Act I, Scene 3

The same. Another room.

[Enter CLEOPATRA, CHARMIAN, IRAS, and ALEXAS]

• Cleopatra. Where is he? 295

• Charmian. I did not see him since.

• Cleopatra. See where he is, who's with him, what he does:
  I did not send you: if you find him sad,
  Say I am dancing; if in mirth, report
  That I am sudden sick: quick, and return. 300

[Exit ALEXAS]

• Charmian. Madam, methinks, if you did love him dearly,
  You do not hold the method to enforce
  The like from him.

• Cleopatra. What should I do, I do not? 305

• Charmian. In each thing give him way, cross him nothing.

• Cleopatra. Thou teachest like a fool; the way to lose him.

• Charmian. Tempt him not so too far; I wish, forbear:
  In time we hate that which we often fear.
  But here comes Antony. 310

[Enter MARK ANTONY]

• Cleopatra. I am sick and sullen.

• Antony. I am sorry to give breathing to my purpose,—

• Cleopatra. Help me away, dear Charmian; I shall fall:
  It cannot be thus long, the sides of nature 315
  Will not sustain it.

• Antony. Now, my dearest queen,—

• Cleopatra. Pray you, stand further from me.

• Antony. What's the matter?

• Cleopatra. I know, by that same eye, there's some good news. 320
  What says the married woman? You may go:
  Would she had never given you leave to come!
  Let her not say 'tis I that keep you here:
  I have no power upon you; hers you are.

• Antony. The gods best know,— 325

• Cleopatra. O, never was there queen
  So mightily betray'd! yet at the first
  I saw the treasons planted.

• Antony. Cleopatra,—

• Cleopatra. Why should I think you can be mine and true, 330
  Though you in swearing shake the throned gods,
  Who have been false to Fulvia? Riotous madness,
  To be entangled with those mouth-made vows,
  Which break themselves in swearing!

• Antony. Most sweet queen,— 335

• Cleopatra. Nay, pray you, seek no colour for your going,
  But bid farewell, and go: when you sued staying,
  Then was the time for words: no going then;
  Eternity was in our lips and eyes,
  Bliss in our brows' bent; none our parts so poor, 340
  But was a race of heaven: they are so still,
  Or thou, the greatest soldier of the world,
  Art turn'd the greatest liar.

• Antony. How now, lady!

• Cleopatra. I would I had thy inches; thou shouldst know 345
  There were a heart in Egypt.

• Antony. Hear me, queen:
  The strong necessity of time commands
  Our services awhile; but my full heart
  Remains in use with you. Our Italy 350
  Shines o'er with civil swords: Sextus Pompeius
  Makes his approaches to the port of Rome:
  Equality of two domestic powers
  Breed scrupulous faction: the hated, grown to strength,
  Are newly grown to love: the condemn'd Pompey, 355
  Rich in his father's honour, creeps apace,
  Into the hearts of such as have not thrived
  Upon the present state, whose numbers threaten;
  And quietness, grown sick of rest, would purge
  By any desperate change: my more particular, 360
  And that which most with you should safe my going,
  Is Fulvia's death.

• Cleopatra. Though age from folly could not give me freedom,
  It does from childishness: can Fulvia die?

• Antony. She's dead, my queen: 365
  Look here, and at thy sovereign leisure read
  The garboils she awaked; at the last, best:
  See when and where she died.

• Cleopatra. O most false love!
  Where be the sacred vials thou shouldst fill 370
  With sorrowful water? Now I see, I see,
  In Fulvia's death, how mine received shall be.

• Antony. Quarrel no more, but be prepared to know
  The purposes I bear; which are, or cease,
  As you shall give the advice. By the fire 375
  That quickens Nilus' slime, I go from hence
  Thy soldier, servant; making peace or war
  As thou affect'st.

• Cleopatra. Cut my lace, Charmian, come;
  But let it be: I am quickly ill, and well, 380
  So Antony loves.

• Antony. My precious queen, forbear;
  And give true evidence to his love, which stands
  An honourable trial.

• Cleopatra. So Fulvia told me. 385
  I prithee, turn aside and weep for her,
  Then bid adieu to me, and say the tears
  Belong to Egypt: good now, play one scene
  Of excellent dissembling; and let it look
  Life perfect honour. 390

• Antony. You'll heat my blood: no more.

• Cleopatra. You can do better yet; but this is meetly.

• Antony. Now, by my sword,—

• Cleopatra. And target. Still he mends;
  But this is not the best. Look, prithee, Charmian, 395
  How this Herculean Roman does become
  The carriage of his chafe.

• Antony. I'll leave you, lady.

• Cleopatra. Courteous lord, one word.
  Sir, you and I must part, but that's not it: 400
  Sir, you and I have loved, but there's not it;
  That you know well: something it is I would,
  O, my oblivion is a very Antony,
  And I am all forgotten.

• Antony. But that your royalty 405
  Holds idleness your subject, I should take you
  For idleness itself.

• Cleopatra. 'Tis sweating labour
  To bear such idleness so near the heart
  As Cleopatra this. But, sir, forgive me; 410
  Since my becomings kill me, when they do not
  Eye well to you: your honour calls you hence;
  Therefore be deaf to my unpitied folly.
  And all the gods go with you! upon your sword
  Sit laurel victory! and smooth success 415
  Be strew'd before your feet!

• Antony. Let us go. Come;
  Our separation so abides, and flies,
  That thou, residing here, go'st yet with me,
  And I, hence fleeting, here remain with thee. Away! 420

[Exeunt]