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Speeches (Lines) for Cleopatra
in "Antony and Cleopatra"

Total: 204

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# Act, Scene, Line
(Click to see in context)
Speech text

1

I,1,18

If it be love indeed, tell me how much.

2

I,1,20

I'll set a bourn how far to be beloved.

3

I,1,25

Nay, hear them, Antony:
Fulvia perchance is angry; or, who knows
If the scarce-bearded Caesar have not sent
His powerful mandate to you, 'Do this, or this;
Take in that kingdom, and enfranchise that;
Perform 't, or else we damn thee.'

4

I,1,32

Perchance! nay, and most like:
You must not stay here longer, your dismission
Is come from Caesar; therefore hear it, Antony.
Where's Fulvia's process? Caesar's I would say? both?
Call in the messengers. As I am Egypt's queen,
Thou blushest, Antony; and that blood of thine
Is Caesar's homager: else so thy cheek pays shame
When shrill-tongued Fulvia scolds. The messengers!

5

I,1,49

Excellent falsehood!
Why did he marry Fulvia, and not love her?
I'll seem the fool I am not; Antony
Will be himself.

6

I,1,58

Hear the ambassadors.

7

I,2,157

Saw you my lord?

8

I,2,159

Was he not here?

9

I,2,161

He was disposed to mirth; but on the sudden
A Roman thought hath struck him. Enobarbus!

10

I,2,164

Seek him, and bring him hither.
Where's Alexas?

11

I,2,167

We will not look upon him: go with us.

12

I,3,295

Where is he?

13

I,3,297

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.

14

I,3,305

What should I do, I do not?

15

I,3,307

Thou teachest like a fool; the way to lose him.

16

I,3,312

I am sick and sullen.

17

I,3,314

Help me away, dear Charmian; I shall fall:
It cannot be thus long, the sides of nature
Will not sustain it.

18

I,3,318

Pray you, stand further from me.

19

I,3,320

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.

20

I,3,326

O, never was there queen
So mightily betray'd! yet at the first
I saw the treasons planted.

21

I,3,330

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!

22

I,3,336

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.

23

I,3,345

I would I had thy inches; thou shouldst know
There were a heart in Egypt.

24

I,3,363

Though age from folly could not give me freedom,
It does from childishness: can Fulvia die?

25

I,3,369

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.

26

I,3,379

Cut my lace, Charmian, come;
But let it be: I am quickly ill, and well,
So Antony loves.

27

I,3,385

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.

28

I,3,392

You can do better yet; but this is meetly.

29

I,3,394

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.

30

I,3,399

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.

31

I,3,408

'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!

32

I,5,521

Charmian!

33

I,5,523

Ha, ha!
Give me to drink mandragora.

34

I,5,526

That I might sleep out this great gap of time
My Antony is away.

35

I,5,529

O, 'tis treason!

36

I,5,531

Thou, eunuch Mardian!

37

I,5,533

Not now to hear thee sing; I take no pleasure
In aught an eunuch has: 'tis well for thee,
That, being unseminar'd, thy freer thoughts
May not fly forth of Egypt. Hast thou affections?

38

I,5,538

Indeed!

39

I,5,543

O Charmian,
Where think'st thou he is now? Stands he, or sits he?
Or does he walk? or is he on his horse?
O happy horse, to bear the weight of Antony!
Do bravely, horse! for wot'st thou whom thou movest?
The demi-Atlas of this earth, the arm
And burgonet of men. He's speaking now,
Or murmuring 'Where's my serpent of old Nile?'
For so he calls me: now I feed myself
With most delicious poison. Think on me,
That am with Phoebus' amorous pinches black,
And wrinkled deep in time? Broad-fronted Caesar,
When thou wast here above the ground, I was
A morsel for a monarch: and great Pompey
Would stand and make his eyes grow in my brow;
There would he anchor his aspect and die
With looking on his life.

40

I,5,562

How much unlike art thou Mark Antony!
Yet, coming from him, that great medicine hath
With his tinct gilded thee.
How goes it with my brave Mark Antony?

41

I,5,569

Mine ear must pluck it thence.

42

I,5,579

What, was he sad or merry?

