第3章
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  ToCLEOPATRA

  Othoudayo’theworld,Chainminearm’dneck;leapthou,attireandall,Throughproofofharnesstomyheart,andthereRideonthepantstriumphing!CLEOPATRALordoflords!

  Oinfinitevirtue,comestthousmilingfromTheworld’sgreatsnareuncaught?MARKANTONYMynightingale,Wehavebeatthemtotheirbeds。What,girl!

  thoughgreyDosomethingminglewithouryoungerbrown,yetha’weAbrainthatnourishesournerves,andcanGetgoalforgoalofyouth。Beholdthisman;

  Commenduntohislipsthyfavouringhand:

  Kissit,mywarrior:hehathfoughtto—dayAsifagod,inhateofmankind,hadDestroy’dinsuchashape。CLEOPATRAI’llgivethee,friend,Anarmourallofgold;itwasaking’s。MARKANTONYHehasdeservedit,wereitcarbuncledLikeholyPhoebus’car。Givemethyhand:

  ThroughAlexandriamakeajollymarch;

  Bearourhack’dtargetslikethementhatowethem:

  HadourgreatpalacethecapacityTocampthishost,weallwouldsuptogether,Anddrinkcarousestothenextday’sfate,Whichpromisesroyalperil。Trumpeters,Withbrazendinblastyouthecity’sear;

  Makeminglewithrattlingtabourines;

  Thatheavenandearthmaystriketheirsoundstogether,Applaudingourapproach。

  ExeuntSCENEIX。OCTAVIUSCAESAR’scamp。SentinelsattheirpostFirstSoldierIfwebenotrelievedwithinthishour,Wemustreturntothecourtofguard:thenightIsshiny;andtheysayweshallembattleBythesecondhouri’themorn。SecondSoldierThislastdaywasAshrewdoneto’s。

  EnterDOMITIUSENOBARBUSDOMITIUSENOBARBUSO,bearmewitness,night,——ThirdSoldierWhatmanisthis?SecondSoldierStandclose,andlisthim。DOMITIUSENOBARBUSBewitnesstome,Othoublessedmoon,WhenmenrevoltedshalluponrecordBearhatefulmemory,poorEnobarbusdidBeforethyfacerepent!FirstSoldierEnobarbus!ThirdSoldierPeace!

  Harkfurther。DOMITIUSENOBARBUSOsovereignmistressoftruemelancholy,Thepoisonousdampofnightdispongeuponme,Thatlife,averyrebeltomywill,Mayhangnolongeronme:throwmyheartAgainsttheflintandhardnessofmyfault:

  Which,beingdriedwithgrief,willbreaktopowder,Andfinishallfoulthoughts。OAntony,Noblerthanmyrevoltisinfamous,Forgivemeinthineownparticular;

  ButlettheworldrankmeinregisterAmaster—leaverandafugitive:

  OAntony!OAntony!

  DiesSecondSoldierLet’sspeakTohim。FirstSoldierLet’shearhim,forthethingshespeaksMayconcernCaesar。ThirdSoldierLet’sdoso。Buthesleeps。FirstSoldierSwoonsrather;forsobadaprayerashisWasneveryetforsleep。SecondSoldierGowetohim。ThirdSoldierAwake,sir,awake;speaktous。SecondSoldierHearyou,sir?FirstSoldierThehandofdeathhathraughthim。

  DrumsafaroffHark!thedrumsDemurelywakethesleepers。LetusbearhimTothecourtofguard;heisofnote:ourhourIsfullyout。ThirdSoldierComeon,then;

  Hemayrecoveryet。

  ExeuntwiththebodySCENEX。Betweenthetwocamps。EnterMARKANTONYandSCARUS,withtheirArmyMARKANTONYTheirpreparationisto—daybysea;

  Wepleasethemnotbyland。SCARUSForboth,mylord。MARKANTONYIwouldthey’ldfighti’thefireori’

  theair;

  We’ldfighttheretoo。Butthisitis;ourfootUponthehillsadjoiningtothecityShallstaywithus:orderforseaisgiven;

  TheyhaveputforththehavenWheretheirappointmentwemaybestdiscover,Andlookontheirendeavour。

  ExeuntSCENEXI。Anotherpartofthesame。EnterOCTAVIUSCAESAR,andhisArmyOCTAVIUSCAESARButbeingcharged,wewillbestillbyland,Which,asItake’t,weshall;forhisbestforceIsforthtomanhisgalleys。Tothevales,Andholdourbestadvantage。

  ExeuntSCENEXII。Anotherpartofthesame。EnterMARKANTONYandSCARUSMARKANTONYYettheyarenotjoin’d:whereyondpinedoesstand,Ishalldiscoverall:I’llbringtheewordStraight,how’tisliketogo。

  ExitSCARUSSwallowshavebuiltInCleopatra’ssailstheirnests:theaugurersSaytheyknownot,theycannottell;lookgrimly,Anddarenotspeaktheirknowledge。AntonyIsvaliant,anddejected;and,bystarts,Hisfrettedfortunesgivehimhope,andfear,Ofwhathehas,andhasnot。

  Alarumafaroff,asatasea—fightRe—enterMARKANTONYMARKANTONYAllislost;

  ThisfoulEgyptianhathbetrayedme:

  Myfleethathyieldedtothefoe;andyonderTheycasttheircapsupandcarousetogetherLikefriendslonglost。Triple—turn’dwhore!

  ’tisthouHastsoldmetothisnovice;andmyheartMakesonlywarsonthee。Bidthemallfly;

  ForwhenIamrevengeduponmycharm,Ihavedoneall。Bidthemallfly;begone。

  ExitSCARUS

  Osun,thyupriseshallIseenomore:

  FortuneandAntonyparthere;evenhereDoweshakehands。Allcometothis?TheheartsThatspaniel’dmeatheels,towhomIgaveTheirwishes,dodiscandy,melttheirsweetsOnblossomingCaesar;andthispineisbark’d,Thatovertopp’dthemall。Betray’dIam:

  OthisfalsesoulofEgypt!thisgravecharm,——

  Whoseeyebeck’dforthmywars,andcall’dthemhome;

  Whosebosomwasmycrownet,mychiefend,——

  Likearightgipsy,hath,atfastandloose,Beguiledmetotheveryheartofloss。

  What,Eros,Eros!

