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Good Enobarbus, ’tis a worthy deed, And shall become you well, to entreat your captain To soft and gentle speech.
Good Enobarbus, that’s a good deed, And it will make you look good, to ask your captain To speak softly and kindly.
I shall entreat him To answer like himself: if Caesar move him, Let Antony look over Caesar’s head And speak as loud as Mars. By Jupiter, Were I the wearer of Antonius’ beard, I would not shave’t to-day.
I will ask him To respond as himself: if Caesar moves him, Let Antony look past Caesar And speak as loudly as Mars. By Jupiter, If I were wearing Antonius’ beard, I wouldn’t shave it today.
’Tis not a time For private stomaching.
This isn’t the time For personal feelings.
Every time Serves for the matter that is then born in’t.
Every time Works for the matter at hand.
But small to greater matters must give way.
But the small things must give way to bigger things.
Not if the small come first.
Not if the small things come first.
Your speech is passion: But, pray you, stir no embers up. Here comes The noble Antony.
Your words are full of emotion: But please, don’t stir things up. Here comes The noble Antony.
And yonder, Caesar.
And there, Caesar.
If we compose well here, to Parthia: Hark, Ventidius.
If we make a good agreement here, to go to Parthia: Listen, Ventidius.
I do not know, Mecaenas; ask Agrippa.
I don’t know, Mecaenas; ask Agrippa.
Noble friends, That which combined us was most great, and let not A leaner action rend us. What’s amiss, May it be gently heard: when we debate Our trivial difference loud, we do commit Murder in healing wounds: then, noble partners, The rather, for I earnestly beseech, Touch you the sourest points with sweetest terms, Nor curstness grow to the matter.
Noble friends, What brought us together was important, and let not A lesser action tear us apart. If something’s wrong, Let it be heard gently: when we argue About small differences loudly, we commit Murder while trying to heal wounds. So, noble partners, I beg you, Approach the most painful points with kind words, And don’t let bitterness take over the matter.
’Tis spoken well. Were we before our armies, and to fight. I should do thus.
Well said. If we were facing our armies, and about to fight, This is how I would act.
Welcome to Rome.
Welcome to Rome.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Sit.
Sit down.
Sit, sir.
Sit down, sir.
Nay, then.
No, then.
I learn, you take things ill which are not so, Or being, concern you not.
I see that you take offense at things that aren’t meant to offend, Or things that don’t concern you.
I must be laugh’d at, If, or for nothing or a little, I Should say myself offended, and with you Chiefly i’ the world; more laugh’d at, that I should Once name you derogately, when to sound your name It not concern’d me.
I’d be laughed at, If I got offended over nothing or something small, And with you, especially in the world; I’d be laughed at even more if I Ever spoke badly of you, when it didn’t concern me.
My being in Egypt, Caesar, What was’t to you?
What did my being in Egypt matter to you, Caesar?
No more than my residing here at Rome Might be to you in Egypt: yet, if you there Did practise on my state, your being in Egypt Might be my question.
No more than my staying here in Rome Would matter to you in Egypt: but, if you were there Plotting against my rule, then your being in Egypt Would be something I’d question.
How intend you, practised?
What do you mean, plotting?
You may be pleased to catch at mine intent By what did here befal me. Your wife and brother Made wars upon me; and their contestation Was theme for you, you were the word of war.
You might understand my intention better By what happened to me here. Your wife and brother Waged war against me; and their conflict Was your cause, you were the one leading the war.
You do mistake your business; my brother never Did urge me in his act: I did inquire it; And have my learning from some true reports, That drew their swords with you. Did he not rather Discredit my authority with yours; And make the wars alike against my stomach, Having alike your cause? Of this my letters Before did satisfy you. If you’ll patch a quarrel, As matter whole you have not to make it with, It must not be with this.
You’re mistaken about my involvement; my brother never Pushed me to take action. I asked about it, And got my information from some trustworthy reports, Which said they fought against you. Didn’t he instead Undermine my authority by siding with yours? And make the war more painful for me, Since we had the same cause? My letters Already explained this to you. If you’re trying to start a fight, When you have no reason to, it shouldn’t be with me.
You praise yourself By laying defects of judgment to me; but You patch’d up your excuses.
You’re praising yourself By blaming me for your bad judgment, but You’ve just made up excuses.
Not so, not so; I know you could not lack, I am certain on’t, Very necessity of this thought, that I, Your partner in the cause ’gainst which he fought, Could not with graceful eyes attend those wars Which fronted mine own peace. As for my wife, I would you had her spirit in such another: The third o’ the world is yours; which with a snaffle You may pace easy, but not such a wife.
