Alex. The Morne is faire: Good morrow Generall
All. Good morrow Generall
Ant. 'Tis well blowne Lads.This Morning, like the spirit of a youthThat meanes to be of note, begins betimes.So, so: Come giue me that, this way, well-sed.Fare thee well Dame, what ere becomes of me,This is a Soldiers kisse: rebukeable,And worthy shamefull checke it were, to standOn more Mechanicke Complement, Ile leaue thee.Now like a man of Steele, you that will fight,Follow me close, Ile bring you too't: Adieu.
Exeunt.
Char. Please you retyre to your Chamber?Cleo. Lead me:He goes forth gallantly: That he and Caesar mightDetermine this great Warre in single fight;Then Anthony; but now. Well on.
Exeunt.
Trumpets sound. Enter Anthony, and Eros.
Eros. The Gods make this a happy day to Anthony
Ant. Would thou, & those thy scars had once preuaildTo make me fight at Land
Eros. Had'st thou done so,The Kings that haue reuolted, and the SoldierThat has this morning left thee, would haue stillFollowed thy heeles
Ant. Whose gone this morning?Eros. Who? one euer neere thee, call for Enobarbus,He shall not heare thee, or from Caesars Campe,Say I am none of thine
Ant. What sayest thou?Sold. Sir he is with Caesar
Eros. Sir, his Chests and Treasure he has not with him
Ant. Is he gone?Sol. Most certaine
Ant. Go Eros, send his Treasure after, do it,Detaine no iot I charge thee: write to him,(I will subscribe) gentle adieu's, and greetings;Say, that I wish he neuer finde more causeTo change a Master. Oh my Fortunes haueCorrupted honest men. Dispatch Enobarbus.
Exit
Flourish. Enter Agrippa, Caesar, with Enobarbus, and Dollabella.
Caes Go forth Agrippa, and begin the fight:Our will is Anthony be tooke aliue:Make it so knowne
Agrip. Caesar, I shall
Caesar. The time of vniuersall peace is neere:Proue this a prosp'rous day, the three nook'd worldShall beare the Oliue freely.
Enter a Messenger.
Mes. Anthony is come into the Field
Caes Go charge Agrippa,Plant those that haue reuolted in the Vant,That Anthony may seeme to spend his FuryVpon himselfe.
Exeunt.
Enob. Alexas did reuolt, and went to Iewry onAffaires of Anthony, there did disswadeGreat Herod to incline himselfe to Caesar,And leaue his Master Anthony. For this paines,Caesar hath hang'd him: Camindius and the restThat fell away, haue entertainment, butNo honourable trust: I haue done ill,Of which I do accuse my selfe so sorely,That I will ioy no more.
Enter a Soldier of Caesars.
Sol. Enobarbus, AnthonyHath after thee sent all thy Treasure, withHis Bounty ouer-plus. The MessengerCame on my guard, and at thy Tent is nowVnloading of his Mules
Eno. I giue it you
Sol. Mocke not Enobarbus,I tell you true: Best you saf't the bringerOut of the hoast, I must attend mine Office,Or would haue done't my selfe. Your EmperorContinues still a Ioue.
Exit
Enob. I am alone the Villaine of the earth,And feele I am so most. Oh Anthony,Thou Mine of Bounty, how would'st thou haue payedMy better seruice, when my turpitudeThou dost so Crowne with Gold. This blowes my hart,If swift thought breake it not: a swifter meaneShall out-strike thought, but thought will doo't. I feeleI fight against thee: No I will go seekeSome Ditch, wherein to dye: the foul'st best fitsMy latter part of life.
Enter.
Alarum, Drummes and Trumpets. Enter Agrippa.
Agrip. Retire, we haue engag'd our selues too farre:Caesar himselfe ha's worke, and our oppressionExceeds what we expected.
Enter.
Alarums. Enter Anthony, and Scarrus wounded.
Scar. O my braue Emperor, this is fought indeed,Had we done so at first, we had drouen them homeWith clowts about their heads.
Far off.
Ant. Thou bleed'st apace
Scar. I had a wound heere that was like a T,But now 'tis made an H
Ant. They do retyre
Scar. Wee'l beat 'em into Bench-holes, I haue yetRoome for six scotches more
Enter Eros.
