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


Take but good note , and you shall see in him 
The triple pillar of the world transform'd 

Into a strumpet's fool ; behold and see .

If it be love indeed , tell me how much .

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

I'll set a bourn how far to be belov'd .

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


News , my good lord , from Rome .

Grates me ; the sum .

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

How , my love !

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

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

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

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

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

Hear the ambassadors .

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


Is C sar with Antonius priz'd so slight ?

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

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


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

Soothsayer !

Your will ?

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

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

Show him your hand .


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

Good sir , give me good fortune .

I make not , but foresee .

Pray then , foresee me one .

You shall be yet far fairer than you are .

He means in flesh .

No , you shall paint when you are old .

Wrinkles forbid !

Vex not his prescience ; be attentive .

Hush !

You shall be more beloving than belov'd .

I had rather heat my liver with drinking .

Nay , hear him .

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

You shall outlive the lady whom you serve .

O excellent ! I love long life better than figs .

You have seen and prov'd a fairer former fortune 
Than that which is to approach .

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

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

Out , fool ! I forgive thee for a witch .

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

Nay , come , tell Iras hers .

We'll know all our fortunes .

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

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

E'en as the overflowing Nilus presageth famine .

Go , you wild bedfellow , you cannot soothsay .

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

Your fortunes are alike .

But how ? but how ? give me particulars .

I have said .

Am I not an inch of fortune better than she ?

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

Not in my husband's nose .

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

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

Amen .

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

Hush ! here comes Antony .

Not he ; the queen .


Saw you my lord ?

No , lady .

Was he not here ?

No , madam .

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

Madam !

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

Here , at your service . My lord approaches .


We will not look upon him ; go with us .


Fulvia thy wife first came into the field .

Against my brother Lucius ?

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

Well , what worst ?

The nature of bad news infects the teller .

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

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

Antony , thou wouldst say ,

O ! my lord .

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

At your noble pleasure .


From Sicyon , ho , the news ! Speak there !

The man from Sicyon , is there such an one ?

He stays upon your will .

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

What are you ?

Fulvia thy wife is dead .

Where died she ?

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


Forbear me .

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


What's your pleasure , sir ?

I must with haste from hence .

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

I must be gone .

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

She is cunning past man's thought .

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

Would I had never seen her !

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

Fulvia is dead .

Sir ?

Fulvia is dead .

Fulvia !

Dead .

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

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

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

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

I shall do it .


Where is he ?

I did not see him since .

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


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

What should I do I do not ?

In each thing give him way , cross him in nothing .

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

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


I am sick and sullen .

I am sorry to give breathing to my purpose ,

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

Now , my dearest queen ,

Pray you , stand further from me .

What's the matter ?

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

The gods best know ,

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

Cleopatra ,

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

Most sweet queen ,

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

How now , lady !

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

You'll heat my blood ; no more .

You can do better yet , but this is meetly .

Now , by my sword ,

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

I'll leave you , lady .

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

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

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

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


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

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

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


Here's more news .

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

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

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

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

'Tis pity of him .

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

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

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

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

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


Charmian !

Madam !

Ha , ha !
Give me to drink mandragora .

Why , madam ?

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

You think of him too much .

O ! 'tis treason .

Madam , I trust , not so .

Thou , eunuch Mardian !

What 's your highness' pleasure ?

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

Yes , gracious madam .

Indeed !

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

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


Sovereign of Egypt , hail !

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

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

Mine ear must pluck it thence .

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

What ! was he sad or merry ?

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

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

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

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

O ! that brave C sar .

Be chok'd with such another emphasis !
Say the brave Antony .

The valiant C sar !

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

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

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

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

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

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

We , ignorant of ourselves ,
Beg often our own harms , which the wise powers 
Deny us for our good ; so find we profit 
By losing of our prayers .

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

C sar and Lepidus 
Are in the field ; a mighty strength they carry .

Where have you this ? 'tis false .

From Silvius , sir .

