I am call'd Dercetas; Mark Antony serv'd, who best was worthy Best to be serv'd: whilst he stood up and spoke, He was my master; and I wore my life, To spend upon his haters: If thou please To take me to thee, as I was to him I'll be to Cæsar; if thou pleasest not, I yield thee up my life. Cæs.

What is't thou say'st?

Der. I say, O Cæsar, Antony is dead. Cæs. The breaking of so great a thing should make A greater crack: The round world should have shook Lions into civil streets,

And citizens to their dens.-The death of Antony Is not a single doom; in the name lay

A moiety of the world.

Der.

He is dead, Cæsar;
Not by a public minister of justice,
Nor by a hired knife; but that self hand,
Which writ his honor in the acts it did,
Hath, with the courage which the heart did lend it,
Splitted the heart.-This is his sword;

I robb'd his wound of it; behold it stain'd
With his most noble blood.

Cæs.
Look you sad, friends?
The gods rebuke me, but it is a tidings
To wash the eyes of kings.
Agr.

And strange it is,
That nature must compel us to lament
Our most persisted deeds.
Mec.

Waged equal with him.
Agr.

His taints and honors

A rarer spirit never Did steer humanity: but you, gods, will give us Some faults to make us men. Cæsar is touch'd. Mec. When such a spacious mirror's set before him,

He needs must see himself.

Cæs.

O Antony!

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
Where mine his thoughts did kindle,-that our
stars,

Unreconciliable, should divide

Our equalness to this.-Hear me, good friends,But I will tell you at some meeter season;

Cæs. Come hither, Proculetus: Go, and say, The quality of her passion shall require: We purpose her no shame: give her what comforts Lest, in her greatness, by some mortal stroke She do defeat us: for her life in Rome Would be eternal in our triumph: Go, And, with your speediest, bring us what she says, And how you find of her.

Pro.

Dolabella!

Cæsar, I shall. [Erit PROCULEIUS. Cæs. Gallus, go you along.-Where's Dolabella, To second Proculeius! [Exit GALLUS Agr. Mec. Cæs. 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
Monument.

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,
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, PROCTLEIUS, 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

but

Did tell me of you, bade me trust you;
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;
You are fallen into a princely haud, fear nothing"
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.

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; [Here PROCULEIUS, and two of the Gar ascend the Monument by a Ladder floor against a Window, and having descende^ come behind CLEOPATRA. Some of the Gusht unbar and open the Gates. Guard her till Cæsar come.

[To PROCULEIUS and the Guard. Erit GALLUS.

Iras. Royal queen!

Char. O Cleopatra! thou art taken, queen!-Cleo. Quick, quick, good hands.

Bid her have good heart;

Pro.

She soon shall know of us, by some of ours,
How honorable and how kindly we
Determine for her: for Cæsar cannot live
To be ungentle.

Mess.

[Drawing a Dagstr

Hold, worthy lady, hold [Seizes and diserms her

Do not abuse my master's bounty, by
The undoing of yourself: let the world see
His nobleness well acted, which your death
Will never let come forth.
Cleo.
Where art thou, death?
Come hither, come! come, come, and take a queen
Worth many babes and beggars!

Pro.

O temperance, lady! Cleo. Sir, I will eat no meat, I'll not drink, sir; If idle talk will once be necessary,

I'll not sleep neither: This mortal house I'll ruin,
Do Cæsar what he can. Know, sir, that I

Will not wait pinion'd at your master's court;
Nor once be chastis'd with the sober eye
Of dull Octavia. Shall they hoist me up,
And show me to the shouting varletry9

Of censuring Rome? Rather a ditch in Egypt
Be gentle grave to me! rather on Nilus' mud
Lay me stark naked, and let the water-flies
Blow me into abhorring! rather make
My country's high pyramides my gibbet,
And hang me up in chains!
Pro.
These thoughts of horror further than you shall
Find cause in Cæsar.

Dol.

You do extend

Enter DOLABella.

Proculeius,

What thou hast done thy master Cæsar knows,
And he hath sent for thee: as for the queen,
I'll take her to my guard.

Pru.

If you'll employ me to him.

So, Dolabella,

It shall content me best: be gentle to her.To Cæsar I will speak what you shall please, [TO CLEOPATRA. Say, I would die. [Exeunt PROCULEIUS and Soldiers. Dol. Most noble empress, you have heard of me? Cleo. I cannot tell.

Cieu.

Dol.

Assuredly, you know me. Cleo. No matter, sir, what I have heard or known. You laugh, when boys, or women, tell their dreams, 1st not your trick? Dol.

I understand not, madam. Cleo. I dream'd, there was an emperor Antony;

0. such another sleep, that I might see
But such another man!

Dol.
If it might please you,-
Cleo. His face was as the heavens; and therem

stuck

A sun, and moon; which kept their course, and lighted

The little O, the earth. Dol.

