Mess. Cæsar and he are greater friends than

ever.

Cleo. Make thee a fortune from me.

50

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. Prithee, 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.

60

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

thee!

For what good turn?

I am pale, Charmian.

[Strikes him down.

What say you? Hence, [Strikes him again.

Mess. Good madam, patience.

Cleo.

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 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 '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;
And I will boot thee with what gift beside
Thy modesty can beg.

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*Recompense.

Mess.
He's married, madam.
Cleo. Rogue, thou hast lived too long.

[Draws a knife.

Mess.

Nay, then I'll run.

What mean you, madam? I have made no fault.

Char. self:

[Exit.

Good madam, keep yourself within your

The man is innocent.

Cleo. Some innocents 'scape not the thunderbolt. 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. Char. He is afeard to come. Cleo.

80

I will not hurt him.

[Exit Charmian. These hands do lack nobility, that they strike A meaner than myself; since I myself

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 An host of tongues; but let ill tidings tell Themselves when they be felt.

Mess.

Cleo. Is he married?

I have done my duty.

90

I cannot hate thee worser than I do,

If thou again say 'Yes.'

Mess.

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,
So half my Egypt were submerged and made
A cistern for scaled snakes! Go, get thee hence:
Hadst thou Narcissus in thy face, to me

Thou wouldst appear most ugly. He is married?
Mess. I crave your highness' pardon.
Cleo.

He is married?

you:

100

Mess. Take no offence that I would not offend To punish me for what you make me do Seems much unequal: he's married to Octavia. Cleo. O, that his fault should make a knave of thee,

That art not what thou'rt sure of! Get thee hence: The merchandise which thou hast brought from

Rome

Are all too dear for me: lie they upon thy hand,

And be undone by 'em!

Char.

[Exit Messenger. Good your highness, patience. Cleo. In praising Antony, I have dispraised Cæsar.

Char. Many times, madam.

Cleo.

Lead me from hence;

I am paid for't now.

I faint: O 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.
*Person in general.
[Exit Alexas.
Let him for ever go:-let him not—Charmian,
Though he be painted one way like a Gorgon,
The other way's a Mars. Bid you Alexas

[To Mardian. Bring me word how tall she is. Pity me, Char

mian,

But do not speak to me. Lead me to my chamber. [Exeunt.

SCENE VI. Near Misenum.

Flourish. Enter POMPEY and MENAS at one side, with drum and trumpet: at another, CÆSAR, 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 *Brave. That else must perish here.

Pom.

To you all three,

The senators alone of this great world,
Chief factors for the gods, I do not know
Wherefore my father should revengers want,
Having a son and friends; since Julius Cæsar,
Who at Philippi the good Brutus ghosted,

There saw you labouring for him. What was't
That moved pale Cassius to conspire; and what
Made the all-honour'd, honest Roman, Brutus,
With the arm'd rest, courtiers of beauteous free-
dom,

To drench the Capitol; but that they would
Have one man but a man? And that is it
Hath made me rig my navy; at whose burthen
The anger'd ocean foams; with which I meant
To scourge the ingratitude that despiteful Rome
Cast on my noble father.

Cæs.

Take your time.

19

Ant. Thou canst not fear* us, Pompey, with thy sails; *Affright. We'll speak with thee at sea: at land, thou know'st

How much we do o'er-count thee.

Pom. At land, indeed, Thou dost o'er-count me of my father's house: But, since the cuckoo builds not for himself, Remain in't as thou mayst.

Lep.

For this is from the present-how you take
The offers we have sent you.

Cæs.

Be pleased to tell us

30

There's the point.

And what may follow,

You have made me offer

Ant. Which do not be entreated to, but weigh What it is worth embraced.

Cæs.

To try a larger fortune.

Pom.

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. Lep. That's our offer.

Pom.

*Targets.

Know, then, 40

I came before you here a man prepared

To take this offer: but Mark Antony
Put me to some impatience: though I lose
The praise of it by telling, you must know,
When Cæsar and your brother were at blows,
Your mother came to Sicily and did find
Her welcome friendly.

Ant.
And am well studied for a liberal thanks

I have heard it, Pompey;

Which I do owe you.

Pom.

Let me have your hand:

I did not think, sir, to have met you here.

50

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't.

Cæs.

Since I saw you last,

Well, I know not

There is a change upon you.

Pom.
What counts harsh fortune casts upon my face;
But in my bosom shall she never come,

To make my heart her vassal.

Well met here.

Thus we åre

I hope so, Lepidus.

Lep.

Pom.

agreed:

I crave our composition may be written,
And seal'd between us.

Pom. No, Antony, take the lot: but, first

Or last, your fine Egyptian cookery

Shall have the fame. I have heard that Julius Cæsar

Grew fat with feasting there.

Ant.

You have heard much.

And fair words to them.

Pom. I have fair meanings, sir.

Ant.

Pom.

Then so much have I heard:

And I have heard, Apollodorus carried

Eno.

No more of that: he did so.

Pom.

What, I pray you? 70