Welcome to Gene Tyburn's Operas in English - Antony & Cleopatra, Act 1 Scene 5

You are now in Cleopatra's bed-chambers, She's very upset. She's pacing up and down plotting with Iris and Charmein how to stop Antony from returning to his wife in Rome. Even when Cleopatra is informed that Antony's wife is dead, She cannot stop trying to control his life until he promises to return to her waiting arms

Cleopatra

Where is he Charmein?
Seek him out
If you find him sad, say I am laughing
If you find him merry, say I'm sick
Opposites attract they say, you know this little trick
I see him. I'm faint Charmein, help me away
But hold, I know by that wrinkled brow
this is not my lucky day

Enter Antony

What says the married man?
Would that had never come to visit Egyptland
You're free to go! You're free to go!
I never had power to hold you so
Never was a queen so mightily betrayed
I'll have this writ in marble
I'll have it carved today
How could I believe
you could be anything but false
after being false to Fulvia
could I expect better
though tutored well I was
I should have known better

Antony

Most sweet queen know the purpose that I bear
two things that I will tell you
that will finally clear the air

Cleopatra

O bid farewell and go!
Once there was a time for words.
Eternity was in our lips and eyes
but now, the greatest soldier of the world
now tells the greatest lies.

Antony

Hear me, queen.Strong necessity of service
commands my going hence
civil war threatens Rome
and young Caesar, now blames me.
To ignore this strife
would put the lie to my life
and could endanger thee.
The other news is less then dread
and should vouchsafe your curse
that Fulvia my headstrong wife
no longer walks the earth.

Cleopatra

Fulvia dead? Can Fulvia die?

Antony

She's dead, my queen, the impediment is done
stands not a breath of air
twix us and the blazing sun.

Cleopatra

She acts the betrayed woman

Most false love!
Note world, how he takes the passing of Fulvia
now I know how my death shall received be
not a tear to wet his cheeks
as he bids adieu to me.
I prithee sir, turn aside and weep for her
and say the tears belong to me.

Antony

Enough wrangling queen.

Antony starts out. She realizes that she has lost control and she stops him with...

Cleopatra

Sir! You and I must part but that's not it.
Sir, you and I have loved.... But that's not it.
That you know well. But yet....I sense
your royal honor calls you hence.
May smooth success lay flowers before your feet
and I all alone,
must wander through the streets.

Mark Antony tries to comfort her with...

Antony

My going forth persages quick return
Come my love
Come my sweet
One last night of love er we part
Must keep us both,
must keep us both in each others heart
Caesars army nor distance far
Shall slow my return
Shall slow my return to your waiting heart

Cleopatra

Come my love
Come my sweet
One last night of love er we part
Must keep us both,
must keep us both in each others heart
Caesars army nor distance far
Shall slow my return
Shall slow my return to your waiting heart

Both (Duet)

Now joined by Iris and Charmein

(Quartet)

As the quartest ends, Antony picks Cleopatra up in his arms, they kiss passionately. He turns up stage as the girls pull back the curtains surrounding the bed as the music crescendos.

Curtain