Not true, not true; I know you couldn’t lack judgment, I’m sure of it, It’s the necessity of this thought, that I, Your partner in the cause against which he fought, Could not gracefully watch those wars Which opposed my own peace. As for my wife, I wish you had her spirit in another woman: The third of the world is yours; with a bridle You could control it easily, but not such a wife.
Would we had all such wives, that the men might go to wars with the women!
I wish we all had wives like that, so the men could go To war with the women!
So much uncurbable, her garboils, Caesar Made out of her impatience, which not wanted Shrewdness of policy too, I grieving grant Did you too much disquiet: for that you must But say, I could not help it.
So uncontrollable, her troubles, Caesar Made from her impatience, which not only Had clever strategy too, I admit sadly Did disturb you too much: for that, you must Just say, I couldn’t help it.
I wrote to you When rioting in Alexandria; you Did pocket up my letters, and with taunts Did gibe my missive out of audience.
I wrote to you When you were partying in Alexandria; you Put my letters away, and with insults Made fun of my message without listening.
Sir, He fell upon me ere admitted: then Three kings I had newly feasted, and did want Of what I was i’ the morning: but next day I told him of myself; which was as much As to have ask’d him pardon. Let this fellow Be nothing of our strife; if we contend, Out of our question wipe him.
Sir, He attacked me before I could meet him: then Three kings I had just hosted, and lacked What I had in the morning: but the next day I told him about myself; which was as good As asking him for forgiveness. Let this man Be out of our argument; if we fight, Let’s just remove him from our discussion.
You have broken The article of your oath; which you shall never Have tongue to charge me with.
You’ve broken The terms of your oath; and you’ll never Be able to accuse me of it.
Soft, Caesar!
Hold on, Caesar!
No, Lepidus, let him speak: The honour is sacred which he talks on now, Supposing that I lack’d it. But, on, Caesar; The article of my oath.
No, Lepidus, let him talk: The honor is sacred that he speaks of now, As if I lacked it. But go on, Caesar; The terms of my oath.
To lend me arms and aid when I required them; The which you both denied.
To lend me arms and help when I asked for them; Which both of you refused.
Neglected, rather; And then when poison’d hours had bound me up From mine own knowledge. As nearly as I may, I’ll play the penitent to you: but mine honesty Shall not make poor my greatness, nor my power Work without it. Truth is, that Fulvia, To have me out of Egypt, made wars here; For which myself, the ignorant motive, do So far ask pardon as befits mine honour To stoop in such a case.
Neglected, rather; And then when poisoned hours had tied me up From my own knowledge. As best as I can, I’ll try to be sorry to you: but my honesty Won’t make my greatness any smaller, nor my power Work without it. The truth is, that Fulvia, To get me out of Egypt, started wars here; For which I, the unaware cause, ask Pardon as much as my honor allows To lower myself in such a case.
’Tis noble spoken.
Well said.
If it might please you, to enforce no further The griefs between ye: to forget them quite Were to remember that the present need Speaks to atone you.
If it might please you, to push no further The sorrows between you: to forget them completely Would be to remember that the present need Urges you to reconcile.
Worthily spoken, Mecaenas.
Well said, Mecaenas.
Or, if you borrow one another’s love for the instant, you may, when you hear no more words of Pompey, return it again: you shall have time to wrangle in when you have nothing else to do.
Or, if you borrow each other’s love for the Moment, you may, when you hear no more talk of Pompey, return it again: you’ll have time to Argue when you have nothing else to do.
Thou art a soldier only: speak no more.
You’re just a soldier: don’t say anything more.
That truth should be silent I had almost forgot.
I almost forgot that the truth should stay quiet.
You wrong this presence; therefore speak no more.
You’re wrong here; so don’t say anything else.
Go to, then; your considerate stone.
Fine, then; go back to your thoughtful silence.
I do not much dislike the matter, but The manner of his speech; for’t cannot be We shall remain in friendship, our conditions So differing in their acts. Yet if I knew What hoop should hold us stanch, from edge to edge O’ the world I would pursue it.
I don’t completely dislike the idea, but The way he’s speaking makes it hard to believe We can stay friends with such different actions. But if I knew what could hold us together Across the whole world, I’d chase it down.
Give me leave, Caesar,--
Please, Caesar,--
Speak, Agrippa.
Go ahead, Agrippa.
Thou hast a sister by the mother’s side, Admired Octavia: great Mark Antony Is now a widower.
You have a sister, Octavia, by your mother’s side, Admired by everyone: great Mark Antony Is now a widower.
Say not so, Agrippa: If Cleopatra heard you, your reproof Were well deserved of rashness.
Don’t say that, Agrippa: If Cleopatra hears you, your criticism Will be totally deserved for being reckless.
I am not married, Caesar: let me hear Agrippa further speak.
