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<?xml version="1.0"?>
<PLAY>
<TITLE>The Tragedy of Antony and Cleopatra</TITLE>

<PERSONAE>
<TITLE>Dramatis Personae</TITLE>


<PGROUP>
<PERSONA>MARK ANTONY</PERSONA>
<PERSONA>OCTAVIUS CAESAR</PERSONA>
<PERSONA>M. AEMILIUS LEPIDUS</PERSONA>
<GRPDESCR>triumvirs.</GRPDESCR>
</PGROUP>

<PERSONA>SEXTUS POMPEIUS</PERSONA>

<PGROUP>
<PERSONA>DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS</PERSONA>
<PERSONA>VENTIDIUS</PERSONA>
<PERSONA>EROS</PERSONA>
<PERSONA>SCARUS</PERSONA>
<PERSONA>DERCETAS</PERSONA>
<PERSONA>DEMETRIUS</PERSONA>
<PERSONA>PHILO</PERSONA>
<GRPDESCR>friends to Antony.</GRPDESCR>
</PGROUP>


<PGROUP>
<PERSONA>MECAENAS</PERSONA>
<PERSONA>AGRIPPA</PERSONA>
<PERSONA>DOLABELLA</PERSONA>
<PERSONA>PROCULEIUS</PERSONA>
<PERSONA>THYREUS</PERSONA>
<PERSONA>GALLUS</PERSONA>
<PERSONA>MENAS</PERSONA>
<GRPDESCR>friends to Caesar.</GRPDESCR>
</PGROUP>


<PGROUP>
<PERSONA>MENECRATES</PERSONA>
<PERSONA>VARRIUS</PERSONA>
<GRPDESCR>friends to Pompey.</GRPDESCR>
</PGROUP>

<PERSONA>TAURUS, lieutenant-general to Caesar.</PERSONA>
<PERSONA>CANIDIUS, lieutenant-general to Antony.</PERSONA>
<PERSONA>SILIUS, an officer in Ventidius's army.</PERSONA>
<PERSONA>EUPHRONIUS, an ambassador from Antony to Caesar.</PERSONA>

<PGROUP>
<PERSONA>ALEXAS</PERSONA>
<PERSONA>MARDIAN, a Eunuch.</PERSONA>
<PERSONA>SELEUCUS</PERSONA>
<PERSONA>DIOMEDES</PERSONA>
<GRPDESCR>attendants on Cleopatra.</GRPDESCR>
</PGROUP>

<PERSONA>A Soothsayer. </PERSONA>
<PERSONA>A Clown. </PERSONA>
<PERSONA>CLEOPATRA, queen of Egypt.</PERSONA>
<PERSONA>OCTAVIA, sister to Caesar and wife to Antony.</PERSONA>

<PGROUP>
<PERSONA>CHARMIAN</PERSONA>
<PERSONA>IRAS</PERSONA>
<GRPDESCR>attendants on Cleopatra.</GRPDESCR>
</PGROUP>

<PERSONA>Officers, Soldiers, Messengers, and other Attendants.</PERSONA>
</PERSONAE>

<SCNDESCR>SCENE  In several parts of the Roman empire.</SCNDESCR>

<PLAYSUBT>ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA</PLAYSUBT>

<ACT><TITLE>ACT I</TITLE>

<SCENE><TITLE>SCENE I.  Alexandria. A room in CLEOPATRA's palace.</TITLE>
<STAGEDIR>Enter DEMETRIUS and PHILO</STAGEDIR>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>PHILO</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Nay, but this dotage of our general's</LINE>
<LINE>O'erflows the measure: those his goodly eyes,</LINE>
<LINE>That o'er the files and musters of the war</LINE>
<LINE>Have glow'd like plated Mars, now bend, now turn,</LINE>
<LINE>The office and devotion of their view</LINE>
<LINE>Upon a tawny front: his captain's heart,</LINE>
<LINE>Which in the scuffles of great fights hath burst</LINE>
<LINE>The buckles on his breast, reneges all temper,</LINE>
<LINE>And is become the bellows and the fan</LINE>
<LINE>To cool a gipsy's lust.</LINE>
<STAGEDIR>Flourish. Enter ANTONY, CLEOPATRA, her Ladies,
the Train, with Eunuchs fanning her</STAGEDIR>
<LINE>Look, where they come:</LINE>
<LINE>Take but good note, and you shall see in him.</LINE>
<LINE>The triple pillar of the world transform'd</LINE>
<LINE>Into a strumpet's fool: behold and see.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CLEOPATRA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>If it be love indeed, tell me how much.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MARK ANTONY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>There's beggary in the love that can be reckon'd.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CLEOPATRA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>I'll set a bourn how far to be beloved.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MARK ANTONY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Then must thou needs find out new heaven, new earth.</LINE>
</SPEECH>


<STAGEDIR>Enter an Attendant</STAGEDIR>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>Attendant</SPEAKER>
<LINE>News, my good lord, from Rome.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MARK ANTONY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Grates me: the sum.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

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

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MARK ANTONY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>How, my love!</LINE>
</SPEECH>

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

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MARK ANTONY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Let Rome in Tiber melt, and the wide arch</LINE>
<LINE>Of the ranged empire fall! Here is my space.</LINE>
<LINE>Kingdoms are clay: our dungy earth alike</LINE>
<LINE>Feeds beast as man: the nobleness of life</LINE>
<LINE>Is to do thus; when such a mutual pair</LINE>
<STAGEDIR>Embracing</STAGEDIR>
<LINE>And such a twain can do't, in which I bind,</LINE>
<LINE>On pain of punishment, the world to weet</LINE>
<LINE>We stand up peerless.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CLEOPATRA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Excellent falsehood!</LINE>
<LINE>Why did he marry Fulvia, and not love her?</LINE>
<LINE>I'll seem the fool I am not; Antony</LINE>
<LINE>Will be himself.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

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

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CLEOPATRA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Hear the ambassadors.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

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


<STAGEDIR>Exeunt MARK ANTONY and CLEOPATRA with
their train</STAGEDIR>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>DEMETRIUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Is Caesar with Antonius prized so slight?</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>PHILO</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Sir, sometimes, when he is not Antony,</LINE>
<LINE>He comes too short of that great property</LINE>
<LINE>Which still should go with Antony.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

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


<STAGEDIR>Exeunt</STAGEDIR>
</SCENE>

<SCENE><TITLE>SCENE II.  The same. Another room.</TITLE>
<STAGEDIR>Enter CHARMIAN, IRAS, ALEXAS, and a Soothsayer</STAGEDIR>

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

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>ALEXAS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Soothsayer!</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>Soothsayer</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Your will?</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CHARMIAN</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Is this the man? Is't you, sir, that know things?</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>Soothsayer</SPEAKER>
<LINE>In nature's infinite book of secrecy</LINE>
<LINE>A little I can read.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>ALEXAS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Show him your hand.</LINE>
</SPEECH>


<STAGEDIR>Enter DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS</STAGEDIR>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Bring in the banquet quickly; wine enough</LINE>
<LINE>Cleopatra's health to drink.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CHARMIAN</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Good sir, give me good fortune.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>Soothsayer</SPEAKER>
<LINE>I make not, but foresee.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CHARMIAN</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Pray, then, foresee me one.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>Soothsayer</SPEAKER>
<LINE>You shall be yet far fairer than you are.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CHARMIAN</SPEAKER>
<LINE>He means in flesh.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>IRAS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>No, you shall paint when you are old.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CHARMIAN</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Wrinkles forbid!</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>ALEXAS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Vex not his prescience; be attentive.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CHARMIAN</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Hush!</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>Soothsayer</SPEAKER>
<LINE>You shall be more beloving than beloved.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CHARMIAN</SPEAKER>
<LINE>I had rather heat my liver with drinking.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>ALEXAS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Nay, hear him.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

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

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>Soothsayer</SPEAKER>
<LINE>You shall outlive the lady whom you serve.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CHARMIAN</SPEAKER>
<LINE>O excellent! I love long life better than figs.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>Soothsayer</SPEAKER>
<LINE>You have seen and proved a fairer former fortune</LINE>
<LINE>Than that which is to approach.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CHARMIAN</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Then belike my children shall have no names:</LINE>
<LINE>prithee, how many boys and wenches must I have?</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>Soothsayer</SPEAKER>
<LINE>If every of your wishes had a womb.</LINE>
<LINE>And fertile every wish, a million.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CHARMIAN</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Out, fool! I forgive thee for a witch.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>ALEXAS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>You think none but your sheets are privy to your wishes.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CHARMIAN</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Nay, come, tell Iras hers.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>ALEXAS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>We'll know all our fortunes.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Mine, and most of our fortunes, to-night, shall</LINE>
<LINE>be--drunk to bed.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>IRAS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>There's a palm presages chastity, if nothing else.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CHARMIAN</SPEAKER>
<LINE>E'en as the o'erflowing Nilus presageth famine.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>IRAS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Go, you wild bedfellow, you cannot soothsay.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CHARMIAN</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Nay, if an oily palm be not a fruitful</LINE>
<LINE>prognostication, I cannot scratch mine ear. Prithee,</LINE>
<LINE>tell her but a worky-day fortune.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>Soothsayer</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Your fortunes are alike.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>IRAS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>But how, but how? give me particulars.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>Soothsayer</SPEAKER>
<LINE>I have said.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>IRAS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Am I not an inch of fortune better than she?</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CHARMIAN</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Well, if you were but an inch of fortune better than</LINE>
<LINE>I, where would you choose it?</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>IRAS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Not in my husband's nose.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

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

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

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CHARMIAN</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Amen.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>ALEXAS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Lo, now, if it lay in their hands to make me a</LINE>
<LINE>cuckold, they would make themselves whores, but</LINE>
<LINE>they'ld do't!</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Hush! here comes Antony.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CHARMIAN</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Not he; the queen.</LINE>
</SPEECH>


<STAGEDIR>Enter CLEOPATRA</STAGEDIR>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CLEOPATRA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Saw you my lord?</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>No, lady.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CLEOPATRA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Was he not here?</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CHARMIAN</SPEAKER>
<LINE>No, madam.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CLEOPATRA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>He was disposed to mirth; but on the sudden</LINE>
<LINE>A Roman thought hath struck him. Enobarbus!</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Madam?</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CLEOPATRA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Seek him, and bring him hither.</LINE>
<LINE>Where's Alexas?</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>ALEXAS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Here, at your service. My lord approaches.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CLEOPATRA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>We will not look upon him: go with us.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<STAGEDIR>Exeunt</STAGEDIR>
<STAGEDIR>Enter MARK ANTONY with a Messenger and Attendants</STAGEDIR>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>Messenger</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Fulvia thy wife first came into the field.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MARK ANTONY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Against my brother Lucius?</LINE>
</SPEECH>

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

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MARK ANTONY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Well, what worst?</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>Messenger</SPEAKER>
<LINE>The nature of bad news infects the teller.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

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

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

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MARK ANTONY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Antony, thou wouldst say,--</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>Messenger</SPEAKER>
<LINE>O, my lord!</LINE>
</SPEECH>

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

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>Messenger</SPEAKER>
<LINE>At your noble pleasure.</LINE>
</SPEECH>


<STAGEDIR>Exit</STAGEDIR>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MARK ANTONY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>From Sicyon, ho, the news! Speak there!</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>First Attendant</SPEAKER>
<LINE>The man from Sicyon,--is there such an one?</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>Second Attendant</SPEAKER>
<LINE>He stays upon your will.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MARK ANTONY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Let him appear.</LINE>
<LINE>These strong Egyptian fetters I must break,</LINE>
<LINE>Or lose myself in dotage.</LINE>
<STAGEDIR>Enter another Messenger</STAGEDIR>
<LINE>What are you?</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>Second Messenger</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Fulvia thy wife is dead.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MARK ANTONY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Where died she?</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>Second Messenger</SPEAKER>
<LINE>In Sicyon:</LINE>
<LINE>Her length of sickness, with what else more serious</LINE>
<LINE>Importeth thee to know, this bears.</LINE>
</SPEECH>


<STAGEDIR>Gives a letter</STAGEDIR>

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


<STAGEDIR>Re-enter DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS</STAGEDIR>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>What's your pleasure, sir?</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MARK ANTONY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>I must with haste from hence.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Why, then, we kill all our women:</LINE>
<LINE>we see how mortal an unkindness is to them;</LINE>
<LINE>if they suffer our departure, death's the word.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MARK ANTONY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>I must be gone.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

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

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MARK ANTONY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>She is cunning past man's thought.</LINE>
</SPEECH>


<STAGEDIR>Exit ALEXAS</STAGEDIR>

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

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MARK ANTONY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Would I had never seen her.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>O, sir, you had then left unseen a wonderful piece</LINE>
<LINE>of work; which not to have been blest withal would</LINE>
<LINE>have discredited your travel.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MARK ANTONY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Fulvia is dead.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Sir?</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MARK ANTONY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Fulvia is dead.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Fulvia!</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MARK ANTONY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Dead.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

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

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MARK ANTONY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>The business she hath broached in the state</LINE>
<LINE>Cannot endure my absence.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>And the business you have broached here cannot be</LINE>
<LINE>without you; especially that of Cleopatra's, which</LINE>
<LINE>wholly depends on your abode.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

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

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>I shall do't.</LINE>
</SPEECH>


<STAGEDIR>Exeunt</STAGEDIR>
</SCENE>

<SCENE><TITLE>SCENE III.  The same. Another room.</TITLE>
<STAGEDIR>Enter CLEOPATRA, CHARMIAN, IRAS, and ALEXAS</STAGEDIR>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CLEOPATRA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Where is he?</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CHARMIAN</SPEAKER>
<LINE>I did not see him since.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

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


<STAGEDIR>Exit ALEXAS</STAGEDIR>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CHARMIAN</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Madam, methinks, if you did love him dearly,</LINE>
<LINE>You do not hold the method to enforce</LINE>
<LINE>The like from him.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CLEOPATRA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>What should I do, I do not?</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CHARMIAN</SPEAKER>
<LINE>In each thing give him way, cross him nothing.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CLEOPATRA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Thou teachest like a fool; the way to lose him.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CHARMIAN</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Tempt him not so too far; I wish, forbear:</LINE>
<LINE>In time we hate that which we often fear.</LINE>
<LINE>But here comes Antony.</LINE>
</SPEECH>


<STAGEDIR>Enter MARK ANTONY</STAGEDIR>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CLEOPATRA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>I am sick and sullen.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MARK ANTONY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>I am sorry to give breathing to my purpose,--</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CLEOPATRA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Help me away, dear Charmian; I shall fall:</LINE>
<LINE>It cannot be thus long, the sides of nature</LINE>
<LINE>Will not sustain it.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MARK ANTONY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Now, my dearest queen,--</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CLEOPATRA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Pray you, stand further from me.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MARK ANTONY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>What's the matter?</LINE>
</SPEECH>

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

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MARK ANTONY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>The gods best know,--</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CLEOPATRA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>O, never was there queen</LINE>
<LINE>So mightily betray'd! yet at the first</LINE>
<LINE>I saw the treasons planted.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MARK ANTONY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Cleopatra,--</LINE>
</SPEECH>

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

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MARK ANTONY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Most sweet queen,--</LINE>
</SPEECH>

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

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MARK ANTONY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>How now, lady!</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CLEOPATRA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>I would I had thy inches; thou shouldst know</LINE>
<LINE>There were a heart in Egypt.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

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

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CLEOPATRA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Though age from folly could not give me freedom,</LINE>
<LINE>It does from childishness: can Fulvia die?</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MARK ANTONY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>She's dead, my queen:</LINE>
<LINE>Look here, and at thy sovereign leisure read</LINE>
<LINE>The garboils she awaked; at the last, best:</LINE>
<LINE>See when and where she died.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

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

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

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CLEOPATRA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Cut my lace, Charmian, come;</LINE>
<LINE>But let it be: I am quickly ill, and well,</LINE>
<LINE>So Antony loves.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MARK ANTONY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>My precious queen, forbear;</LINE>
<LINE>And give true evidence to his love, which stands</LINE>
<LINE>An honourable trial.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

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

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MARK ANTONY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>You'll heat my blood: no more.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CLEOPATRA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>You can do better yet; but this is meetly.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MARK ANTONY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Now, by my sword,--</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CLEOPATRA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>And target. Still he mends;</LINE>
<LINE>But this is not the best. Look, prithee, Charmian,</LINE>
<LINE>How this Herculean Roman does become</LINE>
<LINE>The carriage of his chafe.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MARK ANTONY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>I'll leave you, lady.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

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

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MARK ANTONY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>But that your royalty</LINE>
<LINE>Holds idleness your subject, I should take you</LINE>
<LINE>For idleness itself.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

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

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MARK ANTONY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Let us go. Come;</LINE>
<LINE>Our separation so abides, and flies,</LINE>
<LINE>That thou, residing here, go'st yet with me,</LINE>
<LINE>And I, hence fleeting, here remain with thee. Away!</LINE>
</SPEECH>


<STAGEDIR>Exeunt</STAGEDIR>
</SCENE>

<SCENE><TITLE>SCENE IV.  Rome. OCTAVIUS CAESAR's house.</TITLE>
<STAGEDIR>Enter OCTAVIUS CAESAR, reading a letter, LEPIDUS,
and their Train</STAGEDIR>

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

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

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


<STAGEDIR>Enter a Messenger</STAGEDIR>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>LEPIDUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Here's more news.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

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

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

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

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

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>LEPIDUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>'Tis pity of him.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

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

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

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>OCTAVIUS CAESAR</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Till which encounter,</LINE>
<LINE>It is my business too. Farewell.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>LEPIDUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Farewell, my lord: what you shall know meantime</LINE>
<LINE>Of stirs abroad, I shall beseech you, sir,</LINE>
<LINE>To let me be partaker.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>OCTAVIUS CAESAR</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Doubt not, sir;</LINE>
<LINE>I knew it for my bond.</LINE>
</SPEECH>


<STAGEDIR>Exeunt</STAGEDIR>
</SCENE>

<SCENE><TITLE>SCENE V.  Alexandria. CLEOPATRA's palace.</TITLE>
<STAGEDIR>Enter CLEOPATRA, CHARMIAN, IRAS, and MARDIAN</STAGEDIR>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CLEOPATRA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Charmian!</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CHARMIAN</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Madam?</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CLEOPATRA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Ha, ha!</LINE>
<LINE>Give me to drink mandragora.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CHARMIAN</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Why, madam?</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CLEOPATRA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>That I might sleep out this great gap of time</LINE>
<LINE>My Antony is away.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CHARMIAN</SPEAKER>
<LINE>You think of him too much.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CLEOPATRA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>O, 'tis treason!</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CHARMIAN</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Madam, I trust, not so.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CLEOPATRA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Thou, eunuch Mardian!</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MARDIAN</SPEAKER>
<LINE>What's your highness' pleasure?</LINE>
</SPEECH>

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

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MARDIAN</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Yes, gracious madam.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CLEOPATRA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Indeed!</LINE>
</SPEECH>

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

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


<STAGEDIR>Enter ALEXAS, from OCTAVIUS CAESAR</STAGEDIR>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>ALEXAS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Sovereign of Egypt, hail!</LINE>
</SPEECH>

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

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

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CLEOPATRA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Mine ear must pluck it thence.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

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

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CLEOPATRA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>What, was he sad or merry?</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>ALEXAS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Like to the time o' the year between the extremes</LINE>
<LINE>Of hot and cold, he was nor sad nor merry.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

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

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>ALEXAS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Ay, madam, twenty several messengers:</LINE>
<LINE>Why do you send so thick?</LINE>
</SPEECH>

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

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CHARMIAN</SPEAKER>
<LINE>O that brave Caesar!</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CLEOPATRA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Be choked with such another emphasis!</LINE>
<LINE>Say, the brave Antony.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CHARMIAN</SPEAKER>
<LINE>The valiant Caesar!</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CLEOPATRA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>By Isis, I will give thee bloody teeth,</LINE>
<LINE>If thou with Caesar paragon again</LINE>
<LINE>My man of men.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CHARMIAN</SPEAKER>
<LINE>By your most gracious pardon,</LINE>
<LINE>I sing but after you.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

