University of Virginia Library

SCENE 2.

Cleopatra, Charmion, Cornelia, Philip.
Cleop.
I come not to disturb a grief so due
To that affliction which hath wounded you.
But those remains t'adore, which from the wave
A faithful freed-man did so lately save.
To mourn your fortune, Madam, and to swear,
You'd still enjoyd a man so justly Dear
If Heaven which does persecute you still,
Had made my Power equal to my will.
Yet if to what that Heaven sends you now
Your Grief can any Room for Joy allow:
If any sweetness in revenge there be,
Receive the certainty of yours from me.
The false Photinus—But you may have heard.

Cor.
Yes, Princess that he hath his Just reward.

Cleop.
Have you no comfort in that news discern'd?

Cor.
If there be any, you are most concern'd,

Cleop.
All hearts with Joy receive a wish'd Event.

Cor.
Our thoughts are, as our Int'rests, different.
Though Cæsar add Achillas Death, 'twill be
To you a satisfaction, not to me:
For nobler rites to Pompey's Ghost belong,
These are too mean to expiate his wrong.
No reparation by such Blood is made,
Either to my grief, or his injur'd shade,
And the Revenge which does my Soul enflame,
Till it hath Cæsar Ptolomy doth claim;
Who though so much unfit to reign or live,
Cæsar, I know, will for his safety strive.
But though his Love hath dar'd to promise it,
Yet juster Heaven dares it not permit.
And if the Gods an Ear to me afford,
They shall both perish by each others Sword.
Such an event would my Hearts grief destroy,
Which now is such a Stranger grown to Joy.
But if ye Gods think this too great a thing,
And but one fall, O let it be the King!

Cleop.
Heaven does not govern as our Wills direct.

Cor.
But Gods, what Causes promise will effect,
And do the guilty with revenge pursue.

Cleop.
As they have Justice, they have Mercy too.

Cor.
But we may judge, as here events have past,
They now the first will act and not the last.

Cleop.
Their Mercy oft does through their Justice break

Cor.
Queen, you, as Sister, I as Widow speak.
Each hath her Cause of kindnes and of hate,
And both concern'd in this Princes Fate.
But by the Blood which hath to day been shed,
We shall perceive whose vows have better sped.
Behold your Achoreus.