ANTONY Let us, Lepidus, not lack your company.
LEPIDUS Noble Antony,
Not206 sickness should detain me.
Flourish. Exeunt all. Enobarbus, Agrippa, Maecenas remain
MAECENAS Welcome from Egypt, sir.
ENOBARBUS Half the heart208 of Caesar, worthy Maecenas! My
honourable friend, Agrippa!
AGRIPPA Good Enobarbus!
MAECENAS We have cause to be glad that matters are so well
digested212. You stayed well by’t in Egypt.
ENOBARBUS Ay, sir, we did sleep day out of countenance213 and
made the night light214 with drinking.
MAECENAS Eight wild boars roasted whole at a breakfast, and
but216 twelve persons there. Is this true?
ENOBARBUS This was but as a fly by217 an eagle: we had much
more monstrous matter218 of feast, which worthily deserved
noting.
MAECENAS She’s a most triumphant220 lady, if report be square to
her.
ENOBARBUS When she first met Mark Antony, she pursed222 up
his heart upon the river of Cydnus223.
AGRIPPA There she appeared indeed, or my reporter devised
well for her224.
ENOBARBUS I will tell you
The barge she sat in, like a burnished227 throne,
Burned228 on the water: the poop was beaten gold,
Purple the sails, and so perfumèd that
The winds were lovesick with them: the oars were silver,
Which to the tune of flutes kept stroke, and made
The water which they beat to follow faster,
As amorous of their strokes233. For her own person,
It beggared all description: she did lie
In her pavilion, cloth-of-gold of tissue235,
O’er-picturing that Venus where we see
The fancy out-work nature236: on each side her237
Stood pretty dimpled boys, like238 smiling Cupids,
With divers-coloured239 fans whose wind did seem
To glow240 the delicate cheeks which they did cool,
And what they undid did.
AGRIPPA O, rare242 for Antony!
ENOBARBUS Her gentlewomen, like the Nereides243,
So many mermaids, tended her i’th’eyes244,
And made their bends adornings245. At the helm
A seeming mermaid steers: the silken tackle246
Swell247 with the touches of those flower-soft hands
That yarely frame the office248. From the barge
A strange invisible perfume hits the sense
Of the adjacent wharfs250. The city cast
Her people out upon her, and Antony,
Enthroned i’th’market-place, did sit alone,
Whistling to th’air, which, but for vacancy253,
Had254 gone to gaze on Cleopatra too,
And made a gap in nature.
AGRIPPA Rare Egyptian256!
ENOBARBUS Upon her landing, Antony sent to her,
Invited her to supper: she replied
It should be better he became her guest,
Which she entreated. Our courteous Antony,
Whom ne’er the word of ‘No’ woman heard speak,
Being barbered262 ten times o’er, goes to the feast,
And for his ordinary263, pays his heart
For what his eyes eat only264.
AGRIPPA Royal wench265!
She made great Caesar266 lay his sword to bed.
He ploughed her, and she cropped267.
ENOBARBUS I saw her once
Hop forty paces through the public street
And, having lost her breath, she spoke and panted,
That271 she did make defect perfection,
And, breathless, pour breath forth.
MAECENAS Now Antony must leave her utterly.
ENOBARBUS Never! He will not.
Age cannot wither her, nor custom stale275
Her infinite variety: other women cloy
The appetites they feed, but she makes hungry
Where most she satisfies. For vilest things
Become themselves278 in her, that the holy priests
Bless her when she is riggish280.
MAECENAS If beauty, wisdom, modesty, can settle
The heart of Antony, Octavia is
A blessèd lottery283 to him.
AGRIPPA Let us go.
Good Enobarbus, make yourself my guest
Whilst you abide here.
ENOBARBUS Humbly, sir, I thank you.
Exeunt
[Act 2 Scene 3]
running scene 5 continues
* * *
Enter Antony, Caesar, Octavia between them
ANTONY The world and my great office1 will sometimes
Divide me from your bosom.
Before the gods my knee shall bow my prayers
To them for you.
ANTONY Goodnight, sir. My Octavia,
Read not my blemishes in the world’s report7:
I have not kept my square8, but that to come
Shall all be done by th’rule9. Goodnight, dear lady.
OCTAVIA Goodnight, sir.
CAESAR Goodnight.
Exeunt [Caesar and Octavia]
Enter Soothsayer
ANTONY Now, sirrah12: you do wish yourself in Egypt?
SOOTHSAYER Would I had never come from thence, nor you
thither13.
ANTONY If you can14, your reason?
SOOTHSAYER I see it in my motion15, have it not in my tongue.
But yet hie you16 to Egypt again.
ANTONY Say to me, whose fortunes shall rise higher,
Caesar’s or mine?
SOOTHSAYER Caesar’s.
Therefore, O Antony, stay not by his side:
Thy demon21, that thy spirit which keeps thee, is
Noble, courageous, high unmatchable,
Where Caesar’s is not. But near him, thy angel23
Becomes afeared, as24 being o’erpowered: therefore
Make space enough between you.
ANTONY Speak this no more.
SOOTHSAYER To none but thee27, no more but when to thee.
