Front matter (continued 49)
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Caesar. Take your time
Ant. Thou can'st not feare vs Pompey with thy sailes. Weele speake with thee at Sea. At land thou know'st How much we do o're-count thee
Pom. At Land indeed Thou dost orecount me of my Fathers house: But since the Cuckoo buildes not for himselfe, Remaine in't as thou maist
Lepi. Be pleas'd to tell vs, (For this is from the present how you take) The offers we haue sent you
Caesar. There's the point
Ant. Which do not be entreated too, But waigh what it is worth imbrac'd Caesar. And what may follow to try a larger Fortune
Pom. You haue made me offer Of Cicelie, Sardinia: and I must Rid all the Sea of Pirats. Then, to send Measures of Wheate to Rome: this greed vpon, To part with vnhackt edges, and beare backe Our Targes vndinted
Omnes. That's our offer
Pom. Know then I came before you heere, A man prepar'd To take this offer. But Marke Anthony, Put me to some impatience: though I loose The praise of it by telling. You must know When Caesar and your Brother were at blowes, Your Mother came to Cicelie, and did finde Her welcome Friendly
Ant. I haue heard it Pompey, And am well studied for a liberall thanks, Which I do owe you
Pom. Let me haue your hand: I did not thinke Sir, to haue met you heere, Ant. The beds i'th' East are soft, and thanks to you, That cal'd me timelier then my purpose hither: For I haue gained by't
Caesar. Since I saw you last, ther's a change vpon you
Pom. Well, I know not, What counts harsh Fortune cast's vpon my face, But in my bosome shall she neuer come, To make my heart her vassaile
Lep. Well met heere
Pom. I hope so Lepidus, thus we are agreed: I craue our composion may be written And seal'd betweene vs, Caesar. That's the next to do
Pom. Weele feast each other, ere we part, and lett's Draw lots who shall begin
Ant. That will I Pompey
Pompey. No Anthony take the lot: but first or last, your fine Egyptian cookerie shall haue the fame, I haue heard that Iulius Caesar, grew fat with feasting there
Anth. You haue heard much
Pom. I haue faire meaning Sir
Ant. And faire words to them
Pom. Then so much haue I heard, And I haue heard Appolodorus carried- Eno. No more that: he did so
Pom. What I pray you? Eno. A certaine Queene to Caesar in a Matris
Pom. I know thee now, how far'st thou Souldier? Eno. Well, and well am like to do, for I perceiue Foure Feasts are toward
Pom. Let me shake thy hand, I neuer hated thee: I haue seene thee fight, When I haue enuied thy behauiour
Enob. Sir, I neuer lou'd you much, but I ha' prais'd ye, When you haue well deseru'd ten times as much, As I haue said you did
Pom. Inioy thy plainnesse, It nothing ill becomes thee: Aboord my Gally, I inuite you all. Will you leade Lords? All. Shew's the way, sir
Pom. Come.
Exeunt. Manet Enob. & Menas] Men. Thy Father Pompey would ne're haue made this Treaty. You, and I haue knowne sir
Enob. At Sea, I thinke
Men. We haue Sir
Enob. You haue done well by water
Men. And you by Land
Enob. I will praise any man that will praise me, thogh it cannot be denied what I haue done by Land
Men. Nor what I haue done by water
Enob. Yes some-thing you can deny for your owne safety: you haue bin a great Theefe by Sea
Men. And you by Land
Enob. There I deny my Land seruice: but giue mee your hand Menas, if our eyes had authority, heere they might take two Theeues kissing
Men. All mens faces are true, whatsomere their hands are
Enob. But there is neuer a fayre Woman, ha's a true Face
Men. No slander, they steale hearts
Enob. We came hither to fight with you
Men. For my part, I am sorry it is turn'd to a Drinking. Pompey doth this day laugh away his Fortune
Enob. If he do, sure he cannot weep't backe againe
Men. Y'haue said Sir, we look'd not for Marke Anthony heere, pray you, is he married to Cleopatra? Enob. Caesars Sister is call'd Octauia
Men. True Sir, she was the wife of Caius Marcellus
Enob. But she is now the wife of Marcus Anthonius
Men. Pray'ye sir
Enob. 'Tis true
Men. Then is Caesar and he, for euer knit together
Enob. If I were bound to Diuine of this vnity, I wold not Prophesie so
Men. I thinke the policy of that purpose, made more in the Marriage, then the loue of the parties
Enob. I thinke so too. But you shall finde the band that seemes to tye their friendship together, will bee the very strangler of their Amity: Octauia is of a holy, cold, and still conuersation
Men. Who would not haue his wife so? Eno. Not he that himselfe is not so: which is Marke Anthony: he will to his Egyptian dish againe: then shall the sighes of Octauia blow the fire vp in Caesar, and (as I said before) that which is the strength of their Amity, shall proue the immediate Author of their variance. Anthony will vse his affection where it is. Hee married but his occasion heere
Men. And thus it may be. Come Sir, will you aboord? I haue a health for you
Enob. I shall take it sir: we haue vs'd our Throats in Egypt
Men. Come, let's away.
Exeunt.
Musicke playes. Enter two or three Seruants with a Banket.
1 Heere they'l be man: some o' their Plants are ill rooted already, the least winde i'th' world wil blow them downe
2 Lepidus is high Coulord
1 They haue made him drinke Almes drinke
2 As they pinch one another by the disposition, hee cries out, no more; reconciles them to his entreatie, and himselfe to'th' drinke
1 But it raises the greater warre betweene him & his discretion
2 Why this it is to haue a name in great mens Fellowship: I had as liue haue a Reede that will doe me no seruice, as a Partizan I could not heaue
1 To be call'd into a huge Sphere, and not to be seene to moue in't, are the holes where eyes should bee, which pittifully disaster the cheekes.
A Sennet sounded. Enter Caesar, Anthony, Pompey, Lepidus, Agrippa, Mecenas, Enobarbus, Menes, with other Captaines.
Ant. Thus do they Sir: they take the flow o'th' Nyle By certaine scales i'th' Pyramid: they know By'th' height, the lownesse, or the meane: If dearth Or Foizon follow. The higher Nilus swels, The more it promises: as it ebbes, the Seedsman Vpon the slime and Ooze scatters his graine, And shortly comes to Haruest
Lep. Y'haue strange Serpents there? Anth. I Lepidus
Lep. Your Serpent of Egypt, is bred now of your mud by the operation of your Sun: so is your Crocodile
Ant. They are so
Pom. Sit, and some Wine: A health to Lepidus
Lep. I am not so well as I should be: But Ile ne're out
Enob. Not till you haue slept: I feare me you'l bee in till then
Lep. Nay certainly, I haue heard the Ptolomies Pyramisis are very goodly things: without contradiction I haue heard that
Menas. Pompey, a word
Pomp. Say in mine eare, what is't
Men. Forsake thy seate I do beseech thee Captaine, And heare me speake a word
Pom. Forbeare me till anon.
Whispers in's Eare.