  EnterCLEOPATRA

  Ah,thouspell!Avaunt!CLEOPATRAWhyismylordenragedagainsthislove?MARKANTONYVanish,orIshallgivetheethydeserving,AndblemishCaesar’striumph。Lethimtakethee,Andhoisttheeuptotheshoutingplebeians:

  Followhischariot,likethegreatestspotOfallthysex;mostmonster—like,beshownForpoor’stdiminutives,fordoits;andletPatientOctaviaploughthyvisageupWithherpreparednails。

  ExitCLEOPATRA

  ’Tiswellthou’rtgone,Ifitbewelltolive;butbetter’twereThoufell’stintomyfury,foronedeathMighthavepreventedmany。Eros,ho!

  TheshirtofNessusisuponme:teachme,Alcides,thoumineancestor,thyrage:

  LetmelodgeLichasonthehornso’themoon;

  Andwiththosehands,thatgrasp’dtheheaviestclub,Subduemyworthiestself。Thewitchshalldie:

  TotheyoungRomanboyshehathsoldme,andIfallUnderthisplot;shediesfor’t。Eros,ho!

  ExitSCENEXIII。Alexandria。Cleopatra’spalace。EnterCLEOPATRA,CHARMIAN,IRAS,andMARDIANCLEOPATRAHelpme,mywomen!O,heismoremadThanTelamonforhisshield;theboarofThessalyWasneversoemboss’d。CHARMIANTothemonument!

  Therelockyourself,andsendhimwordyouaredead。

  ThesoulandbodyrivenotmoreinpartingThangreatnessgoingoff。CLEOPATRATothemonument!

  Mardian,gotellhimIhaveslainmyself;

  Say,thatthelastIspokewas’Antony,’

  Andwordit,prithee,piteously:hence,Mardian,Andbringmehowhetakesmydeath。

  Tothemonument!

  ExeuntSCENEXIV。Thesame。Anotherroom。EnterMARKANTONYandEROSMARKANTONYEros,thouyetbehold’stme?EROSAy,noblelord。MARKANTONYSometimesweseeacloudthat’sdragonish;

  Avapoursometimelikeabearorlion,Atower’dcitadel,apendentrock,Aforkedmountain,orbluepromontoryWithtreesupon’t,thatnoduntotheworld,Andmockoureyeswithair:thouhastseenthesesigns;

  Theyareblackvesper’spageants。EROSAy,mylord,MARKANTONYThatwhichisnowahorse,evenwithathoughtTherackdislimns,andmakesitindistinct,Aswaterisinwater。EROSItdoes,mylord。MARKANTONYMygoodknaveEros,nowthycaptainisEvensuchabody:hereIamAntony:

  Yetcannotholdthisvisibleshape,myknave。

  ImadethesewarsforEgypt:andthequeen,——

  WhoseheartIthoughtIhad,forshehadmine;

  Whichwhilstitwasminehadannex’dunto’tAmillionmore,nowlost,——she,Eros,hasPack’dcardswithCaesar,andfalse—play’dmygloryUntoanenemy’striumph。

  Nay,weepnot,gentleEros;thereisleftusOurselvestoendourselves。

  EnterMARDIAN

  O!thyvilelady!

  Shehasrobb’dmeofmysword。MARDIANNo,Antony;

  Mymistresslovedthee,andherfortunesmingledWiththineentirely。MARKANTONYHence,saucyeunuch;peace!

  Shehathbetray’dmeandshalldiethedeath。MARDIANDeathofonepersoncanbepaidbutonce,Andthatshehasdischarged:whatthouwouldstdoIsdoneuntothyhand:thelastshespakeWas’Antony!mostnobleAntony!’

  TheninthemidstatearinggroandidbreakThenameofAntony;itwasdividedBetweenherheartandlips:sherender’dlife,Thynamesoburiedinher。MARKANTONYDead,then?MARDIANDead。MARKANTONYUnarm,Eros;thelongday’staskisdone,Andwemustsleep。

  ToMARDIAN

  Thatthoudepart’sthencesafe,Doespaythylabourrichly;go。

  ExitMARDIAN

  Off,pluckoff:

  Theseven—foldshieldofAjaxcannotkeepThebatteryfrommyheart。O,cleave,mysides!

  Heart,oncebestrongerthanthycontinent,Crackthyfrailcase!Apace,Eros,apace。

  Nomoreasoldier:bruisedpieces,go;

  Youhavebeennoblyborne。Frommeawhile。

  ExitEROS

  Iwillo’ertakethee,Cleopatra,andWeepformypardon。Soitmustbe,fornowAlllengthistorture:sincethetorchisout,Liedown,andstraynofarther:nowalllabourMarswhatitdoes;yea,veryforceentanglesItselfwithstrength:sealthen,andallisdone。

  Eros!——Icome,myqueen:——Eros!——Stayforme:

  Wheresoulsdocouchonflowers,we’llhandinhand,Andwithoursprightlyportmaketheghostsgaze:

  DidoandherAEneasshallwanttroops,Andallthehauntbeours。Come,Eros,Eros!

  Re—enterEROSEROSWhatwouldmylord?MARKANTONYSinceCleopatradied,Ihavelivedinsuchdishonour,thatthegodsDetestmybaseness。I,thatwithmyswordQuarter’dtheworld,ando’ergreenNeptune’sbackWithshipsmadecities,condemnmyselftolackThecourageofawoman;lessnoblemindThanshewhichbyherdeathourCaesartells’Iamconquerorofmyself。’Thouartsworn,Eros,That,whentheexigentshouldcome,whichnowIscomeindeed,whenIshouldseebehindmeTheinevitableprosecutionofDisgraceandhorror,that,onmycommand,Thouthenwouldstkillme:do’t;thetimeiscome:

  Thoustrikestnotme,’tisCaesarthoudefeat’st。

  Putcolourinthycheek。EROSThegodswithholdme!

