Enter CESAR, AGRIPPA, and Mecenas.
Cæs. Contemning Rome, he has done all this.
And more:

In Alexandria,-here 's the manner of it,-
I' the market-place, on a tribunal silvered,
Cleopatra and himself in chairs of gold
Were publicly enthroned: at the feet sat
Cæsarion, whom they call my father's son;
And all the unlawful issue that their lust
Since then hath made between them. Unto her
He gave the 'stablishment of Egypt: made her
Of Lower Syria, Cyprus, Lybia,
Absolute queen.

Mec. This in the public eye?

Cæs. I' the common show-place, where they exercise.

His sons he there proclaimed "The kings of kings."

Great Media, Parthia, and Armenia,

He gave to Alexander: to Ptolemy he assigned Syria, Cilicia, and Phoenicia. She

In the habiliments of the goddess Isis

That day appeared: and oft before gave audience (As 't is reported) so.

Like Cæsar's sister. The wife of Antony
Should have an army for an usher, and
The neighs of horse to tell of her approach,
Long ere she did appear: the trees by the way
Should have borne men, and expectation fainted,
Longing for what it had not: nay, the dust
Should have ascended to the roof of heaven,
Raised by your populous troops: but you are come
A market-maid to Rome, and have prevented
The ostent of our love, which left unshewn
Is often left unloved. We should have met you
By sea and land; supplying every stage
With an augmented greeting.
Good my lord,

Octa.

To come thus was I not constrained, but did it
On my free will. My lord, Marc Antony,
Hearing that you prepared for war, acquainted
My grieved ear withal: whereon I begged
His pardon for return.

Cæs. Which soon he granted,
Being an obstruct 'tween his lust and him.
Octa. Do not say so, my lord,

Cæs.

I have eyes upon him,

And his affairs come to me on the wind. Where is he now?

Cas. No, my most wronged sister: Cleopatra Hath nodded him to her. He hath given his

empire

Up to a whore; who now are levying ́
The kings o' the earth for war. He hath assembled
Bocchus, the King of Lybia; Archelaus,
Of Cappadocia; Philadelphos, King
Of Paphlagonia; the Thracian King, Adallas;
King Malchus of Arabia; King of Pont;
Herod of Jewry; Mithridates, King
Of Comagene; Polemon and Amintas,

Your letters did withhold our breaking forth,
Till we perceived both how you were wrong led,
And we in negligent danger. Cheer your heart:
Be you not troubled with the time, which drives
O'er your content these strong necessities;
But let determined things to destiny
Hold unbewailed their way. Welcome to Rome:
Nothing more dear to me. You are abused
Beyond the mark of thought: and the high gods,
To do you justice, make their ministers

Of us and those that love you. Best of comfort;
And ever welcome to us.

Eno. So hath my lord dared him to single fight. Can. Ay, and to wage this battle at Pharsalia, Where Cæsar fought with Pompey. But these offers,

Which serve not for his vantage, he shakes off: And so should you.

Eno. Your ships are not well manned: Your mariners are muleteers, reapers, people Ingrossed by swift impress: in Cæsar's fleet Are those that often have 'gainst Pompey fought. Their ships are yare: yours heavy. No disgrace Shall fall you for refusing him at sea, Being prepared for land. Ant.

By sea, by sea.

Eno. Most worthy sir, you therein throw away The absolute soldiership you have by land; Distract your army, which doth most consist Of war-marked footmen; leave unexecuted Your own renownéd knowledge; quite forego The way which promises assurance; and Give up yourself merely to chance and hazard, From firm security.

Cleo. I have sixty sails, Cæsar none better. Ant. Our overplus of shipping will we burn; And with the rest full-manned, from the head of Actium

Beat the approaching Cæsar. But if we fail,

Enter a Messenger.

We then can do 't at land.—Thy business?
Mess. The news is true, my lord: he is
descried:
Cæsar has taken Toryne.

SCENE IX.-Alexandria. A Room in the Palace.

Enter ANTONY and Attendants.

Ant. Hark! the land bids me tread no more upon 't:

Have lost my way for ever. I have a ship

gone:

I have myself resolved upon a course

Which has no need of you: begone.

My treasure's in the harbour; take it.-0,
1 followed that I blushed to look upon!
My very hairs do mutiny: for the white
Reprove the brown for rashness, and they them
For fear and doting.-Friends, begone: you shall
Have letters from me to some friends that will
Sweep your way for you. Pray you, look not sad,
Nor make replies of loathness: take the hint
Which my despair proclaims; let that be left
Which leaves itself. To the sea-side straightway:
I will possess you of that ship and treasure.

Leave me, I

pray, a little 'pray you now.Nay, do so; for indeed I have lost command; Therefore I pray you.-I'll see you by-and-by. [Sits down.

Enter EROS and CLEOPATRA, led by CHARMIAN and IRAS.

Eros. Nay, gentle madam, to him:-comfort him.
Iras. Do, most dear queen.
Char. Do! Why, what else?
Cleo. Let me sit down. O Juno!
Ant. No, no, no, no, no.

Eros. See you here, sir?

Ant. O fie, fie, fie!

Char. Madam,—

Iras. Madam; O good empress!

Eros. Sir, sir,

Ant. Yes, my lord, yes :—he at Philippi kept His sword even like a dancer, while I struck The lean and wrinkled Cassius; and 't was I That the mad Brutus ended: he alone Dealt on lieutenantry, and no practice had

In the brave squares of war: yet now-no matter.
Cleo. Ah, stand by.

Eros. The queen, my lord; the queen.
Iras. Go to him, madam; speak to him:

He is unqualitied with very shame.

Cleo. Well then, sustain me.-O!

Eros. Most noble sir, arise; the queen approaches:

Her head's declined, and death will seize her; but

Your comfort makes the rescue.

Ant. I have offended reputation:

A most unnoble swerving!

Eros. Sir, the queen.

I have no ears to his request. The queen
Of audience nor desire shall fail, so she
From Egypt drive her all disgracéd friend,
Or take his life there: this if she perform,
She shall not sue unheard. So to them both.
Eup. Fortune pursue thee!

Cæs. Bring him through the bands.

[Exit EUPHRONIUS. To try thy eloquence now 't is time: [To THYREUS. despatch:

From Antony win Cleopatra: promise, And in our name, what she requires: add more (From thine invention) offers. Women are