 | Antony and Cleopatra |  |
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ACT I.
Scene the First.
Cæsar's Tents.Enter Cæsar, Agrippa, Mecœnas.
Cæsar.
Our Arms an easie Victory have found
Over a Foe, in love and pleasure drown'd.
Agrip.
I am pleas'd we have Antonius subdu'd
Yet rage to think a Roman was pursu'd:
Our souls did once our conquer'd Bodies loath,
And seldome did one World contain 'em both.
Yet now by hopes we're flatter'd to live on,
And with the Common Herd of Mankind run,
Crouching to Fate, which we by death might shun.
Cæs.
His Army's yet entire, and on the Shore;
No Troops so far the Roman Eagle bore:
Armenian Kings they have in Triumph led,
And Parthian blood in ten set Battles shed:
Their General to the last they will defend.
Mecœn.
None can defend those, who themseves betray:
He with his Queen again will run away,
And leave 'em fighting, as he did at Sea.
Agrip.
Remember, Sir, the joy the World exprest,
When threatning Wars and Mischiefs, you redrest.
With a late Peace, which an Alliance ty'd,
And your fair Sister made Antonius Bride.
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If you content with half of it can live.
Cæs.
Against all strokes of Fate who can prepare?
That Match is half th'occasion of this War.
To him I did my dear Octavia give,
That Rome in peace, she might in Empire live;
That to one Emperor by blood ally'd,
And to the other by her Marriage ty'd,
She might all growing jealousie remove,
And be her self the Bond of lasting love.
But see th'unblest event; Antonius slights
That Tye, which even enemies unites;
And more than drunk with Cleopatra's charms,
He scorns both Roman-Love and Roman-Arms.
Agrip.
Love of our Country and our Interest
Is the true passion of a Roman Breast.
All other are Usurpers—
Cæs.
'Tis most true:
Yet this vile Flame he never will subdue,
Which spight of time and of enjoyment lives,
And of it's bane miraculously thrives.
He thinks his life depends upon her eye,
As that of Plants does on the Sun relye.
The ignorant are learn'd, if she think so,
And Cowards even Hercules out-do.
At her request he Provinces bestows,
And no mans worth but by her stamp he knows.
Whilst my Octavia leads a Stepdames life,
And tends the Children of his former Wife,
Ungrac'd without authority or sway.
Mecœn.
The wrongs of that fair Princess, Sir, are great,
And rage in all, but in her self create.
What Hers forgives, our virtue shou'd chastise:
Mortals revenge the blasphem'd Deities.
And strait the Impious wretch in pieces tear,
Whom Heaven in clemency wou'd long forbear.
From equal pow'r how can you be secure?
And less Antonius never will endure.
Agrip.
Antonius worsted will no league refuse,
And give in peace what battle could not lose.
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And in his Bed and Empirie make her reign.
Mecœn.
Men leagues and peace in their distress embrace,
But keep 'em only till affairs change face.
Ambition's never safe till pow'r be past,
As men till Impotent are seldom Chaste.
Follow the blow, and doubt not the success;
But Fortune for her utmost favours press.
On petty Kings you trifling Conquests make,
Antonius brings you here an equal stake;
The World to be divided at one blow,
And Fate already has declar'd for you.
Agrip.
Men that have once an equal pow'r enjoy'd,
May see the Ballance chang'd, but not destroy'd.
He that is lessen'd to a Slaves degree,
Still conscious of the first equality,
Must hate the other, and himself much more.
Who ever saw a Captive Emperor?
With honour treat and yield perhaps he may,
But he can never like a Slave obey.
Cæs.
Peace we will offer, that he may refuse,
And the whole World his bloody mind accuse.
Thyreus knows the Queen: Him I will send,
Charge him that strait he in my Tent attend.
Ex. Omnes.
Scene the Second.
The Palace.Enter Memnon and Chilax, two Egyptian Lords.
Memn.
Was ever Queen like Cleopatra curst?
Of Egypts Monsters sure her love's the worst.
Where is that falshood does the Sex pursue,
Or are they only to their ruine true?
I said Antonius might have laid the Scene
Of War and Rapine further from the Queen,
That our weake State shou'd to the Victor bow,
And humbly the Decrees of Fate allow.
