Enter VENTIDIUS.

I' the east my pleasure lies. O! come, Ventidius,
You must to Parthia: your commission 's ready;

Follow me,

and receive it.

SCENE IV.

The Same. A Street.

[Exeunt.

hasten

Enter LEPIDUS, MECENAS, and AGRIPPA. Lep. Trouble yourselves no farther: pray you, Your generals after.

Will e'en but kiss Octavia, and we 'll follow.

Lep. Till I shall see you in your soldier's dress, Which will become you both, farewell.

We shall,

Your way is shorter;

Alexandria. A Room in the Palace.

Enter CLEOPATRA, CHARMIAN, IRAS, and ALEXAS.
Cleo. Give me some music; music, moody food
Of us that trade in love.

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,
Come, you'll play with me, Sir?

As with a woman.

Mar. As well as I can, Madam.

Cleo. And when good will is show'd, though 't come too

short,

The actor may plead pardon. I'll none now.

Give me mine angle, we 'll to the river: there,

My music playing far off, I will betray

Tawny-finn'd fishes; 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.

'T was 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,

O times!

I laugh'd him out of patience; and that night
I laugh'd him into patience: and next morn,
Ere the ninth hour, I drunk him to his bed;
Then, put my tires and mantles on him, whilst
I wore his sword Philippian.

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 lipp'd, and trembled kissing.

Mess. First, Madam, he is well.
Cleo.

But, sirrah, mark, we use

Why, there's more gold.

To say, the dead are well: bring it to that,

To trumpet such good tidings! if not well,

Thou should'st come like a fury crown'd with snakes,
Not like a formal man.

Mess.

Will 't please you hear me?

Cleo. I have a mind to strike thee, ere thou speak'st:
Yet, if thou say, Antony lives, 't is well;
Or friends with Cæsar, or not captive to him,
I'll set thee in a shower of gold, and hail

Mess. Cæsar and he are greater friends than ever.
Cleo. Make thee a fortune from me.

Mess.

But yet, Madam,

Cleo. I do not like "but yet," it does allay
The good precedence; fie upon "but yet!"
"But yet" is as a gaoler 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.
Mess. Free, Madam? no; I made no such report:
He's bound unto Octavia.

Cleo.

Mess. For the best turn i' the bed.

Cleo.

For what good turn?

I am pale, Charmian.

[Strikes him down.

Mess. Madam, he's married to Octavia.
Cleo. The most infectious pestilence upon thee!

Mess. Good Madam, patience.
Cleo.

What say you?

Hence,

Horrible villain! or I'll spurn thine eyes
Like balls before me: I'll unhair thy head.

[Strikes him again.

[She hales him up and down.

Thou shalt be whipp'd with wire, and stew'd in brine,
Smarting in lingering pickle.

Mess.

Gracious Madam,

I, that do bring the news, made not the match.

Cleo. Say, 't is not so, a province I will give thee,
And make thy fortunes proud: the blow thou hadst
Shall make thy peace, for moving me to rage;

And I will boot thee with what gift beside

Thy modesty can beg.

Mess.

Cleo. Rogue! thou hast liv'd too long. [Draws a Dagger.

Mess.

He's married, Madam.

Nay, then I'll run.

[Exit.

What mean you, Madam? I have made no fault.
Char. Good Madam, keep yourself within yourself:
The man is innocent.

Cleo.

Some innocents 'scape not the thunder-bolt.
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.

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 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.

Mess. I have done my duty.

VI.

353

Mess.

Is he married?

He's married, Madam.

Cleo. The gods confound thee! dost thou hold there still?
Mess. Should I lie, Madam?

Cleo.

O! I would, thou didst,

to me

So half my Egypt were submerg'd, and made
A cistern for scal'd snakes. Go, get thee hence:
Hadst thou Narcissus in thy face,
Thou would'st appear most ugly. He is married?
Mess. I crave your highness' pardon.
Cleo.

He is married?

Mess. 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.

Cleo. O! that his fault should make a knave of thee,
Get thee hence:
That art not! What! thou 'rt sure of? -
The merchandise which thou hast brought from Rome,
Are all too dear for me: lie they upon thy hand,
And be undone by 'em!

[Exit Messenger.

Char.
Good your highness, patience.
Cleo. In praising Antony, I have disprais'd Cæsar.

Char. Many times, Madam.

I am paid for 't now.

'T is 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

[Exit ALEXAS.

Charmian,

[TO MARDIAN. Charmian,

Though he be painted one way like a Gorgon,
The other way he's a Mars. - Bid you Alexas
Bring me word, how tall she is. - Pity me,
But do not speak to me. Lead me to my chamber.

[Exeunt.