Mess. Cæsar and he are greater friends than ever. Cleo. Make thee a fortune from me. 50 Mess. Some monstrous malefactor. Prithee, friend, The good and bad together: he's friends with 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. 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 [She hales him up and down. Thou shalt be whipp'd with wire, and stew'd in brine, Smarting in lingering pickle. Gracious madam, I that do bring the news made not the match. thee, And make thy fortunes proud: the blow thou hadst Shall make thy peace for moving me to rage; 70 *Recompense. Mess. [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, Thou wouldst appear most ugly. He is married? 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. [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, There saw you labouring for him. What was't To drench the Capitol; but that they would 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 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, 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 Ant. 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. 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, 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 |