SCENE VI.-Rome. A Room in CESAR's House.

Enter CESAR, AGRIPPA, and MECENAS.
Cæs. Contemning Rome, he has done all this.
And more:

In Alexandria, here's the manner of it,—
I' the market-place, on a tribunal silvered,
Cleopatra and himself in chairs of gold
Were publicly enthroned: at the feet sat
Cæsarion, whom they call my father's son ;
And all the unlawful issue that their lust
Since then hath made between them. Unto her
He gave the 'stablishment of Egypt: made her
Of Lower Syria, Cyprus, Lybia,

Like Cæsar's sister. The wife of Antony
Should have an army for an usher, and
The neighs of horse to tell of her approach,
Long ere she did appear: the trees by the way
Should have borne inen, and expectation fainted,
Longing for what it had not: nay, the dust
Should have ascended to the roof of heaven,
Raised by your populous troops: but you are come
A market-maid to Rome, and have prevented
The ostent of our love, which left unshewn
Is often left unloved. We should have met you
By sea and land; supplying every stage
With an augmented greeting.

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,
To taunt at slackness.-Canidius, we
Will fight with him by sea.

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:

gone: I have myself resolved upon a course

Which has no need of you: begone.
My treasure's in the harbour; take it.-0,
I followed that I blushed to look upon!
My very hairs do mutiny: for the white
Reprove the brown for rashness, and they them
For fear and doting.-Friends, begone: you shall
Have letters from me to some friends that will
Sweep your way for you. Pray you, look not sad,
Nor make replies of loathness: take the hint
Which my despair proclaims; let that be left
Which leaves itself. To the sea-side straightway:
I will possess you of that ship and treasure.

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.
Cleo. Ah, stand by.

Eros. The queen, my lord; the queen.
Iras. Go to him, madam; speak to him:

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
Of audience nor desire shall fail, so she
From Egypt drive her all disgraced friend,
Or take his life there: this if she perform,
She shall not sue unheard. So to them both.
Eup. Fortune pursue thee!

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.