The Dramatic Works and Poems of William Shakespeare

Noble friends,

Cæs. Mecanas; Lep. That which combin'd us let not

What's amiss,

When rioting in Alexandria; you
Did pocket up my letters, and with taunts
Did gibe my missive out of audience.
Ant.

Sir,

was most great, and He fell upon me, ere admitted; then
Three kings I had newly feasted, and did wan
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.
Cæs.

A leaner action rend us.
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
Nor curstness grow to the matter. [terms,
Ant.
'Tis spoken well:
Were we before our armies, and to fight,

Ant.

should

Once name you derogately, when to sound your
It not concern'd me.
[name
My being in Egypt, Cæsar,
What was't to you?
Cas. 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.

Ant. How intend you, practis'd? Caes. You may be pleas'd to catch at mine intent, [brother, By what did here befall me. Your wife, and Made wars upon me: and their contestation Was theme for you, you were the word of war. Ant. 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
Discredit my authority with yours; [rather
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.
Cœs.
You praise yourself
By laying defects of judgment to me; but
You patch'd up your excuses.

Ant.
Not so, not so;
I know you could not lack, I am certain on't,
Very necessity of this thought, that I, [fought,
Your partner in the cause 'gainst which he
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.

Eno. 'Would we had all such wives, that the men might go to wars with the women!

Ant. So much uncurable, her garboils, Cæsar, Made out of her impatience (which not wanted Shrewdness of policy too), I grieving grant, Did you too much disquiet: for that you must

You have broken The article of your oath, which you shall never Have tongue to charge me with. Lep.

Soft, Cæsar. Ant. No, Lepidus, let him speak; The honour's sacred which he talks on now, Supposing that I lack'd it: But on, Casar: The article of my oath,

Cas. To lend me arms, and aid, when I reThe which you both denied. [quir'd them; Ant. Neglected, rather; And then, when poison'd hours have bound me

The griefs between ye: to forget them quite, Were to remember that the present need Speaks to atone you. Lep. Worthily spoke, Mecenas. Eno. 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 shali have time to wrangle in, when you have nothing else to do.

Ant. Thou art a soldier only; speak no more. Eno. That truth should be silent, I had almost forgot. [no more. Ant. You wrong this presence, therefore speak Eno. Go to then; your considerate stone. Cæs. I do not much dislike the matter, but The manner of his speech: for it 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 O' the world I would pursue it. [edge Agr.

Give me leave, Cæsar,Cas. Speak, Agrippa. Agr. Thou hast a sister by the mother's side, Admir'd Octavia: great Mark Antony Is now a widower.

COS.

Say not so, Agrippa; If Cleopatra heard you, your reproof Were well deserv'd of rashness.

Ant. I am not married, Cæsar: let me hear Agrippa further speak.

Agr. 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 mar

riage,

All little jealousies, which now seem great,
And all great fears, which now import their
dangers,

Would then be nothing: truths would be but 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,
But duty ruminated.

Ant.

Will Cæsar speak? Cos. Not till he hears how Antony is touch'd With what is spoke already.

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

Eno. 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 lovesick with them: the oars
were silver;

Which to the tune of flutes kept stroke, and made
The water, which they beat, to follow faster,
Asamorous 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,
The power of Cæsar, and Stood pretty dimpled boys, like smiling Cupids,
With diverse colour'd-fans, whose wind did seemn
To glow the delicate cheeks which they did cool,
And what they undid, did.

Ant.
What power is in Agrippa,
If I would say, Agrippa, be it so,
To make this good?
Cas.

His power unto Octavia.
Ant.

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!
Cæs.
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!
Happily, amen!

Lep.
Ant. 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.
Lep.
Time calls upon us:
Of us must Pompey presently be sought,
Or else he seeks out us.
Ant.

And where lies he?
Caes. About the mount Misenum.
Ant.
What's his strength

By land?

Cæs. Great, and increasing: but by sea
Ile is an absolute master.

Ant.
So is the fame.
'Would, we had spoke together! Haste we for it:
Yet, ere we put ourselves in arms, despatch we
The business we have talk'd of.
Cas.
With most gladness;
And do invite you to my sister's view,
Whither straight I will lead you.

Ant.

Let us, Lepidus,
Noble Antony,
Not sickness should detain me.

Not lack your company.

Lep.

Flourish. Exeunt CES. ANT. and LEP.
Mec. Welcome from Egypt, sir.
Eno. Half the heart of Caesar, worthy Meca-
nas!-my honourable friend, Agrippa!-
Agr. Good Enobarbus!

Mec. We have cause to be glad, that matters are so well digested. You stayed well by it in Egypt.

Eno. Ay, sir; we did sleep day out of countenance, and made the night light with drinking. Mec. Eight wild boars roasted whole at a breakfast, and but twelve persons there; Is this true?

