3201Cleo. My desolation does begin to make

3202A better life: Tis paltry to be Caesar:

3203Not being Fortune, hee's but Fortunes knaue,

3204A minister of her will: and it is great

3205To do that thing that ends all other deeds,

3206Which shackles accedents, and bolts vp change;

3207Which sleepes, and neuer pallates more the dung,

3208The beggers Nurse, and Caesars.

3210Pro. Caesar sends greeting to the Queene of Egypt,

3211And bids thee study on what faire demands

3212Thou mean'st to haue him grant thee.

3213Cleo. What's thy name?

3214Pro. My name is Proculeius.

3215Cleo. Anthony

3216Did tell me of you, bad me trust you, but

3217I do not greatly care to be deceiu'd

3218That haue no vse for trusting. If your Master

3219Would haue a Queece his begger, you must tell him,

3220That Maiesty to keepe decorum, must

3221No lesse begge then a Kingdome: If he please

3222To giue me conquer'd Egypt for my Sonne,

3223He giues me so much of mine owne, as I

3224Will kneele to him with thankes.

3225Pro. Be of good cheere:

3226Y'are falne into a Princely hand, feare nothing,

3227Make your full reference freely to my Lord,

3228Who is so full of Grace, that it flowes ouer

3229On all that neede. Let me report to him

3230Your sweet dependacie, and you shall finde

3231A Conqueror that will pray in ayde for kindnesse,

3232Where he for grace is kneel'd too.

3233Cleo. Pray you tell him,

3234I am his Fortunes Vassall, and I send him

3235The Greatnesse he has got. I hourely learne

3236A Doctrine of Obedience, and would gladly

3237Looke him i'th'Face.

3238Pro. This Ile report (deere Lady)

3239Haue comfort, for I know your plight is pittied

3240Of him that caus'd it.

3241Pro. You see how easily she may be surpriz'd:

3242Guard her till Caesar come.

3243Iras. Royall Queene.

3244Char. Oh Cleopatra, thou art taken Queene.

3245Cleo. Quicke, quicke, good hands.

3246Pro. Hold worthy Lady, hold:

3247Doe not your selfe such wrong, who are in this

3248Releeu'd, but not betraid.

3249Cleo. What of death too that rids our dogs of languish

3250Pro. Cleopatra, do not abuse my Masters bounty, by

3251Th'vndoing of your selfe: Let the World see

3252His Noblenesse well acted, which your death

3253Will neuer let come forth.

3254Cleo. Where art thou Death?

3255Come hither come; Come, come, and take a Queene

3256Worth many Babes and Beggers.

3257Pro. Oh temperance Lady.

3258Cleo. Sir, I will eate no meate, Ile not drinke sir,

3259If idle talke will once be necessary

3260Ile not sleepe neither. This mortall house Ile ruine,

3261Do Caesar what he can. Know sir, that I

3262Will not waite pinnion'd at your Masters Court,

3263Nor once be chastic'd with the sober eye

3264Of dull Octauia. Shall they hoyst me vp,

3265And shew me to the showting Varlotarie

3266Of censuring Rome? Rather a ditch in Egypt.

3267Be gentle graue vnto me, rather on Nylus mudde

3268Lay me starke-nak'd, and let the water-Flies

3269Blow me into abhorring; rather make

3270My Countries high pyramides my Gibbet,

3271And hang me vp in Chaines.

3272Pro. You do extend

3273These thoughts of horror further then you shall

3274Finde cause in Caesar.

3276Dol. Proculeius,

3277What thou hast done, thy Master Caesar knowes,

3278And he hath sent for thee: for the Queene,

3279Ile take her to my Guard.

3280Pro. So Dolabella,

3281It shall content me best: Be gentle to her,

3282To Caesar I will speake, what you shall please,

3283If you'l imploy me to him. Exit Proculeius

3284Cleo. Say, I would dye.

3285Dol. Most Noble Empresse, you haue heard of me.

3286Cleo. I cannot tell.

3287Dol. Assuredly you know me.

3288Cleo. No matter sir, what I haue heard or knowne:

3289You laugh when Boyes or Women tell their Dreames,

3290Is't not your tricke?

