Act + 

II + 

Scene + 

I + 

Messina. Pompey’s house. + 

Enter Pompey, Menecrates, and Menas, in warlike manner. + 

Pompey + 

If the great gods be just, they shall assist + 

The deeds of justest men. + 

Menecrates + 

Know, worthy Pompey, + 

That what they do delay, they not deny. + 

Pompey + 

Whiles we are suitors to their throne, decays + 

The thing we sue for. + 

Menecrates + 

We, ignorant of ourselves, + 

Beg often our own harms, which the wise powers + 

Deny us for our good; so find we profit + 

By losing of our prayers. + 

Pompey + 

I shall do well: + 

The people love me, and the sea is mine; + 

My powers are crescent, and my auguring hope + 

Says it will come to the full. Mark Antony + 

In Egypt sits at dinner, and will make + 

No wars without doors: Caesar gets money where + 

He loses hearts: Lepidus flatters both, + 

Of both is flatter’d; but he neither loves, + 

Nor either cares for him. + 

Menas + 

Caesar and Lepidus + 

Are in the field: a mighty strength they carry. + 

Pompey + 

Where have you this? ’tis false. + 

Menas + 

From Silvius, sir. + 

Pompey + 

He dreams: I know they are in Rome together, + 

Looking for Antony. But all the charms of love, + 

Salt Cleopatra, soften thy waned lip! + 

Let witchcraft join with beauty, lust with both! + 

Tie up the libertine in a field of feasts, + 

Keep his brain fuming; Epicurean cooks + 

Sharpen with cloyless sauce his appetite; + 

That sleep and feeding may prorogue his honour + 

Even till a Lethe’d dulness! + 

Enter Varrius. + 

How now, Varrius! + 

Varrius + 

This is most certain that I shall deliver: + 

Mark Antony is every hour in Rome + 

Expected: since he went from Egypt ’tis + 

A space for further travel. + 

Pompey + 

I could have given less matter + 

A better ear. Menas, I did not think + 

This amorous surfeiter would have donn’d his helm + 

For such a petty war: his soldiership + 

Is twice the other twain: but let us rear + 

The higher our opinion, that our stirring + 

Can from the lap of Egypt’s widow pluck + 

The ne’er-lust-wearied Antony. + 

Menas + 

I cannot hope + 

Caesar and Antony shall well greet together: + 

His wife that’s dead did trespasses to Caesar; + 

His brother warr’d upon him; although, I think, + 

Not moved by Antony. + 

Pompey + 

I know not, Menas, + 

How lesser enmities may give way to greater. + 

Were’t not that we stand up against them all, + 

’Twere pregnant they should square between themselves; + 

For they have entertained cause enough + 

To draw their swords: but how the fear of us + 

May cement their divisions and bind up + 

The petty difference, we yet not know. + 

Be’t as our gods will have’t! It only stands + 

Our lives upon to use our strongest hands. + 

Come, Menas. Exeunt. + 

Scene + 

II + 

Rome. The house of Lepidus. + 

Enter Enobarbas and Lepidus. + 

Lepidus + 

Good Enobarbus, ’tis a worthy deed, + 

And shall become you well, to entreat your captain + 

To soft and gentle speech. + 

Enobarbas + 

I shall entreat him + 

To answer like himself: if Caesar move him, + 

Let Antony look over Caesar’s head + 

And speak as loud as Mars. By Jupiter, + 

Were I the wearer of Antonius’ beard, + 

I would not shave’t to-day. + 

Lepidus + 

’Tis not a time + 

For private stomaching. + 

Enobarbas + 

Every time + 

Serves for the matter that is then born in’t. + 

Lepidus + 

But small to greater matters must give way. + 

Enobarbas + 

Not if the small come first. + 

Lepidus + 

Your speech is passion: + 

But, pray you, stir no embers up. Here comes + 

The noble Antony. + 

Enter Antony and Ventidius. + 

Enobarbas + 

And yonder, Caesar. + 

Enter Caesar, Mecaenas, and Agrippa. + 

Antony + 

If we compose well here, to Parthia: + 

Hark, Ventidius. + 

Caesar + 

I do not know, + 

Mecaenas; ask Agrippa. + 

Lepidus + 

Noble friends, + 

That which combined us was most great, and let not + 

A leaner action rend us. What’s amiss, + 

May it be gently heard: when we debate + 

Our trivial difference loud, we do commit + 

Murder in healing wounds: then, noble partners, + 

The rather, for I earnestly beseech, + 

Touch you the sourest points with sweetest terms, + 

Nor curstness grow to the matter. + 

