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    Not Peer Reviewed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)

    [4.2]
    Enter Antony, Cleopatra, Enobarbus, Charmian, 2410Iras, Alexas, with others.
    Antony
    He will not fight with me, Domitius?
    Enobarbus
    No.
    Antony
    Why should he not?
    Enobarbus
    He thinks, being twenty times of better fortune,
    2415He is twenty men to one.
    Antony
    Tomorrow, soldier,
    By sea and land I'll fight. Or I will live,
    Or bathe my dying honor in the blood
    Shall make it live again. Woot thou fight well?
    2420Enobarbus
    I'll strike, and cry "Take all!"
    Antony
    Well said. Come on!
    Call forth my household servants; let's tonight
    Be bounteous at our meal.
    Enter three or four Servitors.
    Give me thy hand,
    2425Thou hast been rightly honest; so hast thou,
    Thou, and thou, and thou. You have served me well,
    And kings have been your fellows.
    Cleopatra
    [Aside to Enobarbus] What means this?
    Enobarbus
    [Aside to Cleopatra] 'Tis one of those odd tricks which sorrow shoots
    2430Out of the mind.
    Antony
    And thou art honest too.
    I wish I could be made so many men,
    And all of you clapped up together in
    An Antony, that I might do you service
    2435So good as you have done.
    All Servitors
    The gods forbid!
    Antony
    Well, my good fellows, wait on me tonight.
    Scant not my cups, and make as much of me
    As when mine empire was your fellow too,
    2440And suffered my command.
    Cleopatra
    [Aside to Enobarbus] What does he mean?
    Enobarbus
    [Aside to Cleopatra] To make his followers weep.
    Antony
    Tend me tonight.
    Maybe it is the period of your duty.
    2445Haply you shall not see me more, or if--
    A mangled shadow. Perchance tomorrow
    You'll serve another master. I look on you
    As one that takes his leave. Mine honest friends,
    I turn you not away, but like a master
    2450Married to your good service, stay till death.
    Tend me tonight two hours, I ask no more,
    And the gods yield you for't.
    Enobarbus
    What mean you, sir,
    To give them this discomfort? Look, they weep;
    2455And I, an ass, am onion-eyed. For shame,
    Transform us not to women!
    Antony
    Ho, ho, ho!
    Now the witch take me, if I meant it thus.
    Grace grow where those drops fall, my hearty friends,
    2460You take me in too dolorous a sense.
    For I spake to you for your comfort, did desire you
    To burn this night with torches. Know, my hearts
    I hope well of tomorrow, and will lead you
    Where rather I'll expect victorious life
    2465Than death and honor. Let's to supper, come,
    And drown consideration!
    Exeunt.