Cleopatra

Philo
Nay, but this dotage of our general’s
O’erflows the measure. Those his goodly eyes,
That o’er the files and musters of the war
Have glowed like plated Mars, now bend, now turn
The office and devotion of their view
Upon a tawny front. His captain’s heart,
Which in the scuffles of great fights hath burst
The buckles on his breast,
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Antony
Let Rome in Tiber melt and the wide arch
Of the ranged empire fall. Here is my space.
Kingdoms are clay. Our dungy earth alike
Feeds beast as man. The nobleness of life
Is to do thus; when such a mutual pair
And such a twain can do ‘t, in which I bind,
On pain of punishment,
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Cleopatra
Where is he?
Charmian
I did not see him since.
Cleopatra, to Alexas
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,
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Antony
Now, my dearest queen—
Cleopatra
Pray you stand farther from me.
Antony
What’s the matter?
Cleopatra
I know by that same eye there’s some good news.
What, says the married woman you may go?
Would she had never given you leave to come.
Let her not say ’tis I that keep you here.
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Antony
Hear me, queen:
The strong necessity of time commands
Our services awhile, but my full heart
Remains in use with you. Our Italy
Shines o’er with civil swords; Sextus Pompeius
Makes his approaches to the port of Rome;
Equality of two domestic powers
Breed scrupulous faction; the hated grown to strength
Are newly grown to love;
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Cleopatra
Thou, eunuch Mardian!
Mardian
What’s your Highness’ pleasure?
Cleopatra
Not now to hear thee sing. I take no pleasure
In aught an eunuch has. ‘Tis well for thee
That, being unseminared, thy freer thoughts
May not fly forth of Egypt. Hast thou affections?
Mardian
Yes, gracious madam.
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Cleopatra
O, Charmian,
Where think’st thou he is now? Stands he, or sits he?
Or does he walk? Or is he on his horse?
O happy horse, to bear the weight of Antony!
Do bravely, horse, for wot’st thou whom thou mov’st?
The demi-Atlas of this Earth, the arm
And burgonet of men. He’s speaking now,
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Cleopatra
Who’s born that day
When I forget to send to Antony
Shall die a beggar.—Ink and paper, Charmian.—
Welcome, my good Alexas.—Did I, Charmian,
Ever love Caesar so?
Charmian
O, that brave Caesar!
Cleopatra
Be choked with such another emphasis!
Say “the brave Antony.”
Charmian
The valiant Caesar!
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Cleopatra
Give me some music—music, moody food
Of us that trade in love.
All
The music, ho!

Enter Mardian the eunuch.

Cleopatra
Let it alone. Let’s to billiards. Come, Charmian.
Charmian
My arm is sore. Best play with Mardian.
Cleopatra
As well a woman with an eunuch played
As with a woman.—Come,
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Cleopatra
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.
Messenger
I have done my duty.
Cleopatra
Is he married?
I cannot hate thee worser than I do
If thou again say “yes.”
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