ANTONY         My being in Egypt, Caesar, what was’t to you? CAESAR          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. ANTONY                     How intend you ‘practised’? CAESAR          You may be pleased to catch at […]

ANTONY         ’Tis spoken well. Were we before our armies, and to fight, I should do thus. [Antony and Caesar embrace.] Flourish CAESAR                      Welcome to Rome. ANTONY         Thank you. CAESAR          Sit. ANTONY         Sit, sir. CAESAR          Nay then. [They sit] ANTONY         I learn you take things ill which are not so, Or being, concern you not. CAESAR          […]

ANTONY         [to Ventidius] If we compose well here, to Parthia. Hark, Ventidius. CAESAR                                  I do not know, Maecenas; ask Agrippa. LEPIDUS         [to Caesar and Antony] Noble friends, That which combined us was most great; and let not A leaner action rend us. What’s amiss, May it be gently heard. When we debate Our trivial difference loud, we […]

LEPIDUS                     ’Tis not a time For private stomaching. ENOBARBUS  Every time Serves for the matter that is then born in’t. LEPIDUS         But small to greater matters must give way. ENOBARBUS  Not if the small come first. LEPIDUS         Your speech is passion. But pray you, stir no embers up. Here comes The noble Antony. Enter [at […]

Enter Enobarbus and Lepidus LEPIDUS         Good Enobarbus, ’tis a worthy deed, And shall become you well, to entreat your captain To soft and gentle speech. ENOBARBUS              I shall entreat him To answer like himself. If Caesar move him, Let Antony look over Caesar’s head And speak as loud as Mars. By Jupiter, Were I the […]

POMPEY                     I know not, Menas, How lesser enmities may give way to greater. Were’t not that we stand up against them all, ’Twere pregnant they should square between themselves, For they have entertained cause enough To draw their swords. But how the fear of us May cement their divisions, and bind up The petty difference, […]

POMPEY                     Menas, I did not think This amorous surfeiter would have donned his helm For such a petty war. His soldiership Is twice the other twain. But let us rear The higher our opinion, that our stirring Can from the lap of Egypt’s widow pluck The ne’er lust-wearied Antony. MENAS                       I cannot hope Caesar and […]

POMPEY                     How now, Varrius? VARRIUS         This is most certain that I shall deliver: Mark Antony is every hour in Rome Expected. Since he went from Egypt, ’tis A space for farther travel. POMPEY         I could have given less matter A better ear.   (2.1.27-32)   Hello Varrius, what’s new? (And, what’s the news from Rome?) This […]

MENECRATES                        Caesar and Lepidus Are in the field; a mighty strength they carry. POMPEY         Where have you this? ’Tis false. MENECRATES                        From Silvius, sir. POMPEY         He dreams. I know they are in Rome together, Looking for Antony. But all the charms of love, Salt Cleopatra, soften thy waned lip. Let witchcraft join with beauty, lust […]

POMPEY                     I shall do well: The people love me, and the sea is mine. My powers are crescent, and my auguring hope Says it will come to th’ full. Mark Antony In Egypt sits at dinner, and will make No wars without doors. Caesar gets money where He loses hearts. Lepidus flatters both, Of both […]