O rarely base! OCTAVIUS CAESAR Good queen, let us entreat you. CLEOPATRA O Caesar, 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 Caesar, That I some lady trifles have reserved, Immoment toys, things of such dignity As we greet modern friends withal; and say, Some nobler token I have kept apart 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.
To SELEUCUS
Prithee, go hence;
Or I shall show the cinders of my spirits Through the ashes of my chance: wert thou a man, Thou wouldst have mercy on me. OCTAVIUS CAESAR Forbear, Seleucus.
Exit SELEUCUS CLEOPATRA Be it known, that we, the greatest, are misthought For things that others do; and, when we fall, We answer others' merits in our name, Are therefore to be pitied. OCTAVIUS CAESAR Cleopatra, Not what you have reserved, nor what acknowledged, Put we i' the roll of conquest: still be't yours, Bestow it at your pleasure; and believe, Caesar'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. CLEOPATRA My master, and my lord! OCTAVIUS CAESAR Not so. Adieu.
Flourish. Exeunt OCTAVIUS CAESAR and his train CLEOPATRA 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. CLEOPATRA Hie thee again:
I have spoke already, and it is provided;Go put it to the haste. CHARMIAN Madam, I will.
Re-enter DOLABELLA DOLABELLA Where is the queen? CHARMIAN Behold, sir.
Exit CLEOPATRA Dolabella! DOLABELLA Madam, as thereto sworn by your command, Which my love makes religion to obey, I tell you this: Caesar through Syria Intends his journey; and within three days You with your children will he send before:
Make your best use of this: I have perform'd Your pleasure and my promise. CLEOPATRA Dolabella, I shall remain your debtor. DOLABELLA I your servant, Adieu, good queen; I must attend on Caesar. CLEOPATRA Farewell, and thanks.
Exit DOLABELLA
Now, Iras, what think'st thou?
Thou, an Egyptian puppet, shalt be shown In Rome, as well as I mechanic slaves With greasy aprons, rules, and hammers, shall Uplift us to the view; in their thick breaths, Rank of gross diet, shall be enclouded, And forced to drink their vapour. IRAS The gods forbid! CLEOPATRA Nay, 'tis most certain, Iras: saucy lictors Will catch at us, like strumpets; and scald rhymers Ballad us out o' tune: the quick comedians Extemporally will stage us, and present Our Alexandrian revels; Antony Shall be brought drunken forth, and I shall see Some squeaking Cleopatra boy my greatness I' the posture of a whore. IRAS O the good gods! CLEOPATRA Nay, that's certain. IRAS I'll never see 't; for, I am sure, my nails Are stronger than mine eyes. CLEOPATRA Why, that's the way To fool their preparation, and to conquer Their most absurd intents.
Re-enter CHARMIAN
Now, Charmian!
Show me, my women, like a queen: go fetch My best attires: I am again for Cydnus, To meet Mark Antony: sirrah Iras, go.
Now, noble Charmian, we'll dispatch indeed;And, when thou hast done this chare, I'll give thee leave To play till doomsday. Bring our crown and all.
Wherefore's this noise?
Exit IRAS. A noise within Enter a Guardsman Guard Here is a rural fellow That will not be denied your highness presence:
He brings you figs. CLEOPATRA Let him come in.
Exit Guardsman What poor an instrument May do a noble deed! he brings me liberty.
My resolution's placed, and I have nothing Of woman in me: now from head to foot I am marble-constant; now the fleeting moon No planet is of mine.
Re-enter Guardsman, with Clown bringing in a basket Guard This is the man. CLEOPATRA Avoid, and leave him.
