 | Antony and Cleopatra |  |
ACT II.
Scene the First.
The Town.Enter Antonius, Canidius.
Ant.
Empire and Glory both farewell: Come shame,
And shed thy Venom on Antonius Name:
VVither the Lawrels on his Brows and teach
The VVorld to scorn its most inglorious VVretch.
Forsaken in the choicest hour of time,
My hopes and resolutions in their prime.
Honor, my Queen and I Dictator made,
And all his rough Commands cou'd have obey'd.
Love for a while, we purpose to dethrone,
As Mariners in Storms their Sails take down.
Can Romans thus their General forsake?
Can.
They urg'd want of Provision and of Pay.
Ant.
Both which had been redrest without delay:
Th'obliging Queen—
Can.
VVhom you may thank for this—
Their general Discontent at her was sowd:
But Souldiers are a rude uncivil Crowd.
Play'rs and Minstrels, Singers and Buffoons,
Are the great Instruments and Props of Thrones.
I my old Legions to your Aid have brought,
Firm to your Side, not tainted in a Thought—
They say Photinus in the Camp was seen,
And that he was imploy'd there by the Queen.
12
At a revolt so strange I am surpriz'd.
Can.
Pray Heaven it were not in the Town devis'd.
Your upright Nature stoops not to Descry
The low and subtil ways of Treachery.
Thô you may fail, She can't; Beauty will find,
Victorious and young Monarchs ever kind.
Ant.
Your honest meaning does your life protect:
Presume no more her vertue to suspect.
Can.
May I not say Photinus is a Knave?
Ant.
Tax not the man, unless good proof you have.
Enter Photinus pursued by six Villains,
Phot.
Those two you must destroy, and me disarm.
Ah, Sir, from Murtherers defend your Life:
See with my blood, they have begun the Strife.
They draw, two of the Villains fall, the other run.
The Gods a Guard for Vertue still provide:
Courage with Treason seldome doth reside.
Th'are fled and you unhurt—
Ant.
I am:
But say, Photinus, whence these Villains came.
Phot.
Just as I left the Throng—
They set upon me Crying this is He,
That with Octavius lets us not agree,
Antonius Friend, and his own Countreys Foe;
And strait that word was followed with this blow.
Some of the popular faction set'm on,
Who think to govern all if I were gone.
Ant.
'Tis most unlucky these were Kill'd out right,
Of their whole Plot we else might gain some light.
Phot. stabs one lying on the ground, he mutters out
1. Villain.
Photinus is a Villain . . . .
Phot.
See their spight . . . .
Even at their Death, which I will thus requite—
Can. interposes.
VVhy wou'd you save from my just rage so impudent a Slave?
1. Villain.
Photinus set us on:
Phot.
Unheard of villany . . . .
My self to Kill, they did conspire with Me!
But great Antonius is himself too just
Me on a Murd'rers malice to distrust.
13
Slight not too much the words of dying men,
They who hate truth before will speak it then.
Phot.
My constant zeal and firmness to your side,
So oft in Council and in Action try'd,
This accusation cannot but deride.
VVhat is't a Murth'rer missing of his blow,
In his last rage would not both say and do?
Can.
VVho dares die,
And the just Gods provoke with such a lie?
Phot.
He that dares basely Kill, what dares he not,
No Crime a Murtherer cou'd deeper blot.
Can.
Yet to that crime ingratitude may add.
Phot.
You speak as of my guilt you wou'd be glad.
Ant.
My friends, let this untimely discord fall.
Phot.
Although much wrong'd, at your Command it shall.
Can.
I wish, Sir, to my Souldiers you wou'd speak,
And let'm know how well their loves you take.
Ant.
I go: their Faith shall so rewarded be—
The rest shall soon repent their treachery.
[Ex. Ant. Can.
Phot.
Had they fought well their danger had been small,
Cou'd they not fear at first or not at all?
Curse on all middle ways: Courage enough
VVhen once engag'd, can only bring us off.
But the next blow by fate shall be my own,
And I'le strike home for Iras and a Throne.
My person is ungraceful, I well know
It was contriv'd for use and not for show.
Besides I'm old, that too when I am great,
She may have the Ambition to forget.
This gentle Maid all other ways have try'd,
Hopeless of Love, I'le now attempt her pride.
Enter Iras.
But see she comes, and charming as new light,
Appear'd to the first Mans amazed sight.
A noise of Drums.
You hear how Drums and Trumpets fill the Air,
And for a Scene of Blood our Minds prepare.
Iras.
'Tis Love, vile Love whence this Disorder springs.
Phot.
The tender Parent of the frightful'st Things.
14
It only harms when with Ambition mixt.
When raging Winds raise Tempests on the Main,
The gentle Brooks creep mildly through the Plain.
'Tis only to the Great these Storms are known,
Photinus passion fears your scorn alone.
Iras.
What is this Love, we never can exclude?
But whatsoe're we talk of, 'twill intrude.
Phot.
Of Storms the Seaman tells, of ploughs the Hind;
Lovers in such discourses ease their mind.
