The False One Part 5

_Caesar_. Offend no more: be gone.

_Sce._ I will, and leave ye, Leave ye to womens wars, that will proclaim ye: You'l conquer _Rome_ now, and the Capitol With Fans, and Looking-gla.s.ses, farewel Caesar.

_Cleo._ Now I am private Sir, I dare speak to ye: But thus low first, for as a G.o.d I honour ye.

_Sce._ Lower you'l be anon.

_Caesar_. Away.

_Sce._ And privater, For that you covet all. [_Exit._

_Caesar_. Tempt me no farther.

_Cleo._ Contemn me not, because I kneel thus, _Caesar_, I am a Queen, and coheir to this country, The Sister to the mighty _Ptolomy_, Yet one distress'd, that flyes unto thy justice, One that layes sacred hold on thy protection As on an holy Altar, to preserve me.

_Caesar_. Speak Queen of beauty, and stand up.

_Cleo._ I dare not, 'Till I have found that favour in thine eyes, That G.o.dlike great humanity to help me, Thus, to thy knees must I grow (sacred _Caesar_,) And if it be not in thy will, to right me, And raise me like a Queen from my sad ruines, If these soft tears cannot sink to thy pity, And waken with their murmurs thy compa.s.sions; Yet for thy n.o.bleness, for vertues sake, And if thou beest a man, for despis'd beauty, For honourable conquest, which thou doat'st on, Let not those cankers of this flouris.h.i.+ng Kingdom, _Photinus_, and _Achillas_, (the one an Eunuch, The other a base bondman) thus raign over me.

Seize my inheritance, and leave my Brother Nothing of what he should be, but the t.i.tle, As thou art wonder of the world.

_Caesar_. Stand up then And be a Queen, this hand shall give it to ye, Or choose a greater name, worthy my bounty: A common love makes Queens: choose to be wors.h.i.+pped, To be divinely great, and I dare promise it; A suitor of your sort, and blessed sweetness, That hath adventur'd thus to see great _Caesar_, Must never be denied, you have found a patron That dare not in his private honour suffer So great a blemish to the Heaven of beauty: The G.o.d of love would clap his angry wings, And from his singing bow let flye those arrows Headed with burning griefs, and pining sorrows, Should I neglect your cause, would make me monstrous, To whom and to your service I devote me.

_Enter_ Sceva.

_Cleo._ He is my conquest now, and so I'le work him, The conquerour of the world will I lead captive.

_Sce._ Still with this woman? tilting still with Babies?

As you are honest think the Enemy, Some valiant Foe indeed now charging on ye: Ready to break your ranks, and fling these--

_Caesar_. Hear me, But tell me true, if thou hadst such a treasure, (And as thou art a Souldier, do not flatter me) Such a bright gem, brought to thee, wouldst thou not Most greedily accept?

_Sce._ Not as an Emperour, A man that first should rule himself, then others; As a poor hungry Souldier, I might bite, Sir, Yet that's a weakness too: hear me, thou Tempter: And hear thou _Caesar_ too, for it concerns thee, And if thy flesh be deaf, yet let thine honour, The soul of a commander, give ear to me, Thou wanton bane of war, thou guilded Lethargy, In whose embraces, ease (the rust of Arms) And pleasure, (that makes Souldiers poor) inhabites.

_Caesar_. Fye, thou blasphem'st.

_Sce._ I do, when she is a G.o.ddess.

Thou melter of strong minds, dar'st thou presume To smother all his triumphs, with thy vanities, And tye him like a slave, to thy proud beauties?

To thy imperious looks? that Kings have follow'd Proud of their chains? have waited on? I shame Sir. [_Exit._

_Caesar_. Alas thou art rather mad: take thy rest _Sceva_, Thy duty makes thee erre, but I forgive thee: Go, go I say, shew me no disobedience: 'Tis well, farewel, the day will break dear Lady, My Souldiers will come in; please you retire, And think upon your servant.

_Cleo._ Pray you Sir, know me, And what I am.

_Caesar_. The greater, I more love ye, And you must know me too.

_Cleo._ So far as modesty, And majesty gives leave Sir, ye are too violent.

_Caesar_. You are too cold to my desires.

_Cleo._ Swear to me, And by your self (for I hold that oath sacred) You will right me as a Queen--

_Caesar_. These lips be witness, And if I break that oath--

_Cleo._ You make me blush Sir, And in that blush interpret me.

_Caesar_. I will do, Come let's go in, and blush again: this one word, You shall believe.

_Cleo._ I must, you are a conquerour. [_Exeunt._

ACTUS TERTIUS. SCENA PRIMA.

_Enter_ Ptolomy, Photinus.

_Pho._ Good Sir, but hear.

_Ptol._ No more, you have undone me, That, that I hourly fear'd, is fain upon me, And heavily, and deadly.

_Pho._ Hear a remedy.

_Ptol._ A remedy now the disease is ulcerous?

And has infected all? your secure negligence Has broke through all the hopes I have, and ruin'd me: My Sister is with _Caesar_, in his chamber, All night she has been with him; and no doubt Much to her honour.

_Pho._ Would that were the worst, Sir, That will repair it self: but I fear mainly, She has made her peace with _Caesar_.

_Ptol._ 'Tis most likely, And what am I then?

_Pho._ 'Plague upon that Rascal _Apollod[or]us_, under whose command, Under whose eye--

_Enter_ Achillas.

_Ptol._ Curse on you all, ye are wretches.

_Pho._ 'Twas providently done, _Achillas_.

_Achil._ Pardon me.

_Pho._ Your guards were rarely wise, and wondrous watchfull.

_Achil._ I could not help it, if my life had lain for't, Alas, who would suspect a pack of bedding, Or a small Truss of houshold furniture?

And as they said, for Caesars use: or who durst (Being for his private chamber) seek to stop it?

I was abus'd.

_Enter_ Ach.o.r.eus.

_Ach._ 'Tis no hour now for anger: No wisdom to debate with fruitless choler, Let us consider timely what we must do, Since she is flown to his protection, From whom we have no power to sever her, Nor force conditions--