Antony and Cleopatra
The plays of William Shakespeare. Julius Cæsar. Antony and Cleopatra. George Steevens. 1801
Antony and Cleopatra.
Among the entries in the books of the Stationers’ Company, October 19, 1593, I find “A Booke entituled the Tragedie of Cleopatra.” It is entered by Symon Waterson, for whom some of Daniel’s works were printed; and therefore it is probably by that author, of whose Cleopatra there are several editions; and, among others, one in 1594.
In the same volumes, May 2, 1608, Edward Blount entered “A booke called Antony and Cleopatra.” This is the first notice I have met with concerning any edition of this play more ancient than the folio, 1623. STEEVENS.
Antony and Cleopatra was written, I imagine, in the year 1608. See An Attempt to ascertain the order of Shakspeare’s plays, Vol. II.
MALONE
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Act 2, scene 5:
CLEOPATRA: Let it alone. Let’s to billiards*. Come, Charmian.
CHARMIAN: My arm is sore. Best play with Mardian.
CLEOPATRA: As well a woman with an eunuch play’d, As with a woman;—Come, you’ll play with me, sir?
MARDIAN: As well as I can, madam.
* This is one of the numerous anachronisms that are found in these plays. This game was not known in ancient times. MALONE.