CHARMIAN. Madam, methinks, if you did love him dearly, You do not hold the method to enforce The like from him. 

 CLEOPATRA. What should I do I do not? 

 CHARMIAN. In each thing give him way; cross him in nothing. 

 CLEOPATRA. Thou teachest like a fool: the way to lose him. 

 CHARMIAN. Tempt him not so too far; I wish, forbear. In time we hate that which we often fear. But here comes Antony. 

 Enter Antony. 

Antony

 CLEOPATRA. I am sick and sullen. 

 ANTONY. I am sorry to give breathing to my purpose— 

 CLEOPATRA. Help me away, dear Charmian! I shall fall. It cannot be thus long; the sides of nature Will not sustain it. 

 ANTONY. Now, my dearest queen— 

 CLEOPATRA. Pray you, stand farther from me. 

 ANTONY. What’s the matter? 

 CLEOPATRA. I know by that same eye there’s some good news. What, says the married woman you may go? Would she had never given you leave to come! Let her not say ’tis I that keep you here. I have no power upon you; hers you are. 

 ANTONY. The gods best know— 

 CLEOPATRA. O, never was there queen So mightily betrayed! Yet at the first I saw the treasons planted. 

 ANTONY. Cleopatra— 

 CLEOPATRA. Why should I think you can be mine and true, Though you in swearing shake the throned gods, Who have been false to Fulvia? Riotous madness, To be entangled with those mouth-made vows Which break themselves in swearing! 

 ANTONY. Most sweet queen— 

 CLEOPATRA. Nay, pray you seek no colour for your going, But bid farewell and go. When you sued staying, Then was the time 

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