Agr.

Whom does he accuse?

Cas. Cæsar: and that, having in Sicily
Sextus Pompeius spoil'd, we had not rated him
His part o' the isle: then does he say, he lent me
Some shipping unrestor'd: lastly, he frets,
That Lepidus of the triumvirate

Should be depos'd; and, being, that we detain
All his revenue.
Agr.

Sir, this should be answer'd.

Cas. 'Tis done already, and the messenger gone. I have told him, Lepidus was grown too cruel; That he his high authority abus'd,

And did deserve his change; for what I have conquer'd,
I grant him part; but then, in his Armenia,
And other of his conquer'd kingdoms, I
Demand the like.

Mec.
He'll never yield to that.
Cas. Nor must not then be yielded to in this.

Enter OCTAVIA.

Oct. Hail, Cæsar, and my lord! hail, most dear Cæsar! Cas. That ever I should call thee, cast-away! Oct. You have not call'd me so, nor have you cause. Cas. Why have you stol'n upon us thus? You

come not

Like Cæsar's sister: The wife of Antony
Should have an army for an usher, and
The neighs of horse to tell of her approach,
Long ere she did appear; the trees by the way,
Should have borne men; and expectation fainted,
Longing for what it had not: nay, the dust
Should have ascended to the roof of heaven,
Rais'd by your populous troops: But you are come
A market-maid to Rome; and have prevented
The ostent of our love, 22) which, left unshown

Is often left unlov'd: we should have met you
By sea, and land; supplying every stage
With an augmented greeting.

Oct.
Good my lord,
To come thus was I not constrain'd, but did it
On my free-will. My lord, Mark Antony,
Hearing that you prepar'd for war, acquainted
My grieved ear withal; whereon, I begg'd
His pardon for return.
Cas.
Which soon he granted,
Being an obstruct 'tween his lust and him.
Oct. Do not say so, my lord.
Cas.
I have eyes upon him,
And his affairs come to me on the wind.
Where is he now?

Oct.

My lord, in Athens.

Cas. No, my most wronged sister; Cleopatra Hath nodded him to her. He hath given his empire Up to a whore; who now are levying

The kings o' the earth for war: He hath assembled Bocchus, the king of Libya; Archelaus,

Of Cappadocia; Philadelphos, king

Of Paphlagonia; the Thracian king, Adallas;
King Malchas of Arabia; king of Pont;
Herod of Jewry; Mithridates, king
Of Comagene; Polemon and Amintas,
The kings of Mede and Lycaonia, with a
More larger list of scepters.

Oct.
Ah me, most wretched,
That have my heart parted betwixt two friends,
That do afflict each other!
Cas.

Welcome hither:

Your letters did withhold our breaking forth;
Till we perceiv'd, both how you were wrong led,
And we in negligent danger. Cheer your heart:
Be you not troubled with the time, which drives
O'er your content these strong necessities;
But let determin'd things to destiny
Hold unbewail'd their way. Welcome to Rome:
Nothing more dear to me. You are abus'd
Beyond the mark of thought: and the high gods,
To do you justice, make them ministers

Of us, and those that love you. Best of comfort;
And ever welcome to us.

What is't you say?

Cleo. Eno. Your presence needs must puzzle Antony; Take from his heart, take from his brain, from his time, What should not then be spar'd. He is already Traduc'd for levity; and 'tis said in Rome, That Photinus an eunuch, and your maids, Manage this war.

Cleo. Sink Rome; and their tongues rot, That speak against us! A charge we bear i'the war, And, as the president of my kingdom, will Appear there for a man. Speak not against it; I will not stay behind. Eno.

Here comes the emperor.

Ant.

Nay, I have done:

sweet?

Have used to conquer, standing on the earth,
And fighting foot to foot.
Ant.

Well, well, away.

[Exeunt ANTONY, CLEOPATRA, and ENOBARBUS,
Sold. By Hercules, I think, I am i'the right.
Can. Soldier, thou art: but his whole action grows
Not in the power on't: 32) So our leader's led,
And we are women's men.

Sold.
You keep by land
The legions and the horse whole, do you not?
Can. Marcus Octavius, Marcus Justeius,
Publicola, and Cælius, are for sea:

But we keep whole by land. This speed of Cæsar's
Carries beyond belief. 33)
Sold.
While he was yet in Rome,
His power went out in such distractions, 34) as
Beguil'd all spies.
Can.
Who's his lieutenant, hear you?
Sold. They say, one Taurus.