'Tis the glad business of young Hearts, the pain,
The old, for their presumption must sustain.
Iras.
Is't a disease beauties infection spreads?
Pray does it seize you in your hearts or heads?
Phot.
Sweet Innocence! it enters at the eyes,
And to the heart like subtle lightning flies.
When Lovers meet it is all extasie,
And when they part again they more than die.
Iras.
How chance that I have scap't this mighty ill?
I gaze and stare at every thing my fill.
The Wise, the Handsome, and the Brave, I love,
Yet feel no pain at all when they remove.
Phot.
Passions lye yet within your tender breast,
Harmless and weak as Eagles in the Nest:
But Love hereafter on your heart will prey.
Iras.
If ever any one escap't, I may.
Phot.
'Twere most unfit you shou'd, Nature does still
Provide some soveraign thing for every ill.
For Beauties wounds their kindness is the cure:
Scorpions who cou'd without their oyl endure?
Iras.
If I have hurt you 'twas against my will.
Phot.
Your Charms not like a Foe, but weapon, kill.
Iras.
Their farther ill effects I will prevent,
And of what's past, though innocent, repent:
I'll go where you shall never see me more.
Phot.
That must not be, from you whom I adore.
Absence is raging pain, presence a joy;
Which will at least voluptuously destroy.
Iras.
Wou'd you not have me go nor stay! what then?
This Love I see makes errant Fools of men.
15
Stay gentle Iras; learn to love of me,
How easie were it, cou'd I charm like thee.
Iras.
Does no man else adore me as you do?
Phot.
None ever did; I'l place you on a Throne,
A Scepter may for pers'nal wants attone.
Beauty and Youth, your Sexes glories are,
In men they soon decay, or not appear.
Iras.
I did not know you were a Prince disguis'd:
At your new Majesty I'm much surpriz'd.
Phot.
I am no King.
Iras.
How then shall I be Queen?
O I could strut with Cleopatra's Mein.
Phot.
The Roman Empire can a Crown bestow.
Iras.
Such gifts may be Antonius overthrow.
Phot.
So let 'em be.
Iras.
But what, he gives you, Rome
Will take away, if Cæsar overcome.
Phot.
My hopes, sweet Innocence, in Cæsar lye,
And e're I reign Antonius must dye.
Iras.
You have but the Reversion of a Crown,
And e're he dies how old you will be grown.
Phot.
Your youth a while may for such glories wait,
But you may trust my Love to urge his Fate.
Iras.
Must I then marry you,
or be no Queen?
Phot.
I'm not so wither'd, nor are you so green:
Nay Charmion will accept what you refuse,
And when she reigns your peevishness accuse—
It works—
Iras.
No no! my self I'll have you first—
To see her Queen I should with envy burst.
Phot.
Will she then promise to love me alone,
When I have plac'd my Iras on a Throne?
Iras.
I will do any thing, to be a Queen;
I could love one whom I had never seen.
Enter Messenger.
Mess.
Madam, the Queen much wonders at your stay.
Ex. Iras.
Phot.
She's gone, she's gone, and I me-thinks have more
A thousand times to utter than before,
So inexhaustible's a Lovers store.
16
But Fate her youth, my age will have it so.
How false a Joy in that fair Sex he takes,
Whom once the hope of equal love forsakes.
Scene the Second.
Cæsars Tents.Enter Cæsar, Mecœnas, with Attendants.
Cæs.
Mecœnas see strict discipline they keep
Through the whole Camp, that neither wine nor sleep
Betray us to surprize: thô peace seem near,
Wise Pilots at the Port a tempest fear.
Mecœn.
Great Sir, your Souldiers find they have to do
Not with a rude unarm'd and barb'rous Crew,
But Romans like themselves, in Conquest bred,
And next your self, by the best Captain led.
Their jealousie of Fame and Love for you,
Will make 'em any thing forbear or do.
A shout of joy.
Enter Agrippa.
Agrip.
Antonius Legions newly are arriv'd,
And through the Camp are with loud joy receiv'd.
Tir'd with his impotent and distant sway,
They now, Great Sir, will you alone obey.
Cæs.
Then vanish all his hopes, and all my fears,
In my whole sky of Fate, no Cloud appears:
That one black corner did a tempest threat.
Agrip.
You much are to Photinus care in debt:
Him in the Camp, when I arriv'd I found.
Cæs.
Yee Gods! why am I to a Villain bound?
Tell my new friends, I their arrears will pay;
A Roman Emperor they still obey.
Mecœn.
Antonius now will any Laws receive,
What from weak Foes we do not take, we give.
Demand the Roman Legions yet behind,
And that his pow'r to Asia be confin'd.
Cæs.
The man was once my Friend, my Brother still:
What are these thoughts that wou'd ambition chill?
Mecœn.
Forget that name he has deserv'd so ill.
The spoil of Egypt will the VVar defray;
For a meer peace Rome will repine to pay.
17
Him brother, let Ægyptian Princes call,
He has no Interest in your blood at all.
Since the best Ty he slights, and in her place
Does a less fair Ægyptian Queen embrace.
