Antony and Cleopatra Act 4

ACT IV SCENE I BEFORE ALEXANDRIA, OCTAVIUS CAESAR'S CAMP Enter Octavius Caesar, Agrippa, and Mechanus with his army. Octavius Caesar reading a letter.

He calls me boy, and chides as he has power to beat me out of Egypt. My messenger, he hath whipped with rods, dares me to personal combat, Caesar to Antony. Let the old ruffian know I have many other ways to die. Meantime, laugh at his challenge.

Caesar must think, when one so great begins to rage, he's hunted even to falling. Give him no breath. But now make boot of his distraction. Never anger made good guard for itself.

Let our best heads know that to-morrow the last of many battles we mean to fight. Within our files there are of those that served Mark Antony but late, enough to fetch him in. See it done, and feast the army. We have store to do it, and they have earned the waste. Poor Antony!

EXUANT SCENE II. ALEXANDRIA Cleopatra's palace. Enter Mark Antony, Cleopatra, Domitius Anabarbus, Carmion, Iris, Alexis, with others.

He will not fight with me, Domitius. No. Why should he not?

He thinks, being twenty times of better fortune, he is twenty men to one.

To-morrow, soldier, by sea and land I'll fight, or I will live, or bathe my dying honour in the blood that shall make it live again. Wilt thou fight well?

I'll strike, and cry, Take all.

Well said. Come on, call forth my household servants. Let's to-night be bounteous at our meal.

Enter three or four servitors.

Give me thy hand. Thou hast been rightly honest. So hast thou, thou, and thou, and thou. You have served me well, and kings have been your fellows.

Aside to Domitius and Ababas.

What means this?

Aside to Cleopatra.

It is one of those odd tricks which sorrow shoots out of the mind.

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 so good as you have done. The gods forbid! 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. and suffered my.

Command aside to domitius anabarpus what does he mean aside to cleopatra to.

Make his followers weep tend me to-night may it be the period of your duty haply you shall not see me more or if a mangled shadow perchance to-morrow 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 married to your good service stay till death tend me to-night two hours i ask no more and the gods yield you for't.

What mean you sir to give them this discomfort look they weep and i an ass am onion-eyed for shame transform us not to women.

Ho ho ho now the witch take me if i meant it thus grace grow where those drops fall My hearty friends, you take me in too dolorous a sense, for I speak to you for your comfort. Did desire you to burn this night with torches? No, my hearts, I hope well of to-morrow, and will lead you where rather I expect victorious life than death and honour. Let's to supper, come and drown consideration.

EXUANT SCENE III THE SAME BEFORE THE PALACE Enter two soldiers to their guard.

Brother, good night. Tomorrow is the day.

It will determine one way. Fare you well. Heard you of nothing strange about the streets?

Nothing.

What news?

Be like tis but a rumour. Good night to you.

Well, sir, good night.

Enter two other soldiers.

Soldiers, have careful watch.

And you. Good night. Good night.

They place themselves in every corner of the stage.

Here we, and if tomorrow our navy thrive, I have an absolute hope our landmen will stand up. Tis a brave arm, and full of purpose.

Music of the haught boys as under the stage.

Peace? What noise? List! List! Hark!

Music of the air.

Under the earth? It signs well, does it not? No.

Peace, I say. What should this mean?

Tis the god Hercules, whom Anthony loved, now leaves him.

Walk.

Let's see if other watchmen do hear what we do.

They advance to another post.

How now, masters?

Speaking together.

How now?

Do you hear this?

Aye.

It's not strange. Do you hear, masters?

Do you hear?

Follow the noise so far as we have quarter. Let's see how it will give off.

Content.

Tis strange.

Exeunt. Scene 4. The same. A room in the palace. Enter Mark Antony and Cleopatra, Carmion and others attending.

Eros, mine armour, Eros.

Sleep a little.

No, my chuck, Eros, come. Mine armour, Eros.

Enter Eros with armour.

Come, good fellow, put mine iron on. If fortune be not ours today, it is because we brave her. Come.

Nay, I'll help too. What's this for?

Ah, let be, let be, thou art the armourer of my heart. False, false, this, this.

