Antony and Cleopatra

Act 4, Scene 13

Enter CLEOPATRA, CHARMIAN, IRAS, and MARDIAN

CLEOPATRA, CHARMIAN, IRAS, and MARDIAN enter.

CLEOPATRA

Help me, my women! Oh, he’s more mad

Than Telamon for his shield. The boar of Thessaly

Was never so embossed.

CLEOPATRA

Help me, ladies! Oh, Antony is more furious than Telamon, who killed himself in a jealous rage. The wild boar of Thessaly, which the goddess Diana sent to punish King Caledon for neglecting her sacrifices, didn’t foam at the mouth as much as Antony does now.

CHARMIAN

To th’ monument!

There lock yourself and send him word you are dead.

The soul and body rive not more in parting

Than greatness going off.

CHARMIAN

Go to your tomb! Lock yourself in and send him word that you’re dead. When a great person departs, it causes more pain than when the soul leaves the body.

CLEOPATRA

To th’ monument!—

Mardian, go tell him I have slain myself.

Say that the last I spoke was “Antony,”

And word it, prithee, piteously. Hence, Mardian,

And bring me how he takes my death. (to the others) To th’ monument!

CLEOPATRA

To my tomb! Mardian, go tell him I’ve killed myself. Say the last word I spoke was “Antony,” and please word it pathetically. Go, Mardian, and let me know how he reacts to my death. (to the others) To the tomb!

Exeunt

They all exit.