Antony and Cleopatra (Arden Shakespeare: Third Series) Read online

  Which she entreated. Our courteous Antony,

  Whom ne'er the word of 'No' woman heard speak,

  Being barbered262 ten times o'er, goes to the feast,

  And for his ordinary263, pays his heart

  For what his eyes eat only264.

  AGRIPPA Royal wench265!

  She made great Caesar266 lay his sword to bed.

  He ploughed her, and she cropped267.

  ENOBARBUS I saw her once

  Hop forty paces through the public street

  And, having lost her breath, she spoke and panted,

  That271 she did make defect perfection,

  And, breathless, pour breath forth.

  MAECENAS Now Antony must leave her utterly.

  ENOBARBUS Never! He will not.

  Age cannot wither her, nor custom stale275

  Her infinite variety: other women cloy

  The appetites they feed, but she makes hungry

  Where most she satisfies. For vilest things

  Become themselves278 in her, that the holy priests

  Bless her when she is riggish280.

  MAECENAS If beauty, wisdom, modesty, can settle

  The heart of Antony, Octavia is

  A blessed lottery283 to him.

  AGRIPPA Let us go.

  Good Enobarbus, make yourself my guest

  Whilst you abide here.

  ENOBARBUS Humbly, sir, I thank you.

  Exeunt

  [Act 2 Scene 3]

  running scene 5 continues

  * * *

  Enter Antony, Caesar, Octavia between them

  ANTONY The world and my great office1 will sometimes

  Divide me from your bosom.

  OCTAVIA All which time

  Before the gods my knee shall bow my prayers

  To them for you.

  ANTONY Goodnight, sir. My Octavia,

  Read not my blemishes in the world's report7:

  I have not kept my square8, but that to come

  Shall all be done by th'rule9. Goodnight, dear lady.

  OCTAVIA Goodnight, sir.

  CAESAR Goodnight.

  Exeunt [Caesar and Octavia]

  Enter Soothsayer

  ANTONY Now, sirrah12: you do wish yourself in Egypt?

  SOOTHSAYER Would I had never come from thence, nor you

  thither13.

  ANTONY If you can14, your reason?

  SOOTHSAYER I see it in my motion15, have it not in my tongue.

  But yet hie you16 to Egypt again.

  ANTONY Say to me, whose fortunes shall rise higher,

  Caesar's or mine?

  SOOTHSAYER Caesar's.

  Therefore, O Antony, stay not by his side:

  Thy demon21, that thy spirit which keeps thee, is

  Noble, courageous, high unmatchable,

  Where Caesar's is not. But near him, thy angel23

  Becomes afeared, as24 being o'erpowered: therefore

  Make space enough between you.

  ANTONY Speak this no more.

  SOOTHSAYER To none but thee27, no more but when to thee.

  If thou dost play with him at any game,

  Thou art sure to lose, and of that natural luck

  He beats thee gainst the odds. Thy lustre thickens30

  When he shines by: I say again, thy spirit

  Is all afraid to govern thee near him,

  But, he33 away, 'tis noble.

  ANTONY Get thee gone.

  Say to Ventidius I would speak with him:

  Exit [Soothsayer]

  He shall to Parthia. Be it art or hap36,

  He hath spoken true: the very dice obey him,

  And in our sports my better cunning faints

  Under his chance38. If we draw lots, he speeds39:

  His cocks do win the battle still of mine

  When it41 is all to nought, and his quails ever

  Beat mine, inhooped42, at odds. I will to Egypt:

  And though I make this marriage for my peace,

  I'th'east my pleasure lies.--O, come, Ventidius,

  Enter Ventidius

  You must to Parthia: your commission's ready,

  Follow me and receive't.

  Exeunt

  [Act 2 Scene 4]

  running scene 5 continues

  * * *

  Enter Lepidus, Maecenas and Agrippa

  LEPIDUS Trouble yourselves no further: pray you hasten

  Your generals after2.

  AGRIPPA Sir, Mark Antony

  Will e'en4 but kiss Octavia, and we'll follow.

  LEPIDUS Till I shall see you in your soldier's dress,

  Which will become you both, farewell.

  MAECENAS We shall,

  As I conceive the journey, be at the Mount8

  Before you, Lepidus.

