Antonius Marcus - Antony and Cleopatra: modern text with introduction

CONTENTS

Australia HarperCollins Publishers (Australia) Pty. Ltd. Level 13, 201 Elizabeth Street Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia http://www.harpercollins.com.au/ebooks Canada HarperCollins Canada 2 Bloor Street East 20th Floor Toronto, ON, M4W, 1A8, Canada http://www.harpercollins.ca New Zealand HarperCollins Publishers (New Zealand) Limited P.O. Box 1 Auckland, New Zealand http://www.harpercollins.co.nz United Kingdom HarperCollins Publishers Ltd. 77-85 Fulham Palace Road London, W6 8JB, UK http://www.harpercollins.co.uk United States HarperCollins Publishers Inc. 10 East 53rd Street New York, NY 10022 http://www.harpercollins.com [Enter DEMETRIUS and PHILO.]Philo Nay, but this dotage of our generals Oerflows the measure. Those his goodly eyes, That oer the files and musters of the war Have glowd like plated Mars, now bend, now turn, Upon a tawny front. His captains heart, Which in the scuffles of great fights hath burst The buckles on his breast, reneges all temper, And is become the bellows and the fan To cool a gipsys lust. [Flourish. Enter ANTONY, CLEOPATRA, her Ladies, the Train, with Eunuchs fanning her.] Take but good note, and you shall see in him The triple pillar of the world transformd Into a strumpets fool. Cleopatra If it be love indeed, tell me how much. AntonyCleopatra Ill set a bourn how far to be belovd. Antony Then must thou needs find out new heaven, new earth. [Enter a Messenger.]Messenger News, my good lord, from Rome. Antony Grates me the sum. Cleopatra Nay, hear them, Antony. If the scarce-bearded Caesar have not sent His powrful mandate to you: Do this or this; Take in that kingdom and enfranchise that; Performt, or else we damn thee. Antony How, my love? Cleopatra You must not stay here longer; your dismission Is come from Caesar; therefore hear it, Antony. Antony How, my love? Cleopatra You must not stay here longer; your dismission Is come from Caesar; therefore hear it, Antony.

Wheres Fulvias process? Caesars I would say? Both? Call in the messengers. As I am Egypts queen,

Is Caesars homager. Else so thy cheek pays shame When shrill-tongud Fulvia scolds. The messengers! Antony Let Rome in Tiber melt, and the wide arch Of the rangd empire fall! Here is my space. Feeds beast as man. Cleopatra Why did he marry Fulvia, and not love her? Ill seem the fool I am not. Cleopatra Why did he marry Fulvia, and not love her? Ill seem the fool I am not.

Antony Will be himself. Antony But stirrd by Cleopatra. Now for the love of Love and her soft hours,

Theres not a minute of our lives should stretch Without some pleasure now. What sport to-night? Cleopatra Hear the ambassadors. Antony Fie, wrangling queen! Whom everything becomes to chide, to laugh, To make itself in thee fair and admird. No messenger but thine, and all alone To-night well wander through the streets and note The qualities of people.

Come, my queen;

[Exeunt ANTONY and CLEOPATRA, with the Train.]Demetrius Is Caesar with Antonius prizd so slight? Philo Sir, sometimes when he is not Antony, He comes too short of that great property Which still should go with Antony. Demetrius I am full sorry Thus speaks of him at Rome; but I will hope Of better deeds to-morrow. Rest you happy! [Exeunt.][Enter CHARMIAN, IRAS, ALEXAS, and a Soothsayer.]CharmianAlexas Soothsayer! Soothsayer Your will? Charmian Is this the man? Ist you, sir, that know things? Soothsayer In natures infinite book of secrecy A little I can read. Charmian Good sir, give me good fortune. Soothsayer I make not, but foresee. CharmianSoothsayer You shall be yet far fairer than you are. Charmian He means in flesh. Iras No, you shall paint when you are old. Charmian Wrinkles forbid! AlexasCharmian Hush! Soothsayer You shall be more beloving than beloved. Charmian I had rather heat my liver with drinking. Alexas Nay, hear him. CharmianNext page