William Shakespeare: The Complete Works 2nd Edition (450 page)
Read William Shakespeare: The Complete Works 2nd Edition Online
Authors: William Shakespeare
Tags: #Drama, #Literary Criticism, #Shakespeare
BOOK: William Shakespeare: The Complete Works 2nd Edition
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MESSENGER At your noble pleasure.
Exit Messenger
Enter another Messenger
ANTONY
From Sicyon, ho, the news? Speak there.
⌈SECOND MESSENGER⌉
The man from Sicyon—
⌈ANTONY⌉ Is there such a one?
⌈SECOND MESSENGER⌉
He stays upon your will.
ANTONY Let him appear.
Exit Second Messenger
These strong Egyptian fetters I must break,
Or lose myself in dotage.
Or lose myself in dotage.
Enter another Messenger with a letter
What are you?
⌈THIRD MESSENGER⌉
Fulvia thy wife is dead.
ANTONY Where died she?
THIRD MESSENGER In Sicyon.
Her length of sickness, with what else more serious
Importeth thee to know, this bears.
Importeth thee to know, this bears.
He gives Antony the letter
ANTONY Forbear me.
⌈
Exit Third Messenger
⌉
There’s a great spirit gone. Thus did I desire it.
What our contempts doth often hurl from us
We wish it ours again. The present pleasure,
By revolution low’ring, 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!
What our contempts doth often hurl from us
We wish it ours again. The present pleasure,
By revolution low’ring, 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!
⌈
Enter Enobarbus
⌉
ENOBARBUS
What’s your pleasure, sir?
ANTONY
I must with haste from hence.
ENOBARBUS Why, then we kill all our women. We see how mortal an unkindness is to them; if they suffer our departure, death’s the word.
ANTONY I must be gone.
ENOBARBUS 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 mettle in death, which commits some loving act upon her, she hath such a celerity in dying.
ANTONY She is cunning past man’s thought.
ENOBARBUS 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.
ANTONY Would I had never seen her!
ENOBARBUS O, sir, you had then left unseen a wonderful piece of work, which not to have been blessed withal would have discredited your travel.
ANTONY Fulvia is dead.
ENOBARBUS Sir.
ANTONY Fulvia is dead.
ENOBARBUS Fulvia?
ANTONY Dead.
ENOBARBUS Why, sir, give the gods a thankful sacrifice. When it pleaseth 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 the 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.
ANTONY
The business she hath broached in the state
Cannot endure my absence.
Cannot endure my absence.
ENOBARBUS And the business you have broached here cannot be without you, especially that of Cleopatra’s, which wholly depends on your abode.
ANTONY
No more light answers. Let our officers
Have notice what we purpose. I shall break
The cause of our expedience to the Queen,
And get her leave to part; for not alone
The death of Fulvia, with more urgent touches,
Do strongly speak to us, but the letters too
Of many our 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 o’th’ world may danger. Much is breeding
Which, like the courser’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.
Have notice what we purpose. I shall break
The cause of our expedience to the Queen,
And get her leave to part; for not alone
The death of Fulvia, with more urgent touches,
Do strongly speak to us, but the letters too
Of many our 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 o’th’ world may danger. Much is breeding
Which, like the courser’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.
ENOBARBUS
I shall do’t.
Exeunt severally
Enter Cleopatra, Charmian, Alexas, and Iras
CLEOPATRA
Where is he?
CHARMIAN I did not see him since.
CLEOPATRA ⌈
to Alexas
⌉
to Alexas
⌉
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.
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 ⌈
Alexas
⌉
Alexas
⌉
CHARMIAN
Madam, methinks, if you did love him dearly,
You do not hold the method to enforce
The like from him.
You do not hold the method to enforce
The like from him.
CLEOPATRA What should I do I do not?
CHARMIAN
In each thing give him way; cross him in nothing.
CLEOPATRA
Thou teachest like a fool, the way to lose him.
CHARMIAN
Tempt him not so too far. Iwis, forbear.
In time we hate that which we often fear.
In time we hate that which we often fear.
Enter Antony
But here comes Antony.
CLEOPATRA I am sick and sullen.
ANTONY
I am sorry to give breathing to my purpose.
CLEOPATRA
Help me away, dear Charmian, I shall fall.
It cannot be thus long—the sides of nature
Will not sustain it.
It cannot be thus long—the sides of nature
Will not sustain it.
ANTONY Now, my dearest queen.
