Good Enobarbus, ’tis a worthy deed,
And shall become you well, to entreat your captain
To soft and gentle speech.
That's a worthy deed, and it will suit you well to ask your captain to use soft and gentle speech.
That's a good move, and you'd do well to ask your captain to keep things calm and polite.
ask captain to chill and be nice with words
I shall entreat him
To answer like himself. If Caesar move him,
Let Antony look over Caesar’s head
And speak as loud as Mars. By Jupiter,
Were I the wearer of Antonius’ beard,
I would not shave’t today.
I'll ask him to respond like himself. If Caesar provokes him, let Antony rise above Caesar's level and speak as boldly as Mars. By Jupiter, if I wore Antony's beard, I wouldn't shave it today.
I'll encourage him to stay true to who he is. If Caesar tries to intimidate him, let Antony speak out without backing down. Honestly, if I were in Antony's position, I'd make a stand right now.
he'll be himself. if caesar pushes him, antony speaks loud. i wouldn't back down
’Tis not a time
For private stomaching.
This is not a time for personal resentment.
Now's not the moment to air personal grudges.
not the time for beef
Every time
Serves for the matter that is then born in’t.
Every occasion is right for the business that's born from it.
The moment always determines what needs to be dealt with.
every moment has its own problems to handle
But small to greater matters must give way.
Yet the less important must yield to the more significant.
The minor stuff just has to step aside for what really matters.
minor stuff yields to major stuff
Not if the small come first.
Unless what's small needs immediate attention first.
Well, unless the small stuff actually needs to come before everything else.
unless the small stuff matters first
Your speech is passion;
But pray you stir no embers up. Here comes
The noble Antony.
Your speech is passionate; but please, don't stir up old grievances. Here comes the noble Antony.
You're speaking from emotion, but let's not rake up old conflicts. Here comes Antony.
chill with the passion. here comes antony
And yonder Caesar.
And yonder Caesar.
And yonder Caesar.
and yonder caesar.
If we compose well here, to Parthia.
Hark, Ventidius.
If we reach agreement here, then to Parthia. Listen, Ventidius.
If we can work this out, we move on to fighting Parthia. Ventidius, pay attention.
if we settle this, we go after parthia. listen up
I do not know, Maecenas. Ask Agrippa.
I don't know, Maecenas. Ask Agrippa.
I'm not sure, Maecenas. Ask Agrippa—he'd know better.
idk ask agrippa
Noble friends,
That which combined us was most great, and let not
A leaner action rend us. What’s amiss,
May it be gently heard. When we debate
Our trivial difference loud, we do commit
Murder in healing wounds. Then, noble partners,
The rather for I earnestly beseech,
Touch you the sourest points with sweetest terms,
Nor curstness grow to th’ matter.
Noble friends, what united us was something great, so let's not let something small tear us apart. Whatever is wrong, let it be heard gently. When we argue about our trivial disagreements loudly, we actually commit murder by trying to heal wounds. So, noble partners, I earnestly beg you, address even the sorest points with the sweetest language, and don't let harshness take over.
Friends, what brought us together in the first place was something important, so don't let small things break us apart. Whatever the issue is, let's address it calmly. When we shout about minor differences, we're actually doing more harm by fighting than healing. So please, I'm asking you seriously, speak gently even about the worst issues, and don't let bitterness creep in.
don't let small stuff ruin what we built together speak calm even about hard stuff
’Tis spoken well.
Were we before our armies, and to fight,
I should do thus.
That's spoken well. If we were facing our armies and about to fight, I would do the same.
Well said. If we were lined up for battle right now, I'd make the same move.
smart move. i'd do it too
Welcome to Rome.
Welcome to Rome.
Welcome to Rome.
welcome to rome.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
thank you.
Sit.
Sit.
Sit.
sit.
Sit, sir.
Sit, sir.
Sit, sir.
sit, sir.
Nay, then.
Well, then.
Alright then.
ok then
I learn you take things ill which are not so,
Or being, concern you not.
I understand you take offense at things that aren't true, or if they are, don't concern you.
I think you're getting upset about things that either didn't happen or don't affect you.
you're mad about stuff that didn't even happen
I must be laughed at
If, or for nothing or a little, I
Should say myself offended, and with you
Chiefly i’ th’ world; more laughed at that I should
Once name you derogately when to sound your name
It not concerned me.
