ANTONY 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 seaside 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.
[Exeunt Attendants] (3.11.15-24)
Again and again. Friends, be gone. Please. You shall have letters from me to some friends that will sweep your way for you. Look, I’ll give you references, write to my (remaining) friends and acquaintances on your behalf, asking them to look out for you, be your new patrons, give you jobs; smooth your path. (Is Antony not planning to kill himself immediately, then? Is he just saying it to get rid of them?) They perhaps start to speak, to protest, to say that yes, they’ll stay, but he won’t let them: pray you, look not sad, nor make replies of loathness. Don’t object, you’re just making this harder. GO. Take the hint which my despair proclaims; take this chance and leave, while you still can. I’m done, finished, no good to you. (And I’ve given up, I’m in despair: that’s another suggestion of suicide.) Let that be left which leaves itself: I’ve given up on myself, am no longer the man I once was, and have in effect abandoned myself, and so you should leave me too. It’s the only logical thing. GO! To the seaside straightway! Go to the harbour, to my treasure ship there: I will possess you of that ship and treasure. I will. Leave me, I pray, a little. Are they crowding closer, still trying to speak, exchanging glances amongst themselves? Pray you now, nay, do so. Don’t hesitate, go on, that’s it. For indeed I have lost command. You’re not even doing what I ask you to do anymore. And so I’m begging; therefore I pray you. Please, leave me. I’ll see you by and by. In a bit. He’s confused, rambling, lost, desperate—but his men do, eventually, leave, without another word. Nothing else to say or do, it seems.