Enter Octavius Caesar reading a letter, Lepidus, and their train CAESAR          You may see, Lepidus, and henceforth know It is not Caesar’s natural vice to hate Our great competitor. From Alexandria This is the news: he fishes, drinks, and wastes The lamps of night in revel; is not more manlike Than Cleopatra, nor the queen […]

ANTONY                     But that your royalty Holds idleness your subject, I should take you For idleness itself. CLEOPATRA   ’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 […]

CLEOPATRA   You can do better yet; but this is meetly. ANTONY         Now by my sword— CLEOPATRA   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. ANTONY                     I’ll leave you, lady. CLEOPATRA   Courteous lord, one word. Sir, you and I […]

ANTONY                     My precious queen, forbear, And give true evidence to his love, which stands An honourable trial. CLEOPATRA   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 Like […]

ANTONY         Quarrel no more, but be prepared to know The purposes I bear, which are or cease As you shall give th’advice. By the fire That quickens Nilus’ slime, I go from hence Thy soldier-servant, making peace or war As thou affects. CLEOPATRA   Cut my lace, Charmian, come. But let it be. I am quickly […]

ANTONY                                 My more particular, And that which most with you should safe my going, Is Fulvia’s death. CLEOPATRA   Though age from folly could not give me freedom, It does from childishness. Can Fulvia die? ANTONY         She’s dead, my queen. [He offers letters] Look here, and at thy sovereign leisure read The garboils she awaked. At […]

ANTONY                                 Our Italy Shines o’er with civil swords. Sextus Pompeius Makes his approaches to the port of Rome. Equality of two domestic powers Breed scrupulous faction. The hated, grown to strength, Are newly grown to love. The condemned Pompey, Rich in his father’s honour, creeps apace Into the hearts of such as have not thrived […]

ANTONY                     How now, lady! CLEOPATRA   I would I had thy inches. Thou shouldst know There were a heart in Egypt. ANTONY                     Hear me, Queen: The strong necessity of time commands Our services a while, but my full heart Remains in use with you.     (1.3.39-44)   How now, lady! Wonderfully open to interpretation: it can be […]

ANTONY                                 Most sweet queen— CLEOPATRA   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 brow’s bent; none our parts so poor But was a race of heaven. They […]

CLEOPATRA   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. ANTONY                     The gods best know— CLEOPATRA   O, never was […]