I would deserve ridicule if, over nothing or some small thing, I should say I'm offended, and especially with you who matter most in the world; I'd deserve even more ridicule that I should ever speak badly of you when it wasn't even my business.
I'd be laughed at if I got offended over nothing or trifles, and especially with you, who matter so much; even worse, I'd be mocked for ever speaking badly of you when it was none of my concern.
i'd be a joke if i got mad about nothing especially about you
My being in Egypt, Caesar,
What was’t to you?
My being in Egypt, Caesar, what did it have to do with you?
What business was it of yours that I was in Egypt, Caesar?
why'd you care if i was in egypt?
No more than my residing here at Rome
Might be to you in Egypt. Yet if you there
Did practise on my state, your being in Egypt
Might be my question.
No more than my living here in Rome would be your business if you were in Egypt. But if you there had plotted against my power, your being in Egypt could be something I'd question.
No more than my being in Rome would be your concern if you were in Egypt. But if you were plotting against me from Egypt, then that would be a problem I'd have to address.
like your rome thing is my business if you plotted against me there, that'd be different
How intend you, practised?
How do you mean 'plotted'?
What exactly do you mean by 'plotted'?
what plotting?
You may be pleased to catch at mine intent
By what did here befall me. Your wife and brother
Made wars upon me, and their contestation
Was theme for you; you were the word of war.
You can understand my meaning by what has already happened to me here. Your wife and your brother made war against me, and their conflict was associated with you; you were the name behind the war.
You can see what I'm getting at from what actually happened to me here. Your wife and brother started a war against me, and it all tied back to you—you were the real reason for it.
your wife and brother came at me it was all about you
You do mistake your business. My brother never
Did urge me in his act. I did inquire it,
And have my learning from some true reports
That drew their swords with you. Did he not rather
Discredit my authority with yours,
And make the wars alike against my stomach,
Having alike your cause? Of this my letters
Before did satisfy you. If you’ll patch a quarrel,
As matter whole you have not to make it with,
It must not be with this.
You're misunderstanding things. My brother never urged me to do his part. I did investigate it, and I learned the truth from reliable accounts from people who fought with you. Didn't your brother rather damage my authority alongside yours, and make those wars fight against my own stomach, both of us being wronged the same way? You have this information from my earlier letters—they should have satisfied you. If you want to patch things up with a quarrel that you don't have enough real cause for, it can't be over this.
You're getting this wrong. My brother never pressured me into his actions. I looked into it and got the straight story from people I trust who actually fought with you. Didn't your brother actually go after both of us, not just you? We both had reason to be upset about those wars. You already have letters from me explaining all this. If you want to make peace but don't really have a solid argument against me, then this isn't the thing to fight about.
my brother didn't push me i looked it up. he came at both of us you already know this from my letters
You praise yourself
By laying defects of judgment to me; but
You patched up your excuses.
You're praising yourself by blaming your failures of judgment on me; but you've just come up with excuses.
You're making yourself look good by claiming I'm to blame for your bad decisions, but you're really just making excuses.
you're blaming me for your mistakes
Not so, not so.
I know you could not lack—I am certain on’t—
Very necessity of this thought, that I,
Your partner in the cause ’gainst which he fought,
Could not with graceful eyes attend those wars
Which fronted mine own peace. As for my wife,
I would you had her spirit in such another.
The third o’ th’ world is yours, which with a snaffle
You may pace easy, but not such a wife.
Not at all. I know you couldn't lack—I'm certain of it— the clear necessity for this thought: that I, your partner against the man he fought, couldn't properly watch over those wars without damaging my own peace. As for my wife, I wish you had another wife like her. The third of the world belongs to you, which with a simple bridle you can manage easily, but not such a wife.
No way. I know you absolutely understood this: I was your ally against the same enemy, so I couldn't just sit back and let those wars happen without protecting myself. As for my wife, I wish you could find another woman like her. You can rule a third of the world easily enough, but a woman like that? You can't just manage her.
i was with you against him i couldn't just watch the war happen my wife is incredible - you can't just handle her
Would we had all such wives, that the men
Might go to wars with the women.
I wish all men had wives like that, so that men could go to war with their women.
