Antony and Cleopatra

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Original text
Act IV, Scene I
Enter Casar, Agrippa, & Mecenas with his
Army, Casar reading a Letter.

Cas.
He calles me Boy, and chides as he had power
To beate me out of Egypt. My Messenger
He hath whipt with Rods, dares me to personal Combat.
Casar to Anthony: let the old Russian know,
I haue many other wayes to dye: meane time
Laugh at his Challenge.

Mece.
Casar must thinke,
When one so great begins to rage, hee's hunted
Euen to falling. Giue him no breath, but now
Make boote of his distraction: Neuer anger
Made good guard for it selfe.

Cas.
Let our best heads
know, / That to morrow, the last of many Battailes
We meane to fight. Within our Files there are,
Of those that seru'd Marke Anthony but late,
Enough to fetch him in. See it done,
And Feast the Army, we haue store to doo't,
And they haue earn'd the waste. Poore Anthony.
Exeunt
Original text
Act IV, Scene II
Enter Anthony, Cleopatra, Enobarbus, Charmian, Iras,
Alexas, with others.

Ant.
He will not fight with me, Domitian?

Eno.
No?

Ant.
Why should he not?

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

Ant.
To morrow Soldier,
By Sea and Land Ile fight: or I will liue,
Or bathe my dying Honor in the blood
Shall make it liue againe. Woo't thou fight well.

Eno.
Ile strike, and cry, Take all.

Ant.
Well said, come on:
Call forth my Houshold Seruants, lets to night
Be bounteous at our Meale. Giue me thy hand,
Enter 3 or 4 Seruitors.
Thou hast bin rightly honest, so hast thou,
Thou, and thou, and thou: you haue seru'd me well,
And Kings haue beene your fellowes.

Cleo.
What meanes this?

Eno.
'Tis one of those odde tricks which sorow shoots
Out of the minde.

Ant.
And thou art honest too:
I wish I could be made so many men,
And all of you clapt vp together, in
An Anthony: that I might do you seruice,
So good as you haue done.

Omnes.
The Gods forbid.

Ant.
Well, my good Fellowes, wait on me to night:
Scant not my Cups, and make as much of me,
As when mine Empire was your Fellow too,
And suffer'd my command.

Cleo.
What does he meane?

Eno.
To make his Followers weepe.

Ant.
Tend me to night;
May be, it is the period of your duty,
Haply you shall not see me more, or if,
A mangled shadow. Perchance to morrow,
You'l serue another Master. I looke on you,
As one that takes his leaue. Mine honest Friends,
I turne you not away, but like a Master
Married to your good seruice, stay till death:
Tend me to night two houres, I aske no more,
And the Gods yeeld you for't.

Eno.
What meane you (Sir)
To giue them this discomfort? Looke they weepe,
And I an Asse, am Onyon-ey'd; for shame,
Transforme vs not to women.

Ant.
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 spake to you for your comfort, did desire you
To burne this night with Torches: Know (my hearts)
I hope well of to morrow, and will leade you,
Where rather Ile expect victorious life,
Then death, and Honor. Let's to Supper, come,
And drowne consideration.
Exeunt.
Original text
Act IV, Scene III
Enter a Company of Soldiours.

1.Sol.
Brother, goodnight: to morrow is the day.

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

1
Nothing: what newes?

2
Belike 'tis but a Rumour, good night
to you.

1
Well sir, good night.
They meete other Soldiers.

2
Souldiers, haue carefull Watch.

1
And you: Goodnight, goodnight.
They place themselues in euery corner of the Stage.

2
Heere we: and if to morrow
Our Nauie thriue, I haue an absolute hope
Our Landmen will stand vp.

1
'Tis a braue Army,
and full of purpose.
Musicke of the Hoboyes is vnder the Stage.

2
Peace, what noise?

1
List list.

2
Hearke.

1
Musicke i'th'Ayre.

3
Vnder the earth.

4
It signes well, do's it not?

3
No.

1
Peace I say:
What should this meane?

2
'Tis the God Hercules, whom Anthony loued,
Now leaues him.

1
Walke, let's see if other Watchmen
Do heare what we do?

2
How now Maisters?

Omnes.
Speak together.
How now? how now? do you
heare this?

1
I, is't not strange?

3
Do you heare Masters? Do you heare?

1
Follow the noyse so farre as we haue quarter.
Let's see how it will giue off.

Omnes.
Content: 'Tis strange.
Exeunt.
Original text
Act IV, Scene IV
Enter Anthony and Cleopatra, with
others.

Ant.
Eros, mine Armour Eros.

Cleo.
Sleepe a little.

Ant.
No my Chucke. Eros, come mine Armor Eros.
Enter Eros.
Come good Fellow, put thine Iron on,
If Fortune be not ours to day, it is
Because we braue her. Come.

Cleo.
Nay, Ile helpe too, Anthony.
What's this for?
Ah let be, let be, thou art
The Armourer of my heart: False, false: This, this,
Sooth-law Ile helpe: Thus it must bee.

Ant.
Well, well,
we shall thriue now. / Seest thou my good Fellow.
Go, put on thy defences.

Eros.
Briefely Sir.

Cleo.
Is not this buckled well?

Ant.
Rarely, rarely:
He that vnbuckles this, till we do please
To daft for our Repose, shall heare a storme.
Thou fumblest Eros, and my Queenes a Squire
More tight at this, then thou: Dispatch. O Loue,
That thou couldst see my Warres to day, and knew'st
The Royall Occupation, thou should'st see
A Workeman in't.
Enter an Armed Soldier.
Good morrow to thee, welcome,
Thou look'st like him that knowes a warlike Charge:
To businesse that we loue, we rise betime,
And go too't with delight.

Soul.
A thousand Sir,
early though't be, haue on their / Riueted trim,
and at the Port expect you.
Showt. Trumpets Flourish. / Enter Captaines, and
Souldiers.

Alex.
The Morne is faire: Good morrow Generall.

All.
Good morrow Generall.

Ant.
'Tis well blowne Lads.
This Morning, like the spirit of a youth
That meanes to be of note, begins betimes.
So, so: Come giue me that, this way, well-sed.
Fare thee well Dame, what ere becomes of me,
This is a Soldiers kisse: rebukeable,
And worthy shamefull checke it were, to stand
On more Mechanicke Complement, Ile leaue thee.
Now like a man of Steele, you that will fight,
Follow me close, Ile bring you too't: Adieu.
Exeunt.

Char.
Please you retyre to your Chamber?

Cleo.
Lead me:
He goes forth gallantly: That he and Caesar might
Determine this great Warre in single fight;
Then Anthony; but now. Well on.
Exeunt
Original text
Act IV, Scene V
Trumpets sound. Enter Anthony, and Eros.

