[Exeunt bearing Antony. SCENE XIII.-The same. A monument. Enter above, Cleopatra, Charmian, and Iras. Cleo. O Charmian, I will never go from hence. Char. Be comforted, dear madam. Cleo. No, I will not: All strange and terrible events are welcome, But comforts we despise; our size of sorrow, Proportion'd to our cause, must be as great

Enter Diomedes.

As that which makes it.-How now? is he dead?
Dio. His death's upon him, but not dead.
Look out o'the other side your monument,
His guard have brought him thither.

Enter Antony, borne by the Guard.

Cleo.
O thou sun,
Burn the great sphere thou mov'st in!—darklingi
stand

The varying shore o'the world!-0 Antony!
Antony, Antony !-Charmian, help; help, Iras;
Help, friends below; let's draw him hither.
Ant.

Not Cæsar's valour hath o'erthrown Antony,
But Antony's hath triumph'd on itself.

Cleo. So it should be, that none but Antony
Should conquer Antony; but wo 'tis so!
Ant. I am dying, Egypt, dying; only
I here importune death a while, until
Of many thousand kisses the poor last
I lay upon thy lips.-

Cleo.
I dare not, dear
(Dear my lord, pardon,) I dare not,
Lest I be taken: not the imperious show

Of the full-fortun'd Cæsar ever shall

Ant. The miserable change now at my end, Lament nor sorrow at: but please your thoughts, Wherein I liv'd, the greatest prince o'the world, In feeding them with those my former fortunes The noblest: and do now not basely die, Nor cowardly; put off my helmet to My countryman, a Roman, by a Roman Valiantly vanquish'd. Now, my spirit is going; I can no more. [Dies

Cleo.

Noblest of men, woo't die ?
Hast thou no care of me? shall Í abide

In this dull world, which in thy absence is
No better than a stye ?-O, see, my women,
The crown o'the earth doth melt:-My lord!-
O, wither'd is the garland of the war,

The soldier's pole is fallen; young boys, and girls,
Are level now with men: the odds is gone,
And there is nothing left remarkable
Beneath the visiting moon.

[She faints.
Char.
O, quietness, lady!
Iras. She is dead too, our sovereign.
Char.
Lady,-

Iras.

Char. O madam, madam, madam! Iras.

Peace:

Empress!

Be brooch'd' with me; if knife, drugs, serpents,

have

Edge, sting, or operation, I am safe:
Your wife Octavia, with her modest eyes,
And still conclusion,3 shall acquire no honour
Demuring upon me.-But come, come, Antony,-
Help me, my women,-we must draw thee up ;-
Assist good friends.

Ant.

O, quick, or I am gone. Cleo. Here's sport, indeed!-How heavy weighs my lord!

Our strength is all gone into heaviness,
That makes the weight: Had I great Juno's power,
The strong-wing'd Mercury should fetch thee up,
And set thee by Jove's side. Yet come a little,-
Wishers were ever fools ;-0, come, come, come;
[They draw Antony up.
And welcome, welcome! die where thou hast liv'd:
Quicken with kissing; had my lips that power,
Thus would I wear them out.

All.
A heavy sight!
Ant. I am dying, Egypt, dying:
Give me some wine, and let me speak a little.

Cleo. No, let me speak; and let me rail so high,
That the false house-wife Fortune break her wheel,
Provok'd by my offence.
Ant.

One word, sweet queen:

Char. Peace, peace, Iras.

Madam,

Royal Egypt!

Cleo. No more, but e'en a woman; and commanded

By such poor passion as the maid that milks,
And does the meanest chares.-It were for me
To throw my sceptre at the injurious gods;
To tell them that this world did equal theirs,
Till they had stolen our jewel. All's but naught;
Patience is sottish; and impatience does
Become a dog that's mad: Then is it sin,
To rush into the secret house of death,

Ere death dare come to us?-How do you, women? What, what? good cheer! Why, how now, Charmian?

