Part 66

CLEOPATRA.

How!

CÆSAR.

I do not use to wait, lady Where I am, all the doors are free and open.

CLEOPATRA.

I guess so by your rudeness.

CÆSAR.

You're not angry? Things of your tender mould should be most gentle. Why should you frown? Good gods, what a set anger Have you forc'd into your face! Come, I must temper you. What a coy smile was there, and a disdainful! How like an ominous flash it broke out from you! Defend me, love! Sweet, who has anger'd you?

CLEOPATRA.

Show him a glass! That false face has betray'd me-- That base heart wrong'd me!

CÆSAR.

Be more sweetly angry. I wrong'd you, fair?

CLEOPATRA.

Away with your foul flatteries; They are too gross! But that I dare be angry, And with as great a god as Cæsar is, To show how poorly I respect his memory I would not speak to you.

CÆSAR.

Pray you, undo this riddle, And tell me how I've vexed you.

CLEOPATRA.

Let me think first, Whether I may put on patience That will with honor suffer me. Know I hate you! Let that begin the story. Now I'll tell you.

CÆSAR.

But do it mildly: in a noble lady, Softness of spirit, and a sober nature, That moves like summer winds, cool, and blows sweetness, Shows blessed, like herself.

CLEOPATRA.

And that great blessedness. You first reap'd of me; till you taught my nature, Like a rude storm, to talk aloud and thunder, Sleep was not gentler than my soul, and stiller. You had the spring of my affections, And my fair fruits I gave you leave to taste of; You must expect the winter of mine anger. You flung me off--before the court disgraced me-- When in the pride I appear'd of all my beauty-- Appear'd your mistress; took unto your eyes The common strumpet, love of hated lucre,-- Courted with covetous heart the slave of nature,-- Gave all your thoughts to gold, that men of glory, And minds adorned with noble love, would kick at! Soldiers of royal mark scorn such base purchase; Beauty and honor are the marks they shoot at. I spake to you then, I courted you, and woo'd you, Called you dear Cæsar, hung about you tenderly, Was proud to appear your friend--

CÆSAR.

You have mistaken me.

CLEOPATRA.

But neither eye, nor favor, not a smile Was I blessed back withal, but shook off rudely, And as you had been sold to sordid infamy, You fell before the images of treasure, And in your soul you worship'd. I stood slighted; Forgotten, and contemned; my soft embraces, And those sweet kisses which you called Elysium As letters writ in sand, no more remember'd; The name and glory of your Cleopatra Laugh'd at, and made a story to your captains! Shall I endure?

CÆSAR.

You are deceived in all this; Upon my life you are; 'tis your much tenderness.