43

I,5,582

O well-divided disposition! Note him,
Note him good Charmian, 'tis the man; but note him:
He was not sad, for he would shine on those
That make their looks by his; he was not merry,
Which seem'd to tell them his remembrance lay
In Egypt with his joy; but between both:
O heavenly mingle! Be'st thou sad or merry,
The violence of either thee becomes,
So does it no man else. Met'st thou my posts?

44

I,5,593

Who's born that day
When I forget to send to Antony,
Shall die a beggar. Ink and paper, Charmian.
Welcome, my good Alexas. Did I, Charmian,
Ever love Caesar so?

45

I,5,599

Be choked with such another emphasis!
Say, the brave Antony.

46

I,5,602

By Isis, I will give thee bloody teeth,
If thou with Caesar paragon again
My man of men.

47

I,5,607

My salad days,
When I was green in judgment: cold in blood,
To say as I said then! But, come, away;
Get me ink and paper:
He shall have every day a several greeting,
Or I'll unpeople Egypt.

48

II,5,1049

Give me some music; music, moody food
Of us that trade in love.

49

II,5,1053

Let it alone; let's to billiards: come, Charmian.

50

II,5,1055

As well a woman with an eunuch play'd
As with a woman. Come, you'll play with me, sir?

51

II,5,1058

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.'

52

II,5,1071

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.

53

II,5,1082

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.

54

II,5,1088

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.

55

II,5,1094

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.

56

II,5,1101

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.

57

II,5,1107

Well said.

58

II,5,1109

Thou'rt an honest man.

59

II,5,1111

Make thee a fortune from me.

60

II,5,1113

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.

61

II,5,1122

For what good turn?

62

II,5,1124

I am pale, Charmian.

63

II,5,1126

The most infectious pestilence upon thee!

64

II,5,1129

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.

65

II,5,1138

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.

66

II,5,1144

Rogue, thou hast lived too long.

67

II,5,1151

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.

68

II,5,1156

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.
[Re-enter 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.

69

II,5,1168

Is he married?
I cannot hate thee worser than I do,
If thou again say 'Yes.'

70

II,5,1172

The gods confound thee! dost thou hold there still?

71

II,5,1174

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?

72

II,5,1180

He is married?

73

II,5,1184

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!

74

II,5,1191

In praising Antony, I have dispraised Caesar.

75

II,5,1193

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.

76

III,3,1682

Where is the fellow?

77

III,3,1684

Go to, go to.
[Enter the Messenger as before]
Come hither, sir.

78

III,3,1690

That Herod's head
I'll have: but how, when Antony is gone
Through whom I might command it? Come thou near.

79

III,3,1694

Didst thou behold Octavia?

80

III,3,1696

Where?

81

III,3,1700

Is she as tall as me?

82

III,3,1702

Didst hear her speak? is she shrill-tongued or low?

83

III,3,1704

That's not so good: he cannot like her long.

84

III,3,1706

I think so, Charmian: dull of tongue, and dwarfish!
What majesty is in her gait? Remember,
If e'er thou look'dst on majesty.

85

III,3,1713

Is this certain?

86

III,3,1717

He's very knowing;
I do perceive't: there's nothing in her yet:
The fellow has good judgment.

87

III,3,1721

Guess at her years, I prithee.

88

III,3,1724

Widow! Charmian, hark.

89

III,3,1726

Bear'st thou her face in mind? is't long or round?

90

III,3,1728

For the most part, too, they are foolish that are so.
Her hair, what colour?

91

III,3,1732

There's gold for thee.
Thou must not take my former sharpness ill:
I will employ thee back again; I find thee
Most fit for business: go make thee ready;
Our letters are prepared.

92

III,3,1739

Indeed, he is so: I repent me much
That so I harried him. Why, methinks, by him,
This creature's no such thing.

93

III,3,1743

The man hath seen some majesty, and should know.

94

III,3,1746

I have one thing more to ask him yet, good Charmian:
But 'tis no matter; thou shalt bring him to me
Where I will write. All may be well enough.

95

III,7,1936

I will be even with thee, doubt it not.

96

III,7,1938

Thou hast forspoke my being in these wars,
And say'st it is not fit.