He dreams ; I know they are in Rome together ,
Looking for Antony . But all the charms of love ,
Salt Cleopatra , soften thy wan'd lip !
Let witchcraft join with beauty , lust with both !
Tie up the libertine in a field of feasts ,
Keep his brain fuming ; Epicurean cooks 
Sharpen with cloyless sance his appetite ,
That sleep and feeding may prorogue his honour 
Even till a Lethe'd dulness !

How now , Varrius !

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

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

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

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


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

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

'Tis not a time 
For private stomaching .

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

But small to greater matters must give way .

Not if the small come first .

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


And yonder , C sar .


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

I do not know ,
Mec nas ; ask Agrippa .

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

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

Welcome to Rome .

Thank you .

Sit .

Sit , sir .

Nay , then .

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

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

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

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

How intend you , practis'd ?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Soft , C sar !

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

To lend me arms and aid when I requir'd them ,
The which you both denied .

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

'Tis noble spoken .

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

Worthily spoken , Mec nas .

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

Thou art a soldier only ; speak no more .

That truth should be silent I had almost forgot .

You wrong this presence ; therefore speak no more .

Go to , then ; your considerate stone .

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

Give me leave , C sar .

Speak , Agrippa .

Thou hast a sister by the mother's side ,
Admir'd Octavia ; great Mark Antony 
Is now a widower .

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

I am not married , C sar ; let me hear 
Agrippa further speak .

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

Will C sar speak ?

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

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

The power of C sar , and 
His power unto Octavia .

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

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

Happily , amen !

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

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

Where lies he ?

About the Mount Misenum .

What's his strength 
By land ?

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

So is the fame .
Would we had spoke together ! Haste we for it ;
Yet , ere we put ourselves in arms , dispatch we 
The business we have talk'd of .

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

Let us , Lepidus ,
Not lack your company .

Noble Antony ,
Not sickness should detain me .


Welcome from Egypt , sir .

Half the heart of C sar , worthy Mec nas ! My honourable friend , Agrippa !

Good Enobarbus !

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

O ! rare for Antony .

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

Rare Egyptian !

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

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

I saw her once 
Hop forty paces through the public street ;
And having lost her breath , she spoke , and panted 
That she did make defect perfection ,
And , breathless , power breathe forth .

Now Antony must leave her utterly .

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

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

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

Humbly , sir , I thank you .


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

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

Good night , sir . My Octavia ,
Read not my blemishes in the world's report ;
I have not kept my square , but that to come 
Shall all be done by the rule . Good night , dear lady .

Good night , sir .

Good night .

Now , sirrah ; you do wish yourself in Egypt ?

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

If you can , your reason ?

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

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

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

Speak this no more .

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

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

He shall to Parthia . Be it art or hap 
He hath spoken true ; the very dice obey him .
And in our sports my better cunning faints 
Under his chance ; if we draw lots he speeds ,
His cocks do win the battle still of mine 
When it is all to nought , and his quails ever 
Beat mine , inhoop'd , at odds . I will to Egypt ;
And though I make this marriage for my peace ,
I' the east my pleasure lies .


O ! come , Ventidius ,
You must to Parthia ; your commission's ready ;
Follow me , and receive 't .

Trouble yourselves no further ; pray you hasten 
Your generals after .

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

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

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

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

Sir , good success !

Sir , good success !

Farewell .


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

The music , ho !


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

My arm is sore ; best play with Mardian .

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

As well as I can , madam .

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

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

That time O times !
I laugh'd him out of patience ; and that night 
I laugh'd him into patience : and next morn ,
Ere the ninth hour , I drunk him to his bed ;
Then put my tires and mantles on him , whilst 
I wore his sword Philippan .


O ! from Italy ;
Ram thou thy fruitful tidings in mine ears ,

That long time have been barren .

Madam , madam ,

Antony's dead ! if thou say so , villain ,
Thou kill'st thy mistress ; but well and free ,
If thou so yield him , there is gold , and here 
My bluest veins to kiss ; a hand that kings 
Have lipp'd , and trembled kissing .

