No Fear Shakespeare: Antony and Cleopatra: Act 4 Scene 14

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Original Text	Modern Text
Enter ANTONY and EROS	ANTONY and EROS enter.
ANTONY Eros, thou yet behold’st me?	ANTONY Eros, can you still see me?
EROS Ay, noble lord.	EROS Yes, noble lord.
ANTONY Sometimes we see a cloud that’s dragonish, A vapor sometime like a bear or lion, A towered citadel, a pendant rock, 5 A forkèd mountain, or blue promontory With trees upon ’t that nod unto the world And mock our eyes with air. Thou hast seen these signs. They are black vesper’s pageants.	ANTONY Sometimes we see a cloud that looks like a dragon. Sometimes there’s a cloud like a bear or a lion, a castle, a floating rock, a craggy mountain. Or it might look like a blue cliff with trees on it that bow to the ground. These things fool our eyes by seeming solid, when they are actually only air. You’ve seen these illusions. They’re spectacles that appear at sunset.
EROS Ay, my lord.	EROS Yes, my lord.
ANTONY That which is now a horse, even with a thought 10 The rack dislimns and makes it indistinct As water is in water.	ANTONY What looks like a horse is quick as thought disfigured by the wind, made as difficult to distinguish as water poured into water.
EROS It does, my lord.	EROS That’s true, my lord.
ANTONY My good knave Eros, now thy captain is Even such a body. Here I am Antony, Yet cannot hold this visible shape, my knave. 15 I made these wars for Egypt, and the Queen, Whose heart I thought I had, for she had mine— Which whilst it was mine had annexed unto ’t A million more, now lost—she, Eros, has Packed cards with Caesar and false-played my glory 20 Unto an enemy’s triumph. Nay, weep not, gentle Eros. There is left us Ourselves to end ourselves.	ANTONY Eros, my young friend, your captain is now just like that cloud. Here and now I seem like Antony, but I can’t keep myself in this form, my boy. I went to war to save Cleopatra, whose love I thought I had, since she had mine—and mine carried with it a million others, those of my soldiers, now lost. The Queen conspired with Caesar to undermine my success and assure his victory. No, don’t cry, kind Eros. We still have the option of killing ourselves.
Enter MARDIAN	MARDIAN enters.
Oh, thy vile lady! She has robbed me of my sword.	Oh, your contemptible lady! She has disarmed me.
MARDIAN No, Antony, My mistress loved thee, and her fortunes mingled 25 With thine entirely.	MARDIAN No, Antony. My mistress loved you, and her destiny was completely joined with yours.
ANTONY Hence, saucy eunuch! Peace! She hath betrayed me and shall die the death.	ANTONY Get out, insolent eunuch! Silence! She has betrayed me and shall die.
MARDIAN Death of one person can be paid but once, And that she has discharged. What thou wouldst do Is done unto thy hand. The last she spake 30 Was “Antony, most noble Antony!” Then in the midst a tearing groan did break The name of Antony. It was divided Between her heart and lips. She rendered life, Thy name so buried in her.	MARDIAN A person can only pay with their life once, and she has paid in full. What you wanted is yours. Her last words were “Antony! Most noble Antony!” Then, as she was speaking your name, a strangled groan split her words. “Antony” was divided between her heart and lips. She gave up her life with your name still within her.
ANTONY Dead, then?	ANTONY Is she dead, then?
MARDIAN Dead.	MARDIAN Dead.
ANTONY 35 Unarm, Eros. The long day’s task is done, And we must sleep. (to MARDIAN) That thou depart’st hence safe Does pay thy labor richly. Go.	ANTONY Remove your armor, Eros. The long day’s work is over, and it is time to sleep. (to MARDIAN) Permission to leave unharmed is abundant payment for your news. Go!
Exit MARDIAN	MARDIAN exits.
Off, pluck off! The sevenfold shield of Ajax cannot keep The battery from my heart. O, cleave, my sides! 40 Heart, once be stronger than thy continent. Crack thy frail case!—Apace, Eros, apace. No more a soldier. Bruisèd pieces, go. You have been nobly borne. (to EROS) From me awhile.	Off! Take off my armor. Not even Ajax’s famous shield, made of seven layers of oxhide and covered in bronze, could protect my heart from this attack. Oh, chest, obey me! Heart, for once be stronger than all the rest of the body combined. Break out of my ribcage! Faster, Eros, faster. I won’t be a soldier anymore. Battered armor, be off. You were worn with honor. (to EROS) Leave me awhile.