Most sovereign creature,Cleo. His legs bestrid the ocean: his rear'd arm Crested the world: his voice was propertied As all the tuned spheres, and that to friends; But when he meant to quaill and shake the orb, He was as rattling thunder. For his bounty, There was no winter in't; an autumn 'twas, That grew the more by reaping: His delights Were dolphin-like; they show'd his back above The element they liv'd in: In his livery

Walk'd crowns, and crownets; realms and islands

were

As plates2 dropp'd from his pocket. Dol.

Cleopatra.

Cleo. Think you, there was, or might be, such

a man

As this I dream'd of?

Dol.

Gentle madam, no.

Cleo. You lie, up to the hearing of the gods. But, if there be, or ever were one such,

It's

past the size of dreaming: Nature wants stuff To vie strange forms with fancy; yet, to imagine An Antony, were nature's piece 'gainst fancy Condemning shadows quite.

Dol.

Hear me, good madam: Your loss is as yourself, great: and you bear it As answering to the weight: Would I might never Terake pursued success, but I do feel, By the rebound of yours, a grief that shoots My very heart at root.

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: No 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 reserv'd

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.

Cæs. 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 :-( slave, of no more trust
Than love that's hired!-What, goest thou back!
thou shalt

Go back, I warrant thee; but I'll catch thine eyes,
Though they had wings: Slave, soulless villain,dog!
O rarely base!
Cæs.
Good queen, let us entreat you.
Cleo. O Cæsar, what a wounding shame is this;
That thou, vouchsating here to visit me,
Doing the honor 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, things of such dignity
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;

Shape or form.

⚫ Silver money.

• Common.

I shall show the cinders of my spirits Through the ashes of my chance.-Wert thou a man,

Thou wouldst have mercy on me.
Cæs.

Forbear, Seleucus. [Exit SELEUCUs. leo. 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 pitied.

Cleopatra,

Cæs. 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:
Our care and pity is so much upon you,
That we remain your friend; And so, adieu.
Cleo. My master, and my lord!
Cæs.
Not so: Adieu.
[Exeunt CESAR and his Train.
Cleo. He words me, girls, he words me, that I
should not

Be noble to myself; but hark thee, Charmian.
[Whispers CHARMIAN.
Iras. Finish, good lady; the bright day is done,
And we are for the dark.

Cleo.

Hie thee again:

Behold, sir. [Exit CHARMIAN.
Dolabella?

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.
Dolabella,

Cleo.

I your servant.

I shall remain your debtor.
Dol.
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 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 fore'd to drink their vapor.
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 quick comedians
Extemporally will stage us, and present
Our Alexandrian revels; Antony

Shall be brought drunken forth, and I shall see
Some squeaking Cleopatra boy9 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
My best attires;-I am again for Cydnus,
To meet Mark Antony:-Sirrah, Iras, go.-
Now, noble Charmian, we'll despatch indeed:
And, when thou hast done this chare, I'll give thee

leave

That will not be denied your highness' presence; He brings you figs.

Cleo. Let him come in. How poor an instrument [Eru Guard May do a noble deed! he brings me liberty. My resolution's placed, 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.

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

Guard.

Cleo. Avoid, and leave him. [Exit Guara. 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.

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 pains she telt.Truly, she makes a very good report of 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.1

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 lipYare, yare, good Iras; quick.-Methiraks, 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 dien 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 curled 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, couldst thou speak! That I might hear thee call great Cæsar, ass Unpolicied!3

Char. Cleo.

O eastern star!

Act according to his nature. Unpolitic, to leave me to myself

Peace, peace!

• Make baste

Dost thou not see my baby at my breast,
That sucks the nurse asleep?
Char.
O, break! O, break!
Ceo. As sweet as balm, as soft as air, as gentle,
Antony-Nay, I will take thee too:-

[Applying another Asp to her Arm.
What should I stay- Fulls 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

Or eyes again so royal! Your crown's awry;
Fil mend it, and then play.

Enter the Guard, rushing in.

1 Guard. Where is the queen? Char.

Speak softly, wake her not. Too slow a messenger. [Applies the Asp. 0, come; apace, despatch: I partly feel thee. 1 Guard. Approach, ho! All's not well: Cæsar's

1 Guard. Cæsar hath sentChar.

beguild.

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.

This Charmian liv'd 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.

Cæs.

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.

Here, on her breast, There is a vent of blood, and something blown: The like is on her arm.

1 Guard. This is an aspic's trail: and these figleaves

Have slime upon them, such as the aspic leaves
Upon the caves of Nile.
Cæs.
Most probable,
That so she died; for her physician tells me,
She hath pursued conclusions infinite
Or 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 show, attend this funeral;
And then to Rome.-Come, Dolabella, see
High order in this great solemnity.

Graceful appearance.

[Exeunt.

Enfold.