Act II. Scene V.


Alexandria. A Room in the Palace.
   
 
Enter CLEOPATRA, CHARMIAN, IRAS, ALEXAS, and Attendant.
   
  Cleo.  Give me some music; music, moody food   
Of us that trade in love.      4
  Attend.        The music, ho!   
 
Enter MARDIAN.
   
  Cleo.  Let it alone; let’s to billiards: come, Charmian.   
  Char.  My arm is sore; best play with Mardian.      8
  Cleo.  As well a woman with a eunuch play’d   
As with a woman. Come, you’ll play with me, sir?   
  Mar.  As well as I can, madam.   
  Cleo.  And when good will is show’d, though’t come too short,     12
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     16
Their slimy jaws; and, as I draw them up,   
I’ll think them every one an Antony,   
And say, ‘Ah, ha!’ you’re caught.   
  Char.        ’Twas merry when     20
You wager’d on your angling; when your diver   
Did hang a salt-fish on his hook, which he   
With fervency drew up.   
  Cleo.        That time—O times!—     24
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     28
I wore his sword Philippan.   
 
Enter a Messenger.
   
O! from Italy;   
Ram thou thy fruitful tidings in mine ears,     32
That long time have been barren.   
  Mess.        Madam, madam,—   
  Cleo.  Antony ’s dead! if thou say so, villain,   
Thou kill’st thy mistress; but well and free,     36
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.   
  Mess.  First, madam, he is well.     40
  Cleo.        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     44
Down thy ill-uttering throat.   
  Mess.  Good madam, hear me.   
  Cleo.        Well, go to, I will;   
But there’s no goodness in thy face; if Antony     48
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.     52
  Mess.        Will ’t please you hear me?   
  Cleo.  I have a mind to strike thee ere thou speak’st:   
Yet, if thou say Antony lives, is well,   
Or friends with Cæsar, or not captive to him,     56
I’ll set thee in a shower of gold, and hail   
Rich pearls upon thee.   
  Mess.        Madam, he’s well.   
  Cleo.        Well said.     60
  Mess.  And friends with Cæsar.   
  Cleo.        Thou’rt an honest man.   
  Mess.  Cæsar and he are greater friends than ever.   
  Cleo.  Make thee a fortune from me.     64
  Mess.        But yet, madam,—   
  Cleo.  I do not like ‘but yet,’ it does allay   
The good precedence; fie upon ‘but yet!’   
‘But yet’ is as a gaoler to bring forth     68
Some monstrous malefactor. Prithee, friend,   
Pour out the pack of matter to mine ear,   
The good and bad together. He’s friends with Cæsar;   
In state of health, thou sayst; and thou sayst, free.     72
  Mess.  Free, madam! no; I made no such report:   
He’s bound unto Octavia.   
  Cleo.        For what good turn?   
  Mess.  For the best turn i’ the bed.     76
  Cleo.        I am pale, Charmian!   
  Mess.  Madam, he’s married to Octavia.   
  Cleo.  The most infectious pestilence upon thee!  [Strikes him down.   
  Mess.  Good madam, patience.     80
  Cleo.        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,     84
Smarting in lingering pickle.   
  Mess.        Gracious madam,   
I, that do bring the news made not the match.   
  Cleo.  Say ’tis not so, a province I will give thee,     88
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.     92
  Mess.        He’s married, madam.   
  Cleo.  Rogue! thou hast liv’d too long.  [Draws a knife.   
  Mess.        Nay, then I’ll run.   
What mean you, madam? I have made no fault.  [Exit.     96
  Char.  Good madam, keep yourself within yourself;   
The man is innocent.   
  Cleo.  Some innocents ’scape not the thunderbolt.   
Melt Egypt into Nile! and kindly creatures    100
Turn all to serpents! Call the slave again:   
Though I am mad, I will not bite him. Call.   
  Char.  He is afeard to come.   
  Cleo.        I will not hurt him.  [Exit CHARMIAN.    104
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.    108
Though it be honest, it is never good   
To bring bad news; give to a gracious message   
A host of tongues, but let ill tidings tell   
Themselves when they be felt.    112
  Mess.        I have done my duty.   
  Cleo.  Is he married?   
I cannot hate thee worser than I do   
If thou again say ‘Yes.’    116
  Mess.        He’s married, madam.   
  Cleo.  The gods confound thee! dost thou hold there still?   
  Mess.  Should I lie, madam?   
  Cleo.        O! I would thou didst,    120
So half my Egypt were submerg’d and made   
A cistern for scal’d snakes. Go, get thee hence;   
Hadst thou Narcissus in thy face, to me   
Thou wouldst appear most ugly. He is married?    124
  Mess.  I crave your highness’ pardon.   
  Cleo.        He is married?   
  Mess.  Take no offence that I would not offend you;   
To punish me for what you make me do    128
Seems much unequal; he’s married to Octavia.   
  Cleo.  O! that his fault should make a knave of thee,   
That art not what thou’rt sure of. Get thee hence;   
The merchandise which thou hast brought from Rome    132
Are all too dear for me; lie they upon thy hand   
And be undone by ’em!  [Exit Messenger.   
  Char.        Good your highness, patience.   
  Cleo.  In praising Antony I have disprais’d Cæsar.    136
  Char.  Many times, madam.   
  Cleo.        I am paid for ’t now.   
Lead me from hence;   
I faint. O Iras! Charmian! ’Tis no matter.    140
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.    144
Let him forever go:—let him not—Charmian!—   
Though he be painted one way like a Gorgon,   
The other way’s a Mars. [To MARDIAN.] Bid you Alexas   
Bring me word how tall she is. Pity me, Charmian,    148
But do not speak to me. Lead me to my chamber.  [Exeunt.   

