up against them all,
   '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
   The petty difference, we yet not know.
   Be't as our gods will have't! It only stands
   Our lives upon to use our strongest hands.
   Come, Menas.

   Exeunt

SCENE II. Rome. The house of LEPIDUS.

   Enter DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS and LEPIDUS 

LEPIDUS

   Good Enobarbus, 'tis a worthy deed,
   And shall become you well, to entreat your captain
   To soft and gentle speech.

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   I shall entreat him
   To answer like himself: if Caesar move him,
   Let Antony look over Caesar's head
   And speak as loud as Mars. By Jupiter,
   Were I the wearer of Antonius' beard,
   I would not shave't to-day.

LEPIDUS

   'Tis not a time
   For private stomaching.

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   Every time
   Serves for the matter that is then born in't.

LEPIDUS

   But small to greater matters must give way.

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   Not if the small come first.

LEPIDUS

   Your speech is passion:
   But, pray you, stir no embers up. Here comes
   The noble Antony.

   Enter MARK ANTONY and VENTIDIUS

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   And yonder, Caesar.

   Enter OCTAVIUS CAESAR, MECAENAS, and AGRIPPA

MARK ANTONY

   If we compose well here, to Parthia:
   Hark, Ventidius.

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   I do not know,
   Mecaenas; ask Agrippa.

LEPIDUS

   Noble friends,
   That which combined us was most great, and let not
   A leaner action rend us. What's amiss,
   May it be gently heard: when we debate
   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,
   Nor curstness grow to the matter.

MARK ANTONY

   'Tis spoken well.
   Were we before our armies, and to fight.
   I should do thus.

   Flourish

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   Welcome to Rome.

MARK ANTONY

   Thank you.

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   Sit.

MARK ANTONY

   Sit, sir.

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   Nay, then.

MARK ANTONY

   I learn, you take things ill which are not so,
   Or being, concern you not.

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   I must be laugh'd at,
   If, or for nothing or a little, I
   Should say myself offended, and with you
   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.

MARK ANTONY

   My being in Egypt, Caesar,
   What was't to you?

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   No more than my residing here at Rome
   Might be to you in Egypt: yet, if you there
   Did practise on my state, your being in Egypt
   Might be my question.

MARK ANTONY

   How intend you, practised?

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   You may be pleased to catch at mine intent
   By what did here befal me. Your wife and brother
   Made wars upon me; and their contestation
   Was theme for you, you were the word of war.

MARK ANTONY

   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
   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,
   As matter whole you have not to make it with,
   It must not be with this.

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   You praise yourself
   By laying defects of judgment to me; but
   You patch'd up your excuses.

MARK ANTONY

   Not so, not so;
   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
   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.

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   Would we had all such wives, that the men might go
   to wars with the women!

MARK ANTONY

   So much uncurbable, her garboils, Caesar
   Made out of her impatience, which not wanted
   Shrewdness of policy too, I grieving grant
   Did you too much disquiet: for that you must
   But say, I could not help it.

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   I wrote to you
   When rioting in Alexandria; you
   Did pocket up my letters, and with taunts
   Did gibe my missive out of audience.

MARK ANTONY

   Sir,
   He fell upon me ere admitted: then
   Three kings I had newly feasted, and did want
   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,
   Out of our question wipe him.

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   You have broken
   The article of your oath; which you shall never
   Have tongue to charge me with.

LEPIDUS

   Soft, Caesar!

MARK ANTONY

   No,
   Lepidus, let him speak:
   The honour is sacred which he talks on now,
   Supposing that I lack'd it. But, on, Caesar;
   The article of my oath.

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   To lend me arms and aid when I required them;
   The which you both denied.

MARK ANTONY

   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
   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
   So far ask pardon as befits mine honour
   To stoop in such a case.

LEPIDUS

   'Tis noble spoken.

MECAENAS

   If it might please you, to enforce no further
   The griefs between ye: to forget them quite
   Were to remember that the present need
   Speaks to atone you.

LEPIDUS

   Worthily spoken, Mecaenas.

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   Or, if you borrow one another's love for the
   instant, you may, when you hear no more words of
   Pompey, return it again: you shall have time to
   wrangle in when you have nothing else to do.

MARK ANTONY

   Thou art a soldier only: speak no more.

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   That truth should be silent I had almost forgot.

MARK ANTONY

   You wrong this presence; therefore speak no more.

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   Go to, then; your considerate stone.

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   I do not much dislike the matter, but
   The manner of his speech; for't cannot be
   We shall remain in friendship, our conditions
   So differing in their acts. Yet if I knew
   What hoop should hold us stanch, from edge to edge
   O' the world I would pursue it.

AGRIPPA

   Give me leave, Caesar,--

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   Speak, Agrippa.

AGRIPPA

   Thou hast a sister by the mother's side,
   Admired Octavia: great Mark Antony
   Is now a widower.

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   Say not so, Agrippa:
   If Cleopatra heard you, your reproof
   Were well deserved of rashness.

MARK ANTONY

   I am not married, Caesar: let me hear
   Agrippa further speak.

AGRIPPA

   To hold you in perpetual amity,
   To make you brothers, and to knit your hearts
   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
   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,
   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,
   By duty ruminated.

MARK ANTONY

   Will Caesar speak?

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   Not till he hears how Antony is touch'd
   With what is spoke already.

MARK ANTONY

   What power is in Agrippa,
   If I would say, 'Agrippa, be it so,'
   To make this good?

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   The power of Caesar, and
   His power unto Octavia.

MARK ANTONY

   May I never
   To this good purpose, that so fairly shows,
   Dream of impediment! Let me have thy hand:
   Further this act of grace: and from this hour
   The heart of brothers govern in our loves
   And sway our great designs!

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   There is my hand.
   A sister I bequeath you, whom no brother
   Did ever love so dearly: let her live
   To join our kingdoms and our hearts; and never
   Fly off our loves again!

LEPIDUS

   Happily, amen!

MARK ANTONY

   I did not think to draw my sword 'gainst Pompey;
   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.

LEPIDUS

   Time calls upon's:
   Of us must Pompey presently be sought,
   Or else he seeks out us.

MARK ANTONY

   Where lies he?

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   About the mount Misenum.

MARK ANTONY

   What is his strength by land?

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   Great and increasing: but by sea
   He is an absolute master.

MARK ANTONY

   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.

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   With most gladness:
   And do invite you to my sister's view,
   Whither straight I'll lead you.

MARK ANTONY

   Let us, Lepidus,
   Not lack your company.

LEPIDUS

   Noble Antony,
   Not sickness should detain me.

   Flourish. Exeunt OCTAVIUS CAESAR, MARK ANTONY, and LEPIDUS

MECAENAS

   Welcome from Egypt, sir.

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   Half the heart of Caesar, worthy Mecaenas! My
   honourable friend, Agrippa!

AGRIPPA

   Good Enobarbus!

MECAENAS

   We have cause to be glad that matters are so well
   digested. You stayed well by 't in Egypt.

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   Ay, sir; we did sleep day out of countenance, and
   made the night light with drinking.

MECAENAS

   Eight wild-boars roasted whole at a breakfast, and
   but twelve persons there; is this true?

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   This was but as a fly by an eagle: we had much more
   monstrous matter of feast, which worthily deserved noting.

MECAENAS

   She's a most triumphant lady, if report be square to
   her.

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   When she first met Mark Antony, she pursed up
   his heart, upon the river of Cydnus.

AGRIPPA

   There she appeared indeed; or my reporter devised
   well for her.

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   I will tell you.
   The barge she sat in, like a burnish'd throne,
   Burn'd on the water: the poop was beaten gold;
   Purple the sails, and so perfumed 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,
   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
   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,
   And what they undid did.

AGRIPPA

   O, rare for Antony!

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   Her gentlewomen, like the Nereides,
   So many mermaids, tended her i' the eyes,
   And made their bends adornings: at the helm
   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
   Of the adjacent wharfs. The city cast
   Her people out upon her; and Antony,
   Enthroned i' the market-place, did sit alone,
   Whistling to the air; which, but for vacancy,
   Had gone to gaze on Cleopatra too,
   And made a gap in nature.

AGRIPPA

   Rare Egyptian!

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   Upon her landing, Antony sent to her,
   Invited her to supper: she replied,
   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,
   And for his ordinary pays his heart
   For what his eyes eat only.

AGRIPPA

   Royal wench!
   She made great Caesar lay his sword to bed:
   He plough'd her, and she cropp'd.

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   I saw her once
   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.

MECAENAS

   Now Antony must leave her utterly.

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   Never; he will not:
   Age cannot wither her, nor custom stale
   Her infinite variety: other women cloy
   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.

MECAENAS

   If beauty, wisdom, modesty, can settle
   The heart of Antony, Octavia is
   A blessed lottery to him.

AGRIPPA

   Let us go.
   Good Enobarbus, make yourself my guest
   Whilst you abide here.

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   Humbly, sir, I thank you.

   Exeunt

SCENE III. The same. OCTAVIUS CAESAR's house.

   Enter MARK ANTONY, OCTAVIUS CAESAR, OCTAVIA between them, and Attendants 

MARK ANTONY

   The world and my great office will sometimes
   Divide me from your bosom.

OCTAVIA

   All which time
   Before the gods my knee shall bow my prayers
   To them for you.

MARK ANTONY

   Good night, sir. My Octavia,
   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.
   Good night, sir.

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   Good night.

   Exeunt OCTAVIUS CAESAR and OCTAVIA

   Enter Soothsayer

MARK ANTONY

   Now, sirrah; you do wish yourself in Egypt?

Soothsayer

   Would I had never come from thence, nor you Thither!

MARK ANTONY

   If you can, your reason?

Soothsayer

   I see it in
   My motion, have it not in my tongue: but yet
   Hie you to Egypt again.

MARK ANTONY

   Say to me,
   Whose fortunes shall rise higher, Caesar's or mine?

Soothsayer

   Caesar's.
   Therefore, O Antony, stay not by his side:
   Thy demon, that's thy spirit which keeps thee, is
   Noble, courageous high, unmatchable,
   Where Caesar's is not; but, near him, thy angel
   Becomes a fear, as being o'erpower'd: therefore
   Make space enough between you.

MARK ANTONY

   Speak this no more.

Soothsayer

   To none but thee; no more, but when to thee.
   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
   Is all afraid to govern thee near him;
   But, he away, 'tis noble.

MARK ANTONY

   Get thee gone:
   Say to Ventidius I would speak with him:

   Exit Soothsayer
   He shall to Parthia. Be it art or hap,
   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,
   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,
   You must to Parthia: your commission's ready;
   Follow me, and receive't.

   Exeunt

SCENE IV. The same. A street.

   Enter LEPIDUS, MECAENAS, and AGRIPPA 

LEPIDUS

   Trouble yourselves no further: pray you, hasten
   Your generals after.

AGRIPPA

   Sir, Mark Antony
   Will e'en but kiss Octavia, and we'll follow.

LEPIDUS

   Till I shall see you in your soldier's dress,
   Which will become you both, farewell.

MECAENAS

   We shall,
   As I conceive the journey, be at the Mount
   Before you, Lepidus.

LEPIDUS

   Your way is shorter;
   My purposes do draw me much about:
   You'll win two days upon me.

MECAENAS AGRIPPA

   Sir, good success!

LEPIDUS

   Farewell.

   Exeunt

SCENE V. Alexandria. CLEOPATRA's palace.

   Enter CLEOPATRA, CHARMIAN, IRAS, and ALEXAS 

CLEOPATRA

   Give me some music; music, moody food
   Of us that trade in love.

Attendants

   The music, ho!

   Enter MARDIAN

CLEOPATRA

   Let it alone; let's to billiards: come, Charmian.

CHARMIAN

   My arm is sore; best play with Mardian.

CLEOPATRA

   As well a woman with an eunuch play'd
   As with a woman. Come, you'll play with me, sir?

MARDIAN

   As well as I can, madam.

CLEOPATRA

   And when good will is show'd, though't come
   too short,
   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
   Their slimy jaws; and, as I draw them up,
   I'll think them every one an Antony,
   And say 'Ah, ha! you're caught.'

CHARMIAN

   'Twas merry when
   You wager'd on your angling; when your diver
   Did hang a salt-fish on his hook, which he
   With fervency drew up.

CLEOPATRA

   That time,--O times!--
   I laugh'd him out of patience; and that night
   I laugh'd him into patience; and next morn,
   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,
   That long time have been barren.

Messenger

   Madam, madam,--

CLEOPATRA

   Antonius 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
   My bluest veins to kiss; a hand that kings
   Have lipp'd, and trembled kissing.

Messenger

   First, madam, he is well.

CLEOPATRA

   Why, there's more gold.
   But, sirrah, mark, we use
   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.

Messenger

   Good madam, hear me.

CLEOPATRA

   Well, go to, I will;
   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,
   Not like a formal man.

Messenger

   Will't please you hear me?

CLEOPATRA

   I have a mind to strike thee ere thou speak'st:
   Yet if thou say Antony lives, is well,
   Or friends with Caesar, or not captive to him,
   I'll set thee in a shower of gold, and hail
   Rich pearls upon thee.

Messenger

   Madam, he's well.

CLEOPATRA

   Well said.

Messenger

   And friends with Caesar.

CLEOPATRA

   Thou'rt an honest man.

Messenger

   Caesar and he are greater friends than ever.

CLEOPATRA

   Make thee a fortune from me.

Messenger

   But yet, madam,--

CLEOPATRA

   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
   Some monstrous malefactor. Prithee, friend,
   Pour out the pack of matter to mine ear,
   The good and bad together: he's friends with Caesar:
   In state of health thou say'st; and thou say'st free.

Messenger

   Free, madam! no; I made no such report:
   He's bound unto Octavia.

CLEOPATRA

   For what good turn?

Messenger

   For the best turn i' the bed.

CLEOPATRA

   I am pale, Charmian.

Messenger

   Madam, he's married to Octavia.

CLEOPATRA

   The most infectious pestilence upon thee!

   Strikes him down

Messenger

   Good madam, patience.

CLEOPATRA

   What say you? Hence,

   Strikes him again
   Horrible villain! or I'll spurn thine eyes
   Like balls before me; I'll unhair thy head:

   She hales him up and down
   Thou shalt be whipp'd with wire, and stew'd in brine,
   Smarting in lingering pickle.

Messenger

   Gracious madam,
   I that do bring the news made not the match.

CLEOPATRA

   Say 'tis not so, a province I will give thee,
   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.

Messenger

   He's married, madam.

CLEOPATRA

   Rogue, thou hast lived too long.

   Draws a knife

Messenger

   Nay, then I'll run.
   What mean you, madam? I have made no fault.

   Exit

CHARMIAN

   Good madam, keep yourself within yourself:
   The man is innocent.

CLEOPATRA

   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.

CHARMIAN

   He is afeard to come.

CLEOPATRA

   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.

   Re-enter CHARMIAN and Messenger
   Come hither, sir.
   Though it be honest, it is never good
   To bring bad news: give to a gracious message.
   An host of tongues; but let ill tidings tell
   Themselves when they be felt.

Messenger

   I have done my duty.

CLEOPATRA

   Is he married?
   I cannot hate thee worser than I do,
   If thou again say 'Yes.'

Messenger

   He's married, madam.

CLEOPATRA

   The gods confound thee! dost thou hold there still?

Messenger

   Should I lie, madam?

CLEOPATRA

   O, I would thou didst,
   So half my Egypt were submerged and made
   A cistern for scaled snakes! Go, get thee hence:
   Hadst thou Narcissus in thy face, to me
   Thou wouldst appear most ugly. He is married?

Messenger

   I crave your highness' pardon.

CLEOPATRA

   He is married?

Messenger

   Take no offence that I would not offend you:
   To punish me for what you make me do.
   Seems much unequal: he's married to Octavia.

CLEOPATRA

   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
   Are all too dear for me: lie they upon thy hand,
   And be undone by 'em!

   Exit Messenger

CHARMIAN

   Good your highness, patience.

CLEOPATRA

   In praising Antony, I have dispraised Caesar.

CHARMIAN

   Many times, madam.

CLEOPATRA

   I am paid for't now.
   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,
   Her inclination, let him not leave out
   The colour of her hair: bring me word quickly.

   Exit ALEXAS
   Let him for ever go:--let him not--Charmian,
   Though he be painted one way like a Gorgon,
   The other way's a Mars. Bid you Alexas

   To MARDIAN
   Bring me word how tall she is. Pity me, Charmian,
   But do not speak to me. Lead me to my chamber.

   Exeunt

SCENE VI. Near Misenum.

   Flourish. Enter POMPEY and MENAS at one door, with drum and trumpet: at another, OCTAVIUS CAESAR, MARK ANTONY, LEPIDUS, DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS, MECAENAS, with Soldiers marching 

POMPEY

   Your hostages I have, so have you mine;
   And we shall talk before we fight.

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   Most meet
   That first we come to words; and therefore have we
   Our written purposes before us sent;
   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.

POMPEY

   To you all three,
   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 Caesar,
   Who at Philippi the good Brutus ghosted,
   There saw you labouring for him. What was't
   That moved pale Cassius to conspire; and what
   Made the all-honour'd, honest Roman, Brutus,
   With the arm'd rest, courtiers and 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 burthen
   The anger'd ocean foams; with which I meant
   To scourge the ingratitude that despiteful Rome
   Cast on my noble father.

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   Take your time.

MARK ANTONY

   Thou canst not fear us, Pompey, with thy sails;
   We'll speak with thee at sea: at land, thou know'st
   How much we do o'er-count thee.

POMPEY

   At land, indeed,
   Thou dost o'er-count me of my father's house:
   But, since the cuckoo builds not for himself,
   Remain in't as thou mayst.

LEPIDUS

   Be pleased to tell us--
   For this is from the present--how you take
   The offers we have sent you.

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   There's the point.

MARK ANTONY

   Which do not be entreated to, but weigh
   What it is worth embraced.

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   And what may follow,
   To try a larger fortune.

POMPEY

   You have made me offer
   Of Sicily, Sardinia; and I must
   Rid all the sea of pirates; then, to send
   Measures of wheat to Rome; this 'greed upon
   To part with unhack'd edges, and bear back
   Our targes undinted.

OCTAVIUS CAESAR MARK ANTONY LEPIDUS

   That's our offer.

POMPEY

   Know, then,
   I came before you here a man prepared
   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 Caesar and your brother were at blows,
   Your mother came to Sicily and did find
   Her welcome friendly.

MARK ANTONY

   I have heard it, Pompey;
   And am well studied for a liberal thanks
   Which I do owe you.

POMPEY

   Let me have your hand:
   I did not think, sir, to have met you here.

MARK ANTONY

   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.

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   Since I saw you last,
   There is a change upon you.

POMPEY

   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.

LEPIDUS

   Well met here.

POMPEY

   I hope so, Lepidus. Thus we are agreed:
   I crave our composition may be written,
   And seal'd between us.

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   That's the next to do.

POMPEY

   We'll feast each other ere we part; and let's
   Draw lots who shall begin.

MARK ANTONY

   That will I, Pompey.

POMPEY

   No, Antony, take the lot: but, first
   Or last, your fine Egyptian cookery
   Shall have the fame. I have heard that Julius Caesar
   Grew fat with feasting there.

MARK ANTONY

   You have heard much.

POMPEY

   I have fair meanings, sir.

MARK ANTONY

   And fair words to them.

POMPEY

   Then so much have I heard:
   And I have heard, Apollodorus carried--

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   No more of that: he did so.

POMPEY

   What, I pray you?

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   A certain queen to Caesar in a mattress.

POMPEY

   I know thee now: how farest thou, soldier?

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   Well;
   And well am like to do; for, I perceive,
   Four feasts are toward.

POMPEY

   Let me shake thy hand;
   I never hated thee: I have seen thee fight,
   When I have envied thy behavior.

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   Sir,
   I never loved you much; but I ha' praised ye,
   When you have well deserved ten times as much
   As I have said you did.

POMPEY

   Enjoy thy plainness,
   It nothing ill becomes thee.
   Aboard my galley I invite you all:
   Will you lead, lords?

OCTAVIUS CAESAR MARK ANTONY LEPIDUS

   Show us the way, sir.

POMPEY

   Come.

   Exeunt all but MENAS and ENOBARBUS

MENAS

   [Aside] Thy father, Pompey, would ne'er have
   made this treaty.--You and I have known, sir.

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   At sea, I think.

MENAS

   We have, sir.

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   You have done well by water.

MENAS

   And you by land.

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   I will praise any man that will praise me; though it
   cannot be denied what I have done by land.

MENAS

   Nor what I have done by water.

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   Yes, something you can deny for your own
   safety: you have been a great thief by sea.

MENAS

   And you by land.

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   There I deny my land service. But give me your
   hand, Menas: if our eyes had authority, here they
   might take two thieves kissing.

MENAS

   All men's faces are true, whatsome'er their hands are.

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   But there is never a fair woman has a true face.

MENAS

   No slander; they steal hearts.

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   We came hither to fight with you.

MENAS

   For my part, I am sorry it is turned to a drinking.
   Pompey doth this day laugh away his fortune.

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   If he do, sure, he cannot weep't back again.

MENAS

   You've said, sir. We looked not for Mark Antony
   here: pray you, is he married to Cleopatra?

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   Caesar's sister is called Octavia.

MENAS

   True, sir; she was the wife of Caius Marcellus.

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   But she is now the wife of Marcus Antonius.

MENAS

   Pray ye, sir?

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   'Tis true.

MENAS

   Then is Caesar and he for ever knit together.

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   If I were bound to divine of this unity, I would
   not prophesy so.

MENAS

   I think the policy of that purpose made more in the
   marriage than the love of the parties.

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   I think so too. But you shall find, the band that
   seems to tie their friendship together will be the
   very strangler of their amity: Octavia is of a
   holy, cold, and still conversation.

MENAS

   Who would not have his wife so?

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   Not he that himself is not so; which is Mark Antony.
   He will to his Egyptian dish again: then shall the
   sighs of Octavia blow the fire up in Caesar; and, as
   I said before, that which is the strength of their
   amity shall prove the immediate author of their
   variance. Antony will use his affection where it is:
   he married but his occasion here.

MENAS

   And thus it may be. Come, sir, will you aboard?
   I have a health for you.

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   I shall take it, sir: we have used our throats in Egypt.

MENAS

   Come, let's away.

   Exeunt

SCENE VII. On board POMPEY's galley, off Misenum.

   Music plays. Enter two or three Servants with a banquet 

First Servant

   Here they'll be, man. Some o' their plants are
   ill-rooted already: the least wind i' the world
   will blow them down.

Second Servant

   Lepidus is high-coloured.

First Servant

   They have made him drink alms-drink.

Second Servant

   As they pinch one another by the disposition, he
   cries out 'No more;' reconciles them to his
   entreaty, and himself to the drink.

First Servant

   But it raises the greater war between him and
   his discretion.

Second Servant

   Why, this is to have a name in 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 Servant

   To be called into a huge sphere, and not to be seen
   to move in't, are the holes where eyes should be,
   which pitifully disaster the cheeks.

   A sennet sounded. Enter OCTAVIUS CAESAR, MARK ANTONY, LEPIDUS, POMPEY, AGRIPPA, MECAENAS, DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS, MENAS, with other captains

MARK ANTONY

   [To OCTAVIUS CAESAR] Thus do they, sir: they take
   the flow o' the Nile
   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
   Upon the slime and ooze scatters his grain,
   And shortly comes to harvest.

LEPIDUS

   You've strange serpents there.

MARK ANTONY

   Ay, Lepidus.

LEPIDUS

   Your serpent of Egypt is bred now of your mud by the
   operation of your sun: so is your crocodile.

MARK ANTONY

   They are so.

POMPEY

   Sit,--and some wine! A health to Lepidus!

LEPIDUS

   I am not so well as I should be, but I'll ne'er out.

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   Not till you have slept; I fear me you'll be in till then.

LEPIDUS

   Nay, certainly, I have heard the Ptolemies'
   pyramises are very goodly things; without
   contradiction, I have heard that.

MENAS

   [Aside to POMPEY] Pompey, a word.

POMPEY

   [Aside to MENAS] Say in mine ear:
   what is't?

MENAS

   [Aside to POMPEY] Forsake thy seat, I do beseech
   thee, captain,
   And hear me speak a word.

POMPEY

   [Aside to MENAS] Forbear me till anon.
   This wine for Lepidus!

LEPIDUS

   What manner o' thing is your crocodile?

MARK ANTONY

   It is shaped, sir, like itself; and it is as broad
   as it hath breadth: it is just so high as it is,
   and moves with its own organs: it lives by that
   which nourisheth it; and the elements once out of
   it, it transmigrates.

LEPIDUS

   What colour is it of?

MARK ANTONY

   Of it own colour too.

LEPIDUS

   'Tis a strange serpent.

MARK ANTONY

   'Tis so. And the tears of it are wet.

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   Will this description satisfy him?

MARK ANTONY

   With the health that Pompey gives him, else he is a
   very epicure.

POMPEY

   [Aside to MENAS] Go hang, sir, hang! Tell me of
   that? away!
   Do as I bid you. Where's this cup I call'd for?

MENAS

   [Aside to POMPEY] If for the sake of merit thou
   wilt hear me,
   Rise from thy stool.

POMPEY

   [Aside to MENAS] I think thou'rt mad.
   The matter?

   Rises, and walks aside

MENAS

   I have ever held my cap off to thy fortunes.

POMPEY

   Thou hast served me with much faith. What's else to say?
   Be jolly, lords.

MARK ANTONY

   These quick-sands, Lepidus,
   Keep off them, for you sink.

MENAS

   Wilt thou be lord of all the world?

POMPEY

   What say'st thou?

MENAS

   Wilt thou be lord of the whole world? That's twice.

POMPEY

   How should that be?

MENAS

   But entertain it,
   And, though thou think me poor, I am the man
   Will give thee all the world.

POMPEY

   Hast thou drunk well?

MENAS

   Now, Pompey, I have kept me from the cup.
   Thou art, if thou darest be, the earthly Jove:
   Whate'er the ocean pales, or sky inclips,
   Is thine, if thou wilt ha't.

POMPEY

   Show me which way.

MENAS

   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.

POMPEY

   Ah, this thou shouldst have done,
   And not have spoke on't! In me 'tis villany;
   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
   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.

MENAS

   [Aside] For this,
   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.

POMPEY

   This health to Lepidus!

MARK ANTONY

   Bear him ashore. I'll pledge it for him, Pompey.

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   Here's to thee, Menas!

MENAS

   Enobarbus, welcome!

POMPEY

   Fill till the cup be hid.

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   There's a strong fellow, Menas.

   Pointing to the Attendant who carries off LEPIDUS

MENAS

   Why?

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   A' bears the third part of the world, man; see'st
   not?

MENAS

   The third part, then, is drunk: would it were all,
   That it might go on wheels!

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   Drink thou; increase the reels.

MENAS

   Come.

POMPEY

   This is not yet an Alexandrian feast.

MARK ANTONY

   It ripens towards it. Strike the vessels, ho?
   Here is to Caesar!

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   I could well forbear't.
   It's monstrous labour, when I wash my brain,
   And it grows fouler.

MARK ANTONY

   Be a child o' the time.

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   Possess it, I'll make answer:
   But I had rather fast from all four days
   Than drink so much in one.

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   Ha, my brave emperor!

   To MARK ANTONY
   Shall we dance now the Egyptian Bacchanals,
   And celebrate our drink?

POMPEY

   Let's ha't, good soldier.

MARK ANTONY

   Come, let's all take hands,
   Till that the conquering wine hath steep'd our sense
   In soft and delicate Lethe.

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   All take hands.
   Make battery to our ears with the loud music:
   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. DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS places them hand in hand
   THE SONG.
   Come, thou monarch of the vine,
   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,
   Cup us, till the world go round!

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   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;
   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.
   Good Antony, your hand.

POMPEY

   I'll try you on the shore.

MARK ANTONY

   And shall, sir; give's your hand.

POMPEY

   O Antony,
   You have my father's house,--But, what? we are friends.
   Come, down into the boat.

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   Take heed you fall not.

   Exeunt all but DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS and MENAS
   Menas, I'll not on shore.

MENAS

   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!

   Sound a flourish, with drums

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   Ho! says a' There's my cap.

MENAS

   Ho! Noble captain, come.

   Exeunt

ACT III SCENE I. A plain in Syria.

   Enter VENTIDIUS as it were in triumph, with SILIUS, and other Romans, Officers, and Soldiers; the dead body of PACORUS borne before him 

VENTIDIUS

   Now, darting Parthia, art thou struck; and now
   Pleased fortune does of Marcus Crassus' death
   Make me revenger. Bear the king's son's body
   Before our army. Thy Pacorus, Orodes,
   Pays this for Marcus Crassus.

SILIUS

   Noble Ventidius,
   Whilst yet with Parthian blood thy sword is warm,
   The fugitive Parthians follow; spur through Media,
   Mesopotamia, and the shelters whither
   The routed fly: so thy grand captain Antony
   Shall set thee on triumphant chariots and
   Put garlands on thy head.

