CLEOPATRA Most kind messenger,
Say to great Caesar this in deputation:
I kiss his conqu’ring hand. Tell him I am prompt
To lay my crown at’s feet, and there to kneel
Till from his all-obeying breath I hear
The doom of Egypt.
THIDIAS ’Tis your noblest course.
Wisdom and fortune combating together,
If that the former dare but what it can,
No chance may shake it. Give me grace to lay
My duty on your hand.
[He kisses Cleopatra’s hand] (3.13.72-81)
At least on the page, although perhaps not in gesture and intonation, Cleopatra keeps Thidias guessing just a little longer. Is she about to go full diva? Most kind messenger (purrrrr), say to great Caesar this in deputation; take back my message, as my representative. I kiss his conqu’ring hand. That’s my initial reply, a gesture of fealty, but also intimacy, sensuality. He’s won. Tell him I am prompt to lay my crown at’s feet: I’m ready and willing to resign all my power, my sovereignty to him. And I’ll kneel there, in a position of subjection and supplication, abasing myself before him—and of course there’s an erotic charge in the imagining of her kneeling before Caesar, for Thidias, the audience, and for Cleopatra herself—till from his all-obeying breath I hear the doom of Egypt. I’ll wait, until he deigns to tell me, in the voice that everyone must obey, what is to become of me, and of my country. The tension, and the erotic charge, can be heightened if Thidias takes a good beat before he speaks, holding her gaze. ’Tis your noblest course, by far the best way for you to proceed, and the most honourable. Wisdom and fortune combating together, if that the former dare but what it can, no chance may shake it. It sounds lofty, philosophical, but really he’s just saying, yes, cut your losses, do the sensible thing, and you’ll be safe, or safer. You’re so wise! Tell her she’s clever; much more effective than only telling her that she’s sexy. But he’s going to make that point too, in the guise of diplomatic courtesy: give me grace to lay my duty on your hand. May I kiss your hand? He’s got to linger just a little bit too long, keep the eye contact going just a shade too intently.