CLEOPATRA
Pray you, stand farther from me.
ANTONY What’s the matter?
CLEOPATRA
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.
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.
ANTONY
The gods best know—
CLEOPATRA O, never was there queen
So mightily betrayed! Yet at the first
I saw the treasons planted.
I saw the treasons planted.
ANTONY Cleopatra—
CLEOPATRA
Why should I think you can be mine and true—
Though you in swearing shake the thronèd gods—
Who have been false to Fulvia? Riotous madness,
To be entangled with those mouth-made vows
Which break themselves in swearing.
Though you in swearing shake the thronèd gods—
Who have been false to Fulvia? Riotous madness,
To be entangled with those mouth-made vows
Which break themselves in swearing.
ANTONY
Most sweet queen—
CLEOPATRA
Nay, pray you, seek no colour 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 brow’s bent; none our parts so poor
But was a race of heaven. They are so still,
Or thou, the greatest soldier of the world,
Art turned the greatest liar.
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 brow’s bent; none our parts so poor
But was a race of heaven. They are so still,
Or thou, the greatest soldier of the world,
Art turned the greatest liar.
ANTONY
How now, lady!
CLEOPATRA
I would I had thy inches. Thou shouldst know
There were a heart in Egypt.
There were a heart in Egypt.
ANTONY
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.
Equality of two domestic powers
Breed 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.
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.
Equality of two domestic powers
Breed 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.
CLEOPATRA
Though age from folly could not give me freedom,
It does from childishness. Can Fulvia die?
It does from childishness. Can Fulvia die?
ANTONY She’s dead, my queen.
He offers letters
Look here, and at thy sovereign leisure read
The garboils she awaked. At the last, best,
See when and where she died.
The garboils she awaked. At the last, best,
See when and where she died.
CLEOPATRA
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.
With sorrowful water? Now I see, I see,
In Fulvia’s death how mine received shall be.
ANTONY
Quarrel no more, but be prepared to know
The purposes I bear, which are or cease
As you shall give th’advice. By the fire
That quickens Nilus’ slime, I go from hence
Thy soldier-servant, making peace or war
As thou affects.
The purposes I bear, which are or cease
As you shall give th’advice. By the fire
That quickens Nilus’ slime, I go from hence
Thy soldier-servant, making peace or war
As thou affects.
CLEOPATRA
Cut my lace, Charmian, come.
But let it be. I am quickly ill and well;
So Antony loves.
So Antony loves.
ANTONY
My precious queen, forbear, And give true evidence to his love, which stands
An honourable trial.
An honourable trial.
CLEOPATRA
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
Like perfect honour.
Then bid adieu to me, and say the tears
Belong to Egypt. Good now, play one scene
Of excellent dissembling, and let it look
Like perfect honour.
ANTONY
You’ll heat my blood. No more.
CLEOPATRA
You can do better yet; but this is meetly.
ANTONY
Now by my sword—
CLEOPATRA
And target. Still he mends.
But this is not the best. Look, prithee, Charmian,
How this Herculean Roman does become
The carriage of his chafe.
How this Herculean Roman does become
The carriage of his chafe.
ANTONY I’ll leave you, lady.
CLEOPATRA 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—
O, my oblivion is a very Antony,
And I am all forgotten.
Sir, you and I have loved; but there’s not it;
That you know well. Something it is I would—
O, my oblivion is a very Antony,
And I am all forgotten.
ANTONY
But that your royalty Holds idleness your subject, I should take you
For idleness itself.
For idleness itself.
CLEOPATRA
’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,
And all the gods go with you. Upon your sword
Sit laurel victory, and smooth success
Be strewed before your feet.
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,
And all the gods go with you. Upon your sword
Sit laurel victory, and smooth success
Be strewed before your feet.
ANTONY
Let us go. Come. Our separation so abides and flies
That thou residing here goes yet with me,
And I hence fleeting, here remain with thee.
Away.
That thou residing here goes yet with me,
And I hence fleeting, here remain with thee.
Away.
Exeunt severally
Enter Octavius reading a letter, Lepidus, and their train
CAESAR
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 vouchsafed to think he had partners. You shall find
there
A man who is the abstract of all faults
That all men follow.
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 vouchsafed to think he had partners. You shall find
there
A man who is the abstract of all faults
That all men follow.
LEPIDUS
I must not think there are
Evils enough 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.
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.
CAESAR
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