VENTIDIUS

   O Silius, Silius,
   I have done enough; a lower place, note well,
   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.
   Caesar and Antony have ever won
   More in their officer than person: Sossius,
   One of my place in Syria, his lieutenant,
   For quick accumulation of renown,
   Which he achieved by the minute, lost his favour.
   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.
   I could do more to do Antonius good,
   But 'twould offend him; and in his offence
   Should my performance perish.

SILIUS

   Thou hast, Ventidius,
   that
   Without the which a soldier, and his sword,
   Grants scarce distinction. Thou wilt write to Antony!

VENTIDIUS

   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,
   The ne'er-yet-beaten horse of Parthia
   We have jaded out o' the field.

SILIUS

   Where is he now?

VENTIDIUS

   He purposeth to Athens: whither, with what haste
   The weight we must convey with's will permit,
   We shall appear before him. On there; pass along!

   Exeunt

SCENE II. Rome. An ante-chamber in OCTAVIUS CAESAR's house.

   Enter AGRIPPA at one door, DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS at another 

AGRIPPA

   What, are the brothers parted?

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   They have dispatch'd with Pompey, he is gone;
   The other three are sealing. Octavia weeps
   To part from Rome; Caesar is sad; and Lepidus,
   Since Pompey's feast, as Menas says, is troubled
   With the green sickness.

AGRIPPA

   'Tis a noble Lepidus.

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   A very fine one: O, how he loves Caesar!

AGRIPPA

   Nay, but how dearly he adores Mark Antony!

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   Caesar? Why, he's the Jupiter of men.

AGRIPPA

   What's Antony? The god of Jupiter.

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   Spake you of Caesar? How! the non-pareil!

AGRIPPA

   O Antony! O thou Arabian bird!

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   Would you praise Caesar, say 'Caesar:' go no further.

AGRIPPA

   Indeed, he plied them both with excellent praises.

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   But he loves Caesar best; yet he loves Antony:
   Ho! hearts, tongues, figures, scribes, bards,
   poets, cannot
   Think, speak, cast, write, sing, number, ho!
   His love to Antony. But as for Caesar,
   Kneel down, kneel down, and wonder.

AGRIPPA

   Both he loves.

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   They are his shards, and he their beetle.

   Trumpets within
   So;
   This is to horse. Adieu, noble Agrippa.

AGRIPPA

   Good fortune, worthy soldier; and farewell.

   Enter OCTAVIUS CAESAR, MARK ANTONY, LEPIDUS, and OCTAVIA

MARK ANTONY

   No further, sir.

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   You take from me a great part of myself;
   Use me well in 't. Sister, prove such a wife
   As my thoughts make thee, and as my farthest band
   Shall pass on thy approof. Most noble Antony,
   Let not the piece of virtue, which is set
   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 loved without this mean, if on both parts
   This be not cherish'd.

MARK ANTONY

   Make me not offended
   In your distrust.

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   I have said.

MARK ANTONY

   You shall not find,
   Though you be therein curious, the least cause
   For what you seem to fear: so, the gods keep you,
   And make the hearts of Romans serve your ends!
   We will here part.

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   Farewell, my dearest sister, fare thee well:
   The elements be kind to thee, and make
   Thy spirits all of comfort! fare thee well.

OCTAVIA

   My noble brother!

MARK ANTONY

   The April 's in her eyes: it is love's spring,
   And these the showers to bring it on. Be cheerful.

OCTAVIA

   Sir, look well to my husband's house; and--

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   What, Octavia?

OCTAVIA

   I'll tell you in your ear.

MARK ANTONY

   Her tongue will not obey her heart, nor can
   Her heart inform her tongue,--the swan's
   down-feather,
   That stands upon the swell at full of tide,
   And neither way inclines.

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   [Aside to AGRIPPA] Will Caesar weep?

AGRIPPA

   [Aside to DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS] He has a cloud in 's face.

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   [Aside to AGRIPPA] He were the worse for that,
   were he a horse;
   So is he, being a man.

AGRIPPA

   [Aside to DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS] Why, Enobarbus,
   When Antony found Julius Caesar dead,
   He cried almost to roaring; and he wept
   When at Philippi he found Brutus slain.

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   [Aside to AGRIPPA] That year, indeed, he was
   troubled with a rheum;
   What willingly he did confound he wail'd,
   Believe't, till I wept too.

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   No, sweet Octavia,
   You shall hear from me still; the time shall not
   Out-go my thinking on you.

MARK ANTONY

   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.

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   Adieu; be happy!

LEPIDUS

   Let all the number of the stars give light
   To thy fair way!

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   Farewell, fa rewell!

   Kisses OCTAVIA

MARK ANTONY

   Farewell!

   Trumpets sound. Exeunt

SCENE III. Alexandria. CLEOPATRA's palace.

   Enter CLEOPATRA, CHARMIAN, IRAS, and ALEXAS 

CLEOPATRA

   Where is the fellow?

ALEXAS

   Half afeard to come.

CLEOPATRA

   Go to, go to.

   Enter the Messenger as before
   Come hither, sir.

ALEXAS

   Good majesty,
   Herod of Jewry dare not look upon you
   But when you are well pleased.

CLEOPATRA

   That Herod's head
   I'll have: but how, when Antony is gone
   Through whom I might command it? Come thou near.

Messenger

   Most gracious majesty,--

CLEOPATRA

   Didst thou behold Octavia?

Messenger

   Ay, dread queen.

CLEOPATRA

   Where?

Messenger

   Madam, in Rome;
   I look'd her in the face, and saw her led
   Between her brother and Mark Antony.

CLEOPATRA

   Is she as tall as me?

Messenger

   She is not, madam.

CLEOPATRA

   Didst hear her speak? is she shrill-tongued or low?

Messenger

   Madam, I heard her speak; she is low-voiced.

CLEOPATRA

   That's not so good: he cannot like her long.

CHARMIAN

   Like her! O Isis! 'tis impossible.

CLEOPATRA

   I think so, Charmian: dull of tongue, and dwarfish!
   What majesty is in her gait? Remember,
   If e'er thou look'dst on majesty.

Messenger

   She creeps:
   Her motion and her station are as one;
   She shows a body rather than a life,
   A statue than a breather.

CLEOPATRA

   Is this certain?

Messenger

   Or I have no observance.

CHARMIAN

   Three in Egypt
   Cannot make better note.

CLEOPATRA

   He's very knowing;
   I do perceive't: there's nothing in her yet:
   The fellow has good judgment.

CHARMIAN

   Excellent.

CLEOPATRA

   Guess at her years, I prithee.

Messenger

   Madam,
   She was a widow,--

CLEOPATRA

   Widow! Charmian, hark.

Messenger

   And I do think she's thirty.

CLEOPATRA

   Bear'st thou her face in mind? is't long or round?

Messenger

   Round even to faultiness.

CLEOPATRA

   For the most part, too, they are foolish that are so.
   Her hair, what colour?

Messenger

   Brown, madam: and her forehead
   As low as she would wish it.

CLEOPATRA

   There's gold for thee.
   Thou must not take my former sharpness ill:
   I will employ thee back again; I find thee
   Most fit for business: go make thee ready;
   Our letters are prepared.

   Exit Messenger

CHARMIAN

   A proper man.

CLEOPATRA

   Indeed, he is so: I repent me much
   That so I harried him. Why, methinks, by him,
   This creature's no such thing.

CHARMIAN

   Nothing, madam.

CLEOPATRA

   The man hath seen some majesty, and should know.

CHARMIAN

   Hath he seen majesty? Isis else defend,
   And serving you so long!

CLEOPATRA

   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.

CHARMIAN

   I warrant you, madam.

   Exeunt

SCENE IV. Athens. A room in MARK ANTONY's house.

   Enter MARK ANTONY and OCTAVIA 

MARK ANTONY

   Nay, nay, Octavia, not only that,--
   That were excusable, that, and thousands more
   Of semblable import,--but he hath waged
   New wars 'gainst Pompey; made his will, and read it
   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:
   When the best hint was given him, he not took't,
   Or did it from his teeth.

OCTAVIA

   O my good lord,
   Believe not all; or, if you must believe,
   Stomach not all. A more unhappy lady,
   If this division chance, ne'er stood between,
   Praying for both parts:
   The good gods me presently,
   When I shall pray, 'O bless my lord and husband!'
   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.

MARK ANTONY

   Gentle Octavia,
   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,
   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.

OCTAVIA

   Thanks to my lord.
   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.

MARK ANTONY

   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;
   Choose your own company, and command what cost
   Your heart has mind to.

   Exeunt

SCENE V. The same. Another room.

   Enter DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS and EROS, meeting 

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   How now, friend Eros!

EROS

   There's strange news come, sir.

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   What, man?

EROS

   Caesar and Lepidus have made wars upon Pompey.

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   This is old: what is the success?

EROS

   Caesar, having made use of him in the wars 'gainst
   Pompey, presently denied him 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 third is up, till death enlarge his confine.

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   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?

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.

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   Our great navy's rigg'd.

EROS

   For Italy and Caesar. More, Domitius;
   My lord desires you presently: my news
   I might have told hereafter.

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   'Twill be naught:
   But let it be. Bring me to Antony.

EROS

   Come, sir.

   Exeunt

SCENE VI. Rome. OCTAVIUS CAESAR's house.

   Enter OCTAVIUS CAESAR, AGRIPPA, and MECAENAS 

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   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
   Were publicly enthroned: at the feet sat
   Caesarion, whom they call my father's son,
   And all the unlawful issue that their lust
   Since then hath made between them. Unto her
   He gave the stablishment of Egypt; made her
   Of lower Syria, Cyprus, Lydia,
   Absolute queen.

MECAENAS

   This in the public eye?

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   I' the common show-place, where they exercise.
   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 Phoenicia: she
   In the habiliments of the goddess Isis
   That day appear'd; and oft before gave audience,
   As 'tis reported, so.

MECAENAS

   Let Rome be thus Inform'd.

AGRIPPA

   Who, queasy with his insolence
   Already, will their good thoughts call from him.

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   The people know it; and have now received
   His accusations.

AGRIPPA

   Who does he accuse?

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   Caesar: and that, having in Sicily
   Sextus Pompeius spoil'd, we had not rated him
   His part o' the isle: then does he say, he lent me
   Some shipping unrestored: lastly, he frets
   That Lepidus of the triumvirate
   Should be deposed; and, being, that we detain
   All his revenue.

AGRIPPA

   Sir, this should be answer'd.

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   'Tis done already, and the messenger gone.
   I have told him, Lepidus was grown too cruel;
   That he his high authority abused,
   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
   Demand the like.

MECAENAS

   He'll never yield to that.

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   Nor must not then be yielded to in this.

   Enter OCTAVIA with her train

OCTAVIA

   Hail, Caesar, and my lord! hail, most dear Caesar!

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   That ever I should call thee castaway!

OCTAVIA

   You have not call'd me so, nor have you cause.

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   Why have you stol'n upon us thus! You come not
   Like Caesar's sister: the wife of Antony
   Should have an army for an usher, and
   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
   Should have ascended to the roof of heaven,
   Raised by your populous troops: but you are come
   A market-maid to Rome; and have prevented
   The ostentation of our love, which, left unshown,
   Is often left unloved; we should have met you
   By sea and land; supplying every stage
   With an augmented greeting.

OCTAVIA

   Good my lord,
   To come thus was I not constrain'd, but did
   On my free will. My lord, Mark Antony,
   Hearing that you prepared for war, acquainted
   My grieved ear withal; whereon, I begg'd
   His pardon for return.

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   Which soon he granted,
   Being an obstruct 'tween his lust and him.

OCTAVIA

   Do not say so, my lord.

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   I have eyes upon him,
   And his affairs come to me on the wind.
   Where is he now?

OCTAVIA

   My lord, in Athens.

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   No, my most wronged 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
   Bocchus, the king of Libya; Archelaus,
   Of Cappadocia; Philadelphos, king
   Of Paphlagonia; the Thracian king, Adallas;
   King Malchus of Arabia; King of Pont;
   Herod of Jewry; Mithridates, king
   Of Comagene; Polemon and Amyntas,
   The kings of Mede and Lycaonia,
   With a more larger list of sceptres.

OCTAVIA

   Ay me, most wretched,
   That have my heart parted betwixt two friends
   That do afflict each other!

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   Welcome hither:
   Your letters did withhold our breaking forth;
   Till we perceived, both how you were wrong led,
   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 determined things to destiny
   Hold unbewail'd their way. Welcome to Rome;
   Nothing more dear to me. You are abused
   Beyond the mark of thought: and the high gods,
   To do you justice, make them ministers
   Of us and those that love you. Best of comfort;
   And ever welcome to us.

AGRIPPA

   Welcome, lady.

MECAENAS

   Welcome, dear madam.
   Each heart in Rome does love and pity you:
   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.

OCTAVIA

   Is it so, sir?

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   Most certain. Sister, welcome: pray you,
   Be ever known to patience: my dear'st sister!

   Exeunt

SCENE VII. Near Actium. MARK ANTONY's camp.

   Enter CLEOPATRA and DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS 

CLEOPATRA

   I will be even with thee, doubt it not.

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   But why, why, why?

CLEOPATRA

   Thou hast forspoke my being in these wars,
   And say'st it is not fit.

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   Well, is it, is it?

CLEOPATRA

   If not denounced against us, why should not we
   Be there in person?

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   [Aside] Well, I could reply:
   If we should serve with horse and mares together,
   The horse were merely lost; the mares would bear
   A soldier and his horse.

CLEOPATRA

   What is't you say?

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   Your presence needs must puzzle Antony;
   Take from his heart, take from his brain,
   from's time,
   What should not then be spared. He is already
   Traduced for levity; and 'tis said in Rome
   That Photinus an eunuch and your maids
   Manage this war.

CLEOPATRA

   Sink Rome, and their tongues rot
   That speak against us! A charge we bear i' the war,
   And, as the president of my kingdom, will
   Appear there for a man. Speak not against it:
   I will not stay behind.

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   Nay, I have done.
   Here comes the emperor.

   Enter MARK ANTONY and CANIDIUS

MARK ANTONY

   Is it not strange, Canidius,
   That from Tarentum and Brundusium
   He could so quickly cut the Ionian sea,
   And take in Toryne? You have heard on't, sweet?

CLEOPATRA

   Celerity is never more admired
   Than by the negligent.

MARK ANTONY

   A good rebuke,
   Which might have well becomed the best of men,
   To taunt at slackness. Canidius, we
   Will fight with him by sea.

CLEOPATRA

   By sea! what else?

CANIDIUS

   Why will my lord do so?

MARK ANTONY

   For that he dares us to't.

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   So hath my lord dared him to single fight.

CANIDIUS

   Ay, and to wage this battle at Pharsalia.
   Where Caesar fought with Pompey: but these offers,
   Which serve not for his vantage, be shakes off;
   And so should you.

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   Your ships are not well mann'd;
   Your mariners are muleters, reapers, people
   Ingross'd by swift impress; in Caesar's fleet
   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 prepared for land.

MARK ANTONY

   By sea, by sea.

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   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
   Your own renowned knowledge; quite forego
   The way which promises assurance; and
   Give up yourself merely to chance and hazard,
   From firm security.

MARK ANTONY

   I'll fight at sea.

CLEOPATRA

   I have sixty sails, Caesar none better.

MARK ANTONY

   Our overplus of shipping will we burn;
   And, with the rest full-mann'd, from the head of Actium
   Beat the approaching Caesar. But if we fail,
   We then can do't at land.

   Enter a Messenger
   Thy business?

Messenger

   The news is true, my lord; he is descried;
   Caesar has taken Toryne.

MARK ANTONY

   Can he be there in person? 'tis impossible;
   Strange that 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?

Soldier

   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 Phoenicians go a-ducking; we
   Have used to conquer, standing on the earth,
   And fighting foot to foot.

MARK ANTONY

   Well, well: away!

   Exeunt MARK ANTONY, QUEEN CLEOPATRA, and DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

Soldier

   By Hercules, I think I am i' the right.

CANIDIUS

   Soldier, thou art: but his whole action grows
   Not in the power on't: so our leader's led,
   And we are women's men.

Soldier

   You keep by land
   The legions and the horse whole, do you not?

CANIDIUS

   Marcus Octavius, Marcus Justeius,
   Publicola, and Caelius, are for sea:
   But we keep whole by land. This speed of Caesar's
   Carries beyond belief.

Soldier

   While he was yet in Rome,
   His power went out in such distractions as
   Beguiled all spies.

CANIDIUS

   Who's his lieutenant, hear you?

Soldier

   They say, one Taurus.

CANIDIUS

   Well I know the man.

   Enter a Messenger

Messenger

   The emperor calls Canidius.

CANIDIUS

   With news the time's with labour, and throes forth,
   Each minute, some.

   Exeunt

SCENE VIII. A plain near Actium.

   Enter OCTAVIUS CAESAR, and TAURUS, with his army, marching 

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   Taurus!

TAURUS

   My lord?

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   Strike not by land; keep whole: provoke not battle,
   Till we have done at sea. Do not exceed
   The prescript of this scroll: our fortune lies
   Upon this jump.

   Exeunt

SCENE IX. Another part of the plain.

   Enter MARK ANTONY and DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS 

MARK ANTONY

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

   Exeunt

SCENE X. Another part of the plain.

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

   Alarum. Enter DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS 

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

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

   Enter SCARUS

SCARUS

   Gods and goddesses,
   All the whole synod of them!

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   What's thy passion!

SCARUS

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

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   How appears the fight?

SCARUS

   On our side like the token'd pestilence,
   Where death is sure. Yon ribaudred nag of Egypt,--
   Whom leprosy o'ertake!--i' the midst o' the fight,
   When vantage like a pair of twins appear'd,
   Both as the same, or rather ours the elder,
   The breese upon her, like a cow in June,
   Hoists sails and flies.

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

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

SCARUS

   She once being loof'd,
   The noble ruin of her magic, Antony,
   Claps on his sea-wing, and, like a doting mallard,
   Leaving the fight in height, flies after her:
   I never saw an action of such shame;
   Experience, manhood, honour, ne'er before
   Did violate so itself.

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   Alack, alack!

   Enter CANIDIUS

CANIDIUS

   Our fortune on the sea is out of breath,
   And sinks most lamentably. Had our general
   Been what he knew himself, it had gone well:
   O, he has given example for our flight,
   Most grossly, by his own!

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

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

CANIDIUS

   Toward Peloponnesus are they fled.

SCARUS

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

CANIDIUS

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

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

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

   Exeunt

SCENE XI. Alexandria. CLEOPATRA's palace.

   Enter MARK ANTONY with Attendants 

MARK ANTONY

   Hark! the land bids me tread no more upon't;
   It is ashamed to bear me! Friends, come hither:
   I am so lated in the world, that I
   Have lost my way for ever: I have a ship
   Laden with gold; take that, divide it; fly,
   And make your peace with Caesar.

All

   Fly! not we.

MARK ANTONY

   I have fled myself; and have instructed cowards
   To run and show their shoulders. Friends, be gone;
   I have myself resolved upon a course
   Which has no need of you; be gone:
   My treasure's in the harbour, take it. O,
   I follow'd that I blush to look upon:
   My very hairs do mutiny; for the white
   Reprove the brown for rashness, and they them
   For fear and doting. Friends, be gone: you shall
   Have letters from me to some friends that will
   Sweep your way for you. Pray you, look not sad,
   Nor make replies of loathness: take the hint
   Which my despair proclaims; let that be left
   Which leaves itself: to the sea-side straightway:
   I will possess you of that ship and treasure.
   Leave me, I pray, a little: pray you now:
   Nay, do so; for, indeed, I have lost command,
   Therefore I pray you: I'll see you by and by.

   Sits down

   Enter CLEOPATRA led by CHARMIAN and IRAS; EROS following

EROS

   Nay, gentle madam, to him, comfort him.

IRAS

   Do, most dear queen.

CHARMIAN

   Do! why: what else?

CLEOPATRA

   Let me sit down. O Juno!

MARK ANTONY

   No, no, no, no, no.

EROS

   See you here, sir?

MARK ANTONY

   O fie, fie, fie!

CHARMIAN

   Madam!

IRAS

   Madam, O good empress!

EROS

   Sir, sir,--

MARK ANTONY

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

CLEOPATRA

   Ah, stand by.

EROS

   The queen, my lord, the queen.

IRAS

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

CLEOPATRA

   Well then, sustain him: O!

EROS

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

MARK ANTONY

   I have offended reputation,
   A most unnoble swerving.

EROS

   Sir, the queen.

MARK ANTONY

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

CLEOPATRA

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

MARK ANTONY

   Egypt, thou knew'st too well
   My heart was to thy rudder tied by the strings,
   And thou shouldst tow me after: o'er my spirit
   Thy full supremacy thou knew'st, and that
   Thy beck might from the bidding of the gods
   Command me.

CLEOPATRA

   O, my pardon!

MARK ANTONY

   Now I must
   To the young man send humble treaties, dodge
   And palter in the shifts of lowness; who
   With half the bulk o' the world play'd as I pleased,
   Making and marring fortunes. You did know
   How much you were my conqueror; and that
   My sword, made weak by my affection, would
   Obey it on all cause.

CLEOPATRA

   Pardon, pardon!

MARK ANTONY

   Fall not a tear, I say; one of them rates
   All that is won and lost: give me a kiss;
   Even this repays me. We sent our schoolmaster;
   Is he come back? Love, I am full of lead.
   Some wine, within there, and our viands! Fortune knows
   We scorn her most when most she offers blows.

   Exeunt

SCENE XII. Egypt. OCTAVIUS CAESAR's camp.

   Enter OCTAVIUS CAESAR, DOLABELLA, THYREUS, with others 

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

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

DOLABELLA

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

   Enter EUPHRONIUS, ambassador from MARK ANTONY

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   Approach, and speak.

EUPHRONIUS

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

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   Be't so: declare thine office.

EUPHRONIUS

   Lord of his fortunes he salutes thee, and
   Requires to live in Egypt: which not granted,
   He lessens his requests; and to thee sues
   To let him breathe between the heavens and earth,
   A private man in Athens: this for him.
   Next, Cleopatra does confess thy greatness;
   Submits her to thy might; and of thee craves
   The circle of the Ptolemies for her heirs,
   Now hazarded to thy grace.

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   For Antony,
   I have no ears to his request. The queen
   Of audience nor desire shall fail, so she
   From Egypt drive her all-disgraced friend,
   Or take his life there: this if she perform,
   She shall not sue unheard. So to them both.

EUPHRONIUS

   Fortune pursue thee!

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   Bring him through the bands.

   Exit EUPHRONIUS

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

THYREUS

   Caesar, I go.

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

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

THYREUS

   Caesar, I shall.

   Exeunt

SCENE XIII. Alexandria. CLEOPATRA's palace.

   Enter CLEOPATRA, DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS, CHARMIAN, and IRAS 

CLEOPATRA

   What shall we do, Enobarbus?

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   Think, and die.

CLEOPATRA

   Is Antony or we in fault for this?

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

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

CLEOPATRA

   Prithee, peace.

   Enter MARK ANTONY with EUPHRONIUS, the Ambassador

MARK ANTONY

   Is that his answer?

EUPHRONIUS

   Ay, my lord.

MARK ANTONY

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

EUPHRONIUS

   He says so.

MARK ANTONY

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

CLEOPATRA

   That head, my lord?

MARK ANTONY

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

   Exeunt MARK ANTONY and EUPHRONIUS

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

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

   Enter an Attendant

Attendant

   A messenger from CAESAR.

CLEOPATRA

   What, no more ceremony? See, my women!
   Against the blown rose may they stop their nose
   That kneel'd unto the buds. Admit him, sir.

   Exit Attendant

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   [Aside] Mine honesty and I begin to square.
   The loyalty well held to fools does make
   Our faith mere folly: yet he that can endure
   To follow with allegiance a fall'n lord
   Does conquer him that did his master conquer
   And earns a place i' the story.

   Enter THYREUS

CLEOPATRA

   Caesar's will?

THYREUS

   Hear it apart.

CLEOPATRA

   None but friends: say boldly.

THYREUS

   So, haply, are they friends to Antony.

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

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

THYREUS

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

CLEOPATRA

   Go on: right royal.

THYREUS

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

CLEOPATRA

   O!

THYREUS

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

CLEOPATRA

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

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

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

   Exit

THYREUS

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

CLEOPATRA

   What's your name?

THYREUS

   My name is Thyreus.

CLEOPATRA

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

THYREUS

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

CLEOPATRA

   Your Caesar's father oft,
   When he hath mused of taking kingdoms in,
   Bestow'd his lips on that unworthy place,
   As it rain'd kisses.

   Re-enter MARK ANTONY and DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

MARK ANTONY

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

THYREUS

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

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   [Aside] You will be whipp'd.

MARK ANTONY

   Approach, there! Ah, you kite! Now, gods
   and devils!
   Authority melts from me: of late, when I cried 'Ho!'
   Like boys unto a muss, kings would start forth,
   And cry 'Your will?' Have you no ears? I am
   Antony yet.

   Enter Attendants
   Take hence this Jack, and whip him.

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

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

MARK ANTONY

   Moon and stars!
   Whip him. Were't twenty of the greatest tributaries
   That do acknowledge Caesar, should I find them
   So saucy with the hand of she here,--what's her name,
   Since she was Cleopatra? Whip him, fellows,
   Till, like a boy, you see him cringe his face,
   And whine aloud for mercy: take him hence.

THYREUS

   Mark Antony!

MARK ANTONY

   Tug him away: being whipp'd,
   Bring him again: this Jack of Caesar's shall
   Bear us an errand to him.

   Exeunt Attendants with THYREUS
   You were half blasted ere I knew you: ha!
   Have I my pillow left unpress'd in Rome,
   Forborne the getting of a lawful race,
   And by a gem of women, to be abused
   By one that looks on feeders?

CLEOPATRA

   Good my lord,--

MARK ANTONY

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

CLEOPATRA

   O, is't come to this?

MARK ANTONY

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

CLEOPATRA

   Wherefore is this?

MARK ANTONY

   To let a fellow that will take rewards
   And say 'God quit you!' be familiar with
   My playfellow, your hand; this kingly seal
   And plighter of high hearts! O, that I were
   Upon the hill of Basan, to outroar
   The horned herd! for I have savage cause;
   And to proclaim it civilly, were like
   A halter'd neck which does the hangman thank
   For being yare about him.

   Re-enter Attendants with THYREUS
   Is he whipp'd?

First Attendant

   Soundly, my lord.

MARK ANTONY

   Cried he? and begg'd a' pardon?

First Attendant

   He did ask favour.

MARK ANTONY

   If that thy father live, let him repent
   Thou wast not made his daughter; and be thou sorry
   To follow Caesar in his triumph, since
   Thou hast been whipp'd for following him: henceforth
   The white hand of a lady fever thee,
   Shake thou to look on 't. Get thee back to Caesar,
   Tell him thy entertainment: look, thou say
   He makes me angry with him; for he seems
   Proud and disdainful, harping on what I am,
   Not what he knew I was: he makes me angry;
   And at this time most easy 'tis to do't,
   When my good stars, that were my former guides,
   Have empty left their orbs, and shot their fires
   Into the abysm of hell. If he mislike
   My speech and what is done, tell him he has
   Hipparchus, my enfranched bondman, whom
   He may at pleasure whip, or hang, or torture,
   As he shall like, to quit me: urge it thou:
   Hence with thy stripes, begone!

   Exit THYREUS

CLEOPATRA

   Have you done yet?

MARK ANTONY

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

CLEOPATRA

   I must stay his time.

MARK ANTONY

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

CLEOPATRA

   Not know me yet?

MARK ANTONY

   Cold-hearted toward me?

CLEOPATRA

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

MARK ANTONY

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

CLEOPATRA

   That's my brave lord!

MARK ANTONY

   I will be treble-sinew'd, hearted, breathed,
   And fight maliciously: for when mine hours
   Were nice and lucky, men did ransom lives
   Of me for jests; but now I'll set my teeth,
   And send to darkness all that stop me. Come,
   Let's have one other gaudy night: call to me
   All my sad captains; fill our bowls once more;
   Let's mock the midnight bell.

CLEOPATRA

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

MARK ANTONY

   We will yet do well.

CLEOPATRA

   Call all his noble captains to my lord.

MARK ANTONY

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

   Exeunt all but DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   Now he'll outstare the lightning. To be furious,
   Is to be frighted out of fear; and in that mood
   The dove will peck the estridge; and I see still,
   A diminution in our captain's brain
   Restores his heart: when valour preys on reason,
   It eats the sword it fights with. I will seek
   Some way to leave him.

   Exit

ACT IV SCENE I. Before Alexandria. OCTAVIUS CAESAR's camp.

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

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   He calls me boy; and chides, as he had power
   To beat me out of Egypt; my messenger
   He hath whipp'd with rods; dares me to personal combat,
   Caesar to Antony: let the old ruffian know
   I have many other ways to die; meantime
   Laugh at his challenge.

MECAENAS

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

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

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

   Exeunt

SCENE II. Alexandria. CLEOPATRA's palace.

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

MARK ANTONY

   He will not fight with me, Domitius.

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   No.

MARK ANTONY

   Why should he not?

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

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

MARK ANTONY

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

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   I'll strike, and cry 'Take all.'

MARK ANTONY

   Well said; come on.
   Call forth my household servants: let's to-night
   Be bounteous at our meal.

