Attend. The music, ho! Enter MARDIAN. 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 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, Tawny-finn'd fishes; my bended hook shall pierce 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 Cleo. Enter a Messenger. O! from Italy! Ram thou thy fruitful tidings in mine ears, That long time have been barren. Mess. Cleo. Antony's dead! Madam, madam,— If thou say so, villain, thou kill'st thy mistress: But well and free, If thou so yield him, there is gold, and here Mess. First, madam, he's 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 Mess. Good madam, hear me. Cleo. Well, go to, I will; 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, is well, Or friends with Cæsar, or not captive to him, I'll set thee in a shower of gold, and hail Rich pearls upon thee. Mess. Cleo. Mess. And friends with Cæsar. Madam, he's well. Well said. Thou'rt an honest man. But yet, madam,— Mess. Cæsar and he are greater friends than ever. Mess. 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, The good and bad together: he's friends with Cæsar; Cleo. For what good turn? Mess. Madam, he 's married to Octavia. Mess. Good madam, patience. I am pale, Charmian. [Strikes him down. What say you?—Hence, [Strikes him again. Horrible villain! or I'll spurn thine eyes [She hales him up and down. Thou shalt be whipp'd with wire and stew'd in brine, Smarting in ling'ring pickle. Mess. 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 hadst Shall make thy peace for moving me to rage; Thy modesty can beg. Mess. He's married, madam. Cleo. Rogue, thou hast liv'd too long. [Draws a dagger. What mean you, madam? I have made no fault. Cleo. Some innocents scape not the thunderbolt.- Cleo. I will not hurt him. [Exit. [Exit CHARMIAN. These hands do lack nobility, that they strike Have given myself the cause. Re-enter CHARMIAN and Messenger. Come hither, sir. Though it be honest, it is never good To bring bad news: give to a gracious message Mess. Cleo. Is he married? I have done my duty. He is married, madam. I cannot hate thee worser than I do If thou again say Yes. Mess. Cleo. The gods confound thee! dost thou hold there still! Cleo. Thou wouldst appear most ugly. He is married? Cleo. He is married? Cleo.. that his fault should make a knave of thee, Are all too dear for me: lie they upon thy hand, [Exit Messenger. Char. Cleo. Lead me from hence; I am paid for't now. I faint:-O Iras, Charmian!-'tis no matter.- [Exit ALEXAS. Let him for ever go :—let him not—Charmian, SCENE VI.-Near Misenum. Flourish. Enter POMPEY and MENAS at one side, with drum and trumpet: at the other, CESAR, ANTONY, LEPIDUS, ENOBARBUS, MECENAS, with Soldiers marching. Pom. Your hostages I have, so have you mine; And we shall talk before we fight. Cæs. Most meet That first we come to words; and therefore have we Our written purposes before us sent; Which, if thou hast consider'd, let us know If 'twill tie up thy discontented sword, And carry back to Sicily much tall youth Pom. Hath made me rig my navy; at whose burden Cæs. Take your time. Ant. Thou canst not fear us, Pompey, with thy sails; We'll speak with thee at sea: at land thou know'st How much we do o'er-count thee. At land, indeed, Pom. Lep. Cæs. Be pleas'd to tell us, There's the point. Ant. Which do not be entreated to, but weigh What it is worth embrac'd. Cæs. To try a larger fortune. Pom. And what may follow, You have made me offer Of Sicily, Sardinia; and I must Rid all the sea of pirates; then to send Measures of wheat to Rome; this 'greed upon, To part with unhack'd edges, and bear back Our targes undinted. Cæs., Ant., and Lep. Pom. That's our offer. Know, then, I came before you here a man prepar'd Ant. I have heard it, Pompey; And am well studied for a liberal thanks Which I do owe you. Pom. Let me have your hand: I did not think, sir, to have met you here. Ant. The beds i' the east are soft; and, thanks to you, That call'd me, timelier than my purpose, hither; For I have gain'd by it. Cæs. Since I saw you last Well, I know not There is a change upon you. Pom. |