Soothe, la, I'll help. Thus it must be.

Well, well, we shall thrive now. Seest thou, my good fellow, go put on thy defences.

Briefly, sir.

Is not this buckled well?

Rarely, rarely. he that unbuckles this till we do please to daft through our repose shall hear a storm thou fumblest eros and my queen's esquire more tight at this than thou dispatch o love that thou couldst see my wars to-day and use the royal occupation thou shouldst see a.

Workman enter an armed soldier good.

Morrow to thee welcome thou look'st like him that knows a warlike charge The business that we love we rise betime, and go to it with delight. A thousand, sir.

Early thought be have on their riveted trim, and at the port expect you.

Shout.

Trumpets flourish. Enter captains and soldiers.

The morn is fair.

Good morrow, General.

Good morrow, General. Tis well blown, lads. This morning, like the spirit of a youth that means to be of note, begins betimes. So, so, come, give me that. This way. Well said. Fare thee well, dame. What e'er becomes of me, this is the soldier's kiss. Rebukable.

Kisses her.

Unworthy shameful check it were to stand on more mechanic compliment. I'll leave thee now like a man of steel. You that will fight, follow me close. I'll bring you to it. Adieu.

Adieu.

Exuant Mark Antony, Eros, captains and soldiers.

Please you, retire to your chamber.

Lead me. He goes forth gallantly. That he and Caesar might determine this great war in single fight. Then Antony.

But now. Well on. Exuant.

Scene 5. Alexandria. Mark Antony's camp. Trumpets sound. Enter Mark Antony and Eros, a soldier, meeting them.

The gods make this a happy day to Antony.

Would thou and those thy scars have once prevailed to make me fight at land?

Hadst thou done so, the kings that have revolted and the soldier that has this morning left thee would have still followed thy heels.

Who's gone this morning? Who?

One ever near thee. Call for Eno Barbas. He shall not hear thee, or from Caesar's camp, say, I am none of thine.

What sayest thou? Sir.

He is with Caesar.

Sir, his chests and treasure he has not with him.

Is he gone?

Most certain.

Go, Eros, send his treasure after. Do it. Detain no jot, I charge thee. Write to him. I will subscribe. Gentle adieus and greetings. Say that I wish he never find more cause to change a master. Oh, my fortunes have corrupted honest men. Dispatch. Enobarbus. Exuant.

Scene 6. Alexandria. Octavius Caesar's camp. Flourish. Enter Octavius Caesar, Agrippa, with the anabarbus and others.

Go forth agrippa and begin the fight our will is antony betook alive make.

It so known caesar i shall.

The time of universal peace is near. Prove this a prosperous day. The three-nooked world shall bear the olive freely.

Enter a messenger.

Antony is come into the field.

Go, charge Agrippa, plant those that have revolted in the van, that Antony may seem to spend his fury upon himself.

Excerpt all but to Mityus Anabarbus.

Alexis did revolt, and went to jury on affairs of Antony. There did persuade great Herod to incline himself to Caesar, and leave his master Antony, for this pains Caesar hath hanged him. Canidius and the rest that fell away have entertainment, but no honourable trust. I have done ill, of which I do accuse myself so sorely, that I will join no more.

Enter a soldier of Caesar's.

Enubarbus, Antony hath after thee sent all thy treasure, with his bounty overplus. The messenger came on my guard, and at thy tent is now unloading of his mules.

I give it you.

Mock not, Eno Barbas. I tell you true. Best you safe the bringer out of the host. I must attend mine office, or would have done it myself. Your emperor continues still a jove.

Exit.

I am alone the villain of the earth, and feel I am so most. O Antony, thou mine of bounty! How wouldst thou have paid my better service, When my turpitude thou dost so crown with gold? This blows my heart. If swift thou break it not, A swifter mean shall outstrike thought, But thought will do it, I feel. I fight against thee. No, I will go seek some ditch wherein to die. The foulest best fits my latter part of life.

EXIT SCENE VII FIELD OF BATTLE BETWEEN THE CAMPS ALARM DRUMS AND TRUMPETS Enter Agrippa and others.

Retire, we have engaged ourselves too far.

Caesar himself has work, and our oppression exceeds what we expected.