Act II. Scene VI.


Near Misenum.
   
 
Flourish. Enter POMPEY and MENAS, at one side, with drum and trumpet; at the other, CÆSAR, ANTONY, LEPIDUS, ENOBARBUS, MECÆNAS, with Soldiers marching.
   
  Pom.  Your hostages I have, so have you mine;   
And we shall talk before we fight.      4
  Cæs.        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      8
If ’twill tie up thy discontented sword,   
And carry back to Sicily much tall youth   
That else must perish here.   
  Pom.        To you all three,     12
The senators alone of this great world,   
Chief factors for the gods, I do not know   
Wherefore my father should revengers want,   
Having a son and friends; since Julius Cæsar,     16
Who at Philippi the good Brutus ghosted,   
There saw you labouring for him. What was’t   
That mov’d pale Cassius to conspire? and what   
Made the all-honour’d, honest Roman, Brutus,     20
With the arm’d rest, courtiers of beauteous freedom,   
To drench the Capitol, but that they would   
Have one man but a man? And that is it   
Hath made me rig my navy, at whose burden     24
The anger’d ocean foams, with which I meant   
To scourge the ingratitude that despiteful Rome   
Cast on my noble father.   
  Cæs.        Take your time.     28
  Ant.  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.   
  Pom.        At land, indeed,     32
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.   
  Lep.        Be pleas’d to tell us—     36
For this is from the present—how you take   
The offers we have sent you.   
  Cæs.        There’s the point.   
  Ant.  Which do not be entreated to, but weigh     40
What it is worth embrac’d.   
  Cæs.        And what may follow,   
To try a larger fortune.   
  Pom.        You have made me offer     44
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     48
Our targets undinted.   
  Cæs., Ant. & Lep.        That’s our offer.   
  Pom.        Know, then,   
I came before you here a man prepar’d     52
To take this offer; but Mark Antony   
Put me to some impatience. Though I lose   
The praise of it by telling, you must know,   
When Cæsar and your brother were at blows,     56
Your mother came to Sicily and did find   
Her welcome friendly.   
  Ant.        I have heard it, Pompey;   
And am well studied for a liberal thanks     60
Which I do owe you.   
  Pom.        Let me have your hand:   
I did not think, sir, to have met you here.   
  Ant.  The beds i’ the east are soft; and thanks to you,     64
That call’d me timelier than my purpose hither,   
For I have gain’d by ’t.   
  Cæs.        Since I saw you last,   
There is a change upon you.     68
  Pom.        Well, I know not   
What counts harsh Fortune casts upon my face,   
But in my bosom shall she never come   
To make my heart her vassal.     72
  Lep.        Well met here.   
  Pom.  I hope so, Lepidus. Thus we are agreed.   
I crave our composition may be written   
And seal’d between us.     76
  Cæs.        That’s the next to do.   
  Pom.  We’ll feast each other ere we part; and let’s   
Draw lots who shall begin.   
  Ant.        That will I, Pompey.     80
  Pom.  No, Antony, take the lot:   
But, first or last, your fine Egyptian cookery   
Shall have the fame. I have heard that Julius Cæsar   
Grew fat with feasting there.     84
  Ant.        You have heard much.   
  Pom.  I have fair meanings, sir.   
  Ant.        And fair words to them.   
  Pom.  Then, so much have I heard;     88
And I have heard Apollodorus carried—   
  Eno.  No more of that: he did so.   
  Pom.        What, I pray you?   
  Eno.  A certain queen to Cæsar in a mattress.     92
  Pom.  I know thee now; how far’st thou, soldier?   
  Eno.        Well;   
And well am like to do; for I perceive   
Four feasts are toward.     96
  Pom.        Let me shake thy hand;   
I never hated thee. I have seen thee fight,   
When I have envied thy behaviour.   
  Eno.        Sir,    100
I never lov’d you much, but I ha’ prais’d ye   
When you have well deserv’d ten times as much   
As I have said you did.   
  Pom.        Enjoy thy plainness,    104
It nothing ill becomes thee.   
Aboard my galley I invite you all:   
Will you lead, lords?   
  Cæs., Ant. & Lep.  Show us the way, sir.    108
  Pom.        Come.  [Exeunt all except MENAS and ENOBARBUS.   
  Men.  Thy father, Pompey, would ne’er have made this treaty. You and I have known, sir.   
  Eno.  At sea, I think.   
  Men.  We have, sir.    112
  Eno.  You have done well by water.   
  Men.  And you by land.   
  Eno.  I will praise any man that will praise me; though it cannot be denied what I have done by land.   
  Men.  Nor what I have done by water.    116
  Eno.  Yes, something you can deny for your own safety; you have been a great thief by sea.   
  Men.  And you by land.   
  Eno.  There I deny my land service. But give me your hand, Menas; if our eyes had authority, here they might take two thieves kissing.   
  Men.  All men’s faces are true, whatsoe’er their hands are.    120
  Eno.  But there is never a fair woman has a true face.   
  Men.  No slander; they steal hearts.   
  Eno.  We came hither to fight with you.   
  Men.  For my part, I am sorry it is turned to a drinking. Pompey doth this day laugh away his fortune.    124
  Eno.  If he do, sure, he cannot weep it back again.   
  Men.  You have said, sir. We looked not for Mark Antony here: pray you, is he married to Cleopatra?   
  Eno.  Cæsar’s sister is called Octavia.   
  Men.  True, sir; she was the wife of Caius Marcellus.    128
  Eno.  But she is now the wife of Marcus Antonius.   
  Men.  Pray ye, sir?   
  Eno.  ’Tis true.   
  Men.  Then is Cæsar and he for ever knit together.    132
  Eno.  If I were bound to divine of this unity, I would not prophesy so.   
  Men.  I think the policy of that purpose made more in the marriage than the love of the parties.   
  Eno.  I think so too; but you shall find the band that seems to tie their friendship together will be the very strangler of their amity. Octavia is of a holy, cold, and still conversation.   
  Men.  Who would not have his wife so?    136
  Eno.  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 Cæsar, 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.   
  Men.  And thus it may be. Come, sir, will you aboard? I have a health for you.   
  Eno.  I shall take it, sir: we have used our throats in Egypt.   
  Men.  Come; let’s away.  [Exeunt.    140

