Internet Shakespeare Editions

Author: William Shakespeare
Editor: Randall Martin
Not Peer Reviewed

Anthony and Cleopatra (Modern)

1620[3.3]
Enter Cleopatra, Charmian, Iras, and Alexas.
Cleopatra
Where is the fellow?
Alexas
Half afeared to come.
Cleopatra
Go to, go to.
Enter the Messenger as before.
Come hither, sir.
1625Alexas
Good majesty,
Herod of Jewry dare not look upon you,
But when you are well pleased.
Cleopatra
That Herod's head,
I'll have. But how, when Antony is gone
Through whom I might command it?
[To the Messenger] Come thou near.
1630Messenger
Most gracious majesty.
Cleopatra
Didst thou behold Octavia?
Messenger
Ay, dread Queen.
Cleopatra
Where?
Messenger
Madam, in Rome
I looked her in the face, and 1635saw her led
Between her brother and Mark Antony.
Cleopatra
Is she as tall as me?
Messenger
She is not, madam.
Cleopatra
Didst hear her speak? Is she shrill-tongued or low?
1640Messenger
Madam, I heard her speak; she is low-voiced.
Cleopatra
That's not so good. He cannot like her long.
Charmian
Like her? Oh, Isis, 'tis impossible!
Cleopatra
I think so, Charmian. Dull of tongue, and dwarfish;
What majesty is in her gait? Remember,
1645If e'er thou look'st on majesty.
Messenger
She creeps:
Her motion and her station are as one.
She shows a body rather than a life,
A statue than a breather.
Cleopatra
Is this certain?
1650Messenger
Or I have no observance.
Charmian
Three in Egypt
Cannot make better note.
Cleopatra
He's very knowing,
I do perceive't. There's nothing in her yet.
The fellow has good judgment.
1655Charmian
Excellent.
Cleopatra
[To the Messenger] Guess at her years, I prithee.
Messenger
Madam,
she was a widow.
Cleopatra
Widow? Charmian, hark.
Messenger
And I do think she's thirty.
1660Cleopatra
Bear'st thou her face in mind? Is't long or round?
Messenger
Round, even to faultiness.
Cleopatra
For the most part, too, they are foolish that are so.
Her hair, what color?
Messenger
Brown, madam; and her forehead
1665As low as she would wish it.
Cleopatra
There's gold for thee.
Thou must not take my former sharpness ill.
I will employ thee back again. I find thee
Most fit for business. Go, make thee ready,
1670Our letters are prepared.
[Exit Messenger].
Charmian
A proper man.
Cleopatra
Indeed he is so. I repent me much
That so I harried him. Why, methinks by him,
This creature's no such thing.
1675Charmian
Nothing, madam.
Cleopatra
The man hath seen some majesty, and should know.
Charmian
Hath he seen majesty? Isis else defend,
And serving you so long.
1680Cleopatra
I have one thing more to ask him yet, good Charmian.
But 'tis no matter, thou shalt bring him to me
Where I will write. All may be well enough.
Charmian
I warrant you, madam.
Exeunt.