Antony and Cleopatra: Act 3, Scene 12

    tragedy

    Egypt. OCTAVIUS CAESAR's camp.

    Scene Summary

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    Caesar receives Antony's messenger. Antony asks to be allowed to live in Egypt or as a private man in Athens. Caesar refuses both and sends his own messenger to Cleopatra with private promises if she will abandon Antony or have him killed.

    Enter OCTAVIUS CAESAR, DOLABELLA, THYREUS, with others
    OCTAVIUS CAESAR
    Let him appear that's come from Antony.
    Know you him?
    DOLABELLA
    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.
    Enter EUPHRONIUS, ambassador from MARK ANTONY
    OCTAVIUS CAESAR
    Approach, and speak.
    EUPHRONIUS
    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.
    OCTAVIUS CAESAR
    Be't so: declare thine office.
    EUPHRONIUS
    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.
    OCTAVIUS CAESAR
    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.
    EUPHRONIUS
    Fortune pursue thee!
    OCTAVIUS CAESAR
    Bring him through the bands.
    Exit EUPHRONIUS
    To THYREUS
    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.
    THYREUS
    Caesar, I go.
    OCTAVIUS CAESAR
    Observe how Antony becomes his flaw,
    And what thou think'st his very action speaks
    In every power that moves.
    THYREUS
    Caesar, I shall.
    Exeunt