Act IV. Scene I. Antony and Cleopatra. Craig, W.J., ed. 1914. The Oxford Shakespeare

William Shakespeare (1564–1616). The Oxford Shakespeare. 1914.

Antony and Cleopatra

Act IV. Scene I.

Before Alexandria. CÆSAR’S Camp.

Enter CÆSAR, reading a letter; AGRIPPA, MECÆNAS, and Others.
cæs. He calls me boy, and chides as he had power
To beat me out of Egypt; my messenger	4
He hath whipp’d with rods; dares me to personal combat,
Cæsar to Antony. Let the old ruffian know
I have many other ways to die; meantime
Laugh at his challenge.	8
Mec. Cæsar must think,
When one so great begins to rage, he’s hunted
Even to falling. Give him no breath, but now
Make boot of his distraction: never anger	12
Made good guard for itself.
Cæs. Let our best heads
Know that to-morrow the last of many battles
We mean to fight. Within our files there are,	16
Of those that serv’d Mark Antony but late,
Enough to fetch him in. See it done;
And feast the army; we have store to do ’t,
And they have earn’d the waste. Poor Antony! [Exeunt.	20