Imatges de pàgina
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Immoment toys, things of such dignity

As we greet modern triends withal; and say,
Some nobler token I have kept apart

For Livia, and Octavia, to induce

Their mediation: must I be unfolded

Of one that I have bred? The gods! it smites me
Beneath the fall I have.-Wert thou a man,

Thou wouldst have mercy on me.

Oct. Forbear, Seleucus.

[Exit SELEUCUS.

Cleo. Be it known, that we, the greatest, are misthought

For things that others do; and, when we fall,

We answer others' merits: in our name

Are therefore to be pity'd.

Oct. Cleopatra,

Not what you have reserv'd, nor what acknowledg'd, Put we i' the roll of conquest: still be it

Bestow it at your pleasure; and believe,

yours,

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:
Our care and pity is so much upon you,
That we remain your friend; and so, adieu.
Cleo. My master, and my lord,→

Oct. Not so: Adieu.

[Exeunt CESAR, DOLABELLA, and Train.

Cleo. He words me, girls, he words me, that I should

not

Be noble to myself: But hark thee, Charmian.
Iras. Finish, good lady, the bright day is done,
And we are for the dark.

Cleo. Hie thee again :

I have spoke already, and it is provided;

Go, put it to the haste.

Char. Madam, I will.

[Going.

Enter DOLABELLA.

Dol. Where is the queen?

Char. Behold, sir.

Cleo. Dolabella?

[Exit,

Dol. Madam, as thereto sworn by your command, Which my love makes religion to obey,

I tell you this; Cæsar through Syria

Intends his journey; and, within three days,
You with your children will he send before:
Make your best use of this; I have perform'd
Your pleasure, and my promise.

Cleo. Dolabella,

I shall remain your debtor.
Dol. I your servant.

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

Thou, an Egyptian puppet, shalt be shown
In Rome, as well as I: 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 forc'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 rhimers Ballad us out o'tune: the quick comedians

Extemporally will stage us, and present

Our Alexandrian revels.

Iras. O the good gods.

Cleo. Nay, this is certain.

Iras. I'll never see't; 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 assur'd intents.-Now, Charmian?

Enter CHARMIAN.

fetch

Show me, my women, like a queen; go
My best attires;-I am again for Cydnus,

To meet Mark Antony:-Iras, go.

Now, noble Charmian, we'll despatch, indeed: And when thou hast done this chare, I'll give thee leave

To play till dooms-day.-Bring our crown and all. [Exit IRAS.-CHARMIAN falls to adjusting CLEOPATRA'S Dress.-Noise within.

Wherefore's this noise?

Enter some of the GUARD.

1 Guard. Here is a rural fellow,

That will not be deny'd your highness' presence;

He brings you figs.

Cleo. Let him come in. [Exeunt GUARD.] How poor an instrument

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

Enter GUARD, with the CLOWN..

1 Guard. This is the man.

Cleo. Avoid and leave him.

[Exit GUARD.

Hast thou the pretty worm of Nilus there,

That kills and pains not?

Cloun. 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 dy'd 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.

[Setting down his Basket.

Clown. You must think this, look you, that the worm will do his kind.

Cleo. 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 the worm.

Cleo. Take thou no care; it shall be heeded.

Clown. Very good: give it nothing, I pray you, for it is not worth the feeding.

Cleo. Well, get thee gone; farewell.

Clown. Yes, forsooth; I wish you joy of the worm.

Enter IRAS, with Robe, &c.

[Exit.

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:

[Goes to a Bed, or Sofa, which she ascends;
her Women compose her on it: IRAS sets the
Basket, which she has been holding upon her
own Arm, by her.

Now to that name my courage prove my title!

I am fire, and air; my other elements

t

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.
[Kissing them.

Have I the aspick 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.

IRAS falls.

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 mẹ base:

If she first meet the curled Antony,

He'll make demand of her.; and spend that kiss,
Which is my heaven to have.-Come, mortal wretch,
[To the Asp; applying it to her Breast.
With thy sharp teeth this knot intrinsicate

Of life at once untie: poor venomous fool,

[Stirring it. Be angry, and despatch. O, couldst thou speak! That I might hear thee call great Cæsar, ass, Unpolicy'd!

Char. O eastern star!

Cleo. 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

Enter some of the Guard.

1 Guard. Where is the queen ? Char. Speak softly, wake her not.

[Dies.

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