Internet Shakespeare Editions

Author: William Shakespeare
Editor: Randall Martin
Not Peer Reviewed

Anthony and Cleopatra (Modern)

2575[4.6]
Flourish.
Enter Agrippa and Caesar with Enobarbus and Dolabella.
Caesar
Go forth, Agrippa, and begin the fight.
Our will is Antony be took alive:
Make it so known.
2580Agrippa
Caesar, I shall.
[Exit Agrippa].
Caesar
The time of universal peace is near.
Prove this a prosp'rous day, the three-nooked world
Shall bear the olive freely.
Enter a Messenger.
2585Messenger
Antony
Is come into the field.
Caesar
Go charge Agrippa
Plant those that have revolted in the van,
That Antony may seem to spend his fury
Upon himself.
Exeunt [all but Enobarbus].
2590Enobarbus
Alexas did revolt, and went to Jewry on
Affairs of Antony; there did dissuade
Great Herod to incline himself to Caesar
And leave his master Antony. For this pains
Caesar hath hanged him. Camidius and the rest
2595That fell away have entertainment, but
No honorable trust. I have done ill,
Of which I do accuse myself so sorely
That I will joy no more.
Enter a Soldier of Caesar's.
2600Soldier
Enobarbus, Antony
Hath after thee sent all thy treasure, with
His bounty over-plus. The messenger
Came on my guard, and at thy tent is now
Unloading of his mules.
2605Enobarbus
I give it you.
Soldier
Mock not, Enobarbus.
I tell you true. Best you safed the bringer
Out of the host; I must attend mine office,
Or would have done't myself. Your emperor
2610Continues still a Jove.
Exit.
Enobarbus
I am alone the villain of the earth,
And feel I am so most. Oh Antony,
Thou mine of bounty, how would'st thou have paid
My better service, when my turpitude
2615Thou dost so crown with gold? This blows my heart.
If swift thought break it not, a swifter mean
Shall out-strike thought; but thought will do't, I feel.
I fight against thee? No, I will go seek
Some ditch wherein to die. The foul'st best fits
2620My latter part of life.
Exit.