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1. Act I, Scene 1
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Alexandria. A room in CLEOPATRA’s palace.
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1
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[Enter DEMETRIUS and PHILO]
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Philo.
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Nay, but this dotage of our general's
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O'erflows the measure: those his goodly eyes,
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That o'er the files and musters of the war
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Have glow'd like plated Mars, now bend, now turn,
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The office and devotion of their view
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Upon a tawny front: his captain's heart,
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Which in the scuffles of great fights hath burst
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The buckles on his breast, reneges all temper,
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And is become the bellows and the fan
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To cool a gipsy's lust.
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[Flourish. Enter ANTONY, CLEOPATRA, her Ladies,]
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the Train, with Eunuchs fanning her]
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Look, where they come:
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Take but good note, and you shall see in him.
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The triple pillar of the world transform'd
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Into a strumpet's fool: behold and see.
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Cleopatra.
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If it be love indeed, tell me how much.
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Antony.
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There's beggary in the love that can be reckon'd.
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Cleopatra.
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I'll set a bourn how far to be beloved.
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Antony.
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Then must thou needs find out new heaven, new earth.
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[Enter an Attendant]
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Attendant.
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News, my good lord, from Rome.
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Antony.
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Grates me: the sum.
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Cleopatra.
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Nay, hear them, Antony:
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Fulvia perchance is angry; or, who knows
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If the scarce-bearded Caesar have not sent
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His powerful mandate to you, 'Do this, or this;
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Take in that kingdom, and enfranchise that;
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Perform 't, or else we damn thee.'
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Antony.
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How, my love!
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Cleopatra.
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Perchance! nay, and most like:
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You must not stay here longer, your dismission
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Is come from Caesar; therefore hear it, Antony.
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Where's Fulvia's process? Caesar's I would say? both?
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Call in the messengers. As I am Egypt's queen,
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Thou blushest, Antony; and that blood of thine
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Is Caesar's homager: else so thy cheek pays shame
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When shrill-tongued Fulvia scolds. The messengers!
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Antony.
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Let Rome in Tiber melt, and the wide arch
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Of the ranged empire fall! Here is my space.
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Kingdoms are clay: our dungy earth alike
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Feeds beast as man: the nobleness of life
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Is to do thus; when such a mutual pair
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[Embracing]
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And such a twain can do't, in which I bind,
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On pain of punishment, the world to weet
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We stand up peerless.
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Cleopatra.
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Excellent falsehood!
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Why did he marry Fulvia, and not love her?
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I'll seem the fool I am not; Antony
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Will be himself.
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Antony.
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But stirr'd by Cleopatra.
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Now, for the love of Love and her soft hours,
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Let's not confound the time with conference harsh:
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There's not a minute of our lives should stretch
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Without some pleasure now. What sport tonight?
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Cleopatra.
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Hear the ambassadors.
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Antony.
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Fie, wrangling queen!
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Whom every thing becomes, to chide, to laugh,
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To weep; whose every passion fully strives
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To make itself, in thee, fair and admired!
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No messenger, but thine; and all alone
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To-night we'll wander through the streets and note
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The qualities of people. Come, my queen;
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Last night you did desire it: speak not to us.
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[Exeunt MARK ANTONY and CLEOPATRA with]
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their train]
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Demetrius.
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Is Caesar with Antonius prized so slight?
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Philo.
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Sir, sometimes, when he is not Antony,
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He comes too short of that great property
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Which still should go with Antony.
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Demetrius.
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I am full sorry
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That he approves the common liar, who
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Thus speaks of him at Rome: but I will hope
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Of better deeds to-morrow. Rest you happy!
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[Exeunt]
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2. Act I, Scene 2
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The same. Another room.
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[Enter CHARMIAN, IRAS, ALEXAS, and a Soothsayer]
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Charmian.
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Lord Alexas, sweet Alexas, most any thing Alexas,
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almost most absolute Alexas, where's the soothsayer
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that you praised so to the queen? O, that I knew
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this husband, which, you say, must charge his horns
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with garlands!
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Alexas.
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Soothsayer!
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Soothsayer.
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Your will?
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Charmian.
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Is this the man? Is't you, sir, that know things?
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Soothsayer.
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In nature's infinite book of secrecy
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A little I can read.
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Alexas.
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Show him your hand.
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[Enter DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS]
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Domitius Enobarus.
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Bring in the banquet quickly; wine enough
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Cleopatra's health to drink.
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Charmian.
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Good sir, give me good fortune.
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Soothsayer.
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I make not, but foresee.
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Charmian.
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Pray, then, foresee me one.
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Soothsayer.
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You shall be yet far fairer than you are.
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Charmian.
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He means in flesh.
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Iras.
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No, you shall paint when you are old.
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Charmian.
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Wrinkles forbid!
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Alexas.
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Vex not his prescience; be attentive.
