Page 2449 - Shakespeare - Vol. 3

The gods confound thee, dost thou hold there still?

MESSENGER
Should I lie, madam?

CLEOPATRA
O, I would thou didst,
So half my Egypt were submerg’d and made
A cistern for scal’d snakes! Go get thee hence, [95]

Hadst thou Narcissus in thy face, to me
Thou wouldst appear most ugly. He is married?

MESSENGER
I crave your highness’ pardon.

CLEOPATRA
He is married?

MESSENGER
Take no offence that I would not offend you:

To punish me for what you make me do [100]
Seems much unequal: he’s married to Octavia.

CLEOPATRA
O that his fault should make a knave of thee,
That art not what th’art sure of. Get thee hence,
The merchandise which thou hast brought from Rome

Are all too dear for me: [105]
Lie they upon thy hand, and be undone by ’em!
(Exit Messenger.)

CHARMIAN
Good your highness, patience.

CLEOPATRA
In praising Antony, I have disprais’d Cæsar.