3291Dol. I vnderstand not, Madam.

3292Cleo. I dreampt there was an Emperor Anthony.

3293Oh such another sleepe, that I might see

3294But such another man.

3295Dol. If it might please ye.

3296Cleo. His face was as the Heau'ns, and therein stucke

3297A Sunne and Moone, which kept their course, & lighted

3298The little o'th'earth.

3299Dol. Most Soueraigne Creature.

3300Cleo. His legges bestrid the Ocean, his rear'd arme

3301Crested the world: His voyce was propertied

3302As all the tuned Spheres, and that to Friends:

3303But when he meant to quaile, and shake the Orbe,

3304He was as ratling Thunder. For his Bounty,

3305There was no winter in't. An Anthony it was,

3306That grew the more by reaping: His delights

3307Were Dolphin-like, they shew'd his backe aboue

3308The Element they liu'd in: In his Liuery

3309Walk'd Crownes and Crownets: Realms & Islands were

3310As plates dropt from his pocket.

3311Dol. Cleopatra.

3312Cleo. Thinke you there was, or might be such a man

3313As this I dreampt of?

3314Dol. Gentle Madam, no.

3315Cleo. You Lye vp to the hearing of the Gods:

3316But if there be, nor euer were one such

3317It's past the size of dreaming: Nature wants stuffe

3318To vie strange formes with fancie, yet t'imagine

3319An Anthony were Natures peece, 'gainst Fancie,

3320Condemning shadowes quite.

3321Dol. Heare me, good Madam:

3322Your losse is as your selfe, great; and you beare it

3323As answering to the waight, would I might neuer

3324Ore-take pursu'de successe: But I do feele

3325By the rebound of yours, a greefe that suites

3326My very heart at roote.

3327Cleo. I thanke you sir:

3328Know you what Caesar meanes to do with me?

3329Dol. I am loath to tell you what, I would you knew.

3330Cleo. Nay pray you sir.

3331Dol. Though he be Honourable.

3332Cleo. Hee'l leade me then in Triumph.

3333Dol. Madam he will, I know't. Flourish.

3336All. Make way there Caesar.

z z Caesar

3337Caes. Which is the Queene of Egypt.

3338Dol. It is the Emperor Madam. Cleo. kneeles.

3339Caesar. Arise, you shall not kneele:

3340I pray you rise, rise Egypt.

3341Cleo. Sir, the Gods will haue it thus,

3342My Master and my Lord I must obey,

3343Caesar. Take to you no hard thoughts,

3344The Record of what iniuries you did vs,

3345Though written in our flesh, we shall remember

3346As things but done by chance.

3347Cleo. Sole Sir o'th'World,

3348I cannot proiect mine owne cause so well

3349To make it cleare, but do confesse I haue

3350Bene laden with like frailties, which before

3351Haue often sham'd our Sex.

3352Caesar. Cleopatra know,

3353We will extenuate rather then inforce:

3354If you apply your selfe to our intents,

3355Which towards you are most gentle, you shall finde

3356A benefit in this change: but if you seeke

3357To lay on me a Cruelty, by taking

3358Anthonies course, you shall bereaue your selfe

3359Of my good purposes, and put your children

3360To that destruction which Ile guard them from,

3361If thereon you relye. Ile take my leaue.

3362Cleo. And may through all the world: tis yours, & we

3363your Scutcheons, and your signes of Conquest shall

3364Hang in what place you please. Here my good Lord.

3365Caesar. You shall aduise me in all for Cleopatra.

3366Cleo. This is the breefe: of Money, Plate, & Iewels

3367I am possest of, 'tis exactly valewed,

3368Not petty things admitted. Where's Seleucus?

3369Seleu. Heere Madam.

3370Cleo. This is my Treasurer, let him speake (my Lord)

3371Vpon his perill, that I haue reseru'd

3372To my selfe nothing. Speake the truth Seleucus.

3373Seleu. Madam, I had rather seele my lippes,

3374Then to my perill speake that which is not.

3375Cleo. What haue I kept backe.