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Charmian.
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Hush!
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Soothsayer.
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You shall be more beloving than beloved.
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Charmian.
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I had rather heat my liver with drinking.
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Alexas.
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Nay, hear him.
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Charmian.
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Good now, some excellent fortune! Let me be married
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to three kings in a forenoon, and widow them all:
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let me have a child at fifty, to whom Herod of Jewry
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may do homage: find me to marry me with Octavius
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Caesar, and companion me with my mistress.
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Soothsayer.
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You shall outlive the lady whom you serve.
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Charmian.
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O excellent! I love long life better than figs.
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Soothsayer.
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You have seen and proved a fairer former fortune
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Than that which is to approach.
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Charmian.
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Then belike my children shall have no names:
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prithee, how many boys and wenches must I have?
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Soothsayer.
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If every of your wishes had a womb.
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And fertile every wish, a million.
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Charmian.
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Out, fool! I forgive thee for a witch.
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Alexas.
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You think none but your sheets are privy to your wishes.
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Charmian.
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Nay, come, tell Iras hers.
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Alexas.
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We'll know all our fortunes.
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Domitius Enobarus.
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Mine, and most of our fortunes, to-night, shall
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be—drunk to bed.
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Iras.
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There's a palm presages chastity, if nothing else.
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Charmian.
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E'en as the o'erflowing Nilus presageth famine.
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Iras.
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Go, you wild bedfellow, you cannot soothsay.
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Charmian.
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Nay, if an oily palm be not a fruitful
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prognostication, I cannot scratch mine ear. Prithee,
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tell her but a worky-day fortune.
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Soothsayer.
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Your fortunes are alike.
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Iras.
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But how, but how? give me particulars.
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Soothsayer.
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I have said.
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Iras.
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Am I not an inch of fortune better than she?
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Charmian.
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Well, if you were but an inch of fortune better than
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I, where would you choose it?
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Iras.
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Not in my husband's nose.
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Charmian.
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Our worser thoughts heavens mend! Alexas,—come,
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his fortune, his fortune! O, let him marry a woman
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that cannot go, sweet Isis, I beseech thee! and let
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her die too, and give him a worse! and let worst
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follow worse, till the worst of all follow him
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laughing to his grave, fifty-fold a cuckold! Good
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Isis, hear me this prayer, though thou deny me a
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matter of more weight; good Isis, I beseech thee!
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Iras.
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Amen. Dear goddess, hear that prayer of the people!
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for, as it is a heartbreaking to see a handsome man
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loose-wived, so it is a deadly sorrow to behold a
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foul knave uncuckolded: therefore, dear Isis, keep
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decorum, and fortune him accordingly!
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Charmian.
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Amen.
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Alexas.
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Lo, now, if it lay in their hands to make me a
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cuckold, they would make themselves whores, but
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they'ld do't!
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Domitius Enobarus.
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Hush! here comes Antony.
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Charmian.
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Not he; the queen.
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[Enter CLEOPATRA]
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Cleopatra.
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Saw you my lord?
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Domitius Enobarus.
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No, lady.
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Cleopatra.
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Was he not here?
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Charmian.
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No, madam.
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Cleopatra.
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He was disposed to mirth; but on the sudden
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A Roman thought hath struck him. Enobarbus!
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Domitius Enobarus.
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138
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Madam?
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Cleopatra.
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Seek him, and bring him hither.
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Where's Alexas?
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Alexas.
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Here, at your service. My lord approaches.
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Cleopatra.
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We will not look upon him: go with us.
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146
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[Exeunt]
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[Enter MARK ANTONY with a Messenger and Attendants]
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Messenger.
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Fulvia thy wife first came into the field.
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Antony.
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Against my brother Lucius?
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Messenger.
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Ay:
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But soon that war had end, and the time's state
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Made friends of them, joining their force 'gainst Caesar;
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Whose better issue in the war, from Italy,
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Upon the first encounter, drave them.
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Antony.
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Well, what worst?
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Messenger.
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The nature of bad news infects the teller.
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Antony.
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When it concerns the fool or coward. On:
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Things that are past are done with me. 'Tis thus:
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Who tells me true, though in his tale lie death,
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I hear him as he flatter'd.
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Messenger.
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Labienus—
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This is stiff news—hath, with his Parthian force,
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Extended Asia from Euphrates;
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His conquering banner shook from Syria
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To Lydia and to Ionia; Whilst—
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Antony.
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Antony, thou wouldst say,—
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Messenger.
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O, my lord!
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Antony.
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Speak to me home, mince not the general tongue:
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Name Cleopatra as she is call'd in Rome;
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Rail thou in Fulvia's phrase; and taunt my faults
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With such full licence as both truth and malice
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Have power to utter. O, then we bring forth weeds,
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When our quick minds lie still; and our ills told us
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Is as our earing. Fare thee well awhile.
