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    Not Peer Reviewed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)

    [3.7]
    Enter Cleopatra and Enobarbus.
    Cleopatra
    I will be even with thee, doubt it not.
    1860Enobarbus
    But why, why, why?
    Cleopatra
    Thou hast forspoke my being in these wars,
    And say'st it is not fit.
    Enobarbus
    Well, is it, is it?
    Cleopatra
    If not denounced against us, why should not 1865we
    Be there in person?
    Enobarbus
    [Aside] Well, I could reply:
    If we should serve with horse and mares together,
    The horse were merely lost; the mares would bear
    A soldier and his horse.
    Cleopatra
    What is't you say?
    1870Enobarbus
    Your presence needs must puzzle Antony,
    Take from his heart, take from his brain, from's time,
    What should not then be spared. He is already
    Traduced for levity, and 'tis said in Rome
    That Photinus, an eunuch, and your maids
    1875Manage this war.
    Cleopatra
    Sink Rome, and their tongues rot
    That speak against us! A charge we bear i'th'war,
    And as the president of my kingdom will
    Appear there for a man. Speak not against it,
    1880I will not stay behind.
    Enobarbus
    Nay, I have done.
    Enter Antony and Camidius.
    Here comes the emperor.
    Antony
    Is it not strange, Camidius,
    That from Tarentum and Brundusium,
    1885He could so quickly cut the Ionian Sea
    And take in Toryne? You have heard on't, sweet?
    Cleopatra
    Celerity is never more admired
    Than by the negligent.
    Antony
    A good rebuke,
    1890Which might have well becomed the best of men,
    To taunt at slackness. Camidius, we
    Will fight with him by sea.
    Cleopatra
    By sea, what else?
    Camidius
    Why will my lord do so?
    1895Antony
    For that he dares us to't.
    Enobarbus
    So hath my lord dared him to single fight.
    Camidius
    Ay, and to wage this battle at Pharsalia,
    Where Caesar fought with Pompey. But these offers,
    Which serve not for his vantage, he shakes off,
    1900And so should you.
    Enobarbus
    Your ships are not well manned.
    Your mariners are muleteers, reapers, people
    Engrossed by swift impress. In Caesar's fleet
    Are those that often have 'gainst Pompey fought;
    1905Their ships are yare, yours heavy. No disgrace
    Shall fall you for refusing him at sea,
    Being prepared for land.
    Antony
    By sea, by sea!
    Enobarbus
    Most worthy sir, you therein throw away
    1910The absolute soldiership you have by land,
    Distract your army (which doth most consist
    Of war-marked footmen), leave unexecuted
    Your own renowned knowledge, quite forgo
    The way which promises assurance, and
    1915Give up yourself merely to chance and hazard
    From firm security.
    Antony
    I'll fight at sea.
    Cleopatra
    I have sixty sails, Caesar none better.
    Antony
    Our over-plus of shipping will we burn,
    1920And with the rest full-manned, from th'head of Actium
    Beat th'approaching Caesar. But if we fail,
    We then can do't at land.
    Enter a Messenger.
    Thy business?
    Messenger
    The news is true, my lord, he is descried.
    1925Caesar has taken Toryne.
    Antony
    Can he be there in person? 'Tis impossible;
    Strange that his power should be. Camidius,
    Our nineteen legions thou shalt hold by land,
    And our twelve thousand horse. We'll to our ship.
    1930Away, my Thetis.
    Enter [Scarrus] a Soldier.
    How now, worthy soldier?
    Scarrus
    Oh, noble emperor, do not fight by sea.
    Trust not to rotten planks. Do you misdoubt
    1935This sword and these my wounds? Let th'Egyptians
    And the Phoenicians go a-ducking; we
    Have used to conquer standing on the earth
    And fighting foot to foot.
    Antony
    Well, well, away.
    Exeunt Antony, Cleopatra, and Enobarbus.
    1940Scarrus
    By Hercules, I think I am i'th'right.
    Camidius
    Soldier, thou art; but his whole action grows
    Not in the power on't. So our leader's led,
    And we are women's men.
    Scarrus
    You keep by land
    The legions and the horse 1945whole, do you not?
    Camidius
    Marcus Octavius, Marcus Justeius,
    Publicola, and Caelius are for sea;
    But we keep whole by land. This speed of Caesar's
    Carries beyond belief.
    1950Scarrus
    While he was yet in Rome,
    His power went out in such distractions
    As beguiled all spies.
    Camidius
    Who's his lieutenant, hear you?
    Scarrus
    They say one Taurus.
    1955Camidius
    Well I know the man.
    Enter a Messenger.
    Messenger
    The emperor calls Camidius.
    Camidius
    With news the time's in labor,
    And throws forth each minute some.
    Exeunt.