Were dolphin-like; they show'd his back above 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, such 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 such, 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 shadows quite. Dol. Hear me, good madam: By the rebound of yours, a grief that shoots Cleo. I thank you, sir. Know you, what Cæsar means to do with me? Enter Cæsar, Gallus, Proculeius, Mæcenas, Seleu cus, and attendants. Cæs. Silver money. Which is the queen Will have it thus; my master and my lord I must obey. 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 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 Not petty things admitted.-Where's Seleucus? Cleo. This is my treasurer; let him speak, my lord, Shape or form. 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, 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; And, should we shift estates, yours would be mine. 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! O rarelyt base! Cas. Good queen, let us entreat you. Cleo. O Cæsar, what a wounding shame is this; That, thou vouchsafing here to visit me, Doing the honour of thy lordliness To one so meek, that mine own servant should Parcel the sum of my disgraces by Addition of his envy! Say, good Cæsar, That I some lady trifles have reserv'd, For Livia, and Octavia¶, to induce Their mediation; must I be unfolded With one that I have bred? The gods! It smites me Beneath the fall I have. Pr'ythee, go hence; [To Seleucus. • Sew up. , Common. + Uncommonly. Add to. ¶ Sister. Or I shall show the cinders of my spirits Cas. 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. Cas. Cleopatra, Not what you have reserv'd, nor what acknowledg'd, Put we i' the roll of conquest: still be it yours, Bestow it at your pleasure; and believe, Cæsar's no merchant, to make prize with you Of things that merchants sold. Therefore be cheer'd; Make not your thoughts your prisons: no, dear queen ; For we intend so to dispose you, as Yourself shall give us counsel. Feed, and sleep: Our care and pity is so much upon you, That we remain your friend; And so adieu. Cleo. My master, and my lord! Cas. Not so: Adieu. [Exeunt Cæsar, 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. Finish, good lady: the bright day is done, And we are for the dark. Cleo. I have spoke already, and it is provided; Go, put it to the haste. Char. Hie thee again: Madam, I will. Fire. + Merits or demerits. Re-enter Dolabella, Dol. Where is the queen? Char. Cleo. Behold, sir. [Exit Char. Dol. Madam, as thereto sworn by your command, Which my love makes religion to obey, I tell you this: Cæsar through Syria Cleo. I shall remain your debtor. Dol. Dolabella, I your servant.. Adieu, good queen; I must attend on Cæsar. Thou, an Egyptian puppet, shalt be shown Iras. The gods forbid ! Cleo. Nay, 'tis most certain, Iras: Saucy lictors Will catch at us, like strumpets; and scald rhymers Ballad us out o'tune: the quickt comedians Extemporally will stage us, and present Our Alexandrian revels; Antony Shall be brought drunken forth, and I shall see I' the posture of a whore. |