  LEPIDUS Your way is shorter.

  My purposes do draw me much about11:

  You'll win two days upon me.

  BOTH Sir, good success!

  LEPIDUS Farewell.

  Exeunt

  [Act 2 Scene 5]

  running scene 6

  Location: Alexandria

  * * *

  Enter Cleopatra, Charmian, Iras and Alexas

  CLEOPATRA Give me some music: music, moody food

  Of us that trade2 in love.

  ALL The music, ho!

  Enter Mardian the Eunuch

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

  CHARMIAN My arm is sore, best play with Mardian.

  CLEOPATRA As well a woman with an eunuch play6ed

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

  MARDIAN As well as I can, madam.

  CLEOPATRA And when good will9 is showed, though't come

  too short,

  The actor10 may plead pardon. I'll none now.

  Give me mine angle11: we'll to th'river. There,

  My music playing far off, I will betray12

  Tawny-finned13 fishes: my bended hook shall pierce

  Their slimy jaws, and, as I draw them up,

  I'll think them every one an Antony,

  And say 'Ah, ha! You're caught!'

  CHARMIAN 'Twas merry when

  You wagered on your angling, when your diver18

  Did hang a salt-fish19 on his hook, which he

  With fervency20 drew up.

  CLEOPATRA That time? O times!

  I laughed him out of patience, and that night

  I laughed him into patience, and next morn,

  Ere the ninth hour, I drunk him to his bed,

  Then put my tires and mantles25 on him, whilst

  I wore his sword Philippan26.--

  Enter a Messenger

  O, from Italy

  Ram thou thy fruitful tidings in mine ears,

  That long time have been barren27.

  MESSENGER Madam, madam--

  CLEOPATRA Antonio's dead! If thou say so, villain,

  Thou kill'st thy mistress. But well and free,

  If thou so yield32 him, there is gold, and here

  Offers gold

  My bluest veins to kiss: a hand that kings

  Offers her hand

  Have lipped34, and trembled kissing.

  MESSENGER First, madam, he is well.

  CLEOPATRA Why, there's more gold.

  But sirrah, mark, we use37

  To say the dead are well38: bring it to that,

  The gold I give thee will I melt and pour

  Down thy ill-uttering throat.

  MESSENGER Good madam, hear me.

  CLEOPATRA Well, go to42, I will.

  But there's no goodness in thy face if Antony

  Be free and healthful; so tart a favour44

  To trumpet such good tidings! If not well,

  Thou shouldst come like a Fury46 crowned with snakes,

  Not like a formal47 man.

  MESSENGER Will't please you hear me?

  CLEOPATRA I have a mind to strike thee ere thou speak'st:

  Y
et if thou say Antony lives, 'tis well50,

  Or51 friends with Caesar, or not captive to him,

  I'll set thee in a shower of gold52 and hail

  Rich pearls upon thee.

  MESSENGER Madam, he's well.

  CLEOPATRA Well said.

  MESSENGER And friends with Caesar.

  CLEOPATRA Thou'rt an honest57 man.

  MESSENGER Caesar and he are greater friends than ever.

  CLEOPATRA Make thee a fortune from me.

  MESSENGER But yet, madam--

  CLEOPATRA I do not like 'But yet': it does allay

  The good precedence61. Fie upon 'But yet'!

  'But yet' is as a jailer to bring forth

  Some monstrous malefactor64. Prithee friend,

  Pour out the pack of matter to mine ear65,

  The good and bad together: he's friends with Caesar,

  In state of health thou say'st and, thou say'st, free.

  MESSENGER Free, madam? No: I made no such report.

  He's bound69 unto Octavia.

  CLEOPATRA For what good turn?

  MESSENGER For the best turn71 i'th'bed.

  CLEOPATRA I am pale, Charmian.

  MESSENGER Madam, he's married to Octavia.

  CLEOPATRA The most infectious pestilence74 upon thee!

  Strikes him down

  MESSENGER Good madam, patience.

  CLEOPATRA What say you?

  Strikes him

  Hence, horrible villain, or I'll spurn77 thine eyes

  Like balls before me! I'll unhair thy head!

  She hauls him up and down

  Thou shalt be whipped with wire and stewed in brine,

  Smarting in ling'ring pickle80!