If thou dost play with him at any game,
Thou art sure to lose, and of that natural luck
He beats thee gainst the odds. Thy lustre thickens30
When he shines by: I say again, thy spirit
Is all afraid to govern thee near him,
But, he33 away, ’tis noble.
ANTONY Get thee gone.
Say to Ventidius I would speak with him:
Exit [Soothsayer]
He shall to Parthia. Be it art or hap36,
He hath spoken true: the very dice obey him,
And in our sports my better cunning faints
Under his chance38. If we draw lots, he speeds39:
His cocks do win the battle still of mine
When it41 is all to nought, and his quails ever
Beat mine, inhooped42, at odds. I will to Egypt:
And though I make this marriage for my peace,
I’th’east my pleasure lies.—O, come, Ventidius,
Enter Ventidius
You must to Parthia: your commission’s ready,
Follow me and receive’t.
Exeunt
[Act 2 Scene 4]
running scene 5 continues
* * *
Enter Lepidus, Maecenas and Agrippa
LEPIDUS Trouble yourselves no further: pray you hasten
Your generals after2.
AGRIPPA Sir, Mark Antony
Will e’en4 but kiss Octavia, and we’ll follow.
LEPIDUS Till I shall see you in your soldier’s dress,
Which will become you both, farewell.
MAECENAS We shall,
As I conceive the journey, be at the Mount8
Before you, Lepidus.
LEPIDUS Your way
is shorter.
My purposes do draw me much about11:
You’ll win two days upon me.
BOTH Sir, good success!
LEPIDUS Farewell.
Exeunt
[Act 2 Scene 5]
running scene 6
Location: Alexandria
* * *
Enter Cleopatra, Charmian, Iras and Alexas
CLEOPATRA Give me some music: music, moody food
Of us that trade2 in love.
ALL The music, ho!
Enter Mardian the Eunuch
CLEOPATRA Let it alone. Let’s to billiards: come, Charmian.
CHARMIAN My arm is sore, best play with Mardian.
CLEOPATRA As well a woman with an eunuch play6ed
As with a woman. Come, you’ll play with me, sir?
MARDIAN As well as I can, madam.
CLEOPATRA And when good will9 is showed, though’t come
too short,
The actor10 may plead pardon. I’ll none now.
Give me mine angle11: we’ll to th’river. There,
My music playing far off, I will betray12
Tawny-finned13 fishes: my bended hook shall pierce
Their slimy jaws, and, as I draw them up,
I’ll think them every one an Antony,
CHARMIAN ’Twas merry when
You wagered on your angling, when your diver18
Did hang a salt-fish19 on his hook, which he
With fervency20 drew up.
CLEOPATRA That time? O times!
I laughed him out of patience, and that night
I laughed him into patience, and next morn,
Ere the ninth hour, I drunk him to his bed,
Then put my tires and mantles25 on him, whilst
I wore his sword Philippan26.—
Enter a Messenger
O, from Italy
Ram thou thy fruitful tidings in mine ears,
That long time have been barren27.
MESSENGER Madam, madam—
CLEOPATRA Antonio’s dead! If thou say so, villain,
Thou kill’st thy mistress. But well and free,
If thou so yield32 him, there is gold, and here
Offers gold
My bluest veins to kiss: a hand that kings
Offers her hand
Have lipped34, and trembled kissing.
MESSENGER First, madam, he is well.
CLEOPATRA Why, there’s more gold.
But sirrah, mark, we use37
To say the dead are well38: bring it to that,
The gold I give thee will I melt and pour
Down thy ill-uttering throat.
MESSENGER Good madam, hear me.
CLEOPATRA Well, go to42, I will.
But there’s no goodness in thy face if Antony
Be free and healthful; so tart a favour44
To trumpet such good tidings! If not well,
Thou shouldst come like a Fury46 crowned with snakes,
Not like a formal47 man.
MESSENGER Will’t please you hear me?
CLEOPATRA I have a mind to strike thee ere thou speak’st:
Yet if thou say Antony lives, ’tis well50,
Or51 friends with Caesar, or not captive to him,
I’ll set thee in a shower of gold52 and hail
Rich pearls upon thee.
MESSENGER Madam, he’s well.
CLEOPATRA Well said.
MESSENGER And friends with Caesar.
CLEOPATRA Thou’rt an honest57 man.
MESSENGER Caesar and he are greater friends than ever.
CLEOPATRA Make thee a fortune from me.
MESSENGER But yet, madam—
CLEOPATRA I do not like ‘But yet’: it does allay
The good precedence61. Fie upon ‘But yet’!
‘But yet’ is as a jailer to bring forth
Some monstrous malefactor64. Prithee friend,
Pour out the pack of matter to mine ear65,
The good and bad together: he’s friends with Caesar,
In state of health thou say’st and, thou say’st, free.
MESSENGER Free, madam? No: I made no such report.
He’s bound69 unto Octavia.
CLEOPATRA For what good turn?
MESSENGER For the best turn71 i’th’bed.
CLEOPATRA I am pale, Charmian.
MESSENGER Madam, he’s married to Octavia.