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


<STAGEDIR>Exeunt</STAGEDIR>
</SCENE>

</ACT>

<ACT><TITLE>ACT II</TITLE>

<SCENE><TITLE>SCENE I.  Messina. POMPEY's house.</TITLE>
<STAGEDIR>Enter POMPEY, MENECRATES, and MENAS, in
warlike manner</STAGEDIR>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>POMPEY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>If the great gods be just, they shall assist</LINE>
<LINE>The deeds of justest men.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MENECRATES</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Know, worthy Pompey,</LINE>
<LINE>That what they do delay, they not deny.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>POMPEY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Whiles we are suitors to their throne, decays</LINE>
<LINE>The thing we sue for.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MENECRATES</SPEAKER>
<LINE>We, ignorant of ourselves,</LINE>
<LINE>Beg often our own harms, which the wise powers</LINE>
<LINE>Deny us for our good; so find we profit</LINE>
<LINE>By losing of our prayers.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>POMPEY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>I shall do well:</LINE>
<LINE>The people love me, and the sea is mine;</LINE>
<LINE>My powers are crescent, and my auguring hope</LINE>
<LINE>Says it will come to the full. Mark Antony</LINE>
<LINE>In Egypt sits at dinner, and will make</LINE>
<LINE>No wars without doors: Caesar gets money where</LINE>
<LINE>He loses hearts: Lepidus flatters both,</LINE>
<LINE>Of both is flatter'd; but he neither loves,</LINE>
<LINE>Nor either cares for him.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MENAS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Caesar and Lepidus</LINE>
<LINE>Are in the field: a mighty strength they carry.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>POMPEY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Where have you this? 'tis false.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MENAS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>From Silvius, sir.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>POMPEY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>He dreams: I know they are in Rome together,</LINE>
<LINE>Looking for Antony. But all the charms of love,</LINE>
<LINE>Salt Cleopatra, soften thy waned lip!</LINE>
<LINE>Let witchcraft join with beauty, lust with both!</LINE>
<LINE>Tie up the libertine in a field of feasts,</LINE>
<LINE>Keep his brain fuming; Epicurean cooks</LINE>
<LINE>Sharpen with cloyless sauce his appetite;</LINE>
<LINE>That sleep and feeding may prorogue his honour</LINE>
<LINE>Even till a Lethe'd dulness!</LINE>
<STAGEDIR>Enter VARRIUS</STAGEDIR>
<LINE>How now, Varrius!</LINE>
</SPEECH>

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

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>POMPEY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>I could have given less matter</LINE>
<LINE>A better ear. Menas, I did not think</LINE>
<LINE>This amorous surfeiter would have donn'd his helm</LINE>
<LINE>For such a petty war: his soldiership</LINE>
<LINE>Is twice the other twain: but let us rear</LINE>
<LINE>The higher our opinion, that our stirring</LINE>
<LINE>Can from the lap of Egypt's widow pluck</LINE>
<LINE>The ne'er-lust-wearied Antony.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

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

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>POMPEY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>I know not, Menas,</LINE>
<LINE>How lesser enmities may give way to greater.</LINE>
<LINE>Were't not that we stand up against them all,</LINE>
<LINE>'Twere pregnant they should square between</LINE>
<LINE>themselves;</LINE>
<LINE>For they have entertained cause enough</LINE>
<LINE>To draw their swords: but how the fear of us</LINE>
<LINE>May cement their divisions and bind up</LINE>
<LINE>The petty difference, we yet not know.</LINE>
<LINE>Be't as our gods will have't! It only stands</LINE>
<LINE>Our lives upon to use our strongest hands.</LINE>
<LINE>Come, Menas.</LINE>
</SPEECH>


<STAGEDIR>Exeunt</STAGEDIR>
</SCENE>

<SCENE><TITLE>SCENE II.  Rome. The house of LEPIDUS.</TITLE>
<STAGEDIR>Enter DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS and LEPIDUS</STAGEDIR>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>LEPIDUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Good Enobarbus, 'tis a worthy deed,</LINE>
<LINE>And shall become you well, to entreat your captain</LINE>
<LINE>To soft and gentle speech.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

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

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>LEPIDUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>'Tis not a time</LINE>
<LINE>For private stomaching.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Every time</LINE>
<LINE>Serves for the matter that is then born in't.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>LEPIDUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>But small to greater matters must give way.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Not if the small come first.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>LEPIDUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Your speech is passion:</LINE>
<LINE>But, pray you, stir no embers up. Here comes</LINE>
<LINE>The noble Antony.</LINE>
</SPEECH>


<STAGEDIR>Enter MARK ANTONY and VENTIDIUS</STAGEDIR>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>And yonder, Caesar.</LINE>
</SPEECH>


<STAGEDIR>Enter OCTAVIUS CAESAR, MECAENAS, and AGRIPPA</STAGEDIR>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MARK ANTONY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>If we compose well here, to Parthia:</LINE>
<LINE>Hark, Ventidius.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>OCTAVIUS CAESAR</SPEAKER>
<LINE>I do not know,</LINE>
<LINE>Mecaenas; ask Agrippa.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>LEPIDUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Noble friends,</LINE>
<LINE>That which combined us was most great, and let not</LINE>
<LINE>A leaner action rend us. What's amiss,</LINE>
<LINE>May it be gently heard: when we debate</LINE>
<LINE>Our trivial difference loud, we do commit</LINE>
<LINE>Murder in healing wounds: then, noble partners,</LINE>
<LINE>The rather, for I earnestly beseech,</LINE>
<LINE>Touch you the sourest points with sweetest terms,</LINE>
<LINE>Nor curstness grow to the matter.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MARK ANTONY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>'Tis spoken well.</LINE>
<LINE>Were we before our armies, and to fight.</LINE>
<LINE>I should do thus.</LINE>
</SPEECH>


<STAGEDIR>Flourish</STAGEDIR>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>OCTAVIUS CAESAR</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Welcome to Rome.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MARK ANTONY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Thank you.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>OCTAVIUS CAESAR</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Sit.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MARK ANTONY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Sit, sir.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>OCTAVIUS CAESAR</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Nay, then.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MARK ANTONY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>I learn, you take things ill which are not so,</LINE>
<LINE>Or being, concern you not.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>OCTAVIUS CAESAR</SPEAKER>
<LINE>I must be laugh'd at,</LINE>
<LINE>If, or for nothing or a little, I</LINE>
<LINE>Should say myself offended, and with you</LINE>
<LINE>Chiefly i' the world; more laugh'd at, that I should</LINE>
<LINE>Once name you derogately, when to sound your name</LINE>
<LINE>It not concern'd me.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MARK ANTONY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>My being in Egypt, Caesar,</LINE>
<LINE>What was't to you?</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>OCTAVIUS CAESAR</SPEAKER>
<LINE>No more than my residing here at Rome</LINE>
<LINE>Might be to you in Egypt: yet, if you there</LINE>
<LINE>Did practise on my state, your being in Egypt</LINE>
<LINE>Might be my question.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MARK ANTONY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>How intend you, practised?</LINE>
</SPEECH>

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

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MARK ANTONY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>You do mistake your business; my brother never</LINE>
<LINE>Did urge me in his act: I did inquire it;</LINE>
<LINE>And have my learning from some true reports,</LINE>
<LINE>That drew their swords with you. Did he not rather</LINE>
<LINE>Discredit my authority with yours;</LINE>
<LINE>And make the wars alike against my stomach,</LINE>
<LINE>Having alike your cause? Of this my letters</LINE>
<LINE>Before did satisfy you. If you'll patch a quarrel,</LINE>
<LINE>As matter whole you have not to make it with,</LINE>
<LINE>It must not be with this.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>OCTAVIUS CAESAR</SPEAKER>
<LINE>You praise yourself</LINE>
<LINE>By laying defects of judgment to me; but</LINE>
<LINE>You patch'd up your excuses.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MARK ANTONY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Not so, not so;</LINE>
<LINE>I know you could not lack, I am certain on't,</LINE>
<LINE>Very necessity of this thought, that I,</LINE>
<LINE>Your partner in the cause 'gainst which he fought,</LINE>
<LINE>Could not with graceful eyes attend those wars</LINE>
<LINE>Which fronted mine own peace. As for my wife,</LINE>
<LINE>I would you had her spirit in such another:</LINE>
<LINE>The third o' the world is yours; which with a snaffle</LINE>
<LINE>You may pace easy, but not such a wife.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Would we had all such wives, that the men might go</LINE>
<LINE>to wars with the women!</LINE>
</SPEECH>

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

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>OCTAVIUS CAESAR</SPEAKER>
<LINE>I wrote to you</LINE>
<LINE>When rioting in Alexandria; you</LINE>
<LINE>Did pocket up my letters, and with taunts</LINE>
<LINE>Did gibe my missive out of audience.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MARK ANTONY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Sir,</LINE>
<LINE>He fell upon me ere admitted: then</LINE>
<LINE>Three kings I had newly feasted, and did want</LINE>
<LINE>Of what I was i' the morning: but next day</LINE>
<LINE>I told him of myself; which was as much</LINE>
<LINE>As to have ask'd him pardon. Let this fellow</LINE>
<LINE>Be nothing of our strife; if we contend,</LINE>
<LINE>Out of our question wipe him.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>OCTAVIUS CAESAR</SPEAKER>
<LINE>You have broken</LINE>
<LINE>The article of your oath; which you shall never</LINE>
<LINE>Have tongue to charge me with.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>LEPIDUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Soft, Caesar!</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MARK ANTONY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>No,</LINE>
<LINE>Lepidus, let him speak:</LINE>
<LINE>The honour is sacred which he talks on now,</LINE>
<LINE>Supposing that I lack'd it. But, on, Caesar;</LINE>
<LINE>The article of my oath.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>OCTAVIUS CAESAR</SPEAKER>
<LINE>To lend me arms and aid when I required them;</LINE>
<LINE>The which you both denied.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MARK ANTONY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Neglected, rather;</LINE>
<LINE>And then when poison'd hours had bound me up</LINE>
<LINE>From mine own knowledge. As nearly as I may,</LINE>
<LINE>I'll play the penitent to you: but mine honesty</LINE>
<LINE>Shall not make poor my greatness, nor my power</LINE>
<LINE>Work without it. Truth is, that Fulvia,</LINE>
<LINE>To have me out of Egypt, made wars here;</LINE>
<LINE>For which myself, the ignorant motive, do</LINE>
<LINE>So far ask pardon as befits mine honour</LINE>
<LINE>To stoop in such a case.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>LEPIDUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>'Tis noble spoken.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MECAENAS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>If it might please you, to enforce no further</LINE>
<LINE>The griefs between ye: to forget them quite</LINE>
<LINE>Were to remember that the present need</LINE>
<LINE>Speaks to atone you.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>LEPIDUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Worthily spoken, Mecaenas.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

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

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MARK ANTONY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Thou art a soldier only: speak no more.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>That truth should be silent I had almost forgot.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MARK ANTONY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>You wrong this presence; therefore speak no more.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Go to, then; your considerate stone.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

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

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>AGRIPPA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Give me leave, Caesar,--</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>OCTAVIUS CAESAR</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Speak, Agrippa.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>AGRIPPA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Thou hast a sister by the mother's side,</LINE>
<LINE>Admired Octavia: great Mark Antony</LINE>
<LINE>Is now a widower.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>OCTAVIUS CAESAR</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Say not so, Agrippa:</LINE>
<LINE>If Cleopatra heard you, your reproof</LINE>
<LINE>Were well deserved of rashness.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MARK ANTONY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>I am not married, Caesar: let me hear</LINE>
<LINE>Agrippa further speak.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>AGRIPPA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>To hold you in perpetual amity,</LINE>
<LINE>To make you brothers, and to knit your hearts</LINE>
<LINE>With an unslipping knot, take Antony</LINE>
<LINE>Octavia to his wife; whose beauty claims</LINE>
<LINE>No worse a husband than the best of men;</LINE>
<LINE>Whose virtue and whose general graces speak</LINE>
<LINE>That which none else can utter. By this marriage,</LINE>
<LINE>All little jealousies, which now seem great,</LINE>
<LINE>And all great fears, which now import their dangers,</LINE>
<LINE>Would then be nothing: truths would be tales,</LINE>
<LINE>Where now half tales be truths: her love to both</LINE>
<LINE>Would, each to other and all loves to both,</LINE>
<LINE>Draw after her. Pardon what I have spoke;</LINE>
<LINE>For 'tis a studied, not a present thought,</LINE>
<LINE>By duty ruminated.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MARK ANTONY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Will Caesar speak?</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>OCTAVIUS CAESAR</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Not till he hears how Antony is touch'd</LINE>
<LINE>With what is spoke already.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MARK ANTONY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>What power is in Agrippa,</LINE>
<LINE>If I would say, 'Agrippa, be it so,'</LINE>
<LINE>To make this good?</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>OCTAVIUS CAESAR</SPEAKER>
<LINE>The power of Caesar, and</LINE>
<LINE>His power unto Octavia.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

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

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

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>LEPIDUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Happily, amen!</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MARK ANTONY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>I did not think to draw my sword 'gainst Pompey;</LINE>
<LINE>For he hath laid strange courtesies and great</LINE>
<LINE>Of late upon me: I must thank him only,</LINE>
<LINE>Lest my remembrance suffer ill report;</LINE>
<LINE>At heel of that, defy him.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>LEPIDUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Time calls upon's:</LINE>
<LINE>Of us must Pompey presently be sought,</LINE>
<LINE>Or else he seeks out us.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MARK ANTONY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Where lies he?</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>OCTAVIUS CAESAR</SPEAKER>
<LINE>About the mount Misenum.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MARK ANTONY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>What is his strength by land?</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>OCTAVIUS CAESAR</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Great and increasing: but by sea</LINE>
<LINE>He is an absolute master.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MARK ANTONY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>So is the fame.</LINE>
<LINE>Would we had spoke together! Haste we for it:</LINE>
<LINE>Yet, ere we put ourselves in arms, dispatch we</LINE>
<LINE>The business we have talk'd of.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>OCTAVIUS CAESAR</SPEAKER>
<LINE>With most gladness:</LINE>
<LINE>And do invite you to my sister's view,</LINE>
<LINE>Whither straight I'll lead you.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MARK ANTONY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Let us, Lepidus,</LINE>
<LINE>Not lack your company.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>LEPIDUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Noble Antony,</LINE>
<LINE>Not sickness should detain me.</LINE>
</SPEECH>


<STAGEDIR>Flourish. Exeunt OCTAVIUS CAESAR, MARK ANTONY,
and LEPIDUS</STAGEDIR>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MECAENAS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Welcome from Egypt, sir.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Half the heart of Caesar, worthy Mecaenas! My</LINE>
<LINE>honourable friend, Agrippa!</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>AGRIPPA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Good Enobarbus!</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MECAENAS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>We have cause to be glad that matters are so well</LINE>
<LINE>digested. You stayed well by 't in Egypt.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Ay, sir; we did sleep day out of countenance, and</LINE>
<LINE>made the night light with drinking.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MECAENAS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Eight wild-boars roasted whole at a breakfast, and</LINE>
<LINE>but twelve persons there; is this true?</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>This was but as a fly by an eagle: we had much more</LINE>
<LINE>monstrous matter of feast, which worthily deserved noting.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MECAENAS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>She's a most triumphant lady, if report be square to</LINE>
<LINE>her.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>When she first met Mark Antony, she pursed up</LINE>
<LINE>his heart, upon the river of Cydnus.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>AGRIPPA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>There she appeared indeed; or my reporter devised</LINE>
<LINE>well for her.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>I will tell you.</LINE>
<LINE>The barge she sat in, like a burnish'd throne,</LINE>
<LINE>Burn'd on the water: the poop was beaten gold;</LINE>
<LINE>Purple the sails, and so perfumed that</LINE>
<LINE>The winds were love-sick with them; the oars were silver,</LINE>
<LINE>Which to the tune of flutes kept stroke, and made</LINE>
<LINE>The water which they beat to follow faster,</LINE>
<LINE>As amorous of their strokes. For her own person,</LINE>
<LINE>It beggar'd all description: she did lie</LINE>
<LINE>In her pavilion--cloth-of-gold of tissue--</LINE>
<LINE>O'er-picturing that Venus where we see</LINE>
<LINE>The fancy outwork nature: on each side her</LINE>
<LINE>Stood pretty dimpled boys, like smiling Cupids,</LINE>
<LINE>With divers-colour'd fans, whose wind did seem</LINE>
<LINE>To glow the delicate cheeks which they did cool,</LINE>
<LINE>And what they undid did.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>AGRIPPA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>O, rare for Antony!</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Her gentlewomen, like the Nereides,</LINE>
<LINE>So many mermaids, tended her i' the eyes,</LINE>
<LINE>And made their bends adornings: at the helm</LINE>
<LINE>A seeming mermaid steers: the silken tackle</LINE>
<LINE>Swell with the touches of those flower-soft hands,</LINE>
<LINE>That yarely frame the office. From the barge</LINE>
<LINE>A strange invisible perfume hits the sense</LINE>
<LINE>Of the adjacent wharfs. The city cast</LINE>
<LINE>Her people out upon her; and Antony,</LINE>
<LINE>Enthroned i' the market-place, did sit alone,</LINE>
<LINE>Whistling to the air; which, but for vacancy,</LINE>
<LINE>Had gone to gaze on Cleopatra too,</LINE>
<LINE>And made a gap in nature.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>AGRIPPA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Rare Egyptian!</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Upon her landing, Antony sent to her,</LINE>
<LINE>Invited her to supper: she replied,</LINE>
<LINE>It should be better he became her guest;</LINE>
<LINE>Which she entreated: our courteous Antony,</LINE>
<LINE>Whom ne'er the word of 'No' woman heard speak,</LINE>
<LINE>Being barber'd ten times o'er, goes to the feast,</LINE>
<LINE>And for his ordinary pays his heart</LINE>
<LINE>For what his eyes eat only.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>AGRIPPA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Royal wench!</LINE>
<LINE>She made great Caesar lay his sword to bed:</LINE>
<LINE>He plough'd her, and she cropp'd.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>I saw her once</LINE>
<LINE>Hop forty paces through the public street;</LINE>
<LINE>And having lost her breath, she spoke, and panted,</LINE>
<LINE>That she did make defect perfection,</LINE>
<LINE>And, breathless, power breathe forth.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MECAENAS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Now Antony must leave her utterly.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Never; he will not:</LINE>
<LINE>Age cannot wither her, nor custom stale</LINE>
<LINE>Her infinite variety: other women cloy</LINE>
<LINE>The appetites they feed: but she makes hungry</LINE>
<LINE>Where most she satisfies; for vilest things</LINE>
<LINE>Become themselves in her: that the holy priests</LINE>
<LINE>Bless her when she is riggish.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MECAENAS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>If beauty, wisdom, modesty, can settle</LINE>
<LINE>The heart of Antony, Octavia is</LINE>
<LINE>A blessed lottery to him.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>AGRIPPA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Let us go.</LINE>
<LINE>Good Enobarbus, make yourself my guest</LINE>
<LINE>Whilst you abide here.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Humbly, sir, I thank you.</LINE>
</SPEECH>


<STAGEDIR>Exeunt</STAGEDIR>
</SCENE>

<SCENE><TITLE>SCENE III.  The same. OCTAVIUS CAESAR's house.</TITLE>
<STAGEDIR>Enter MARK ANTONY, OCTAVIUS CAESAR, OCTAVIA between
them, and Attendants</STAGEDIR>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MARK ANTONY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>The world and my great office will sometimes</LINE>
<LINE>Divide me from your bosom.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>OCTAVIA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>All which time</LINE>
<LINE>Before the gods my knee shall bow my prayers</LINE>
<LINE>To them for you.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MARK ANTONY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Good night, sir. My Octavia,</LINE>
<LINE>Read not my blemishes in the world's report:</LINE>
<LINE>I have not kept my square; but that to come</LINE>
<LINE>Shall all be done by the rule. Good night, dear lady.</LINE>
<LINE>Good night, sir.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>OCTAVIUS CAESAR</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Good night.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<STAGEDIR>Exeunt OCTAVIUS CAESAR and OCTAVIA</STAGEDIR>
<STAGEDIR>Enter Soothsayer</STAGEDIR>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MARK ANTONY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Now, sirrah; you do wish yourself in Egypt?</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>Soothsayer</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Would I had never come from thence, nor you Thither!</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MARK ANTONY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>If you can, your reason?</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>Soothsayer</SPEAKER>
<LINE>I see it in</LINE>
<LINE>My motion, have it not in my tongue: but yet</LINE>
<LINE>Hie you to Egypt again.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MARK ANTONY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Say to me,</LINE>
<LINE>Whose fortunes shall rise higher, Caesar's or mine?</LINE>
</SPEECH>

