Page 2559 - Shakespeare - Vol. 3

O Cæsar, what a wounding shame is this.
That thou vouchsafing here to visit me,
Doing the honour of thy lordliness [160]
To one so meek, that mine own servant should

Parcel the sum of my disgraces, by
Addition of his envy. Say, good Cæsar,
That I some lady trifles have reserv’d,
Immoment toys, things of such dignity [165]

As we greet modern friends withal, and say
Some nobler token I have kept apart
For Livia and Octavia, to induce
Their mediation, must I be unfolded

With one that I have bred? The gods! it smites me [170]
Beneath the fall I have. (To Seleucus.) Prithee go hence,
Or I shall show the cinders of my spirits
Through the ashes of my chance: wert thou a man,

Thou wouldst have mercy on me.

CÆSAR
Forbear, Seleucus.
(Exit Seleucus.)

CLEOPATRA
Be it known, that we, the greatest, are misthought [175]
For things that others do; and when we fall,

We answer others’ merits in our name,
Are therefore to be pitied.

CÆSAR
Cleopatra,
Not what you have reserv’d, nor what acknowledg’d,

Put we i’ the roll of conquest: still be ’t yours, [180]
Bestow it at your pleasure, and believe
Cæsar’s no merchant, to make prize with you
Of things that merchants sold. Therefore be cheer’d,
Make not your thoughts your prison: no, dear queen,

For we intend so to dispose you, as [185]
Yourself shall give us counsel: feed, and sleep: