TPTT The Tragedy of Antony and Cleopatra: ACT I
Introduction
ACT I
SCENE I. Alexandria. A room in CLEOPATRA's palace.
SCENE II. The same. Another room.
SCENE III. The same. Another room.
SCENE IV. Rome. OCTAVIUS CAESAR's house.
SCENE V. Alexandria. CLEOPATRA's palace.
ACT II
ACT III
ACT IV
ACT V
About the Play
Feedback
  Search:   
for:

SCENE III. The same. Another room.
Enter CLEOPATRA, CHARMIAN, IRAS, and ALEXAS
CLEOPATRA
      Where is he?
CHARMIAN
      I did not see him since.
CLEOPATRA
      See where he is, who's with him, what he does:
      I did not send you: if you find him sad,
5     Say I am dancing; if in mirth, report
      That I am sudden sick: quick, and return.
Exit ALEXAS
CHARMIAN
      Madam, methinks, if you did love him dearly,
      You do not hold the method to enforce
      The like from him.
CLEOPATRA
10    What should I do, I do not?
CHARMIAN
      In each thing give him way, cross him nothing.
CLEOPATRA
      Thou teachest like a fool; the way to lose him.
CHARMIAN
      Tempt him not so too far; I wish, forbear:
      In time we hate that which we often fear.
15    But here comes Antony.
Enter MARK ANTONY
CLEOPATRA
      I am sick and sullen.
MARK ANTONY
      I am sorry to give breathing to my purpose,--
CLEOPATRA
      Help me away, dear Charmian; I shall fall:
      It cannot be thus long, the sides of nature
20    Will not sustain it.
MARK ANTONY
      Now, my dearest queen,--
CLEOPATRA
      Pray you, stand further from me.
MARK ANTONY
      What's the matter?
CLEOPATRA
      I know, by that same eye, there's some good news.
25    What says the married woman? You may go:
      Would she had never given you leave to come!
      Let her not say 'tis I that keep you here:
      I have no power upon you; hers you are.
MARK ANTONY
      The gods best know,--
CLEOPATRA
30    O, never was there queen
      So mightily betray'd! yet at the first
      I saw the treasons planted.
MARK ANTONY
      Cleopatra,--
CLEOPATRA
      Why should I think you can be mine and true,
35    Though you in swearing shake the throned gods,
      Who have been false to Fulvia? Riotous madness,
      To be entangled with those mouth-made vows,
      Which break themselves in swearing!
MARK ANTONY
      Most sweet queen,--
CLEOPATRA
40    Nay, pray you, seek no colour for your going,
      But bid farewell, and go: when you sued staying,
      Then was the time for words: no going then;
      Eternity was in our lips and eyes,
      Bliss in our brows' bent; none our parts so poor,
45    But was a race of heaven: they are so still,
      Or thou, the greatest soldier of the world,
      Art turn'd the greatest liar.
MARK ANTONY
      How now, lady!
CLEOPATRA
      I would I had thy inches; thou shouldst know
50    There were a heart in Egypt.
MARK ANTONY
      Hear me, queen:
      The strong necessity of time commands
      Our services awhile; but my full heart
      Remains in use with you. Our Italy
55    Shines o'er with civil swords: Sextus Pompeius
      Makes his approaches to the port of Rome:
      Equality of two domestic powers
      Breed scrupulous faction: the hated, grown to strength,
      Are newly grown to love: the condemn'd Pompey,
60    Rich in his father's honour, creeps apace,
      Into the hearts of such as have not thrived
      Upon the present state, whose numbers threaten;
      And quietness, grown sick of rest, would purge
      By any desperate change: my more particular,
65    And that which most with you should safe my going,
      Is Fulvia's death.
CLEOPATRA
      Though age from folly could not give me freedom,
      It does from childishness: can Fulvia die?
MARK ANTONY
      She's dead, my queen:
70    Look here, and at thy sovereign leisure read
      The garboils she awaked; at the last, best:
      See when and where she died.
CLEOPATRA
      O most false love!
      Where be the sacred vials thou shouldst fill
75    With sorrowful water? Now I see, I see,
      In Fulvia's death, how mine received shall be.
MARK ANTONY
      Quarrel no more, but be prepared to know
      The purposes I bear; which are, or cease,
      As you shall give the advice. By the fire
80    That quickens Nilus' slime, I go from hence
      Thy soldier, servant; making peace or war
      As thou affect'st.
CLEOPATRA
      Cut my lace, Charmian, come;
      But let it be: I am quickly ill, and well,
85    So Antony loves.
MARK ANTONY
      My precious queen, forbear;
      And give true evidence to his love, which stands
      An honourable trial.
CLEOPATRA
      So Fulvia told me.
90    I prithee, turn aside and weep for her,
      Then bid adieu to me, and say the tears
      Belong to Egypt: good now, play one scene
      Of excellent dissembling; and let it look
      Life perfect honour.
MARK ANTONY
95    You'll heat my blood: no more.
CLEOPATRA
      You can do better yet; but this is meetly.
MARK ANTONY
      Now, by my sword,--
CLEOPATRA
      And target. Still he mends;
      But this is not the best. Look, prithee, Charmian,
100   How this Herculean Roman does become
      The carriage of his chafe.
MARK ANTONY
      I'll leave you, lady.
CLEOPATRA
      Courteous lord, one word.
      Sir, you and I must part, but that's not it:
105   Sir, you and I have loved, but there's not it;
      That you know well: something it is I would,
      O, my oblivion is a very Antony,
      And I am all forgotten.
MARK ANTONY
      But that your royalty
110   Holds idleness your subject, I should take you
      For idleness itself.
CLEOPATRA
      'Tis sweating labour
      To bear such idleness so near the heart
      As Cleopatra this. But, sir, forgive me;
115   Since my becomings kill me, when they do not
      Eye well to you: your honour calls you hence;
      Therefore be deaf to my unpitied folly.
      And all the gods go with you! upon your sword
      Sit laurel victory! and smooth success
120   Be strew'd before your feet!
MARK ANTONY
      Let us go. Come;
      Our separation so abides, and flies,
      That thou, residing here, go'st yet with me,
      And I, hence fleeting, here remain with thee. Away!
Exeunt
Return to top of page ... or ... Go to next scene