This Wine for Lepidus
Lep. What manner o' thing is your Crocodile? Ant. It is shap'd sir like it selfe, and it is as broad as it hath bredth; It is iust so high as it is, and mooues with it owne organs. It liues by that which nourisheth it, and the Elements once out of it, it Transmigrates
Lep. What colour is it of? Ant. Of it owne colour too
Lep. 'Tis a strange Serpent
Ant. 'Tis so, and the teares of it are wet
Caes Will this description satisfie him? Ant. With the Health that Pompey giues him, else he is a very Epicure
Pomp. Go hang sir, hang: tell me of that? Away: Do as I bid you. Where's this Cup I call'd for? Men. If for the sake of Merit thou wilt heare mee, Rise from thy stoole
Pom. I thinke th'art mad: the matter? Men. I haue euer held my cap off to thy Fortunes
Pom. Thou hast seru'd me with much faith: what's else to say? Be iolly Lords
Anth. These Quicke-sands Lepidus, Keepe off, them for you sinke
Men. Wilt thou be Lord of all the world? Pom. What saist thou? Men. Wilt thou be Lord of the whole world? That's twice
Pom. How should that be? Men. But entertaine it, and though thou thinke me poore, I am the man will giue thee all the world
Pom. Hast thou drunke well
Men. No Pompey, I haue kept me from the cup, Thou art if thou dar'st be, the earthly Ioue: What ere the Ocean pales, or skie inclippes, Is thine, if thou wilt ha't
Pom. Shew me which way? Men. These three World-sharers, these Competitors Are in thy vessell. Let me cut the Cable, And when we are put off, fall to their throates: All there is thine
Pom. Ah, this thou shouldst haue done, And not haue spoke on't. In me 'tis villanie, In thee, 't had bin good seruice: thou must know, 'Tis not my profit that does lead mine Honour: Mine Honour it, Repent that ere thy tongue, Hath so betraide thine acte. Being done vnknowne, I should haue found it afterwards well done, But must condemne it now: desist, and drinke
Men. For this, Ile neuer follow Thy paul'd Fortunes more, Who seekes and will not take, when once 'tis offer'd, Shall neuer finde it more
Pom. This health to Lepidus
Ant. Beare him ashore, Ile pledge it for him Pompey
Eno. Heere's to thee Menas
Men. Enobarbus, welcome
Pom. Fill till the cup be hid
Eno. There's a strong Fellow Menas
Men. Why? Eno. A beares the third part of the world man: seest not? Men. The third part, then he is drunk: would it were all, that it might go on wheeles
Eno. Drinke thou: encrease the Reeles
Men. Come
Pom. This is not yet an Alexandrian Feast
Ant. It ripen's, towards it: strike the Vessells hoa. Heere's to Caesar
Caesar. I could well forbear't, it's monstrous labour when I wash my braine, and it grow fouler
Ant. Be a Child o'th' time
Caesar. Possesse it, Ile make answer: but I had rather fast from all, foure dayes, then drinke so much in one
Enob. Ha my braue Emperour, shall we daunce now the Egyptian Backenals, and celebrate our drinke? Pom. Let's ha't good Souldier
Ant. Come, let's all take hands, Till that the conquering Wine hath steep't our sense, In soft and delicate Lethe
Eno. All take hands: Make battery to our eares with the loud Musicke, The while, Ile place you, then the Boy shall sing. The holding euery man shall beate as loud, As his strong sides can volly.
Musicke Playes. Enobarbus places them hand in hand.
The Song.
Come thou Monarch of the Vine, Plumpie Bacchus, with pinke eyne: In thy Fattes our Cares be drown'd, With thy Grapes our haires be Crown'd. Cup vs till the world go round, Cup vs till the world go round
Caesar. What would you more? Pompey goodnight. Good Brother Let me request you of our grauer businesse Frownes at this leuitie. Gentle Lords let's part, You see we haue burnt our cheekes. Strong Enobarbe Is weaker then the Wine, and mine owne tongue Spleet's what it speakes: the wilde disguise hath almost Antickt vs all. What needs more words? goodnight. Good Anthony your hand
Pom. Ile try you on the shore
Anth. And shall Sir, giues your hand
Pom. Oh Anthony, you haue my Father house. But what, we are Friends? Come downe into the Boate
Eno. Take heed you fall not Menas: Ile not on shore, No to my Cabin: these Drummes, These Trumpets, Flutes: what Let Neptune heare, we bid aloud farewell To these great Fellowes. Sound and be hang'd, sound out.
Sound a Flourish with Drummes.
Enor. Hoo saies a there's my Cap
Men. Hoa, Noble Captaine, come.
Exeunt.
Enter Ventidius as it were in triumph, the dead body of Pacorus borne before him.
Ven. Now darting Parthya art thou stroke, and now Pleas'd Fortune does of Marcus Crassus death Make me reuenger. Beare the Kings Sonnes body, Before our Army, thy Pacorus Orades, Paies this for Marcus Crassus
Romaine. Noble Ventidius, Whil'st yet with Parthian blood thy Sword is warme, The Fugitiue Parthians follow. Spurre through Media, Mesapotamia, and the shelters, whether The routed flie. So thy grand Captaine Anthony Shall set thee on triumphant Chariots, and Put Garlands on thy head
Ven. Oh Sillius, Sillius, I haue done enough. A lower place note well May make too great an act. For learne this Sillius, Better to leaue vndone, then by our deed Acquire too high a Fame, when him we serues away. Caesar and Anthony, haue euer wonne More in their officer, then person. Sossius One of my place in Syria, his Lieutenant, For quicke accumulation of renowne, Which he atchiu'd by'th' minute, lost his fauour. Who does i'th' Warres more then his Captaine can, Becomes his Captaines Captaine: and Ambition (The Souldiers vertue) rather makes choise of losse Then gaine, which darkens him. I could do more to do Anthonius good, But 'twould offend him. And in his offence, Should my performance perish
Rom. Thou hast Ventidius that, without the which a Souldier and his Sword graunts scarce distinction: thou wilt write to Anthony
Ven. Ile humbly signifie what in his name, That magicall word of Warre we haue effected, How with his Banners, and his well paid ranks, The nere-yet beaten Horse of Parthia, We haue iaded out o'th' Field
Rom. Where is he now? Ven. He purposeth to Athens, whither with what hast The waight we must conuay with's, will permit: We shall appeare before him. On there, passe along.
Exeunt.
Enter Agrippa at one doore, Enobarbus at another.
Agri. What are the Brothers parted? Eno. They haue dispatcht with Pompey, he is gone, The other three are Sealing. Octauia weepes To part from Rome: Caesar is sad, and Lepidus Since Pompey's feast, as Menas saies, is troubled With the Greene-Sicknesse
Agri. 'Tis a Noble Lepidus
Eno. A very fine one: oh, how he loues Caesar
Agri. Nay but how deerely he adores Mark Anthony
Eno. Caesar? why he's the Iupiter of men
Ant. What's Anthony, the God of Iupiter? Eno. Spake you of Caesar? How, the non-pareill? Agri. Oh Anthony, oh thou Arabian Bird! Eno. Would you praise Caesar, say Caesar go no further
Agr. Indeed he plied them both with excellent praises
Eno. But he loues Caesar best, yet he loues Anthony: Hoo, Hearts, Tongues, Figure, Scribes, Bards, Poets, cannot Thinke speake, cast, write, sing, number: hoo, His loue to Anthony. But as for Caesar, Kneele downe, kneele downe, and wonder
Agri. Both he loues
Eno. They are his Shards, and he their Beetle, so: This is to horse: Adieu, Noble Agrippa
Agri. Good Fortune worthy Souldier, and farewell. Enter Caesar, Anthony, Lepidus, and Octauia.
Antho. No further Sir
Caesar. You take from me a great part of my selfe: Vse me well in't. Sister, proue such a wife As my thoughts make thee, and as my farthest Band Shall passe on thy approofe: most Noble Anthony, Let not the peece of Vertue which is set Betwixt vs, as the Cyment of our loue To keepe it builded, be the Ramme to batter The Fortresse of it: for better might we Haue lou'd without this meane, if on both parts This be not cherisht
Ant. Make me not offended, in your distrust
Caesar. I haue said
Ant. You shall not finde, Though you be therein curious, the lest cause For what you seeme to feare, so the Gods keepe you, And make the hearts of Romaines serue your ends: We will heere part
Caesar. Farewell my deerest Sister, fare thee well, The Elements be kind to thee, and make Thy spirits all of comfort: fare thee well
Octa. My Noble Brother
Anth. The Aprill's in her eyes, it is Loues spring, And these the showers to bring it on: be cheerfull
Octa. Sir, looke well to my Husbands house: and- Caesar. What Octauia? Octa. Ile tell you in your eare
Ant. Her tongue will not obey her heart, nor can Her heart informe her tongue. The Swannes downe feather That stands vpon the Swell at the full of Tide: And neither way inclines
Eno. Will Caesar weepe? Agr. He ha's a cloud in's face
Eno. He were the worse for that were he a Horse, so is he being a man
Agri. Why Enobarbus: When Anthony found Iulius Caesar dead, He cried almost to roaring: And he wept, When at Phillippi he found Brutus slaine
Eno. That year indeed, he was trobled with a rheume, What willingly he did confound, he wail'd, Beleeu't till I weepe too
Caesar. No sweet Octauia, You shall heare from me still: the time shall not Out-go my thinking on you
Ant. Come Sir, come, Ile wrastle with you in my strength of loue, Looke heere I haue you, thus I let you go, And giue you to the Gods
Caesar. Adieu, be happy
Lep. Let all the number of the Starres giue light To thy faire way
Caesar. Farewell, farewell.
