Messenger First, madam, he is well.
CLEOPATRA Why, there's more gold.
But, sirrah, mark, we use
To say the dead are well: bring it to that,
The gold I give thee will I melt and pour
Down thy ill-uttering throat.
Messenger Good madam, hear me.
CLEOPATRA Well, go to, I will;
But there's no goodness in thy face: if Antony
Be free and healthful,--so tart a favour
To trumpet such good tidings! If not well,
Thou shouldst come like a Fury crown'd with snakes,
Not like a formal man.
Messenger Will't please you hear me?
CLEOPATRA I have a mind to strike thee ere thou speak'st:
Yet if thou say Antony lives, is well,
Or friends with Caesar, or not captive to him,
I'll set thee in a shower of gold, and hail
Rich pearls upon thee.
Messenger Madam, he's well.
CLEOPATRA Well said.
Messenger And friends with Caesar.
CLEOPATRA Thou'rt an honest man.
Messenger Caesar and he are greater friends than ever.
CLEOPATRA Make thee a fortune from me.
Messenger But yet, madam,--
CLEOPATRA 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.
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