I wish all of us had wives like that—then the men could go to war alongside the women.
all men should have wives like her then they could fight together
So much uncurbable, her garboils, Caesar,
Made out of her impatience—which not wanted
Shrewdness of policy too—I grieving grant
Did you too much disquiet. For that you must
But say I could not help it.
So uncontrollable, her outbursts, Caesar, came from her impatience—which also had some shrewd strategy mixed in—I sadly admit did cause you quite a bit of trouble. For that, you only have to say I couldn't help it.
Her wildness and her angry outbursts, Caesar, came from how impatient she is—and she's also clever about it. I'm sorry those things did upset you. The only thing I can say is that I couldn't have stopped it.
her angry outbursts were outta control i'm sorry they bothered you i couldn't stop her
The barge speech is the most famous thing Enobarbus says in the play, and it arrives at the most pointed moment: right after Antony has agreed to marry Octavia. Shakespeare gives this speech to Enobarbus rather than to a romantic character deliberately. Enobarbus is the play's most cynical voice — he's just mocked the marriage negotiations and told Maecenas that Antony will return to Cleopatra the moment he can. When this same man says 'age cannot wither her, nor custom stale her infinite variety,' it is the highest possible tribute. The cynic is undone by what he's describing. He can't resist it even in memory. The barge speech is not propaganda — it's the reluctant testimony of someone who wishes he could reduce Cleopatra to nothing and finds he cannot.
I wrote to you
When rioting in Alexandria; you
Did pocket up my letters, and with taunts
Did gibe my missive out of audience.
I wrote to you when you were in Alexandria celebrating; you held onto my letters without response, and with insults you publicly mocked my message.
I sent you letters when you were living it up in Alexandria, and you just ignored them. Then you made fun of my message in public.
i wrote you in alexandria you ignored it and mocked me
Sir,
He fell upon me ere admitted, then.
Three kings I had newly feasted, and did want
Of what I was i’ th’ morning. But next day
I told him of myself, which was as much
As to have asked him pardon. Let this fellow
Be nothing of our strife; if we contend,
Out of our question wipe him.
Sir, he came at me before I even got a chance to see him. I had just finished entertaining three kings, and I was exhausted from that morning. But the next day I told him about myself, which was like asking his forgiveness. Don't make this man part of our dispute; if we argue, remove him from the question.
He confronted me before I had a chance. I'd just finished hosting three kings and was completely worn out. But the next day I spoke with him about everything, which was basically my way of apologizing. Don't drag this man into our conflict—if we fight, let's leave him out of it.
he came at me before i could prepare i was exhausted from hosting kings i made it right the next day don't make him part of this
You have broken
The article of your oath, which you shall never
Have tongue to charge me with.
You have broken the agreement of your oath, which you'll never be able to accuse me of breaking.
You've violated the terms of your oath, and you'll never be able to turn that accusation on me.
you broke your oath, not me
Soft, Caesar!
Wait, Caesar!
Hold on, Caesar!
wait caesar
No, Lepidus, let him speak.
The honour is sacred which he talks on now,
Supposing that I lacked it. But on, Caesar:
The article of my oath?
No, Lepidus, let him speak. The honor he's talking about is sacred, and he's assuming I lack it. But go on, Caesar: what oath agreement?
No, Lepidus, let him continue. The honor he's talking about matters, and he's implying I don't have it. But Caesar, what's this oath you're referring to?
let him say it what oath?
To lend me arms and aid when I required them,
The which you both denied.
To give me military support and aid whenever I requested it, which both of you refused.
To give me troops and military aid whenever I needed them, which you both denied me.
you were supposed to send me troops you refused
Neglected, rather;
And then when poisoned hours had bound me up
From mine own knowledge. As nearly as I may
I’ll play the penitent to you. But mine honesty
Shall not make poor my greatness, nor my power
Work without it. Truth is that Fulvia,
To have me out of Egypt, made wars here,
For which myself, the ignorant motive, do
So far ask pardon as befits mine honour
To stoop in such a case.
Rather neglected; and then when difficult circumstances had taken away my own clear thinking. As much as I can now, I'll apologize to you like someone who was wrong. But my honor will not become lesser just to make my power look smaller, nor my power work without honor. The truth is that Fulvia, to get me out of Egypt, started these wars here, for which I, who didn't understand the reason, must so far ask forgiveness as my honor allows without seeming weak in such a situation.