Act II. Scene VII.


On board POMPEY’S Galley off Misenum.
   
 
Music. Enter two or three Servants, with a banquet.
   
  First Serv.  Here they’ll be, man. Some o’ their plants are ill-rooted already; the least wind i’ the world will blow them down.   
  Sec. Serv.  Lepidus is high-coloured.      4
  First Serv.  They have made him drink almsdrink.   
  Sec. Serv.  As they pinch one another by the disposition, he cries out, ‘No more;’ reconciles them to his entreaty, and himself to the drink.   
  First Serv.  But it raises the greater war between him and his discretion.   
  Sec. Serv.  Why, this it 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.      8
  First Serv.  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 CÆSAR, ANTONY, LEPIDUS, POMPEY, AGRIPPA, MECÆNAS, ENOBARBUS, MENAS, with other Captains.
   
  Ant.  Thus do they, sir. They take the flow o’ the Nile   
By certain scales i’ the pyramid; they know     12
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,     16
And shortly comes to harvest.   
  Lep.  You’ve strange serpents there.   
  Ant.  Ay, Lepidus.   
  Lep.  Your serpent of Egypt is bred now of your mud by the operation of your sun; so is your crocodile.     20
  Ant.  They are so.   
  Pom.  Sit,—and some wine! A health to Lepidus!   
  Lep.  I am not so well as I should be, but I’ll ne’er out.   
  Eno.  Not till you have slept; I fear me you’ll be in till then.     24
  Lep.  Nay, certainly, I have heard the Ptolemies’ pyramises are very goodly things; without contradiction, I have heard that.   
  Men.  Pompey, a word.   
  Pom.  Say in mine ear; what is’t?   
  Men.  Forsake thy seat, I do beseech thee, captain,     28
And hear me speak a word.   
  Pom.        Forbear me till anon.   
This wine for Lepidus!   
  Lep.  What manner o’ thing is your crocodile?     32
  Ant.  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 it own organs; it lives by that which nourisheth it; and the elements once out of it, it transmigrates.   
  Lep.  What colour is it of?   
  Ant.  Of it own colour too.   
  Lep.  ’Tis a strange serpent.     36
  Ant.  ’Tis so; and the tears of it are wet.   
  Cæs.  Will this description satisfy him?   
  Ant.  With the health that Pompey gives him, else he is a very epicure.   
  Pom.  Go hang, sir, hang! Tell me of that? away!     40
Do as I bid you. Where’s this cup I call’d for?   
  Men.  If for the sake of merit thou wilt hear me,   
Rise from thy stool.   
  Pom.        I think thou’rt mad. The matter?  [Walks aside.     44
  Men.  I have ever held my cap off to thy fortunes.   
  Pom.  Thou hast serv’d me with much faith. What’s else to say?   
Be jolly, lords.   
  Ant.        These quick-sands, Lepidus,     48
Keep off them, for you sink.   
  Men.  Wilt thou be lord of all the world?   
  Pom.        What sayst thou?   
  Men.  Wilt thou be lord of the whole world? That’s twice.     52
  Pom.  How should that be?   
  Men.        But entertain it,   
And though thou think me poor, I am the man   
Will give thee all the world.     56
  Pom.        Hast thou drunk well?   
  Men.  No, Pompey, I have kept me from the cup.   
Thou art, if thou dar’st be, the earthly Jove:   
