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Anthony and Cleopatra (Folio 1, 1623)

Author: William Shakespeare
Editor: Randall Martin
Not Peer Reviewed
Anthony and Cleopatra.
357
Ant. To him againe, tell him he weares the Rose
Of youth vpon him: from which, the world should note
Something particular: His Coine, Ships, Legions,
May be a Cowards, whose Ministers would preuaile
2180Vnder the seruice of a Childe, as soone
As i'th'Command of Cæsar. I dare him therefore
To lay his gay Comparisons a-part,
And answer me declin'd, Sword against Sword,
Our selues alone: Ile write it: Follow me.
2185Eno. Yes like enough: hye battel'd Cæsar will
Vnstate his happinesse, and be Stag'd to'th'shew
Against a Sworder. I see mens Iudgements are
A parcell of their Fortunes, and things outward
Do draw the inward quality after them
2190To suffer all alike, that he should dreame,
Knowing all measures, the full Cæsar will
Answer his emptinesse; Cæsar thou hast subdu'de
His iudgement too.
Enter a Seruant.
2195Ser. A Messenger from Cæsar.
Cleo. What no more Ceremony? See my Women,
Against the blowne Rose may they stop their nose,
That kneel'd vnto the Buds. Admit him sir.
Eno. Mine honesty, and I, beginne to square,
2200The Loyalty well held to Fooles, does make
Our Faith meere folly: yet he that can endure
To follow with Allegeance a falne Lord,
Does conquer him that did his Master conquer,
And earnes a place i'th'Story.
2205
Enter Thidias.
Cleo. Cæsars will.
Thid. Heare it apart.
Cleo. None but Friends: say boldly.
Thid. So haply are they Friends to Anthony.
2210Enob. He needs as many (Sir) as Cæsar ha's,
Or needs not vs. If Cæsar please, our Master
Will leape to be his Friend: For vs you know,
Whose he is, we are, and that is Caesars.
Thid. So. Thus then thou most renown'd, Cæsar intreats,
2215Not to consider in what case thou stand'st
Further then he is Cæsars.
Cleo. Go on, right Royall.
Thid. He knowes that you embrace not Anthony
As you did loue, but as you feared him.
2220Cleo. Oh.
Thid. The scarre's vpon your Honor, therefore he
Does pitty, as constrained blemishes,
Not as deserued.
Cleo. He is a God,
2225And knowes what is most right. Mine Honour
Was not yeelded, but conquer'd meerely.
Eno. To be sure of that, I will aske Anthony.
Sir, sir, thou art so leakie
That we must leaue thee to thy sinking, for
2230Thy deerest quit thee.
Exit Enob.
Thid. Shall I say to Cæsar,
What you require of him: for he partly begges
To be desir'd to giue. It much would please him,
That of his Fortunes you should make a staffe
2235To leane vpon. But it would warme his spirits
To heare from me you had left Anthony,
And put your selfe vnder his shrowd, the vniuersal Land-
Cleo. What's your name?
Thid. My name is Thidias.
2240Cleo. Most kinde Messenger,
Say to great Cæsar this in disputation,

I kisse his conqu'ring hand: Tell him, I am prompt
To lay my Crowne at's feete, and there to kneele.
Tell him, from his all-obeying breath, I heare
2245The doome of Egypt.
Thid. 'Tis your Noblest course:
Wisedome and Fortune combatting together,
If that the former dare but what it can,
No chance may shake it. Giue me grace to lay
2250My dutie on your hand.
Cleo. Your Cæsars Father oft,
(When he hath mus'd of taking kingdomes in)
Bestow'd his lips on that vnworthy place,
As it rain'd kisses.
2255
Enter Anthony and Enobarbus.
Ant. Fauours? By Ioue that thunders. What art thou
Thid. One that but performes
The bidding of the fullest man, and worthiest
To haue command obey'd.
2260Eno. You will be whipt.
Ant. Approch there: ah you Kite. Now Gods & diuels
Authority melts from me of late. When I cried hoa,
Like Boyes vnto a musse, Kings would start forth,
And cry, your will. Haue you no eares?
2265I am Anthony yet. Take hence this Iack, and whip him.
Enter a Seruant.
Eno. 'Tis better playing with a Lions whelpe,
Then with an old one dying.
Ant. Moone and Starres,
2270Whip him: wer't twenty of the greatest Tributaries
That do acknowledge Caesar, should I finde them
So sawcy with the hand of she heere, what's her name
Since she was Cleopatra? Whip him Fellowes,
Till like a Boy you see him crindge his face,
2275And whine aloud for mercy. Take him hence.
Thid. Marke Anthony.
Ant. Tugge him away: being whipt
Bring him againe, the Iacke of Cæsars shall
Beare vs an arrant to him.
Exeunt with Thidius.
2280You were halfe blasted ere I knew you: Ha?
Haue I my pillow left vnprest in Rome,
Forborne the getting of a lawfull Race,
And by a Iem of women, to be abus'd
By one that lookes on Feeders?
2285Cleo. Good my Lord.
Ant. You haue beene a boggeler euer,
But when we in our viciousnesse grow hard
(Oh misery on't) the wise Gods seele our eyes
In our owne filth, drop our cleare iudgements, make vs
2290Adore our errors, laugh at's while we strut
To our confusion.
Cleo. Oh, is't come to this?
Ant. I found you as a Morsell, cold vpon
Dead Cæsars Trencher: Nay, you were a Fragment
2295Of Gneius Pompeyes, besides what hotter houres
Vnregistred in vulgar Fame, you haue
Luxuriously pickt out. For I am sure,
Though you can guesse what Temperance should be,
You know not what it is.
2300Cleo. Wherefore is this?
Ant. To let a Fellow that will take rewards,
And say, God quit you, be familiar with
My play-fellow, your hand; this Kingly Seale,
And plighter of high hearts. O that I were
2305Vpon the hill of Basan, to out-roare
The horned Heard, for I haue sauage cause,
And to proclaime it ciuilly, were like
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