340
THE TRAGEDIE OF
Anthonie, and Cleopatra.
Actus primus. Scœna Prima.
Enter Demetrius and Philo.
Philo.
Ay, but this dotage of our GeneralsOre-flowes the measure: those his goodly eyesThat o're the Files and Musters of the Warre,Haue glow'd like plated Mars:Now bend, now turneThe Office and Deuotion of their viewVpon a Tawny Front. His Captaines heart,Which in the scuffles of great Fights hath burstThe Buckles on his brest, reneages all temper,And is become the Bellowes and the FanTo coole a Gypsies Lust.Flourish. Enter Anthony, Cleopatra, her Ladies, theTraine, with Eunuchs fanning her.Looke where they come:Take but good note, and you shall see in him(The triple Pillar of the world) transform'dInto a Strumpets Foole. Behold and see.
Ay, but this dotage of our GeneralsOre-flowes the measure: those his goodly eyesThat o're the Files and Musters of the Warre,Haue glow'd like plated Mars:Now bend, now turneThe Office and Deuotion of their viewVpon a Tawny Front. His Captaines heart,Which in the scuffles of great Fights hath burstThe Buckles on his brest, reneages all temper,And is become the Bellowes and the FanTo coole a Gypsies Lust.Flourish. Enter Anthony, Cleopatra, her Ladies, theTraine, with Eunuchs fanning her.Looke where they come:Take but good note, and you shall see in him(The triple Pillar of the world) transform'dInto a Strumpets Foole. Behold and see.Cleo.If it be Loue indeed, tell me how much.
Ant.There's beggery in the loue that can be reckon'd
Cleo.Ile set a bourne how farre to be belou'd.
Ant.Then must thou needes finde out new Heauen,new Earth.
Enter a Messenger.
Mes.Newes (my good Lord) from Rome.
Ant.Grates me, the summe.
Cleo.Nay heare them Anthony.Fuluia perchance is angry: Or who knowes,If the scarse-bearded Cæsar haue not sentHis powrefull Mandate to you. Do this, or this;Take in that Kingdome, and Infranchise that:Perform't, or else we damne thee.
Ant.How, my Loue?
Cleo.Perchance? Nay, and most like:You must not stay heere longer, your dismissionIs come from Cæsar, therefore heare it AnthonyWhere's Fuluias Processe? (Cæsars I would say) both?Call in the Messengers: As I am Egypts Queene,Thou blushest Anthony, and that blood of thineIs Cæsars homager: else so thy cheeke payes shame,When shrill-tongu'd Fuluia scolds. The Messengers.
Ant.Let Rome in Tyber melt, and the wide ArchOf the raing'd Empire fall: Heere is my space,Kingdomes are clay: Our dungie earth alikeFeeds Beast as Man; the Noblenesse of lifeIs to do thus: when such a mutuall paire,And such a twaine can doo't, in which I bindeOne paine of punishment, the world to weeteWe stand vp Peerelesse.
Cleo.Excellent falshood:Why did he marry Fuluia, and not loue her?Ile seeme the Foole I am not. Anthony will be himselfe.
Ant.But stirr'd by Cleopatra.Now for the loue of Loue, and her soft houres,Let's not confound the time with Conference harsh;There's not a minute of our liues should stretchWithout some pleasure now. What sport to night?
Cleo.Heare the Ambassadors.
Ant.Fye wrangling Queene:Whom euery thing becomes, to chide, to laugh,To weepe: who euery passion fully striuesTo make it selfe (in Thee) faire, and admir'd.No Messenger but thine, and all alone, to nightWee'l wander through the streets, and noteThe qualities of people. Come my Queene,Last night you did desire it. Speake not to vs.Exeunt with the Traine.
Dem.Is Cæsar with Anthonius priz'd so slight?
Philo.Sir sometimes when he is not Anthony,He comes too short of that great PropertyWhich still should go with Anthony.
Dem.I am full sorry, that hee approues the commonLyar, who thus speakes of him at Rome; but I will hopeExeunt.of better deeds to morrow. Rest you happy.
Enter Enobarbus, Lamprius, a Southsayer, Rannius, Lucillius,Charmian, Iras, Mardian the Eunuch,and Alexas.
Char.L. Alexas, sweet Alexas, most any thing Alexas,almost most absolute Alexas, where's the Soothsayerthat you prais'd so to'th'Queene? Oh that I knewe thisHusband, which you say, must change his Hornes withGarlands.
Alex.Soothsayer.
Sooth.Your will?
Char.Is this the Man? Is't you sir that know things?
Sooth.In Natures infinite booke of Secrecie, a little Ican read.
Alex.Shew him your hand.
Enob.Bring in the Banket quickly: Wine enough,
Cleop