Eros.
The Gods make this a happy day to Anthony.

Ant.
Would thou, & those thy scars had once preuaild
To make me fight at Land.

Eros.
Had''st thou done so,
The Kings that haue reuolted, and the Soldier
That has this morning left thee, would haue still
Followed thy heeles.

Ant.
Whose gone this morning?

Eros.
Who?
one euer neere thee, call for Enobarbus,
He shall not heare thee, or from Casars Campe,
Say I am none of thine.

Ant.
What sayest thou?

Sold.
Sir
he is with Casar.

Eros.
Sir, his Chests and Treasure
he has not with him.

Ant.
Is he gone?

Sol.
Most certaine.

Ant.
Go Eros, send his Treasure after, do it,
Detaine no iot I charge thee: write to him,
(I will subscribe) gentle adieu's, and greetings;
Say, that I wish he neuer finde more cause
To change a Master. Oh my Fortunes haue
Corrupted honest men. Dispatch Enobarbus.
Exit
Original text
Act IV, Scene VI
Flourish. Enter Agrippa, Casar, with Enobarbus,
and Dollabella.

Cas.
Go forth Agrippa, and begin the fight:
Our will is Anthony be tooke aliue:
Make it so knowne.

Agrip.
Casar, I shall.

Casar.
The time of vniuersall peace is neere:
Proue this a prosp'rous day, the three nook'd world
Shall beare the Oliue freely.
Enter a Messenger.

Mes.
Anthony
is come into the Field.

Cas.
Go charge Agrippa,
Plant those that haue reuolted in the Vant,
That Anthony may seeme to spend his Fury
Vpon himselfe.
Exeunt.

Enob.
Alexas did reuolt, and went to Iewrij on
Affaires of Anthony, there did disswade
Great Herod to incline himselfe to Casar,
And leaue his Master Anthony. For this paines,
Casar hath hang'd him: Camindius and the rest
That fell away, haue entertainment, but
No honourable trust: I haue done ill,
Of which I do accuse my selfe so forely,
That I will ioy no more.
Enter a Soldier of Casars.

Sol.
Enobarbus, Anthony
Hath after thee sent all thy Treasure, with
His Bounty ouer-plus. The Messenger
Came on my guard, and at thy Tent is now
Vnloading of his Mules.

Eno.
I giue it you.

Sol.
Mocke not Enobarbus,
I tell you true: Best you saf't the bringer
Out of the hoast, I must attend mine Office,
Or would haue done't my selfe. Your Emperor
Continues still a Ioue.
Exit

Enob.
I am alone the Villaine of the earth,
And feele I am so most. Oh Anthony,
Thou Mine of Bounty, how would'st thou haue payed
My better seruice, when my turpitude
Thou dost so Crowne with Gold. This blowes my hart,
If swift thought breake it not: a swifter meane
Shall out-strike thought, but thought will doo't. I feele
I fight against thee: No I will go seeke
Some Ditch, wherein to dye: the foul'st best fits
My latter part of life.
Exit.
Original text
Act IV, Scene VII
Alarum, Drummes and Trumpets. Enter Agrippa.

Agrip
Retire, we haue engag'd our selues too farre:
Casar himselfe ha's worke, and our oppression
Exceeds what we expected.
Exit.
Alarums. Enter Anthony, and Scarrus wounded.

Scar.
O my braue Emperor, this is fought indeed,
Had we done so at first, we had drouen them home
With clowts about their heads.

Ant.
Thou bleed'st apace.

Scar.
I had a wound heere that was like a T,
But now 'tis made an H.
Far off.

Ant.
They do retyre.

Scar.
Wee'l beat'em into Bench-holes, I haue yet
Roome for six scotches more.
Enter Eros.

Eros.
They are beaten Sir, and our aduantage serues
For a faire victory.

Scar.
Let vs score their backes,
And snatch 'em vp, as we take Hares behinde,
'Tis sport to maul a Runner.

Ant.
I will reward thee
Once for thy sprightly comfort, and ten-fold
For thy good valour. Come thee on.

Scar.
Ile halt after.
Exeunt
Original text
Act IV, Scene VIII
Alarum. Enter Anthony againe in a March. Scarrus, with others.


Ant.
We haue beate him to his Campe: Runne one / Before,
& let the Queen know of our guests: to morrow
Before the Sun shall see's, wee'l spill the blood
That ha's to day escap'd. I thanke you all,
For doughty handed are you, and haue fought
Not as you seru'd the Cause, but as't had beene
Each mans like mine: you haue shewne all Hectors.
Enter the Citty, clip your Wiues, your Friends,
Tell them your feats, whil'st they with ioyfull teares
Wash the congealement from your wounds, and kisse
The Honour'd-gashes whole.
Enter Cleopatra.
Giue me thy hand,
To this great Faiery, Ile commend thy acts,
Make her thankes blesse thee. Oh thou day o'th'world,
Chaine mine arm'd necke, leape thou, Attyre and all
Through proofe of Harnesse to my heart, and there
Ride on the pants triumphing.

Cleo.
Lord of Lords.
Oh infinite Vertue, comm'st thou smiling from
The worlds great snare vncaught.

Ant.
Mine Nightingale,
We haue beate them to their Beds. / What Gyrle, though gray
Do somthing mingle with our yonger brown, yet ha we
A Braine that nourishes our Nerues, and can
Get gole for gole of youth. Behold this man,
Commend vnto his Lippes thy fauouring hand,
Kisse it my Warriour: He hath fought to day,
As if a God in hate of Mankinde, had
Destroyed in such a shape.

Cleo.
Ile giue thee Friend
An Armour all of Gold: it was a Kings.

Ant.
He has deseru'd it, were it Carbunkled
Like holy Phobus Carre. Giue me thy hand,
Through Alexandria make a iolly March,
Beare our hackt Targets, like the men that owe them.
Had our great Pallace the capacity
To Campe this hoast, we all would sup together,
And drinke Carowses to the next dayes Fate
Which promises Royall perill, Trumpetters
With brazen dinne blast you the Citties eare,
Make mingle with our ratling Tabourines,
That heauen and earth may strike their sounds together,
Applauding our approach.
Exeunt.
Original text
Act IV, Scene IX
Enter a Centerie, and his Company, Enobarbus
followes.

Cent.
If we be not releeu'd within this houre,
We must returne to'th'Court of Guard: the night
Is shiny, and they say, we shall embattaile
By'th'second houre i'th'Morne.

1. Watch.
This last day was
a shrew'd one too's.

Enob.
Oh beare me witnesse night.

