Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB
[blocks in formation]

Spoke scantly of me: when perforce he could not2
But pay me terms of honour, cold and sickly
He vented3 them; most narrow measure lent me :
When the best hint was given him, he not took't,
Or did it from his teeth.4

Oct.
O my good lord,
Believe not all; or, if you must believe,
Stomachs not all. A more unhappy lady,
If this division chance, ne'er stood between,
Praying for both parts:

[blocks in formation]

SCENE VI.-Rome. A room in Cæsar's house.
Enter Cæsar, Agrippa, and Mæcenas.
Cas. Contemning Rome, he has done all this:
And more;

In Alexandria, here's the manner of it,-
I'the market-place, on a tribunal silver'd,
Cleopatra and himself, in chairs of gold,
Were publicly enthron'd: at the feet, sat
Cæsarion, whom they call my father's son;
And all the unlawful issue, that their lust

Since then hath made between them.

Unto her

And the good gods will mock me presently, When I shall pray, O, bless my lord and husband! Undo that prayer, by crying out as loud, He gave brother! Husband win, win brother, the 'stablishment of Egypt; made her O, bless my Of lower Syria, Cyprus, Lydia, Prays, and destroys the prayer; no midway Absolute 'Twixt these extremes at all. Moc.

Ant.

Gentle Octavia,

Let your best love draw to that point, which seeks
Best to preserve it: If I lose mine honour,
I lose myself: better I were not yours,
Than yours so branchless. But, as you requested,

Yourself shall go between us: The mean time, lady,

I'll raise the preparation of a war
Shall stain your brother; Make your soonest haste;
So your desires are yours.
Ŏct.

Thanks to my lord.

The Jove of power make me most weak, most
weak,

Your reconciler! Wars 'twixt you twain would be
As if the world should cleave, and that slain men
Should solder up the rift.8

Ant. When it appears to you where this begins,
Turn your displeasure that way; for our faults
Can never be so equal, that your love

Can equally move with them. Provide your going;
Choose your own company, and command what cost
Your heart has mind to.
[Exeunt.
SCENE V-The same. Another room in the
same. Enter Enobarbus and Eros, meeting.

Eno. How now, friend Eros?

Eros. There's strange news come, sir.

Eno. What, man?

Eros. Cæsar and Lepidus have made wars upon Pompey.

queen.

This in the public eye?

[blocks in formation]

Agr. Who, queasy 13 with his insolence
Already, will their good thoughts call from him.
Caes. The people know it; and have now receiv'd
His accusations.
Agr.

Whom does he accuse?

Cas. Cæsar and that, having in Sicily
His part o'the isle: then does he say, he lent me
Sextus Pompeius spoil'd, we had not rated 14 him
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 con-
quer'd,

Mæc.

Eno. This is old; What is the success ?9 I grant him part; but then, in his Armenia, Eros. Cæsar, having made use of him10 in the And other of his conquer'd kingdoms, I wars 'gainst Pompey, presently denied him rival-Demand the like. ity; 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; upon his own appeal,12 seizes him: So the poor third is up, till death enlarge his confine.

(1) Similar tendency. (2) Could not help.
(3) Published. (4) Indistinct, through his teeth.
(5) Resent. (6) Disgrace. (7) Cement, close.
(8) Opening.

He'll never yield to that.
Cæs. Nor must not then be yielded to in this.
Enter Octavia.

Oct. Hail, Cæsar, and my lord! hail, most dear
Cæsar!

[blocks in formation]

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, 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.

Cœs.
Which soon he granted,
Being an obstruct? 'tween his lust and him.
Oct. Do not say so, my lord.
Cœs.
I have eyes upon him,
And his affairs come to me on the wind.
Where is he now?

My lord, in Athens.

Oct.
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 Malchus 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 sceptres.

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

Cæs.

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.

Agr.

Welcome, lady.

Mac. Welcome, dear madam. Each heart in Rome does love and pity you: Only the adulterous Antony, most large In his abominations, turns you off; And gives his potent regiments to a trull,4 That noises its against us.

Is it so, sir?

Oct. Cæs. Most certain. Sister, welcome: Pray you, Be ever known to patience: My dearest sister!

[blocks in formation]

By sea! What else?

Can. Why will my lord do so? Ant. For9 he dares us 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, 10 reapers, people Ingross'd by swift impress;11 in Cæsar's fleet Are those, that often have 'gainst Pompey fought: Their ships are yare; 12 yours, heavy 13 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 foot-men; 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,14 Cæsar none better. Ant. Our overplus of shipping will we burn;

[Exeunt.

[blocks in formation]

And, with the rest full mann'd, from the head of Actium

Beat the approaching Cæsar. But if we fail,

Enter a Messenger.

We then can do't at land.-Thy business?
Mess. The news is true, my lord; he is descried;
Cæsar has taken Toryne.

Ant. Can he be there in person? 'tis impossible; Strange, that his should be.-Canidius, power Our nineteen legions thou shalt hold by land, And our twelve thousand horse :-We'll to our ship; Enter a Soldier.

Away, my Thetis 2-How now, worthy soldier? Sold. Ŏ noble emperor, do not fight by sea; Trust not to rotten planks: Do you misdoubt This sword, and these my wounds? Let the Egyp

tians,

And the Phoenicians, go a ducking; we 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: 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.

Sold.

While he was yet in Rome, His power went out in such distractions, as Beguil'd all spies. Čan.

Who's his lieutenant, hear you? Sold. They say, one Taurus. Can.

Well I know the man.

[blocks in formation]
[blocks in formation]

Can. Our fortune on the sea is out of breath, And sinks most lamentably. Had our general O, he has given example for our flight, Been what he knew himself, it had gone well: Most grossly, by his own.

