Page 2421 - Shakespeare - Vol. 3

Or murmuring,‘Where’s my serpent of old Nile?’ [25]
For so he calls me. Now I feed myself
With most delicious poison. Think on me,
That am with Phœbus’ amorous pinches black,

And wrinkled deep in time. Broad-fronted Cæsar,
When thou wast here above the ground, I was [30]
A morsel for a monarch: and great Pompey
Would stand and make his eyes grow in my brow,

There would he anchor his aspect, and die
With looking on his life.

Enter Alexas from Antony.

ALEXAS
Sovereign of Egypt, hail!

CLEOPATRA
How much unlike art thou Mark Antony! [35]

Yet coming from him, that great med’cine hath
With his tinct gilded thee.
How goes it with my brave Mark Antony?

ALEXAS
Last thing he did, dear queen,
He kiss’d − the last of many doubled kisses − [40]

This orient pearl. His speech sticks in my heart.

CLEOPATRA
Mine ear must pluck it thence.

ALEXAS
‘Good friend’, quoth he.
‘Say the firm Roman to great Egypt sends
This treasure of an oyster; at whose foot

To mend the petty present, I will piece [45]
Her opulent throne with kingdoms. All the east,
(Say thou) shall call her mistress’. So he nodded
And soberly did mount an arm-gaunt steed,