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Antony and CleopatraModern English

Antony and Cleopatra, Act 4, Scene 3

Alexandria. Before the Palace.

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Which text to show for Act 4, Scene 3

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Modern English

  1. Enter a Company of Soldiers.

    A company of soldiers comes in.

  2. First Soldier1

    Brother, good night. Tomorrow is the day.

    Brother, good night. Tomorrow is the day.

  3. Second Soldier2

    It will determine one way. Fare you well. Heard you of nothing strange about the streets?

    It will settle things one way or the other. Goodbye. Did you hear about anything strange in the streets?

  4. First Soldier4

    Nothing. What news?

    Nothing. What news?

  5. Second Soldier5

    Belike ’tis but a rumour. Good night to you.

    Probably it's only a rumour. Good night to you.

  6. First Soldier6

    Well, sir, good night.

    Well, sir, good night.

  7. Enter two other Soldiers.

    Two other soldiers come in.

  8. Second Soldier7

    Soldiers, have careful watch.

    Soldiers, keep a careful watch.

  9. Third Soldier8

    And you. Good night, good night.

    And you. Good night, good night.

  10. They place themselves in every corner of the stage.

    They station themselves in every corner of the stage.

  11. Second Soldier9

    Here we. And if tomorrow Our navy thrive, I have an absolute hope Our landmen will stand up.

    Here we are. And if our fleet does well tomorrow, I have complete confidence that our foot soldiers will hold their ground.

  12. First Soldier12

    ’Tis a brave army, and full of purpose.

    It's a fine army, and determined.

  13. Music of the hautboys under the stage.

    Oboes play music beneath the stage.

  14. Second Soldier13

    Peace, what noise?

    Quiet — what's that sound?

  15. First Soldier14

    List, list!

    Listen, listen!

  16. Second Soldier15

    Hark!

    Listen!

  17. First Soldier16

    Music i’ th’ air.

    Music in the air.

  18. Third Soldier17

    Under the earth.

    Under the ground.

  19. Fourth Soldier18

    It signs well, does it not?

    It's a good sign, isn't it?

  20. Third Soldier19

    No.

    No.

  21. First Soldier20

    Peace, I say! What should this mean?

    Quiet, I say! What is this supposed to mean?

  22. Second Soldier21

    ’Tis the god Hercules, whom Antony loved, Now leaves him.

    It's the god Hercules, whom Antony loved, now leaving him.

  23. First Soldier23

    Walk. Let’s see if other watchmen Do hear what we do.

    Let's walk. Let's see whether the other sentries hear what we hear.

  24. They advance to another post.

    They move to another post.

  25. Second Soldier25

    How now, masters!

    What's going on, men!

  26. All26

    How now! How now! Do you hear this?

    What's going on! What's going on! Do you hear this?

  27. First Soldier27

    Ay. Is’t not strange?

    Yes. Isn't it strange?

  28. Third Soldier28

    Do you hear, masters? Do you hear?

    Do you hear it, men? Do you hear?

  29. First Soldier29

    Follow the noise so far as we have quarter. Let’s see how it will give off.

    Let's follow the sound as far as our assigned area goes. Let's see how it stops.

  30. All31

    Content. ’Tis strange.

    Agreed. It is strange.

  31. Exeunt.

    They all leave.

Original text: Project Gutenberg edition #1534 (public domain, edited by the PG Shakespeare Team). Modern English rendering by Storgy.