97

III,7,1941

If not denounced against us, why should not we
Be there in person?

98

III,7,1947

What is't you say?

99

III,7,1955

Sink Rome, and their tongues rot
That speak against us! A charge we bear i' the war,
And, as the president of my kingdom, will
Appear there for a man. Speak not against it:
I will not stay behind.

100

III,7,1967

Celerity is never more admired
Than by the negligent.

101

III,7,1973

By sea! what else?

102

III,7,1998

I have sixty sails, Caesar none better.

103

III,11,2142

Let me sit down. O Juno!

104

III,11,2155

Ah, stand by.

105

III,11,2159

Well then, sustain him: O!

106

III,11,2170

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

107

III,11,2179

O, my pardon!

108

III,11,2188

Pardon, pardon!

109

III,13,2244

What shall we do, Enobarbus?

110

III,13,2246

Is Antony or we in fault for this?

111

III,13,2257

Prithee, peace.

112

III,13,2268

That head, my lord?

113

III,13,2290

What, no more ceremony? See, my women!
Against the blown rose may they stop their nose
That kneel'd unto the buds. Admit him, sir.

114

III,13,2301

Caesar's will?

115

III,13,2303

None but friends: say boldly.

116

III,13,2313

Go on: right royal.

117

III,13,2316

O!

118

III,13,2320

He is a god, and knows
What is most right: mine honour was not yielded,
But conquer'd merely.

119

III,13,2336

What's your name?

120

III,13,2338

Most kind messenger,
Say to great Caesar this: in deputation
I kiss his conquering hand: tell him, I am prompt
To lay my crown at 's feet, and there to kneel:
Tell him from his all-obeying breath I hear
The doom of Egypt.

121

III,13,2349

Your Caesar's father oft,
When he hath mused of taking kingdoms in,
Bestow'd his lips on that unworthy place,
As it rain'd kisses.

122

III,13,2387

Good my lord,—

123

III,13,2394

O, is't come to this?

124

III,13,2402

Wherefore is this?

125

III,13,2437

Have you done yet?

126

III,13,2441

I must stay his time.

127

III,13,2444

Not know me yet?

128

III,13,2446

Ah, dear, if I be so,
From my cold heart let heaven engender hail,
And poison it in the source; and the first stone
Drop in my neck: as it determines, so
Dissolve my life! The next Caesarion smite!
Till by degrees the memory of my womb,
Together with my brave Egyptians all,
By the discandying of this pelleted storm,
Lie graveless, till the flies and gnats of Nile
Have buried them for prey!

129

III,13,2466

That's my brave lord!

130

III,13,2475

It is my birth-day:
I had thought to have held it poor: but, since my lord
Is Antony again, I will be Cleopatra.

131

III,13,2479

Call all his noble captains to my lord.

132

IV,2,2535

[Aside to DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS] What means this?

133

IV,2,2549

[Aside to DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS] What does he mean?

134

IV,4,2620

Sleep a little.

135

IV,4,2626

Nay, I'll help too.
What's this for?

136

IV,4,2630

Sooth, la, I'll help: thus it must be.

137

IV,4,2635

Is not this buckled well?

138

IV,4,2669

Lead me.
He goes forth gallantly. That he and Caesar might
Determine this great war in single fight!
Then Antony,—but now—Well, on.

139

IV,8,2803

Lord of lords!
O infinite virtue, comest thou smiling from
The world's great snare uncaught?

140

IV,8,2816

I'll give thee, friend,
An armour all of gold; it was a king's.

141

IV,12,2939

Why is my lord enraged against his love?

142

IV,13,2962

Help me, my women! O, he is more mad
Than Telamon for his shield; the boar of Thessaly
Was never so emboss'd.

143

IV,13,2969

To the monument!
Mardian, go tell him I have slain myself;
Say, that the last I spoke was 'Antony,'
And word it, prithee, piteously: hence, Mardian,
And bring me how he takes my death.
To the monument!

144

IV,15,3163

O Charmian, I will never go from hence.

145

IV,15,3165

No, I will not:
All strange and terrible events are welcome,
But comforts we despise; our size of sorrow,
Proportion'd to our cause, must be as great
As that which makes it.
[Enter, below, DIOMEDES]
How now! is he dead?

