Antony and Cleopatra Act 1

ACT I.

SCENE I.

Alexandria.

A room in Cleopatra's palace. Enter Demetrius and Philo. Nay, but this dotage of our generals outflows the measure.

Those his goodly eyes, that o'er the files and musters of the war have glowed like plated mars, now bend, now turn, the office and devotion of their view upon a tawny front, his captain's heart, which in the scuffles of great fights hath burst the buckles on his breast, reneges all temper, and is become the bellows and the fan to cooler gypsy's lust.

Flourish. Enter Antony, Cleopatra, her ladies, the train with eunuchs fanning her.

Look where they come take but good note and you shall see in him the triple pillar of the world transformed into a strumpet's fool behold and see.

If it be love indeed tell me how much there's beggary in the love that can be reckoned i'll.

Set a bourne how far to.

Be beloved then must thou needs find out new heaven new.

Earth enter an attendant news.

My good lord from rome rates me the sum.

Nay hear them antony fulvia perchance is angry or who knows if the scarce bearded caesar have not sent his powerful mandate to you do this or this take in that kingdom and enfranchise that performed or else we damn.

Thee how my love.

Perchance nay and most like you must not stay here longer your dismission is come from caesar therefore hear it antony Where's Fulvius' process? Caesar's, I would say.

Both.

Call in the messengers. As I am Egypt's queen, thou blushest, Antony. And that blood of thine is Caesar's armager. Else so thy cheek pays shame when shrill-tongued Fulvius scolds. The messengers!

Let Rome in Tiber melt, and the wide arch of the ranged empire fall. Here is my space. Kingdoms are clay. Our dungy earth alike feeds beast as man. The nobleness of life is to do thus, when such a mutual pair.

Embracing.

And such a twain can do't, in which I bind, on pain of punishment, the world to wheat, we stand up peerless.

Excellent falsehood. Why did he marry Fulvia and not love her? I'll seem the fool I am not. Antony will be himself.

But stirred by cleopatra now for the love of love and her soft hours let's not confound the time with conference harsh there's not a minute of our lives should stretch without some pleasure now what sport to-night cleopatra hear the.

Ambassador's ambassador fie wrangling queen whom everything becomes to chide, to laugh, to weep, whose every passion fully strives to make itself in thee fair and admired.

No messenger but thine, and all alone to-night will wander through the streets and note the qualities of people. Come, my queen, last night you did desire it. Speak not to us.

Exuant Mark Antony and Cleopatra with their.

Train, Is Caesar with Antonius prized so slight?

Sir, sometimes, when he is not Antony, he comes too short of that great property which still should go with Antony.

I am full sorry that he approves the common liar who thus speaks of him at Rome, but I will hope of better deeds to-morrow. Rest you happy.

Exeunt.

Scene 2. The same. Another room. Enter Carmion, Iris. Alexis, and a soothsayer.

Lord Alexis, sweet Alexis, most anything Alexis, almost most absolute Alexis, where's the soothsayer that you praised so to the queen? Oh, that I knew this husband, which you say must charge his horns with garlands.

Soothsayer.

Your will?

Is this the man? Ist you, sir, that know things?

In nature's infinite book of secrecy, A little I can read.

Show him your hand.

Bring in the banquet quickly. Wine enough Cleopatra's health to drink.

Good sir, give me good fortune.

I make not, but foresee.

Pray then, foresee me one.

You shall be yet far fairer than you are.

He means in flesh.

No, you shall paint when you are old.

Wrinkles forbid.

Vex not his prescience. Be attentive.

Hush.

You shall be more beloved than beloved.

I had rather heat my liver with drinking.

Nay, hear him.

Good now, some excellent fortune. Let me be married to three kings in a forenoon, and widow them all. Let me have a child at fifty, to whom Herod of Jewry may do homage. Find me to marry me with Octavius Caesar, and companion me with my mistress.

You shall outlive the lady whom you serve.

Oh, excellent! I love long life better than figs.

You have seen and proved a fairer former fortune than that which is to approach.

Then, belike my children, shall have no names. Prithee, how many boys and wenches must I have?