Whate’er the ocean pales, or sky inclips,     60
Is thine, if thou wilt ha’t.   
  Pom.        Show me which way.   
  Men.  These three world-sharers, these competitors,   
Are in thy vessel: let me cut the cable;     64
And, when we are put off, fall to their throats:   
All there is thine.   
  Pom.        Ah! this thou shouldst have done,   
And not have spoke on’t. In me ’tis villany;     68
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,     72
I should have found it afterwards well done,   
But must condemn it now. Desist, and drink.   
  Men.  [Aside.] For this,   
I’ll never follow thy pall’d fortunes more.     76
Who seeks, and will not take when once ’tis offer’d,   
Shall never find it more.   
  Pom.        This health to Lepidus!   
  Ant.  Bear him ashore. I’ll pledge it for him, Pompey.     80
  Eno.  Here’s to thee, Menas!   
  Men.        Enobarbus, welcome!   
  Pom.  Fill till the cup be hid.   
  Eno.  There’s a strong fellow, Menas.  [Pointing to the Attendant who carries off LEPIDUS.     84
  Men.  Why?   
  Eno.  A’ bears the third part of the world, man; see’st not?   
  Men.  The third part then is drunk; would it were all,   
That it might go on wheels!     88
  Eno.  Drink thou; increase the reels.   
  Men.  Come.   
  Pom.  This is not yet an Alexandrian feast.   
  Ant.  It ripens towards it. Strike the vessels, ho!     92
Here is to Cæsar!   
  Cæs.        I could well forbear’t.   
It’s monstrous labour, when I wash my brain,   
And it grows fouler.     96
  Ant.        Be a child o’ the time.   
  Cæs.  Possess it, I’ll make answer;   
But I had rather fast from all four days   
Than drink so much in one.    100
  Eno.  [To ANTONY.] Ha! my brave emperor;   
Shall we dance now the Egyptian Bacchanals,   
And celebrate our drink?   
  Pom.        Let’s ha’t, good soldier.    104
  Ant.  Come, let’s all take hands,   
Till that the conquering wine hath steep’d our sense   
In soft and delicate Lethe.   
  Eno.        All take hands.    108
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. ENOBARBUS places them hand in hand.    112
 
           
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!
   
  Cæs.  What would you more? Pompey, good night. Good brother,   
Let me request you off; our graver business   
Frowns at this levity. Gentle lords, let’s part;    116
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.    120
Good Antony, your hand.   
  Pom.        I’ll try you on the shore.   
  Ant.  And shall, sir. Give’s your hand.   
  Pom.        O, Antony!    124
You have my father’s house,—But, what? we are friends.   
Come down into the boat.   
  Eno.        Take heed you fall not.  [Exeunt POMPEY, CÆSAR, ANTONY, and Attendants.   
Menas, I’ll not on shore.    128
  Men.        No, to my cabin.   
These drums! these trumpets, flutes! what!   
Let Neptune hear we bid a loud farewell   
To these great fellows: sound and be hang’d! sound out!  [A flourish of trumpets with drums.    132
  Eno.  Hoo! says a’. There’s my cap.   
  Men.  Hoo! noble captain! come.  [Exeunt

Act III. Scene I.


A Plain in Syria.
   
 
Enter VENTIDIUS, in triumph, with SILIUS and other Romans, Officers, and Soldiers; the dead body of PACORUS borne before him.
   
