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。