back to 3.2 skip to 3.4 Antony & Cleopatra Act 3, Scene 3 Enter Cleopatra, Charmian, Iras, and Alexas CleopatraWhere is the fellow? Alexas Half afeard to come. CleopatraGo 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. MessengerMost gracious majesty,— Cleopatra Didst thou behold Octavia? MessengerAy, 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. CleopatraIs she as tall as me? Messenger She is not, madam. CleopatraDidst hear her speak? is she shrill-tongued or low? MessengerMadam, I heard her speak; she is low-voiced. CleopatraThat’s not so good: he cannot like her long. CharmianLike her! O Isis! ‘tis impossible. CleopatraI 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? MessengerOr 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. CleopatraGuess at her years, I prithee. Messenger Madam, She was a widow,— Cleopatra Widow! Charmian, hark. MessengerAnd I do think she’s thirty. CleopatraBear’st thou her face in mind? is’t long or round? MessengerRound even to faultiness. CleopatraFor the most part, too, they are foolish that are so. Her hair, what colour? MessengerBrown, 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. CleopatraIndeed, 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. CleopatraThe man hath seen some majesty, and should know. CharmianHath he seen majesty? Isis else defend, And serving you so long! CleopatraI 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. CharmianI warrant you, madam. Exeunt Antony & Cleopatra Act 3, Scene 3