Ere the ninth hour, I drunk him to his bed;
Then put my tires and mantles on him, whilst
I wore his fword Philippan. O! from Italy;-

Enter a Messenger.

Ram thou thy fruitful tidings in mine ears,
That long time have been barren.
Mef.

Cleo. Antony's dead?

Madam, madam,

If thou say so, villain, thou kill'st thy mistress :
But well and free,

If thou so yield him, there is gold, and here
My bluest veins to kiss; a hand, that kings
Have lipp'd, and trembled kissing.

Mef.

First, madam, he's well.

Cleo. Why, there's more gold. But, firrah, mark; We

ufe

To say, the dead are well: bring it to that,
The gold I give thee, will I melt, and pour

Down thy ill-uttering throat.

Mef. Good madam, hear me.
Cleo.

Well, go to, I will;

But there's no goodness in thy face: If Antony
Be free, and healthful,-why so tart a favour

To trumpet such good tidings? If not well,

Thou should'st come like a fury crown'd with snakes,

Not like a formal man.

Mef.

Will't please you hear me?

Cleo. I have a mind to strike thee, ere thou speak'st

Yet, if thou say, Antony lives, is well,

Or friends with Cæfar, or not captive to him,

I'll set thee in a shower of gold, and hail

Rich pearls upon thee.

Mef. Mef.

Madam, he's well.

Cleo.

Well faid.

Thou'rt an honest man.

Mes. And friends with Cæfar.
Cleo.

Mef. Cæfar and he are greater friends than ever.

Cleo. Make thee a fortune from me.

Mef.

But yet, madam,

Cleo. I do not like but yet, it does allay
The good precedence; fye upon but yet :
But yet is as a gaoler to bring forth
Some monstrous malefactor. Pr'ythee, friend,

Pour out the pack of matter to mine ear,

The good and bad together: He's friends with Cæfar;
In state of health, thou say'st; and, thou say'st, free.
Mes. Free, madam! no; I made no fuch report:

Horrible villain! or I'll spurn thine eyes

Like balls before me; I'll unhair thy head;

[She hales him up and down.

Thou shalt be whipp'd with wire, and stew'd in brine,

Smarting in ling'ring pickle.

Mef.

Gracious madam,

I, that do bring the news, made not the match.

Cleo. Say, 'tis not so, a province I will give thee, And make thy fortunes proud: the blow thou hadit

Shall make thy peace, for moving me to rage;
And I will boot thee with what gift beside

Thy modesty can beg.

Mef.

He's married, madam.

Cleo. Rogue, thou hast liv'd too long.

Mef.

[Draws a dagger.

Nay, then I'll run :What mean you, madam? I have made no fault. [Exit. Char. Good madam, keep yourself within yourself;

The man is innocent.

Cleo. Some innocents 'scape not the thunder-bolt.Melt Egypt into Nile! and kindly creatures Turn all to ferpents!-Call the slave again; Though I am mad, I will not bite him:-Call.

Char. He is afeard to come.

Cleo.

I will not hurt him :

These hands do lack nobility, that they strike
A meaner than myself; since I myself
Have given myself the cause. Come hither, fir.

Re-enter Messenger.

Though it be honest, it is never good

To bring bad news: Give to a gracious message

An host of tongues; but let ill tidings tell

Themselves, when they be felt.

Cleo. The gods confound thee! dost thou hold there

still?

Mes. Should I lie, madam?

Cleo. Cleo. SCENE VI.

O, I would, thou didst;

So half my Egypt were submerg'd, and made

A cistern for scal'd snakes! Go, get thee hence;

Had'st thou Narcissus in thy face, to me

Thou would'st appear most ugly. He is married?

Mef. I crave your highness' pardon.

Cleo.

He is married?

Mef. Take no offence, that I would not offend you : To punish me for what you make me do,

Seems much unequal: He is married to Octavia.

Cleo. O, that his fault should make a knave of thee, That art not!- What? thou'rt sure of t?-Get thee

hence:

The merchandise, which thou hast brought from Rome,
Are all too dear for me; Lie they upon thy hand,

And be undone by 'em!
[Exit Messenger.
Char.
Good your highness, patience.

Cleo. In praising Antony, I have disprais'd Cæfar.
Char. Many times, madam.

Cleo.

Lead me from hence,

I am paid for't now.

I faint; O Iras, Charmian,-'Tis no matter :-
Go to the fellow, good Alexas; bid him
Report the feature of Octavia, her years,
Her inclination, let him not leave out

The colour of her hair :-bring me word quickly.

[Exit ALEXAS.

Let him for ever go:-Let him not-Charmian,
Though he be painted one way like a Gorgon,
T' other way he's a Mars :-Bid you Alexas

• [TO MARDIAN.

Bring me word, how tall she is.-Pity me, Charmian,
But do not speak to me.-Lead me to my chamber.

Near Misenum.

Enter POMPEY, and MENAS, at one fide, with drum and trumpet: at another, CÆSAR, LEPIDUS, ANTONY, ENOBARBUS, MECENAS, with foldiers marching.

Pom. Your hostages I have, so have you mine;

And we shall talk before we fight.

Caf.

Most meet,

That first we come to words; and therefore have we
Our written purposes before us fent:

Which, if thou hast consider'd, let us know

If 'twill tie up thy discontented sword;

And carry back to Sicily much tall youth,

That else muft perish here.

Pom.

To you all three,

The senators alone of this great world,
Chief factors for the gods,-I do not know,
Wherefore my father should revengers want,
Having a fon, and friends; fince Julius Cæfar,
Who at Philippi the good Brutus ghosted,
There faw you labouring for him. What was it,
That mov'd pale Caffius to conspire? And what
Made the all-honour'd, honest, Roman Brutus,
With the arm'd rest, courtiers of beauteous freedom,
To drench the Capitol: but that they would
Have one man but a man? And that is it,
Hath made me rig my navy; at whose burden
The anger'd ocean foams; with which I meant
To scourge the ingratitude that defpiteful Rome
Cast on my noble father.

Caf.

Take your time.

Ant.