  Ven.  Now, darting Parthia, art thou struck; and now   
Pleas’d fortune does of Marcus Crassus’ death      4
Make me revenger. Bear the king’s son’s body   
Before our army. Thy Pacorus, Orodes,   
Pays this for Marcus Crassus.   
  Sil.        Noble Ventidius,      8
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     12
Shall set thee on triumphant chariots and   
Put garlands on thy head.   
  Ven.        O Silius, Silius!   
I have done enough; a lower place, note well,     16
May make too great an act; for learn this, Silius,   
Better to leave undone than by our deed   
Acquire too high a fame when him we serve’s away.   
Cæsar and Antony have ever won     20
More in their officer than person; Sossius,   
One of my place in Syria, his lieutenant,   
For quick accumulation of renown,   
Which he achiev’d by the minute, lost his favour.     24
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.     28
I could do more to do Antonius good,   
But ’twould offend him; and in his offence   
Should my performance perish.   
  Sil.        Thou hast, Ventidius, that     32
Without the which a soldier, and his sword,   
Grants scarce distinction. Thou wilt write to Antony?   
  Ven.  I’ll humbly signify what in his name,   
That magical word of war, we have effected;     36
How, with his banners and his well-paid ranks,   
The ne’er-yet-beaten horse of Parthia   
We have jaded out o’ the field.   
  Sil.        Where is he now?     40
  Ven.  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.   

Act III. Scene II.


Rome. A Room in CÆSAR’S House.
   
 
Enter AGRIPPA and ENOBARBUS, meeting.
   
  Agr.  What! are the brothers parted?   
  Eno.  They have dispatch’d with Pompey; he is gone;      4
The other three are sealing. Octavia weeps   
To part from Rome; Cæsar is sad; and Lepidus,   
Since Pompey’s feast, as Menas says, is troubled   
With the green sickness.      8
  Agr.        ’Tis a noble Lepidus.   
  Eno.  A very fine one. O! how he loves Cæsar.   
  Agr.  Nay, but how dearly he adores Mark Antony!   
  Eno.  Cæsar? Why, he’s the Jupiter of men.     12
  Agr.  What’s Antony? The god of Jupiter.   
  Eno.  Spake you of Cæsar? How! the nonpareil!   
  Agr.  O, Antony! O thou Arabian bird!   
  Eno.  Would you praise Cæsar, say, ‘Cæsar,’ go no further.     16
  Agr.  Indeed, he plied them both with excellent praises.   
  Eno.  But he loves Cæsar best; yet he loves Antony.   
Hoo! hearts, tongues, figures, scribes, bards, poets, cannot   
Think, speak, cast, write, sing, number; hoo!     20
His love to Antony. But as for Cæsar,   
Kneel down, kneel down, and wonder.   
  Agr.        Both he loves.   
  Eno.  They are his shards, and he their beetle. [Trumpets within.] So;     24
This is to horse. Adieu, noble Agrippa.   
  Agr.  Good fortune, worthy soldier, and farewell.   
 
Enter CÆSAR, ANTONY, LEPIDUS, and OCTAVIA.
   
  Ant.  No further, sir.     28
  Cæs.  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 furthest band   
Shall pass on thy approof. Most noble Antony,     32
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     36
Have lov’d without this mean, if on both parts   
This be not cherish’d.   
  Ant.        Make me not offended   
In your distrust.     40
  Cæs.        I have said.   
  Ant.        You shall not find,   
Though you be therein curious, the least cause   
For what you seem to fear. So, the gods keep you,     44
And make the hearts of Romans serve your ends!   
We will here part.   
  Cæs.  Farewell, my dearest sister, fare thee well:   
The elements be kind to thee, and make     48
Thy spirits all of comfort! fare thee well.   
  Oct.  My noble brother!   
  Ant.  The April’s in her eyes; it is love’s spring,   
And these the showers to bring it on. Be cheerful.     52
  Oct.  Sir, look well to my husband’s house; and—   
  Cæs.        What,   
Octavia?   
  Oct.  I’ll tell you in your ear.     56
  Ant.  Her tongue will not obey her heart, nor can   
Her heart obey her tongue; the swan’s down-feather,   
That stands upon the swell at full of tide,   
And neither way inclines.     60
  Eno.  [Aside to AGRIPPA.] Will Cæsar weep?   
  Agr.        He has a cloud in’s face.   
  Eno.  He were the worse for that were he a horse;   
So is he, being a man.     64
  Agr.        Why, Enobarbus,   
When Antony found Julius Cæsar dead   
He cried almost to roaring; and he wept   
When at Philippi he found Brutus slain.     68
  Eno.  That year, indeed, he was troubled with a rheum;   
What willingly he did confound he wail’d,   
Believe ’t, till I wept too.   
  Cæs.        No, sweet Octavia,     72
You shall hear from me still; the time shall not   
Out-go my thinking on you.   
  Ant.        Come, sir, come;   
I’ll wrestle with you in my strength of love:     76
Look, here I have you; thus I let you go,   
And give you to the gods.   
  Cæs.        Adieu; be happy!   
  Lep.  Let all the number of the stars give light     80
To thy fair way!   
  Cæs.        Farewell, farewell!  [Kisses OCTAVIA.   
  Ant.        Farewell!  [Trumpets sound. Exeunt.

