Antony and Cleopatra — Act 1, Scene 3

CLEOPATRA

Where is he?

CHARMIAN

I did not see him since.

CLEOPATRA

See where he is, who's with him, what he does:I did not send you: if you find him sad,Say I am dancing; if in mirth, reportThat I am sudden sick: quick, and return.

CHARMIAN

Madam, methinks, if you did love him dearly,You do not hold the method to enforceThe like from him.

CLEOPATRA

What should I do, I do not?

CHARMIAN

In each thing give him way, cross him nothing.

CLEOPATRA

Thou teachest like a fool; the way to lose him.

CHARMIAN

Tempt him not so too far; I wish, forbear:In time we hate that which we often fear.But here comes Antony.

CLEOPATRA

I am sick and sullen.

MARK ANTONY

I am sorry to give breathing to my purpose,--

CLEOPATRA

Help me away, dear Charmian; I shall fall:It cannot be thus long, the sides of natureWill not sustain it.

MARK ANTONY

Now, my dearest queen,--

CLEOPATRA

Pray you, stand further from me.

MARK ANTONY

What's the matter?

CLEOPATRA

I know, by that same eye, there's some good news.What says the married woman? You may go:Would she had never given you leave to come!Let her not say 'tis I that keep you here:I have no power upon you; hers you are.

MARK ANTONY

The gods best know,--

CLEOPATRA

O, never was there queenSo mightily betray'd! yet at the firstI saw the treasons planted.

MARK ANTONY

Cleopatra,--

CLEOPATRA

Why should I think you can be mine and true,Though you in swearing shake the throned gods,Who have been false to Fulvia? Riotous madness,To be entangled with those mouth-made vows,Which break themselves in swearing!

MARK ANTONY

Most sweet queen,--

CLEOPATRA

Nay, pray you, seek no colour for your going,But bid farewell, and go: when you sued staying,Then was the time for words: no going then;Eternity was in our lips and eyes,Bliss in our brows' bent; none our parts so poor,But was a race of heaven: they are so still,Or thou, the greatest soldier of the world,Art turn'd the greatest liar.

MARK ANTONY

How now, lady!

CLEOPATRA

I would I had thy inches; thou shouldst knowThere were a heart in Egypt.

MARK ANTONY

Hear me, queen:The strong necessity of time commandsOur services awhile; but my full heartRemains in use with you. Our ItalyShines o'er with civil swords: Sextus PompeiusMakes his approaches to the port of Rome:Equality of two domestic powersBreed scrupulous faction: the hated, grown to strength,Are newly grown to love: the condemn'd Pompey,Rich in his father's honour, creeps apace,Into the hearts of such as have not thrivedUpon the present state, whose numbers threaten;And quietness, grown sick of rest, would purgeBy any desperate change: 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?

MARK ANTONY

She's dead, my queen:Look here, and at thy sovereign leisure readThe garboils she awaked; at the last, best:See when and where she died.

CLEOPATRA

O most false love!Where be the sacred vials thou shouldst fillWith sorrowful water? Now I see, I see,In Fulvia's death, how mine received shall be.

MARK ANTONY

Quarrel no more, but be prepared to knowThe purposes I bear; which are, or cease,As you shall give the advice. By the fireThat quickens Nilus' slime, I go from henceThy soldier, servant; making peace or warAs thou affect'st.

CLEOPATRA

Cut my lace, Charmian, come;But let it be: I am quickly ill, and well,So Antony loves.

MARK ANTONY

My precious queen, forbear;And give true evidence to his love, which standsAn honourable trial.

CLEOPATRA

So Fulvia told me.I prithee, turn aside and weep for her,Then bid adieu to me, and say the tearsBelong to Egypt: good now, play one sceneOf excellent dissembling; and let it lookLife perfect honour.

MARK ANTONY

You'll heat my blood: no more.

CLEOPATRA

You can do better yet; but this is meetly.

MARK 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 becomeThe carriage of his chafe.

MARK ANTONY

I'll leave you, lady.

CLEOPATRA

Courteous lord, one word.Sir, you and I must part, but that's not it:Sir, you and I have loved, but there's not it;That you know well: something it is I would,O, my oblivion is a very Antony,And I am all forgotten.

MARK ANTONY

But that your royaltyHolds idleness your subject, I should take youFor idleness itself.

CLEOPATRA

'Tis sweating labourTo bear such idleness so near the heartAs Cleopatra this. But, sir, forgive me;Since my becomings kill me, when they do notEye well to you: your honour calls you hence;Therefore be deaf to my unpitied folly.And all the gods go with you! upon your swordSit laurel victory! and smooth successBe strew'd before your feet!

MARK ANTONY

Let us go. Come;Our separation so abides, and flies,That thou, residing here, go'st yet with me,And I, hence fleeting, here remain with thee. Away!