Oct.
Pernicious Counceller that does foment
A War, all but the Parthians wou'd prevent.
My Wrongs shall never thy Ambition hide,
I'le tear the Masque of pity from thy pride.
I thought thee once deserving thy great place,
Of Tuscan Kings sprung from the glorious race.
But thou art false, cruel, and bloody now,
That open hatred thou durst never show.
To my dear Lord, does still in malice lurk,
And on this dire Occasion seeks to work.
Cæs.
Sister, your Husband I would but reclaim,
And make him worthy of your virtuous flame.
His present life does his past glory stain,
He makes a Queen the Partner of his raign.
The Roman Empire he does much deface,
And with the Spoil adorns her foraign race.
Arabia where the Nabatheans live.
And part of Syria he did lately give.
To their new issue one he stiles the Moon:
To name the other, he profanes the Sun.
Oct.
If he has given much, he conquer'd more:
His valour, for his bounty, found the store;
And pardon somewhat on a Sisters score.
Cæs.
The names of Emperor and Queen they scorn,
And like immortal Gods themselves adorn.
He does for Bacchus, she for Isis pass,
And in their shapes, the wond'ring Crowd amaze.
Oct.
To Gods of their own honour leave the Care,
Since they both Jealous and Almighty are.
I fear so high you'l my concernments press;
You'l break on that you never can redress.
Cæs.
I understand no Riddles, but he shall
Do my Octavia sudden right or fall.
18
But under this affront I cannot live.
Oct.
You say his other faults you cou'd forgive.
Cæs.
Empire's our real quarrel, but I must
[Aside.
Her virtuous Mind with no such secret trust.
I could—
Oct.
Then that pretence I'le thus remove and dy:
Stabs her self. Mec. interposes.
Still more inhumane must I then remain,
The cover of your Pride and Lust to reign.
Thô I were dead you might your ends pursue,
But let me vanish from the painful view.
Mec.
Not for the World such virtue shou'd not dy,
But be intire translated to the Sky.
Cæs.
I Sister your late rashness can forgive,
So you henceforth will promise me to live.
Mecœnas see remov'd all means of Death,
Let Nature and not rage conclude her breath.
Ex. Cæsar, Agrippa, &c.
Oct.
Peace to the World and my unhappy Lord,
My Brother but for you wou'd soon afford.
Mec.
Condemn not actions till you know their end,
But mine perhaps will then but more offend.
Oct.
I know you'l say 'tis brave to rule alone,
That my great Brother wou'd become that Throne.
And raising him you in proportion rise,
But still remember there are Deities
Above you both, just, pow'rful, and wife.
Mec.
Ambition never overturn'd my mind,
I am already more then I design'd.
Oct.
Why do you then the general peace oppose;
'Tis Avarice or Ambition makes Men foes.
Mec.
I Madam wou'd some marks of courage show,
And what I durst for my great Master do.
Oct.
Romans of courage need no other proof,
Since to be born a Roman is enough.
Mec.
'Tis truth, but yet—
Oct.
Some unjust pique you bear,
My dearest Lord, you cannot well declare,
But good Mecœna's; for such once you were;
T'obstruct this Treaty for my sake forbear.
19
'Tis for your sake alone, it must not be.
Oct.
If it be good for Rome, regard not Me.
Mec.
Y'are Sister to my Emperor and Friend,
My utmost care, must your concerns attend:
I do not as you think confusion seek,
Nor keep I to your Lord a secret pique:
But if this Treaty be confirm'd to day,
I must at Rome, and you in Asia stay.
Oct.
It is the part of the whole World I'd chuse,
And gaining Him, what is't I care to loose.
Mec.
Ah Madam, seem less virtuous or less fair,
Who can behold you and not vengeance sware.
Such suffering goodness will mankind ingage,
And on Antonius pull their publick rage.
Oct.
This to the Sister of your Emperor;
Mec.
This to the only Beauty I adore:
Beyond my patience you have rackt my Breast,
And my deep guilt at last must be confest.
I love you, Madam—
Oct.
My next request you'l then not disallow,
Mec.
Speak it, and I a blind Obedience vow.
Oct.
Let me then die for I have liv'd too long,
And heard of Love in my Antonius wrong.
Mec.
Not in his wrong! I'le the reversion wait,
And live like Heirs in hope of an Estate.
Oct.
Your word is past recall. My Death I claim.
Mec.
From me who both your Guard and Lover am.
Oct.
I not the stroak, but means of Death require:
By my own hand I noblest shall expire.
Will you then promise to promote the peace.
Mec.
You offer poison, to my known Disease:
But from those hands I nothing can refuse.
I'le ruine all my hopes, so you will live:
Oct.
Yes, I will live, but not an hour survive.
My dear Antonius him you must preserve,
If ought you from Octavia would deserve—
Ex.
Mec.
Whom, whilst he lives I never can enjoy,
And if he dies she will her self destroy.
“I am undone; obey or disobey!
“I needs must perish, but may chose my way.
Ex. Omnes.
| Antony and Cleopatra | |