Another Room in Cleopatra's Palace.
 Enter CLEOPATRA, CHARMIAN, ALEXAS, and IRAS.

Cleopatra	Where is he?

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.
													[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?

Charmian	In each thing give him way; cross him in 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.

                              Enter ANTONY.

	But here comes 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
	Will not sustain it.

Antony						Now, my dearest queen-

Cleopatra	Pray you stand farther from me.

Antony								What's the matter?

Cleopatra	I know by that same eye there's some good news.
	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-

Cleopatra							O, never was there queen
	So mightily betrayed! Yet at the first
	I saw the treasons planted.

Antony								Cleopatra-

Cleopatra	Why should I think you can be mine, and true-
	Though you in swearing shake the thrond 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-

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
	But was a race of heaven. They are so still,
	Or thou, the greatest soldier of the world,
	Art turned the greatest liar.

Antony								How now, lady!

Cleopatra	I would I had thy inches; thou shouldst know
	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
	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 condemned Pompey,
	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,
	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.
													[Giving a letter.
	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
	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 th' advice. By the fire
	That quickens Nilus' slime, I go from hence
	Thy soldier-servant, making peace or war
	As thou affects.

Cleopatra						Cut my lace, Charmian, come.
	But let it be; I am quickly ill and well:
	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.
	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
	Like perfect honour.

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,
	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.
	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
	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,
	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
	Be strewed before your feet!

Antony										Let us go. Come.
	Our separation so abides and flies
	That thou, residing here, goes yet with me,
	And I, hence fleeting, here remain with thee.
	Away!
													[Exeunt.

