Char. Cleo. Behold, sir. [Exit Char. Dol. Madam, as thereto sworn by your command, Which my love makes religion to obey, I tell you this: Cæsar through Syria Cleo. I shall remain your debtor. Dol. Dolabella, I your servant. Thou, an Egyptian puppet, shalt be shown Irus. 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 quick2 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! Iras. 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 ?— (1) Beadles. (2) Lively. (3) Female characters were played by boys. Enter Charmian. Show me, my women, like a queen ;-Go fetch To play till dooms-day-Bring our crown and all. 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 instru ment [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 fleeting2 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. [Exit Guard Hast thou the pretty worm3 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. Remember'st thou any that have died on't? Clown. Very many, men and women too. 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, (1) Job of work. VOL. VII. N (2) Inconstant. -Truly, she makes a very good report o'the worm. But he that will believe all that they say, shal 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.1 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; worm. wish you joy of the Re-enter Iras, with a robe, crown, &c. [Exit. 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 (1) Act according to his nature. I am fire, and air; my other elements I give to baser life.--So,-have you done? Have I the aspic in my lips? Dost fall? Char. Dissolve, thick cloud, and rain; that I 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, Of life at once untie : poor venomous fool, Char. Cleo. O eastern star! Post thou not see my baby at my breast, That sucks the nurse asleep? Char. Peace, peace! O, break! O, break! Cleo. As sweet as balm, as soft as air, as gentle, O Antony!-Nay, I will take thee too : [Applying another asp to her arm. What should I stay- [Falls on a bed, and dies. Char. In this wild world?-So, fare thee well.Now boast thee, death! in thy possession lies A lass unparallel'd.-Downy windows, close; And golden Phoebus never be beheld (1) Unpolitic, to leave me to myself. Of eyes again so royal! Your crown's awry; 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 [Applies the asp. O, come; apace, despatch: I partly feel thee. 1 Guard. Approach, ho! All's not well: Cæsar's beguil'd. 2 Guard. There's Dolabella sent from Cæsar; call him. 1 Guard. What work is here?-Charmian, is this well done? Char. It is well done, and fitting for a princess Descended of so many royal kings. Ah, soldier! Dol. [Dies. Enter Dolabella. All dead. Cæsar, thy thoughts Touch their effects in this: Thyself art coming Within. A way there, way for Cæsar! Enter Cæsar, and Attendants. Dol. O, sir, you are too sure an augurer; That you did fear, is done. Cœs. Bravest at the last : She levell'd at our purposes, and, being royal, Took her own way.-The manner of their deaths? I do not see them bleed. Dol. Who was last with them? 1 Guard. A simple countryman, that brought her figs; This was his basket. |