Eno. Ay, are you thereabouts? Why then, good night

Indeed.
[Aside
Can. Towards Peloponnesus are they fled.
Scar. 'Tis easy to't; and there I will attend
What further comes.
Can.
To Cæsar will I render
My legions, and my horse; six kings already
Show me the way of yielding.

Eno.

I'll yet follow
The wounded chance of Antony, though my reason
Sits in the wind against me.
[Exeunt.

SCENE IX-Alexandria. A room in the pal-
ace. Enter Antony, and Attendants.
Ant. Hark, the land bids me tread no more upon't,
It is asham'd to bear me !-Friends, come hither,
I am so lated16 in the world, 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, bę

gone;

I have myself resolv'd upon a course,

(10) Corner. (11) Spotted.

(12) Lewd, common strumpet. (13) Better. (14) The gad-fly, that stings cattle. (15) Brought close to the wind,

(16) Belated, benighted.

3 A

Which has no need of you; be gone :
My treasure's in the harbour, take it.-0,
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,
Therefore I pray you :-I'll see you by and by.
[Sits down.
Enter Eros, and Cleopatra, led by Charmian and

Iras.

[blocks in formation]

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

[ocr errors]

Ant. Yes, my lord, yes;-He, at Philippi, kept His sword even like a dancer; while I struck The lean and wrinkled Cassius; and 'twas I, That the mad Brutus ended: he alone Dealt on lieutenantry,2 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 unqualitied3 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; but4 Your comfort makes the rescue.

Ant. I have offended reputation;

A most unnoble swerving.

Eros.

Sir, the queen.

Ant. O, whither hast thou led me, Egypt? See,
How I convey my shame out of thine eyes,
By looking back on what I have left behind,
'Stroy'd in dishonour.

Cleo.
O my lord, my lord!
Forgive my fearful sails! I little thought,
You would have follow'd.

Ant.

Egypt, thou knew'st too well, My heart was to thy rudder tied by the strings, And thou should'st tow me after: O'er my spirit Thy full supremacy thou knew'st; and that Thy beck might from the bidding of the gods Command me. O, my pardon.

Cleo.

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 (1) Cæsar. (2) Fought by his officers. (3) Divested of his faculties. (4) Unless.

(5) Values.

(6) Euphronius, schoolmaster to Antony's children.

O pardon, pardon.

Obey it on all cause.
Cleo.
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:-For-
tune knows,

We scorn her most, when most she offers blows.
[Exeunt.
SCENE X-Cæsar's camp, in Egypt. Enter
Cæsar, Dolabella, Thyreus, and others.
Caes. Let him appear that's come from Antony.-
Know you him?

Dol.
Cæsar, 'tis his schoolmaster :6
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.

Cœs.

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.7

Cæs. 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 circles of the Ptolemies for her heirs, Now hazarded to thy grace.

Cæs.

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,
Or take his life there: This if she perform,
She shall not sue unheard. So to them both.
Eup. Fortune pursue thee!

Cœs.

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, Thy

[blocks in formation]

Lord of his reason. What although 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; at such a point,
When half to half the world oppos'd, he being
The mered question: '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.

Ant.

Ay, my lord.

The queen

Shall then have courtesy, so she will yield
Us up.

Eup. He says so.

Let her know it.

[blocks in formation]

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, Ant. To him again; Tell him, he wears the rose To hear from me you had left Antony, Of youth upon him; from which the world should|| And put yourself under his shrowd, The universal landlord.

Ant.
To the boy Cæsar send this grizzled head,
And he will fill thy wishes to the brim
With principalities.

Cleo.

note

That head, my lord?

Something particular: his coin, ships, legions, May be a coward's; whose ministers would prevail

Under the service of a child, as soon

As the command of Cæsar: I dare him therefore
To lay his gay comparisons2 apart,
And answer me declin'd,3 sword against sword,
Ourselves alone: I'll write it; follow me.

[Exeunt Antony and Euphronius.
Eno. Yes, like enough, high-battled Cæsar will
Unstate his happiness, and be stag'd to the show,
Against a sworder.-I see, men's judgments are
A parcel of their fortunes; and things outward
Do draw the inward quality after them,
To suffer all alike. That he should dream,
Knowing all measures, the full Cæsar will
Answer his emptiness!-Cæsar, thou hast subdu'd
His judgment too.

[blocks in formation]

Cleo.

:

[ocr errors]

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 I bear
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 grace9 to lay
My duty on your hand.

Cleo.
Your Cæsar's father
Oft, when he hath mus'd of taking kingdoms in,10
Bestow'd his lips on that unworthy place,
As it rain'd kisses.

[blocks in formation]

The bidding of the fullest
To have command obey'd.
Eno.

You will be whipp'd. Ant. Approach, there:-Ay, you kite!-Now gods and devils!

Authority melts from me: Of late, when I cry'd, ho
Like boys unto a muss,12 kings would start forth,
And cry, Your will? Have you no ears? I am

Enter Attendants.

Antony yet. Take hence this Jack,13 and whip him
Eno. 'Tis better playing with a lion's whelp,
Than with an old one dying.
Ant.
Moon and stars!
Whip him :-Were't twenty of the greatest tribu-

taries

That do acknowledge Cæsar, should I find them
So saucy with the hand of she here (What's her

name,

Since she was Cleopatra ?)—Whip him, fellows,

(7) Supposed to be an error for deputation, i. e. by proxy.

(8) Obeyed.

(9) Grant me the favour.

(10) Conquering. (11) Most complete and perfect. (12) Scramble. (13) A term of contempt.

« AnteriorContinuar »