146

IV,15,3176

O sun,
Burn the great sphere thou movest in!
darkling stand
The varying shore o' the world. O Antony,
Antony, Antony! Help, Charmian, help, Iras, help;
Help, friends below; let's draw him hither.

147

IV,15,3185

So it should be, that none but Antony
Should conquer Antony; but woe 'tis so!

148

IV,15,3191

I dare not, dear,—
Dear my lord, pardon,—I dare not,
Lest I be taken: not the imperious show
Of the full-fortuned Caesar ever shall
Be brooch'd with me; if knife, drugs,
serpents, have
Edge, sting, or operation, I am safe:
Your wife Octavia, with her modest eyes
And still conclusion, shall acquire no honour
Demuring upon me. But come, come, Antony,—
Help me, my women,—we must draw thee up:
Assist, good friends.

149

IV,15,3204

Here's sport indeed! How heavy weighs my lord!
Our strength is all gone into heaviness,
That makes the weight: had I great Juno's power,
The strong-wing'd Mercury should fetch thee up,
And set thee by Jove's side. Yet come a little,—
Wishes were ever fools,—O, come, come, come;
[They heave MARK ANTONY aloft to CLEOPATRA]
And welcome, welcome! die where thou hast lived:
Quicken with kissing: had my lips that power,
Thus would I wear them out.

150

IV,15,3217

No, let me speak; and let me rail so high,
That the false housewife Fortune break her wheel,
Provoked by my offence.

151

IV,15,3222

They do not go together.

152

IV,15,3225

My resolution and my hands I'll trust;
None about Caesar.

153

IV,15,3236

Noblest of men, woo't die?
Hast thou no care of me? shall I abide
In this dull world, which in thy absence is
No better than a sty? O, see, my women,
[MARK ANTONY dies]
The crown o' the earth doth melt. My lord!
O, wither'd is the garland of the war,
The soldier's pole is fall'n: young boys and girls
Are level now with men; the odds is gone,
And there is nothing left remarkable
Beneath the visiting moon.

154

IV,15,3255

No more, but e'en a woman, and commanded
By such poor passion as the maid that milks
And does the meanest chares. It were for me
To throw my sceptre at the injurious gods;
To tell them that this world did equal theirs
Till they had stol'n our jewel. All's but naught;
Patience is scottish, and impatience does
Become a dog that's mad: then is it sin
To rush into the secret house of death,
Ere death dare come to us? How do you, women?
What, what! good cheer! Why, how now, Charmian!
My noble girls! Ah, women, women, look,
Our lamp is spent, it's out! Good sirs, take heart:
We'll bury him; and then, what's brave,
what's noble,
Let's do it after the high Roman fashion,
And make death proud to take us. Come, away:
This case of that huge spirit now is cold:
Ah, women, women! come; we have no friend
But resolution, and the briefest end.

155

V,2,3377

My desolation does begin to make
A better life. 'Tis paltry to be Caesar;
Not being Fortune, he's but Fortune's knave,
A minister of her will: and it is great
To do that thing that ends all other deeds;
Which shackles accidents and bolts up change;
Which sleeps, and never palates more the dug,
The beggar's nurse and Caesar's.
[Enter, to the gates of the monument, PROCULEIUS,]
GALLUS and Soldiers]

156

V,2,3390

What's thy name?

157

V,2,3392

Antony
Did tell me of you, bade me trust you; but
I do not greatly care to be deceived,
That have no use for trusting. If your master
Would have a queen his beggar, you must tell him,
That majesty, to keep decorum, must
No less beg than a kingdom: if he please
To give me conquer'd Egypt for my son,
He gives me so much of mine own, as I
Will kneel to him with thanks.

158

V,2,3410

Pray you, tell him
I am his fortune's vassal, and I send him
The greatness he has got. I hourly learn
A doctrine of obedience; and would gladly
Look him i' the face.

159

V,2,3428

Quick, quick, good hands.

160

V,2,3434

What, of death too,
That rids our dogs of languish?

