Open Source Shakespeare

Speeches (Lines) for Proculeius
in "Antony and Cleopatra"

Total: 10

# Act, Scene, Line
(Click to see in context)
Speech text

1

V,1,3361

Octavius. Come hither, Proculeius. Go and say,
We purpose her no shame: give her what comforts
The quality of her passion shall require,
Lest, in her greatness, by some mortal stroke
She do defeat us; for her life in Rome
Would be eternal in our triumph: go,
And with your speediest bring us what she says,
And how you find of her.

Proculeius. Caesar, I shall.


2

V,2,3387

Cleopatra. My desolation does begin to make
A better life. 'Tis paltry to be Caesar;
Not being Fortune, he's but Fortune's knave,
A minister of her will: and it is great
To do that thing that ends all other deeds;
Which shackles accidents and bolts up change;
Which sleeps, and never palates more the dug,
The beggar's nurse and Caesar's.
[Enter, to the gates of the monument, PROCULEIUS,]
GALLUS and Soldiers]

Proculeius. Caesar sends greeting to the Queen of Egypt;
And bids thee study on what fair demands
Thou mean'st to have him grant thee.


3

V,2,3391

Cleopatra. What's thy name?

Proculeius. My name is Proculeius.


4

V,2,3402

Cleopatra. Antony
Did tell me of you, bade me trust you; but
I do not greatly care to be deceived,
That have no use for trusting. If your master
Would have a queen his beggar, you must tell him,
That majesty, to keep decorum, must
No less beg than a kingdom: if he please
To give me conquer'd Egypt for my son,
He gives me so much of mine own, as I
Will kneel to him with thanks.

Proculeius. Be of good cheer;
You're fall'n into a princely hand, fear nothing:
Make your full reference freely to my lord,
Who is so full of grace, that it flows over
On all that need: let me report to him
Your sweet dependency; and you shall find
A conqueror that will pray in aid for kindness,
Where he for grace is kneel'd to.


5

V,2,3415

Cleopatra. Pray you, tell him
I am his fortune's vassal, and I send him
The greatness he has got. I hourly learn
A doctrine of obedience; and would gladly
Look him i' the face.

Proculeius. This I'll report, dear lady.
Have comfort, for I know your plight is pitied
Of him that caused it.


6

V,2,3430

(stage directions). [Drawing a dagger]

Proculeius. Hold, worthy lady, hold:
[Seizes and disarms her]
Do not yourself such wrong, who are in this
Relieved, but not betray'd.


7

V,2,3436

Cleopatra. What, of death too,
That rids our dogs of languish?

Proculeius. Cleopatra,
Do not abuse my master's bounty by
The undoing of yourself: let the world see
His nobleness well acted, which your death
Will never let come forth.


8

V,2,3444

Cleopatra. Where art thou, death?
Come hither, come! come, come, and take a queen
Worthy many babes and beggars!

Proculeius. O, temperance, lady!


9

V,2,3459

Cleopatra. Sir, I will eat no meat, I'll not drink, sir;
If idle talk will once be necessary,
I'll not sleep neither: this mortal house I'll ruin,
Do Caesar what he can. Know, sir, that I
Will not wait pinion'd at your master's court;
Nor once be chastised with the sober eye
Of dull Octavia. Shall they hoist me up
And show me to the shouting varletry
Of censuring Rome? Rather a ditch in Egypt
Be gentle grave unto me! rather on Nilus' mud
Lay me stark naked, and let the water-flies
Blow me into abhorring! rather make
My country's high pyramides my gibbet,
And hang me up in chains!

Proculeius. You do extend
These thoughts of horror further than you shall
Find cause in Caesar.


10

V,2,3467

Dolabella. Proculeius,
What thou hast done thy master Caesar knows,
And he hath sent for thee: for the queen,
I'll take her to my guard.

Proculeius. So, Dolabella,
It shall content me best: be gentle to her.
[To CLEOPATRA]
To Caesar I will speak what you shall please,
If you'll employ me to him.