Faculty of English

CAESAR                      I should have known no less. It hath been taught us from the primal state That he which is was wished until he were, And the ebbed man, ne’er loved till ne’er worth love, Comes deared by being lacked. This common body, Like to a vagabond flag upon the stream, Goes to, and back, […]

Enter a Messenger LEPIDUS         Here’s more news. MESSENGER  Thy biddings have been done, and every hour, Most noble Caesar, shalt thou have report How ’tis abroad. Pompey is strong at sea, And it appears he is beloved of those That only have feared Caesar. To the ports The discontents repair, and men’s reports Give him […]

CAESAR                      Say this becomes him— As his composure must be rare indeed Whom these things cannot blemish—yet must Antony No way excuse his foils when we do bear So great weight in his lightness. If he filled His vacancy with his voluptuousness, Full surfeits and the dryness of his bones Call on him for’t. But […]

LEPIDUS                     I must not think there are Evils enough to darken all his goodness. His faults in him seem as the spots of heaven, More fiery by night’s blackness—hereditary Rather than purchased; what he cannot change Than what he chooses. CAESAR                      You are too indulgent. Let’s grant it is not Amiss to tumble on the […]

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 […]