Previous
Act 3, Scene 2
Antony and Cleopatra Translation Act 3, Scene 3
Enter CLEOPATRA, CHARMIAN, IRAS, and ALEXAS
CLEOPATRA
Where is the fellow?
CLEOPATRA
Where is the man?
ALEXAS
Half afeard to come.
ALEXAS
He's afraid to come.
CLEOPATRA
Go to, go to.—Come hither, sir.
CLEOPATRA
Never mind that, never mind. Come here, sir.
Ask LitCharts AI:
The answer to your questions
Get instant explanations to your questions about anything we cover.
Powered by LitCharts content and AI.
Learn More
Powered by LitCharts content and AI.
Ask LitCharts AI:
The answer to your questions
Ask LitCharts AI:
The answer to your questions
Learn More
Enter the MESSENGER as before
ALEXAS
Good majesty,Herod of Jewry dare not look upon youBut when you are well pleased.
ALEXAS
Good queen, not even King Herod dares to come in your presence except when you are in a good mood.
CLEOPATRA
That Herod’s headI’ll have! But how? When Antony is gone,Through whom I might command it? [To MESSENGER] Come thou near.
CLEOPATRA
I'll have King Herod's head! But how? When Antony is gone, who will carry out my orders?
[To the MESSENGER] Come closer.
MESSENGER
Most gracious majesty!
MESSENGER
Most gracious queen!
CLEOPATRA
Didst thou behold Octavia?
CLEOPATRA
Did you see Octavia?
MESSENGER
Ay, dread Queen.
MESSENGER
Yes, oh powerful Queen.
CLEOPATRA
Where?
CLEOPATRA
Where?
MESSENGER
Madam, in Rome.I looked her in the face, and saw her ledBetween her brother and Mark Antony.
MESSENGER
Madam, in Rome. I looked at her face, and I saw her walking between her brother and Mark Antony.
CLEOPATRA
Is she as tall as me?
CLEOPATRA
Is she as tall as me?
MESSENGER
She is not, madam.
MESSENGER
She is not, madam.
CLEOPATRA
Didst hear her speak? Is she shrill-tongued or low?
CLEOPATRA
Did you hear her speak? Does she have a high voice or a low one?
MESSENGER
Madam, I heard her speak. She is low-voiced.
MESSENGER
Madam, I heard her speak. She has a low voice.
CLEOPATRA
That’s not so good. He cannot like her long.
CLEOPATRA
That's not very good for Octavia. He cannot like her for long.
CHARMIAN
Like her? O Isis, ’tis impossible.
CHARMIAN
Like her? By Isis, that is impossible.
CLEOPATRA
I think so, Charmian. Dull of tongue, and dwarfish.—What majesty is in her gait? Remember,If e’er thou looked’st on majesty.
CLEOPATRA
I think so, Charmian. She has a dull voice and she's short—does she walk in an elegant way? Recall, if you ever looked at a queen.
MESSENGER
She creeps. Her motion and her station are as one. She shows a body rather than a life, A statue than a breather.
MESSENGER
She has a slow, hunched walk. She looks the same walking and standing still. She has a body, not a form with life in it. She's more like a statue than a living, breathing woman.
CLEOPATRA
Is this certain?
CLEOPATRA
Is this certain?
MESSENGER
Or I have no observance.
MESSENGER
It is, or I have no power to observe.
CHARMIAN
Three in EgyptCannot make better note.
CHARMIAN
There's not three people in Egypt who can observe better than he can.
CLEOPATRA
He’s very knowing,I do perceive ’t. There’s nothing in her yet.The fellow has good judgment.
CLEOPATRA
He's very shrewd, I can tell. I haven't heard about any good qualities in Octavia yet. The man has good judgment.
CHARMIAN
Excellent.
CHARMIAN
Excellent.
CLEOPATRA
[To MESSENGER] Guess at her years, I prithee.
CLEOPATRA
[To the MESSENGER] Please, guess how old she is.
MESSENGER
Madam, she was a widow—
MESSENGER
Madam, she was a widow—
CLEOPATRA
Widow? Charmian, hark.
CLEOPATRA
Widow? Charmian, pay attention to this.
MESSENGER
And I do think she’s thirty.
MESSENGER
And I think she's around thirty.
CLEOPATRA
Bear’st thou her face in mind? Is ’t long or round?
CLEOPATRA
Do you remember her face? Is it long or round?
MESSENGER
Round, even to faultiness.
MESSENGER
Round, even to a fault.
CLEOPATRA
For the most part, too, they are foolish that are so.Her hair, what color?
CLEOPATRA
For the most part, people with round faces are foolish. What color is her hair?
MESSENGER
Brown, madam, and her foreheadAs low as she would wish it.
MESSENGER
Brown, madam, and her forehead is so low that she wouldn't want it any lower.
CLEOPATRA
[giving money] There’s gold for thee. Thou must not take my former sharpness ill. I will employ thee back again; I find thee Most fit for business. Go make thee ready; Our letters are prepared.
CLEOPATRA
[Giving the MESSENGER money] Here's money for you. You must not hold my previous hostility against me. I'll employ you for another task; I find that you're a very useful man. Get ready to go; our letters are ready.
Exit MESSENGER
CHARMIAN
A proper man.
CHARMIAN
An admirable man.
CLEOPATRA
Indeed, he is so. I repent me muchThat so I harried him. Why, methinks, by him,This creature’s no such thing.
CLEOPATRA
Indeed, he is. I'm very sorry that I harassed him so much. Why, judging by his report, I think that this Octavia woman really has no good qualities to speak of.
CHARMIAN
Nothing, madam.
CHARMIAN
None, madam.
CLEOPATRA
The man hath seen some majesty and should know.
CLEOPATRA
Antony has seen what royalty looks like, and he should know it when he sees it.
CHARMIAN
Hath he seen majesty? Isis else defend,And serving you so long!
CHARMIAN
Has he seen royalty? Isis forbid that he has not seen royalty, after serving you so long!
CLEOPATRA
I have one thing more to ask him yet, good Charmian—But ’tis no matter; thou shalt bring him to meWhere I will write. All may be well enough.
CLEOPATRA
I have one more thing to ask him still, good Charmian—but it doesn't matter. You'll bring him to me and I'll write my letter. All may be well enough.
CHARMIAN
I warrant you, madam.
CHARMIAN
I assure you, madam.
Exeunt
