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    Not Peer Reviewed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 Anthony, Cleopatra, Enobarbus, Charmian,
    2410Iras, Alexas, with others.
    Ant. He will not fight with me, Domitian?
    Eno. No?
    Ant. Why should he not?
    Eno. He thinks, being twenty times of better fortune,
    2415He is twenty men to one.
    Ant. To morrow Soldier,
    By Sea and Land Ile fight: or I will liue,
    Or bathe my dying Honor in the blood
    Shall make it liue againe. Woo't thou fight well.
    2420Eno. Ile strike, and cry, Take all.
    Ant. Well said, come on:
    Call forth my Houshold Seruants, lets to night
    Enter 3 or 4 Seruitors.
    Be bounteous at our Meale. Giue me thy hand,
    2425Thou hast bin rightly honest, so hast thou,
    Thou, and thou, and thou: you haue seru'd me well,
    And Kings haue beene your fellowes.
    Cleo. What meanes this?
    Eno. 'Tis one of those odde tricks which sorow shoots
    2430Out of the minde.
    Ant. And thou art honest too:
    I wish I could be made so many men,
    And all of you clapt vp together, in
    An Anthony: that I might do you seruice,
    2435So good as you haue done.
    Omnes.
    Anthony and Cleopatra. 359
    Omnes. The Gods forbid.
    Ant. Well, my good Fellowes, wait on me to night:
    Scant not my Cups, and make as much of me,
    As when mine Empire was your Fellow too,
    2440And suffer'd my command.
    Cleo. What does he meane?
    Eno. To make his Followers weepe.
    Ant. Tend me to night;
    May be, it is the period of your duty,
    2445Haply you shall not see me more, or if,
    A mangled shadow. Perchance to morrow,
    You'l serue another Master. I looke on you,
    As one that takes his leaue. Mine honest Friends,
    I turne you not away, but like a Master
    2450Married to your good seruice, stay till death:
    Tend me to night two houres, I aske no more,
    And the Gods yeeld you for't.
    Eno. What meane you (Sir)
    To giue them this discomfort? Looke they weepe,
    2455And I an Asse, am Onyon-ey'd; for shame,
    Transforme vs not to women.
    Ant. Ho, ho, ho:
    Now the Witch take me, if I meant it thus.
    Grace grow where those drops fall (my hearty Friends)
    2460You take me in too dolorous a sense,
    For I spake to you for your comfort, did desire you
    To burne this night with Torches: Know (my hearts)
    I hope well of to morrow, and will leade you,
    Where rather Ile expect victorious life,
    2465Then death, and Honor. Let's to Supper, come,
    And drowne consideration. Exeunt.