3376Sel. Enough to purchase what you haue made known

3377Caesar. Nay blush not Cleopatra, I approue

3378Your Wisedome in the deede.

3379Cleo. See Caesar: Oh behold,

3380How pompe is followed: Mine will now be yours,

3381And should we shift estates, yours would be mine.

3382The ingratitude of this Seleucus, does

3383Euen make me wilde. Oh Slaue, of no more trust

3384Then loue that's hyr'd? What goest thou backe, y^u shalt

3385Go backe I warrant thee: but Ile catch thine eyes

3386Though they had wings. Slaue, Soule-lesse, Villain, Dog.

3387O rarely base!

3388Caesar. Good Queene, let vs intreat you.

3389Cleo. O Caesar, what a wounding shame is this,

3390That thou vouchsafing heere to visit me,

3391Doing the Honour of thy Lordlinesse

3392To one so meeke, that mine owne Seruant should

3393Parcell the summe of my disgraces, by

3394Addition of his Enuy. Say (good Caesar)

3395That I some Lady trifles haue reseru'd,

3396Immoment toyes, things of such Dignitie

3397As we greet moderne Friends withall, and say

3398Some Nobler token I haue kept apart

3399For Liuia and Octauia, to induce

3400Their mediation, must I be vnfolded

3401With one that I haue bred: The Gods! it smites me

3402Beneath the fall I haue. Prythee go hence,

3403Or I shall shew the Cynders of my spirits

3404Through th'Ashes of my chance: Wer't thou a man,

3405Thou would'st haue mercy on me.

3406Caesar. Forbeare Seleucus.

3407Cleo. Be it known, that we the greatest are mis-thoght

3408For things that others do: and when we fall,

3409We answer others merits, in our name

3410Are therefore to be pittied.

3411Caesar. Cleopatra,

3412Not what you haue reseru'd, nor what acknowledg'd

3413Put we i'th' Roll of Conquest: still bee't yours,

3414Bestow it at your pleasure, and beleeue

3415Caesars no Merchant, to make prize with you

3416Of things that Merchants sold. Therefore be cheer'd,

3417Make not your thoughts your prisons: No deere Queen,

3418For we intend so to dispose you, as

3419Your selfe shall giue vs counsell: Feede, and sleepe:

3420Our care and pitty is so much vpon you,

3421That we remaine your Friend, and so adieu.

3422Cleo. My Master, and my Lord.

3423Caesar. Not so: Adieu. Flourish.

3425Cleo. He words me Gyrles, he words me,

3426That I should not be Noble to my selfe.

3427But hearke thee Charmian.

3428Iras. Finish good Lady, the bright day is done,

3429And we are for the darke.

3430Cleo. Hye thee againe,

3431I haue spoke already, and it is prouided,

3432Go put it to the haste.

3433Char. Madam, I will.

3435Dol. Where's the Queene?

3436Char. Behold sir.

3437Cleo. Dolabella.

3438Dol. Madam, as thereto sworne, by your command

3439(Which my loue makes Religion to obey)

3440I tell you this: Caesar through Syria

3441Intends his iourney, and within three dayes,

3442You with your Children will he send before,

3443Make your best vse of this. I haue perform'd

3444Your pleasure, and my promise.

3445Cleo. Dolabella, I shall remaine your debter.

3446Dol. I your Seruant:

3447Adieu good Queene, I must attend on Caesar. Exit

3448Cleo. Farewell, and thankes.

3449Now Iras, what think'st thou?

3450Thou, an Egyptian Puppet shall be shewne

3451In Rome as well as I: Mechanicke Slaues

3452With greazie Aprons, Rules, and Hammers shall

3453Vplift vs to the view. In their thicke breathes,

3454Ranke of grosse dyet, shall we be enclowded,

3455And forc'd to drinke their vapour.

3456Iras. The Gods forbid.

3457Cleo. Nay, 'tis most certaine Iras: sawcie Lictors

3458Will catch at vs like Strumpets, and scald Rimers

3459Ballads vs out a Tune. The quicke Comedians

3460Extemporally will stage vs, and present

3461Our Alexandrian Reuels: Anthony

3462Shall be brought drunken forth, and I shall see

3463Some squeaking Cleopatra Boy my greatnesse

3464I'th'posture of a Whore.

