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。