  MESSENGER Gracious madam,

  I that do bring the news made not the match.

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

  And make thy fortunes proud84: the blow thou hadst

  Shall make thy peace85 for moving me to rage,

  And I will boot86 thee with what gift beside

  Thy modesty can beg.

  MESSENGER He's married, madam.

  CLEOPATRA Rogue, thou hast lived too long!

  Draws a knife

  MESSENGER Nay then, I'll run.

  What mean you, madam? I have made no fault.

  Exit

  CHARMIAN Good madam, keep yourself92 within yourself.

  The man is innocent.

  CLEOPATRA Some innocents scape not the thunderbolt94.

  Melt Egypt95 into Nile, and kindly creatures

  Turn all to serpents! Call the slave again.

  Though I am mad97, I will not bite him: call!

  CHARMIAN He is afeard to come.

  [Exit Charmian]

  CLEOPATRA I will not hurt him.

  These hands do lack nobility that they strike

  A meaner101 than myself, since I myself

  Have given myself the cause.--

  Enter the Messenger again [with Charmian]

  Come hither, sir.

  Though it be honest, it is never good

  To bring bad news: give to a gracious104 message

  An host of tongues105, but let ill tidings tell

  Themselves when they be felt.

  MESSENGER I have done my duty.

  CLEOPATRA Is he married?

  I cannot hate thee worser than I do

  If thou again say 'Yes.'

  MESSENGER He's married, madam.

  CLEOPATRA The gods confound112 thee! Dost thou hold there still?

  MESSENGER Should I lie, madam?

  CLEOPATRA O, I would thou didst,

  So115 half my Egypt were submerged and made

  A cistern116 for scaled snakes! Go, get thee hence!

  Hadst thou Narcissus117 in thy face, to me

  Thou wouldst appear most ugly. He is married?

  MESSENGER I crave your highness' pardon.

  CLEOPATRA He is married?

  MESSENGER Take no offence that I would not offend you121.

  To punish me for what you make me do

  Seems much unequal123. He's married to Octavia.

  CLEOPATRA O, that his fault should make a knave of thee,

  That art not what thou'rt sure of!124 Get thee hence,

  The merchandise126 which thou hast brought from Rome

  Are all too dear127 for me: lie they upon thy hand,

  And be undone by 'em! [Exit Messenger]

  CHARMIAN Good your highness, patience.

  CLEOPATRA In praising Antony, I have dispraised Caesar.

  CHARMIAN Many times, madam.

  CLEOPATRA I am paid for't now. Lead me from hence:

  I faint! O Iras, Charmian! 'Tis no matter.

  Go to the fellow, good Alexas, bid him

  Report the feature135 of Octavia: her years,

  Her inclination136, let him not leave out

  The colour of her hair. Bring me word quickly.

  [Exit Alexas]

  Let him138 for ever go.--Let him not, Charmian,

  Though he be painted one way like a Gorgon139,

  The other way's a Mars140.--Bid you Alexas

  Bring me word how tall she is.--Pity me, Charmian,

  But do not speak to me. Lead me to my chamber.

  To Iras

  Exeunt

  [Act 2 Scene 6]

  running scene 7

  Location: near Misena (Misenum), a port in southern Italy

  * * *

  Flourish. Enter Pompey at one door, with Drum and Trumpet, at another, Caesar, Lepidus, Antony, Enobarbus, Maecenas, Agrippa, Menas with Soldiers marching

  POMPEY Your hostages I have, so have you mine,

  And we shall talk before we fight.

  CAESAR Most meet3

  That first we come to words, and therefore have we

  Our written purposes5 before us sent,

  Which, if thou hast considered, let us know

  If 'twill tie up7 thy discontented sword

  And carry back to Sicily much tall8 youth

  That else9 must perish here.

  POMPEY To you all three,

  The senators alone11 of this great world,

  Chief factors12 for the gods: I do not know

  Wherefore13 my father should revengers want,

  Having a son and friends, since Julius Caesar,

  Who at Philippi the good Brutus ghosted15,

  There saw you labouring for him. What was't

  That moved17 pale Cassius to conspire? And what

  Made the all-honoured, honest18 Roman, Brutus,

  With the armed rest, courtiers19 of beauteous freedom,

  To drench20 the Capitol20, but that they would

  Have one man21 but a man? And that is it

  Hath made me rig my navy, at whose burden

  The angered ocean foams, with which I meant

  To scourge24 th'ingratitude that despiteful Rome

  Cast on my noble father.

