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 lingering pickle. Gracious madam, Mes. Cle. Say, 'tis not so, a province I will give thee, Mes. Cle. Rogue, thou hast lived too long. Mes. He's married, madam. [draws a dagger. Nay, then I'll run. [Exit. What mean you, madam? I have made no fault. Char. Good madam, keep yourself within your self: The man is innocent. Cle. Some innocents 'scape not the thunderbolt. Melt Egypt into Nile! and kindly creatures Turn all to serpents !-Call the slave again; Though I am mad, I will not bite him.-Call. Char. He is afeard to come. Cle. I will not hurt him. These hands do lack nobility, that they strike Recompense. A meaner than myself; since I myself Have given myself the cause.-Come hither, sir. Re-enter MESSENGER. Though it be honest, it is never good To bring bad news. Give to a gracious message A host of tongues; but let ill tidings tell Themselves, when they be felt. Mes. I have done my duty. Cle. Is he married? I cannot hate thee worser than I do, If thou again say, Yes. Mes. He is married, madam. Cle. The gods confound thee! dost thou hold there still? Mes. Should I lie, madam? Cle. O, I would, thou didst; So half my Egypt were submerged, and made Thou wouldst appear most ugly. He is married? Cle. He is married? Mes. 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. Cle. O, that his fault should make a knave of thee, That art not what thou'rt sure of!-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! Char. [Exit Messenger. Good your highness, patience. Cle. In praising Antony, I have dispraised Cæsar. Char. Many times, madam. Cle. Lead me from hence. I am paid for 't now. I faint; O Iras, Charmian,-'Tis no matter :- Let him for ever go :-let him not-Charmian, [to Mardian. Bring me word how tall she is.-Pity me, Char mian, But do not speak to me.-Lead me to my chamber. [Exeunt. SCENE VI. Near Misenum. Enter POMPEY and MENAS, at one side, with drum and trumpet; at another, CÆSAR, LEPIDUS, ANTONY, ENOBARBUS, MECENAS, with Soldiers marching. Pom. Your hostages I have, so have you mine; And we shall talk before we fight. Ca. Most meet, That first we come to words; and therefore have we Our written purposes before us sent; Which if thou hast consider'd, let us know Pom. Ca. Take your time. Ant. Thou canst not fear 2 us, Pompey, with thy We'll speak with thee at sea: at land, thou know'st How much we do o'ercount thee. At land, indeed, Pom. Lep. Be pleased to tell us, (For this is from the present 1) how you take The offers we have sent you. Cœ. There's the point. Ant. Which do not be entreated to, but weigh What it is worth embraced. Ca. To try a larger fortune. Pom. And what may follow, You have made me offer Of Sicily, Sardinia; and I must Rid all the sea of pirates; then to send Measures of wheat to Rome: this 'greed upon, To part with unhack'd edges, and bear back Our targes undinted.2 Ca. Ant. Lep. Pom. That's our offer. Know then, I came before you here, a man prepared 1 Foreign from the point. 2 Unbattered. |