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

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MARK ANTONY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Speak this no more.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>Soothsayer</SPEAKER>
<LINE>To none but thee; no more, but when to thee.</LINE>
<LINE>If thou dost play with him at any game,</LINE>
<LINE>Thou art sure to lose; and, of that natural luck,</LINE>
<LINE>He beats thee 'gainst the odds: thy lustre thickens,</LINE>
<LINE>When he shines by: I say again, thy spirit</LINE>
<LINE>Is all afraid to govern thee near him;</LINE>
<LINE>But, he away, 'tis noble.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MARK ANTONY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Get thee gone:</LINE>
<LINE>Say to Ventidius I would speak with him:</LINE>
<STAGEDIR>Exit Soothsayer</STAGEDIR>
<LINE>He shall to Parthia. Be it art or hap,</LINE>
<LINE>He hath spoken true: the very dice obey him;</LINE>
<LINE>And in our sports my better cunning faints</LINE>
<LINE>Under his chance: if we draw lots, he speeds;</LINE>
<LINE>His cocks do win the battle still of mine,</LINE>
<LINE>When it is all to nought; and his quails ever</LINE>
<LINE>Beat mine, inhoop'd, at odds. I will to Egypt:</LINE>
<LINE>And though I make this marriage for my peace,</LINE>
<LINE>I' the east my pleasure lies.</LINE>
<STAGEDIR>Enter VENTIDIUS</STAGEDIR>
<LINE>O, come, Ventidius,</LINE>
<LINE>You must to Parthia: your commission's ready;</LINE>
<LINE>Follow me, and receive't.</LINE>
</SPEECH>


<STAGEDIR>Exeunt</STAGEDIR>
</SCENE>

<SCENE><TITLE>SCENE IV.  The same. A street.</TITLE>
<STAGEDIR>Enter LEPIDUS, MECAENAS, and AGRIPPA</STAGEDIR>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>LEPIDUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Trouble yourselves no further: pray you, hasten</LINE>
<LINE>Your generals after.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>AGRIPPA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Sir, Mark Antony</LINE>
<LINE>Will e'en but kiss Octavia, and we'll follow.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>LEPIDUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Till I shall see you in your soldier's dress,</LINE>
<LINE>Which will become you both, farewell.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MECAENAS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>We shall,</LINE>
<LINE>As I conceive the journey, be at the Mount</LINE>
<LINE>Before you, Lepidus.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>LEPIDUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Your way is shorter;</LINE>
<LINE>My purposes do draw me much about:</LINE>
<LINE>You'll win two days upon me.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MECAENAS</SPEAKER>
<SPEAKER>AGRIPPA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Sir, good success!</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>LEPIDUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Farewell.</LINE>
</SPEECH>


<STAGEDIR>Exeunt</STAGEDIR>
</SCENE>

<SCENE><TITLE>SCENE V.  Alexandria. CLEOPATRA's palace.</TITLE>
<STAGEDIR>Enter CLEOPATRA, CHARMIAN, IRAS, and ALEXAS</STAGEDIR>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CLEOPATRA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Give me some music; music, moody food</LINE>
<LINE>Of us that trade in love.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>Attendants</SPEAKER>
<LINE>The music, ho!</LINE>
</SPEECH>


<STAGEDIR>Enter MARDIAN</STAGEDIR>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CLEOPATRA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Let it alone; let's to billiards: come, Charmian.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CHARMIAN</SPEAKER>
<LINE>My arm is sore; best play with Mardian.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CLEOPATRA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>As well a woman with an eunuch play'd</LINE>
<LINE>As with a woman. Come, you'll play with me, sir?</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MARDIAN</SPEAKER>
<LINE>As well as I can, madam.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CLEOPATRA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>And when good will is show'd, though't come</LINE>
<LINE>too short,</LINE>
<LINE>The actor may plead pardon. I'll none now:</LINE>
<LINE>Give me mine angle; we'll to the river: there,</LINE>
<LINE>My music playing far off, I will betray</LINE>
<LINE>Tawny-finn'd fishes; my bended hook shall pierce</LINE>
<LINE>Their slimy jaws; and, as I draw them up,</LINE>
<LINE>I'll think them every one an Antony,</LINE>
<LINE>And say 'Ah, ha! you're caught.'</LINE>
</SPEECH>

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

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CLEOPATRA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>That time,--O times!--</LINE>
<LINE>I laugh'd him out of patience; and that night</LINE>
<LINE>I laugh'd him into patience; and next morn,</LINE>
<LINE>Ere the ninth hour, I drunk him to his bed;</LINE>
<LINE>Then put my tires and mantles on him, whilst</LINE>
<LINE>I wore his sword Philippan.</LINE>
<STAGEDIR>Enter a Messenger</STAGEDIR>
<LINE>O, from Italy</LINE>
<LINE>Ram thou thy fruitful tidings in mine ears,</LINE>
<LINE>That long time have been barren.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>Messenger</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Madam, madam,--</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CLEOPATRA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Antonius dead!--If thou say so, villain,</LINE>
<LINE>Thou kill'st thy mistress: but well and free,</LINE>
<LINE>If thou so yield him, there is gold, and here</LINE>
<LINE>My bluest veins to kiss; a hand that kings</LINE>
<LINE>Have lipp'd, and trembled kissing.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>Messenger</SPEAKER>
<LINE>First, madam, he is well.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CLEOPATRA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Why, there's more gold.</LINE>
<LINE>But, sirrah, mark, we use</LINE>
<LINE>To say the dead are well: bring it to that,</LINE>
<LINE>The gold I give thee will I melt and pour</LINE>
<LINE>Down thy ill-uttering throat.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>Messenger</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Good madam, hear me.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CLEOPATRA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Well, go to, I will;</LINE>
<LINE>But there's no goodness in thy face: if Antony</LINE>
<LINE>Be free and healthful,--so tart a favour</LINE>
<LINE>To trumpet such good tidings! If not well,</LINE>
<LINE>Thou shouldst come like a Fury crown'd with snakes,</LINE>
<LINE>Not like a formal man.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>Messenger</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Will't please you hear me?</LINE>
</SPEECH>

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

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>Messenger</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Madam, he's well.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CLEOPATRA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Well said.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>Messenger</SPEAKER>
<LINE>And friends with Caesar.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CLEOPATRA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Thou'rt an honest man.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>Messenger</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Caesar and he are greater friends than ever.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CLEOPATRA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Make thee a fortune from me.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>Messenger</SPEAKER>
<LINE>But yet, madam,--</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CLEOPATRA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>I do not like 'But yet,' it does allay</LINE>
<LINE>The good precedence; fie upon 'But yet'!</LINE>
<LINE>'But yet' is as a gaoler to bring forth</LINE>
<LINE>Some monstrous malefactor. Prithee, friend,</LINE>
<LINE>Pour out the pack of matter to mine ear,</LINE>
<LINE>The good and bad together: he's friends with Caesar:</LINE>
<LINE>In state of health thou say'st; and thou say'st free.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>Messenger</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Free, madam! no; I made no such report:</LINE>
<LINE>He's bound unto Octavia.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CLEOPATRA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>For what good turn?</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>Messenger</SPEAKER>
<LINE>For the best turn i' the bed.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CLEOPATRA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>I am pale, Charmian.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>Messenger</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Madam, he's married to Octavia.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CLEOPATRA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>The most infectious pestilence upon thee!</LINE>
</SPEECH>


<STAGEDIR>Strikes him down</STAGEDIR>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>Messenger</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Good madam, patience.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CLEOPATRA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>What say you? Hence,</LINE>
<STAGEDIR>Strikes him again</STAGEDIR>
<LINE>Horrible villain! or I'll spurn thine eyes</LINE>
<LINE>Like balls before me; I'll unhair thy head:</LINE>
<STAGEDIR>She hales him up and down</STAGEDIR>
<LINE>Thou shalt be whipp'd with wire, and stew'd in brine,</LINE>
<LINE>Smarting in lingering pickle.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>Messenger</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Gracious madam,</LINE>
<LINE>I that do bring the news made not the match.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CLEOPATRA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Say 'tis not so, a province I will give thee,</LINE>
<LINE>And make thy fortunes proud: the blow thou hadst</LINE>
<LINE>Shall make thy peace for moving me to rage;</LINE>
<LINE>And I will boot thee with what gift beside</LINE>
<LINE>Thy modesty can beg.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>Messenger</SPEAKER>
<LINE>He's married, madam.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CLEOPATRA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Rogue, thou hast lived too long.</LINE>
</SPEECH>


<STAGEDIR>Draws a knife</STAGEDIR>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>Messenger</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Nay, then I'll run.</LINE>
<LINE>What mean you, madam? I have made no fault.</LINE>
</SPEECH>


<STAGEDIR>Exit</STAGEDIR>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CHARMIAN</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Good madam, keep yourself within yourself:</LINE>
<LINE>The man is innocent.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CLEOPATRA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Some innocents 'scape not the thunderbolt.</LINE>
<LINE>Melt Egypt into Nile! and kindly creatures</LINE>
<LINE>Turn all to serpents! Call the slave again:</LINE>
<LINE>Though I am mad, I will not bite him: call.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CHARMIAN</SPEAKER>
<LINE>He is afeard to come.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CLEOPATRA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>I will not hurt him.</LINE>
<STAGEDIR>Exit CHARMIAN</STAGEDIR>
<LINE>These hands do lack nobility, that they strike</LINE>
<LINE>A meaner than myself; since I myself</LINE>
<LINE>Have given myself the cause.</LINE>
<STAGEDIR>Re-enter CHARMIAN and Messenger</STAGEDIR>
<LINE>Come hither, sir.</LINE>
<LINE>Though it be honest, it is never good</LINE>
<LINE>To bring bad news: give to a gracious message.</LINE>
<LINE>An host of tongues; but let ill tidings tell</LINE>
<LINE>Themselves when they be felt.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>Messenger</SPEAKER>
<LINE>I have done my duty.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CLEOPATRA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Is he married?</LINE>
<LINE>I cannot hate thee worser than I do,</LINE>
<LINE>If thou again say 'Yes.'</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>Messenger</SPEAKER>
<LINE>He's married, madam.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CLEOPATRA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>The gods confound thee! dost thou hold there still?</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>Messenger</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Should I lie, madam?</LINE>
</SPEECH>

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

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>Messenger</SPEAKER>
<LINE>I crave your highness' pardon.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CLEOPATRA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>He is married?</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>Messenger</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Take no offence that I would not offend you:</LINE>
<LINE>To punish me for what you make me do.</LINE>
<LINE>Seems much unequal: he's married to Octavia.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CLEOPATRA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>O, that his fault should make a knave of thee,</LINE>
<LINE>That art not what thou'rt sure of! Get thee hence:</LINE>
<LINE>The merchandise which thou hast brought from Rome</LINE>
<LINE>Are all too dear for me: lie they upon thy hand,</LINE>
<LINE>And be undone by 'em!</LINE>
</SPEECH>


<STAGEDIR>Exit Messenger</STAGEDIR>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CHARMIAN</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Good your highness, patience.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CLEOPATRA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>In praising Antony, I have dispraised Caesar.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CHARMIAN</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Many times, madam.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CLEOPATRA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>I am paid for't now.</LINE>
<LINE>Lead me from hence:</LINE>
<LINE>I faint: O Iras, Charmian! 'tis no matter.</LINE>
<LINE>Go to the fellow, good Alexas; bid him</LINE>
<LINE>Report the feature of Octavia, her years,</LINE>
<LINE>Her inclination, let him not leave out</LINE>
<LINE>The colour of her hair: bring me word quickly.</LINE>
<STAGEDIR>Exit ALEXAS</STAGEDIR>
<LINE>Let him for ever go:--let him not--Charmian,</LINE>
<LINE>Though he be painted one way like a Gorgon,</LINE>
<LINE>The other way's a Mars. Bid you Alexas</LINE>
<STAGEDIR>To MARDIAN</STAGEDIR>
<LINE>Bring me word how tall she is. Pity me, Charmian,</LINE>
<LINE>But do not speak to me. Lead me to my chamber.</LINE>
</SPEECH>


<STAGEDIR>Exeunt</STAGEDIR>
</SCENE>

<SCENE><TITLE>SCENE VI.  Near Misenum.</TITLE>
<STAGEDIR>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</STAGEDIR>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>POMPEY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Your hostages I have, so have you mine;</LINE>
<LINE>And we shall talk before we fight.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>OCTAVIUS CAESAR</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Most meet</LINE>
<LINE>That first we come to words; and therefore have we</LINE>
<LINE>Our written purposes before us sent;</LINE>
<LINE>Which, if thou hast consider'd, let us know</LINE>
<LINE>If 'twill tie up thy discontented sword,</LINE>
<LINE>And carry back to Sicily much tall youth</LINE>
<LINE>That else must perish here.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>POMPEY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>To you all three,</LINE>
<LINE>The senators alone of this great world,</LINE>
<LINE>Chief factors for the gods, I do not know</LINE>
<LINE>Wherefore my father should revengers want,</LINE>
<LINE>Having a son and friends; since Julius Caesar,</LINE>
<LINE>Who at Philippi the good Brutus ghosted,</LINE>
<LINE>There saw you labouring for him. What was't</LINE>
<LINE>That moved pale Cassius to conspire; and what</LINE>
<LINE>Made the all-honour'd, honest Roman, Brutus,</LINE>
<LINE>With the arm'd rest, courtiers and beauteous freedom,</LINE>
<LINE>To drench the Capitol; but that they would</LINE>
<LINE>Have one man but a man? And that is it</LINE>
<LINE>Hath made me rig my navy; at whose burthen</LINE>
<LINE>The anger'd ocean foams; with which I meant</LINE>
<LINE>To scourge the ingratitude that despiteful Rome</LINE>
<LINE>Cast on my noble father.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>OCTAVIUS CAESAR</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Take your time.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

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

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

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>LEPIDUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Be pleased to tell us--</LINE>
<LINE>For this is from the present--how you take</LINE>
<LINE>The offers we have sent you.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>OCTAVIUS CAESAR</SPEAKER>
<LINE>There's the point.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MARK ANTONY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Which do not be entreated to, but weigh</LINE>
<LINE>What it is worth embraced.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>OCTAVIUS CAESAR</SPEAKER>
<LINE>And what may follow,</LINE>
<LINE>To try a larger fortune.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

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

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>OCTAVIUS CAESAR</SPEAKER>
<SPEAKER>MARK ANTONY</SPEAKER>
<SPEAKER>LEPIDUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>That's our offer.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>POMPEY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Know, then,</LINE>
<LINE>I came before you here a man prepared</LINE>
<LINE>To take this offer: but Mark Antony</LINE>
<LINE>Put me to some impatience: though I lose</LINE>
<LINE>The praise of it by telling, you must know,</LINE>
<LINE>When Caesar and your brother were at blows,</LINE>
<LINE>Your mother came to Sicily and did find</LINE>
<LINE>Her welcome friendly.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MARK ANTONY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>I have heard it, Pompey;</LINE>
<LINE>And am well studied for a liberal thanks</LINE>
<LINE>Which I do owe you.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>POMPEY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Let me have your hand:</LINE>
<LINE>I did not think, sir, to have met you here.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MARK ANTONY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>The beds i' the east are soft; and thanks to you,</LINE>
<LINE>That call'd me timelier than my purpose hither;</LINE>
<LINE>For I have gain'd by 't.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>OCTAVIUS CAESAR</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Since I saw you last,</LINE>
<LINE>There is a change upon you.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>POMPEY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Well, I know not</LINE>
<LINE>What counts harsh fortune casts upon my face;</LINE>
<LINE>But in my bosom shall she never come,</LINE>
<LINE>To make my heart her vassal.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>LEPIDUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Well met here.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>POMPEY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>I hope so, Lepidus. Thus we are agreed:</LINE>
<LINE>I crave our composition may be written,</LINE>
<LINE>And seal'd between us.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>OCTAVIUS CAESAR</SPEAKER>
<LINE>That's the next to do.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>POMPEY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>We'll feast each other ere we part; and let's</LINE>
<LINE>Draw lots who shall begin.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MARK ANTONY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>That will I, Pompey.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

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

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MARK ANTONY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>You have heard much.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>POMPEY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>I have fair meanings, sir.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MARK ANTONY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>And fair words to them.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>POMPEY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Then so much have I heard:</LINE>
<LINE>And I have heard, Apollodorus carried--</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>No more of that: he did so.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>POMPEY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>What, I pray you?</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>A certain queen to Caesar in a mattress.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>POMPEY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>I know thee now: how farest thou, soldier?</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Well;</LINE>
<LINE>And well am like to do; for, I perceive,</LINE>
<LINE>Four feasts are toward.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>POMPEY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Let me shake thy hand;</LINE>
<LINE>I never hated thee: I have seen thee fight,</LINE>
<LINE>When I have envied thy behavior.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Sir,</LINE>
<LINE>I never loved you much; but I ha' praised ye,</LINE>
<LINE>When you have well deserved ten times as much</LINE>
<LINE>As I have said you did.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>POMPEY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Enjoy thy plainness,</LINE>
<LINE>It nothing ill becomes thee.</LINE>
<LINE>Aboard my galley I invite you all:</LINE>
<LINE>Will you lead, lords?</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>OCTAVIUS CAESAR</SPEAKER>
<SPEAKER>MARK ANTONY</SPEAKER>
<SPEAKER>LEPIDUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Show us the way, sir.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>POMPEY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Come.</LINE>
</SPEECH>


<STAGEDIR>Exeunt all but MENAS and ENOBARBUS</STAGEDIR>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MENAS</SPEAKER>
<LINE><STAGEDIR>Aside</STAGEDIR>  Thy father, Pompey, would ne'er have</LINE>
<LINE>made this treaty.--You and I have known, sir.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>At sea, I think.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MENAS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>We have, sir.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>You have done well by water.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MENAS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>And you by land.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>I will praise any man that will praise me; though it</LINE>
<LINE>cannot be denied what I have done by land.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MENAS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Nor what I have done by water.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Yes, something you can deny for your own</LINE>
<LINE>safety: you have been a great thief by sea.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MENAS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>And you by land.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>There I deny my land service. But give me your</LINE>
<LINE>hand, Menas: if our eyes had authority, here they</LINE>
<LINE>might take two thieves kissing.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MENAS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>All men's faces are true, whatsome'er their hands are.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>But there is never a fair woman has a true face.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MENAS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>No slander; they steal hearts.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>We came hither to fight with you.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MENAS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>For my part, I am sorry it is turned to a drinking.</LINE>
<LINE>Pompey doth this day laugh away his fortune.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>If he do, sure, he cannot weep't back again.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MENAS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>You've said, sir. We looked not for Mark Antony</LINE>
<LINE>here: pray you, is he married to Cleopatra?</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Caesar's sister is called Octavia.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MENAS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>True, sir; she was the wife of Caius Marcellus.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>But she is now the wife of Marcus Antonius.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MENAS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Pray ye, sir?</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>'Tis true.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MENAS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Then is Caesar and he for ever knit together.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>If I were bound to divine of this unity, I would</LINE>
<LINE>not prophesy so.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MENAS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>I think the policy of that purpose made more in the</LINE>
<LINE>marriage than the love of the parties.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

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

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MENAS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Who would not have his wife so?</LINE>
</SPEECH>

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

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MENAS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>And thus it may be. Come, sir, will you aboard?</LINE>
<LINE>I have a health for you.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>I shall take it, sir: we have used our throats in Egypt.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MENAS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Come, let's away.</LINE>
</SPEECH>


<STAGEDIR>Exeunt</STAGEDIR>
</SCENE>

<SCENE><TITLE>SCENE VII.  On board POMPEY's galley, off Misenum.</TITLE>
<STAGEDIR>Music plays. Enter two or three Servants with
a banquet</STAGEDIR>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>First Servant</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Here they'll be, man. Some o' their plants are</LINE>
<LINE>ill-rooted already: the least wind i' the world</LINE>
<LINE>will blow them down.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>Second Servant</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Lepidus is high-coloured.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>First Servant</SPEAKER>
<LINE>They have made him drink alms-drink.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>Second Servant</SPEAKER>
<LINE>As they pinch one another by the disposition, he</LINE>
<LINE>cries out 'No more;' reconciles them to his</LINE>
<LINE>entreaty, and himself to the drink.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>First Servant</SPEAKER>
<LINE>But it raises the greater war between him and</LINE>
<LINE>his discretion.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>Second Servant</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Why, this is to have a name in great men's</LINE>
<LINE>fellowship: I had as lief have a reed that will do</LINE>
<LINE>me no service as a partisan I could not heave.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>First Servant</SPEAKER>
<LINE>To be called into a huge sphere, and not to be seen</LINE>
<LINE>to move in't, are the holes where eyes should be,</LINE>
<LINE>which pitifully disaster the cheeks.</LINE>
</SPEECH>


