Antony and Cleopatra

William Shakespeare
No Fear Act 3 Scene 12
No Fear Act 3 Scene 12 Page 1
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Modern Text
Enter CAESAR, AGRIPPA, THIDIAS, and DOLABELLA, with others
CAESAR, AGRIPPA, THIDIAS, and DOLABELLA enter, with others of the court.

CAESAR

Let him appear that’s come from Antony.
Know you him?

CAESAR

Let the envoy from Antony come in. Do you know him?

DOLABELLA

                                Caesar, ’tis his schoolmaster—
An argument that he is plucked, when hither
He sends so poor a pinion of his wing,
5Which had superfluous kings for messengers
Not many moons gone by.

DOLABELLA

It’s Antony’s schoolmaster. By sending such an insignificant emissary, Antony shows us how low he has sunk. Not so long ago, he had so many royal supporters that he sent along extra kings as messengers.
Enter AMBASSADOR from Antony
Antony’s AMBASSADOR enters.

CAESAR

                                                     Approach and speak.

CAESAR

Come forward and speak.

AMBASSADOR

Such as I am, I come from Antony.
I was of late as petty to his ends
As is the morn-dew on the myrtle leaf
10To his grand sea.

AMBASSADOR

Humble as I am, I represent Antony. Until recently, I was as unimportant to his affairs as the morning dew is to the wide ocean.

CAESAR

                                  Be ’t so. Declare thine office.

CAESAR

So be it. Say what you’re here for.

AMBASSADOR

Lord of his fortunes he salutes thee, and
Requires to live in Egypt; which not granted,
He lessens his requests, and to thee sues
To let him breathe between the heavens and earth
15A private man in Athens. This for him.
Next, Cleopatra does confess thy greatness,
Submits her to thy might, and of thee craves
The circle of the Ptolemies for her heirs,
Now hazarded to thy grace.

AMBASSADOR

He acknowledges that you are the master of his fate, and he requests to be allowed to live in Egypt. If that is not granted, he reduces his requests and asks only that he be allowed to live as a private man in Athens. That’s all he asks for himself. Cleopatra recognizes your greatness and accepts your authority. She only asks that the crown of Egypt pass to her heirs, who are now at your mercy.
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