Which is my wretch,

heaven to have. Come, thou mortal

[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. Oh, 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.
Oh, break! Oh, break!
Cleo. As sweet as balm, as soft as air, as gentle.—
O Antony!-Nay, I will take thee too;

What should I stay

...

[Applying another Asp to her Arm. [Falls on a Bed, and dies. Char. In this vile 47 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.

48

Where is the Queen?

1 Guard.
Char. Speak softly, wake her not.
1 Guard. Cæsar hath sent ...
Char.

Too slow a messenger. [Applies the Asp. Oh, come! apace, despatch! I partly feel thee. 1 Guard. Approach, ho! All's not well. Cæsar'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!

[Dies.

Cæsar, thy thoughts

Touch their effects in this. Thyself art coming
To see perform'd the dreaded act, which thou
So sought'st to hinder.

Within.

A way there, a way for Cæsar!

Enter CASAR, and Attendants.

Dol. Oh! sir, you are too sure an augurer; That you did fear is done.

Cæs.

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

Dol.

Who was last with them?

1 Guard. A simple countryman, that brought her

figs;

This was his basket.

O Cæsar,

This Charmian lived but now; she stood, and spake.
I found her trimming up the diadem

On her dead mistress; tremblingly she stood,
And on the sudden dropp'd.

Cas.

O noble weakness!If they had swallow'd poison, 'twould appear By external swelling; but she looks like sleep, As she would catch another Antony

In her strong toil of grace.

Dol.

There is a vent of blood, and something blown.

The like is on her arm.

1 Guard.

Here, on her breast,

This is an aspic's trail,

And these fig-leaves have slime upon them, such as

The aspic leaves upon the caves of Nile.

Cas. Most probable,

That so she died; for her physician tells me,

She hath pursu'd conclusions infinite
Of easy ways to die.-Take up her bed;
And bear her women from the Monument.
She shall be buried by her Antony;
No grave upon the earth shall clip in it
A pair so famous. High events as these
Strike those that make them; and their story is
No less in pity, than his glory, which
Brought them to be lamented. Our army shall,
In solemn shew, attend this funeral;
And then to Rome.-Come, Dolabella, see
High order in this great solemnity.

[Exeunt.

ORIGINAL TEXT.

25. Gods, K.
26. His, K.
27. Comparisons.

28. Disputation.
29. The.

30. Smile.
31. Prays in.
32. Thine, K.
33. And, K.
34. Dissuade.
35. Oppression.
36. Guests.
37. Demurely, K.
38. Pannel'd.
39. Dolts.
40. In.
41. Leave.
42. Dug (?).
43. Antony.
44. His, K.
45. Suites.
46. The.
47. Wild.

23. Who, K.

24. Wrong led.

48. Away.

KING LEAR.

GONERIL,

REGAN, Daughters to Lear.
CORDELIA,

Knights attending on the King, Officers, Messengers,

Soldiers, and Attendants.

SCENE-Britain.