Have power to utter, O, then we bring forth weeds, [Erit. Ant. From Sicyon, ho, the news! Speak there! First Att. The man from Sicyon,-is there such an one? Sec. Att. He stays upon your will. Ant. These strong Egyptian fetters I must break, Or lose myself in dotage. Let him appear. 120 Her length of sickness, with what else more serious . Ant. [Gives a letter. Forbear me. [Exit Sec. Messenger. There's a great spirit gone! Thus did I desire it: I must from this enchanting queen break off: Eno. What's your pleasure, sir? Ant. I must with haste from hence. 130 Eno. Why, then, we kill all our women: we see how mortal an unkindness is to them; if they suffer our departure, death's the word. Ant. I must be gone. 140 Eno. Under a compelling occasion, let women die: it were pity to cast them away for nothing; though, between them and a great cause, they should be esteemed nothing. Cleopatra, catching but the least noise of this, dies instantly; I have seen her die twenty times upon far poorer moment: I do think there is mettle in death, which commits some loving act upon her, she hath such a celerity in dying. Ant. She is cunning past man's thought. 150 Eno. Alack, sir, no; her passions are made of nothing but the finest part of pure love: we cannot call her winds and waters sighs and tears; they are greater storms and tempests than almanacs can report: this cannot be cunning in her; if it be, she makes a shower of rain as well as Jove. Ant. Would I had never seen her! Eno. O, sir, you had then left unseen a wonderful piece of work; which not to have been blest withal would have discredited your travel. Ant. Fulvia is dead. Eno. Sir? Ant. Fulvia is dead. Ant. Dead. Eno. Why, sir, give the gods a thankful sacrifice. When it pleaseth their deities to take the wife of a man from him, it shows to man the tailors of the earth; comforting therein, that when old robes are worn out, there are members to make new. If there were no more women but Fulvia, . then had you indeed a cut, and the case to be lamented: this grief is crowned with consolation; your old smock brings forth a new petticoat: and indeed the tears live in an onion that should water this sorrow. Ant. The business she hath broached in the state Cannot endure my absence. 179 Eno. And the business you have broached here cannot be without you; especially that of Cleopatra's, which wholly depends on your abode. Ant. No more light answers. Let our officers 190 The sides o' the world may danger: much is breeding, 200 Our quick remove from hence. Eno. I shall do't. [Exeunt. SCENE III. The same. Another room. Enter CLEOPATRA, CHARMIAN, IRAS, and Alexas. Cleo. Where is he? Char. I did not see him since. Cleo. See where he is, who's with him, what he does: I did not send you: if you find him sad, Say I am dancing; if in mirth, report That I am sudden sick: quick, and return. [Erit Alexas. Char. Madam, methinks, if you did love him dearly, You do not hold the method to enforce The like from him. Cleo. What should I do, I do not? Char. In each thing give him way, cross him in nothing. Cleo. Thou teachest like a fool; the way to lose him. 10 Char. Tempt him not so too far; I wish, forbear: In time we hate that which we often fear. But here comes Antony. Cleo. Enter ANTONY. I am sick and sullen. Aut. I am sorry to give breathing to my purpose,- Ant. What's the matter? Now, my dearest queen,— Would she had never given you leave to come! O, never was there queen So mightily betray'd! yet at the first Cleopatra, Ant. Cleo. Why should I think you can be mine and true, Though you in swearing shake the throned gods, Who have been false to Fulvia? Riotous madness, To be entangled with those mouth-made vows, Which break themselves in swearing! 20 30 Ant. Most sweet queen,— Cleo. Nay, pray you, seek no colour for your going, Bliss in our brows' bent; none our parts so poor, Or thou, the greatest soldier of the world, Art turn'd the greatest liar. Ant. How now, lady! Cleo. I would I had thy inches; thou shouldst know 40 There were a heart in Egypt. Ant. Our services awhile; but my full heart Shines o'er with civil swords: Sextus Pompeius Makes his approaches to the port of Rome: Equality of two domestic powers Breed scrupulous faction: the hated, grown to strength, Are newly grown to love: the condemn'd Pompey, Into the hearts of such as have not thrived Upon the present state, whose numbers threaten; 50 Cleo. Though age from folly could not give me freedom, It does from childishness: can Fulvia die? Ant. She's dead, my queen: Look here, and at thy sovereign leisure read Cleo. Cleo. 60 ΤΟ Ant. My precious queen, forbear; And give truc evidence to his love, which stands I prithee, turn aside and weep for her; Ant. 80 Cleo. And target. Still he mends; But this is not the best. Look, prithee, Charmian, How this Herculean Roman does become The carriage of his chafe. Ant. I'll leave you, lady. Cleo. Courteous lord, one word. Sir, you and I must part, but that's not it: Sir, you and I have loved, but there's not it; That you know well: something it is I would,— And I am all forgotten. Ant. But that your royalty Holds idleness your subject, I should take you Cleo. 'Tis sweating labour To bear such idleness so near the heart And all the gods go with you! upon your sword Ant. Let us go. Come; That thou, residing here, go'st yet with me, SCENE IV. Rome. Cæsar's house. 90 100 [Exeunt. Enter OCTAVIUS CÆSAR, readiny a letter, LEPIDUS, and their Train. Cas You may sec, Lepidus, and henceforth know, It is not Cæsar's natural vice to hate |