CLEOPATRA  Have you done yet?

ANTONY         Alack, our terrene moon

Is now eclipsed, and it portends alone

The fall of Antony.

CLEOPATRA  [aside] I must stay his time.

ANTONY         To flatter Caesar would you mingle eyes

With one that ties his points?

CLEOPATRA              Not know me yet?

ANTONY         Cold-hearted toward me?     (3.13.154-160)

Are you finished, asks Cleopatra, have you done yet? Antony’s running out of steam, and the main note that’s sounding now is one of self-pity; all the fight’s going out of him. Alack, our terrene moon is now eclipsed: you, my earthly moon, my Isis, the light’s gone out of you, you’re in shadow. And it portends alone the fall of Antony. Everything’s gone wrong, the omens are terrible, my time is up, I seem to have lost you, my lucky charm, my goddess—and you don’t love me any more? I must stay his time, mutters Cleopatra, probably aside; I’ve got to give him space, let him work this through; he’s almost there, almost ready to admit to how insecure he is: to flatter Caesar would you mingle eyes with one that ties his points? Is that what this was about, trying to ingratiate yourself with Caesar by flirting with that—pretty boy manservant? Caesar’s valet, pretty much? There’s a sense here that they won’t look at each other directly, that they keep looking away, then looking back, afraid to make eye contact, longing to. Not know me yet? Will you not acknowledge me (as your Cleopatra)? she asks. It’s me. Are you still cold-hearted towards me? he asks. Implicit: will you forgive me? do you still love me? can you show me and tell me so?