She tells it him, and I must be displac't.
Chil.
'Tis hard men for their love shou'd be disgrac't.
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No man may now his bleeding Country mourn,
Romans our Lords, and we their Slaves were born.
Chil.
The Times our honest Councels cannot bear,
And men their Thoughts must in disguises wear.
Memn.
Let Women, and Her Parasites seek to please.
Physitians should not flatter the disease.
Her dang'rous state 'tis Treason to conceal,
Which nothing but Antonius death can heal.
Chil.
'Tis a rough Medicine she will never use,
And fatal were th'advice should she refuse.
We know his interest does her Councel sway.
Memn.
We this advice must privately convey,
Make her believe Octavius loves her too:
On that she will an easie faith bestow,
And in that hope what ist't she may not do?
Chil.
'Twere all in vain, and we our lives should lose,
Tamely and vilely laught at by our Foes:
Be Thieves and Rogues to execution led,
Let us die warm, and at an Army's head.
The Romans will not ever be thus strong;
Thousands as well as we for changes long.
Memn.
Let's silent wait the opportunity,
And by main force expel their tyranny.
Chil.
I love my Queen, and to rebel am loth.
Mem.
I would but free her from Antonius power,
And that once done, lay down my arms next hour.
Chil.
Let us some plot against his life devise:
He's not our Prince; for publick good he dies,
And for our Country falls a Sacrifice.
But see He comes, and for his late disgrace,
His conscious vertue raging in his face.
Enter Antonius, Canidius, Photinus.
Ant.
How slippery is the Top of humane state,
And on exalted Heads what tempests beat?
Whom Jove will ruine he makes deaf and blind,
So that they hugg th'ill fate he has design'd;
I else could never have bold Roman Swords
Crowded and throng'd within these floating Boards.
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Where eager courage for a wave must stay.
The Valiant cannot board, nor Coward fly,
But at the lust of the unconstant sky.
At land my Romans—
Can.
Sir they bravely fought;
Tho rude in Ships and Sea affairs untaught.
Six hours they did a doubtful fight maintain,
Deserted by your base Egyptian Train;
And by your self, if I may be so plain.
Ant.
The just reproach has rows'd my Lyon heart,
Nor am I angry at the friendly smart.
I fled, Canidius, basely run away,
And fought for Empire below those for pay.
Of my new shame too much thou canst not say.
Can.
They, who by Ships would such a Cause decide,
Did not for conquest, but for flight provide.
Pardon me, Sir, my bluntness must go on;
By barbarous fears and councels you're undone.
Photi.
We in Neutrality secure might wait,
And calmly expect an Emp'ror from Fate;
But in your quarrel half our Fleet we lost,
Led by that Roman courage which you boast.
Memn.
Our Ships with a promiscuous crowd were fill'd,
Neither in Battle, nor in Sailing skill'd.
Reapers and Ploughmen half ne'r tug'd an Oar,
Nor saw the foaming Sea but from the Shoar.
Must we be ruin'd and despis'd at last?
Canid.
Did we by land a victory forego,
That a vain Queen might a rich Galley show?
My Legions—
Anto.
Canidius no more.
I know they stood impatient on the Shoar:
Nineteen such Legions as might fate controul,
And fortunes wheel at their own pleasure roul.
Can.
A loss at Sea let trading Nations mourn.
Victorious Romans to land Conquest born,
Trophies at Sea as much as gain despise,
Of which an Island is the highest prize.
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Crown'd with the Laurels of Pharsalia's field.
Chil.
Since we have lost 'tis well the gain was small,
One lucky blow at Land recovers all.
Phot.
Th'Enemy is already at our Walls,
And our distress for sudden Counsel calls.
Our Queen amazed at the Siege appears.
Ant.
But yet her love is stronger than her fears,
Her Country she has made the Seat of War,
'Tis just her safety be our early'st care:
I will her Guard within these Walls remain;
And 'gainst the angry Gods her Cause maintain.
Whil'st you Canidius to your Legions hast,
Slight our defeat, their loyal hearts make fast
To our just Cause: our Enemies despise,
And for my absence some excuse devise.
Can.
