Act IIIScene XI
Alexandria. A Room in the Palace
Enter Antony with attendants.
Antony
Hark, the land bids me tread no more upon’t.It is ashamed to bear me. Friends, come hither.I am so lated in the world that IHave lost my way for ever. I have a shipLaden with gold. Take that, divide it. Fly,And make your peace with Caesar.
All
Fly? Not we.
Antony
I have fled myself, and have instructed cowardsTo run and show their shoulders. Friends, be gone.I have myself resolved upon a courseWhich has no need of you. Be gone.My treasure’s in the harbour. Take it. O,I followed that I blush to look upon.My very hairs do mutiny, for the whiteReprove the brown for rashness, and they themFor fear and doting. Friends, be gone. You shallHave letters from me to some friends that willSweep your way for you. Pray you, look not sad,Nor make replies of loathness. Take the hintWhich my despair proclaims. Let that be leftWhich leaves itself. To the sea-side straightway.I will possess you of that ship and treasure.Leave me, I pray, a little—pray you, now,Nay, do so; for indeed I have lost command.Therefore I pray you. I’ll see you by and by.
Sits down.
Enter Cleopatra led by Charmian, Iras and Eros.
Eros
Nay, gentle madam, to him! Comfort him.
Iras
Do, most dear queen.
Charmian
Do! Why, what else?
Cleopatra
Let me sit down. O Juno!
Antony
No, no, no, no, no.
Eros
See you here, sir?
Antony
O, fie, fie, fie!
Charmian
Madam.
Iras
Madam, O good empress!
Eros
Sir, sir!
Antony
Yes, my lord, yes. He at Philippi keptHis sword e’en like a dancer, while I struckThe lean and wrinkled Cassius, and ’twas IThat the mad Brutus ended. He aloneDealt on lieutenantry, and no practice hadIn the brave squares of war. Yet now—no matter.
Cleopatra
Ah, stand by.
Eros
The Queen, my lord, the Queen!
Iras
Go to him, madam; speak to him.He is unqualitied with very shame.
Cleopatra
Well then, sustain me. O!
Eros
Most noble sir, arise. The Queen approaches.Her head’s declined, and death will seize her butYour comfort makes the rescue.
Antony
I have offended reputation,A most unnoble swerving.
Eros
Sir, the Queen.
Antony
O, whither hast thou led me, Egypt? SeeHow I convey my shame out of thine eyesBy looking back what I have left behind’Stroyed in dishonour.
Cleopatra
O my lord, my lord,Forgive my fearful sails! I little thoughtYou would have followed.
Antony
Egypt, thou knew’st too wellMy heart was to thy rudder tied by th’ strings,And thou shouldst tow me after. O’er my spiritThy full supremacy thou knew’st, and thatThy beck might from the bidding of the godsCommand me.
Cleopatra
O, my pardon!
Antony
Now I mustTo the young man send humble treaties, dodgeAnd palter in the shifts of lowness, whoWith half the bulk o’ th’ world played as I pleased,Making and marring fortunes. You did knowHow much you were my conqueror, and thatMy sword, made weak by my affection, wouldObey it on all cause.
Cleopatra
Pardon, pardon!
Antony
Fall not a tear, I say; one of them ratesAll that is won and lost. Give me a kiss.Even this repays me.We sent our schoolmaster. Is he come back?Love, I am full of lead. Some wineWithin there, and our viands! Fortune knowsWe scorn her most when most she offers blows.
Exeunt.