If every of your wishes had a womb, and fertile every wish, a million.

Out, fool!

I forgive thee for a witch.

You think none but your sheets are privy to your wishes?

Nay, come, tell Iris hers.

We'll know all our fortunes.

Mine, and most of our fortunes, tonight shall be drunk to bed.

There's a palm presages chastity of nothing else.

E'en as the o'erflowing Nihilus presageth famine.

Go, you wild bedfellow, you cannot soothsay.

Nay, if an oily palm be not a fruitful prognostication, I cannot scratch mine ear. Prithee. Tell her about a worky day fortune.

Your fortunes are alike.

But how? But how? Give me particulars.

I have said.

Am I not an inch of fortune better than she?

Well, if you were but an inch of fortune better than I, where would you choose it?

Not in my husband's nose.

Our worser thoughts heavens mend. Alexis, come, his fortune, his fortune. Oh, let him marry a woman that cannot go. Sweet Isis, I beseech thee. and let her die too, and give him a worse, and let worst follow worse, till the worst of all follow him laughing to his grave, fiftyfold a cuckold. Good Isis, hear me this prayer, though thou deny me a matter of more weight. Good Isis, I beseech thee.

Amen. Dear goddess, hear that prayer of the people, for as it is a heart-breaking to see a handsome man loose-wived, so it is a deadly sorrow to behold a foul knave uncuckolded. Therefore, dear Isis, keep decorum, and fortune him accordingly.

Amen.

Lo, now if it lay in their hands to make me a cuckold, they would make themselves whores, but they'll do it.

Hush, here comes Antony.

Not he, the queen.

Enter Cleopatra.

Saw you, my lord?

No, lady.

Was he not here?

No, madam.

He was disposed to mirth. But on the sudden a Roman thought hath struck him. Inobarbus.

Madam?

Seek him and bring him hither where's alexis.

Here at your service my lord approaches.

We will not look upon him go with.

Us ex enter mark antony with a messenger and attendants.

Fulvia thy wife first came into the field.

Against my brother lucius ay but soon that war had end and the times state made friends of them joining their force gain caesar whose better issue in the war from Italy, upon the first encounter.

Drave them.

Well, what worst?

The nature of bad news infects the teller.

When it concerns the fool or coward. On, things that are past are done with me. Tis thus, who tells me true, though in his tale lie death, I hear him as he flattered.

Labienus, this is stiff news. hath with his parthian force extended asia from euphrates his conquering banner shook from syria to lydia and to ionia.

Whilst anthony thou wouldst say.

O my lord speak to.

Me home mince not the general tongue name cleopatra as she is called in rome rail thou in fulvius frays and taunt my faults with such full licence as both truth and malice have power to utter oh then we bring forth weeds when our quick minds lie still and our ills told us is as our earing fare thee well awhile.

At your noble pleasure.

Exit from sicyon ho the news speak there.

The man from sicyon Is there such a one?

He stays upon your will.

Let him appear. These strong Egyptian fetters, I must... break, or lose myself in dotage.

Enter another messenger.

What are you?

Fulvia, thy wife is dead.

Where died she?

In Sicyon, her.

Length of sickness.

With what else more serious importeth thee to know the spares?

Gives a letter.' Forbear me,' exit second messenger.

There' s a great spirit gone.' Thus did I desire it.' What our contempt doth often hurl from us,' we wish it ours again.' The present pleasure, by revolution lowering, 'does become the opposite of itself.' She' s good being gone.' The hand could pluck her back that shoved her on.' I must from this enchanting queen break off.' Ten thousand harms, more than the ills I know, My idleness doth hatch.

How now? Enobarbus?

Re-entered Domitius Enobarbus.

What's your pleasure, sir?

I must with haste from hence.

Why, then we kill all our women. We see how mortal and unkindness it is to them. If they suffer our departure, death's the word.

I must be gone.

Under a compelling occasion, let women die. It were pity to cast them away for nothing. though between them and a great cause they should be esteemed nothing cleopatra catching but the least noise of this dies instantly i have seen her die twenty times upon far poorer moment i do think there is metal in death which commits some loving act upon her she hath such a celerity in dying.