Eros. They are beaten Sir, and our aduantage seruesFor a faire victory
Scar. Let vs score their backes,And snatch 'em vp, as we take Hares behinde,'Tis sport to maul a Runner
Ant. I will reward theeOnce for thy sprightly comfort, and ten-foldFor thy good valour. Come thee on
Scar. Ile halt after.
Exeunt.
Alarum. Enter Anthony againe in a March. Scarrus, with others.
Ant. We haue beate him to his Campe: Runne oneBefore, & let the Queen know of our guests: to morrowBefore the Sun shall see's, wee'l spill the bloodThat ha's to day escap'd. I thanke you all,For doughty handed are you, and haue foughtNot as you seru'd the Cause, but as't had beeneEach mans like mine: you haue shewne all Hectors.Enter the Citty, clip your Wiues, your Friends,Tell them your feats, whil'st they with ioyfull tearesWash the congealement from your wounds, and kisseThe Honour'd-gashes whole.Enter Cleopatra.
Giue me thy hand,To this great Faiery, Ile commend thy acts,Make her thankes blesse thee. Oh thou day o'th' world,Chaine mine arm'd necke, leape thou, Attyre and allThrough proofe of Harnesse to my heart, and thereRide on the pants triumphing
Cleo. Lord of Lords.Oh infinite Vertue, comm'st thou smiling fromThe worlds great snare vncaught
Ant. Mine Nightingale,We haue beate them to their Beds.What Gyrle, though grayDo somthing mingle with our yonger brown, yet ha weA Braine that nourishes our Nerues, and canGet gole for gole of youth. Behold this man,Commend vnto his Lippes thy fauouring hand,Kisse it my Warriour: He hath fought to day,As if a God in hate of Mankinde, hadDestroyed in such a shape
Cleo. Ile giue thee FriendAn Armour all of Gold: it was a Kings
Ant. He has deseru'd it, were it CarbunkledLike holy Phoebus Carre. Giue me thy hand,Through Alexandria make a iolly March,
Beare our hackt Targets, like the men that owe them.Had our great Pallace the capacityTo Campe this hoast, we all would sup together,And drinke Carowses to the next dayes FateWhich promises Royall perill, TrumpettersWith brazen dinne blast you the Citties eare,Make mingle with our ratling Tabourines,That heauen and earth may strike their sounds together,Applauding our approach.
Exeunt.
Enter a Centerie, and his Company, Enobarbus followes.
Cent. If we be not releeu'd within this houre,We must returne to'th' Court of Guard: the nightIs shiny, and they say, we shall embattaileBy'th' second houre i'th' Morne
1.Watch. This last day was a shrew'd one too's
Enob. Oh beare me witnesse night
2 What man is this? 1 Stand close, and list him
Enob. Be witnesse to me (O thou blessed Moone)When men reuolted shall vpon RecordBeare hatefull memory: poore Enobarbus didBefore thy face repent
Cent. Enobarbus?2 Peace: Hearke further
Enob. Oh Soueraigne Mistris of true Melancholly,The poysonous dampe of night dispunge vpon me,That Life, a very Rebell to my will,May hang no longer on me. Throw my heartAgainst the flint and hardnesse of my fault,Which being dried with greefe, will breake to powder,And finish all foule thoughts. Oh Anthony,Nobler then my reuolt is Infamous,Forgiue me in thine owne particular,But let the world ranke me in RegisterA Master leauer, and a fugitiue:Oh Anthony! Oh Anthony!1 Let's speake to him
Cent. Let's heare him, for the things he speakesMay concerne Caesar
2 Let's do so; but he sleepes
Cent. Swoonds rather, for so bad a Prayer as hisWas neuer yet for sleepe
1 Go we to him
2 Awake sir, awake, speake to vs
1 Heare you sir? Cent. The hand of death hath raught him.
Drummes afarre off.
Hearke the Drummes demurely wake the sleepers:Let vs beare him to'th' Court of Guard: he is of note:Our houre is fully out
2 Come on then, he may recouer yet.
Exeunt.
Enter Anthony and Scarrus, with their Army.