More like neglected. At the time, I was in a difficult situation that clouded my judgment. I'm willing to apologize as much as I honorably can. But I won't sacrifice my integrity just to seem weak, and I won't operate without honor either. The real issue is Fulvia: she wanted me out of Egypt, so she started those wars. I didn't know all the details, so I'm apologizing for my part—but only to the extent that doesn't make me look like a pushover.
fulvia started the wars to get me out of egypt i didn't know everything i'm sorry but i won't be weak about it
’Tis noble spoken.
That's spoken nobly.
That's a noble thing to say.
well said
Maecenas is Caesar's cultural ambassador — smoother than Agrippa, fond of compliment. His role is social lubrication. Watch for how he pivots between flattery and shrewd observation.
If it might please you to enforce no further
The griefs between ye; to forget them quite
Were to remember that the present need
Speaks to atone you.
If it would please you to push the issue between you no further; to forget them entirely would mean remembering that what you need now is to make peace with each other.
If you could just stop pressing the conflict and let it go, you'd understand that what really matters right now is that you two need to reconcile.
drop it. you need each other right now
Worthily spoken, Maecenas.
Worthily spoken, Maecenas.
Worthily spoken, Maecenas.
worthily spoken, maecenas.
Or, if you borrow one another’s love for the instant, you may, when you
hear no more words of Pompey, return it again. You shall have time to
wrangle in when you have nothing else to do.
Or, if you borrow one another's love for the moment, you can, when you hear no more word of Pompey, return it again. You'll have time to quarrel whenever you have nothing else to do.
Or if you just fake liking each other for now, you can go back to fighting later once Pompey's dealt with. You'll have plenty of time to argue when there's nothing more important to do.
pretend to like each other till pompey's gone then you can fight later
Thou art a soldier only. Speak no more.
You're a soldier only. Say no more.
You're just a soldier. Stop talking.
enough. soldier. done.
That truth should be silent I had almost forgot.
I'd nearly forgotten that telling the truth is forbidden.
Wow, I almost remembered that I'm supposed to keep quiet when I know the truth.
i forgot truth was banned lol
You wrong this presence; therefore speak no more.
You're disrespecting this group; therefore say no more.
You're being rude to everyone here. Stop talking.
you're being disrespectful. stop.
Go to, then. Your considerate stone!
Alright, alright. You unfeeling stone!
Fine, fine. You heartless block!
ok stone cold
I do not much dislike the matter, but
The manner of his speech; for’t cannot be
We shall remain in friendship, our conditions
So differing in their acts. Yet if I knew
What hoop should hold us staunch, from edge to edge
O’ th’ world I would pursue it.
I don't dislike the matter much, but the manner of his speech; because it can't be that we'll remain in friendship when our circumstances are so different in their actions. But if I knew what bond could hold us together firmly, from one edge to the other of the world, I would pursue it.
The issue itself doesn't bother me that much—it's how he talked about it. We just can't stay friends when we're so different in how we operate. But if I knew what could keep us united, I'd do whatever it takes.
his attitude bugs me we're too different to stay friends but i'd do anything to fix it
Agrippa is Caesar's practical fixer — he says the quiet part loud (the marriage proposal) and makes the machinery of politics move. He speaks rarely but decisively.
Give me leave, Caesar.
Let me speak, Caesar.
Let me say something, Caesar.
can i say something?
Speak, Agrippa.
Speak, Agrippa.
Speak, Agrippa.
speak, agrippa.
Thou hast a sister by the mother’s side,
Admired Octavia. Great Mark Antony
Is now a widower.
You have a sister on your mother's side, the admired Octavia. Great Mark Antony is now a widower.
You have a sister—Octavia, your mother's daughter—who everyone respects. And Mark Antony is now without a wife.
octavia is your sister antony's single now
Say not so, Agrippa.
If Cleopatra heard you, your reproof
Were well deserved of rashness.
Don't say that, Agrippa. If Cleopatra heard you, she would rightly accuse you of being reckless.
Don't say that, Agrippa. If Cleopatra heard that, you'd deserve to be called out for being careless.
don't say that about cleopatra
I am not married, Caesar. Let me hear
Agrippa further speak.