3465Iras. O the good Gods!

3466Cleo. Nay that's certaine.

3467Iras. Ile neuer see't? for I am sure mine Nailes

3468Are stronger then mine eyes.

3469Cleo. Why that's the way to foole their preparation,

3470And to conquer their most absurd intents.

3472Now Charmian.

3473Shew me my Women like a Queene: Go fetch

3474My best Attyres. I am againe for Cidrus,

3475To meete Marke Anthony. Sirra Iras, go

3476(Now Noble Charmian, wee'l dispatch indeede,)

3477And when thou hast done this chare, Ile giue thee leaue

3478To play till Doomesday: bring our Crowne, and all.

3480Wherefore's this noise?

3482Gards. Heere is a rurall Fellow,

3483That will not be deny'de your Highnesse presence,

3484He brings you Figges.

3485Cleo. Let him come in. Exit Guardsman.

3486What poore an Instrument

3487May do a Noble deede: he brings me liberty:

3488My Resolution's plac'd, and I haue nothing

3489Of woman in me: Now from head to foote

3490I am Marble constant: now the fleeting Moone

3491No Planet is of mine.

3493Guards. This is the man.

3494Cleo. Auoid, and leaue him. Exit Guardsman.

3495Hast thou the pretty worme of Nylus there,

3496That killes and paines not?

3497Clow. Truly I haue him: but I would not be the par-

3498tie that should desire you to touch him, for his byting is

3499immortall: those that doe dye of it, doe seldome or ne-

3500uer recouer.

3501Cleo. Remember'st thou any that haue dyed on't?

3502Clow. Very many, men and women too. I heard of

3503one of them no longer then yesterday, a very honest wo-

3504man, but something giuen to lye, as a woman should not

3505do, but in the way of honesty, how she dyed of the by-

3506ting of it, what paine she felt: Truely, she makes a verie

3507good report o'th'worme: but he that wil beleeue all that

3508they say, shall neuer be saued by halfe that they do: but

3509this is most falliable, the Worme's an odde Worme.

3510Cleo. Get thee hence, farewell.

3511Clow. I wish you all ioy of the Worme.

3512Cleo. Farewell.

3513Clow. You must thinke this (looke you,) that the

3514Worme will do his kinde.

3515Cleo. I, I, farewell.

3516Clow. Looke you, the Worme is not to bee trusted,

3517but in the keeping of wise people: for indeede, there is

3518no goodnesse in the Worme.

3519Cleo. Take thou no care, it shall be heeded.

3520Clow. Very good: giue it nothing I pray you, for it

3521is not worth the feeding.

3522Cleo. Will it eate me?

3523Clow. You must not think I am so simple, but I know

3524the diuell himselfe will not eate a woman: I know, that

3525a woman is a dish for the Gods, if the diuell dresse her

3526not. But truly, these same whorson diuels doe the Gods

3527great harme in their women: for in euery tenne that they

3528make, the diuels marre fiue.

3529Cleo. Well, get thee gone, farewell.

3530Clow. Yes forsooth: I wish you ioy o'th'worm. Exit

3531Cleo. Giue me my Robe, put on my Crowne, I haue

3532Immortall longings in me. Now no more

3533The iuyce of Egypts Grape shall moyst this lip.

3534Yare, yare, good Iras; quicke: Me thinkes I heare

3535Anthony call: I see him rowse himselfe

3536To praise my Noble Act. I heare him mock

3537The lucke of Caesar, which the Gods giue men

3538To excuse their after wrath. Husband, I come:

3539Now to that name, my Courage proue my Title.

3540I am Fire, and Ayre; my other Elements

3541I giue to baser life. So, haue you done?

3542Come then, and take the last warmth of my Lippes.

3543Farewell kinde Charmian, Iras, long farewell.

3544Haue I the Aspicke in my lippes? Dost fall?

