Page 2556 - Shakespeare - Vol. 3

I am loath to tell you what, I would you knew.

CLEOPATRA
Nay, pray you, sir, −

DOLABELLA
Though he be honourable, −

CLEOPATRA
He’ll lead me then in triumph.

DOLABELLA
Madam, he will, I know ’t. [110]
(Flourish and shout within, “Make way there: Cæsar!”)

Enter Proculeius, Cæsar, Gallus, Mæcenas, and others of his Train.

CÆSAR

Which is the Queen of Egypt?

DOLABELLA
It is the emperor, madam.
(Cleopatra kneels.)

CÆSAR
Arise, you shall not kneel:
I pray you, rise, rise, Egypt.

CLEOPATRA
Sir, the gods

Will have it thus, my master and my lord [115]
I must obey.

CÆSAR
Take to you no hard thoughts;
The record of what injuries you did us,

Though written in our flesh, we shall remember