Ant. Their preparation is to day by Sea,We please them not by Land
Scar. For both, my Lord
Ant. I would they'ld fight i'th' Fire, or i'th' Ayre,Wee'ld fight there too. But this it is, our FooteVpon the hilles adioyning to the CittyShall stay with vs. Order for Sea is giuen,They haue put forth the Hauen:Where their appointment we may best discouer,And looke on their endeuour.
Exeunt.
Enter Caesar, and his Army.
Caes But being charg'd, we will be still by Land,Which as I tak't we shall, for his best forceIs forth to Man his Gallies. To the Vales,And hold our best aduantage.
Exeunt.
Alarum afarre off, as at a Sea-fight. Enter Anthony, and Scarrus.
Ant. Yet they are not ioyn'd:Where yon'd Pine does stand, I shall discouer all.Ile bring thee word straight, how 'tis like to go.Enter.
Scar. Swallowes haue builtIn Cleopatra's Sailes their nests. The AuguriesSay, they know not, they cannot tell, looke grimly,And dare not speake their knowledge. Anthony,Is valiant, and deiected, and by startsHis fretted Fortunes giue him hope and feareOf what he has, and has not.Enter Anthony.
Ant. All is lost:This fowle Egyptian hath betrayed me:My Fleete hath yeelded to the Foe, and yonderThey cast their Caps vp, and Carowse togetherLike Friends long lost. Triple-turn'd Whore, 'tis thouHast sold me to this Nouice, and my heartMakes onely Warres on thee. Bid them all flye:For when I am reueng'd vpon my Charme,I haue done all. Bid them all flye, be gone.Oh Sunne, thy vprise shall I see no more,Fortune, and Anthony part heere, euen heereDo we shake hands? All come to this? The heartsThat pannelled me at heeles, to whom I gaueTheir wishes, do dis-Candie, melt their sweetsOn blossoming Caesar: And this Pine is barkt,That ouer-top'd them all. Betray'd I am.Oh this false Soule of Egypt! this graue Charme,Whose eye beck'd forth my Wars, & cal'd them home:Whose Bosome was my Crownet, my chiefe end,Like a right Gypsie, hath at fast and looseBeguil'd me, to the very heart of losse.What Eros, Eros?Enter Cleopatra.
Ah, thou Spell! Auaunt
Cleo. Why is my Lord enrag'd against his Loue?Ant. Vanish, or I shall giue thee thy deseruing,And blemish Caesars Triumph. Let him take thee,And hoist thee vp to the shouting Plebeians,Follow his Chariot, like the greatest spotOf all thy Sex. Most Monster-like be shewneFor poor'st Diminitiues, for Dolts, and letPatient Octauia, plough thy visage vpWith her prepared nailes.
exit Cleopatra.
'Tis well th'art gone,If it be well to liue. But better 'twereThou fell'st into my furie, for one deathMight haue preuented many. Eros, hoa!The shirt of Nessus is vpon me, teach meAlcides, thou mine Ancestor, thy rage.Let me lodge Licas on the hornes o'th' Moone,And with those hands that graspt the heauiest Club,Subdue my worthiest selfe: The Witch shall die,To the young Roman Boy she hath sold me, and I fallVnder this plot: She dyes for't. Eros hoa?Enter.
Enter Cleopatra, Charmian, Iras, Mardian.
Cleo. Helpe me my women: Oh hee's more madThen Telamon for his Shield, the Boare of ThessalyWas neuer so imbost
Char. To'th' Monument, there locke your selfe,And send him word you are dead:The Soule and Body riue not more in parting,Then greatnesse going off
Cleo. To'th' Monument:Mardian, go tell him I haue slaine my selfe:Say, that the last I spoke was Anthony,And word it (prythee) pitteously. Hence Mardian,And bring me how he takes my death to'th' Monument.
Exeunt.
Enter Anthony, and Eros.
