SCENE V. Alexandria. A Room in the Palace. Enter CLEOPATRA, CHARMIAN, IRAS, and ALEXAS. Cleo. Give me some music; music, moody food Of us that trade in love. Attend. The music, ho! Enter MARDIAN. Cleo. Let it alone; let us to billiards. Come, Charmian. Char. My arm is sore; best play with Mardian. Cleo. As well a woman with an eunuch played, As with a woman:-Come, you'll play with me, sir? Mar. As well as I can, madam. Cleo. And when good will is showed, though it come too short, The actor may plead pardon. I'll none now; Give me mine angle:-We'll to the river; there, My music playing far off, I will betray Tawny-finned fishes; my bended hook shall pierce I'll think them every one an Antony, And say, Ah ha! you're caught. Char. 'Twas merry, when You wagered on your angling; when your diver Cleo. Enter a Messenger. Rain thou thy fruitful tidings in mine ears, Mess. Cleo. Antony's dead? Madam, madam, If thou say so, villain, thou kill'st thy mistress; But well and free, If thou so yield him, there is gold, and here Have lipped, and trembled kissing. Mess. First, madam, he's well. Cleo. Why, there's more gold. But, sirrah, mark: We use To say, the dead are well: bring it to that, The gold I give thee, will I melt, and pour Mess. Good madam, hear me. Well, go to, I will; - trumpet such good tidings? If not well, Mess. Will't please you hear me? Cleo. I have a mind to strike thee, ere thou speak'st. Yet, if thou say, Antony lives, is well, Or friends with Cæsar, or not captive to him, I'll set thee in a shower of gold, and hail Rich pearls upon thee. Mess. Cleo. Madam, he's well. Well said. Thou'rt an honest man. Mess. And friends with Cæsar. Cleo. Mess. Cæsar and he are greater friends than ever. Cleo. Make thee a fortune from me. Mess. But yet, madam, Cleo. I do not like but yet; it does allay Some monstrous malefactor. Pr'ythee, friend, The good and bad together. He's friend with Cæsar; Cleo. Mess. For the best turn i'the bed. Cleo. The most infectious pestilence upon thee! For what good turn? I am pale, Charmian. [Strikes him down. What say you? - Hence, [Strikes him again. Mess. Good madam, patience. Horrible villain! or I'll spurn thine eyes [She hales him up and down. Thou shalt be whipped with wire, and stewed in brine, Mess. I, that do bring the news, made not the match. Cleo. Say, 'tis not so, a province I will give thee, And make thy fortunes proud; the blow thou hadst Shall make thy peace, for moving me to rage; And I will boot thee with what gift beside Thy modesty can beg. Mess. He's married, madam. [Draws a dagger. Cleo. Rogue, thou hast lived too long. Mess. Nay, then I'll run. [Exit. What mean you, madam? I have made no fault. Cleo. Some innocents 'scape not the thunderbolt. Have given myself the cause.-Come hither, sir. Re-enter Messenger. Though it be honest, it is never good To bring bad news. Give to a gracious message. Themselves when they be felt. Mess. Cleo. Is he married? I have done my duty. I cannot hate thee worser than I do, If thou again say, Yes. Mess. He is married, madam. Cleo. The gods confound thee! dost thou hold there still. Mess. Should I lie, madam? Cleo. O, I would thou didst; So half my Egypt were submerged, and made Thou wouldst appear most ugly. He is married? Cleo. He is married? Mess. Take no offence that I would not offend you. VOL. IV.-3 To punish me for what you make me do, Seems much unequal. He is married to Octavia. Cleo. O that his fault should make a knave of thee, That art not!-What? thou'rt sure of- -Get thee hence; The merchandise which thou hast brought from Rome, Are all too dear for me. Lie they upon thy hand, And be undone by 'em! Char. [Exit Messenger. Good your highness, patience. Cleo. In praising Antony, I have dispraised Cæsar. Char. Many times, madam. Cleo. Lead me from hence, I am paid for't now. I faint; O Iras,- Charmian,-'Tis no matter.— The color of her hair: - bring me word quickly.— [To MARDIAN. Bring me word, how tall she is.-Pity me, Charmian, But do not speak to me.-Lead me to my chamber. [Exeunt. SCENE VI. Near Misenum. Enter POMPEY and MENAS, at one side, with drum and trumpet; at another, CESAR, LEPIDUS, ANTONY, ENOBARBUS, MECENAS, with Soldiers marching. Pom. Your hostages I have, so have you mine; And we shall talk before we fight. Cæs. Most meet That first we come to words; and therefore have we Which if thou hast considered, let us know Pom. Who at Philippi the good Brutus ghosted, Cæs. Take your time. Ant. Thou canst not fear us, Pompey, with thy sails; We'll speak with thee at sea; at land, thou know'st How much we do o'ercount thee. Pom. At land, indeed, Thou dost o'ercount me of my father's house: Lep. (For this is from the present) how you take The offers we have sent you. Cæs. Be pleased to tell us There's the point. Ant. Which do not be entreated to, but weigh What it is worth embraced. Cæs. To try a larger fortune. Pom. And what may follow, You have made me offer Of Sicily, Sardinia; and I must Rid all the sea of pirates; then, to send Measures of wheat to Rome. This 'greed upon, Cæs. Ant. Lep. That's our offer. Pom. Know then, I came before you here, a man prepared Ant. |