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    Not Peer Reviewed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)

    [4.9]
    Alarum.
    Enter Antony again [with Soldiers, Drummers, and Trumpeters] in a march; Scarrus with others.
    Antony
    We have beat him to his camp. Run one 2650before,
    And let the queen know of our gests.
    [Exit a Soldier].
    Tomorrow
    Before the sun shall see's, we'll spill the blood
    That has today escaped. I thank you all,
    For doughty-handed are you, and have fought
    Not as you served the cause but as't had been
    2655Each man's like mine. You have shown all Hectors.
    Enter the city, clip your wives, your friends,
    Tell them your feats, whilst they with joyful tears
    Wash the congealment from your wounds and kiss
    The honoured gashes whole.
    2660Enter Cleopatra [with Charmian].
    [To Scarrus] Give me thy hand;
    To this great fairy, I'll commend thy acts,
    Make her thanks bless thee. [To Cleopatra, embracing her] Oh thou day o'th'world,
    Chain mine armed neck. Leap thou attire and all
    2665Through proof of harness to my heart, and there
    Ride on the pants triumphing.
    Cleopatra
    Lord of lords,
    O infinite virtue, com'st thou smiling from
    The world's great snare uncaught?
    2670Antony
    Mine nightingale,
    We have beat them to their beds. What, girl! Though gray
    Do something mingle with our younger brown, yet ha' we
    A brain that nourishes our nerves and can
    2675Get goal for goal of youth. Behold this man;
    Commend unto his lips thy savoring hand.
    Kiss it, my warrior.
    [Scarrus kisses Cleopatra's hand.]
    He hath fought today
    As if a god in hate of mankind had
    Destroyed in such a shape.
    2680Cleopatra
    I'll give thee, friend,
    An armor all of gold--it was a king's.
    Antony
    He has deserved it, were it carbuncled
    Like holy Phoebus's car. Give me thy hand.
    Through Alexandria make a jolly march;
    2685Bear our hacked targets like the men that owe them.
    Had our great palace the capacity
    To camp this host, we all would sup together
    And drink carouses to the next day's fate,
    Which promises royal peril. Trumpeters,
    2690With brazen din blast you the city's ear;
    Make mingle with our rattling taborins,
    That heaven and earth may strike their sounds together,
    Applauding our approach.
    [Trumpeters and Drummers sound.] Exeunt.