I'm not married, Caesar. Let me hear Agrippa speak further.
I'm not married, Caesar. Let Agrippa keep talking.
i'm not married. let him go on
To hold you in perpetual amity,
To make you brothers, and to knit your hearts
With an unslipping knot, take Antony
Octavia to his wife; whose beauty claims
No worse a husband than the best of men;
Whose virtue and whose general graces speak
That which none else can utter. By this marriage
All little jealousies, which now seem great,
And all great fears, which now import their dangers,
Would then be nothing. Truths would be tales,
Where now half-tales be truths. Her love to both
Would each to other, and all loves to both,
Draw after her. Pardon what I have spoke,
For ’tis a studied, not a present thought,
By duty ruminated.
To keep you united forever, to make you brothers, and to bind your hearts with a knot that won't slip, take Antony Octavia as his wife; whose beauty deserves no worse a husband than the greatest of men; whose character and whose overall nobility speak of something that nothing else can express. Through this marriage, all the small jealousies, which now seem serious, and all the serious fears, which now carry real danger, would then be nothing. What would be lies would be stories where now partial truths are being treated as facts. Her love for both would draw each of you to the other, and all love to both of you, would follow her. Forgive what I have said, for it's something I've thought carefully about, not something I just said off the top of my head, considered through my sense of duty.
To keep you unified forever and turn you into brothers, and tie your hearts together with an unbreakable bond, let Antony marry Octavia. She's beautiful enough to deserve the best husband in the world, and her character and grace speak volumes. This marriage would solve everything—all those little tensions that seem so serious now, and all those big fears that feel so dangerous, they'd all disappear. The truth would actually matter instead of everyone believing half-truths. Her love for both of you would make you love each other more. I've thought this through carefully, not just throwing it out there. I'm asking this with genuine respect.
marry octavia she's perfect for him it'd solve everything between you two
Will Caesar speak?
Will Caesar speak?
Will Caesar speak?
will caesar speak?
Not till he hears how Antony is touched
With what is spoke already.
Not until he hears how Antony reacts to what has already been said.
Not until he hears how Antony responds to what Agrippa's already suggested.
not till i hear what antony thinks
What power is in Agrippa,
If I would say “Agrippa, be it so,”
To make this good?
What power does Agrippa have— if I were to say 'Agrippa, let it be done,'— to make this happen?
What's Agrippa's actual power? If I just said 'Agrippa, do it,' would he actually be able to make this work?
can agrippa even make this happen?
The power of Caesar, and
His power unto Octavia.
My power as Caesar, and his power toward Octavia.
My authority as Caesar, and the control I have over Octavia.
my power and control over her
May I never
To this good purpose, that so fairly shows,
Dream of impediment! Let me have thy hand.
Further this act of grace; and from this hour
The heart of brothers govern in our loves
And sway our great designs!
May I never fail to support this worthy purpose, which looks so promising! Let me have your hand. Support this generous act; and from this moment on let the love of brothers govern how we treat each other and guide our great plans!
May I never hold back from this good purpose that looks so promising! Give me your hand. Let's seal this generous act, and from now on, let's treat each other like brothers and work toward great things together!
yes let's do this give me your hand we're brothers now
There’s my hand.
A sister I bequeath you, whom no brother
Did ever love so dearly. Let her live
To join our kingdoms and our hearts; and never
Fly off our loves again!
Here's my hand. I'm giving you a sister, whom no brother has ever loved as much as I will. Let her live to unite our kingdoms and our hearts; and may our love never separate again!
Here's my hand. I'm giving you my sister, and no brother has ever loved her more than I do. Let her live to bring our kingdoms and our hearts together, and let our bond never break apart!
here's my hand she's yours we're in this together forever
Happily, amen!
Happily, amen!
Happily, amen!
happily, amen!
I did not think to draw my sword ’gainst Pompey,
For he hath laid strange courtesies and great
Of late upon me. I must thank him only,
Lest my remembrance suffer ill report;
At heel of that, defy him.
I didn't think I'd have to fight against Pompey, because he has recently treated me with strange courtesies and great respect. I must thank him first, so I don't seem ungrateful; after that, I can oppose him.