Exit EROS	EROS exits.
I will o’ertake thee, Cleopatra, and 45 Weep for my pardon. So it must be, for now All length is torture. Since the torch is out, Lie down and stray no farther. Now all labor Mars what it does. Yea, very force entangles Itself with strength. Seal then, and all is done.— 50 Eros!—I come, my Queen.—Eros!—Stay for me. Where souls do couch on flowers, we’ll hand in hand, And with our sprightly port make the ghosts gaze. Dido and her Aeneas shall want troops, And all the haunt be ours.—Come, Eros, Eros!	I will catch up with you, Cleopatra, and weep for your forgiveness. It’s the only way left, because now any extension of my life would be torture. Since the light of my life has gone out, I’ll stop here. Now any effort ruins what it attempts. Yes, even power gets in its own way. End it, then, and everything is over.—Eros!—I’m coming, my Queen!—Eros!—Wait for me. In the place where souls recline on beds of flowers we’ll walk hand in hand and amaze the other ghosts with our spirited demeanor. Those famous lovers, Dido and Aeneas, will lose their admirers, and the whole place will be devoted to us.—Come, Eros. Eros!
Enter EROS	EROS enters.
EROS 55 What would my lord?	EROS What can I do for my lord?
ANTONY Since Cleopatra died I have lived in such dishonor that the gods Detest my baseness. I, that with my sword Quartered the world, and o’er green Neptune’s back With ships made cities, condemn myself to lack 60 The courage of a woman—less noble mind Than she which by her death our Caesar tells “I am conqueror of myself.” Thou art sworn, Eros, That when the exigent should come which now Is come indeed, when I should see behind me 65 Th’ inevitable prosecution of Disgrace and horror, that on my command, Thou then wouldst kill me. Do ’t. The time is come. Thou strik’st not me, ’tis Caesar thou defeat’st. Put color in thy cheek.	ANTONY Since Cleopatra died, I have lived in such dishonor that the gods despise my disgrace. Though I have made conquests throughout the four corners of the world and sailed with fleets so large they looked like floating cities, I don’t have as much courage as a woman. I have less nobility than the lady who, by killing herself, says to Caesar, “Only Cleopatra can defeat Cleopatra.” You promised me, Eros, that should the ultimate moment arrive—which it has—when dishonor and disgust are inevitable, that upon my command, you would kill me. Do it. This is that time. You won’t be striking me down, but defeating Caesar. Call up your courage.
EROS The gods withhold me! 70 Shall I do that which all the Parthian darts, Though enemy, lost aim and could not?	EROS The gods forbid! Can I do what all the Parthian arrows, though shot by enemies, could not?
ANTONY Eros, Wouldst thou be windowed in great Rome and see Thy master thus with pleached arms, bending down His corrigible neck, his face subdued 75 To penetrative shame, whilst the wheeled seat Of fortunate Caesar, drawn before him, branded His baseness that ensued?	ANTONY Eros, would you like to look through a window in Rome and watch your master marching in Caesar’s victory parade, his arms crossed and tied, his head bowed in submission, his face red from shame, while the chariot of triumphant Caesar precedes him, putting the final stamp to his humiliation?
EROS I would not see ’t.	EROS I would not.
ANTONY Come, then, for with a wound I must be cured. Draw that thy honest sword, which thou hast worn 80 Most useful for thy country.	ANTONY Then come on. I must be restored to health by an injury. Draw your trustworthy sword, which you have used in such service to your country.
EROS O sir, pardon me!	EROS Oh, sir, pardon me!
ANTONY When I did make thee free, swor’st thou not then To do this when I bade thee? Do it at once, Or thy precedent services are all But accidents unpurposed. Draw and come.	ANTONY When I freed you from slavery, didn’t you swear to do this when I asked you? Do it immediately, or all your previous services to me were accidental, without purpose. Take out your sword and come on.