  ShallIdothatwhichalltheParthiandarts,Thoughenemy,lostaim,andcouldnot?MARKANTONYEros,Wouldstthoubewindow’dingreatRomeandseeThymasterthuswithpleach’darms,bendingdownHiscorrigibleneck,hisfacesubduedTopenetrativeshame,whilstthewheel’dseatOffortunateCaesar,drawnbeforehim,brandedHisbasenessthatensued?EROSIwouldnotsee’t。MARKANTONYCome,then;forwithawoundImustbecured。

  Drawthatthyhonestsword,whichthouhastwornMostusefulforthycountry。EROSO,sir,pardonme!MARKANTONYWhenIdidmaketheefree,sworestthounotthenTodothiswhenIbadethee?Doitatonce;

  OrthyprecedentservicesareallButaccidentsunpurposed。Draw,andcome。EROSTurnfromme,then,thatnoblecountenance,Whereintheworshipofthewholeworldlies。MARKANTONYLothee!

  TurningfromhimEROSMyswordisdrawn。MARKANTONYThenletitdoatonceThethingwhythouhastdrawnit。EROSMydearmaster,Mycaptain,andmyemperor,letmesay,BeforeIstrikethisbloodystroke,farewell。MARKANTONY’Tissaid,man;andfarewell。EROSFarewell,greatchief。ShallIstrikenow?MARKANTONYNow,Eros。EROSWhy,therethen:thusIdoescapethesorrowOfAntony’sdeath。

  KillshimselfMARKANTONYThrice—noblerthanmyself!

  Thouteachestme,OvaliantEros,whatIshould,andthoucouldstnot。MyqueenandErosHavebytheirbraveinstructiongotuponmeAnoblenessinrecord:butIwillbeAbridegroominmydeath,andruninto’tAstoalover’sbed。Come,then;and,Eros,Thymasterdiesthyscholar:todothusFallingonhisswordIlearn’dofthee。How!notdead?notdead?

  Theguard,ho!O,dispatchme!

  EnterDERCETASandGuardFirstGuardWhat’sthenoise?MARKANTONYIhavedonemyworkin,friends:O,makeanendOfwhatIhavebegun。SecondGuardThestarisfall’n。FirstGuardAndtimeisathisperiod。AllAlas,andwoe!MARKANTONYLethimthatlovesmestrikemedead。FirstGuardNotI。SecondGuardNorI。ThirdGuardNoranyone。

  ExeuntGuardDERCETASThydeathandfortunesbidthyfollowersfly。

  ThisswordbutshowntoCaesar,withthistidings,Shallentermewithhim。

  EnterDIOMEDESDIOMEDESWhere’sAntony?DERCETASThere,Diomedthere。DIOMEDESLiveshe?

  Wiltthounotanswer,man?

  ExitDERCETASMARKANTONYArtthouthere,Diomed?Drawthysword,andgivemeSufficingstrokesfordeath。DIOMEDESMostabsolutelord,MymistressCleopatrasentmetothee。MARKANTONYWhendidshesendthee?DIOMEDESNow,mylord。MARKANTONYWhereisshe?DIOMEDESLock’dinhermonument。ShehadaprophesyingfearOfwhathathcometopass:forwhenshesaw——

  Whichnevershallbefound——youdidsuspectShehaddisposedwithCaesar,andthatyourrageWouldnotbepurged,shesentyouwordshewasdead;

  But,fearingsincehowitmightwork,hathsentMetoproclaimthetruth;andIamcome,Idread,toolate。MARKANTONYToolate,goodDiomed:callmyguard,Iprithee。DIOMEDESWhat,ho,theemperor’sguard!Theguard,what,ho!

  Come,yourlordcalls!

  EnterfourorfiveoftheGuardofMARKANTONYMARKANTONYBearme,goodfriends,whereCleopatrabides;

  ’TisthelastservicethatIshallcommandyou。FirstGuardWoe,woearewe,sir,youmaynotlivetowearAllyourtruefollowersout。AllMostheavyday!MARKANTONYNay,goodmyfellows,donotpleasesharpfateTograceitwithyoursorrows:bidthatwelcomeWhichcomestopunishus,andwepunishitSeemingtobearitlightly。Takemeup:

  Ihaveledyouoft:carrymenow,goodfriends,Andhavemythanksforall。

  Exeunt,bearingMARKANTONYSCENEXV。Thesame。Amonument。EnterCLEOPATRAandhermaidsaloft,withCHARMIANandIRASCLEOPATRAOCharmian,Iwillnevergofromhence。CHARMIANBecomforted,dearmadam。CLEOPATRANo,Iwillnot:

  Allstrangeandterribleeventsarewelcome,Butcomfortswedespise;oursizeofsorrow,Proportion’dtoourcause,mustbeasgreatAsthatwhichmakesit。

  Enter,below,DIOMEDES

  Hownow!ishedead?DIOMEDESHisdeath’suponhim,butnotdead。

  Lookouto’theothersideyourmonument;

  Hisguardhavebroughthimthither。

  Enter,below,MARKANTONY,bornebytheGuardCLEOPATRAOsun,Burnthegreatspherethoumovestin!

  darklingstandThevaryingshoreo’theworld。OAntony,Antony,Antony!Help,Charmian,help,Iras,help;

  Help,friendsbelow;let’sdrawhimhither。MARKANTONYPeace!