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Messenger.
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186
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At your noble pleasure.
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187
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[Exit]
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188
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Antony.
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189
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From Sicyon, ho, the news! Speak there!
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First Attendant.
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191
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The man from Sicyon,—is there such an one?
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192
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Second Attendant.
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He stays upon your will.
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Antony.
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195
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Let him appear.
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196
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These strong Egyptian fetters I must break,
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197
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Or lose myself in dotage.
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[Enter another Messenger]
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What are you?
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200
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Second Messenger.
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201
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Fulvia thy wife is dead.
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202
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Antony.
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203
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Where died she?
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Second Messenger.
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In Sicyon:
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Her length of sickness, with what else more serious
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Importeth thee to know, this bears.
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208
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[Gives a letter]
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209
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Antony.
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210
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Forbear me.
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[Exit Second Messenger]
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There's a great spirit gone! Thus did I desire it:
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What our contempt doth often hurl from us,
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We wish it ours again; the present pleasure,
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215
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By revolution lowering, does become
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216
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The opposite of itself: she's good, being gone;
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The hand could pluck her back that shoved her on.
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I must from this enchanting queen break off:
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Ten thousand harms, more than the ills I know,
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220
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My idleness doth hatch. How now! Enobarbus!
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221
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[Re-enter DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS]
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222
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Domitius Enobarus.
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223
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What's your pleasure, sir?
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224
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Antony.
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225
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I must with haste from hence.
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226
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Domitius Enobarus.
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227
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Why, then, we kill all our women:
|
228
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|
|
we see how mortal an unkindness is to them;
|
229
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|
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if they suffer our departure, death's the word.
|
230
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Antony.
|
231
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|
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I must be gone.
|
232
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Domitius Enobarus.
|
233
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|
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Under a compelling occasion, let women die; it were
|
234
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|
|
pity to cast them away for nothing; though, between
|
235
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|
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them and a great cause, they should be esteemed
|
236
|
|
|
nothing. Cleopatra, catching but the least noise of
|
237
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|
|
this, dies instantly; I have seen her die twenty
|
238
|
|
|
times upon far poorer moment: I do think there is
|
239
|
|
|
mettle in death, which commits some loving act upon
|
240
|
|
|
her, she hath such a celerity in dying.
|
241
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Antony.
|
242
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|
|
She is cunning past man's thought.
|
|
243
|
|
|
[Exit ALEXAS]
|
|
244
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|
|
Domitius Enobarus.
|
245
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|
|
Alack, sir, no; her passions are made of nothing but
|
246
|
|
|
the finest part of pure love: we cannot call her
|
247
|
|
|
winds and waters sighs and tears; they are greater
|
248
|
|
|
storms and tempests than almanacs can report: this
|
249
|
|
|
cannot be cunning in her; if it be, she makes a
|
250
|
|
|
shower of rain as well as Jove.
|
251
|
|
|
Antony.
|
252
|
|
|
Would I had never seen her.
|
253
|
|
|
Domitius Enobarus.
|
254
|
|
|
O, sir, you had then left unseen a wonderful piece
|
255
|
|
|
of work; which not to have been blest withal would
|
256
|
|
|
have discredited your travel.
|
257
|
|
|
Antony.
|
258
|
|
|
Fulvia is dead.
|
259
|
|
|
Domitius Enobarus.
|
260
|
|
|
Sir?
|
261
|
|
|
Antony.
|
262
|
|
|
Fulvia is dead.
|
263
|
|
|
Domitius Enobarus.
|
264
|
|
|
Fulvia!
|
265
|
|
|
Antony.
|
266
|
|
|
Dead.
|
267
|
|
|
Domitius Enobarus.
|
268
|
|
|
Why, sir, give the gods a thankful sacrifice. When
|
269
|
|
|
it pleaseth their deities to take the wife of a man
|
270
|
|
|
from him, it shows to man the tailors of the earth;
|
271
|
|
|
comforting therein, that when old robes are worn
|
272
|
|
|
out, there are members to make new. If there were
|
273
|
|
|
no more women but Fulvia, then had you indeed a cut,
|
274
|
|
|
and the case to be lamented: this grief is crowned
|
275
|
|
|
with consolation; your old smock brings forth a new
|
276
|
|
|
petticoat: and indeed the tears live in an onion
|
277
|
|
|
that should water this sorrow.
|
278
|
|
|
Antony.
|
279
|
|
|
The business she hath broached in the state
|
280
|
|
|
Cannot endure my absence.
|
281
|
|
|
Domitius Enobarus.
|
282
|
|
|
And the business you have broached here cannot be
|
283
|
|
|
without you; especially that of Cleopatra's, which
|
284
|
|
|
wholly depends on your abode.
|
285
|
|
|
Antony.
