Antony and Cleopatra, Act 4, Scene 9

If we be not relieved within this hour, We must return to th’ court of guard. The night Is shiny, and they say we shall embattle By th’ second hour i’ th’ morn.

If we are not relieved within the hour, we have to go back to the guardhouse. The night is bright, and they say we will form up for battle by two in the morning.

This last day was a shrewd one to’s.

Yesterday was a harsh day for us.

O, bear me witness, night.—

Oh, bear witness for me, night—

What man is this?

Who is this man?

Stand close and list him.

Stay hidden and listen to him.

Be witness to me, O thou blessed moon, When men revolted shall upon record Bear hateful memory, poor Enobarbus did Before thy face repent.

Be my witness, blessed moon, that when men who turned traitor are recorded and remembered with hatred, poor Enobarbus repented before your face.

Enobarbus?

Enobarbus?

Peace! Hark further.

Quiet! Listen to more of it.

O sovereign mistress of true melancholy, The poisonous damp of night disponge upon me, That life, a very rebel to my will, May hang no longer on me. Throw my heart Against the flint and hardness of my fault, Which, being dried with grief, will break to powder And finish all foul thoughts. O Antony, Nobler than my revolt is infamous, Forgive me in thine own particular, But let the world rank me in register A master-leaver and a fugitive. O Antony! O Antony!

Oh queen and mistress of true sadness, squeeze out the poisonous night dew upon me, so that life, which rebels completely against my will, may cling to me no longer. Throw my heart against the flint and hardness of my offense, and my heart, dried up with grief, will shatter into powder and put an end to all my foul thoughts. Oh Antony, nobler than my desertion is shameful, forgive me yourself, but let the world enter me in the record as a man who abandoned his master and ran away. Oh Antony! Oh Antony!

Let’s speak to him.

Let's speak to him.

Let’s hear him, for the things he speaks may concern Caesar.

Let's listen to him, because what he says may have to do with Caesar.

Let’s do so. But he sleeps.

Let's do that. But he's asleep.

Swoons rather, for so bad a prayer as his Was never yet for sleep.

He has fainted rather, because a prayer as terrible as his was never said as a bedtime prayer.

Go we to him.

Let's go to him.

Awake, sir, awake! Speak to us.

Wake up, sir, wake up! Speak to us.

Hear you, sir?

Do you hear us, sir?

The hand of death hath raught him.

The hand of death has reached him.

Hark! The drums Demurely wake the sleepers. Let us bear him To th’ court of guard; he is of note. Our hour Is fully out.

Listen! The drums are quietly waking the men who are asleep. Let's carry him to the guardhouse; he is an important man. Our watch is completely over.

Come on, then. He may recover yet.

Come along, then. He may still recover.