2
What man is this?

1
Stand close, and list him.

Enob.
Be witnesse to me (O thou blessed Moone)
When men reuolted shall vpon Record
Beare hatefull memory: poore Enobarbus did
Before thy face repent.

Cent.
Enobarbus?

2
Peace:
Hearke further.

Enob.
Oh Soueraigne Mistris of true Melancholly,
The poysonous dampe of night dispunge vpon me,
That Life, a very Rebell to my will,
May hang no longer on me. Throw my heart
Against the flint and hardnesse of my fault,
Which being dried with greefe, will breake to powder,
And finish all foule thoughts. Oh Anthony,
Nobler then my reuolt is Infamous,
Forgiue me in thine owne particular,
But let the world ranke me in Register
A Master leauer, and a fugitiue:
Oh Anthony! Oh Anthony!

1
Let's speake to him.

Cent.
Let's heare him, for the things he speakes
May concerne Casar.

2
Let's do so, but he sleepes.

Cent.
Swoonds rather, for so bad a Prayer as his
Was neuer yet for sleepe.

1
Go we to him.

2
Awake sir, awake, speake to vs.

1
Heare you sir?

Cent.
The hand of death hath raught him.
Drummes afarre off.
Hearke the Drummes
demurely wake the sleepers: / Let vs beare him
to'th'Court of Guard: he is of note: / Our houre
is fully out.

2
Come on then, he may recouer yet.
exeunt
Original text
Act IV, Scene X
Enter Anthony and Scarrus, with their Army.

Ant.
Their preparation is to day by Sea,
We please them not by Land.

Scar.
For both, my Lord.

Ant.
I would they'ld fight i'th'Fire, or i'th'Ayre,
Wee'ld fight there too. But this it is, our Foote
Vpon the hilles adioyning to the Citty
Shall stay with vs. Order for Sea is giuen,
They haue put forth the Hauen:
Where their appointment we may best discouer,
And looke on their endeuour.
exeunt
Original text
Act IV, Scene XI
Enter Casar, and his Army.

Cas.
But being charg'd, we will be still by Land,
Which as I tak't we shall, for his best force
Is forth to Man his Gallies. To the Vales,
And hold our best aduantage.
exeunt.
Original text
Act IV, Scene XII
Alarum afarre off, as at a Sea-fight.
Enter Anthony, and Scarrus.

Ant.
Yet they are not ioyn'd: / Where yon'd Pine does stand,
I shall discouer all. / Ile bring thee word
straight, how 'ris like to go.
exit.

Scar.
Swallowes haue built
In Cleopatra's Sailes their nests. The Auguries
Say, they know not, they cannot tell, looke grimly,
And dare not speake their knowledge. Anthony,
Is valiant, and deiected, and by starts
His fretted Fortunes giue him hope and feare
Of what he has, and has not.
Enter Anthony.

Ant.
All is lost:
This fowle Egyptian hath betrayed me:
My Fleete hath yeelded to the Foe, and yonder
They cast their Caps vp, and Carowse together
Like Friends long lost. Triple-turn'd Whore, 'tis thou
Hast sold me to this Nouice, and my heart
Makes onely Warres on thee. Bid them all flye:
For when I am reueng'd vpon my Charme,
I haue done all. Bid them all flye, be gone.
Oh Sunne, thy vprise shall I see no more,
Fortune, and Anthony part heere, euen heere
Do we shake hands? All come to this? The hearts
That pannelled me at heeles, to whom I gaue
Their wishes, do dis-Candie, melt their sweets
On blossoming Casar: And this Pine is barkt,
That ouer-top'd them all. Betray'd I am.
Oh this false Soule of Egypt! this graue Charme,
Whose eye beck'd forth my Wars, & cal'd them home:
Whose Bosome was my Crownet, my chiefe end,
Like a right Gypsie, hath at fast and loose
Beguil'd me, to the very heart of losse.
What Eros, Eros?
Enter Cleopatra.
Ah, thou Spell! Auaunt.

Cleo.
Why is my Lord enrag'd against his Loue?

Ant.
Vanish, or I shall giue thee thy deseruing,
And blemish Casars Triumph. Let him take thee,
And hoist thee vp to the shouting Plebeians,
Follow his Chariot, like the greatest spot
Of all thy Sex. Most Monster-like be shewne
For poor'st Diminitiues, for Dolts, and let
Patient Octauia, plough thy visage vp
With her prepared nailes.
exit Cleopatra.
'Tis well th'art gone,
If it be well to liue. But better 'twere
Thou fell'st into my furie, for one death
Might haue preuented many. Eros, hoa?
The shirt of Nessus is vpon me, teach me
Alcides, thou mine Ancestor, thy rage.
Let me lodge Licas on the hornes o'th'Moone,
And with those hands that graspt the heauiest Club,
Subdue my worthiest selfe: The Witch shall die,
To the young Roman Boy she hath sold me, and I fall
Vnder this plot: She dyes for't. Eros hoa?
exit.
Original text
Act IV, Scene XIII
Enter Cleopatra, Charmian, Iras, Mardian.

Cleo.
Helpe me my women: Oh hee's more mad
Then Telamon for his Shield, the Boare of Thessaly
Was neuer so imbost.

Char.
To'th'Monument,
there locke your selfe, / And send him word you are dead:
The Soule and Body riue not more in parting,
Then greatnesse going off.

Cleo.
To'th'Monument:
Mardian, go tell him I haue slaine my selfe:
Say, that the last I spoke was Anthony,
And word it (prythee) pitteously. Hence Mardian,
And bring me how he takes my death to'th'Monument.
Exeunt.
Original text
Act IV, Scene XIV
Enter Anthony, and Eros.

Ant.
Eros, thou yet behold'st me?

Eros.
I Noble Lord.

Ant.
Sometime we see a clowd that's Dragonish,
A vapour sometime, like a Beare, or Lyon,
A toward Cittadell, a pendant Rocke,
A forked Mountaine, or blew Promontorie
With Trees vpon't, that nodde vnto the world,
And mocke our eyes with Ayre. / Thou hast seene these Signes,
They are blacke Vespers Pageants.

Eros.
I my Lord.

Ant.
That which is now a Horse, euen with a thoght
the Racke dislimes, and makes it indistinct
As water is in water.

Eros.
It does my Lord.

Ant.
My good Knaue Eros, now thy Captaine is
Euen such a body: Heere I am Anthony,
Yet cannot hold this visible shape (my Knaue)
I made these warres for Egypt, and the Queene,
Whose heart I thought I had, for she had mine:
Which whil'st it was mine, had annext vntoo't
A Million moe, (now lost:) shee Eros has
Packt Cards with Casars, and false plaid my Glory
Vnto an Enemies triumph.
Nay, weepe not gentle Eros, there is left vs
Our selues to end our selues.
Enter Mardian.
Oh thy vilde Lady, she has rob'd me of my Sword.

