Antony and Cleopatra: Act 4, Scene 6

    tragedy

    Alexandria. OCTAVIUS CAESAR's camp.

    Scene Summary

    Skip to text ↓

    Caesar orders the former soldiers of Antony placed in his front line, to demoralise Antony. Enobarbus receives Antony's treasure and kind message. He is overcome with shame and remorse.

    Flourish. Enter OCTAVIUS CAESAR, AGRIPPA, with DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS, and others
    OCTAVIUS CAESAR
    Go forth, Agrippa, and begin the fight:
    Our will is Antony be took alive;
    Make it so known.
    AGRIPPA
    Caesar, I shall.
    Exit
    OCTAVIUS CAESAR
    The time of universal peace is near:
    Prove this a prosperous day, the three-nook'd world
    Shall bear the olive freely.
    Enter a Messenger
    Messenger
    Antony
    Is come into the field.
    OCTAVIUS CAESAR
    Go charge Agrippa
    Plant those that have revolted in the van,
    That Antony may seem to spend his fury
    Upon himself.
    Exeunt all but DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS
    DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS
    Alexas did revolt; and went to Jewry on
    Affairs of Antony; there did persuade
    Great Herod to incline himself to Caesar,
    And leave his master Antony: for this pains
    Caesar hath hang'd him. Canidius and the rest
    That fell away have entertainment, but
    No honourable trust. I have done ill;
    Of which I do accuse myself so sorely,
    That I will joy no more.
    Enter a Soldier of CAESAR's
    Soldier
    Enobarbus, Antony
    Hath after thee sent all thy treasure, with
    His bounty overplus: the messenger
    Came on my guard; and at thy tent is now
    Unloading of his mules.
    DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS
    I give it you.
    Soldier
    Mock not, Enobarbus.
    I tell you true: best you safed the bringer
    Out of the host; I must attend mine office,
    Or would have done't myself. Your emperor
    Continues still a Jove.
    Exit
    DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS
    I am alone the villain of the earth,
    And feel I am so most. O Antony,
    Thou mine of bounty, how wouldst thou have paid
    My better service, when my turpitude
    Thou dost so crown with gold! This blows my heart:
    If swift thought break it not, a swifter mean
    Shall outstrike thought: but thought will do't, I feel.
    I fight against thee! No: I will go seek
    Some ditch wherein to die; the foul'st best fits
    My latter part of life.
    Exit