Antony + 

’Tis spoken well. + 

Were we before our armies, and to fight, + 

I should do thus. Flourish. + 

Caesar + 

Welcome to Rome. + 

Antony + 

Thank you. + 

Caesar + 

Sit. + 

Antony + 

Sit, sir. + 

Caesar + 

Nay, then. + 

Antony + 

I learn, you take things ill which are not so, + 

Or being, concern you not. + 

Caesar + 

I must be laugh’d at, + 

If, or for nothing or a little, I + 

Should say myself offended, and with you + 

Chiefly i’ the world; more laugh’d at, that I should + 

Once name you derogately, when to sound your name + 

It not concern’d me. + 

Antony + 

My being in Egypt, Caesar, + 

What was’t to you? + 

Caesar + 

No more than my residing here at Rome + 

Might be to you in Egypt: yet, if you there + 

Did practise on my state, your being in Egypt + 

Might be my question. + 

Antony + 

How intend you, practised? + 

Caesar + 

You may be pleased to catch at mine intent + 

By what did here befall me. Your wife and brother + 

Made wars upon me; and their contestation + 

Was theme for you, you were the word of war. + 

Antony + 

You do mistake your business; my brother never + 

Did urge me in his act: I did inquire it; + 

And have my learning from some true reports, + 

That drew their swords with you. Did he not rather + 

Discredit my authority with yours; + 

And make the wars alike against my stomach, + 

Having alike your cause? Of this my letters + 

Before did satisfy you. If you’ll patch a quarrel, + 

As matter whole you have not to make it with, + 

It must not be with this. + 

Caesar + 

You praise yourself + 

By laying defects of judgment to me; but + 

You patch’d up your excuses. + 

Antony + 

Not so, not so; + 

I know you could not lack, I am certain on’t, + 

Very necessity of this thought, that I, + 

Your partner in the cause ’gainst which he fought, + 

Could not with graceful eyes attend those wars + 

Which fronted mine own peace. As for my wife, + 

I would you had her spirit in such another: + 

The third o’ the world is yours; which with a snaffle + 

You may pace easy, but not such a wife. + 

Enobarbas + 

Would we had all such wives, that the men might go to wars with the women! + 

Antony + 

So much uncurbable, her garboils, Caesar, + 

Made out of her impatience, which not wanted + 

Shrewdness of policy too, I grieving grant + 

Did you too much disquiet: for that you must + 

But say, I could not help it. + 

Caesar + 

I wrote to you + 

When rioting in Alexandria; you + 

Did pocket up my letters, and with taunts + 

Did gibe my missive out of audience. + 

Antony + 

Sir, + 

He fell upon me ere admitted: then + 

Three kings I had newly feasted, and did want + 

Of what I was i’ the morning: but next day + 

I told him of myself; which was as much + 

As to have ask’d him pardon. Let this fellow + 

Be nothing of our strife; if we contend, + 

Out of our question wipe him. + 

Caesar + 

You have broken + 

The article of your oath; which you shall never + 

Have tongue to charge me with. + 

Lepidus + 

Soft, Caesar! + 

Antony + 

No, + 

Lepidus, let him speak: + 

The honour is sacred which he talks on now, + 

Supposing that I lack’d it. But, on, Caesar; + 

The article of my oath. + 

Caesar + 

To lend me arms and aid when I required them; + 

The which you both denied. + 

Antony + 

Neglected, rather; + 

And then when poison’d hours had bound me up + 

From mine own knowledge. As nearly as I may, + 

I’ll play the penitent to you: but mine honesty + 

Shall not make poor my greatness, nor my power + 

Work without it. Truth is, that Fulvia, + 

To have me out of Egypt, made wars here; + 

For which myself, the ignorant motive, do + 

So far ask pardon as befits mine honour + 

To stoop in such a case. + 

Lepidus + 

’Tis noble spoken. + 

Mecaenas + 

If it might please you, to enforce no further + 

The griefs between ye: to forget them quite + 

Were to remember that the present need + 

Speaks to atone you. + 

Lepidus + 

Worthily spoken, Mecaenas. + 

Enobarbas + 

Or, if you borrow one another’s love for the instant, you may, when you hear no more words of Pompey, return it again: you shall have time to wrangle in when you have nothing else to do. + 