First , madam , he is well .

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

Good madam , hear me .

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

Will't please you hear me ?

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

Madam , he's well .

Well said .

And friends with C sar .

Thou'rt an honest man .

C sar and he are greater friends than ever .

Make thee a fortune from me .

But yet , madam ,

I do not like 'but yet ,' it does allay 
The good precedence ; fie upon 'but yet !' 
'But yet' is as a gaoler to bring forth 
Some monstrous malefactor . Prithee , friend ,
Pour out the pack of matter to mine ear ,
The good and bad together . He's friends with C sar ;
In state of health , thou sayst ; and thou sayst , free .

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

For what good turn ?

For the best turn i' the bed .

I am pale , Charmian !

Madam , he's married to Octavia .

The most infectious pestilence upon thee !


Good madam , patience .

What say you ? Hence ,

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

Thou shalt be whipp'd with wire , and stew'd in brine ,
Smarting in lingering pickle .

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

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

He's married , madam .

Rogue ! thou hast liv'd too long .


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


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

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

He is afeard to come .

I will not hurt him .

These hands do lack nobility , that they strike 
A meaner than myself ; since I myself 
Have given myself the cause .


Come hither , sir .
Though it be honest , it is never good 
To bring bad news ; give to a gracious message 
A host of tongues , but let ill tidings tell 

Themselves when they be felt .

I have done my duty .

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

He's married , madam .

The gods confound thee ! dost thou hold there still ?

Should I lie , madam ?

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

I crave your highness' pardon .

He is married ?

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

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


Good your highness , patience .

In praising Antony I have disprais'd C sar .

Many times , madam .

I am paid for 't now .
Lead me from hence ;
I faint . O Iras ! Charmian ! 'Tis no matter .
Go to the fellow , good Alexas ; bid him 
Report the feature of Octavia , her years ,
Her inclination , let him not leave out 
The colour of her hair : bring me word quickly .

Let him forever go :let him not Charmian !
Though he be painted one way like a Gorgon ,
The other way's a Mars .

Bid you Alexas 
Bring me word how tall she is . Pity me , Charmian ,
But do not speak to me . Lead me to my chamber .


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

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

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

Take your time .

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

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

Be pleas'd to tell us 
For this is from the present how you take 
The offers we have sent you .

There's the point .

Which do not be entreated to , but weigh 
What it is worth embrac'd .

And what may follow ,
To try a larger fortune .

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

That's our offer .

That's our offer .

That's our offer .

Know , then ,
I came before you here a man prepar'd 
To take this offer ; but Mark Antony 
Put me to some impatience . Though I lose 
The praise of it by telling , you must know ,
When C sar and your brother were at blows ,
Your mother came to Sicily and did find 
Her welcome friendly .

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

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

The beds i' the east are soft ; and thanks to you ,
That call'd me timelier than my purpose hither ,
For I have gain'd by 't .

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

Well , I know not 
What counts harsh Fortune casts upon my face ,
But in my bosom shall she never come 
To make my heart her vassal .

Well met here .

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

That 's the next to do .

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

That will I , Pompey .

No , Antony , take the lot :
But , first or last , your fine Egyptian cookery 
Shall have the fame . I have heard that Julius C sar 
Grew fat with feasting there .

You have heard much .

I have fair meanings , sir .

And fair words to them .

Then , so much have I heard ;
And I have heard Apollodorus carried 

No more of that : he did so .

What , I pray you ?

A certain queen to C sar in a mattress .

I know thee now ; how far'st thou , soldier ?

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

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

Sir ,
I never lov'd you much , but I ha' prais'd ye 
When you have well deserv'd ten times as much 
As I have said you did .

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

Show us the way , sir .

Show us the way , sir .

Show us the way , sir .

Come .


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

At sea , I think .

We have , sir .

You have done well by water .

And you by land .

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

Nor what I have done by water .

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

And you by land .