|
286
|
|
|
No more light answers. Let our officers
|
287
|
|
|
Have notice what we purpose. I shall break
|
288
|
|
|
The cause of our expedience to the queen,
|
289
|
|
|
And get her leave to part. For not alone
|
290
|
|
|
The death of Fulvia, with more urgent touches,
|
291
|
|
|
Do strongly speak to us; but the letters too
|
292
|
|
|
Of many our contriving friends in Rome
|
293
|
|
|
Petition us at home: Sextus Pompeius
|
294
|
|
|
Hath given the dare to Caesar, and commands
|
295
|
|
|
The empire of the sea: our slippery people,
|
296
|
|
|
Whose love is never link'd to the deserver
|
297
|
|
|
Till his deserts are past, begin to throw
|
298
|
|
|
Pompey the Great and all his dignities
|
299
|
|
|
Upon his son; who, high in name and power,
|
300
|
|
|
Higher than both in blood and life, stands up
|
301
|
|
|
For the main soldier: whose quality, going on,
|
302
|
|
|
The sides o' the world may danger: much is breeding,
|
303
|
|
|
Which, like the courser's hair, hath yet but life,
|
304
|
|
|
And not a serpent's poison. Say, our pleasure,
|
305
|
|
|
To such whose place is under us, requires
|
306
|
|
|
Our quick remove from hence.
|
307
|
|
|
Domitius Enobarus.
|
308
|
|
|
I shall do't.
|
|
309
|
|
|
[Exeunt]
|
|
|
|
3. Act I, Scene 3
|
0
|
|
|
The same. Another room.
|
|
1
|
|
|
[Enter CLEOPATRA, CHARMIAN, IRAS, and ALEXAS]
|
|
2
|
|
|
Cleopatra.
|
3
|
|
|
Where is he?
|
4
|
|
|
Charmian.
|
5
|
|
|
I did not see him since.
|
6
|
|
|
Cleopatra.
|
7
|
|
|
See where he is, who's with him, what he does:
|
8
|
|
|
I did not send you: if you find him sad,
|
9
|
|
|
Say I am dancing; if in mirth, report
|
10
|
|
|
That I am sudden sick: quick, and return.
|
|
11
|
|
|
[Exit ALEXAS]
|
|
12
|
|
|
Charmian.
|
13
|
|
|
Madam, methinks, if you did love him dearly,
|
14
|
|
|
You do not hold the method to enforce
|
15
|
|
|
The like from him.
|
16
|
|
|
Cleopatra.
|
17
|
|
|
What should I do, I do not?
|
18
|
|
|
Charmian.
|
19
|
|
|
In each thing give him way, cross him nothing.
|
20
|
|
|
Cleopatra.
|
21
|
|
|
Thou teachest like a fool; the way to lose him.
|
22
|
|
|
Charmian.
|
23
|
|
|
Tempt him not so too far; I wish, forbear:
|
24
|
|
|
In time we hate that which we often fear.
|
25
|
|
|
But here comes Antony.
|
|
26
|
|
|
[Enter MARK ANTONY]
|
|
27
|
|
|
Cleopatra.
|
28
|
|
|
I am sick and sullen.
|
29
|
|
|
Antony.
|
30
|
|
|
I am sorry to give breathing to my purpose,—
|
31
|
|
|
Cleopatra.
|
32
|
|
|
Help me away, dear Charmian; I shall fall:
|
33
|
|
|
It cannot be thus long, the sides of nature
|
34
|
|
|
Will not sustain it.
|
35
|
|
|
Antony.
|
36
|
|
|
Now, my dearest queen,—
|
37
|
|
|
Cleopatra.
|
38
|
|
|
Pray you, stand further from me.
|
39
|
|
|
Antony.
|
40
|
|
|
What's the matter?
|
41
|
|
|
Cleopatra.
|
42
|
|
|
I know, by that same eye, there's some good news.
|
43
|
|
|
What says the married woman? You may go:
|
44
|
|
|
Would she had never given you leave to come!
|
45
|
|
|
Let her not say 'tis I that keep you here:
|
46
|
|
|
I have no power upon you; hers you are.
|
47
|
|
|
Antony.
|
48
|
|
|
The gods best know,—
|
49
|
|
|
Cleopatra.
|
50
|
|
|
O, never was there queen
|
51
|
|
|
So mightily betray'd! yet at the first
|
52
|
|
|
I saw the treasons planted.
|
53
|
|
|
Antony.
|
54
|
|
|
Cleopatra,—
|
55
|
|
|
Cleopatra.
|
56
|
|
|
Why should I think you can be mine and true,
|
57
|
|
|
Though you in swearing shake the throned gods,
|
58
|
|
|
Who have been false to Fulvia? Riotous madness,
|
59
|
|
|
To be entangled with those mouth-made vows,
|
60
|
|
|
Which break themselves in swearing!
