Abridged Antony and Cleopatra/#1/Enchantment/Act 1, Scene 1
Mark Antony, a third of the triumvirate that rules Rome,
is in Alexandria, having fallen hard for Cleopatra. The year is 30 B.C. As Antony and Cleopatra enter, Philo, an aide
to Antony says “Look where they come.
Take but good note, and you shall see in him the triple pillar of the
world transformed into a strumpet’s fool.
Behold and see.” A messenger
enters saying “News, my good lord, from Rome.”
Cleopatra condescendingly says “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 that. You must not stay here longer; your
dismission is come from Caesar.” Fulvia
is Antony’s wife. Caesar is the very
young Octavius Caesar, only recently old enough to grow a beard. Antony responds “Let Rome in Tiber melt and
the wide arch of the ranged empire fall.
Here is my space. Kingdoms are
clay. There’s not a minute of our lives should stretch without some pleasure
now. What sport tonight?” He tells the messenger “Speak not to
us.” Demetrius, another aide to Antony,
comments “Is Caesar with Antonius prized so slight?”