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

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

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

No slander ; they steal hearts .

We came hither to fight with you .

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

If he do , sure , he cannot weep it back again .

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

C sar's sister is called Octavia .

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

But she is now the wife of Marcus Antonius .

Pray ye , sir ?

'Tis true .

Then is C sar and he for ever knit together .

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

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

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

Who would not have his wife so ?

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

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

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

Come ; let 's away .


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

Lepidus is high-coloured .

They have made him drink alms-drink .

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

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

Why , this it is to have a name in great men's fellowship ; I had as lief have a reed that will do me no service as a partisan I could not heave .

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

Thus do they , sir . They take the flow o' the Nile 
By certain scales i' the pyramid ; they know 
By the height , the lowness , or the mean , if dearth 
Or foison follow . The higher Nilus swells 
The more it promises ; as it ebbs , the seedsman 
Upon the slime and ooze scatters his grain ,
And shortly comes to harvest .

You've strange serpents there .

Ay , Lepidus .

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

They are so .

Sit ,and some wine ! A health to Lepidus !

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

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

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

Pompey , a word .

Say in mine ear ; what is't ?

Forsake thy seat , I do beseech thee , captain ,
And bear me speak a word .

Forbear me till anon .
This wine for Lepidus !

What manner o' thing is your crocodile ?

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

What colour is it of ?

Of it own colour too .

'Tis a strange serpent .

'Tis so ; and the tears of it are wet .

Will this description satisfy him ?

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

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

If for the sake of merit thou wilt hear me ,
Rise from thy stool .

I think thou'rt mad . The matter ?


I have ever held my cap off to thy fortunes .

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

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

Wilt thou be lord of all the world ?

What sayst thou ?

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

How should that be ?

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

Hast thou drunk well ?

No , Pompey , I have kept me from the cup .
Thou art , if thou dar'st be , the earthly Jove :
Whate'er the ocean pales , or sky inclips ,
Is thine , if thou wilt ha 't .

Show me which way .

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

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

For this ,
I'll never follow thy pall'd fortunes more .
Who seeks , and will not take when once 'tis offer'd ,
Shall never find it more .

This health to Lepidus !

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

Here's to thee , Menas !

Enobarbus , welcome !

Fill till the cup be hid .

There's a strong fellow , Menas .


Why ?

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

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

Drink thou ; increase the reels .

Come .

This is not yet an Alexandrian feast .

It ripens towards it . Strike the vessels , ho !
Here is to C sar !

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

Be a child o' the time .

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

Ha ! my brave emperor ;
Shall we dance now the Egyptian Bacchanals ,
And celebrate our drink ?

Let 's ha 't , good soldier .

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

All take hands .
Make battery to our ears with the loud music ;
The while I'll place you ; then the boy shall sing ,
The holding every man shall bear as loud 
As his strong sides can volley .


Come , thou monarch of the vine ,
Plumpy Bacchus , with pink eyne !
In thy fats our cares be drown'd ,
With thy grapes our hairs be crown'd :
Cup us , till the world go round ,
Cup us , till the world go round !

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

I'll try you on the shore .

And shall , sir . Give's your hand .

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

Take heed you fall not .

Menas , I'll not on shore .

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


Hoo ! says a' . There's my cap .

Hoo ! noble captain ! come .


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

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

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

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

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

Where is he now ?

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


What ! are the brothers parted ?

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

'Tis a noble Lepidus .

A very fine one . O ! how he loves C sar .

Nay , but how dearly he adores Mark Antony !

C sar ? Why , he's the Jupiter of men .

What's Antony ? The god of Jupiter .

Spake you of C sar ? How ! the non-pareil !

O , Antony ! O thou Arabian bird !

Would you praise C sar , say , 'C sar ,' go no further .

Indeed , he plied them both with excellent praises .

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

Both he loves .

They are his shards , and he their beetle .


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

Good fortune , worthy soldier , and farewell .


No further , sir .

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

Make me not offended 
In your distrust .