|
61
|
|
|
Antony.
|
62
|
|
|
Most sweet queen,—
|
63
|
|
|
Cleopatra.
|
64
|
|
|
Nay, pray you, seek no colour for your going,
|
65
|
|
|
But bid farewell, and go: when you sued staying,
|
66
|
|
|
Then was the time for words: no going then;
|
67
|
|
|
Eternity was in our lips and eyes,
|
68
|
|
|
Bliss in our brows' bent; none our parts so poor,
|
69
|
|
|
But was a race of heaven: they are so still,
|
70
|
|
|
Or thou, the greatest soldier of the world,
|
71
|
|
|
Art turn'd the greatest liar.
|
72
|
|
|
Antony.
|
73
|
|
|
How now, lady!
|
74
|
|
|
Cleopatra.
|
75
|
|
|
I would I had thy inches; thou shouldst know
|
76
|
|
|
There were a heart in Egypt.
|
77
|
|
|
Antony.
|
78
|
|
|
Hear me, queen:
|
79
|
|
|
The strong necessity of time commands
|
80
|
|
|
Our services awhile; but my full heart
|
81
|
|
|
Remains in use with you. Our Italy
|
82
|
|
|
Shines o'er with civil swords: Sextus Pompeius
|
83
|
|
|
Makes his approaches to the port of Rome:
|
84
|
|
|
Equality of two domestic powers
|
85
|
|
|
Breed scrupulous faction: the hated, grown to strength,
|
86
|
|
|
Are newly grown to love: the condemn'd Pompey,
|
87
|
|
|
Rich in his father's honour, creeps apace,
|
88
|
|
|
Into the hearts of such as have not thrived
|
89
|
|
|
Upon the present state, whose numbers threaten;
|
90
|
|
|
And quietness, grown sick of rest, would purge
|
91
|
|
|
By any desperate change: my more particular,
|
92
|
|
|
And that which most with you should safe my going,
|
93
|
|
|
Is Fulvia's death.
|
94
|
|
|
Cleopatra.
|
95
|
|
|
Though age from folly could not give me freedom,
|
96
|
|
|
It does from childishness: can Fulvia die?
|
97
|
|
|
Antony.
|
98
|
|
|
She's dead, my queen:
|
99
|
|
|
Look here, and at thy sovereign leisure read
|
100
|
|
|
The garboils she awaked; at the last, best:
|
101
|
|
|
See when and where she died.
|
102
|
|
|
Cleopatra.
|
103
|
|
|
O most false love!
|
104
|
|
|
Where be the sacred vials thou shouldst fill
|
105
|
|
|
With sorrowful water? Now I see, I see,
|
106
|
|
|
In Fulvia's death, how mine received shall be.
|
107
|
|
|
Antony.
|
108
|
|
|
Quarrel no more, but be prepared to know
|
109
|
|
|
The purposes I bear; which are, or cease,
|
110
|
|
|
As you shall give the advice. By the fire
|
111
|
|
|
That quickens Nilus' slime, I go from hence
|
112
|
|
|
Thy soldier, servant; making peace or war
|
113
|
|
|
As thou affect'st.
|
114
|
|
|
Cleopatra.
|
115
|
|
|
Cut my lace, Charmian, come;
|
116
|
|
|
But let it be: I am quickly ill, and well,
|
117
|
|
|
So Antony loves.
|
118
|
|
|
Antony.
|
119
|
|
|
My precious queen, forbear;
|
120
|
|
|
And give true evidence to his love, which stands
|
121
|
|
|
An honourable trial.
|
122
|
|
|
Cleopatra.
|
123
|
|
|
So Fulvia told me.
|
124
|
|
|
I prithee, turn aside and weep for her,
|
125
|
|
|
Then bid adieu to me, and say the tears
|
126
|
|
|
Belong to Egypt: good now, play one scene
|
127
|
|
|
Of excellent dissembling; and let it look
|
128
|
|
|
Life perfect honour.
|
129
|
|
|
Antony.
|
130
|
|
|
You'll heat my blood: no more.
|
131
|
|
|
Cleopatra.
|
132
|
|
|
You can do better yet; but this is meetly.
|
133
|
|
|
Antony.
|
134
|
|
|
Now, by my sword,—
|
135
|
|
|
Cleopatra.
|
136
|
|
|
And target. Still he mends;
|
137
|
|
|
But this is not the best. Look, prithee, Charmian,
|
138
|
|
|
How this Herculean Roman does become
|
139
|
|
|
The carriage of his chafe.
|
140
|
|
|
Antony.
|
141
|
|
|
I'll leave you, lady.
|
142
|
|
|
Cleopatra.
|
143
|
|
|
Courteous lord, one word.