   Enter three or four Servitors
   Give me thy hand,
   Thou hast been rightly honest;--so hast thou;--
   Thou,--and thou,--and thou:--you have served me well,
   And kings have been your fellows.

CLEOPATRA

   [Aside to DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS] What means this?

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

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

MARK ANTONY

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

All

   The gods forbid!

MARK ANTONY

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

CLEOPATRA

   [Aside to DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS] What does he mean?

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   [Aside to CLEOPATRA] To make his followers weep.

MARK ANTONY

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

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

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

MARK ANTONY

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

   Exeunt

SCENE III. The same. Before the palace.

   Enter two Soldiers to their guard 

First Soldier

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

Second Soldier

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

First Soldier

   Nothing. What news?

Second Soldier

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

First Soldier

   Well, sir, good night.

   Enter two other Soldiers

Second Soldier

   Soldiers, have careful watch.

Third Soldier

   And you. Good night, good night.

   They place themselves in every corner of the stage

Fourth Soldier

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

Third Soldier

   'Tis a brave army,
   And full of purpose.

   Music of the hautboys as under the stage

Fourth Soldier

   Peace! what noise?

First Soldier

   List, list!

Second Soldier

   Hark!

First Soldier

   Music i' the air.

Third Soldier

   Under the earth.

Fourth Soldier

   It signs well, does it not?

Third Soldier

   No.

First Soldier

   Peace, I say!
   What should this mean?

Second Soldier

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

First Soldier

   Walk; let's see if other watchmen
   Do hear what we do?

   They advance to another post

Second Soldier

   How now, masters!

All

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

First Soldier

   Ay; is't not strange?

Third Soldier

   Do you hear, masters? do you hear?

First Soldier

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

All

   Content. 'Tis strange.

   Exeunt

SCENE IV. The same. A room in the palace.

   Enter MARK ANTONY and CLEOPATRA, CHARMIAN, and others attending 

MARK ANTONY

   Eros! mine armour, Eros!

CLEOPATRA

   Sleep a little.

MARK ANTONY

   No, my chuck. Eros, come; mine armour, Eros!

   Enter EROS with armour
   Come good fellow, put mine iron on:
   If fortune be not ours to-day, it is
   Because we brave her: come.

CLEOPATRA

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

MARK ANTONY

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

CLEOPATRA

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

MARK ANTONY

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

EROS

   Briefly, sir.

CLEOPATRA

   Is not this buckled well?

MARK ANTONY

   Rarely, rarely:
   He that unbuckles this, till we do please
   To daff't for our repose, shall hear a storm.
   Thou fumblest, Eros; and my queen's a squire
   More tight at this than thou: dispatch. O love,
   That thou couldst see my wars to-day, and knew'st
   The royal occupation! thou shouldst see
   A workman in't.

   Enter an armed Soldier
   Good morrow to thee; welcome:
   Thou look'st like him that knows a warlike charge:
   To business that we love we rise betime,
   And go to't with delight.

Soldier

   A thousand, sir,
   Early though't be, have on their riveted trim,
   And at the port expect you.

   Shout. Trumpets flourish

   Enter Captains and Soldiers

Captain

   The morn is fair. Good morrow, general.

All

   Good morrow, general.

MARK ANTONY

   'Tis well blown, lads:
   This morning, like the spirit of a youth
   That means to be of note, begins betimes.
   So, so; come, give me that: this way; well said.
   Fare thee well, dame, whate'er becomes of me:
   This is a soldier's kiss: rebukeable

   Kisses her
   And worthy shameful cheque it were, to stand
   On more mechanic compliment; I'll leave thee
   Now, like a man of steel. You that will fight,
   Follow me close; I'll bring you to't. Adieu.

   Exeunt MARK ANTONY, EROS, Captains, and Soldiers

CHARMIAN

   Please you, retire to your chamber.

CLEOPATRA

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

   Exeunt

SCENE V. Alexandria. MARK ANTONY's camp.

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

Soldier

   The gods make this a happy day to Antony!

MARK ANTONY

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

Soldier

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

MARK ANTONY

   Who's gone this morning?

Soldier

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

MARK ANTONY

   What say'st thou?

Soldier

   Sir,
   He is with Caesar.

EROS

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

MARK ANTONY

   Is he gone?

Soldier

   Most certain.

MARK ANTONY

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

   Exeunt

SCENE VI. Alexandria. OCTAVIUS CAESAR's camp.

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

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

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

AGRIPPA

   Caesar, I shall.

   Exit

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   The time of universal peace is near:
   Prove this a prosperous day, the three-nook'd world
   Shall bear the olive freely.

   Enter a Messenger

Messenger

   Antony
   Is come into the field.

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   Go charge Agrippa
   Plant those that have revolted in the van,
   That Antony may seem to spend his fury
   Upon himself.

   Exeunt all but DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   Alexas did revolt; and went to Jewry on
   Affairs of Antony; there did persuade
   Great Herod to incline himself to Caesar,
   And leave his master Antony: for this pains
   Caesar hath hang'd him. Canidius and the rest
   That fell away have entertainment, but
   No honourable trust. I have done ill;
   Of which I do accuse myself so sorely,
   That I will joy no more.

   Enter a Soldier of CAESAR's

Soldier

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

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   I give it you.

Soldier

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

   Exit

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   I am alone the villain of the earth,
   And feel I am so most. O Antony,
   Thou mine of bounty, how wouldst thou have paid
   My better service, when my turpitude
   Thou dost so crown with gold! This blows my heart:
   If swift thought break it not, a swifter mean
   Shall outstrike thought: but thought will do't, I feel.
   I fight against thee! No: I will go seek
   Some ditch wherein to die; the foul'st best fits
   My latter part of life.

   Exit

SCENE VII. Field of battle between the camps.

   Alarum. Drums and trumpets. Enter AGRIPPA and others 

AGRIPPA

   Retire, we have engaged ourselves too far:
   Caesar himself has work, and our oppression
   Exceeds what we expected.

   Exeunt

   Alarums. Enter MARK ANTONY and SCARUS wounded

SCARUS

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

MARK ANTONY

   Thou bleed'st apace.

SCARUS

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

MARK ANTONY

   They do retire.

SCARUS

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

   Enter EROS

EROS

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

SCARUS

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

MARK ANTONY

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

SCARUS

   I'll halt after.

   Exeunt

SCENE VIII. Under the walls of Alexandria.

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

MARK ANTONY

   We have beat him to his camp: run one before,
   And let the queen know of our gests. To-morrow,
   Before the sun shall see 's, we'll spill the blood
   That has to-day escaped. I thank you all;
   For doughty-handed are you, and have fought
   Not as you served the cause, but as 't had been
   Each man's like mine; you have shown all Hectors.
   Enter the city, clip your wives, your friends,
   Tell them your feats; whilst they with joyful tears
   Wash the congealment from your wounds, and kiss
   The honour'd gashes whole.

   To SCARUS
   Give me thy hand

   Enter CLEOPATRA, attended
   To this great fairy I'll commend thy acts,
   Make her thanks bless thee.

   To CLEOPATRA
   O thou day o' the world,
   Chain mine arm'd neck; leap thou, attire and all,
   Through proof of harness to my heart, and there
   Ride on the pants triumphing!

CLEOPATRA

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

MARK ANTONY

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

CLEOPATRA

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

MARK ANTONY

   He has deserved it, were it carbuncled
   Like holy Phoebus' car. Give me thy hand:
   Through Alexandria make a jolly march;
   Bear our hack'd targets like the men that owe them:
   Had our great palace the capacity
   To camp this host, we all would sup together,
   And drink carouses to the next day's fate,
   Which promises royal peril. Trumpeters,
   With brazen din blast you the city's ear;
   Make mingle with rattling tabourines;
   That heaven and earth may strike their sounds together,
   Applauding our approach.

   Exeunt

SCENE IX. OCTAVIUS CAESAR's camp.

   Sentinels at their post 

First Soldier

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

Second Soldier

   This last day was
   A shrewd one to's.

   Enter DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   O, bear me witness, night,--

Third Soldier

   What man is this?

Second Soldier

   Stand close, and list him.

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

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

First Soldier

   Enobarbus!

Third Soldier

   Peace!
   Hark further.

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

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

   Dies

Second Soldier

   Let's speak To him.

First Soldier

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

Third Soldier

   Let's do so. But he sleeps.

First Soldier

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

Second Soldier

   Go we to him.

Third Soldier

   Awake, sir, awake; speak to us.

Second Soldier

   Hear you, sir?

First Soldier

   The hand of death hath raught him.

   Drums afar off
   Hark! the drums
   Demurely wake the sleepers. Let us bear him
   To the court of guard; he is of note: our hour
   Is fully out.

Third Soldier

   Come on, then;
   He may recover yet.

   Exeunt with the body

SCENE X. Between the two camps.

   Enter MARK ANTONY and SCARUS, with their Army 

MARK ANTONY

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

SCARUS

   For both, my lord.

MARK ANTONY

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

   Exeunt

SCENE XI. Another part of the same.

   Enter OCTAVIUS CAESAR, and his Army 

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   But being charged, we will be still by land,
   Which, as I take't, we shall; for his best force
   Is forth to man his galleys. To the vales,
   And hold our best advantage.

   Exeunt

SCENE XII. Another part of the same.

   Enter MARK ANTONY and SCARUS 

MARK ANTONY

   Yet they are not join'd: where yond pine
   does stand,
   I shall discover all: I'll bring thee word
   Straight, how 'tis like to go.

   Exit

SCARUS

   Swallows have built
   In Cleopatra's sails their nests: the augurers
   Say they know not, they cannot tell; look grimly,
   And dare not speak their knowledge. Antony
   Is valiant, and dejected; and, by starts,
   His fretted fortunes give him hope, and fear,
   Of what he has, and has not.

   Alarum afar off, as at a sea-fight

   Re-enter MARK ANTONY

MARK ANTONY

   All is lost;
   This foul Egyptian hath betrayed me:
   My fleet hath yielded to the foe; and yonder
   They cast their caps up and carouse together
   Like friends long lost. Triple-turn'd whore!
   'tis thou
   Hast sold me to this novice; and my heart
   Makes only wars on thee. Bid them all fly;
   For when I am revenged upon my charm,
   I have done all. Bid them all fly; begone.

   Exit SCARUS
   O sun, thy uprise shall I see no more:
   Fortune and Antony part here; even here
   Do we shake hands. All come to this? The hearts
   That spaniel'd me at heels, to whom I gave
   Their wishes, do discandy, melt their sweets
   On blossoming Caesar; and this pine is bark'd,
   That overtopp'd them all. Betray'd I am:
   O this false soul of Egypt! this grave charm,--
   Whose eye beck'd forth my wars, and call'd them home;
   Whose bosom was my crownet, my chief end,--
   Like a right gipsy, hath, at fast and loose,
   Beguiled me to the very heart of loss.
   What, Eros, Eros!

   Enter CLEOPATRA
   Ah, thou spell! Avaunt!

CLEOPATRA

   Why is my lord enraged against his love?

MARK ANTONY

   Vanish, or I shall give thee thy deserving,
   And blemish Caesar's triumph. Let him take thee,
   And hoist thee up to the shouting plebeians:
   Follow his chariot, like the greatest spot
   Of all thy sex; most monster-like, be shown
   For poor'st diminutives, for doits; and let
   Patient Octavia plough thy visage up
   With her prepared nails.

   Exit CLEOPATRA
   'Tis well thou'rt gone,
   If it be well to live; but better 'twere
   Thou fell'st into my fury, for one death
   Might have prevented many. Eros, ho!
   The shirt of Nessus is upon me: teach me,
   Alcides, thou mine ancestor, thy rage:
   Let me lodge Lichas on the horns o' the moon;
   And with those hands, that grasp'd the heaviest club,
   Subdue my worthiest self. The witch shall die:
   To the young Roman boy she hath sold me, and I fall
   Under this plot; she dies for't. Eros, ho!

   Exit

SCENE XIII. Alexandria. Cleopatra's palace.

   Enter CLEOPATRA, CHARMIAN, IRAS, and MARDIAN 

CLEOPATRA

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

CHARMIAN

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

CLEOPATRA

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

   Exeunt

SCENE XIV. The same. Another room.

   Enter MARK ANTONY and EROS 

MARK ANTONY

   Eros, thou yet behold'st me?

EROS

   Ay, noble lord.

MARK ANTONY

   Sometimes we see a cloud that's dragonish;
   A vapour sometime like a bear or lion,
   A tower'd citadel, a pendent rock,
   A forked mountain, or blue promontory
   With trees upon't, that nod unto the world,
   And mock our eyes with air: thou hast seen
   these signs;
   They are black vesper's pageants.

EROS

   Ay, my lord,

MARK ANTONY

   That which is now a horse, even with a thought
   The rack dislimns, and makes it indistinct,
   As water is in water.

EROS

   It does, my lord.

MARK ANTONY

   My good knave Eros, now thy captain is
   Even such a body: here I am Antony:
   Yet cannot hold this visible shape, my knave.
   I made these wars for Egypt: and the queen,--
   Whose heart I thought I had, for she had mine;
   Which whilst it was mine had annex'd unto't
   A million more, now lost,--she, Eros, has
   Pack'd cards with Caesar, and false-play'd my glory
   Unto an enemy's triumph.
   Nay, weep not, gentle Eros; there is left us
   Ourselves to end ourselves.

   Enter MARDIAN
   O! thy vile lady!
   She has robb'd me of my sword.

MARDIAN

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

MARK ANTONY

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

MARDIAN

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

MARK ANTONY

   Dead, then?

MARDIAN

   Dead.

MARK ANTONY

   Unarm, Eros; the long day's task is done,
   And we must sleep.

   To MARDIAN
   That thou depart'st hence safe,
   Does pay thy labour richly; go.

   Exit MARDIAN
   Off, pluck off:
   The seven-fold shield of Ajax cannot keep
   The battery from my heart. O, cleave, my sides!
   Heart, once be stronger than thy continent,
   Crack thy frail case! Apace, Eros, apace.
   No more a soldier: bruised pieces, go;
   You have been nobly borne. From me awhile.

   Exit EROS
   I will o'ertake thee, Cleopatra, and
   Weep for my pardon. So it must be, for now
   All length is torture: since the torch is out,
   Lie down, and stray no farther: now all labour
   Mars what it does; yea, very force entangles
   Itself with strength: seal then, and all is done.
   Eros!--I come, my queen:--Eros!--Stay for me:
   Where souls do couch on flowers, we'll hand in hand,
   And with our sprightly port make the ghosts gaze:
   Dido and her AEneas shall want troops,
   And all the haunt be ours. Come, Eros, Eros!

   Re-enter EROS

EROS

   What would my lord?

MARK ANTONY

   Since Cleopatra died,
   I have lived in such dishonour, that the gods
   Detest my baseness. I, that with my sword
   Quarter'd the world, and o'er green Neptune's back
   With ships made cities, condemn myself to lack
   The courage of a woman; less noble mind
   Than she which by her death our Caesar tells
   'I am conqueror of myself.' Thou art sworn, Eros,
   That, when the exigent should come, which now
   Is come indeed, when I should see behind me
   The inevitable prosecution of
   Disgrace and horror, that, on my command,
   Thou then wouldst kill me: do't; the time is come:
   Thou strikest not me, 'tis Caesar thou defeat'st.
   Put colour in thy cheek.

EROS

   The gods withhold me!
   Shall I do that which all the Parthian darts,
   Though enemy, lost aim, and could not?

MARK ANTONY

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

EROS

   I would not see't.

MARK ANTONY

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

EROS

   O, sir, pardon me!

MARK ANTONY

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

EROS

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

MARK ANTONY

   Lo thee!

   Turning from him

EROS

   My sword is drawn.

MARK ANTONY

   Then let it do at once
   The thing why thou hast drawn it.

EROS

   My dear master,
   My captain, and my emperor, let me say,
   Before I strike this bloody stroke, farewell.

MARK ANTONY

   'Tis said, man; and farewell.

EROS

   Farewell, great chief. Shall I strike now?

MARK ANTONY

   Now, Eros.

EROS

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

   Kills himself

MARK ANTONY

   Thrice-nobler than myself!
   Thou teachest me, O valiant Eros, what
   I should, and thou couldst not. My queen and Eros
   Have by their brave instruction got upon me
   A nobleness in record: but I will be
   A bridegroom in my death, and run into't
   As to a lover's bed. Come, then; and, Eros,
   Thy master dies thy scholar: to do thus

   Falling on his sword
   I learn'd of thee. How! not dead? not dead?
   The guard, ho! O, dispatch me!

   Enter DERCETAS and Guard

First Guard

   What's the noise?

MARK ANTONY

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

Second Guard

   The star is fall'n.

First Guard

   And time is at his period.

All

   Alas, and woe!

MARK ANTONY

   Let him that loves me strike me dead.

First Guard

   Not I.

Second Guard

   Nor I.

Third Guard

   Nor any one.

   Exeunt Guard

DERCETAS

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

   Enter DIOMEDES

DIOMEDES

   Where's Antony?

DERCETAS

   There, Diomed there.

DIOMEDES

   Lives he?
   Wilt thou not answer, man?

   Exit DERCETAS

MARK ANTONY

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

DIOMEDES

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

MARK ANTONY

   When did she send thee?

DIOMEDES

   Now, my lord.

MARK ANTONY

   Where is she?

DIOMEDES

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

MARK ANTONY

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

DIOMEDES

   What, ho, the emperor's guard! The guard, what, ho!
   Come, your lord calls!

   Enter four or five of the Guard of MARK ANTONY

MARK ANTONY

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

First Guard

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

All

   Most heavy day!

MARK ANTONY

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

   Exeunt, bearing MARK ANTONY

SCENE XV. The same. A monument.

   Enter CLEOPATRA and her maids aloft, with CHARMIAN and IRAS 

CLEOPATRA

   O Charmian, I will never go from hence.

CHARMIAN

   Be comforted, dear madam.

CLEOPATRA

   No, I will not:
   All strange and terrible events are welcome,
   But comforts we despise; our size of sorrow,
   Proportion'd to our cause, must be as great
   As that which makes it.

   Enter, below, DIOMEDES
   How now! is he dead?

DIOMEDES

   His death's upon him, but not dead.
   Look out o' the other side your monument;
   His guard have brought him thither.

   Enter, below, MARK ANTONY, borne by the Guard

CLEOPATRA

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

MARK ANTONY

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

CLEOPATRA

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

MARK ANTONY

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

CLEOPATRA

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

MARK ANTONY

   O, quick, or I am gone.

CLEOPATRA

   Here's sport indeed! How heavy weighs my lord!
   Our strength is all gone into heaviness,
   That makes the weight: had I great Juno's power,
   The strong-wing'd Mercury should fetch thee up,
   And set thee by Jove's side. Yet come a little,--
   Wishes were ever fools,--O, come, come, come;

   They heave MARK ANTONY aloft to CLEOPATRA
   And welcome, welcome! die where thou hast lived:
   Quicken with kissing: had my lips that power,
   Thus would I wear them out.

All

   A heavy sight!

MARK ANTONY

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

CLEOPATRA

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

MARK ANTONY

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

CLEOPATRA

   They do not go together.

MARK ANTONY

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

CLEOPATRA

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

MARK ANTONY

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

CLEOPATRA

   Noblest of men, woo't die?
   Hast thou no care of me? shall I abide
   In this dull world, which in thy absence is
   No better than a sty? O, see, my women,

   MARK ANTONY dies
   The crown o' the earth doth melt. My lord!
   O, wither'd is the garland of the war,
   The soldier's pole is fall'n: young boys and girls
   Are level now with men; the odds is gone,
   And there is nothing left remarkable
   Beneath the visiting moon.

   Faints

CHARMIAN

   O, quietness, lady!

IRAS

   She is dead too, our sovereign.

CHARMIAN

   Lady!

IRAS

   Madam!

CHARMIAN

   O madam, madam, madam!

IRAS

   Royal Egypt, Empress!

CHARMIAN

   Peace, peace, Iras!

CLEOPATRA

   No more, but e'en a woman, and commanded
   By such poor passion as the maid that milks
   And does the meanest chares. It were for me
   To throw my sceptre at the injurious gods;
   To tell them that this world did equal theirs
   Till they had stol'n our jewel. All's but naught;
   Patience is scottish, and impatience does
   Become a dog that's mad: then is it sin
   To rush into the secret house of death,
   Ere death dare come to us? How do you, women?
   What, what! good cheer! Why, how now, Charmian!
   My noble girls! Ah, women, women, look,
   Our lamp is spent, it's out! Good sirs, take heart:
   We'll bury him; and then, what's brave,
   what's noble,
   Let's do it after the high Roman fashion,
   And make death proud to take us. Come, away:
   This case of that huge spirit now is cold:
   Ah, women, women! come; we have no friend
   But resolution, and the briefest end.

   Exeunt; those above bearing off MARK ANTONY's body

ACT V SCENE I. Alexandria. OCTAVIUS CAESAR's camp.

   Enter OCTAVIUS CAESAR, AGRIPPA, DOLABELLA, MECAENAS, GALLUS, PROCULEIUS, and others, his council of war 

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   Go to him, Dolabella, bid him yield;
   Being so frustrate, tell him he mocks
   The pauses that he makes.

DOLABELLA

   Caesar, I shall.

   Exit

   Enter DERCETAS, with the sword of MARK ANTONY

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   Wherefore is that? and what art thou that darest
   Appear thus to us?

DERCETAS

   I am call'd Dercetas;
   Mark Antony I served, who best was worthy
   Best to be served: whilst he stood up and spoke,
   He was my master; and I wore my life
   To spend upon his haters. If thou please
   To take me to thee, as I was to him
   I'll be to Caesar; if thou pleasest not,
   I yield thee up my life.

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   What is't thou say'st?

DERCETAS

   I say, O Caesar, Antony is dead.

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   The breaking of so great a thing should make
   A greater crack: the round world
   Should have shook lions into civil streets,
   And citizens to their dens: the death of Antony
   Is not a single doom; in the name lay
   A moiety of the world.

DERCETAS

   He is dead, Caesar:
   Not by a public minister of justice,
   Nor by a hired knife; but that self hand,
   Which writ his honour in the acts it did,
   Hath, with the courage which the heart did lend it,
   Splitted the heart. This is his sword;
   I robb'd his wound of it; behold it stain'd
   With his most noble blood.

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   Look you sad, friends?
   The gods rebuke me, but it is tidings
   To wash the eyes of kings.

AGRIPPA

   And strange it is,
   That nature must compel us to lament
   Our most persisted deeds.

MECAENAS

   His taints and honours
   Waged equal with him.

AGRIPPA

   A rarer spirit never
   Did steer humanity: but you, gods, will give us
   Some faults to make us men. Caesar is touch'd.

MECAENAS

   When such a spacious mirror's set before him,
   He needs must see himself.

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   O Antony!
   I have follow'd thee to this; but we do lance
   Diseases in our bodies: I must perforce
   Have shown to thee such a declining day,
   Or look on thine; we could not stall together
   In the whole world: but yet let me lament,
   With tears as sovereign as the blood of hearts,
   That thou, my brother, my competitor
   In top of all design, my mate in empire,
   Friend and companion in the front of war,
   The arm of mine own body, and the heart
   Where mine his thoughts did kindle,--that our stars,
   Unreconciliable, should divide
   Our equalness to this. Hear me, good friends--
   But I will tell you at some meeter season:

   Enter an Egyptian
   The business of this man looks out of him;
   We'll hear him what he says. Whence are you?

Egyptian

   A poor Egyptian yet. The queen my mistress,
   Confined in all she has, her monument,
   Of thy intents desires instruction,
   That she preparedly may frame herself
   To the way she's forced to.

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   Bid her have good heart:
   She soon shall know of us, by some of ours,
   How honourable and how kindly we
   Determine for her; for Caesar cannot live
   To be ungentle.

Egyptian

   So the gods preserve thee!

   Exit

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   Come hither, Proculeius. Go and say,
   We purpose her no shame: give her what comforts
   The quality of her passion shall require,
   Lest, in her greatness, by some mortal stroke
   She do defeat us; for her life in Rome
   Would be eternal in our triumph: go,
   And with your speediest bring us what she says,
   And how you find of her.

PROCULEIUS

   Caesar, I shall.

   Exit

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   Gallus, go you along.

   Exit GALLUS
   Where's Dolabella,
   To second Proculeius?

All

   Dolabella!

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   Let him alone, for I remember now
   How he's employ'd: he shall in time be ready.
   Go with me to my tent; where you shall see
   How hardly I was drawn into this war;
   How calm and gentle I proceeded still
   In all my writings: go with me, and see
   What I can show in this.

   Exeunt

SCENE II. Alexandria. A room in the monument.

   Enter CLEOPATRA, CHARMIAN, and IRAS 

CLEOPATRA

   My desolation does begin to make
   A better life. 'Tis paltry to be Caesar;
   Not being Fortune, he's but Fortune's knave,
   A minister of her will: and it is great
   To do that thing that ends all other deeds;
   Which shackles accidents and bolts up change;
   Which sleeps, and never palates more the dug,
   The beggar's nurse and Caesar's.

   Enter, to the gates of the monument, PROCULEIUS, GALLUS and Soldiers

PROCULEIUS

   Caesar sends greeting to the Queen of Egypt;
   And bids thee study on what fair demands
   Thou mean'st to have him grant thee.

CLEOPATRA

   What's thy name?

PROCULEIUS

   My name is Proculeius.

CLEOPATRA

   Antony
   Did tell me of you, bade me trust you; but
   I do not greatly care to be deceived,
   That have no use for trusting. If your master
   Would have a queen his beggar, you must tell him,
   That majesty, to keep decorum, must
   No less beg than a kingdom: if he please
   To give me conquer'd Egypt for my son,
   He gives me so much of mine own, as I
   Will kneel to him with thanks.

PROCULEIUS

   Be of good cheer;
   You're fall'n into a princely hand, fear nothing:
   Make your full reference freely to my lord,
   Who is so full of grace, that it flows over
   On all that need: let me report to him
   Your sweet dependency; and you shall find
   A conqueror that will pray in aid for kindness,
   Where he for grace is kneel'd to.

CLEOPATRA

   Pray you, tell him
   I am his fortune's vassal, and I send him
   The greatness he has got. I hourly learn
   A doctrine of obedience; and would gladly
   Look him i' the face.

PROCULEIUS

   This I'll report, dear lady.
   Have comfort, for I know your plight is pitied
   Of him that caused it.

GALLUS

   You see how easily she may be surprised:

   Here PROCULEIUS and two of the Guard ascend the monument by a ladder placed against a window, and, having descended, come behind CLEOPATRA. Some of the Guard unbar and open the gates

   To PROCULEIUS and the Guard
   Guard her till Caesar come.

   Exit

IRAS

   Royal queen!

CHARMIAN

   O Cleopatra! thou art taken, queen:

CLEOPATRA

   Quick, quick, good hands.

   Drawing a dagger

PROCULEIUS

   Hold, worthy lady, hold:

   Seizes and disarms her
   Do not yourself such wrong, who are in this
   Relieved, but not betray'd.

CLEOPATRA

   What, of death too,
   That rids our dogs of languish?

PROCULEIUS

   Cleopatra,
   Do not abuse my master's bounty by
   The undoing of yourself: let the world see
   His nobleness well acted, which your death
   Will never let come forth.

CLEOPATRA

   Where art thou, death?
   Come hither, come! come, come, and take a queen
   Worthy many babes and beggars!

PROCULEIUS

   O, temperance, lady!

CLEOPATRA

   Sir, I will eat no meat, I'll not drink, sir;
   If idle talk will once be necessary,
   I'll not sleep neither: this mortal house I'll ruin,
   Do Caesar what he can. Know, sir, that I
   Will not wait pinion'd at your master's court;
   Nor once be chastised with the sober eye
   Of dull Octavia. Shall they hoist me up
   And show me to the shouting varletry
   Of censuring Rome? Rather a ditch in Egypt
   Be gentle grave unto me! rather on Nilus' mud
   Lay me stark naked, and let the water-flies
   Blow me into abhorring! rather make
   My country's high pyramides my gibbet,
   And hang me up in chains!

PROCULEIUS

   You do extend
   These thoughts of horror further than you shall
   Find cause in Caesar.

   Enter DOLABELLA

DOLABELLA

   Proculeius,
   What thou hast done thy master Caesar knows,
   And he hath sent for thee: for the queen,
   I'll take her to my guard.

PROCULEIUS

   So, Dolabella,
   It shall content me best: be gentle to her.

   To CLEOPATRA
   To Caesar I will speak what you shall please,
   If you'll employ me to him.

CLEOPATRA

   Say, I would die.

   Exeunt PROCULEIUS and Soldiers

DOLABELLA

   Most noble empress, you have heard of me?

CLEOPATRA

   I cannot tell.

DOLABELLA

   Assuredly you know me.

CLEOPATRA

   No matter, sir, what I have heard or known.
   You laugh when boys or women tell their dreams;
   Is't not your trick?

DOLABELLA

   I understand not, madam.

CLEOPATRA

   I dream'd there was an Emperor Antony:
   O, such another sleep, that I might see
   But such another man!

DOLABELLA

   If it might please ye,--

CLEOPATRA

   His face was as the heavens; and therein stuck
   A sun and moon, which kept their course,
   and lighted
   The little O, the earth.