  CAESAR Take your time.

  ANTONY Thou canst not fear27 us, Pompey, with thy sails.

  We'll speak28 with thee at sea. At land thou know'st

  How much we do o'er-count29 thee.

  POMPEY At land indeed

  Thou dost o'er-count me of my father's house31:

  But since the cuckoo builds not for himself32,

  Remain in't as thou mayst33.

  LEPIDUS Be pleased to tell us --

  For this is from the present35 -- how you take

  The offers we have sent you.

  CAESAR There's the point.

  ANTONY Which do not be entreated to38, but weigh

  What it is worth embraced39.

  CAESAR And what may follow,

  To try a larger fortune40.

  POMPEY You have made me offer

  Of Sicily, Sardinia, and I must

  Rid all the sea of pirates. Then to send

  Measures of wheat to Rome: this 'greed upon

  To part46 with unhacked edges, and bear back />
  Our targes47 undinted.

  CAESAR, ANTONY and LEPIDUS That's our offer.

  POMPEY Know, then,

  I came before you here a man prepared

  To take this offer. But Mark Antony

  Put me to some impatience, though I lose

  The praise of53 it by telling. You must know

  When Caesar and your brother were at blows,

  Your mother came to Sicily and did find

  Her welcome friendly.

  ANTONY I have heard it, Pompey,

  And am well studied58 for a liberal thanks

  Which I do owe you.

  POMPEY Let me have your hand:

  They shake hands

  I did not think, sir, to have met you here.

  ANTONY The beds i'th'east are soft, and thanks to you,

  That called me timelier63 than my purpose hither,

  For I have gained by't.

  CAESAR Since I saw you last, there's a change upon you.

  POMPEY Well, I know not

  What counts67 harsh fortune casts upon my face,

  But in my bosom shall she never come

  To make my heart her vassal68.

  LEPIDUS Well met here.

  POMPEY I hope so, Lepidus. Thus we are agreed:

  I crave our composition72 may be written

  And sealed between us73.

  CAESAR That's the next to do.

  POMPEY We'll feast each other ere we part, and let's

  Draw lots who shall begin.

  ANTONY That will I, Pompey.

  POMPEY No, Antony, take the lot78: but, first

  Or last, your fine Egyptian cookery

  Shall have the fame80. I have heard that Julius Caesar

  Grew fat with feasting there81.

  ANTONY You have heard much.

  POMPEY I have fair83 meanings, sir.

  ANTONY And fair words to them84.

  POMPEY Then so much have I heard,

  And I have heard, Apollodorus86 carried--

  ENOBARBUS No more of that: he did so.

  POMPEY What, I pray you?

  ENOBARBUS A certain queen to Caesar in a mattress.

  POMPEY I know thee now. How far'st90 thou, soldier?

  ENOBARBUS Well,

  And well am like to do, for I perceive

  Four feasts are toward93.

  POMPEY Let me shake thy hand.

  They shake hands

  I never hated thee: I have seen thee fight,

  When I have envied thy behaviour96.

  ENOBARBUS Sir,

  I never loved you much, but I ha' praised ye

  When you have well deserved ten times as much

  As I have said you did.

  POMPEY Enjoy thy plainness101,

  It nothing ill becomes102 thee.

  Aboard my galley103 I invite you all.

  Will you lead, lords?

  CAESAR, ANTONY and LEPIDUS Show's the way, sir.

  POMPEY Come.

  Exeunt. Enobarbus and Menas remain

  MENAS Thy father, Pompey, would ne'er have made

  Aside

  this treaty.--You and I have known108, sir.

  To Enobarbus

  ENOBARBUS At sea, I think.

  MENAS We have, sir.

  ENOBARBUS You have done well by water.

  MENAS And you by land.

  ENOBARBUS I will praise any man that will praise me, though it

  cannot be denied what I have done by land.

  MENAS Nor what I have done by water.

  ENOBARBUS Yes, something you can deny for your own safety: