 | Antony and Cleopatra |  |
392
SCENE III.
Eros enters first, and speaks to Cleopatra, who is without. Then enter Cleopatra supported by Charmian and Iras.Eros.
Madam, he is here—
You may enter—pray you now, look!
Cleo.
Stay, stay a little!
[Stops short at entrance.
Ant.
Retrieve it?—
O no—it is impossible!
Eros.
See you here, sir!
Ant.
Downright shameful—
O fye, fye, fye!
Eros.
Nay, gentle madam, to him, comfort him.
Cleo.
Let me stop short—O Juno!—
Ant.
Yes—at Philippi—he did keep his sword,
Like a far-fencer, whilst I struck, at hand,
The lean, but sinewed Cassius—And 'twas I
Gave ending to the Brutus!—This raw youngster
Dealt on lieutenancy, and no practice had
In the deep squares of war—but now—No matter!
Cleo.
Ah, stand by!
Eros.
Most noble sir, regard—the Queen approaches!
Ant.
I have offended reputation, past
Recovery to the end.
Eros.
The Queen, the Queen, sir!
Ant.
The Queen?—
O!—whither hast thou led me, Egypt?—See,
393
While I look back on what I left behind,
Now gulph'd in vile dishonour!
[Rises.
Cleo.
O, my lord!
Forgive my fearful sails.—I little thought
That any would have followed.
Ant.
Thou knowest, thou knowest!—
Cleo.
I did not know myself—I dreamt I had courage.
But, when the battle join'd its terrible ranges—
When shouting hosts rent the wild air—then, then!
Ant.
I thought thee slain, or wounded; and, in thee,
The world already lost.—O, thou didst know
My heart was to thy rudder tied by the string,
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!
Cleo.
O—my pardon!
Ant.
Now I must,
Or die, or dodge and palter poorly—I
Who, with the bulk of half the world, play'd wide,
Making and marring fortunes!—Cleopatra,
The world is Cæsar's now—thou hast given it to him!
Cleo.
O, pardon, pardon, pardon!
Ant.
Nay, now, nay—
Fall not a tear! I want not those to sink me.
Love, I am full of lead—Some wine, I pray you;
Wine and our viands!—We'll yet strive, my wench,
394
When she bears hard, she finds us at the strongest—
I'll wait you by-and-by.
Cleo.
I will not leave you.
Ant.
Nay, now!—
Cleo.
Well, well; indeed, I have no right;
Your's ought to be the rule.
[Exeunt Cleopatra and Attendants.
| Antony and Cleopatra | |