Act 4, Scene 13

Original Text

*Alexandria. A Room in the Palace. Enter Cleopatra, Charmian, Iras, and Mardian.* CLEOPATRA. Help me, my women! O, he is more mad Than Telamon for his shield; the boar of Thessaly Was never so embossed.

Modern English

*Alexandria. A room in the palace. Cleopatra enters with Charmian, Iras, and Mardian.* CLEOPATRA. Help me, my women! God, he's more out of his mind than Ajax driven mad over his armor; the wild boar of Thessaly was never so foaming and cornered as Antony is now.

Original Text

CHARMIAN. To th' monument! There lock yourself and send him word you are dead. The soul and body rive not more in parting Than greatness going off.

Modern English

CHARMIAN. To the monument! Lock yourself in and send him word that you are dead. Nothing tears apart more violently than soul from body — except greatness when it falls.

Original Text

CLEOPATRA. To th' monument! Mardian, go tell him I have slain myself. Say that the last I spoke was "Antony", And word it, prithee, piteously. Hence, Mardian, And bring me how he takes my death.—To th' monument! *[Exeunt.]*

Modern English

CLEOPATRA. To the monument! Mardian, go and tell him I've taken my own life. Say my last word was "Antony" — and deliver the news with sorrow, I beg you. Go, Mardian, and come back and tell me how he receives the news of my death. — To the monument! *[They all exit.]*

Antony and Cleopatra

Act 4, Scene 13

Act 4, Scene 13