I’m not married, Caesar: let me hear Agrippa speak some more.
To hold you in perpetual amity, To make you brothers, and to knit your hearts With an unslipping knot, take Antony Octavia to his wife; whose beauty claims No worse a husband than the best of men; Whose virtue and whose general graces speak That which none else can utter. By this marriage, All little jealousies, which now seem great, And all great fears, which now import their dangers, Would then be nothing: truths would be tales, Where now half tales be truths: her love to both Would, each to other and all loves to both, Draw after her. Pardon what I have spoke; For ’tis a studied, not a present thought, By duty ruminated.
To keep you in constant friendship, To make you brothers, and unite your hearts With a bond that can’t break, let Antony Take Octavia as his wife; her beauty deserves A husband as good as any man; Her virtue and her grace show What words can’t express. With this marriage, All the small jealousies that now seem so big, And all the big fears that seem dangerous, Would disappear: truths would become stories, And what’s now a half-truth would be fully true: her love for both Would connect everyone and all loves would follow her. Forgive what I’ve said; It’s a thought I’ve carefully considered, not just an impulse.
Will Caesar speak?
Will Caesar speak now?
Not till he hears how Antony is touch’d With what is spoke already.
Not until he knows how Antony feels About what’s already been said.
What power is in Agrippa, If I would say, ’Agrippa, be it so,’ To make this good?
What power does Agrippa have, If I say, ’Agrippa, let it be like this,’ To make it happen?
The power of Caesar, and His power unto Octavia.
The power of Caesar, and His power over Octavia.
May I never To this good purpose, that so fairly shows, Dream of impediment! Let me have thy hand: Further this act of grace: and from this hour The heart of brothers govern in our loves And sway our great designs!
May I never Let anything stop this plan, which seems so perfect, Come in the way! Let me have your hand: Let’s make this act of kindness happen: from this moment Let the bond of brotherhood rule our hearts And guide our big decisions!
There is my hand. A sister I bequeath you, whom no brother Did ever love so dearly: let her live To join our kingdoms and our hearts; and never Fly off our loves again!
Here’s my hand. I give you a sister, whom no brother Ever loved so much: let her live To unite our kingdoms and our hearts; and never Let our love be torn apart again!
Happily, amen!
Thankfully, amen!
I did not think to draw my sword ’gainst Pompey; For he hath laid strange courtesies and great Of late upon me: I must thank him only, Lest my remembrance suffer ill report; At heel of that, defy him.
I didn’t expect to draw my sword against Pompey; Because he has treated me very well recently: I must thank him, or else my reputation might suffer; After that, I’ll challenge him.
Time calls upon’s: Of us must Pompey presently be sought, Or else he seeks out us.
Time is pressing: We must either go after Pompey now, Or he will come after us.
Where lies he?
Where is he?
About the mount Misenum.
Near Mount Misenum.
What is his strength by land?
What’s his strength on land?
Great and increasing: but by sea He is an absolute master.
It’s large and growing: but by sea He’s a total master.
So is the fame. Would we had spoke together! Haste we for it: Yet, ere we put ourselves in arms, dispatch we The business we have talk’d of.
That’s what they say. I wish we had talked earlier! Let’s hurry: But before we get ready for battle, let’s finish The business we’ve been discussing.
With most gladness: And do invite you to my sister’s view, Whither straight I’ll lead you.
I’m happy to do so: And I invite you to my sister’s place, Where I’ll take you straight away.
Let us, Lepidus, Not lack your company.
Let’s go, Lepidus, I don’t want to be without your company.
Noble Antony, Not sickness should detain me.
Noble Antony, Nothing but sickness should stop me.
Welcome from Egypt, sir.
Welcome back from Egypt, sir.
Half the heart of Caesar, worthy Mecaenas! My honourable friend, Agrippa!
Half of Caesar’s heart, my dear Mecaenas! My honorable friend, Agrippa!
Good Enobarbus!
Good to see you, Enobarbus!
We have cause to be glad that matters are so well digested. You stayed well by ’t in Egypt.
We have reason to be happy that things have gone so well You did well sticking with it in Egypt.
Ay, sir; we did sleep day out of countenance, and made the night light with drinking.
Yes, sir; we spent the whole day drinking and ignored the time, and made the night bright with our drinking.
Eight wild-boars roasted whole at a breakfast, and but twelve persons there; is this true?
Eight wild boars roasted whole for breakfast, and only twelve people there; is that true?
This was but as a fly by an eagle: we had much more monstrous matter of feast, which worthily deserved noting.
That was just a small part of it, like a fly next to an eagle: we had much more extravagant food, which really deserved attention.
She’s a most triumphant lady, if report be square to her.
