CLEOPATRA
Hast thou the pretty worm of Nilus there,
That kills and pains not?
Clown
Truly, I have him: but I would not be the party
that should desire you to touch him, for his biting
is immortal; those that do die of it do seldom or
never recover....
CLEOPATRA
Ay, ay; farewell.
Clown
Look you, the worm is not to be trusted but in the
keeping of wise people; for, indeed, there is no
goodness in worm....
CLEOPATRA
Well, get thee gone; farewell.
Clown
Yes, forsooth: I wish you joy o' the worm....
Exit
CLEOPATRA
To an asp, which she applies to her breast
With thy sharp teeth this knot intrinsicate
Of life at once untie: poor venomous fool
Be angry, and dispatch. O, couldst thou speak,
That I might hear thee call great Caesar ass
Unpolicied!
CHARMIAN
O eastern star!
CLEOPATRA
Peace, peace!
Dost thou not see my baby at my breast,
That sucks the nurse asleep?
... the secret mysteries of Sabazius, as practiced among the Romans, involved a serpent, a chthonic creature ... "‘God in the bosom’ is a countersign of the mysteries of Sabazius to the adepts". Clement reports: "This is a snake, passed through the bosom of the initiates”.
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