Shakespeare Portal

Act 3, Scene 12

CAESAR'S camp in Egypt.

  1. [Enter CAESAR, DOLABELLA, THYREUS, with others.]
  2. Octavius Caesar
  3. 2037 Let him appear that's come from Antony.—
  4. 2038 Know you him?
  5. Dolabella
  6. 2039 Caesar, 'tis his schoolmaster:
  7. 2040 An argument that he is pluck'd, when hither
  8. 2041 He sends so poor a pinion of his wing,
  9. 2042 Which had superfluous kings for messengers
  10. 2043 Not many moons gone by.
  11. [Enter EUPHRONIUS.]
  12. Octavius Caesar
  13. 2044 Approach, and speak.
  14. Euphronius (the Ambassador)
  15. 2045 Such as I am, I come from Antony:
  16. 2046 I was of late as petty to his ends
  17. 2047 As is the morn-dew on the myrtle leaf
  18. 2048 To his grand sea.
  19. Octavius Caesar
  20. 2049 Be't so: declare thine office.
  21. Euphronius (the Ambassador)
  22. 2050 Lord of his fortunes he salutes thee, and
  23. 2051 Requires to live in Egypt: which not granted,
  24. 2052 He lessens his requests; and to thee sues
  25. 2053 To let him breathe between the heavens and earth,
  26. 2054 A private man in Athens: this for him.
  27. 2055 Next, Cleopatra does confess thy greatness;
  28. 2056 Submits her to thy might, and of thee craves
  29. 2057 The circle of the Ptolemies for her heirs,
  30. 2058 Now hazarded to thy grace.
  31. Octavius Caesar
  32. 2059 For Antony,
  33. 2060 I have no ears to his request. The queen
  34. 2061 Of audience nor desire shall fail; so she
  35. 2062 From Egypt drive her all-disgraced friend,
  36. 2063 Or take his life there: this if she perform,
  37. 2064 She shall not sue unheard. So to them both.
  38. Euphronius (the Ambassador)
  39. 2065 Fortune pursue thee!
  40. Octavius Caesar
  41. 2066 Bring him through the bands.
  42. [Exit EUPHRONIUS.]
  43. [To THYREUS.]
  44. Octavius Caesar
  45. 2067 To try thy eloquence, now 'tis time. Despatch;
  46. 2068 From Antony win Cleopatra. Promise,
  47. 2069 And in our name, what she requires; add more,
  48. 2070 From thine invention, offers: women are not
  49. 2071 In their best fortunes strong; but want will perjure
  50. 2072 The ne'er-touch'd vestal: try thy cunning, Thyreus;
  51. 2073 Make thine own edict for thy pains, which we
  52. 2074 Will answer as a law.
  53. Thyreus
  54. 2075 Caesar, I go.
  55. Octavius Caesar
  56. 2076 Observe how Antony becomes his flaw,
  57. 2077 And what thou think'st his very action speaks
  58. 2078 In every power that moves.
  59. Thyreus
  60. 2079 Caesar, I shall.
  61. [Exeunt.]