Dol. Hear me, good madam: Your loss is as yourself, great; and you bear it By the rebound of yours, a grief that shoots Cleo. I thank you, sir. Know you, what Cæsar means to do with me? Enter Cæsar, Gallus, Proculeius, Mecanas, Seleucus, Will have it thus; my master and my lord I must obey. Cæs. Take to you no hard thoughts: The record of what injuries you did us, Though written in our flesh, we shall remember Sir, the gods As things but done by chance. Cleo. Sole sir o' the world, I cannot project mine own cause so well Cæs. Cleopatra, know, We will extenuate rather than enforce: If you apply yourself to our intents, (Which towards you are most gentle,) you shall find Antony's course, you shall bereave yourself Cleo. And may, through all the world: 'tis yours; and we Your 'scutcheons, and your signs of your signs of conquest, shall Hang in what place you please. Here, my good lord. Cæs. You shall advise me in all for Cleopatra. Cleo. This is the brief of money, plate, and jewels, I am possess'd of: 'tis exactly valued; Not petty things admitted.-Where's Seleucus? Sel. Here, madam. Cleo. This is my treasurer; let him speak, my lord, Upon his peril, that I have reserv'd To myself nothing. Speak the truth, Seleucus. I had rather seel my lips, than, to my peril, Cleo. What have I kept back? Sel. Enough to purchase what you have made known. Cæs. Nay, blush not, Cleopatra; I approve Your wisdom in the deed. Cleo. How pomp See, Cæsar! O, behold, is follow'd! mine will now be yours; And, should we shift estates, yours would be mine. The ingratitude of this Seleucus does Even make me wild:-O slave, of no more trust Than love that's hir'd!-What, goest thou back? thou shalt Go back, I warrant thee; but I'll catch thine eyes, Though they had wings: Slave, soul-less villain, dog! O rarely base! Cæs. Good queen, let us entreat you. Cleo. O Cæsar, 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 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. Pr'ythee, go hence; [to Seleucus. Or I shall show the cinders of my spirits man, Thou would'st have mercy on me. Cæs. Forbear, Seleucus. [Exit Seleucus. Cleo. Be it known, that we, the greatest, are misthought For things that others do; and, when we fall, Are therefore to be pitied. Cæs. Cleopatra, Not what you have reserv'd, nor what acknowledg'd, Of things that merchants sold. Therefore be cheer'd; 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! Cleo. My master, and my lord! Cæs. Not so: Adieu! [Exeunt Cæsar, and his train. Cleo. 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. Cleo. Hie thee again; I have spoke already, and it is provided; Go, put it to the haste. Dol. Madam, as thereto sworn by your com mand, Which my love makes religion to obey, Cleo. I shall remain your debtor. Dol. Dolabella, I your servant. Adieu! good queen; I must attend on Cæsar. Thou, an Egyptian puppet, shalt be shown Iras. The gods forbid! |