Page:Antony and Cleopatra (1921) Yale.djvu/51

Antony and Cleopatra, II. v

Cleo. I have a mind to strike thee ere thou speak'st:

Yet, if thou say Antony lives, is well,

Or friends with Cæsar, or not captive to him,

I'll set thee in a shower of gold, and hail

Rich pearls upon thee.

Mess. Madam, he's well.

Cleo. Well said.

Mess. And friends with Cæsar.

Cleo. Thou'rt an honest man.

Mess. Cæsar and he are greater friends than ever.

Cleo. Make thee a fortune from me.

Mess. But yet, madam,—

Cleo. I do not like 'but yet,' it does allay

The good precedence; fie upon 'but yet !'

'But yet' is as a gaoler to bring forth

Some monstrous malefactor. Prithee, friend,

Pour out the pack of matter to mine ear,

The good and bad together. He's friends with Cæsar;

In state of health, thou sayst; and thou sayst, free.

Mess. Free, madam! no; I made no such report:

He's bound unto Octavia.

Cleo. For what good turn?

Mess. For the best turn i' the bed.

Cleo. I am pale, Charmian!

Mess. Madam, he's married to Octavia.

Cleo. The most infectious pestilence upon thee!

Strikes him down.

Mess. Good madam, patience.

Cleo. What say you? Hence,

 51 precedence: something said before