Antony + 

Thou art a soldier only: speak no more. + 

Enobarbas + 

That truth should be silent I had almost forgot. + 

Antony + 

You wrong this presence; therefore speak no more. + 

Enobarbas + 

Go to, then; your considerate stone. + 

Caesar + 

I do not much dislike the matter, but + 

The manner of his speech; for’t cannot be + 

We shall remain in friendship, our conditions + 

So differing in their acts. Yet if I knew + 

What hoop should hold us stanch, from edge to edge + 

O’ the world I would pursue it. + 

Agrippa + 

Give me leave, Caesar⁠— + 

Caesar + 

Speak, Agrippa. + 

Agrippa + 

Thou hast a sister by the mother’s side, + 

Admired Octavia: great Mark Antony + 

Is now a widower. + 

Caesar + 

Say not so, Agrippa: + 

If Cleopatra heard you, your reproof + 

Were well deserved of rashness. + 

Antony + 

I am not married, Caesar: let me hear Agrippa further speak. + 

Agrippa + 

To hold you in perpetual amity, + 

To make you brothers, and to knit your hearts + 

With an unslipping knot, take Antony + 

Octavia to his wife; whose beauty claims + 

No worse a husband than the best of men; + 

Whose virtue and whose general graces speak + 

That which none else can utter. By this marriage, + 

All little jealousies, which now seem great, + 

And all great fears, which now import their dangers, + 

Would then be nothing: truths would be tales, + 

Where now half tales be truths: her love to both + 

Would, each to other and all loves to both, + 

Draw after her. Pardon what I have spoke; + 

For ’tis a studied, not a present thought, + 

By duty ruminated. + 

Antony + 

Will Caesar speak? + 

Caesar + 

Not till he hears how Antony is touch’d + 

With what is spoke already. + 

Antony + 

What power is in Agrippa, + 

If I would say, “Agrippa, be it so,” + 

To make this good? + 

Caesar + 

The power of Caesar, and + 

His power unto Octavia. + 

Antony + 

May I never + 

To this good purpose, that so fairly shows, + 

Dream of impediment! Let me have thy hand: + 

Further this act of grace; and from this hour + 

The heart of brothers govern in our loves + 

And sway our great designs! + 

Caesar + 

There is my hand. + 

A sister I bequeath you, whom no brother + 

Did ever love so dearly: let her live + 

To join our kingdoms and our hearts; and never + 

Fly off our loves again! + 

Lepidus + 

Happily, amen! + 

Antony + 

I did not think to draw my sword ’gainst Pompey; + 

For he hath laid strange courtesies and great + 

Of late upon me: I must thank him only, + 

Lest my remembrance suffer ill report; + 

At heel of that, defy him. + 

Lepidus + 

Time calls upon’s: + 

Of us must Pompey presently be sought, + 

Or else he seeks out us. + 

Antony + 

Where lies he? + 

Caesar + 

About the mount Misenum. + 

Antony + 

What is his strength by land? + 

Caesar + 

Great and increasing: but by sea + 

He is an absolute master. + 

Antony + 

So is the fame. + 

Would we had spoke together! Haste we for it: + 

Yet, ere we put ourselves in arms, dispatch we + 

The business we have talk’d of. + 

Caesar + 

With most gladness; + 

And do invite you to my sister’s view, + 

Whither straight I’ll lead you. + 

Antony + 

Let us, Lepidus, + 

Not lack your company. + 

Lepidus + 

Noble Antony, + 

Not sickness should detain me. Flourish. Exeunt Caesar, Antony, and Lepidus. + 

Mecaenas + 

Welcome from Egypt, sir. + 

Enobarbas + 

Half the heart of Caesar, worthy Mecaenas! My honourable friend, Agrippa! + 

Agrippa + 

Good Enobarbus! + 

Mecaenas + 

We have cause to be glad that matters are so well digested. You stayed well by’t in Egypt. + 

Enobarbas + 

Ay, sir; we did sleep day out of countenance, and made the night light with drinking. + 

Mecaenas + 

Eight wild-boars roasted whole at a breakfast, and but twelve persons there; is this true? + 

Enobarbas + 

This was but as a fly by an eagle: we had much more monstrous matter of feast, which worthily deserved noting. + 

Mecaenas + 

She’s a most triumphant lady, if report be square to her. + 

Enobarbas + 

When she first met Mark Antony, she pursed up his heart, upon the river of Cydnus. + 