DOLABELLA

   Most sovereign creature,--

CLEOPATRA

   His legs bestrid the ocean: his rear'd arm
   Crested the world: his voice was propertied
   As all the tuned spheres, and that to friends;
   But when he meant to quail and shake the orb,
   He was as rattling thunder. For his bounty,
   There was no winter in't; an autumn 'twas
   That grew the more by reaping: his delights
   Were dolphin-like; they show'd his back above
   The element they lived in: in his livery
   Walk'd crowns and crownets; realms and islands were
   As plates dropp'd from his pocket.

DOLABELLA

   Cleopatra!

CLEOPATRA

   Think you there was, or might be, such a man
   As this I dream'd of?

DOLABELLA

   Gentle madam, no.

CLEOPATRA

   You lie, up to the hearing of the gods.
   But, if there be, or ever were, one such,
   It's past the size of dreaming: nature wants stuff
   To vie strange forms with fancy; yet, to imagine
   And Antony, were nature's piece 'gainst fancy,
   Condemning shadows quite.

DOLABELLA

   Hear me, good madam.
   Your loss is as yourself, great; and you bear it
   As answering to the weight: would I might never
   O'ertake pursued success, but I do feel,
   By the rebound of yours, a grief that smites
   My very heart at root.

CLEOPATRA

   I thank you, sir,
   Know you what Caesar means to do with me?

DOLABELLA

   I am loath to tell you what I would you knew.

CLEOPATRA

   Nay, pray you, sir,--

DOLABELLA

   Though he be honourable,--

CLEOPATRA

   He'll lead me, then, in triumph?

DOLABELLA

   Madam, he will; I know't.

   Flourish, and shout within, 'Make way there: Octavius Caesar!'

   Enter OCTAVIUS CAESAR, GALLUS, PROCULEIUS, MECAENAS, SELEUCUS, and others of his Train

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   Which is the Queen of Egypt?

DOLABELLA

   It is the emperor, madam.

   CLEOPATRA kneels

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   Arise, you shall not kneel:
   I pray you, rise; rise, Egypt.

CLEOPATRA

   Sir, the gods
   Will have it thus; my master and my lord
   I must obey.

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   Take to you no hard thoughts:
   The record of what injuries you did us,
   Though written in our flesh, we shall remember
   As things but done by chance.

CLEOPATRA

   Sole sir o' the world,
   I cannot project mine own cause so well
   To make it clear; but do confess I have
   Been laden with like frailties which before
   Have often shamed our sex.

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   Cleopatra, know,
   We will extenuate rather than enforce:
   If you apply yourself to our intents,
   Which towards you are most gentle, you shall find
   A benefit in this change; but if you seek
   To lay on me a cruelty, by taking
   Antony's course, you shall bereave yourself
   Of my good purposes, and put your children
   To that destruction which I'll guard them from,
   If thereon you rely. I'll take my leave.

CLEOPATRA

   And may, through all the world: 'tis yours; and we,
   Your scutcheons and your signs of conquest, shall
   Hang in what place you please. Here, my good lord.

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   You shall advise me in all for Cleopatra.

CLEOPATRA

   This is the brief of money, plate, and jewels,
   I am possess'd of: 'tis exactly valued;
   Not petty things admitted. Where's Seleucus?

SELEUCUS

   Here, madam.

CLEOPATRA

   This is my treasurer: let him speak, my lord,
   Upon his peril, that I have reserved
   To myself nothing. Speak the truth, Seleucus.

SELEUCUS

   Madam,
   I had rather seal my lips, than, to my peril,
   Speak that which is not.

CLEOPATRA

   What have I kept back?

SELEUCUS

   Enough to purchase what you have made known.

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   Nay, blush not, Cleopatra; I approve
   Your wisdom in the deed.

CLEOPATRA

   See, Caesar! O, behold,
   How pomp is follow'd! mine will now be yours;
   And, should we shift estates, yours would be mine.
   The ingratitude of this Seleucus does
   Even make me wild: O slave, of no more trust
   Than love that's hired! What, goest thou back? thou shalt
   Go back, I warrant thee; but I'll catch thine eyes,
   Though they had wings: slave, soulless villain, dog!
   O rarely base!

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   Good queen, let us entreat you.

CLEOPATRA

   O Caesar, what a wounding shame is this,
   That thou, vouchsafing here to visit me,
   Doing the honour of thy lordliness
   To one so meek, that mine own servant should
   Parcel the sum of my disgraces by
   Addition of his envy! Say, good Caesar,
   That I some lady trifles have reserved,
   Immoment toys, things of such dignity
   As we greet modern friends withal; and say,
   Some nobler token I have kept apart
   For Livia and Octavia, to induce
   Their mediation; must I be unfolded
   With one that I have bred? The gods! it smites me
   Beneath the fall I have.

   To SELEUCUS
   Prithee, go hence;
   Or I shall show the cinders of my spirits
   Through the ashes of my chance: wert thou a man,
   Thou wouldst have mercy on me.

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   Forbear, Seleucus.

   Exit SELEUCUS

CLEOPATRA

   Be it known, that we, the greatest, are misthought
   For things that others do; and, when we fall,
   We answer others' merits in our name,
   Are therefore to be pitied.

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   Cleopatra,
   Not what you have reserved, nor what acknowledged,
   Put we i' the roll of conquest: still be't yours,
   Bestow it at your pleasure; and believe,
   Caesar's no merchant, to make prize with you
   Of things that merchants sold. Therefore be cheer'd;
   Make not your thoughts your prisons: no, dear queen;
   For we intend so to dispose you as
   Yourself shall give us counsel. Feed, and sleep:
   Our care and pity is so much upon you,
   That we remain your friend; and so, adieu.

CLEOPATRA

   My master, and my lord!

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   Not so. Adieu.

   Flourish. Exeunt OCTAVIUS CAESAR and his train

CLEOPATRA

   He words me, girls, he words me, that I should not
   Be noble to myself: but, hark thee, Charmian.

   Whispers CHARMIAN

IRAS

   Finish, good lady; the bright day is done,
   And we are for the dark.

CLEOPATRA

   Hie thee again:
   I have spoke already, and it is provided;
   Go put it to the haste.

CHARMIAN

   Madam, I will.

   Re-enter DOLABELLA

DOLABELLA

   Where is the queen?

CHARMIAN

   Behold, sir.

   Exit

CLEOPATRA

   Dolabella!

DOLABELLA

   Madam, as thereto sworn by your command,
   Which my love makes religion to obey,
   I tell you this: Caesar through Syria
   Intends his journey; and within three days
   You with your children will he send before:
   Make your best use of this: I have perform'd
   Your pleasure and my promise.

CLEOPATRA

   Dolabella,
   I shall remain your debtor.

DOLABELLA

   I your servant,
   Adieu, good queen; I must attend on Caesar.

CLEOPATRA

   Farewell, and thanks.

   Exit DOLABELLA
   Now, Iras, what think'st thou?
   Thou, an Egyptian puppet, shalt be shown
   In Rome, as well as I mechanic slaves
   With greasy aprons, rules, and hammers, shall
   Uplift us to the view; in their thick breaths,
   Rank of gross diet, shall be enclouded,
   And forced to drink their vapour.

IRAS

   The gods forbid!

CLEOPATRA

   Nay, 'tis most certain, Iras: saucy lictors
   Will catch at us, like strumpets; and scald rhymers
   Ballad us out o' tune: the quick comedians
   Extemporally will stage us, and present
   Our Alexandrian revels; Antony
   Shall be brought drunken forth, and I shall see
   Some squeaking Cleopatra boy my greatness
   I' the posture of a whore.

IRAS

   O the good gods!

CLEOPATRA

   Nay, that's certain.

IRAS

   I'll never see 't; for, I am sure, my nails
   Are stronger than mine eyes.

CLEOPATRA

   Why, that's the way
   To fool their preparation, and to conquer
   Their most absurd intents.

   Re-enter CHARMIAN
   Now, Charmian!
   Show me, my women, like a queen: go fetch
   My best attires: I am again for Cydnus,
   To meet Mark Antony: sirrah Iras, go.
   Now, noble Charmian, we'll dispatch indeed;
   And, when thou hast done this chare, I'll give thee leave
   To play till doomsday. Bring our crown and all.
   Wherefore's this noise?

   Exit IRAS. A noise within

   Enter a Guardsman

Guard

   Here is a rural fellow
   That will not be denied your highness presence:
   He brings you figs.

CLEOPATRA

   Let him come in.

   Exit Guardsman
   What poor an instrument
   May do a noble deed! he brings me liberty.
   My resolution's placed, and I have nothing
   Of woman in me: now from head to foot
   I am marble-constant; now the fleeting moon
   No planet is of mine.

   Re-enter Guardsman, with Clown bringing in a basket

Guard

   This is the man.

CLEOPATRA

   Avoid, and leave him.

   Exit Guardsman
   Hast thou the pretty worm of Nilus there,
   That kills and pains not?

Clown

   Truly, I have him: but I would not be the party
   that should desire you to touch him, for his biting
   is immortal; those that do die of it do seldom or
   never recover.

CLEOPATRA

   Rememberest thou any that have died on't?

Clown

   Very many, men and women too. I heard of one of
   them no longer than yesterday: a very honest woman,
   but something given to lie; as a woman should not
   do, but in the way of honesty: how she died of the
   biting of it, what pain she felt: truly, she makes
   a very good report o' the worm; but he that will
   believe all that they say, shall never be saved by
   half that they do: but this is most fallible, the
   worm's an odd worm.

CLEOPATRA

   Get thee hence; farewell.

Clown

   I wish you all joy of the worm.

   Setting down his basket

CLEOPATRA

   Farewell.

Clown

   You must think this, look you, that the worm will
   do his kind.

CLEOPATRA

   Ay, ay; farewell.

Clown

   Look you, the worm is not to be trusted but in the
   keeping of wise people; for, indeed, there is no
   goodness in worm.

CLEOPATRA

   Take thou no care; it shall be heeded.

Clown

   Very good. Give it nothing, I pray you, for it is
   not worth the feeding.

CLEOPATRA

   Will it eat me?

Clown

   You must not think I am so simple but I know the
   devil himself will not eat a woman: I know that a
   woman is a dish for the gods, if the devil dress her
   not. But, truly, these same whoreson devils do the
   gods great harm in their women; for in every ten
   that they make, the devils mar five.

CLEOPATRA

   Well, get thee gone; farewell.

Clown

   Yes, forsooth: I wish you joy o' the worm.

   Exit

   Re-enter IRAS with a robe, crown, & c

CLEOPATRA

   Give me my robe, put on my crown; I have
   Immortal longings in me: now no more
   The juice of Egypt's grape shall moist this lip:
   Yare, yare, good Iras; quick. Methinks I hear
   Antony call; I see him rouse himself
   To praise my noble act; I hear him mock
   The luck of Caesar, which the gods give men
   To excuse their after wrath: husband, I come:
   Now to that name my courage prove my title!
   I am fire and air; my other elements
   I give to baser life. So; have you done?
   Come then, and take the last warmth of my lips.
   Farewell, kind Charmian; Iras, long farewell.

   Kisses them. IRAS falls and dies
   Have I the aspic in my lips? Dost fall?
   If thou and nature can so gently part,
   The stroke of death is as a lover's pinch,
   Which hurts, and is desired. Dost thou lie still?
   If thus thou vanishest, thou tell'st the world
   It is not worth leave-taking.

CHARMIAN

   Dissolve, thick cloud, and rain; that I may say,
   The gods themselves do weep!

CLEOPATRA

   This proves me base:
   If she first meet the curled Antony,
   He'll make demand of her, and spend that kiss
   Which is my heaven to have. Come, thou
   mortal wretch,

   To an asp, which she applies to her breast
   With thy sharp teeth this knot intrinsicate
   Of life at once untie: poor venomous fool
   Be angry, and dispatch. O, couldst thou speak,
   That I might hear thee call great Caesar ass
   Unpolicied!

CHARMIAN

   O eastern star!

CLEOPATRA

   Peace, peace!
   Dost thou not see my baby at my breast,
   That sucks the nurse asleep?

CHARMIAN

   O, break! O, break!

CLEOPATRA

   As sweet as balm, as soft as air, as gentle,--
   O Antony!--Nay, I will take thee too.

   Applying another asp to her arm
   What should I stay--

   Dies

CHARMIAN

   In this vile world? So, fare thee well.
   Now boast thee, death, in thy possession lies
   A lass unparallel'd. Downy windows, close;
   And golden Phoebus never be beheld
   Of eyes again so royal! Your crown's awry;
   I'll mend it, and then play.

   Enter the Guard, rushing in

First Guard

   Where is the queen?

CHARMIAN

   Speak softly, wake her not.

First Guard

   Caesar hath sent--

CHARMIAN

   Too slow a messenger.

   Applies an asp
   O, come apace, dispatch! I partly feel thee.

First Guard

   Approach, ho! All's not well: Caesar's beguiled.

Second Guard

   There's Dolabella sent from Caesar; call him.

First Guard

   What work is here! Charmian, is this well done?

CHARMIAN

   It is well done, and fitting for a princess
   Descended of so many royal kings.
   Ah, soldier!

   Dies

   Re-enter DOLABELLA

DOLABELLA

   How goes it here?

Second Guard

   All dead.

DOLABELLA

   Caesar, thy thoughts
   Touch their effects in this: thyself art coming
   To see perform'd the dreaded act which thou
   So sought'st to hinder.

   Within 'A way there, a way for Caesar!'

   Re-enter OCTAVIUS CAESAR and all his train marching

DOLABELLA

   O sir, you are too sure an augurer;
   That you did fear is done.

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   Bravest at the last,
   She levell'd at our purposes, and, being royal,
   Took her own way. The manner of their deaths?
   I do not see them bleed.

DOLABELLA

   Who was last with them?

First Guard

   A simple countryman, that brought her figs:
   This was his basket.

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   Poison'd, then.

First Guard

   O Caesar,
   This Charmian lived but now; she stood and spake:
   I found her trimming up the diadem
   On her dead mistress; tremblingly she stood
   And on the sudden dropp'd.

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   O noble weakness!
   If they had swallow'd poison, 'twould appear
   By external swelling: but she looks like sleep,
   As she would catch another Antony
   In her strong toil of grace.

DOLABELLA

   Here, on her breast,
   There is a vent of blood and something blown:
   The like is on her arm.

First Guard

   This is an aspic's trail: and these fig-leaves
   Have slime upon them, such as the aspic leaves
   Upon the caves of Nile.

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   Most probable
   That so she died; for her physician tells me
   She hath pursued conclusions infinite
   Of easy ways to die. Take up her bed;
   And bear her women from the monument:
   She shall be buried by her Antony:
   No grave upon the earth shall clip in it
   A pair so famous. High events as these
   Strike those that make them; and their story is
   No less in pity than his glory which
   Brought them to be lamented. Our army shall
   In solemn show attend this funeral;
   And then to Rome. Come, Dolabella, see
   High order in this great solemnity.

   Exeunt

Antony and Cleopatra Shakespeare homepage | Antony and Cleopatra | Entire play ACT I SCENE I. Alexandria. A room in CLEOPATRA's palace.

   Enter DEMETRIUS and PHILO 

PHILO

   Nay, but this dotage of our general's
   O'erflows the measure: those his goodly eyes,
   That o'er the files and musters of the war
   Have glow'd like plated Mars, now bend, now turn,
   The office and devotion of their view
   Upon a tawny front: his captain's heart,
   Which in the scuffles of great fights hath burst
   The buckles on his breast, reneges all temper,
   And is become the bellows and the fan
   To cool a gipsy's lust.

   Flourish. Enter ANTONY, CLEOPATRA, her Ladies, the Train, with Eunuchs fanning her
   Look, where they come:
   Take but good note, and you shall see in him.
   The triple pillar of the world transform'd
   Into a strumpet's fool: behold and see.

CLEOPATRA

   If it be love indeed, tell me how much.

MARK ANTONY

   There's beggary in the love that can be reckon'd.

CLEOPATRA

   I'll set a bourn how far to be beloved.

MARK ANTONY

   Then must thou needs find out new heaven, new earth.

   Enter an Attendant

Attendant

   News, my good lord, from Rome.

MARK ANTONY

   Grates me: the sum.

CLEOPATRA

   Nay, hear them, Antony:
   Fulvia perchance is angry; or, who knows
   If the scarce-bearded Caesar have not sent
   His powerful mandate to you, 'Do this, or this;
   Take in that kingdom, and enfranchise that;
   Perform 't, or else we damn thee.'

MARK ANTONY

   How, my love!

CLEOPATRA

   Perchance! nay, and most like:
   You must not stay here longer, your dismission
   Is come from Caesar; therefore hear it, Antony.
   Where's Fulvia's process? Caesar's I would say? both?
   Call in the messengers. As I am Egypt's queen,
   Thou blushest, Antony; and that blood of thine
   Is Caesar's homager: else so thy cheek pays shame
   When shrill-tongued Fulvia scolds. The messengers!

MARK ANTONY

   Let Rome in Tiber melt, and the wide arch
   Of the ranged empire fall! Here is my space.
   Kingdoms are clay: our dungy earth alike
   Feeds beast as man: the nobleness of life
   Is to do thus; when such a mutual pair

   Embracing
   And such a twain can do't, in which I bind,
   On pain of punishment, the world to weet
   We stand up peerless.

CLEOPATRA

   Excellent falsehood!
   Why did he marry Fulvia, and not love her?
   I'll seem the fool I am not; Antony
   Will be himself.

MARK ANTONY

   But stirr'd by Cleopatra.
   Now, for the love of Love and her soft hours,
   Let's not confound the time with conference harsh:
   There's not a minute of our lives should stretch
   Without some pleasure now. What sport tonight?

CLEOPATRA

   Hear the ambassadors.

MARK ANTONY

   Fie, wrangling queen!
   Whom every thing becomes, to chide, to laugh,
   To weep; whose every passion fully strives
   To make itself, in thee, fair and admired!
   No messenger, but thine; and all alone
   To-night we'll wander through the streets and note
   The qualities of people. Come, my queen;
   Last night you did desire it: speak not to us.

   Exeunt MARK ANTONY and CLEOPATRA with their train

DEMETRIUS

   Is Caesar with Antonius prized so slight?

PHILO

   Sir, sometimes, when he is not Antony,
   He comes too short of that great property
   Which still should go with Antony.

DEMETRIUS

   I am full sorry
   That he approves the common liar, who
   Thus speaks of him at Rome: but I will hope
   Of better deeds to-morrow. Rest you happy!

   Exeunt

SCENE II. The same. Another room.

   Enter CHARMIAN, IRAS, ALEXAS, and a Soothsayer 

CHARMIAN

   Lord Alexas, sweet Alexas, most any thing Alexas,
   almost most absolute Alexas, where's the soothsayer
   that you praised so to the queen? O, that I knew
   this husband, which, you say, must charge his horns
   with garlands!

ALEXAS

   Soothsayer!

Soothsayer

   Your will?

CHARMIAN

   Is this the man? Is't you, sir, that know things?

Soothsayer

   In nature's infinite book of secrecy
   A little I can read.

ALEXAS

   Show him your hand.

   Enter DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   Bring in the banquet quickly; wine enough
   Cleopatra's health to drink.

CHARMIAN

   Good sir, give me good fortune.

Soothsayer

   I make not, but foresee.

CHARMIAN

   Pray, then, foresee me one.

Soothsayer

   You shall be yet far fairer than you are.

CHARMIAN

   He means in flesh.

IRAS

   No, you shall paint when you are old.

CHARMIAN

   Wrinkles forbid!

ALEXAS

   Vex not his prescience; be attentive.

CHARMIAN

   Hush!

Soothsayer

   You shall be more beloving than beloved.

CHARMIAN

   I had rather heat my liver with drinking.

ALEXAS

   Nay, hear him.

CHARMIAN

   Good now, some excellent fortune! Let me be married
   to three kings in a forenoon, and widow them all:
   let me have a child at fifty, to whom Herod of Jewry
   may do homage: find me to marry me with Octavius
   Caesar, and companion me with my mistress.

Soothsayer

   You shall outlive the lady whom you serve.

CHARMIAN

   O excellent! I love long life better than figs.

Soothsayer

   You have seen and proved a fairer former fortune
   Than that which is to approach.

CHARMIAN

   Then belike my children shall have no names:
   prithee, how many boys and wenches must I have?

Soothsayer

   If every of your wishes had a womb.
   And fertile every wish, a million.

CHARMIAN

   Out, fool! I forgive thee for a witch.

ALEXAS

   You think none but your sheets are privy to your wishes.

CHARMIAN

   Nay, come, tell Iras hers.

ALEXAS

   We'll know all our fortunes.

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   Mine, and most of our fortunes, to-night, shall
   be--drunk to bed.

IRAS

   There's a palm presages chastity, if nothing else.

CHARMIAN

   E'en as the o'erflowing Nilus presageth famine.

IRAS

   Go, you wild bedfellow, you cannot soothsay.

CHARMIAN

   Nay, if an oily palm be not a fruitful
   prognostication, I cannot scratch mine ear. Prithee,
   tell her but a worky-day fortune.

Soothsayer

   Your fortunes are alike.

IRAS

   But how, but how? give me particulars.

Soothsayer

   I have said.

IRAS

   Am I not an inch of fortune better than she?

CHARMIAN

   Well, if you were but an inch of fortune better than
   I, where would you choose it?

IRAS

   Not in my husband's nose.

CHARMIAN

   Our worser thoughts heavens mend! Alexas,--come,
   his fortune, his fortune! O, let him marry a woman
   that cannot go, sweet Isis, I beseech thee! and let
   her die too, and give him a worse! and let worst
   follow worse, till the worst of all follow him
   laughing to his grave, fifty-fold a cuckold! Good
   Isis, hear me this prayer, though thou deny me a
   matter of more weight; good Isis, I beseech thee!

IRAS

   Amen. Dear goddess, hear that prayer of the people!
   for, as it is a heartbreaking to see a handsome man
   loose-wived, so it is a deadly sorrow to behold a
   foul knave uncuckolded: therefore, dear Isis, keep
   decorum, and fortune him accordingly!

CHARMIAN

   Amen.

ALEXAS

   Lo, now, if it lay in their hands to make me a
   cuckold, they would make themselves whores, but
   they'ld do't!

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   Hush! here comes Antony.

CHARMIAN

   Not he; the queen.

   Enter CLEOPATRA

CLEOPATRA

   Saw you my lord?

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   No, lady.

CLEOPATRA

   Was he not here?

CHARMIAN

   No, madam.

CLEOPATRA

   He was disposed to mirth; but on the sudden
   A Roman thought hath struck him. Enobarbus!

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   Madam?

CLEOPATRA

   Seek him, and bring him hither.
   Where's Alexas?

ALEXAS

   Here, at your service. My lord approaches.

CLEOPATRA

   We will not look upon him: go with us.

   Exeunt

   Enter MARK ANTONY with a Messenger and Attendants

Messenger

   Fulvia thy wife first came into the field.

MARK ANTONY

   Against my brother Lucius?

Messenger

   Ay:
   But soon that war had end, and the time's state
   Made friends of them, joining their force 'gainst Caesar;
   Whose better issue in the war, from Italy,
   Upon the first encounter, drave them.

MARK ANTONY

   Well, what worst?

Messenger

   The nature of bad news infects the teller.

MARK ANTONY

   When it concerns the fool or coward. On:
   Things that are past are done with me. 'Tis thus:
   Who tells me true, though in his tale lie death,
   I hear him as he flatter'd.

Messenger

   Labienus--
   This is stiff news--hath, with his Parthian force,
   Extended Asia from Euphrates;
   His conquering banner shook from Syria
   To Lydia and to Ionia; Whilst--

MARK ANTONY

   Antony, thou wouldst say,--

Messenger

   O, my lord!

MARK ANTONY

   Speak to me home, mince not the general tongue:
   Name Cleopatra as she is call'd in Rome;
   Rail thou in Fulvia's phrase; and taunt my faults
   With such full licence as both truth and malice
   Have power to utter. O, then we bring forth weeds,
   When our quick minds lie still; and our ills told us
   Is as our earing. Fare thee well awhile.

Messenger

   At your noble pleasure.

   Exit

MARK ANTONY

   From Sicyon, ho, the news! Speak there!

First Attendant

   The man from Sicyon,--is there such an one?

Second Attendant

   He stays upon your will.

MARK ANTONY

   Let him appear.
   These strong Egyptian fetters I must break,
   Or lose myself in dotage.

   Enter another Messenger
   What are you?

Second Messenger

   Fulvia thy wife is dead.

MARK ANTONY

   Where died she?

Second Messenger

   In Sicyon:
   Her length of sickness, with what else more serious
   Importeth thee to know, this bears.

   Gives a letter

MARK ANTONY

   Forbear me.

   Exit Second Messenger
   There's a great spirit gone! Thus did I desire it:
   What our contempt doth often hurl from us,
   We wish it ours again; the present pleasure,
   By revolution lowering, does become
   The opposite of itself: she's good, being gone;
   The hand could pluck her back that shoved her on.
   I must from this enchanting queen break off:
   Ten thousand harms, more than the ills I know,
   My idleness doth hatch. How now! Enobarbus!

   Re-enter DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   What's your pleasure, sir?

MARK ANTONY

   I must with haste from hence.

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   Why, then, we kill all our women:
   we see how mortal an unkindness is to them;
   if they suffer our departure, death's the word.

MARK ANTONY

   I must be gone.

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   Under a compelling occasion, let women die; it were
   pity to cast them away for nothing; though, between
   them and a great cause, they should be esteemed
   nothing. Cleopatra, catching but the least noise of
   this, dies instantly; I have seen her die twenty
   times upon far poorer moment: I do think there is
   mettle in death, which commits some loving act upon
   her, she hath such a celerity in dying.

MARK ANTONY

   She is cunning past man's thought.

   Exit ALEXAS

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   Alack, sir, no; her passions are made of nothing but
   the finest part of pure love: we cannot call her
   winds and waters sighs and tears; they are greater
   storms and tempests than almanacs can report: this
   cannot be cunning in her; if it be, she makes a
   shower of rain as well as Jove.

MARK ANTONY

   Would I had never seen her.

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   O, sir, you had then left unseen a wonderful piece
   of work; which not to have been blest withal would
   have discredited your travel.

MARK ANTONY

   Fulvia is dead.

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   Sir?

MARK ANTONY

   Fulvia is dead.

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   Fulvia!

MARK ANTONY

   Dead.

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   Why, sir, give the gods a thankful sacrifice. When
   it pleaseth their deities to take the wife of a man
   from him, it shows to man the tailors of the earth;
   comforting therein, that when old robes are worn
   out, there are members to make new. If there were
   no more women but Fulvia, then had you indeed a cut,
   and the case to be lamented: this grief is crowned
   with consolation; your old smock brings forth a new
   petticoat: and indeed the tears live in an onion
   that should water this sorrow.

MARK ANTONY

   The business she hath broached in the state
   Cannot endure my absence.

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   And the business you have broached here cannot be
   without you; especially that of Cleopatra's, which
   wholly depends on your abode.

MARK ANTONY

   No more light answers. Let our officers
   Have notice what we purpose. I shall break
   The cause of our expedience to the queen,
   And get her leave to part. For not alone
   The death of Fulvia, with more urgent touches,
   Do strongly speak to us; but the letters too
   Of many our contriving friends in Rome
   Petition us at home: Sextus Pompeius
   Hath given the dare to Caesar, and commands
   The empire of the sea: our slippery people,
   Whose love is never link'd to the deserver
   Till his deserts are past, begin to throw
   Pompey the Great and all his dignities
   Upon his son; who, high in name and power,
   Higher than both in blood and life, stands up
   For the main soldier: whose quality, going on,
   The sides o' the world may danger: much is breeding,
   Which, like the courser's hair, hath yet but life,
   And not a serpent's poison. Say, our pleasure,
   To such whose place is under us, requires
   Our quick remove from hence.

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   I shall do't.

   Exeunt

SCENE III. The same. Another room.

   Enter CLEOPATRA, CHARMIAN, IRAS, and ALEXAS 

CLEOPATRA

   Where is he?

CHARMIAN

   I did not see him since.

CLEOPATRA

   See where he is, who's with him, what he does:
   I did not send you: if you find him sad,
   Say I am dancing; if in mirth, report
   That I am sudden sick: quick, and return.

   Exit ALEXAS

CHARMIAN

   Madam, methinks, if you did love him dearly,
   You do not hold the method to enforce
   The like from him.

CLEOPATRA

   What should I do, I do not?

CHARMIAN

   In each thing give him way, cross him nothing.

CLEOPATRA

   Thou teachest like a fool; the way to lose him.

CHARMIAN

   Tempt him not so too far; I wish, forbear:
   In time we hate that which we often fear.
   But here comes Antony.

   Enter MARK ANTONY

CLEOPATRA

   I am sick and sullen.

MARK ANTONY

   I am sorry to give breathing to my purpose,--

CLEOPATRA

   Help me away, dear Charmian; I shall fall:
   It cannot be thus long, the sides of nature
   Will not sustain it.

MARK ANTONY

   Now, my dearest queen,--

CLEOPATRA

   Pray you, stand further from me.

MARK ANTONY

   What's the matter?

