Internet Shakespeare Editions

About this text

  • Title: Anthony and Cleopatra (Modern)
  • Editor: Randall Martin
  • ISBN: 978-1-55058-433-2

    Copyright Randall Martin. This text may be freely used for educational, non-profit purposes; for all other uses contact the Editor.
    Author: William Shakespeare
    Editor: Randall Martin
    Not Peer Reviewed

    Anthony and Cleopatra (Modern)

    1620[3.3]
    Enter Cleopatra, Charmian, Iras, and Alexas.
    Cleopatra
    Where is the fellow?
    Alexas
    Half afeared to come.
    Cleopatra
    Go to, go to.
    Enter the Messenger as before.
    Come hither, sir.
    1625Alexas
    Good majesty,
    Herod of Jewry dare not look upon you,
    But when you are well pleased.
    Cleopatra
    That Herod's head,
    I'll have. But how, when Antony is gone
    Through whom I might command it?
    [To the Messenger] Come thou near.
    1630Messenger
    Most gracious majesty.
    Cleopatra
    Didst thou behold Octavia?
    Messenger
    Ay, dread Queen.
    Cleopatra
    Where?
    Messenger
    Madam, in Rome
    I looked her in the face, and 1635saw her led
    Between her brother and Mark Antony.
    Cleopatra
    Is she as tall as me?
    Messenger
    She is not, madam.
    Cleopatra
    Didst hear her speak? Is she shrill-tongued or low?
    1640Messenger
    Madam, I heard her speak; she is low-voiced.
    Cleopatra
    That's not so good. He cannot like her long.
    Charmian
    Like her? Oh, Isis, 'tis impossible!
    Cleopatra
    I think so, Charmian. Dull of tongue, and dwarfish;
    What majesty is in her gait? Remember,
    1645If e'er thou look'st on majesty.
    Messenger
    She creeps:
    Her motion and her station are as one.
    She shows a body rather than a life,
    A statue than a breather.
    Cleopatra
    Is this certain?
    1650Messenger
    Or I have no observance.
    Charmian
    Three in Egypt
    Cannot make better note.
    Cleopatra
    He's very knowing,
    I do perceive't. There's nothing in her yet.
    The fellow has good judgment.
    1655Charmian
    Excellent.
    Cleopatra
    [To the Messenger] Guess at her years, I prithee.
    Messenger
    Madam,
    she was a widow.
    Cleopatra
    Widow? Charmian, hark.
    Messenger
    And I do think she's thirty.
    1660Cleopatra
    Bear'st thou her face in mind? Is't long or round?
    Messenger
    Round, even to faultiness.
    Cleopatra
    For the most part, too, they are foolish that are so.
    Her hair, what color?
    Messenger
    Brown, madam; and her forehead
    1665As low as she would wish it.
    Cleopatra
    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,
    1670Our letters are prepared.
    [Exit Messenger].
    Charmian
    A proper man.
    Cleopatra
    Indeed he is so. I repent me much
    That so I harried him. Why, methinks by him,
    This creature's no such thing.
    1675Charmian
    Nothing, madam.
    Cleopatra
    The man hath seen some majesty, and should know.
    Charmian
    Hath he seen majesty? Isis else defend,
    And serving you so long.
    1680Cleopatra
    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.
    Charmian
    I warrant you, madam.
    Exeunt.