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  • William Shakespeare: Antony and Cleopatra, Act II, Scene V

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Scene VAlexandria. Cleopatra’s palaceEnter Cleopatra, Charmian, Iras, and AlexasCleopatraGive me some music; music, moody food Of us that trade in love.AttendantsThe music, ho!Enter MardianCleopatraLet it alone; let’s to billiards: come, Charmian.CharmianMy arm is sore; best play with Mardian.CleopatraAs well a woman with an eunuch play’d As with a woman. Come, you’ll play with me, sir?MardianAs well as I can, madam.CleopatraAnd when good will is show’d, though’t come too short, The actor may plead pardon. I’ll none now: Give me mine angle; we’ll to the river: there, My music playing far off, I will betray Tawny-finn’d fishes; my bended hook shall pierce Their slimy jaws; and, as I draw them up, I’ll think them every one an Antony, And say ‘Ah, ha! you’re caught.‘Charmian’Twas merry when You wager’d on your angling; when your diver Did hang a salt-fish on his hook, which he With fervency drew up.CleopatraThat time,—O times!— I laugh’d him out of patience; and that night I laugh’d him into patience; and next morn, Ere the ninth hour, I drunk him to his bed; Then put my tires and mantles on him, whilst I wore his sword Philippan.Enter a MessengerO, from Italy Ram thou thy fruitful tidings in mine ears, That long time have been barren.MessengerMadam, madam,—CleopatraAntonius dead!—If thou say so, villain, Thou kill’st thy mistress: but well and free, If thou so yield him, there is gold, and here My bluest veins to kiss; a hand that kings Have lipp’d, and trembled kissing.MessengerFirst, madam, he is well.CleopatraWhy, there’s more gold. But, sirrah, mark, we use To say the dead are well: bring it to that, The gold I give thee will I melt and pour Down thy ill-uttering throat.MessengerGood madam, hear me.CleopatraWell, go to, I will; But there’s no goodness in thy face: if Antony Be free and healthful,—so tart a favour To trumpet such good tidings! If not well, Thou shouldst come like a Fury crown’d with snakes, Not like a formal man.MessengerWill’t please you hear me?CleopatraI have a mind to strike thee ere thou speak’st: Yet if thou say Antony lives, is well, Or friends with Caesar, or not captive to him, I’ll set thee in a shower of gold, and hail Rich pearls upon thee.MessengerMadam, he’s well.CleopatraWell said.MessengerAnd friends with Caesar.CleopatraThou’rt an honest man.MessengerCaesar and he are greater friends than ever.CleopatraMake thee a fortune from me.MessengerBut yet, madam,—CleopatraI do not like ‘But yet,’ it does allay The good precedence; fie upon ‘But yet’! ‘But yet’ is as a gaoler to bring forth Some monstrous malefactor. Prithee, friend, Pour out the pack of matter to mine ear, The good and bad together: he’s friends with Caesar: In state of health thou say’st; and thou say’st free.MessengerFree, madam! no; I made no such report: He’s bound unto Octavia.CleopatraFor what good turn?MessengerFor the best turn i’ the bed.CleopatraI am pale, Charmian.MessengerMadam, he’s married to Octavia.CleopatraThe most infectious pestilence upon thee!Strikes him downMessengerGood madam, patience.CleopatraWhat say you? Hence,Strikes him againHorrible villain! or I’ll spurn thine eyes Like balls before me; I’ll unhair thy head:She hales him up and downThou shalt be whipp’d with wire, and stew’d in brine, Smarting in lingering pickle.MessengerGracious madam, I that do bring the news made not the match.CleopatraSay ’tis not so, a province I will give thee, And make thy fortunes proud: the blow thou hadst Shall make thy peace for moving me to rage; And I will boot thee with what gift beside Thy modesty can beg.MessengerHe’s married, madam.CleopatraRogue, thou hast lived too long.Draws a knifeMessengerNay, then I’ll run. What mean you, madam? I have made no fault.ExitCharmianGood madam, keep yourself within yourself: The man is innocent.CleopatraSome innocents ‘scape not the thunderbolt. Melt Egypt into Nile! and kindly creatures Turn all to serpents! Call the slave again: Though I am mad, I will not bite him: call.CharmianHe is afeard to come.CleopatraI will not hurt him.Exit CharmianThese hands do lack nobility, that they strike A meaner than myself; since I myself Have given myself the cause.Re-enter Charmian and MessengerCome hither, sir. Though it be honest, it is never good To bring bad news: give to a gracious message. An host of tongues; but let ill tidings tell Themselves when they be felt.MessengerI have done my duty.CleopatraIs he married? I cannot hate thee worser than I do, If thou again say ‘Yes.‘MessengerHe’s married, madam.CleopatraThe gods confound thee! dost thou hold there still?MessengerShould I lie, madam?CleopatraO, I would thou didst, So half my Egypt were submerged and made A cistern for scaled snakes! Go, get thee hence: Hadst thou Narcissus in thy face, to me Thou wouldst appear most ugly. He is married?MessengerI crave your highness’ pardon.CleopatraHe is married?MessengerTake no offence that I would not offend you: To punish me for what you make me do. Seems much unequal: he’s married to Octavia.CleopatraO, that his fault should make a knave of thee, That art not what thou’rt sure of! Get thee hence: The merchandise which thou hast brought from Rome Are all too dear for me: lie they upon thy hand, And be undone by ’em!Exit MessengerCharmianGood your highness, patience.CleopatraIn praising Antony, I have dispraised Caesar.CharmianMany times, madam.CleopatraI am paid for’t now. Lead me from hence: I faint: O Iras, Charmian! ’tis no matter. Go to the fellow, good Alexas; bid him Report the feature of Octavia, her years, Her inclination, let him not leave out The colour of her hair: bring me word quickly.Exit AlexasLet him for ever go:—let him not—Charmian, Though he be painted one way like a Gorgon, The other way’s a Mars. Bid you AlexasTo MardianBring me word how tall she is. Pity me, Charmian, But do not speak to me. Lead me to my chamber.Exeunt

William Shakespeare: Antony and Cleopatra, Act II

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William Shakespeare: Antony and Cleopatra, Act III, Scene III

  • William Shakespeare: Antony and Cleopatra, Act III, Scene III

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  • Did Birds Evolve from Dinosaurs?
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  • Current Events This Week: January 2023
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  • The Celtic Twilight: A Teller of Tales