Antony and Cleopatra by William Shakespeare (i am reading a book TXT) ๐
Description
Antony and Cleopatra begins two years after Julius Ceasar. Mark Antony was supposed to be in Egypt to conduct government affairs on behalf of the Roman Empire. Instead, he fell in love with the beautiful Queen Cleopatra, became her lover, and abandoned his duties to his wife and country. A messenger arrives bearing news that Antonyโs wife and brother are dead after attempting to kill Octavius Caesar, and one of Ceasarโs generals, Pompey, is gathering an army against the Roman leaders. Mark Antony has no choice but to return to Rome. When Antony returns to the capital, he argues with Ceasar over his loyalty to the empire and the other triumvirs. The only way that Antony can prove his fidelity to Caesar is to marry his sister, Octavia. The news of this marriage makes its way back to Egypt and its queen.
The play was published in 1606 after the great success of Macbeth. This Standard Ebooks production is based on William George Clark and William Aldis Wrightโs 1887 Victoria edition, which is taken from the Globe edition.
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- Author: William Shakespeare
Read book online ยซAntony and Cleopatra by William Shakespeare (i am reading a book TXT) ๐ยป. Author - William Shakespeare
Beneath the fall I have. To Seleucus. Prithee, go hence;
Or I shall show the cinders of my spirits
Through the ashes of my chance: wert thou a man,
Thou wouldst have mercy on me. Caesar Forbear, Seleucus. Exit Seleucus. Cleopatra
Be it known, that we, the greatest, are misthought
For things that others do; and, when we fall,
We answer othersโ merits in our name,
Are therefore to be pitied.
Cleopatra,
Not what you have reserved, nor what acknowledged,
Put we iโ the roll of conquest: still beโt yours,
Bestow it at your pleasure; and believe,
Caesarโs no merchant, to make prize with you
Of things that merchants sold. Therefore be cheerโd;
Make not your thoughts your prisons: no, dear queen;
For we intend so to dispose you as
Yourself shall give us counsel. Feed, and sleep:
Our care and pity is so much upon you,
That we remain your friend; and so, adieu.
He words me, girls, he words me, that I should not
Be noble to myself: but, hark thee, Charmian. Whispers Charmian.
Finish, good lady; the bright day is done,
And we are for the dark.
Hie thee again:
I have spoke already, and it is provided;
Go put it to the haste.
Madam, as thereto sworn by your command,
Which my love makes religion to obey,
I tell you this: Caesar through Syria
Intends his journey; and within three days
You with your children will he send before:
Make your best use of this: I have performโd
Your pleasure and my promise.
Dolabella,
I shall remain your debtor.
I your servant.
Adieu, good queen; I must attend on Caesar.
Farewell, and thanks. Exit Dolabella. Now, Iras, what thinkโst thou?
Thou, an Egyptian puppet, shalt be shown
In Rome, as well as I: mechanic slaves
With greasy aprons, rules, and hammers, shall
Uplift us to the view; in their thick breaths,
Rank of gross diet, shall be enclouded,
And forced to drink their vapour.
Nay, โtis most certain, Iras: saucy lictors
Will catch at us, like strumpets; and scald rhymers
Ballad us out oโ tune: the quick comedians
Extemporally will stage us, and present
Our Alexandrian revels; Antony
Shall be brought drunken forth, and I shall see
Some squeaking Cleopatra boy my greatness
Iโ the posture of a whore.
Iโll never seeโt; for, I am sure, my nails
Are stronger than mine eyes.
Why, thatโs the way
To fool their preparation, and to conquer
Their most absurd intents.
Now, Charmian!
Show me, my women, like a queen: go fetch
My best attires: I am again for Cydnus,
To meet Mark Antony: sirrah Iras, go.
Now, noble Charmian, weโll dispatch indeed;
And, when thou hast done this chare, Iโll give thee leave
To play till doomsday. Bring our crown and all.
Whereforeโs this noise? Exit Iras. A noise within.
Here is a rural fellow
That will not be denied your highnessโ presence:
He brings you figs.
Let him come in. Exit Guardsman. What poor an instrument
May do a noble deed! he brings me liberty.
My resolutionโs placed, and I have nothing
Of woman in me: now from head to foot
I am marble-constant; now the fleeting moon
No planet is of mine.
Avoid, and leave him. Exit Guardsman.
Hast thou the pretty worm of Nilus there,
That kills and pains not?
Give me my robe, put on my crown; I have
Immortal longings in me: now no more
The juice of Egyptโs grape shall moist this lip:
Yare, yare, good Iras; quick. Methinks I hear
Antony call; I see him rouse himself
To praise my noble act; I hear him mock
The luck of Caesar, which the gods give men
To excuse their after wrath: husband, I come:
Now to that name my courage prove my title!
I am fire and air; my other elements
I give to baser life. So; have you done?
Come then, and take the last warmth of my lips.
Farewell, kind Charmian; Iras, long farewell. Kisses them. Iras falls and dies.
Have I the
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