Exuant. Alarms.

Enter Mark Antony and Scarus wounded.

Oh, my brave emperor, this is fought indeed. Had we done so at first, we had driven them home with clouts about their heads.

Thou bleedest apace.

I had a wound here that was like a teeth. But now tis maiden age.

They do retire.

We'll beat them into bench-holes. I have yet room for six scotches more.

Enter Eros.

They are beaten, sir, and our advantage serves for a fair victory.

Let us score their backs, and snatch them up as we take hairs behind. Tis sport to maul a runner.

I will reward thee once for thy sprightly comfort, and tenfold for thy good valour. Come thee on.

I'll halt after.

Exeunt. Scene 8. Under the Walls of Alexandria.

Alarum.

Enter Mark Antony in a march, Scarus with others.

We have beat him to his camp. Run one before, and let the Queen know of our guests. Tomorrow, before the sun shall see us, we will spill the blood that has to-day escaped. I thank you all, for doughty-handed are you, and have fought not as you served the cause. But as it had been, each man's like mine. You have shown all Hector's. 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 gash's hole.

To Scarus.

Give me thy hand.

Enter Cleopatra, attended.

To this great fairy I'll commend thy acts. Make her thanks bless thee.

To Cleopatra.

O thou day of the world, chain mine armed neck. Leap thou, attire and all, through proof of harness to my heart, and there ride on the pants triumphing.

Lord of lords, O infinite virtue, comest thou smiling from the world's greatest snare uncaught.

My nightingale, we have beat them to their beds. What, girl, though grey do sometime mingle with our younger brown, yet are we a brain that nourishes our nerves? and can get gold for gold of youth. Behold this man. Commend unto his lips thy favouring hand. Kiss it, my warrior. He hath fought to-day as if a god, in hate of mankind, had destroyed in such a shape.

I'll give thee, friend, an armour all of gold. It was a king's.

He has deserved it, worried carbuncled like holy Phoebus' car. Give me thy hand, though Alexandria make a jolly march. Be at 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 carousers to the next day's fate, which promises royal peril. Trumpeters with brazen din blast you the city's ear, make mingle with rattling tambourines, that heaven and earth may strike their sounds together, applauding our approach.

EXUENT SCENE NINE Octavius Caesar's camp. Sentinels at their post.

If we be not relieved within this hour, we must return to the court of guard. The night is shiny, and they say we shall embattle by the second hour of the morn.

This last day was a shrewd one-two's.

Enter Domitius Anabarbus.

O bear me witness, knight.

What man is this?

Stand close and list him.

Be witness to me, O thou blessed moon. When men revolted shall upon record bear hateful memory, Poor Enobarbus did before thy face repent.

Enobarbus! Peace!

Hark further!

O sovereign mistress of true melancholy, The poisonous damp of night dispunge upon me, That life, a very rebel to my will, may hang no longer on me, Throw my heart against the flint and hardness of my fault, Which, being dried with grief, will break to powder, And finish all foul thoughts. O Antony, nobler than my revolt is infamous, forgive me in thine own particular, but let the world rank me in register, a master leaver and a fugitive.

O Antony, O Antony.

Dies.

Let's speak to him.

Let's hear him for the things he speaks. May concern Caesar.

Let's do so.

But he sleeps. Swoons, rather, for so bad a prayer as his was never yet for sleep.

Go we to him.

Awake, sir, awake!

Speak to us.

Hear you, sir?

The hand of death hath wrought him.

Drums afar off.

Hark, the drums! Demurely wake the sleepers. Let us bear him to the court of guard. He is of note. Our hour is fully out.

Come on, then.

He may recover yet.

Exuant with the body. Scene ten. Between the two camps. Enter Mark Antony and Scarus with their army.

Their preparation is to-day by sea. We please them not by land.

For both, my lord.

I would they'll fight i' the fire or i' the air. We'll fight them there too. But this it is. Our foot upon the hills adjoining to the city shall stay with us. Order for sea is given. We have put forth the haven, where their appointment we may best discover and look on their endeavour.

Excellent. Scene 11. Another part of the same. Enter Octavius Caesar and his army.