Act III. Scene III.


Alexandria. A Room in the Palace.
   
 
Enter CLEOPATRA, CHARMIAN, IRAS, and ALEXAS.
   
  Cleo.  Where is the fellow?   
  Alex.        Half afeard to come.      4
  Cleo.  Go to, go to.   
 
Enter a Messenger.
   
Come hither, sir.   
  Alex.        Good majesty,      8
Herod of Jewry dare not look upon you   
But when you are well pleas’d.   
  Cleo.        That Herod’s head   
I’ll have; but how, when Antony is gone     12
Through whom I might command it? Come thou near.   
  Mess.  Most gracious majesty!   
  Cleo.        Didst thou behold   
Octavia?     16
  Mess.  Ay, dread queen.   
  Cleo.        Where?   
  Mess.        Madam, in Rome;   
I look’d her in the face, and saw her led     20
Between her brother and Mark Antony.   
  Cleo.  Is she as tall as me?   
  Mess.        She is not, madam.   
  Cleo.  Didst hear her speak? is she shrilltongu’d, or low?     24
  Mess.  Madam, I heard her speak; she is low-voic’d.   
  Cleo.  That’s not so good. He cannot like her long.   
  Char.  Like her! O Isis! ’tis impossible.   
  Cleo.  I think so, Charmian: dull of tongue, and dwarfish!     28
What majesty is in her gait? Remember,   
If e’er thou look’dst on majesty.   
  Mess.        She creeps;   
Her motion and her station are as one;     32
She shows a body rather than a life,   
A statue than a breather.   
  Cleo.        Is this certain?   
  Mess.  Or I have no observance.     36
  Char.        Three in Egypt   
Cannot make better note.   
  Cleo.        He’s very knowing,   
I do perceive ’t. There’s nothing in her yet.     40
The fellow has good judgment.   
  Char.        Excellent.   
  Cleo.  Guess at her years, I prithee.   
  Mess.        Madam,     44
She was a widow,—   
  Cleo.        Widow! Charmian, hark.   
  Mess.  And I do think she’s thirty.   
  Cleo.  Bear’st thou her face in mind? is’t long or round?     48
  Mess.  Round even to faultiness.   
  Cleo.  For the most part, too, they are foolish that are so.   
Her hair, what colour?   
  Mess.  Brown, madam; and her forehead     52
As low as she would wish it.   
  Cleo.        There’s gold for thee:   
Thou must not take my former sharpness ill.   
I will employ thee back again; I find thee     56
Most fit for business. Go, make thee ready;   
Our letters are prepar’d.  [Exit Messenger.   
  Char.        A proper man.   
  Cleo.  Indeed, he is so; I repent me much     60
That so I harried him. Why, methinks, by him,   
This creature’s no such thing.   
  Char.        Nothing, madam.   
  Cleo.  The man hath seen some majesty, and should know.     64
  Char.  Hath he seen majesty? Isis else defend,   
And serving you so long!   
  Cleo.  I have one thing more to ask him yet, good Charmian:   
But ’tis no matter; thou shalt bring him to me     68
Where I will write. All may be well enough.   
  Char.  I warrant you, madam.  [Exeunt.

Act III. Scene IV.


Athens. A Room in ANTONY’S House.
   
 
Enter ANTONY and OCTAVIA.
   
  Ant.  Nay, nay, Octavia, not only that,   
That were excusable, that, and thousands more      4
Of semblable import, but he hath wag’d   
New wars ’gainst Pompey; made his will, and read it   
To public ear:   
Spoke scantly of me; when perforce he could not      8
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.     12
  Oct.        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,     16
Praying for both parts:   
The good gods will mock me presently,   
When I shall pray, ‘O! bless my lord and husband;’   
Undo that prayer, by crying out as loud,     20
‘O! bless my brother!’ Husband win, win brother,   
Prays, and destroys the prayer; no midway   
’Twixt these extremes at all.   
  Ant.        Gentle Octavia,     24
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,     28
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.     32
  Oct.        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     36
Should solder up the rift.   
  Ant.  When it appears to you where this begins,   
Turn your displeasure that way; for our faults   
Can never be so equal that your love     40
Can equally move with them. Provide your going;   
Choose your own company, and command what cost   
Your heart has mind to.  [Exeunt.

Act III. Scene V.


The Same. Another Room.
   
 
Enter ENOBARBUS and EROS, meeting.
   