Mar.
No Anthony,
My Mistris lou'd thee, and her Fortunes mingled
With thine intirely.

Ant.
Hence sawcy Eunuch peace,
she hath betraid me, / And shall dye the death.

Mar.
Death of one person, can be paide but once,
And that she ha's discharg'd. What thou would'st do
Is done vnto thy hand: the last she spake
Was Anthony, most Noble Anthony.
Then in the midd'st a tearing grone did breake
The name of Anthony: it was diuided
Betweene her heart, and lips: she rendred life
Thy name so buried in her.

Ant.
Dead then?

Mar.
Dead.

Ant.
Vnarme Eros, the long dayes taske is done,
And we must sleepe: That thou depart'st hence safe
Does pay thy labour richly: Go.
exit Mardian.
Off, plucke off,
The seuen-fold shield of Aiax cannot keepe
The battery from my heart. Oh cleaue my sides.
Heart, once be stronger then thy Continent,
Cracke thy fraile Case. Apace Eros, apace;
No more a Soldier: bruised peeces go,
You haue bin Nobly borne. From me awhile.
exit Eros
I will o're-take thee Cleopatra, and
Weepe for my pardon. So it must be, for now
All length is Torture: since the Torch is out,
Lye downe and stray no farther. Now all labour
Marres what it does: yea, very force entangles
It selfe with strength: Seale then and all is done.
Eros? I come my Queene. Eros? Stay for me,
Where Soules do couch on Flowers, wee'l hand in hand,
And with our sprightly Port make the Ghostes gaze:
Dido, and her Aeneas shall want Troopes,
And all the haunt be ours. Come Eros, Eros.
Enter Eros.

Eros.
What would my Lord?

Ant.
Since Cleopatra dyed,
I haue liu'd in such dishonour, that the Gods
Detest my basenesse. I, that with my Sword,
Quarter'd the World, and o're greene Neptunes backe
With Ships, made Cities; condemne my selfe, to lacke
The Courage of a Woman, lesse Noble minde
Then she which by her death, our Casar telles
I am Conqueror of my selfe. Thou art sworne Eros,
That when the exigent should come, which now
Is come indeed: When I should see behinde me
Th'ineuitable prosecution of
disgrace and horror, / That on my command,
thou then would'st kill me. / Doo't, the time is come:
Thou strik'st not me, / 'Tis Casar thou defeat'st.
Put colour in thy Cheeke.

Eros.
The Gods with-hold me,
Shall I do that which all the Parthian Darts,
(Though Enemy) lost ayme, and could not.

Ant.
Eros,
Would'st thou be window'd in great Rome, and see
Thy Master thus with pleacht Armes, bending downe
His corrigible necke, his face subdu'de
To penetratiue shame; whil'st the wheel'd seate
Of Fortunate Casar drawne before him, branded
His Basenesse that ensued.

Eros.
I would not see't.

Ant.
Come then: for with a wound I must be cur'd.
Draw that thy honest Sword, which thou hast worne
Most vsefull for thy Country.

Eros.
Oh sir, pardon me.

Ant.
When I did make thee free, swor'st yu not then
To do this when I bad thee? Do it at once,
Or thy precedent Seruices are all
But accidents vnpurpos'd. Draw, and come.

Eros.
Turne from me then that Noble countenance,
Wherein the worship of the whole world lyes.

Ant.
Loe thee.


Eros.
My sword is drawne.

Ant.
Then let it do at once
The thing why thou hast drawne it.

Eros.
My deere Master,
My Captaine, and my Emperor. Let me say
Before I strike this bloody stroke, Farwell.

Ant.
'Tis said man, and farewell.

Eros.
Farewell great Chiefe. Shall I strike now?

Ant.
Now Eros.

Eros.
Why there then: / Thus I do escape the sorrow
of Anthonies death. Killes himselfe.

Ant.
Thrice-Nobler then my selfe,
Thou teachest me: Oh valiant Eros, what
I should, and thou could'st not, my Queene and Eros
Haue by their braue instruction got vpon me
A Noblenesse in Record. But I will bee
A Bride-groome in my death, and run intoo't
As to a Louers bed. Come then, and Eros,
Thy Master dies thy Scholler; to do thus
I learnt of thee.
How, not dead? Not dead?
The Guard, how? Oh dispatch me.
Enter a Guard.

1. Guard.
What's the noise?

Ant.
I haue done my worke ill Friends: / Oh make an end
of what I haue begun.

2
The Starre is falne.

1
And time is at his Period.

All.
Alas, and woe.

Ant.
Let him that loues me, strike me dead.

1
Not I.

2
Nor I.

3
Nor any one.
exeunt

Dercetus.
Thy death and fortunes bid thy folowers fly
This sword but shewne to Casar with this tydings,
Shall enter me with him.
Enter Diomedes.

Dio.
Where's Anthony?

Decre.
There Diomed there.

Diom.
Liues he:
wilt thou not answer man?

Ant.
Art thou there Diomed? Draw thy sword, and giue mee,
Suffising strokes for death.

Diom.
Most absolute Lord:
My Mistris Cleopatra sent me to thee.

Ant.
When did shee send thee?

Diom.
Now my Lord.

Anth.
Where is she?

Diom.
Lockt in her Monument: she had a Prophesying (feare
Of what hath come to passe: for when she saw
(Which neuer shall be found) you did suspect
She had dispos'd with Casar, and that your rage
Would not be purg'd, she sent you word she was dead:
But fearing since how it might worke, hath sent
Me to proclaime the truth, and I am come
I dread, too late.

Ant.
Too late good Diomed: call my Guard I prythee.

Dio.
What hoa: the Emperors Guard, / The Guard, what hoa?
Come, your Lord calles.
Enter 4. or 5. of the Guard of Anthony.

Ant.
Beare me good Friends where Cleopatra bides,
'Tis the last seruice that I shall command you.

1
Woe, woe are we sir, you may not liue to weare
All your true Followers out.

All.
Most heauy day.

Ant.
Nay good my Fellowes, do not please sharp fate
To grace it with your sorrowes. Bid that welcome
Which comes to punish vs, and we punish it
Seeming to beare it lightly. Take me vp,
I haue led you oft, carry me now good Friends,
And haue my thankes for all.
Exit bearing Anthony
Original text
Act IV, Scene XV
Enter Cleopatra, and her Maides aloft, with Charmian
& Iras.

Cleo.
Oh Charmian, I will neuer go from hence.

Char.
Be comforted deere Madam.

