Enter MARDIAN.

Cleo. Let it alone; let us to billiards :
Come Charmian.

Char. My arm is sore, best play with Mardian.
Cleo. Come, you'll play with me, sir?
Mar. As well as I can, madam.

Cleo. And when good will is show'd, though it come too short,

The actor may plead pardon.

I'll none now: Give me mine angle, We 'll to the river: there, My musick 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. 'Twas 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 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 Philippan. O! from Italy;

Enter a Messenger.

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

5 Head dress.

My bluest veins to kiss; a hand, that kings
Have lipp'd, and trembled kissing.

Mess.

First, madam, he 's well.

But, sirrah,

Cleo. Why, there's more gold.

mark; We use

Το say, the dead are well: bring it to that,
The gold I give thee, will I melt, and pour
Down thy ill-uttering throat.

Mess. Good madam, hear me.

Cleo.

Well, go to, I will; But there's no goodness in thy face: If Antony Be free, and healthful, — why so tart a favour 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, 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.

Madam, he 's well.

But yet, madam,

Mess.
Cleo. I do not like but yet, it does allay
The good precedence; fye upon but yet:
But yet is as a gaoler to bring forth

Some monstrous malefactor. Pr'y thee, friend,
Pour out the pack of matter to mine ear,

6 So sour a countenance.

7 A man in his senses.

The good and bad together: He's friend with

Cæsar;

In state of health, thou say'st; and, thou say'st, free. Mess. Free, madam! no; I made no such re

port:

He's bound unto Octavia.

Cleo.

For what good turn?

I am pale, Charmian.

Mess. For the best turn i' the bed.

Cleo.

Mess. Madam, he 's married to Octavia.

Cleo. The most infectious pestilence upon thee!

Mess. Good madam, patience.

Cleo.

Horrible villain! or I
Like balls before me;

[Strikes him down.

What say you ? Hence, [Strikes him again.

11

spurn thine eyes 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 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; And I will boot thee with what gift beside

Cleo. Rogue, thou hast liv'd too long.

Mess.

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

[Exit.

Char. Good madam, keep yourself within your

self;

The man is innocent.

8 Recompence.

Melt Egypt into Nile! and kindly creatures
Turn all to serpents! Call the slave again;
Though I am mad, I will not bite him :
Char. He is afeard to come.

Cleo.

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.

Cleo. Is he married?

I have done my duty.

I cannot hate thee worser than I do,

If thou again say, Yes.

Mess.

He is 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 submerg'd, and made A cistern for scal'd snakes! Go, get thee hence; Hadst thou Narcissus in thy face, to me

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,

What? thou 'rt sure of 't? - 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 disprais'd

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.

[Exit ALEXAS. Let him for ever go; Let him not Charmian, Though he be painted one way like a Gorgon, T' other way he 's' a Mars: Bid

you

Alexas
To MARDIAN.

Pity me, Char

Enter POMPEY and MENAS, at one side, with Drum and Trumpet: at another, CESAR, LEPIDUS, ANTONY, ENOBARBUS, MECENAS, with Soldiers marching.

Pom. Your hostages I have, so have you mine; And we shall talk before we fight.