Ant. Eros, thou yet behold'st me?Eros. I Noble Lord
Ant. Sometime we see a clowd that's Dragonish,A vapour sometime, like a Beare, or Lyon,A toward Cittadell, a pendant Rocke,A forked Mountaine, or blew PromontorieWith Trees vpon't, that nodde vnto the world,And mocke our eyes with Ayre.Thou hast seene these Signes,They are blacke Vespers Pageants
Eros. I my Lord
Ant. That which is now a Horse, euen with a thoght the Racke dislimes, and makes it indistinct As water is in water
Eros. It does my Lord
Ant. My good Knaue Eros, now thy Captaine isEuen such a body: Heere I am Anthony,Yet cannot hold this visible shape (my Knaue)I made these warres for Egypt, and the Queene,Whose heart I thought I had, for she had mine:Which whil'st it was mine, had annext vntoo'tA Million moe, (now lost:) shee Eros hasPackt Cards with Caesars, and false plaid my GloryVnto an Enemies triumph.Nay, weepe not gentle Eros, there is left vsOur selues to end our selues.Enter Mardian.
Oh thy vilde Lady, she has rob'd me of my Sword
Mar. No Anthony, My Mistris lou'd thee, and her Fortunes mingled with thine intirely
Ant. Hence sawcy Eunuch peace, she hath betraid me,And shall dye the death
Mar. Death of one person, can be paide but once,And that she ha's discharg'd. What thou would'st doIs done vnto thy hand: the last she spakeWas Anthony, most Noble Anthony.Then in the midd'st a tearing grone did breakeThe name of Anthony: it was diuidedBetweene her heart, and lips: she tendred lifeThy name so buried in her
Ant. Dead then?Mar. Dead
Ant. Vnarme Eros, the long dayes taske is done,And we must sleepe: That thou depart'st hence safeDoes pay thy labour richly: Go.
exit Mardian.
Off, plucke off,The seuen-fold shield of Aiax cannot keepeThe battery from my heart. Oh cleaue my sides.Heart, once be stronger then thy Continent,Cracke thy fraile Case. Apace Eros, apace;No more a Soldier: bruised peeces go,You haue bin Nobly borne. From me awhile.
exit Eros
I will o're-take thee Cleopatra, andWeepe for my pardon. So it must be, for nowAll length is Torture: since the Torch is out,Lye downe and stray no farther. Now all labourMarres what it does: yea, very force entanglesIt selfe with strength: Seale then and all is done.Eros? I come my Queene. Eros? Stay for me,Where Soules do couch on Flowers, wee'l hand in hand,And with our sprightly Port make the Ghostes gaze:Dido, and her Aeneas shall want Troopes,And all the haunt be ours. Come Eros, Eros.Enter Eros.
Eros. What would my Lord?Ant. Since Cleopatra dyed,I haue liu'd in such dishonour, that the GodsDetest my basenesse. I, that with my Sword,Quarter'd the World, and o're greene Neptunes backeWith Ships, made Cities; condemne my selfe, to lackeThe Courage of a Woman, lesse Noble mindeThen she which by her death, our Caesar tellesI am Conqueror of my selfe. Thou art sworne Eros,That when the exigent should come, which nowIs come indeed: When I should see behinde meTh' ineuitable prosecution of disgrace and horror,That on my command, thou then would'st kill me.Doo't, the time is come: Thou strik'st not me,'Tis Caesar thou defeat'st. Put colour in thy Cheeke
Eros. The Gods with-hold me,Shall I do that which all the Parthian Darts,(Though Enemy) lost ayme, and could not
Ant. Eros,Would'st thou be window'd in great Rome, and seeThy Master thus with pleacht Armes, bending downeHis corrigible necke, his face subdu'deTo penetratiue shame; whil'st the wheel'd seateOf Fortunate Caesar drawne before him, brandedHis Basenesse that ensued
Eros. I would not see't
Ant. Come then: for with a wound I must be cur'd.Draw that thy honest Sword, which thou hast worneMost vsefull for thy Country
Eros. Oh sir, pardon me
Ant. When I did make thee free, swor'st y not thenTo do this when I bad thee? Do it at once,Or thy precedent Seruices are allBut accidents vnpurpos'd. Draw, and come
Eros. Turne from me then that Noble countenance,Wherein the worship of the whole world lyes
Ant. Loe thee
Eros. My sword is drawne
Ant. Then let it do at onceThe thing why thou hast drawne it
Eros. My deere Master,My Captaine, and my Emperor. Let me sayBefore I strike this bloody stroke, Farwell
Ant. 'Tis said man, and farewell
Eros. Farewell great Chiefe. Shall I strike now?Ant. Now Eros.
