Ere the ninth hour, I drunk him to his bed; Enter a Messenger. Ram thou thy fruitful tidings in mine ears, Cleo. Antony's dead? Madam, madam, If thou say so, villain, thou kill'st thy mistress : If thou so yield him, there is gold, and here 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, Down thy ill-uttering throat. Mef. Good madam, hear me. Well, go to, I will; But there's no goodness in thy face: If Antony 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. 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 Pour out the pack of matter to mine ear, The good and bad together: He's friends with Cæfar; 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; 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 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, And be undone by 'em! Cleo. In praising Antony, I have disprais'd Cæfar. Cleo. Lead me from hence, I am paid for't now. I faint; O Iras, Charmian,-'Tis no matter :- The colour of her hair :-bring me word quickly. [Exit ALEXAS. Let him for ever go:-Let him not-Charmian, • [TO MARDIAN. Bring me word, how tall she is.-Pity me, Charmian, 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 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, Caf. Take your time. Ant. |