Eno. I like this well. He shows authority. Ant. That I derive From you alone my ruin Cle. O, Heavens! I ruin you! Ant. You promised me your silence, and you break it, Ere I have scarce begun. Cle. Well, I obey you. Ant. When I beheld you first, it was in Egypt, Ere Cæsar saw your eyes: You gave me love, And were too young to know it; that I settled Your father on his throne, was for your sake; I left th' acknowledgment for time to ripen: Cæsar stept in, and with a greedy hand Pluck'd the green fruit, ere the first blush of red, Yet cleaving to the bough. He was my lord, And was, beside, too great for me to rival. When, after, I beheld you in Cilicia, An enemy to Rome, I pardon'd you. Cle. I clear'd myself. Ant. Again you break your promise. I loved you still, and took your weak excuses; Eno. 'Tis all too true. Ant. Fulvia, my wife, grew jealous, As she, indeed, had reason; raised a war To call me back.-While in your arms I lay, The world fell mould'ring from my hands each hour, And left me scarce a grasp. Cle. Yet may I speak? Ant. If I have urged a falsehood, yes; else not.Your silence says, I have not. Fulvia died; (Pardon, ye gods! with my unkindness died,) To set the world at peace, I took Octavia, This Cæsar's sister; in her pride of youth, If you have aught to answer, Now speak-you have free leave. his Eno. Now lay a sigh i' th' way, to stop Prepare a tear, and bid it for his legions; 'Tis like they shall be sold. passage; Cle. How shall I plead my cause, when you, my judge, Already have condemn'd me? Shall I bring That, now, is turn'd against me; that destroys me; Ant. O, you wrong me, To think I sought this parting, or desired Now judge my love by this. Could I have borne [Giving ANTONY a writing. A life or death, a happiness or woe, From yours divided, this had given me means. I know it well. See, Enobarbus! here he offers Egypt, So, in requital, she forsake my fortunes, Cle. And yet you leave me ! You leave me, Antony, and yet I love you, Indeed I do; I have refused a kingdom, For I would part with life, with any thing, Ant. Next living with you, 'Tis all that Heaven can give. Char. [Aside.] He melts! we conquer ! Cle. No, you shall go. Your int'rest calls you hence;. Yes, your dear int'rest pulls too strong for these Weak arms to hold you Go; leave me, soldier, here. [Takes his hand. (For you're no more a lover,) leave me dying; Octavia chides, and straight your brow clears up, Ant. Dead! rather let me perish : My life, my soul, my all! Eno. And what's this toy, [Embraces her. In balance with your fortune, honour, fame!. Eno. I'll rather die, than take it. Will you go? Give to your boy, your Cæsar, This gew-gaw world, and put him cheaply off; . Cle. She's wholly yours. My heart's so full of joy That I shall do some wild extravagance, [March. Exeunt ANTONY and CLEOPATRA. [Exit. ACT THE THIRD. SCENE I. A Room in CESAR'S Palace. Enter CESAR, MECENAS and AGRIPPA. Cas. Contemning Rome, he did all this, and more. In Alexandria-here's [Shewing papers.] the manner of it, I' the market-place, on a tribunal silver'd, He gave the 'stablishment of Egypt; made her, Absolute queen. Mac. This in the public eye? Cæs. I' the common shew-place, where they exercise: His sons he there proclaim'd the kings of kings. He gave to Alexander; to Ptolemy he assign'd In the habiliments of the goddess, Isis, That day appear'd, and oft before gave audience, Mac. Let Rome be thus Inform'd. Agr. Who, queasy with his insolence Already, will their good thoughts call from him. Agr. Whom does he accuse? Cæs. Cæsar; and that having in Sicily Should be deposed; and being, that we detain Agr. Sir, this should be answered. Cæs. "Tis done already, and the messenger gone. I have told him Lepidus was grown too cruel; That he his high authority abused, And did deserve his change: for what I have conquer'd, I grant him part; but then, in his Armenia, Demand the like. Mac. He'll never yield to that. Cæs. Nor must not then be yielded to in this. |