Kisses Octauia.
Ant. Farewell.
Trumpets sound. Exeunt.
Enter Cleopatra, Charmian, Iras, and Alexas.
Cleo. Where is the Fellow? Alex. Halfe afeard to come
Cleo. Go too, go too: Come hither Sir. Enter the Messenger as before.
Alex. Good Maiestie: Herod of Iury dare not looke vpon you, but when you are well pleas'd
Cleo. That Herods head, Ile haue: but how? When Anthony is gone, through whom I might commaund it: Come thou neere
Mes. Most gratious Maiestie
Cleo. Did'st thou behold Octauia? Mes. I dread Queene
Cleo. Where? Mes. Madam in Rome, I lookt her in the face: and saw her led betweene her Brother, and Marke Anthony
Cleo. Is she as tall as me? Mes. She is not Madam
Cleo. Didst heare her speake? Is she shrill tongu'd or low? Mes. Madam, I heard her speake, she is low voic'd
Cleo. That's not so good: he cannot like her long
Char. Like her? Oh Isis: 'tis impossible
Cleo. I thinke so Charmian: dull of tongue, & dwarfish What Maiestie is in her gate, remember If ere thou look'st on Maiestie
Mes. She creepes: her motion, & her station are as one. She shewes a body, rather then a life, A Statue, then a Breather
Cleo. Is this certaine? Mes. Or I haue no obseruance
Cha. Three in Egypt cannot make better note
Cleo. He's very knowing, I do perceiu't, There's nothing in her yet. The Fellow ha's good iudgement
Char. Excellent
Cleo. Guesse at her yeares, I prythee
Mess. Madam, she was a widdow
Cleo. Widdow? Charmian, hearke
Mes. And I do thinke she's thirtie
Cle. Bear'st thou her face in mind? is't long or round? Mess. Round, euen to faultinesse
Cleo. For the most part too, they are foolish that are so. Her haire what colour? Mess. Browne Madam: and her forehead As low as she would wish it
Cleo. There's Gold for thee, Thou must not take my former sharpenesse ill, I will employ thee backe againe: I finde thee Most fit for businesse. Go, make thee ready, Our Letters are prepar'd
Char. A proper man
Cleo. Indeed he is so: I repent me much That so I harried him. Why me think's by him, This Creature's no such thing
Char. Nothing Madam
Cleo. The man hath seene some Maiesty, and should know
Char. Hath he seene Maiestie? Isis else defend: and seruing you so long
Cleopa. I haue one thing more to aske him yet good Charmian: but 'tis no matter, thou shalt bring him to me where I will write; all may be well enough
Char. I warrant you Madam.
Exeunt.
Enter Anthony and Octauia.
Ant. Nay, nay Octauia, not onely that, That were excusable, that and thousands more Of semblable import, but he hath wag'd New Warres 'gainst Pompey. Made his will, and read it, To publicke eare, spoke scantly of me, When perforce he could not But pay me tearmes of Honour: cold and sickly He vented then most narrow measure: lent me, When the best hint was giuen him: he not took't, Or did it from his teeth
Octaui. Oh my good Lord, Beleeue not all, or if you must beleeue, Stomacke not all. A more vnhappie Lady, If this deuision chance, ne're stood betweene Praying for both parts: The good Gods wil mocke me presently, When I shall pray: Oh blesse my Lord, and Husband, Vndo that prayer, by crying out as loud, Oh blesse my Brother. Husband winne, winne Brother, Prayes, and distroyes the prayer, no midway 'Twixt these extreames at all
Ant. Gentle Octauia, Let your best loue draw to that point which seeks Best to preserue it: if I loose mine Honour, I loose my selfe: better I were not yours Then your so branchlesse. But as you requested, Your selfe shall go between's, the meane time Lady, Ile raise the preparation of a Warre Shall staine your Brother, make your soonest hast, So your desires are yours
Oct. Thanks to my Lord, The Ioue of power make me most weake, most weake, Your reconciler: Warres 'twixt you twaine would be, As if the world should cleaue, and that slaine men Should soalder vp the Rift
Anth. When it appeeres to you where this begins, Turne your displeasure that way, for our faults Can neuer be so equall, that your loue Can equally moue with them. Prouide your going, Choose your owne company, and command what cost Your heart he's mind too.
Exeunt.
Enter Enobarbus, and Eros.
Eno. How now Friend Eros? Eros. Ther's strange Newes come Sir
Eno. What man? Ero. Caesar & Lepidus haue made warres vpon Pompey
Eno. This is old, what is the successe? Eros. Caesar hauing made vse of him in the warres 'gainst Pompey: presently denied him riuality, would not let him partake in the glory of the action, and not resting here, accuses him of Letters he had formerly wrote to Pompey. Vpon his owne appeale seizes him, so the poore third is vp, till death enlarge his Confine
Eno. Then would thou hadst a paire of chaps no more, and throw betweene them all the food thou hast, they'le grinde the other. Where's Anthony? Eros. He's walking in the garden thus, and spurnes The rush that lies before him. Cries Foole Lepidus, And threats the throate of that his Officer, That murdred Pompey
Eno. Our great Nauies rig'd
Eros. For Italy and Caesar, more Domitius, My Lord desires you presently: my Newes I might haue told heareafter
Eno. 'Twillbe naught, but let it be: bring me to Anthony
Eros. Come Sir,
Exeunt.
Enter Agrippa, Mecenas, and Caesar.
Caes Contemning Rome he ha's done all this, & more In Alexandria: heere's the manner of't: I'th' Market-place on a Tribunall siluer'd, Cleopatra and himselfe in Chaires of Gold Were publikely enthron'd: at the feet, sat Caesarion whom they call my Fathers Sonne, And all the vnlawfull issue, that their Lust Since then hath made betweene them. Vnto her, He gaue the stablishment of Egypt, made her Of lower Syria, Cyprus, Lydia, absolute Queene
Mece. This in the publike eye? Caesar. I'th' common shew place, where they exercise, His Sonnes hither proclaimed the King of Kings, Great Media, Parthia, and Armenia He gaue to Alexander. To Ptolomy he assign'd, Syria, Silicia, and Phoenetia: she In th' abiliments of the Goddesse Isis That day appeer'd, and oft before gaue audience, As 'tis reported so
Mece. Let Rome be thus inform'd
Agri. Who queazie with his insolence already, Will their good thoughts call from him
Caesar. The people knowes it, And haue now receiu'd his accusations
Agri. Who does he accuse? Caesar. Caesar, and that hauing in Cicilie Sextus Pompeius spoil'd, we had not rated him His part o'th' Isle. Then does he say, he lent me Some shipping vnrestor'd. Lastly, he frets That Lepidus of the Triumpherate, should be depos'd, And being that, we detaine all his Reuenue
Agri. Sir, this should be answer'd
Caesar. 'Tis done already, and the Messenger gone: I haue told him Lepidus was growne too cruell, That he his high Authority abus'd, And did deserue his change: for what I haue conquer'd, I grant him part: but then in his Armenia, And other of his conquer'd Kingdoms, I demand the like Mec. Hee'l neuer yeeld to that
Caes Nor must not then be yeelded to in this. Enter Octauia with her Traine.