I didn't expect to have to fight Pompey because he's been unexpectedly kind and respectful to me lately. I should thank him for that so I don't seem rude, and only then can I take him on.
pompey's been nice to me i gotta thank him first then fight him
Time calls upon ’s.
Of us must Pompey presently be sought,
Or else he seeks out us.
Time is calling us. We must find Pompey right away, Or he'll come looking for us.
We're running out of time. We need to find Pompey fast, or he'll come after us.
we need to move find pompey or he finds us
Octavia is given away in this scene without a word from her. Her brother Caesar calls her 'a blessed lottery' for Antony. Agrippa proposes she be used as 'a hoop' to bind the men together. Antony agrees immediately. Not one person in this scene asks what Octavia wants, or considers that she might have preferences. Shakespeare is not naive about this — he structures it so that Octavia's absence from the scene mirrors her absence from the decision. She is a political instrument, and everyone knows it. When Octavia finally appears and speaks, her gentleness and dignity will make the scene more uncomfortable in retrospect, not less.
Where lies he?
Where is he?
Where is he?
where is he
About the Mount Misena.
Near Mount Misena.
He's camped around Mount Misena.
mount misena area
What is his strength by land?
How strong is he on land?
How powerful is his army on land?
how many troops does he have?
Great and increasing; but by sea
He is an absolute master.
Large and growing; but at sea he has complete control.
Big and getting bigger, but at sea he's the real power.
big army he owns the sea tho
So is the fame.
Would we had spoke together! Haste we for it.
Yet, ere we put ourselves in arms, dispatch we
The business we have talked of.
That's what I've heard. I wish we had talked together before this! Let's hurry for that meeting. But before we take up arms, let's finish the business we've discussed today.
Yeah, that's what I've been hearing. I wish we'd talked sooner! Let's get moving to meet him. But first, let's wrap up what we've been talking about today.
that's the word. i wish we'd talked sooner let's finish this first then go
With most gladness,
And do invite you to my sister’s view,
Whither straight I’ll lead you.
With the greatest gladness, and I'll invite you to see my sister, where I'll take you directly.
I'd be delighted to. I want you to meet my sister, and I'll take you there right now.
absolutely come meet my sister
Let us, Lepidus, not lack your company.
Let us go, Lepidus, so you won't lack our company.
Let's go, Lepidus—we want you with us.
come with us lepidus
Noble Antony, not sickness should detain me.
Noble Antony, nothing short of sickness would keep me away.
Noble Antony, nothing but illness would stop me from coming.
nothing'll stop me from coming
Welcome from Egypt, sir.
Glad to have you back from your time in Egypt.
Great to see you again after your Egyptian adventure.
hey you're back from egypt
Half the heart of Caesar, worthy Maecenas! My honourable friend,
Agrippa!
Half of Caesar's heart, worthy Maecenas! My honored friend, Agrippa!
Maecenas, you're the heart of Caesar's side! And Agrippa, my good friend!
maecenas! agrippa! my friends!
Good Enobarbus!
Good Enobarbus!
Good Enobarbus!
good enobarbus!
We have cause to be glad that matters are so well digested. You stayed
well by ’t in Egypt.
We have reason to be glad that things have turned out so well. You conducted yourself nicely while you were in Egypt.
Things worked out great, and you did well for yourself while you were in Egypt.
things went well you lived it up in egypt
Ay, sir, we did sleep day out of countenance and made the night light
with drinking.
Yes, sir, we slept through the days and ignored our schedule, and made the nights bright with drinking.
Yeah, we slept all day like it didn't matter and partied all night.
we slept all day and drank all night
Eight wild boars roasted whole at a breakfast, and but twelve persons
there. Is this true?
Eight whole roasted wild boars at one breakfast, with only twelve people present? Is this true?
Eight whole roasted boars at breakfast for only twelve people? Is that really what happened?
8 roasted boars for 12 people? seriously?
This was but as a fly by an eagle. We had much more monstrous matter of
feast, which worthily deserved noting.
That was just like a fly compared to an eagle. We had even more extreme and incredible feasting, which truly deserved to be mentioned.
That's nothing compared to what we really did. We had even wilder feasts that were worth talking about.
that was nothing compared to what we actually did
She’s a most triumphant lady, if report be square to her.
She's an extremely triumphant lady, if what's reported about her is accurate.