|
144
|
|
|
Sir, you and I must part, but that's not it:
|
145
|
|
|
Sir, you and I have loved, but there's not it;
|
146
|
|
|
That you know well: something it is I would,
|
147
|
|
|
O, my oblivion is a very Antony,
|
148
|
|
|
And I am all forgotten.
|
149
|
|
|
Antony.
|
150
|
|
|
But that your royalty
|
151
|
|
|
Holds idleness your subject, I should take you
|
152
|
|
|
For idleness itself.
|
153
|
|
|
Cleopatra.
|
154
|
|
|
'Tis sweating labour
|
155
|
|
|
To bear such idleness so near the heart
|
156
|
|
|
As Cleopatra this. But, sir, forgive me;
|
157
|
|
|
Since my becomings kill me, when they do not
|
158
|
|
|
Eye well to you: your honour calls you hence;
|
159
|
|
|
Therefore be deaf to my unpitied folly.
|
160
|
|
|
And all the gods go with you! upon your sword
|
161
|
|
|
Sit laurel victory! and smooth success
|
162
|
|
|
Be strew'd before your feet!
|
163
|
|
|
Antony.
|
164
|
|
|
Let us go. Come;
|
165
|
|
|
Our separation so abides, and flies,
|
166
|
|
|
That thou, residing here, go'st yet with me,
|
167
|
|
|
And I, hence fleeting, here remain with thee. Away!
|
|
168
|
|
|
[Exeunt]
|
|
|
|
4. Act I, Scene 4
|
0
|
|
|
Rome. OCTAVIUS CAESAR’s house.
|
|
1
|
|
|
[Enter OCTAVIUS CAESAR, reading a letter, LEPIDUS,] [p]and their Train]
|
|
2
|
|
|
Octavius.
|
3
|
|
|
You may see, Lepidus, and henceforth know,
|
4
|
|
|
It is not Caesar's natural vice to hate
|
5
|
|
|
Our great competitor: from Alexandria
|
6
|
|
|
This is the news: he fishes, drinks, and wastes
|
7
|
|
|
The lamps of night in revel; is not more man-like
|
8
|
|
|
Than Cleopatra; nor the queen of Ptolemy
|
9
|
|
|
More womanly than he; hardly gave audience, or
|
10
|
|
|
Vouchsafed to think he had partners: you shall find there
|
11
|
|
|
A man who is the abstract of all faults
|
12
|
|
|
That all men follow.
|
13
|
|
|
Lepidus.
|
14
|
|
|
I must not think there are
|
15
|
|
|
Evils enow to darken all his goodness:
|
16
|
|
|
His faults in him seem as the spots of heaven,
|
17
|
|
|
More fiery by night's blackness; hereditary,
|
18
|
|
|
Rather than purchased; what he cannot change,
|
19
|
|
|
Than what he chooses.
|
20
|
|
|
Octavius.
|
21
|
|
|
You are too indulgent. Let us grant, it is not
|
22
|
|
|
Amiss to tumble on the bed of Ptolemy;
|
23
|
|
|
To give a kingdom for a mirth; to sit
|
24
|
|
|
And keep the turn of tippling with a slave;
|
25
|
|
|
To reel the streets at noon, and stand the buffet
|
26
|
|
|
With knaves that smell of sweat: say this
|
27
|
|
|
becomes him,—
|
28
|
|
|
As his composure must be rare indeed
|
29
|
|
|
Whom these things cannot blemish,—yet must Antony
|
30
|
|
|
No way excuse his soils, when we do bear
|
31
|
|
|
So great weight in his lightness. If he fill'd
|
32
|
|
|
His vacancy with his voluptuousness,
|
33
|
|
|
Full surfeits, and the dryness of his bones,
|
34
|
|
|
Call on him for't: but to confound such time,
|
35
|
|
|
That drums him from his sport, and speaks as loud
|
36
|
|
|
As his own state and ours,—'tis to be chid
|
37
|
|
|
As we rate boys, who, being mature in knowledge,
|
38
|
|
|
Pawn their experience to their present pleasure,
|
39
|
|
|
And so rebel to judgment.
|
|
40
|
|
|
[Enter a Messenger]
|
|
41
|
|
|
Lepidus.
|
42
|
|
|
Here's more news.
|
43
|
|
|
Messenger.
|
44
|
|
|
Thy biddings have been done; and every hour,
|
45
|
|
|
Most noble Caesar, shalt thou have report
|
46
|
|
|
How 'tis abroad. Pompey is strong at sea;
|
47
|
|
|
And it appears he is beloved of those
|
48
|
|
|
That only have fear'd Caesar: to the ports
|
49
|
|
|
The discontents repair, and men's reports
|
50
|
|
|
Give him much wrong'd.
|
51
|
|
|
Octavius.
|
52
|
|
|
I should have known no less.
