Internet Shakespeare Editions

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Not Peer Reviewed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.