Cleo.
No, I will not:
All strange and terrible euents are welcome,
But comforts we dispise; our size of sorrow
Proportion'd to our cause, must be as great
As that which makes it.
Enter Diomed.
How now? is he dead?

Diom.
His death's vpon him, but not dead.
Looke out o'th other side your Monument,
His Guard haue brought him thither.
Enter Anthony, and the Guard.

Cleo.
Oh Sunne,
Burne the great Sphere thou mou'st in, darkling stand
The varrying shore o'th'world. O Antony,
Antony, Antony / Helpe Charmian, helpe Iras helpe:
helpe Friends / Below, let's draw him hither.

Ant.
Peace,
Not Casars Valour hath o'rethrowne Anthony,
But Anthonie's hath Triumpht on it selfe.

Cleo.
So it should be, / That none but Anthony
should conquer Anthony, / But woe 'tis so.

Ant.
I am dying Egypt, dying; onely
I heere importune death a-while, vntill
Of many thousand kisses, the poore last
I lay vpon thy lippes.

Cleo.
I dare not Deere,
Deere my Lord pardon: I dare not,
Least I be taken: not th'Imperious shew
Of the full-Fortun'd Casar, euer shall
Be brooch'd with me, if Knife, Drugges, Serpents haue
Edge, sting, or operation. I am safe:
Your Wife Octauia, with her modest eyes,
And still Conclusion, shall acquire no Honour
Demuring vpon me: but come, come Anthony,
Helpe me my women, we must draw thee vp:
Assist good Friends.

Ant.
Oh quicke, or I am gone.

Cleo.
Heere's sport indeede: / How heauy weighes my Lord?
Our strength is all gone into heauinesse,
That makes the waight. Had I great Iuno's power,
The strong wing'd Mercury should fetch thee vp,
And set thee by Ioues side. Yet come a little,
Wishers were euer Fooles. Oh come, come, come,
They heaue Anthony aloft to Cleopatra.
And welcome, welcome. Dye when thou hast liu'd,
Quicken with kissing: had my lippes that power,
Thus would I weare them out.

All.
A heauy sight.

Ant.
I am dying Egypt, dying.
Giue me some Wine, and let me speake a little.

Cleo.
No, let me speake, and let me rayle so hye,
That the false Huswife Fortune, breake her Wheele,
Prouok'd by my offence.

Ant.
One word (sweet Queene)
Of Casar seeke your Honour, with your safety. Oh.

Cleo.
They do not go together.

Ant.
Gentle heare me,
None about Casar trust, but Proculeius.

Cleo.
My Resolution, and my hands, Ile trust,
None about Casar.

Ant.
The miserable change now at my end,
Lament nor sorrow at: but please your thoughts
In feeding them with those my former Fortunes
Wherein I liued. The greatest Prince o'th'world,
The Noblest: and do now not basely dye,
Not Cowardly put off my Helmet to
My Countreyman. A Roman, by a Roman
Valiantly vanquish'd. Now my Spirit is going,
I can no more.

Cleo.
Noblest of men, woo't dye?
Hast thou no care of me, shall I abide
In this dull world, which in thy absence is
No better then a Stye? Oh see my women:
The Crowne o'th'earth doth melt. My Lord?
Oh wither'd is the Garland of the Warre,
The Souldiers pole is falne: young Boyes and Gyrles
Are leuell now with men: The oddes is gone,
And there is nothing left remarkeable
Beneath the visiting Moone.

Char.
Oh quietnesse, Lady.

Iras.
She's dead too, our Soueraigne.

Char.
Lady.

Iras.
Madam.

Char.
Oh Madam, Madam, Madam.

Iras.
Royall Egypt: Empresse.

Char.
Peace, peace, Iras.

Cleo.
No more but in a Woman, and commanded
By such poore passion, as the Maid that Milkes,
And doe's the meanest chares. It were for me,
To throw my Scepter at the iniurious Gods,
To tell them that this World did equall theyrs,
Till they had stolne our Iewell. All's but naught:
Patience is sottish, and impatience does
Become a Dogge that's mad: Then is it sinne,
To rush into the secret house of death,
Ere death dare come to vs. How do you Women?
What, what good cheere? Why how now Charmian?
My Noble Gyrles? Ah Women, women! Looke
Our Lampe is spent, it's out. Good sirs, take heart,
Wee'l bury him: And then, what's braue, what's Noble,
Let's doo't after the high Roman fashion,
And make death proud to take vs. Come, away,
This case of that huge Spirit now is cold.
Ah Women, Women! Come, we haue no Friend
But Resolution, and the breefest end.
Exeunt, bearing of Anthonies body.
Modern text
Act IV, Scene I
Enter Caesar, Agrippa, and Maecenas, with their
army, Caesar reading a letter

CAESAR
He calls me boy, and chides as he had 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.

MAECENAS
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.

CAESAR
Let our best heads
Know that tomorrow 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't,
And they have earned the waste. Poor Antony!
Exeunt
Modern text
Act IV, Scene II
Enter Antony, Cleopatra, Enobarbus, Charmian, Iras,
Alexas, with others

ANTONY
He will not fight with me, Domitius?

ENOBARBUS
No.

ANTONY
Why should he not?

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

ANTONY
Tomorrow, soldier,
By sea and land I'll fight. Or I will live
Or bathe my dying honour in the blood
Shall make it live again. Woo't thou fight well?

ENOBARBUS
I'll strike, and cry ‘ Take all.’

ANTONY
Well said; come on.
Call forth my household servants. Let's tonight
Be bounteous at our meal. Give me thy hand.
Enter three or four servitors
Thou hast been rightly honest. So hast thou;
Thou, and thou, and thou. You have served me well,
And kings have been your fellows.

CLEOPATRA
(aside to Enobarbus)
What means this?

ENOBARBUS
(aside to Cleopatra)
'Tis one of those odd tricks which sorrow shoots
Out of the mind.

ANTONY
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.

ALL THE SERVANTS
The gods forbid!

ANTONY
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.

CLEOPATRA
(aside to Enobarbus)
What does he mean?

ENOBARBUS
(aside to Cleopatra)
To make his followers weep.

ANTONY
Tend me tonight.
May be it is the period of your duty.
Haply you shall not see me more; or if,
A mangled shadow. Perchance tomorrow
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 tonight two hours, I ask no more,
And the gods yield you for't!

ENOBARBUS
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.

ANTONY
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 spake to you for your comfort, did desire you
To burn this night with torches. Know, my hearts,
I hope well of tomorrow, and will lead you
Where rather I'll expect victorious life
Than death and honour. Let's to supper, come,
And drown consideration.
Exeunt
Modern text
Act IV, Scene III
Enter a company of Soldiers

FIRST SOLDIER
Brother, good night. Tomorrow is the day.