She's absolutely magnificent, if half of what people say about her is true.
she's incredible if the stories are real
When she first met Mark Antony, she pursed up his heart upon the river
of Cydnus.
When she first encountered Mark Antony, she captured his heart completely on the river of Cydnus.
When she first met Mark Antony, she completely won his heart right there on the Cydnus river.
she captured antony's heart on the river
There she appeared indeed, or my reporter devised well for her.
She appeared magnificently then, or my source described her very well.
She made quite an impression, or whoever told me about it really knew how to tell the story.
she made an impact. or the story's just good
I will tell you.
The barge she sat in, like a burnished throne,
Burned on the water. The poop was beaten gold;
Purple the sails, and so perfumed that
The winds were love-sick with them; the oars were silver,
Which to the tune of flutes kept stroke, and made
The water which they beat to follow faster,
As amorous of their strokes. For her own person,
It beggared all description: she did lie
In her pavilion, cloth-of-gold of tissue,
O’erpicturing that Venus where we see
The fancy outwork nature. On each side her
Stood pretty dimpled boys, like smiling Cupids,
With divers-coloured fans, whose wind did seem
To glow the delicate cheeks which they did cool,
And what they undid did.
I will tell you. The barge she sat in was like a burnished throne burning on the water. The stern was beaten gold, the sails purple and perfumed so heavily that the winds fell in love with them. The oars were silver, and to the sound of flutes they kept rhythm, making the water follow them as if yearning for their touch. As for her own person—it surpassed all description. She lay in her pavilion of cloth-of-gold, outshining even the Venus we see in paintings, where fancy outdoes nature itself. On each side stood pretty dimpled boys like smiling Cupids with colorful fans. Their wind seemed to make her delicate cheeks glow even as they cooled them—doing and undoing at once.
I will tell you. The boat she sat in was like a shining throne on fire on the water. The back was solid gold, the sails were purple and smelled so good the wind fell in love with them. The oars were silver, and they kept time to flute music, making the water follow them like it was desperate for their touch. As for her—nothing could describe her. She lay in a pavilion of gold cloth, more beautiful than any painting of Venus, where art beats nature. On both sides were pretty little boys like baby Cupids with colored fans. The air they made seemed to both heat and cool her perfect cheeks at the same time.
barge like burnished throne burned on water purple sails perfumed winds love-sick silver oars flutes beggared all description venus smiling cupids fancy outwork nature does and undoes
O, rare for Antony!
Oh, how rare! For Antony!
Rare! For Antony!
rare for antony what a sight
Her gentlewomen, like the Nereides,
So many mermaids, tended her i’ th’ eyes,
And made their bends adornings. At the helm
A seeming mermaid steers. The silken tackle
Swell with the touches of those flower-soft hands
That yarely frame the office. From the barge
A strange invisible perfume hits the sense
Of the adjacent wharfs. The city cast
Her people out upon her, and Antony,
Enthroned i’ th’ market-place, did sit alone,
Whistling to th’ air, which, but for vacancy,
Had gone to gaze on Cleopatra too,
And made a gap in nature.
Her women, like the sea-nymphs, so many mermaids, attended her and made their curtsies into ornaments. At the helm, a seeming mermaid steers. The silken ropes swell with the touch of those flower-soft hands that skillfully work. From the barge, a strange invisible perfume hits the air of the nearby docks. The city emptied its people onto the shore, and Antony, throned alone in the marketplace, sat whistling to the air—which, if it had anywhere to go, would have gone to look at Cleopatra too and made a void in nature.
Her women, like sea-nymphs—mermaids, really—waited on her and their bows became part of her beauty. A mermaid-like woman steers the boat. The silken ropes are swollen with the touch of those soft flower-like hands that work them. From the barge, a strange invisible smell hits the air at the docks. The city poured its people out to watch, and Antony, sitting alone on his throne in the marketplace, whistled to the breeze. If the wind had anywhere else to go, it would have gone to stare at Cleopatra too and left a hole in the world.
nereides mermaids silken tackle flower-soft hands invisible perfume adjacentwharfs city cast people antony whistling made gap in nature
Rare Egyptian!
What a rare Egyptian!