I have said .

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

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

My noble brother !

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

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

What ,
Octavia ?

I'll tell you in your ear .

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

Will C sar weep ?

He has a cloud in's face .

He were the worse for that were he a horse ;
So is he , being a man .

Why , Enobarbus ,
When Antony found Julius C sar dead 
He cried almost to roaring ; and he wept 
When at Philippi he found Brutus slain .

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

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

Come , sir , come ;
I'll wrestle with you in my strength of love :
Look , here I have you ; thus I let you go ,
And give you to the gods .

Adieu ; be happy !

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

Farewell , farewell !


Farewell !


Where is the fellow ?

Half afeard to come .

Go to , go to .

Come hither , sir .

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

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

Most gracious majesty !

Didst thou behold 
Octavia ?

Ay , dread queen .

Where ?

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

Is she as tall as me ?

She is not , madam .

Didst hear her speak ? is she shrill-tongu'd , or low ?

Madam , I heard her speak ; she is low-voic'd .

That's not so good . He cannot like her long .

Like her ! O Isis ! 'tis impossible .

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

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

Is this certain ?

Or I have no observance .

Three in Egypt 
Cannot make better note .

He's very knowing ,
I do perceive 't . There's nothing in her yet .
The fellow has good judgment .

Excellent .

Guess at her years , I prithee .

Madam ,
She was a widow ,

Widow ! Charmian , hark .

And I do think she's thirty .

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

Round even to faultiness .

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

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

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


A proper man .

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

Nothing , madam .

The man hath seen some majesty , and should know .

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

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

I warrant you , madam .


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

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

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

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

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


How now , friend Eros !

There's strange news come , sir .

What , man ?

C sar and Lepidus have made wars upon Pompey .

This is old : what is the success ?

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

Then , world , thou hast a pair of chaps , no more ;
And throw between them all the food thou hast ,
They'll grind the one the other . Where's Antony ?

He's walking in the garden thus : and spurns 
The rush that lies before him ; cries , 'Fool , Lepidus !' 
And threats the throat of that his officer 
That murder'd Pompey .

Our great navy's rigg'd .

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

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

Come , sir .


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

This in the public eye ?

I' the common show-place , where they exercise .
His sons he there proclaim'd the kings of kings ;
Great Media , Parthia , and Armenia 
He gave to Alexander ; to Ptolemy he assign'd 
Syria , Cilicia , and Ph nicia . She 
In the habiliments of the goddess Isis 
That day appear'd ; and oft before gave audience ,
As 'tis reported , so .

Let Rome be thus 
Informed .

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

The people know it ; and have now receiv'd 
His accusations .

Whom does he accuse ?

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

Sir , this should be answer'd .

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

He'll never yield to that .

Nor must not then be yielded to in this .


Hail , C sar , and my lord ! hail , most dear C sar !

That ever I should call thee cast-away !

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

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

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

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

Do not say so , my lord .

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

My lord , in Athens .

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

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

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

Welcome , lady .

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

Is it so , sir ?

Most certain . Sister , welcome ; pray you ,
Be ever known to patience ; my dearest sister !


I will be even with thee , doubt it not .

But why , why , why ?

Thou hast forspoke my being in these wars ,
And sayst it is not fit .

Well , is it , is it ?

If not denounc'd against us , why should not we 
Be there in person ?

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

What is 't you say ?

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

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

Nay , I have done .
Here comes the emperor .


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

Celerity is never more admir'd 
Than by the negligent .

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

By sea ! What else ?

Why will my lord do so ?

For that he dares us to 't .

So hath my lord dar'd him to single fight .

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

Your ships are not well mann'd ;
Your mariners are muleters , reapers , people 
Ingross'd by swift impress ; in C sar's fleet 
Are those that often have gainst Pompey fought :
Their ships are yare ; yours , heavy . No disgrace 
Shall fall you for refusing him at sea ,
Being prepar'd for land .

By sea , by sea .

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

I'll fight at sea .