By sea! What else?

Can. Why will my lord do so? Ant. For he dares us 28) to't. Eno. So hath my lord dar'd him to single fight. Can. Ay, and to wage this battle at Pharsalia, Where Cæsar fought with Pompey: But these offers, Which serve not for his vantage, he shakes off; And so should you.

Eno. Your ships are not well mann'd: Your mariners are muleteers, 29) reapers, people Ingross'd by swift impress; in Cæsar's fleet Are those, that often have 'gainst Pompey fought: Their ships are yare: yours, heavy. 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 have by land; Distract your army, which doth most consist Of war-mark'd footmen; leave unexecuted Your own renowned knowledge; quite forego The way which promises assurance; and Give up yourself merely to chance and hazard, From firm security.

Ant.

I'll fight at sea.

Cleo. I have sixty sails, Cæsar none better. Ant. Our overplus of shipping will be burn;

Well I know the man.

Enter a Messenger.

All the whole synod of them!
Eno.
What's thy passion?
Scar. The greater cantle 39) of the world is lost
With very ignorance; we have kiss'd away
Kingdoms and provinces.

Eno.
How appears the fight?
Scar. On our side like the token'd 4°) pestilence,
Where death is sure. Yon' ribald-rid nag 41) of
Egypt,

Whom leprosy o'ertake! i'the midst o'the fight,
When vantage like a pair of twins appear'd,
Both as the same, or rather, ours the elder,
The brize upon her, 42) like a cow in June,
Hoists sails, and flies.

--

Iras. Madam; O good empress! Eros. Sir, sir,

Ant. Yes, my lord, yes; - He, at Philippi, kept His sword even like a dancer; 48) while I struck The lean and wrinkled Cassius; and 'twas I, That the mad Brutus ended: he alone Dealt on lieutenantry, 49) and no practice had

In the brave squares of war: Yet now-No matter. Cleo. Ah, stand by.

Eros. The queen, my lord, the queen. Iras. Go to him, madam, speak to him; He is unqualitied 50) with very shame. Cleo. Well then, - Sustain me: O!

Eros. Most noble sir, arise; the queen approaches; Her head's declined, and death will seize her; but 51) Your comfort makes the rescue.

Ant. I have offended reputation; A most unnoble swerving.

Sir, the queen.

The wounded chance of Antony, 45) though my reason Sits in the wind against me. [Exeunt.

SCENE IX.

Alexandria. A Room in the Palace.

Enter ANTONY and Attendants.

0,

Ant. Hark, the land bids me tread no more upon't, It is asham'd to bear me! - Friends, come hither, I am so lated in the world, 46) that I Have lost my way for ever: — I have a ship Laden with gold; take that, divide it; fly, And make your peace with Cæsar. Att. Fly! not we. Ant. I have fled myself; and have instructed cowards To run, and show their shoulders. - Friends, be gone; I have myself resolv'd upon a course, Which has no need of you; be gone: My treasure's in the harbour, take it. I follow'd that I blush to look upon: My very hairs do mutiny; for the white Reprove the brown for rashness, and they them For fear and doting. Friends, be gone, you shall Have letters from me to some friends, that will Sweep your way for you. Pray you, look not sad, Nor make replies of loathness: take the hint Which my despair proclaims; let that be left Which leaves itself: to the sea-side straightway: I will possess you of that ship and treasure. Leave me, I pray, a little: 'pray you now: Nay, do so; for, indeed, I have lost command, 47) Therefore I pray you: I'll see you by and by. [Sits down.

Enter EROs and CLEOPATRA, led by CHARMIAN

O, my pardon.

Ant. Now I must To the young man send humble treaties, dodge And palter in the shifts of lowness; who With half the bulk o'the world play'd as I pleas'd, Making, and marring fortunes. You did know, How much you were my conqueror; and that My sword, made weak by my affection, would Obey it on all cause.

Cleo. O pardon, pardon. Ant. Fall not a tear, I say; one of them rates All that is won and lost: Give me a kiss; Even this repays me. - We sent our schoolmaster, Is he come back? Love, I am full of lead: Some wine, within there, and our viands: -Fortune knows,

We scorn her most, when most she offers blows. [Exeunt.

SCENE X.

Cæsar's Camp, in Egypt.