CLEOPATRA

   I know, by that same eye, there's some good news.
   What says the married woman? You may go:
   Would she had never given you leave to come!
   Let her not say 'tis I that keep you here:
   I have no power upon you; hers you are.

MARK ANTONY

   The gods best know,--

CLEOPATRA

   O, never was there queen
   So mightily betray'd! yet at the first
   I saw the treasons planted.

MARK ANTONY

   Cleopatra,--

CLEOPATRA

   Why should I think you can be mine and true,
   Though you in swearing shake the throned gods,
   Who have been false to Fulvia? Riotous madness,
   To be entangled with those mouth-made vows,
   Which break themselves in swearing!

MARK ANTONY

   Most sweet queen,--

CLEOPATRA

   Nay, pray you, seek no colour for your going,
   But bid farewell, and go: when you sued staying,
   Then was the time for words: no going then;
   Eternity was in our lips and eyes,
   Bliss in our brows' bent; none our parts so poor,
   But was a race of heaven: they are so still,
   Or thou, the greatest soldier of the world,
   Art turn'd the greatest liar.

MARK ANTONY

   How now, lady!

CLEOPATRA

   I would I had thy inches; thou shouldst know
   There were a heart in Egypt.

MARK ANTONY

   Hear me, queen:
   The strong necessity of time commands
   Our services awhile; but my full heart
   Remains in use with you. Our Italy
   Shines o'er with civil swords: Sextus Pompeius
   Makes his approaches to the port of Rome:
   Equality of two domestic powers
   Breed scrupulous faction: the hated, grown to strength,
   Are newly grown to love: the condemn'd Pompey,
   Rich in his father's honour, creeps apace,
   Into the hearts of such as have not thrived
   Upon the present state, whose numbers threaten;
   And quietness, grown sick of rest, would purge
   By any desperate change: my more particular,
   And that which most with you should safe my going,
   Is Fulvia's death.

CLEOPATRA

   Though age from folly could not give me freedom,
   It does from childishness: can Fulvia die?

MARK ANTONY

   She's dead, my queen:
   Look here, and at thy sovereign leisure read
   The garboils she awaked; at the last, best:
   See when and where she died.

CLEOPATRA

   O most false love!
   Where be the sacred vials thou shouldst fill
   With sorrowful water? Now I see, I see,
   In Fulvia's death, how mine received shall be.

MARK ANTONY

   Quarrel no more, but be prepared to know
   The purposes I bear; which are, or cease,
   As you shall give the advice. By the fire
   That quickens Nilus' slime, I go from hence
   Thy soldier, servant; making peace or war
   As thou affect'st.

CLEOPATRA

   Cut my lace, Charmian, come;
   But let it be: I am quickly ill, and well,
   So Antony loves.

MARK ANTONY

   My precious queen, forbear;
   And give true evidence to his love, which stands
   An honourable trial.

CLEOPATRA

   So Fulvia told me.
   I prithee, turn aside and weep for her,
   Then bid adieu to me, and say the tears
   Belong to Egypt: good now, play one scene
   Of excellent dissembling; and let it look
   Life perfect honour.

MARK ANTONY

   You'll heat my blood: no more.

CLEOPATRA

   You can do better yet; but this is meetly.

MARK ANTONY

   Now, by my sword,--

CLEOPATRA

   And target. Still he mends;
   But this is not the best. Look, prithee, Charmian,
   How this Herculean Roman does become
   The carriage of his chafe.

MARK ANTONY

   I'll leave you, lady.

CLEOPATRA

   Courteous lord, one word.
   Sir, you and I must part, but that's not it:
   Sir, you and I have loved, but there's not it;
   That you know well: something it is I would,
   O, my oblivion is a very Antony,
   And I am all forgotten.

MARK ANTONY

   But that your royalty
   Holds idleness your subject, I should take you
   For idleness itself.

CLEOPATRA

   'Tis sweating labour
   To bear such idleness so near the heart
   As Cleopatra this. But, sir, forgive me;
   Since my becomings kill me, when they do not
   Eye well to you: your honour calls you hence;
   Therefore be deaf to my unpitied folly.
   And all the gods go with you! upon your sword
   Sit laurel victory! and smooth success
   Be strew'd before your feet!

MARK ANTONY

   Let us go. Come;
   Our separation so abides, and flies,
   That thou, residing here, go'st yet with me,
   And I, hence fleeting, here remain with thee. Away!

   Exeunt

SCENE IV. Rome. OCTAVIUS CAESAR's house.

   Enter OCTAVIUS CAESAR, reading a letter, LEPIDUS, and their Train 

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   You may see, Lepidus, and henceforth know,
   It is not Caesar's natural vice to hate
   Our great competitor: from Alexandria
   This is the news: he fishes, drinks, and wastes
   The lamps of night in revel; is not more man-like
   Than Cleopatra; nor the queen of Ptolemy
   More womanly than he; hardly gave audience, or
   Vouchsafed to think he had partners: you shall find there
   A man who is the abstract of all faults
   That all men follow.

LEPIDUS

   I must not think there are
   Evils enow to darken all his goodness:
   His faults in him seem as the spots of heaven,
   More fiery by night's blackness; hereditary,
   Rather than purchased; what he cannot change,
   Than what he chooses.

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   You are too indulgent. Let us grant, it is not
   Amiss to tumble on the bed of Ptolemy;
   To give a kingdom for a mirth; to sit
   And keep the turn of tippling with a slave;
   To reel the streets at noon, and stand the buffet
   With knaves that smell of sweat: say this
   becomes him,--
   As his composure must be rare indeed
   Whom these things cannot blemish,--yet must Antony
   No way excuse his soils, when we do bear
   So great weight in his lightness. If he fill'd
   His vacancy with his voluptuousness,
   Full surfeits, and the dryness of his bones,
   Call on him for't: but to confound such time,
   That drums him from his sport, and speaks as loud
   As his own state and ours,--'tis to be chid
   As we rate boys, who, being mature in knowledge,
   Pawn their experience to their present pleasure,
   And so rebel to judgment.

   Enter a Messenger

LEPIDUS

   Here's more news.

Messenger

   Thy biddings have been done; and every hour,
   Most noble Caesar, shalt thou have report
   How 'tis abroad. Pompey is strong at sea;
   And it appears he is beloved of those
   That only have fear'd Caesar: to the ports
   The discontents repair, and men's reports
   Give him much wrong'd.

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   I should have known no less.
   It hath been taught us from the primal state,
   That he which is was wish'd until he were;
   And the ebb'd man, ne'er loved till ne'er worth love,
   Comes dear'd by being lack'd. This common body,
   Like to a vagabond flag upon the stream,
   Goes to and back, lackeying the varying tide,
   To rot itself with motion.

Messenger

   Caesar, I bring thee word,
   Menecrates and Menas, famous pirates,
   Make the sea serve them, which they ear and wound
   With keels of every kind: many hot inroads
   They make in Italy; the borders maritime
   Lack blood to think on't, and flush youth revolt:
   No vessel can peep forth, but 'tis as soon
   Taken as seen; for Pompey's name strikes more
   Than could his war resisted.

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   Antony,
   Leave thy lascivious wassails. When thou once
   Wast beaten from Modena, where thou slew'st
   Hirtius and Pansa, consuls, at thy heel
   Did famine follow; whom thou fought'st against,
   Though daintily brought up, with patience more
   Than savages could suffer: thou didst drink
   The stale of horses, and the gilded puddle
   Which beasts would cough at: thy palate then did deign
   The roughest berry on the rudest hedge;
   Yea, like the stag, when snow the pasture sheets,
   The barks of trees thou browsed'st; on the Alps
   It is reported thou didst eat strange flesh,
   Which some did die to look on: and all this--
   It wounds thine honour that I speak it now--
   Was borne so like a soldier, that thy cheek
   So much as lank'd not.

LEPIDUS

   'Tis pity of him.

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   Let his shames quickly
   Drive him to Rome: 'tis time we twain
   Did show ourselves i' the field; and to that end
   Assemble we immediate council: Pompey
   Thrives in our idleness.

LEPIDUS

   To-morrow, Caesar,
   I shall be furnish'd to inform you rightly
   Both what by sea and land I can be able
   To front this present time.

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   Till which encounter,
   It is my business too. Farewell.

LEPIDUS

   Farewell, my lord: what you shall know meantime
   Of stirs abroad, I shall beseech you, sir,
   To let me be partaker.

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   Doubt not, sir;
   I knew it for my bond.

   Exeunt

SCENE V. Alexandria. CLEOPATRA's palace.

   Enter CLEOPATRA, CHARMIAN, IRAS, and MARDIAN 

CLEOPATRA

   Charmian!

CHARMIAN

   Madam?

CLEOPATRA

   Ha, ha!
   Give me to drink mandragora.

CHARMIAN

   Why, madam?

CLEOPATRA

   That I might sleep out this great gap of time
   My Antony is away.

CHARMIAN

   You think of him too much.

CLEOPATRA

   O, 'tis treason!

CHARMIAN

   Madam, I trust, not so.

CLEOPATRA

   Thou, eunuch Mardian!

MARDIAN

   What's your highness' pleasure?

CLEOPATRA

   Not now to hear thee sing; I take no pleasure
   In aught an eunuch has: 'tis well for thee,
   That, being unseminar'd, thy freer thoughts
   May not fly forth of Egypt. Hast thou affections?

MARDIAN

   Yes, gracious madam.

CLEOPATRA

   Indeed!

MARDIAN

   Not in deed, madam; for I can do nothing
   But what indeed is honest to be done:
   Yet have I fierce affections, and think
   What Venus did with Mars.

CLEOPATRA

   O Charmian,
   Where think'st thou he is now? Stands he, or sits he?
   Or does he walk? or is he on his horse?
   O happy horse, to bear the weight of Antony!
   Do bravely, horse! for wot'st thou whom thou movest?
   The demi-Atlas of this earth, the arm
   And burgonet of men. He's speaking now,
   Or murmuring 'Where's my serpent of old Nile?'
   For so he calls me: now I feed myself
   With most delicious poison. Think on me,
   That am with Phoebus' amorous pinches black,
   And wrinkled deep in time? Broad-fronted Caesar,
   When thou wast here above the ground, I was
   A morsel for a monarch: and great Pompey
   Would stand and make his eyes grow in my brow;
   There would he anchor his aspect and die
   With looking on his life.

   Enter ALEXAS, from OCTAVIUS CAESAR

ALEXAS

   Sovereign of Egypt, hail!

CLEOPATRA

   How much unlike art thou Mark Antony!
   Yet, coming from him, that great medicine hath
   With his tinct gilded thee.
   How goes it with my brave Mark Antony?

ALEXAS

   Last thing he did, dear queen,
   He kiss'd,--the last of many doubled kisses,--
   This orient pearl. His speech sticks in my heart.

CLEOPATRA

   Mine ear must pluck it thence.

ALEXAS

   'Good friend,' quoth he,
   'Say, the firm Roman to great Egypt sends
   This treasure of an oyster; at whose foot,
   To mend the petty present, I will piece
   Her opulent throne with kingdoms; all the east,
   Say thou, shall call her mistress.' So he nodded,
   And soberly did mount an arm-gaunt steed,
   Who neigh'd so high, that what I would have spoke
   Was beastly dumb'd by him.

CLEOPATRA

   What, was he sad or merry?

ALEXAS

   Like to the time o' the year between the extremes
   Of hot and cold, he was nor sad nor merry.

CLEOPATRA

   O well-divided disposition! Note him,
   Note him good Charmian, 'tis the man; but note him:
   He was not sad, for he would shine on those
   That make their looks by his; he was not merry,
   Which seem'd to tell them his remembrance lay
   In Egypt with his joy; but between both:
   O heavenly mingle! Be'st thou sad or merry,
   The violence of either thee becomes,
   So does it no man else. Met'st thou my posts?

ALEXAS

   Ay, madam, twenty several messengers:
   Why do you send so thick?

CLEOPATRA

   Who's born that day
   When I forget to send to Antony,
   Shall die a beggar. Ink and paper, Charmian.
   Welcome, my good Alexas. Did I, Charmian,
   Ever love Caesar so?

CHARMIAN

   O that brave Caesar!

CLEOPATRA

   Be choked with such another emphasis!
   Say, the brave Antony.

CHARMIAN

   The valiant Caesar!

CLEOPATRA

   By Isis, I will give thee bloody teeth,
   If thou with Caesar paragon again
   My man of men.

CHARMIAN

   By your most gracious pardon,
   I sing but after you.

CLEOPATRA

   My salad days,
   When I was green in judgment: cold in blood,
   To say as I said then! But, come, away;
   Get me ink and paper:
   He shall have every day a several greeting,
   Or I'll unpeople Egypt.

   Exeunt

ACT II SCENE I. Messina. POMPEY's house.

   Enter POMPEY, MENECRATES, and MENAS, in warlike manner 

POMPEY

   If the great gods be just, they shall assist
   The deeds of justest men.

MENECRATES

   Know, worthy Pompey,
   That what they do delay, they not deny.

POMPEY

   Whiles we are suitors to their throne, decays
   The thing we sue for.

MENECRATES

   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.

POMPEY

   I shall do well:
   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
   No wars without doors: Caesar gets money where
   He loses hearts: Lepidus flatters both,
   Of both is flatter'd; but he neither loves,
   Nor either cares for him.

MENAS

   Caesar and Lepidus
   Are in the field: a mighty strength they carry.

POMPEY

   Where have you this? 'tis false.

MENAS

   From Silvius, sir.

POMPEY

   He dreams: I know they are in Rome together,
   Looking for Antony. But all the charms of love,
   Salt Cleopatra, soften thy waned lip!
   Let witchcraft join with beauty, lust with both!
   Tie up the libertine in a field of feasts,
   Keep his brain fuming; Epicurean cooks
   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!

VARRIUS

   This is most certain that I shall deliver:
   Mark Antony is every hour in Rome
   Expected: since he went from Egypt 'tis
   A space for further travel.

POMPEY

   I could have given less matter
   A better ear. Menas, I did not think
   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
   Can from the lap of Egypt's widow pluck
   The ne'er-lust-wearied Antony.

MENAS

   I cannot hope
   Caesar and Antony shall well greet together:
   His wife that's dead did trespasses to Caesar;
   His brother warr'd upon him; although, I think,
   Not moved by Antony.

POMPEY

   I know not, Menas,
   How lesser enmities may give way to greater.
   Were't not that we stand up against them all,
   '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
   The petty difference, we yet not know.
   Be't as our gods will have't! It only stands
   Our lives upon to use our strongest hands.
   Come, Menas.

   Exeunt

SCENE II. Rome. The house of LEPIDUS.

   Enter DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS and LEPIDUS 

LEPIDUS

   Good Enobarbus, 'tis a worthy deed,
   And shall become you well, to entreat your captain
   To soft and gentle speech.

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   I shall entreat him
   To answer like himself: if Caesar move him,
   Let Antony look over Caesar's head
   And speak as loud as Mars. By Jupiter,
   Were I the wearer of Antonius' beard,
   I would not shave't to-day.

LEPIDUS

   'Tis not a time
   For private stomaching.

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   Every time
   Serves for the matter that is then born in't.

LEPIDUS

   But small to greater matters must give way.

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   Not if the small come first.

LEPIDUS

   Your speech is passion:
   But, pray you, stir no embers up. Here comes
   The noble Antony.

   Enter MARK ANTONY and VENTIDIUS

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   And yonder, Caesar.

   Enter OCTAVIUS CAESAR, MECAENAS, and AGRIPPA

MARK ANTONY

   If we compose well here, to Parthia:
   Hark, Ventidius.

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   I do not know,
   Mecaenas; ask Agrippa.

LEPIDUS

   Noble friends,
   That which combined us was most great, and let not
   A leaner action rend us. What's amiss,
   May it be gently heard: when we debate
   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,
   Nor curstness grow to the matter.

MARK ANTONY

   'Tis spoken well.
   Were we before our armies, and to fight.
   I should do thus.

   Flourish

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   Welcome to Rome.

MARK ANTONY

   Thank you.

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   Sit.

MARK ANTONY

   Sit, sir.

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   Nay, then.

MARK ANTONY

   I learn, you take things ill which are not so,
   Or being, concern you not.

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   I must be laugh'd at,
   If, or for nothing or a little, I
   Should say myself offended, and with you
   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.

MARK ANTONY

   My being in Egypt, Caesar,
   What was't to you?

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   No more than my residing here at Rome
   Might be to you in Egypt: yet, if you there
   Did practise on my state, your being in Egypt
   Might be my question.

MARK ANTONY

   How intend you, practised?

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   You may be pleased to catch at mine intent
   By what did here befal me. Your wife and brother
   Made wars upon me; and their contestation
   Was theme for you, you were the word of war.

MARK ANTONY

   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
   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,
   As matter whole you have not to make it with,
   It must not be with this.

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   You praise yourself
   By laying defects of judgment to me; but
   You patch'd up your excuses.

MARK ANTONY

   Not so, not so;
   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
   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.

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   Would we had all such wives, that the men might go
   to wars with the women!

MARK ANTONY

   So much uncurbable, her garboils, Caesar
   Made out of her impatience, which not wanted
   Shrewdness of policy too, I grieving grant
   Did you too much disquiet: for that you must
   But say, I could not help it.

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   I wrote to you
   When rioting in Alexandria; you
   Did pocket up my letters, and with taunts
   Did gibe my missive out of audience.

MARK ANTONY

   Sir,
   He fell upon me ere admitted: then
   Three kings I had newly feasted, and did want
   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,
   Out of our question wipe him.

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   You have broken
   The article of your oath; which you shall never
   Have tongue to charge me with.

LEPIDUS

   Soft, Caesar!

MARK ANTONY

   No,
   Lepidus, let him speak:
   The honour is sacred which he talks on now,
   Supposing that I lack'd it. But, on, Caesar;
   The article of my oath.

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   To lend me arms and aid when I required them;
   The which you both denied.

MARK ANTONY

   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
   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
   So far ask pardon as befits mine honour
   To stoop in such a case.

LEPIDUS

   'Tis noble spoken.

MECAENAS

   If it might please you, to enforce no further
   The griefs between ye: to forget them quite
   Were to remember that the present need
   Speaks to atone you.

LEPIDUS

   Worthily spoken, Mecaenas.

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   Or, if you borrow one another's love for the
   instant, you may, when you hear no more words of
   Pompey, return it again: you shall have time to
   wrangle in when you have nothing else to do.

MARK ANTONY

   Thou art a soldier only: speak no more.

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   That truth should be silent I had almost forgot.

MARK ANTONY

   You wrong this presence; therefore speak no more.

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   Go to, then; your considerate stone.

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   I do not much dislike the matter, but
   The manner of his speech; for't cannot be
   We shall remain in friendship, our conditions
   So differing in their acts. Yet if I knew
   What hoop should hold us stanch, from edge to edge
   O' the world I would pursue it.

AGRIPPA

   Give me leave, Caesar,--

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   Speak, Agrippa.

AGRIPPA

   Thou hast a sister by the mother's side,
   Admired Octavia: great Mark Antony
   Is now a widower.

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   Say not so, Agrippa:
   If Cleopatra heard you, your reproof
   Were well deserved of rashness.

MARK ANTONY

   I am not married, Caesar: let me hear
   Agrippa further speak.

AGRIPPA

   To hold you in perpetual amity,
   To make you brothers, and to knit your hearts
   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
   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,
   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,
   By duty ruminated.

MARK ANTONY

   Will Caesar speak?

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   Not till he hears how Antony is touch'd
   With what is spoke already.

MARK ANTONY

   What power is in Agrippa,
   If I would say, 'Agrippa, be it so,'
   To make this good?

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   The power of Caesar, and
   His power unto Octavia.

MARK ANTONY

   May I never
   To this good purpose, that so fairly shows,
   Dream of impediment! Let me have thy hand:
   Further this act of grace: and from this hour
   The heart of brothers govern in our loves
   And sway our great designs!

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   There is my hand.
   A sister I bequeath you, whom no brother
   Did ever love so dearly: let her live
   To join our kingdoms and our hearts; and never
   Fly off our loves again!

LEPIDUS

   Happily, amen!

MARK ANTONY

   I did not think to draw my sword 'gainst Pompey;
   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.

LEPIDUS

   Time calls upon's:
   Of us must Pompey presently be sought,
   Or else he seeks out us.

MARK ANTONY

   Where lies he?

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   About the mount Misenum.

MARK ANTONY

   What is his strength by land?

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   Great and increasing: but by sea
   He is an absolute master.

MARK ANTONY

   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.

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   With most gladness:
   And do invite you to my sister's view,
   Whither straight I'll lead you.

MARK ANTONY

   Let us, Lepidus,
   Not lack your company.

LEPIDUS

   Noble Antony,
   Not sickness should detain me.

   Flourish. Exeunt OCTAVIUS CAESAR, MARK ANTONY, and LEPIDUS

MECAENAS

   Welcome from Egypt, sir.

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   Half the heart of Caesar, worthy Mecaenas! My
   honourable friend, Agrippa!

AGRIPPA

   Good Enobarbus!

MECAENAS

   We have cause to be glad that matters are so well
   digested. You stayed well by 't in Egypt.

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   Ay, sir; we did sleep day out of countenance, and
   made the night light with drinking.

MECAENAS

   Eight wild-boars roasted whole at a breakfast, and
   but twelve persons there; is this true?

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   This was but as a fly by an eagle: we had much more
   monstrous matter of feast, which worthily deserved noting.

MECAENAS

   She's a most triumphant lady, if report be square to
   her.

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   When she first met Mark Antony, she pursed up
   his heart, upon the river of Cydnus.

AGRIPPA

   There she appeared indeed; or my reporter devised
   well for her.

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   I will tell you.
   The barge she sat in, like a burnish'd throne,
   Burn'd on the water: the poop was beaten gold;
   Purple the sails, and so perfumed 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,
   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
   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,
   And what they undid did.

AGRIPPA

   O, rare for Antony!

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   Her gentlewomen, like the Nereides,
   So many mermaids, tended her i' the eyes,
   And made their bends adornings: at the helm
   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
   Of the adjacent wharfs. The city cast
   Her people out upon her; and Antony,
   Enthroned i' the market-place, did sit alone,
   Whistling to the air; which, but for vacancy,
   Had gone to gaze on Cleopatra too,
   And made a gap in nature.

AGRIPPA

   Rare Egyptian!

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   Upon her landing, Antony sent to her,
   Invited her to supper: she replied,
   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,
   And for his ordinary pays his heart
   For what his eyes eat only.

AGRIPPA

   Royal wench!
   She made great Caesar lay his sword to bed:
   He plough'd her, and she cropp'd.

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   I saw her once
   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.

MECAENAS

   Now Antony must leave her utterly.

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   Never; he will not:
   Age cannot wither her, nor custom stale
   Her infinite variety: other women cloy
   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.

MECAENAS

   If beauty, wisdom, modesty, can settle
   The heart of Antony, Octavia is
   A blessed lottery to him.

AGRIPPA

   Let us go.
   Good Enobarbus, make yourself my guest
   Whilst you abide here.

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   Humbly, sir, I thank you.

   Exeunt

SCENE III. The same. OCTAVIUS CAESAR's house.

   Enter MARK ANTONY, OCTAVIUS CAESAR, OCTAVIA between them, and Attendants 

MARK ANTONY

   The world and my great office will sometimes
   Divide me from your bosom.

OCTAVIA

   All which time
   Before the gods my knee shall bow my prayers
   To them for you.

MARK ANTONY

   Good night, sir. My Octavia,
   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.
   Good night, sir.

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   Good night.

   Exeunt OCTAVIUS CAESAR and OCTAVIA

   Enter Soothsayer

MARK ANTONY

   Now, sirrah; you do wish yourself in Egypt?

Soothsayer

   Would I had never come from thence, nor you Thither!

MARK ANTONY

   If you can, your reason?

Soothsayer

   I see it in
   My motion, have it not in my tongue: but yet
   Hie you to Egypt again.

MARK ANTONY

   Say to me,
   Whose fortunes shall rise higher, Caesar's or mine?

Soothsayer

   Caesar's.
   Therefore, O Antony, stay not by his side:
   Thy demon, that's thy spirit which keeps thee, is
   Noble, courageous high, unmatchable,
   Where Caesar's is not; but, near him, thy angel
   Becomes a fear, as being o'erpower'd: therefore
   Make space enough between you.

MARK ANTONY

   Speak this no more.

Soothsayer

   To none but thee; no more, but when to thee.
   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
   Is all afraid to govern thee near him;
   But, he away, 'tis noble.

MARK ANTONY

   Get thee gone:
   Say to Ventidius I would speak with him:

   Exit Soothsayer
   He shall to Parthia. Be it art or hap,
   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,
   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,
   You must to Parthia: your commission's ready;
   Follow me, and receive't.

   Exeunt

SCENE IV. The same. A street.

   Enter LEPIDUS, MECAENAS, and AGRIPPA 

LEPIDUS

   Trouble yourselves no further: pray you, hasten
   Your generals after.

AGRIPPA

   Sir, Mark Antony
   Will e'en but kiss Octavia, and we'll follow.

LEPIDUS

   Till I shall see you in your soldier's dress,
   Which will become you both, farewell.

MECAENAS

   We shall,
   As I conceive the journey, be at the Mount
   Before you, Lepidus.

LEPIDUS

   Your way is shorter;
   My purposes do draw me much about:
   You'll win two days upon me.

MECAENAS AGRIPPA

   Sir, good success!

LEPIDUS

   Farewell.

   Exeunt

SCENE V. Alexandria. CLEOPATRA's palace.

   Enter CLEOPATRA, CHARMIAN, IRAS, and ALEXAS 

CLEOPATRA

   Give me some music; music, moody food
   Of us that trade in love.

Attendants

   The music, ho!

   Enter MARDIAN

CLEOPATRA

   Let it alone; let's to billiards: come, Charmian.

CHARMIAN

   My arm is sore; best play with Mardian.

CLEOPATRA

   As well a woman with an eunuch play'd
   As with a woman. Come, you'll play with me, sir?

MARDIAN

   As well as I can, madam.

CLEOPATRA

   And when good will is show'd, though't come
   too short,
   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
   Their slimy jaws; and, as I draw them up,
   I'll think them every one an Antony,
   And say 'Ah, ha! you're caught.'

CHARMIAN

   'Twas merry when
   You wager'd on your angling; when your diver
   Did hang a salt-fish on his hook, which he
   With fervency drew up.

CLEOPATRA

   That time,--O times!--
   I laugh'd him out of patience; and that night
   I laugh'd him into patience; and next morn,
   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,
   That long time have been barren.

Messenger

   Madam, madam,--

CLEOPATRA

   Antonius 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
   My bluest veins to kiss; a hand that kings
   Have lipp'd, and trembled kissing.

Messenger

   First, madam, he is well.

CLEOPATRA

   Why, there's more gold.
   But, sirrah, mark, we use
   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.

Messenger

   Good madam, hear me.

CLEOPATRA

   Well, go to, I will;
   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,
   Not like a formal man.

Messenger

   Will't please you hear me?

CLEOPATRA

   I have a mind to strike thee ere thou speak'st:
   Yet if thou say Antony lives, is well,
   Or friends with Caesar, or not captive to him,
   I'll set thee in a shower of gold, and hail
   Rich pearls upon thee.

Messenger

   Madam, he's well.

CLEOPATRA

   Well said.

Messenger

   And friends with Caesar.

CLEOPATRA

   Thou'rt an honest man.

Messenger

   Caesar and he are greater friends than ever.

CLEOPATRA

   Make thee a fortune from me.

Messenger

   But yet, madam,--

CLEOPATRA

   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
   Some monstrous malefactor. Prithee, friend,
   Pour out the pack of matter to mine ear,
   The good and bad together: he's friends with Caesar:
   In state of health thou say'st; and thou say'st free.

Messenger

   Free, madam! no; I made no such report:
   He's bound unto Octavia.

CLEOPATRA

   For what good turn?

Messenger

   For the best turn i' the bed.

CLEOPATRA

   I am pale, Charmian.

Messenger

   Madam, he's married to Octavia.

CLEOPATRA

   The most infectious pestilence upon thee!

   Strikes him down

Messenger

   Good madam, patience.

CLEOPATRA

   What say you? Hence,

   Strikes him again
   Horrible villain! or I'll spurn thine eyes
   Like balls before me; I'll unhair thy head:

   She hales him up and down
   Thou shalt be whipp'd with wire, and stew'd in brine,
   Smarting in lingering pickle.

Messenger

   Gracious madam,
   I that do bring the news made not the match.

CLEOPATRA

   Say 'tis not so, a province I will give thee,
   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.

Messenger

   He's married, madam.

CLEOPATRA

   Rogue, thou hast lived too long.

   Draws a knife

Messenger

   Nay, then I'll run.
   What mean you, madam? I have made no fault.

   Exit

CHARMIAN

   Good madam, keep yourself within yourself:
   The man is innocent.

CLEOPATRA

   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.

CHARMIAN

   He is afeard to come.

CLEOPATRA

   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.

   Re-enter CHARMIAN and Messenger
   Come hither, sir.
   Though it be honest, it is never good
   To bring bad news: give to a gracious message.
   An host of tongues; but let ill tidings tell
   Themselves when they be felt.