EROS 85 Turn from me then that noble countenance Wherein the worship of the whole world lies.	EROS Then turn your noble face away from me, that face that the whole world adores.
ANTONY Lo thee!	ANTONY Look!
He turns away	He turns away.
EROS My sword is drawn.	EROS I have drawn my sword.
ANTONY Then let it do at once The thing why thou hast drawn it.	ANTONY Now let it carry out its purpose immediately.
EROS My dear master, 90 My captain, and my emperor, let me say, Before I strike this bloody stroke, farewell.	EROS My dear master, my captain, my sovereign, let me say before I strike this fatal blow: farewell.
ANTONY ’Tis said, man, and farewell.	ANTONY You’ve said it, friend, and farewell to you.
EROS Farewell, great chief. Shall I strike now?	EROS Good-bye, great commander. Should I do it now?
ANTONY Now, Eros.	ANTONY Now, Eros.
EROS Why, there then!	EROS Well, then, there!
Stabs himself	He stabs himself.
Thus I do escape the sorrow 95 Of Antony’s death.	With this I avoid the grief of Antony’s death.
He dies	He dies.
ANTONY Thrice nobler than myself, Thou teachest me, O valiant Eros, what I should and thou couldst not. My Queen and Eros Have by their brave instruction got upon me A nobleness in record. But I will be 100 A bridegroom in my death, and run into ’t As to a lover’s bed. Come then, and Eros, Thy master dies thy scholar. To do thus I learned of thee.	ANTONY Brave Eros, three times more honorable than I am! You teach me what I should do but could not. My Queen and Eros have by their brave examples beaten me to the history books. But I will embrace death as a bridegroom does his bride, and rush to it as to a lover’s bed. Come then. Eros, your master dies your student. I learned to do this from you.
He falls on his sword	He falls on his sword.
How! Not dead? Not dead? The guard, ho! Oh, dispatch me!	What! I’m not dead? Not dead?—Guard, here! Oh, kill me!
Enter DERCETUS and others of a GUARD	DERCETUS enters with three GUARDS .
FIRST GUARD 105 What’s the noise?	FIRST GUARD What’s the trouble?
ANTONY I have done my work ill, friends. Oh, make an end Of what I have begun!	ANTONY I’ve botched the job, friends. Oh, finish what I’ve begun.
SECOND GUARD The star is fall’n.	SECOND GUARD Our guiding light is out.
FIRST GUARD And time is at his period.	FIRST GUARD And time itself is ended.
ALL Alas, and woe!	ALL Sadness and despair!
ANTONY Let him that loves me strike me dead.	ANTONY Whoever’s a real friend should strike me dead.
FIRST GUARD 110 Not I.	FIRST GUARD Not me.
SECOND GUARD Nor I.	SECOND GUARD Me neither.
THIRD GUARD Nor anyone.	THIRD GUARD None of us.
Exeunt GUARD	The GUARDS exit.
DERCETUS Thy death and fortunes bid thy followers fly.	DERCETAS Your death and destiny advise your followers to escape.
He takes up ANTONY ’s sword	He takes up ANTONY ’s sword
This sword but shown to Caesar, with this tidings, 115 Shall enter me with him.	I only need to show your sword to Caesar and tell him about your death to get into his good favor.
Enter DIOMEDES	DIOMEDES enters.
DIOMEDES Where’s Antony?	DIOMEDES Where’s Antony?
DERCETUS There, Diomed, there.	DERCETAS There, Diomedes, there.
DIOMEDES Lives he? Wilt thou not answer, man?	DIOMEDES Is he still alive? Why don’t you answer me, man?
Exit DERCETUS	DERCETAS exits.
ANTONY Art thou there, Diomed? Draw thy sword and give me 120 Sufficing strokes for death.	ANTONY Is that you, Diomedes? Draw your sword and give me enough blows to kill me.
DIOMEDES Most absolute lord, My mistress Cleopatra sent me to thee.	DIOMEDES Most powerful lord, my mistress Cleopatra sent me to you.
ANTONY When did she send thee?	ANTONY When did she send you?
DIOMEDES Now, my lord.	DIOMEDES Just now, my lord.
