Were dolphin-like; they fhew'd his back above
The clement they liv'd in: In his livery

Walk'd crowns, and crownets; realms and islands
As plates dropt from his pocket.

Dol. Cleopatra,

[were

Cleo. Think you, there was, or might be, fuch a As this I dream'd of?

Dol. Gentle madam, no.

Cleo. You lye, up to the hearing of the gods. But, if there be, or ever were one such,

[man

It's paft the fize of dreaming: Nature wants stuff To vie ftrange 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
As anfwering to the weight: 'Would I might never
O'ertake purfu'd fuccefs, but I do feel,

By the rebound of yours, a grief that shoots
My very heart at root.

Cleo. I thank you, fir.

Know you, what Cæfar means to do with me?

Cleo. Nay, pray you, fir,—

what I would

Dol. Though he be honourable,

Cleo. He'll lead me then in triumph?
Dol. Madam, he will; I know it.

All. Make way there-Cæfar.

Enter CAESAR, GALLUS, MECENAS, PROCULEIUS,

SELEUCUS, and Attendants.

Caf. Which is the queen of Egypt?

Dol. It is the emperor, madam.

Caf. Arife, you shall not kneel:

[CLEO. kneels.

I pray you, rife; rife, Egypt.

Cleo. Sir, the gods

Will have it thus; my mafter and

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 As things but done by chance.

Cleo. Sole fir o' the world,

I cannot project mine own caufe fo well
To make it clear; but do confefs, I have
Been laden with like frailties, which before
Have often fham'd our fex.

Cef. Cleopatra, know,

We will extenuate rather than enforce:
If you apply yourself to our intents

(Which towards you are most gentle), you fhall find A benefit in this change; but if

you feek "To lay on me a cruelty, by taking

Antony's course, you fhall bereave yourself
Of my good purposes, and put your children
To that deftruction which I'll guard them from,
If thereon you rely. I'll take my leave.

Cleo. And may, through all the world: 'tis

and we

yours;

Your 'fcutcheons, and your figns of conqueft, fhall
1 Hang in what place you please. Here, my good lord,
Caf. You fhall advise me in all for Cleopatra.
Cleo. This is the brief of money, plate, and jewels,
I am poffefs'd of: 'tis exactly valued;

Not

petty things admitted.-Where's Seleucus? Sel. Here, madam.

Cleo. This is my treasure; let him speak, my lord, Upon his peril, that I have referv'd

Те

To myself nothing. Speak the truth, Seleucus.
Sel. Madam,

I had rather feal 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. Caf. Nay, blush not, Cleopatra; I approve Your wisdom in the deed.

Cleo. See, Cæfaṛ! O, behold,

How pomp is follow'd mine will now be yours; And, fhould we shift eftates, yours would be mine, The ingratitude of this Seleucus does

Even make me wild :-O flave of no more trust Than love that's hir'd!-What, goest 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 bafe!

Caf. Good

queen, let us entreat you.

Cleo. O Cæfar, what a wounding fhame is this; That thou, vouchfafing here to vifit me,

Doing the honour of thy lordlinefs

To one fo meek, that mine own fervant fhould
Parcel the fum of my disgraces by

Addition of his envy! Say, good Cæfar,
That I fome lady-trifles have referv'd,
Immoment toys, things of fuch dignity
As we greet modern friends withal; and say,
Some nobler token I have kept apart

For Livia, and Octavia, to induce
Their mediation; muft I be unfolded

With one that I have bred? The gods! It fmites me
Beneath the fall I have. Pr'ythee, go hence;

[To SELEUCUS

Or

Or I fhall fhew the cinders of my fpirits

Through the afhes of my chance:-Wert thou a man, Thou wouldst have mercy on me.

Caf. Forbear, Seleucus.

[Exit SELEUCUS.

Cleo. Be it known, that we, the greatest, are mis

thought

For things that others do; and, when we fall,
We anfwer others' merits in our names,

Are therefore to be pitied.

Caf. Cleopatra,

Not what you have referv'd, nor what acknowledg'd,
Put we i' the roll of conqueft: ftill be it yours,
Bestow 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 prifons: no, dear
For we intend fo to difpofe you, as

queen;

Yourself fhall give us counfel. Feed, and fleep:
Our care and pity is fo much upon you,

That we remain your friend; And so, 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

fhould not

Be noble to myfelf: But hark thee, Charmian.

[Whispers CHARMIAN. Iras. Finish, good lady; the bright day is done, And we are for the dark.

Cleo. Hie thee again:

I have fpoke already, and it is provided;

Go,

put

it to the hafte.

Char. Madam, I will.

Re-enter

Re-enter DOLABELLA.

Dol. Where is the queen?

Char. Behold, fir.

[Exit.

Cleo. Dolabella?

Dol. Madam, as thereto fworn by your command, Which my love makes religion to obey,

I tell you this: Cæfar through Syria

Intends his journey; and, within three days,
You with your children will he fend before:
Make your beft ufe of this: I have perform'd
Your pleasure, and my promise.

Cleo. Dolabella,

I fhall remain your debtor.
Dol. I your fervant.

Adieu, good queen; I must attend on Cæfar. [Exit.
Cleo. Farewel, and thanks. Now, Iras, what think'st
Thou, an Ægyptian puppet, fhalt be fhewn [thou?
In Rome, as well as I: mechanic flaves

With greafy aprons, rules, and hammers, fhall
Uplift us to the view; in their thick breaths,
Rank of grofs diet, fhall we be enclouded,
And forc'd to drink their vapour.

Iras. The gods forbid!

Cleo. Nay, 'tis most certain, Iras: Saucy lictors Will catch at us, like ftrumpets; and fcald rhymers Ballad us out o' tune: the quick comedians Extemporally will ftage us, and prefent

Our Alexandrian revels; Antony

Shall be brought drunken forth, and I fhall fee
Some fqueaking Cleopatra boy my greatness
I' the pofture of a whore.

Iras. O the good gods!
Cleo. Nay, that's certain.