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Show (44) Yet rH.^cf.WP^^n that harfh Theme proceed, In hope a new af r«>.m\>t may better fpeed ; And I'll believe.--.- *nh PTOLOMY. He cdmes, let me be gone, Left I fhould chance to draw his anger on ; M y prefence may inflame what 'twould make lefs, And you alone, may aft with more fuccefs. h S-CEN. III. Cafar, Cleopatra. Antonius, Lepidus, Charmion, Achorens, and Romans. CAESAR. T h e : C % now is quiet, Beauteous Queen, Which had alarm d with little reafon been; Nor need they fear the troublefom event Of Soldiers Prifle, orPeopfes Difcontent: But O great Gods J < when abfent from your Eyes, A gre^t'Tumult' did within m e rife ; ij W h e n thefe unwelcom Cares fnatcht m e from you, M y hfiffty ev n with m y Graudeur, angry grew ; And I m y own Renown began to hate, Since it my parting did ncceffitate : But I forgave all to the fingle Thought H o w much advantage to m y Love it brought: For 'tis to that, I owe the noble Hope Which to my Flame dees give fo fair a fcope, And pcx&ades dxfar that his Heart may prove Not utterly unworthy of your Love, And that he may pretend to that, fince he Nothing #bove him-* but tjie gods, can fee; Yes Qticen ; if in the World a M a n there were That with more glory could your fetters bear; Or if there were a Throne, wherein you; might By Conqi^erin^ its King, appear more bright, Lefs (45) Lefs for his Throne would I the M ? n purfue, Than to difpute the Right of ferving you. 'Twas to acquire that valuable Right, That m y ambitious A r m did always fight; And in Pharfalia rather m y Svyord drew To preferve that, than Pompey to fubdue. I Conquer'd, and the God of Battels, lefs Than your bright Eyes, afforded m e fuccefs. They rais'd m y Courage, and m y hand did fway, And I owe them that memorable day, As the eftecl: of heat by them infpir'd : For when your beauties had m y paffion fir'd, That a return might your great Soul become, They made m e Mafter of the World and Rome. I would ennoble that high ftile I wear, By the addition of your Prifoner, And fhall moft happy be, if you think fit That Title to efteem, and this permit. CLEOPATRA. I know how much I to m y fortune owe, Which this excefs of Honor does beftow. Nor will from you m y inward thoughts conceal; Since I know both, you, and m y felf fo well. Your I ove did in m y earlieft Youth appear And I m y Scepter as your Prefent wear , I twice received m y Kingdom from your Hand, And after that, can I your Love withftand ? No, Sir, m y Heart cannot refift your fiege, W h o fo much merit, and fo much oblige. But yet m y Birth, m y Rank, and the Command Which I have now regain'd in Egypts Land, The Scepter, by your Hand reftor'd to mine, Do all againft m y innocent Hopes combine; To m y defires injurious they have been, And leffen me, by making me a Queen: For if Rome ftill be as fhe was before, T' afcend a Throne, will but debafe m e more; Thefe Marks of Honor will be but m y Shame K k 2 And |
