CLEOPATRA What, was he sad or merry? ALEXAS Like to the time o’th’ year between the extremes Of hot and cold, he was nor sad nor merry. CLEOPATRA 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 […]
Continue ReadingAntony the courteous lover–then riding off to battle (1.5.41-9) #BurningBarge #SlowShakespeare
ALEXAS ‘Good friend,’ quoth he, ‘Say the firm Roman to great Egypt sends This treasure of an oyster; at whose foot, To mend the petty present, I will piece Her opulent throne with kingdoms. All the East, Say thou, shall call her mistress.’ So he nodded, And soberly did mount an argent steed, Who neighed […]
Continue ReadingAlexas, with news of Antony! and a present! (1.5.34-41) #BurningBarge #SlowShakespeare
Enter Alexas ALEXAS Sovereign of Egypt, hail! CLEOPATRA 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? ALEXAS Last thing he did, dear Queen, He kissed—the last of many doubled kisses— This orient pearl. His speech […]
Continue ReadingCleopatra, sexy serpent of old Nile… (1.5.24-34) #BurningBarge #SlowShakespeare
CLEOPATRA 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 […]
Continue ReadingCleopatra: O HAPPY horse… (1.5.18-24) #BurningBarge #SlowShakespeare
CLEOPATRA 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 mov’st— The demi-Atlas of this earth, the arm And burgonet of men. (1.5.18-24) […]
Continue ReadingCleopatra toys with Mardian the eunuch… (1.5.8-18) #BurningBarge #SlowShakespeare
CLEOPATRA Thou, eunuch Mardian! MARDIAN What’s your highness’ pleasure? CLEOPATRA Not now to hear thee sing. I take no pleasure In aught an eunuch has. ’Tis well for thee That, being unseminared, thy freer thoughts May not fly forth of Egypt. Hast thou affections? MARDIAN Yes, gracious madam. CLEOPATRA Indeed? MARDIAN Not in deed, madam, […]
Continue ReadingGive me to drink mandragora! (shaken, or stirred?) (1.5.1-7) #BurningBarge #SlowShakespeare
Enter Cleopatra, Charmian, Iras, and Mardian CLEOPATRA Charmian! CHARMIAN Madam? CLEOPATRA Ha, ha. Give me to drink mandragora. CHARMIAN Why, madam? CLEOPATRA That I might sleep out this great gap of time My Antony is away. CHARMIAN You think of him too much. CLEOPATRA O, ’tis treason! CHARMIAN Madam, I trust not so. […]
Continue ReadingCaesar: time to act. Lepidus: well this is what I’M doing (1.4.73-85) #BurningBarge #SlowShakespeare
LEPIDUS ’Tis pity of him. CAESAR Let his shames quickly Drive him to Rome. ’Tis time we twain Did show ourselves i’th’ field; and to that end Assemble we immediate council. Pompey Thrives in our idleness. LEPIDUS Tomorrow, Caesar, I shall be furnished to inform you rightly Both what by sea and land I can […]
Continue ReadingAntony, what’s happened to you? you used to be so TOUGH (1.4.55-71) #BurningBarge #SlowShakespeare
CAESAR Antony, Leave thy lascivious wassails. When thou once Was beaten from Modéna, where thou slew’st Hirtius and Pansa, consuls, at thy heel Did famine follow, whom thou fought’st against— Though daintily brought up—with patience more Than savages could suffer. Thou didst drink The stale of horses, and the gilded puddle Which beasts would cough at. […]
Continue ReadingMore bad news for Caesar, with PIRATES (1.4.47-55) #BurningBarge #SlowShakespeare
[Enter a second Messenger] SECOND MESSENGER Caesar, I bring thee word Menecrates and Menas, famous pirates, Makes the sea serve them, which they ear and wound With keels of every kind. Many hot inroads They make in Italy. The borders maritime Lack blood to think on’t, and flush youth revolt. No vessel can peep forth […]
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