The Tragedy of Antony and Cleopatra: Act 4, Scene 5 Translation

A side-by-side translation of Act 4, Scene 5 of The Tragedy of Antony and Cleopatra from the original Shakespeare into modern English.

Original Text	Translated Text
Source: Folger Shakespeare Library
Trumpets sound. Enter Antony and Eros, and a Soldier who meets them. SOLDIER The gods make this a happy day to Antony. ANTONY Would thou and those thy scars had once prevailed To make me fight at land.	At Antony’s camp, a wounded soldier conferences with Antony and Eros. Antony admits he wishes he had followed the advice to fight first on land, and not at sea.
SOLDIER Had’st thou done so, The kings that have revolted and the soldier 5 That has this morning left thee would have still Followed thy heels.	The soldier, saucy, suggests that maybe if they’d fought on land in the first place, the kings and the man that left this morning might still be on their side.
ANTONY Who’s gone this morning? SOLDIER Who? One ever near thee. Call for Enobarbus, 10 He shall not hear thee, or from Caesar’s camp Say “I am none of thine.” ANTONY What sayest thou? SOLDIER Sir, He is with Caesar. 15	Antony asks who it was that left, only to hear the sad news that his dear friend Enobarbus has joined Caesar’s camp. Ouch.
EROS Sir, his chests and treasure He has not with him. ANTONY Is he gone? SOLDIER Most certain. ANTONY Go, Eros, send his treasure after. Do it. 20 Detain no jot, I charge thee. Write to him— I will subscribe—gentle adieus and greetings. Say that I wish he never find more cause To change a master. O, my fortunes have Corrupted honest men. Dispatch.—Enobarbus! 25 They exit.	Eros points out Enobarbus left his treasure behind, so Antony, a bit shocked, orders that Enobarbus’s clothes and treasure be sent after him, with a kind note from Antony, wishing that Enobarbus should never again feel forced to change masters. Antony is disappointed in himself, saying his bad fortune has led honest men to become traitors.