SCENE III.
Alexandria. CLEOPATRA's palace.
Enter CLEOPATRA, CHARMIAN, IRAS, and ALEXASCLEOPATRA Where is the fellow?ALEXAS Half afeard to come.CLEOPATRA Go to, go to.ALEXAS Good majesty,CLEOPATRA That Herod's headMessenger Most gracious majesty,--CLEOPATRA Didst thou behold Octavia?Messenger Ay, dread queen.CLEOPATRA Where?Messenger Madam, in Rome;CLEOPATRA Is she as tall as me?Messenger She is not, madam.CLEOPATRA Didst hear her speak? is she shrill-tongued or low?Messenger Madam, I heard her speak; she is low-voiced.CLEOPATRA That's not so good: he cannot like her long.CHARMIAN Like her! O Isis! 'tis impossible.CLEOPATRA I think so, Charmian: dull of tongue, and dwarfish!Messenger She creeps:CLEOPATRA Is this certain?Messenger Or I have no observance.CHARMIAN Three in EgyptCLEOPATRA He's very knowing;CHARMIAN Excellent.CLEOPATRA Guess at her years, I prithee.Messenger Madam,CLEOPATRA Widow! Charmian, hark.Messenger And I do think she's thirty.CLEOPATRA Bear'st thou her face in mind? is't long or round?Messenger Round even to faultiness.CLEOPATRA For the most part, too, they are foolish that are so.Messenger Brown, madam: and her foreheadCLEOPATRA There's gold for thee.CHARMIAN A proper man.CLEOPATRA Indeed, he is so: I repent me muchCHARMIAN Nothing, madam.CLEOPATRA The man hath seen some majesty, and should know.CHARMIAN Hath he seen majesty? Isis else defend,CLEOPATRA I have one thing more to ask him yet, good Charmian:CHARMIAN I warrant you, madam. |