161

V,2,3441

Where art thou, death?
Come hither, come! come, come, and take a queen
Worthy many babes and beggars!

162

V,2,3445

Sir, I will eat no meat, I'll not drink, sir;
If idle talk will once be necessary,
I'll not sleep neither: this mortal house I'll ruin,
Do Caesar what he can. Know, sir, that I
Will not wait pinion'd at your master's court;
Nor once be chastised with the sober eye
Of dull Octavia. Shall they hoist me up
And show me to the shouting varletry
Of censuring Rome? Rather a ditch in Egypt
Be gentle grave unto me! rather on Nilus' mud
Lay me stark naked, and let the water-flies
Blow me into abhorring! rather make
My country's high pyramides my gibbet,
And hang me up in chains!

163

V,2,3472

Say, I would die.

164

V,2,3475

I cannot tell.

165

V,2,3477

No matter, sir, what I have heard or known.
You laugh when boys or women tell their dreams;
Is't not your trick?

166

V,2,3481

I dream'd there was an Emperor Antony:
O, such another sleep, that I might see
But such another man!

167

V,2,3485

His face was as the heavens; and therein stuck
A sun and moon, which kept their course,
and lighted
The little O, the earth.

168

V,2,3490

His legs bestrid the ocean: his rear'd arm
Crested the world: his voice was propertied
As all the tuned spheres, and that to friends;
But when he meant to quail and shake the orb,
He was as rattling thunder. For his bounty,
There was no winter in't; an autumn 'twas
That grew the more by reaping: his delights
Were dolphin-like; they show'd his back above
The element they lived in: in his livery
Walk'd crowns and crownets; realms and islands were
As plates dropp'd from his pocket.

169

V,2,3502

Think you there was, or might be, such a man
As this I dream'd of?

170

V,2,3505

You lie, up to the hearing of the gods.
But, if there be, or ever were, one such,
It's past the size of dreaming: nature wants stuff
To vie strange forms with fancy; yet, to imagine
And Antony, were nature's piece 'gainst fancy,
Condemning shadows quite.

171

V,2,3517

I thank you, sir,
Know you what Caesar means to do with me?

172

V,2,3520

Nay, pray you, sir,—

173

V,2,3522

He'll lead me, then, in triumph?

174

V,2,3533

Sir, the gods
Will have it thus; my master and my lord
I must obey.

175

V,2,3540

Sole sir o' the world,
I cannot project mine own cause so well
To make it clear; but do confess I have
Been laden with like frailties which before
Have often shamed our sex.

176

V,2,3555

And may, through all the world: 'tis yours; and we,
Your scutcheons and your signs of conquest, shall
Hang in what place you please. Here, my good lord.

177

V,2,3559

This is the brief of money, plate, and jewels,
I am possess'd of: 'tis exactly valued;
Not petty things admitted. Where's Seleucus?

178

V,2,3563

This is my treasurer: let him speak, my lord,
Upon his peril, that I have reserved
To myself nothing. Speak the truth, Seleucus.

179

V,2,3569

What have I kept back?

180

V,2,3573

See, Caesar! O, behold,
How pomp is follow'd! mine will now be yours;
And, should we shift estates, yours would be mine.
The ingratitude of this Seleucus does
Even make me wild: O slave, of no more trust
Than love that's hired! What, goest thou back? thou shalt
Go back, I warrant thee; but I'll catch thine eyes,
Though they had wings: slave, soulless villain, dog!
O rarely base!

181

V,2,3583

O Caesar, what a wounding shame is this,
That thou, vouchsafing here to visit me,
Doing the honour of thy lordliness
To one so meek, that mine own servant should
Parcel the sum of my disgraces by
Addition of his envy! Say, good Caesar,
That I some lady trifles have reserved,
Immoment toys, things of such dignity
As we greet modern friends withal; and say,
Some nobler token I have kept apart
For Livia and Octavia, to induce
Their mediation; must I be unfolded
With one that I have bred? The gods! it smites me
Beneath the fall I have.
[To SELEUCUS]
Prithee, go hence;
Or I shall show the cinders of my spirits
Through the ashes of my chance: wert thou a man,
Thou wouldst have mercy on me.

