Waged equal with him. Agr. A rarer spirit never Did steer humanity: but you, gods, will give us Cæsar is touch'd. Mec. When such a spacious mirror's set before him, He needs must see himself. Cas. O Antony ! I have follow'd thee to this ;-But we do lance Our equalness to this.-Hear me, good friends, Enter a Messenger. The business of this man looks out of him, tress, Confin'd in all she has, her monument, Of thy intents desires instruction ; That she preparedly may frame herself way she's forced to. Cæs. Bid her have good heart; She soon shall know of us, by some of ours, Determine for her: for Cæsar cannot live Mess. So the gods preserve thee! [Exit. Cas. Come hither, Proculeius; Go, and say, We purpose her no shame: give her what comforts The quality of her passion shall require; Lest, in her greatness, by some mortal stroke She do defeat us; for her life in Rome Would be eternal in our triumph: Go, And, with your speediest, bring us what she says, And how you find of her. Pro. Cæsar, I shall. [Exit PROCULEIUS. Cas. Gallus, go you along.-Where's Dolabella, To second Proculeius? Agr. Mec. [Exit GALLUS. Dolabella! Cæs. Let him alone, for I remember now SCENE II. [Exeunt. Alexandria. A Room in the Monument. Enter CLEOPATRA, CHARMIAN, and IRAS. Not being fortune, he's but fortune's knave,' To do that thing that ends all other deeds ; Enter, to the Gates of the Monument, PROCULEIUS, GALLUS, and Soldiers. Pro. Cæsar sends greeting to the queen of Egypt; And bids thee study on what fair demands Thou mean'st to have him grant thee. Cleo. [Within.] Pro. My name is Proculeius. Cleo. [Within.] What's thy name? Antony Did tell me of you, bade me trust you; but I do not greatly care to be deceiv'd, That have no use for trusting. If your master Would have a queen his beggar, you must tell him, No less beg than a kingdom: if he please Pro. I Be of good cheer; You are fallen into a princely hand, fear nothing: 1 Servant. Where he for grace is kneel'd to. Pray you, tell him Pro. Gal. You see how easily she may be surpriz'd; Guard her till Cæsar come. [TO PROCULEIUS and the Guard. Exit GALLUS. Iras. Royal queen! Char. O Cleopatra ! thou art taken, queen!- Pro. [Drawing a Dagger. Hold, worthy lady, hold: [Seizes and disarms her. Do not yourself such wrong, who are in this Reliev'd, but not betray'd. Cleo. What, of death too Cleopatra, That rids our dogs of languish? Pro. Do not abuse my master's bounty, by Cleo. Where art thou, death? Come hither, come! come, come, and take a queen Worth many babes and beggars! Pro. O, temperance, lady! Cleo. Sir, I will eat no meat, I'll not drink, sir; If idle talk will once be necessary, I'll not sleep neither: This mortal house I'll ruin, shouting varletry 3 Rather a ditch in Egypt Lay me stark naked, and let the water-flies My country's high pyramides my gibbet, Pro. You do extend These thoughts of horror further than you shall What thou hast done thy master Cæsar knows, I'll take her to my guard. Pro. queen, So, Dolabella, It shall content me best: be gentle to her.- [TO CLEOPATRA. 2 Bound, confined. 3 Rabble. |