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Hast thou the pretty worm of Nilus there

Cleopatra
Hast thou the pretty worm of Nilus there
That kills and pains not?
Countryman
Truly I have him, but I would not be
the party that should desire you to touch him, for
his biting is immortal. Those that do die of it do
seldom or never recover.

I know that a woman is a dish for the gods
if the devil dress her not.

Cleopatra
Remember'st thou any that have died on ‘t?
Countryman
Very many, men and women too. I
heard of one of them no longer than yesterday—a
very honest woman, but something given to lie, as a
woman should not do but in the way of honesty—
how she died of the biting of it, what pain she felt.
Truly, she makes a very good report o' th' worm.
But he that will believe all that they say shall never
be saved by half that they do. But this is most
falliable, the worm's an odd worm.
Cleopatra
Get thee hence. Farewell.
Countryman
I wish you all joy of the worm.
 He sets down the basket.
Cleopatra
Farewell.
Countryman
You must think this, look you, that the
worm will do his kind.
Cleopatra
Ay, ay, farewell.
Countryman
Look you, the worm is not to be trusted
but in the keeping of wise people, for indeed there
is no goodness in the worm.
Cleopatra
Take thou no care; it shall be heeded.
Countryman
Very good. Give it nothing, I pray you,
for it is not worth the feeding.
Cleopatra
Will it eat me?
Countryman
You must not think I am so simple but
I know the devil himself will not eat a woman. I
know that a woman is a dish for the gods if the devil
dress her not. But truly these same whoreson devils
do the gods great harm in their women, for in every
ten that they make, the devils mar five.
Cleopatra
Well, get thee gone. Farewell.
Countryman
Yes, forsooth. I wish you joy o' th' worm.
 He exits. Enter Iras bearing Cleopatra's royal regalia.

Source:
Act 5
Scene 2
Line 297

Source Type:

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