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

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MARK ANTONY</SPEAKER>
<LINE><STAGEDIR>To OCTAVIUS CAESAR</STAGEDIR>  Thus do they, sir: they take</LINE>
<LINE>the flow o' the Nile</LINE>
<LINE>By certain scales i' the pyramid; they know,</LINE>
<LINE>By the height, the lowness, or the mean, if dearth</LINE>
<LINE>Or foison follow: the higher Nilus swells,</LINE>
<LINE>The more it promises: as it ebbs, the seedsman</LINE>
<LINE>Upon the slime and ooze scatters his grain,</LINE>
<LINE>And shortly comes to harvest.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>LEPIDUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>You've strange serpents there.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MARK ANTONY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Ay, Lepidus.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>LEPIDUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Your serpent of Egypt is bred now of your mud by the</LINE>
<LINE>operation of your sun: so is your crocodile.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MARK ANTONY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>They are so.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>POMPEY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Sit,--and some wine! A health to Lepidus!</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>LEPIDUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>I am not so well as I should be, but I'll ne'er out.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Not till you have slept; I fear me you'll be in till then.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>LEPIDUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Nay, certainly, I have heard the Ptolemies'</LINE>
<LINE>pyramises are very goodly things; without</LINE>
<LINE>contradiction, I have heard that.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MENAS</SPEAKER>
<LINE><STAGEDIR>Aside to POMPEY</STAGEDIR>  Pompey, a word.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>POMPEY</SPEAKER>
<LINE><STAGEDIR>Aside to MENAS</STAGEDIR>                 Say in mine ear:</LINE>
<LINE>what is't?</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MENAS</SPEAKER>
<LINE><STAGEDIR>Aside to POMPEY</STAGEDIR>  Forsake thy seat, I do beseech</LINE>
<LINE>thee, captain,</LINE>
<LINE>And hear me speak a word.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>POMPEY</SPEAKER>
<LINE><STAGEDIR>Aside to MENAS</STAGEDIR>  Forbear me till anon.</LINE>
<LINE>This wine for Lepidus!</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>LEPIDUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>What manner o' thing is your crocodile?</LINE>
</SPEECH>

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

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>LEPIDUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>What colour is it of?</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MARK ANTONY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Of it own colour too.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>LEPIDUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>'Tis a strange serpent.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MARK ANTONY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>'Tis so. And the tears of it are wet.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>OCTAVIUS CAESAR</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Will this description satisfy him?</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MARK ANTONY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>With the health that Pompey gives him, else he is a</LINE>
<LINE>very epicure.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>POMPEY</SPEAKER>
<LINE><STAGEDIR>Aside to MENAS</STAGEDIR>  Go hang, sir, hang! Tell me of</LINE>
<LINE>that? away!</LINE>
<LINE>Do as I bid you. Where's this cup I call'd for?</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MENAS</SPEAKER>
<LINE><STAGEDIR>Aside to POMPEY</STAGEDIR>  If for the sake of merit thou</LINE>
<LINE>wilt hear me,</LINE>
<LINE>Rise from thy stool.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>POMPEY</SPEAKER>
<LINE><STAGEDIR>Aside to MENAS</STAGEDIR>  I think thou'rt mad.</LINE>
<LINE>The matter?</LINE>
</SPEECH>


<STAGEDIR>Rises, and walks aside</STAGEDIR>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MENAS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>I have ever held my cap off to thy fortunes.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>POMPEY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Thou hast served me with much faith. What's else to say?</LINE>
<LINE>Be jolly, lords.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MARK ANTONY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>These quick-sands, Lepidus,</LINE>
<LINE>Keep off them, for you sink.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MENAS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Wilt thou be lord of all the world?</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>POMPEY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>What say'st thou?</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MENAS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Wilt thou be lord of the whole world? That's twice.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>POMPEY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>How should that be?</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MENAS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>But entertain it,</LINE>
<LINE>And, though thou think me poor, I am the man</LINE>
<LINE>Will give thee all the world.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>POMPEY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Hast thou drunk well?</LINE>
</SPEECH>

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

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>POMPEY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Show me which way.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MENAS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>These three world-sharers, these competitors,</LINE>
<LINE>Are in thy vessel: let me cut the cable;</LINE>
<LINE>And, when we are put off, fall to their throats:</LINE>
<LINE>All there is thine.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>POMPEY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Ah, this thou shouldst have done,</LINE>
<LINE>And not have spoke on't! In me 'tis villany;</LINE>
<LINE>In thee't had been good service. Thou must know,</LINE>
<LINE>'Tis not my profit that does lead mine honour;</LINE>
<LINE>Mine honour, it. Repent that e'er thy tongue</LINE>
<LINE>Hath so betray'd thine act: being done unknown,</LINE>
<LINE>I should have found it afterwards well done;</LINE>
<LINE>But must condemn it now. Desist, and drink.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MENAS</SPEAKER>
<LINE><STAGEDIR>Aside</STAGEDIR>  For this,</LINE>
<LINE>I'll never follow thy pall'd fortunes more.</LINE>
<LINE>Who seeks, and will not take when once 'tis offer'd,</LINE>
<LINE>Shall never find it more.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>POMPEY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>This health to Lepidus!</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MARK ANTONY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Bear him ashore. I'll pledge it for him, Pompey.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Here's to thee, Menas!</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MENAS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Enobarbus, welcome!</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>POMPEY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Fill till the cup be hid.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>There's a strong fellow, Menas.</LINE>
</SPEECH>


<STAGEDIR>Pointing to the Attendant who carries off LEPIDUS</STAGEDIR>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MENAS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Why?</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>A' bears the third part of the world, man; see'st</LINE>
<LINE>not?</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MENAS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>The third part, then, is drunk: would it were all,</LINE>
<LINE>That it might go on wheels!</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Drink thou; increase the reels.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MENAS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Come.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>POMPEY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>This is not yet an Alexandrian feast.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MARK ANTONY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>It ripens towards it. Strike the vessels, ho?</LINE>
<LINE>Here is to Caesar!</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>OCTAVIUS CAESAR</SPEAKER>
<LINE>I could well forbear't.</LINE>
<LINE>It's monstrous labour, when I wash my brain,</LINE>
<LINE>And it grows fouler.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MARK ANTONY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Be a child o' the time.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>OCTAVIUS CAESAR</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Possess it, I'll make answer:</LINE>
<LINE>But I had rather fast from all four days</LINE>
<LINE>Than drink so much in one.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Ha, my brave emperor!</LINE>
<STAGEDIR>To MARK ANTONY</STAGEDIR>
<LINE>Shall we dance now the Egyptian Bacchanals,</LINE>
<LINE>And celebrate our drink?</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>POMPEY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Let's ha't, good soldier.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MARK ANTONY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Come, let's all take hands,</LINE>
<LINE>Till that the conquering wine hath steep'd our sense</LINE>
<LINE>In soft and delicate Lethe.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>All take hands.</LINE>
<LINE>Make battery to our ears with the loud music:</LINE>
<LINE>The while I'll place you: then the boy shall sing;</LINE>
<LINE>The holding every man shall bear as loud</LINE>
<LINE>As his strong sides can volley.</LINE>
<STAGEDIR>Music plays. DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS places them
hand in hand</STAGEDIR>
<SUBHEAD>THE SONG.</SUBHEAD>
<LINE>Come, thou monarch of the vine,</LINE>
<LINE>Plumpy Bacchus with pink eyne!</LINE>
<LINE>In thy fats our cares be drown'd,</LINE>
<LINE>With thy grapes our hairs be crown'd:</LINE>
<LINE>Cup us, till the world go round,</LINE>
<LINE>Cup us, till the world go round!</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>OCTAVIUS CAESAR</SPEAKER>
<LINE>What would you more? Pompey, good night. Good brother,</LINE>
<LINE>Let me request you off: our graver business</LINE>
<LINE>Frowns at this levity. Gentle lords, let's part;</LINE>
<LINE>You see we have burnt our cheeks: strong Enobarb</LINE>
<LINE>Is weaker than the wine; and mine own tongue</LINE>
<LINE>Splits what it speaks: the wild disguise hath almost</LINE>
<LINE>Antick'd us all. What needs more words? Good night.</LINE>
<LINE>Good Antony, your hand.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>POMPEY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>I'll try you on the shore.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MARK ANTONY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>And shall, sir; give's your hand.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>POMPEY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>O Antony,</LINE>
<LINE>You have my father's house,--But, what? we are friends.</LINE>
<LINE>Come, down into the boat.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Take heed you fall not.</LINE>
<STAGEDIR>Exeunt all but DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS and MENAS</STAGEDIR>
<LINE>Menas, I'll not on shore.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MENAS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>No, to my cabin.</LINE>
<LINE>These drums! these trumpets, flutes! what!</LINE>
<LINE>Let Neptune hear we bid a loud farewell</LINE>
<LINE>To these great fellows: sound and be hang'd, sound out!</LINE>
</SPEECH>


<STAGEDIR>Sound a flourish, with drums</STAGEDIR>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Ho! says a' There's my cap.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MENAS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Ho! Noble captain, come.</LINE>
</SPEECH>


<STAGEDIR>Exeunt</STAGEDIR>
</SCENE>

</ACT>

<ACT><TITLE>ACT III</TITLE>

<SCENE><TITLE>SCENE I.  A plain in Syria.</TITLE>
<STAGEDIR>Enter VENTIDIUS as it were in triumph, with SILIUS,
and other Romans, Officers, and Soldiers; the dead
body of PACORUS borne before him</STAGEDIR>

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

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

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>VENTIDIUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>O Silius, Silius,</LINE>
<LINE>I have done enough; a lower place, note well,</LINE>
<LINE>May make too great an act: for learn this, Silius;</LINE>
<LINE>Better to leave undone, than by our deed</LINE>
<LINE>Acquire too high a fame when him we serve's away.</LINE>
<LINE>Caesar and Antony have ever won</LINE>
<LINE>More in their officer than person: Sossius,</LINE>
<LINE>One of my place in Syria, his lieutenant,</LINE>
<LINE>For quick accumulation of renown,</LINE>
<LINE>Which he achieved by the minute, lost his favour.</LINE>
<LINE>Who does i' the wars more than his captain can</LINE>
<LINE>Becomes his captain's captain: and ambition,</LINE>
<LINE>The soldier's virtue, rather makes choice of loss,</LINE>
<LINE>Than gain which darkens him.</LINE>
<LINE>I could do more to do Antonius good,</LINE>
<LINE>But 'twould offend him; and in his offence</LINE>
<LINE>Should my performance perish.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>SILIUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Thou hast, Ventidius,</LINE>
<LINE>that</LINE>
<LINE>Without the which a soldier, and his sword,</LINE>
<LINE>Grants scarce distinction. Thou wilt write to Antony!</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>VENTIDIUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>I'll humbly signify what in his name,</LINE>
<LINE>That magical word of war, we have effected;</LINE>
<LINE>How, with his banners and his well-paid ranks,</LINE>
<LINE>The ne'er-yet-beaten horse of Parthia</LINE>
<LINE>We have jaded out o' the field.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>SILIUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Where is he now?</LINE>
</SPEECH>

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


<STAGEDIR>Exeunt</STAGEDIR>
</SCENE>

<SCENE><TITLE>SCENE II.  Rome. An ante-chamber in OCTAVIUS CAESAR's house.</TITLE>
<STAGEDIR>Enter AGRIPPA at one door, DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS
at another</STAGEDIR>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>AGRIPPA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>What, are the brothers parted?</LINE>
</SPEECH>

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

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>AGRIPPA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>'Tis a noble Lepidus.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>A very fine one: O, how he loves Caesar!</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>AGRIPPA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Nay, but how dearly he adores Mark Antony!</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Caesar? Why, he's the Jupiter of men.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>AGRIPPA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>What's Antony? The god of Jupiter.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Spake you of Caesar? How! the non-pareil!</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>AGRIPPA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>O Antony! O thou Arabian bird!</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Would you praise Caesar, say 'Caesar:' go no further.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>AGRIPPA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Indeed, he plied them both with excellent praises.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

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

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>AGRIPPA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Both he loves.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>They are his shards, and he their beetle.</LINE>
<STAGEDIR>Trumpets within</STAGEDIR>
<LINE>So;</LINE>
<LINE>This is to horse. Adieu, noble Agrippa.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>AGRIPPA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Good fortune, worthy soldier; and farewell.</LINE>
</SPEECH>


<STAGEDIR>Enter OCTAVIUS CAESAR, MARK ANTONY, LEPIDUS, and OCTAVIA</STAGEDIR>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MARK ANTONY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>No further, sir.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>OCTAVIUS CAESAR</SPEAKER>
<LINE>You take from me a great part of myself;</LINE>
<LINE>Use me well in 't. Sister, prove such a wife</LINE>
<LINE>As my thoughts make thee, and as my farthest band</LINE>
<LINE>Shall pass on thy approof. Most noble Antony,</LINE>
<LINE>Let not the piece of virtue, which is set</LINE>
<LINE>Betwixt us as the cement of our love,</LINE>
<LINE>To keep it builded, be the ram to batter</LINE>
<LINE>The fortress of it; for better might we</LINE>
<LINE>Have loved without this mean, if on both parts</LINE>
<LINE>This be not cherish'd.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MARK ANTONY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Make me not offended</LINE>
<LINE>In your distrust.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>OCTAVIUS CAESAR</SPEAKER>
<LINE>I have said.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

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

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>OCTAVIUS CAESAR</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Farewell, my dearest sister, fare thee well:</LINE>
<LINE>The elements be kind to thee, and make</LINE>
<LINE>Thy spirits all of comfort! fare thee well.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>OCTAVIA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>My noble brother!</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MARK ANTONY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>The April 's in her eyes: it is love's spring,</LINE>
<LINE>And these the showers to bring it on. Be cheerful.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>OCTAVIA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Sir, look well to my husband's house; and--</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>OCTAVIUS CAESAR</SPEAKER>
<LINE>What, Octavia?</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>OCTAVIA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>I'll tell you in your ear.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MARK ANTONY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Her tongue will not obey her heart, nor can</LINE>
<LINE>Her heart inform her tongue,--the swan's</LINE>
<LINE>down-feather,</LINE>
<LINE>That stands upon the swell at full of tide,</LINE>
<LINE>And neither way inclines.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE><STAGEDIR>Aside to AGRIPPA</STAGEDIR>  Will Caesar weep?</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>AGRIPPA</SPEAKER>
<LINE><STAGEDIR>Aside to DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS</STAGEDIR>  He has a cloud in 's face.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE><STAGEDIR>Aside to AGRIPPA</STAGEDIR>  He were the worse for that,</LINE>
<LINE>were he a horse;</LINE>
<LINE>So is he, being a man.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>AGRIPPA</SPEAKER>
<LINE><STAGEDIR>Aside to DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS</STAGEDIR>  Why, Enobarbus,</LINE>
<LINE>When Antony found Julius Caesar dead,</LINE>
<LINE>He cried almost to roaring; and he wept</LINE>
<LINE>When at Philippi he found Brutus slain.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE><STAGEDIR>Aside to AGRIPPA</STAGEDIR>  That year, indeed, he was</LINE>
<LINE>troubled with a rheum;</LINE>
<LINE>What willingly he did confound he wail'd,</LINE>
<LINE>Believe't, till I wept too.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>OCTAVIUS CAESAR</SPEAKER>
<LINE>No, sweet Octavia,</LINE>
<LINE>You shall hear from me still; the time shall not</LINE>
<LINE>Out-go my thinking on you.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MARK ANTONY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Come, sir, come;</LINE>
<LINE>I'll wrestle with you in my strength of love:</LINE>
<LINE>Look, here I have you; thus I let you go,</LINE>
<LINE>And give you to the gods.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>OCTAVIUS CAESAR</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Adieu; be happy!</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>LEPIDUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Let all the number of the stars give light</LINE>
<LINE>To thy fair way!</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>OCTAVIUS CAESAR</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Farewell, farewell!</LINE>
</SPEECH>


<STAGEDIR>Kisses OCTAVIA</STAGEDIR>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MARK ANTONY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Farewell!</LINE>
</SPEECH>


<STAGEDIR>Trumpets sound. Exeunt</STAGEDIR>
</SCENE>

<SCENE><TITLE>SCENE III.  Alexandria. CLEOPATRA's palace.</TITLE>
<STAGEDIR>Enter CLEOPATRA, CHARMIAN, IRAS, and ALEXAS</STAGEDIR>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CLEOPATRA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Where is the fellow?</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>ALEXAS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Half afeard to come.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CLEOPATRA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Go to, go to.</LINE>
<STAGEDIR>Enter the Messenger as before</STAGEDIR>
<LINE>Come hither, sir.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>ALEXAS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Good majesty,</LINE>
<LINE>Herod of Jewry dare not look upon you</LINE>
<LINE>But when you are well pleased.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CLEOPATRA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>That Herod's head</LINE>
<LINE>I'll have: but how, when Antony is gone</LINE>
<LINE>Through whom I might command it? Come thou near.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>Messenger</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Most gracious majesty,--</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CLEOPATRA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Didst thou behold Octavia?</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>Messenger</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Ay, dread queen.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CLEOPATRA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Where?</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>Messenger</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Madam, in Rome;</LINE>
<LINE>I look'd her in the face, and saw her led</LINE>
<LINE>Between her brother and Mark Antony.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CLEOPATRA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Is she as tall as me?</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>Messenger</SPEAKER>
<LINE>She is not, madam.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CLEOPATRA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Didst hear her speak? is she shrill-tongued or low?</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>Messenger</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Madam, I heard her speak; she is low-voiced.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CLEOPATRA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>That's not so good: he cannot like her long.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CHARMIAN</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Like her! O Isis! 'tis impossible.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

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

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>Messenger</SPEAKER>
<LINE>She creeps:</LINE>
<LINE>Her motion and her station are as one;</LINE>
<LINE>She shows a body rather than a life,</LINE>
<LINE>A statue than a breather.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CLEOPATRA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Is this certain?</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>Messenger</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Or I have no observance.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CHARMIAN</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Three in Egypt</LINE>
<LINE>Cannot make better note.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CLEOPATRA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>He's very knowing;</LINE>
<LINE>I do perceive't: there's nothing in her yet:</LINE>
<LINE>The fellow has good judgment.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CHARMIAN</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Excellent.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CLEOPATRA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Guess at her years, I prithee.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>Messenger</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Madam,</LINE>
<LINE>She was a widow,--</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CLEOPATRA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Widow! Charmian, hark.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>Messenger</SPEAKER>
<LINE>And I do think she's thirty.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CLEOPATRA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Bear'st thou her face in mind? is't long or round?</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>Messenger</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Round even to faultiness.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CLEOPATRA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>For the most part, too, they are foolish that are so.</LINE>
<LINE>Her hair, what colour?</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>Messenger</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Brown, madam: and her forehead</LINE>
<LINE>As low as she would wish it.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

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


<STAGEDIR>Exit Messenger</STAGEDIR>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CHARMIAN</SPEAKER>
<LINE>A proper man.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CLEOPATRA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Indeed, he is so: I repent me much</LINE>
<LINE>That so I harried him. Why, methinks, by him,</LINE>
<LINE>This creature's no such thing.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CHARMIAN</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Nothing, madam.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CLEOPATRA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>The man hath seen some majesty, and should know.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CHARMIAN</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Hath he seen majesty? Isis else defend,</LINE>
<LINE>And serving you so long!</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CLEOPATRA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>I have one thing more to ask him yet, good Charmian:</LINE>
<LINE>But 'tis no matter; thou shalt bring him to me</LINE>
<LINE>Where I will write. All may be well enough.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CHARMIAN</SPEAKER>
<LINE>I warrant you, madam.</LINE>
</SPEECH>


<STAGEDIR>Exeunt</STAGEDIR>
</SCENE>

<SCENE><TITLE>SCENE IV.  Athens. A room in MARK ANTONY's house.</TITLE>
<STAGEDIR>Enter MARK ANTONY and OCTAVIA</STAGEDIR>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MARK ANTONY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Nay, nay, Octavia, not only that,--</LINE>
<LINE>That were excusable, that, and thousands more</LINE>
<LINE>Of semblable import,--but he hath waged</LINE>
<LINE>New wars 'gainst Pompey; made his will, and read it</LINE>
<LINE>To public ear:</LINE>
<LINE>Spoke scantly of me: when perforce he could not</LINE>
<LINE>But pay me terms of honour, cold and sickly</LINE>
<LINE>He vented them; most narrow measure lent me:</LINE>
<LINE>When the best hint was given him, he not took't,</LINE>
<LINE>Or did it from his teeth.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>OCTAVIA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>O my good lord,</LINE>
<LINE>Believe not all; or, if you must believe,</LINE>
<LINE>Stomach not all. A more unhappy lady,</LINE>
<LINE>If this division chance, ne'er stood between,</LINE>
<LINE>Praying for both parts:</LINE>
<LINE>The good gods me presently,</LINE>
<LINE>When I shall pray, 'O bless my lord and husband!'</LINE>
<LINE>Undo that prayer, by crying out as loud,</LINE>
<LINE>'O, bless my brother!' Husband win, win brother,</LINE>
<LINE>Prays, and destroys the prayer; no midway</LINE>
<LINE>'Twixt these extremes at all.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MARK ANTONY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Gentle Octavia,</LINE>
<LINE>Let your best love draw to that point, which seeks</LINE>
<LINE>Best to preserve it: if I lose mine honour,</LINE>
<LINE>I lose myself: better I were not yours</LINE>
<LINE>Than yours so branchless. But, as you requested,</LINE>
<LINE>Yourself shall go between 's: the mean time, lady,</LINE>
<LINE>I'll raise the preparation of a war</LINE>
<LINE>Shall stain your brother: make your soonest haste;</LINE>
<LINE>So your desires are yours.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>OCTAVIA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Thanks to my lord.</LINE>
<LINE>The Jove of power make me most weak, most weak,</LINE>
<LINE>Your reconciler! Wars 'twixt you twain would be</LINE>
<LINE>As if the world should cleave, and that slain men</LINE>
<LINE>Should solder up the rift.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MARK ANTONY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>When it appears to you where this begins,</LINE>
<LINE>Turn your displeasure that way: for our faults</LINE>
<LINE>Can never be so equal, that your love</LINE>
<LINE>Can equally move with them. Provide your going;</LINE>
<LINE>Choose your own company, and command what cost</LINE>
<LINE>Your heart has mind to.</LINE>
</SPEECH>