But being charged, we will be still by land, which, as I take it, we shall, for his best force is forth to man his galleys, to the vales, and hold our best advantage.

Exeunt. Scene 12. Another part of the same. Enter Mark Antony and Scarus.

Yet they are not joined. Where yon pinder stand, I shall discover all. I'll bring thee words straight How tis like to go.

Exit.

Swallows have built and Cleopatra sails their nests. The augurers say they know not, they cannot tell, look grimly and dare not speak their knowledge. Antony is valiant and dejected, and by starts his fretted fortunes give him hope and fear of what he has.

And has not. Alarm afar off, as at a sea-fight. Re-enter Mark Antony.

All is lost. This foul Egyptian hath betrayed me. My fleet hath yielded to the foe, and yonder they cast their caps up and carouse together like friends long lost. Triple-turned whore! Tis thou hast sold me to this novice, and my heart makes only wars on thee. Bid them all fly, for when I am revenged upon my charm, I have done all. Bid them all fly. Be gone!

Exit Scarus.

Oh, son, thy uprise shall I see no more. Fortune and Antony part here. Even here do we shake hands. All come to this? The hearts that spangled me at heels, to whom I gave their wishes, do to Scandi melt their sweets on blossoming Caesar. And his pine is barked that overtopped them all. Betrayed I am. Oh, this false soul!

of egypt this grave charm whose eye beck'd forth my wars and call'd them home whose bosom was my crownet my chief end like a right gipsy hath at fast and loose beguiled me to the very heart of loss.

What eros eros Enter Cleopatra.

Ah, thou spell! Avant!

Why is my lord enraged against his love?

Oh! Vanish, or I shall give thee thy deserving and unblemished Caesar's triumph. Let him take thee, and hoist thee up to the shouting plebeians. Follow his chariot like the greatest spot of all thy sex. Most monster-like be shown for poorest diminutives, for doits. and let patient octavia plough thy visits up with her prepared.

Nails exit cleopatra tis.

Well thou art gone if it be well to live but better twere thou fellest into my fury for one death might have prevented many eros ho the shirt of nessus is upon me teach me alcides thou mine ancestor thy rage let me lodge lycus on the horns of the moon And with those hands that grasp the heaviest club, Subdue my worthiest self. The witch shall die. To this young Roman boy she hath sold me, And I fall under this plot. She dies for it. Eros, ho!

EXIT SCENE XIII. ALEXANDRIA. CLEOPATRA'S PALACE Enter Cleopatra, Carmion, Iris, and Mardion.

Help me, my women! Oh, he is more mad than Telamon for his shield. The boar of Thessaly was never so embossed.

To the monument.

There lock yourself, and send him word you are dead.

The soul and body writhe not more in parting than greatness going off.

To the monument. Madian, go tell him I have slain myself. Say that the last word I spoke was Antony. I word it pretty piteously. Hence, Madian. bring me how he takes my death to the monument.

Scene fourteen the same another room enter mark antony and eros.

Eros thou yet beholdest.

Me eros ay noble lord.

Sometimes we see a cloud that's dragonish a vapour sometimes like a bear or lion a tower'd citadel a pendent rock a forked mountain or blue from a tree with trees upon't that nod unto the world, and mock our eyes with air. Thou hast seen these signs, they are black Vespers' pageants. Aye, my lord. That which is now a horse, even with a thought the rack dislimbs, and makes it indistinct, as water is in water.

It does, my lord.

My good knave Eros, now thy captain is, even such a body. Here I am, Antony. It cannot hold this visible shape, my knave. I made these wars for Egypt and the queen, whose heart I thought I had, for she had mine, which, whilst it was mine, had annexed unto it a million more, now lost. She, Eros, has packed cards with Caesar and false-played my glory unto an enemy's triumph. Nay, weep not, gentle Eros. There is left us ourselves to end ourselves. Enter Martin. O, thy vile lady, she has robbed me of my sword.

No, Antony, my mistress loved thee, and her fortunes mingled with thine entirely.

Hence, saucy eunuch, peace. She hath betrayed me, and shall die the death.

