When it pleaseth their deities to take the wife of a man from him, it shows to man the tailors of the earth;comforting therein, that when old robes are worn out, there are members to make new. If there were no more women but Fulvia, then had you indeed a cut, and the case to be lamented: this grief is crowned with consolation; your old smock brings forth a new petticoat: and indeed the tears live in an onion that should water this sorrow. MARK ANTONY The business she hath broached in the state Cannot endure my absence. DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS And the business you have broached here cannot be without you; especially that of Cleopatra's, which wholly depends on your abode. MARK ANTONY No more light answers. Let our officers Have notice what we purpose. I shall break The cause of our expedience to the queen, And get her leave to part. For not alone The death of Fulvia, with more urgent touches, Do strongly speak to us; but the letters too Of many our contriving friends in Rome Petition us at home: Sextus Pompeius Hath given the dare to Caesar, and commands The empire of the sea: our slippery people, Whose love is never link'd to the deserver Till his deserts are past, begin to throw Pompey the Great and all his dignities Upon his son; who, high in name and power, Higher than both in blood and life, stands up For the main soldier: whose quality, going on, The sides o' the world may danger: much is breeding, Which, like the courser's hair, hath yet but life, And not a serpent's poison. Say, our pleasure, To such whose place is under us, requires Our quick remove from hence. DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS I shall do't.
Exeunt SCENE III. 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. MARK 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 nature Will not sustain it. MARK ANTONY Now, my dearest queen,-- CLEOPATRA Pray you, stand further from me. MARK 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. MARK ANTONY The gods best know,-- CLEOPATRA O, never was there queen So mightily betray'd! yet at the first I saw the treasons planted. MARK 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! MARK 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. MARK ANTONY How now, lady! CLEOPATRA I would I had thy inches; thou shouldst know There were a heart in Egypt. MARK 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? MARK 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. MARK 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. MARK 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. MARK ANTONY You'll heat my blood: no more. CLEOPATRA You can do better yet; but this is meetly. MARK 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. MARK ANTONY I'll leave you, lady. CLEOPATRA Courteous lord, one word.
Sir, you and I must part, but that's not it:
