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    Not Peer Reviewed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)

    [3.11]
    Enter Antony with Attendants.
    Antony
    Hark, the land bids me tread no more upon't;
    2025It is ashamed to bear me. Friends, come hither.
    I am so lated in the world that I
    Have lost my way forever. I have a ship
    Laden with gold. Take that, divide it, fly,
    And make your peace with Caesar.
    2030All Attendants
    Fly? Not we.
    Antony
    I have fled myself, and have instructed cowards
    To run and show their shoulders. Friends, be gone.
    I have myself resolved upon a course
    Which has no need of you. Be gone.
    2035My treasure's in the harbor. Take it. Oh,
    I followed that I blush to look upon.
    My very hairs do mutiny, for the white
    Reprove the brown for rashness, and they them
    For fear and doting. Friends, be gone. You shall
    2040Have letters from me to some friends that will
    Sweep your way for you. Pray you, look not sad,
    Nor make replies of loathness. Take the hint
    Which my despair proclaims. Let that be left
    Which leaves itself. To the seaside straightway!
    2045I will possess you of that ship and treasure.
    Leave me, I pray, a little--pray you now--
    Nay do so. For indeed I have lost command.
    Therefore I pray you--I'll see you by and by.
    [Exeunt Attendants. Antony] sits down.
    Enter Cleopatra, led by Charmian, [Iras] and Eros.
    Nay, gentle madam, to him, comfort him.
    Do, most dear queen.
    Charmian
    Do. Why, what else?
    Cleopatra
    Let me sit down. O Juno!
    No, no, no, no, no.
    See you here, sir?
    Oh fie, fie, fie!
    Charmian
    Madam.
    Madam, oh, good empress.
    Sir, sir!
    Yes, my lord, yes. He at Philippi kept
    His sword e'en like a dancer, while I struck
    The lean and wrinkled Cassius, and 'twas I
    That the mad Brutus ended. He alone
    Dealt on lieutenantry, and no practice had
    2065In the brave squares of war. Yet now--no matter.
    Cleopatra
    Ah, stand by.
    Eros
    The queen, my lord, the queen!
    Go to him, madam. Speak to him.
    He's unqualitied with very shame.
    2070Cleopatra
    Well then, sustain me. Oh!
    Most noble sir, arise; the queen approaches.
    Her head's declined and death will seize her, but
    Your comfort makes the rescue.
    I have offended reputation,
    2075A most unnoble swerving.
    Eros
    Sir, the queen.
    Oh, whither hast thou led me, Egypt? See
    How I convey my shame out of thine eyes
    By looking back what I have left behind
    2080'Stroyed in dishonor.
    Cleopatra
    Oh my lord, my lord,
    Forgive my fearful sails! I little thought
    You would have followed.
    Antony
    Egypt, thou knew'st too well,
    2085My heart was to thy rudder tied by'th'strings,
    And thou should'st tow me after. O'er my spirit
    Thy full supremacy thou knew'st, and that
    Thy beck might from the bidding of the gods
    Command me.
    2090Cleopatra
    Oh, my pardon.
    Antony
    Now I must
    To the young man send humble treaties, dodge
    And palter in the shifts of lowness, who
    With half the bulk o'th'world played as I pleased,
    2095Making and marring fortunes. You did know
    How much you were my conqueror, and that
    My sword, made weak by my affection, would
    Obey it on all cause.
    Cleopatra
    Pardon, pardon.
    Fall not a tear, I say; one of them rates
    All that is won and lost. Give me a kiss. [They kiss.]
    Even this repays me.
    [To an Attendant] We sent our schoolmaster; is a come back?
    [To Cleopatra] Love, I am full of lead. [Calling] Some wine,
    2105Within there, and our viands! Fortune knows
    We scorn her most when most she offers blows.
    Exeunt.