ANTONY Where is she?	ANTONY Where is she?
DIOMEDES Locked in her monument. She had a prophesying fear Of what hath come to pass. For when she saw— 125 Which never shall be found—you did suspect She had disposed with Caesar, and that your rage Would not be purged, she sent you word she was dead. But fearing since how it might work, hath sent Me to proclaim the truth, and I am come, 130 I dread, too late.	DIOMEDES Locked in her tomb. She had a premonition of what has actually happened. She saw that you suspected her of negotiating a treaty with Caesar—which never will be true. Afraid that your anger would not subside, she sent you word she was dead. But later, fearing how that news might affect you, she sent me to tell you the truth. I’m afraid I’ve come too late.
ANTONY Too late, good Diomed. Call my guard, I prithee.	ANTONY Too late, good Diomedes. Call my guard, please.
DIOMEDES What ho, the Emperor’s guard! The guard, what ho! Come, your lord calls!	DIOMEDES Hey out there! Emperor’s guards! Guards, hey! Come! Your lord calls for you!
Enter four or five of the GUARD of Antony	Four or five of Antony’s GUARDS enter.
ANTONY Bear me, good friends, where Cleopatra bides. ’Tis the last service that I shall command you.	ANTONY Carry me, good friends, to where Cleopatra is. It’s the last command I shall ever give you.
FIRST GUARD Woe, woe are we, sir, you may not live to wear All your true followers out.	FIRST GUARD We’re very sorry, sir, that you may not live to wear us out with your commands.
ALL Most heavy day!	ALL It’s a very sad day.
ANTONY Nay, good my fellows, do not please sharp fate To grace it with your sorrows. Bid that welcome 140 Which comes to punish us, and we punish it, Seeming to bear it lightly. Take me up. I have led you oft; carry me now, good friends, And have my thanks for all.	ANTONY No, my friends, don’t please fate by giving it your sorrow as well. If we welcome our punishment, we punish it right back by seeming to take it lightly. Pick me up. I have often led you, now you must carry me, my good friends—and take my thanks for everything.
Exeunt, bearing ANTONY and the body of EROS	They exit, carrying ANTONY and EROS ’ body.

Original Text	Modern Text
Enter ANTONY and EROS	ANTONY and EROS enter.
ANTONY Eros, thou yet behold’st me?	ANTONY Eros, can you still see me?
EROS Ay, noble lord.	EROS Yes, noble lord.
ANTONY Sometimes we see a cloud that’s dragonish, A vapor sometime like a bear or lion, A towered citadel, a pendant rock, 5 A forkèd mountain, or blue promontory With trees upon ’t that nod unto the world And mock our eyes with air. Thou hast seen these signs. They are black vesper’s pageants.	ANTONY Sometimes we see a cloud that looks like a dragon. Sometimes there’s a cloud like a bear or a lion, a castle, a floating rock, a craggy mountain. Or it might look like a blue cliff with trees on it that bow to the ground. These things fool our eyes by seeming solid, when they are actually only air. You’ve seen these illusions. They’re spectacles that appear at sunset.
EROS Ay, my lord.	EROS Yes, my lord.
ANTONY That which is now a horse, even with a thought 10 The rack dislimns and makes it indistinct As water is in water.	ANTONY What looks like a horse is quick as thought disfigured by the wind, made as difficult to distinguish as water poured into water.
EROS It does, my lord.	EROS That’s true, my lord.
ANTONY My good knave Eros, now thy captain is Even such a body. Here I am Antony, Yet cannot hold this visible shape, my knave. 15 I made these wars for Egypt, and the Queen, Whose heart I thought I had, for she had mine— Which whilst it was mine had annexed unto ’t A million more, now lost—she, Eros, has Packed cards with Caesar and false-played my glory 20 Unto an enemy’s triumph. Nay, weep not, gentle Eros. There is left us Ourselves to end ourselves.	ANTONY Eros, my young friend, your captain is now just like that cloud. Here and now I seem like Antony, but I can’t keep myself in this form, my boy. I went to war to save Cleopatra, whose love I thought I had, since she had mine—and mine carried with it a million others, those of my soldiers, now lost. The Queen conspired with Caesar to undermine my success and assure his victory. No, don’t cry, kind Eros. We still have the option of killing ourselves.