3545If thou, and Nature can so gently part,

3546The stroke of death is as a Louers pinch,

3547Which hurts, and is desir'd. Dost thou lye still?

3548If thus thou vanishest, thou tell'st the world,

3549It is not worth leaue-taking.

3550Char. Dissolue thicke clowd, & Raine, that I may say

3551The Gods themselues do weepe.

3552Cleo. This proues me base:

3553If she first meete the Curled Anthony,

3554Hee'l make demand of her, and spend that kisse

3555Which is my heauen to haue. Come thou mortal wretch,

3556With thy sharpe teeth this knot intrinsicate,

3557Of life at once vntye: Poore venomous Foole,

3558Be angry, and dispatch. Oh could'st thou speake,

3559That I might heare thee call great Caesar Asse, vnpolicied.

3560Char. Oh Easterne Starre.

3561Cleo. Peace, peace:

3562Dost thou not see my Baby at my breast,

3563That suckes the Nurse asleepe.

3564Char. O breake! O breake!

3565Cleo. As sweet as Balme, as soft as Ayre, as gentle.

3566O Anthony! Nay I will take thee too.

3567What should I stay----- Dyes.

3568Char. In this wilde World? So fare thee well:

3569Now boast thee Death, in thy possession lyes

3570A Lasse vnparalell'd. Downie Windowes cloze,

3571And golden Phoebus, neuer be beheld

3572Of eyes againe so Royall: your Crownes away,

3573Ile mend it, and then play---

35751 Guard. Where's the Queene?

3576Char. Speake softly, wake her not.

35771 Caesar hath sent

3578Char. Too slow a Messenger.

3579Oh come apace, dispatch, I partly feele thee.

35801 Approach hoa,

3581All's not well: Caesar's beguild.

35822 There's Dolabella sent from Caesar: call him.

35831 What worke is heere Charmian?

3584Is this well done?

3585Char. It is well done, and fitting for a Princesse

3586Descended of so many Royall Kings.

3587Ah Souldier. Charmian dyes.

3589Dol. How goes it heere?

35902. Guard. All dead.

3591Dol. Caesar, thy thoughts

3592Touch their effects in this: Thy selfe art comming

3593To see perform'd the dreaded Act which thou

3594So sought'st to hinder.

3596All. A way there, a way for Caesar.

z z 2 Dol.

3597Dol. Oh sir, you are too sure an Augurer:

3598That you did feare, is done.

3599Caesar. Brauest at the last,

3600She leuell'd at our purposes, and being Royall

3601Tooke her owne way: the manner of their deaths,

3602I do not see them bleede.

3603Dol. Who was last with them?

36041. Guard. A simple Countryman, that broght hir Figs:

3605This was his Basket.

3606Caesar. Poyson'd then.

36071. Guard. Oh Caesar:

3608This Charmian liu'd but now, she stood and spake:

3609I found her trimming vp the Diadem;

3610On her dead Mistris tremblingly she stood,

3611And on the sodaine dropt.

3612Caesar. Oh Noble weakenesse:

3613If they had swallow'd poyson, 'twould appeare

3614By externall swelling: but she lookes like sleepe,

3615As she would catch another Anthony

3616In her strong toyle of Grace.

3617Dol. Heere on her brest,

3618There is a vent of Bloud, and something blowne,

3619The like is on her Arme.

36201. Guard. This is an Aspickes traile,

3621And these Figge-leaues haue slime vpon them, such

3622As th'Aspicke leaues vpon the Caues of Nyle.

3623Caesar. Most probable

3624That so she dyed: for her Physitian tels mee

3625She hath pursu'de Conclusions infinite

3626Of easie wayes to dye. Take vp her bed,

3627And beare her Women from the Monument,

3628She shall be buried by her Anthony.

3629No Graue vpon the earth shall clip in it

3630A payre so famous: high euents as these

3631Strike those that make them: and their Story is

3632No lesse in pitty, then his Glory which

3633Brought them to be lamented. Our Army shall

3634In solemne shew, attend this Funerall,

3635And then to Rome. Come Dolabella, see

3636High Order, in this great Solmemnity. Exeunt omnes