第3章

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。