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    Not Peer Reviewed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 and Cleopatra, with others.
    Ant. Eros, mine Armour Eros.
    Cleo. Sleepe a little.
    2505Ant. No my Chucke. Eros, come mine Armor Eros.
    Enter Eros.
    Come good Fellow, put thine Iron on,
    If Fortune be not ours to day, it is
    Because we braue her. Come.
    2510Cleo. Nay, Ile helpe too, Anthony.
    What's this for? Ah let be, let be, thou art
    The Armourer of my heart: False, false: This, this,
    Sooth-law Ile helpe: Thus it must bee.
    Ant. Well, well, we shall thriue now.
    2515Seest thou my good Fellow. Go, put on thy defences.
    Eros. Briefely Sir.
    Cleo. Is not this buckled well?
    Ant. Rarely, rarely:
    He that vnbuckles this, till we do please
    2520To daft for our Repose, shall heare a storme.
    Thou fumblest Eros, and my Queenes a Squire
    More tight at this, then thou: Dispatch. O Loue,
    That thou couldst see my Warres to day, and knew'st
    The Royall Occupation, thou should'st see
    2525A Workeman in't.
    Enter an Armed Soldier.
    Good morrow to thee, welcome,
    Thou look'st like him that knowes a warlike Charge:
    To businesse that we loue, we rise betime,
    2530And go too't with delight.
    Soul. A thousand Sir, early though't be, haue on their
    Riueted trim, and at the Port expect you. Showt.
    Trumpets Flourish.
    Enter Captaines, and Souldiers.
    2535Alex. The Morne is faire: Good morrow Generall.
    All. Good morrow Generall.
    Ant. 'Tis well blowne Lads.
    This Morning, like the spirit of a youth
    That meanes to be of note, begins betimes.
    2540So, so: Come giue me that, this way, well-sed.
    Fare thee well Dame, what ere becomes of me,
    This is a Soldiers kisse: rebukeable,
    And worthy shamefull checke it were, to stand
    On more Mechanicke Complement, Ile leaue thee.
    2545Now like a man of Steele, you that will fight,
    Follow me close, Ile bring you too't: Adieu. Exeunt.
    Char. Please you retyre to your Chamber?
    Cleo. Lead me:
    He goes forth gallantly: That he and Caesar might
    2550Determine this great Warre in single fight;
    Then Anthony; but now. Well on. Exeunt