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Cæs. O Antony!

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I have follow'd thee to this;-but we do lance
Diseases in our bodies: I must perforce
Have shewn 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 G
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,
Unreconcilable, should divide

Our equalness to this.-Hear me, good friends,

But I will tell you at some meeter season: f

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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, PROCULEIDS,
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.] What's thy name?

Pro. My name is Proculeius.

Cleo. [Within] Antony

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

I do not greatly care to be deceived,

That have no use for trusting. If your master
Would have a queen his beggar, you must tell him w
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 hand, 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 dependancy; and you shall find
A conqueror that will pray in aid for kindness,
Where he for grace is kneel'd to

Cleo. [Within.] Pray you, tell him
I am his fortune's vassal, and I send him
The greatness he has got. I hourly learn
A doctrine of obedience; and would gladly
Look him i' the face.

Pro. This I'll report, dear lady.
Have comfort; for I know your plight is pitied
Of him that caused it.

[prised.

Gal. [Aside.] You see how easily she may be sur[Here PROCULEIUS and two of the Guard ascend the monument by a ladder placed against a window, and, having descended, come behind CLEOPATRA. Some of the Guard unbar and open the gates.

Guard her till Cæsar come.

[TO PROCULEIUS and the Guard. Exit GALLUS.

Iras. Royal queen!

20

Char. O Cleopatra! thou art taken, queen!
Cleo. Quick, quick, good hands. [Drawing a dagger./
Pro. Hold, worthy lady, hold!

[Seizes and disarms her

Do not yourself such wrong, who are in this Relieved, but not betray'd.

Cleo. What, of death too,

That rids our dogs of languish?

Pro. Cleopatra,

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, comel come, come, and take a queen

Pro. O, temperance, lady! 20°

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 chastised with the sober eye
Of dull Octavia. Shall they hoist me up,
And shew 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. You do extend

2

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It shall content me best: be gentle to her.

[TO CLEO.] To Cæsar I will speak what you shall please, If you'll employ me to him.

Cleo. Say, I would die. 12. Isole

[Exeunt PROCULEIUS and Soldiers.

Dol. Most noble empress, you have heard of me?
Cleo. I cannot tell.

Dol. 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 O, the earth.

Dol. Most sovereign creature,

Cleo. His legs bestrid the ocean: his rear'd arm

Crested the world: his voice was propertiend
As all the tuned spheres, and that to friends;
But when he meant to quail and shake the orb,

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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 th

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 pursued 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. Madam, he will;

I know it.

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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.

Cleo. And may, through all the world: 'tis yours; and we

Your scutcheons, and your signs of conquest, shall
Hang in what place you please. Here, my good lord.
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;

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 reserved

To myself nothing. Speak the truth, Seleucus.

Sel. Madam,

I had rather seal my lips than, to my peril, Speak that which is not.

Cleo. What have I kept back?

O rarely base!

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

That thou, vouchsafing here to visit me,

Doing the honour of thy lordliness

To one so meek, that mine own servant shou:.

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

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With one that I have bred? The gods! it smites me

Beneath the fall I have. - [TO SEL.] Pr'ythee, go hence; Or I shall shew 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 SELEUOUS

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For things that others do; and, when we fall,

We answer others' merits in our name,

Are therefore to be pitied.

Cæs. Cleopatra,

Not what you have reserved, nor what acknowledged,

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 cheerd; 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

Be noble to myself: but hark thee, Charmian.

[not

[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. Behold, Sir.

Cleo. Dolabella!

[Exit CHARMIAN.

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. Dolabella,

I shall remain your debtor.

Dol. I your servant.

Adieu, good queen; I must attend on Cæsar.

Cleo. Farewell, and thanks. (Exit DOL.] Now, Iraa

what think'st thou?

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Our Alexandrian revels; Antony

Shall be brought drunken forth, and I shall see

Some squeaking Cleopatra boy my greatness

Sel. Enough to purchase what you have made known. I' the posture of a whore.
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;

Iras. O, the good gods!

Cleo. Nay, that is certain.

Iras. I'll never see it; for, I am sure, my nail.

Are stronger than mine eyes.

And, should we shift estates, yours would be mine. 15 Cleo. Why, that's the way

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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 To play till doomsday. Bring our crown and all. [leave Wherefore's this noise? [Exit IRAS. A noise within.

Enter one of the Guard.

