ACT I
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,
 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                   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.
 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
 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.
 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 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,
 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 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,
 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
 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
 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,
 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,
 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:
 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
 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
 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,
 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.
 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 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,
 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:
 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
 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;
 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
 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]




 ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA


ACT I