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  • 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    Not Peer Reviewed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)

    [3.12]
    Enter Caesar, Agrippa, [Thidias] and Dolabella, with others.
    Caesar
    Let him appear that's come from Antony.
    Know you him?
    2110Dolabella
    Caesar, 'tis his schoolmaster.
    An argument that he is plucked, when hither
    He sends so poor a pinion of his wing,
    Which had superfluous kings for messengers
    Not many moons gone by.
    2115Enter Ambassador from Antony.
    Caesar
    Approach, and speak.
    Ambassador
    Such as I am, I come from Antony.
    I was of late as petty to his ends
    As is the morn-dew on the myrtle leaf
    2120To his grand sea.
    Caesar
    Be't so. Declare thine office.
    Ambassador
    Lord of his fortunes he salutes thee, and
    Requires to live in Egypt; which not granted
    He lessens his requests, and to thee sues
    2125To let him breathe between the heavens and earth
    A private man in Athens. This for him.
    Next: Cleopatra does confess thy greatness,
    Submits her to thy might, and of thee craves
    The circle of the Ptolemies for her heirs,
    2130Now hazarded to thy grace.
    Caesar
    For Antony,
    I have no ears to his request. The queen
    Of audience nor desire shall fail, so she
    From Egypt drive her all-disgracèd friend
    2135Or take his life there. This if she perform
    She shall not sue unheard. So to them both.
    Ambassador
    Fortune pursue thee.
    Caesar
    Bring him through the bands.
    [Exit Ambassador, attended].
    [To Thidias] To try thy eloquence now 'tis time--dispatch.
    2140From Antony win Cleopatra. Promise--
    And in our name--what she requires. Add more--
    From thine invention--offers. Women are not
    In their best fortunes strong; but want will perjure
    The ne'er-touched vestal. Try thy cunning, Thidias.
    2145Make thine own edict for thy pains, which we
    Will answer as a law.
    Thidias
    Caesar, I go.
    Caesar
    Observe how Antony becomes his flaw,
    And what thou think'st his very action speaks
    2150In every power that moves.
    Thidias
    Caesar, I shall.
    Exeunt [Thidias at one door and Caesar, Agrippa, Dolabella and others at another door].
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