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

FIRST SOLDIER
Nothing. What news?

SECOND SOLDIER
Belike 'tis but a rumour. Good night
to you.

FIRST SOLDIER
Well, sir, good night.
They meet other Soldiers

SECOND SOLDIER
Soldiers, have careful watch.

THIRD SOLDIER
And you. Good night, good night.
They place themselves in every corner of the stage

SECOND SOLDIER
Here we. An if tomorrow
Our navy thrive, I have an absolute hope
Our landmen will stand up.

FIRST SOLDIER
'Tis a brave army,
And full of purpose.
Music of hautboys under the stage

SECOND SOLDIER
Peace! What noise?

FIRST SOLDIER
List, list!

SECOND SOLDIER
Hark!

FIRST SOLDIER
Music i'th' air.

THIRD SOLDIER
Under the earth.

FOURTH SOLDIER
It signs well, does it not?

THIRD SOLDIER
No.

FIRST SOLDIER
Peace, I say!
What should this mean?

SECOND SOLDIER
'Tis the god Hercules, whom Antony loved,
Now leaves him.

FIRST SOLDIER
Walk; let's see if other watchmen
Do hear what we do.

SECOND SOLDIER
How now, masters?

ALL
(speaking together)
How now? How now? Do you
hear this?

FIRST SOLDIER
Ay. Is't not strange?

THIRD SOLDIER
Do you hear, masters? Do you hear?

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

ALL
Content. 'Tis strange.
Exeunt
Modern text
Act IV, Scene IV
Enter Antony and Cleopatra, with Charmian and
others

ANTONY
Eros! Mine armour, Eros!

CLEOPATRA
Sleep a little.

ANTONY
No, my chuck. Eros! Come, mine armour, Eros!
Enter Eros with armour
Come, good fellow, put thine iron on.
If fortune be not ours today, it is
Because we brave her. Come.

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

ANTONY
Ah, let be, let be! Thou art
The armourer of my heart. False, false; this, this.

CLEOPATRA
Sooth, la, I'll help; thus it must be.

ANTONY
Well, well,
We shall thrive now. Seest thou, my good fellow?
Go put on thy defences.

EROS
Briefly, sir.

CLEOPATRA
Is not this buckled well?

ANTONY
Rarely, rarely.
He that unbuckles this, till we do please
To daff't for our repose, shall hear a storm.
Thou fumblest, Eros, and my queen's a squire
More tight at this than thou. Dispatch. O, love,
That thou couldst see my wars today, and knew'st
The royal occupation; thou shouldst see
A workman in't.
Enter an armed Soldier
Good morrow to thee. Welcome.
Thou look'st like him that knows a warlike charge.
To business that we love we rise betime
And go to't with delight.

SOLDIER
A thousand, sir,
Early though't be, have on their riveted trim,
And at the port expect you.
Shout. Trumpets flourish. Enter Captains and
soldiers

CAPTAIN
The morn is fair. Good morrow, General.

ALL THE SOLDIERS
Good morrow, General.

ANTONY
'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. Whate'er becomes of me,
This is a soldier's kiss. Rebukeable
And worthy 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't. Adieu.
Exeunt all but Cleopatra and Charmian

CHARMIAN
Please you retire to your chamber?

CLEOPATRA
Lead me.
He goes forth gallantly. That he and Caesar might
Determine this great war in single fight!
Then Antony – but now. Well, on.
Exeunt
Modern text
Act IV, Scene V
Trumpets sound. Enter Antony and Eros, a Soldier
meeting them

SOLDIER
The gods make this a happy day to Antony!

ANTONY
Would thou and those thy scars had once prevailed
To make me fight at land!

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

ANTONY
Who's gone this morning?

SOLDIER
Who?
One ever near thee; call for Enobarbus,
He shall not hear thee, or from Caesar's camp
Say ‘ I am none of thine.’

ANTONY
What sayst thou?

SOLDIER
Sir,
He is with Caesar.

EROS
Sir, his chests and treasure
He has not with him.

ANTONY
Is he gone?

SOLDIER
Most certain.

ANTONY
Go, Eros, send his treasure after; do it.
Detain no jot, I charge thee. Write to him –
I will subscribegentle adieus and greetings.
Say that I wish he never find more cause
To change a master. O, my fortunes have
Corrupted honest men! Dispatch. Enobarbus!
Exeunt
Modern text
Act IV, Scene VI
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.

AGRIPPA
Caesar, I shall.
Exit

CAESAR
The time of universal peace is near.
Prove this a prosperous day, the three-nooked world
Shall bear the olive freely.
Enter a Messenger

MESSENGER
Antony
Is come into the field.

CAESAR
Go charge Agrippa
Plant those that have revolted in the vant,
That Antony may seem to spend his fury
Upon himself.
Exeunt all but Enobarbus

ENOBARBUS
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. 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 joy no more.
Enter a Soldier of Caesar's

SOLDIER
Enobarbus, 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.

ENOBARBUS
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
Continues still a Jove.
Exit

ENOBARBUS
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 thought break it not, a swifter mean
Shall outstrike 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
My latter part of life.
Exit
Modern text
Act IV, Scene VII
Alarum. Drums and trumpets. Enter Agrippa and
others

AGRIPPA
Retire! We have engaged ourselves too far.
Caesar himself has work, and our oppression
Exceeds what we expected.
Exeunt
Alarums. Enter Antony, and Scarus wounded

SCARUS
O my brave emperor, this is fought indeed!
Had we done so at first, we had droven them home
With clouts about their heads.

ANTONY
Thou bleed'st apace.

SCARUS
I had a wound here that was like a T,
But now 'tis made an H.
Retreat sounded far off

ANTONY
They do retire.

SCARUS
We'll beat 'em into bench-holes. I have yet
Room for six scotches more.
Enter Eros

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

SCARUS
Let us score their backs
And snatch 'em up, as we take hares, behind.
'Tis sport to maul a runner.

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

SCARUS
I'll halt after.
Exeunt
Modern text
Act IV, Scene VIII
Alarum. Enter Antony, with Scarus and others,
marching

ANTONY
We have beat him to his camp. Run one before
And let the Queen know of our gests. 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
Each 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.
Enter Cleopatra
(To Scarus) Give me thy hand.
To this great fairy I'll commend thy acts,
Make her thanks bless thee. – O thou day o'th' world,
Chain mine armed neck; leap thou, attire and all,
Through 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?

ANTONY
My nightingale,
We have beat them to their beds. What, girl! Though grey
Do something mingle with our younger brown, yet ha' we
A brain that nourishes our nerves, and can
Get goal for goal of youth. Behold this man.
Commend unto his lips thy favouring hand. –
Kiss it, my warrior. – He hath fought today
As if a god in hate of mankind had
Destroyed in such a shape.

