Antony and Cleopatra

William Shakespeare
No Fear Act 4 Scene 9
No Fear Act 4 Scene 9 Page 1
Page 1 Page 2

Original Text

Modern Text
Enter a SENTRY and his company. ENOBARBUS follows
A SENTRY and his company enter, followed by ENOBARBUS.

SENTRY

If we be not relieved within this hour,
We must return to th’ court of guard. The night
Is shiny, and they say we shall embattle
By th’ second hour i’ th’ morn.

SENTRY

If we aren’t relieved in an hour, we have to return to our barracks. The night is bright, and they say we’ll be forming for battle by two a.m.

FIRST WATCH

5This last day was a shrewd one to ’s.

FIRST WATCH

That last day was a hard one for us.

ENOBARBUS

O bear me witness, night—

ENOBARBUS

Oh, listen to me, night—

SECOND WATCH

What man is this?

SECOND WATCH

Who is this?

FIRST WATCH

Stand close and list him.

FIRST WATCH

Stay hidden and listen.

ENOBARBUS

Be witness to me, O thou blessèd moon,
10When men revolted shall upon record
Bear hateful memory, poor Enobarbus did
Before thy face repent.

ENOBARBUS

Be my witness, oh you blessed moon. The men who revolted against Antony will be remembered scornfully in the history books. But poor Enobarbus repented.

SENTRY

Enobarbus?

SENTRY

That’s Enobarbus?

SECOND WATCH

Peace! Hark further.

SECOND WATCH

Quiet! Keep listening.

ENOBARBUS

15O sovereign mistress of true melancholy,
The poisonous damp of night disponge upon me,
That life, a very rebel to my will,
May hang no longer on me. Throw my heart
Against the flint and hardness of my fault,
20Which, being dried with grief, will break to powder
And finish all foul thoughts. O Antony,
Nobler than my revolt is infamous,
Forgive me in thine own particular,
But let the world rank me in register
25A master-leaver and a fugitive.
O Antony! O Antony!

ENOBARBUS

Oh, moon, you queen of sadness, drop poisonous dew on me so that my life, which continues against my wishes, will end. Take my heart and throw it against my hard, stony sin. My heart, which dried out with grief, will surely break apart into a powder, and that will be the end of my disgusting mind. Oh, Antony! You are more noble than my revolt is dishonorable. Forgive my crimes against you, but let history record me as a fugitive traitor. Oh, Antony! Oh, Antony!
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