She is cunning past man's.

Thought exit alexis alack sir no her passions are made of nothing but the finest part of pure love We cannot call her winds and waters sighs and tears. They are greater storms and tempests than almanacs can report. This cannot be cunning in her. If it be, she makes a shower of rain as well as Jove.

Would I had never seen her!

Oh, sir, you had then left unseen a wonderful piece of work, which, not to have been blessed with all, would have discredited your travel.

Fulvia is dead.

Sir?

Fulvia is dead.

Fulvia?

Dead.

Why, sir, give the gods a thankful sacrifice. When it pleases their deities to take the wife of a man from him, it shows to man the tailors of the earth, comforting therein, that when old robes are worn out, there are members to make new. If there were no more women but Fulvia, then had you indeed a cut and a case to be lamented. This grief is crowned with consolation.

Your old smock brings forth a new petticoat, and indeed the tears live in an onion that should water this sorrow.

The business she hath broached in the state cannot endure my absence.

And the business you have broached here cannot be without you, especially that of Cleopatra's, which wholly depends on your abode.

No more light answers. Let our officers have notice what we purpose. I shall break the cause our expedience to the queen, and get her leave to part. For not alone the lethophobia, with more urgent touches, do strongly speak to us. but the letters too of our many contriving friends in rome petition us at home sextus pompeius hath given the dare to caesar and commands the empire of the sea our slippery people whose love is never linked to the deserver till his deserts are past begin to throw pompey the great and all his dignities upon his son Who, high in name and power, higher than both in blood and life, stands up for the main soldier, whose quality, going on the sides of the world, may danger.

Much is breeding, which, like the coarser's hair, hath yet but life, and not a serpent's poison. Say, our pleasure, to such whose place is under us, requires our quick remove from hence.

I shall do it.

Exeunt.

Scene 3.

The Same. Another room. Enter Cleopatra, Carmion, Iris, and Alexis.

Where is he?

I did not see him since.

See where he is, who's with him, what he does. I did not send you. If you find him sad, say I am dancing. If in mirth, report that I am sudden sick. Quick, and return.

Exit Alexis.

Madam, methinks if you did love him dearly. You do not hold the method to enforce the like from him.

What should I do, I do not.

In each thing give him way, cross him nothing.

Thou teachest like a fool the way to lose him.

Tempt him not so too far, I wish forbear. In time we hate that which we often fear. But here comes Antony.

Enter Mark Antony.

I am sick and sullen.

I am sorry to give breathing to my purpose.

Help me away, dear Carmion. I shall fall. It cannot be thus long. The sides of nature will not sustain it.

Now, my dearest.

Queen— Pray you, stand further from me.

What's the matter?

I know by that same eye there's some good news. What says the married woman? You may go. Would she had never given you leave to come? Let her not say tis I that keep you here. I have no power upon you. Hers you are.

The gods best know— Oh, never was.

There queen so mightily betrayed. Yet at the first I saw the treasons planted.

Cleopatra.

Why should I think you can be mine and true, though you in swearing shake the throned gods, who have been false to Fulvia? Riotous madness, to be entangled with those mouth-made vows which break themselves in swearing.

Most sweet queen.

Nay, pray you. Seek no color for your going, but bid farewell and go. When you sued staying, then was the time for words. No going then. Eternity was in our lips and eyes, bliss in our brows bent. None our parts, so poor but was a race of heaven. They are so still. O thou, the greatest soldier of the world, art turned the greatest liar.

How now, lady?

I would I had thy inches. Thou shouldst know there were a heart in Egypt.

Hear me, Queen. The strong necessity of time commands our services a while, but my full heart remains in use with you.' our italy shines o'er with civil swords sextus pompeius makes his approaches to the port of rome a quality of two domestic powers breeds scrupulous faction the hated grown to strength are newly grown to love the condemned pompey rich in his father's honour creeps apace into the hearts of such as have not thrived upon the present state whose numbers threaten and quietness grown sick of rest would purge by any desperate change my more particular and that which most with you should safe my going is fulvia's death though age.

From folly could not give me freedom it does from childishness can fulvia.

