Herod of Jewry dare not look upon you

But when you are well pleas'd.

CLEOPATRA

That Herod's head

I'll have but how, when Antony is gone

:

Through whom I might command it? Come thou near.

Where?

CLEOPATRA

MESSENGER

Madam, in Rome;

I look'd her in the face, and saw her led

Between her brother and Mark Antony.

Is she as tall as me?

CLEOPATRA

MESSENGER

She is not, madam.

CLEOPATRA

Didst hear her speak? is she shrill-tongu'd or low?

MESSENGER

Madam, I heard her speak; she is low-voic'd.

CLEOPATRA

That's not so good. He cannot like her long?

CHARMIAN

Like her! O Isis! 't is impossible.

CLEOPATRA

I think so, Charmian : dull of tongue, and dwarfish! What majesty is in her gait? Remember,

If e'er thou look'dst on majesty.

MESSENGER

She creeps:

Her motion and her station are as one;

She shows a body rather than a life,

A statue than a breather.

CLEOPATRA

Is this certain?

I do perceive 't there's nothing in her yet :

:

Bear'st thou her face in mind? is 't long or round?

MESSENGER

Round even to faultiness.

CLEOPATRA

For the most part, too, they are foolish that are so. Her hair, what colour?

MESSENGER

Brown, madam and her forehead

As low as she would wish it.

CLEOPATRA

There's gold for thee.

Thou must not take my former sharpness ill :
I will employ thee back again; I find thee
Most fit for business go make thee ready;
Our letters are prepared.

Exit Messenger.

CHARMIAN

A proper man.

CLEOPATRA

Indeed, he is so I repent me much

That so I harried him. Why, methinks, by him,
This creature's no such thing.

CHARMIAN

Nothing, madam.

CLEOPATRA

The man hath seen some majesty, and should know.

CHARMIAN

Hath he seen majesty? Isis else defend,

And serving you so long!

CLEOPATRA

I have one thing more to ask him yet, good Charmian;
But 't is no matter; thou shalt bring him to me
Where I will write. All may be well enough.

I warrant you, madam.

CHARMIAN

Exeunt.

SCENE IV

ATHENS. A ROOM IN ANTONY'S HOUSE

Enter ANTONY and OCTAVIA.

ANTONY

Nay, nay, Octavia, not only that,

That were excusable, that, and thousands more
Of semblable import, but he hath wag'd

New wars 'gainst Pompey; made his will, and read it
To public ear:

Spoke scantly of me : when perforce he could not
But pay me terms of honour, cold and sickly

He vented them; most narrow measure lent me :

When the best hint was given him, he not took 't,
Or did it from his teeth.

OCTAVIA

O my good lord,

Believe not all; or, if you must believe,

Stomach not all. A more unhappy lady,

If this division chance, ne'er stood between,

Praying for both parts:

The good gods will mock me presently,

When I shall pray : « O, bless my lord and husband!»

Undo that prayer, by crying out as loud:

" O, bless my brother! »

Husband win, win brother,

Prays, and destroys the prayer; no midway

'Twixt these extremes at all.