Killes himselfe.
Eros. Why there then:Thus I do escape the sorrow of Anthonies death
Ant. Thrice-Nobler then my selfe,Thou teachest me: Oh valiant Eros, whatI should, and thou could'st not, my Queene and ErosHaue by their braue instruction got vpon meA Noblenesse in Record. But I will beeA Bride-groome in my death, and run intoo'tAs to a Louers bed. Come then, and Eros,Thy Master dies thy Scholler; to do thusI learnt of thee. How, not dead? Not dead?The Guard, how? Oh dispatch me.Enter a Guard.
1.Guard. What's the noise?Ant. I haue done my worke ill Friends:Oh make an end of what I haue begun
2 The Starre is falne
1 And time is at his Period
All. Alas, and woe
Ant. Let him that loues me, strike me dead
1 Not I
2 Nor I
3 Nor any one.
Exeunt.
Decretus. Thy death and fortunes bid thy folowers flyThis sword but shewne to Caesar with this tydings,Shall enter me with him.Enter Diomedes.
Dio. Where's Anthony?Decre. There Diomed there
Diom. Liues he: wilt thou not answer man?Ant. Art thou there Diomed?Draw thy sword, and giue mee,Suffising strokes for death
Diom. Most absolute Lord:My Mistris Cleopatra sent me to thee
Ant. When did shee send thee?Diom. Now my Lord
Anth. Where is she?Diom. Lockt in her Monument: she had a Prophesying feareOf what hath come to passe: for when she saw(Which neuer shall be found) you did suspectShe had dispos'd with Caesar, and that your rageWould not be purg'd, she sent you word she was dead:But fearing since how it might worke, hath sentMe to proclaime the truth, and I am comeI dread, too late
Ant. Too late good Diomed: call my Guard I prythee
Dio. What hoa: the Emperors Guard,The Guard, what hoa? Come, your Lord calles.Enter 4. or 5. of the Guard of Anthony.
Ant. Beare me good Friends where Cleopatra bides,'Tis the last seruice that I shall command you
1 Woe, woe are we sir, you may not liue to weareAll your true Followers out
All. Most heauy day
Ant. Nay good my Fellowes, do not please sharp fateTo grace it with your sorrowes. Bid that welcomeWhich comes to punish vs, and we punish itSeeming to beare it lightly. Take me vp,I haue led you oft, carry me now good Friends,And haue my thankes for all.
Exit bearing Anthony
Enter Cleopatra, and her Maides aloft, with Charmian & Iras.
Cleo. Oh Charmian, I will neuer go from hence
Char. Be comforted deere Madam
Cleo. No, I will not:All strange and terrible euents are welcome,But comforts we dispise; our size of sorrowProportion'd to our cause, must be as greatAs that which makes it.Enter Diomed.
How now? is he dead?Diom. His death's vpon him, but not dead.Looke out o'th other side your Monument,His Guard haue brought him thither.Enter Anthony, and the Guard.
Cleo. Oh Sunne,Burne the great Sphere thou mou'st in, darkling standThe varrying shore o'th' world. O Antony, Antony, AntonyHelpe Charmian, helpe Iras helpe: helpe FriendsBelow, let's draw him hither
Ant. Peace,Not Caesars Valour hath o'rethrowne Anthony,But Anthonie's hath Triumpht on it selfe
Cleo. So it should be,That none but Anthony should conquer Anthony,But woe 'tis so
Ant. I am dying Egypt, dying; onelyI heere importune death a-while, vntillOf many thousand kisses, the poore lastI lay vpon thy lippes
Cleo. I dare not Deere,Deere my Lord pardon: I dare not,Least I be taken: nor th' Imperious shewOf the full-Fortun'd Caesar, euer shallBe brooch'd with me, if Knife, Drugges, Serpents haueEdge, sting, or operation. I am safe:Your Wife Octauia, with her modest eyes,And still Conclusion, shall acquire no HonourDemuring vpon me: but come, come Anthony,Helpe me my women, we must draw thee vp:Assist good Friends
Ant. Oh quicke, or I am gone
Cleo. Heere's sport indeede:How heauy weighes my Lord?Our strength is all gone into heauinesse,That makes the waight. Had I great Iuno's power,The strong wing'd Mercury should fetch thee vp,And set thee by Ioues side. Yet come a little,Wishers were euer Fooles. Oh come, come, come,
They heaue Anthony aloft to Cleopatra.