Guard. Here is a rural fellow,

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

Cleo. Let him come in. How poor an instrument
[Exit 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.
Guard. This is the man.

Cleo. Avoid, and leave him.

Hast thou the pretty worm of Nilus there,
That kills and pains not?

[Exit Guard.

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. All

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.

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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.

Clown. Yes, forsooth; I wish you joy of the worm.

Re-enter IRAS, with a robe, crown, &c.

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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

[Falls on a bed, and 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 Phœbus 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. Too slow a messenger.

beguiled.

[Applies the asp.

O, come apace, despatch. I partly feel thee.
1 Guard. Approach, hol All's not well: Cæsar's
[him.
2 Guard. There's Dolabella sent from Cæsar; -call
1 Guard. What work is here? - Charmian, is this well
Char. It is well done, and fitting fora princess [done?

Descended of so many royal kings. va
Ah, soldier!

Re-enter DOLABELLA.

Dol. How goes it here? 2 Guard. All dead.

Dol. Cæsar, thy thoughts

Touch their effects in this: thyself art coming To see perform'd the dreaded act, which thou So sought'st to hinder.

Within. A way there! way for Cæsar!

Re-enter CESAR and Attendants.

Dol. O, Sir, you are too sure an augurer; That you did fear, is done. 010

[Dics.

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[Exit. This Charmian lived but now; she stood and spake: 1 CYMBELINE.

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, 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, iong 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.

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 an asp, which she applies to her brwest.

I found her trimming up the diadem

On her dead mistress; tremblingly she stood,

And on the sudden dropp'd.

Cæs. O noble weakness 1

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. M

Dol. Here, on her breast,

There is a vent of blood, and something blown:

The like is on her arm.

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1

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SCENE I.-BRITAIN. The Garden behind CYMBELINE'S

Palace.

Enter two Gentlemen.

1 Gent. You do not meet a man but frow as: our No more obey the heavens, than our courtiers; (bloods Still seem, as does the king's.

2 Gent. But what's the matter?

1 Gent. His daughter, and the heir of his kingdom, He purposed to his wife's sole son, (a widow, whom That late he married,) hath referr'd herself

Unto a poor but worthy gentleman. She's wedded; Her husband banish'd; she imprison'd: all

Is outward sorrow; though, I think, the king

Be touch'd at very heart.

2 Gent. None but the king?

1 Gent. He that hath lost her, too: so is the queen, That most desired the match but not a courtier,

Although they wear their faces to the bent

Of the king's looks, hath a heart that is not
Glad at the thing they scowl at.

2 Gent. And why so?

1 Gent. He that hath miss'd the princess is a thing

Too bad for bad report: and he that hath her

(I mean, that married her,-alack, good man!And therefore banish'd) is a creature such

As, to seek through the regions of the earth

For one his like, there would be something failing

In him that should compare. I do not think

So fair an outward, and such stuff within,

Endows a man but he.

2 Gent. You speak him far.

1 Gent. 1 do extend him, Sir, within himself; Crush him together, rather than unfold

His measure duly.

2 Gent. What's his name and birth?

1 Gent. I cannot delve him to the root: his father

Was call'd Sicilius, who did join his honour,

Against the Romans, with Cassibelan;

But had his titles by Tenantius, whom

He served with glory and admired success.

So gain'd the sur-addition, Leonatus:

And had, besides this gentleman in question,

Two other sons, who, in the wars o' the time,

Even out of your report. But, pray you, tell me, Is she sole child to the king?

1 Gent. His only child.

He had two sons, (if this be worth your hearing,
Mark it,) the eldest of them at three years old,
I' the swathing clothes the other, from their nursery
Were stolen; and to this hour no guess in knowledge
Which way they went.

2 Gent. How long is this ago?

1 Gent. Some twenty years.

2 Gent. That a king's children should be so conveyed!

So slackly guarded! and the search so slow,
That could not trace them!

1 Gent. Howsoe'er 'tis strange,

Or that the negligence may well be laugh'd at,

Yet is it true, Sir.

2 Gent. I do well believe you.

1 Gent. We must forbear: here comes the gentleman,

The queen, and princess.

SCENE II.-The same.

[Exeunt.

Enter the QUEEN, POSTHUMUS, and IMOGEN.

