Cleopatra monologue (Act 4) — Caesar and Cleopatra

(_her fears returning_) Why do you say that, Caesar? Indeed, indeed, I am not hiding anything. You are wrong to treat me like this. (_She stifles a sob._) I am only a child; and you turn into stone because you think some one has been killed. I cannot bear it. (_She purposely breaks down and weeps. He looks at her with profound sadness and complete coldness. She looks up to see what effect she is producing. Seeing that he is unmoved, she sits up, pretending to struggle with her emotion and to put it bravely away._) But there: I know you hate tears: you shall not be troubled with them. I know you are not angry, but only sad; only I am so silly, I cannot help being hurt when you speak coldly. Of course you are quite right: it is dreadful to think of anyone being killed or even hurt; and I hope nothing really serious has-- (_Her voice dies away under his contemptuous penetration._)