And welcome, welcome. Dye when thou hast liu'd,Quicken with kissing: had my lippes that power,Thus would I weare them out
All. A heauy sight
Ant. I am dying Egypt, dying.Giue me some Wine, and let me speake a little
Cleo. No, let me speake, and let me rayle so hye,That the false Huswife Fortune, breake her Wheele,Prouok'd by my offence
Ant. One word (sweet Queene)Of Caesar seeke your Honour, with your safety. Oh
Cleo. They do not go together
Ant. Gentle heare me,None about Caesar trust, but Proculeius
Cleo. My Resolution, and my hands, Ile trust,None about Caesar
Ant. The miserable change now at my end,Lament nor sorrow at: but please your thoughtsIn feeding them with those my former FortunesWherein I liued. The greatest Prince o'th' world,The Noblest: and do now not basely dye,Not Cowardly put off my Helmet toMy Countreyman. A Roman, by a RomanValiantly vanquish'd. Now my Spirit is going,I can no more
Cleo. Noblest of men, woo't dye?Hast thou no care of me, shall I abideIn this dull world, which in thy absence isNo better then a Stye? Oh see my women:The Crowne o'th' earth doth melt. My Lord?Oh wither'd is the Garland of the Warre,The Souldiers pole is falne: young Boyes and GyrlesAre leuell now with men: The oddes is gone,And there is nothing left remarkeableBeneath the visiting Moone
Char. Oh quietnesse, Lady
Iras. She's dead too, our Soueraigne
Char. Lady
Iras. Madam
Char. Oh Madam, Madam, Madam
Iras. Royall Egypt: Empresse
Char. Peace, peace, Iras
Cleo. No more but in a Woman, and commandedBy such poore passion, as the Maid that Milkes,And doe's the meanest chares. It were for me,To throw my Scepter at the iniurious Gods,To tell them that this World did equall theyrs,Till they had stolne our Iewell. All's but naught:Patience is sortish, and impatience doesBecome a Dogge that's mad: Then is it sinne,To rush into the secret house of death,Ere death dare come to vs. How do you Women?What, what good cheere? Why how now Charmian?My Noble Gyrles? Ah Women, women! LookeOur Lampe is spent, it's out. Good sirs, take heart,Wee'l bury him: And then, what's braue, what's Noble,Let's doo't after the high Roman fashion,And make death proud to take vs. Come, away,This case of that huge Spirit now is cold.Ah Women, Women! Come, we haue no FriendBut Resolution, and the breefest end.
Exeunt., bearing of Anthonies body.
Enter Caesar, Agrippa, Dollabella, Menas, with his Counsell ofWarre.
Caesar. Go to him Dollabella, bid him yeeld,Being so frustrate, tell him,He mockes the pawses that he makes
Dol. Caesar, I shall.Enter Decretas with the sword of Anthony.
