Cleo. I am paid for 't now.108
Lead me from hence;
I faint. O Iras! Charmian! 'Tis no matter.
Go to the fellow, good Alexas; bid him
Report the feature of Octavia, her years,112
Her inclination, let him not leave out
The colour of her hair: bring me word quickly.
[Exit Alexas.]
Let him forever go:—let him not—Charmian!—
Though he be painted one way like a Gorgon,116
The other way's a Mars. [To Mardian.] Bid you Alexas
Bring me word how tall she is. Pity me, Charmian,
But do not speak to me. Lead me to my chamber.
Exeunt.
Scene Six
[Near Misenum]
Flourish. Enter Pompey [and Menas,] at one door,
with drum and trumpet; at another Cæsar, Lepidus,
Antony, Enobarbus, Mæcenas, with Soldiers
marching.
Pom. Your hostages I have, so have you mine;
And we shall talk before we fight.
Cæs. Most meet
That first we come to words, and therefore have we
Our written purposes before us sent;4
Which if thou hast consider'd, let us know
If 'twill tie up thy discontented sword,
And carry back to Sicily much tall youth
That else must perish here.
113 inclination: disposition
7 tall: sturdy