Octa. Haile Caesar, and my L[ord]. haile most deere Caesar
Caesar. That euer I should call thee Cast-away
Octa. You haue not call'd me so, nor haue you cause
Caes Why haue you stoln vpon vs thus? you come not Like Caesars Sister, The wife of Anthony Should haue an Army for an Vsher, and The neighes of Horse to tell of her approach, Long ere she did appeare. The trees by'th' way Should haue borne men, and expectation fainted, Longing for what it had not. Nay, the dust Should haue ascended to the Roofe of Heauen, Rais'd by your populous Troopes: But you are come A Market-maid to Rome, and haue preuented The ostentation of our loue; which left vnshewne, Is often left vnlou'd: we should haue met you By Sea, and Land, supplying euery Stage With an augmented greeting
Octa. Good my Lord, To come thus was I not constrain'd, but did it On my free-will. My Lord Marke Anthony, Hearing that you prepar'd for Warre, acquainted My greeued eare withall: whereon I begg'd His pardon for returne
Caes Which soone he granted, Being an abstract 'tweene his Lust, and him
Octa. Do not say so, my Lord
Caes I haue eyes vpon him, And his affaires come to me on the wind: wher is he now? Octa. My Lord, in Athens
Caesar. No my most wronged Sister, Cleopatra Hath nodded him to her. He hath giuen his Empire Vp to a Whore, who now are leuying The Kings o'th' earth for Warre. He hath assembled, Bochus the King of Lybia, Archilaus Of Cappadocia, Philadelphos King Of Paphlagonia: the Thracian King Adullas, King Manchus of Arabia, King of Pont, Herod of Iewry, Mithridates King Of Comageat, Polemen and Amintas, The Kings of Mede, and Licoania, With a more larger List of Scepters
Octa. Aye me most wretched, That haue my heart parted betwixt two Friends, That does afflict each other
Caes Welcom hither: your Letters did with-holde our breaking forth Till we perceiu'd both how you were wrong led, And we in negligent danger: cheere your heart, Be you not troubled with the time, which driues O're your content, these strong necessities, But let determin'd things to destinie Hold vnbewayl'd their way. Welcome to Rome, Nothing more deere to me: You are abus'd Beyond the marke of thought: and the high Gods To do you Iustice, makes his Ministers Of vs, and those that loue you. Best of comfort, And euer welcom to vs
Agrip. Welcome Lady
Mec. Welcome deere Madam, Each heart in Rome does loue and pitty you, Onely th' adulterous Anthony, most large In his abhominations, turnes you off, And giues his potent Regiment to a Trull That noyses it against vs
Octa. Is it so sir? Caes Most certaine: Sister welcome: pray you Be euer knowne to patience. My deer'st Sister.
Exeunt.
Enter Cleopatra, and Enobarbus.
Cleo. I will be euen with thee, doubt it not
Eno. But why, why, why? Cleo. Thou hast forespoke my being in these warres, And say'st it is not fit
Eno. Well: is it, is it
Cleo. If not, denounc'd against vs, why should not we be there in person
Enob. Well, I could reply: if wee should serue with Horse and Mares together, the Horse were meerly lost: the Mares would beare a Soldiour and his Horse
Cleo. What is't you say? Enob. Your presence needs must puzle Anthony, Take from his heart, take from his Braine, from's time, What should not then be spar'd. He is already Traduc'd for Leuity, and 'tis said in Rome, That Photinus an Eunuch, and your Maides Mannage this warre
Cleo. Sinke Rome, and their tongues rot That speake against vs. A Charge we beare i'th' Warre, And as the president of my Kingdome will Appeare there for a man. Speake not against it, I will not stay behinde. Enter Anthony and Camidias.
Eno. Nay I haue done, here comes the Emperor
Ant. Is it not strange Camidius, That from Tarientum, and Brandusium, He could so quickly cut the Ionian Sea, And take in Troine. You haue heard on't (Sweet?) Cleo. Celerity is neuer more admir'd, Then by the negligent
Ant. A good rebuke, Which might haue well becom'd the best of men To taunt at slacknesse. Camidius, wee Will fight with him by Sea
Cleo. By Sea, what else? Cam. Why will my Lord, do so? Ant. For that he dares vs too't
Enob. So hath my Lord, dar'd him to single fight
Cam. I, and to wage this Battell at Pharsalia, Where Caesar fought with Pompey. But these offers Which serue not for his vantage, he shakes off, And so should you
Enob. Your Shippes are not well mann'd, Your Marriners are Militers, Reapers, people Ingrost by swift Impresse. In Caesars Fleete, Are those, that often haue 'gainst Pompey fought, Their shippes are yare, yours heauy: no disgrace Shall fall you for refusing him at Sea, Being prepar'd for Land
Ant. By Sea, by Sea
Eno. Most worthy Sir, you therein throw away The absolute Soldiership you haue by Land, Distract your Armie, which doth most consist Of Warre-markt-footmen, leaue vnexecuted Your owne renowned knowledge, quite forgoe The way which promises assurance, and Giue vp your selfe meerly to chance and hazard, From firme Securitie
Ant. Ile fight at Sea
Cleo. I haue sixty Sailes, Caesar none better
Ant. Our ouer-plus of shipping will we burne, And with the rest full mann'd, from th' head of Action Beate th' approaching Caesar. But if we faile, We then can doo't at Land. Enter a Messenger.
Thy Businesse? Mes. The Newes is true, my Lord, he is descried, Caesar ha's taken Toryne
Ant. Can he be there in person? 'Tis impossible Strange, that his power should be. Camidius, Our nineteene Legions thou shalt hold by Land, And our twelue thousand Horse. Wee'l to our Ship, Away my Thetis. Enter a Soldiour.
How now worthy Souldier? Soul. Oh Noble Emperor, do not fight by Sea, Trust not to rotten plankes: Do you misdoubt This Sword, and these my Wounds; let th' Egyptians And the Phoenicians go a ducking: wee Haue vs'd to conquer standing on the earth, And fighting foot to foot
Ant. Well, well, away.
exit Ant. Cleo. & Enob
Soul. By Hercules I thinke I am i'th' right
Cam. Souldier thou art: but his whole action growes Not in the power on't: so our Leaders leade, And we are Womens mens
Soul. You keepe by Land the Legions and the Horse whole, do you not? Ven. Marcus Octauius, Marcus Iusteus, Publicola, and Celius, are for Sea: But we keepe whole by Land. This speede of Caesars Carries beyond beleefe
Soul. While he was yet in Rome, His power went out in such distractions, As beguilde all Spies
Cam. Who's his Lieutenant, heare you? Soul. They say, one Towrus
Cam. Well, I know the man. Enter a Messenger.
Mes. The Emperor cals Camidius
Cam. With Newes the times with Labour, And throwes forth each minute, some.
Exeunt.
Enter Caesar with his Army, marching.
Caes Towrus? Tow. My Lord
Caes Strike not by Land, Keepe whole, prouoke not Battaile Till we haue done at Sea. Do not exceede The Prescript of this Scroule: Our fortune lyes Vpon this iumpe. Enter.
Enter Anthony, and Enobarbus.
Ant. Set we our Squadrons on yond side o'th' Hill, In eye of Caesars battaile, from which place We may the number of the Ships behold, And so proceed accordingly. Enter.
Camidius Marcheth with his Land Army one way ouer the stage, and Towrus the Lieutenant of Caesar the other way: After their going in, is heard the noise of a Sea fight. Alarum. Enter Enobarbus and Scarus.
Eno. Naught, naught, al naught, I can behold no longer: Thantoniad, the Egyptian Admirall, With all their sixty flye, and turne the Rudder: To see't, mine eyes are blasted. Enter Scarrus.
