Original Text
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Modern Text
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Enter CLEOPATRA,
CHARMIAN, ALEXAS, and
IRAS
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CLEOPATRA, CHARMIAN,
ALEXAS, and IRAS
enter.
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CLEOPATRA
Where is he?
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CLEOPATRA
Where is he?
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CHARMIAN
I did not see him since.
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CHARMIAN
I haven’t seen him recently.
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CLEOPATRA
(to
ALEXAS
) See where he is, who’s with him,
what he does.
I did not send you. If you find him sad,
Say I am dancing. If in mirth, report
5That I am sudden sick. Quick, and return.
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CLEOPATRA
(to
ALEXAS
) Find out where he is, who’s with
him, and what he’s doing. Don’t tell him I sent you. If he’s sad,
tell him I’m dancing. If he’s happy, say that I’ve suddenly taken
sick. Hurry, and come back.
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Exit
ALEXAS
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ALEXAS
exits.
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CHARMIAN
Madam, methinks, if you did love him dearly,
You do not hold the method to enforce
The like from him.
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CHARMIAN
Madam, I think if you love him so much, you aren’t using the best
way to get him to reciprocate.
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CLEOPATRA
What should I do I do
not?
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CLEOPATRA
What should I do that I’m not doing?
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CHARMIAN
In each thing give him way. Cross him in nothing.
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CHARMIAN
Always give him his way. Never contradict him.
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CLEOPATRA
10Thou teachest like a fool the way to lose him.
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CLEOPATRA
You advise me like a fool. That’s the way to lose him.
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CHARMIAN
Tempt him not so too far. I wish, forbear.
In time we hate that which we often fear.
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CHARMIAN
Don’t push him too far. I wish you’d be patient. We come to hate
that which controls us.
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Enter ANTONY
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ANTONY enters.
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But here comes Antony.
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But here comes Antony.
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CLEOPATRA
I am sick and
sullen.
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CLEOPATRA
I am sick and sullen.
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ANTONY
I am sorry to give breathing to my purpose—
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ANTONY
I’m sorry to have to say this—
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CLEOPATRA
15Help me away, dear Charmian! I shall fall.
It cannot be thus long. The sides of nature
Will not sustain it.
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CLEOPATRA
Help me away from here, dear Charmian! I shall faint. I won’t be
able to go on this way much longer. Human nature isn’t built to
withstand this.
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