Caes Wherefore is that? And what art thou that dar'stAppeare thus to vs?Dec. I am call'd Decretas,Marke Anthony I seru'd, who best was worthieBest to be seru'd: whil'st he stood vp, and spokeHe was my Master, and I wore my lifeTo spend vpon his haters. If thou pleaseTo take me to thee, as I was to him,Ile be to Caesar: if y pleasest not, I yeild thee vp my life
Caesar. What is't thou say'st?Dec. I say (Oh Caesar) Anthony is dead
Caesar. The breaking of so great a thing, should makeA greater cracke. The round WorldShould haue shooke Lyons into ciuill streets,And Cittizens to their dennes. The death of AnthonyIs not a single doome, in the name layA moity of the world
Dec. He is dead Caesar,Not by a publike minister of Iustice,Nor by a hyred Knife, but that selfe-handWhich writ his Honor in the Acts it did,Hath with the Courage which the heart did lend it,Splitted the heart. This is his Sword,I robb'd his wound of it: behold it stain'dWith his most Noble blood
Caes Looke you sad Friends,The Gods rebuke me, but it is TydingsTo wash the eyes of Kings
Dol. And strange it is,That Nature must compell vs to lamentOur most persisted deeds
Mec. His taints and Honours, wag'd equal with him
Dola. A Rarer spirit neuerDid steere humanity: but you Gods will giue vsSome faults to make vs men. Caesar is touch'd
Mec. When such a spacious Mirror's set before him,He needes must see him selfe
Caesar. Oh Anthony,I haue followed thee to this, but we do launchDiseases in our Bodies. I must perforceHaue shewne to thee such a declining day,Or looke on thine: we could not stall together,In the whole world. But yet let me lamentWith teares as Soueraigne as the blood of hearts,That thou my Brother, my Competitor,In top of all designe; my Mate in Empire,Friend and Companion in the front of Warre,The Arme of mine owne Body, and the HeartWhere mine his thoughts did kindle; that our StarresVnreconciliable, should diuide our equalnesse to this.Heare me good Friends,But I will tell you at some meeter Season,The businesse of this man lookes out of him,Wee'l heare him what he sayes.Enter an aegyptian.
Whence are you?aegyp. A poore Egyptian yet, the Queen my mistrisConfin'd in all, she has her MonumentOf thy intents, desires, instruction,That she preparedly may frame her selfeTo'th' way shee's forc'd too
Caesar. Bid her haue good heart,She soone shall know of vs, by some of ours,How honourable, and how kindely WeeDetermine for her. For Caesar cannot leaue to be vngentleaegypt. So the Gods preserue thee.Enter.
Caes Come hither Proculeius. Go and sayWe purpose her no shame: giue her what comfortsThe quality of her passion shall require;Least in her greatnesse, by some mortall strokeShe do defeate vs. For her life in Rome,Would be eternall in our Triumph: Go,And with your speediest bring vs what she sayes,And how you finde of her
Pro. Caesar I shall.
Exit Proculeius.
Caes Gallus, go you along: where's Dolabella, to secondProculeius?All. Dolabella
Caes Let him alone: for I remember nowHow hee's imployd: he shall in time be ready.Go with me to my Tent, where you shall seeHow hardly I was drawne into this Warre,How calme and gentle I proceeded stillIn all my Writings. Go with me, and seeWhat I can shew in this.
Exeunt.
Enter Cleopatra, Charmian, Iras, and Mardian.
Cleo. My desolation does begin to makeA better life: Tis paltry to be Caesar:Not being Fortune, hee's but Fortunes knaue,A minister of her will: and it is greatTo do that thing that ends all other deeds,Which shackles accedents, and bolts vp change;Which sleepes, and neuer pallates more the dung,The beggers Nurse, and Caesars.Enter Proculeius.
Pro. Caesar sends greeting to the Queene of Egypt,And bids thee study on what faire demandsThou mean'st to haue him grant thee
Cleo. What's thy name?Pro. My name is Proculeius
Cleo. AnthonyDid tell me of you, bad me trust you, butI do not greatly care to be deceiu'dThat haue no vse for trusting. If your MasterWould haue a Queene his begger, you must tell him,That Maiesty to keepe decorum, mustNo lesse begge then a Kingdome: If he pleaseTo giue me conquer'd Egypt for my Sonne,He giues me so much of mine owne, as IWill kneele to him with thankes
Pro. Be of good cheere:Y'are falne into a Princely hand, feare nothing,Make your full reference freely to my Lord,Who is so full of Grace, that it flowes ouerOn all that neede. Let me report to himYour sweet dependancie, and you shall findeA Conqueror that will pray in ayde for kindnesse,Where he for grace is kneel'd too
Cleo. Pray you tell him,I am his Fortunes Vassall, and I send himThe Greatnesse he has got. I hourely learneA Doctrine of Obedience, and would gladlyLooke him i'th' Face
Pro. This Ile report (deere Lady)Haue comfort, for I know your plight is pittiedOf him that caus'd it
Pro. You see how easily she may be surpriz'd:Guard her till Caesar come
Iras. Royall Queene
Char. Oh Cleopatra, thou art taken Queene
Cleo. Quicke, quicke, good hands
Pro. Hold worthy Lady, hold:Doe not your selfe such wrong, who are in thisReleeu'd, but not betraid
Cleo. What of death too that rids our dogs of languishPro. Cleopatra, do not abuse my Masters bounty, byTh' vndoing of your selfe: Let the World seeHis Noblenesse well acted, which your deathWill neuer let come forth
Cleo. Where art thou Death?Come hither come; Come, come, and take a QueeneWorth many Babes and Beggers
Pro. Oh temperance Lady
Cleo. Sir, I will eate no meate, Ile not drinke sir,If idle talke will once be necessaryIle not sleepe neither. This mortall house Ile ruine,Do Caesar what he can. Know sir, that IWill not waite pinnion'd at your Masters Court,Nor once be chastic'd with the sober eyeOf dull Octauia. Shall they hoyst me vp,And shew me to the showting VarlotarieOf censuring Rome? Rather a ditch in Egypt.Be gentle graue vnto me, rather on Nylus muddeLay me starke-nak'd, and let the water-FliesBlow me into abhorring; rather makeMy Countries high pyramides my Gibbet,And hang me vp in Chaines
Pro. You do extendThese thoughts of horror further then you shallFinde cause in Caesar.Enter Dolabella.
