Dol. Enter DOLABELLA. Proculeius, What thou haft done thy master Cæfar knows, Pro. So, Dolabella, It shall content me beft: be gentle to her.→ If you'll employ me to him. Cleo. [To CLEOPATRA, Say, I would die. [Exeunt PROCULEIUS, and Soldiers. Dol. Most noble empress, you have heard of me? Dol. Affuredly, you know me. Cleo. No matter, fir, 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. But fuch another man! Dol. If it might please you,— Cleo. His face was as the heavens; and therein stuck A fun, and moon; which kept their course, and lighted The little O, the earth. Dol. Moft fovereign creature,― He He was as rattling thunder. For his bounty, Walk'd crowns, and crownets; realms and islands were As plates dropp'd from his pocket. Dol. Cleopatra, Cleo. Think you, there was, or might be, fuch a man As this I dream'd of? Dol. Gentle madam, no. Cleo. You lie, up to the hearing of the gods. But, if there be, or ever were one fuch, - It's past the size of dreaming: Nature wants stuff To vie strange forms with fancy; yet, to imagine An Antony, were nature's piece 'gainst fancy, Condemning fhadows quite. Dol. Hear me, good madam: Your lofs is as yourself, great; and you bear it By the rebound of yours, a grief that shoots Cleo. I thank you, fir. Know you, what Cæfar means to do with me? Dol. I am loath to tell you what I would you knew. Cleo. Nay, pray you, fir,— Dol. Though he be honourable, Enter CESAR, GALLUS, PROCULEIUS, MECENAS, SELEUCUS, and Attendants. Will have it thus; my master and my lord I must obey. Caf. Take to you no hard thoughts: The record of what injuries you did us, Though written in our flesh, we fhall remember Sole fir o' the world, Cleo. Caf. 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 feek To lay on me a cruelty, by taking Antony's courfe, you fhall bereave yourself If thereon you rely. I'll take my leave. Cleo. And may, through all the world: 'tis yours; and we Your Your 'fcutcheons, and your figns of conquest, shall Here, my good lord. Cleo. This is the brief of money, plate, and jewels, Not petty things admitted.-Where's Seleucus? Cleo. This is my treasurer; let him speak, my lord, To myfelf nothing. Speak the truth, Seleucus. I had rather feel my lips, than, to my peril, Cleo. What have I kept back? Sel. Enough to purchase what you have made known. Caf. Nay, blush not, Cleopatra; I approve Your wifdom in the deed. Cleo. See, Cæfar! O, behold, How pomp is follow'd! mine will now be yours; Even make me wild :-O flave, of no more truft Than love that's hir'd!-What, goeft thou back? thou fhalt Go back, I warrant thee; but I'll catch thine eyes, Though they had wings: Slave, foul-lefs villain, dog! O rarely base! Caf. Good queen, let us entreat you. Cleo. O Cæfar, what a wounding fhame is this; That thou, vouchfafing here to visit me, Doing the honour of thy lordliness To one fo meek, that mine own fervant fhould Addition of his envy! Say, good Cæfar, That I fome lady trifles have referv'd, For Livia, and Octavia, to induce With one that I have bred? The gods! It fmites me [TO SELEUCUS. Or I shall show the cinders of my spirits Caf. Forbear, Seleucus. [Exit SELEUCUs. Cleo. Be it known, that we, the greatest, are misthought For things that others do; and, when we fall, We answer others' merits in our name, Are therefore to be pitied. Not what you have referv'd, nor what acknowledg'd, Beftow it at your pleasure; and believe, Cæfar's no merchant, to make prize with you Of things that merchants fold. Therefore be cheer'd ; Make not your thoughts your prisons: no, dear queen ; For we intend fo to difpofe you, as Yourself fhall give us counsel. Feed, and fleep: Our care and pity is so much upon you, That we remain your friend; And fo adieu. Cleo. My mafter, and my lord! Caf. Not fo: Adieu. [Exeunt CESAR, and his train. Cleo. He words me, girls, he words me, that I should not Be noble to myself: but hark thee, Charmian. [Whispers CHARMIAN. Iras. |