comfort, or delight, while base Photinus, Bond-man Achillas, and all other monsters That raign o’re Ptolomy, make that a Court, Where they reside, and this, where I, a Prison?  But there’s a Rome, a Senate, and a Caesar, (Though the great Pompey lean to Ptolomy) May think of Cleopatra.

  Ap. Pompey, Madam?

Cleo. What of him? speak:  if ill, Apollodorus, It is my happiness:  and for thy news Receive a favour (Kings have kneel’d in vain for) And kiss my hand.

  Ap. He’s lost.

  Cleo. Speak it again!

  Ap. His army routed:  he fled and pursu’d
  By the all-conquering Caesar.

  Cleo. Whither bends he?

  Ap. To Egypt.

  Cleo. Ha! in person?

  Ap. ’Tis receiv’d
  For an undoubted truth.

Cleo. I live again, And if assurance of my love, and beauty Deceive me not, I now shall find a Judge To do me right:  but how to free my self, And get access? the Guards are strong upon me, This door I must pass through. Apollodorus, Thou often hast profess’d (to do me service,) Thy life was not thine own.

Ap. I am not alter’d; And let your excellency propound a means, In which I may but give the least assistance, That may restore you, to that you were born to, (Though it call on the anger of the King, Or, (what’s more deadly) all his Minion Photinus can do to me) I, unmov’d, Offer my throat to serve you:  ever provided, It bear some probable shew to be effected.  To lose my self upon no ground, were madness, Not loyal duty.

Cleo. Stand off:  to thee alone, I will discover what I dare not trust My Sister with, Caesar is amorous, And taken more with the title of a Queen, Than feature or proportion, he lov’d Eunoe, A Moor, deformed too, I have heard, that brought No other object to inflame his blood, But that her Husband was a King, on both He did bestow rich presents; shall I then, That with a princely birth, bring beauty with me, That know to prize my self at mine own rate, Despair his favour? art thou mine?

  Ap. I am.

Cleo. I have found out a way shall bring me to him, Spight of Photinus watches; if I prosper, (As I am confident I shall) expect Things greater than thy wishes; though I purchase His grace with loss of my virginity, It skills not, if it bring home Majesty. [Exeunt.

ACTUS SECUNDUS.  SCENA PRIMA.

    Enter Septimius, with a head, Achillas, Guard.