Antony and Cleopatra : Original Text

PHILO.Nay, but this dotage of our general'sO'erflows the measure.

Those his goodly eyes,That o'er the files and musters of the warHave glowed like plated Mars, now bend, now turnThe office and devotion of their viewUpon a tawny front.

His captain's heart,Which in the scuffles of great fights hath burstThe buckles on his breast, reneges all temperAnd is become the bellows and the fanTo cool a gipsy's lust.Flourish.

Enter ANTONY and CLEOPATRA, her Ladies, the Train, with Eunuchs fanning her.Look where they come:Take but good note, and you shall see in himThe triple pillar of the world transform'dInto a strumpet's fool.

Behold and see.CLEOPATRA.If it be love indeed, tell me how much.ANTONY.There's beggary in the love that can be reckoned.CLEOPATRA.I'll set a bourn how far to be beloved.ANTONY.Then must thou needs find out new heaven, new earth.Enter a MESSENGER.MESSENGER.News, my good lord, from Rome.ANTONY.Grates me, the sum.CLEOPATRA.Nay, hear them, Antony.Fulvia perchance is angry; or who knowsIf the scarce-bearded Caesar have not sentHis powerful mandate to you: "Do this or this;Take in that kingdom and enfranchise that.Perform't, or else we damn thee."