My noble girls!-Ah, women, women! look,
Our lamp is spent, it's out :-Good sirs, take heart:-
[To the guard below.
We'll bury him: and then, what's brave, what's
noble,

Let's do it after the high Roman fashion,
And make death proud to take us. Come, away:
This case of that huge spirit now is cold.
Ah, women, women! come; we have no friend
But resolution, and the briefest end.

[Exeunt; those above bearing off An-
tony's body.

ACT V.

SCENE I-Caesar's camp before Alexandria. Enter Cæsar, Agrippa, Dolabella, Mæcenas, Gallus, Proculeius, and others.

Cæs. Go to him, Dolabella, bid him yield; Being so frustrate, tell him, he mocks us by The pauses that he makes.”

276

Dol.

Cæsar, I shall. [Exit Dolabella.

I have follow'd thee to this;-But we do lance
Diseases in our bodies: I must perforce
Have shown to thee such a declining day,
Or look on thine; we could not stall together
In the whole world: But yet let me lament,
With tears as sovereign as the blood of hearts,
That thou, my brother, my competitor
In top of all design, my mate in empire,
Friend and companion in the front of war,
The arm of mine own body, and the heart

To the way she's forc'd to.
Cas.
Bid her have good heart;
She soon shall know of us, by some of ours,
How honourable and how kindly we
Determine for her: for Cæsar cannot live
To be ungentle.

Mess.
So the gods preserve thee! [Exit.
Cas. Come hither, Proculeius; Go, and say,
We purpose her no shame: give her what comforts
The quality of her passion shall require;
Lest, in her greatness, by some mortal stroke
She do defeat us: for her life in Rome
Would be eternal in our triumph: Go,

Dolabella!

And, with your speediest, bring us what she says,
And how you find of her.
Pro.
Cæsar, I shall. [Exit Pro.
Cas. Gallus, go you along.-Where's Dolabella,
To second Proculeius?
[Exit Gallus.
4gr. Mac.
Cas. Let him alone, for I remember now
How he's employed; he shall in time be ready.
Go with me to my tent; where you shall see
How hardly I was drawn into this war;
How calm and gentle I proceeded still
In all my writings: Go with me, and see
What I can show in this.

[Exeunt.

SCENE II.-Alexandria. A room in the monu-
ment. Enter Cleopatra, Charmian, and Iras.
Cleo. My desolation does begin to make
A better life: 'Tis paltry to be Cæsar;
Not being fortune, he's but fortune's knave,2
A minister of her will; And it is great
To do that thing that ends all other deeds;
Which shackles accidents, and bolts up change;
Which sleeps, and never palates more the dung,
The beggar's nurse and Cæsar's.
Enter, to the gates of the monument, Proculeius,
Gallus, and Soldiers.

Pro. Cæsar sends greeting to the queen of

Egypt;

And bids thee study on what fair demands Thou mean'st to have him grant thee.

Cleo. [Within.]

Pro. My name is Proculeius. Cleo. [Within.]

What's thy name?

Antony

Did tell me of you, bade me trust you; but
I do not greatly care to be deceiv'd,
That have no use for trusting. If your master
Would have a queen his beggar, you must tell him,
That majesty, to keep decorum, must

No less beg than a kingdom: if he please
To give me conquer'd Egypt for my son,
He gives me so much of mine own, as I
Will kneel to him with thanks.
Pro.

Be of good cheer;

Make your full reference freely to my lord,
Who is so full of grace, that it flows over
On all that need: Let me report to him
Your sweet dependency; and you shall find
A conqueror, that will pray in aid for kindness,
Where he for grace is kneel'd to.
Cleo. [Within.]

Pray you, tell him
I am his fortune's vassal, and I send him
The greatness he has got. I hourly learn
A doctrine of obedience; and would gladly
Look him i'the face.

Pro.
This I'll report, dear lady.
Have comfort; for, I know, your plight is pitied
Of him that caus'd it.

Gal. You see how easily she may be surpris'd:

Cleo. And may, through all the world: 'tis yours;

and we

Your 'scutcheons, and your signs of conquest, shall
Hang in what place you please. Here, my good lord.
Cæs. You shall advise me in all for Cleopatra.
Cleo. This is the brief of money, plate, and jewels,
I am possess'd of: 'tis exactly valued;
Not petty things admitted.-Where's Seleucus?
Sel. Here, madam.

