Page:Works of Heinrich Heine 01.djvu/323

Rh once too good and too bad for this world. The most charming attractions are here the cause of the most repulsive frailties. With enchanting truth Shakespeare sketches even at the first appearance of Cleopatra the variegated fluttering spirit of caprice which is always rioting in the brain of the beautiful queen, which often jets and sprays in the most notable questions and fancies, and is perhaps really the basis of all her actions and behaviour. Nothing is more characteristic than the fifth scene of the first act, where she asks her maid for mandragora, so that this narcotic may fill up her time while Antony is gone. Then the devil teases her to call her eunuch Mardian. He humbly asks what his mistress requires. I will not hear singing, she says, for naught that an eunuch can do pleases me now ; but tell me, Dost ever feel passion ? "Hast thou affections?"
 * "Mar. Yes, gracious madam.


 * Cleo. Indeed?


 * Mar. Not in deed, madam, for I can do nothing

But what, in deed, is honest to be done :

Yet have I fierce affections, and think,

What Venus did with Mars.


 * Cleo. Charmian,

Where think'st thou he is now ? Stands he, or sits he?

Or does he walk? or is he on his horse ?

O happy horse, to bear the weight of Antony !

Do bravely, horse ! for wot'st thou whom thou mov'st?