Queen. No, be assured, you shall not find me, daughter,

After the slander of most step-mothers,
Evil-eyed unto you: you are my prisoner, but
Your jailer shall deliver you the keys

That lock up your restraint. -For you, Posthumus,

So soon as I can win the offended king,

I will be known your advocate marry, yet
The fire of rage is in him; and 'twere good

You lean'd unto his sentence, with what patience
Your wisdom may inform you.

Post. Please your highness,

I will from hence to-day.

Queen. You know the peril.

I'll fetch a turn about the garden, pitying

The pangs of barr'd affections; though the king

Hath charged you should not speak together.

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Died with their swords in hand: for which their father And I shall here abide the hourly shot

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| As we do air, fast as 'twas minister'd; and

In his spring became a harvest: lived in court,
(Which rare it is to do,) most praised, most loved:
A sample to the youngest; to the more mature,
A glass that feated them; and to the graver,
A child that guided dotards: to his mistress,
For whom he now is banish'd,-her own price
Proclaims how she esteem'd him and his virtue
By her election may be truly read
What kind of man he is.

2. Gent. I honour him

Of angry eyes; not comforted to live,
But that there is this jewel in the world,
That I may see again.

Post. My queen! my mistress!

O lady, weep no more, lest I give cause
To be suspected of more tenderness
Than doth become a man! I will remain
The loyal'st husband that did e'er plight troth:
My residence in Rome at one Philario's;
Who to my father was a friend, to me

Known but by letter: thither write, my queen,
And with mine eyes I'll drink the words you send,
Though ink be made of gall.

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But he does buy my injuries, to be friends;
Pavs dear for my offences.

Post. Should we be taking leave

As long a term as yet we have to live,

The loathness to depart would grow. Adieu! Imo. Nay, stay a little:

Were you but riding forth to air yourself,

Such parting were too petty. Look here, love; This diamond was my mother's: take it, heart;

But keep it till you woo another wife,

When Imogen is dead.

Post. How! how! another?

You gentle gods, give me but this I have,
And sear up my embracements from a next

With bonds of death-Remain thou here

Myself by with a needle, that I might prick
[Exit. The goer back. Why came you from your master?
Pis. On his command: he would not suffer me
To bring him to the haven: left these notes
Of what commands I should be subject to,
When it pleased you to employ me.

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Queen. This hath been

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Cym. Thou basest thing, avoid! hence, from my sight! hurt. If after this command thou fraught the court

With thy unworthiness, thou diest: away!

Thou art poison to my blood.

Post. The gods protect you!

And bless the good remainders of the court!

I am gone.

[Exit.

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2 Lord. [Aside.] His steel was in debt; it went o' the backside the town.

Clo. The villain would not stand me.

2 Lord [Aside] No; but he fled forward still, toward your face.

1 Lord. Stand you! You have land enough of your own: but he added to your having-gave you some ground.

2 Lord. [Aside.] As many inches as you have oceans. Puppies !

Clo. I would they had not come between us.

2 Lord. [Aside.] So would I, till you had measured how long a fool you were upon the ground.

Clo. And that she should love this fellow, and refuse me!

2 Lord. [Aside.] If it be a sin to make a true election, she is damned.

1 Lord. Sir, as I told you always, her beauty and her brain go not together: she's a good sign, but I have seen small reflection of her wit.

2 Lord [Aside.] She shines not upon fools, lest the reflection should hurt her.

Clo. Come, I'll to my chamber: would there had been some hurt done!

2 Lord. [Aside.] I wish not so; unless it had been the fall of an ass, which is no great hurt.

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SCENE IV.-A Room in CYMBELINE'S Palace.

Enter IMOGEN and PISANIO.

Imo. I would thou grew'st unto the shores o' the haven

And question'dst every sail: if he should write,

And I not have it, 'twere a paper lost.

As offer'd mercy is. What was the last

That he spake to thee?

Pis. 'Twas, His queen, his queen!

Imo. Then waved his handkerchief?

Pis. And kiss'd it, Madam.

Imo. Senseless linen! happier therein than II-

And that was all?

1

Pis. No, Madam; for so long

As he could make me with this eye or ear

[Ezit. Distinguish him from others, he did keep

Here is your servant.-How now, Sir! What news?

Pis. My lord your son drew on my master.

Queen. Hal

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The deck, with glove, or hat, or handkerchief, Still waving, as the fits and stirs of his mind Could best express how slow his soul sail'd on, How swift his ship

Imo. Thou shouldst have made him

As little as a crow, or less, ere left

To after-eye him.

Pis. Madam, so I did.

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