Were dolphin-like; they fhew'd his back above Walk'd crowns, and crownets; realms and islands 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 By the rebound of yours, a grief that shoots 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? 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 Cef. Cleopatra, know, We will extenuate rather than enforce: (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 Cleo. And may, through all the world: 'tis and we yours; Your 'fcutcheons, and your figns of conqueft, fhall 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. I had rather feal 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 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 Addition of his envy! Say, good Cæfar, For Livia, and Octavia, to induce With one that I have bred? The gods! It fmites me [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, Are therefore to be pitied. Caf. Cleopatra, Not what you have referv'd, nor what acknowledg'd, Cæfar's no merchant, to make prize with you queen; Yourself fhall give us counfel. Feed, and fleep: That we remain your friend; And so, adieu. 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, Cleo. Dolabella, I fhall remain your debtor. Adieu, good queen; I must attend on Cæfar. [Exit. With greafy aprons, rules, and hammers, fhall 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 Iras. O the good gods! |