The actor may plead pardon. I'll none now :- Tawny-finn'd(65) fishes; my bended hook shall pierce I'll think them every one an Antony, And say, "Ah, ha! you're caught. Char. 'Twas merry when You wager'd on your angling; when your diver Cleo. : That time,-0 times!- Enter a Messenger. O, from Italy! Ram(66) thou thy fruitful tidings in mine ears, That long time have been barren. Mess. Madam, madam,— Cleo. Antony's dead!-if thou say so, villain,(67) My bluest veins to kiss,—a hand that kings Mess. First, madam, he is well. But, sirrah, mark, we use To Why, there's more gold. 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 Thou shouldst 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, is(69) 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. Mess. But yet, madam,— Cleo. I do not like "But yet," it does allay The good and bad together: he's friends with Cæsar; Cleo. Mess. For the best turn i' the bed. Cleo. Mess. Madam, he's married to Octavia. Cleo. The most infectious pestilence upon thee! For what good turn? I am pale, Charmian. [Strikes him down. Mess. Good madam, patience. 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, 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 hadst Thy modesty can beg. Mess. He's married, madam. Cleo. Rogue, thou hast liv'd too long. Mess. [Draws a knife. Nay, then I'll run.— What mean you, madam? I have made no fault. Char. Good madam, keep yourself within yourself: Cleo. Some innocents scape not the thunderbolt.- 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. [Exit. [Exit Charmian. Re-enter CHARMIAN and Messenger. Come hither, sir. 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. Cleo. Is he married? I've done my duty. Cleo. The gods confound thee! dost thou hold there still? O, I would thou didst, Cleo. Thou wouldst appear most ugly. He is married? Cleo. He is married? Mess. Take no offence that I would not offend you: Cleo. O, that his fault should make a knave of thee, And be undone by 'em! [Exit Messenger. Good your highness, patience. Char. Cleo. Lead me from hence; I am paid for't now. I faint:-0 Iras, Charmian!-'tis no matter.— The colour of her hair :-bring me word quickly. [Exit Alexas. Let him for ever go:-let him not—Charmian, you [Exeunt. SCENE VI. Near Misenum. Flourish. Enter POMPEY and MENAS from one side, with drum and trumpet: from the other, CESAR, ANTONY, LEPIDUS, ENOBARBUS, MECENAS, with Soldiers marching. Pom. Your hostages I have, so have you mine; And we shall talk before we fight. Cæs. Most meet 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 If 'twill tie up thy discontented sword, Pom. Cæs. Take your time. Ant. Thou canst not fear us, Pompey, with thy sails; We'll speak with thee at sea: at land, thou know'st How much we do o'er-count thee. Pom. At land, indeed, Thou dost o'er-count me of my father's house: Lep. Be pleas'd to tell us— For this is from the present-how you take The offer(74) we have sent you. Cæs. There's the point. Ant. Which do not be entreated to, but weigh What it is worth embrac'd. Cæs. To try a larger fortune. Pom. And what may follow, You've made me offer Of Sicily, Sardinia; and I must Rid all the sea of pirates; then, to send To part with unhack'd edges, and bear back |