|
53
|
|
|
It hath been taught us from the primal state,
|
54
|
|
|
That he which is was wish'd until he were;
|
55
|
|
|
And the ebb'd man, ne'er loved till ne'er worth love,
|
56
|
|
|
Comes dear'd by being lack'd. This common body,
|
57
|
|
|
Like to a vagabond flag upon the stream,
|
58
|
|
|
Goes to and back, lackeying the varying tide,
|
59
|
|
|
To rot itself with motion.
|
60
|
|
|
Messenger.
|
61
|
|
|
Caesar, I bring thee word,
|
62
|
|
|
Menecrates and Menas, famous pirates,
|
63
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Make the sea serve them, which they ear and wound
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64
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With keels of every kind: many hot inroads
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65
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They make in Italy; the borders maritime
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66
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Lack blood to think on't, and flush youth revolt:
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67
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No vessel can peep forth, but 'tis as soon
|
68
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Taken as seen; for Pompey's name strikes more
|
69
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Than could his war resisted.
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70
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Octavius.
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71
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Antony,
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72
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Leave thy lascivious wassails. When thou once
|
73
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Wast beaten from Modena, where thou slew'st
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74
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Hirtius and Pansa, consuls, at thy heel
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75
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Did famine follow; whom thou fought'st against,
|
76
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Though daintily brought up, with patience more
|
77
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|
Than savages could suffer: thou didst drink
|
78
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The stale of horses, and the gilded puddle
|
79
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Which beasts would cough at: thy palate then did deign
|
80
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The roughest berry on the rudest hedge;
|
81
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Yea, like the stag, when snow the pasture sheets,
|
82
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|
|
The barks of trees thou browsed'st; on the Alps
|
83
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|
It is reported thou didst eat strange flesh,
|
84
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|
Which some did die to look on: and all this—
|
85
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It wounds thine honour that I speak it now—
|
86
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Was borne so like a soldier, that thy cheek
|
87
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So much as lank'd not.
|
88
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Lepidus.
|
89
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'Tis pity of him.
|
90
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Octavius.
|
91
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Let his shames quickly
|
92
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Drive him to Rome: 'tis time we twain
|
93
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|
Did show ourselves i' the field; and to that end
|
94
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|
|
Assemble we immediate council: Pompey
|
95
|
|
|
Thrives in our idleness.
|
96
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Lepidus.
|
97
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To-morrow, Caesar,
|
98
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I shall be furnish'd to inform you rightly
|
99
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Both what by sea and land I can be able
|
100
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To front this present time.
|
101
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Octavius.
|
102
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Till which encounter,
|
103
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It is my business too. Farewell.
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104
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Lepidus.
|
105
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Farewell, my lord: what you shall know meantime
|
106
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Of stirs abroad, I shall beseech you, sir,
|
107
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To let me be partaker.
|
108
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Octavius.
|
109
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Doubt not, sir;
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110
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I knew it for my bond.
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|
111
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[Exeunt]
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|
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|
5. Act I, Scene 5
|
0
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Alexandria. CLEOPATRA’s palace.
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|
1
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[Enter CLEOPATRA, CHARMIAN, IRAS, and MARDIAN]
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|
2
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Cleopatra.
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3
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Charmian!
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4
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Charmian.
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5
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Madam?
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6
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Cleopatra.
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7
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Ha, ha!
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8
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Give me to drink mandragora.
|
9
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Charmian.
|
10
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Why, madam?
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11
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Cleopatra.
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12
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That I might sleep out this great gap of time
|
13
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My Antony is away.
|
14
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Charmian.
|
15
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You think of him too much.
|
16
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Cleopatra.
|
17
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O, 'tis treason!
|
18
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Charmian.
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19
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Madam, I trust, not so.
|
20
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Cleopatra.
|
21
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Thou, eunuch Mardian!
|
22
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Mardian.
|
23
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What's your highness' pleasure?
|
24
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Cleopatra.
|
25
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Not now to hear thee sing; I take no pleasure
|
26
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In aught an eunuch has: 'tis well for thee,
|
27
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That, being unseminar'd, thy freer thoughts
|
28
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|
|
May not fly forth of Egypt. Hast thou affections?
|
29
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Mardian.
|
30
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|
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Yes, gracious madam.
|
31
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Cleopatra.
|
32
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|
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Indeed!
|
33
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|
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Mardian.
|
34
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|
Not in deed, madam; for I can do nothing
|
35
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But what indeed is honest to be done:
|
36
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|
|
Yet have I fierce affections, and think
|
37
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|
|
What Venus did with Mars.
|
38
|
|
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Cleopatra.
|
39
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|
|
O Charmian,
|
40
|
|
|
Where think'st thou he is now? Stands he, or sits he?
|
41
|
|
|
Or does he walk? or is he on his horse?
|
42
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|
|
O happy horse, to bear the weight of Antony!
|
43
|
|
|
Do bravely, horse! for wot'st thou whom thou movest?
