Say I am dancing; if in mirth, report That I am sudden sick: quick, and return. [Exit Alexas. Char. Madam, methinks, if you did love him dearly, You do not hold the method to enforce The like from him. Cleo. What should I do, I do not? Char. In each thing give him way, cross him in nothing. Cleo. Thou teachest like a fool,-the way to lose him. Char. Tempt him not so too far; I wish, forbear: In time we hate that which we often fear. But here comes Antony. Cleo. I'm sick and sullen. Enter ANTONY. Ant. I'm sorry to give breathing to my purpose, It cannot be thus long, the sides of nature Will not sustain it. Ant. Now, my dearest queen, Cleo. Pray you, stand further from me. Ant. What's the matter? Cleo. I know, by that same eye, there's some good news. What says the married woman?—You may go: Would she had never given you leave to come! Let her not say 'tis I that keep you here, I have no power upon you; hers you are. Cleo. O, never was there queen So mightily betray'd! yet at the first I saw the treasons(17) planted. Cleo. Why should I think you can be mine and true, Which break themselves in swearing! Ant. Most sweet queen,— Cleo. Nay, pray you, seek no colour for your going, But bid farewell, and go: when you su'd staying, Then was the time for words: no going then ; Eternity was in our lips and eyes, Bliss in our brows' bent; none our parts so poor, Ant. How now, lady! Cleo. I would I had thy inches; thou shouldst know There were a heart in Egypt. Ant. Hear me, queen: The strong necessity of time commands Our services awhile; but my full heart Shines o'er with civil swords: Sextus Pompeius Equality of two domestic powers Breed(18) scrupulous faction: the hated, grown to strength, Are newly grown to love: the condemn'd Pompey Into the hearts of such as have not thriv'd Cleo. Though age from folly could not give me freedom, It does from childishness :-can Fulvia die? Ant. She's dead, my queen: Look here, and, at thy sovereign leisure, read See when and where she died. O most false love! Cleo. In Fulvia's death, how mine receiv'd shall be. Cleo. Cut my lace, Charmian, come ; But let it be:-I'm quickly ill, and well, So Antony loves. Ant. My precious queen, forbear; And give true evidence to his love, (19) which stands. An honourable trial. Cleo. So Fulvia told me. I prithee, turn aside, and weep for her; the tears Belong to Egypt: good now, play one scene Like perfect honour. Ant. Cleo. You can do better yet; but this is meetly. You'll heat my blood: no more. And target.-Still he mends; Ant. Now, by my(20) sword, Cleo. But this is not the best:-look, prithee, Charmian, How this Herculean Roman does become The carriage of his chafe. Ant. I'll leave you, lady. Courteous lord, one word. Sir, you and I must part,-but that's not it: And I am all forgotten. Ant. But that your royalty Holds idleness your subject, I should take you To bear such idleness so near the heart As Cleopatra this. But, sir, forgive me; And all the gods go with you! upon your sword Be strew'd before your feet! Let us go. Come; Ant. 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. It is not Cæsar's natural vice to hate More womanly than he; hardly gave audience, or Vouchsaf'd to think(23) he had partners: you shall find there A man who is the abstract(24) of all faults That all men follow. Lep. I must not think there are Evils enow to darken all his goodness: His faults, in him, seem as the spots of heaven, Cas. You're too indulgent. Let us grant, it is not Amiss to tumble on the bed of Ptolemy; To give a kingdom for a mirth; to sit And keep the turn of tippling with a slave; To reel the streets at noon, and stand the buffet With knaves that smell of sweat: say this becomes him,— As his composure must be rare indeed Whom these things cannot blemish,-yet must Antony No way excuse his soils,(25) when we do bear As his own state and ours,-'tis to be chid As we rate boys, who, being mature in knowledge, Lep. Enter a Messenger. Here's more news. Mess. Thy biddings have been done; and every hour, Most noble Cæsar, shalt thou have report How 'tis abroad. Pompey is strong at sea; That only have fear'd Cæsar: to the ports Cæs. I should have known no less: It hath been taught us from the primal state, And the ebb'd man, ne'er lov'd till ne'er worth love, Goes to and back, lackeying(29) the varying tide, To rot itself with motion. Mess. Cæsar, I bring thee word, Menecrates and Menas, famous pirates, Make the sea serve them, which they ear and wound They make in Italy; the borders maritime Lack blood to think on't, and flush youth revolt: No vessel can peep forth, but 'tis as soon Taken as seen; for Pompey's name strikes more Leave thy lascivious wassails. (30) When thou once Did famine follow; whom thou fought'st against, Which beasts would cough at: thy palate then did deign |