Agrippa + 

There she appeared indeed; or my reporter devised well for her. + 

Enobarbas + 

I will tell you. + 

The barge she sat in, like a burnish’d throne, + 

Burn’d on the water: the poop was beaten gold; + 

Purple the sails, and so perfumed that + 

The winds were love-sick with them; the oars were silver, + 

Which to the tune of flutes kept stroke, and made + 

The water which they beat to follow faster, + 

As amorous of their strokes. For her own person, + 

It beggar’d all description: she did lie + 

In her pavilion⁠—cloth-of-gold of tissue⁠— + 

O’er-picturing that Venus where we see + 

The fancy outwork nature: on each side her + 

Stood pretty dimpled boys, like smiling Cupids, + 

With divers-colour’d fans, whose wind did seem + 

To glow the delicate cheeks which they did cool, + 

And what they undid did. + 

Agrippa + 

O, rare for Antony! + 

Enobarbas + 

Her gentlewomen, like the Nereides, + 

So many mermaids, tended her i’ the eyes, + 

And made their bends adornings: at the helm + 

A seeming mermaid steers: the silken tackle + 

Swell with the touches of those flower-soft hands, + 

That yarely frame the office. From the barge + 

A strange invisible perfume hits the sense + 

Of the adjacent wharfs. The city cast + 

Her people out upon her; and Antony, + 

Enthroned i’ the market-place, did sit alone, + 

Whistling to the air; which, but for vacancy, + 

Had gone to gaze on Cleopatra too, + 

And made a gap in nature. + 

Agrippa + 

Rare Egyptian! + 

Enobarbas + 

Upon her landing, Antony sent to her, + 

Invited her to supper: she replied, + 

It should be better he became her guest; + 

Which she entreated: our courteous Antony, + 

Whom ne’er the word of “No” woman heard speak, + 

Being barber’d ten times o’er, goes to the feast, + 

And for his ordinary pays his heart + 

For what his eyes eat only. + 

Agrippa + 

Royal wench! + 

She made great Caesar lay his sword to bed: + 

He plough’d her, and she cropp’d. + 

Enobarbas + 

I saw her once + 

Hop forty paces through the public street; + 

And having lost her breath, she spoke, and panted, + 

That she did make defect perfection, + 

And, breathless, power breathe forth. + 

Mecaenas + 

Now Antony must leave her utterly. + 

Enobarbas + 

Never; he will not: + 

Age cannot wither her, nor custom stale + 

Her infinite variety: other women cloy + 

The appetites they feed; but she makes hungry + 

Where most she satisfies: for vilest things + 

Become themselves in her; that the holy priests + 

Bless her when she is riggish. + 

Mecaenas + 

If beauty, wisdom, modesty, can settle + 

The heart of Antony, Octavia is + 

A blessed lottery to him. + 

Agrippa + 

Let us go. + 

Good Enobarbus, make yourself my guest + 

Whilst you abide here. + 

Enobarbas + 

Humbly, sir, I thank you. Exeunt. + 

Scene + 

III + 

The same. Caesar’s house. + 

Enter Antony, Caesar, Octavia between them, and Attendants. + 

Antony + 

The world and my great office will sometimes + 

Divide me from your bosom. + 

Octavia + 

All which time + 

Before the gods my knee shall bow my prayers + 

To them for you. + 

Antony + 

Good night, sir. My Octavia, + 

Read not my blemishes in the world’s report: + 

I have not kept my square; but that to come + 

Shall all be done by the rule. Good night, dear lady. + 

Good night, sir. + 

Caesar + 

Good night. Exeunt Caesar and Octavia. + 

Enter Soothsayer. + 

Antony + 

Now, sirrah; you do wish yourself in Egypt? + 

Soothsayer + 

Would I had never come from thence, nor you + 

Thither! + 

Antony + 

If you can, your reason? + 

Soothsayer + 

I see it in + 

My motion, have it not in my tongue: but yet + 

Hie you to Egypt again. + 

Antony + 

Say to me, + 

Whose fortunes shall rise higher, Caesar’s or mine? + 

Soothsayer + 

Caesar’s. + 

Therefore, O Antony, stay not by his side: + 

Thy demon, that’s thy spirit which keeps thee, is + 

Noble, courageous high, unmatchable, + 

Where Caesar’s is not; but, near him, thy angel + 

Becomes a fear, as being o’erpower’d: therefore + 

Make space enough between you. + 

Antony + 

Speak this no more. + 

Soothsayer + 

To none but thee; no more, but when to thee. + 

If thou dost play with him at any game, + 

Thou art sure to lose; and, of that natural luck, + 

He beats thee ’gainst the odds: thy lustre thickens, + 

When he shines by: I say again, thy spirit + 

Is all afraid to govern thee near him; + 

But, he away, ’tis noble. + 

Antony + 

Get thee gone: + 

Say to Ventidius I would speak with him: Exit Soothsayer. + 

He shall to Parthia. Be it art or hap, + 

He hath spoken true: the very dice obey him; + 

And in our sports my better cunning faints + 

Under his chance: if we draw lots, he speeds; + 

His cocks do win the battle still of mine, + 

When it is all to nought; and his quails ever + 

Beat mine, inhoop’d, at odds. I will to Egypt: + 

And though I make this marriage for my peace, + 

I’ the east my pleasure lies. + 

Enter Ventidius. + 

O, come, Ventidius, + 

You must to Parthia: your commission’s ready; + 

Follow me, and receive’t. Exeunt. + 

Scene + 

IV + 

The same. A street. + 

Enter Lepidus, Mecaenas, and Agrippa. + 

Lepidus + 

Trouble yourselves no further: pray you, hasten + 

Your generals after. + 

Agrippa + 

Sir, Mark Antony + 

Will e’en but kiss Octavia, and we’ll follow. + 

Lepidus + 

Till I shall see you in your soldier’s dress, + 

Which will become you both, farewell. + 

Mecaenas + 

We shall, + 

As I conceive the journey, be at the Mount + 

Before you, Lepidus. + 

Lepidus + 

Your way is shorter; + 

My purposes do draw me much about: + 

You’ll win two days upon me. + 

Mecaenas + 

Agrippa + 

Sir, good success! + 

Lepidus + 

Farewell. Exeunt. + 

Scene + 

V + 

Alexandria. Cleopatra’s palace. + 

Enter Cleopatra, Charmian, Iras, and Alexas. + 

Cleopatra + 

Give me some music; music, moody food + 

Of us that trade in love. + 

Attendants + 

The music, ho! + 

Enter Mardian the Eunuch. + 

Cleopatra + 

Let it alone; let’s to billiards: come, Charmian. + 

Charmian + 

My arm is sore; best play with Mardian. + 

Cleopatra + 

As well a woman with an eunuch play’d + 

As with a woman. Come, you’ll play with me, sir? + 

Mardian + 

As well as I can, madam. + 

Cleopatra + 

And when good will is show’d, though’t come too short, + 

The actor may plead pardon. I’ll none now: + 

