QUOTES FROM THE BARD

PLAY: Antony and Cleopatra
ACT/SCENE: 5.2
SPEAKER: Cleopatra
CONTEXT:
CAESAR
Cleopatra,
Not what you have reserved nor what acknowledged
Put we i’ th’ roll of conquest. Still be ’t yours.
Bestow it at your pleasure, and believe
Caesar’s no merchant, to make prize with you
Of things that merchants sold. Therefore be cheered.
Make not your thoughts your prison. No, dear Queen,
For we intend so to dispose you as
Yourself shall give us counsel. Feed and sleep.
Our care and pity is so much upon you
That we remain your friend. And so, adieu.
CLEOPATRA
My master, and my lord!
CAESAR
Not so. Adieu.
CLEOPATRA
He words me, girls, he words me, that I should not
Be noble to myself. But, hark thee, Charmian.

DUTCH:
t Zijn woorden, meisjes, woorden, opdat ik
Niet edel voor mijzelf zij. Luister, Charmian!

MORE:
Make prize=Negotiate, haggle
Dispose=Treat
He words me=Pacifies me with meaningless words
Compleat:
To dispose=Beschikken, schikken, bestellen

Burgersdijk notes:
Een knaap. Men bedenke, dat op Sh.’s tooneel de vrouwenrollen door knapen en aankomende jongelingen gespeeld werden.

Topics: language, persuasion