Messenger

   I have done my duty.

CLEOPATRA

   Is he married?
   I cannot hate thee worser than I do,
   If thou again say 'Yes.'

Messenger

   He's married, madam.

CLEOPATRA

   The gods confound thee! dost thou hold there still?

Messenger

   Should I lie, madam?

CLEOPATRA

   O, I would thou didst,
   So half my Egypt were submerged and made
   A cistern for scaled snakes! Go, get thee hence:
   Hadst thou Narcissus in thy face, to me
   Thou wouldst appear most ugly. He is married?

Messenger

   I crave your highness' pardon.

CLEOPATRA

   He is married?

Messenger

   Take no offence that I would not offend you:
   To punish me for what you make me do.
   Seems much unequal: he's married to Octavia.

CLEOPATRA

   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
   Are all too dear for me: lie they upon thy hand,
   And be undone by 'em!

   Exit Messenger

CHARMIAN

   Good your highness, patience.

CLEOPATRA

   In praising Antony, I have dispraised Caesar.

CHARMIAN

   Many times, madam.

CLEOPATRA

   I am paid for't now.
   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,
   Her inclination, let him not leave out
   The colour of her hair: bring me word quickly.

   Exit ALEXAS
   Let him for ever go:--let him not--Charmian,
   Though he be painted one way like a Gorgon,
   The other way's a Mars. Bid you Alexas

   To MARDIAN
   Bring me word how tall she is. Pity me, Charmian,
   But do not speak to me. Lead me to my chamber.

   Exeunt

SCENE VI. Near Misenum.

   Flourish. Enter POMPEY and MENAS at one door, with drum and trumpet: at another, OCTAVIUS CAESAR, MARK ANTONY, LEPIDUS, DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS, MECAENAS, with Soldiers marching 

POMPEY

   Your hostages I have, so have you mine;
   And we shall talk before we fight.

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   Most meet
   That first we come to words; and therefore have we
   Our written purposes before us sent;
   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.

POMPEY

   To you all three,
   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 Caesar,
   Who at Philippi the good Brutus ghosted,
   There saw you labouring for him. What was't
   That moved pale Cassius to conspire; and what
   Made the all-honour'd, honest Roman, Brutus,
   With the arm'd rest, courtiers and 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 burthen
   The anger'd ocean foams; with which I meant
   To scourge the ingratitude that despiteful Rome
   Cast on my noble father.

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   Take your time.

MARK ANTONY

   Thou canst not fear us, Pompey, with thy sails;
   We'll speak with thee at sea: at land, thou know'st
   How much we do o'er-count thee.

POMPEY

   At land, indeed,
   Thou dost o'er-count me of my father's house:
   But, since the cuckoo builds not for himself,
   Remain in't as thou mayst.

LEPIDUS

   Be pleased to tell us--
   For this is from the present--how you take
   The offers we have sent you.

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   There's the point.

MARK ANTONY

   Which do not be entreated to, but weigh
   What it is worth embraced.

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   And what may follow,
   To try a larger fortune.

POMPEY

   You have made me offer
   Of Sicily, Sardinia; and I must
   Rid all the sea of pirates; then, to send
   Measures of wheat to Rome; this 'greed upon
   To part with unhack'd edges, and bear back
   Our targes undinted.

OCTAVIUS CAESAR MARK ANTONY LEPIDUS

   That's our offer.

POMPEY

   Know, then,
   I came before you here a man prepared
   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 Caesar and your brother were at blows,
   Your mother came to Sicily and did find
   Her welcome friendly.

MARK ANTONY

   I have heard it, Pompey;
   And am well studied for a liberal thanks
   Which I do owe you.

POMPEY

   Let me have your hand:
   I did not think, sir, to have met you here.

MARK ANTONY

   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.

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   Since I saw you last,
   There is a change upon you.

POMPEY

   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.

LEPIDUS

   Well met here.

POMPEY

   I hope so, Lepidus. Thus we are agreed:
   I crave our composition may be written,
   And seal'd between us.

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   That's the next to do.

POMPEY

   We'll feast each other ere we part; and let's
   Draw lots who shall begin.

MARK ANTONY

   That will I, Pompey.

POMPEY

   No, Antony, take the lot: but, first
   Or last, your fine Egyptian cookery
   Shall have the fame. I have heard that Julius Caesar
   Grew fat with feasting there.

MARK ANTONY

   You have heard much.

POMPEY

   I have fair meanings, sir.

MARK ANTONY

   And fair words to them.

POMPEY

   Then so much have I heard:
   And I have heard, Apollodorus carried--

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   No more of that: he did so.

POMPEY

   What, I pray you?

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   A certain queen to Caesar in a mattress.

POMPEY

   I know thee now: how farest thou, soldier?

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   Well;
   And well am like to do; for, I perceive,
   Four feasts are toward.

POMPEY

   Let me shake thy hand;
   I never hated thee: I have seen thee fight,
   When I have envied thy behavior.

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   Sir,
   I never loved you much; but I ha' praised ye,
   When you have well deserved ten times as much
   As I have said you did.

POMPEY

   Enjoy thy plainness,
   It nothing ill becomes thee.
   Aboard my galley I invite you all:
   Will you lead, lords?

OCTAVIUS CAESAR MARK ANTONY LEPIDUS

   Show us the way, sir.

POMPEY

   Come.

   Exeunt all but MENAS and ENOBARBUS

MENAS

   [Aside] Thy father, Pompey, would ne'er have
   made this treaty.--You and I have known, sir.

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   At sea, I think.

MENAS

   We have, sir.

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   You have done well by water.

MENAS

   And you by land.

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   I will praise any man that will praise me; though it
   cannot be denied what I have done by land.

MENAS

   Nor what I have done by water.

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   Yes, something you can deny for your own
   safety: you have been a great thief by sea.

MENAS

   And you by land.

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   There I deny my land service. But give me your
   hand, Menas: if our eyes had authority, here they
   might take two thieves kissing.

MENAS

   All men's faces are true, whatsome'er their hands are.

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   But there is never a fair woman has a true face.

MENAS

   No slander; they steal hearts.

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   We came hither to fight with you.

MENAS

   For my part, I am sorry it is turned to a drinking.
   Pompey doth this day laugh away his fortune.

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   If he do, sure, he cannot weep't back again.

MENAS

   You've said, sir. We looked not for Mark Antony
   here: pray you, is he married to Cleopatra?

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   Caesar's sister is called Octavia.

MENAS

   True, sir; she was the wife of Caius Marcellus.

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   But she is now the wife of Marcus Antonius.

MENAS

   Pray ye, sir?

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   'Tis true.

MENAS

   Then is Caesar and he for ever knit together.

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   If I were bound to divine of this unity, I would
   not prophesy so.

MENAS

   I think the policy of that purpose made more in the
   marriage than the love of the parties.

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   I think so too. But you shall find, the band that
   seems to tie their friendship together will be the
   very strangler of their amity: Octavia is of a
   holy, cold, and still conversation.

MENAS

   Who would not have his wife so?

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   Not he that himself is not so; which is Mark Antony.
   He will to his Egyptian dish again: then shall the
   sighs of Octavia blow the fire up in Caesar; and, as
   I said before, that which is the strength of their
   amity shall prove the immediate author of their
   variance. Antony will use his affection where it is:
   he married but his occasion here.

MENAS

   And thus it may be. Come, sir, will you aboard?
   I have a health for you.

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   I shall take it, sir: we have used our throats in Egypt.

MENAS

   Come, let's away.

   Exeunt

SCENE VII. On board POMPEY's galley, off Misenum.

   Music plays. Enter two or three Servants with a banquet 

First Servant

   Here they'll be, man. Some o' their plants are
   ill-rooted already: the least wind i' the world
   will blow them down.

Second Servant

   Lepidus is high-coloured.

First Servant

   They have made him drink alms-drink.

Second Servant

   As they pinch one another by the disposition, he
   cries out 'No more;' reconciles them to his
   entreaty, and himself to the drink.

First Servant

   But it raises the greater war between him and
   his discretion.

Second Servant

   Why, this is to have a name in 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 Servant

   To be called into a huge sphere, and not to be seen
   to move in't, are the holes where eyes should be,
   which pitifully disaster the cheeks.

   A sennet sounded. Enter OCTAVIUS CAESAR, MARK ANTONY, LEPIDUS, POMPEY, AGRIPPA, MECAENAS, DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS, MENAS, with other captains

MARK ANTONY

   [To OCTAVIUS CAESAR] Thus do they, sir: they take
   the flow o' the Nile
   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
   Upon the slime and ooze scatters his grain,
   And shortly comes to harvest.

LEPIDUS

   You've strange serpents there.

MARK ANTONY

   Ay, Lepidus.

LEPIDUS

   Your serpent of Egypt is bred now of your mud by the
   operation of your sun: so is your crocodile.

MARK ANTONY

   They are so.

POMPEY

   Sit,--and some wine! A health to Lepidus!

LEPIDUS

   I am not so well as I should be, but I'll ne'er out.

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   Not till you have slept; I fear me you'll be in till then.

LEPIDUS

   Nay, certainly, I have heard the Ptolemies'
   pyramises are very goodly things; without
   contradiction, I have heard that.

MENAS

   [Aside to POMPEY] Pompey, a word.

POMPEY

   [Aside to MENAS] Say in mine ear:
   what is't?

MENAS

   [Aside to POMPEY] Forsake thy seat, I do beseech
   thee, captain,
   And hear me speak a word.

POMPEY

   [Aside to MENAS] Forbear me till anon.
   This wine for Lepidus!

LEPIDUS

   What manner o' thing is your crocodile?

MARK ANTONY

   It is shaped, sir, like itself; and it is as broad
   as it hath breadth: it is just so high as it is,
   and moves with its own organs: it lives by that
   which nourisheth it; and the elements once out of
   it, it transmigrates.

LEPIDUS

   What colour is it of?

MARK ANTONY

   Of it own colour too.

LEPIDUS

   'Tis a strange serpent.

MARK ANTONY

   'Tis so. And the tears of it are wet.

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   Will this description satisfy him?

MARK ANTONY

   With the health that Pompey gives him, else he is a
   very epicure.

POMPEY

   [Aside to MENAS] Go hang, sir, hang! Tell me of
   that? away!
   Do as I bid you. Where's this cup I call'd for?

MENAS

   [Aside to POMPEY] If for the sake of merit thou
   wilt hear me,
   Rise from thy stool.

POMPEY

   [Aside to MENAS] I think thou'rt mad.
   The matter?

   Rises, and walks aside

MENAS

   I have ever held my cap off to thy fortunes.

POMPEY

   Thou hast served me with much faith. What's else to say?
   Be jolly, lords.

MARK ANTONY

   These quick-sands, Lepidus,
   Keep off them, for you sink.

MENAS

   Wilt thou be lord of all the world?

POMPEY

   What say'st thou?

MENAS

   Wilt thou be lord of the whole world? That's twice.

POMPEY

   How should that be?

MENAS

   But entertain it,
   And, though thou think me poor, I am the man
   Will give thee all the world.

POMPEY

   Hast thou drunk well?

MENAS

   Now, Pompey, I have kept me from the cup.
   Thou art, if thou darest be, the earthly Jove:
   Whate'er the ocean pales, or sky inclips,
   Is thine, if thou wilt ha't.

POMPEY

   Show me which way.

MENAS

   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.

POMPEY

   Ah, this thou shouldst have done,
   And not have spoke on't! In me 'tis villany;
   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
   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.

MENAS

   [Aside] For this,
   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.

POMPEY

   This health to Lepidus!

MARK ANTONY

   Bear him ashore. I'll pledge it for him, Pompey.

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   Here's to thee, Menas!

MENAS

   Enobarbus, welcome!

POMPEY

   Fill till the cup be hid.

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   There's a strong fellow, Menas.

   Pointing to the Attendant who carries off LEPIDUS

MENAS

   Why?

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   A' bears the third part of the world, man; see'st
   not?

MENAS

   The third part, then, is drunk: would it were all,
   That it might go on wheels!

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   Drink thou; increase the reels.

MENAS

   Come.

POMPEY

   This is not yet an Alexandrian feast.

MARK ANTONY

   It ripens towards it. Strike the vessels, ho?
   Here is to Caesar!

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   I could well forbear't.
   It's monstrous labour, when I wash my brain,
   And it grows fouler.

MARK ANTONY

   Be a child o' the time.

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   Possess it, I'll make answer:
   But I had rather fast from all four days
   Than drink so much in one.

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   Ha, my brave emperor!

   To MARK ANTONY
   Shall we dance now the Egyptian Bacchanals,
   And celebrate our drink?

POMPEY

   Let's ha't, good soldier.

MARK ANTONY

   Come, let's all take hands,
   Till that the conquering wine hath steep'd our sense
   In soft and delicate Lethe.

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   All take hands.
   Make battery to our ears with the loud music:
   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. DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS places them hand in hand
   THE SONG.
   Come, thou monarch of the vine,
   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,
   Cup us, till the world go round!

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   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;
   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.
   Good Antony, your hand.

POMPEY

   I'll try you on the shore.

MARK ANTONY

   And shall, sir; give's your hand.

POMPEY

   O Antony,
   You have my father's house,--But, what? we are friends.
   Come, down into the boat.

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   Take heed you fall not.

   Exeunt all but DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS and MENAS
   Menas, I'll not on shore.

MENAS

   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!

   Sound a flourish, with drums

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   Ho! says a' There's my cap.

MENAS

   Ho! Noble captain, come.

   Exeunt

ACT III SCENE I. A plain in Syria.

   Enter VENTIDIUS as it were in triumph, with SILIUS, and other Romans, Officers, and Soldiers; the dead body of PACORUS borne before him 

VENTIDIUS

   Now, darting Parthia, art thou struck; and now
   Pleased fortune does of Marcus Crassus' death
   Make me revenger. Bear the king's son's body
   Before our army. Thy Pacorus, Orodes,
   Pays this for Marcus Crassus.

SILIUS

   Noble Ventidius,
   Whilst yet with Parthian blood thy sword is warm,
   The fugitive Parthians follow; spur through Media,
   Mesopotamia, and the shelters whither
   The routed fly: so thy grand captain Antony
   Shall set thee on triumphant chariots and
   Put garlands on thy head.

VENTIDIUS

   O Silius, Silius,
   I have done enough; a lower place, note well,
   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.
   Caesar and Antony have ever won
   More in their officer than person: Sossius,
   One of my place in Syria, his lieutenant,
   For quick accumulation of renown,
   Which he achieved by the minute, lost his favour.
   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.
   I could do more to do Antonius good,
   But 'twould offend him; and in his offence
   Should my performance perish.

SILIUS

   Thou hast, Ventidius,
   that
   Without the which a soldier, and his sword,
   Grants scarce distinction. Thou wilt write to Antony!

VENTIDIUS

   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,
   The ne'er-yet-beaten horse of Parthia
   We have jaded out o' the field.

SILIUS

   Where is he now?

VENTIDIUS

   He purposeth to Athens: whither, with what haste
   The weight we must convey with's will permit,
   We shall appear before him. On there; pass along!

   Exeunt

SCENE II. Rome. An ante-chamber in OCTAVIUS CAESAR's house.

   Enter AGRIPPA at one door, DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS at another 

AGRIPPA

   What, are the brothers parted?

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   They have dispatch'd with Pompey, he is gone;
   The other three are sealing. Octavia weeps
   To part from Rome; Caesar is sad; and Lepidus,
   Since Pompey's feast, as Menas says, is troubled
   With the green sickness.

AGRIPPA

   'Tis a noble Lepidus.

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   A very fine one: O, how he loves Caesar!

AGRIPPA

   Nay, but how dearly he adores Mark Antony!

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   Caesar? Why, he's the Jupiter of men.

AGRIPPA

   What's Antony? The god of Jupiter.

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   Spake you of Caesar? How! the non-pareil!

AGRIPPA

   O Antony! O thou Arabian bird!

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   Would you praise Caesar, say 'Caesar:' go no further.

AGRIPPA

   Indeed, he plied them both with excellent praises.

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   But he loves Caesar best; yet he loves Antony:
   Ho! hearts, tongues, figures, scribes, bards,
   poets, cannot
   Think, speak, cast, write, sing, number, ho!
   His love to Antony. But as for Caesar,
   Kneel down, kneel down, and wonder.

AGRIPPA

   Both he loves.

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   They are his shards, and he their beetle.

   Trumpets within
   So;
   This is to horse. Adieu, noble Agrippa.

AGRIPPA

   Good fortune, worthy soldier; and farewell.

   Enter OCTAVIUS CAESAR, MARK ANTONY, LEPIDUS, and OCTAVIA

MARK ANTONY

   No further, sir.

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   You take from me a great part of myself;
   Use me well in 't. Sister, prove such a wife
   As my thoughts make thee, and as my farthest band
   Shall pass on thy approof. Most noble Antony,
   Let not the piece of virtue, which is set
   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 loved without this mean, if on both parts
   This be not cherish'd.

MARK ANTONY

   Make me not offended
   In your distrust.

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   I have said.

MARK ANTONY

   You shall not find,
   Though you be therein curious, the least cause
   For what you seem to fear: so, the gods keep you,
   And make the hearts of Romans serve your ends!
   We will here part.

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   Farewell, my dearest sister, fare thee well:
   The elements be kind to thee, and make
   Thy spirits all of comfort! fare thee well.

OCTAVIA

   My noble brother!

MARK ANTONY

   The April 's in her eyes: it is love's spring,
   And these the showers to bring it on. Be cheerful.

OCTAVIA

   Sir, look well to my husband's house; and--

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   What, Octavia?

OCTAVIA

   I'll tell you in your ear.

MARK ANTONY

   Her tongue will not obey her heart, nor can
   Her heart inform her tongue,--the swan's
   down-feather,
   That stands upon the swell at full of tide,
   And neither way inclines.

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   [Aside to AGRIPPA] Will Caesar weep?

AGRIPPA

   [Aside to DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS] He has a cloud in 's face.

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   [Aside to AGRIPPA] He were the worse for that,
   were he a horse;
   So is he, being a man.

AGRIPPA

   [Aside to DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS] Why, Enobarbus,
   When Antony found Julius Caesar dead,
   He cried almost to roaring; and he wept
   When at Philippi he found Brutus slain.

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   [Aside to AGRIPPA] That year, indeed, he was
   troubled with a rheum;
   What willingly he did confound he wail'd,
   Believe't, till I wept too.

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   No, sweet Octavia,
   You shall hear from me still; the time shall not
   Out-go my thinking on you.

MARK ANTONY

   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.

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   Adieu; be happy!

LEPIDUS

   Let all the number of the stars give light
   To thy fair way!

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   Farewell, fa rewell!

   Kisses OCTAVIA

MARK ANTONY

   Farewell!

   Trumpets sound. Exeunt

SCENE III. Alexandria. CLEOPATRA's palace.

   Enter CLEOPATRA, CHARMIAN, IRAS, and ALEXAS 

CLEOPATRA

   Where is the fellow?

ALEXAS

   Half afeard to come.

CLEOPATRA

   Go to, go to.

   Enter the Messenger as before
   Come hither, sir.

ALEXAS

   Good majesty,
   Herod of Jewry dare not look upon you
   But when you are well pleased.

CLEOPATRA

   That Herod's head
   I'll have: but how, when Antony is gone
   Through whom I might command it? Come thou near.

Messenger

   Most gracious majesty,--

CLEOPATRA

   Didst thou behold Octavia?

Messenger

   Ay, dread queen.

CLEOPATRA

   Where?

Messenger

   Madam, in Rome;
   I look'd her in the face, and saw her led
   Between her brother and Mark Antony.

CLEOPATRA

   Is she as tall as me?

Messenger

   She is not, madam.

CLEOPATRA

   Didst hear her speak? is she shrill-tongued or low?

Messenger

   Madam, I heard her speak; she is low-voiced.

CLEOPATRA

   That's not so good: he cannot like her long.

CHARMIAN

   Like her! O Isis! 'tis impossible.

CLEOPATRA

   I think so, Charmian: dull of tongue, and dwarfish!
   What majesty is in her gait? Remember,
   If e'er thou look'dst on majesty.

Messenger

   She creeps:
   Her motion and her station are as one;
   She shows a body rather than a life,
   A statue than a breather.

CLEOPATRA

   Is this certain?

Messenger

   Or I have no observance.

CHARMIAN

   Three in Egypt
   Cannot make better note.

CLEOPATRA

   He's very knowing;
   I do perceive't: there's nothing in her yet:
   The fellow has good judgment.

CHARMIAN

   Excellent.

CLEOPATRA

   Guess at her years, I prithee.

Messenger

   Madam,
   She was a widow,--

CLEOPATRA

   Widow! Charmian, hark.

Messenger

   And I do think she's thirty.

CLEOPATRA

   Bear'st thou her face in mind? is't long or round?

Messenger

   Round even to faultiness.

CLEOPATRA

   For the most part, too, they are foolish that are so.
   Her hair, what colour?

Messenger

   Brown, madam: and her forehead
   As low as she would wish it.

CLEOPATRA

   There's gold for thee.
   Thou must not take my former sharpness ill:
   I will employ thee back again; I find thee
   Most fit for business: go make thee ready;
   Our letters are prepared.

   Exit Messenger

CHARMIAN

   A proper man.

CLEOPATRA

   Indeed, he is so: I repent me much
   That so I harried him. Why, methinks, by him,
   This creature's no such thing.

CHARMIAN

   Nothing, madam.

CLEOPATRA

   The man hath seen some majesty, and should know.

CHARMIAN

   Hath he seen majesty? Isis else defend,
   And serving you so long!

CLEOPATRA

   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.

CHARMIAN

   I warrant you, madam.

   Exeunt

SCENE IV. Athens. A room in MARK ANTONY's house.

   Enter MARK ANTONY and OCTAVIA 

MARK ANTONY

   Nay, nay, Octavia, not only that,--
   That were excusable, that, and thousands more
   Of semblable import,--but he hath waged
   New wars 'gainst Pompey; made his will, and read it
   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:
   When the best hint was given him, he not took't,
   Or did it from his teeth.

OCTAVIA

   O my good lord,
   Believe not all; or, if you must believe,
   Stomach not all. A more unhappy lady,
   If this division chance, ne'er stood between,
   Praying for both parts:
   The good gods me presently,
   When I shall pray, 'O bless my lord and husband!'
   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.

MARK ANTONY

   Gentle Octavia,
   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,
   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.

OCTAVIA

   Thanks to my lord.
   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.

MARK ANTONY

   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;
   Choose your own company, and command what cost
   Your heart has mind to.

   Exeunt

SCENE V. The same. Another room.

   Enter DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS and EROS, meeting 

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   How now, friend Eros!

EROS

   There's strange news come, sir.

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   What, man?

EROS

   Caesar and Lepidus have made wars upon Pompey.

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   This is old: what is the success?

EROS

   Caesar, having made use of him in the wars 'gainst
   Pompey, presently denied him 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 third is up, till death enlarge his confine.

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   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?

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.

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   Our great navy's rigg'd.

EROS

   For Italy and Caesar. More, Domitius;
   My lord desires you presently: my news
   I might have told hereafter.

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   'Twill be naught:
   But let it be. Bring me to Antony.

EROS

   Come, sir.

   Exeunt

SCENE VI. Rome. OCTAVIUS CAESAR's house.

   Enter OCTAVIUS CAESAR, AGRIPPA, and MECAENAS 

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   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
   Were publicly enthroned: at the feet sat
   Caesarion, whom they call my father's son,
   And all the unlawful issue that their lust
   Since then hath made between them. Unto her
   He gave the stablishment of Egypt; made her
   Of lower Syria, Cyprus, Lydia,
   Absolute queen.

MECAENAS

   This in the public eye?

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   I' the common show-place, where they exercise.
   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 Phoenicia: she
   In the habiliments of the goddess Isis
   That day appear'd; and oft before gave audience,
   As 'tis reported, so.

MECAENAS

   Let Rome be thus Inform'd.

AGRIPPA

   Who, queasy with his insolence
   Already, will their good thoughts call from him.

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   The people know it; and have now received
   His accusations.

AGRIPPA

   Who does he accuse?

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   Caesar: and that, having in Sicily
   Sextus Pompeius spoil'd, we had not rated him
   His part o' the isle: then does he say, he lent me
   Some shipping unrestored: lastly, he frets
   That Lepidus of the triumvirate
   Should be deposed; and, being, that we detain
   All his revenue.

AGRIPPA

   Sir, this should be answer'd.

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   'Tis done already, and the messenger gone.
   I have told him, Lepidus was grown too cruel;
   That he his high authority abused,
   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
   Demand the like.

MECAENAS

   He'll never yield to that.

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   Nor must not then be yielded to in this.

   Enter OCTAVIA with her train

OCTAVIA

   Hail, Caesar, and my lord! hail, most dear Caesar!

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   That ever I should call thee castaway!

OCTAVIA

   You have not call'd me so, nor have you cause.

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   Why have you stol'n upon us thus! You come not
   Like Caesar's sister: the wife of Antony
   Should have an army for an usher, and
   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
   Should have ascended to the roof of heaven,
   Raised by your populous troops: but you are come
   A market-maid to Rome; and have prevented
   The ostentation of our love, which, left unshown,
   Is often left unloved; we should have met you
   By sea and land; supplying every stage
   With an augmented greeting.

OCTAVIA

   Good my lord,
   To come thus was I not constrain'd, but did
   On my free will. My lord, Mark Antony,
   Hearing that you prepared for war, acquainted
   My grieved ear withal; whereon, I begg'd
   His pardon for return.

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   Which soon he granted,
   Being an obstruct 'tween his lust and him.

OCTAVIA

   Do not say so, my lord.

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   I have eyes upon him,
   And his affairs come to me on the wind.
   Where is he now?

OCTAVIA

   My lord, in Athens.

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   No, my most wronged 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
   Bocchus, the king of Libya; Archelaus,
   Of Cappadocia; Philadelphos, king
   Of Paphlagonia; the Thracian king, Adallas;
   King Malchus of Arabia; King of Pont;
   Herod of Jewry; Mithridates, king
   Of Comagene; Polemon and Amyntas,
   The kings of Mede and Lycaonia,
   With a more larger list of sceptres.

OCTAVIA

   Ay me, most wretched,
   That have my heart parted betwixt two friends
   That do afflict each other!

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   Welcome hither:
   Your letters did withhold our breaking forth;
   Till we perceived, both how you were wrong led,
   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 determined things to destiny
   Hold unbewail'd their way. Welcome to Rome;
   Nothing more dear to me. You are abused
   Beyond the mark of thought: and the high gods,
   To do you justice, make them ministers
   Of us and those that love you. Best of comfort;
   And ever welcome to us.

AGRIPPA

   Welcome, lady.

MECAENAS

   Welcome, dear madam.
   Each heart in Rome does love and pity you:
   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.

OCTAVIA

   Is it so, sir?

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   Most certain. Sister, welcome: pray you,
   Be ever known to patience: my dear'st sister!

   Exeunt

SCENE VII. Near Actium. MARK ANTONY's camp.

   Enter CLEOPATRA and DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS 

CLEOPATRA

   I will be even with thee, doubt it not.

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   But why, why, why?

CLEOPATRA

   Thou hast forspoke my being in these wars,
   And say'st it is not fit.

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   Well, is it, is it?

CLEOPATRA

   If not denounced against us, why should not we
   Be there in person?

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   [Aside] Well, I could reply:
   If we should serve with horse and mares together,
   The horse were merely lost; the mares would bear
   A soldier and his horse.

CLEOPATRA

   What is't you say?

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   Your presence needs must puzzle Antony;
   Take from his heart, take from his brain,
   from's time,
   What should not then be spared. He is already
   Traduced for levity; and 'tis said in Rome
   That Photinus an eunuch and your maids
   Manage this war.

CLEOPATRA

   Sink Rome, and their tongues rot
   That speak against us! A charge we bear i' the war,
   And, as the president of my kingdom, will
   Appear there for a man. Speak not against it:
   I will not stay behind.

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   Nay, I have done.
   Here comes the emperor.

   Enter MARK ANTONY and CANIDIUS

MARK ANTONY

   Is it not strange, Canidius,
   That from Tarentum and Brundusium
   He could so quickly cut the Ionian sea,
   And take in Toryne? You have heard on't, sweet?

CLEOPATRA

   Celerity is never more admired
   Than by the negligent.

MARK ANTONY

   A good rebuke,
   Which might have well becomed the best of men,
   To taunt at slackness. Canidius, we
   Will fight with him by sea.

CLEOPATRA

   By sea! what else?

CANIDIUS

   Why will my lord do so?

MARK ANTONY

   For that he dares us to't.

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   So hath my lord dared him to single fight.

CANIDIUS

   Ay, and to wage this battle at Pharsalia.
   Where Caesar fought with Pompey: but these offers,
   Which serve not for his vantage, be shakes off;
   And so should you.

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   Your ships are not well mann'd;
   Your mariners are muleters, reapers, people
   Ingross'd by swift impress; in Caesar's fleet
   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 prepared for land.

MARK ANTONY

   By sea, by sea.

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   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
   Your own renowned knowledge; quite forego
   The way which promises assurance; and
   Give up yourself merely to chance and hazard,
   From firm security.

MARK ANTONY

   I'll fight at sea.

