CLEOPATRA. Hie thee again. I have spoke already, and it is provided. Go put it to the haste. CHARMIAN. Madam, I will. Enter Dolabella. DOLABELLA. Where’s the Queen? CHARMIAN. Behold, sir. [_Exit._] CLEOPATRA. Dolabella! DOLABELLA. Madam, as thereto sworn by your command, Which my love makes religion to obey, I tell you this: Caesar through Syria Intends his journey, and within three days You with your children will he send before. Make your best use of this. I have performed Your pleasure and my promise. CLEOPATRA. Dolabella, I shall remain your debtor. DOLABELLA. I your servant. Adieu, good queen. I must attend on Caesar. CLEOPATRA. Farewell, and thanks. [_Exit Dolabella._] Now, Iras, what think’st thou? Thou an Egyptian puppet shall be shown In Rome as well as I. Mechanic slaves With greasy aprons, rules, and hammers shall Uplift us to the view. In their thick breaths, Rank of gross diet, shall we be enclouded, And forced to drink their vapour. IRAS. The gods forbid! CLEOPATRA. Nay, ’tis most certain, Iras. Saucy lictors Will catch at us like strumpets, and scald rhymers Ballad us out o’ tune. The quick comedians Extemporally will stage us and present Our Alexandrian revels; Antony Shall be brought drunken forth, and I shall see Some squeaking Cleopatra boy my greatness I’ th’ posture of a whore. IRAS. O the good gods! CLEOPATRA. Nay, that’s certain. IRAS. I’ll never see’t, for I am sure mine nails Are stronger than mine eyes. CLEOPATRA. Why, that’s the way To fool their preparation and to conquer Their most absurd intents. Enter Charmian. 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. [_Exit Iras. A noise within._] Wherefore’s this noise? Enter a Guardsman. GUARDSMAN. Here is a rural fellow That will not be denied your highness’ presence. He brings you figs. CLEOPATRA. Let him come in. [_Exit Guardsman._] What poor an instrument May do a noble deed! He brings me liberty. My resolution’s placed, 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. Enter Guardsman and Clown with a basket. GUARDSMAN. This is the man. CLEOPATRA. Avoid, and leave him. [_Exit Guardsman._] Hast thou the pretty worm of Nilus there That kills and pains not? CLOWN. 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. CLEOPATRA. Remember’st thou any that have died on’t?