Act III, Scene 3

Alexandria - CLEOPATRA’s palace

[Enter CLEOPATRA, CHARMIAN, IRAS, and ALEXAS]

Cleopatra - Where is the fellow?

Alexas - Half afeard to come.

Cleopatra - Go to, go to.

[Enter the Messenger as before]

Come hither, sir.

Alexas - Good majesty, Herod of Jewry dare not look upon you But when you are well pleased.

Cleopatra - That Herod's head I'll have: but how, when Antony is gone Through whom I might command it? Come thou near.

Messenger - Most gracious majesty,—

Cleopatra - Didst thou behold Octavia?

Messenger - Ay, dread queen.

Cleopatra - Where?

Messenger - Madam, in Rome; I look'd her in the face, and saw her led Between her brother and Mark Antony.

Cleopatra - Is she as tall as me?

Messenger - She is not, madam.

Cleopatra - Didst hear her speak? is she shrill-tongued or low?

Messenger - Madam, I heard her speak; she is low-voiced.

Cleopatra - That's not so good: he cannot like her long.

Charmian - Like her! O Isis! 'tis impossible.

Cleopatra - I think so, Charmian: dull of tongue, and dwarfish! What majesty is in her gait? Remember, If e'er thou look'dst on majesty.

Messenger - She creeps: Her motion and her station are as one; She shows a body rather than a life, A statue than a breather.

Cleopatra - Is this certain?

Messenger - Or I have no observance.

Charmian - Three in Egypt Cannot make better note.

Cleopatra - He's very knowing; I do perceive't: there's nothing in her yet: The fellow has good judgment.

Charmian - Excellent.

Cleopatra - Guess at her years, I prithee.

Messenger - Madam, She was a widow,—

Cleopatra - Widow! Charmian, hark.

Messenger - And I do think she's thirty.

Cleopatra - Bear'st thou her face in mind? is't long or round?

Messenger - Round even to faultiness.

Cleopatra - For the most part, too, they are foolish that are so. Her hair, what colour?

Messenger - Brown, madam: and her forehead As low as she would wish it.

Cleopatra - There's gold for thee. Thou must not take my former sharpness ill: I will employ thee back again; I find thee Most fit for business: go make thee ready; Our letters are prepared.

[Exit Messenger]

Charmian - A proper man.

Cleopatra - Indeed, he is so: I repent me much That so I harried him. Why, methinks, by him, This creature's no such thing.

Charmian - Nothing, madam.

Cleopatra - The man hath seen some majesty, and should know.

Charmian - Hath he seen majesty? Isis else defend, And serving you so long!

Cleopatra - I have one thing more to ask him yet, good Charmian: But 'tis no matter; thou shalt bring him to me Where I will write. All may be well enough.

Charmian - I warrant you, madam.

[Exeunt]