The Tragedy of Antony and Cleopatra: Act 4, Scene 13 Translation

A side-by-side translation of Act 4, Scene 13 of The Tragedy of Antony and Cleopatra from the original Shakespeare into modern English.

  Original Text

 Translated Text

  Source: Folger Shakespeare Library

Enter Cleopatra, Charmian, Iras, and Mardian.

CLEOPATRA
Help me, my women! O, he’s more mad
Than Telamon for his shield; the boar of Thessaly
Was never so embossed.

Cleopatra flees to her women, afraid of Antony’s rage.

CHARMIAN To th’ monument!
There lock yourself and send him word you are 5
dead.
The soul and body rive not more in parting
Than greatness going off.

CLEOPATRA To th’ monument!—
Mardian, go tell him I have slain myself. 10
Say that the last I spoke was “Antony,”
And word it, prithee, piteously. Hence, Mardian,
And bring me how he takes my death.—To th’
monument!

They exit.

Charmian suggests she lock herself up in her monument and send word to Antony that she’s dead. Cleopatra thinks this is a good idea, and sends Mardian to tell Antony she’s killed herself, and that her last word was "Antony." She instructs Mardian to return to her and tell her how Antony takes the false news.