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What is't thou say'st? Der. I say, O Cæsar, Antony is dead. Cas. The breaking of so great a thing should make A greater crack: The round world should have

shook

Lions into civil streets,

To the way she's forced to.
Cœs.
Bid her have good heart;
She soon shall know of us, by some of ours,
How honourable and how kindly we
Determine for her: for Cæsar cannot live
To be ungentle.

Mess. So the gods preserve thee! [Exit.
Cas. Come hither, Proculeius; Go, and say,
We purpose her no shame: give her what comforts
Lest, in her greatness, by some mortal stroke
The quality of her passion shall require;

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.

Cæsar, I shall. [Exit Pro.
Cas. Gallus, go you along.-Where's Dolabella,
To second Proculeius?
[Exit Gallus.
Agr. Mac.

Dolabella!

Caes. 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

And citizens to their dens :-The death of Antony How hardly I was drawn into this war;

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 honour 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.
Mac.

Waged equal with him.

Agr.

His taints and honours

A rarer spirit never

Did steer humanity: but you, gods, will give us Some faults to make us men. Cæsar is touch'd.

Mac. When such a spacious mirror's set before him,

He needs must see himself.

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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

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 monu-
ment. 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, Proculeius,
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

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Antony

Did tell me of you, bade me trust you; but

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;

Where mine his thoughts did kindle,-that our You are fallen into a princely hand, fear nothing:

stars,

Unreconciliable, should divide

Make your full reference freely to my lord, Who is so full of grace, that it flows over

Our equalness to this.-Hear me, good friends,On all that need: Let me report to him

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What, of death too,

Cleopatra,

That rids our dogs of languish?
Pro.

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 varletry?
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
Find cause in Cæsar.

Dol.

||

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 quail3 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

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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 O'ertake pursu'd success, but I do feel, By the rebound of yours, a grief that shoots My very heart at root.

Cleo.
I thank you, sir.
Know you, what Cæsar means to do with me?
Dol. I am loath to tell you what I would you
knew.

Cleo. Nay, pray you, sir,—
Dol.
Though he be honourable,-
Cleo. He'll lead me then in triumph?
Dol.

I know it.

Madam, he will;

Within. Make way there,-Cæsar.

Enter Cæsar, Gallus, Proculeius, Mæcenas, Seleucus, and Attendants.

You do extend

you

shall

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Which is the queen

'Tis the emperor, madam. [Cleo. kneels.

You shall not kneel :

Arise,

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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.

Pro.

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. Dol.

If you'll employ me to him.
Cleo.

Assuredly, you know me.
Cleo. No matter, sir, what I have heard, or known.
You laugh, when boys, or women, tell their dreams;
Is't not your trick?
Dol.
I understand not, madam.
Cleo. I dream'd, there was an emperor Antony;-
O, 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 therein
stuck

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

The little Ö, the earth.

(1) Bound, confined. (2) Rabble. (3) Crush.

Will have it thus; my master and my lord

I must obey.

Cæs. Take to you no hard thoughts: The record of what injuries you did us, Though written in our flesh, we shall remember As things but done by chance. Cleo. Sole sir o'the world, I cannot projects mine own cause so well To make it clear; but do confess, I have Been laden with like frailties, which before Have often sham'd our sex. Cæs. Cleopatra, know, We will extenuate rather than enforce: If you apply yourself to our intents (Which towards you are most gentle,) you shall

find

A benefit in this change; but if you seek
To lay on me a cruelty, by taking
Antony's course, you shall bereave yourself
Of my good purposes, and put your children
To that destruction which I'll guard them from,
If thereon you rely. I'll take my leave.

(4) Silver money. (5) Shape or form.

Cleo. And may, through all the world: 'tis | Our care and pity is so much upon you,

yours; and we

Your 'scutcheons, and your signs of conquest, shall
Hang in what place you please. Here, my good lord.
Cas. 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;
Not 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.

Cas. Nay, blush not, Cleopatra ; I approve
Your wisdom in the deed.

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O rarely2 base! Cas.

Good queen, let us entreat you.
Cleo. O Cæsar, what a wounding shame is this;
That, thou vouchsafing here to visit me,
Doing the honour of thy lordliness

To one so meek, that mine own servant should
Parcels 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,6 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;
[To Seleucus.
Or I shall show the cinders? of my spirits
Through the ashes of my chance:-Wert thou a

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Cleopatra,

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,
Caesar'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:

(1) Sew up. (2) Uncommonly. (3) Add to.
(4) Common. (5) Cæsar's wife.
(7) Fire.

(6) Cæsar's sister.

(8) Merits or demerits.

That we remain your friend; And so adieu.
Cleo. My master, and my lord!
Cæs.

Not so: Adieu. [Exeunt Cæsar, 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:

I have spoke already, and it is provided;
Go, put it to the haste.
Char.

Madam, I will.

Re-enter Dolabella.

Dol. Where is the queen?

Char.

Cleo.

Behold, sir. [Exit Char.
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.

Cleo.

I shall remain your debtor. Dol.

Dolabella,

I your servant.
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 forc'd to drink their vapour.

The gods forbid!

Iras.
Cleo. Nay, 'tis most certain, Iras: Saucy lictors9
Will catch at us, like strumpets; and scald rhymers
Ballad us out o'tune: the quick 10 comedians
Extemporally will stage us, and present
Our Alexandrian revels; Antony

Shall be brought drunken forth, and I shall see
Some squeaking Cleopatra boyll 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,12 I'll give thee
leave

To play till dooms-day.-Bring our crown and all.
Wherefore's this noise? [Ex. Iras. A noise within
Enter one of the Guard.

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This is the man.

Cleo. Avoid, and leave him. [Exit Guard. Hast thou the pretty worm2 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 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. [Clown sets down the basket. Clown. You must think this, look you, that the worm will do his kind.3

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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 lip:Yare, yare,4 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; 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 dies. 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.

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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,

With thy sharp teeth this knot intrinsicate
[To the asp, which she applies to her breast.
Of life at once untie : poor venomous fool,
Be angry, and despatch. O, could'st thou speak!
That I might hear thee call great Cæsar, ass
Unpolicied!5
Char.
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 eastern star!

O Antony!-Nay, I will take thee too:

[Applying another asp to her arm. What should I stay- [Falls 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 Of

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

Enter the Guard, rushing in.

1 Guard. Where is the queen? Char.

Speak softly, wake her not.

1 Guard. Cæsar hath sentChar.

O, come; apace, despatch: 1 Guard. Approach, ho! sar's beguil'd.

Too slow a messenger. [Applies the asp. I partly feel thee. All's not well: Cæ

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

Cœs.

In solemn show, attend this funeral; And then to Rome.-Come, Dolabella, see O noble weakness!-High order in this great solemnity.

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 fig

leaves

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 pursu'd conclusions2 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 clip3 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,

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[Exeunt

This play keeps curiosity always busy, and the passions always interested. The continual hurry of the action, the variety of incidents, and the quick mind forward without intermission, from the first succession of one personage to another, call the act to the last. But the power of delighting is derived principally from the frequent changes of the scene; for, except the feminine arts, some of which are too low, which distinguish Cleopatra, no character is very strongly discriminated. Upton, who did not easily miss what he desired to find, has discovered that the language of Antony is, with great skill and learning, made pompous and superb, according to his real practice. But I think his diction not distinguishable from that of others: the most tumid speech in the play is that which Cæsar makes to Octavia.

The events, of which the principal are described according to history, are produced without any art of connection or care of disposition.

JOHNSON.

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