<STAGEDIR>Exeunt</STAGEDIR>
</SCENE>

<SCENE><TITLE>SCENE V.  The same. Another room.</TITLE>
<STAGEDIR>Enter DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS and EROS, meeting</STAGEDIR>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>How now, friend Eros!</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>EROS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>There's strange news come, sir.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>What, man?</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>EROS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Caesar and Lepidus have made wars upon Pompey.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>This is old: what is the success?</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>EROS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Caesar, having made use of him in the wars 'gainst</LINE>
<LINE>Pompey, presently denied him rivality; would not let</LINE>
<LINE>him partake in the glory of the action: and not</LINE>
<LINE>resting here, accuses him of letters he had formerly</LINE>
<LINE>wrote to Pompey; upon his own appeal, seizes him: so</LINE>
<LINE>the poor third is up, till death enlarge his confine.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Then, world, thou hast a pair of chaps, no more;</LINE>
<LINE>And throw between them all the food thou hast,</LINE>
<LINE>They'll grind the one the other. Where's Antony?</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>EROS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>He's walking in the garden--thus; and spurns</LINE>
<LINE>The rush that lies before him; cries, 'Fool Lepidus!'</LINE>
<LINE>And threats the throat of that his officer</LINE>
<LINE>That murder'd Pompey.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Our great navy's rigg'd.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>EROS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>For Italy and Caesar. More, Domitius;</LINE>
<LINE>My lord desires you presently: my news</LINE>
<LINE>I might have told hereafter.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>'Twill be naught:</LINE>
<LINE>But let it be. Bring me to Antony.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>EROS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Come, sir.</LINE>
</SPEECH>


<STAGEDIR>Exeunt</STAGEDIR>
</SCENE>

<SCENE><TITLE>SCENE VI.  Rome. OCTAVIUS CAESAR's house.</TITLE>
<STAGEDIR>Enter OCTAVIUS CAESAR, AGRIPPA, and MECAENAS</STAGEDIR>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>OCTAVIUS CAESAR</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Contemning Rome, he has done all this, and more,</LINE>
<LINE>In Alexandria: here's the manner of 't:</LINE>
<LINE>I' the market-place, on a tribunal silver'd,</LINE>
<LINE>Cleopatra and himself in chairs of gold</LINE>
<LINE>Were publicly enthroned: at the feet sat</LINE>
<LINE>Caesarion, whom they call my father's son,</LINE>
<LINE>And all the unlawful issue that their lust</LINE>
<LINE>Since then hath made between them. Unto her</LINE>
<LINE>He gave the stablishment of Egypt; made her</LINE>
<LINE>Of lower Syria, Cyprus, Lydia,</LINE>
<LINE>Absolute queen.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MECAENAS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>This in the public eye?</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>OCTAVIUS CAESAR</SPEAKER>
<LINE>I' the common show-place, where they exercise.</LINE>
<LINE>His sons he there proclaim'd the kings of kings:</LINE>
<LINE>Great Media, Parthia, and Armenia.</LINE>
<LINE>He gave to Alexander; to Ptolemy he assign'd</LINE>
<LINE>Syria, Cilicia, and Phoenicia: she</LINE>
<LINE>In the habiliments of the goddess Isis</LINE>
<LINE>That day appear'd; and oft before gave audience,</LINE>
<LINE>As 'tis reported, so.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MECAENAS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Let Rome be thus Inform'd.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>AGRIPPA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Who, queasy with his insolence</LINE>
<LINE>Already, will their good thoughts call from him.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>OCTAVIUS CAESAR</SPEAKER>
<LINE>The people know it; and have now received</LINE>
<LINE>His accusations.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>AGRIPPA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Who does he accuse?</LINE>
</SPEECH>

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

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>AGRIPPA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Sir, this should be answer'd.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>OCTAVIUS CAESAR</SPEAKER>
<LINE>'Tis done already, and the messenger gone.</LINE>
<LINE>I have told him, Lepidus was grown too cruel;</LINE>
<LINE>That he his high authority abused,</LINE>
<LINE>And did deserve his change: for what I have conquer'd,</LINE>
<LINE>I grant him part; but then, in his Armenia,</LINE>
<LINE>And other of his conquer'd kingdoms, I</LINE>
<LINE>Demand the like.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MECAENAS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>He'll never yield to that.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>OCTAVIUS CAESAR</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Nor must not then be yielded to in this.</LINE>
</SPEECH>


<STAGEDIR>Enter OCTAVIA with her train</STAGEDIR>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>OCTAVIA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Hail, Caesar, and my lord! hail, most dear Caesar!</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>OCTAVIUS CAESAR</SPEAKER>
<LINE>That ever I should call thee castaway!</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>OCTAVIA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>You have not call'd me so, nor have you cause.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>OCTAVIUS CAESAR</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Why have you stol'n upon us thus! You come not</LINE>
<LINE>Like Caesar's sister: the wife of Antony</LINE>
<LINE>Should have an army for an usher, and</LINE>
<LINE>The neighs of horse to tell of her approach</LINE>
<LINE>Long ere she did appear; the trees by the way</LINE>
<LINE>Should have borne men; and expectation fainted,</LINE>
<LINE>Longing for what it had not; nay, the dust</LINE>
<LINE>Should have ascended to the roof of heaven,</LINE>
<LINE>Raised by your populous troops: but you are come</LINE>
<LINE>A market-maid to Rome; and have prevented</LINE>
<LINE>The ostentation of our love, which, left unshown,</LINE>
<LINE>Is often left unloved; we should have met you</LINE>
<LINE>By sea and land; supplying every stage</LINE>
<LINE>With an augmented greeting.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

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

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>OCTAVIUS CAESAR</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Which soon he granted,</LINE>
<LINE>Being an obstruct 'tween his lust and him.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>OCTAVIA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Do not say so, my lord.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>OCTAVIUS CAESAR</SPEAKER>
<LINE>I have eyes upon him,</LINE>
<LINE>And his affairs come to me on the wind.</LINE>
<LINE>Where is he now?</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>OCTAVIA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>My lord, in Athens.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>OCTAVIUS CAESAR</SPEAKER>
<LINE>No, my most wronged sister; Cleopatra</LINE>
<LINE>Hath nodded him to her. He hath given his empire</LINE>
<LINE>Up to a whore; who now are levying</LINE>
<LINE>The kings o' the earth for war; he hath assembled</LINE>
<LINE>Bocchus, the king of Libya; Archelaus,</LINE>
<LINE>Of Cappadocia; Philadelphos, king</LINE>
<LINE>Of Paphlagonia; the Thracian king, Adallas;</LINE>
<LINE>King Malchus of Arabia; King of Pont;</LINE>
<LINE>Herod of Jewry; Mithridates, king</LINE>
<LINE>Of Comagene; Polemon and Amyntas,</LINE>
<LINE>The kings of Mede and Lycaonia,</LINE>
<LINE>With a more larger list of sceptres.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>OCTAVIA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Ay me, most wretched,</LINE>
<LINE>That have my heart parted betwixt two friends</LINE>
<LINE>That do afflict each other!</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>OCTAVIUS CAESAR</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Welcome hither:</LINE>
<LINE>Your letters did withhold our breaking forth;</LINE>
<LINE>Till we perceived, both how you were wrong led,</LINE>
<LINE>And we in negligent danger. Cheer your heart;</LINE>
<LINE>Be you not troubled with the time, which drives</LINE>
<LINE>O'er your content these strong necessities;</LINE>
<LINE>But let determined things to destiny</LINE>
<LINE>Hold unbewail'd their way. Welcome to Rome;</LINE>
<LINE>Nothing more dear to me. You are abused</LINE>
<LINE>Beyond the mark of thought: and the high gods,</LINE>
<LINE>To do you justice, make them ministers</LINE>
<LINE>Of us and those that love you. Best of comfort;</LINE>
<LINE>And ever welcome to us.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>AGRIPPA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Welcome, lady.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MECAENAS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Welcome, dear madam.</LINE>
<LINE>Each heart in Rome does love and pity you:</LINE>
<LINE>Only the adulterous Antony, most large</LINE>
<LINE>In his abominations, turns you off;</LINE>
<LINE>And gives his potent regiment to a trull,</LINE>
<LINE>That noises it against us.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>OCTAVIA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Is it so, sir?</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>OCTAVIUS CAESAR</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Most certain. Sister, welcome: pray you,</LINE>
<LINE>Be ever known to patience: my dear'st sister!</LINE>
</SPEECH>


<STAGEDIR>Exeunt</STAGEDIR>
</SCENE>

<SCENE><TITLE>SCENE VII.  Near Actium. MARK ANTONY's camp.</TITLE>
<STAGEDIR>Enter CLEOPATRA and DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS</STAGEDIR>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CLEOPATRA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>I will be even with thee, doubt it not.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>But why, why, why?</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CLEOPATRA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Thou hast forspoke my being in these wars,</LINE>
<LINE>And say'st it is not fit.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Well, is it, is it?</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CLEOPATRA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>If not denounced against us, why should not we</LINE>
<LINE>Be there in person?</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE><STAGEDIR>Aside</STAGEDIR>  Well, I could reply:</LINE>
<LINE>If we should serve with horse and mares together,</LINE>
<LINE>The horse were merely lost; the mares would bear</LINE>
<LINE>A soldier and his horse.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CLEOPATRA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>What is't you say?</LINE>
</SPEECH>

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

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

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Nay, I have done.</LINE>
<LINE>Here comes the emperor.</LINE>
</SPEECH>


<STAGEDIR>Enter MARK ANTONY and CANIDIUS</STAGEDIR>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MARK ANTONY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Is it not strange, Canidius,</LINE>
<LINE>That from Tarentum and Brundusium</LINE>
<LINE>He could so quickly cut the Ionian sea,</LINE>
<LINE>And take in Toryne? You have heard on't, sweet?</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CLEOPATRA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Celerity is never more admired</LINE>
<LINE>Than by the negligent.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MARK ANTONY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>A good rebuke,</LINE>
<LINE>Which might have well becomed the best of men,</LINE>
<LINE>To taunt at slackness. Canidius, we</LINE>
<LINE>Will fight with him by sea.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CLEOPATRA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>By sea! what else?</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CANIDIUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Why will my lord do so?</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MARK ANTONY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>For that he dares us to't.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>So hath my lord dared him to single fight.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

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

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Your ships are not well mann'd;</LINE>
<LINE>Your mariners are muleters, reapers, people</LINE>
<LINE>Ingross'd by swift impress; in Caesar's fleet</LINE>
<LINE>Are those that often have 'gainst Pompey fought:</LINE>
<LINE>Their ships are yare; yours, heavy: no disgrace</LINE>
<LINE>Shall fall you for refusing him at sea,</LINE>
<LINE>Being prepared for land.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MARK ANTONY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>By sea, by sea.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Most worthy sir, you therein throw away</LINE>
<LINE>The absolute soldiership you have by land;</LINE>
<LINE>Distract your army, which doth most consist</LINE>
<LINE>Of war-mark'd footmen; leave unexecuted</LINE>
<LINE>Your own renowned knowledge; quite forego</LINE>
<LINE>The way which promises assurance; and</LINE>
<LINE>Give up yourself merely to chance and hazard,</LINE>
<LINE>From firm security.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MARK ANTONY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>I'll fight at sea.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CLEOPATRA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>I have sixty sails, Caesar none better.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MARK ANTONY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Our overplus of shipping will we burn;</LINE>
<LINE>And, with the rest full-mann'd, from the head of Actium</LINE>
<LINE>Beat the approaching Caesar. But if we fail,</LINE>
<LINE>We then can do't at land.</LINE>
<STAGEDIR>Enter a Messenger</STAGEDIR>
<LINE>Thy business?</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>Messenger</SPEAKER>
<LINE>The news is true, my lord; he is descried;</LINE>
<LINE>Caesar has taken Toryne.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MARK ANTONY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Can he be there in person? 'tis impossible;</LINE>
<LINE>Strange that power should be. Canidius,</LINE>
<LINE>Our nineteen legions thou shalt hold by land,</LINE>
<LINE>And our twelve thousand horse. We'll to our ship:</LINE>
<LINE>Away, my Thetis!</LINE>
<STAGEDIR>Enter a Soldier</STAGEDIR>
<LINE>How now, worthy soldier?</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>Soldier</SPEAKER>
<LINE>O noble emperor, do not fight by sea;</LINE>
<LINE>Trust not to rotten planks: do you misdoubt</LINE>
<LINE>This sword and these my wounds? Let the Egyptians</LINE>
<LINE>And the Phoenicians go a-ducking; we</LINE>
<LINE>Have used to conquer, standing on the earth,</LINE>
<LINE>And fighting foot to foot.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MARK ANTONY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Well, well: away!</LINE>
</SPEECH>


<STAGEDIR>Exeunt MARK ANTONY, QUEEN CLEOPATRA, and DOMITIUS
ENOBARBUS</STAGEDIR>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>Soldier</SPEAKER>
<LINE>By Hercules, I think I am i' the right.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

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

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>Soldier</SPEAKER>
<LINE>You keep by land</LINE>
<LINE>The legions and the horse whole, do you not?</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CANIDIUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Marcus Octavius, Marcus Justeius,</LINE>
<LINE>Publicola, and Caelius, are for sea:</LINE>
<LINE>But we keep whole by land. This speed of Caesar's</LINE>
<LINE>Carries beyond belief.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>Soldier</SPEAKER>
<LINE>While he was yet in Rome,</LINE>
<LINE>His power went out in such distractions as</LINE>
<LINE>Beguiled all spies.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CANIDIUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Who's his lieutenant, hear you?</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>Soldier</SPEAKER>
<LINE>They say, one Taurus.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CANIDIUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Well I know the man.</LINE>
</SPEECH>


<STAGEDIR>Enter a Messenger</STAGEDIR>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>Messenger</SPEAKER>
<LINE>The emperor calls Canidius.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CANIDIUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>With news the time's with labour, and throes forth,</LINE>
<LINE>Each minute, some.</LINE>
</SPEECH>


<STAGEDIR>Exeunt</STAGEDIR>
</SCENE>

<SCENE><TITLE>SCENE VIII.  A plain near Actium.</TITLE>
<STAGEDIR>Enter OCTAVIUS CAESAR, and TAURUS, with his army, marching</STAGEDIR>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>OCTAVIUS CAESAR</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Taurus!</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>TAURUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>My lord?</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>OCTAVIUS CAESAR</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Strike not by land; keep whole: provoke not battle,</LINE>
<LINE>Till we have done at sea. Do not exceed</LINE>
<LINE>The prescript of this scroll: our fortune lies</LINE>
<LINE>Upon this jump.</LINE>
</SPEECH>


<STAGEDIR>Exeunt</STAGEDIR>
</SCENE>

<SCENE><TITLE>SCENE IX.  Another part of the plain.</TITLE>
<STAGEDIR>Enter MARK ANTONY and DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS</STAGEDIR>

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


<STAGEDIR>Exeunt</STAGEDIR>
</SCENE>

<SCENE><TITLE>SCENE X.  Another part of the plain.</TITLE>
<STAGEDIR>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</STAGEDIR>
<STAGEDIR>Alarum. Enter DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS</STAGEDIR>

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


<STAGEDIR>Enter SCARUS</STAGEDIR>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>SCARUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Gods and goddesses,</LINE>
<LINE>All the whole synod of them!</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>What's thy passion!</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>SCARUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>The greater cantle of the world is lost</LINE>
<LINE>With very ignorance; we have kiss'd away</LINE>
<LINE>Kingdoms and provinces.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>How appears the fight?</LINE>
</SPEECH>

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

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>That I beheld:</LINE>
<LINE>Mine eyes did sicken at the sight, and could not</LINE>
<LINE>Endure a further view.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

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

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Alack, alack!</LINE>
</SPEECH>


<STAGEDIR>Enter CANIDIUS</STAGEDIR>

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

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Ay, are you thereabouts?</LINE>
<LINE>Why, then, good night indeed.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CANIDIUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Toward Peloponnesus are they fled.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>SCARUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>'Tis easy to't; and there I will attend</LINE>
<LINE>What further comes.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CANIDIUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>To Caesar will I render</LINE>
<LINE>My legions and my horse: six kings already</LINE>
<LINE>Show me the way of yielding.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>I'll yet follow</LINE>
<LINE>The wounded chance of Antony, though my reason</LINE>
<LINE>Sits in the wind against me.</LINE>
</SPEECH>


<STAGEDIR>Exeunt</STAGEDIR>
</SCENE>

<SCENE><TITLE>SCENE XI.  Alexandria. CLEOPATRA's palace.</TITLE>
<STAGEDIR>Enter MARK ANTONY with Attendants</STAGEDIR>

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

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>All</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Fly! not we.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

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

<STAGEDIR>Sits down</STAGEDIR>
<STAGEDIR>Enter CLEOPATRA led by CHARMIAN and IRAS; EROS
following</STAGEDIR>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>EROS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Nay, gentle madam, to him, comfort him.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>IRAS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Do, most dear queen.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CHARMIAN</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Do! why: what else?</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CLEOPATRA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Let me sit down. O Juno!</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MARK ANTONY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>No, no, no, no, no.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>EROS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>See you here, sir?</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MARK ANTONY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>O fie, fie, fie!</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CHARMIAN</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Madam!</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>IRAS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Madam, O good empress!</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>EROS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Sir, sir,--</LINE>
</SPEECH>

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

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CLEOPATRA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Ah, stand by.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>EROS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>The queen, my lord, the queen.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>IRAS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Go to him, madam, speak to him:</LINE>
<LINE>He is unqualitied with very shame.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CLEOPATRA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Well then, sustain him: O!</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>EROS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Most noble sir, arise; the queen approaches:</LINE>
<LINE>Her head's declined, and death will seize her, but</LINE>
<LINE>Your comfort makes the rescue.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MARK ANTONY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>I have offended reputation,</LINE>
<LINE>A most unnoble swerving.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>EROS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Sir, the queen.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

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

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CLEOPATRA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>O my lord, my lord,</LINE>
<LINE>Forgive my fearful sails! I little thought</LINE>
<LINE>You would have follow'd.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

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

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CLEOPATRA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>O, my pardon!</LINE>
</SPEECH>

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

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CLEOPATRA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Pardon, pardon!</LINE>
</SPEECH>

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


<STAGEDIR>Exeunt</STAGEDIR>
</SCENE>

<SCENE><TITLE>SCENE XII.  Egypt. OCTAVIUS CAESAR's camp.</TITLE>
<STAGEDIR>Enter OCTAVIUS CAESAR, DOLABELLA, THYREUS, with others</STAGEDIR>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>OCTAVIUS CAESAR</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Let him appear that's come from Antony.</LINE>
<LINE>Know you him?</LINE>
</SPEECH>

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


<STAGEDIR>Enter EUPHRONIUS, ambassador from MARK ANTONY</STAGEDIR>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>OCTAVIUS CAESAR</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Approach, and speak.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

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

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>OCTAVIUS CAESAR</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Be't so: declare thine office.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