  Eno.  How now, friend Eros!   
  Eros.  There’s strange news come, sir.      4
  Eno.  What, man?   
  Eros.  Cæsar and Lepidus have made wars upon Pompey.   
  Eno.  This is old: what is the success?   
  Eros.  Cæsar, having made use of him in the wars ’gainst Pompey, presently denied him 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.      8
  Eno.  Then, world, thou hast a pair of chaps, no more;   
And throw between them all the food thou hast,   
They’ll grind the one the other. Where’s Antony?   
  Eros.  He’s walking in the garden—thus: and spurns     12
The rush that lies before him; cries, ‘Fool, Lepidus!’   
And threats the throat of that his officer   
That murder’d Pompey.   
  Eno.        Our great navy’s rigg’d.     16
  Eros.  For Italy and Cæsar. More, Domitius;   
My lord desires you presently: my news   
I might have told hereafter.   
  Eno.        ’Twill be naught;     20
But let it be. Bring me to Antony.   
  Eros.  Come, sir.  [Exeunt.   

Act III. Scene VI.


Rome. A Room in CÆSAR’S House.
   
 
Enter CÆSAR, AGRIPPA, and MECÆNAS.
   
  Cæs.  Contemning Rome, he has done all this and more   
In Alexandria; here’s the manner of ’t;      4
I’ the market-place, on a tribunal silver’d,   
Cleopatra and himself in chairs of gold   
Were publicly enthron’d; at the feet sat   
Cæsarion, whom they call my father’s son,      8
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,     12
Absolute queen.   
  Mec.        This in the public eye?   
  Cæs.  I’ the common show-place, where they exercise.   
His sons he there proclaim’d the kings of kings;     16
Great Media, Parthia, and Armenia   
He gave to Alexander; to Ptolemy he assign’d   
Syria, Cilicia, and Phœnicia. She   
In the habiliments of the goddess Isis     20
That day appear’d; and oft before gave audience,   
As ’tis reported, so.   
  Mec.        Let Rome be thus   
Informed.     24
  Agr.        Who, queasy with his insolence   
Already, will their good thoughts call from him.   
  Cæs.  The people know it; and have now receiv’d   
His accusations.     28
  Agr.        Whom does he accuse?   
  Cæs.  Cæsar; 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     32
Some shipping unrestor’d; lastly, he frets   
That Lepidus of the triumvirate   
Should be depos’d; and, being, that we detain   
All his revenue.     36
  Agr.        Sir, this should be answer’d.   
  Cæs.  ’Tis done already, and the messenger gone.   
I have told him, Lepidus was grown too cruel;   
That he his high authority abus’d,     40
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.     44
  Mec.        He’ll never yield to that.   
  Cæs.  Nor must not then be yielded to in this.   
 
Enter OCTAVIA, with her Train.
   
  Oct.  Hail, Cæsar, and my lord! hail, most dear Cæsar!     48
  Cæs.  That ever I should call thee cast-away!   
  Oct.  You have not call’d me so, nor have you cause.   
  Cæs.  Why have you stol’n upon us thus? You come not   
Like Cæsar’s sister; the wife of Antony     52
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,     56
Longing for what it had not; nay, the dust   
Should have ascended to the roof of heaven,   
Rais’d by your populous troops. But you are come   
A market-maid to Rome, and have prevented     60
The ostentation of our love, which, left unshown,   
Is often left unlov’d: we should have met you   
By sea and land, supplying every stage   
With an augmented greeting.     64
  Oct.        Good my lord,   
To come thus was I not constrain’d, but did it   
On my free-will. My lord, Mark Antony,   
Hearing that you prepar’d for war, acquainted     68
My grieved ear withal; whereon, I begg’d   
His pardon for return.   
  Cæs.        Which soon he granted,   
Being an obstruct ’tween his lust and him.     72
  Oct.  Do not say so, my lord.   
  Cæs.        I have eyes upon him,   
And his affairs come to me on the wind.   
Where is he now?     76
  Oct.        My lord, in Athens.   
  Cæs.  No, my most wrong’d sister; Cleopatra   
Hath nodded him to her. He hath given his empire   
Up to a whore; who now are levying     80
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;     84
King Malchus of Arabia; King of Pont;   
Herod of Jewry; Mithridates, King   
Of Comagene; Polemon and Amintas,   
The Kings of Mede and Lycaonia,     88
With a more larger list of sceptres.   
  Oct.        Ay me, most wretched,   
That have my heart parted betwixt two friends   
That do afflict each other!     92
  Cæs.        Welcome hither:   
Your letters did withhold our breaking forth,   
Till we perceiv’d both how you were wrong led   
And we in negligent danger. Cheer your heart;     96
Be you not troubled with the time, which drives   
O’er your content these strong necessities,   
But let determin’d things to destiny   
Hold unbewail’d their way. Welcome to Rome;    100
Nothing more dear to me. You are abus’d   
Beyond the mark of thought, and the high gods,   
To do you justice, make their ministers   
Of us and those that love you. Best of comfort,    104
And ever welcome to us.   
  Agr.        Welcome, lady.   
  Mec.  Welcome, dear madam.   
Each heart in Rome does love and pity you;    108
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.    112
  Oct.        Is it so, sir?   
  Cæs.  Most certain. Sister, welcome; pray you,   
Be ever known to patience; my dearest sister!  [Exeunt.