  NotCaesar’svalourhatho’erthrownAntony,ButAntony’shathtriumph’donitself。CLEOPATRASoitshouldbe,thatnonebutAntonyShouldconquerAntony;butwoe’tisso!MARKANTONYIamdying,Egypt,dying;onlyIhereimportunedeathawhile,untilOfmanythousandkissesthepoorlastIlayupthylips。CLEOPATRAIdarenot,dear,——

  Dearmylord,pardon,——Idarenot,LestIbetaken:nottheimperiousshowOfthefull—fortunedCaesarevershallBebrooch’dwithme;ifknife,drugs,serpents,haveEdge,sting,oroperation,Iamsafe:

  YourwifeOctavia,withhermodesteyesAndstillconclusion,shallacquirenohonourDemuringuponme。Butcome,come,Antony,——

  Helpme,mywomen,——wemustdrawtheeup:

  Assist,goodfriends。MARKANTONYO,quick,orIamgone。CLEOPATRAHere’ssportindeed!Howheavyweighsmylord!

  Ourstrengthisallgoneintoheaviness,Thatmakestheweight:hadIgreatJuno’spower,Thestrong—wing’dMercuryshouldfetchtheeup,AndsettheebyJove’sside。Yetcomealittle,——

  Wisheswereeverfools,——O,come,come,come;

  TheyheaveMARKANTONYalofttoCLEOPATRA

  Andwelcome,welcome!diewherethouhastlived:

  Quickenwithkissing:hadmylipsthatpower,ThuswouldIwearthemout。AllAheavysight!MARKANTONYIamdying,Egypt,dying:

  Givemesomewine,andletmespeakalittle。CLEOPATRANo,letmespeak;andletmerailsohigh,ThatthefalsehousewifeFortunebreakherwheel,Provokedbymyoffence。MARKANTONYOneword,sweetqueen:

  OfCaesarseekyourhonour,withyoursafety。

  O!CLEOPATRATheydonotgotogether。MARKANTONYGentle,hearme:

  NoneaboutCaesartrustbutProculeius。CLEOPATRAMyresolutionandmyhandsI’lltrust;

  NoneaboutCaesar。MARKANTONYThemiserablechangenowatmyendLamentnorsorrowat;butpleaseyourthoughtsInfeedingthemwiththosemyformerfortunesWhereinIlived,thegreatestprinceo’theworld,Thenoblest;anddonownotbaselydie,NotcowardlyputoffmyhelmettoMycountryman,——aRomanbyaRomanValiantlyvanquish’d。Nowmyspiritisgoing;

  Icannomore。CLEOPATRANoblestofmen,woo’tdie?

  Hastthounocareofme?shallIabideInthisdullworld,whichinthyabsenceisNobetterthanasty?O,see,mywomen,MARKANTONYdiesThecrowno’theearthdothmelt。Mylord!

  O,wither’disthegarlandofthewar,Thesoldier’spoleisfall’n:youngboysandgirlsArelevelnowwithmen;theoddsisgone,AndthereisnothingleftremarkableBeneaththevisitingmoon。

  FaintsCHARMIANO,quietness,lady!IRASSheisdeadtoo,oursovereign。CHARMIANLady!IRASMadam!CHARMIANOmadam,madam,madam!IRASRoyalEgypt,Empress!CHARMIANPeace,peace,Iras!CLEOPATRANomore,bute’enawoman,andcommandedBysuchpoorpassionasthemaidthatmilksAnddoesthemeanestchares。ItwereformeTothrowmysceptreattheinjuriousgods;

  TotellthemthatthisworlddidequaltheirsTilltheyhadstol’nourjewel。All’sbutnaught;

  Patienceisscottish,andimpatiencedoesBecomeadogthat’smad:thenisitsinTorushintothesecrethouseofdeath,Eredeathdarecometous?Howdoyou,women?

  What,what!goodcheer!Why,hownow,Charmian!

  Mynoblegirls!Ah,women,women,look,Ourlampisspent,it’sout!Goodsirs,takeheart:

  We’llburyhim;andthen,what’sbrave,what’snoble,Let’sdoitafterthehighRomanfashion,Andmakedeathproudtotakeus。Come,away:

  Thiscaseofthathugespiritnowiscold:

  Ah,women,women!come;wehavenofriendButresolution,andthebriefestend。

  Exeunt;thoseabovebearingoffMARKANTONY’sbodyACTVSCENEI。Alexandria。OCTAVIUSCAESAR’scamp。EnterOCTAVIUSCAESAR,AGRIPPA,DOLABELLA,MECAENAS,GALLUS,PROCULEIUS,andothers,hiscouncilofwarOCTAVIUSCAESARGotohim,Dolabella,bidhimyield;

  Beingsofrustrate,tellhimhemocksThepausesthathemakes。DOLABELLACaesar,Ishall。

  ExitEnterDERCETAS,withtheswordofMARKANTONYOCTAVIUSCAESARWhereforeisthat?andwhatartthouthatdarestAppearthustous?DERCETASIamcall’dDercetas;

  MarkAntonyIserved,whobestwasworthyBesttobeserved:whilsthestoodupandspoke,Hewasmymaster;andIworemylifeTospenduponhishaters。IfthoupleaseTotakemetothee,asIwastohimI’llbetoCaesar;ifthoupleasestnot,Iyieldtheeupmylife。OCTAVIUSCAESARWhatis’tthousay’st?DERCETASIsay,OCaesar,Antonyisdead。OCTAVIUSCAESARThebreakingofsogreatathingshouldmakeAgreatercrack:theroundworldShouldhaveshooklionsintocivilstreets,Andcitizenstotheirdens:thedeathofAntonyIsnotasingledoom;inthenamelayAmoietyoftheworld。DERCETASHeisdead,Caesar:

  Notbyapublicministerofjustice,Norbyahiredknife;butthatselfhand,Whichwrithishonourintheactsitdid,Hath,withthecouragewhichtheheartdidlendit,Splittedtheheart。Thisishissword;

  Irobb’dhiswoundofit;beholditstain’dWithhismostnobleblood。OCTAVIUSCAESARLookyousad,friends?

  Thegodsrebukeme,butitistidingsTowashtheeyesofkings。AGRIPPAAndstrangeitis,ThatnaturemustcompelustolamentOurmostpersisteddeeds。MECAENASHistaintsandhonoursWagedequalwithhim。AGRIPPAArarerspiritneverDidsteerhumanity:butyou,gods,willgiveusSomefaultstomakeusmen。Caesaristouch’d。MECAENASWhensuchaspaciousmirror’ssetbeforehim,Heneedsmustseehimself。OCTAVIUSCAESAROAntony!