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

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

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>EUPHRONIUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Fortune pursue thee!</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>OCTAVIUS CAESAR</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Bring him through the bands.</LINE>
<STAGEDIR>Exit EUPHRONIUS</STAGEDIR>
<LINE><STAGEDIR>To THYREUS</STAGEDIR>  To try eloquence, now 'tis time: dispatch;</LINE>
<LINE>From Antony win Cleopatra: promise,</LINE>
<LINE>And in our name, what she requires; add more,</LINE>
<LINE>From thine invention, offers: women are not</LINE>
<LINE>In their best fortunes strong; but want will perjure</LINE>
<LINE>The ne'er touch'd vestal: try thy cunning, Thyreus;</LINE>
<LINE>Make thine own edict for thy pains, which we</LINE>
<LINE>Will answer as a law.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>THYREUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Caesar, I go.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>OCTAVIUS CAESAR</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Observe how Antony becomes his flaw,</LINE>
<LINE>And what thou think'st his very action speaks</LINE>
<LINE>In every power that moves.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>THYREUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Caesar, I shall.</LINE>
</SPEECH>


<STAGEDIR>Exeunt</STAGEDIR>
</SCENE>

<SCENE><TITLE>SCENE XIII.  Alexandria. CLEOPATRA's palace.</TITLE>
<STAGEDIR>Enter CLEOPATRA, DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS, CHARMIAN, and IRAS</STAGEDIR>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CLEOPATRA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>What shall we do, Enobarbus?</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Think, and die.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CLEOPATRA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Is Antony or we in fault for this?</LINE>
</SPEECH>

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

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CLEOPATRA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Prithee, peace.</LINE>
</SPEECH>


<STAGEDIR>Enter MARK ANTONY with EUPHRONIUS, the Ambassador</STAGEDIR>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MARK ANTONY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Is that his answer?</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>EUPHRONIUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Ay, my lord.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MARK ANTONY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>The queen shall then have courtesy, so she</LINE>
<LINE>Will yield us up.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>EUPHRONIUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>He says so.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MARK ANTONY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Let her know't.</LINE>
<LINE>To the boy Caesar send this grizzled head,</LINE>
<LINE>And he will fill thy wishes to the brim</LINE>
<LINE>With principalities.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CLEOPATRA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>That head, my lord?</LINE>
</SPEECH>

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


<STAGEDIR>Exeunt MARK ANTONY and EUPHRONIUS</STAGEDIR>

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


<STAGEDIR>Enter an Attendant</STAGEDIR>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>Attendant</SPEAKER>
<LINE>A messenger from CAESAR.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

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


<STAGEDIR>Exit Attendant</STAGEDIR>

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


<STAGEDIR>Enter THYREUS</STAGEDIR>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CLEOPATRA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Caesar's will?</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>THYREUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Hear it apart.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CLEOPATRA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>None but friends: say boldly.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>THYREUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>So, haply, are they friends to Antony.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

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

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>THYREUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>So.</LINE>
<LINE>Thus then, thou most renown'd: Caesar entreats,</LINE>
<LINE>Not to consider in what case thou stand'st,</LINE>
<LINE>Further than he is Caesar.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CLEOPATRA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Go on: right royal.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>THYREUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>He knows that you embrace not Antony</LINE>
<LINE>As you did love, but as you fear'd him.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CLEOPATRA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>O!</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>THYREUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>The scars upon your honour, therefore, he</LINE>
<LINE>Does pity, as constrained blemishes,</LINE>
<LINE>Not as deserved.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CLEOPATRA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>He is a god, and knows</LINE>
<LINE>What is most right: mine honour was not yielded,</LINE>
<LINE>But conquer'd merely.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE><STAGEDIR>Aside</STAGEDIR>             To be sure of that,</LINE>
<LINE>I will ask Antony. Sir, sir, thou art so leaky,</LINE>
<LINE>That we must leave thee to thy sinking, for</LINE>
<LINE>Thy dearest quit thee.</LINE>
</SPEECH>


<STAGEDIR>Exit</STAGEDIR>

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

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CLEOPATRA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>What's your name?</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>THYREUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>My name is Thyreus.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

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

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

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


<STAGEDIR>Re-enter MARK ANTONY and DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS</STAGEDIR>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MARK ANTONY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Favours, by Jove that thunders!</LINE>
<LINE>What art thou, fellow?</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>THYREUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>One that but performs</LINE>
<LINE>The bidding of the fullest man, and worthiest</LINE>
<LINE>To have command obey'd.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE><STAGEDIR>Aside</STAGEDIR>               You will be whipp'd.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MARK ANTONY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Approach, there! Ah, you kite! Now, gods</LINE>
<LINE>and devils!</LINE>
<LINE>Authority melts from me: of late, when I cried 'Ho!'</LINE>
<LINE>Like boys unto a muss, kings would start forth,</LINE>
<LINE>And cry 'Your will?' Have you no ears? I am</LINE>
<LINE>Antony yet.</LINE>
<STAGEDIR>Enter Attendants</STAGEDIR>
<LINE>Take hence this Jack, and whip him.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE><STAGEDIR>Aside</STAGEDIR>  'Tis better playing with a lion's whelp</LINE>
<LINE>Than with an old one dying.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

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

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>THYREUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Mark Antony!</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MARK ANTONY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Tug him away: being whipp'd,</LINE>
<LINE>Bring him again: this Jack of Caesar's shall</LINE>
<LINE>Bear us an errand to him.</LINE>
<STAGEDIR>Exeunt Attendants with THYREUS</STAGEDIR>
<LINE>You were half blasted ere I knew you: ha!</LINE>
<LINE>Have I my pillow left unpress'd in Rome,</LINE>
<LINE>Forborne the getting of a lawful race,</LINE>
<LINE>And by a gem of women, to be abused</LINE>
<LINE>By one that looks on feeders?</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CLEOPATRA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Good my lord,--</LINE>
</SPEECH>

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

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CLEOPATRA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>O, is't come to this?</LINE>
</SPEECH>

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

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CLEOPATRA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Wherefore is this?</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MARK ANTONY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>To let a fellow that will take rewards</LINE>
<LINE>And say 'God quit you!' be familiar with</LINE>
<LINE>My playfellow, your hand; this kingly seal</LINE>
<LINE>And plighter of high hearts! O, that I were</LINE>
<LINE>Upon the hill of Basan, to outroar</LINE>
<LINE>The horned herd! for I have savage cause;</LINE>
<LINE>And to proclaim it civilly, were like</LINE>
<LINE>A halter'd neck which does the hangman thank</LINE>
<LINE>For being yare about him.</LINE>
<STAGEDIR>Re-enter Attendants with THYREUS</STAGEDIR>
<LINE>Is he whipp'd?</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>First Attendant</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Soundly, my lord.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MARK ANTONY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Cried he? and begg'd a' pardon?</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>First Attendant</SPEAKER>
<LINE>He did ask favour.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

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


<STAGEDIR>Exit THYREUS</STAGEDIR>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CLEOPATRA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Have you done yet?</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MARK ANTONY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Alack, our terrene moon</LINE>
<LINE>Is now eclipsed; and it portends alone</LINE>
<LINE>The fall of Antony!</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CLEOPATRA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>I must stay his time.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MARK ANTONY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>To flatter Caesar, would you mingle eyes</LINE>
<LINE>With one that ties his points?</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CLEOPATRA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Not know me yet?</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MARK ANTONY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Cold-hearted toward me?</LINE>
</SPEECH>

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

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

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CLEOPATRA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>That's my brave lord!</LINE>
</SPEECH>

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

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CLEOPATRA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>It is my birth-day:</LINE>
<LINE>I had thought to have held it poor: but, since my lord</LINE>
<LINE>Is Antony again, I will be Cleopatra.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MARK ANTONY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>We will yet do well.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CLEOPATRA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Call all his noble captains to my lord.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

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


<STAGEDIR>Exeunt all but DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS</STAGEDIR>

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


<STAGEDIR>Exit</STAGEDIR>
</SCENE>

</ACT>

<ACT><TITLE>ACT IV</TITLE>

<SCENE><TITLE>SCENE I.  Before Alexandria. OCTAVIUS CAESAR's camp.</TITLE>
<STAGEDIR>Enter OCTAVIUS CAESAR, AGRIPPA, and MECAENAS, with
his Army; OCTAVIUS CAESAR reading a letter</STAGEDIR>

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

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

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


<STAGEDIR>Exeunt</STAGEDIR>
</SCENE>

<SCENE><TITLE>SCENE II.  Alexandria. CLEOPATRA's palace.</TITLE>
<STAGEDIR>Enter MARK ANTONY, CLEOPATRA, DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS,
CHARMIAN, IRAS, ALEXAS, with others</STAGEDIR>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MARK ANTONY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>He will not fight with me, Domitius.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>No.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MARK ANTONY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Why should he not?</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>He thinks, being twenty times of better fortune,</LINE>
<LINE>He is twenty men to one.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

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

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>I'll strike, and cry 'Take all.'</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MARK ANTONY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Well said; come on.</LINE>
<LINE>Call forth my household servants: let's to-night</LINE>
<LINE>Be bounteous at our meal.</LINE>
<STAGEDIR>Enter three or four Servitors</STAGEDIR>
<LINE>Give me thy hand,</LINE>
<LINE>Thou hast been rightly honest;--so hast thou;--</LINE>
<LINE>Thou,--and thou,--and thou:--you have served me well,</LINE>
<LINE>And kings have been your fellows.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CLEOPATRA</SPEAKER>
<LINE><STAGEDIR>Aside to DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS</STAGEDIR>  What means this?</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE><STAGEDIR>Aside to CLEOPATRA</STAGEDIR>  'Tis one of those odd</LINE>
<LINE>tricks which sorrow shoots</LINE>
<LINE>Out of the mind.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

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

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>All</SPEAKER>
<LINE>The gods forbid!</LINE>
</SPEECH>

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

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CLEOPATRA</SPEAKER>
<LINE><STAGEDIR>Aside to DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS</STAGEDIR>  What does he mean?</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE><STAGEDIR>Aside to CLEOPATRA</STAGEDIR>  To make his followers weep.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

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

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

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


<STAGEDIR>Exeunt</STAGEDIR>
</SCENE>

<SCENE><TITLE>SCENE III.  The same. Before the palace.</TITLE>
<STAGEDIR>Enter two Soldiers to their guard</STAGEDIR>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>First Soldier</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Brother, good night: to-morrow is the day.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>Second Soldier</SPEAKER>
<LINE>It will determine one way: fare you well.</LINE>
<LINE>Heard you of nothing strange about the streets?</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>First Soldier</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Nothing. What news?</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>Second Soldier</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Belike 'tis but a rumour. Good night to you.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>First Soldier</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Well, sir, good night.</LINE>
</SPEECH>


<STAGEDIR>Enter two other Soldiers</STAGEDIR>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>Second Soldier</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Soldiers, have careful watch.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>Third Soldier</SPEAKER>
<LINE>And you. Good night, good night.</LINE>
</SPEECH>


<STAGEDIR>They place themselves in every corner of the stage</STAGEDIR>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>Fourth Soldier</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Here we: and if to-morrow</LINE>
<LINE>Our navy thrive, I have an absolute hope</LINE>
<LINE>Our landmen will stand up.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>Third Soldier</SPEAKER>
<LINE>'Tis a brave army,</LINE>
<LINE>And full of purpose.</LINE>
</SPEECH>


<STAGEDIR>Music of the hautboys as under the stage</STAGEDIR>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>Fourth Soldier</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Peace! what noise?</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>First Soldier</SPEAKER>
<LINE>List, list!</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>Second Soldier</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Hark!</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>First Soldier</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Music i' the air.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>Third Soldier</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Under the earth.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>Fourth Soldier</SPEAKER>
<LINE>It signs well, does it not?</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>Third Soldier</SPEAKER>
<LINE>No.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>First Soldier</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Peace, I say!</LINE>
<LINE>What should this mean?</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>Second Soldier</SPEAKER>
<LINE>'Tis the god Hercules, whom Antony loved,</LINE>
<LINE>Now leaves him.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>First Soldier</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Walk; let's see if other watchmen</LINE>
<LINE>Do hear what we do?</LINE>
</SPEECH>


<STAGEDIR>They advance to another post</STAGEDIR>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>Second Soldier</SPEAKER>
<LINE>How now, masters!</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>All</SPEAKER>
<LINE><STAGEDIR>Speaking together</STAGEDIR>  How now!</LINE>
<LINE>How now! do you hear this?</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>First Soldier</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Ay; is't not strange?</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>Third Soldier</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Do you hear, masters? do you hear?</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>First Soldier</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Follow the noise so far as we have quarter;</LINE>
<LINE>Let's see how it will give off.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>All</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Content. 'Tis strange.</LINE>
</SPEECH>


<STAGEDIR>Exeunt</STAGEDIR>
</SCENE>

<SCENE><TITLE>SCENE IV.  The same. A room in the palace.</TITLE>
<STAGEDIR>Enter MARK ANTONY and CLEOPATRA, CHARMIAN, and
others attending</STAGEDIR>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MARK ANTONY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Eros! mine armour, Eros!</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CLEOPATRA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Sleep a little.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MARK ANTONY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>No, my chuck. Eros, come; mine armour, Eros!</LINE>
<STAGEDIR>Enter EROS with armour</STAGEDIR>
<LINE>Come good fellow, put mine iron on:</LINE>
<LINE>If fortune be not ours to-day, it is</LINE>
<LINE>Because we brave her: come.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CLEOPATRA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Nay, I'll help too.</LINE>
<LINE>What's this for?</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MARK ANTONY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Ah, let be, let be! thou art</LINE>
<LINE>The armourer of my heart: false, false; this, this.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CLEOPATRA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Sooth, la, I'll help: thus it must be.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MARK ANTONY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Well, well;</LINE>
<LINE>We shall thrive now. Seest thou, my good fellow?</LINE>
<LINE>Go put on thy defences.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>EROS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Briefly, sir.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CLEOPATRA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Is not this buckled well?</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MARK ANTONY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Rarely, rarely:</LINE>
<LINE>He that unbuckles this, till we do please</LINE>
<LINE>To daff't for our repose, shall hear a storm.</LINE>
<LINE>Thou fumblest, Eros; and my queen's a squire</LINE>
<LINE>More tight at this than thou: dispatch. O love,</LINE>
<LINE>That thou couldst see my wars to-day, and knew'st</LINE>
<LINE>The royal occupation! thou shouldst see</LINE>
<LINE>A workman in't.</LINE>
<STAGEDIR>Enter an armed Soldier</STAGEDIR>
<LINE>Good morrow to thee; welcome:</LINE>
<LINE>Thou look'st like him that knows a warlike charge:</LINE>
<LINE>To business that we love we rise betime,</LINE>
<LINE>And go to't with delight.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>Soldier</SPEAKER>
<LINE>A thousand, sir,</LINE>
<LINE>Early though't be, have on their riveted trim,</LINE>
<LINE>And at the port expect you.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<STAGEDIR>Shout. Trumpets flourish</STAGEDIR>
<STAGEDIR>Enter Captains and Soldiers</STAGEDIR>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>Captain</SPEAKER>
<LINE>The morn is fair. Good morrow, general.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>All</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Good morrow, general.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MARK ANTONY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>'Tis well blown, lads:</LINE>
<LINE>This morning, like the spirit of a youth</LINE>
<LINE>That means to be of note, begins betimes.</LINE>
<LINE>So, so; come, give me that: this way; well said.</LINE>
<LINE>Fare thee well, dame, whate'er becomes of me:</LINE>
<LINE>This is a soldier's kiss: rebukeable</LINE>
<STAGEDIR>Kisses her</STAGEDIR>
<LINE>And worthy shameful cheque it were, to stand</LINE>
<LINE>On more mechanic compliment; I'll leave thee</LINE>
<LINE>Now, like a man of steel. You that will fight,</LINE>
<LINE>Follow me close; I'll bring you to't. Adieu.</LINE>
</SPEECH>


<STAGEDIR>Exeunt MARK ANTONY, EROS, Captains, and Soldiers</STAGEDIR>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CHARMIAN</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Please you, retire to your chamber.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

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


<STAGEDIR>Exeunt</STAGEDIR>
</SCENE>

<SCENE><TITLE>SCENE V.  Alexandria. MARK ANTONY's camp.</TITLE>
<STAGEDIR>Trumpets sound. Enter MARK ANTONY and EROS; a
Soldier meeting them</STAGEDIR>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>Soldier</SPEAKER>
<LINE>The gods make this a happy day to Antony!</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MARK ANTONY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Would thou and those thy scars had once prevail'd</LINE>
<LINE>To make me fight at land!</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>Soldier</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Hadst thou done so,</LINE>
<LINE>The kings that have revolted, and the soldier</LINE>
<LINE>That has this morning left thee, would have still</LINE>
<LINE>Follow'd thy heels.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MARK ANTONY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Who's gone this morning?</LINE>
</SPEECH>

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

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MARK ANTONY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>What say'st thou?</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>Soldier</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Sir,</LINE>
<LINE>He is with Caesar.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>EROS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Sir, his chests and treasure</LINE>
<LINE>He has not with him.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MARK ANTONY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Is he gone?</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>Soldier</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Most certain.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

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


<STAGEDIR>Exeunt</STAGEDIR>
</SCENE>

<SCENE><TITLE>SCENE VI.  Alexandria. OCTAVIUS CAESAR's camp.</TITLE>
<STAGEDIR>Flourish. Enter OCTAVIUS CAESAR, AGRIPPA, with
DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS, and others</STAGEDIR>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>OCTAVIUS CAESAR</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Go forth, Agrippa, and begin the fight:</LINE>
<LINE>Our will is Antony be took alive;</LINE>
<LINE>Make it so known.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>AGRIPPA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Caesar, I shall.</LINE>
</SPEECH>


<STAGEDIR>Exit</STAGEDIR>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>OCTAVIUS CAESAR</SPEAKER>
<LINE>The time of universal peace is near:</LINE>
<LINE>Prove this a prosperous day, the three-nook'd world</LINE>
<LINE>Shall bear the olive freely.</LINE>
</SPEECH>


<STAGEDIR>Enter a Messenger</STAGEDIR>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>Messenger</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Antony</LINE>
<LINE>Is come into the field.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>OCTAVIUS CAESAR</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Go charge Agrippa</LINE>
<LINE>Plant those that have revolted in the van,</LINE>
<LINE>That Antony may seem to spend his fury</LINE>
<LINE>Upon himself.</LINE>
</SPEECH>


<STAGEDIR>Exeunt all but DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS</STAGEDIR>

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


<STAGEDIR>Enter a Soldier of CAESAR's</STAGEDIR>

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

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>I give it you.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

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


<STAGEDIR>Exit</STAGEDIR>

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


<STAGEDIR>Exit</STAGEDIR>
</SCENE>

<SCENE><TITLE>SCENE VII.  Field of battle between the camps.</TITLE>
<STAGEDIR>Alarum. Drums and trumpets. Enter AGRIPPA
and others</STAGEDIR>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>AGRIPPA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Retire, we have engaged ourselves too far:</LINE>
<LINE>Caesar himself has work, and our oppression</LINE>
<LINE>Exceeds what we expected.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<STAGEDIR>Exeunt</STAGEDIR>
<STAGEDIR>Alarums. Enter MARK ANTONY and SCARUS wounded</STAGEDIR>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>SCARUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>O my brave emperor, this is fought indeed!</LINE>
<LINE>Had we done so at first, we had droven them home</LINE>
<LINE>With clouts about their heads.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MARK ANTONY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Thou bleed'st apace.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>SCARUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>I had a wound here that was like a T,</LINE>
<LINE>But now 'tis made an H.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MARK ANTONY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>They do retire.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>SCARUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>We'll beat 'em into bench-holes: I have yet</LINE>
<LINE>Room for six scotches more.</LINE>
</SPEECH>


<STAGEDIR>Enter EROS</STAGEDIR>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>EROS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>They are beaten, sir, and our advantage serves</LINE>
<LINE>For a fair victory.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>SCARUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Let us score their backs,</LINE>
<LINE>And snatch 'em up, as we take hares, behind:</LINE>
<LINE>'Tis sport to maul a runner.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MARK ANTONY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>I will reward thee</LINE>
<LINE>Once for thy spritely comfort, and ten-fold</LINE>
<LINE>For thy good valour. Come thee on.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>SCARUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>I'll halt after.</LINE>
</SPEECH>