Cleo. This is my treasurer; let him speak, my lord. Upon his peril, that I have reserved

To myself nothing. Speak the truth, Seleucus.
Sel. Madam,

I had rather seel' my lips, than, to my peril,
Speak that which is not.

Cleo.

What have I kept back?

Sel. Enough to purchase what you have made

known.

Cas. Nay, blush not, Cleopatra; I approve Your wisdom in the deed.

Cleo. See, Cæsar! O, behold, How pomp is follow'd! mine will now be yours; And, should we shift estates, yours would be mine. The ingratitude of this Seleucus does

Even make me wild :-O slave, of no more trust Than love that's hir'd!-What, goest thou back? thou shalt

Go back, I warrant thee; but I'll catch thine eyes, Though they had wings: Slave, soul-less villain, dog!

O rarely base! Cas.

Good queen, let us entreat you.

Cleo. O Cæsar, what a wounding shame is this;
That, thou vouchsafing here to visit me,
Doing the honour of thy lordliness

To one so meek, that mine own servant should
Parcel the sum of my disgraces by
Addition of his envy! Say, good Cæsar,
That I some lady trifles have reserv'd,
Immoment toys of such dignity

G

As we greet modern friends withal; and say,
Some nobler token I have kept apart
For Livia, and Octavia, to induce
Their mediation; must I be unfolded
With one that I have bred? The gods! It smites me
Beneath the fall I have. Pr'ythee, go hence;
[To Seleucus.
Or I shall show the cinders' of my spirits
Through the ashes of my chance:-Wert thou a

Cæs.

Cleopatra,

Not what you have reserv'd nor what acknowledg'd,
Put we i'the roll of conquest: still be it yours,
Bestow it at your pleasure; and believe,
Cæsar's no merchant to make prize with you
Of things that merchants sold. Therefore be
cheer'd;

Make not your thoughts your prisons: no, dear queen;

For we intend so to dispose you, as
Yourself shall give us counsel. Feed, and sleep:

(1) Sew up. (2) Uncommonly. (3) Add to.
(4) Common. (5) Cæsar's wife.

(6) Caesar's sister. (7) Fire.

(8) Merits or demerits.

I your servant,

Adieu, good queen; I must attend on Cæsar.
Cleo. Farewell, and thanks. [Exit Dol.] Now,
Iras, what think'st thou?

Thou, an Egyptian puppet, shalt be shown
In Rome, as well as 1: mechanic slaves
With greasy aprons, rules, and hammers, shall
Uplift us to the view; in their thick breaths,
Rank of gross diet, shall we be enclouded,
And fore'd to drink their vapour.

Iras.
The gods forbid!
Cleo. Nay, 'tis most certain, Iras: Saucy lictors
Will catch at us, like strumpets; and scald rhymers
Ballad us out o'tune: the quick1o comedians
Extemporally will stage us, and present
Our Alexandrian revels; Antony

Shall be brought drunken forth, and I shall see
Some squeaking Cleopatra boy11 my greatness
I'the posture of a whore.

Iras.

O the good gods! Cleo. Nay, that is certain. Iras. I'll never see it; for, I am sure, my nails Are stronger than mine eyes.

Cleo.
Why, that's the way
To fool their preparation, and to conquer
Their most absurd intents.-Now, Charmian?-
Enter Charmian.

Show me, my women, like a queen;-Go fetch
To meet Mark Antony :-Sirrah, Iras, go.-
My best attires;-I am again for Cydnus,
Now, noble Charmian, we'll despatch indeed:
And, when thou hast done this chare, 12 I'll give theo
leave

To play till dooms-day.-Bring our crown and all.
Wherefore's this noise? [Ex. Iras. A noise within.
Enter one of the Guard.

Guard. Here is a rural fellow, That will not be denied your highness' presence; He brings you figs.

ment

[Exit Guard.
May do a noble deed! he brings me liberty.
My resolution's plac'd, and I have nothing
Of woman in me: Now from head to fool

I am marble-constant: now the fleeting' moon
No planet is of mine.

