wunder · Library

Part 21

Antony and Cleopatra · William Shakespeare — chapter 21 of 43 · ~363 words · public domain

Read in the Wunder reader — free

Cleo. Did'st thou behold Octauia? Mes. I dread Queene

Cleo. Where? Mes. Madam in Rome, I lookt her in the face: and saw her led betweene her Brother, and Marke Anthony

Cleo. Is she as tall as me? Mes. She is not Madam

Cleo. Didst heare her speake? Is she shrill tongu'd or low? Mes. Madam, I heard her speake, she is low voic'd

Cleo. That's not so good: he cannot like her long

Char. Like her? Oh Isis: 'tis impossible

Cleo. I thinke so Charmian: dull of tongue, & dwarfish What Maiestie is in her gate, remember If ere thou look'st on Maiestie

Mes. She creepes: her motion, & her station are as one. She shewes a body, rather then a life, A Statue, then a Breather

Cleo. Is this certaine? Mes. Or I haue no obseruance

Cha. Three in Egypt cannot make better note

Cleo. He's very knowing, I do perceiu't, There's nothing in her yet. The Fellow ha's good iudgement

Char. Excellent

Cleo. Guesse at her yeares, I prythee

Mess. Madam, she was a widdow

Cleo. Widdow? Charmian, hearke

Mes. And I do thinke she's thirtie

Cle. Bear'st thou her face in mind? is't long or round? Mess. Round, euen to faultinesse

Cleo. For the most part too, they are foolish that are so. Her haire what colour? Mess. Browne Madam: and her forehead As low as she would wish it

Cleo. There's Gold for thee, Thou must not take my former sharpenesse ill, I will employ thee backe againe: I finde thee Most fit for businesse. Go, make thee ready, Our Letters are prepar'd

Char. A proper man

Cleo. Indeed he is so: I repent me much That so I harried him. Why me think's by him, This Creature's no such thing

Char. Nothing Madam

Cleo. The man hath seene some Maiesty, and should know

Char. Hath he seene Maiestie? Isis else defend: and seruing you so long

Cleopa. I haue one thing more to aske him yet good Charmian: but 'tis no matter, thou shalt bring him to me where I will write; all may be well enough

Char. I warrant you Madam.

Exeunt.

Enter Anthony and Octauia.

← Previous chapterAll chaptersNext chapter →

Antony and Cleopatra · The Wunder Library — complete classics, free to read, with narration.

© 2026 Wunder Learning LLC · Terms & Privacy