Cleopatra. See where he is, who's with him, what he does : I did not send you: 6—If you find him sad, Say, I am dancing; if in mirth, report That I am sudden sick: Quick, and return. [Exit ALEXAS. Charmian. Madam, methinks, if you did love him dearly, You do not hold the method to enforce The like from him. Cleopatra. What should I do, I do not? Charmian. In each thing give him way, cross him in nothing. Cleopatra. Thou teachest like a fool: the way to lose him. Charmian. Tempt him not so too far: I wish forbear; In time we hate that which we often fear. Enter ANTONY. I am sick, and sullen. But here comes Antony. Cleopatra. Antony. I am sorry to give breathing to my purpose.Cleopatra. Help me away, dear Charmian, I shall fall; It cannot be thus long, the sides of nature Will not sustain it. Antony. Now, my dearest queen,→ Cleopatra. Pray you, stand further from me. What's the matter? Cleopatra. I know, by that same eye, there's some good news. What says the married woman?—You may go; Cleopatra. O, never was there queen, So mightily betray'd! Yet, at the first, 6 Look as if I did not send you. Antony. Cleopatra, Cleopatra. Why should I think, you can be mine, and true, Though you in swearing shake the throned gods, Antony. Most sweet queen, Cleopatra. Nay, pray you, seek no colour for your going, But bid farewell, and go: when you sued staying, Bliss in our brows bent;7 none our parts so poor, Antony. There were a heart in Egypt. How now, lady! thy inches; thou shouldst Hear me, queen: Antony. Our services awhile; but my full heart Shines o'er with civil swords: Sextus Pompeius Equality of two domestick powers Breeds scrupulous faction: The hated, grown to strength, Into the hearts of such as have not thriv'd 7 The arch of our eye-brows. • Gate. Smack or flavour. Cleopatra. Though age from folly could not give me freedom, It does from childishness:-Can Fulvia die? Antony. She's dead, my queen: Look here, and, at thy sovereign leisure, read Cleopatra. O most false love! Where be the sacred vials thou shouldst fill With sorrowful water? Now I see, I see, In Fulvia's death, how mine receiv'd shall be. Antony. Quarrel no more, but be prepar'd to know The purposes I bear; which are, or cease, As you shall give the advice: Now, by the fire Cleopatra. Cut my lace, Charmian, come;-— But let it be.-I am quickly ill, and well: Antony. My precious queen, forbear; And give true evidence to his love, which stands An honourable trial. Cleopatra. So Fulvia told me. Antony. You'll heat my blood: no more. Cleopatra. You can do better yet; but this is meetly. Antony. Now, by my sword, Cleopatra. And target, still he mends; But this is not the best: Look, pr'ythee, Charmian, The carriage of his chafe.3 Antony. • The commotion she occasioned. 3 Rage. I'll leave you, lady. 2 To me, the queen of Egypt. Cleopatra. Courteous lord, one word. Sir, you and I must part,—but that's not it: And I am all forgotten. Antony. But that your royalty Holds idleness your subject, I should take you Cleopatra. 'Tis sweating labour, To bear such idleness so near the heart And all the gods go with you! upon your sword Antony. Let us go. Come; That thou, residing here, go'st yet with me, [Exeunt. SCENE IV.-ROME. An Apartment in CÆSAR's House. Enter OCTAVIUS CÆSAR, LEPIDUS, and ATTENDANTS. Cæsar. You may see, Lepidus, and henceforth know It is not Cæsar's natural vice to hate One great competitor: From Alexandria This is the news; He fishes, drinks, and wastes More womanly than he: hardly gave audience, or Vouchsaf'd to think he had partners: You shall find there A man, who is the abstract of all faults That all men follow. 4 Oblivious memory. Lepidus. I must not think, there are Evils enough to darken all his goodness: Cæsar. You are too indulgent: Let us grant, it is not Amiss to press the bed of Ptolemy; To give a kingdom for a mirth; to sit And keep the turn of tippling with a slave; Whom these things cannot blemish,) yet must Antony So great weight in his lightness. If he fill'd Full surfeits, and the dryness of his bones, As we rate boys; who being mature in knowledge, Lepidus. Enter a MESSENGER. Here's more news. Messenger. Thy biddings have been done; and every hour, Most noble Cæsar, shalt thou have report How 'tis abroad. Pompey is strong at sea; And it appears, he is belov'd of those Cæsar. I should have known no less: It hath been taught us from the primal state, 5 Procured by his own fault. 7 Consume. • Visit him. 8 Discontented. |