Scar. Gods, & Goddesses, all the whol synod of them! Eno. What's thy passion
Scar. The greater Cantle of the world, is lost With very ignorance, we haue kist away Kingdomes, and Prouinces
Eno. How appeares the Fight? Scar. On our side, like the Token'd Pestilence, Where death is sure. Yon ribaudred Nagge of Egypt, (Whom Leprosie o're-take) i'th' midst o'th' fight, When vantage like a payre of Twinnes appear'd Both as the same, or rather ours the elder; (The Breeze vpon her) like a Cow in Iune, Hoists Sailes, and flyes
Eno. That I beheld: Mine eyes did sicken at the sight, and could not Indure a further view
Scar. She once being looft, The Noble ruine of her Magicke, Anthony, Claps on his Sea-wing, and (like a doting Mallard) Leauing the Fight in heighth, flyes after her: I neuer saw an Action of such shame; Experience, Man-hood, Honor, ne're before, Did violate so it selfe
Enob. Alacke, alacke. Enter Camidius
Cam. Our Fortune on the Sea is out of breath, And sinkes most lamentably. Had our Generall Bin what he knew himselfe, it had gone well: Oh his ha's giuen example for our flight, Most grossely by his owne
Enob. I, are you thereabouts? Why then goodnight indeede
Cam. Toward Peloponnesus are they fled
Scar. 'Tis easie toot, And there I will attend what further comes
Camid. To Caesar will I render My Legions and my Horse, sixe Kings alreadie Shew me the way of yeelding
Eno. Ile yet follow The wounded chance of Anthony, though my reason Sits in the winde against me. Enter Anthony with Attendants.
Ant. Hearke, the Land bids me tread no more vpon't, It is asham'd to beare me. Friends, come hither, I am so lated in the world, that I Haue lost my way for euer. I haue a shippe, Laden with Gold, take that, diuide it: flye, And make your peace with Caesar
Omnes. Fly? Not wee
Ant. I haue fled my selfe, and haue instructed cowards To runne, and shew their shoulders. Friends be gone, I haue my selfe resolu'd vpon a course, Which has no neede of you. Be gone, My Treasure's in the Harbour. Take it: Oh, I follow'd that I blush to looke vpon, My very haires do mutiny: for the white Reproue the browne for rashnesse, and they them For feare, and doting. Friends be gone, you shall Haue Letters from me to some Friends, that will Sweepe your way for you. Pray you looke not sad, Nor make replyes of loathnesse, take the hint Which my dispaire proclaimes. Let them be left Which leaues it selfe, to the Sea-side straight way; I will possesse you of that ship and Treasure. Leaue me, I pray a little: pray you now, Nay do so: for indeede I haue lost command, Therefore I pray you, Ile see you by and by.
Sits downe
Enter Cleopatra led by Charmian and Eros.
Eros. Nay gentle Madam, to him, comfort him
Iras. Do most deere Queene
Char. Do, why, what else? Cleo. Let me sit downe: Oh Iuno
Ant. No, no, no, no, no
Eros. See you heere, Sir? Ant. Oh fie, fie, fie
Char. Madam
Iras. Madam, oh good Empresse
Eros. Sir, sir
Ant. Yes my Lord, yes; he at Philippi kept His sword e'ne like a dancer, while I strooke The leane and wrinkled Cassius, and 'twas I That the mad Brutus ended: he alone Dealt on Lieutenantry, and no practise had In the braue squares of Warre: yet now: no matter
Cleo. Ah stand by
Eros. The Queene my Lord, the Queene
Iras. Go to him, Madam, speake to him, Hee's vnqualitied with very shame
Cleo. Well then, sustaine me: Oh
Eros. Most Noble Sir arise, the Queene approaches, Her head's declin'd, and death will cease her, but Your comfort makes the rescue
Ant. I haue offended Reputation, A most vnnoble sweruing
Eros. Sir, the Queene
Ant. Oh whether hast thou lead me Egypt, see How I conuey my shame, out of thine eyes, By looking backe what I haue left behinde Stroy'd in dishonor
Cleo. Oh my Lord, my Lord, Forgiue my fearfull sayles, I little thought You would haue followed
Ant. Egypt, thou knew'st too well, My heart was to thy Rudder tyed by'th' strings, And thou should'st towe me after. O're my spirit The full supremacie thou knew'st, and that Thy becke, might from the bidding of the Gods Command mee
Cleo. Oh my pardon
Ant. Now I must To the young man send humble Treaties, dodge And palter in the shifts of lownes, who With halfe the bulke o'th' world plaid as I pleas'd, Making, and marring Fortunes. You did know How much you were my Conqueror, and that My Sword, made weake by my affection, would Obey it on all cause
Cleo. Pardon, pardon
Ant. Fall not a teare I say, one of them rates All that is wonne and lost: Giue me a kisse, Euen this repayes me. We sent our Schoolemaster, is a come backe? Loue I am full of Lead: some Wine Within there, and our Viands: Fortune knowes, We scorne her most, when most she offers blowes.
Exeunt.
Enter Caesar, Agrippa, and Dollabello, with others.
Caes Let him appeare that's come from Anthony. Know you him
Dolla. Caesar, 'tis his Schoolemaster, An argument that he is pluckt, when hither He sends so poore a Pinnion of his Wing, Which had superfluous Kings for Messengers, Not many Moones gone by. Enter Ambassador from Anthony.
Caesar. Approach, and speake
Amb. Such as I am, I come from Anthony: I was of late as petty to his ends, As is the Morne-dew on the Mertle leafe To his grand Sea
Caes Bee't so, declare thine office
Amb. Lord of his Fortunes he salutes thee, and Requires to liue in Egypt, which not granted He Lessons his Requests, and to thee sues To let him breath betweene the Heauens and Earth A priuate man in Athens: this for him. Next, Cleopatra does confesse thy Greatnesse, Submits her to thy might, and of thee craues The Circle of the Ptolomies for her heyres, Now hazarded to thy Grace
Caes For Anthony, I haue no eares to his request. The Queene, Of Audience, nor Desire shall faile, so shee From Egypt driue her all-disgraced Friend, Or take his life there. This if shee performe, She shall not sue vnheard. So to them both
Amb. Fortune pursue thee
Caes Bring him through the Bands: To try thy Eloquence, now 'tis time, dispatch, From Anthony winne Cleopatra, promise And in our Name, what she requires, adde more From thine inuention, offers. Women are not In their best Fortunes strong; but want will periure The ne're touch'd Vestall. Try thy cunning Thidias, Make thine owne Edict for thy paines, which we Will answer as a Law
Thid. Caesar. I go
Caesar. Obserue how Anthony becomes his flaw, And what thou think'st his very action speakes In euery power that mooues
Thid. Caesar, I shall.
Exeunt.
Enter Cleopatra, Enobarbus, Charmian, & Iras.
Cleo. What shall we do, Enobarbus? Eno. Thinke, and dye
Cleo. Is Anthony, or we in fault for this? Eno. Anthony onely, that would make his will Lord of his Reason. What though you fled, From that great face of Warre, whose seuerall ranges Frighted each other? Why should he follow? The itch of his Affection should not then Haue nickt his Captain-ship, at such a point, When halfe to halfe the world oppos'd, he being The meered question? 'Twas a shame no lesse Then was his losse, to course your flying Flagges, And leaue his Nauy gazing
Cleo. Prythee peace. Enter the Ambassador, with Anthony.
Ant. Is that his answer? Amb. I my Lord
Ant. The Queene shall then haue courtesie, So she will yeeld vs vp
Am. He sayes so
Antho. Let her know't. To the Boy Caesar send this grizled head, and he will fill thy wishes to the brimme, With Principalities
Cleo. That head my Lord? Ant. To him againe, tell him he weares the Rose Of youth vpon him: from which, the world should note Something particular: His Coine, Ships, Legions, May be a Cowards, whose Ministers would preuaile Vnder the seruice of a Childe, as soone As i'th' Command of Caesar. I dare him therefore To lay his gay Comparisons a-part, And answer me declin'd, Sword against Sword, Our selues alone: Ile write it: Follow me
Eno. Yes like enough: hye battel'd Caesar will Vnstate his happinesse, and be Stag'd to'th' shew Against a Sworder. I see mens Iudgements are A parcell of their Fortunes, and things outward Do draw the inward quality after them To suffer all alike, that he should dreame, Knowing all measures, the full Caesar will Answer his emptinesse; Caesar thou hast subdu'de His iudgement too. Enter a Seruant.
