Act III, Scene 11

Alexandria - CLEOPATRA’s palace

[Enter MARK 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 I Have lost my way for ever: I have a ship Laden 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 cowards To run and show their shoulders. Friends, be gone; I have myself resolved upon a course Which has no need of you; be gone: My treasure's in the harbour, take it. O, I follow'd that I blush to look upon: My very hairs do mutiny; for the white Reprove the brown for rashness, and they them For fear and doting. Friends, be gone: you shall Have letters from me to some friends that will Sweep your way for you. Pray you, look not sad, Nor make replies of loathness: take the hint Which my despair proclaims; let that be left Which 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 and IRAS; EROS following]

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 kept His sword e'en like a dancer; while I struck The lean and wrinkled Cassius; and 'twas I That the mad Brutus ended: he alone Dealt on lieutenantry, and no practise had In 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 him: O!

Eros - Most noble sir, arise; the queen approaches: Her head's declined, and death will seize her, but Your 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? See, How I convey my shame out of thine eyes By looking back what I have left behind 'Stroy'd in dishonour.

Cleopatra - O my lord, my lord, Forgive my fearful sails! I little thought You would have follow'd.

Antony - Egypt, thou knew'st too well My heart was to thy rudder tied by the strings, And thou shouldst tow me after: o'er my spirit Thy full supremacy thou knew'st, and that Thy beck might from the bidding of the gods Command me.

Cleopatra - O, my pardon!

Antony - Now I must To the young man send humble treaties, dodge And palter in the shifts of lowness; who With half the bulk o' the world play'd as I pleased, Making and marring fortunes. You did know How much you were my conqueror; and that My sword, made weak by my affection, would Obey it on all cause.

Cleopatra - Pardon, pardon!

Antony - Fall not a tear, I say; one of them rates All 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 wine, within there, and our viands! Fortune knows We scorn her most when most she offers blows.

[Exeunt]