CLEOPATRA The most infectious pestilence74 upon thee!
Strikes him down
MESSENGER Good madam, patience.
CLEOPATRA What say you?
Strikes him
Hence, horrible villain, or I’ll spurn77 thine eyes
Like balls before me! I’ll unhair thy head!
She hauls him up and down
Thou shalt be whipped with wire and stewed in brine,
Smarting in ling’ring pickle80!
MESSENGER Gracious madam,
I that do bring the news made not the match.
CLEOPATRA Say ’tis not so, a province I will give thee,
And make thy fortunes proud84: the blow thou hadst
Shall make thy peace85 for moving me to rage,
And I will boot86 thee with what gift beside
Thy modesty can beg.
MESSENGER He’s married, madam.
CLEOPATRA Rogue, thou hast lived too long!
Draws a knife
MESSENGER Nay then, I’ll run.
What mean you, madam? I have made no fault.
Exit
CHARMIAN Good madam, keep yourself92 within yourself.
The man is innocent.
CLEOPATRA Some innocents scape not the thunderbolt94.
Melt Egypt95 into Nile, and kindly creatures
Turn all to serpents! Call the slave again.
Though I am mad97, I will not bite him: call!
CHARMIAN He is afeard to come.
[Exit Charmian]
CLEOPATRA I will not hurt him.
These hands do lack nobility that they strike
A meaner101 than myself, since I myself
Have given myself the cause.—
Enter the Messenger again [with Charmian]
Come hither, sir.
Though it be honest, it is never good
To bring bad news: give to a gracious104 message
An host of tongues105, but let ill tidings tell
Themselves when they be felt.
MESSENGER I have done my duty.
CLEOPATRA Is he married?
I cannot hate thee worser than I do
If thou again say ‘Yes.’
MESSENGER He’s married, madam.
CLEOPATRA The gods confound112 thee! Dost thou hold there still?
MESSENGER Should I lie, madam?
CLEOPATRA O, I would thou didst,
So115 half my Egypt were submerged and made
A cistern116 for scaled snakes! Go, get thee hence!
Hadst thou Narcissus117 in thy face, to me
Thou wouldst appear most ugly. He is married?
MESSENGER I crave your highness’ pardon.
CLEOPATRA He is married?
MESSENGER Take no offence that I would not offend you121.
To punish me for what you make me do
Seems much unequal123. He’s married to Octavia.
CLEOPATRA O, that his fault should make a knave of thee,
That art not what thou’rt sure of!124 Get thee hence,
The merchandise126 which thou hast brought from Rome
Are all too dear127 for me: lie they upon thy hand,
And be undone by ’em! [Exit Messenger]
CHARMIAN Good your highness, patience.
CLEOPATRA In praising Antony, I have dispraised Caesar.
CHARMIAN Many times, madam.
CLEOPATRA I am paid for’t now. Lead me from hence:
I faint! O Iras, Charmian! ’Tis no matter.
Go to
the fellow, good Alexas, bid him
Report the feature135 of Octavia: her years,
Her inclination136, let him not leave out
The colour of her hair. Bring me word quickly.
[Exit Alexas]
Let him138 for ever go.—Let him not, Charmian,
Though he be painted one way like a Gorgon139,
The other way’s a Mars140.—Bid you Alexas
Bring me word how tall she is.—Pity me, Charmian,
But do not speak to me. Lead me to my chamber.
To Iras
Exeunt
[Act 2 Scene 6]
running scene 7
Location: near Misena (Misenum), a port in southern Italy
* * *
Flourish. Enter Pompey at one door, with Drum and Trumpet, at another, Caesar, Lepidus, Antony, Enobarbus, Maecenas, Agrippa, Menas with Soldiers marching
POMPEY Your hostages I have, so have you mine,
And we shall talk before we fight.
CAESAR Most meet3
That first we come to words, and therefore have we
Our written purposes5 before us sent,
Which, if thou hast considered, let us know
If ’twill tie up7 thy discontented sword
And carry back to Sicily much tall8 youth
That else9 must perish here.
POMPEY To you all three,
The senators alone11 of this great world,
Chief factors12 for the gods: I do not know
Wherefore13 my father should revengers want,
Having a son and friends, since Julius Caesar,
Who at Philippi the good Brutus ghosted15,
There saw you labouring for him. What was’t
That moved17 pale Cassius to conspire? And what
Made the all-honoured, honest18 Roman, Brutus,
With the armed rest, courtiers19 of beauteous freedom,
To drench20 the Capitol20, but that they would
Have one man21 but a man? And that is it
Hath made me rig my navy, at whose burden
The angered ocean foams, with which I meant
To scourge24 th’ingratitude that despiteful Rome
Cast on my noble father.
CAESAR Take your time.
ANTONY Thou canst not fear27 us, Pompey, with thy sails.
We’ll speak28 with thee at sea. At land thou know’st
How much we do o’er-count29 thee.
POMPEY At land indeed
Thou dost o’er-count me of my father’s house31:
But since the cuckoo builds not for himself32,
Remain in’t as thou mayst33.
LEPIDUS Be pleased to tell us —