Antony and Cleopatra by William Shakespeare
Act 1 - Scene 4
Rome. OCTAVIUS CAESAR’s house.
Messenger : Thy biddings have been done; and every hour,
[p]Most noble Caesar,
shalt thou have report
[p]How 'tis abroad. Pompey is strong at
sea;
[p]And it appears he is beloved of those
[p]That only have fear'd
Caesar: to the ports
[p]The discontents repair, and men's
reports
[p]Give him much wrong'd.
Messenger : Caesar, I bring thee word,
[p]Menecrates and Menas, famous
pirates,
[p]Make the sea serve them, which they ear and wound
[p]With
keels of every kind: many hot inroads
[p]They make in Italy; the
borders maritime
[p]Lack blood to think on't, and flush youth
revolt:
[p]No vessel can peep forth, but 'tis as soon
[p]Taken as
seen; for Pompey's name strikes more
[p]Than could his war resisted.
Previous: Act 1 - Scene 3
Next: Act 1 - Scene 5
