SCENE VII. Alexandria-The Interior of CLEOPATRA'S Palace. Enter ANTONY with Attendants. Ant. This land of Egypt bids me tread no more on't. It is ashamed to bear me. Friends, come hither; Have lost my way for ever;-I have one ship All. Fly? not we! Ant. I fled myself; and have instructed others To run and shew their shoulders. Atten. Sir, the queen. Enter CLEOPATRA, CHARMION, and IRAs. Forgive my fearful sails! I little thought Ant. Egypt, thou knew'st too well My heart was to thy rudder tied by the strings, Cle. Pardon, pardon! Ant. Fall not a tear, I say; one of them rates All that is won and lost!-Now, kiss me, sweet! Even this repays-Oh, I am full of lead. Some wine there, and our viands. Thou wilt follow; Wilt thou not, soon?-Oh! [Exit. Enter a Male ATTENDANT. Atten. A messenger from Cæsar. Cle. What, no more ceremony !-See, my women, They treat with negligence the rose, when blown, That kneel'd unto the buds-Admit him, sir. Cæsar's will? Enter THYREus. Thyr. Hear it apart. Cle. None but friends; say on boldly. Thyr. Thus then ;-the most renown'd Cæsar en treats Not to consider in what case thou stand'st, (For soon his forces will set foot on Egypt) Further than he is Cæsar. As Cle. On-right royal. Thyr. He knows that you embrace not Antony you did love, but as you fear'd him. Cle. O! Thyr. The scars upon your honour, therefore, he Does pity, as constrained blemishes, Not as deserved. Cle. He is a god; and knows What is most right. Thyr. Shall I, then, say to Cæsar What you require of him? for he partly begs Cle. What's your name? Thyr. My name is Thyreus. Cle. Most kind messenger, Say to great Cæsar this. By deputation, I Liss his conquering hand; tell him I am prompt To lay my crown at his feet, and there to kneel: Thyr. 'Tis your noblest course. If that the former dare but what it can, No chance may shake it. Give me grace to lay Cle. Your Cæsar's father, oft, [Giving her hand. When he hath mused of taking kingdoms in, As it rain'd kisses. Re-enter ANTONY. Ant. Why tarries thus my Cleopatra?-Ha? Thyr. One that but performs The bidding of the fullest man, and worthiest Ant. Approach there: What, have you no ears? Enter ATTENDANTS. Antony yet-Take hence this Jack, and whip him, Ant. Tug him away. This Jack of Cæsar's shall Bear us an errand to him. [Exeunt ATTEndants with THYREUS. Cle. O, is it come to this? Wherefore is this? Ant. To let a fellow that will take rewards, And say, "God quit you," be familiar with My play-fellow, your hand; this kingly seal, And plighter of high hearts! Re-enter ATTEndants with Thyreus. Henceforth, The white hand of a lady fever thee, Shake thou to look on't! Get thee back to Cæsar, When my good stars, that were my former guides, Hence with thy stripes, begone! Cle. Have you done yet? Ant. Alack! our terrene moon [Exit THYREUS. Is now eclipsed, and it portends alone The fall of Antony. Cle. I must stay his time: Ant. To flatter Cæsar, would you mingle eyes With one that ties his points? Cle. Not know me yet? Ant. Cold-hearted toward me? Cle. Ah, dear! if it be so, From my cold heart let Heaven engender hail, Ant. I am satisfied. Cæsar will soon sit down in Alexandria; May knit again, our fleet, threat'ning most sea-like. Where hast thou been, my heart? Dost thou hear, lady? When in the field I enter, and return To kiss these lips, I will appear in blood; Cle. That's my brave lord! Ant. I will be treble-sinew'd, hearted, breathed, And fight maliciously; for when mine hours Were nice and lucky, men did ransom lives Of me for jests; but now, I'll set my teeth, And send to darkness all that stop me. Come, Let's have one other gaudy night; call to me All my sad captains; fill our bowls; once more, Let's mock the midnight bell. Cle. It is my birth-day: but since my lord I had thought to have held it poor; Cle. Call all his noble captains to my lord. Ant. Do so; we'll speak to them; to-night I'll force The wine peep through their scars. Come on, my queen; There's sap in't yet :-the next time I do fight, [Exeunt ANTONY, CLEOPATRA, and LADIES. ACT THE FOURTH. SCENE I. The Interior of CLEOPATRA's Palace. Enter ALEXAS and ENOBARBUS. Alex. Yes; we shall fare but ill, now these same Romans Have cross'd the seas, and sat down here before us, In Alexandria. |