I have sixty sails , C sar none better .

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

Thy business ?

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

Can he be there in person ? 'tis impossible ;
Strange that his power should be . Canidius ,
Our nineteen legions thou shalt hold by land ,
And our twelve thousand horse . We'll to our ship :
Away , my Thetis !

How now , worthy soldier !

O noble emperor ! do not fight by sea ;
Trust not to rotten planks : do you misdoubt 
This sword and these my wounds ? Let the Egyptians 
And the Ph nicians go a-ducking ; we 
Have used to conquer , standing on the earth ,
And fighting foot to foot .

Well , well : away !


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

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

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

Marcus Octavius , Marcus Justeius ,
Publicola , and C lius , are for sea ;
But we keep whole by land . This speed of C sar's 
Carries beyond belief .

While he was yet in Rome 
His power went out in such distractions as 
Beguil'd all spies .

Who's his lieutenant , hear you ?

They say , one Taurus .

Well I know the man .


The emperor calls Canidius .

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


Taurus !

My lord ?

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

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


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


Gods and goddesses ,
All the whole synod of them !

What's thy passion ?

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

How appears the fight ?

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

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

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

Alack , alack !


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

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

Towards Peloponnesus are they fled .

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

To C sar will I render 
My legions and my horse ; six kings already 
Show me the way of yielding .

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


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

Fly ! not we .

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

Nay , gentle madam , to him , comfort him .

Do , most dear queen .

Do ! Why , what else ?

Let me sit down . O Juno !

No , no , no , no , no .

See you here , sir ?

O fie , fie , fie !

Madam !

Madam ; O good empress !

Sir , sir !

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

Ah ! stand by .

The queen , my lord , the queen .

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

Well then , sustain me : O !

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

I have offended reputation ,
A most unnoble swerving .

Sir , the queen .

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

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

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

O ! my pardon .

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

Pardon , pardon !

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

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

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


Approach , and speak .

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

Be 't so . Declare thine office .

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

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

Fortune pursue thee !

Bring him through the bands .

From Antony win Cleopatra ; promise ,
And in our name , what she requires ; add more ,
From thine invention , offers . Women are not 
In their best fortunes strong , but want will perjure 
The ne'er-touch'd vestal . Try thy cunning , Thyreus ;
Make thine own edict for thy pains , which we 

Will answer as a law .

C sar , I go .

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

C sar , I shall .

What shall we do , Enobarbus ?

Think , and die .

Is Antony or we , in fault for this ?

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

Prithee , peace .


Is that his answer ?

Ay , my lord .

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

He says so .

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

That head , my lord ?

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


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


A messenger from C sar .

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


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


C sar's will ?

Hear it apart .

None but friends ; say boldly .

So , haply , are they friends to Antony .

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

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

Go on ; right royal .

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

O !

The scars upon your honour therefore he 
Does pity , as constrained blemishes ,
Not as deserv'd .

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

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


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

What's your name ?

My name is Thyreus .

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

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

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


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

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

You will be whipp'd .

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

Take hence this Jack and whip him .

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

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

Mark Antony ,

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

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

Good my lord ,

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

O ! is't come to this ?

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

Wherefore is this ?

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

Is he whipp'd ?

Soundly , my lord .

Cried he ? and begg'd a' pardon ?

He did ask favour .

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


Have you done yet ?

Alack ! our terrene moon 
Is now eclips'd ; and it portends alone 
The fall of Antony .

I must stay his time .

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

Not know me yet ?

Cold-hearted toward me ?

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

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

That's my brave lord !

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

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

We will yet do well .

Call all his noble captains to my lord .

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


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

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

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

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


He will not fight with me , Domitius .

No .

Why should he not ?

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

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

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

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


Give me thy hand ,
Thou hast been rightly honest ; so hast thou ;
Thou ; and thou , and thou : you have serv'd me well ,

And kings have been your fellows .

What means this ?

'Tis one of those odd tricks which sorrow shoots 
Out of the mind .