Give me mine angle; we’ll to the river: there, + 

My music playing far off, I will betray + 

Tawny-finn’d fishes; my bended hook shall pierce + 

Their slimy jaws; and, as I draw them up, + 

I’ll think them every one an Antony, + 

And say “Ah, ha! you’re caught.” + 

Charmian + 

’Twas merry when + 

You wager’d on your angling; when your diver + 

Did hang a salt-fish on his hook, which he + 

With fervency drew up. + 

Cleopatra + 

That time⁠—O times!⁠— + 

I laugh’d him out of patience; and that night + 

I laugh’d him into patience: and next morn, + 

Ere the ninth hour, I drunk him to his bed; + 

Then put my tires and mantles on him, whilst + 

I wore his sword Philippan. + 

Enter a Messenger. + 

O, from Italy! + 

Ram thou thy fruitful tidings in mine ears, + 

That long time have been barren. + 

Messenger + 

Madam, madam⁠— + 

Cleopatra + 

Antonius dead!⁠—If thou say so, villain, + 

Thou kill’st thy mistress: but well and free, + 

If thou so yield him, there is gold, and here + 

My bluest veins to kiss; a hand that kings + 

Have lipp’d, and trembled kissing. + 

Messenger + 

First, madam, he is well. + 

Cleopatra + 

Why, there’s more gold. + 

But, sirrah, mark, we use + 

To say the dead are well: bring it to that, + 

The gold I give thee will I melt and pour + 

Down thy ill-uttering throat. + 

Messenger + 

Good madam, hear me. + 

Cleopatra + 

Well, go to, I will; + 

But there’s no goodness in thy face: if Antony + 

Be free and healthful⁠—so tart a favour + 

To trumpet such good tidings! If not well, + 

Thou shouldst come like a Fury crown’d with snakes, + 

Not like a formal man. + 

Messenger + 

Will’t please you hear me? + 

Cleopatra + 

I have a mind to strike thee ere thou speak’st: + 

Yet if thou say Antony lives, is well, + 

Or friends with Caesar, or not captive to him, + 

I’ll set thee in a shower of gold, and hail + 

Rich pearls upon thee. + 

Messenger + 

Madam, he’s well. + 

Cleopatra + 

Well said. + 

Messenger + 

And friends with Caesar. + 

Cleopatra + 

Thou’rt an honest man. + 

Messenger + 

Caesar and he are greater friends than ever. + 

Cleopatra + 

Make thee a fortune from me. + 

Messenger + 

But yet, madam⁠— + 

Cleopatra + 

I do not like “But yet,” it does allay + 

The good precedence; fie upon “But yet”! + 

“But yet” is as a gaoler to bring forth + 

Some monstrous malefactor. Prithee, friend, + 

Pour out the pack of matter to mine ear, + 

The good and bad together: he’s friends with Caesar; + 

In state of health thou say’st; and thou say’st free. + 

Messenger + 

Free, madam! no; I made no such report: + 

He’s bound unto Octavia. + 

Cleopatra + 

For what good turn? + 

Messenger + 

For the best turn i’ the bed. + 

Cleopatra + 

I am pale, Charmian. + 

Messenger + 

Madam, he’s married to Octavia. + 

Cleopatra + 

The most infectious pestilence upon thee! Strikes him down. + 

Messenger + 

Good madam, patience. + 

Cleopatra + 

What say you? Hence, Strikes him again. + 

Horrible villain! or I’ll spurn thine eyes + 

Like balls before me; I’ll unhair thy head: She hales him up and down. + 

Thou shalt be whipp’d with wire, and stew’d in brine, + 

Smarting in lingering pickle. + 

Messenger + 

Gracious madam, + 

I that do bring the news made not the match. + 

Cleopatra + 

Say ’tis not so, a province I will give thee, + 

And make thy fortunes proud: the blow thou hadst + 

Shall make thy peace for moving me to rage; + 

And I will boot thee with what gift beside + 

Thy modesty can beg. + 

Messenger + 

He’s married, madam. + 

Cleopatra + 

Rogue, thou hast lived too long. Draws a knife. + 

Messenger + 

Nay, then I’ll run. + 

What mean you, madam? I have made no fault. Exit. + 

Charmian + 

Good madam, keep yourself within yourself: + 

The man is innocent. + 

Cleopatra + 

Some innocents ’scape not the thunderbolt. + 

Melt Egypt into Nile! and kindly creatures + 

Turn all to serpents! Call the slave again: + 

Though I am mad, I will not bite him: call. + 

Charmian + 

He is afeard to come. + 

Cleopatra + 

I will not hurt him. Exit Charmian. + 

These hands do lack nobility, that they strike + 

A meaner than myself; since I myself + 

Have given myself the cause. + 

Reenter Charmian and Messenger. + 

Come hither, sir. + 

Though it be honest, it is never good + 

To bring bad news: give to a gracious message. + 

An host of tongues; but let ill tidings tell + 

Themselves when they be felt. + 

Messenger + 

I have done my duty. + 

Cleopatra + 

Is he married? + 

I cannot hate thee worser than I do, + 

If thou again say “Yes.” + 

Messenger + 

He’s married, madam. + 

Cleopatra + 

The gods confound thee! dost thou hold there still? + 

Messenger + 

Should I lie, madam? + 

Cleopatra + 

O, I would thou didst, + 

So half my Egypt were submerged and made + 

A cistern for scaled snakes! Go, get thee hence: + 

Hadst thou Narcissus in thy face, to me + 

Thou wouldst appear most ugly. He is married? + 

Messenger + 

I crave your highness’ pardon. + 

Cleopatra + 

He is married? + 

Messenger + 

Take no offence that I would not offend you: + 

To punish me for what you make me do + 

Seems much unequal: he’s married to Octavia. + 

Cleopatra + 

O, that his fault should make a knave of thee, + 

That art not what thou’rt sure of! Get thee hence: + 

The merchandise which thou hast brought from Rome + 

Are all too dear for me: lie they upon thy hand, + 

And be undone by ’em! Exit Messenger. + 

Charmian + 

Good your highness, patience. + 

Cleopatra + 

In praising Antony, I have dispraised Caesar. + 

Charmian + 

Many times, madam. + 

Cleopatra + 

I am paid for’t now. + 

Lead me from hence; + 

I faint: O Iras, Charmian! ’tis no matter. + 

Go to the fellow, good Alexas; bid him + 

Report the feature of Octavia, her years, + 

Her inclination, let him not leave out + 

The colour of her hair: bring me word quickly. Exit Alexas. + 

Let him for ever go:⁠—let him not⁠—Charmian, + 

Though he be painted one way like a Gorgon, + 

The other way’s a Mars. Bid you Alexas To Mardian. + 

Bring me word how tall she is. Pity me, Charmian, + 

But do not speak to me. Lead me to my chamber. Exeunt. + 

Scene + 

VI + 

Near Misenum. + 

Flourish. Enter Pompey and Menas at one side, with drum and trumpet: at another, Caesar, Antony, Lepidus, Enobarbas, Mecaenas, with Soldiers marching. + 