Death of one person can be paid but once and that she has discharged what thou wouldst do is done unto thy hand the last she spake was anthony most noble anthony then in the midst a tearing groan did break the name of anthony it was divided between her heart and lips She rendered life, thy name so buried in her.

Dead, then? Dead. Unarm, Eros. The long day's task is done, and we must sleep.

To Martian.

That thou departest hence safe does pay thy labour richly. Go.

Exit, Martian.

Off, pluck off. The sevenfold shield of Ajax cannot keep the battery from my heart. oh cleave my sides heart once be stronger than thy continent crack thy frail case apace eros apace no more a soldier bruised pieces go you have been nobly borne from.

Me awhile exit eros i.

Will o'ertake thee cleopatra and weep for my pardon so it must be for now all length is torture since the torch is out lie down and stray no farther no labour mars what it does yea very force entangles itself with strength seal then and all is done eros i come my queen eros stay for me where souls do couch on flowers we'll hand in hand and with our sprightly port make the ghosts gaze dido and herineus shall want troops and all the haunt be ours come eros Eros.

Re-enter Eros.

What would, my lord?

Since Cleopatra died, I have lived in such dishonor that the gods detest my baseness. I, that with my sword quartered the world, and all green Neptunes backed with ships made cities, condemn myself to lack the courage of a woman, less noble mind than she, which by her death, our Caesar tells, I am the conqueror of myself. Thou art sworn, Eros, that when the exigent should come, which now is come indeed, when I should see behind me the inevitable prosecution of disgrace and horror, that on my command thou then wouldst kill me, do it. The time is come. Thou strikest not me, tis Caesar thou defeatest. Put colour in thy cheek.

The gods withhold me. Shall I do that which all the Parthian darts, though enemy, lost aim and could not?

Eros. Wouldst thou be windowed in great Rome, and see thy master thus, with pleacherd arms, bending down his corrigible neck, his face subdued to penetrative shame, whilst the wheeled seat of fortunate Caesar, drawn before him, branded his baseness that ensued?

I would not see it.

Come then, for with a wound I must be cured. Draw that thy honest sword, which thou hast worn, most useful for thy country. O, sir— Pardon me. When I did make thee free, sworest thou not then to do this when I bade thee? Do it at once, or thy precedent services are all but accidents unpurposed. Draw and come.

Turn from me, then, that noble countenance wherein the worship of the whole world lies.

Lo thee!

Turning from him.

My sword is drawn.

Then do it at once, the thing why thou hast drawn it.

My dear master— My captain and my emperor let me say, before I strike this bloody stroke, farewell.

She said, man, and farewell.

Farewell, great chief. Shall I strike now?

Now, Eros. Why, there then.

Thus I do escape the sorrow of Antony's death.

Kills himself ah thrice nobler than myself thou teachest me o valiant eros what i should and thou couldst not my queen and eros have by their brave instruction got upon me a nobleness in record but i will be a bridegroom in my death and run into it as to a lover's bed come then and eros thy master dies thy scholar.

To do thus falling on his sword.

I learnt of thee ah not dead not dead the guard ho ho despatch me enter deicetus and guard what's the noise i've done my work in friends oh make an end of what i've begun the star is fallen and time is at its period alas and woe Let him that loves me strike me dead. Not I.

Nor I.

Nor anyone.

Exeunt guard.

Thy death and fortunes bid thy followers fly. This sword, but shown to Caesar with his tidings, shall enter me with him.

Enter Diomedes.

Where is Anthony?

There, Diomedes, there.

Libsy, wilt thou not answer man?

Exit Dersetus.

Art thou there, Diomedes? Draw thy sword, and give me sufficing strokes for death.

Most absolute lord, my mistress Cleopatra sent me to thee.

When did she send thee?

Now, my lord.

Where is she?

Locked in her monument. She had a prophesying fear of what hath come to pass. For when she saw, which never shall be found, you did suspect she had disposed with Caesar, and that your rage would not be purged, she sent you word she was dead. But fearing since how it might work, hath sent me to proclaim the truth.

And I am come, I dread, too late.

Too late, good diamond. Call thy guard, I prithee.

What ho! The emperor's guard.

The guard.

What ho!

Come, your lord calls.

Enter four or five of the guard of Mark Antony.

