For we intend so to dispose you, as Yourself shall give us counsel. Feed, and sleep: 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: I have spoke already, and it is provided; Go, put it to the haste. 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, Cleo. I shall remain your debtor. Dolabella, Dol. I your servant. Adieu, good queen; I must attend on Cæsar. Cleo. Farewell, and thanks. [Exit DoL.] Now, Thou, an Egyptian puppet, shall be shown 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 I' the posture of a whore. Iras. Cleo. Nay, that is certain. O the good gods! lras. 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 5 Beadles. Lively, 7 Female characters were played by boys. Now, noble Charmian, we'll despatch indeed : 8 And, when thou hast done this chare, I'll give thee leave To play till dooms-day.-Bring our crown and 'all. Wherefore's this noise? Guard. [Exit IRAS. A Noise within. Enter one of the Guard. Here is a rural fellow, That will 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 plac'd, 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. [Erit Guard. Cleo. Avoid, and leave him. 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. Remembers't 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 ho 8 Job of work. 9 Inconstant. I Serpent. nest 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. Cleo. Ay, ay; farewell. 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? 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. 2 Act according to his nature. [Exit, 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:- To praise my noble act; I hear him mock Have I the aspick in my lips? Dost fall? The stroke of death is as a lover's pinch, Which hurts, and is desir'd, Dost thou lie still? Char. Dissolve, thick cloud, and rain; that I may say, The gods themselves do weep! This proves me base: Cleo. 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 Make haste.. |