Enter Mardian. Cleo. Let it alone; let us to billiards: Come, Charmian. 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. Clco. And when good will is show'd, though it come too short, The actor may plead pardon. I'll none now:- Tawny-finn'd 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!-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 Philippan. O! from Italy; Enter a Messenger. Ram thou thy fruitful tidings in mine ears, 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 Head-dress. My bluest veins to kiss; a hand, that kings Mess. First, madam, he's well. Cleo. Why, there's more gold. But, sirrah, mark; We use To say, the dead are well: bring it to that, Mess. Good madam, hear me. Well, go to, I will; 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 well, Or friends with Cæsar, or not captive to him, I'll set thee in a shower of gold, and hail Mess. Cæsar and he are greater friends than ever. Cleo. Make thee a fortune from me. Mess. But yet, madam,— Cleo. I do not like but yet, it does allay Some monstrous malefactor. Pr'ythee, friend, The good and bad together: He's friend with Cæsar; So sour a countenance. † A man in his senses. Preceding. Cleo. For what good turn? Mess. For the best turn i' the bed. Cleo. 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 [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, J, 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 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 : [Exit. What mean you, madam? I have made no fault. Char. Good madam, keep yourself within your self; The man is innocent. Cleo. Some innocents 'scape not the thunderbolt. Melt Egypt into Nile! and kindly creatures Cleo. I will not hurt him : These hands do lack nobility, that they strike • Recompense. A meaner than myself; since I myself Have given myself the cause.-Come hither, sir. Re-enter Messenger. Though it be honest, it is never good To bring bad news: Give to a gracious message Themselves, when they be felt. Mess. Cleo. Is he married? I have done my duty. I cannot hate thee worser than I do, If thou again say, Yes. Mess. He is married, madam. Cleo. The gods confound thee! dost thou hold there still? Mess. Should I lie, madam? Cleo. O, I would, thou didst; So half my Egypt were submerg'd*, and made A cistern for scal'd snakes! Go, get thee hence; Hadst 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 faults should make a knave of thee, That art not!-What? thou'rt sure of't?- 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, * Whelmed under water. I am paid for't now. Char. Many times, madam. Cleo. Lead me from hence. I faint; O Iras, Charmian,-'Tis no matter: Go to the fellow, good Alexas; bid him [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. Enter Pompey and Menas, at one side, with drum and trumpet: at another, Cæsar, Lepidus, Antony, Enobarbus, Mæcenas, 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 Which if thou hast considered, let us know Pom. To you all three, The senators alone of this great world, |