Die she's dead my queen look here and at thy sovereign leisure read the garboils she awaked at the last best see when and where she died o.

Most false love where be the sacred vials thou shouldst fill with sorrowful water now i see i see in fulvia's death how mine received shall.

Be quarrel no more but be prepar'd to know the purposes i bear which are or cease as you shall give the advice By the fire that quickens nihilist slime, I go from hence thy soldier's servant, Making peace or war, as thou affectest.

Cut my lace, Commie, and come. But let it be. I am quickly ill, and well. So Antony loves.

My precious queen, forbear, And give true evidence to his love Which stands an honourable trial.

So Fulvia told me. I prithee, turn aside and weep for her. Then bid adieu to me, and say the tears belong to Egypt. Good now, play one scene of excellent dissembling, and let it look life-perfect honour.

You'll heat my blood. No more.

You can do better yet. But this is meetly.

Now, by my sword.

And target. Still he mends, but this is not the best. Look, prithee, Carmion, how this Herculean Roman does become the carriage of his chaff.

I'll leave you, lady.

Courteous lord, one word. Sir, you and I must part, but that's not it. Sir, you and I have loved, but there's not it. That you know well. Something it is I would. Oh, my oblivion is a very Antony, and I am all forgotten.

But that your royalty holds idleness your subject, I should take you for idleness itself.

Tis sweating labour to bear such idleness so near the heart as Cleopatra this. But, sir, forgive me. Since my becomings kill me when they do not eye well to you. Your honour calls you hence, therefore be deaf to my unpitied folly. In all the gods go with you. Upon your sword sit laurel victory, and smooth success be strewed before your feet.

Let us go. Come. Our separation so abides and flies, that thou, residing here, go'st yet with me and i hence fleeting here remain with thee away scene.

Four rome octavius caesar's house enter octavius caesar reading a letter lepidus and their train.

You may see lepidus and henceforth know It is not Caesar's natural vice to hate our great competitor. From Alexandria this is the news. He fishes, drinks, and wastes the lamps of night in revel. Is not more manlike than Cleopatra? Nor the queen of Ptolemy more womanly than he? Hardly gave audience, or vouchsafe to think, he had partners. You shall find there a man who is the abstract of all faults that all men follow.

I must not think there are evils in now to darken all his goodness his faults in him seem as the spots of heaven more fiery by night's blackness hereditary rather than purchased what he cannot change than what he chooses you.

Are too indulgent let us grant it is not amiss to tumble on the bed of ptolemy to give a kingdom for a mirth to sit and keep the turn of tippling with a slave to reel the streets at noon, and stand the buffet with knaves that smell of sweat. Say this becomes him, as his composure must be rare indeed, whom these things cannot blemish. Yet must Antony no way excuse his soils, when we do bear so great weight in his lightness? If he filled his vacancy with his voluptuousness, full surfeits and the dryness of his bones call on him for it. but to confound such time that drums him from his sport and speaks as loud as his own state and ours tis to be cheer'd as we rate boys who being mature in knowledge pawn their experience

to their present pleasure and so rebel to judgment.

Enter a messenger here's more.

News thy biddings have been done and every hour most noble caesar shalt thou have report how tis abroad pompey is strong at sea and it appears he is beloved of those that only have feared caesar to the ports the discontents repair and men's reports give him much wronged.

I should have known no less it hath been taught us from the primal state that he which is was wished until he were and the ebbed man ne'er loved till ne'er worth love comes dared by being lacked This common body, like to a vagabond flag upon the stream, goes to and back, lackeying the varying tide to rot itself with motion.

Caesar, I bring thee word. Menecrates and Menas, famous pirates, make the sea serve them, which they ear and wound with keels of every kind. Many hot inroads they make in Italy. The borders maritime lack blood to think on't. and flush youth revolt no vessel can peep forth but tis as soon taken as seen for pompey's name strikes more than could his war resisted.