Ser. A Messenger from Caesar
Cleo. What no more Ceremony? See my Women, Against the blowne Rose may they stop their nose, That kneel'd vnto the Buds. Admit him sir
Eno. Mine honesty, and I, beginne to square, The Loyalty well held to Fooles, does make Our Faith meere folly: yet he that can endure To follow with Allegeance a falne Lord, Does conquer him that did his Master conquer, And earnes a place i'th' Story. Enter Thidias.
Cleo. Caesars will
Thid. Heare it apart
Cleo. None but Friends: say boldly
Thid. So haply are they Friends to Anthony
Enob. He needs as many (Sir) as Caesar ha's, Or needs not vs. If Caesar please, our Master Will leape to be his Friend: For vs you know, Whose he is, we are, and that is Caesars
Thid. So. Thus then thou most renown'd, Caesar intreats, Not to consider in what case thou stand'st Further then he is Caesars
Cleo. Go on, right Royall
Thid. He knowes that you embrace not Anthony As you did loue, but as you feared him
Cleo. Oh
Thid. The scarre's vpon your Honor, therefore he Does pitty, as constrained blemishes, Not as deserued
Cleo. He is a God, And knowes what is most right. Mine Honour Was not yeelded, but conquer'd meerely
Eno. To be sure of that, I will aske Anthony. Sir, sir, thou art so leakie That we must leaue thee to thy sinking, for Thy deerest quit thee.
Exit Enob.
Thid. Shall I say to Caesar, What you require of him: for he partly begges To be desir'd to giue. It much would please him, That of his Fortunes you should make a staffe To leane vpon. But it would warme his spirits To heare from me you had left Anthony, And put your selfe vnder his shrowd, the vniuersal Landlord
Cleo. What's your name? Thid. My name is Thidias
Cleo. Most kinde Messenger, Say to great Caesar this in disputation, I kisse his conqu'ring hand: Tell him, I am prompt To lay my Crowne at's feete, and there to kneele. Tell him, from his all-obeying breath, I heare The doome of Egypt
Thid. 'Tis your Noblest course: Wisedome and Fortune combatting together, If that the former dare but what it can, No chance may shake it. Giue me grace to lay My dutie on your hand
Cleo. Your Caesars Father oft, (When he hath mus'd of taking kingdomes in) Bestow'd his lips on that vnworthy place, As it rain'd kisses. Enter Anthony and Enobarbus.
Ant. Fauours? By Ioue that thunders. What art thou Fellow? Thid. One that but performes The bidding of the fullest man, and worthiest To haue command obey'd
Eno. You will be whipt
Ant. Approch there: ah you Kite. Now Gods & diuels Authority melts from me of late. When I cried hoa, Like Boyes vnto a musse, Kings would start forth, And cry, your will. Haue you no eares? I am Anthony yet. Take hence this Iack, and whip him. Enter a Seruant.
Eno. 'Tis better playing with a Lions whelpe, Then with an old one dying
Ant. Moone and Starres, Whip him: wer't twenty of the greatest Tributaries That do acknowledge Caesar, should I finde them So sawcy with the hand of she heere, what's her name Since she was Cleopatra? Whip him Fellowes, Till like a Boy you see him crindge his face, And whine aloud for mercy. Take him hence
Thid. Marke Anthony
Ant. Tugge him away: being whipt Bring him againe, the Iacke of Caesars shall Beare vs an arrant to him.
Exeunt. with Thidius.
You were halfe blasted ere I knew you: Ha? Haue I my pillow left vnprest in Rome, Forborne the getting of a lawfull Race, And by a Iem of women, to be abus'd By one that lookes on Feeders? Cleo. Good my Lord
Ant. You haue beene a boggeler euer, But when we in our viciousnesse grow hard (Oh misery on't) the wise Gods seele our eyes In our owne filth, drop our cleare iudgements, make vs Adore our errors, laugh at's while we strut To our confusion
Cleo. Oh, is't come to this? Ant. I found you as a Morsell, cold vpon Dead Caesars Trencher: Nay, you were a Fragment Of Gneius Pompeyes, besides what hotter houres Vnregistred in vulgar Fame, you haue Luxuriously pickt out. For I am sure, Though you can guesse what Temperance should be, You know not what it is
Cleo. Wherefore is this? Ant. To let a Fellow that will take rewards, And say, God quit you, be familiar with My play-fellow, your hand; this Kingly Seale, And plighter of high hearts. O that I were Vpon the hill of Basan, to out-roare The horned Heard, for I haue sauage cause, And to proclaime it ciuilly, were like A halter'd necke, which do's the Hangman thanke, For being yare about him. Is he whipt? Enter a Seruant with Thidias.
Ser. Soundly, my Lord
Ant. Cried he? and begg'd a Pardon? Ser. He did aske fauour
Ant. If that thy Father liue, let him repent Thou was't not made his daughter, and be thou sorrie To follow Caesar in his Triumph, since Thou hast bin whipt. For following him, henceforth The white hand of a Lady Feauer thee, Shake thou to looke on't. Get thee backe to Caesar, Tell him thy entertainment: looke thou say He makes me angry with him. For he seemes Proud and disdainfull, harping on what I am, Not what he knew I was. He makes me angry, And at this time most easie 'tis to doo't: When my good Starres, that were my former guides Haue empty left their Orbes, and shot their Fires Into th' Abisme of hell. If he mislike, My speech, and what is done, tell him he has Hiparchus, my enfranched Bondman, whom He may at pleasure whip, or hang, or torture, As he shall like to quit me. Vrge it thou: Hence with thy stripes, be gone.
Exit Thid.
Cleo. Haue you done yet? Ant. Alacke our Terrene Moone is now Eclipst, And it portends alone the fall of Anthony
Cleo. I must stay his time? Ant. To flatter Caesar, would you mingle eyes With one that tyes his points
Cleo. Not know me yet? Ant. Cold-hearted toward me? Cleo. Ah (Deere) if I be so, From my cold heart let Heauen ingender haile, And poyson it in the sourse, and the first stone Drop in my necke: as it determines so Dissolue my life, the next Caesarian smile, Till by degrees the memory of my wombe, Together with my braue Egyptians all, By the discandering of this pelleted storme, Lye grauelesse, till the Flies and Gnats of Nyle Haue buried them for prey
Ant. I am satisfied: Caesar sets downe in Alexandria, where I will oppose his Fate. Our force by Land, Hath Nobly held, our seuer'd Nauie too Haue knit againe, and Fleete, threatning most Sea-like. Where hast thou bin my heart? Dost thou heare Lady? If from the Field I shall returne once more To kisse these Lips, I will appeare in Blood, I, and my Sword, will earne our Chronicle, There's hope in't yet
Cleo. That's my braue Lord
Ant. I will be trebble-sinewed, hearted, breath'd, And fight maliciously: for when mine houres Were nice and lucky, men did ransome liues Of me for iests: But now, Ile set my teeth, And send to darkenesse all that stop me. Come, Let's haue one other gawdy night: Call to me All my sad Captaines, fill our Bowles once more: Let's mocke the midnight Bell
Cleo. It is my Birth-day, I had thought t'haue held it poore. But since my Lord Is Anthony againe, I will be Cleopatra
Ant. We will yet do well
Cleo. Call all his Noble Captaines to my Lord
Ant. Do so, wee'l speake to them, And to night Ile force The Wine peepe through their scarres. Come on (my Queene) There's sap in't yet. The next time I do fight Ile make death loue me: for I will contend Euen with his pestilent Sythe.
Exeunt.
Eno. Now hee'l out-stare the Lightning, to be furious Is to be frighted out of feare, and in that moode The Doue will pecke the Estridge; and I see still A diminution in our Captaines braine, Restores his heart; when valour prayes in reason, It eates the Sword it fights with: I will seeke Some way to leaue him.
Exeunt.
Enter Caesar, Agrippa, & Mecenas with his Army, Caesar reading a Letter.
Caes 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. Caesar to Anthony: let the old Ruffian know, I haue many other wayes to dye: meane time Laugh at his Challenge
Mece. Caesar 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
Caes 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.
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 Enter 3 or 4 Seruitors.
Be bounteous at our Meale. Giue me thy hand, 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.
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?
Speak together.
Omnes. 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.
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.
