Internet Shakespeare Editions

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Not Peer Reviewed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.