Rare! Egyptian!
rare egyptian
Upon her landing, Antony sent to her,
Invited her to supper. She replied
It should be better he became her guest,
Which she entreated. Our courteous Antony,
Whom ne’er the word of “No” woman heard speak,
Being barbered ten times o’er, goes to the feast,
And, for his ordinary, pays his heart
For what his eyes eat only.
When she landed, Antony sent for her and invited her to supper. She replied that it would be better if he became her guest, which she requested. Our courteous Antony, who never heard a woman say no, got himself shaved ten times over and went to the feast. And for his ordinary meal, he paid his heart—his soul—for what his eyes merely tasted.
When she landed, Antony invited her to dinner. She said no—he should come to her as her guest, and she asked this nicely. Our polite Antony, who never hears the word no from women, shaved himself over and over and went to the dinner. And he paid with his heart—his whole soul—just to watch her eat.
antony sent invited supper better he became guest entreated courteous antony word of no barbered pays his heart for what eyes eat
Royal wench!
She made great Caesar lay his sword to bed.
He ploughed her, and she cropped.
Royal woman! She made the great Caesar lay down his sword for bed. He plowed her, and she reaped.
Royal woman! She made great Caesar put his sword away for sex. He had her, and she won.
royal wench great caesar lay sword to bed ploughed cropped
I saw her once
Hop forty paces through the public street
And, having lost her breath, she spoke and panted,
That she did make defect perfection,
And, breathless, pour breath forth.
I saw her once run forty steps through the public street and, having lost her breath, she spoke and panted in such a way that she made her breathlessness itself become perfect, and breathless, poured out new breath.
I saw her run forty steps through the street once and lose her breath, then speak and pant in a way that made even being out of breath look beautiful. Breathless, she was still pouring out life.
forty paces public street lost breath spoke panted make defect perfection breathless pour breath
Now Antony must leave her utterly.
Now Antony must abandon her completely.
Now Antony must leave her for good.
must leave utterly
Never. He will not.
Age cannot wither her, nor custom stale
Her infinite variety. Other women cloy
The appetites they feed, but she makes hungry
Where most she satisfies. For vilest things
Become themselves in her, that the holy priests
Bless her when she is riggish.
Never. He will not. Age cannot wither her, nor habit diminish her endless variety. Other women dull the appetites they satisfy, but she creates hunger where she most fully satisfies. For the vilest things become beautiful in her. The holy priests bless her even when she is most wanton.
Never. He will not. Time cannot age her, routine cannot wear her out. She has infinite variety. Other women kill desire by giving in to it, but she makes you hungry for more the more you have her. Even the worst things become beautiful in her. Priests bless her even when she is at her most wild.
never age cannot wither custom stale infinite variety other women cloy she makes hungry where most satisfies holyPriests bless when riggish
If beauty, wisdom, modesty can settle
The heart of Antony, Octavia is
A blessed lottery to him.
If beauty, wisdom, and modesty can stabilize Antony's heart, then Octavia is a wonderful match for him.
If beauty, wisdom, and modesty matter to Antony, then Octavia is exactly what he needs.
octavia's perfect for him if he values that stuff
Let us go.
Good Enobarbus, make yourself my guest
Whilst you abide here.
Let's go. Enobarbus, be my guest while you're staying here.
Let's head out. Enobarbus, stay with me while you're around.
let's go. you're staying with me enobarbus
Humbly, sir, I thank you.
With respect, I thank you.
I appreciate that, thank you very much.
thanks for that
The Reckoning
The political negotiation is tense and just barely civil — two enormous egos circling each other. They shake hands on a marriage that neither fully believes in. Then, when the principals leave, Enobarbus delivers the barge speech: the most beautiful description of Cleopatra in the play. The marriage is sealed in the same scene where Enobarbus tells us it's doomed. That's the play's cruelest irony — the audience watches Octavia's fate being decided in the same breath as her rival is elevated to something beyond comparison.
If this happened today…
Two tech founders who've been publicly feuding are brokered into a partnership by a mutual board member. They shake hands in front of investors. One offers his sister as Chief Operating Officer to seal the deal. There's handshaking and brand messaging about 'brothers in a shared mission.' Then, after the press release goes out, one of their mutual friends tells the other's team candidly: 'He's going back to his main project within six months. He married this deal because he had to. The other thing owns him.'