Enter MARDIAN	MARDIAN enters.
Oh, thy vile lady! She has robbed me of my sword.	Oh, your contemptible lady! She has disarmed me.
MARDIAN No, Antony, My mistress loved thee, and her fortunes mingled 25 With thine entirely.	MARDIAN No, Antony. My mistress loved you, and her destiny was completely joined with yours.
ANTONY Hence, saucy eunuch! Peace! She hath betrayed me and shall die the death.	ANTONY Get out, insolent eunuch! Silence! She has betrayed me and shall die.
MARDIAN Death of one person can be paid but once, And that she has discharged. What thou wouldst do Is done unto thy hand. The last she spake 30 Was “Antony, most noble Antony!” Then in the midst a tearing groan did break The name of Antony. It was divided Between her heart and lips. She rendered life, Thy name so buried in her.	MARDIAN A person can only pay with their life once, and she has paid in full. What you wanted is yours. Her last words were “Antony! Most noble Antony!” Then, as she was speaking your name, a strangled groan split her words. “Antony” was divided between her heart and lips. She gave up her life with your name still within her.
ANTONY Dead, then?	ANTONY Is she dead, then?
MARDIAN Dead.	MARDIAN Dead.
ANTONY 35 Unarm, Eros. The long day’s task is done, And we must sleep. (to MARDIAN) That thou depart’st hence safe Does pay thy labor richly. Go.	ANTONY Remove your armor, Eros. The long day’s work is over, and it is time to sleep. (to MARDIAN) Permission to leave unharmed is abundant payment for your news. Go!
Exit MARDIAN	MARDIAN exits.
Off, pluck off! The sevenfold shield of Ajax cannot keep The battery from my heart. O, cleave, my sides! 40 Heart, once be stronger than thy continent. Crack thy frail case!—Apace, Eros, apace. No more a soldier. Bruisèd pieces, go. You have been nobly borne. (to EROS) From me awhile.	Off! Take off my armor. Not even Ajax’s famous shield, made of seven layers of oxhide and covered in bronze, could protect my heart from this attack. Oh, chest, obey me! Heart, for once be stronger than all the rest of the body combined. Break out of my ribcage! Faster, Eros, faster. I won’t be a soldier anymore. Battered armor, be off. You were worn with honor. (to EROS) Leave me awhile.
Exit EROS	EROS exits.
I will o’ertake thee, Cleopatra, and 45 Weep for my pardon. So it must be, for now All length is torture. Since the torch is out, Lie down and stray no farther. Now all labor Mars what it does. Yea, very force entangles Itself with strength. Seal then, and all is done.— 50 Eros!—I come, my Queen.—Eros!—Stay for me. Where souls do couch on flowers, we’ll hand in hand, And with our sprightly port make the ghosts gaze. Dido and her Aeneas shall want troops, And all the haunt be ours.—Come, Eros, Eros!	I will catch up with you, Cleopatra, and weep for your forgiveness. It’s the only way left, because now any extension of my life would be torture. Since the light of my life has gone out, I’ll stop here. Now any effort ruins what it attempts. Yes, even power gets in its own way. End it, then, and everything is over.—Eros!—I’m coming, my Queen!—Eros!—Wait for me. In the place where souls recline on beds of flowers we’ll walk hand in hand and amaze the other ghosts with our spirited demeanor. Those famous lovers, Dido and Aeneas, will lose their admirers, and the whole place will be devoted to us.—Come, Eros. Eros!
Enter EROS	EROS enters.
EROS 55 What would my lord?	EROS What can I do for my lord?