<STAGEDIR>Exeunt</STAGEDIR>
</SCENE>

<SCENE><TITLE>SCENE VIII.  Under the walls of Alexandria.</TITLE>
<STAGEDIR>Alarum. Enter MARK ANTONY, in a march; SCARUS,
with others</STAGEDIR>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MARK ANTONY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>We have beat him to his camp: run one before,</LINE>
<LINE>And let the queen know of our gests. To-morrow,</LINE>
<LINE>Before the sun shall see 's, we'll spill the blood</LINE>
<LINE>That has to-day escaped. I thank you all;</LINE>
<LINE>For doughty-handed are you, and have fought</LINE>
<LINE>Not as you served the cause, but as 't had been</LINE>
<LINE>Each man's like mine; you have shown all Hectors.</LINE>
<LINE>Enter the city, clip your wives, your friends,</LINE>
<LINE>Tell them your feats; whilst they with joyful tears</LINE>
<LINE>Wash the congealment from your wounds, and kiss</LINE>
<LINE>The honour'd gashes whole.</LINE>
<STAGEDIR>To SCARUS</STAGEDIR>
<LINE>Give me thy hand</LINE>
<STAGEDIR>Enter CLEOPATRA, attended</STAGEDIR>
<LINE>To this great fairy I'll commend thy acts,</LINE>
<LINE>Make her thanks bless thee.</LINE>
<STAGEDIR>To CLEOPATRA</STAGEDIR>
<LINE>O thou day o' the world,</LINE>
<LINE>Chain mine arm'd neck; leap thou, attire and all,</LINE>
<LINE>Through proof of harness to my heart, and there</LINE>
<LINE>Ride on the pants triumphing!</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CLEOPATRA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Lord of lords!</LINE>
<LINE>O infinite virtue, comest thou smiling from</LINE>
<LINE>The world's great snare uncaught?</LINE>
</SPEECH>

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

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CLEOPATRA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>I'll give thee, friend,</LINE>
<LINE>An armour all of gold; it was a king's.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

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


<STAGEDIR>Exeunt</STAGEDIR>
</SCENE>

<SCENE><TITLE>SCENE IX.  OCTAVIUS CAESAR's camp.</TITLE>
<STAGEDIR>Sentinels at their post</STAGEDIR>

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

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>Second Soldier</SPEAKER>
<LINE>This last day was</LINE>
<LINE>A shrewd one to's.</LINE>
</SPEECH>


<STAGEDIR>Enter DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS</STAGEDIR>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>O, bear me witness, night,--</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>Third Soldier</SPEAKER>
<LINE>What man is this?</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>Second Soldier</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Stand close, and list him.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Be witness to me, O thou blessed moon,</LINE>
<LINE>When men revolted shall upon record</LINE>
<LINE>Bear hateful memory, poor Enobarbus did</LINE>
<LINE>Before thy face repent!</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>First Soldier</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Enobarbus!</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>Third Soldier</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Peace!</LINE>
<LINE>Hark further.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

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


<STAGEDIR>Dies</STAGEDIR>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>Second Soldier</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Let's speak To him.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>First Soldier</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Let's hear him, for the things he speaks</LINE>
<LINE>May concern Caesar.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>Third Soldier</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Let's do so. But he sleeps.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>First Soldier</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Swoons rather; for so bad a prayer as his</LINE>
<LINE>Was never yet for sleep.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>Second Soldier</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Go we to him.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>Third Soldier</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Awake, sir, awake; speak to us.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>Second Soldier</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Hear you, sir?</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>First Soldier</SPEAKER>
<LINE>The hand of death hath raught him.</LINE>
<STAGEDIR>Drums afar off</STAGEDIR>
<LINE>Hark! the drums</LINE>
<LINE>Demurely wake the sleepers. Let us bear him</LINE>
<LINE>To the court of guard; he is of note: our hour</LINE>
<LINE>Is fully out.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>Third Soldier</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Come on, then;</LINE>
<LINE>He may recover yet.</LINE>
</SPEECH>


<STAGEDIR>Exeunt with the body</STAGEDIR>
</SCENE>

<SCENE><TITLE>SCENE X.  Between the two camps.</TITLE>
<STAGEDIR>Enter MARK ANTONY and SCARUS, with their Army</STAGEDIR>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MARK ANTONY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Their preparation is to-day by sea;</LINE>
<LINE>We please them not by land.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>SCARUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>For both, my lord.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

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


<STAGEDIR>Exeunt</STAGEDIR>
</SCENE>

<SCENE><TITLE>SCENE XI.  Another part of the same.</TITLE>
<STAGEDIR>Enter OCTAVIUS CAESAR, and his Army</STAGEDIR>

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


<STAGEDIR>Exeunt</STAGEDIR>
</SCENE>

<SCENE><TITLE>SCENE XII.  Another part of the same.</TITLE>
<STAGEDIR>Enter MARK ANTONY and SCARUS</STAGEDIR>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MARK ANTONY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Yet they are not join'd: where yond pine</LINE>
<LINE>does stand,</LINE>
<LINE>I shall discover all: I'll bring thee word</LINE>
<LINE>Straight, how 'tis like to go.</LINE>
</SPEECH>


<STAGEDIR>Exit</STAGEDIR>

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

<STAGEDIR>Alarum afar off, as at a sea-fight</STAGEDIR>
<STAGEDIR>Re-enter MARK ANTONY</STAGEDIR>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MARK ANTONY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>All is lost;</LINE>
<LINE>This foul Egyptian hath betrayed me:</LINE>
<LINE>My fleet hath yielded to the foe; and yonder</LINE>
<LINE>They cast their caps up and carouse together</LINE>
<LINE>Like friends long lost. Triple-turn'd whore!</LINE>
<LINE>'tis thou</LINE>
<LINE>Hast sold me to this novice; and my heart</LINE>
<LINE>Makes only wars on thee. Bid them all fly;</LINE>
<LINE>For when I am revenged upon my charm,</LINE>
<LINE>I have done all. Bid them all fly; begone.</LINE>
<STAGEDIR>Exit SCARUS</STAGEDIR>
<LINE>O sun, thy uprise shall I see no more:</LINE>
<LINE>Fortune and Antony part here; even here</LINE>
<LINE>Do we shake hands. All come to this? The hearts</LINE>
<LINE>That spaniel'd me at heels, to whom I gave</LINE>
<LINE>Their wishes, do discandy, melt their sweets</LINE>
<LINE>On blossoming Caesar; and this pine is bark'd,</LINE>
<LINE>That overtopp'd them all. Betray'd I am:</LINE>
<LINE>O this false soul of Egypt! this grave charm,--</LINE>
<LINE>Whose eye beck'd forth my wars, and call'd them home;</LINE>
<LINE>Whose bosom was my crownet, my chief end,--</LINE>
<LINE>Like a right gipsy, hath, at fast and loose,</LINE>
<LINE>Beguiled me to the very heart of loss.</LINE>
<LINE>What, Eros, Eros!</LINE>
<STAGEDIR>Enter CLEOPATRA</STAGEDIR>
<LINE>Ah, thou spell! Avaunt!</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CLEOPATRA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Why is my lord enraged against his love?</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MARK ANTONY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Vanish, or I shall give thee thy deserving,</LINE>
<LINE>And blemish Caesar's triumph. Let him take thee,</LINE>
<LINE>And hoist thee up to the shouting plebeians:</LINE>
<LINE>Follow his chariot, like the greatest spot</LINE>
<LINE>Of all thy sex; most monster-like, be shown</LINE>
<LINE>For poor'st diminutives, for doits; and let</LINE>
<LINE>Patient Octavia plough thy visage up</LINE>
<LINE>With her prepared nails.</LINE>
<STAGEDIR>Exit CLEOPATRA</STAGEDIR>
<LINE>'Tis well thou'rt gone,</LINE>
<LINE>If it be well to live; but better 'twere</LINE>
<LINE>Thou fell'st into my fury, for one death</LINE>
<LINE>Might have prevented many. Eros, ho!</LINE>
<LINE>The shirt of Nessus is upon me: teach me,</LINE>
<LINE>Alcides, thou mine ancestor, thy rage:</LINE>
<LINE>Let me lodge Lichas on the horns o' the moon;</LINE>
<LINE>And with those hands, that grasp'd the heaviest club,</LINE>
<LINE>Subdue my worthiest self. The witch shall die:</LINE>
<LINE>To the young Roman boy she hath sold me, and I fall</LINE>
<LINE>Under this plot; she dies for't. Eros, ho!</LINE>
</SPEECH>


<STAGEDIR>Exit</STAGEDIR>
</SCENE>

<SCENE><TITLE>SCENE XIII.  Alexandria. Cleopatra's palace.</TITLE>
<STAGEDIR>Enter CLEOPATRA, CHARMIAN, IRAS, and MARDIAN</STAGEDIR>

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

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

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


<STAGEDIR>Exeunt</STAGEDIR>
</SCENE>

<SCENE><TITLE>SCENE XIV.  The same. Another room.</TITLE>
<STAGEDIR>Enter MARK ANTONY and EROS</STAGEDIR>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MARK ANTONY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Eros, thou yet behold'st me?</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>EROS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Ay, noble lord.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

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

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>EROS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Ay, my lord,</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MARK ANTONY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>That which is now a horse, even with a thought</LINE>
<LINE>The rack dislimns, and makes it indistinct,</LINE>
<LINE>As water is in water.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>EROS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>It does, my lord.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MARK ANTONY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>My good knave Eros, now thy captain is</LINE>
<LINE>Even such a body: here I am Antony:</LINE>
<LINE>Yet cannot hold this visible shape, my knave.</LINE>
<LINE>I made these wars for Egypt: and the queen,--</LINE>
<LINE>Whose heart I thought I had, for she had mine;</LINE>
<LINE>Which whilst it was mine had annex'd unto't</LINE>
<LINE>A million more, now lost,--she, Eros, has</LINE>
<LINE>Pack'd cards with Caesar, and false-play'd my glory</LINE>
<LINE>Unto an enemy's triumph.</LINE>
<LINE>Nay, weep not, gentle Eros; there is left us</LINE>
<LINE>Ourselves to end ourselves.</LINE>
<STAGEDIR>Enter MARDIAN</STAGEDIR>
<LINE>O! thy vile lady!</LINE>
<LINE>She has robb'd me of my sword.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MARDIAN</SPEAKER>
<LINE>No, Antony;</LINE>
<LINE>My mistress loved thee, and her fortunes mingled</LINE>
<LINE>With thine entirely.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MARK ANTONY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Hence, saucy eunuch; peace!</LINE>
<LINE>She hath betray'd me and shall die the death.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

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

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MARK ANTONY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Dead, then?</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MARDIAN</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Dead.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MARK ANTONY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Unarm, Eros; the long day's task is done,</LINE>
<LINE>And we must sleep.</LINE>
<STAGEDIR>To MARDIAN</STAGEDIR>
<LINE>That thou depart'st hence safe,</LINE>
<LINE>Does pay thy labour richly; go.</LINE>
<STAGEDIR>Exit MARDIAN</STAGEDIR>
<LINE>Off, pluck off:</LINE>
<LINE>The seven-fold shield of Ajax cannot keep</LINE>
<LINE>The battery from my heart. O, cleave, my sides!</LINE>
<LINE>Heart, once be stronger than thy continent,</LINE>
<LINE>Crack thy frail case! Apace, Eros, apace.</LINE>
<LINE>No more a soldier: bruised pieces, go;</LINE>
<LINE>You have been nobly borne. From me awhile.</LINE>
<STAGEDIR>Exit EROS</STAGEDIR>
<LINE>I will o'ertake thee, Cleopatra, and</LINE>
<LINE>Weep for my pardon. So it must be, for now</LINE>
<LINE>All length is torture: since the torch is out,</LINE>
<LINE>Lie down, and stray no farther: now all labour</LINE>
<LINE>Mars what it does; yea, very force entangles</LINE>
<LINE>Itself with strength: seal then, and all is done.</LINE>
<LINE>Eros!--I come, my queen:--Eros!--Stay for me:</LINE>
<LINE>Where souls do couch on flowers, we'll hand in hand,</LINE>
<LINE>And with our sprightly port make the ghosts gaze:</LINE>
<LINE>Dido and her AEneas shall want troops,</LINE>
<LINE>And all the haunt be ours. Come, Eros, Eros!</LINE>
</SPEECH>


<STAGEDIR>Re-enter EROS</STAGEDIR>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>EROS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>What would my lord?</LINE>
</SPEECH>

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

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>EROS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>The gods withhold me!</LINE>
<LINE>Shall I do that which all the Parthian darts,</LINE>
<LINE>Though enemy, lost aim, and could not?</LINE>
</SPEECH>

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

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>EROS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>I would not see't.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MARK ANTONY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Come, then; for with a wound I must be cured.</LINE>
<LINE>Draw that thy honest sword, which thou hast worn</LINE>
<LINE>Most useful for thy country.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>EROS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>O, sir, pardon me!</LINE>
</SPEECH>

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

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>EROS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Turn from me, then, that noble countenance,</LINE>
<LINE>Wherein the worship of the whole world lies.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MARK ANTONY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Lo thee!</LINE>
</SPEECH>


<STAGEDIR>Turning from him</STAGEDIR>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>EROS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>My sword is drawn.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MARK ANTONY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Then let it do at once</LINE>
<LINE>The thing why thou hast drawn it.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>EROS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>My dear master,</LINE>
<LINE>My captain, and my emperor, let me say,</LINE>
<LINE>Before I strike this bloody stroke, farewell.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MARK ANTONY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>'Tis said, man; and farewell.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>EROS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Farewell, great chief. Shall I strike now?</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MARK ANTONY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Now, Eros.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>EROS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Why, there then: thus I do escape the sorrow</LINE>
<LINE>Of Antony's death.</LINE>
</SPEECH>


<STAGEDIR>Kills himself</STAGEDIR>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MARK ANTONY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Thrice-nobler than myself!</LINE>
<LINE>Thou teachest me, O valiant Eros, what</LINE>
<LINE>I should, and thou couldst not. My queen and Eros</LINE>
<LINE>Have by their brave instruction got upon me</LINE>
<LINE>A nobleness in record: but I will be</LINE>
<LINE>A bridegroom in my death, and run into't</LINE>
<LINE>As to a lover's bed. Come, then; and, Eros,</LINE>
<LINE>Thy master dies thy scholar: to do thus</LINE>
<STAGEDIR>Falling on his sword</STAGEDIR>
<LINE>I learn'd of thee. How! not dead? not dead?</LINE>
<LINE>The guard, ho! O, dispatch me!</LINE>
</SPEECH>


<STAGEDIR>Enter DERCETAS and Guard</STAGEDIR>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>First Guard</SPEAKER>
<LINE>What's the noise?</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MARK ANTONY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>I have done my work in, friends: O, make an end</LINE>
<LINE>Of what I have begun.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>Second Guard</SPEAKER>
<LINE>The star is fall'n.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>First Guard</SPEAKER>
<LINE>And time is at his period.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>All</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Alas, and woe!</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MARK ANTONY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Let him that loves me strike me dead.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>First Guard</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Not I.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>Second Guard</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Nor I.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>Third Guard</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Nor any one.</LINE>
</SPEECH>


<STAGEDIR>Exeunt Guard</STAGEDIR>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>DERCETAS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Thy death and fortunes bid thy followers fly.</LINE>
<LINE>This sword but shown to Caesar, with this tidings,</LINE>
<LINE>Shall enter me with him.</LINE>
</SPEECH>


<STAGEDIR>Enter DIOMEDES</STAGEDIR>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>DIOMEDES</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Where's Antony?</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>DERCETAS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>There, Diomed there.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>DIOMEDES</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Lives he?</LINE>
<LINE>Wilt thou not answer, man?</LINE>
</SPEECH>


<STAGEDIR>Exit DERCETAS</STAGEDIR>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MARK ANTONY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Art thou there, Diomed? Draw thy sword, and give me</LINE>
<LINE>Sufficing strokes for death.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>DIOMEDES</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Most absolute lord,</LINE>
<LINE>My mistress Cleopatra sent me to thee.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MARK ANTONY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>When did she send thee?</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>DIOMEDES</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Now, my lord.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MARK ANTONY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Where is she?</LINE>
</SPEECH>

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

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MARK ANTONY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Too late, good Diomed: call my guard, I prithee.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>DIOMEDES</SPEAKER>
<LINE>What, ho, the emperor's guard! The guard, what, ho!</LINE>
<LINE>Come, your lord calls!</LINE>
</SPEECH>


<STAGEDIR>Enter four or five of the Guard of MARK ANTONY</STAGEDIR>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MARK ANTONY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Bear me, good friends, where Cleopatra bides;</LINE>
<LINE>'Tis the last service that I shall command you.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>First Guard</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Woe, woe are we, sir, you may not live to wear</LINE>
<LINE>All your true followers out.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>All</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Most heavy day!</LINE>
</SPEECH>

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


<STAGEDIR>Exeunt, bearing MARK ANTONY</STAGEDIR>
</SCENE>

<SCENE><TITLE>SCENE XV.  The same. A monument.</TITLE>
<STAGEDIR>Enter CLEOPATRA and her maids aloft, with
CHARMIAN and IRAS</STAGEDIR>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CLEOPATRA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>O Charmian, I will never go from hence.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CHARMIAN</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Be comforted, dear madam.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CLEOPATRA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>No, I will not:</LINE>
<LINE>All strange and terrible events are welcome,</LINE>
<LINE>But comforts we despise; our size of sorrow,</LINE>
<LINE>Proportion'd to our cause, must be as great</LINE>
<LINE>As that which makes it.</LINE>
<STAGEDIR>Enter, below, DIOMEDES</STAGEDIR>
<LINE>How now! is he dead?</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>DIOMEDES</SPEAKER>
<LINE>His death's upon him, but not dead.</LINE>
<LINE>Look out o' the other side your monument;</LINE>
<LINE>His guard have brought him thither.</LINE>
</SPEECH>


<STAGEDIR>Enter, below, MARK ANTONY, borne by the Guard</STAGEDIR>

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

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MARK ANTONY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Peace!</LINE>
<LINE>Not Caesar's valour hath o'erthrown Antony,</LINE>
<LINE>But Antony's hath triumph'd on itself.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CLEOPATRA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>So it should be, that none but Antony</LINE>
<LINE>Should conquer Antony; but woe 'tis so!</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MARK ANTONY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>I am dying, Egypt, dying; only</LINE>
<LINE>I here importune death awhile, until</LINE>
<LINE>Of many thousand kisses the poor last</LINE>
<LINE>I lay up thy lips.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

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

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MARK ANTONY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>O, quick, or I am gone.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CLEOPATRA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Here's sport indeed! How heavy weighs my lord!</LINE>
<LINE>Our strength is all gone into heaviness,</LINE>
<LINE>That makes the weight: had I great Juno's power,</LINE>
<LINE>The strong-wing'd Mercury should fetch thee up,</LINE>
<LINE>And set thee by Jove's side. Yet come a little,--</LINE>
<LINE>Wishes were ever fools,--O, come, come, come;</LINE>
<STAGEDIR>They heave MARK ANTONY aloft to CLEOPATRA</STAGEDIR>
<LINE>And welcome, welcome! die where thou hast lived:</LINE>
<LINE>Quicken with kissing: had my lips that power,</LINE>
<LINE>Thus would I wear them out.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>All</SPEAKER>
<LINE>A heavy sight!</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MARK ANTONY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>I am dying, Egypt, dying:</LINE>
<LINE>Give me some wine, and let me speak a little.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CLEOPATRA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>No, let me speak; and let me rail so high,</LINE>
<LINE>That the false housewife Fortune break her wheel,</LINE>
<LINE>Provoked by my offence.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MARK ANTONY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>One word, sweet queen:</LINE>
<LINE>Of Caesar seek your honour, with your safety. O!</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CLEOPATRA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>They do not go together.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MARK ANTONY</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Gentle, hear me:</LINE>
<LINE>None about Caesar trust but Proculeius.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CLEOPATRA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>My resolution and my hands I'll trust;</LINE>
<LINE>None about Caesar.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

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

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CLEOPATRA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Noblest of men, woo't die?</LINE>
<LINE>Hast thou no care of me? shall I abide</LINE>
<LINE>In this dull world, which in thy absence is</LINE>
<LINE>No better than a sty? O, see, my women,</LINE>
<STAGEDIR>MARK ANTONY dies</STAGEDIR>
<LINE>The crown o' the earth doth melt. My lord!</LINE>
<LINE>O, wither'd is the garland of the war,</LINE>
<LINE>The soldier's pole is fall'n: young boys and girls</LINE>
<LINE>Are level now with men; the odds is gone,</LINE>
<LINE>And there is nothing left remarkable</LINE>
<LINE>Beneath the visiting moon.</LINE>
</SPEECH>


<STAGEDIR>Faints</STAGEDIR>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CHARMIAN</SPEAKER>
<LINE>O, quietness, lady!</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>IRAS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>She is dead too, our sovereign.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CHARMIAN</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Lady!</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>IRAS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Madam!</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CHARMIAN</SPEAKER>
<LINE>O madam, madam, madam!</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>IRAS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Royal Egypt, Empress!</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CHARMIAN</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Peace, peace, Iras!</LINE>
</SPEECH>

