Enter (severally) Arsino, Eros, Cleopatra.

  Ars. We are lost.

  Eros.  Undone.

  Ars. Confusion, Fire, and Swords,
  And fury in the Souldiers face more horrid
  Circle us round.

  Eros.  The Kings Command they laugh at,
  And jeer at Caesars threats.

Ars. My Brother seiz’d on By the Roman, as thought guilty of the tumult, And forc’d to bear him company, as mark’d out For his protection or revenge.

  Eros.  They have broke
  Into my Cabinet; my Trunks are ransack’d.

Ars. I have lost my jewels too:  but that’s the least:  The barbarous Rascals, against all humanity, Or sense of pity, have kill’d my little Dog, And broke my Monkeys Chain.

  Eros.  They rifled me: 
  But that I could endure, would they proceed no further.

  Ars. O my Sister!

  Eros.  My Queen, my Mistress!

  Ars. Can you stand unmov’d
  When the Earth-quake of Rebellion shakes the City,
  And the Court trembles?

Cleo. Yes, Arsino, And with a Masculine Constancy deride Fortunes worst malice, as a Servant to My Vertues, not a Mistress; then we forsake The strong Fort of our selves, when we once yield, Or shrink at her assaults; I am still my self, And though disrob’d of Soveraignty, and ravish’d Of ceremonious duty, that attends it, Nay, grant they had slav’d my Body, my free mind Like to the Palm-tree walling fruitful Nile, Shall grow up straighter and enlarge it self ’Spight of the envious weight that loads it with:  Think of thy Birth (Arsino) common burdens Fit common Shoulders; teach the multitude By suffering nobly what they fear to touch at; The greatness of thy mind does soar a pitch, Their dim eyes (darkened by their narrow souls) Cannot arrive at.

Ars. I am new created, And owe this second being to you (best Sister) For now I feel you have infus’d into me Part of your fortitude.

Eros.  I still am fearful; I dare not tell a lie; you that were born Daughters and Sisters unto Kings, may nourish Great thoughts, which I, that am your humble handmaid Must not presume to rival.

Cleo. Yet (my Eros) Though thou hast profited nothing by observing The whole course of my life, learn in my death, Though not to equal, yet to imitate Thy fearless Mistress.

    Enter Photinus.

  Eros.  O, a man in Arms! 
  His Weapon drawn too?

  Cleo. Though upon the point
  Death sate, I’ll meet it, and outdare the danger.

  Pho. Keep the Watch strong, and guard the passage sure
  That leads unto the Sea.