Optional Project 2

PHILO

Nay, but this dotage of our general's

O'erflows the measure: those his goodly eyes,

That o'er the files and musters of the war

Have glow'd like plated Mars, now bend, now turn,

The office and devotion of their view

Upon a tawny front: his captain's heart,

Which in the scuffles of great fights hath burst

The buckles on his breast, reneges all temper,

And is become the bellows and the fan

To cool a gipsy's lust.

Flourish. Enter ANTONY, CLEOPATRA, her Ladies, the Train, with Eunuchs fanning her

Look, where they come:

Take but good note, and you shall see in him.

The triple pillar of the world transform'd

Into a strumpet's fool: behold and see.

CLEOPATRA

If it be love indeed, tell me how much.

MARK ANTONY

There's beggary in the love that can be reckon'd.

CLEOPATRA

I'll set a bourn how far to be beloved.

MARK ANTONY

Then must thou needs find out new heaven, new earth.

Enter an Attendant

Attendant

News, my good lord, from Rome.

MARK ANTONY

Grates me: the sum.

CLEOPATRA

Nay, hear them, Antony:

Fulvia perchance is angry; or, who knows

If the scarce-bearded Caesar have not sent

His powerful mandate to you, 'Do this, or this;

Take in that kingdom, and enfranchise that;

Perform 't, or else we damn thee.'

MARK ANTONY

How, my love!

CLEOPATRA

Perchance! nay, and most like:

You must not stay here longer, your dismission

Is come from Caesar; therefore hear it, Antony.

Where's Fulvia's process? Caesar's I would say? both?

Call in the messengers. As I am Egypt's queen,

Thou blushest, Antony; and that blood of thine

Is Caesar's homager: else so thy cheek pays shame

When shrill-tongued Fulvia scolds. The messengers!

FILO

¡Basta! ¡No! El desvarío de nuestro general

sobrepasa ya toda mesura. Aquellos ojos altivos

que al desfilar sus legiones de guerreros

brillaban tal Marte armado, ahora inclinan

la devoción servil de su mirada

ante la frente de una morena. Aquel corazón

de capitán que en combates estallaba

las correas en su pecho, reniega su temple

y ahora su fuelle no es sino abanico

que aventa los deseos de esa gitana.

Trompetas. Entran Antonio, Cleopatra, sus damas y su séquito, con eunucos abanicándola

Mirad, aquí llegan.

Observadle bien, y podréis contemplar

al tercer pilar del mundo transformado

en juguete y bufón de una coima. Observadle.

CLEOPATRA

Si es amor como juráis, decidme cuánto.

ANTONIO

Pobre sería amor si contarse pudiera.

CLEOPATRA

Yo diré hasta dónde se ha de amarme.

ANTONIO

Otro cielo y otra tierra serían precisos.

Entra un mensajero

MENSAJERO

Noticias, mi señor, de Roma.

ANTONIO

Me aburren. Sed breve.

CLEOPATRA

No, Antonio, escuchadlas.

Quizá Fulvia se ha enojado, o tal vez

ese César imberbe os emplaza

con órdenes terminantes: “Haz esto, o aquello,

invade aquel reino, libera aquel otro.

Obedece, o serás castigado”.

ANTONIO

¿Qué decís, amor?

CLEOPATRA

¿Tal vez? No, es seguro;

No debéis permanecer aquí. Son las órdenes

de vuestra destitución, Antonio, debéis oírlas.

Fulvia os reclamará, o César, o ambos.

Llamad a los mensajeros. Yo soy reina de Egipto,

y tú enrojeces, Antonio, y tu sangre es vasalla

de César. ¿O así tributan rubor tus mejillas

cuando Fulvia te acusa gruñendo? ¡Los mensajeros!

**PHILO**

Nay, but our general’s old age

Overfloweth all bounds: those handsome eyes of his,

That shone over the troops and musters of war

Like the armored Mars, now look down, now turn,

The duty and attention of their gaze

Upon a tanned face: his captain's heart,

Which in the heat of fierce battles has burst

The buckles on his chest, now loses all restraint

And becomes merely the bellows and fan

To cool a gypsy’s desire.

**Flourish. Enter ANTONY, CLEOPATRA, her Ladies, the Train, with Eunuchs fanning her.**

Look, they are coming:

Pay attention, and you will see in him

The once great pillar of the world transformed

Into a foolish lover of a harlot: look and see.

**CLEOPATRA**

If it’s truly love, tell me how much.

**MARK ANTONY**

Love that can be calculated is like begging.

**CLEOPATRA**

I’ll set limits on how far I wish to be loved.

**MARK ANTONY**

Then you must find a new heaven and a new earth.

**Enter an Attendant.**

**Attendant**

News, my lord, from Rome.

**MARK ANTONY**

I sense trouble: what’s the message?

**CLEOPATRA**

No, listen to me, Antony:

Fulvia might be upset; or who knows

If the young Caesar hasn’t sent

His powerful command to you: ‘Do this, or that;

Take this kingdom, and free that one;

Do it, or we’ll condemn you.’

**MARK ANTONY**

What, my love!

**CLEOPATRA**

Perhaps! Most likely:

You can’t stay here any longer; your dismissal

Has come from Caesar; so listen, Antony.

Where’s Fulvia's business? Caesar’s? Both?

Bring in the messengers. As I am Egypt’s queen,

You’re blushing, Antony; and that blood of yours

Is owed to Caesar: otherwise, your cheek betrays you

When loud-tongued Fulvia scolds. The messengers!