CLEOPATRA
I'll give thee, friend,
An armour all of gold; it was a king's.

ANTONY
He has deserved it, were it carbuncled
Like holy Phoebus' car. Give me thy hand.
Through Alexandria make a jolly march.
Bear 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,
With brazen din blast you the city's ear;
Make mingle with rattling tabourines,
That heaven and earth may strike their sounds together,
Applauding our approach.
Trumpets sound. Exeunt
Modern text
Act IV, Scene IX
Enter a Sentry and his company, the watch. Enobarbus
follows

SENTRY
If we be not relieved within this hour,
We must return to th' court of guard. The night
Is shiny, and they say we shall embattle
By th' second hour i'th' morn.

FIRST WATCH
This last day was
A shrewd one to's.

ENOBARBUS
O, bear me witness, night –

SECOND WATCH
What man is this?

FIRST WATCH
Stand close, and list him.

ENOBARBUS
Be witness to me, O thou blessed moon,
When men revolted shall upon record
Bear hateful memory, poor Enobarbus did
Before thy face repent!

SENTRY
Enobarbus?

SECOND WATCH
Peace;
Hark further.

ENOBARBUS
O sovereign mistress of true melancholy,
The poisonous damp of night disponge 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.
He dies
O Antony! O Antony! He dies

FIRST WATCH
Let's speak to him.

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

SECOND WATCH
Let's do so. But he sleeps.

SENTRY
Swoons rather, for so bad a prayer as his
Was never yet for sleep.

FIRST WATCH
Go we to him.

SECOND WATCH
Awake, sir, awake; speak to us.

FIRST WATCH
Hear you, sir?

SENTRY
The hand of death hath raught him.
Drums afar off
Hark! The drums
Demurely wake the sleepers. Let us bear him
To th' court of guard; he is of note. Our hour
Is fully out.

SECOND WATCH
Come on then; he may recover yet.
Exeunt with the body
Modern text
Act IV, Scene X
Enter Antony and Scarus, with their army

ANTONY
Their preparation is today by sea;
We please them not by land.

SCARUS
For both, my lord.

ANTONY
I would they'd fight i'th' fire or i'th' air;
We'd fight there too. But this it is: our foot
Upon the hills adjoining to the city
Shall stay with us. Order for sea is given;
They have put forth the haven –
Where their appointment we may best discover
And look on their endeavour.
Exeunt
Modern text
Act IV, Scene XI
Enter Caesar and his army

CAESAR
But being charged, we will be still by land –
Which, as I take't, we shall, for his best force
Is forth to man his galleys. To the vales,
And hold our best advantage.
Exeunt
Modern text
Act IV, Scene XII
Alarum afar off, as at a sea fight
Enter Antony and Scarus

ANTONY
Yet they are not joined. Where yond pine does stand
I shall discover all. I'll bring thee word
Straight how 'tis like to go.
Exit

SCARUS
Swallows have built
In Cleopatra's 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.
Enter Antony

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, begone!
Exit Scarus
O sun, 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 spanieled me at heels, to whom I gave
Their wishes, do discandy, melt their sweets
On blossoming Caesar; and this pine is barked
That overtopped them all. Betrayed I am.
O this false soul of Egypt! This grave charm,
Whose eye becked forth my wars, and called them home,
Whose bosom was my crownet, my chief end,
Like a right gypsy hath at fast and loose
Beguiled me to the very heart of loss.
What, Eros, Eros!
Enter Cleopatra
Ah, thou spell! Avaunt!

CLEOPATRA
Why is my lord enraged against his love?

ANTONY
Vanish, or I shall give thee thy deserving
And blemish 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 poor'st diminutives, for doits, and let
Patient Octavia plough thy visage up
With her prepared nails.
Exit Cleopatra
'Tis well th'art gone,
If it be well to live; but better 'twere
Thou fell'st 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 Lichas on the horns o'th' moon,
And with those hands that grasped the heaviest club
Subdue my worthiest self. The witch shall die.
To the young Roman boy she hath sold me, and I fall
Under this plot; she dies for't. Eros, ho!
Exit
Modern text
Act IV, Scene XIII
Enter Cleopatra, Charmian, Iras, and Mardian

CLEOPATRA
Help me, my women! O, he's more mad
Than Telamon for his shield; the boar of Thessaly
Was never so embossed.

CHARMIAN
To th' monument!
There lock yourself, and send him word you are dead.
The soul and body rive not more in parting
Than greatness going off.

CLEOPATRA
To th' monument!
Mardian, go tell him I have slain myself;
Say that the last I spoke was ‘ Antony,’
And word it, prithee, piteously. Hence, Mardian,
And bring me how he takes my death to the monument!
Exeunt
Modern text
Act IV, Scene XIV
Enter Antony and Eros

ANTONY
Eros, thou yet behold'st me?

EROS
Ay, noble lord.

ANTONY
Sometime we see a cloud that's dragonish,
A vapour sometime like a bear or lion,
A towered citadel, a pendent rock,
A forked mountain, or blue promontory
With trees upon't that nod unto the world
And mock our eyes with air. Thou hast seen these signs;
They are black vesper's pageants.

EROS
Ay, my lord.

ANTONY
That which is now a horse, even with a thought
The rack dislimns, and makes it indistinct,
As water is in water.

EROS
It does, my lord.

ANTONY
My good knave Eros, now thy captain is
Even such a body. Here I am Antony,
Yet 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't
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 Mardian
She has robbed me of my sword.

MARDIAN
No, Antony;
My mistress loved thee, and her fortunes mingled
With thine entirely.

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

MARDIAN
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 ‘ Antony! most noble Antony!’
Then in the midst a tearing groan did break
The name of Antony; it was divided
Between her heart and lips. She rendered life,
Thy name so buried in her.

ANTONY
Dead, then?

MARDIAN
Dead.

ANTONY
Unarm, Eros. The long day's task is done,
And we must sleep. (To Mardian) That thou depart'st hence safe
Does pay thy labour richly. Go.
Exit Mardian
Off, pluck off!
The sevenfold shield of Ajax cannot keep
The battery from my heart. O, 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. Now all 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 her Aeneas shall want troops,
And all the haunt be ours. – Come, Eros, Eros!
Enter Eros

EROS
What would my lord?

ANTONY
Since Cleopatra died,
I have lived in such dishonour that the gods
Detest my baseness. I, that with my sword
Quartered the world, and o'er green Neptune's back
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 conqueror of myself.' Thou art sworn, Eros,
That, when the exigent should come, which now
Is come indeed, when I should see behind me
Th' inevitable prosecution of
Disgrace and horror, that on my command
Thou then wouldst kill me. Do't; the time is come.
Thou strik'st not me; 'tis Caesar thou defeat'st.
Put colour in thy cheek.