Pompey + 

Your hostages I have, so have you mine; + 

And we shall talk before we fight. + 

Caesar + 

Most meet + 

That first we come to words; and therefore have we + 

Our written purposes before us sent; + 

Which, if thou hast consider’d, let us know + 

If ’twill tie up thy discontented sword, + 

And carry back to Sicily much tall youth + 

That else must perish here. + 

Pompey + 

To you all three, + 

The senators alone of this great world, + 

Chief factors for the gods, I do not know + 

Wherefore my father should revengers want, + 

Having a son and friends; since Julius Caesar, + 

Who at Philippi the good Brutus ghosted, + 

There saw you labouring for him. What was’t + 

That moved pale Cassius to conspire; and what + 

Made the all-honour’d, honest Roman, Brutus, + 

With the arm’d rest, courtiers and beauteous freedom, + 

To drench the Capitol; but that they would + 

Have one man but a man? And that is it + 

Hath made me rig my navy; at whose burthen + 

The anger’d ocean foams; with which I meant + 

To scourge the ingratitude that despiteful Rome + 

Cast on my noble father. + 

Caesar + 

Take your time. + 

Antony + 

Thou canst not fear us, Pompey, with thy sails; + 

We’ll speak with thee at sea: at land, thou know’st + 

How much we do o’er-count thee. + 

Pompey + 

At land, indeed, + 

Thou dost o’er-count me of my father’s house: + 

But, since the cuckoo builds not for himself, + 

Remain in’t as thou mayst. + 

Lepidus + 

Be pleased to tell us⁠— + 

For this is from the present⁠—how you take + 

The offers we have sent you. + 

Caesar + 

There’s the point. + 

Antony + 

Which do not be entreated to, but weigh + 

What it is worth embraced. + 

Caesar + 

And what may follow, + 

To try a larger fortune. + 

Pompey + 

You have made me offer + 

Of Sicily, Sardinia; and I must + 

Rid all the sea of pirates; then, to send + 

Measures of wheat to Rome; this ’greed upon, + 

To part with unhack’d edges, and bear back + 

Our targes undinted. + 

Caesar + 

Antony + 

Lepidus + 

That’s our offer. + 

Pompey + 

Know, then, + 

I came before you here a man prepared + 

To take this offer: but Mark Antony + 

Put me to some impatience: though I lose + 

The praise of it by telling, you must know, + 

When Caesar and your brother were at blows, + 

Your mother came to Sicily and did find + 

Her welcome friendly. + 

Antony + 

I have heard it, Pompey; + 

And am well studied for a liberal thanks + 

Which I do owe you. + 

Pompey + 

Let me have your hand: + 

I did not think, sir, to have met you here. + 

Antony + 

The beds i’ the east are soft; and thanks to you, + 

That call’d me timelier than my purpose hither; + 

For I have gain’d by’t. + 

Caesar + 

Since I saw you last, + 

There is a change upon you. + 

Pompey + 

Well, I know not + 

What counts harsh fortune casts upon my face; + 

But in my bosom shall she never come, + 

To make my heart her vassal. + 

Lepidus + 

Well met here. + 

Pompey + 

I hope so, Lepidus. Thus we are agreed: + 

I crave our composition may be written, + 

And seal’d between us. + 

Caesar + 

That’s the next to do. + 

Pompey + 

We’ll feast each other ere we part; and let’s + 

Draw lots who shall begin. + 

Antony + 

That will I, Pompey. + 

Pompey + 

No, Antony, take the lot: but, first + 

Or last, your fine Egyptian cookery + 

Shall have the fame. I have heard that Julius Caesar + 

Grew fat with feasting there. + 

Antony + 

You have heard much. + 

Pompey + 

I have fair meanings, sir. + 

Antony + 

And fair words to them. + 

Pompey + 

Then so much have I heard: + 

And I have heard, Apollodorus carried⁠— + 

Enobarbas + 

No more of that: he did so. + 

Pompey + 

What, I pray you? + 

Enobarbas + 

A certain queen to Caesar in a mattress. + 

Pompey + 

I know thee now: how farest thou, soldier? + 

Enobarbas + 

Well; + 

And well am like to do; for, I perceive, + 

Four feasts are toward. + 

Pompey + 

Let me shake thy hand; + 

I never hated thee: I have seen thee fight, + 

When I have envied thy behaviour. + 

Enobarbas + 

Sir, + 

I never loved you much; but I ha’ praised ye, + 

When you have well deserved ten times as much + 

As I have said you did. + 

Pompey + 

Enjoy thy plainness, + 

It nothing ill becomes thee. + 

Aboard my galley I invite you all: + 

Will you lead, lords? + 

Caesar + 

Antony + 

Lepidus + 

Show us the way, sir. + 

Pompey + 

Come. Exeunt all but Menas and Enobarbus. + 

Menas + 

Aside. Thy father, Pompey, would ne’er have made this treaty.⁠—You and I have known, sir. + 

