Shakespeare's Antony and Cleopatra

Antony and Cleopatra

Please see the bottom of this page for explanatory notes and resources.

ACT III SCENE V	The same. Another room.
[Enter DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS and EROS, meeting]
DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS	How now, friend Eros!
EROS	There's strange news come, sir.
DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS	What, man?
EROS	Caesar and Lepidus have made wars upon Pompey.
DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS	This is old: what is the success?	5
EROS	Caesar, having made use of him in the wars 'gainst
	Pompey, presently denied him rivality; would not let
	him partake in the glory of the action: and not
	resting here, accuses him of letters he had formerly
	wrote to Pompey; upon his own appeal, seizes him: so	10
	the poor third is up, till death enlarge his confine.
DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS	Then, world, thou hast a pair of chaps, no more;
	And throw between them all the food thou hast,
	They'll grind the one the other. Where's Antony?
EROS	He's walking in the garden--thus; and spurns	15
	The rush that lies before him; cries, 'Fool Lepidus!'
	And threats the throat of that his officer
	That murder'd Pompey.
DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS	Our great navy's rigg'd.
EROS	For Italy and Caesar. More, Domitius;	20
	My lord desires you presently: my news
	I might have told hereafter.
DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS	'Twill be naught:
	But let it be. Bring me to Antony.
EROS	Come, sir.	25
[Exeunt]

Antony and Cleopatra, Act 3, Scene 6
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Explanatory Notes for Act 3, Scene 5
From Shakespeare's Antony and Cleopatra. Ed. M. Eaton. Boston: Educational Publishing Company.
(Line numbers have been altered.)
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5. Success. Result.

7. Rivality. Partnership. The primary meaning of rivals is "associates."

10. Wrote. An unusual form of the past participle which was more commonly "writ" or "written."

10. Appeal. A criminal charge, impeachment.

11. Up. Shut up.

12. Pair of chaps. That is, the world is now divided between Caesar and Antony, and they will fight it out between them.

17. Rush. That is, every little thing that comes in his way.

20. For. That is, it is hired for Italy against Caesar.

20. More. There is more to tell, namely, that Antony desires you instantly.

22. Naught. Of no importance.

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How to cite the explanatory notes:
Shakespeare, William. Antony and Cleopatra. Ed. M. Eaton. Boston: Educational Publishing Company, 1908. Shakespeare Online. 20 Feb. 2010. (date when you accessed the information) < http://www.shakespeare-online.com/plays/antony_3_5.html >.

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