Antony leave thy lascivious wassails when thou once wast beaten from medina where thou slewest hirtius and pansa consuls at thy heel did famine follow whom thou fought'st against, though daintily brought up, with patience more than savages could suffer. Thou didst drink the stale of horses, and the gilded puddle which beasts would cough at. Thy palate then did deign the roughest berry on the rudest hedge. Yea, like the stag, when snow the pasture sheaths, the barks of trees thou browsedst. On the Alps, it is reported, thou didst eat strange flesh, which some did die to look on.

And all this— it wounds thine honour that I speak it now— was born so like a soldier, that thy cheek so much as lanked not.

Tis pity of him.

Let his shames quickly drive him to Rome. Tis time we twain did show ourselves in the field. And to that end assemble we immediate counsel. Pompey thrives in our idleness.

Tomorrow, Caesar, I shall be furnished to inform you rightly both what by sea and land I can be able to front this present time.

Till which encounter it is my business too.

Farewell.

Farewell, my lord. What you shall know, meantime, of stirs abroad, I shall beseech you, sir, to let me be partaker.

Doubt not, sir. I knew it for my bond.

Excellent. Scene 5. Alexandria, Cleopatra's Palace. Enter Cleopatra, Carmion, Iris, and Mardion.

Carmion.

Madam.

Ha ha, give me to drink, Mandragora.

Why, madam?

That I might sleep out this great gap of time my Antony is away.

You think of him too much.

Oh, tis treason.

Madam, I trust not so.

Thou, eunuch Mardion.

What's your highness' pleasure?

Not now to hear thee sing. i take no pleasure in art and unicars tis well for thee that being unseminar'd thy freer thoughts may not fly forth of egypt hast thou affections.

Yes gracious madam indeed not indeed madam for i can do nothing but what indeed is honest to be done yet i have fierce affections And think what Venus did with Mars.

O Carmion, where thinkest thou he is now? Stands he, or sits he, or does he walk? Or is he on his horse? O happy horse to bear the weight of Antony! Do bravely, horse. For what's thou whom thou movest? The demi-atlas of this earth, the arm and burgeonette of men. He's speaking now, or murmuring. Where's my serpent of old Nile?

For so he calls me. Now I feed myself with most delicious poison. Think on me that am with Phoebus's amorous pinches black and wrinkled deep in time. Broad-fronted Caesar, when thou wast here above the ground, I was a morsel for a monarch. And great Pompey would stand and make his eyes grow in my brow. There would he anchor his aspect and die with looking on his life.

Enter Alexis from Octavius Caesar.

Sovereign of Egypt, hail!

How much unlike art thou, Mark Antony! Yet coming from him that great medicine hath with his tinct gilded thee. How goes it with my brave Mark Antony?

Last thing he did, dear queen, he kissed, the last of many doubled kisses, this orient pearl. His speech sticks in my heart.

Mine ear must pluck it thence.

Good friend, quoth he. say the firm roman to great egypt sends this treasure of an oyster at whose foot to mend the petty present i will piece her opulent thrones with kingdoms all the east say thou shall call her mistress so he nodded and soberly did mount an arm gaunt steed who neighed so high that what i would have spoke was beastly dumbed by him.

What was he sad or merry like to.

The time of year between the extremes of hot and cold. He was nor sad, nor merry.

O well-divided disposition! Note him, note him, good Carmion. Tis the man. But note him. He was not sad, for he would shine on those that make their looks by his. He was not merry, which seemed to tell them his remembrance lay in Egypt with his joy. But between both, O heavenly mingle! Be'st thou sad or merry? the violence of either thee becomes. So does it no man else.

Mettest thou my posts?

Ay, madame, twenty several messengers. Why do you send so thick?

Who was born that day, when I forget to send to Antony, shall die a beggar? Incan paper, Carmion. Welcome, my good Alexis. Did I, Carmion, ever love Caesar so?

Oh, that brave Caesar!

Be choked with such another emphasis say the brave antony.

The valiant caesar.

By isis i will give thee bloody teeth if thou wouldst seize a paragon again my man of men by.

Your most gracious pardon i sing.

But after you my salad days when i was green in judgment cold in blood to say as i said then but come away get me ink and paper he shall have every day a several greeting or I'll on people Egypt.

Exeunt. End of Act 1

Antony and Cleopatra Act 1

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