She’s a truly victorious woman, if the rumors are true about her.
When she first met Mark Antony, she pursed up his heart, upon the river of Cydnus.
When she first met Mark Antony, she captured his heart, on the river Cydnus.
There she appeared indeed; or my reporter devised well for her.
She really did appear that way; or maybe my source just painted a good picture of her.
I will tell you. The barge she sat in, like a burnish’d throne, Burn’d on the water: the poop was beaten gold; Purple the sails, and so perfumed that The winds were love-sick with them; the oars were silver, Which to the tune of flutes kept stroke, and made The water which they beat to follow faster, As amorous of their strokes. For her own person, It beggar’d all description: she did lie In her pavilion--cloth-of-gold of tissue-- O’er-picturing that Venus where we see The fancy outwork nature: on each side her Stood pretty dimpled boys, like smiling Cupids, With divers-colour’d fans, whose wind did seem To glow the delicate cheeks which they did cool, And what they undid did.
Let me tell you. The barge she was in, like a shining throne, Burned on the water: the back was pure gold; The sails were purple, and so fragrant that The winds seemed to fall in love with them; the oars were silver, And kept rhythm to the sound of flutes, making The water they rowed faster, as if it wanted to follow them. As for her own appearance, It was beyond description: she lay In her tent—gold and silver cloth— Outshining the Venus we see depicted, where art outdoes nature: on each side of her Stood pretty boys with dimples, like smiling Cupids, Holding colorful fans, whose breeze seemed to Light up her delicate cheeks while they cooled her down, And whatever they undid, they fixed again.
O, rare for Antony!
Wow, that’s impressive for Antony!
Her gentlewomen, like the Nereides, So many mermaids, tended her i’ the eyes, And made their bends adornings: at the helm A seeming mermaid steers: the silken tackle Swell with the touches of those flower-soft hands, That yarely frame the office. From the barge A strange invisible perfume hits the sense Of the adjacent wharfs. The city cast Her people out upon her; and Antony, Enthroned i’ the market-place, did sit alone, Whistling to the air; which, but for vacancy, Had gone to gaze on Cleopatra too, And made a gap in nature.
Her attendants, like sea-nymphs, So many mermaids, served her with their gazes, And made their movements graceful: at the helm A mermaid appeared to steer: the soft silk ropes Bounced with the touch of those flower-like hands, That expertly controlled the ship. From the barge A strange, invisible fragrance filled the air Around the nearby docks. The people of the city Crowded around her; and Antony, Sitting alone in the marketplace, looked up, Whistling into the air, which, if it weren’t for emptiness, Would have gone to stare at Cleopatra too, And caused a rift in nature itself.
Rare Egyptian!
What a rare Egyptian!
Upon her landing, Antony sent to her, Invited her to supper: she replied, It should be better he became her guest; Which she entreated: our courteous Antony, Whom ne’er the word of ’No’ woman heard speak, Being barber’d ten times o’er, goes to the feast, And for his ordinary pays his heart For what his eyes eat only.
When she landed, Antony invited her to dinner, She replied that it would be better if he became her guest; And so he did: our polite Antony, Who’d never heard the word ‘No’ from a woman, After being pampered ten times over, went to the feast, And, for his usual payment, gave his heart For what his eyes alone could enjoy.
Royal wench! She made great Caesar lay his sword to bed: He plough’d her, and she cropp’d.
Royal woman! She made Caesar put his sword to rest: He plowed her, and she reaped the harvest.
I saw her once Hop forty paces through the public street; And having lost her breath, she spoke, and panted, That she did make defect perfection, And, breathless, power breathe forth.
I once saw her Hop forty steps through the public street; And after catching her breath, she spoke, still panting, That she turned a flaw into perfection, And, out of breath, made power seem to breathe itself.
Now Antony must leave her utterly.
Now Antony must completely leave her.
Never; he will not: Age cannot wither her, nor custom stale Her infinite variety: other women cloy The appetites they feed: but she makes hungry Where most she satisfies; for vilest things Become themselves in her: that the holy priests Bless her when she is riggish.
Never; he won’t: Age can’t wither her, nor habit dull Her endless variety: other women tire The appetites they satisfy: but she leaves you hungry Even as she fills you up; for even the lowest things Become divine in her: the holy priests Bless her even when she’s scandalous.
If beauty, wisdom, modesty, can settle The heart of Antony, Octavia is A blessed lottery to him.
If beauty, wisdom, and modesty can win Antony’s heart, Octavia is A blessed choice for him.
Let us go. Good Enobarbus, make yourself my guest Whilst you abide here.
Let’s go. Good Enobarbus, be my guest While you’re here.
Humbly, sir, I thank you.
Thank you humbly, sir.