Antony and Cleopatra
 CAESAR. Possess it, I’ll make answer. But I had rather fast from all, four days, Than drink so much in one. 

 ENOBARBUS. [To Antony.] Ha, my brave emperor, Shall we dance now the Egyptian Bacchanals And celebrate our drink? 

 POMPEY. Let’s ha’t, good soldier. 

 ANTONY. Come, let’s all take hands Till that the conquering wine hath steeped our sense In soft and delicate Lethe. 

 ENOBARBUS. All take hands. Make battery to our ears with the loud music, The while I’ll place you; then the boy shall sing. The holding every man shall beat as loud As his strong sides can volley. 

 Music plays. Enobarbus places them hand in hand. 

Enobarbus

 THE SONG. Come, thou monarch of the vine, Plumpy Bacchus with pink eyne! In thy vats our cares be drowned, With thy grapes our hairs be crowned. Cup us till the world go round, Cup us till the world go round! 

 CAESAR. What would you more? Pompey, good night. Good brother, Let me request you off. Our graver business Frowns at this levity.—Gentle lords, let’s part. You see we have burnt our cheeks. Strong Enobarb Is weaker than the wine, and mine own tongue Splits what it speaks. The wild disguise hath almost Anticked us all. What needs more words. Good night. Good Antony, your hand. 

 POMPEY. I’ll try you on the shore. 

 ANTONY. And shall, sir. Give’s your hand. 

 POMPEY. O Antony, You have my father’s house. But, what? We are friends. Come, down into the boat. 

 ENOBARBUS. Take heed you fall not. 

 [Exeunt Pompey, Caesar, Antony and Attendants.] 

Pompey, Caesar, Antony

 Menas, I’ll not on shore. 

 MENAS. No, to my cabin. These drums, these trumpets, flutes! What! Let Neptune hear we bid a loud farewell To these great fellows. Sound and be hanged, sound out! 

 [Sound a flourish with drums.] 


 Prev. P 40/101 next 
Back Top
Privacy Statement Terms of Service Contact