ANTONY Since Cleopatra died I have lived in such dishonor that the gods Detest my baseness. I, that with my sword Quartered the world, and o’er green Neptune’s back With ships made cities, condemn myself to lack 60 The courage of a woman—less noble mind Than she which by her death our Caesar tells “I am conqueror of myself.” Thou art sworn, Eros, That when the exigent should come which now Is come indeed, when I should see behind me 65 Th’ inevitable prosecution of Disgrace and horror, that on my command, Thou then wouldst kill me. Do ’t. The time is come. Thou strik’st not me, ’tis Caesar thou defeat’st. Put color in thy cheek.	ANTONY Since Cleopatra died, I have lived in such dishonor that the gods despise my disgrace. Though I have made conquests throughout the four corners of the world and sailed with fleets so large they looked like floating cities, I don’t have as much courage as a woman. I have less nobility than the lady who, by killing herself, says to Caesar, “Only Cleopatra can defeat Cleopatra.” You promised me, Eros, that should the ultimate moment arrive—which it has—when dishonor and disgust are inevitable, that upon my command, you would kill me. Do it. This is that time. You won’t be striking me down, but defeating Caesar. Call up your courage.
EROS The gods withhold me! 70 Shall I do that which all the Parthian darts, Though enemy, lost aim and could not?	EROS The gods forbid! Can I do what all the Parthian arrows, though shot by enemies, could not?
ANTONY Eros, Wouldst thou be windowed in great Rome and see Thy master thus with pleached arms, bending down His corrigible neck, his face subdued 75 To penetrative shame, whilst the wheeled seat Of fortunate Caesar, drawn before him, branded His baseness that ensued?	ANTONY Eros, would you like to look through a window in Rome and watch your master marching in Caesar’s victory parade, his arms crossed and tied, his head bowed in submission, his face red from shame, while the chariot of triumphant Caesar precedes him, putting the final stamp to his humiliation?
EROS I would not see ’t.	EROS I would not.
ANTONY Come, then, for with a wound I must be cured. Draw that thy honest sword, which thou hast worn 80 Most useful for thy country.	ANTONY Then come on. I must be restored to health by an injury. Draw your trustworthy sword, which you have used in such service to your country.
EROS O sir, pardon me!	EROS Oh, sir, pardon me!
ANTONY When I did make thee free, swor’st thou not then To do this when I bade thee? Do it at once, Or thy precedent services are all But accidents unpurposed. Draw and come.	ANTONY When I freed you from slavery, didn’t you swear to do this when I asked you? Do it immediately, or all your previous services to me were accidental, without purpose. Take out your sword and come on.
EROS 85 Turn from me then that noble countenance Wherein the worship of the whole world lies.	EROS Then turn your noble face away from me, that face that the whole world adores.
ANTONY Lo thee!	ANTONY Look!
He turns away	He turns away.
EROS My sword is drawn.	EROS I have drawn my sword.
ANTONY Then let it do at once The thing why thou hast drawn it.	ANTONY Now let it carry out its purpose immediately.
EROS My dear master, 90 My captain, and my emperor, let me say, Before I strike this bloody stroke, farewell.	EROS My dear master, my captain, my sovereign, let me say before I strike this fatal blow: farewell.
ANTONY ’Tis said, man, and farewell.	ANTONY You’ve said it, friend, and farewell to you.
EROS Farewell, great chief. Shall I strike now?	EROS Good-bye, great commander. Should I do it now?
ANTONY Now, Eros.	ANTONY Now, Eros.
EROS Why, there then!	EROS Well, then, there!
Stabs himself	He stabs himself.
Thus I do escape the sorrow 95 Of Antony’s death.	With this I avoid the grief of Antony’s death.
He dies	He dies.
ANTONY Thrice nobler than myself, Thou teachest me, O valiant Eros, what I should and thou couldst not. My Queen and Eros Have by their brave instruction got upon me A nobleness in record. But I will be 100 A bridegroom in my death, and run into ’t As to a lover’s bed. Come then, and Eros, Thy master dies thy scholar. To do thus I learned of thee.	ANTONY Brave Eros, three times more honorable than I am! You teach me what I should do but could not. My Queen and Eros have by their brave examples beaten me to the history books. But I will embrace death as a bridegroom does his bride, and rush to it as to a lover’s bed. Come then. Eros, your master dies your student. I learned to do this from you.
He falls on his sword	He falls on his sword.
How! Not dead? Not dead? The guard, ho! Oh, dispatch me!	What! I’m not dead? Not dead?—Guard, here! Oh, kill me!
Enter DERCETUS and others of a GUARD	DERCETUS enters with three GUARDS .
FIRST GUARD 105 What’s the noise?	FIRST GUARD What’s the trouble?