Re-enter Guard, with a Clown bringing a basket.
This is the man.

Guard.

Cleo. Avoid, and leave him. [Exit Guard. Hast thou the pretty worm2 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.

Cleo. Remember'st thou any that have died on't? Clown. Very many, men and women too. I heard of one of them no longer than yesterday: a very honest woman, but something given to lie; as a woman should not do, but in the way of honesty : how she died of the biting of it, what pain she felt, -Truly, she makes a very good report o'the worm: But he that will believe all that they say, shall never be saved by half that they do: But this is most fallible, the worm's an odd worm.

Cleo. Get thee hence; farewell.

Clown. I wish you all joy of the worm.

Cleo. Farewell. [Clown sets down the basket. Clown. You must think this, look you, that the worm will do his kind."

Re-enter Iras, with a robe, crown, &c. Cleo. Give me my robe, put on my crown; I have Immortal longings in me: Now no more The juice of Egypt's grape shall moist this lip :Yare, yare, good Iras; quick.-Methinks, I hear Antony call; I see him rouse himself To praise my noble act; I hear him mock The luck of Cæsar, which the gods give men To excuse their after wrath: Husband, I come; Now to that name my courage prove my title! I am fire, and air; my other elements I give to baser life.-So,-have you done? Come then, and take the last warmth of my lips. Farewell, kind Charmian ;-Iras, long farewell. [Kisses them. Iras falls and dies. Have I the aspic in my lips? Dost fall? If thou and nature can so gently part, The stroke of death is as a lover's pinch, Which hurts, and is desir'd. Dost thou lie still? If thus thou vanishest, thou tell'st the world It is not worth leave-taking.

Char. Dissolve, thick cloud, and rain; that I may say,

The gods themselves do weep!
Cleo.

This proves me base,
If she first meet the curl'd Antony,
He'll make demand of her; and spend that kiss,
Which is my heaven to have. Come, mortal wretch,
[To the 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 despatch. O, could'st thou speak!
That I might hear thee call great Cæsar, ass
Unpolicied!

Char. Cleo.

O eastern star!

Peace, peace! Dost thou not see my baby at my breast, That sucks the nurse asleep? Char. O, break! O, break! Cleo. As sweet as balm, as soft as air, as gentle,

O Antony!-Nay, I will take thee too :

[Applying another asp to her arm. What should I stay- [Falls on a bed, and dies. Char. In this wild world?-So, fare thee well.Now boast thee, death! in thy possession lies A lass unparallel'd.-Downy windows, close; And golden Phoebus never be beheld Of eyes again so royal! Your crown's awry ; I'll mend it, and then play.

Enter the Guard, rushing in. 1 Guard. Where is the queen? Char.

1 Guard. Cæsar hath sentChar.

Speak softly, wake her not.
Too slow a messenger.
[Applies the asp.
I partly feel thee.
All's not well: Cæ-

O, come; apace, despatch: 1 Guard. Approach, ho! sar's beguil'd.

2 Guard. There's Dolabella sent from Cæsar ;call him.

1 Guard. What work is here ?-Charmian, is this

well done,

Char. It is well done, and fitting for a princess Descended of so many royal kings. Ah, soldier !

Enter Dolabella.

Dol. How goes it here?
2 Guard.
Dol.

[Dies.

All dead. Cæsar, thy thoughts Touch their effects in this Thyself art coming To see perform'd the dreaded act, which thou So sought's to hinder. [Within.]

A way there, way for Cæsar! Enter Cæsar, and Attendants. Dol. O, sir, you are too sure an augurer; That you did fear, is done.

Cæs.

Bravest at the last: She levell'd at our purposes, and, being royal, Took her own way.-The manner of their deaths? I do not see them bleed. Dol.

1 Guard. A simple figs; This was his basket. Cæs.

1 Guard.

Who was last with them? countryman, that brought her

Poison'd then.

O Cæsar,

This Charmian liv'd but now; she stood, and spake :

I found her trimming up the diadem.