182

V,2,3604

Be it known, that we, the greatest, are misthought
For things that others do; and, when we fall,
We answer others' merits in our name,
Are therefore to be pitied.

183

V,2,3619

My master, and my lord!

184

V,2,3622

He words me, girls, he words me, that I should not
Be noble to myself: but, hark thee, Charmian.

185

V,2,3627

Hie thee again:
I have spoke already, and it is provided;
Go put it to the haste.

186

V,2,3635

Dolabella!

187

V,2,3643

Dolabella,
I shall remain your debtor.

188

V,2,3647

Farewell, and thanks.
[Exit DOLABELLA]
Now, Iras, what think'st thou?
Thou, an Egyptian puppet, shalt be shown
In Rome, as well as I. mechanic slaves
With greasy aprons, rules, and hammers, shall
Uplift us to the view; in their thick breaths,
Rank of gross diet, shall be enclouded,
And forced to drink their vapour.

189

V,2,3657

Nay, 'tis most certain, Iras: saucy lictors
Will catch at us, like strumpets; and scald rhymers
Ballad us out o' tune: the quick comedians
Extemporally will stage us, and present
Our Alexandrian revels; Antony
Shall be brought drunken forth, and I shall see
Some squeaking Cleopatra boy my greatness
I' the posture of a whore.

190

V,2,3666

Nay, that's certain.

191

V,2,3669

Why, that's the way
To fool their preparation, and to conquer
Their most absurd intents.
[Re-enter CHARMIAN]
Now, Charmian!
Show me, my women, like a queen: go fetch
My best attires: I am again for Cydnus,
To meet Mark Antony: sirrah Iras, go.
Now, noble Charmian, we'll dispatch indeed;
And, when thou hast done this chare, I'll give thee leave
To play till doomsday. Bring our crown and all.
Wherefore's this noise?

192

V,2,3686

Let him come in.
[Exit Guardsman]
What poor an instrument
May do a noble deed! he brings me liberty.
My resolution's placed, and I have nothing
Of woman in me: now from head to foot
I am marble-constant; now the fleeting moon
No planet is of mine.

193

V,2,3696

Avoid, and leave him.
[Exit Guardsman]
Hast thou the pretty worm of Nilus there,
That kills and pains not?

194

V,2,3704

Rememberest thou any that have died on't?

195

V,2,3714

Get thee hence; farewell.

196

V,2,3717

Farewell.

197

V,2,3720

Ay, ay; farewell.

198

V,2,3724

Take thou no care; it shall be heeded.

199

V,2,3727

Will it eat me?

200

V,2,3734

Well, get thee gone; farewell.

201

V,2,3738

Give me my robe, put on my crown; I have
Immortal longings in me: now no more
The juice of Egypt's grape shall moist this lip:
Yare, yare, good Iras; quick. Methinks I hear
Antony call; I see him rouse himself
To praise my noble act; I hear him mock
The luck of Caesar, which the gods give men
To excuse their after wrath: husband, I come:
Now to that name my courage prove my title!
I am fire and air; my other elements
I give to baser life. So; have you done?
Come then, and take the last warmth of my lips.
Farewell, kind Charmian; Iras, long farewell.
[Kisses them. IRAS falls and dies]
Have I the aspic in my lips? Dost fall?
If thou and nature can so gently part,
The stroke of death is as a lover's pinch,
Which hurts, and is desired. Dost thou lie still?
If thus thou vanishest, thou tell'st the world
It is not worth leave-taking.

202

V,2,3760

This proves me base:
If she first meet the curled Antony,
He'll make demand of her, and spend that kiss
Which is my heaven to have. Come, thou
mortal wretch,
[To an asp, which she applies to her breast]
With thy sharp teeth this knot intrinsicate
Of life at once untie: poor venomous fool
Be angry, and dispatch. O, couldst thou speak,
That I might hear thee call great Caesar ass
Unpolicied!

203

V,2,3772

Peace, peace!
Dost thou not see my baby at my breast,
That sucks the nurse asleep?

204

V,2,3776

As sweet as balm, as soft as air, as gentle,—
O Antony!—Nay, I will take thee too.
[Applying another asp to her arm]
What should I stay—

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