A benefit in this change; but if you seek
To lay on me a cruelty by taking

Antony's course, you shall bereave yourself
Of my good purposes and put your children

To that destruction which I'll guard them from
If thereon you rely. I'll take my leave.

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Cleo. And may, through all the world: 'tis yours; and we,
Your scutcheons and your signs of conquest, shall
Hang in what place you please. Here, my good lord.
Cæs. You shall advise me in all for Cleopatra.

Cleo. This is the brief of money, plate and jewels,
I am possess'd of: 'tis exactly valued,

Not petty things admitted. Where's Seleucus? 140 Sel. Here, madam.

Cleo. This is my treasurer: let him speak, my lord,
Upon his peril, that I have reserved

To myself nothing. Speak the truth, Seleucus.
Sel. Madam,

Cleo.

I had rather seal my lips than to my peril
Speak that which is not.

What have I kept back?

Sel. Enough to purchase what you have made known. Cas. Nay, blush not, Cleopatra; I approve

Cleo.

Your wisdom in the deed.

See, Cæsar! O, behold, 150
How pomp is follow'd! mine will now be yours,
And, should we shift estates, yours would be mine.
The ingratitude of this Seleucus does

Even make me wild. O slave, of no more trust

Than love that's hired! What, goest thou back?

thou shalt

Go back, I warrant thee; but I'll catch thine eyes,

Cæs.

Though they had wings: slave, soulless villain, dog!
O rarely base!

Good queen, let us entreat you.
Cleo. O Cæsar, what a wounding shame is this,
That thou vouchsafing here to visit me,

Cæs.

Doing the honour of thy lordliness

To one so meek, that mine own servant should
Parcel the sum of my disgraces by

Addition of his envy! Say, good Cæsar,
That I some lady trifles have reserved,
Immoment toys, things of such dignity

As we greet modern friends withal; and say,
Some nobler token have I kept apart
For Livia and Octavia, to induce

Their mediation; must I be unfolded

160

170

With one that I have bred? The gods! it smites me
Beneath the fall I have. [To Seleucus] Prithee, go

hence;

Or I shall show the cinders of my spirits

Through the ashes of my chance: wert thou a man,
Thou wouldst have mercy on me.

Forbear, Seleucus.
[Exit Seleucus.

Cleo. Be it known, that we, the greatest, are mis-thought

Cæs.

For things that others do, and when we fall,
We answer others' merits in our name,

Are therefore to be pitied.

Cleopatra,

Not what you have reserved, nor what acknowledged,
Put we i' the roll of conquest: still be 't yours,

Bestow it at your pleasure, and believe

Cæsar's no merchant, to make prize with you

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Of things that merchants sold. Therefore be cheer'd;
Make not your thoughts your prisons: no, dear

queen;

For we intend so to dispose you as

Yourself shall give us counsel. Feed, and sleep:
Our care and pity is so much upon you

That we remain your friend; and so, adieu.

Cleo. My master, and my lord!

Cas.

Not so.

Adieu.

190

[Flourish. Exeunt Cæsar and his train. Cleo. He words me, girls, he words me, that I should not Be noble to myself: but, hark thee, Charmian. [Whispers Charmian.

Iras. Finish, good lady; the bright day is done,
And we are for the dark.

Cleo.

Hie thee again:
I have spoke already, and it is provided;
Go put it to the haste.

Dol. Madam, as thereto sworn by your command,
Which my love makes religion to obey,

Cleo.

I tell you this: Cæsar through Syria
Intends his journey, and within three days
You with your children will he send before:
Make your best use of this: I have perform'd
Your pleasure and my promise.

Dolabella,

[Exit.

200