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

Cleo.

See, Cæsar! O, behold, 150 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: O 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,
[lain, dog!
Though they had wings: slave, soulless vil-
O rarely base!

Cæs. Good queen, let us entreat you. Cleo. O Cæsar, what a wounding shame is

this,

That thou, vouchsafing here to visit me, 160 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 reserved,
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

170

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Put we' the roll of conquest: still be 't 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.

sleep :

Feed, and

Our care and pity is so much upon you, That we remain your friend; and so, adieu.

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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. [Setting down his basket.

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

Cleo. Ay, ay; farewell.

260

that

Clown. Look you, the worm is not to be trusted but in the keeping of wise people; for, indeed, there is no goodness in the worm.

Cleo. Take thou no care; it shall be heeded. Clown. Very good. Give it nothing, I pray you, for it is not worth the feeding. Cleo. Will it eat me?

271

Clown. You must not think I am so simple but I know the devil himself will not eat a woman I know that a woman is a dish for the gods, if the devil dress her not. But, truly, these same whoreson devils do the gods great harm in their women; for in every ten that they make, the devils mar five.

Cleo. Well, get thee gone; farewell. 280 Clown. Yes, forsooth; I wish you joy o' the worm. [Exit.

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Antony call; 1 see him rouse himself

To praise my noble act; 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 desired. Dost thou lie
still?

If thus thou vanishest, thou tell'st the world It is not worth leave-taking.

301

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, thou mortal wretch,

[To an 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 dispatch. O, couldst thou speak,
That I might hear thee call great Cæsar ass 310
Unpolicied!

Char. O eastern star !
Cleo.

Peace, peace!
Dost thou not see my baby at my breast,

That sucks the nurse asleep?

Char.
O, break! O, break!
Cleo. As sweet as balm, as soft as air, as
gentle,-

O Antony!-Nay, I will take thee too.
[Applying another asp to her arm.
What should I stay-
[Dies.
Char. In this vile 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

320

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

Enter the Guard, rushing in.

First Guard. Where is the queen?
Char.
Speak softly, wake her not.
First Guard. Cæsar hath sent-
Char.

Too slow a messenger. [Applies an asp. O, come apace, dispatch! I partly feel thee." First Guard. Approach, ho! All's not well Cæsar's beguiled.

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