Sir, I am blunt, unknowing to deceive,
I'le say you cannot Cleopatra Leave:
That you in her defence alone can fight,
And blest in love, the Roman Empire slight.
Ant.
What shall I do, shall I my Queen forsake,
And not her danger, I create, partake?
Cæsar, this night, may Alexandria storm,
And all that lust or rage instruct, perform.
Her beauty may the Conqueror disarm,
And his success and love that beauty charm.
Her Subjects weary of the Wars, may rise
And make her blood their common sacrifice.
Memn.
They say, their Queen in policy of State,
Should buy her Country's peace at any rate.
Ant.
They say! who says? Memnon you fain wou'd vent,
In others names, your private discontent.
I see a sullen fierceness in your brow
Which you wou'd put in act, if you knew how.
Mem.
Sir, I am known to love my Country well.
Ant.
So they say all that purpose to rebel.
Chil.
Some with your head would young Octavius greet,
And on those bloody terms a Peace compleat:
Under such Polititians Pompey fell
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Ant.
How shall they foes, who cannot tumults quell?
The giddy multitude, we must not fear,
But what we once resolve on, make 'em bear.
Mem.
'Tis ill to discontent whom we must use,
And men fight best when they their party choose.
Ant.
'Tis chosen for 'em by their Soveraign;
And 'tis sedition in them to complain:
Maxims too popular you still maintain.
Mem.
Sir, my plain speech does no design contain;
'Tis the meer issue of my heart and brain:
If it offend—
Ant.
It does, be gone.
Nor will I learn of you what's to be done.
Exit.
When things go ill, each Fool presumes t'advise,
And if more happy, thinks himself more wise.
All wretchedly deplore the present state
And that advice seems best which comes too late.
Phot.
You loose your self in rage and have forgot:
Amintas, Deotorus—and the rout
Of vulgar Kings have meanly turn'd about.
Canid.
Pelusium by Seleucus is betray'd.
Some say the Queen did his revolt perswade.
Ant.
Monster, such horrid blasphemy forbear,
Both were his own, the falshood and the fear.
Can.
Sir, I but speak the language of the World.
Ant.
Henceforth be ever dumb that World and thou:
It cannot, must not, nor it sha'nt be so.
Can.
Nay if it sha'nt, I have no more to say.
Ant.
Aside all passion and all heat Ile lay,
And cooly argue: what can be her end
There to betray, whom she does here defend.
Enter Cleopatra, Charmion, Iras with Seleucus's young Son, Egyptians.
But see the Queen: Heart! but this once stand fast—
aside.
And I'le forgive thee all thy weakness past.
How can your goodness to a wretch extend?
Who all he lov'd so poorly did defend:
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'Twas not your life, but me, you cou'd not loose,
Love turn'd your back, not Fear upon your Foes.
Ant.
The timerous Deer, their female standing by,
Each other will to wounds and death defie.
Love gives short courage to the meanest soul,
The creeping things he arms, and winged fowl.
Yet overcharg'd with love, I lost the day,
And in my Mistress presence ran away.
Cover'd with shame, I fear to meet those eyes.
Cleop.
To them you never were more dear than now:
A manly look over your sorrows throw.
The Captain of my Gallies I have try'd,
And for his cowardice the Villain di'd.
With him die all remembrance of what's past,
I my Cæsarion have toward India sent:
This day Antillus to Armenia went.
What Merchant in one Ship wou'd venture all?
They may survive and so revenge our fall,
Ant.
'Tis well they're gone, their youth was useless here,
And we for them more than our selves shou'd fear.
He spies Seleucus's Son.
Cleop.
See here the false Seleucus only Son,
On whom I beg quick justice may be done.
His fathers Treason might on me reflect
Shou'd I the Son from your reveng protect:
My love and honour, let his death secure,
The shortest doubt they neither can endure.
Ant.
None dares be impious to that degree,
To lay on you the Villains treachery.
Now my revenge I cannot execute,
Lest I shou'd seem your virtue to dispute.
Cleop.
You doubt me not I know, but others may,
Let his death take their jealousie away.
Can.
She safely may the cruel offer make,
apart.
Which she well knows Antonius will not take.
Ant.