CLEOPATRA

   I have sixty sails, Caesar none better.

MARK ANTONY

   Our overplus of shipping will we burn;
   And, with the rest full-mann'd, from the head of Actium
   Beat the approaching Caesar. But if we fail,
   We then can do't at land.

   Enter a Messenger
   Thy business?

Messenger

   The news is true, my lord; he is descried;
   Caesar has taken Toryne.

MARK ANTONY

   Can he be there in person? 'tis impossible;
   Strange that 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?

Soldier

   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 Phoenicians go a-ducking; we
   Have used to conquer, standing on the earth,
   And fighting foot to foot.

MARK ANTONY

   Well, well: away!

   Exeunt MARK ANTONY, QUEEN CLEOPATRA, and DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

Soldier

   By Hercules, I think I am i' the right.

CANIDIUS

   Soldier, thou art: but his whole action grows
   Not in the power on't: so our leader's led,
   And we are women's men.

Soldier

   You keep by land
   The legions and the horse whole, do you not?

CANIDIUS

   Marcus Octavius, Marcus Justeius,
   Publicola, and Caelius, are for sea:
   But we keep whole by land. This speed of Caesar's
   Carries beyond belief.

Soldier

   While he was yet in Rome,
   His power went out in such distractions as
   Beguiled all spies.

CANIDIUS

   Who's his lieutenant, hear you?

Soldier

   They say, one Taurus.

CANIDIUS

   Well I know the man.

   Enter a Messenger

Messenger

   The emperor calls Canidius.

CANIDIUS

   With news the time's with labour, and throes forth,
   Each minute, some.

   Exeunt

SCENE VIII. A plain near Actium.

   Enter OCTAVIUS CAESAR, and TAURUS, with his army, marching 

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   Taurus!

TAURUS

   My lord?

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   Strike not by land; keep whole: provoke not battle,
   Till we have done at sea. Do not exceed
   The prescript of this scroll: our fortune lies
   Upon this jump.

   Exeunt

SCENE IX. Another part of the plain.

   Enter MARK ANTONY and DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS 

MARK ANTONY

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

   Exeunt

SCENE X. Another part of the plain.

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

   Alarum. Enter DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS 

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

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

   Enter SCARUS

SCARUS

   Gods and goddesses,
   All the whole synod of them!

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   What's thy passion!

SCARUS

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

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   How appears the fight?

SCARUS

   On our side like the token'd pestilence,
   Where death is sure. Yon ribaudred nag of Egypt,--
   Whom leprosy o'ertake!--i' the midst o' the fight,
   When vantage like a pair of twins appear'd,
   Both as the same, or rather ours the elder,
   The breese upon her, like a cow in June,
   Hoists sails and flies.

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

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

SCARUS

   She once being loof'd,
   The noble ruin of her magic, Antony,
   Claps on his sea-wing, and, like a doting mallard,
   Leaving the fight in height, flies after her:
   I never saw an action of such shame;
   Experience, manhood, honour, ne'er before
   Did violate so itself.

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   Alack, alack!

   Enter CANIDIUS

CANIDIUS

   Our fortune on the sea is out of breath,
   And sinks most lamentably. Had our general
   Been what he knew himself, it had gone well:
   O, he has given example for our flight,
   Most grossly, by his own!

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

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

CANIDIUS

   Toward Peloponnesus are they fled.

SCARUS

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

CANIDIUS

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

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

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

   Exeunt

SCENE XI. Alexandria. CLEOPATRA's palace.

   Enter MARK ANTONY with Attendants 

MARK ANTONY

   Hark! the land bids me tread no more upon't;
   It is ashamed to bear me! Friends, come hither:
   I am so lated in the world, that I
   Have lost my way for ever: I have a ship
   Laden with gold; take that, divide it; fly,
   And make your peace with Caesar.

All

   Fly! not we.

MARK ANTONY

   I have fled myself; and have instructed cowards
   To run and show their shoulders. Friends, be gone;
   I have myself resolved upon a course
   Which has no need of you; be gone:
   My treasure's in the harbour, take it. O,
   I follow'd that I blush to look upon:
   My very hairs do mutiny; for the white
   Reprove the brown for rashness, and they them
   For fear and doting. Friends, be gone: you shall
   Have letters from me to some friends that will
   Sweep your way for you. Pray you, look not sad,
   Nor make replies of loathness: take the hint
   Which my despair proclaims; let that be left
   Which leaves itself: to the sea-side straightway:
   I will possess you of that ship and treasure.
   Leave me, I pray, a little: pray you now:
   Nay, do so; for, indeed, I have lost command,
   Therefore I pray you: I'll see you by and by.

   Sits down

   Enter CLEOPATRA led by CHARMIAN and IRAS; EROS following

EROS

   Nay, gentle madam, to him, comfort him.

IRAS

   Do, most dear queen.

CHARMIAN

   Do! why: what else?

CLEOPATRA

   Let me sit down. O Juno!

MARK ANTONY

   No, no, no, no, no.

EROS

   See you here, sir?

MARK ANTONY

   O fie, fie, fie!

CHARMIAN

   Madam!

IRAS

   Madam, O good empress!

EROS

   Sir, sir,--

MARK ANTONY

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

CLEOPATRA

   Ah, stand by.

EROS

   The queen, my lord, the queen.

IRAS

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

CLEOPATRA

   Well then, sustain him: O!

EROS

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

MARK ANTONY

   I have offended reputation,
   A most unnoble swerving.

EROS

   Sir, the queen.

MARK ANTONY

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

CLEOPATRA

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

MARK ANTONY

   Egypt, thou knew'st too well
   My heart was to thy rudder tied by the strings,
   And thou shouldst tow me after: o'er my spirit
   Thy full supremacy thou knew'st, and that
   Thy beck might from the bidding of the gods
   Command me.

CLEOPATRA

   O, my pardon!

MARK ANTONY

   Now I must
   To the young man send humble treaties, dodge
   And palter in the shifts of lowness; who
   With half the bulk o' the world play'd as I pleased,
   Making and marring fortunes. You did know
   How much you were my conqueror; and that
   My sword, made weak by my affection, would
   Obey it on all cause.

CLEOPATRA

   Pardon, pardon!

MARK ANTONY

   Fall not a tear, I say; one of them rates
   All that is won and lost: give me a kiss;
   Even this repays me. We sent our schoolmaster;
   Is he come back? Love, I am full of lead.
   Some wine, within there, and our viands! Fortune knows
   We scorn her most when most she offers blows.

   Exeunt

SCENE XII. Egypt. OCTAVIUS CAESAR's camp.

   Enter OCTAVIUS CAESAR, DOLABELLA, THYREUS, with others 

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

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

DOLABELLA

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

   Enter EUPHRONIUS, ambassador from MARK ANTONY

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   Approach, and speak.

EUPHRONIUS

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

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   Be't so: declare thine office.

EUPHRONIUS

   Lord of his fortunes he salutes thee, and
   Requires to live in Egypt: which not granted,
   He lessens his requests; and to thee sues
   To let him breathe between the heavens and earth,
   A private man in Athens: this for him.
   Next, Cleopatra does confess thy greatness;
   Submits her to thy might; and of thee craves
   The circle of the Ptolemies for her heirs,
   Now hazarded to thy grace.

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   For Antony,
   I have no ears to his request. The queen
   Of audience nor desire shall fail, so she
   From Egypt drive her all-disgraced friend,
   Or take his life there: this if she perform,
   She shall not sue unheard. So to them both.

EUPHRONIUS

   Fortune pursue thee!

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   Bring him through the bands.

   Exit EUPHRONIUS

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

THYREUS

   Caesar, I go.

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

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

THYREUS

   Caesar, I shall.

   Exeunt

SCENE XIII. Alexandria. CLEOPATRA's palace.

   Enter CLEOPATRA, DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS, CHARMIAN, and IRAS 

CLEOPATRA

   What shall we do, Enobarbus?

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   Think, and die.

CLEOPATRA

   Is Antony or we in fault for this?

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

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

CLEOPATRA

   Prithee, peace.

   Enter MARK ANTONY with EUPHRONIUS, the Ambassador

MARK ANTONY

   Is that his answer?

EUPHRONIUS

   Ay, my lord.

MARK ANTONY

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

EUPHRONIUS

   He says so.

MARK ANTONY

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

CLEOPATRA

   That head, my lord?

MARK ANTONY

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

   Exeunt MARK ANTONY and EUPHRONIUS

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

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

   Enter an Attendant

Attendant

   A messenger from CAESAR.

CLEOPATRA

   What, no more ceremony? See, my women!
   Against the blown rose may they stop their nose
   That kneel'd unto the buds. Admit him, sir.

   Exit Attendant

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   [Aside] Mine honesty and I begin to square.
   The loyalty well held to fools does make
   Our faith mere folly: yet he that can endure
   To follow with allegiance a fall'n lord
   Does conquer him that did his master conquer
   And earns a place i' the story.

   Enter THYREUS

CLEOPATRA

   Caesar's will?

THYREUS

   Hear it apart.

CLEOPATRA

   None but friends: say boldly.

THYREUS

   So, haply, are they friends to Antony.

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

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

THYREUS

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

CLEOPATRA

   Go on: right royal.

THYREUS

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

CLEOPATRA

   O!

THYREUS

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

CLEOPATRA

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

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

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

   Exit

THYREUS

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

CLEOPATRA

   What's your name?

THYREUS

   My name is Thyreus.

CLEOPATRA

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

THYREUS

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

CLEOPATRA

   Your Caesar's father oft,
   When he hath mused of taking kingdoms in,
   Bestow'd his lips on that unworthy place,
   As it rain'd kisses.

   Re-enter MARK ANTONY and DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

MARK ANTONY

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

THYREUS

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

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   [Aside] You will be whipp'd.

MARK ANTONY

   Approach, there! Ah, you kite! Now, gods
   and devils!
   Authority melts from me: of late, when I cried 'Ho!'
   Like boys unto a muss, kings would start forth,
   And cry 'Your will?' Have you no ears? I am
   Antony yet.

   Enter Attendants
   Take hence this Jack, and whip him.

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

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

MARK ANTONY

   Moon and stars!
   Whip him. Were't twenty of the greatest tributaries
   That do acknowledge Caesar, should I find them
   So saucy with the hand of she here,--what's her name,
   Since she was Cleopatra? Whip him, fellows,
   Till, like a boy, you see him cringe his face,
   And whine aloud for mercy: take him hence.

THYREUS

   Mark Antony!

MARK ANTONY

   Tug him away: being whipp'd,
   Bring him again: this Jack of Caesar's shall
   Bear us an errand to him.

   Exeunt Attendants with THYREUS
   You were half blasted ere I knew you: ha!
   Have I my pillow left unpress'd in Rome,
   Forborne the getting of a lawful race,
   And by a gem of women, to be abused
   By one that looks on feeders?

CLEOPATRA

   Good my lord,--

MARK ANTONY

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

CLEOPATRA

   O, is't come to this?

MARK ANTONY

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

CLEOPATRA

   Wherefore is this?

MARK ANTONY

   To let a fellow that will take rewards
   And say 'God quit you!' be familiar with
   My playfellow, your hand; this kingly seal
   And plighter of high hearts! O, that I were
   Upon the hill of Basan, to outroar
   The horned herd! for I have savage cause;
   And to proclaim it civilly, were like
   A halter'd neck which does the hangman thank
   For being yare about him.

   Re-enter Attendants with THYREUS
   Is he whipp'd?

First Attendant

   Soundly, my lord.

MARK ANTONY

   Cried he? and begg'd a' pardon?

First Attendant

   He did ask favour.

MARK ANTONY

   If that thy father live, let him repent
   Thou wast not made his daughter; and be thou sorry
   To follow Caesar in his triumph, since
   Thou hast been whipp'd for following him: henceforth
   The white hand of a lady fever thee,
   Shake thou to look on 't. Get thee back to Caesar,
   Tell him thy entertainment: look, thou say
   He makes me angry with him; for he seems
   Proud and disdainful, harping on what I am,
   Not what he knew I was: he makes me angry;
   And at this time most easy 'tis to do't,
   When my good stars, that were my former guides,
   Have empty left their orbs, and shot their fires
   Into the abysm of hell. If he mislike
   My speech and what is done, tell him he has
   Hipparchus, my enfranched bondman, whom
   He may at pleasure whip, or hang, or torture,
   As he shall like, to quit me: urge it thou:
   Hence with thy stripes, begone!

   Exit THYREUS

CLEOPATRA

   Have you done yet?

MARK ANTONY

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

CLEOPATRA

   I must stay his time.

MARK ANTONY

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

CLEOPATRA

   Not know me yet?

MARK ANTONY

   Cold-hearted toward me?

CLEOPATRA

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

MARK ANTONY

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

CLEOPATRA

   That's my brave lord!

MARK ANTONY

   I will be treble-sinew'd, hearted, breathed,
   And fight maliciously: for when mine hours
   Were nice and lucky, men did ransom lives
   Of me for jests; but now I'll set my teeth,
   And send to darkness all that stop me. Come,
   Let's have one other gaudy night: call to me
   All my sad captains; fill our bowls once more;
   Let's mock the midnight bell.

CLEOPATRA

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

MARK ANTONY

   We will yet do well.

CLEOPATRA

   Call all his noble captains to my lord.

MARK ANTONY

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

   Exeunt all but DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   Now he'll outstare the lightning. To be furious,
   Is to be frighted out of fear; and in that mood
   The dove will peck the estridge; and I see still,
   A diminution in our captain's brain
   Restores his heart: when valour preys on reason,
   It eats the sword it fights with. I will seek
   Some way to leave him.

   Exit

ACT IV SCENE I. Before Alexandria. OCTAVIUS CAESAR's camp.

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

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   He calls me boy; and chides, as he had power
   To beat me out of Egypt; my messenger
   He hath whipp'd with rods; dares me to personal combat,
   Caesar to Antony: let the old ruffian know
   I have many other ways to die; meantime
   Laugh at his challenge.

MECAENAS

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

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

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

   Exeunt

SCENE II. Alexandria. CLEOPATRA's palace.

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

MARK ANTONY

   He will not fight with me, Domitius.

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   No.

MARK ANTONY

   Why should he not?

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

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

MARK ANTONY

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

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   I'll strike, and cry 'Take all.'

MARK ANTONY

   Well said; come on.
   Call forth my household servants: let's to-night
   Be bounteous at our meal.

   Enter three or four Servitors
   Give me thy hand,
   Thou hast been rightly honest;--so hast thou;--
   Thou,--and thou,--and thou:--you have served me well,
   And kings have been your fellows.

CLEOPATRA

   [Aside to DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS] What means this?

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

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

MARK ANTONY

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

All

   The gods forbid!

MARK ANTONY

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

CLEOPATRA

   [Aside to DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS] What does he mean?

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   [Aside to CLEOPATRA] To make his followers weep.

MARK ANTONY

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

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

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

MARK ANTONY

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

   Exeunt

SCENE III. The same. Before the palace.

   Enter two Soldiers to their guard 

First Soldier

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

Second Soldier

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

First Soldier

   Nothing. What news?

Second Soldier

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

First Soldier

   Well, sir, good night.

   Enter two other Soldiers

Second Soldier

   Soldiers, have careful watch.

Third Soldier

   And you. Good night, good night.

   They place themselves in every corner of the stage

Fourth Soldier

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

Third Soldier

   'Tis a brave army,
   And full of purpose.

   Music of the hautboys as under the stage

Fourth Soldier

   Peace! what noise?

First Soldier

   List, list!

Second Soldier

   Hark!

First Soldier

   Music i' the air.

Third Soldier

   Under the earth.

Fourth Soldier

   It signs well, does it not?

Third Soldier

   No.

First Soldier

   Peace, I say!
   What should this mean?

Second Soldier

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

First Soldier

   Walk; let's see if other watchmen
   Do hear what we do?

   They advance to another post

Second Soldier

   How now, masters!

All

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

First Soldier

   Ay; is't not strange?

Third Soldier

   Do you hear, masters? do you hear?

First Soldier

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

All

   Content. 'Tis strange.

   Exeunt

SCENE IV. The same. A room in the palace.

   Enter MARK ANTONY and CLEOPATRA, CHARMIAN, and others attending 

MARK ANTONY

   Eros! mine armour, Eros!

CLEOPATRA

   Sleep a little.

MARK ANTONY

   No, my chuck. Eros, come; mine armour, Eros!

   Enter EROS with armour
   Come good fellow, put mine iron on:
   If fortune be not ours to-day, it is
   Because we brave her: come.

CLEOPATRA

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

MARK ANTONY

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

CLEOPATRA

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

MARK ANTONY

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

EROS

   Briefly, sir.

CLEOPATRA

   Is not this buckled well?

MARK ANTONY

   Rarely, rarely:
   He that unbuckles this, till we do please
   To daff't for our repose, shall hear a storm.
   Thou fumblest, Eros; and my queen's a squire
   More tight at this than thou: dispatch. O love,
   That thou couldst see my wars to-day, and knew'st
   The royal occupation! thou shouldst see
   A workman in't.

   Enter an armed Soldier
   Good morrow to thee; welcome:
   Thou look'st like him that knows a warlike charge:
   To business that we love we rise betime,
   And go to't with delight.

Soldier

   A thousand, sir,
   Early though't be, have on their riveted trim,
   And at the port expect you.

   Shout. Trumpets flourish

   Enter Captains and Soldiers

Captain

   The morn is fair. Good morrow, general.

All

   Good morrow, general.

MARK ANTONY

   'Tis well blown, lads:
   This morning, like the spirit of a youth
   That means to be of note, begins betimes.
   So, so; come, give me that: this way; well said.
   Fare thee well, dame, whate'er becomes of me:
   This is a soldier's kiss: rebukeable

   Kisses her
   And worthy shameful cheque it were, to stand
   On more mechanic compliment; I'll leave thee
   Now, like a man of steel. You that will fight,
   Follow me close; I'll bring you to't. Adieu.

   Exeunt MARK ANTONY, EROS, Captains, and Soldiers

CHARMIAN

   Please you, retire to your chamber.

CLEOPATRA

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

   Exeunt

SCENE V. Alexandria. MARK ANTONY's camp.

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

Soldier

   The gods make this a happy day to Antony!

MARK ANTONY

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

Soldier

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

MARK ANTONY

   Who's gone this morning?

Soldier

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

MARK ANTONY

   What say'st thou?

Soldier

   Sir,
   He is with Caesar.

EROS

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

MARK ANTONY

   Is he gone?

Soldier

   Most certain.

MARK ANTONY

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

   Exeunt

SCENE VI. Alexandria. OCTAVIUS CAESAR's camp.

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

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

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

AGRIPPA

   Caesar, I shall.

   Exit

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   The time of universal peace is near:
   Prove this a prosperous day, the three-nook'd world
   Shall bear the olive freely.

   Enter a Messenger

Messenger

   Antony
   Is come into the field.

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   Go charge Agrippa
   Plant those that have revolted in the van,
   That Antony may seem to spend his fury
   Upon himself.

   Exeunt all but DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   Alexas did revolt; and went to Jewry on
   Affairs of Antony; there did persuade
   Great Herod to incline himself to Caesar,
   And leave his master Antony: for this pains
   Caesar hath hang'd him. Canidius and the rest
   That fell away have entertainment, but
   No honourable trust. I have done ill;
   Of which I do accuse myself so sorely,
   That I will joy no more.

   Enter a Soldier of CAESAR's

Soldier

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

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   I give it you.

Soldier

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

   Exit

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   I am alone the villain of the earth,
   And feel I am so most. O Antony,
   Thou mine of bounty, how wouldst thou have paid
   My better service, when my turpitude
   Thou dost so crown with gold! This blows my heart:
   If swift thought break it not, a swifter mean
   Shall outstrike thought: but thought will do't, I feel.
   I fight against thee! No: I will go seek
   Some ditch wherein to die; the foul'st best fits
   My latter part of life.

   Exit

SCENE VII. Field of battle between the camps.

   Alarum. Drums and trumpets. Enter AGRIPPA and others 

AGRIPPA

   Retire, we have engaged ourselves too far:
   Caesar himself has work, and our oppression
   Exceeds what we expected.

   Exeunt

   Alarums. Enter MARK ANTONY and SCARUS wounded

SCARUS

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

MARK ANTONY

   Thou bleed'st apace.

SCARUS

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

MARK ANTONY

   They do retire.

SCARUS

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

   Enter EROS

EROS

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

SCARUS

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

MARK ANTONY

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

SCARUS

   I'll halt after.

   Exeunt

SCENE VIII. Under the walls of Alexandria.

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

MARK ANTONY

   We have beat him to his camp: run one before,
   And let the queen know of our gests. To-morrow,
   Before the sun shall see 's, we'll spill the blood
   That has to-day escaped. I thank you all;
   For doughty-handed are you, and have fought
   Not as you served the cause, but as 't had been
   Each man's like mine; you have shown all Hectors.
   Enter the city, clip your wives, your friends,
   Tell them your feats; whilst they with joyful tears
   Wash the congealment from your wounds, and kiss
   The honour'd gashes whole.

   To SCARUS
   Give me thy hand

   Enter CLEOPATRA, attended
   To this great fairy I'll commend thy acts,
   Make her thanks bless thee.

   To CLEOPATRA
   O thou day o' the world,
   Chain mine arm'd neck; leap thou, attire and all,
   Through proof of harness to my heart, and there
   Ride on the pants triumphing!

CLEOPATRA

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

MARK ANTONY

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

CLEOPATRA

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

MARK ANTONY

   He has deserved it, were it carbuncled
   Like holy Phoebus' car. Give me thy hand:
   Through Alexandria make a jolly march;
   Bear our hack'd targets like the men that owe them:
   Had our great palace the capacity
   To camp this host, we all would sup together,
   And drink carouses to the next day's fate,
   Which promises royal peril. Trumpeters,
   With brazen din blast you the city's ear;
   Make mingle with rattling tabourines;
   That heaven and earth may strike their sounds together,
   Applauding our approach.

   Exeunt

SCENE IX. OCTAVIUS CAESAR's camp.

   Sentinels at their post 

First Soldier

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

Second Soldier

   This last day was
   A shrewd one to's.

   Enter DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

   O, bear me witness, night,--

Third Soldier

   What man is this?

Second Soldier

   Stand close, and list him.

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

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

First Soldier

   Enobarbus!

Third Soldier

   Peace!
   Hark further.

DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS

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

   Dies

Second Soldier

   Let's speak To him.

First Soldier

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

Third Soldier

   Let's do so. But he sleeps.

First Soldier

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

Second Soldier

   Go we to him.

Third Soldier

   Awake, sir, awake; speak to us.

Second Soldier

   Hear you, sir?

First Soldier

   The hand of death hath raught him.

   Drums afar off
   Hark! the drums
   Demurely wake the sleepers. Let us bear him
   To the court of guard; he is of note: our hour
   Is fully out.

Third Soldier

   Come on, then;
   He may recover yet.

   Exeunt with the body

SCENE X. Between the two camps.

   Enter MARK ANTONY and SCARUS, with their Army 

MARK ANTONY

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

SCARUS

   For both, my lord.

MARK ANTONY

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

   Exeunt

SCENE XI. Another part of the same.

   Enter OCTAVIUS CAESAR, and his Army 

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   But being charged, we will be still by land,
   Which, as I take't, we shall; for his best force
   Is forth to man his galleys. To the vales,
   And hold our best advantage.

   Exeunt

SCENE XII. Another part of the same.

   Enter MARK ANTONY and SCARUS 

MARK ANTONY

   Yet they are not join'd: where yond pine
   does stand,
   I shall discover all: I'll bring thee word
   Straight, how 'tis like to go.

   Exit

SCARUS

   Swallows have built
   In Cleopatra's sails their nests: the augurers
   Say they know not, they cannot tell; look grimly,
   And dare not speak their knowledge. Antony
   Is valiant, and dejected; and, by starts,
   His fretted fortunes give him hope, and fear,
   Of what he has, and has not.

   Alarum afar off, as at a sea-fight

   Re-enter MARK ANTONY

MARK ANTONY

   All is lost;
   This foul Egyptian hath betrayed me:
   My fleet hath yielded to the foe; and yonder
   They cast their caps up and carouse together
   Like friends long lost. Triple-turn'd whore!
   'tis thou
   Hast sold me to this novice; and my heart
   Makes only wars on thee. Bid them all fly;
   For when I am revenged upon my charm,
   I have done all. Bid them all fly; begone.

   Exit SCARUS
   O sun, thy uprise shall I see no more:
   Fortune and Antony part here; even here
   Do we shake hands. All come to this? The hearts
   That spaniel'd me at heels, to whom I gave
   Their wishes, do discandy, melt their sweets
   On blossoming Caesar; and this pine is bark'd,
   That overtopp'd them all. Betray'd I am:
   O this false soul of Egypt! this grave charm,--
   Whose eye beck'd forth my wars, and call'd them home;
   Whose bosom was my crownet, my chief end,--
   Like a right gipsy, hath, at fast and loose,
   Beguiled me to the very heart of loss.
   What, Eros, Eros!

   Enter CLEOPATRA
   Ah, thou spell! Avaunt!

CLEOPATRA

   Why is my lord enraged against his love?

MARK ANTONY

   Vanish, or I shall give thee thy deserving,
   And blemish Caesar's triumph. Let him take thee,
   And hoist thee up to the shouting plebeians:
   Follow his chariot, like the greatest spot
   Of all thy sex; most monster-like, be shown
   For poor'st diminutives, for doits; and let
   Patient Octavia plough thy visage up
   With her prepared nails.

   Exit CLEOPATRA
   'Tis well thou'rt gone,
   If it be well to live; but better 'twere
   Thou fell'st into my fury, for one death
   Might have prevented many. Eros, ho!
   The shirt of Nessus is upon me: teach me,
   Alcides, thou mine ancestor, thy rage:
   Let me lodge Lichas on the horns o' the moon;
   And with those hands, that grasp'd the heaviest club,
   Subdue my worthiest self. The witch shall die:
   To the young Roman boy she hath sold me, and I fall
   Under this plot; she dies for't. Eros, ho!

   Exit

SCENE XIII. Alexandria. Cleopatra's palace.

   Enter CLEOPATRA, CHARMIAN, IRAS, and MARDIAN 

CLEOPATRA

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

CHARMIAN

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

CLEOPATRA

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

   Exeunt

SCENE XIV. The same. Another room.

   Enter MARK ANTONY and EROS 

MARK ANTONY

   Eros, thou yet behold'st me?

EROS

   Ay, noble lord.

MARK ANTONY

   Sometimes we see a cloud that's dragonish;
   A vapour sometime like a bear or lion,
   A tower'd citadel, a pendent rock,
   A forked mountain, or blue promontory
   With trees upon't, that nod unto the world,
   And mock our eyes with air: thou hast seen
   these signs;
   They are black vesper's pageants.

EROS

   Ay, my lord,

MARK ANTONY

   That which is now a horse, even with a thought
   The rack dislimns, and makes it indistinct,
   As water is in water.

EROS

   It does, my lord.

MARK ANTONY

   My good knave Eros, now thy captain is
   Even such a body: here I am Antony:
   Yet cannot hold this visible shape, my knave.
   I made these wars for Egypt: and the queen,--
   Whose heart I thought I had, for she had mine;
   Which whilst it was mine had annex'd unto't
   A million more, now lost,--she, Eros, has
   Pack'd cards with Caesar, and false-play'd my glory
   Unto an enemy's triumph.
   Nay, weep not, gentle Eros; there is left us
   Ourselves to end ourselves.

   Enter MARDIAN
   O! thy vile lady!
   She has robb'd me of my sword.

MARDIAN

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

MARK ANTONY

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

MARDIAN

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

MARK ANTONY

   Dead, then?

MARDIAN

   Dead.

MARK ANTONY

   Unarm, Eros; the long day's task is done,
   And we must sleep.

   To MARDIAN
   That thou depart'st hence safe,
   Does pay thy labour richly; go.

   Exit MARDIAN
   Off, pluck off:
   The seven-fold shield of Ajax cannot keep
   The battery from my heart. O, cleave, my sides!
   Heart, once be stronger than thy continent,
   Crack thy frail case! Apace, Eros, apace.
   No more a soldier: bruised pieces, go;
   You have been nobly borne. From me awhile.

   Exit EROS
   I will o'ertake thee, Cleopatra, and
   Weep for my pardon. So it must be, for now
   All length is torture: since the torch is out,
   Lie down, and stray no farther: now all labour
   Mars what it does; yea, very force entangles
   Itself with strength: seal then, and all is done.
   Eros!--I come, my queen:--Eros!--Stay for me:
   Where souls do couch on flowers, we'll hand in hand,
   And with our sprightly port make the ghosts gaze:
   Dido and her AEneas shall want troops,
   And all the haunt be ours. Come, Eros, Eros!

   Re-enter EROS

EROS

   What would my lord?

MARK ANTONY

   Since Cleopatra died,
   I have lived in such dishonour, that the gods
   Detest my baseness. I, that with my sword
   Quarter'd the world, and o'er green Neptune's back
   With ships made cities, condemn myself to lack
   The courage of a woman; less noble mind
   Than she which by her death our Caesar tells
   'I am conqueror of myself.' Thou art sworn, Eros,
   That, when the exigent should come, which now
   Is come indeed, when I should see behind me
   The inevitable prosecution of
   Disgrace and horror, that, on my command,
   Thou then wouldst kill me: do't; the time is come:
   Thou strikest not me, 'tis Caesar thou defeat'st.
   Put colour in thy cheek.

