Internet Shakespeare Editions

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Not Peer Reviewed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.