Antonije i Kleopatra: Čin 1, prizor 1

Philo

Nay, but this dotage of our general’sO’erflows the measure. Those his goodly eyes,That o’er the files and musters of the warHave glowed like plated Mars, now bend, now turnThe office and devotion of their viewUpon a tawny front. His captain’s heart,Which in the scuffles of great fights hath burstThe buckles on his breast, reneges all temperAnd is become the bellows and the fanTo cool a gipsy’s lust.

Really, our general’s infatuation has gone beyond all limits. His splendid eyes once shone like those of Mars in armor as he surveyed the ranks and troops at war. Now they turn and devote all their attention to a dark-skinned face. His commander’s heart, which swelled so fiercely in great battles that it burst the buckles on his chest armor, has abandoned all restraint. It has become nothing but a bellows and a fan to satisfy a gypsy’s lust.

Cleopatra

If it be love indeed, tell me how much.

If it really is love, tell me how much.

Antony

There’s beggary in the love that can be reckoned.

Love that can be measured is a poor sort of love.

Cleopatra

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

I’ll set a limit to how much I’m loved.

Antony

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

Then you’ll have to discover a new heaven and a new earth.

Messenger

News, my good lord, from Rome.

News from Rome, my good lord.

Antony

Grates me, the sum.

How irritating. Give me the main point.

Cleopatra

Nay, hear them, Antony.Fulvia perchance is angry; or who knowsIf the scarce-bearded Caesar have not sentHis powerful mandate to you: “Do this or this;Take in that kingdom and enfranchise that.Perform’t, or else we damn thee.”

No, hear the news, Antony. Perhaps Fulvia is angry. Or who knows? Maybe that barely bearded Caesar has sent you his mighty orders: “Do this or that. Conquer that kingdom and set that one free. Do it, or we’ll condemn you.”

Antony

How, my love?

What’s that, my love?

Cleopatra

Perchance! Nay, and most like.You must not stay here longer; your dismissionIs 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 thineIs Caesar’s homager; else so thy cheek pays shameWhen shrill-tongued Fulvia scolds. The messengers!

Perhaps? No, it’s very likely. You mustn’t stay here any longer. Caesar has sent orders for you to leave, so listen to them, Antony. Where’s Fulvia’s summons—Caesar’s, I mean? Both? Call the messengers in. As surely as I’m Egypt’s queen, you’re blushing, Antony, and that blood in your cheeks bows to Caesar. Or else your cheeks blush with shame when sharp-tongued Fulvia scolds you. Bring in the messengers!

Antony

Let Rome in Tiber melt, and the wide archOf the ranged empire fall! Here is my space.Kingdoms are clay. Our dungy earth alikeFeeds beast as man. The nobleness of lifeIs to do thus [Embracing]; when such a mutual pairAnd such a twain can do’t, in which I bind,On pain of punishment, the world to weetWe stand up peerless.

Let Rome melt into the Tiber, and let the great arch of our vast empire collapse! This is where I belong. Kingdoms are only dirt. Our filthy earth feeds animals and humans alike. The finest thing in life is to do this [He embraces her.], when two people like us, so perfectly matched in love, can do it. And I command the world, on pain of punishment, to recognize that we have no equals.

Cleopatra

Excellent falsehood!Why did he marry Fulvia, and not love her?I’ll seem the fool I am not. AntonyWill be himself.

What a wonderful lie! Why did he marry Fulvia if he didn’t love her? I’ll pretend to be the fool I’m not. Antony will always be Antony.

Antony

But stirred by Cleopatra.Now, for the love of Love and her soft hours,Let’s not confound the time with conference harsh.There’s not a minute of our lives should stretchWithout some pleasure now. What sport tonight?

But moved by Cleopatra. Now, for the love of love and its sweet hours, let’s not spoil our time with unpleasant talk. Not a minute of our lives should pass without some pleasure now. What entertainment shall we have tonight?

Cleopatra

Hear the ambassadors.

Listen to the ambassadors.

Antony

Fie, wrangling queen!Whom everything becomes—to chide, to laugh,To weep; whose every passion fully strivesTo make itself, in thee fair and admired!No messenger but thine, and all aloneTonight we’ll wander through the streets and noteThe qualities of people. Come, my queen,Last night you did desire it. Speak not to us.

Oh, you quarrelsome queen! Everything suits you—scolding, laughing, crying. Every emotion seems to compete to look beautiful and admirable in you! I’ll hear no messenger but yours. Tonight we’ll wander through the streets alone and observe the different kinds of people. Come, my queen. You wanted to do that last night. Don’t speak to us.

Demetrius

Is Caesar with Antonius prized so slight?

Does Antonius think so little of Caesar?

Philo

Sir, sometimes when he is not Antony,He comes too short of that great propertyWhich still should go with Antony.

Sir, sometimes, when he isn’t himself, he falls far short of the greatness that should always belong to Antony.

Demetrius

I am full sorryThat he approves the common liar whoThus speaks of him at Rome, but I will hopeOf better deeds tomorrow. Rest you happy!

I’m very sorry that he proves those lying gossips in Rome right about him. But I’ll hope for better deeds tomorrow. Have a good night!