Page:Antony and Cleopatra (1921) Yale.djvu/139

Antony and Cleopatra, V. ii 

Now Charmian,

Show me, my women, like a queen; go fetch

My best attires; I am again for Cydnus,

To meet Mark Antony. Sirrah Iras, go.

Now, noble Charmian, we'll dispatch indeed;

And, when thou hast done this chare, I'll give thee leave

To play till doomsday. Bring our crown and all.

Wherefore's this noise?

Guard. Here is a rural fellow

That will not be denied your highness' presence:

He brings you figs.

Cleo. Let him come in. Exit Guardsman. What poor an instrument

May do a noble deed! he brings me liberty.

My resolution's plac'd, and I have nothing

Of woman in me; now from head to foot

I am marble-constant, now the fleeting moon

No planet is of mine.

Guard. This is the man.

Cleo. Avoid, and leave him. [Exit Guardsman.]

Hast thou the pretty worm of Nilus there,

That kills and pains not?

Clo. Truly, I have him; but I would not

be the party that should desire you to touch

him, for his biting is immortal; those that do

die of it do seldom or never recover.

 241 Avoid: withdraw

