Eno. Madam? Cleo. Seek him, and bring him hither.-Where's Alexas? [Exeunt CLEO., ENO., CHAR., IRAS, ALEX., Enter ANTONY, with a Messenger and Attendants. Mess. Ay: But soon that war had end, and the time's state Upon the first encounter, drave them. Ant. Well, what worst? Mess. The nature of bad news infects the teller. This is stiff news,-hath, with his Parthian force, His conquering banner shook from Syria To Lydia and to Ionia; Whilst, Ant. Antony, thou wouldst say, Mess. O, my lord! Ant. Speak to me home, mince not the general tongue: Name Cleopatra as she is call'd in Rome; Rail thou in Fulvia's phrase; and taunt my faults Mess. At your noble pleasure. Ant. From Sicyon, ho, the news! Speak there! [Exit. 1 Att. The man from Sicyon,-is there such an one? Ant. Enter a second Messenger. 2 Mess. Fulvia thy wife is dead. Ant. 2 Mess. In Sicyon: Where died she? Her length of sickness, with what else more serious Ant. [Gives a letter. Forbear me. There's a great spirit gone! Thus did I desire it : The opposite of itself: she's good, being gone; Re-enter ENOBARBUS. Eno. What's your pleasure, sir? Ant. I must with haste from hence. Eno. Why, then, we kill all our women: we see how mortal an unkindness is to them; if they suffer our departure, death's the word. Ant. I must be gone. Eno. Under a compelling occasion, let women die: it were pity to cast them away for nothing; though, between them and a great cause, they should be esteemed nothing. Cleopatra, catching but the least noise of this, dies instantly; I have seen her die twenty times upon far poorer moment : I do think there is mettle in death, which commits some loving act upon her, she hath such a celerity in dying. Ant. She is cunning past man's thought. Eno. Alack, sir, no; her passions are made of nothing but the finest part of pure love: we cannot call her winds and waters, sighs and tears; they are greater storms and tempests than almanacs can report: this cannot be cunning in her; if it be, she makes a shower of rain as well as Jove. Ant. Would I had never seen her! Eno. O, sir, you had then left unseen a wonderful piece of work; which not to have been blessed withal would have discredited your travel. Ant. Fulvia is dead. Eno. Sir? Ant. Fulvia is dead. Eno. Fulvia! Ant. Dead. Eno. Why, sir, give the gods a thankful sacrifice. When it pleaseth their deities to take the wife of a man from him, it shows to man the tailors of the earth; comforting therein that when old robes are worn out there are members to make new. If there were no more women but Fulvia, then had you indeed a cut, and the case to be lamented: this grief is crowned with consolation; your old smock brings forth a new petticoat: and, indeed, the tears live in an onion that should water this sorrow. Ant. The business she hath broached in the state Cannot endure my absence. Eno. And the business you have broached here cannot be without you; especially that of Cleopatra's, which wholly depends on your abode. Ant. No more light answers. Let our officers Have notice what we purpose. I shall break Our quick remove from hence. Eno. I shall do't. [Exeunt. SCENE III.-ALEXANDRIA. A Room in CLEOPATRA'S Palace. Enter CLEOPATRA, CHARMIAN, Iras, and Alexas. Cleo. Where is he? Char. I did not see him since. Cleo. See where he is, who's with him, what he does I did not send you:-if you find him sad, Say I am dancing; if in mirth, report That I am sudden sick: quick, and return. [Exit ALEXAS. The like from him. Cleo. What should I do, I do not. Char. In each thing give him way; cross him in nothing. But here comes Antony. Cleo. I am sick and sullen. Enter ANTONY. Ant. I am sorry to give breathing to my purpose,- Ant. Now, my dearest queen,- What's the matter? Cleo. I know, by that same eye, there's some good news. Would she had never given you leave to come! Cleo. O, never was there queen So mightily betray'd! Yet at the first Ant. Cleopatra, Cleo. Why should I think you can be mine and truc, Most sweet queen, Ant. Bliss in our brows' bent; none our parts so poor Ant. How now, lady! i Cleo. I would I had thy inches; thou shouldst know There were a heart in Egypt. Ant. Hear me, queen: Our services awhile; but my full heart Shines o'er with civil swords: Sextus Pompeius Equality of two domestic powers Breeds scrupulous faction: the hated, grown to strength, Are newly grown to love: the condemn'd Pompey, Into the hearts of such as have not thriv'd Cleo. Though age from folly could not give me freedom, It does from childishness:-can Fulvia die? Ant. She's dead, my queen: Look here, and, at thy sovereign leisure, read The garboils she awak'd; at the last, best. See when and where she died. O most false love! Cleo. Cleo. Ant. My precious queen, forbear; And give true evidence to his love, which stands An honourable trial. I pr'ythee, turn aside and weep for her; |