  Ihavefollow’dtheetothis;butwedolanceDiseasesinourbodies:ImustperforceHaveshowntotheesuchadecliningday,Orlookonthine;wecouldnotstalltogetherInthewholeworld:butyetletmelament,Withtearsassovereignasthebloodofhearts,Thatthou,mybrother,mycompetitorIntopofalldesign,mymateinempire,Friendandcompanioninthefrontofwar,Thearmofmineownbody,andtheheartWhereminehisthoughtsdidkindle,——thatourstars,Unreconciliable,shoulddivideOurequalnesstothis。Hearme,goodfriends——

  ButIwilltellyouatsomemeeterseason:

  EnteranEgyptianThebusinessofthismanlooksoutofhim;

  We’llhearhimwhathesays。Whenceareyou?EgyptianApoorEgyptianyet。Thequeenmymistress,Confinedinallshehas,hermonument,Ofthyintentsdesiresinstruction,ThatshepreparedlymayframeherselfTothewayshe’sforcedto。OCTAVIUSCAESARBidherhavegoodheart:

  Shesoonshallknowofus,bysomeofours,HowhonourableandhowkindlyweDetermineforher;forCaesarcannotliveTobeungentle。EgyptianSothegodspreservethee!

  ExitOCTAVIUSCAESARComehither,Proculeius。Goandsay,Wepurposehernoshame:giveherwhatcomfortsThequalityofherpassionshallrequire,Lest,inhergreatness,bysomemortalstrokeShedodefeatus;forherlifeinRomeWouldbeeternalinourtriumph:go,Andwithyourspeediestbringuswhatshesays,Andhowyoufindofher。PROCULEIUSCaesar,Ishall。

  ExitOCTAVIUSCAESARGallus,goyoualong。

  ExitGALLUS

  Where’sDolabella,TosecondProculeius?AllDolabella!OCTAVIUSCAESARLethimalone,forIremembernowHowhe’semploy’d:heshallintimebeready。

  Gowithmetomytent;whereyoushallseeHowhardlyIwasdrawnintothiswar;

  HowcalmandgentleIproceededstillInallmywritings:gowithme,andseeWhatIcanshowinthis。

  ExeuntSCENEII。Alexandria。Aroominthemonument。EnterCLEOPATRA,CHARMIAN,andIRASCLEOPATRAMydesolationdoesbegintomakeAbetterlife。’TispaltrytobeCaesar;

  NotbeingFortune,he’sbutFortune’sknave,Aministerofherwill:anditisgreatTodothatthingthatendsallotherdeeds;

  Whichshacklesaccidentsandboltsupchange;

  Whichsleeps,andneverpalatesmorethedug,Thebeggar’snurseandCaesar’s。

  Enter,tothegatesofthemonument,PROCULEIUS,GALLUSandSoldiersPROCULEIUSCaesarsendsgreetingtotheQueenofEgypt;

  AndbidstheestudyonwhatfairdemandsThoumean’sttohavehimgrantthee。CLEOPATRAWhat’sthyname?PROCULEIUSMynameisProculeius。CLEOPATRAAntonyDidtellmeofyou,bademetrustyou;butIdonotgreatlycaretobedeceived,Thathavenousefortrusting。IfyourmasterWouldhaveaqueenhisbeggar,youmusttellhim,Thatmajesty,tokeepdecorum,mustNolessbegthanakingdom:ifhepleaseTogivemeconquer’dEgyptformyson,Hegivesmesomuchofmineown,asI

  Willkneeltohimwiththanks。PROCULEIUSBeofgoodcheer;

  You’refall’nintoaprincelyhand,fearnothing:

  Makeyourfullreferencefreelytomylord,Whoissofullofgrace,thatitflowsoverOnallthatneed:letmereporttohimYoursweetdependency;andyoushallfindAconquerorthatwillprayinaidforkindness,Whereheforgraceiskneel’dto。CLEOPATRAPrayyou,tellhimIamhisfortune’svassal,andIsendhimThegreatnesshehasgot。IhourlylearnAdoctrineofobedience;andwouldgladlyLookhimi’theface。PROCULEIUSThisI’llreport,dearlady。

  Havecomfort,forIknowyourplightispitiedOfhimthatcausedit。GALLUSYouseehoweasilyshemaybesurprised:

  HerePROCULEIUSandtwooftheGuardascendthemonumentbyaladderplacedagainstawindow,and,havingdescended,comebehindCLEOPATRA。

  SomeoftheGuardunbarandopenthegatesToPROCULEIUSandtheGuardGuardhertillCaesarcome。

  ExitIRASRoyalqueen!CHARMIANOCleopatra!thouarttaken,queen:CLEOPATRAQuick,quick,goodhands。

  DrawingadaggerPROCULEIUSHold,worthylady,hold:

  SeizesanddisarmsherDonotyourselfsuchwrong,whoareinthisRelieved,butnotbetray’d。CLEOPATRAWhat,ofdeathtoo,Thatridsourdogsoflanguish?PROCULEIUSCleopatra,Donotabusemymaster’sbountybyTheundoingofyourself:lettheworldseeHisnoblenesswellacted,whichyourdeathWillneverletcomeforth。CLEOPATRAWhereartthou,death?

