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entering where the foremost squadrons yield, Begin the noble harvest of the field. [Exeunt.] Act II Scene I Enter CLEOPATRA, IRAS, and ALEXAS CLEOPATRA. What shall I do, or whither shall I turn? Ventidius has o'ercome, and he will go. ALEXAS. He goes to fight for you. CLEOPATRA. Then he would see me, ere he went to fight: Flatter me not: If once he goes, he's lost, And all my hopes destroyed. ALEXAS. Does this weak passion Become a mighty queen? CLEOPATRA. I am no queen: Is this to be a queen, to be besieged By yon insulting Roman, and to wait Each hour the victor's chain? These ills are small: For Antony is lost, and I can mourn For nothing else but him. Now come, Octavius, I have no more to lose! prepare thy bands; I'm fit to be a captive: Antony Has taught my mind the fortune of a slave. IRAS. Call reason to assist you. CLEOPATRA. I have none, And none would have: My love's a noble madness, Which shows the cause deserved it. Moderate sorrow Fits vulgar love, and for a vulgar man: But I have loved with such transcendent passion, I soared, at first, quite out of reason's view, And now am lost above it. No, I'm proud 'Tis thus: Would Antony could see me now Think you he would not sigh, though he must leave me? Sure he would sigh; for he is noble-natured, And bears a tender heart: I know him well. Ah, no, I know him not; I knew him once, But now 'tis past. IRAS. Let it be past with you: Forget him, madam. CLEOPATRA. Never, never, Iras. He once was mine; and once, though now 'tis gone, Leaves a faint image of possession still. ALEXAS. Think him inconstant, cruel, and ungrateful. CLEOPATRA. I cannot: If I could, those thoughts were vain. Faithless, ungrateful, cruel, though he be, I still must love him. Enter CHARMION Now, what news, my Charmion? Will he be kind? and will he not forsake me? Am I to live, or die?--nay, do I live? Or am I dead? for when he gave his answer, Fate took the word, and then I lived or died. CHARMION. I found him, madam-- CLEOPATRA. A long speech preparing? If thou bring'st comfort, haste, and give it me, For never was more need. IRAS. I know he loves you. CLEOPATRA. Had he been kind, her eyes had told me so, Before her tongue could speak it: Now she studies, To soft
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