Antony and Cleopatra, Act 3, Scene 3

Where is the fellow?

Where is the man?

Half afeared to come.

Half afraid to come in.

Go to, go to.

Nonsense, nonsense.

Come hither, sir.

Come here, sir.

Good majesty, Herod of Jewry dare not look upon you But when you are well pleased.

Good majesty, Herod of Jewry dares not look at you except when you are well pleased.

That Herod’s head I’ll have! But how, when Antony is gone, Through whom I might command it?—Come thou near.

I'll have that Herod's head! But how, now that Antony is gone, through whom I could order it?—Come closer.

Most gracious majesty!

Most gracious majesty!

Didst thou behold Octavia?

Did you see Octavia?

Ay, dread queen.

Yes, dreaded queen.

Where?

Where?

Madam, in Rome I looked her in the face, and saw her led Between her brother and Mark Antony.

Madam, in Rome. I looked her straight in the face, and saw her walking between her brother and Mark Antony.

Is she as tall as me?

Is she as tall as I am?

She is not, madam.

She is not, madam.

Didst hear her speak? Is she shrill-tongued or low?

Did you hear her speak? Is her voice shrill or low?

Madam, I heard her speak. She is low-voiced.

Madam, I heard her speak. Her voice is low.

That’s not so good. He cannot like her long.

That's not so good. He can't go on liking her for long.

Like her? O Isis! ’Tis impossible.

Like her? Oh, Isis! It's impossible.

I think so, Charmian: dull of tongue and dwarfish! What majesty is in her gait? Remember, If e’er thou look’dst on majesty.

I think so too, Charmian: slow of speech and stunted! What majesty is there in the way she walks? Think back, if you have ever looked at majesty.

She creeps. Her motion and her station are as one. She shows a body rather than a life, A statue than a breather.

She creeps along. Moving and standing still look the same in her. She presents a body rather than a life, a statue rather than something that breathes.

Is this certain?

Is this certain?

Or I have no observance.

Either that, or I have no powers of observation.

Three in Egypt Cannot make better note.

Three men in Egypt couldn't make a better report.

He’s very knowing; I do perceive’t. There’s nothing in her yet. The fellow has good judgment.

He knows a great deal; I can see that. There's nothing to her at all. The man has good judgement.

Excellent.

Excellent.

Guess at her years, I prithee.

Guess how old she is, please.

Madam, She was a widow.

Madam, she had been a widow.

Widow! Charmian, hark!

A widow! Charmian, listen to that!

And I do think she’s thirty.

And I think she's thirty.

Bear’st thou her face in mind? Is’t long or round?

Do you remember her face? Is it long or round?

Round even to faultiness.

Round to a fault.

For the most part, too, they are foolish that are so. Her hair, what colour?

And for the most part, people with faces like that are foolish. Her hair—what colour?

Brown, madam, and her forehead As low as she would wish it.

Brown, madam, and her forehead as low as anyone could wish.

There’s gold for thee. Thou must not take my former sharpness ill. I will employ thee back again; I find thee Most fit for business. Go make thee ready; Our letters are prepared.

Here's gold for you. You mustn't take my earlier harshness badly. I'll send you back on this errand again; I find you very well suited to the work. Go and get yourself ready; our letters are prepared.

A proper man.

A fine man.

Indeed, he is so. I repent me much That so I harried him. Why, methinks, by him, This creature’s no such thing.

Indeed he is. I'm very sorry that I bullied him so. Why, from what he says, this creature is nothing much.

Nothing, madam.

Nothing at all, madam.

The man hath seen some majesty, and should know.

The man has seen majesty in his time, and ought to know.

Hath he seen majesty? Isis else defend, And serving you so long!

Has he seen majesty? Isis forbid otherwise, after serving you so long!

I have one thing more to ask him yet, good Charmian. But ’tis no matter; thou shalt bring him to me Where I will write. All may be well enough.

I have one more thing to ask him, good Charmian. But it doesn't matter; you'll bring him to me where I'll be writing. Everything may turn out well enough.

I warrant you, madam.

I promise you I will, madam.