  Comehither,come!come,come,andtakeaqueenWorthymanybabesandbeggars!PROCULEIUSO,temperance,lady!CLEOPATRASir,Iwilleatnomeat,I’llnotdrink,sir;

  Ifidletalkwilloncebenecessary,I’llnotsleepneither:thismortalhouseI’llruin,DoCaesarwhathecan。Know,sir,thatI

  Willnotwaitpinion’datyourmaster’scourt;

  NoroncebechastisedwiththesobereyeOfdullOctavia。ShalltheyhoistmeupAndshowmetotheshoutingvarletryOfcensuringRome?RatheraditchinEgyptBegentlegraveuntome!ratheronNilus’mudLaymestarknaked,andletthewater—fliesBlowmeintoabhorring!rathermakeMycountry’shighpyramidesmygibbet,Andhangmeupinchains!PROCULEIUSYoudoextendThesethoughtsofhorrorfurtherthanyoushallFindcauseinCaesar。

  EnterDOLABELLADOLABELLAProculeius,WhatthouhastdonethymasterCaesarknows,Andhehathsentforthee:forthequeen,I’lltakehertomyguard。PROCULEIUSSo,Dolabella,Itshallcontentmebest:begentletoher。

  ToCLEOPATRA

  ToCaesarIwillspeakwhatyoushallplease,Ifyou’llemploymetohim。CLEOPATRASay,Iwoulddie。

  ExeuntPROCULEIUSandSoldiersDOLABELLAMostnobleempress,youhaveheardofme?CLEOPATRAIcannottell。DOLABELLAAssuredlyyouknowme。CLEOPATRANomatter,sir,whatIhaveheardorknown。

  Youlaughwhenboysorwomentelltheirdreams;

  Is’tnotyourtrick?DOLABELLAIunderstandnot,madam。CLEOPATRAIdream’dtherewasanEmperorAntony:

  O,suchanothersleep,thatImightseeButsuchanotherman!DOLABELLAIfitmightpleaseye,——CLEOPATRAHisfacewasastheheavens;andthereinstuckAsunandmoon,whichkepttheircourse,andlightedThelittleO,theearth。DOLABELLAMostsovereigncreature,——CLEOPATRAHislegsbestridtheocean:hisrear’darmCrestedtheworld:hisvoicewaspropertiedAsallthetunedspheres,andthattofriends;

  Butwhenhemeanttoquailandshaketheorb,Hewasasrattlingthunder。Forhisbounty,Therewasnowinterin’t;anautumn’twasThatgrewthemorebyreaping:hisdelightsWeredolphin—like;theyshow’dhisbackaboveTheelementtheylivedin:inhisliveryWalk’dcrownsandcrownets;realmsandislandswereAsplatesdropp’dfromhispocket。DOLABELLACleopatra!CLEOPATRAThinkyoutherewas,ormightbe,suchamanAsthisIdream’dof?DOLABELLAGentlemadam,no。CLEOPATRAYoulie,uptothehearingofthegods。

  But,iftherebe,oreverwere,onesuch,It’spastthesizeofdreaming:naturewantsstuffToviestrangeformswithfancy;yet,toimagineAndAntony,werenature’spiece’gainstfancy,Condemningshadowsquite。DOLABELLAHearme,goodmadam。

  Yourlossisasyourself,great;andyoubearitAsansweringtotheweight:wouldImightneverO’ertakepursuedsuccess,butIdofeel,Bythereboundofyours,agriefthatsmitesMyveryheartatroot。CLEOPATRAIthankyou,sir,KnowyouwhatCaesarmeanstodowithme?DOLABELLAIamloathtotellyouwhatIwouldyouknew。CLEOPATRANay,prayyou,sir,——DOLABELLAThoughhebehonourable,——CLEOPATRAHe’llleadme,then,intriumph?DOLABELLAMadam,hewill;Iknow’t。

  Flourish,andshoutwithin,’Makewaythere:OctaviusCaesar!’

  EnterOCTAVIUSCAESAR,GALLUS,PROCULEIUS,MECAENAS,SELEUCUS,andothersofhisTrainOCTAVIUSCAESARWhichistheQueenofEgypt?DOLABELLAItistheemperor,madam。

  CLEOPATRAkneelsOCTAVIUSCAESARArise,youshallnotkneel:

  Iprayyou,rise;rise,Egypt。CLEOPATRASir,thegodsWillhaveitthus;mymasterandmylordImustobey。OCTAVIUSCAESARTaketoyounohardthoughts:

  Therecordofwhatinjuriesyoudidus,Thoughwritteninourflesh,weshallrememberAsthingsbutdonebychance。CLEOPATRASolesiro’theworld,IcannotprojectmineowncausesowellTomakeitclear;butdoconfessIhaveBeenladenwithlikefrailtieswhichbeforeHaveoftenshamedoursex。OCTAVIUSCAESARCleopatra,know,Wewillextenuateratherthanenforce:

  Ifyouapplyyourselftoourintents,Whichtowardsyouaremostgentle,youshallfindAbenefitinthischange;butifyouseekTolayonmeacruelty,bytakingAntony’scourse,youshallbereaveyourselfOfmygoodpurposes,andputyourchildrenTothatdestructionwhichI’llguardthemfrom,Ifthereonyourely。I’lltakemyleave。CLEOPATRAAndmay,throughalltheworld:’tisyours;andwe,Yourscutcheonsandyoursignsofconquest,shallHanginwhatplaceyouplease。Here,mygoodlord。OCTAVIUSCAESARYoushalladvisemeinallforCleopatra。CLEOPATRAThisisthebriefofmoney,plate,andjewels,Iampossess’dof:’tisexactlyvalued;

  Notpettythingsadmitted。Where’sSeleucus?SELEUCUSHere,madam。CLEOPATRAThisismytreasurer:lethimspeak,mylord,Uponhisperil,thatIhavereservedTomyselfnothing。Speakthetruth,Seleucus。SELEUCUSMadam,Ihadrathersealmylips,than,tomyperil,Speakthatwhichisnot。CLEOPATRAWhathaveIkeptback?SELEUCUSEnoughtopurchasewhatyouhavemadeknown。OCTAVIUSCAESARNay,blushnot,Cleopatra;IapproveYourwisdominthedeed。CLEOPATRASee,Caesar!O,behold,Howpompisfollow’d!minewillnowbeyours;

  And,shouldweshiftestates,yourswouldbemine。

  TheingratitudeofthisSeleucusdoesEvenmakemewild:Oslave,ofnomoretrustThanlovethat’shired!What,goestthouback?

  thoushaltGoback,Iwarrantthee;butI’llcatchthineeyes,Thoughtheyhadwings:slave,soullessvillain,dog!

