Into the abysm of hell. If he mislike
My speech and what is done, tell him he has 148
Hipparchus, my enfranched bondman, whom
He may at pleasure whip, or hang, or torture,
As he shall like, to quit me: urge it thou:
Hence with thy stripes; be gone! 152
Exit Thyreus.
Cleo. Have you done yet?
Ant. Alack! our terrene moon
Is now eclips'd; and it portends alone
The fall of Antony.
Cleo. I must stay his time.
Ant. To flatter Cæsar, would you mingle eyes 156
With one that ties his points?
Cleo. Not know me yet?
Ant. Cold-hearted toward me?
Cleo. Ah! dear, if I be so,
From my cold heart let heaven engender hail,
And poison it in the source; and the first stone 160
Drop in my neck: as it determines, so
Dissolve my life. The next Cæsarion smite,
Till by degrees the memory of my womb,
Together with my brave Egyptians all, 164
By the discandying of this pelleted storm,
Lie graveless, till the flies and gnats of Nile
Have buried them for prey!
Ant. I am satisfied.
Cæsar sits down in Alexandria, where 168
I will oppose his fate. Our force by land
Hath nobly held; our sever'd navy too
Have knit again, and fleet, threat'ning most sea-like.
149 enfranched: enfranchised
151 quit: be even with
153 terrene: terrestrial
157 points: laces
161 determines: comes to an end
165 discandying: dissolving
171 fleet: are afloat
