Char. My arm is sore, best play with Mardian. Cleo. As well a woman with an eunuch play'd, As with a woman. Come, you'll play with me, sir?

Mar. As well as I can, madam.

Cleo.

And when good will is shew'd, though 't come too short,

The actor may plead pardon. I'll none now.

Give me mine angle,

we'll to th' river: there,

My music playing far off, I will betray

Tawny-finn'd fishes; my bended hook shall pierce

Their slimy jaws, and as I draw them up,

I'll think them every one an Antony,

And say, Ah, ha! y' are caught.

Char.

'Twas merry, when

You wager'd on your angling; when your diver
Did hang a salt-fish on his hook, which he
With fervency drew up.

Cleo.

That time, - O times!
I laugh'd him out of patience; and that night
I laugh'd him into patience: and next morn,
Ere the ninth hour, I drunk him to his bed;
Then, put my tires and mantles on him, whilst
I wore his sword Philippian.·

Enter a Messenger.

O, from Italy?

Ram thou thy fruitful tidings in mine ears,

That long time have been barren.

Mess.

Cleo. Antony's dead?

Madam, madam, —

If thou say so, villain, thou kill'st thy mistress :

But well and free,

If thou so yield him, there is gold, and here
My bluest veins to kiss; a hand that kings

Have lipp'd, and trembled kissing.

Mess. First, madam, he is well.

Cleo.

But, sirrah, mark, we use

Why, there's more gold.

To say, the dead are well: bring it to that,
The gold I give thee will I melt, and pour
Down thy ill-uttering throat.

Mess. Good madam, hear me.

Cleo.

Well, go to, I will;

But there's no goodness in thy face. If Antony

Be free, and healthful, so tart a favour

To trumpet such good tidings! if not well,

Thou should'st come like a fury crown'd with snakes, Not like a formal man.

Mess.

Will't please you hear me?

Cleo. I have a mind to strike thee, ere thou

speak'st:

Yet, if thou say, Antony lives, 'tis well;

Or friends with Cæsar, or not captive to him,

I'll set thee in a shower of gold, and hail
Rich pearls upon thee.

Mess. Cæsar and he are greater friends than ever. Cleo. Make thee a fortune from me.

Mess.

bring forth

But yet, madam, Cleo. I do not like but yet,' it does allay The good precedence; fie upon but yet!' 'But yet' is as a gaoler to Some monstrous malefactor. Pour out the pack of matter The good and bad together. He's friends with Cæsar; In state of health, thou say'st; and, thou say'st,

Pr'ythee, friend,
to mine ear,

free.

Mess. Free, madam? no; I made no such report: He's bound unto Octavia.

Cleo.

Mess. For the best turn i̇'th' bed.

Cleo.

For what good turn?

I am pale, Charmian.

Mess. Madam, he's married to Octavia.

Cleo. The most infectious pestilence upon thee!

Mess. Good madam, patience.

Cleo.

[Strikes him down.

What say you ? — Hence, [Strikes him again.

Horrible villain! or I'll spurn thine eyes
Like balls before me: I'll unhair thy head.

[She hales him up and down. Thou shalt be whipp'd with wire, and stew'd in brine, Smarting in ling'ring pickle.

Mess.

Gracious madam,

I, that do bring the news, made not the match.

Cleo. Say, 'tis not so, a province I will give thee, And make thy fortunes proud: the blow thou had'st Shall make thy peace, for moving me to rage; And I will boot thee with what gift beside Thy modesty can beg.

Mess.

Cleo. Rogue! thou hast liv'd too long.

Mess.

He's married, madam.

[Draws a dagger.

Nay, then I'll run.

What mean you, madam? I have made no fault.

[ Exit.

Char. Good madam, keep yourself within yourself: The man is innocent.

Cleo. Some innocents 'scape not the thunder-bolt.

Melt Egypt into Nile!

and kindly creatures

Turn all to serpents !

Though I am mad, I will not bite him.

Call the slave again:

Call.

Char. He is afeard to come.

Cleo.

I will not hurt him.

These hands do lack nobility, that they strike

A meaner than myself; since I myself

Have given myself the cause. Come hither, sir.

Enter Messenger.

Though it be honest, it is never good

To bring bad news: give to a gracious message
An host of tongues; but let ill tidings tell
Themselves, when they be felt.

Mess. I have done my duty.

Cleo.

Is he married?

I cannot hate thee worser than I do,

If thou again say, Yes.

Mess.

He's married, madam.

Cleo. The gods confound thee! dost thou hold

there still?

Mess. Should I lie, madam ?

Cleo.

O, I would thou did'st,

So half my Egypt were submerg'd, and made
A cistern for scal'd snakes. Go, get thee hence:
Had'st thou Narcissus in thy face, to me

Thou would'st appear most ugly. He is married?
Mess. I crave your Highness' pardon.

Cleo.

He is married?

Mess. Take no offence that I would not offend

you:

To punish me for what you make me do

Seems much unequal. He is married to Octavia.

Cleo. O that, his fault, should make a knave of thee,

That art but what thou'rt sure of. Get thee

hence:

The merchandise which thou hast brought from Rome,

Are all too dear for me: lie they upon thy hand,
And be undone by 'em!

Char.

[Exit Messenger.

Good your Highness, patience. Cleo. In praising Antony, I have disprais'd Cæsar.

Char. Many times, madam.

Cleo.

Lead me from hence;

I am paid for 't now

I faint. O Iras! Charmian! - 'Tis no matter.
Go to the fellow, good Alexas; bid him
Report the feature of Octavia, her years,
Her inclination; let him not leave out

The colour of her hair: bring me word quickly.

[Exit ALEXAS. - let him not Charmian,

Let him for ever go:
Though he be painted one way like a Gorgon,

The other way's a Mars.

Bid you Alexas

[To MARDIAN.

Bring me word how tall she is. - Pity me, Charmian, But do not speak to me. - Lead me to my chamber. [Exeunt.

SCENE VI.

Near Misenum.

Flourish. Enter POMPEY and MENAS, at one side, with drum and trumpet: at another, CÆSAR, LEPIDUS, ANTONY, ENOBARBUS, MECENAS, with Soldiers marching.

Pom. Your hostages I have, so have you mine; And we shall talk before we fight.

Most meet

Cæs. That first we come to words; and therefore have we Our written purposes before us sent,

Which, if thou hast consider'd, let us know