Horrible villain! or I'll spurn thine eyes

Like balls before me; I'll unhair thy head:

She hales him up and down.

Thou shalt be whipp'd with wire, and stew'd in brine, Smarting in lingering pickle.

MESSENGER

Gracious madam,

I that do bring the news made not the match.

CLEOPATRA

Say 't is 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

What mean you, madam? I have made no fault.

CHARMIAN

Good madam, keep yourself within yourself:

Exit.

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.

He is afeard to come.

CHARMIAN

CLEOPATRA

I will not hurt him.

Exit Charmian.

These hands do lack nobility, that they strike

A meaner than myself; since I myself

Have given myself the cause.

Re-enter CHARMIAN and MESSENGER.

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 worser than I do,

If thou again say Yes.

MESSENGER

He's married, madam.

CLEOPATRA

The gods confound thee! dost thou hold there still?

Should I lie, madam?

MESSENGER

CLEOPATRA

O, I would thou didst,

So half my Egypt were submerg'd and made

A cistern for scal'd snakes! Go, get thee hence:
Hadst thou Narcissus in thy face, to me

Thou wouldst appear most ugly. He is married?

MESSENGER

I crave your highness' pardon.

CLEOPATRA

He is married?

MESSENGER

Take no offence that I would not offend you :
To punish me for what you make me do
Seems much unequal: he 's married to Octavia.

CLEOPATRA

O, that his fault should make a knave of thee,
That art but 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!