Iras. Royal queen! Char. O Cleopatra! thou art taken, queen! Cleo. Quick, quick, good hands. Pro. Hold, worthy lady, hold: [Drawing a Dagger. [Seizes and disarms her. Do not yourself such wrong, who are in this Cleo. What, of death too, That rids our dogs of languish? Pro. Cleopatra, Do not abuse my master's bounty, by The undoing of yourself: let the world see His nobleness well acted, which your death Cleo. Where art thou, death! Come hither, come! come, come, and take a queen Pro. O, temperance, lady! Cleo. Sir, I will eat no meat, I'll not drink, sir; I'll not sleep neither: This mortal house I'll ruin, Will not wait pinion'd at your master's court; And hang me up in chains! Pro. You do extend These thoughts of horror further than you shall · Enter DOLABELLA. Dol. Proculeius, What thou hast done thy master Cæsar knows, Pro. So, Dolabella, It shall content me best: be gentle to her.- If you'll employ me to him. Cleo. Say, I would die. [To CLEOPATRA. [Exeunt PROCULEIUS, and Soldiers. Dol. Most noble empress, you have heard of me? Cleo. I cannot tell. Dol. Assuredly, you know me. Cleo. No matter, sir, what I have heard, or known. You laugh, when boys, or women, tell their dreams; Is't not your trick? Dol. I understand not, madam. Cleo. I dream'd, there was an emperor Antony ; O, such another sleep, that I might see But such another man! Dol. If it might please you, Cleo. His face was as the heavens; and therein stuck A sun, and moon; which kept their course, and lighted The little O, the earth. Dol. Most sovereign creature,— Cleo. His legs bestrid the ocean: his rear'd arm Walk'd crowns, and crownets; realms and islands were Dol. Cleopatra,— Cleo. Think you, there was, or might be, such a man As this I dream'd of? Dol. Gentle madam, no. Cleo. You lie, up to the hearing of the gods. It's past the size of dreaming: Nature wants stuff Dol. Hear me, good madam : Your loss is as yourself, great; and you bear it By the rebound of yours, a grief that shoots My very heart at root. Cleo. I thank you, sir. Know you, what Cæsar means to do with me? Dol. I am loath to tell you what I would you knew. Cleo. Nay, pray you, sir,— Dol. Though he be honourable,— Cleo. He'll lead me then in triumph? Dol. Madam, he will: I know it. Within. Make way there,-Cæsar. Enter CESAR, GALLUS, PROCULEIUS, MECENAS, SE LEUCUS, and Attendants. Cas. Which is the queen Of Egypt? Cas. Take to you no hard thoughts: The record of what injuries you did us, Though written in our flesh, we shall remember Cleo. Sole sir o'the world, I cannot project mine own cause so well To make it clear; but do confess, I have Been laden with like frailties, which before Have often sham'd our sex. Cas. Cleopatra, know, We will extenuate rather than enforce: If you apply yourself to our intents, (Which towards you are most gentle,) you shall find A benefit in this change; but if you seek To lay on me a cruelty, by taking Antony's course, you shall bereave yourself Cleo. And may, through all the world: 'tis yours; and we, Your 'scutcheons, and your signs of conquest, shall Hang in what place you please. Here, my good lord. Cas. You shall advise me in all for Cleopatra. Cleo. This is the brief of money, plate, and jewels, I am possess'd of: 'tis exactly valued; Not petty things admitted.-Where's Seleucus? Cleo. This is my treasurer; let him speak, my lord, Upon his peril, that I have reserv'd To myself nothing. Speak the truth, Seleucus. I had rather seel my lips, than, to my peril, Speak that which is not. Cleo. What have I kept back? Sel. Enough to purchase what you have made known. Cas. Nay, blush not, Cleopatra ; I approve Your wisdom in the deed. Cleo. See, Cæsar! O, behold, How pomp is follow'd! mine will now be yours; The ingratitude of this Seleucus does Even make me wild:-O slave, of no more trust Than love that's hir'd!-What, goest thou back? thou shalt Go back, I warrant thee; but I'll catch thine eyes, Though they had wings: Slave, soul-less villain, dog! |