University of Virginia Library

SCEN. 1.

Cleopatra, Charmion.
Cleo.
I love him, but a Flame so much refin'd,
How bright soever, dazles not my mind:
For Virtue makes my inclination know
What Cæsars Mistress does to Pompey owe:
And none dares own a passion so sublime,
But she that scorn's the shadow of a crime:
I should but small respect to Cæsar pay,
To seek his love in an unhandsome way:

Char.
Can you love Cæsar, Madam, and advise
That Egypt should in Armes against him rise?
That they should Pompey against him protect,
And his Pharsalian Triumphs should be checkt,
Sure Love in you does little Empire shew,

Cleo.
This to their high extraction Princes shew,
That by th'assistance of their Royal Blood
Their Passions are more easily subdu'd.
Their honour still the Victory will have;
And whilst they trust themselves, they still are brave.
All the disorders which in Kings we see,
To others Counsels must imputed be.
This is the cause of Pompey's ruine Deem;
The King would help, but Photin murthers him.
Whose Counsel hath his Masters faith o'rethrown,
Which still had sway'd, had he observ'd his own.

Char.
You then who Cæsar love, and yet oppose.

Cleo.
The Love I cherish no dishonour knows,
But worthy him.

Char.
Are you of his secur'd?

Cleo.
I think I am.

Char.
But are you well assur'd?

Cleo.
Know that a Princess by her glory mov'd,
No Love confesses till she be belov'd.
Nor the most noble passion ever shows,
When it shall her to a Contempt expose.
At Rome I first did Cæsars Heart invade,
Where he the first expression of it made;
And ever since he did to me renew
The Tribute of his Vows and Laurels too.
He march'd through Italy, through Gaule and Spain,
With Love in's Breast, and fortune in his Train:
Nor did he ever make so brave a Prize,
But he pay'd Homage for it to these Eyes.
With the same hand, which did that weapon quit
With' Blood of Pompey's party reeking yet,
He writ complaints, and put my fetters on;
Ev'n in the Field, which he had newly won.
Yes from Pharsalia his submissions came:
And if his speed be equal to his flame,
Or rather, if the Sea befriend his Fleet,
Egypt shall see him shortly at my feet.
He comes, my Charmion and from me alone,
Seeks the reward of all that he hath done.
And all his glory to my Shrine he brings,
With the same hand which gives the Law to Kings.
So that, ev'n in his Triumphs, my disdain
Can make the Man that rules the World complain:

Char.
Yet I dare swear, your charmes a pow'r enjoy
Which though they boast of, they will ne're employ.
And the great Cæsar shall no trouble know,
If it can only from your rigour grow.
But what can you expect from Cæsars flames,
Wherein such right another Woman claims,
His freedom he by marriage hath resign'd,
And only to Calphurnia is confin'd.

Cleo.
But a Divorce, at Rome so common now,
May remove her, and my desires allow.
Cæsar's experience him to that may lead,
Since 'twas Calphurnia's Passage to his bed.

Char.
But the same way may you at length remove.

Cleo.
Perhaps I better shall secure his love,
Perhaps my passion may find out an Art
Better to manage that Illustrious Heart.
But let's to Heaven leave what may arrive,
And this Allyance (if we can) contrive.
Were it but one day, 'twere enough for me,
One day, the Mistress of the World to be.
I have Ambition, and bee't good or ill,
It is the only Sovereign of my Will.
And 'tis this Noble Passion, sure, or none,
A Princess may without a Blemish own.
But yet with Glory I would it enflame,
Nor would buy greatness with the loss of Fame,
For I the brightest Crown can scorn to touch,
When 'tis attended with the least Reproach.
Wonder not then, that I so much pursue
Pompey's defence, and would my Duty do.
His injur'd virtue, since I cannot right:
My secret Wishes must invoke his flight.
That some kind storm may so his Ships disperse,
As may preserve him from his Murtherers.
But faithful Achoreus comes, and he
Will quickly tell us Pompey's Destiny.