He must not die, nor is it true revenge,
When the offenders suffer by exchange.
The youth it seems is not Seleucus care,
Or our resentment thus he wou'd not dare.
Cleop.
Let him at least for an example die,
Princes invite, who pardon treachery.
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'Twere cruelty to kill the Innocent
For Crimes they neither knew, nor cou'd prevent:
I beg his life my Queen—
Cleop.
You may command
Or Life, or Death, at Cleopatra's hand.
We who but now might halfe the World command,
Are overthrown at Sea, besieg'd at Land:
Each hour the news of some fresh Treason brings,
From Faithless States or from revolted Kings.
Ant.
Let those Crown'd Slaves from out our Party go:
A Treach'rous Friend, will be a Tim'rous Foe.
Cleop.
The Plains about are cover'd with our Foes,
Hiding the Earth, as when our Nile o're-flows.
Yet sate I in Antonius Courage rest,
As if that Heart he gave me fill'd my Breast.
Ant.
When Brutus this Octavius over-threw,
In a pitch'd Field I Cassius did subdue.
And turn'd the Fortune of that fatal day,
Which thus ungrateful Rome and He repay;
But here remaining I those Legions loose,
Which all commands but from my Mouth refuse.
Cleop.
They ever us'd Canidius to obey;
May he not go, and my Antonius stay?
For you my Peoples love and more I lost,
Must I not keep what has so dearly cost?
Ant.
Ah Madam, you shou'd take the weakest part,
And help a Lover to defend his Heart.
Thô swounding Men with ease resign their Breath,
Their careful Friends still pull'm back from Death.
You should my Lethargy of Honour chide,
And drive me thô unwilling, from your side.
Die at your Feet the meanest Lover might,
But in your quarrel the whole World shall fight.
Cleop.
If I am Captive to the Romans made;
Surpriz'd in this weak place, or else betray'd;
Think not I'le live to be redeem'd again,
And like a Slave of my proud Lords complain.
At the first Dawn of my ill Fate I'le die.
Ant.
O name not Death we'l meet in Triumph here:
I'le raise the Siege e're you have time to fear.
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But then your Love, in absence, will it last?
Men think of joys to come, and slight the past.
Ant.
My Heart shall like those Trees the East does show,
Where Blossomes and ripe Fruit hang on one Bough.
With new desires, soft hopes, at once be prest;
And all those Riper Joys, Love gives the blest.
Courage and Love shall sway each in their turn,
I'le fight to conquer, conquer to return.
Seeming Ambitious to the publick view,
I'le make my private end and dearer, You.
This Storm once past; in Peace and Love we'l Raign,
Like the Immortal Gods, the Giants slain.
Cleop.
Moments to absent Lovers tedious grow;
'Tis not how time, but how the mind does go.
And once Antonius wou'd have thought so too.
Ant.
Dearer than ever think not that I part,
Without the utmost Torment of my Heart.
Whil'st you perswade, your danger chides my stay,
Make me not cast me and your Self away.
How well I lov'd, you did at Actium see,
When to be near you I left Victory.
And chose to be companion of your flight;
Rather than conquer in a distant Fight.
Press not that heart you know so well, too far,
Our Fortune will no second frailty bear.
Cleop.
The truest Misers choose to sit about,
And tell their wealth: but dare not trust it out.
I know as well as you, 'tis fit you go,
Yet what is best I cannot let you do.
Ant.
For my attendance I some few will take;
All other Romans of your Guard I make.
Cleop.
If you must go, it quickly shall appear,
My love sought this delay, and not my fear.
When you attaque, we'l sally from the Town,
And blood instead of Nile our Plain shall drown.
We'l in the midst of Cæsar's Army meet,
And like Bellona I my Mars will greet.
Ant.
VVou'd Goddesses themselves to me endear,
In Cleopatras's shape they must appear.
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My heart can danger though not absence bear,
To Love, 'tis VVax, but Adamant to Fear.
Ant.
Mine has such Courage from your Firmness took,
That I can almost bear a parting look.
Cleop.
Take it; and each unto their charge make haste.
Ant.
Our hardest victory I hope is past.
[Exeunt omnes.
| Antony and Cleopatra | |