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

Mec. She's a most triumphant lady, if report be square to her.

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

Agr.
O rare for Antony !
Eno. 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,
Enthron'd in 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.
Agr.

Rare Egyptian!
Eno. 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.
Agr.
Royal wench!
She made great Cæsar lay his sword to bed;
He plough'd her, and she cropp'd.
Eno.
I saw her once
Hop forty paces through the publick street:
And having lost her breath, she spoke, and
That she did make defect, perfection," [panted,
And, breathless, power breathe forth.

Mec. Now Autony must leave her utterly.
Eno. Never; he will not;

Age cannot wither her, nor custom stale
Her infinite variety: Other women

Cloy th' 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.

Mec. If beauty, wisdom, modesty, can settle
The heart of Antony, Octavia is
A blessed lottery to him.

Agr.

Let us go.
Good Enobarbus, make yourself my guest,
Whilst you abide here.

Eno.

Humbly, sir, I thank you. [Exeunt. SCENE III.

The same. A Room in Cæsar's House
Enter CESAR, ANTONY, OCTAVIA between them;
Attendants, and a Soothsayer.

Ant. The world, and my great office, will
Divide me from your bosom. [sometimes
Oct.
All which time

Before the gods my knee shall bow my prayers
To them for you.
Ant.
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
Octa. Good night, sir,
lady.-
Cas. Good night. [Exeunt Cæs. and OCTA.
Ant. Now, sirrah! you do wish yourself in
Egypt?
[nor you
Sooth. Would, I had never come from hence,
Thither!

Ant. If you can, your reason?
Sooth.

I see't in
My motion, have it not in my tongue: But yet
Hie you again to Egypt.

Ant.

Say to me,

Whose fortunes shall rise higher, Caesar's or
Sooth. Cæsar's.
[mine?
Therefore, O Antony, stay not by his side:
Thy dæmon, that's thy spirit which keeps thee,is
Noble, courageous, high, unmatchable,
Where Cæsar's is not; but, near him, thy angel
Becomes a Fear, as being o'erpower'd; therefore
Make space enough between you.
Ant.
Speak this no more.
Sooth. 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: say again, thy spirit
Is all afraid to govern thee near him;
But, he away, 'tis noble.

Ant.

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,
Enter VENTIDIUS.

I' the east my pleasure lies:-0, come, Venti-
dius,

You must to Parthia; your commission's ready:
Follow me, and receive it.
[Exeunt.

A Street.

SCENE IV. The same.
Enter LEPIDUS, MECENAS, and AGRIPPA.
Lep. Trouble yourselves no further; pray yon,
Your generals after.
Agr.
[hasten
Sir, Mark Antony
Will e'en but kiss Octavia, and we'll follow.
Lep. Till I shall see you in your soldier's dress,
Which will become you both, farewell.
Mec.

We shall,

As I conceive the journey, be at mount
Before you, Lepidus.

Lep.

Your way is shorter,

My purposes do draw me much about;
You'll win two days upon me.

Mec. Agr.

Sir, good success!
Lep. Farewell.
[Exeunt
SCENE V. Alexandria. A Room in the Palace.

Enter MARDIAN.

Come, Charmian.
Cleo. Let it alone; let us to billiards;

Char. My arm is sore, best play with Mardian.
Cleo. As well a woman with an eunuch play'd,
As with a woman;-Come, you'll play with
Mar. As well as I can, madam.
[me, sir?

Cleo. And when good will is show'd, though
The actor may plead pardon. I'll none now ;-
it come too short,
Give me mine angle,-We'll to the river: there,
My musick playing far off, I will betray
Tawny-finn'd fishes; my bended hook shall
pierce

Their slimy jaws; and, as I draw them up,
And say, Ah, ha! you're caught.
I'll think them every one an Antony,

Cleo. Antony's dead?—

Madam, madam,

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 lip'd, and trembled kissing.

Mess,
First, madam, he's well.
Cleo. 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.

Mess. Good madam, hear me.
Cleo.

Well, go to, I will;
Be free, and healthful,-why so tart a favour
But there's no goodness in thy face: If Antony
Thou should'st come like a fury crown'd with
To trumpet such good tidings? If not well,
Not like a formal man.
[snakes,
Mess.
Will't please you hear me?
Cleo, I have a mind to strike thee, ere thou
speak'st:

Or friends with Cæsar, or not captive to him,
Yet, if thou say, Antony lives, is well,
I'll set thee in a shower of gold, and hail
Rich pearls upon thee.
Mess.
Cleo.

Madam, he's well,

Well said.