Enobarbas + 

At sea, I think. + 

Menas + 

We have, sir. + 

Enobarbas + 

You have done well by water. + 

Menas + 

And you by land. + 

Enobarbas + 

I will praise any man that will praise me; though it cannot be denied what I have done by land. + 

Menas + 

Nor what I have done by water. + 

Enobarbas + 

Yes, something you can deny for your own safety: you have been a great thief by sea. + 

Menas + 

And you by land. + 

Enobarbas + 

There I deny my land service. But give me your hand, Menas: if our eyes had authority, here they might take two thieves kissing. + 

Menas + 

All men’s faces are true, whatsome’er their hands are. + 

Enobarbas + 

But there is never a fair woman has a true face. + 

Menas + 

No slander; they steal hearts. + 

Enobarbas + 

We came hither to fight with you. + 

Menas + 

For my part, I am sorry it is turned to a drinking. Pompey doth this day laugh away his fortune. + 

Enobarbas + 

If he do, sure, he cannot weep’t back again. + 

Menas + 

You’ve said, sir. We looked not for Mark Antony here: pray you, is he married to Cleopatra? + 

Enobarbas + 

Caesar’s sister is called Octavia. + 

Menas + 

True, sir; she was the wife of Caius Marcellus. + 

Enobarbas + 

But she is now the wife of Marcus Antonius. + 

Menas + 

Pray ye, sir? + 

Enobarbas + 

’Tis true. + 

Menas + 

Then is Caesar and he for ever knit together. + 

Enobarbas + 

If I were bound to divine of this unity, I would not prophesy so. + 

Menas + 

I think the policy of that purpose made more in the marriage than the love of the parties. + 

Enobarbas + 

I think so too. But you shall find, the band that seems to tie their friendship together will be the very strangler of their amity: Octavia is of a holy, cold, and still conversation. + 

Menas + 

Who would not have his wife so? + 

Enobarbas + 

Not he that himself is not so; which is Mark Antony. He will to his Egyptian dish again: then shall the sighs of Octavia blow the fire up in Caesar; and, as I said before, that which is the strength of their amity shall prove the immediate author of their variance. Antony will use his affection where it is: he married but his occasion here. + 

Menas + 

And thus it may be. Come, sir, will you aboard? I have a health for you. + 

Enobarbas + 

I shall take it, sir: we have used our throats in Egypt. + 

Menas + 

Come, let’s away. Exeunt. + 

Scene + 

VII + 

On board Pompey’s galley, off Misenum. + 

Music plays. Enter two or three Servants with a banquet. + 

First Servant + 

Here they’ll be, man. Some o’ their plants are ill-rooted already; the least wind i’ the world will blow them down. + 

Second Servant + 

Lepidus is high-coloured. + 

First Servant + 

They have made him drink alms-drink. + 

Second Servant + 

As they pinch one another by the disposition, he cries out “No more;” reconciles them to his entreaty, and himself to the drink. + 

First Servant + 

But it raises the greater war between him and his discretion. + 

Second Servant + 

Why, this it is to have a name in great men’s fellowship: I had as lief have a reed that will do me no service as a partisan I could not heave. + 

First Servant + 

To be called into a huge sphere, and not to be seen to move in’t, are the holes where eyes should be, which pitifully disaster the cheeks. + 

A sennet sounded. Enter Caesar, Antony, Lepidus, Pompey, Agrippa, Mecaenas, Enobarbas, Menas, with other captains. + 

Antony + 

To Caesar. Thus do they, sir: they take the flow o’ the Nile + 

By certain scales i’ the pyramid; they know, + 

By the height, the lowness, or the mean, if dearth + 

Or foison follow: the higher Nilus swells, + 

The more it promises: as it ebbs, the seedsman + 

Upon the slime and ooze scatters his grain, + 

And shortly comes to harvest. + 

Lepidus + 

You’ve strange serpents there. + 

Antony + 

Ay, Lepidus. + 

Lepidus + 

Your serpent of Egypt is bred now of your mud by the operation of your sun: so is your crocodile. + 

Antony + 

They are so. + 

Pompey + 

Sit⁠—and some wine! A health to Lepidus! + 

Lepidus + 

I am not so well as I should be, but I’ll ne’er out. + 

Enobarbas + 

Not till you have slept; I fear me you’ll be in till then. + 

Lepidus + 

Nay, certainly, I have heard the Ptolemies’ pyramises are very goodly things; without contradiction, I have heard that. + 

Menas + 

Aside to Pompey. Pompey, a word. + 

Pompey + 

Aside to Menas. Say in mine ear: what is’t? + 

Menas + 

Aside to Pompey. Forsake thy seat, I do beseech thee, captain, + 

And hear me speak a word. + 

Pompey + 

Aside to Menas. Forbear me till anon. + 

This wine for Lepidus! + 

Lepidus + 

What manner o’ thing is your crocodile? + 

Antony + 

It is shaped, sir, like itself; and it is as broad as it hath breadth: it is just so high as it is, and moves with its own organs: it lives by that which nourisheth it; and the elements once out of it, it transmigrates. + 