|
44
|
|
|
The demi-Atlas of this earth, the arm
|
45
|
|
|
And burgonet of men. He's speaking now,
|
46
|
|
|
Or murmuring 'Where's my serpent of old Nile?'
|
47
|
|
|
For so he calls me: now I feed myself
|
48
|
|
|
With most delicious poison. Think on me,
|
49
|
|
|
That am with Phoebus' amorous pinches black,
|
50
|
|
|
And wrinkled deep in time? Broad-fronted Caesar,
|
51
|
|
|
When thou wast here above the ground, I was
|
52
|
|
|
A morsel for a monarch: and great Pompey
|
53
|
|
|
Would stand and make his eyes grow in my brow;
|
54
|
|
|
There would he anchor his aspect and die
|
55
|
|
|
With looking on his life.
|
|
56
|
|
|
[Enter ALEXAS, from OCTAVIUS CAESAR]
|
|
57
|
|
|
Alexas.
|
58
|
|
|
Sovereign of Egypt, hail!
|
59
|
|
|
Cleopatra.
|
60
|
|
|
How much unlike art thou Mark Antony!
|
61
|
|
|
Yet, coming from him, that great medicine hath
|
62
|
|
|
With his tinct gilded thee.
|
63
|
|
|
How goes it with my brave Mark Antony?
|
64
|
|
|
Alexas.
|
65
|
|
|
Last thing he did, dear queen,
|
66
|
|
|
He kiss'd,—the last of many doubled kisses,—
|
67
|
|
|
This orient pearl. His speech sticks in my heart.
|
68
|
|
|
Cleopatra.
|
69
|
|
|
Mine ear must pluck it thence.
|
70
|
|
|
Alexas.
|
71
|
|
|
'Good friend,' quoth he,
|
72
|
|
|
'Say, the firm Roman to great Egypt sends
|
73
|
|
|
This treasure of an oyster; at whose foot,
|
74
|
|
|
To mend the petty present, I will piece
|
75
|
|
|
Her opulent throne with kingdoms; all the east,
|
76
|
|
|
Say thou, shall call her mistress.' So he nodded,
|
77
|
|
|
And soberly did mount an arm-gaunt steed,
|
78
|
|
|
Who neigh'd so high, that what I would have spoke
|
79
|
|
|
Was beastly dumb'd by him.
|
80
|
|
|
Cleopatra.
|
81
|
|
|
What, was he sad or merry?
|
82
|
|
|
Alexas.
|
83
|
|
|
Like to the time o' the year between the extremes
|
84
|
|
|
Of hot and cold, he was nor sad nor merry.
|
85
|
|
|
Cleopatra.
|
86
|
|
|
O well-divided disposition! Note him,
|
87
|
|
|
Note him good Charmian, 'tis the man; but note him:
|
88
|
|
|
He was not sad, for he would shine on those
|
89
|
|
|
That make their looks by his; he was not merry,
|
90
|
|
|
Which seem'd to tell them his remembrance lay
|
91
|
|
|
In Egypt with his joy; but between both:
|
92
|
|
|
O heavenly mingle! Be'st thou sad or merry,
|
93
|
|
|
The violence of either thee becomes,
|
94
|
|
|
So does it no man else. Met'st thou my posts?
|
95
|
|
|
Alexas.
|
96
|
|
|
Ay, madam, twenty several messengers:
|
97
|
|
|
Why do you send so thick?
|
98
|
|
|
Cleopatra.
|
99
|
|
|
Who's born that day
|
100
|
|
|
When I forget to send to Antony,
|
101
|
|
|
Shall die a beggar. Ink and paper, Charmian.
|
102
|
|
|
Welcome, my good Alexas. Did I, Charmian,
|
103
|
|
|
Ever love Caesar so?
|
104
|
|
|
Charmian.
|
105
|
|
|
O that brave Caesar!
|
106
|
|
|
Cleopatra.
|
107
|
|
|
Be choked with such another emphasis!
|
108
|
|
|
Say, the brave Antony.
|
109
|
|
|
Charmian.
|
110
|
|
|
The valiant Caesar!
|
111
|
|
|
Cleopatra.
|
112
|
|
|
By Isis, I will give thee bloody teeth,
|
113
|
|
|
If thou with Caesar paragon again
|
114
|
|
|
My man of men.
|
115
|
|
|
Charmian.
|
116
|
|
|
By your most gracious pardon,
|
117
|
|
|
I sing but after you.
|
118
|
|
|
Cleopatra.
|
119
|
|
|
My salad days,
|
120
|
|
|
When I was green in judgment: cold in blood,
|
121
|
|
|
To say as I said then! But, come, away;
|
122
|
|
|
Get me ink and paper:
|
123
|
|
|
He shall have every day a several greeting,
|
124
|
|
|
Or I'll unpeople Egypt.
|
|