Antony and Cleopatra Act I. Scene I.
Alexandria. A Room in CLEOPATRA'S Palace.
Enter DEMETRIUS and PHILO.
Phi. Nay, but this dotage of our general's O'erflows the measure; those his goodly eyes, 4 That o'er the files and musters of the war Have glow'd like plated Mars, now bend, now turn The office and devotion of their view Upon a tawny front; his captain's heart, 8 Which in the scuffles of great fights hath burst The buckles on his breast, reneges all temper, And is become the bellows and the fan To cool a gipsy's lust. Look! where they come. 12 Flourish. Enter ANTONY and CLEOPATRA, with their Trains; Eunuchs fanning her.
Take but good note, and you shall see in him The triple pillar of the world transform'd Into a strumpet's fool; behold and see. 16 Cleo. If it be love indeed, tell me how much.
Ant. There's beggary in the love that can be reckon'd.
Antony and Cleopatra, by Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema ...
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Antony and Cleopatra, bas reliefCleo. I'll set a bourn how far to be belov'd.
Ant. Then must thou needs find out new heaven, new earth. 20 Enter an Attendant.
Att. News, my good lord, from Rome.
Ant. Grates me; the sum.
Cleo. Nay, hear them, Antony: 24 Fulvia, perchance, is angry; or, who knows If the scarce-bearded Cæsar have not sent His powerful mandate to you, 'Do this, or this; Take in that kingdom, and enfranchise that; 28 Perform 't, or else we damn thee.' Ant. How, my love! Cleo. Perchance! nay, and most like; You must not stay here longer; your dismission 32 Is come from Cæsar; therefore hear it, Antony.
Where's Fulvia's process? Cæsar's I would say? both? Call in the messengers. As I am Egypt's queen, Thou blushest, Antony, and that blood of thine 36 Is Cæsar's homager; else so thy cheek pays shame When shrill-tongu'd Fulvia scolds. The messengers! Ant. Let Rome in Tiber melt, and the wide arch Of the rang'd empire fall! Here is my space. 40 Kingdoms are clay; our dungy earth alike Feeds beast as man; the nobleness of life Is to do thus; when such a mutual pair [Embracing.
And such a twain can do 't, in which I bind, 44 On pain of punishment, the world to weet We stand up peerless.
Cleo. Excellent falsehood! Why did he marry Fulvia and not love her? 48 I'll seem the fool I am not; Antony Will be himself.
Ant. But stirr'd by Cleopatra.
Now, for the love of Love and her soft hours, 52 Let's not confound the time with conference harsh: There's not a minute of our lives should stretch Without some pleasure now. What sport tonight? Cleo. Hear the ambassadors. 56 Ant. Fie, wrangling queen! Whom every thing becomes, to chide, to laugh, To weep; whose every passion fully strives To make itself, in thee, fair and admir'd. 60 No messenger, but thine; and all alone, To-night we'll wander through the streets and note The qualities of people. Come, my queen; Last night you did desire it: speak not to us. [Exeunt ANTONY and CLEOPATRA, with their Train. 64 Dem. Is Cæsar with Antonius priz'd so slight? Phi. Sir, sometimes, when he is not Antony, He comes too short of that great property Which still should go with Antony. 68 Dem. I am full sorry That he approves the common liar, who Thus speaks of him at Rome; but I will hope Of better deeds to-morrow. Rest you happy! [Exeunt. 72 email me at r.louise@eudoramail.com
Coin with Antony on the obverse, Cleopatra on the ...
Mark-Antony-Cleopatra-coin
Denarius depicting Antony and Cleopatra. Sear# 440...