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  • Title: Anthony and Cleopatra (Folio 1, 1623)
  • 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    Not Peer Reviewed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 (Folio 1, 1623)

    1620Enter Cleopatra, Charmian, Iras, and Alexas.
    Cleo. Where is the Fellow?
    Alex. Halfe afeard to come.
    Cleo. Go too, go too: Come hither Sir.
    Enter the Messenger as before.
    1625Alex. Good Maiestie: Herod of Iury dare not looke
    vpon you, but when you are well pleas'd.
    Cleo. That Herods head, Ile haue: but how? When
    Anthony is gone, through whom I might commaund it:
    Come thou neere.
    1630Mes. Most gratious Maiestie.
    Cleo. Did'st thou behold Octauia?
    Mes. I dread Queene.
    Cleo. Where?
    Mes. Madam in Rome, I lookt her in the face: and
    1635saw her led betweene her Brother, and Marke Anthony.
    Cleo. Is she as tall as me?
    Mes. She is not Madam.
    Cleo. Didst heare her speake?
    Is she shrill tongu'd or low?
    1640Mes. Madam, I heard her speake, she is low voic'd.
    Cleo. That's not so good: he cannot like her long.
    Char. Like her? Oh Isis: 'tis impossible.
    Cleo. I thinke so Charmian: dull of tongue, & dwarfish
    What Maiestie is in her gate, remember
    1645If ere thou look'st on Maiestie. ,
    Mes. She creepes: her motion, & her station are as one.
    She shewes a body, rather then a life,
    A Statue, then a Breather.
    Cleo. Is this certaine?
    1650Mes. Or I haue no obseruance.
    Cha. Three in Egypt cannot make better note.
    Cleo. He's very knowing, I do perceiu't,
    There's nothing in her yet.
    The
    Anthony and Cleopatra. 353
    The Fellow ha's good iudgement.
    1655Char. Excellent.
    Cleo. Guesse at her yeares, I prythee.
    Mess. Madam, she was a widdow.
    Cleo. Widdow? Charmian, hearke.
    Mes. And I do thinke she's thirtie.
    1660Cle. Bear'st thou her face in mind? is't long or round?
    Mess. Round, euen to faultinesse.
    Cleo. For the most part too, they are foolish that are
    so. Her haire what colour?
    Mess. Browne Madam: and her forehead
    1665As low as she would wish it.
    Cleo. There's Gold for thee,
    Thou must not take my former sharpenesse ill,
    I will employ thee backe againe: I finde thee
    Most fit for businesse. Go, make thee ready,
    1670Our Letters are prepar'd.
    Char. A proper man.
    Cleo. Indeed he is so: I repent me much
    That so I harried him. Why me think's by him,
    This Creature's no such thing.
    1675Char. Nothing Madam.
    Cleo. The man hath seene some Maiesty, and should
    know.
    Char. Hath he seene Maiestie? Isis else defend: and
    seruing you so long.
    1680Cleopa. I haue one thing more to aske him yet good
    Charmian: but 'tis no matter, thou shalt bring him to me
    where I will write; all may be well enough.
    Char. I warrant you Madam. Exeunt.
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