Antony and Cleopatra: Act 3, Scene 3

    tragedy

    Alexandria. CLEOPATRA's palace.

    Scene Summary

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    Cleopatra interviews the messenger from Rome again about Octavia's appearance. His answers — that she is low-voiced, short, her face round, her forehead low — satisfy her. She tips him generously.

    Enter CLEOPATRA, CHARMIAN, IRAS, and ALEXAS
    CLEOPATRA
    Where is the fellow?
    ALEXAS
    Half afeard to come.
    CLEOPATRA
    Go to, go to.
    Enter the Messenger as before
    Come hither, sir.
    ALEXAS
    Good majesty,
    Herod of Jewry dare not look upon you
    But when you are well pleased.
    CLEOPATRA
    That Herod's head
    I'll have: but how, when Antony is gone
    Through whom I might command it? Come thou near.
    Messenger
    Most gracious majesty,--
    CLEOPATRA
    Didst thou behold Octavia?
    Messenger
    Ay, dread queen.
    CLEOPATRA
    Where?
    Messenger
    Madam, in Rome;
    I look'd her in the face, and saw her led
    Between her brother and Mark Antony.
    CLEOPATRA
    Is she as tall as me?
    Messenger
    She is not, madam.
    CLEOPATRA
    Didst hear her speak? is she shrill-tongued or low?
    Messenger
    Madam, I heard her speak; she is low-voiced.
    CLEOPATRA
    That's not so good: he cannot like her long.
    CHARMIAN
    Like her! O Isis! 'tis impossible.
    CLEOPATRA
    I think so, Charmian: dull of tongue, and dwarfish!
    What majesty is in her gait? Remember,
    If e'er thou look'dst on majesty.
    Messenger
    She creeps:
    Her motion and her station are as one;
    She shows a body rather than a life,
    A statue than a breather.
    CLEOPATRA
    Is this certain?
    Messenger
    Or I have no observance.
    CHARMIAN
    Three in Egypt
    Cannot make better note.
    CLEOPATRA
    He's very knowing;
    I do perceive't: there's nothing in her yet:
    The fellow has good judgment.
    CHARMIAN
    Excellent.
    CLEOPATRA
    Guess at her years, I prithee.
    Messenger
    Madam,
    She was a widow,--
    CLEOPATRA
    Widow! Charmian, hark.
    Messenger
    And I do think she's thirty.
    CLEOPATRA
    Bear'st thou her face in mind? is't long or round?
    Messenger
    Round even to faultiness.
    CLEOPATRA
    For the most part, too, they are foolish that are so.
    Her hair, what colour?
    Messenger
    Brown, madam: and her forehead
    As low as she would wish it.
    CLEOPATRA
    There's gold for thee.
    Thou must not take my former sharpness ill:
    I will employ thee back again; I find thee
    Most fit for business: go make thee ready;
    Our letters are prepared.
    Exit Messenger
    CHARMIAN
    A proper man.
    CLEOPATRA
    Indeed, he is so: I repent me much
    That so I harried him. Why, methinks, by him,
    This creature's no such thing.
    CHARMIAN
    Nothing, madam.
    CLEOPATRA
    The man hath seen some majesty, and should know.
    CHARMIAN
    Hath he seen majesty? Isis else defend,
    And serving you so long!
    CLEOPATRA
    I have one thing more to ask him yet, good Charmian:
    But 'tis no matter; thou shalt bring him to me
    Where I will write. All may be well enough.
    CHARMIAN
    I warrant you, madam.
    Exeunt