Act III. Scene VII.


ANTONY’S Camp, near to the Promontory of ACTIUM.
   
 
Enter CLEOPATRA and ENOBARBUS.
   
  Cleo.  I will be even with thee, doubt it not.   
  Eno.  But why, why, why?      4
  Cleo.  Thou hast forspoke my being in these wars,   
And sayst it is not fit.   
  Eno.        Well, is it, is it?   
  Cleo.  If not denounc’d against us, why should not we      8
Be there in person?   
  Eno.        [Aside.] Well, I could reply:   
If we should serve with horse and mares together,   
The horse were merely lost; the mares would bear     12
A soldier and his horse.   
  Cleo.        What is’t you say?   
  Eno.  Your presence needs must puzzle Antony;   
Take from his heart, take from his brain, from’s time,     16
What should not then be spar’d. He is already   
Traduc’d for levity, and ’tis said in Rome   
That Photinus a eunuch and your maids   
Manage this war.     20
  Cleo.        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;     24
I will not stay behind.   
  Eno.        Nay, I have done.   
Here comes the emperor.   
 
Enter ANTONY and CANIDIUS.
     28
  Ant.        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?     32
  Cleo.  Celerity is never more admir’d   
Than by the negligent.   
  Ant.        A good rebuke,   
Which might have well becom’d the best of men,     36
To taunt at slackness. Canidius, we   
Will fight with him by sea.   
  Cleo.        By sea! What else?   
  Can.  Why will my lord do so?     40
  Ant.        For that he dares us to’t.   
  Eno.  So hath my lord dar’d him to single fight.   
  Can.  Ay, and to wage his battle at Pharsalia,   
Where Cæsar fought with Pompey; but these offers,     44
Which serve not for his vantage, he shakes off;   
And so should you.   
  Eno.        Your ships are not well mann’d;   
Your mariners are muleters, reapers, people     48
Ingross’d by swift impress; in Cæsar’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,     52
Being prepar’d for land.   
  Ant.        By sea, by sea.   
  Eno.  Most worthy sir, you therein throw away   
The absolute soldiership you have by land;     56
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     60
Give up yourself merely to chance and hazard   
From firm security.   
  Ant.        I’ll fight at sea.   
  Cleo.  I have sixty sails, Cæsar none better.     64
  Ant.  Our overplus of shipping will we burn;   
And with the rest, full-mann’d, from the head of Actium   
Beat the approaching Cæsar. But if we fail,   
We then can do’t at land.     68
 
Enter a Messenger.
   
Thy business?   
  Mess.  The news is true, my lord; he is descried;   
Cæsar has taken Toryne.     72
  Ant.  Can he be there in person? ’tis impossible;   
Strange that his power should be. Canidius,   
Our nineteen legions thou shalt hold by land,   
And our twelve thousand horse. We’ll to our ship:     76
Away, my Thetis!   
 
Enter a Soldier.
   
How now, worthy soldier!   
  Sold.  O noble emperor! do not fight by sea;     80
Trust not to rotten planks: do you misdoubt   
This sword and these my wounds? Let the Egyptians   
And the Phœnicians go a-ducking; we   
Have used to conquer, standing on the earth,     84
And fighting foot to foot.   
  Ant.        Well, well: away!  [Exeunt ANTONY, CLEOPATRA, and ENOBARBUS.   
  Sold.  By Hercules, I think I am i’ the right.   
  Can.  Soldier, thou art; but his whole action grows     88
Not in the power on ’t: so our leader’s led,   
And we are women’s men.   
  Sold.        You keep by land   
The legions and the horse whole, do you not?     92
  Can.  Marcus Octavius, Marcus Justeius,   
Publicola, and Cælius, are for sea;   
But we keep whole by land. This speed of Cæsar’s   
Carries beyond belief.     96
  Sold.        While he was yet in Rome   
His power went out in such distractions as   
Beguil’d all spies.   
  Can.        Who’s his lieutenant, hear you?    100
  Sold.  They say, one Taurus.   
  Can.        Well I know the man.   
 
Enter a Messenger.
   
  Mess.  The emperor calls Canidius.    104
  Can.  With news the time’s with labour, and throes forth   
Each minute some.  [Exeunt.