1025Cleo. Giue me some Musicke: Musicke, moody foode

1026of vs that trade in Loue.

1027Omnes. The Musicke, hoa.

1029Cleo. Let it alone, let's to Billards: come Charmian.

1030Char. My arme is sore, best play with Mardian.

1031Cleopa. As well a woman with an Eunuch plaide, as

1032with a woman. Come you'le play with me Sir?

1033Mardi. As well as I can Madam.

1034Cleo. And when good will is shewed,

1035Though't come to short

1036The Actor may pleade pardon. Ile none now,

1037Giue me mine Angle, weele to'th'Riuer there

1038My Musicke playing farre off. I will betray

1039Tawny fine fishes, my bended hooke shall pierce

1040Their slimy iawes: and as I draw them vp,

1041Ile thinke them euery one an Anthony,

1042And say, ah ha; y'are caught.

1043Char. 'Twas merry when you wager'd on your Ang-

1044ling, when your diuer did hang a salt fish on his hooke

1045which he with feruencie drew vp.

1046Cleo. That time? Oh times:

1047I laught him out of patience: and that night

1048I laught him into patience, and next morne,

1049Ere the ninth houre, I drunke him to his bed:

1050Then put my Tires and Mantles on him, whilst

1051I wore his Sword Phillippan. Oh from Italie,

1053Ramme thou thy fruitefull tidings in mine eares,

1054That long time haue bin barren.

1055Mes. Madam, Madam.

1056Cleo. Anthonyo's dead.

1057If thou say so Villaine, thou kil'st thy Mistris:

1058But well and free, if thou so yeild him.

1059There is Gold, and heere

1060My blewest vaines to kisse: a hand that Kings

1061Haue lipt, and trembled kissing.

1062Mes. First Madam, he is well.

1063Cleo. Why there's more Gold.

1064But sirrah marke, we vse

1065To say, the dead are well: bring it to that,

1066The Gold I giue thee, will I melt and powr

1067Downe thy ill vttering throate.

1068Mes. Good Madam heare me.

1069Cleo. Well, go too I will:

1070But there's no goodnesse in thy face if Anthony

1071Be free and healthfull; so tart a fauour

1072To trumpet such good tidings. If not well,

1073Thou shouldst come like a Furie crown'd with Snakes,

1074Not like a formall man.

1075Mes. Wilt please you heare me?

1076Cleo. I haue a mind to strike thee ere thou speak'st:

1077Yet if thou say Anthony liues, 'tis well,

1078Or friends with Caesar, or not Captiue to him,

1079Ile set thee in a shower of Gold, and haile

1080Rich Pearles vpon thee.

1081Mes. Madam, he's well.

1082Cleo. Well said.

1083Mes. And Friends with Caesar.

1084Cleo. Th'art an honest man.

1085Mes. Caesar, and he, are greater Friends then euer.

1086Cleo. Make thee a Fortune from me.

1087Mes. But yet Madam.

1088Cleo. I do not like but yet, it does alay

1089The good precedence, fie vpon but yet,

1090But yet is as a Iaylor to bring foorth

1091Some monstrous Malefactor. Prythee Friend,

1092Powre out the packe of matter to mine eare,

1093The good and bad together: he's friends with Caesar,

1094In state of health thou saist, and thou saist, free.

1095Mes. Free Madam, no: I made no such report,

1096He's bound vnto Octauia.

1097Cleo. For what good turne?

1098Mes. For the best turne i'th'bed.

1099Cleo. I am pale Charmian.

1100Mes. Madam, he's married to Octauia.

1101Cleo. The most infectious Pestilence vpon thee.

1103Mes. Good Madam patience.

1104Cleo. What say you? Strikes him.

1105Hence horrible Villaine, or Ile spurne thine eyes

1106Like balls before me: Ile vnhaire thy head,

1108Thou shalt be whipt with Wyer, and stew'd in brine,

1109Smarting in lingring pickle.

1110Mes. Gratious Madam,

1111I that do bring the newes, made not the match.

1112Cleo. Say 'tis not so, a Prouince I will giue thee,

1113And make thy Fortunes proud: the blow thou had'st

1114Shall make thy peace, for mouing me to rage,

1115And I will boot thee with what guift beside

1116Thy modestie can begge.

1117Mes. He's married Madam.

1118Cleo. Rogue, thou hast liu'd too long. Draw a knife.

1119Mes. Nay then Ile runne:

1120What meane you Madam, I haue made no fault. Exit.

1121Char. Good Madam keepe your selfe within your selfe,

1122The man is innocent.

1123Cleo. Some Innocents scape not the thunderbolt:

1124Melt Egypt into Nyle: and kindly creatures

1125Turne all to Serpents. Call the slaue againe,

1126Though I am mad, I will not byte him: Call?

1127Char. He is afeard to come.

1128Cleo. I will not hurt him,

1129These hands do lacke Nobility, that they strike

1130A meaner then my selfe: since I my selfe

1131Haue giuen my selfe the cause. Come hither Sir.

1133Though it be honest, it is neuer good

1134To bring bad newes: giue to a gratious Message

1135An host of tongues, but let ill tydings tell

1136Themselues, when they be felt.

1137Mes. I haue done my duty.

1138Cleo. Is he married?

1139I cannot hate thee worser then I do,

1140If thou againe say yes.

1141Mes. He's married Madam.

1142Cleo. The Gods confound thee,

1143Dost thou hold there still?

1144Mes. Should I lye Madame?

1145Cleo. Oh, I would thou didst:

1146So halfe my Egypt were submerg'd and made

1147A Cesterne for scal'd Snakes. Go get thee hence,

1148Had'st thou Narcissus in thy face to me,

1149Thou would'st appeere most vgly: He is married?

1150Mes. I craue your Highnesse pardon.

1151Cleo. He is married?

1152Mes. Take no offence, that I would not offend you,

1153To punnish me for what you make me do

1154Seemes much vnequall, he's married to Octauia.

1155Cleo. Oh that his fault should make a knaue of thee,

1156That art not what th'art sure of. Get thee hence,

1157The Marchandize which thou hast brought from Rome

1158Are all too deere for me:

1159Lye they vpon thy hand, and be vndone by em.

1160Char. Good your Highnesse patience.

1161Cleo. In praysing Anthony, I haue disprais'd Caesar.

1162Char. Many times Madam.

1163Cleo. I am paid for't now: lead me from hence,

1164I faint, oh Iras, Charmian: 'tis no matter.

1165Go to the Fellow, good Alexas bid him

1166Report the feature of Octauia: her yeares,

1167Her inclination, let him not leaue out

1168The colour of her haire. Bring me word quickly,

1169Let him for euer go, let him not Charmian,

1170Though he be painted one way like a Gorgon,

1171The other wayes a Mars. Bid you Alexas

1172Bring me word, how tall she is: pitty me Charmian,

1173But do not speake to me. Lead me to my Chamber.