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 Caesars Campe, Say I am none of thine
Ant. What sayest thou? Sold. Sir he is with Caesar
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
Flourish. Enter Agrippa, Caesar, with Enobarbus, and Dollabella.
Caes Go forth Agrippa, and begin the fight: Our will is Anthony be tooke aliue: Make it so knowne
Agrip. Caesar, I shall
Caesar. 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
Caes 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 Iewry on Affaires of Anthony, there did disswade Great Herod to incline himselfe to Caesar, And leaue his Master Anthony. For this paines, Caesar 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 sorely, That I will ioy no more.
Enter a Soldier of Caesars.
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.
Enter.
Alarum, Drummes and Trumpets. Enter Agrippa.
Agrip. Retire, we haue engag'd our selues too farre: Caesar himselfe ha's worke, and our oppression Exceeds what we expected.
Enter.
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.
Far off.
Ant. Thou bleed'st apace
Scar. I had a wound heere that was like a T, But now 'tis made an H
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.
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 Phoebus 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.
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 Caesar
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.
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.
Enter Caesar, and his Army.
Caes 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.
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 'tis like to go. Enter.
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 Caesar: 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 Caesars 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? Enter.
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.
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 Caesars, 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 tendred 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 Caesar 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 Caesar 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 Caesar 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 y 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.
Killes himselfe.
Eros. Why there then: Thus I do escape the sorrow of Anthonies death
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.
Decretus. Thy death and fortunes bid thy folowers fly This sword but shewne to Caesar 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 Caesar, 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
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 Caesars 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: nor th' Imperious shew Of the full-Fortun'd Caesar, 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 Caesar seeke your Honour, with your safety. Oh
Cleo. They do not go together
Ant. Gentle heare me, None about Caesar trust, but Proculeius
Cleo. My Resolution, and my hands, Ile trust, None about Caesar
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 sortish, 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.
Enter Caesar, Agrippa, Dollabella, Menas, with his Counsell of Warre.
Caesar. Go to him Dollabella, bid him yeeld, Being so frustrate, tell him, He mockes the pawses that he makes
Dol. Caesar, I shall. Enter Decretas with the sword of Anthony.
Caes Wherefore is that? And what art thou that dar'st Appeare thus to vs? Dec. I am call'd Decretas, Marke Anthony I seru'd, who best was worthie Best to be seru'd: whil'st he stood vp, and spoke He was my Master, and I wore my life To spend vpon his haters. If thou please To take me to thee, as I was to him, Ile be to Caesar: if y pleasest not, I yeild thee vp my life
Caesar. What is't thou say'st? Dec. I say (Oh Caesar) Anthony is dead
Caesar. The breaking of so great a thing, should make A greater cracke. The round World Should haue shooke Lyons into ciuill streets, And Cittizens to their dennes. The death of Anthony Is not a single doome, in the name lay A moity of the world
Dec. He is dead Caesar, Not by a publike minister of Iustice, Nor by a hyred Knife, but that selfe-hand Which writ his Honor in the Acts it did, Hath with the Courage which the heart did lend it, Splitted the heart. This is his Sword, I robb'd his wound of it: behold it stain'd With his most Noble blood
Caes Looke you sad Friends, The Gods rebuke me, but it is Tydings To wash the eyes of Kings
Dol. And strange it is, That Nature must compell vs to lament Our most persisted deeds
Mec. His taints and Honours, wag'd equal with him
Dola. A Rarer spirit neuer Did steere humanity: but you Gods will giue vs Some faults to make vs men. Caesar is touch'd
Mec. When such a spacious Mirror's set before him, He needes must see him selfe
Caesar. Oh Anthony, I haue followed thee to this, but we do launch Diseases in our Bodies. I must perforce Haue shewne to thee such a declining day, Or looke on thine: we could not stall together, In the whole world. But yet let me lament With teares as Soueraigne as the blood of hearts, That thou my Brother, my Competitor, In top of all designe; my Mate in Empire, Friend and Companion in the front of Warre, The Arme of mine owne Body, and the Heart Where mine his thoughts did kindle; that our Starres Vnreconciliable, should diuide our equalnesse to this. Heare me good Friends, But I will tell you at some meeter Season, The businesse of this man lookes out of him, Wee'l heare him what he sayes. Enter an aegyptian.
Whence are you? aegyp. A poore Egyptian yet, the Queen my mistris Confin'd in all, she has her Monument Of thy intents, desires, instruction, That she preparedly may frame her selfe To'th' way shee's forc'd too
Caesar. Bid her haue good heart, She soone shall know of vs, by some of ours, How honourable, and how kindely Wee Determine for her. For Caesar cannot leaue to be vngentle aegypt. So the Gods preserue thee. Enter.
Caes Come hither Proculeius. Go and say We purpose her no shame: giue her what comforts The quality of her passion shall require; Least in her greatnesse, by some mortall stroke She do defeate vs. For her life in Rome, Would be eternall in our Triumph: Go, And with your speediest bring vs what she sayes, And how you finde of her
Pro. Caesar I shall.
Exit Proculeius.
Caes Gallus, go you along: where's Dolabella, to second Proculeius? All. Dolabella
Caes Let him alone: for I remember now How hee's imployd: he shall in time be ready. Go with me to my Tent, where you shall see How hardly I was drawne into this Warre, How calme and gentle I proceeded still In all my Writings. Go with me, and see What I can shew in this.
Exeunt.
Enter Cleopatra, Charmian, Iras, and Mardian.
Cleo. My desolation does begin to make A better life: Tis paltry to be Caesar: Not being Fortune, hee's but Fortunes knaue, A minister of her will: and it is great To do that thing that ends all other deeds, Which shackles accedents, and bolts vp change; Which sleepes, and neuer pallates more the dung, The beggers Nurse, and Caesars. Enter Proculeius.
Pro. Caesar sends greeting to the Queene of Egypt, And bids thee study on what faire demands Thou mean'st to haue him grant thee
Cleo. What's thy name? Pro. My name is Proculeius
Cleo. Anthony Did tell me of you, bad me trust you, but I do not greatly care to be deceiu'd That haue no vse for trusting. If your Master Would haue a Queene his begger, you must tell him, That Maiesty to keepe decorum, must No lesse begge then a Kingdome: If he please To giue me conquer'd Egypt for my Sonne, He giues me so much of mine owne, as I Will kneele to him with thankes
Pro. Be of good cheere: Y'are falne into a Princely hand, feare nothing, Make your full reference freely to my Lord, Who is so full of Grace, that it flowes ouer On all that neede. Let me report to him Your sweet dependancie, and you shall finde A Conqueror that will pray in ayde for kindnesse, Where he for grace is kneel'd too
Cleo. Pray you tell him, I am his Fortunes Vassall, and I send him The Greatnesse he has got. I hourely learne A Doctrine of Obedience, and would gladly Looke him i'th' Face
Pro. This Ile report (deere Lady) Haue comfort, for I know your plight is pittied Of him that caus'd it
Pro. You see how easily she may be surpriz'd: Guard her till Caesar come
Iras. Royall Queene
Char. Oh Cleopatra, thou art taken Queene
Cleo. Quicke, quicke, good hands
Pro. Hold worthy Lady, hold: Doe not your selfe such wrong, who are in this Releeu'd, but not betraid
Cleo. What of death too that rids our dogs of languish Pro. Cleopatra, do not abuse my Masters bounty, by Th' vndoing of your selfe: Let the World see His Noblenesse well acted, which your death Will neuer let come forth
Cleo. Where art thou Death? Come hither come; Come, come, and take a Queene Worth many Babes and Beggers
Pro. Oh temperance Lady
Cleo. Sir, I will eate no meate, Ile not drinke sir, If idle talke will once be necessary Ile not sleepe neither. This mortall house Ile ruine, Do Caesar what he can. Know sir, that I Will not waite pinnion'd at your Masters Court, Nor once be chastic'd with the sober eye Of dull Octauia. Shall they hoyst me vp, And shew me to the showting Varlotarie Of censuring Rome? Rather a ditch in Egypt. Be gentle graue vnto me, rather on Nylus mudde Lay me starke-nak'd, and let the water-Flies Blow me into abhorring; rather make My Countries high pyramides my Gibbet, And hang me vp in Chaines
Pro. You do extend These thoughts of horror further then you shall Finde cause in Caesar. Enter Dolabella.