Enter CESAR, DOLABELLA, THYRBUS, and others. Cas. Let him appear that's come from Antony. Know you him?

Dol. Cæsar, 'tis his schoolmaster: 54) He sends so poor a pinion of his wing, An argument that he is pluck'd, when hither Which had superfluous kings for messengers, Not many moons gone by.

and IRAS.

Enter EUPHRONIUS.

Approach, and speak.

Eup. Such as I am, I come from Antony:
I was of late as petty to his ends,

As is the morn-dew on the myrtle-leaf
To his grand sea. 55)

Cas.
Be it so; Declare thine office.
Eup. Lord of his fortunes he salutes thee, and
Requires to live in Egypt: which not granted,

He lessens his requests; and to thee sues
To let him breathe between the heavens and earth,
A private man in Athens: This for him.
Next, Cleopatra does confess thy greatness;
Submits her to thy might; and of thee craves
The circle of the Ptolemies 56) for her heirs,
Now hazarded to thy grace.

Cas.

For Antony,
I have no ears to his request. The queen
Of audience, nor desire, shall fail; so she
From Egypt drive her all-disgraced friend, 57)
Or take his life there: This if she perform,
She shall not sue unheard. So to them both.
Eup. Fortune pursue thee!
Cæs.

Bring him through the bands.
[Exit EUPHRONIUS.
To try thy eloquence, now 'tis time: Despatch;
From Antony win Cleopatra: promise, [To THYREUS.
And in our name, what she requires; add more,
From thine invention, offers: women are not,
In their best fortunes, strong: but want will perjure
The ne'er-touch'd vestal: Try thy cunning, Thyreus;
Make thine own edict for thy pains, which we
Will answer as a law.
Thyr.
Cas. Observe how Antony becomes his flaw; 58)
And what thou think'st his very action speaks
In every power that moves.
Thyr.

Cæsar, go.

Cæsar, I shall. [Exeunt.

SCENE XI.

Alexandria. A Room in the Palace. Enter CLEOPATRA, ENOBARBUS, CHARMIAN, and IRAS. Cleo. What shall we do, Enobarbus? Eno. Think, and die. Cleo. Is Antony, or we, in fault for this? Eno. Antony only, that would make his will Lord of his reason. What although 59) you fled From that great face of war, whose several ranges Frighted each other? why should he follow? The itch of his affection should not then Have nick'd his captainship; 60) at such a point, When half to half the world oppos'd, he being The mered question: 1) "Twas a shame no less Than was his loss, to course your flying flags, And leave his navy gazing. Cleo.

'Pr'ythee, peace. Enter ANTONY, with EUPHRONIUS. Ant. Is this his answer?

Eup.

Ay, my lord.

Ant.

Shall then have courtesy, so she will yield

Us up.

Eup. He says so.

Ant.

Let her know it.

Thyr. Hear it apart. Cleo. None but friends; say boldly. Thyr. So, haply, are they friends to Antony. Eno. He needs as many, sir, as Cæsar has; Or needs not us. If Cæsar please, our master Will leap to be his friend: For us, you know, Whose he is, we are; and that's, Cæsar's. Thyr. So. Thus then, thou most renown'd; Cæsar entreats, Not to consider in what case thou stand'st, Further than he is Cæsar.

He is a god, and knows

What is most right: Mine honour was not yielded,
But conquer'd merely.
Eno.

To be sure of that, [Aside.
I will ask Antony. Sir, sir, thou'rt so leaky,
That we must leave thee to thy sinking, for
Thy dearest quit thee.
[Exit ENOBARBUS.
Thyr.
Shall I say to Cæsar
What you require of him? for he partly begs
To be desir'd to give. It much would please him,
That of his fortunes you should make a staff
To lean upon: but it would warm his spirits,
To hear from me you had left Antony,
And put yourself under his shrowd,
The universal landlord.

Cleo.

What's your name?

Thyr. My name is Thyreus.
Cleo.

Most kind messenger, Say to great Cæsar this, In disputation

I kiss his conqu'ring hand: tell him, I am prompt To lay my crown at his feet, and there to kneel: Tell him, from his all-obeying breath 66) I hear The doom of Egypt.

Thyr. "Tis your noblest course. Wisdom and fortune combating together, If that the former dare but what it can, No chance may shake it. Give me grace 7) to lay My duty on your hand.