Bear me, good friends, where Cleopatra bides. It is the last service that I shall command you. Woe, woe are we, sir.

You may not live to wear all your true followers out.

Most heavy day. Nay, my good fellows, do not please sharp fate to grace it with your sorrows. Bid that welcome which comes to punish us, and we punish it seeming to bear it lightly. Take me up. I have led you oft. Carry me now, good friends, and have my thanks for all.

EXUANT BEARING MARK ANTONY SCENE XV. THE SAME.

A MONUMENT.

Enter Cleopatra and her maids aloft, with Carmion and Iris.

O Carmion, I will never go from hence.

Be comforted, dear madam.

No, I will not.

All strange and terrible events are welcome, but comforts we despise. A size of sorrow proportioned to our cause must be as great as that which makes it.

Enter below Diomedes.

How now is he dead his death's upon him but not dead look out o the other side your monument his guard hath brought him thither.

Enter below mark antony borne by the guard.

O sun burn the great sphere thou movest in darkling stand the varying shore of the world o antony antony antony help carmian help iris help Help friends below, let's.

Draw him hither.

Peace, not Caesar's valour hath overthrown Antony, but Antony's hath triumphed on itself.

So it should be, that none but Antony should conquer Antony. But woe tis so.

I am dying, Egypt, dying. Only I hear importune death awhile, until, of many thousand kisses, the poor last I lay up thy lips. I dare not, dear.

Dear my lord, pardon. I dare not, lest I be taken. Not the imperious show of the full-fortune Caesar ever shall be broached with me. If knife, drugs, serpents have edge, sting, or operation, I am safe. Your wife Octavia, with her modest eyes and still conclusion, shall acquire no honor demurring upon me. But come, come, Antony. Help me, my women.

We must draw thee up. Assist good friends.

Oh, quick. Oh, I'm gone.

Here's sport indeed. How heavy weighs my lord. Our strength is all gone into heaviness that makes the weight. had i great juno's power the strong-winged mercury should fetch thee up and set thee by jove's side yet come a little wishes were ever fools oh come come come.

They heave mark hansny aloft to cleopatra.

And welcome welcome die where thou hast lived quicken with kissing had my lips that power thus would i wear them.

Out a heavy sight I'm dying, Egypt, dying. Give me some wine, and let me speak a little.

No, let me speak, and let me rail so high that the false housewife fortune break her will, provoked by my offence.

One word, sweet queen, of Caesar seek your honour with your safety.

They do not go together.

Gentle, hear me. None about Caesar trust but Proculeus.

My resolution and my hands I'll trust, not about Caesar.

Miserable change, now at my end, lament no sorrow at, but please your thoughts in feeding them with those, my former fortunes wherein I lived, the greatest prince of the world, the noblest. And do now not basely die, nor cowardly put my helmet off to my countrymen, a Roman by a Roman. valiantly vanquished now my spirit is going i can no more.

Noblest of men wilt die hast thou no care of me shall i abide in this dull world which in thy absence is no better than a stye.

See my women Mark Antony dies.

The crown of the.

Earth doth melt.

My lord!

Oh, with it is the gallant of the war. The soldier's pole is fallen. Young boys and girls are level now with men. The odds is gone, and there is nothing left remarkable beneath the visiting moon.

Faints.

Oh, quietness, lady!

She is dead too our sovereign lady madam.

Oh madam madam madam.

Royal egypt empress peace peace.

Iris no more but e'en a woman and commanded by such poor passion as the maid that milks and does the meanest chairs it were for me to throw my sceptre at the injurious gods to tell them that this world did equal theirs till they had stolen our jewel. All's but not. Patience is Scottish, and impatience does become a dog that's mad. Then is it sin to rush into the secret house of death, ere death dare come to us? How do you women? What, what, good cheer. Why, how now, Carmion? my noble girls ah women women look a lamp is spent it's out good sirs take heart we'll bury him and then what's brave what's noble let's do it after the high roman fashion and make death proud to take us come away this case of that

huge spirit now is cold ah women women come We have no friend but resolution, and the briefest end.

Exuant those above bearing off Mark Antony's body. End of Act IV

Antony and Cleopatra Act 4

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