No Fear Shakespeare
Antony and Cleopatra
Get this No Fear to go!
Act 3, Scene 11
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Modern Text |
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Enter ANTONY with
attendants |
ANTONY enters with
attendants. |
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ANTONY
Hark. The land bids me tread no more upon ’t.
It is ashamed to bear me. Friends, come hither.
I am so lated in the world that I
Have lost my way forever. I have a ship
Laden with gold. Take that, divide it. Fly
And make your peace with Caesar.
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ANTONY
Listen. The earth tells me to stop walking upon it, as it’s
ashamed to carry me. Friends, come here. I’m completely lost. I have
a ship full of treasure. Take that. Divide it. Escape and make peace
with Caesar.
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ALL
Fly?
Not we.
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ALL
Flee? Not us.
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ANTONY
I have fled myself, and have instructed cowards
To run and show their shoulders. Friends, begone.
I have myself resolved upon a course
Which has no need of you. Begone.
My treasure’s in the harbor. Take it. Oh,
I followed that I blush to look upon!
My very hairs do mutiny, for the white
Reprove the brown for rashness, and they them
For fear and doting. Friends, begone. You
shall
Have letters from me to some friends that will
Sweep your way for you. Pray you, look not sad,
Nor make replies of loathness. Take the hint
Which my despair proclaims. Let that be left
Which leaves itself. To the seaside
straightway!
I will possess you of that ship and treasure.
Leave me, I pray, a little. Pray you now,
Nay, do so, for indeed I have lost command.
Therefore I pray you. I’ll see you by and by.
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ANTONY
I have already fled from my true self. I’ve told cowards to turn
their backs on me and run. Friends, go. I’ve decided on a plan that
doesn’t require your assistance. Leave. My treasure’s in the harbor;
take it. Oh, I followed something I’m ashamed to look at now! Even
my hair revolts. The white hairs blame the brown hairs for being
irresponsible, and the brown ones blame the white ones for being
spineless and foolish. Friends, go. I’ll give you letters of
introduction to some friends of mine who will help you. Please,
don’t be sad, and don’t tell me how reluctant you are. Take your
cues from my own despair. Abandon the person that has abandoned
himself. Go to the harbor immediately! I’ll give you the title to
that ship and its treasure. Just give me a moment, please—only a
moment. I’ve relinquished my authority, so please—I’ll see you all
before long.
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