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

ANTONY
Eros,
Wouldst thou be windowed in great Rome and see
Thy master thus: with pleached 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?

EROS
I would not see't.

ANTONY
Come then; for with a wound I must be cured.
Draw that thy honest sword, which thou hast worn
Most useful for thy country.

EROS
O, sir, pardon me.

ANTONY
When I did make thee free, swor'st 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.

EROS
Turn from me then that noble countenance
Wherein the worship of the whole world lies.

ANTONY
Lo thee!
He turns from him

EROS
My sword is drawn.

ANTONY
Then let it do at once
The thing why thou hast drawn it.

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

ANTONY
'Tis said, man, and farewell.

EROS
Farewell, great chief. Shall I strike now?

ANTONY
Now, Eros.

EROS
Why, there then! Thus I do escape the sorrow
Of Antony's death. He kills himself

ANTONY
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't
As to a lover's bed. Come then; and, Eros,
Thy master dies thy scholar. To do thus
I learned of thee.
He falls on his sword
How? Not dead? Not dead?
The guard, ho! O, dispatch me!
Enter Decretas and a company of the Guard

FIRST GUARD
What's the noise?

ANTONY
I have done my work ill, friends. O, make an end
Of what I have begun.

SECOND GUARD
The star is fallen.

FIRST GUARD
And time is at his period.

ALL THE GUARDS
Alas, and woe!

ANTONY
Let him that loves me strike me dead.

FIRST GUARD
Not I.

SECOND GUARD
Nor I.

THIRD GUARD
Nor anyone.
Exeunt Guard

DECRETAS
Thy death and fortunes bid thy followers fly.
This sword but shown to Caesar, with this tidings,
Shall enter me with him.
Enter Diomedes

DIOMEDES
Where's Antony?

DECRETAS
There, Diomed, there.

DIOMEDES
Lives he?
Wilt thou not answer, man?
Exit Decretas

ANTONY
Art thou there, Diomed? Draw thy sword, and give me
Sufficing strokes for death.

DIOMEDES
Most absolute lord,
My mistress Cleopatra sent me to thee.

ANTONY
When did she send thee?

DIOMEDES
Now, my lord.

ANTONY
Where is she?

DIOMEDES
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.

ANTONY
Too late, good Diomed. Call my guard, I prithee.

DIOMEDES
What ho! The Emperor's guard! The guard, what ho!
Come, your lord calls!
Enter four or five of the Guard of Antony

ANTONY
Bear me, good friends, where Cleopatra bides.
'Tis the last service that I shall command you.

FIRST GUARD
Woe, woe are we, sir, you may not live to wear
All your true followers out.

ALL THE GUARDS
Most heavy day!

ANTONY
Nay, good my 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.
Exeunt, bearing Antony
Modern text
Act IV, Scene XV
Enter Cleopatra and her maids, aloft, with Charmian
and Iras

CLEOPATRA
O, Charmian, I will never go from hence.

CHARMIAN
Be comforted, dear madam.

CLEOPATRA
No, I will not.
All strange and terrible events are welcome,
But comforts we despise. Our size of sorrow,
Proportioned to our cause, must be as great
As that which makes it.
Enter Diomedes below
How now? Is he dead?

DIOMEDES
His death's upon him, but not dead.
Look out o'th' other side your monument;
His guard have brought him thither.
Enter, below, the Guard, bearing Antony

CLEOPATRA
O sun,
Burn the great sphere thou mov'st in; darkling stand
The varying shore o'th' world! O Antony,
Antony, Antony! Help, Charmian, help, Iras, help!
Help, friends below! Let's draw him hither.

ANTONY
Peace!
Not Caesar's valour hath o'erthrown Antony,
But Antony's hath triumphed on itself.

CLEOPATRA
So it should be, that none but Antony
Should conquer Antony, but woe 'tis so!

ANTONY
I am dying, Egypt, dying; only
I here importune death awhile, until
Of many thousand kisses the poor last
I lay up thy lips.

CLEOPATRA
I dare not, dear;
Dear my lord, pardon. I dare not,
Lest I be taken. Not th' imperious show
Of the full-fortuned Caesar ever shall
Be brooched 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 honour
Demuring upon me. But come, come, Antony –
Help me, my women – we must draw thee up.
Assist, good friends.

ANTONY
O, quick, or I am gone.

CLEOPATRA
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;
Wishers were ever fools. O, come, come, come.
They heave Antony aloft to Cleopatra
And welcome, welcome! Die when thou hast lived;
Quicken with kissing. Had my lips that power,
Thus would I wear them out.

ALL THE GUARDS
A heavy sight!

ANTONY
I am dying, Egypt, dying.
Give me some wine, and let me speak a little.

CLEOPATRA
No, let me speak, and let me rail so high
That the false housewife Fortune break her wheel,
Provoked by my offence.

ANTONY
One word, sweet queen.
Of Caesar seek your honour, with your safety. O!

CLEOPATRA
They do not go together.

ANTONY
Gentle, hear me:
None about Caesar trust but Proculeius.

CLEOPATRA
My resolution and my hands I'll trust,
None about Caesar.

ANTONY
The miserable change now at my end
Lament nor sorrow at, but please your thoughts
In feeding them with those my former fortunes,
Wherein I lived; the greatest prince o'th' world,
The noblest; and do now not basely die,
Not cowardly put off my helmet to
My countryman; a Roman, by a Roman
Valiantly vanquished. Now my spirit is going;
I can no more.

CLEOPATRA
Noblest of men, woo't die?
Hast thou no care of me? Shall I abide
In this dull world, which in thy absence is
No better than a sty? O, see, my women,
Antony dies
The crown o'th' earth doth melt. My lord!
O, withered is the garland of the war,
The soldier's pole is fall'n; young boys and girls
Are level now with men. The odds is gone,
And there is nothing left remarkable
Beneath the visiting moon.
She faints

CHARMIAN
O, quietness, lady!

IRAS
She's dead too, our sovereign.

CHARMIAN
Lady!

IRAS
Madam!

CHARMIAN
O madam, madam, madam!

IRAS
Royal Egypt! Empress!

CHARMIAN
Peace, peace, Iras!

CLEOPATRA
No more but e'en a woman, and commanded
By such poor passion as the maid that milks
And does the meanest chares. 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 naught.
Patience is sottish, 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, Charmian?
My noble girls! Ah, women, women, look,
Our 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't 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.
Exeunt, bearing off Antony's body
x

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