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


<STAGEDIR>Exeunt; those above bearing off MARK ANTONY's body</STAGEDIR>
</SCENE>

</ACT>

<ACT><TITLE>ACT V</TITLE>

<SCENE><TITLE>SCENE I.  Alexandria. OCTAVIUS CAESAR's camp.</TITLE>
<STAGEDIR>Enter OCTAVIUS CAESAR, AGRIPPA, DOLABELLA, MECAENAS,
GALLUS, PROCULEIUS, and others, his council of war</STAGEDIR>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>OCTAVIUS CAESAR</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Go to him, Dolabella, bid him yield;</LINE>
<LINE>Being so frustrate, tell him he mocks</LINE>
<LINE>The pauses that he makes.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>DOLABELLA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Caesar, I shall.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<STAGEDIR>Exit</STAGEDIR>
<STAGEDIR>Enter DERCETAS, with the sword of MARK ANTONY</STAGEDIR>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>OCTAVIUS CAESAR</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Wherefore is that? and what art thou that darest</LINE>
<LINE>Appear thus to us?</LINE>
</SPEECH>

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

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>OCTAVIUS CAESAR</SPEAKER>
<LINE>What is't thou say'st?</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>DERCETAS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>I say, O Caesar, Antony is dead.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

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

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

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>OCTAVIUS CAESAR</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Look you sad, friends?</LINE>
<LINE>The gods rebuke me, but it is tidings</LINE>
<LINE>To wash the eyes of kings.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>AGRIPPA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>And strange it is,</LINE>
<LINE>That nature must compel us to lament</LINE>
<LINE>Our most persisted deeds.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MECAENAS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>His taints and honours</LINE>
<LINE>Waged equal with him.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>AGRIPPA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>A rarer spirit never</LINE>
<LINE>Did steer humanity: but you, gods, will give us</LINE>
<LINE>Some faults to make us men. Caesar is touch'd.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>MECAENAS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>When such a spacious mirror's set before him,</LINE>
<LINE>He needs must see himself.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>OCTAVIUS CAESAR</SPEAKER>
<LINE>O Antony!</LINE>
<LINE>I have follow'd thee to this; but we do lance</LINE>
<LINE>Diseases in our bodies: I must perforce</LINE>
<LINE>Have shown to thee such a declining day,</LINE>
<LINE>Or look on thine; we could not stall together</LINE>
<LINE>In the whole world: but yet let me lament,</LINE>
<LINE>With tears as sovereign as the blood of hearts,</LINE>
<LINE>That thou, my brother, my competitor</LINE>
<LINE>In top of all design, my mate in empire,</LINE>
<LINE>Friend and companion in the front of war,</LINE>
<LINE>The arm of mine own body, and the heart</LINE>
<LINE>Where mine his thoughts did kindle,--that our stars,</LINE>
<LINE>Unreconciliable, should divide</LINE>
<LINE>Our equalness to this. Hear me, good friends--</LINE>
<LINE>But I will tell you at some meeter season:</LINE>
<STAGEDIR>Enter an Egyptian</STAGEDIR>
<LINE>The business of this man looks out of him;</LINE>
<LINE>We'll hear him what he says. Whence are you?</LINE>
</SPEECH>

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

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

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>Egyptian</SPEAKER>
<LINE>So the gods preserve thee!</LINE>
</SPEECH>


<STAGEDIR>Exit</STAGEDIR>

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

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>PROCULEIUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Caesar, I shall.</LINE>
</SPEECH>


<STAGEDIR>Exit</STAGEDIR>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>OCTAVIUS CAESAR</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Gallus, go you along.</LINE>
<STAGEDIR>Exit GALLUS</STAGEDIR>
<LINE>Where's Dolabella,</LINE>
<LINE>To second Proculeius?</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>All</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Dolabella!</LINE>
</SPEECH>

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


<STAGEDIR>Exeunt</STAGEDIR>
</SCENE>

<SCENE><TITLE>SCENE II.  Alexandria. A room in the monument.</TITLE>
<STAGEDIR>Enter CLEOPATRA, CHARMIAN, and IRAS</STAGEDIR>

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


<STAGEDIR>Enter, to the gates of the monument, PROCULEIUS,
GALLUS and Soldiers</STAGEDIR>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>PROCULEIUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Caesar sends greeting to the Queen of Egypt;</LINE>
<LINE>And bids thee study on what fair demands</LINE>
<LINE>Thou mean'st to have him grant thee.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CLEOPATRA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>What's thy name?</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>PROCULEIUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>My name is Proculeius.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

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

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

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

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>PROCULEIUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>This I'll report, dear lady.</LINE>
<LINE>Have comfort, for I know your plight is pitied</LINE>
<LINE>Of him that caused it.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>GALLUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>You see how easily she may be surprised:</LINE>
<STAGEDIR>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</STAGEDIR>
<STAGEDIR>To PROCULEIUS and the Guard</STAGEDIR>
<LINE>Guard her till Caesar come.</LINE>
</SPEECH>


<STAGEDIR>Exit</STAGEDIR>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>IRAS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Royal queen!</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CHARMIAN</SPEAKER>
<LINE>O Cleopatra! thou art taken, queen:</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CLEOPATRA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Quick, quick, good hands.</LINE>
</SPEECH>


<STAGEDIR>Drawing a dagger</STAGEDIR>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>PROCULEIUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Hold, worthy lady, hold:</LINE>
<STAGEDIR>Seizes and disarms her</STAGEDIR>
<LINE>Do not yourself such wrong, who are in this</LINE>
<LINE>Relieved, but not betray'd.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CLEOPATRA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>What, of death too,</LINE>
<LINE>That rids our dogs of languish?</LINE>
</SPEECH>

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

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CLEOPATRA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Where art thou, death?</LINE>
<LINE>Come hither, come! come, come, and take a queen</LINE>
<LINE>Worthy many babes and beggars!</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>PROCULEIUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>O, temperance, lady!</LINE>
</SPEECH>

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

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>PROCULEIUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>You do extend</LINE>
<LINE>These thoughts of horror further than you shall</LINE>
<LINE>Find cause in Caesar.</LINE>
</SPEECH>


<STAGEDIR>Enter DOLABELLA</STAGEDIR>

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

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>PROCULEIUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>So, Dolabella,</LINE>
<LINE>It shall content me best: be gentle to her.</LINE>
<STAGEDIR>To CLEOPATRA</STAGEDIR>
<LINE>To Caesar I will speak what you shall please,</LINE>
<LINE>If you'll employ me to him.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CLEOPATRA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Say, I would die.</LINE>
</SPEECH>


<STAGEDIR>Exeunt PROCULEIUS and Soldiers</STAGEDIR>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>DOLABELLA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Most noble empress, you have heard of me?</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CLEOPATRA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>I cannot tell.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>DOLABELLA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Assuredly you know me.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CLEOPATRA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>No matter, sir, what I have heard or known.</LINE>
<LINE>You laugh when boys or women tell their dreams;</LINE>
<LINE>Is't not your trick?</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>DOLABELLA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>I understand not, madam.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CLEOPATRA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>I dream'd there was an Emperor Antony:</LINE>
<LINE>O, such another sleep, that I might see</LINE>
<LINE>But such another man!</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>DOLABELLA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>If it might please ye,--</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CLEOPATRA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>His face was as the heavens; and therein stuck</LINE>
<LINE>A sun and moon, which kept their course,</LINE>
<LINE>and lighted</LINE>
<LINE>The little O, the earth.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>DOLABELLA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Most sovereign creature,--</LINE>
</SPEECH>

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

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>DOLABELLA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Cleopatra!</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CLEOPATRA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Think you there was, or might be, such a man</LINE>
<LINE>As this I dream'd of?</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>DOLABELLA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Gentle madam, no.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

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

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

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CLEOPATRA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>I thank you, sir,</LINE>
<LINE>Know you what Caesar means to do with me?</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>DOLABELLA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>I am loath to tell you what I would you knew.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CLEOPATRA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Nay, pray you, sir,--</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>DOLABELLA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Though he be honourable,--</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CLEOPATRA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>He'll lead me, then, in triumph?</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>DOLABELLA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Madam, he will; I know't.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<STAGEDIR>Flourish, and shout within, 'Make way there:
Octavius Caesar!'</STAGEDIR>
<STAGEDIR>Enter OCTAVIUS CAESAR, GALLUS, PROCULEIUS,
MECAENAS, SELEUCUS, and others of his Train</STAGEDIR>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>OCTAVIUS CAESAR</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Which is the Queen of Egypt?</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>DOLABELLA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>It is the emperor, madam.</LINE>
</SPEECH>


<STAGEDIR>CLEOPATRA kneels</STAGEDIR>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>OCTAVIUS CAESAR</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Arise, you shall not kneel:</LINE>
<LINE>I pray you, rise; rise, Egypt.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CLEOPATRA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Sir, the gods</LINE>
<LINE>Will have it thus; my master and my lord</LINE>
<LINE>I must obey.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>OCTAVIUS CAESAR</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Take to you no hard thoughts:</LINE>
<LINE>The record of what injuries you did us,</LINE>
<LINE>Though written in our flesh, we shall remember</LINE>
<LINE>As things but done by chance.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

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

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

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

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>OCTAVIUS CAESAR</SPEAKER>
<LINE>You shall advise me in all for Cleopatra.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

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

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>SELEUCUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Here, madam.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CLEOPATRA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>This is my treasurer: let him speak, my lord,</LINE>
<LINE>Upon his peril, that I have reserved</LINE>
<LINE>To myself nothing. Speak the truth, Seleucus.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>SELEUCUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Madam,</LINE>
<LINE>I had rather seal my lips, than, to my peril,</LINE>
<LINE>Speak that which is not.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CLEOPATRA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>What have I kept back?</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>SELEUCUS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Enough to purchase what you have made known.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>OCTAVIUS CAESAR</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Nay, blush not, Cleopatra; I approve</LINE>
<LINE>Your wisdom in the deed.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

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

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>OCTAVIUS CAESAR</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Good queen, let us entreat you.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CLEOPATRA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>O Caesar, what a wounding shame is this,</LINE>
<LINE>That thou, vouchsafing here to visit me,</LINE>
<LINE>Doing the honour of thy lordliness</LINE>
<LINE>To one so meek, that mine own servant should</LINE>
<LINE>Parcel the sum of my disgraces by</LINE>
<LINE>Addition of his envy! Say, good Caesar,</LINE>
<LINE>That I some lady trifles have reserved,</LINE>
<LINE>Immoment toys, things of such dignity</LINE>
<LINE>As we greet modern friends withal; and say,</LINE>
<LINE>Some nobler token I have kept apart</LINE>
<LINE>For Livia and Octavia, to induce</LINE>
<LINE>Their mediation; must I be unfolded</LINE>
<LINE>With one that I have bred? The gods! it smites me</LINE>
<LINE>Beneath the fall I have.</LINE>
<STAGEDIR>To SELEUCUS</STAGEDIR>
<LINE>Prithee, go hence;</LINE>
<LINE>Or I shall show the cinders of my spirits</LINE>
<LINE>Through the ashes of my chance: wert thou a man,</LINE>
<LINE>Thou wouldst have mercy on me.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>OCTAVIUS CAESAR</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Forbear, Seleucus.</LINE>
</SPEECH>


<STAGEDIR>Exit SELEUCUS</STAGEDIR>

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

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

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CLEOPATRA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>My master, and my lord!</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>OCTAVIUS CAESAR</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Not so. Adieu.</LINE>
</SPEECH>


<STAGEDIR>Flourish. Exeunt OCTAVIUS CAESAR and his train</STAGEDIR>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CLEOPATRA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>He words me, girls, he words me, that I should not</LINE>
<LINE>Be noble to myself: but, hark thee, Charmian.</LINE>
</SPEECH>


<STAGEDIR>Whispers CHARMIAN</STAGEDIR>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>IRAS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Finish, good lady; the bright day is done,</LINE>
<LINE>And we are for the dark.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CLEOPATRA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Hie thee again:</LINE>
<LINE>I have spoke already, and it is provided;</LINE>
<LINE>Go put it to the haste.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CHARMIAN</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Madam, I will.</LINE>
</SPEECH>


<STAGEDIR>Re-enter DOLABELLA</STAGEDIR>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>DOLABELLA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Where is the queen?</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CHARMIAN</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Behold, sir.</LINE>
</SPEECH>


<STAGEDIR>Exit</STAGEDIR>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CLEOPATRA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Dolabella!</LINE>
</SPEECH>

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

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CLEOPATRA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Dolabella,</LINE>
<LINE>I shall remain your debtor.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>DOLABELLA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>I your servant,</LINE>
<LINE>Adieu, good queen; I must attend on Caesar.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

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

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>IRAS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>The gods forbid!</LINE>
</SPEECH>

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

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>IRAS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>O the good gods!</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CLEOPATRA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Nay, that's certain.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>IRAS</SPEAKER>
<LINE>I'll never see 't; for, I am sure, my nails</LINE>
<LINE>Are stronger than mine eyes.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CLEOPATRA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Why, that's the way</LINE>
<LINE>To fool their preparation, and to conquer</LINE>
<LINE>Their most absurd intents.</LINE>
<STAGEDIR>Re-enter CHARMIAN</STAGEDIR>
<LINE>Now, Charmian!</LINE>
<LINE>Show me, my women, like a queen: go fetch</LINE>
<LINE>My best attires: I am again for Cydnus,</LINE>
<LINE>To meet Mark Antony: sirrah Iras, go.</LINE>
<LINE>Now, noble Charmian, we'll dispatch indeed;</LINE>
<LINE>And, when thou hast done this chare, I'll give thee leave</LINE>
<LINE>To play till doomsday. Bring our crown and all.</LINE>
<LINE>Wherefore's this noise?</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<STAGEDIR>Exit IRAS. A noise within</STAGEDIR>
<STAGEDIR>Enter a Guardsman</STAGEDIR>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>Guard</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Here is a rural fellow</LINE>
<LINE>That will not be denied your highness presence:</LINE>
<LINE>He brings you figs.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

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


<STAGEDIR>Re-enter Guardsman, with Clown bringing in a basket</STAGEDIR>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>Guard</SPEAKER>
<LINE>This is the man.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CLEOPATRA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Avoid, and leave him.</LINE>
<STAGEDIR>Exit Guardsman</STAGEDIR>
<LINE>Hast thou the pretty worm of Nilus there,</LINE>
<LINE>That kills and pains not?</LINE>
</SPEECH>

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

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CLEOPATRA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Rememberest thou any that have died on't?</LINE>
</SPEECH>

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

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CLEOPATRA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Get thee hence; farewell.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>Clown</SPEAKER>
<LINE>I wish you all joy of the worm.</LINE>
</SPEECH>


<STAGEDIR>Setting down his basket</STAGEDIR>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CLEOPATRA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Farewell.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>Clown</SPEAKER>
<LINE>You must think this, look you, that the worm will</LINE>
<LINE>do his kind.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CLEOPATRA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Ay, ay; farewell.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>Clown</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Look you, the worm is not to be trusted but in the</LINE>
<LINE>keeping of wise people; for, indeed, there is no</LINE>
<LINE>goodness in worm.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CLEOPATRA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Take thou no care; it shall be heeded.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>Clown</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Very good. Give it nothing, I pray you, for it is</LINE>
<LINE>not worth the feeding.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CLEOPATRA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Will it eat me?</LINE>
</SPEECH>

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

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CLEOPATRA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Well, get thee gone; farewell.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>Clown</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Yes, forsooth: I wish you joy o' the worm.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<STAGEDIR>Exit</STAGEDIR>
<STAGEDIR>Re-enter IRAS with a robe, crown, &amp;c</STAGEDIR>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CLEOPATRA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Give me my robe, put on my crown; I have</LINE>
<LINE>Immortal longings in me: now no more</LINE>
<LINE>The juice of Egypt's grape shall moist this lip:</LINE>
<LINE>Yare, yare, good Iras; quick. Methinks I hear</LINE>
<LINE>Antony call; I see him rouse himself</LINE>
<LINE>To praise my noble act; I hear him mock</LINE>
<LINE>The luck of Caesar, which the gods give men</LINE>
<LINE>To excuse their after wrath: husband, I come:</LINE>
<LINE>Now to that name my courage prove my title!</LINE>
<LINE>I am fire and air; my other elements</LINE>
<LINE>I give to baser life. So; have you done?</LINE>
<LINE>Come then, and take the last warmth of my lips.</LINE>
<LINE>Farewell, kind Charmian; Iras, long farewell.</LINE>
<STAGEDIR>Kisses them. IRAS falls and dies</STAGEDIR>
<LINE>Have I the aspic in my lips? Dost fall?</LINE>
<LINE>If thou and nature can so gently part,</LINE>
<LINE>The stroke of death is as a lover's pinch,</LINE>
<LINE>Which hurts, and is desired. Dost thou lie still?</LINE>
<LINE>If thus thou vanishest, thou tell'st the world</LINE>
<LINE>It is not worth leave-taking.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CHARMIAN</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Dissolve, thick cloud, and rain; that I may say,</LINE>
<LINE>The gods themselves do weep!</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CLEOPATRA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>This proves me base:</LINE>
<LINE>If she first meet the curled Antony,</LINE>
<LINE>He'll make demand of her, and spend that kiss</LINE>
<LINE>Which is my heaven to have. Come, thou</LINE>
<LINE>mortal wretch,</LINE>
<STAGEDIR>To an asp, which she applies to her breast</STAGEDIR>
<LINE>With thy sharp teeth this knot intrinsicate</LINE>
<LINE>Of life at once untie: poor venomous fool</LINE>
<LINE>Be angry, and dispatch. O, couldst thou speak,</LINE>
<LINE>That I might hear thee call great Caesar ass</LINE>
<LINE>Unpolicied!</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CHARMIAN</SPEAKER>
<LINE>O eastern star!</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CLEOPATRA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Peace, peace!</LINE>
<LINE>Dost thou not see my baby at my breast,</LINE>
<LINE>That sucks the nurse asleep?</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CHARMIAN</SPEAKER>
<LINE>O, break! O, break!</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CLEOPATRA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>As sweet as balm, as soft as air, as gentle,--</LINE>
<LINE>O Antony!--Nay, I will take thee too.</LINE>
<STAGEDIR>Applying another asp to her arm</STAGEDIR>
<LINE>What should I stay--</LINE>
</SPEECH>


<STAGEDIR>Dies</STAGEDIR>

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


<STAGEDIR>Enter the Guard, rushing in</STAGEDIR>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>First Guard</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Where is the queen?</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CHARMIAN</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Speak softly, wake her not.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>First Guard</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Caesar hath sent--</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CHARMIAN</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Too slow a messenger.</LINE>
<STAGEDIR>Applies an asp</STAGEDIR>
<LINE>O, come apace, dispatch! I partly feel thee.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>First Guard</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Approach, ho! All's not well: Caesar's beguiled.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>Second Guard</SPEAKER>
<LINE>There's Dolabella sent from Caesar; call him.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>First Guard</SPEAKER>
<LINE>What work is here! Charmian, is this well done?</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>CHARMIAN</SPEAKER>
<LINE>It is well done, and fitting for a princess</LINE>
<LINE>Descended of so many royal kings.</LINE>
<LINE>Ah, soldier!</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<STAGEDIR>Dies</STAGEDIR>
<STAGEDIR>Re-enter DOLABELLA</STAGEDIR>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>DOLABELLA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>How goes it here?</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>Second Guard</SPEAKER>
<LINE>All dead.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

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

<STAGEDIR>Within  'A way there, a way for Caesar!'</STAGEDIR>
<STAGEDIR>Re-enter OCTAVIUS CAESAR and all his train marching</STAGEDIR>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>DOLABELLA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>O sir, you are too sure an augurer;</LINE>
<LINE>That you did fear is done.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>OCTAVIUS CAESAR</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Bravest at the last,</LINE>
<LINE>She levell'd at our purposes, and, being royal,</LINE>
<LINE>Took her own way. The manner of their deaths?</LINE>
<LINE>I do not see them bleed.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>DOLABELLA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Who was last with them?</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>First Guard</SPEAKER>
<LINE>A simple countryman, that brought her figs:</LINE>
<LINE>This was his basket.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>OCTAVIUS CAESAR</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Poison'd, then.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

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

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

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>DOLABELLA</SPEAKER>
<LINE>Here, on her breast,</LINE>
<LINE>There is a vent of blood and something blown:</LINE>
<LINE>The like is on her arm.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

<SPEECH>
<SPEAKER>First Guard</SPEAKER>
<LINE>This is an aspic's trail: and these fig-leaves</LINE>
<LINE>Have slime upon them, such as the aspic leaves</LINE>
<LINE>Upon the caves of Nile.</LINE>
</SPEECH>

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


<STAGEDIR>Exeunt</STAGEDIR>
</SCENE>
</ACT>
</PLAY>