The quality of her passion shall require ; Lest, in her greatness, by some mortal stroke Would be eternal in our triumph: Go, And, with your speediest, bring us what she says, Pro. Cæsar, I shall. [Exit Proculeius. Cas. Gallus, go you along.-Where's Dolabella, To second Proculeius? Agr. Mec. Dolabella! Cas. Let him alone, for I remember now [Exit Gallus. How he's employ'd; he shall in time be ready. [Exeunt. SCENE II ALEXANDRIA. A ROOM IN THE MONUMENT. Enter Cleopatra, Charmian, and Iras. Cleo. My desolation does begin to make To do that thing that ends all other deeds; Enter, to the gates of the Monument, Proculeius, Gallus, and Soldiers. Pro. Cæsar sends greeting to the queen of Egypt; And bids thee study on what fair demands Thou mean'st to have him grant thee. Cleo. [within.] What's thy name? Pro. My name is Proculeius. Cleo. [within.] Antony Did tell me of you, bade me trust you; but I do not greatly care to be deceiv'd, That have no use for trusting. If your master Would have a queen his beggar, you must tell him, That majesty, to keep decorum, must No lefs beg than a kingdom: if he please To give me conquer'd Egypt for my son, He gives me so much of mine own, as I Will kneel to him with thanks. Pro. Be of good cheer; You are fallen into a princely hand, fear nothing: Make your full reference freely to my lord, Who is so full of grace, that it flows over A conqueror, that will pray in aid for kindness, Cleo. [within.] Pray you, tell him I am his fortune's vafsal, and I send him Pro. This I'll report, dear lady. Have comfort; for, I know, your plight is pitied Gal. You see how easily she may be surpriz'd; [Here Proculeius, and two of the guard, ascend the monument by a ladder placed against a window, and having descended, come behind Cleopatra. Some of the guard unbar and open the gates. Guard her till Cæsar come. [to Proculeius and the guard. Exit Gallus. Iras. Royal queen! Char. O Cleopatra! thou art taken, queen!— Cleo. Quick, quick, good hands. [drawing a dagger. Pro. Hold, worthy lady, hold: [seizes and disarms her. Do not yourself such wrong, who are in this Reliev'd, but not betray'd. Cleo. What, of death too, That rids our dogs of languish? Pro. Cleopatra, Do not abuse my master's bounty, by The undoing of yourself: let the world see His nobleness well acted, which your death Cleo. Where art thou, death? Come hither, come! come, come, and take a queen Worth many babes and beggars! Pro. O, temperance, lady! Cleo. Sir, I will eat no meat, I'll not drink, sir; If idle talk will once be necefsary, I'll not sleep neither: This mortal house I'll ruin, Pro. You do extend These thoughts of horror further than Find cause in Cæsar. Enter Dolabella. Dol. Proculeius, What thou hast done thy master Cæsar knows, I'll take her to my guard. Pro. So, Dolabella, It shall content me best: be gentle to her. |