Original
Modern English
Let him appear that’s come from Antony. Know you him?
Let the man who comes from Antony appear. Do you know him?
Caesar, ’tis his schoolmaster: An argument that he is pluck’d, when hither He sends so poor a pinion off his wing, Which had superfluous kings for messengers Not many moons gone by.
Caesar, it’s his teacher: Proof that he’s fallen, when he sends such a poor messenger, Who used to send kings as messengers Not long ago.
Approach, and speak.
Come forward and speak.
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.
I come from Antony, just as I am: Not long ago, I was as insignificant to his goals As morning dew on a myrtle leaf Compared to his great plans.
Be’t so: declare thine office.
Fine, go ahead: tell me what your business is.
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.
The lord of his fortunes sends his regards, and Asks to live in Egypt: if that’s denied, He reduces his demands; and instead asks To be allowed to live in Athens as a private man, Between heaven and earth: that’s his request. Next, Cleopatra acknowledges your greatness; She submits to your power; and asks that you Allow her heirs to inherit the Ptolemaic throne, Now at risk, if you show her favor.
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.
As for Antony, I’m not interested in his request. The queen May have whatever audience she wants, but only if She either drives away her dishonored friend from Egypt, Or has him killed there: if she does this, I will listen to her request. That’s my condition for both of them.
Fortune pursue thee!
May fortune be with you!
Bring him through the bands.
Take him away and deal with him.
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, Thyreus; Make thine own edict for thy pains, which we Will answer as a law.
Go to Antony, win over Cleopatra: promise her, And offer whatever she asks in our name; add more, From your own ideas, offers: women are not At their strongest in good times; but when in need, they’ll break vows Even the purest priestess wouldn’t touch: use your skills, Thyreus; Make your own decision for your efforts, and we Will treat it as law.
Caesar, I go.
Caesar, I will.
Observe how Antony becomes his flaw, And what thou think’st his very action speaks In every power that moves.
Watch how Antony handles his flaws, And what you think his actions reveal In every move he makes.
Caesar, I shall.
Caesar, I will.