Mess. And friends with Cæsar.
Cleo.
Thou'rt an honest man.
Mess. Cæsar and he are greater friends than
Cleo. Make thee a fortune from me. [ever.
Mess.
But yet, madam,-
Cleo. I do not like but yet, it does allay
The good precedence; fye upon but yet:
But yet is as a gaoler to bring forth
Some monstrous malefactor. Pr'ythee, friend,
Pour out the pack of matter to mine ear,
The good and bad together: He's friends with
Cæsar;

Enter CLEOPATRA, CHARMIAN, IRAS, and ALEXAS.
Cleo. Give me some musick; musick, moody In state of health, thou say'st; and, thou say'st
Of us that trade in love.

Mess. Free, madam! no; I made no such re- Lead me from hence, He's bound unto Octavia.

[port: 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 quick-
ly.-
[Exit ALEXAS.
Let him for ever go:-Let him not-Charmian,
Though he be painted one way like a Gorgon,
The other way he's a Mars:-Bid you Alexas
[To MARDIAN.
Bring me word, how tall she is.-Pity me, Char-
mian,

Cleo. For what good turn? Mess. For the best turn i' the bed. Cleo. I am pale, Charmian. Mess. Madam, he's married to Octavia. Cleo. The most infectious pestilence upon thee! [Strikes him down. Mess. Good madam, patience. Cleo. 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 Smarting in ling'ring pickle. [brine, Mess. Gracious madam, I, that do bring the news, made not the match. Cleo. 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.

Mess.

But do not speak to me.-Lead me to my chember. [Exeunt.

SCENE VI. Near Misenum.

Enter POMPEY and MENAS, at one side, with Drum and Trumpet; at another, CESAR, LEPIDUS, ANTONY, ENOBARBUS, MECENAS, with Soldiers marching.

Pom. Your hostages I have, so have you mine; And we shall talk before we fight. Cæs.

Most meet He's married, madam. That first we come to words; and therefore have Cleo. Rogue, thou hast liv'd too long. Our written purposes before us sent; [we [Draws a Dagger. Which, if thou hast consider'd, let us know Mess. Nay, then I'll run :- If 'twill tie up thy discontented sword; What mean you, madam? I have made no fault. And carry back to Sicily much tall youth, [Exit. That else must perish here. Char. Good madam, keep yourself within Pom. The man is innocent.

To you all three, [yourself: The senators alone of this great world, Cleo. Some innocents 'scape not the thunder-Chief factors for the gods,-I do not know,

bolt.

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.
Char. He is afeard to come.
Cleo.
I will not hurt him:-
These hands do lack nobility, that they strike
A meaner than myself; since I myself
Have given myself the cause.-Come hither, sir.
Re-enter Messenger.

Though it be honest, it is never good
To bring bad news: Give to a gracious message
A host of tongues; but let ill tidings tell
Themselves, when they be felt.

Mess.

Cleo. Is he married?

I have done my duty.

I cannot hate thee worser than I do,
If thou again say, Yes.
Mess.
He is married, madam.
Cleo. The gods confound thee! dost thou hold
Mess. Should I lie, madam? [there still?
Cleo.
O, I would, thou didst;
So half my Egypt were submerg'd, and made
A cistern for scal'd snakes! Go, get thee hence;
Hadst thou Narcissus in thy face, to me
Thou would'st appear most ugly. He is married?
Mess. I crave your highness' pardon.
Cleo.
He is married?
Mess. Take no offence, that I would not offend
To punish me for what you make me do, [you:
Seems much unequal: He is married to Octavia.
Cleo. O, that his fault should make a knave
of thee,
[thee hence:
That art not!-What? thou'rt sure of't-Get
The merchandise which thou hast brought from
Rome,

Char.

Wherefore my father should revengers want,
Having a son and friends; since Julius Cresar,
Who at Philippi the good Brutus ghosted,
There saw you labouring for him. What was it,
That mov'd pale Cassius to conspire? And what
Made the all-honour'd, honest Roman Brutus,
With the arm'd rest, courtiers of beauteous free-
dom,

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 burden
The anger'd ocean foams; with which I meant
To scourge the ingratitude that despiteful Rome
Cast on my noble father.
Cæs.
Take your time.
Ant. Thou canst not fear us, Pompey, with
thy sails,
[know'st
We'll speak with thee at sea: at land, thou
How much we do o'ercount thee.
Pom.
At land, indeed,
Thou dost o'ercount me of my father's house:
But, since the cuckoo builds not for himself,
Remain in't as thou may'st.
Lep.
Be pleas'd to tell us
(For this is from the present), how you take
The offers we have sent you.
Cæs.
There's the point.
Ant. Which do not be entreated to, but weigh
What it is worth embrac'd.
Cœs.

To try a larger fortune.

And what may follow,

Pom. 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 targe undinted. Cos. Ant. Lep. That's our offer.

