CAESAR                      Cleopatra, know

We will extenuate rather than enforce.

If you apply yourself to our intents,

Which towards you are most gentle, you shall find

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.        (5.2.120-129)

Caesar’s unmoved—pragmatic, chilly, clear; not explicitly cruel or unkind or malicious. Cleopatra (not madam, or lady, or queen), know we will extenuate rather than enforce. I’ll give you the benefit of the doubt, be sympathetic up to a point; I’m not going to dwell on your faults and errors. (He’s enjoying being magnanimous; he knows he can afford to be.) Look, it’s up to you: if you apply yourself to our intents, do what you’re told and believe what I’m saying, that I mean you no harm—after all, my intentions towards you are most gentle; I wish you no ill! I don’t mean to cause you any distress!—you shall find a benefit in this change. It’ll all turn out for the best and nothing bad will happen. However. If you seek to lay on me a cruelty by taking Antony’s course; if you throw my courtesy back in my face and make me look bad, make me look like the villain in this, mean and heartless, if you take Antony’s course, do as he did and fall out with me, wilfully become my enemy, then—well, you shall bereave yourself of my good purposes. I won’t be your friend any more; I’ll cut you off from any chance of my favour and protection. And also, incidentally, if you mess me around, you will put your children to that destruction which I’ll guard them from, if thereon you rely. Do as I say, and your children are safe: defy me, or try to cross me—when I only want to help you and be your friend!—and I’ll destroy them too. I’ll take my leave. That’s it, I’m done. Think about it; I’m out of here. The decision is yours.