Cleo.
Give me some musick: musick, moody food
Of us that trade in love—

Omnes.
The musick, hoa! Enter Mardian the Eunuch.

Cleo.
Let it alone, let's to billiards: come, Charmian.

Char.
My arm is sore, best play with Mardian.

Cleo.
As well a woman with an Eunuch play'd,
As with a woman. Come, you'll play with me, Sir?

Mar.
As well as I can, Madam.

Cleo.
And when good will is shew'd, tho't come too short,
The actor may plead pardon. I'll none now.
Give me mine angle, we'll to th' river, there,
My musick playing far off, I will betray
Tawny-finn'd fish; my bended hook shall pierce
Their slimy jaws; and, as I draw them up,
I'll think them every one an Antony,
And say, ah, ha! you're caught.

Char.
'Twas merry, when
You wager'd on your angling; when your diver
Did hang a salt fish on his hook, which he
With fervency drew up.

Cleo.
That time!—oh times!—
I laught him out of patience, and that night
I laught him into patience; and next morn,
Ere the ninth hour, I drunk him to his bed:

^{5 note}
Then put my tires and mantles on him, whilst
I wore his sword Philippan. Oh, from Italy;— Enter a Messenger.
Ram thou thy faithful tidings in mine ears,
That long time have been barren.

Mes.
Madam! Madam!—

Cleo.
Antony's dead?—
If thou say so, villain, thou kill'st thy mistress:
But well and free,
If thou so yield him, there is gold, and here
My bluest veins to kiss: a hand, that Kings
Have lipt, and trembled kissing.

Mes.
First, Madam, he is well.

Cleo.
Why, there's more gold. But, sirrah, mark, we use
To say, the dead are well: bring it to that,
The gold, I give thee, will I melt and pour
Down thy ill-uttering throat.

Mes.
Good Madam, hear me.

Cleo.
Well, go to, I will:
But there's no goodness in thy face. If Antony
Be free and healthful; why so tart a favour
To trumpet such good tidings? if not well,
Thou should'st come like a fury crown'd with snakes,
^{6 note}Not like a formal man.

Mes.
Will't please you hear me?

Cleo.
I have a mind to strike thee, ere thou speak'st;
Yet, if thou say Antony lives, 'tis well,
Or friends with Cæsar, or not captive to him,

^{7 note}

Mes.
Madam, he's well.

Cleo.
Well said.

Mes.
And friends with Cæsar.

Cleo.
Thou'rt an honest man.

Mes.
Cæsar and he, are greater friends than ever.

Cleo.
Make thee a fortune from me.

Mes.
But yet, Madam—

Cleo.
I do not like but yet, it does allay
^{8 note}The good precedence; fie upon but yet:
But yet is as a jaylor to bring forth
Some monstrous Malefactor. Pr'ythee, friend,
Pour out the pack of matter to mine ear,
The good and bad together: he's friends with Cæsar,
In state of health, thou say'st; and thou say'st, free.

Mes.
Free, Madam! no: I made no such report.
He's bound unto Octavia.

Cleo.
For what good turn?

Mes.
For the best turn i' th' bed.

Cleo.
I am pale, Charmian.

Mes.
Madam, he's married to Octavia.

Cleo.
The most infectious pestilence upon thee! [Strikes him down.

Mes.
Good Madam, patience.

Cleo.
What say you? [Strikes him.

Hence, horrible villain, or I'll spurn thine eyes
Like balls before me; I'll unhair thy head: [She hales him up and down.
Thou shalt be whipt with wire, and stew'd in brine,
Smarting in lingring pickle.

Mes.
Gracious Madam,
I, that do bring the news, made not the match.

Cleo.
Say, 'tis not so, a province I will give thee,
And make thy fortunes proud: the blow, thou had'st,
Shall make thy peace, for moving me to rage;
And I will boot thee with what gift beside
Thy modesty can beg.

Mes.
He's married, Madam.

Cleo.
Rogue, thou hast liv'd too long. [Draws a dagger.

Mes.
Nay, then I'll run:
What mean you, Madam? I have made no fault. [Exit.

Char.
Good Madam, keep your self within your self,
The man is innocent.

Cleo.
Some innocents 'scape not the thunderbolt—
Melt Ægypt 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 afraid to come,

Cleo.
I will not hurt him.
These hands do lack nobility, that they strike
A meaner than myself: since I myself
Have given myself the cause. Come hither, Sir. Re-enter the Messenger.
Though it be honest, it is never good
To bring bad news: give to a gracious message
An host of tongues, but let ill tidings tell
Themselves, when they be felt.

Mes.
I have done my duty.

Cleo.
Is he married?

I cannot hate thee worser than I do,
If you again say, Yes.

Mes.
He's married, Madam.

Cleo.
The Gods confound thee! dost thou hold there still?

Mes.
Should I lie, Madam?

Cleo.
Oh, I would, thou didst;
So half my Ægypt were submerg'd, and made
A cistern for scal'd snakes! go, get thee hence,
Hadst thou Narcissus in thy face, to me
Thou wouldst appear most ugly: he is married?—

Mes.
I crave your Highness' pardon.

Cleo.
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's married to Octavia.

Cleo.
Oh, that his fault should make a knave of thee,
(a) ^noteThat say'st but what thou'rt sure of!—Get thee hence,
The merchandises, thou hast brought from Rome,
Are all too dear for me:
Lye they upon thy hand, and be undone by 'em! [Exit Mes.

Char.
Good your Highness, patience.

Cleo.
In praising Antony, I have disprais'd Cæsar.

Char.
Many times, Madam.

Cleo.
I am paid for it now: lead me from hence,
I faint; oh Iras, Charmian—'tis no matter.—
Go to the fellow, good Alexas, bid him
Report the feature of Octavia, her years,
Her inclination, let him not leave out
The colour of her hair. Bring me word quickly,—
Let him for ever go—let him not, Charmian;

Though he be painted one way like a Gorgon,
Th' other way he's a Mars. Bid you Alexas
Bring word, how tall she is: pity me, Charmian,
But speak not to me. Lead me to my chamber. [Exeunt.

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