Cæs.
Which is the Queen of Ægypt?

Dol.
It is the Emperor, Madam. [Cleo. kneels.

Cæs.
Arise, you shall not kneel:
I pray you rise, rise, Ægypt.

Cleo.
Sir, the Gods
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
As things but done by chance

Cleo.
Sole Sir o'th' world,
I cannot project mine own cause so well

To make it clear, but do confess I have
Been laden with like frailties which before
Have often sham'd our sex.

Cæs.
Cleopatra, know,
We will extenuate rather than inforce:
If you apply your self to our intents,
(Which tow'rds you are most gentle) you shall find
A benefit in this change; but if you seek
To lay on me a cruelty by taking
Antony's course, you shall bereave your self
Of my good purposes, and put your children
To that destruction which I'll guard them from,
If thereon you relie. I'll take my leave.

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.

Cæs.
You shall advise me of all, Cleopatra.

Cleo.
This is the brief of mony, plate, and jewels
I am possest of—'tis exactly valued,
Not petty things admitted—where's Seleucus?

Sel.
Here Madam.

Cleo.
This is my treasurer, let him speak, my lord,
Upon his peril, that I have reserv'd
To my self nothing. Speak the truth, Seleucus.

Sel.
Madam, I had rather seal my lips,
Than to my peril speak that which is not.

Cleo.
What have I kept back?

Sel.
Enough to purchase what you have made known.

Cæs.
Nay, blush not Cleopatra, I approve
Your wisdom in the deed.

Cleo.
See Cæsar! Oh behold,
How pomp is follow'd: mine will now be yours,
And should we shift estates, yours would be mine.

Th' ingratitude of this Seleucus do's
Ev'n make me wild. Oh 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 intreat you.

Cleo.
O Cæsar, what a wounding shame is this,
That thou vouchsafing here to visit me,
Doing the honour of thy lordliness
To one so meek, that mine own servant should
Parcel the sum of my disgraces by
Addition of his envy! Say, good Cæsar,
That I some lady-trifles have reserv'd,
Immoment toys, things of such dignity
As we greet modern friends withal, and say
Some nobler token I have kept apart
For Livia and Octavia, to induce
Their mediation, must I be unfolded
By one that I have bred? the Gods! it smites me
Beneath the fall I have. Pr'ythee go hence,
Or I shall shew the cynders of my spirits
Through th' ashes of my chance: wert thou a man,
Thou would'st have mercy on me.

Cæs.
Forbear, Seleucus.

Cleo.
Be't known, that we the greatest are mis-thought
For things that others do; and when we fall,
We answer others merits, in our names
Are therefore to be pitied.

Cæs.
Cleopatra,
Not what you have reserv'd, nor what acknowledg'd
Put me i'th' roll of conquest, still be't yours;
Bestow it at your pleasure, and believe

Cæsar's no merchant to make prize with you
Of things that merchants sold. Therefore be cheer'd,
Make not your thoughts your prisons; no, dear Queen,
For we intend so to dispose you, as
Your self shall give us counsel: feed, and sleep.
Our care and pity is so much upon you,
That we remain your friend, and so adieu.

Cleo.
My master, and my lord.

Cæs.
Not so: adieu. [Exeunt Cæsar, and his train.

Previous section

Next section