Dol. Proculeius, What thou hast done, thy Master Caesar knowes, And he hath sent for thee: for the Queene, Ile take her to my Guard
Pro. So Dolabella, It shall content me best: Be gentle to her, To Caesar I will speake, what you shall please, If you'l imploy me to him.
Exit Proculeius
Cleo. Say, I would dye
Dol. Most Noble Empresse, you haue heard of me
Cleo. I cannot tell
Dol. Assuredly you know me
Cleo. No matter sir, what I haue heard or knowne: You laugh when Boyes or Women tell their Dreames, Is't not your tricke? Dol. I vnderstand not, Madam
Cleo. I dreampt there was an Emperor Anthony. Oh such another sleepe, that I might see But such another man
Dol. If it might please ye
Cleo. His face was as the Heau'ns, and therein stucke A Sunne and Moone, which kept their course, & lighted The little o'th' earth
Dol. Most Soueraigne Creature
Cleo. His legges bestrid the Ocean, his rear'd arme Crested the world: His voyce was propertied As all the tuned Spheres, and that to Friends: But when he meant to quaile, and shake the Orbe, He was as ratling Thunder. For his Bounty, There was no winter in't. An Anthony it was, That grew the more by reaping: His delights Were Dolphin-like, they shew'd his backe aboue The Element they liu'd in: In his Liuery Walk'd Crownes and Crownets: Realms & Islands were As plates dropt from his pocket
Dol. Cleopatra
Cleo. Thinke you there was, or might be such a man As this I dreampt of? Dol. Gentle Madam, no
Cleo. You Lye vp to the hearing of the Gods: But if there be, not euer were one such It's past the size of dreaming: Nature wants stuffe To vie strange formes with fancie, yet t' imagine An Anthony were Natures peece, 'gainst Fancie, Condemning shadowes quite
Dol. Heare me, good Madam: Your losse is as your selfe, great; and you beare it As answering to the waight, would I might neuer Ore-take pursu'de successe: But I do feele By the rebound of yours, a greefe that suites My very heart at roote
Cleo. I thanke you sir: Know you what Caesar meanes to do with me? Dol. I am loath to tell you what, I would you knew
Cleo. Nay pray you sir
Dol. Though he be Honourable
Cleo. Hee'l leade me then in Triumph
Dol. Madam he will, I know't.
Flourish.
Enter Proculeius, Caesar, Gallus, Mecenas, and others of his Traine.
All. Make way there Caesar
Caes Which is the Queene of Egypt
Dol. It is the Emperor Madam.
Cleo. kneeles.
Caesar. Arise, you shall not kneele: I pray you rise, rise Egypt
Cleo. Sir, the Gods will haue it thus, My Master and my Lord I must obey, Caesar. Take to you no hard thoughts, The Record of what iniuries you did vs, Though written in our flesh, we shall remember As things but done by chance
Cleo. Sole Sir o'th' World, I cannot proiect mine owne cause so well To make it cleare, but do confesse I haue Bene laden with like frailties, which before Haue often sham'd our Sex
Caesar. Cleopatra know, We will extenuate rather then inforce: If you apply your selfe to our intents, Which towards you are most gentle, you shall finde A benefit in this change: but if you seeke To lay on me a Cruelty, by taking Anthonies course, you shall bereaue your selfe Of my good purposes, and put your children To that destruction which Ile guard them from, If thereon you relye. Ile take my leaue
Cleo. And may through all the world: tis yours, & we your Scutcheons, and your signes of Conquest shall Hang in what place you please. Here my good Lord
Caesar. You shall aduise me in all for Cleopatra
Cleo. This is the breefe: of Money, Plate, & Iewels I am possest of, 'tis exactly valewed, Not petty things admitted. Where's Seleucus? Seleu. Heere Madam
Cleo. This is my Treasurer, let him speake (my Lord) Vpon his perill, that I haue reseru'd To my selfe nothing. Speake the truth Seleucus
Seleu. Madam, I had rather seele my lippes, Then to my perill speake that which is not
Cleo. What haue I kept backe
Sel. Enough to purchase what you haue made known Caesar. Nay blush not Cleopatra, I approue Your Wisedome in the deede
Cleo. See Caesar: Oh behold, How pompe is followed: Mine will now be yours, And should we shift estates, yours would be mine. The ingratitude of this Seleucus, does Euen make me wilde. Oh Slaue, of no more trust Then loue that's hyr'd? What goest thou backe, y shalt Go backe I warrant thee: but Ile catch thine eyes Though they had wings. Slaue, Soule-lesse, Villain, Dog. O rarely base! Caesar. Good Queene, let vs intreat you
Cleo. O Caesar, what a wounding shame is this, That thou vouchsafing heere to visit me, Doing the Honour of thy Lordlinesse To one so meeke, that mine owne Seruant should Parcell the summe of my disgraces, by Addition of his Enuy. Say (good Caesar) That I some Lady trifles haue reseru'd, Immoment toyes, things of such Dignitie As we greet moderne Friends withall, and say Some Nobler token I haue kept apart For Liuia and Octauia, to induce Their mediation, must I be vnfolded With one that I haue bred: The Gods! it smites me Beneath the fall I haue. Prythee go hence, Or I shall shew the Cynders of my spirits Through th' Ashes of my chance: Wer't thou a man, Thou would'st haue mercy on me
Caesar. Forbeare Seleucus
Cleo. Be it known, that we the greatest are mis-thoght For things that others do: and when we fall, We answer others merits, in our name Are therefore to be pittied
Caesar. Cleopatra, Not what you haue reseru'd, nor what acknowledg'd Put we i'th' Roll of Conquest: still bee't yours, Bestow it at your pleasure, and beleeue Caesars no Merchant, to make prize with you Of things that Merchants sold. Therefore be cheer'd, Make not your thoughts your prisons: No deere Queen, For we intend so to dispose you, as Your selfe shall giue vs counsell: Feede, and sleepe: Our care and pitty is so much vpon you, That we remaine your Friend, and so adieu
Cleo. My Master, and my Lord
Caesar. Not so: Adieu.
Flourish. Exeunt Caesar, and his Traine.
Cleo. He words me Gyrles, he words me, That I should not be Noble to my selfe. But hearke thee Charmian
Iras. Finish good Lady, the bright day is done, And we are for the darke
Cleo. Hye thee againe, I haue spoke already, and it is prouided, Go put it to the haste
Char. Madam, I will. Enter Dolabella.
Dol. Where's the Queene? Char. Behold sir
Cleo. Dolabella
Dol. Madam, as thereto sworne, by your command (Which my loue makes Religion to obey) I tell you this: Caesar through Syria Intends his iourney, and within three dayes, You with your Children will he send before, Make your best vse of this. I haue perform'd Your pleasure, and my promise
Cleo. Dolabella, I shall remaine your debter
Dol. I your Seruant: Adieu good Queene, I must attend on Caesar.
Exit
Cleo. Farewell, and thankes. Now Iras, what think'st thou? Thou, an Egyptian Puppet shall be shewne In Rome aswell as I: Mechanicke Slaues With greazie Aprons, Rules, and Hammers shall Vplift vs to the view. In their thicke breathes, Ranke of grosse dyet, shall we be enclowded, And forc'd to drinke their vapour
Iras. The Gods forbid
Cleo. Nay, 'tis most certaine Iras: sawcie Lictors Will catch at vs like Strumpets, and scald Rimers Ballads vs out a Tune. The quicke Comedians Extemporally will stage vs, and present Our Alexandrian Reuels: Anthony Shall be brought drunken forth, and I shall see Some squeaking Cleopatra Boy my greatnesse I'th' posture of a Whore
Iras. O the good Gods! Cleo. Nay that's certaine
Iras. Ile neuer see't? for I am sure mine Nailes Are stronger then mine eyes