ENOBARBUS. He needs as many, sir, as Caesar has, Or needs not us. If Caesar please, our master Will leap to be his friend. For us, you know Whose he is we are, and that is Caesar’s. 

 THIDIAS. So.— Thus then, thou most renowned: Caesar entreats Not to consider in what case thou stand’st Further than he is Caesar. 

 CLEOPATRA. Go on; right royal. 

 THIDIAS. He knows that you embrace not Antony As you did love, but as you feared him. 

 CLEOPATRA. O! 

 THIDIAS. The scars upon your honour, therefore, he Does pity as constrained blemishes, Not as deserved. 

 CLEOPATRA. He is a god and knows What is most right. Mine honour was not yielded, But conquered merely. 

 ENOBARBUS. [Aside.] To be sure of that, I will ask Antony. Sir, sir, thou art so leaky That we must leave thee to thy sinking, for Thy dearest quit thee. 

 [Exit Enobarbus.] 

Enobarbus

 THIDIAS. Shall I say to Caesar What you require of him? For he partly begs To be desired to give. It much would please him That of his fortunes you should make a staff To lean upon. But it would warm his spirits To hear from me you had left Antony, And put yourself under his shroud, The universal landlord. 

 CLEOPATRA. What’s your name? 

 THIDIAS. My name is Thidias. 

 CLEOPATRA. Most kind messenger, Say to great Caesar this in deputation: I kiss his conqu’ring hand. Tell him I am prompt To lay my crown at’s feet, and there to kneel. Tell him, from his all-obeying breath I hear The doom of Egypt. 

 THIDIAS. ’Tis your noblest course. Wisdom and fortune combating together, If that the former dare but what it can, No chance may shake it. Give me grace to lay My duty on your hand. 

 CLEOPATRA. Your Caesar’s father oft, When he hath mused of taking kingdoms in, Bestowed his lips on that unworthy place As it rained kisses. 

 Enter Antony and Enobarbus. 

Antony

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