Lepidus + 

What colour is it of? + 

Antony + 

Of it own colour too. + 

Lepidus + 

’Tis a strange serpent. + 

Antony + 

’Tis so. And the tears of it are wet. + 

Caesar + 

Will this description satisfy him? + 

Antony + 

With the health that Pompey gives him, else he is a very epicure. + 

Pompey + 

Aside to Menas. Go hang, sir, hang! Tell me of that? away! + 

Do as I bid you. Where’s this cup I call’d for? + 

Menas + 

Aside to Pompey. If for the sake of merit thou wilt hear me, + 

Rise from thy stool. + 

Pompey + 

Aside to Menas. I think thou’rt mad. The matter? Rises, and walks aside. + 

Menas + 

I have ever held my cap off to thy fortunes. + 

Pompey + 

Thou hast served me with much faith. What’s else to say? + 

Be jolly, lords. + 

Antony + 

These quick-sands, Lepidus, + 

Keep off them, for you sink. + 

Menas + 

Wilt thou be lord of all the world? + 

Pompey + 

What say’st thou? + 

Menas + 

Wilt thou be lord of the whole world? That’s twice. + 

Pompey + 

How should that be? + 

Menas + 

But entertain it, + 

And, though thou think me poor, I am the man + 

Will give thee all the world. + 

Pompey + 

Hast thou drunk well? + 

Menas + 

No, Pompey, I have kept me from the cup. + 

Thou art, if thou darest be, the earthly Jove: + 

Whate’er the ocean pales, or sky inclips, + 

Is thine, if thou wilt ha’t. + 

Pompey + 

Show me which way. + 

Menas + 

These three world-sharers, these competitors, + 

Are in thy vessel: let me cut the cable; + 

And, when we are put off, fall to their throats: + 

All there is thine. + 

Pompey + 

Ah, this thou shouldst have done, + 

And not have spoke on’t! In me ’tis villany; + 

In thee’t had been good service. Thou must know, + 

’Tis not my profit that does lead mine honour; + 

Mine honour, it. Repent that e’er thy tongue + 

Hath so betray’d thine act: being done unknown, + 

I should have found it afterwards well done; + 

But must condemn it now. Desist, and drink. + 

Menas + 

Aside. For this, + 

I’ll never follow thy pall’d fortunes more. + 

Who seeks, and will not take when once ’tis offer’d, + 

Shall never find it more. + 

Pompey + 

This health to Lepidus! + 

Antony + 

Bear him ashore. I’ll pledge it for him, Pompey. + 

Enobarbas + 

Here’s to thee, Menas! + 

Menas + 

Enobarbus, welcome! + 

Pompey + 

Fill till the cup be hid. + 

Enobarbas + 

There’s a strong fellow, Menas. Pointing to the Attendant who carries off Lepidus. + 

Menas + 

Why? + 

Enobarbas + 

A’ bears the third part of the world, man; see’st not? + 

Menas + 

The third part, then, is drunk: would it were all, + 

That it might go on wheels! + 

Enobarbas + 

Drink thou; increase the reels. + 

Menas + 

Come. + 

Pompey + 

This is not yet an Alexandrian feast. + 

Antony + 

It ripens towards it. Strike the vessels, ho! + 

Here is to Caesar! + 

Caesar + 

I could well forbear’t. + 

It’s monstrous labour, when I wash my brain, + 

And it grows fouler. + 

Antony + 

Be a child o’ the time. + 

Caesar + 

Possess it, I’ll make answer: + 

But I had rather fast from all four days + 

Than drink so much in one. + 

Enobarbas + 

Ha, my brave emperor! To Antony. + 

Shall we dance now the Egyptian Bacchanals, + 

And celebrate our drink? + 

Pompey + 

Let’s ha’t, good soldier. + 

Antony + 

Come, let’s all take hands, + 

Till that the conquering wine hath steep’d our sense + 

In soft and delicate Lethe. + 

Enobarbas + 

All take hands. + 

Make battery to our ears with the loud music: + 

The while I’ll place you: then the boy shall sing; + 

The holding every man shall bear as loud + 

As his strong sides can volley. Music plays. Enobarbas places them hand in hand. + 

The Song. + 

Come, thou monarch of the vine, + 

Plumpy Bacchus with pink eyne! + 

In thy fats our cares be drown’d, + 

With thy grapes our hairs be crown’d: + 

Cup us, till the world go round, + 

Cup us, till the world go round! + 

Caesar + 

What would you more? Pompey, good night. Good brother, + 

Let me request you off: our graver business + 

Frowns at this levity. Gentle lords, let’s part; + 

You see we have burnt our cheeks: strong Enobarb + 

Is weaker than the wine; and mine own tongue + 

Splits what it speaks: the wild disguise hath almost + 

Antick’d us all. What needs more words? Good night. + 

Good Antony, your hand. + 

Pompey + 

I’ll try you on the shore. + 

Antony + 

And shall, sir; give’s your hand. + 

Pompey + 

O Antony, + 

You have my father’s house⁠—But, what? we are friends. + 

Come, down into the boat. + 

Enobarbas + 

Take heed you fall not. Exeunt all but Enobarbas and Menas. + 

Menas, I’ll not on shore. + 

Menas + 

No, to my cabin. + 

These drums! these trumpets, flutes! what! + 

Let Neptune hear we bid a loud farewell + 

To these great fellows: sound and be hang’d, sound out! Sound a flourish, with drums. + 

Enobarbas + 

Ho! says a’. There’s my cap. + 

Menas + 

Ho! Noble captain, come. Exeunt. + 