  Orarelybase!OCTAVIUSCAESARGoodqueen,letusentreatyou。CLEOPATRAOCaesar,whatawoundingshameisthis,Thatthou,vouchsafingheretovisitme,DoingthehonourofthylordlinessToonesomeek,thatmineownservantshouldParcelthesumofmydisgracesbyAdditionofhisenvy!Say,goodCaesar,ThatIsomeladytrifleshavereserved,Immomenttoys,thingsofsuchdignityAswegreetmodernfriendswithal;andsay,SomenoblertokenIhavekeptapartForLiviaandOctavia,toinduceTheirmediation;mustIbeunfoldedWithonethatIhavebred?Thegods!itsmitesmeBeneaththefallIhave。

  ToSELEUCUS

  Prithee,gohence;

  OrIshallshowthecindersofmyspiritsThroughtheashesofmychance:wertthouaman,Thouwouldsthavemercyonme。OCTAVIUSCAESARForbear,Seleucus。

  ExitSELEUCUSCLEOPATRABeitknown,thatwe,thegreatest,aremisthoughtForthingsthatothersdo;and,whenwefall,Weanswerothers’meritsinourname,Arethereforetobepitied。OCTAVIUSCAESARCleopatra,Notwhatyouhavereserved,norwhatacknowledged,Putwei’therollofconquest:stillbe’tyours,Bestowitatyourpleasure;andbelieve,Caesar’snomerchant,tomakeprizewithyouOfthingsthatmerchantssold。Thereforebecheer’d;

  Makenotyourthoughtsyourprisons:no,dearqueen;

  ForweintendsotodisposeyouasYourselfshallgiveuscounsel。Feed,andsleep:

  Ourcareandpityissomuchuponyou,Thatweremainyourfriend;andso,adieu。CLEOPATRAMymaster,andmylord!OCTAVIUSCAESARNotso。Adieu。

  Flourish。ExeuntOCTAVIUSCAESARandhistrainCLEOPATRAHewordsme,girls,hewordsme,thatIshouldnotBenobletomyself:but,harkthee,Charmian。

  WhispersCHARMIANIRASFinish,goodlady;thebrightdayisdone,Andweareforthedark。CLEOPATRAHietheeagain:

  Ihavespokealready,anditisprovided;

  Goputittothehaste。CHARMIANMadam,Iwill。

  Re—enterDOLABELLADOLABELLAWhereisthequeen?CHARMIANBehold,sir。

  ExitCLEOPATRADolabella!DOLABELLAMadam,astheretoswornbyyourcommand,Whichmylovemakesreligiontoobey,Itellyouthis:CaesarthroughSyriaIntendshisjourney;andwithinthreedaysYouwithyourchildrenwillhesendbefore:

  Makeyourbestuseofthis:Ihaveperform’dYourpleasureandmypromise。CLEOPATRADolabella,Ishallremainyourdebtor。DOLABELLAIyourservant,Adieu,goodqueen;ImustattendonCaesar。CLEOPATRAFarewell,andthanks。

  ExitDOLABELLA

  Now,Iras,whatthink’stthou?

  Thou,anEgyptianpuppet,shaltbeshownInRome,aswellasImechanicslavesWithgreasyaprons,rules,andhammers,shallUpliftustotheview;intheirthickbreaths,Rankofgrossdiet,shallbeenclouded,Andforcedtodrinktheirvapour。IRASThegodsforbid!CLEOPATRANay,’tismostcertain,Iras:saucylictorsWillcatchatus,likestrumpets;andscaldrhymersBalladusouto’tune:thequickcomediansExtemporallywillstageus,andpresentOurAlexandrianrevels;AntonyShallbebroughtdrunkenforth,andIshallseeSomesqueakingCleopatraboymygreatnessI’thepostureofawhore。IRASOthegoodgods!CLEOPATRANay,that’scertain。IRASI’llneversee’t;for,Iamsure,mynailsArestrongerthanmineeyes。CLEOPATRAWhy,that’sthewayTofooltheirpreparation,andtoconquerTheirmostabsurdintents。

  Re—enterCHARMIAN

  Now,Charmian!

  Showme,mywomen,likeaqueen:gofetchMybestattires:IamagainforCydnus,TomeetMarkAntony:sirrahIras,go。

  Now,nobleCharmian,we’lldispatchindeed;

  And,whenthouhastdonethischare,I’llgivetheeleaveToplaytilldoomsday。Bringourcrownandall。

  Wherefore’sthisnoise?

  ExitIRAS。AnoisewithinEnteraGuardsmanGuardHereisaruralfellowThatwillnotbedeniedyourhighnesspresence:

  Hebringsyoufigs。CLEOPATRALethimcomein。

  ExitGuardsmanWhatpooraninstrumentMaydoanobledeed!hebringsmeliberty。

  Myresolution’splaced,andIhavenothingOfwomaninme:nowfromheadtofootIammarble—constant;nowthefleetingmoonNoplanetisofmine。

  Re—enterGuardsman,withClownbringinginabasketGuardThisistheman。CLEOPATRAAvoid,andleavehim。

  ExitGuardsmanHastthoutheprettywormofNilusthere,Thatkillsandpainsnot?ClownTruly,Ihavehim:butIwouldnotbethepartythatshoulddesireyoutotouchhim,forhisbitingisimmortal;thosethatdodieofitdoseldomorneverrecover。CLEOPATRARememberestthouanythathavediedon’t?ClownVerymany,menandwomentoo。Iheardofoneofthemnolongerthanyesterday:averyhonestwoman,butsomethinggiventolie;asawomanshouldnotdo,butinthewayofhonesty:howshediedofthebitingofit,whatpainshefelt:truly,shemakesaverygoodreporto’theworm;buthethatwillbelieveallthattheysay,shallneverbesavedbyhalfthattheydo:butthisismostfallible,theworm’sanoddworm。CLEOPATRAGettheehence;farewell。ClownIwishyoualljoyoftheworm。

