Act IScene I
Alexandria. A Room in Cleopatra’s palace
Enter Demetrius and Philo.
Philo
Nay, but this dotage of our general’sO’erflows the measure. Those his goodly eyes,That o’er the files and musters of the warHave glowed like plated Mars, now bend, now turnThe office and devotion of their viewUpon a tawny front. His captain’s heart,Which in the scuffles of great fights hath burstThe buckles on his breast, reneges all temperAnd is become the bellows and the fanTo cool a gipsy’s lust.
Flourish. Enter Antony and Cleopatra, her Ladies, the Train, with Eunuchs fanning her.
Look where they come:Take but good note, and you shall see in himThe triple pillar of the world transform’dInto a strumpet’s fool. Behold and see.
Cleopatra
If it be love indeed, tell me how much.
Antony
There’s beggary in the love that can be reckoned.
Cleopatra
I’ll set a bourn how far to be beloved.
Antony
Then must thou needs find out new heaven, new earth.
Enter a Messenger.
Messenger
News, my good lord, from Rome.
Antony
Grates me, the sum.
Cleopatra
Nay, hear them, Antony.Fulvia perchance is angry; or who knowsIf the scarce-bearded Caesar have not sentHis powerful mandate to you: “Do this or this;Take in that kingdom and enfranchise that.Perform’t, or else we damn thee.”
Antony
How, my love?
Cleopatra
Perchance! Nay, and most like.You must not stay here longer; your dismissionIs come from Caesar; therefore hear it, Antony.Where’s Fulvia’s process?—Caesar’s I would say? Both?Call in the messengers. As I am Egypt’s queen,Thou blushest, Antony, and that blood of thineIs Caesar’s homager; else so thy cheek pays shameWhen shrill-tongued Fulvia scolds. The messengers!
Antony
Let Rome in Tiber melt, and the wide archOf the ranged empire fall! Here is my space.Kingdoms are clay. Our dungy earth alikeFeeds beast as man. The nobleness of lifeIs to do thus;
Embracing
when such a mutual pairAnd such a twain can do’t, in which I bind,On pain of punishment, the world to weetWe stand up peerless.
Cleopatra
Excellent falsehood!Why did he marry Fulvia, and not love her?I’ll seem the fool I am not. AntonyWill be himself.
Antony
But stirred by Cleopatra.Now, for the love of Love and her soft hours,Let’s not confound the time with conference harsh.There’s not a minute of our lives should stretchWithout some pleasure now. What sport tonight?
Cleopatra
Hear the ambassadors.
Antony
Fie, wrangling queen!Whom everything becomes—to chide, to laugh,To weep; whose every passion fully strivesTo make itself, in thee fair and admired!No messenger but thine, and all aloneTonight we’ll wander through the streets and noteThe qualities of people. Come, my queen,Last night you did desire it. Speak not to us.
Exeunt Antony and Cleopatra with the Train.
Demetrius
Is Caesar with Antonius prized so slight?
Philo
Sir, sometimes when he is not Antony,He comes too short of that great propertyWhich still should go with Antony.
Demetrius
I am full sorryThat he approves the common liar whoThus speaks of him at Rome, but I will hopeOf better deeds tomorrow. Rest you happy!
Exeunt.