Say, I would die. If you'll employ me to him. Cleo. [Exeunt PROCULEIUS, and Soldiers. Dol. Most noble empress, you have heard of me? Cleo. I cannot tell. Dol. Assuredly, you know me. Cleo. No matter, sir, what I have heard, or known. You laugh, when boys, or women, tell their dreams; Is't not your trick? Dol. I understand not, madam. Cleo. I dream'd, there was an emperor Antony ;O, such another sleep, that I might see But such another man! Dol. If it might please you,— Cleo. His face was as the heavens; and therein stuck A sun, and moon; which kept their course, lighted The little O, the earth, Dol. and Most sovereign creature, Cleo. His legs bestrid the ocean: his rear'd arm Crested the world: his voice was propertied 4 As all the tuned spheres, and that to friends; and shake the orb, There was no winter in't; an autumn 'twas, Walk'd crowns, and crownets; realms and islands were 4 Crush. As plates 5 dropp'd from his pocket. Dol. Cleopatra, Cleo. Think you, there was, or might be, such a man As this I dream'd of? Dol. Gentle madam, no. Cleo. You lie, up to the hearing of the gods. Dol. Hear me, good madam: Your loss is as yourself, great; and you bear it As answering to the weight: 'Would I might never O'ertake pursu'd success, but I do feel, By the rebound of yours, a grief that shoots My very Cleo. heart at root. I thank you, sir. Know you, what Cæsar means to do with me? Dol. I am loath to tell you what I would you Dol. Cleo. He'll lead me then in triumph? Dol. I know it. knew. Though he be honourable,— Madam, he will; Within. Make way there,-Cæsar. Enter CESAR, GALLUS, PROCULEIUS, MECENAS, SELEUCUS, and Attendants. Which, is the queen Cæs. s Silver money. Will have it thus; my master and my lord I must obey. Cæs. Take to you no hard thoughts: The record of what injuries you did us, Though written in our flesh, we shall remember Cleo. Sole sir o'the world, I cannot project 5 mine own cause so well Cæs. Cleopatra, know, We will extenuate rather than enforce : If you apply yourself to our intents, (Which towards you are most gentle,) you shall find Cleo. And may, through all the world: 'tis yours: and we Your 'scutcheons, and your signs of conquest, shall Hang in what place you please. Here, my good lord. Shape or form. Cæs. You shall advise me in all for Cleopatra. Cleo. This is the brief of money, plate, and jewels, I am possess'd of: 'tis exactly valued; Not petty things admitted.-Where's Seleucus? Cleo. This is my treasurer; let him speak, my lord, Upon his peril, that I have reserv'd, To myself nothing. Speak the truth, Seleucus. I had rather seel 6 my lips, than, to my peril, Cleo. What have I kept back? Sel. Enough to purchase what you have made known. Cas. Nay, blush not, Cleopatra; I approve Your wisdom in the deed. Cleo. How pomp See, Cæsar! O, behold, is follow'd! mine will now be yours; And, should we shift estates, yours would be mine. The ingratitude of this Seleucus does Even make me wild :-O slave, of no more trust Than love that's hir'd!-What, goest thou back? thou shalt Go back, I warrant thee; but I'll catch thine eyes, Though they had wings: Slave, soul-less villain, dog! O rarely base! Cæs. Good queen, let us entreat you. Cleo. O Cæsar, what a wounding shame is this; That thou, vouchsafing here to visit me, Doing the honour of thy lordliness 6 Sew up. 7 Uncommonly. VOL. VIII. I I To one so meek, that mine own servant should As we greet modern friends withal; and say, 2 For Livia,' and Octavia, to induce Their mediation; must I be unfolded With one that I have bred? The gods! It smites me Beneath the fall I have. Pr'ythee, go hence; [TO SELEUCUS. Or I shall show the cinders3 of my spirits Through the ashes of my chance:-Wert thou a man, Thou would'st have mercy on me. Cœs. Forbear, Seleucus. [Exit SELEUCUS. Cleo. Be it known, that we, the greatest, are mis thought For things that others do; and, when we fall, We answer others' merits 4 in our name, Are therefore to be pitied. Cœs. Cleopatra, Not what you have reserv'd, nor what acknowledg'd, Of things that merchants sold. Therefore be cheer'd; no, dear queen; $ Add to. 1 Cæsar's wife and 2 Sister. 4 Merits or demerits. |