EROS

   The gods withhold me!
   Shall I do that which all the Parthian darts,
   Though enemy, lost aim, and could not?

MARK ANTONY

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

EROS

   I would not see't.

MARK ANTONY

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

EROS

   O, sir, pardon me!

MARK ANTONY

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

EROS

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

MARK ANTONY

   Lo thee!

   Turning from him

EROS

   My sword is drawn.

MARK ANTONY

   Then let it do at once
   The thing why thou hast drawn it.

EROS

   My dear master,
   My captain, and my emperor, let me say,
   Before I strike this bloody stroke, farewell.

MARK ANTONY

   'Tis said, man; and farewell.

EROS

   Farewell, great chief. Shall I strike now?

MARK ANTONY

   Now, Eros.

EROS

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

   Kills himself

MARK ANTONY

   Thrice-nobler than myself!
   Thou teachest me, O valiant Eros, what
   I should, and thou couldst not. My queen and Eros
   Have by their brave instruction got upon me
   A nobleness in record: but I will be
   A bridegroom in my death, and run into't
   As to a lover's bed. Come, then; and, Eros,
   Thy master dies thy scholar: to do thus

   Falling on his sword
   I learn'd of thee. How! not dead? not dead?
   The guard, ho! O, dispatch me!

   Enter DERCETAS and Guard

First Guard

   What's the noise?

MARK ANTONY

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

Second Guard

   The star is fall'n.

First Guard

   And time is at his period.

All

   Alas, and woe!

MARK ANTONY

   Let him that loves me strike me dead.

First Guard

   Not I.

Second Guard

   Nor I.

Third Guard

   Nor any one.

   Exeunt Guard

DERCETAS

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

   Enter DIOMEDES

DIOMEDES

   Where's Antony?

DERCETAS

   There, Diomed there.

DIOMEDES

   Lives he?
   Wilt thou not answer, man?

   Exit DERCETAS

MARK ANTONY

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

DIOMEDES

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

MARK ANTONY

   When did she send thee?

DIOMEDES

   Now, my lord.

MARK ANTONY

   Where is she?

DIOMEDES

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

MARK ANTONY

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

DIOMEDES

   What, ho, the emperor's guard! The guard, what, ho!
   Come, your lord calls!

   Enter four or five of the Guard of MARK ANTONY

MARK ANTONY

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

First Guard

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

All

   Most heavy day!

MARK ANTONY

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

   Exeunt, bearing MARK ANTONY

SCENE XV. The same. A monument.

   Enter CLEOPATRA and her maids aloft, with CHARMIAN and IRAS 

CLEOPATRA

   O Charmian, I will never go from hence.

CHARMIAN

   Be comforted, dear madam.

CLEOPATRA

   No, I will not:
   All strange and terrible events are welcome,
   But comforts we despise; our size of sorrow,
   Proportion'd to our cause, must be as great
   As that which makes it.

   Enter, below, DIOMEDES
   How now! is he dead?

DIOMEDES

   His death's upon him, but not dead.
   Look out o' the other side your monument;
   His guard have brought him thither.

   Enter, below, MARK ANTONY, borne by the Guard

CLEOPATRA

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

MARK ANTONY

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

CLEOPATRA

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

MARK ANTONY

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

CLEOPATRA

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

MARK ANTONY

   O, quick, or I am gone.

CLEOPATRA

   Here's sport indeed! How heavy weighs my lord!
   Our strength is all gone into heaviness,
   That makes the weight: had I great Juno's power,
   The strong-wing'd Mercury should fetch thee up,
   And set thee by Jove's side. Yet come a little,--
   Wishes were ever fools,--O, come, come, come;

   They heave MARK ANTONY aloft to CLEOPATRA
   And welcome, welcome! die where thou hast lived:
   Quicken with kissing: had my lips that power,
   Thus would I wear them out.

All

   A heavy sight!

MARK ANTONY

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

CLEOPATRA

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

MARK ANTONY

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

CLEOPATRA

   They do not go together.

MARK ANTONY

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

CLEOPATRA

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

MARK ANTONY

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

CLEOPATRA

   Noblest of men, woo't die?
   Hast thou no care of me? shall I abide
   In this dull world, which in thy absence is
   No better than a sty? O, see, my women,

   MARK ANTONY dies
   The crown o' the earth doth melt. My lord!
   O, wither'd is the garland of the war,
   The soldier's pole is fall'n: young boys and girls
   Are level now with men; the odds is gone,
   And there is nothing left remarkable
   Beneath the visiting moon.

   Faints

CHARMIAN

   O, quietness, lady!

IRAS

   She is dead too, our sovereign.

CHARMIAN

   Lady!

IRAS

   Madam!

CHARMIAN

   O madam, madam, madam!

IRAS

   Royal Egypt, Empress!

CHARMIAN

   Peace, peace, Iras!

CLEOPATRA

   No more, but e'en a woman, and commanded
   By such poor passion as the maid that milks
   And does the meanest chares. It were for me
   To throw my sceptre at the injurious gods;
   To tell them that this world did equal theirs
   Till they had stol'n our jewel. All's but naught;
   Patience is scottish, and impatience does
   Become a dog that's mad: then is it sin
   To rush into the secret house of death,
   Ere death dare come to us? How do you, women?
   What, what! good cheer! Why, how now, Charmian!
   My noble girls! Ah, women, women, look,
   Our lamp is spent, it's out! Good sirs, take heart:
   We'll bury him; and then, what's brave,
   what's noble,
   Let's do it after the high Roman fashion,
   And make death proud to take us. Come, away:
   This case of that huge spirit now is cold:
   Ah, women, women! come; we have no friend
   But resolution, and the briefest end.

   Exeunt; those above bearing off MARK ANTONY's body

ACT V SCENE I. Alexandria. OCTAVIUS CAESAR's camp.

   Enter OCTAVIUS CAESAR, AGRIPPA, DOLABELLA, MECAENAS, GALLUS, PROCULEIUS, and others, his council of war 

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   Go to him, Dolabella, bid him yield;
   Being so frustrate, tell him he mocks
   The pauses that he makes.

DOLABELLA

   Caesar, I shall.

   Exit

   Enter DERCETAS, with the sword of MARK ANTONY

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   Wherefore is that? and what art thou that darest
   Appear thus to us?

DERCETAS

   I am call'd Dercetas;
   Mark Antony I served, who best was worthy
   Best to be served: whilst he stood up and spoke,
   He was my master; and I wore my life
   To spend upon his haters. If thou please
   To take me to thee, as I was to him
   I'll be to Caesar; if thou pleasest not,
   I yield thee up my life.

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   What is't thou say'st?

DERCETAS

   I say, O Caesar, Antony is dead.

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   The breaking of so great a thing should make
   A greater crack: the round world
   Should have shook lions into civil streets,
   And citizens to their dens: the death of Antony
   Is not a single doom; in the name lay
   A moiety of the world.

DERCETAS

   He is dead, Caesar:
   Not by a public minister of justice,
   Nor by a hired knife; but that self hand,
   Which writ his honour in the acts it did,
   Hath, with the courage which the heart did lend it,
   Splitted the heart. This is his sword;
   I robb'd his wound of it; behold it stain'd
   With his most noble blood.

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   Look you sad, friends?
   The gods rebuke me, but it is tidings
   To wash the eyes of kings.

AGRIPPA

   And strange it is,
   That nature must compel us to lament
   Our most persisted deeds.

MECAENAS

   His taints and honours
   Waged equal with him.

AGRIPPA

   A rarer spirit never
   Did steer humanity: but you, gods, will give us
   Some faults to make us men. Caesar is touch'd.

MECAENAS

   When such a spacious mirror's set before him,
   He needs must see himself.

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   O Antony!
   I have follow'd thee to this; but we do lance
   Diseases in our bodies: I must perforce
   Have shown to thee such a declining day,
   Or look on thine; we could not stall together
   In the whole world: but yet let me lament,
   With tears as sovereign as the blood of hearts,
   That thou, my brother, my competitor
   In top of all design, my mate in empire,
   Friend and companion in the front of war,
   The arm of mine own body, and the heart
   Where mine his thoughts did kindle,--that our stars,
   Unreconciliable, should divide
   Our equalness to this. Hear me, good friends--
   But I will tell you at some meeter season:

   Enter an Egyptian
   The business of this man looks out of him;
   We'll hear him what he says. Whence are you?

Egyptian

   A poor Egyptian yet. The queen my mistress,
   Confined in all she has, her monument,
   Of thy intents desires instruction,
   That she preparedly may frame herself
   To the way she's forced to.

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   Bid her have good heart:
   She soon shall know of us, by some of ours,
   How honourable and how kindly we
   Determine for her; for Caesar cannot live
   To be ungentle.

Egyptian

   So the gods preserve thee!

   Exit

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   Come hither, Proculeius. Go and say,
   We purpose her no shame: give her what comforts
   The quality of her passion shall require,
   Lest, in her greatness, by some mortal stroke
   She do defeat us; for her life in Rome
   Would be eternal in our triumph: go,
   And with your speediest bring us what she says,
   And how you find of her.

PROCULEIUS

   Caesar, I shall.

   Exit

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   Gallus, go you along.

   Exit GALLUS
   Where's Dolabella,
   To second Proculeius?

All

   Dolabella!

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   Let him alone, for I remember now
   How he's employ'd: he shall in time be ready.
   Go with me to my tent; where you shall see
   How hardly I was drawn into this war;
   How calm and gentle I proceeded still
   In all my writings: go with me, and see
   What I can show in this.

   Exeunt

SCENE II. Alexandria. A room in the monument.

   Enter CLEOPATRA, CHARMIAN, and IRAS 

CLEOPATRA

   My desolation does begin to make
   A better life. 'Tis paltry to be Caesar;
   Not being Fortune, he's but Fortune's knave,
   A minister of her will: and it is great
   To do that thing that ends all other deeds;
   Which shackles accidents and bolts up change;
   Which sleeps, and never palates more the dug,
   The beggar's nurse and Caesar's.

   Enter, to the gates of the monument, PROCULEIUS, GALLUS and Soldiers

PROCULEIUS

   Caesar sends greeting to the Queen of Egypt;
   And bids thee study on what fair demands
   Thou mean'st to have him grant thee.

CLEOPATRA

   What's thy name?

PROCULEIUS

   My name is Proculeius.

CLEOPATRA

   Antony
   Did tell me of you, bade me trust you; but
   I do not greatly care to be deceived,
   That have no use for trusting. If your master
   Would have a queen his beggar, you must tell him,
   That majesty, to keep decorum, must
   No less beg than a kingdom: if he please
   To give me conquer'd Egypt for my son,
   He gives me so much of mine own, as I
   Will kneel to him with thanks.

PROCULEIUS

   Be of good cheer;
   You're fall'n into a princely hand, fear nothing:
   Make your full reference freely to my lord,
   Who is so full of grace, that it flows over
   On all that need: let me report to him
   Your sweet dependency; and you shall find
   A conqueror that will pray in aid for kindness,
   Where he for grace is kneel'd to.

CLEOPATRA

   Pray you, tell him
   I am his fortune's vassal, and I send him
   The greatness he has got. I hourly learn
   A doctrine of obedience; and would gladly
   Look him i' the face.

PROCULEIUS

   This I'll report, dear lady.
   Have comfort, for I know your plight is pitied
   Of him that caused it.

GALLUS

   You see how easily she may be surprised:

   Here PROCULEIUS and two of the Guard ascend the monument by a ladder placed against a window, and, having descended, come behind CLEOPATRA. Some of the Guard unbar and open the gates

   To PROCULEIUS and the Guard
   Guard her till Caesar come.

   Exit

IRAS

   Royal queen!

CHARMIAN

   O Cleopatra! thou art taken, queen:

CLEOPATRA

   Quick, quick, good hands.

   Drawing a dagger

PROCULEIUS

   Hold, worthy lady, hold:

   Seizes and disarms her
   Do not yourself such wrong, who are in this
   Relieved, but not betray'd.

CLEOPATRA

   What, of death too,
   That rids our dogs of languish?

PROCULEIUS

   Cleopatra,
   Do not abuse my master's bounty by
   The undoing of yourself: let the world see
   His nobleness well acted, which your death
   Will never let come forth.

CLEOPATRA

   Where art thou, death?
   Come hither, come! come, come, and take a queen
   Worthy many babes and beggars!

PROCULEIUS

   O, temperance, lady!

CLEOPATRA

   Sir, I will eat no meat, I'll not drink, sir;
   If idle talk will once be necessary,
   I'll not sleep neither: this mortal house I'll ruin,
   Do Caesar what he can. Know, sir, that I
   Will not wait pinion'd at your master's court;
   Nor once be chastised with the sober eye
   Of dull Octavia. Shall they hoist me up
   And show me to the shouting varletry
   Of censuring Rome? Rather a ditch in Egypt
   Be gentle grave unto me! rather on Nilus' mud
   Lay me stark naked, and let the water-flies
   Blow me into abhorring! rather make
   My country's high pyramides my gibbet,
   And hang me up in chains!

PROCULEIUS

   You do extend
   These thoughts of horror further than you shall
   Find cause in Caesar.

   Enter DOLABELLA

DOLABELLA

   Proculeius,
   What thou hast done thy master Caesar knows,
   And he hath sent for thee: for the queen,
   I'll take her to my guard.

PROCULEIUS

   So, Dolabella,
   It shall content me best: be gentle to her.

   To CLEOPATRA
   To Caesar I will speak what you shall please,
   If you'll employ me to him.

CLEOPATRA

   Say, I would die.

   Exeunt PROCULEIUS and Soldiers

DOLABELLA

   Most noble empress, you have heard of me?

CLEOPATRA

   I cannot tell.

DOLABELLA

   Assuredly you know me.

CLEOPATRA

   No matter, sir, what I have heard or known.
   You laugh when boys or women tell their dreams;
   Is't not your trick?

DOLABELLA

   I understand not, madam.

CLEOPATRA

   I dream'd there was an Emperor Antony:
   O, such another sleep, that I might see
   But such another man!

DOLABELLA

   If it might please ye,--

CLEOPATRA

   His face was as the heavens; and therein stuck
   A sun and moon, which kept their course,
   and lighted
   The little O, the earth.

DOLABELLA

   Most sovereign creature,--

CLEOPATRA

   His legs bestrid the ocean: his rear'd arm
   Crested the world: his voice was propertied
   As all the tuned spheres, and that to friends;
   But when he meant to quail and shake the orb,
   He was as rattling thunder. For his bounty,
   There was no winter in't; an autumn 'twas
   That grew the more by reaping: his delights
   Were dolphin-like; they show'd his back above
   The element they lived in: in his livery
   Walk'd crowns and crownets; realms and islands were
   As plates dropp'd from his pocket.

DOLABELLA

   Cleopatra!

CLEOPATRA

   Think you there was, or might be, such a man
   As this I dream'd of?

DOLABELLA

   Gentle madam, no.

CLEOPATRA

   You lie, up to the hearing of the gods.
   But, if there be, or ever were, one such,
   It's past the size of dreaming: nature wants stuff
   To vie strange forms with fancy; yet, to imagine
   And Antony, were nature's piece 'gainst fancy,
   Condemning shadows quite.

DOLABELLA

   Hear me, good madam.
   Your loss is as yourself, great; and you bear it
   As answering to the weight: would I might never
   O'ertake pursued success, but I do feel,
   By the rebound of yours, a grief that smites
   My very heart at root.

CLEOPATRA

   I thank you, sir,
   Know you what Caesar means to do with me?

DOLABELLA

   I am loath to tell you what I would you knew.

CLEOPATRA

   Nay, pray you, sir,--

DOLABELLA

   Though he be honourable,--

CLEOPATRA

   He'll lead me, then, in triumph?

DOLABELLA

   Madam, he will; I know't.

   Flourish, and shout within, 'Make way there: Octavius Caesar!'

   Enter OCTAVIUS CAESAR, GALLUS, PROCULEIUS, MECAENAS, SELEUCUS, and others of his Train

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   Which is the Queen of Egypt?

DOLABELLA

   It is the emperor, madam.

   CLEOPATRA kneels

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   Arise, you shall not kneel:
   I pray you, rise; rise, Egypt.

CLEOPATRA

   Sir, the gods
   Will have it thus; my master and my lord
   I must obey.

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   Take to you no hard thoughts:
   The record of what injuries you did us,
   Though written in our flesh, we shall remember
   As things but done by chance.

CLEOPATRA

   Sole sir o' the world,
   I cannot project mine own cause so well
   To make it clear; but do confess I have
   Been laden with like frailties which before
   Have often shamed our sex.

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   Cleopatra, know,
   We will extenuate rather than enforce:
   If you apply yourself to our intents,
   Which towards you are most gentle, you shall find
   A benefit in this change; but if you seek
   To lay on me a cruelty, by taking
   Antony's course, you shall bereave yourself
   Of my good purposes, and put your children
   To that destruction which I'll guard them from,
   If thereon you rely. I'll take my leave.

CLEOPATRA

   And may, through all the world: 'tis yours; and we,
   Your scutcheons and your signs of conquest, shall
   Hang in what place you please. Here, my good lord.

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   You shall advise me in all for Cleopatra.

CLEOPATRA

   This is the brief of money, plate, and jewels,
   I am possess'd of: 'tis exactly valued;
   Not petty things admitted. Where's Seleucus?

SELEUCUS

   Here, madam.

CLEOPATRA

   This is my treasurer: let him speak, my lord,
   Upon his peril, that I have reserved
   To myself nothing. Speak the truth, Seleucus.

SELEUCUS

   Madam,
   I had rather seal my lips, than, to my peril,
   Speak that which is not.

CLEOPATRA

   What have I kept back?

SELEUCUS

   Enough to purchase what you have made known.

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   Nay, blush not, Cleopatra; I approve
   Your wisdom in the deed.

CLEOPATRA

   See, Caesar! O, behold,
   How pomp is follow'd! mine will now be yours;
   And, should we shift estates, yours would be mine.
   The ingratitude of this Seleucus does
   Even make me wild: O slave, of no more trust
   Than love that's hired! What, goest thou back? thou shalt
   Go back, I warrant thee; but I'll catch thine eyes,
   Though they had wings: slave, soulless villain, dog!
   O rarely base!

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   Good queen, let us entreat you.

CLEOPATRA

   O Caesar, what a wounding shame is this,
   That thou, vouchsafing here to visit me,
   Doing the honour of thy lordliness
   To one so meek, that mine own servant should
   Parcel the sum of my disgraces by
   Addition of his envy! Say, good Caesar,
   That I some lady trifles have reserved,
   Immoment toys, things of such dignity
   As we greet modern friends withal; and say,
   Some nobler token I have kept apart
   For Livia and Octavia, to induce
   Their mediation; must I be unfolded
   With one that I have bred? The gods! it smites me
   Beneath the fall I have.

   To SELEUCUS
   Prithee, go hence;
   Or I shall show the cinders of my spirits
   Through the ashes of my chance: wert thou a man,
   Thou wouldst have mercy on me.

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   Forbear, Seleucus.

   Exit SELEUCUS

CLEOPATRA

   Be it known, that we, the greatest, are misthought
   For things that others do; and, when we fall,
   We answer others' merits in our name,
   Are therefore to be pitied.

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   Cleopatra,
   Not what you have reserved, nor what acknowledged,
   Put we i' the roll of conquest: still be't yours,
   Bestow it at your pleasure; and believe,
   Caesar's no merchant, to make prize with you
   Of things that merchants sold. Therefore be cheer'd;
   Make not your thoughts your prisons: no, dear queen;
   For we intend so to dispose you as
   Yourself shall give us counsel. Feed, and sleep:
   Our care and pity is so much upon you,
   That we remain your friend; and so, adieu.

CLEOPATRA

   My master, and my lord!

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   Not so. Adieu.

   Flourish. Exeunt OCTAVIUS CAESAR and his train

CLEOPATRA

   He words me, girls, he words me, that I should not
   Be noble to myself: but, hark thee, Charmian.

   Whispers CHARMIAN

IRAS

   Finish, good lady; the bright day is done,
   And we are for the dark.

CLEOPATRA

   Hie thee again:
   I have spoke already, and it is provided;
   Go put it to the haste.

CHARMIAN

   Madam, I will.

   Re-enter DOLABELLA

DOLABELLA

   Where is the queen?

CHARMIAN

   Behold, sir.

   Exit

CLEOPATRA

   Dolabella!

DOLABELLA

   Madam, as thereto sworn by your command,
   Which my love makes religion to obey,
   I tell you this: Caesar through Syria
   Intends his journey; and within three days
   You with your children will he send before:
   Make your best use of this: I have perform'd
   Your pleasure and my promise.

CLEOPATRA

   Dolabella,
   I shall remain your debtor.

DOLABELLA

   I your servant,
   Adieu, good queen; I must attend on Caesar.

CLEOPATRA

   Farewell, and thanks.

   Exit DOLABELLA
   Now, Iras, what think'st thou?
   Thou, an Egyptian puppet, shalt be shown
   In Rome, as well as I mechanic slaves
   With greasy aprons, rules, and hammers, shall
   Uplift us to the view; in their thick breaths,
   Rank of gross diet, shall be enclouded,
   And forced to drink their vapour.

IRAS

   The gods forbid!

CLEOPATRA

   Nay, 'tis most certain, Iras: saucy lictors
   Will catch at us, like strumpets; and scald rhymers
   Ballad us out o' tune: the quick comedians
   Extemporally will stage us, and present
   Our Alexandrian revels; Antony
   Shall be brought drunken forth, and I shall see
   Some squeaking Cleopatra boy my greatness
   I' the posture of a whore.

IRAS

   O the good gods!

CLEOPATRA

   Nay, that's certain.

IRAS

   I'll never see 't; for, I am sure, my nails
   Are stronger than mine eyes.

CLEOPATRA

   Why, that's the way
   To fool their preparation, and to conquer
   Their most absurd intents.

   Re-enter CHARMIAN
   Now, Charmian!
   Show me, my women, like a queen: go fetch
   My best attires: I am again for Cydnus,
   To meet Mark Antony: sirrah Iras, go.
   Now, noble Charmian, we'll dispatch indeed;
   And, when thou hast done this chare, I'll give thee leave
   To play till doomsday. Bring our crown and all.
   Wherefore's this noise?

   Exit IRAS. A noise within

   Enter a Guardsman

Guard

   Here is a rural fellow
   That will not be denied your highness presence:
   He brings you figs.

CLEOPATRA

   Let him come in.

   Exit Guardsman
   What poor an instrument
   May do a noble deed! he brings me liberty.
   My resolution's placed, and I have nothing
   Of woman in me: now from head to foot
   I am marble-constant; now the fleeting moon
   No planet is of mine.

   Re-enter Guardsman, with Clown bringing in a basket

Guard

   This is the man.

CLEOPATRA

   Avoid, and leave him.

   Exit Guardsman
   Hast thou the pretty worm of Nilus there,
   That kills and pains not?

Clown

   Truly, I have him: but I would not be the party
   that should desire you to touch him, for his biting
   is immortal; those that do die of it do seldom or
   never recover.

CLEOPATRA

   Rememberest thou any that have died on't?

Clown

   Very many, men and women too. I heard of one of
   them no longer than yesterday: a very honest woman,
   but something given to lie; as a woman should not
   do, but in the way of honesty: how she died of the
   biting of it, what pain she felt: truly, she makes
   a very good report o' the worm; but he that will
   believe all that they say, shall never be saved by
   half that they do: but this is most fallible, the
   worm's an odd worm.

CLEOPATRA

   Get thee hence; farewell.

Clown

   I wish you all joy of the worm.

   Setting down his basket

CLEOPATRA

   Farewell.

Clown

   You must think this, look you, that the worm will
   do his kind.

CLEOPATRA

   Ay, ay; farewell.

Clown

   Look you, the worm is not to be trusted but in the
   keeping of wise people; for, indeed, there is no
   goodness in worm.

CLEOPATRA

   Take thou no care; it shall be heeded.

Clown

   Very good. Give it nothing, I pray you, for it is
   not worth the feeding.

CLEOPATRA

   Will it eat me?

Clown

   You must not think I am so simple but I know the
   devil himself will not eat a woman: I know that a
   woman is a dish for the gods, if the devil dress her
   not. But, truly, these same whoreson devils do the
   gods great harm in their women; for in every ten
   that they make, the devils mar five.

CLEOPATRA

   Well, get thee gone; farewell.

Clown

   Yes, forsooth: I wish you joy o' the worm.

   Exit

   Re-enter IRAS with a robe, crown, & c

CLEOPATRA

   Give me my robe, put on my crown; I have
   Immortal longings in me: now no more
   The juice of Egypt's grape shall moist this lip:
   Yare, yare, good Iras; quick. Methinks I hear
   Antony call; I see him rouse himself
   To praise my noble act; I hear him mock
   The luck of Caesar, which the gods give men
   To excuse their after wrath: husband, I come:
   Now to that name my courage prove my title!
   I am fire and air; my other elements
   I give to baser life. So; have you done?
   Come then, and take the last warmth of my lips.
   Farewell, kind Charmian; Iras, long farewell.

   Kisses them. IRAS falls and dies
   Have I the aspic in my lips? Dost fall?
   If thou and nature can so gently part,
   The stroke of death is as a lover's pinch,
   Which hurts, and is desired. Dost thou lie still?
   If thus thou vanishest, thou tell'st the world
   It is not worth leave-taking.

CHARMIAN

   Dissolve, thick cloud, and rain; that I may say,
   The gods themselves do weep!

CLEOPATRA

   This proves me base:
   If she first meet the curled Antony,
   He'll make demand of her, and spend that kiss
   Which is my heaven to have. Come, thou
   mortal wretch,

   To an asp, which she applies to her breast
   With thy sharp teeth this knot intrinsicate
   Of life at once untie: poor venomous fool
   Be angry, and dispatch. O, couldst thou speak,
   That I might hear thee call great Caesar ass
   Unpolicied!

CHARMIAN

   O eastern star!

CLEOPATRA

   Peace, peace!
   Dost thou not see my baby at my breast,
   That sucks the nurse asleep?

CHARMIAN

   O, break! O, break!

CLEOPATRA

   As sweet as balm, as soft as air, as gentle,--
   O Antony!--Nay, I will take thee too.

   Applying another asp to her arm
   What should I stay--

   Dies

CHARMIAN

   In this vile world? So, fare thee well.
   Now boast thee, death, in thy possession lies
   A lass unparallel'd. Downy windows, close;
   And golden Phoebus never be beheld
   Of eyes again so royal! Your crown's awry;
   I'll mend it, and then play.

   Enter the Guard, rushing in

First Guard

   Where is the queen?

CHARMIAN

   Speak softly, wake her not.

First Guard

   Caesar hath sent--

CHARMIAN

   Too slow a messenger.

   Applies an asp
   O, come apace, dispatch! I partly feel thee.

First Guard

   Approach, ho! All's not well: Caesar's beguiled.

Second Guard

   There's Dolabella sent from Caesar; call him.

First Guard

   What work is here! Charmian, is this well done?

CHARMIAN

   It is well done, and fitting for a princess
   Descended of so many royal kings.
   Ah, soldier!

   Dies

   Re-enter DOLABELLA

DOLABELLA

   How goes it here?

Second Guard

   All dead.

DOLABELLA

   Caesar, thy thoughts
   Touch their effects in this: thyself art coming
   To see perform'd the dreaded act which thou
   So sought'st to hinder.

   Within 'A way there, a way for Caesar!'

   Re-enter OCTAVIUS CAESAR and all his train marching

DOLABELLA

   O sir, you are too sure an augurer;
   That you did fear is done.

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   Bravest at the last,
   She levell'd at our purposes, and, being royal,
   Took her own way. The manner of their deaths?
   I do not see them bleed.

DOLABELLA

   Who was last with them?

First Guard

   A simple countryman, that brought her figs:
   This was his basket.

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   Poison'd, then.

First Guard

   O Caesar,
   This Charmian lived but now; she stood and spake:
   I found her trimming up the diadem
   On her dead mistress; tremblingly she stood
   And on the sudden dropp'd.

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   O noble weakness!
   If they had swallow'd poison, 'twould appear
   By external swelling: but she looks like sleep,
   As she would catch another Antony
   In her strong toil of grace.

DOLABELLA

   Here, on her breast,
   There is a vent of blood and something blown:
   The like is on her arm.

First Guard

   This is an aspic's trail: and these fig-leaves
   Have slime upon them, such as the aspic leaves
   Upon the caves of Nile.

OCTAVIUS CAESAR

   Most probable
   That so she died; for her physician tells me
   She hath pursued conclusions infinite
   Of easy ways to die. Take up her bed;
   And bear her women from the monument:
   She shall be buried by her Antony:
   No grave upon the earth shall clip in it
   A pair so famous. High events as these
   Strike those that make them; and their story is
   No less in pity than his glory which
   Brought them to be lamented. Our army shall
   In solemn show attend this funeral;
   And then to Rome. Come, Dolabella, see
   High order in this great solemnity.

   Exeunt