1    Give me some music; music, moody food
2    Of us that trade in love.

3    The music, ho!

4    Let it alone; let's to billiards: come, Charmian.

5    My arm is sore; best play with Mardian.

6    As well a woman with an eunuch play'd
7    As with a woman. Come, you'll play with me, sir?

8    As well as I can, madam.

9    And when good will is show'd, though't come
10   too short,
11   The actor may plead pardon. I'll none now:
12   Give me mine angle; we'll to the river: there,
13   My music playing far off, I will betray
14   Tawny-finn'd fishes; my bended hook shall pierce
15   Their slimy jaws; and, as I draw them up,
16   I'll think them every one an Antony,
17   And say 'Ah, ha! you're caught.'

18   'Twas merry when
19   You wager'd on your angling; when your diver
20   Did hang a salt-fish on his hook, which he
21   With fervency drew up.

22   That time,--O times!--
23   I laugh'd him out of patience; and that night
24   I laugh'd him into patience; and next morn,
25   Ere the ninth hour, I drunk him to his bed;
26   Then put my tires and mantles on him, whilst
27   I wore his sword Philippan.
Enter a Messenger
28   O, from Italy
29   Ram thou thy fruitful tidings in mine ears,
30   That long time have been barren.

31   Madam, madam,--

32   Antonius dead!--If thou say so, villain,
33   Thou kill'st thy mistress: but well and free,
34   If thou so yield him, there is gold, and here
35   My bluest veins to kiss; a hand that kings
36   Have lipp'd, and trembled kissing.

37   First, madam, he is well.

38   Why, there's more gold.
39   But, sirrah, mark, we use
40   To say the dead are well: bring it to that,
41   The gold I give thee will I melt and pour
42   Down thy ill-uttering throat.

43   Good madam, hear me.

44   Well, go to, I will;
45   But there's no goodness in thy face: if Antony
46   Be free and healthful,--so tart a favour
47   To trumpet such good tidings! If not well,
48   Thou shouldst come like a Fury crown'd with snakes,
49   Not like a formal man.

50   Will't please you hear me?

51   I have a mind to strike thee ere thou speak'st:
52   Yet if thou say Antony lives, is well,
53   Or friends with Caesar, or not captive to him,
54   I'll set thee in a shower of gold, and hail
55   Rich pearls upon thee.

56   Madam, he's well.

57   Well said.

58   And friends with Caesar.

59   Thou'rt an honest man.

60   Caesar and he are greater friends than ever.

61   Make thee a fortune from me.

62   But yet, madam,--

63   I do not like 'But yet,' it does allay
64   The good precedence; fie upon 'But yet'!
65   'But yet' is as a gaoler to bring forth
66   Some monstrous malefactor. Prithee, friend,
67   Pour out the pack of matter to mine ear,
68   The good and bad together: he's friends with Caesar:
69   In state of health thou say'st; and thou say'st free.

70   Free, madam! no; I made no such report:
71   He's bound unto Octavia.

72   For what good turn?

73   For the best turn i' the bed.

74   I am pale, Charmian.

75   Madam, he's married to Octavia.

76   The most infectious pestilence upon thee!

77   Good madam, patience.

78   What say you? Hence,
Strikes him again
79   Horrible villain! or I'll spurn thine eyes
80   Like balls before me; I'll unhair thy head:
She hales him up and down
81   Thou shalt be whipp'd with wire, and stew'd in brine,
82   Smarting in lingering pickle.

83   Gracious madam,
84   I that do bring the news made not the match.

85   Say 'tis not so, a province I will give thee,
86   And make thy fortunes proud: the blow thou hadst
87   Shall make thy peace for moving me to rage;
88   And I will boot thee with what gift beside
89   Thy modesty can beg.

90   He's married, madam.

91   Rogue, thou hast lived too long.

92   Nay, then I'll run.
93   What mean you, madam? I have made no fault.

94   Good madam, keep yourself within yourself:
95   The man is innocent.

96   Some innocents 'scape not the thunderbolt.
97   Melt Egypt into Nile! and kindly creatures
98   Turn all to serpents! Call the slave again:
99   Though I am mad, I will not bite him: call.

100  He is afeard to come.

101  I will not hurt him.
Exit CHARMIAN
102  These hands do lack nobility, that they strike
103  A meaner than myself; since I myself
104  Have given myself the cause.
Re-enter CHARMIAN and Messenger
105  Come hither, sir.
106  Though it be honest, it is never good
107  To bring bad news: give to a gracious message.
108  An host of tongues; but let ill tidings tell
109  Themselves when they be felt.

110  I have done my duty.

111  Is he married?
112  I cannot hate thee worser than I do,
113  If thou again say 'Yes.'

114  He's married, madam.

115  The gods confound thee! dost thou hold there still?

116  Should I lie, madam?

117  O, I would thou didst,
118  So half my Egypt were submerged and made
119  A cistern for scaled snakes! Go, get thee hence:
120  Hadst thou Narcissus in thy face, to me
121  Thou wouldst appear most ugly. He is married?

122  I crave your highness' pardon.

123  He is married?

124  Take no offence that I would not offend you:
125  To punish me for what you make me do.
126  Seems much unequal: he's married to Octavia.

127  O, that his fault should make a knave of thee,
128  That art not what thou'rt sure of! Get thee hence:
129  The merchandise which thou hast brought from Rome
130  Are all too dear for me: lie they upon thy hand,
131  And be undone by 'em!

132  Good your highness, patience.

133  In praising Antony, I have dispraised Caesar.

134  Many times, madam.

135  I am paid for't now.
136  Lead me from hence:
137  I faint: O Iras, Charmian! 'tis no matter.
138  Go to the fellow, good Alexas; bid him
139  Report the feature of Octavia, her years,
140  Her inclination, let him not leave out
141  The colour of her hair: bring me word quickly.
Exit ALEXAS
142  Let him for ever go:--let him not--Charmian,
143  Though he be painted one way like a Gorgon,
144  The other way's a Mars. Bid you Alexas
To MARDIAN
145  Bring me word how tall she is. Pity me, Charmian,
146  But do not speak to me. Lead me to my chamber.