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

The gods forbid !

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

What does he mean ?

To make his followers weep .

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

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

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


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

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

Nothing . What news ?

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

Well , sir , good night .


Soldiers , have careful watch .

And you . Good night , good night .


Here we :

And if to-morrow 
Our navy thrive , I have an absolute hope 
Our landmen will stand up .

'Tis a brave army ,
And full of purpose .


Peace ! what noise ?

List , list !

Hark !

Music i' the air .

Under the earth .

It signs well , does it not ?

No .

Peace , I say !
What should this mean ?

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

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


How now , masters !

How now !
How now !do you hear this ?

Ay ; is 't not strange ?

Do you hear , masters ? do you hear ?

Follow the noise so far as we have quarter ;
Let's see how 't will give off .

Content .'Tis strange .


Eros ! mine armour , Eros !

Sleep a little .

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

Come , good fellow , put mine iron on :
If Fortune be not ours to-day , it is 
Because we brave her . Come .

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

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

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

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

Briefly , sir .

Is not this buckled well ?

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


Good morrow to thee ; welcome ;
Thou look'st like him that knows a war-like charge :
To business that we love we rise betime ,

And go to 't with delight .

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

The morn is fair . Good morrow , general .

Good morrow , general .

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

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


Please you , retire to your chamber .

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


The gods make this a happy day to Antony !

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

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

Who's gone this morning ?

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

What sayst thou ?

Sir ,
He is with C sar .

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

Is he gone ?

Most certain .

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


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

C sar , I shall .


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


Antony 
Is come into the field .

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


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


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

I give it you .

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


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


Retire , we have engag'd ourselves too far .
C sar himself has work , and our oppression 
Exceeds what we expected .

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

Thou bleed'st apace .

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

They do retire .

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


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

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

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

I'll halt after .


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

Give me thy hand :


To this great fairy I'll commend thy acts ,
Make her thanks bless thee . O thou day o' the world !
Chain mine arm'd neck ; leap thou , attire and all ,
Through proof of harness to my heart , and there 

Ride on the pants triumphing .

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

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

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

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


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

This last day was 
A shrewd one to 's .


O ! bear me witness , night ,

What man is this ?

Stand close and list him .

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

Enobarbus !

Peace !
Hark further .

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


Let's speak to him .

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

Let's do so . But he sleeps .

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

Go we to him .

Awake , sir , awake ! speak to us .

Hear you , sir ?

The Land of death hath raught him .

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

Come on , then ;
He may recover yet .

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

For both , my lord .

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

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

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


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

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

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

Ah ! thou spell . Avaunt !

Why is my lord enrag'd against his love ?

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

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

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

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

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

Eros , thou yet behold'st me ?

Ay , noble lord .

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

Ay , my lord .

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

It does , my lord .

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


O ! thy vile lady ;

She has robb'd me of my sword .

No , Antony ;
My mistress lov'd thee , and her fortunes mingled 
With thine entirely .

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

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

Dead , then ?

Dead .

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

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

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

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


What would my lord ?

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

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

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

I would not see't .

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

O , sir ! pardon me .

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

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

Lo thee !


My sword is drawn .

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

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

'Tis said , man ; and farewell .

Farewell , great chief . Shall I strike now ?

Now , Eros .

Why , there then ; thus do I escape the sorrow 

Of Antony's death .

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

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


What's the noise ?

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

The star is fallen .

And time is at his period .

Alas , and woe !

Let him that loves me strike me dead .

Not I .

Nor I .

Nor any one .


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


Where's Antony ?

There , Diomed , there .

Lives he ?
Wilt thou not answer , man ?


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

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

When did she send thee ?

Now , my lord .

Where is she ?

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

Too late , good Diomed . Call my guard , I prithee .

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


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

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

Most heavy day !

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

O Charmian ! I will never go from hence .

Be comforted , dear madam .

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

How now ! is he dead ?

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


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

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

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

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

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

O ! quick , or I am gone .