  SettingdownhisbasketCLEOPATRAFarewell。ClownYoumustthinkthis,lookyou,thatthewormwilldohiskind。CLEOPATRAAy,ay;farewell。ClownLookyou,thewormisnottobetrustedbutinthekeepingofwisepeople;for,indeed,thereisnogoodnessinworm。CLEOPATRATakethounocare;itshallbeheeded。ClownVerygood。Giveitnothing,Iprayyou,foritisnotworththefeeding。CLEOPATRAWilliteatme?ClownYoumustnotthinkIamsosimplebutIknowthedevilhimselfwillnoteatawoman:Iknowthatawomanisadishforthegods,ifthedevildresshernot。But,truly,thesesamewhoresondevilsdothegodsgreatharmintheirwomen;forineverytenthattheymake,thedevilsmarfive。CLEOPATRAWell,gettheegone;farewell。ClownYes,forsooth:Iwishyoujoyo’theworm。

  ExitRe—enterIRASwitharobe,crown,&cCLEOPATRAGivememyrobe,putonmycrown;IhaveImmortallongingsinme:nownomoreThejuiceofEgypt’sgrapeshallmoistthislip:

  Yare,yare,goodIras;quick。MethinksIhearAntonycall;IseehimrousehimselfTopraisemynobleact;IhearhimmockTheluckofCaesar,whichthegodsgivemenToexcusetheirafterwrath:husband,Icome:

  Nowtothatnamemycourageprovemytitle!

  Iamfireandair;myotherelementsIgivetobaserlife。So;haveyoudone?

  Comethen,andtakethelastwarmthofmylips。

  Farewell,kindCharmian;Iras,longfarewell。

  Kissesthem。IRASfallsanddiesHaveItheaspicinmylips?Dostfall?

  Ifthouandnaturecansogentlypart,Thestrokeofdeathisasalover’spinch,Whichhurts,andisdesired。Dostthouliestill?

  Ifthusthouvanishest,thoutell’sttheworldItisnotworthleave—taking。CHARMIANDissolve,thickcloud,andrain;thatImaysay,Thegodsthemselvesdoweep!CLEOPATRAThisprovesmebase:

  IfshefirstmeetthecurledAntony,He’llmakedemandofher,andspendthatkissWhichismyheaventohave。Come,thoumortalwretch,Toanasp,whichsheappliestoherbreastWiththysharpteeththisknotintrinsicateOflifeatonceuntie:poorvenomousfoolBeangry,anddispatch。O,couldstthouspeak,ThatImightheartheecallgreatCaesarassUnpolicied!CHARMIANOeasternstar!CLEOPATRAPeace,peace!

  Dostthounotseemybabyatmybreast,Thatsucksthenurseasleep?CHARMIANO,break!O,break!CLEOPATRAAssweetasbalm,assoftasair,asgentle,——

  OAntony!——Nay,Iwilltaketheetoo。

  ApplyinganotherasptoherarmWhatshouldIstay——

  DiesCHARMIANInthisvileworld?So,faretheewell。

  Nowboastthee,death,inthypossessionliesAlassunparallel’d。Downywindows,close;

  AndgoldenPhoebusneverbebeheldOfeyesagainsoroyal!Yourcrown’sawry;

  I’llmendit,andthenplay。

  EntertheGuard,rushinginFirstGuardWhereisthequeen?CHARMIANSpeaksoftly,wakehernot。FirstGuardCaesarhathsent——CHARMIANTooslowamessenger。

  AppliesanaspO,comeapace,dispatch!Ipartlyfeelthee。FirstGuardApproach,ho!All’snotwell:Caesar’sbeguiled。SecondGuardThere’sDolabellasentfromCaesar;callhim。FirstGuardWhatworkishere!Charmian,isthiswelldone?CHARMIANItiswelldone,andfittingforaprincessDescendedofsomanyroyalkings。

  Ah,soldier!

  DiesRe—enterDOLABELLADOLABELLAHowgoesithere?SecondGuardAlldead。DOLABELLACaesar,thythoughtsTouchtheireffectsinthis:thyselfartcomingToseeperform’dthedreadedactwhichthouSosought’sttohinder。

  Within’Awaythere,awayforCaesar!’

  Re—enterOCTAVIUSCAESARandallhistrainmarchingDOLABELLAOsir,youaretoosureanaugurer;

  Thatyoudidfearisdone。OCTAVIUSCAESARBravestatthelast,Shelevell’datourpurposes,and,beingroyal,Tookherownway。Themanneroftheirdeaths?

  Idonotseethembleed。DOLABELLAWhowaslastwiththem?FirstGuardAsimplecountryman,thatbroughtherfigs:

  Thiswashisbasket。OCTAVIUSCAESARPoison’d,then。FirstGuardOCaesar,ThisCharmianlivedbutnow;shestoodandspake:

  IfoundhertrimmingupthediademOnherdeadmistress;tremblinglyshestoodAndonthesuddendropp’d。OCTAVIUSCAESAROnobleweakness!

  Iftheyhadswallow’dpoison,’twouldappearByexternalswelling:butshelookslikesleep,AsshewouldcatchanotherAntonyInherstrongtoilofgrace。DOLABELLAHere,onherbreast,Thereisaventofbloodandsomethingblown:

  Thelikeisonherarm。FirstGuardThisisanaspic’strail:andthesefig—leavesHaveslimeuponthem,suchastheaspicleavesUponthecavesofNile。OCTAVIUSCAESARMostprobableThatsoshedied;forherphysiciantellsmeShehathpursuedconclusionsinfiniteOfeasywaystodie。Takeupherbed;

  Andbearherwomenfromthemonument:

  SheshallbeburiedbyherAntony:

  NograveupontheearthshallclipinitApairsofamous。HigheventsastheseStrikethosethatmakethem;andtheirstoryisNolessinpitythanhisglorywhichBroughtthemtobelamented。OurarmyshallInsolemnshowattendthisfuneral;

  AndthentoRome。Come,Dolabella,seeHighorderinthisgreatsolemnity。

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