SCENE VI.-Rome. A Room in CESAR's House. Enter CESAR, AGRIPPA, and MECENAS. In Alexandria, here's the manner of it,— Like Cæsar's sister. The wife of Antony Octa. Good my lord, Welcome hither: Cæs. Your letters did withhold our breaking forth, Till we perceived both how you were wrong led, And we in negligent danger. Cheer your heart: Be you not troubled with the time, which drives O'er your content these strong necessities; But let determined things to destiny Hold unbewailed their way. Welcome to Rome: Nothing more dear to me. You are abused Beyond the mark of thought: and the high gods, To do you justice, make their ministers Of us and those that love you. Best of comfort; And ever welcome to us. Nay, I have done : Here comes the emperor. Enter ANTONY and CANIDIUS. Ant. Is it not strange, Canidius, That from Tarentum and Brundusium He could so quickly cut the Ionian sea, And take in Toryne!-You have heard on 't, sweet? Cleo. Celerity is never more admired Than by the negligent. Ant. A good rebuke, Which might have well becomed the best of men, Cleo. By sea! What else? Can. Why will my lord do so? Ant. For he dares us to 't. Eno. So hath my lord dared him to single fight. Can. Ay, and to wage this battle at Pharsalia, Where Cæsar fought with Pompey. But these offers, Which serve not for his vantage, he shakes off: And so should you. Eno. Your ships are not well manned: Your mariners are muleteers, reapers, people Ingrossed by swift impress: in Cæsar's fleet Are those that often have 'gainst Pompey fought. Their ships are yare: yours heavy. No disgrace Shall fall you for refusing him at sea, Being prepared for land. Ant. By sea, by sea. Eno. Most worthy sir, you therein throw away The absolute soldiership you have by land; Distract your army, which doth most consist Of war-marked footmen; leave unexecuted Your own renowned knowledge; quite forego The way which promises assurance; and Give up yourself merely to chance and hazard, From firm security. Cleo. I have sixty sails, Cæsar none better. Ant. Our overplus of shipping will we burn; And with the rest full-manned, from the head of Actium Beat the approaching Cæsar. But if we fail, Enter a Messenger. We then can do 't at land.-Thy business? Mess. The news is true, my lord: he is descried: Cæsar has taken Toryne. SCENE IX.-Alexandria. A Room in the Palace. Enter ANTONY and Attendants. Ant. Hark! the land bids me tread no more upon 't: It is ashamed to bear me !-Friends, come hither: To run and shew their shoulders.-Friends, be- gone: I have myself resolved upon a course Which has no need of you: begone. Eros. See you here, sir? Ant. O fie, fie, fie! Char. Madam,-— Iras. Madam; O good empress! Eros. Sir, sir, Ant. Yes, my lord, yes :-he at Philippi kept His sword even like a dancer, while I struck The lean and wrinkled Cassius; and 't was I That the mad Brutus ended: he alone Dealt on lieutenantry, and no practice had In the brave squares of war: yet now-no matter. Eros. The queen, my lord; the queen. He is unqualitied with very shame. Cleo. Well then, sustain me.-0! Eros. Most noble sir, arise; the queen approaches: Her head's declined, and death will seize her; but Your comfort makes the rescue. Ant. I have offended reputation: A most unnoble swerving! Eros. Sir, the queen. Art. O, whither hast thou led me, Egypt? See How I convey my shame out of thine eyes, By looking back on what I have left behind 'Stroyed in dishonour. Cleo. O my lord, my lord, Forgive my fearful sails! I little thought You would have followed. I have no ears to his request. The queen Cæs. Bring him through the bands. [Exit EUPHRONIUS. To try thy eloquence now 't is time: [To THYREUS. despatch: From Antony win Cleopatra: promise, And in our name, what she requires: add more (From thine invention) offers. Women are not In their best fortunes strong; but want will perjure The ne'er-touched vestal. Try thy cunning, Thy reus: Make thine own edict for thy pains; which we Will answer as a law. Caes. Observe how Antony becomes his flaw; And what thou think'st his very action speaks every power that moves. Thyr. Cæsar, I shall. In [Exeunt. |