Shakespeare - First Folio facsimile (1910)/The Tragedie of Anthonie, and Cleopatra/Act 3 Scene 11
Enter Anthony with Attendants.
Ant.Hearke, the Land bids me tread no more vpon't,It is asham'd to beare me. Friends, come hither,I am so lated in the world, that IHaue lost my way for euer. I haue a shippe,Laden with Gold, take that, diuide it: flye,And make your peace with Cæsar.
Omnes.Fly? Not wee.
Ant.I haue fled my selfe, and haue instructed cowardsTo runne, and shew their shoulders. Friends be gone,I haue my selfe resolu'd vpon a course,Which has no neede of you. Be gone,My Treasure's in the Harbour. Take it: Oh,I follow'd that I blush to looke vpon,My very haires do mutiny: for the whiteReproue the browne for rashnesse, and they themFor feare, and doting. Friends be gone, you shallHaue Letters from me to some Friends, that willSweepe your way for you. Pray you looke not sad,Nor make replyes of loathnesse, take the hintWhich my dispaire proclaimes. Let them be leftWhich leaues it selfe, to the Sea-side straight way;I will possesse you of that ship and Treasure.
Leaue me, I pray a little: pray you now,Nay do so: for indeede I haue lost command,Therefore I pray you, Ile see you by and by. Sits downe
Enter Cleopatra led by Charmian and Eros.
Eros.Nay gentle Madam, to him, comfort him.
Iras.Do most deere Queene.
Char.Do, why, what else?
Cleo.Let me sit downe: Oh Iuno.
Ant.No, no, no, no, no.
Eros.See you heere, Sir?
Ant.Oh fie, fie, fie.
Char.Madam.
Iras.Madam, oh good Empresse.
Eros.Sir, sir.
Ant.Yes my Lord, yes; he at Philippi keptHis sword e'ne like a dancer, while I strookeThe leane and wrinkled Cassius, and 'twas IThat the mad Brutus ended: he aloneDealt on Lieutenantry, and no practise hadIn the braue squares of Warre: yet now: no matter.
Cleo.Ah stand by.
Eros.The Queene my Lord, the Queene.
Iras.Go to him, Madam, speake to him,Hee's vnqualited with very shame.
Cleo.Well then, sustaine me: Oh.
Eros.Most Noble Sir arise, the Queene approaches,Her head's declin'd, and death will cease her, butYour comfort makes the rescue.
Ant.I haue offended Reputation,A most vnnoble sweruing.
Eros.Sir, the Queene.
Ant.Oh whether hast thou lead me Egypt, seeHow I conuey my shame, out of thine eyes,By looking backe what I haue left behindeStroy'd in dishonor.
Cleo.Oh my Lord, my Lord,Forgiue my fearfull sayles, I little thoughtYou would haue followed.
Ant.Egypt, thou knew'st too well,My heart was to thy Rudder tyed by'th'strings,And thou should'st stowe me after. O're my spiritThe full supremacie thou knew'st, and thatThy becke, might from the bidding of the GodsCommand mee.
Cleo.Oh my pardon.
Ant.Now I mustTo the young man send humble Treaties, dodgeAnd palter in the shifts of lownes, whoWith halfe the bulke o'th'world plaid as I pleas'd,Making, and marring Fortunes. You did knowHow much you were my Conqueror, and thatMy Sword, made weake by my affection, wouldObey it on all cause.
Cleo.Pardon, pardon.
Ant.Fall not a teare I say, one of them ratesAll that is wonne and lost: Giue me a kisse,Euen this repayes me.We sent our Schoolemaster, is a come backe?Loue I am full of Lead: some WineWithin there, and our Viands: Fortune knowes,We scorne her most, when most she offers blowes. Exeunt.