Act I, Scene 3

The same. Another room.

[Enter CLEOPATRA, CHARMIAN, IRAS, and ALEXAS]

Cleopatra - Where is he?

Charmian - I did not see him since.

Cleopatra - 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, and return.

[Exit ALEXAS]

Charmian - Madam, methinks, if you did love him dearly, You do not hold the method to enforce The like from him.

Cleopatra - What should I do, I do not?

Charmian - In each thing give him way, cross him nothing.

Cleopatra - Thou teachest like a fool; the way to lose him.

Charmian - Tempt him not so too far; I wish, forbear: In time we hate that which we often fear. But here comes Antony.

[Enter MARK ANTONY]

Cleopatra - I am sick and sullen.

Antony - I am sorry to give breathing to my purpose,—

Cleopatra - Help me away, dear Charmian; I shall fall: It cannot be thus long, the sides of nature1 Will not sustain it.

Antony - Now, my dearest queen,—

Cleopatra - Pray you, stand further 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: I have no power upon you; hers you are.

Antony - The gods best know,—

Cleopatra - O, never was there queen So mightily betray'd! yet at the first I saw the treasons planted.

Antony - Cleopatra,—

Cleopatra - Why should I think you can be mine and true, Though you in swearing shake the throned gods, Who have been false to Fulvia? Riotous madness, To be entangled with those mouth-made vows, Which break themselves in swearing!

Antony - Most sweet queen,—

Cleopatra - Nay, pray you, seek no colour for your going, But bid farewell, and go: when you sued staying, Then was the time for words: no going then; Eternity was in our lips and eyes, Bliss in our brows' bent; none our parts so poor, But was a race of heaven: they are so still, Or thou, the greatest soldier of the world, Art turn'd the greatest liar.

Antony - How now, lady!

Cleopatra - I would I had thy inches; thou shouldst know There were a heart in Egypt.

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: the condemn'd Pompey, Rich in his father's honour, creeps apace, Into the hearts of such as have not thrived Upon the present state, whose numbers threaten; And quietness, grown sick of rest, would purge By any desperate change: my more particular, And that which most with you should safe my going, Is Fulvia's death.

Cleopatra - Though age from folly could not give me freedom, It does from childishness: can Fulvia die?

Antony - She's dead, my queen: Look here, and at thy sovereign leisure read The garboils she awaked; at the last, best: See when and where she died.

Cleopatra - O most false love! Where be the sacred vials thou shouldst fill With sorrowful water? Now I see, I see, In Fulvia's death, how mine received shall be.

Antony - Quarrel no more, but be prepared to know The purposes I bear; which are, or cease, As you shall give the advice. By the fire That quickens Nilus' slime, I go from hence Thy soldier, servant; making peace or war As thou affect'st.

Cleopatra - Cut my lace, Charmian, come; But let it be: I am quickly ill, and well, So Antony loves.

Antony - My precious queen, forbear; And give true evidence to his love, which stands An honourable trial.

Cleopatra - So Fulvia told me. I prithee, turn aside and weep for her, Then bid adieu to me, and say the tears Belong to Egypt: good now, play one scene Of excellent dissembling; and let it look Life perfect honour.

Antony - You'll heat my blood: no more.

Cleopatra - You can do better yet; but this is meetly.

Antony - Now, by my sword,—

Cleopatra - And target. Still he mends; But this is not the best. Look, prithee, Charmian, How this Herculean Roman does become The carriage of his chafe.

Antony - I'll leave you, lady.

Cleopatra - Courteous lord, one word. Sir, you and I must part, but that's not it: Sir, you and I have loved, but there's not it; That you know well: something it is I would, O, my oblivion is a very Antony, And I am all forgotten.

Antony - But that your royalty Holds idleness your subject, I should take you For idleness itself.

Cleopatra - 'Tis sweating labour To bear such idleness so near the heart As Cleopatra this. But, sir, forgive me;1 Since my becomings kill me, when they do not Eye well to you: your honour calls you hence; Therefore be deaf to my unpitied folly. And all the gods go with you! upon your sword Sit laurel victory! and smooth success1 Be strew'd before your feet!

Antony - Let us go. Come; Our separation so abides, and flies, That thou, residing here, go'st yet with me, And I, hence fleeting, here remain with thee. Away!

[Exeunt]