Cæs.
Let him appear that's come from Antony.—
Know you him?

Dol.
Cæsar, 'tis his schoolmaster^{1 note}:

An argument that he is pluck'd, when hither
He sends so poor a pinion of his wing,
Which had superfluous kings for messengers,
Not many moons gone by. Enter Ambassador from Antony.

Cæs.
Approach, and speak.

Amb.
Such as I am, I come from Antony:
I was of late as petty to his ends,
As is the morn-dew on the myrtle leaf^{2 note}

Cæs.
Be it so; Declare thine office.

Amb.
Lord of his fortunes he salutes thee, and
Requires to live in Ægypt: which not granted,
He lessens his requests; and to thee sues

To let him breathe between the heavens and earth,
A private man in Athens: This for him.
Next, Cleopatra does confess thy greatness;
Submits her to thy might; and of thee craves
^{3 note}The circle of the Ptolemies for her heirs,
Now hazarded to thy grace.

Cæs.
For Antony,
I have no ears to his request. The queen
Of audience, nor desire, shall fail; so she
From Ægypt drive her all-disgraced friend,
Or take his life there: This if she perform,
She shall not sue unheard. So to them both.

Amb.
Fortune pursue thee!

Cæs.
Bring him through the bands. [Exit Ambassador.
To try thy eloquence, now 'tis time: Dispatch;
From Antony win Cleopatra: promise, [To Thyreus.
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-touch'd vestal: Try thy cunning, Thyreus;
Make thine own edict for thy pains, which we
Will answer as a law.

Thyr.
Cæsar, I go.

Cæs.
Observe ^{4 note}how Antony becomes his flaw;
And what thou think'st his very action speaks
In every power that moves.

Thyr.
Cæsar, I shall. [Exeunt.

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