These hands do lack nobility, that they strike
A meaner than myself; since I myself
Have given myself the cause.

Sir.

Re-enter Messenger.

Come, hither,

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

Then selves, when they be felt."
Mes. I have done my duty.

Cleo. Is he married?

I cannot hate thee worser than 1 do,

If thou again say, Yes.

Mes. He is married, Madam.

Cleo. The Gods confound thee! dost thou hold

Mes, Should I lie, Madam?

Cleo. O, I would, thou didst;

So half any Egypt were submerg'd, and made A cistern for scal'd snakes! Go, get thee hence; Had'st thou Narcissus in thy face, to me

Thou would'st appear most ugly. He is married? Mes. I crave your Highness' pardon.

Cleo. He is married?

Mes. Take no offence, that I would not offend

you:

To punish me for what you make me do,

Seems much unequal: He is married to Octavia. Cleo. O, that his fault should make a knave

That art not!!

of thee,

What? thou'rt sure of't? 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!

[Exit Messenger

Char. Good your Highness, patience.

Cleo. In praising Antony, I have disprais'd
Caesar.

Char. Many times, Madam.

Cleo. I am paid for't now.

Lead me from hence,

شي

I faint; O Iras, Charmian,

t

'Tis no matter's

Go to the fellow, good Alexas; bid him

Report the feature of

Clavia, her years,

not leave out

quickly.

Let him for ever go:

[Exit ALEXAS. Char

Though he be painted one
T' other way he's a Mars:

Bring me word, how

Let him not

tall she is.
Charmian,

Lead me to my chamber.

But do not speak to.

[Exeunt.

Enter POMPEY, and MENAS, at one side, with drum and trumpet: at another, - CAESAR, LEPIDUS, ANTONY, ENOBARBUS, MECAENAS, with soldiers marching.

Pom. Your hostages I have, so have you mine And we shall talk before we fight, Caes. Most meet,

That first we come to words; and therefore have we

Our written purposes before us sent:

Which, if thou hast consider'd, let us know

If 'twill tie up thy discontented sword;
And carry back to Sicily much tall youth,
That else must perish here.

Pom. To you all three,

The senators alone of this great world,
Chief factors for the Gods,

I do not know,

Wherefore my father should revengers want,
Having a son, and friends; since Julius Caesar,
Who at Philippi the good Brutus ghosted,
There saw you labouring for him. What was it,
That inov'd pale Cassius to conspire? And what
Made the all-honour'd, honest, Romau Brutus,
With the arm'd rest, courtiers of beauteous freedom,
To drench the Capitol but that they would
Have one man but a man? And that is it,
Hatli made me rig my navy at whose burden
The auger'd ocean foams; with which I meant
To scourge the ingratitude that despiteful Rome
Cast on my noble father.

མ།

Caes. Take your time.

Ant. Thou canst not fear us, Pompey, with thy sails,

We'll speak with thee at sea: at land, thou know'st How much we do o'er-count thee.

Pom. At land, indeed,,

t me of my f

Thou dost o'er-count me

father's house :

But, since the cuckoo builds not for himself,
Remain in't, as thou may'stati ba

Lep. Be pleas'd to tell us,

(For this is from the present) how you take The offers we have sent you.

Caes. There's the point."

Ant. Which do not be entreated to, but

Weigh

What it is worth embrac'd.

Caes. And what may follow,

To try a larger fortune.

Pom. You have made me offer Of Sicily, Sardinia and I must

Rid all the sea of pirates; then, to send Measures of wheat to Rome: This 'greed upon, To part with unhack'd edges, and bear back Our targe undinted.

Caes Ant. Lep. That's our offer.

Pom. Know then,

I came before you here, a man prepar'd
To take this offer: But Mark Antony

Put me to some impatience:

Though I lose The praise of it by telling, You must know, When Caesar and your brothers were at blows, Your mother came to Sicily, and did find Her welcome friendly.

Ant. I have heard it, Pompey;

And am well studied for a liberal thanks,

Which I do owe you,

Pom. Let me have your hand:

I did not think, Sir, to have met you here.
Ant. The beds i' the east are soft; and thanks

to you,

That call'd me, timelier than my purpose, hither; For I have gain'd by it.

Caes. Since I saw you last, There is a change upon you. Pom. Well, I know not

What counts harsh fortune casts upon my face;"
But in my bosom shall she never come,

To make my heart her vassal.

Lep. Well met here..!
Pom. I hope so, Lepidus.

Thus we are

agreed:

I grave, our composition may be written,
And seal'd between us.

Caes. That's the next to do.

Pom. We'll feast each other, ere we part; and ! let us

Draw lots, who shall begin.

Ant. That will I, Pompey.

Pom. No, Antony, take the lot: but, first, i Or last, your fine Egyptian cookery

Shall have the fame. I have heard, that › Julius Caesar

Grew fat with feasting there.
Ant. You have heard much.
Pom. I have fair meanings, Sir.
Ant. And fair words to them.
Pom. Then so much have I heard:
And I have heard, Apollodorus carried
He did so.

Eno. No more of that:

Pom. What, I pray you?

Eno. A certain Queen to Caesar in a mattress. Pom. I know thee now; how far'st thou, sol

Eno: Well;

'dier?

t

And well am like to do; for, I perceive,
Four beasts are toward.

Pom. Let me shake thy hand;

I never hated thee: I have seen thee fight,
When I have envied thy behaviour.

Eno. Sir,

I never lov'd you much; but I have prais'd yon, When you have, well desery'd ten times as much As I have said you did.s

Pom. Enjoy thy plainness,
It nothing ill becomes thee.
Aboard my galley I invite you all:
Will you lead, Lords?