CLEOPATRA               Lead me from hence. I faint. O, Iras, Charmian—’tis no matter. Go to the fellow, good Alexas, bid him Report the feature of Octavia: her years, Her inclination; let him not leave out The colour of her hair. Bring me word quickly. [Exit Alexas] Let him for ever go—let him not, Charmian; Though he […]

CLEOPATRA   O that his fault should make a knave of thee, That act not what thou’rt sure of! Get thee hence. The merchandise which thou hast brought from Rome Are all too dear for me. Lie they upon thy hand, And be undone by ’em.                         [Exit Messenger] CHARMIAN                             Good your highness, patience. CLEOPATRA   In […]

CLEOPATRA   The gods confound thee! Dost thou hold there still? MESSENGER  Should I lie, madam? CLEOPATRA                                       O, I would thou didst, So half my Egypt were submerged and made A cistern for scaled snakes. Go, get thee hence. Hadst thou Narcissus in thy face, to me Thou wouldst appear most ugly. He is married? MESSENGER  […]

[Enter the Messenger again with Charmian] CLEOPATRA                           Come hither, sir. Though it be honest, it is never good To bring bad news. Give to a gracious message An host of tongues, but let ill tidings tell Themselves when they be felt. MESSENGER                          I have done my duty. CLEOPATRA   Is he married? I cannot hate thee […]

CHARMIAN     Good madam, keep yourself within yourself. The man is innocent. CLEOPATRA   Some innocents ’scape not the thunderbolt. Melt Egypt into Nile, and kindly creatures Turn all to serpents! Call the slave again. Though I am mad I will not bite him. Call! CHARMIAN                 He is afeard to come. CLEOPATRA                           I will not hurt him. […]

MESSENGER              Gracious madam, I that do bring the news made not the match. CLEOPATRA   Say ’tis not so, a province I will give thee, And make thy fortunes proud. The blow thou hadst Shall make thy peace for moving me to rage, And I will boot thee with what gift beside Thy modesty can beg. […]

MESSENGER  Free, madam? No, I made no such report. He’s bound unto Octavia. CLEOPATRA   For what good turn? MESSENGER  For the best turn i’th’ bed. CLEOPATRA   I am pale, Charmian. MESSENGER  Madam, he’s married to Octavia. CLEOPATRA   The most infectious pestilence upon thee! [She] strikes him down MESSENGER  Good madam, patience! CLEOPATRA   What say you? […]

MESSENGER  Madam, he’s well. CLEOPATRA   Well said. MESSENGER  And friends with Caesar. CLEOPATRA   Thou’rt an honest man. MESSENGER  Caesar and he are greater friends than ever. CLEOPATRA   Make thee a fortune from me. MESSENGER  But yet, madam— CLEOPATRA   I do not like ‘But yet’, it does allay The good precedence. Fie upon ‘But yet’. ‘But […]

MESSENGER              Good madam, hear me. CLEOPATRA   Well, go to, I will. But there’s no goodness in thy face. If Antony Be free and healthful, so tart a favour To trumpet such good tidings! If not well, Thou shouldst come like a Fury crowned with snakes, Not like a formal man. MESSENGER              Will’t please you hear […]

MESSENGER  Madam, madam! CLEOPATRA   Antonius dead? If thou say so, villain, Thou kill’st thy mistress; but well and free, If thou so yield him, there is gold, and here My bluest veins to kiss—a hand that kings Have lipped, and trembled kissing. MESSENGER  First, madam, he is well. CLEOPATRA   Why, there’s more gold. But, sirrah, […]