Enter Charmian.
Now Charmian,
Show me, my women, like a queen; go fetch
My best attires; I am again for Cydnus,
To meet Mark Antony. Sirrah Iras, go. 228
Now, noble Charmian, we'll dispatch indeed;
And, when thou hast done this chare, I'll give thee leave
To play till doomsday. Bring our crown and all.
[Exit Iras.] A noise within.
Wherefore's this noise?
Enter a Guardsman.
Guard. Here is a rural fellow 232
That will not be denied your highness' presence:
He brings you figs.
Cleo. Let him come in. Exit Guardsman. What poor an instrument
May do a noble deed! he brings me liberty. 236
My resolution's plac'd, and I have nothing
Of woman in me; now from head to foot
I am marble-constant, now the fleeting moon
No planet is of mine.
Enter Guardsman and Clown [bringing in a basket].
Guard. This is the man. 240
Cleo. Avoid, and leave him. [Exit Guardsman.]
Hast thou the pretty worm of Nilus there,
That kills and pains not?
Clo. Truly, I have him; but I would not 244
be the party that should desire you to touch
him, for his biting is immortal; those that do
die of it do seldom or never recover.
241 Avoid: withdraw
