Internet Shakespeare Editions

Author: William Shakespeare
Editor: Randall Martin
Not Peer Reviewed

Anthony and Cleopatra (Modern)

[1.3]
Enter Cleopatra, Charmian, Alexas, and Iras.
Cleopatra
Where is he?
300Charmian
I did not see him since.
Cleopatra
[To Alexas] 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
305That I am sudden sick. Quick, and return.
[Exit Alexas].
Charmian
Madam, methinks if you did love him dearly,
You do not hold the method to enforce
The like from him.
Cleopatra
What should I do I do not?
310Charmian
In each thing give him way; cross him in nothing.
Cleopatra
Thou teachest like a fool the way to lose him.
Charmian
Tempt him not so too far. I wish, forbear.
In time we hate that which we often fear.
Enter Antony.
315But here comes Antony.
Cleopatra
I am sick, and sullen.
Antony
I am sorry to give breathing to my purpose.
Cleopatra
Help me away, dear Charmian, I shall fall.
It cannot be thus long, the sides of nature
320Will not sustain it.
Antony
Now my dearest queen--
Cleopatra
Pray you stand farther from me.
Antony
What's the matter?
Cleopatra
I know by that same eye there's some good news.
325What, says the married woman you may go?
Would she had never giv'n you leave to come.
Let her not say 'tis I that keep you here.
I have no power upon you. Hers you are.
Antony
The gods best know--
330Cleopatra
Oh never was there queen
So mightily betrayed; yet at the first
I saw the treasons planted.
Antony
Cleopatra.
Cleopatra
Why should I think you can be mine, and true--
335Though you in swearing shake the thronèd gods--
Who have been false to Fulvia? Riotous madness,
To be entangled with those mouth-made vows
Which break themselves in swearing.
340Antony
Most sweet queen--
Cleopatra
Nay, pray you seek no color for your going,
But bid farewell and go. When you sued staying,
Then was the time for words, no going then.
345Eternity 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 turned the greatest liar.
350Antony
How now, lady?
Cleopatra
I would I had thy inches, thou should'st know
There were a heart in Egypt.
Antony
Hear me, queen:
The strong necessity of time commands
355Our 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
360Breed scrupulous faction; the hated, grown to strength,
Are newly grown to love; the condemned Pompey,
Rich in his father's honor, creeps apace
Into the hearts of such as have not thrived
Upon the present state, whose numbers threaten;
365And quietness, grown sick 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.
Cleopatra
Though age from folly could not give me freedom,
370It does from childishness. Can Fulvia die?
Antony
She's dead, my queen. [He shows her letters].
Look here, and at thy sovereign leisure read
The garboils she awaked. At the last, best:
See when and where she died.
375Cleopatra
Oh 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 received shall be.
Antony
Quarrel no more, but be prepared to know
380The purposes I bear, which are or cease
As you shall give th'advice. By the fire
That quickens Nilus' slime, I go from hence
Thy soldier-servant, making peace or war
As thou affects.
385Cleopatra
Cut my lace, Charmian, come.
But let it be; I am quickly ill and well,
So Antony loves.
Antony
My precious Queen, forbear,
And give true evidence to his love, which stands
390An honorable trial.
Cleopatra
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
395Of excellent dissembling, and let it look
Like perfect honor.
Antony
You'll heat my blood. No more!
Cleopatra
You can do better yet; but this is meetly.
Antony
Now by my sword--
400Cleopatra
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.
Antony
I'll leave you, lady.
405Cleopatra
Courteous lord, one word:
Sir, you and I must part--but that's not it;
Sir, you and I have loved--but there's not it;
That you know well. Something it is I would--
Oh, my oblivion is a very Antony,
410And I am all forgotten.
Antony
But that your royalty
Holds idleness your subject, I should take you
For idleness itself.
Cleopatra
'Tis sweating labor,
415To 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 honor calls you hence.
Therefore be deaf to my unpitied folly,
420And all the gods go with you. Upon your sword
Sit laurel victory, and smooth success
Be strewed before your feet.
Antony
Let us go. Come,
Our separation so abides and flies
425That thou, residing here, goes yet with me;
And I hence fleeting here remain with thee.
Exeunt.