Egypt. Caesar's Camp.
 Enter CAESAR, AGRIPPA, DOLABELLA, and THIDIAS, with OTHERS.

Caesar	Let him appear that's come from Antony.
	Know you him?

Dolabella					Caesar, 'tis his schoolmaster;
	An argument that he is plucked, when hither
	He sends so poor a pinion of his wing,
	Which had superfluous kings for messengers
	Not many moons gone by.

                      Enter AMBASSADOR from Antony.

Caesar							Approach, and speak.

Ambassador	Such as I am, I come from Antony.
	I was of late as petty to his ends
	As is the morn-dew on the myrtle-leaf
	To his grand sea.

Caesar						Be't so. Declare thine office.

Ambassador	Lord of his fortunes he salutes thee, and
	Requires to live in Egypt; which not granted,
	He lessens his requests, and to thee sues
	To let him breathe between the heavens and earth,
	A private man in Athens: this for him.
	Next, Cleopatra does confess thy greatness,
	Submits her to thy might, and of thee craves
	The circle of the Ptolemies for her heirs,
	Now hazarded to thy grace.

Caesar									For Antony,
	I have no ears to his request. The queen
	Of audience nor desire shall fail, so she
	From Egypt drive her all-disgracd friend,
	Or take his life there. This if she perform,
	She shall not sue unheard. So to them both.

Ambassador	Fortune pursue thee!

Caesar							Bring him through the bands.
													[Exit AMBASSADOR.

	[To THIDIAS.] To try thy eloquence now 'tis time. Dispatch.
	From Antony win Cleopatra; promise,
	And in our name, what she requires; add more,
	As thine invention offers. Women are not
	In their best fortunes strong, but want will perjure
	The ne'er-touched vestal. Try thy cunning, Thidias;
	Make thine own edict for thy pains, which we
	Will answer as a law.

Thidias							Caesar, I go.

Caesar	Observe how Antony becomes his flaw,
	And what thou think'st his very action speaks
	In every power that moves.

Thidias									Caesar, I shall.
													[Exeunt.

