Dol. I am loath to tell you what I would you knew.
Cleo. Nay, pray you, sir,—
Dol. Though he be honourable,— 108
Cleo. He'll lead me then in triumph?
Dol. Madam, he will; I know 't. Flourish.
[Within] 'Make way there!—Cæsar!'
Enter Proculeius, Cæsar, Gallus, Mæcenas and Others of his Train.
Cæs. Which is the Queen of Egypt?
Dol. It is the emperor, madam. 112
Cleopatra kneels.
Cæs. Arise, you shall not kneel.
I pray you, rise; rise, Egypt.
Cleo. Sir, the gods
Will have it thus; my master and my lord
I must obey.
Cæs. Take to you no hard thoughts; 116
The record of what injuries you did us,
Though written in our flesh, we shall remember
As things but done by chance.
Cleo. Sole sir o' the world,
I cannot project mine own cause so well 120
To make it clear; but do confess I have
Been laden with like frailties which before
Have often sham'd our sex.
Cæs. Cleopatra, know,
We will extenuate rather than enforce: 124
If you apply yourself to our intents,—
Which towards you are most gentle,—you shall find
A benefit in this change; but if you seek
To lay on me a cruelty, by taking 128
120 project: exhibit