Pom

Are all too dear for me; Lie they upon thy hand,
And be undone by 'em! [Exit Messenger.
Good your hignness, patience.
Know then,
Cleo. In praising Antony, I have disprais'd I came before you here, a man prepar'd
Char. Many times, madam,
[Cæsar. To take this offer: But Mark Antony
Cleo.
I am paid for't now. Put me to some impatience-Though I lose

The praise of it by telling, You must know,
When Cæsar and your brothers were at blows,
Your mother came to Sicily, and did find
Her welcome friendly.

Ant.
I have heard it, Pompey;
And am well studied for our liberal thanks,
Which I do owe you.
Pom
Let me have your hand:
I did not think sir, to have met you here,
Ant. The beds o'the east are soft; and thanks
to you,
[hither;
That call'd me, timelier than my purpose,
For I have gain'd by it.
Cœs.
Since I saw you last,
There is a change upon me.
Pom.

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. Lep.

Well met here.

Pom. I hope so, Lepidus. Thus we are agreed: I crave, our composition may be written, And seal'd between us.

Cæs. That's the next to do. Pom. We'll feast each other, ere we part; Draw lots who shall begin. [and let us Ant. That will I, Pompey. Pom. No, Antony, take the lot: but, first, Or last, your fine Egyptian cookery Shall have the fame. I have heard, that Julius Grew fat with feasting there. [Cæsar Ant. You have heard much. Pom. I have fair meanings, sir. Ant.

And fair words to them.
Pom. Then so much have I heard :-
And I have heard, Apollodorus carried—
Eno. No more of that:-he did so.
Pom.
What, I pray you?
Eno. A certain queen to Cæsar in a mattress.
Pom. I know thee now ;-How far'st thou,
soldier?

Eno.
And well am like to do; for, I perceive,
Four feasts are toward.

Pom.

Well;

Let me shake thy hand; I never hated thee: I have seen thee fight, When I have envied thy behaviour.

Eno.

Sir, I never lov'd you much: but I have prais'd yon, When you have well deserv'd ten times as much As I have said you did. Pom.

Enjoy thy plainness, It nothing ill becomes thee.Aboard my galley I invite you all: Will you lead, lords? Cæs. Lep. Ant.

Pom.

Show us the way, sir.

Come. [Exeunt POMPEY, CESAR, ANTONY, LEPIDUS, Soldiers, and Attendants. Men. Thy father, Pompey, would ne'er have made this treaty.-Aside.You and I have known, sir.

Eno. At sea, I think.

Men. We have, sir.

Eno. You have done well by water.
Men. And you by land.

Eno. I will praise any man that will praise me: though it cannot be denied what I have done by land.

Men. Nor what I have done by water. Eno. Yes, something you can deny for your own safety: you have been a great thief by sea. Men. And you by land.

Eno. There I deny my land service. But give me your hand, Menas: If your eyes hath autho

rity, here they might take two thieves kissing.

Men. All men's faces are true, whatsoe'er their hands are. [true face. Eno. But there is never a fair woman has a Men. No slander; they steal hearts. Eno. We came hither to fight with you. Men. For my part, I am sorry it is turned to a drinking. Pompey doth this day laugh away his fortune. [again.

Eno. If he do, sure he cannot weep it back Men. You have said, sir. We looked not for Mark Antony here; Pray you. is he married to Cleopatra ?

Eno. Cæsar's sister is call'd Octavia.
Men. True, sir; she was the wife of Caius
Marcellus.

Eno. But she is now the wife of Marcus An-
Men. Pray you, sir?
Eno. "Tis true.

[tonius. [together.

Men. Then is Cæsar and he for ever knit Eno. If I were bound to divine of this unity, I would not prophesy so.

Men. I think, the policy of that purpose made more in the marriage, than the love of the parties. Eno. 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. Men. Who would not have his wife so? Eno. 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 Cæsar; 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.

Men. And thus it may be. Come, sir, will you aboard? I have a health for you. Eno. I shall take it, sir: we have used our throats in Egypt.

Men. Come; let's away.

SCENE VII.

[Exeunt.

On Board Pompey's Galley, lying near Misenum. Musick. Enter two or three Servants, with a Banquet.

1 Serv. Here they'll be, man: Some o' their plants are ill rooted already, the least wind I' the world will blow them down.

2 Serv, Lepidus is high-coloured.

1 Serv. They have made him drink almsdrink. 2 Serv. As they pinch one another by the disposition, he cries out, no more; reconciles them to his entreaty, and himself to the drink.

1 Serv. But it raises the greater war between him and his discretion.

2 Serv. 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.

1 Serv. 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.

4 Sennet sounded. Enter CESAR, ANTONY, POMPEY, LEPIDUS, AGRIPPA, MECENAS, ENOBARBUS, MENAS, with other Captains.

Ant. Thus do they, sir: [To CESAR.] 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,

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