Internet Shakespeare Editions

About this text

  • 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    Not Peer Reviewed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)

    Enter Caesar, Agrippa, & Mecenas with his Army,
    2390Caesar reading a Letter.
    Caes. He calles me Boy, and chides as he had power
    To beate me out of Egypt. My Messenger
    He hath whipt with Rods, dares me to personal Combat.
    Caesar to Anthony: let the old Russian know,
    2395I haue many other wayes to dye: meane time
    Laugh at his Challenge.
    Mece. Caesar must thinke,
    When one so great begins to rage, hee's hunted
    Euen to falling. Giue him no breath, but now
    2400Make boote of his distraction: Neuer anger
    Made good guard for it selfe.
    Caes. Let our best heads know,
    That to morrow, the last of many Battailes
    We meane to fight. Within our Files there are,
    2405Of those that seru'd Marke Anthony but late,
    Enough to fetch him in. See it done,
    And Feast the Army, we haue store to doo't,
    And they haue earn'd the waste. Poore Anthony. Exeunt