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

And welcome , welcome ! die where thou hastliv'd ;
Quicken with kissing ; had my lips that power ,
Thus would I wear them out .

A heavy sight !

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

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

One word , sweet queen .
Of C sar seek your honour with your safety . O !

They do not go together .

Gentle , hear me :
None about C sar trust , but Proculeius .

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

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

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

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


O , quietness , lady !

She is dead too , our sovereign .

Lady !

Madam !

O madam , madam , madam !

Royal Egypt !
Empress !

Peace , peace , Iras !

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

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

C sar , I shall .

Wherefore is that ? and what art thou that dar'st 
Appear thus to us ?

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

What is 't thou sayst ?

I say , O C sar , Antony is dead .

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

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

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

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

His taints and honours 
Wag'd equal with him .

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

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

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


But I will tell you at some meeter season :
The business of this man looks out of him ;

We'll hear him what he says . Whence are you ?

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

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

So the gods preserve thee !


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

C sar , I shall .


Gallus , go you along .

To second Proculeius ?

Dolabella !

Dolabella !

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


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


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

What's thy name ?

My name is Proculeius .

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

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

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

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

You see how easily she may be surpris'd .


Guard her till C sar come .

Royal queen !

O Cleopatra ! thou art taken , queen .

Quick , quick , good hands .


Hold , worthy lady , hold !

Do not yourself such wrong , who are in this 
Reliev'd , but not betray'd .

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

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

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

O ! temperance , lady .

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

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


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

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


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

Say , I would die .


Most noble empress , you have heard of me ?

I cannot tell .

Assuredly you know me .

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

I understand not , madam .

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

If it might please ye ,

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

Most sovereign creature ,

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

Cleopatra ,

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

Gentle madam , no .

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

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

I thank you , sir .
Know you what C sar means to do with me ?

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

Nay , pray you , sir ,

Though he be honourable ,

He'll lead me then in triumph ?

Madam , he will ; I know 't .

Which is the Queen of Egypt ?

It is the emperor , madam .


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

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

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

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

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

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

You shall advise me in all for Cleopatra .

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

Here , madam .

This is my treasurer ; let him speak , my lord ,
Upon his peril , that I have reserv'd 
To myself nothing . Speak the truth , Seleucus .

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

What have I kept back ?

Enough to purchase what you have made known .

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

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

Good queen , let us entreat you .

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

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

Forbear , Seleucus .


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

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

My master , and my lord !

Not so . Adieu .


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


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

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

Madam , I will .


Where is the queen ?

Behold , sir .


Dolabella !

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

Dolabella ,
I shall remain your debtor .

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

Farewell , and thanks .

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

The gods forbid !

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

O , the good gods !

Nay , that's certain .

I'll never see it ; for , I am sure my nails 
Are stronger than mine eyes .

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


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

Wherefore's this noise ?

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

Let him come in .

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


This is the man .

Avoid , and leave him .

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

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

Remember'st thou any that have died on 't ?

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

Get thee hence ; farewell .

I wish you all joy of the worm .


Farewell .

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

Ay , ay ; farewell .

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

Take thou no care ; it shall be heeded .

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

Will it eat me ?

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

Well , get thee gone ; farewell .

Yes , forsooth ; I wish you joy of the worm .

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

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

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

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

With thy sharp teeth this knot intrinsicate 
Of life at once untie ; poor venomous fool ,
Be angry , and dispatch . O ! couldst thou speak ,
That I might hear thee call great C sar ass 
Unpolicied .

O eastern star !

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

O , break ! O , break !

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

What should I stay 


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


Where is the queen ?

Speak softly , wake her not .

C sar hath sent 

Too slow a messenger .

O ! come apace , dispatch ; I partly feel thee .

Approach , ho ! All's not well ; C sar's beguil'd .

There's Dolabella sent from C sar ; call him .

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

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

How goes it here ?

All dead .

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

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

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

Who was last with them ?

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

Poison'd then .

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

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

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

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

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