ANTONY I have done my work ill, friends. Oh, make an end Of what I have begun!	ANTONY I’ve botched the job, friends. Oh, finish what I’ve begun.
SECOND GUARD The star is fall’n.	SECOND GUARD Our guiding light is out.
FIRST GUARD And time is at his period.	FIRST GUARD And time itself is ended.
ALL Alas, and woe!	ALL Sadness and despair!
ANTONY Let him that loves me strike me dead.	ANTONY Whoever’s a real friend should strike me dead.
FIRST GUARD 110 Not I.	FIRST GUARD Not me.
SECOND GUARD Nor I.	SECOND GUARD Me neither.
THIRD GUARD Nor anyone.	THIRD GUARD None of us.
Exeunt GUARD	The GUARDS exit.
DERCETUS Thy death and fortunes bid thy followers fly.	DERCETAS Your death and destiny advise your followers to escape.
He takes up ANTONY ’s sword	He takes up ANTONY ’s sword
This sword but shown to Caesar, with this tidings, 115 Shall enter me with him.	I only need to show your sword to Caesar and tell him about your death to get into his good favor.
Enter DIOMEDES	DIOMEDES enters.
DIOMEDES Where’s Antony?	DIOMEDES Where’s Antony?
DERCETUS There, Diomed, there.	DERCETAS There, Diomedes, there.
DIOMEDES Lives he? Wilt thou not answer, man?	DIOMEDES Is he still alive? Why don’t you answer me, man?
Exit DERCETUS	DERCETAS exits.
ANTONY Art thou there, Diomed? Draw thy sword and give me 120 Sufficing strokes for death.	ANTONY Is that you, Diomedes? Draw your sword and give me enough blows to kill me.
DIOMEDES Most absolute lord, My mistress Cleopatra sent me to thee.	DIOMEDES Most powerful lord, my mistress Cleopatra sent me to you.
ANTONY When did she send thee?	ANTONY When did she send you?
DIOMEDES Now, my lord.	DIOMEDES Just now, my lord.
ANTONY Where is she?	ANTONY Where is she?
DIOMEDES Locked in her monument. She had a prophesying fear Of what hath come to pass. For when she saw— 125 Which never shall be found—you did suspect She had disposed with Caesar, and that your rage Would not be purged, she sent you word she was dead. But fearing since how it might work, hath sent Me to proclaim the truth, and I am come, 130 I dread, too late.	DIOMEDES Locked in her tomb. She had a premonition of what has actually happened. She saw that you suspected her of negotiating a treaty with Caesar—which never will be true. Afraid that your anger would not subside, she sent you word she was dead. But later, fearing how that news might affect you, she sent me to tell you the truth. I’m afraid I’ve come too late.
ANTONY Too late, good Diomed. Call my guard, I prithee.	ANTONY Too late, good Diomedes. Call my guard, please.
DIOMEDES What ho, the Emperor’s guard! The guard, what ho! Come, your lord calls!	DIOMEDES Hey out there! Emperor’s guards! Guards, hey! Come! Your lord calls for you!
Enter four or five of the GUARD of Antony	Four or five of Antony’s GUARDS enter.
ANTONY Bear me, good friends, where Cleopatra bides. ’Tis the last service that I shall command you.	ANTONY Carry me, good friends, to where Cleopatra is. It’s the last command I shall ever give you.
FIRST GUARD Woe, woe are we, sir, you may not live to wear All your true followers out.	FIRST GUARD We’re very sorry, sir, that you may not live to wear us out with your commands.
ALL Most heavy day!	ALL It’s a very sad day.
ANTONY Nay, good my fellows, do not please sharp fate To grace it with your sorrows. Bid that welcome 140 Which comes to punish us, and we punish it, Seeming to bear it lightly. Take me up. I have led you oft; carry me now, good friends, And have my thanks for all.	ANTONY No, my friends, don’t please fate by giving it your sorrow as well. If we welcome our punishment, we punish it right back by seeming to take it lightly. Pick me up. I have often led you, now you must carry me, my good friends—and take my thanks for everything.
Exeunt, bearing ANTONY and the body of EROS	They exit, carrying ANTONY and EROS ’ body.