Antony and Cleopatra illustration

Antony and Cleopatra

William Shakespeare

Act 3, Scene 12

Original Text

*Caesar's camp in Egypt. Enter Caesar, Agrippa, Dolabella with others.* CAESAR. Let him appear that's come from Antony. Know you him? DOLABELLA. Caesar, 'tis his schoolmaster— An argument that he is plucked, when hither He sends so poor a pinion of his wing, Which had superfluous kings for messengers Not many moons gone by.

Original Text

*Enter Ambassador from Antony.* CAESAR. Approach, and speak. AMBASSADOR. Such as I am, I come from Antony. I was of late as petty to his ends As is the morn-dew on the myrtle leaf To his grand sea. CAESAR. Be't so. Declare thine office.

Original Text

AMBASSADOR. Lord of his fortunes he salutes thee, and Requires to live in Egypt, which not granted, He lessens his requests, and to thee sues To let him breathe between the heavens and earth, A private man in Athens. This for him. Next, Cleopatra does confess thy greatness, Submits her to thy might, and of thee craves The circle of the Ptolemies for her heirs, Now hazarded to thy grace.

Original Text

CAESAR. For Antony, I have no ears to his request. The queen Of audience nor desire shall fail, so she From Egypt drive her all-disgraced friend, Or take his life there. This if she perform, She shall not sue unheard. So to them both. AMBASSADOR. Fortune pursue thee! CAESAR. Bring him through the bands. *[Exit Ambassador, attended.]*

Original Text

[*To Thidias*.] To try thy eloquence now 'tis time. Dispatch. From Antony win Cleopatra. Promise, And in our name, what she requires; add more, From thine invention, offers. Women are not In their best fortunes strong, but want will perjure The ne'er-touch'd vestal. Try thy cunning, Thidias; Make thine own edict for thy pains, which we Will answer as a law. THIDIAS. Caesar, I go.

Original Text

CAESAR. Observe how Antony becomes his flaw, And what thou think'st his very action speaks In every power that moves. THIDIAS. Caesar, I shall. *[Exeunt.]*

Act 3, Scene 12