Dol. Proculeius,What thou hast done, thy Master Caesar knowes,And he hath sent for thee: for the Queene,Ile take her to my Guard
Pro. So Dolabella,It shall content me best: Be gentle to her,To Caesar I will speake, what you shall please,If you'l imploy me to him.
Exit Proculeius
Cleo. Say, I would dye
Dol. Most Noble Empresse, you haue heard of me
Cleo. I cannot tell
Dol. Assuredly you know me
Cleo. No matter sir, what I haue heard or knowne:You laugh when Boyes or Women tell their Dreames,Is't not your tricke?Dol. I vnderstand not, Madam
Cleo. I dreampt there was an Emperor Anthony.Oh such another sleepe, that I might seeBut such another man
Dol. If it might please ye
Cleo. His face was as the Heau'ns, and therein stuckeA Sunne and Moone, which kept their course, & lightedThe little o'th' earth
Dol. Most Soueraigne Creature
Cleo. His legges bestrid the Ocean, his rear'd armeCrested the world: His voyce was propertiedAs all the tuned Spheres, and that to Friends:But when he meant to quaile, and shake the Orbe,He was as ratling Thunder. For his Bounty,There was no winter in't. An Anthony it was,That grew the more by reaping: His delightsWere Dolphin-like, they shew'd his backe aboueThe Element they liu'd in: In his LiueryWalk'd Crownes and Crownets: Realms & Islands wereAs plates dropt from his pocket
Dol. Cleopatra
Cleo. Thinke you there was, or might be such a manAs this I dreampt of?Dol. Gentle Madam, no
Cleo. You Lye vp to the hearing of the Gods:But if there be, not euer were one suchIt's past the size of dreaming: Nature wants stuffeTo vie strange formes with fancie, yet t' imagineAn Anthony were Natures peece, 'gainst Fancie,Condemning shadowes quite
Dol. Heare me, good Madam:Your losse is as your selfe, great; and you beare itAs answering to the waight, would I might neuerOre-take pursu'de successe: But I do feeleBy the rebound of yours, a greefe that suitesMy very heart at roote
Cleo. I thanke you sir:Know you what Caesar meanes to do with me?Dol. I am loath to tell you what, I would you knew
Cleo. Nay pray you sir
Dol. Though he be Honourable
Cleo. Hee'l leade me then in Triumph
Dol. Madam he will, I know't.
Flourish.
Enter Proculeius, Caesar, Gallus, Mecenas, and others of hisTraine.
All. Make way there Caesar
Caes Which is the Queene of Egypt
Dol. It is the Emperor Madam.
Cleo. kneeles.
Caesar. Arise, you shall not kneele:I pray you rise, rise Egypt
Cleo. Sir, the Gods will haue it thus,My Master and my Lord I must obey,Caesar. Take to you no hard thoughts,The Record of what iniuries you did vs,Though written in our flesh, we shall rememberAs things but done by chance
Cleo. Sole Sir o'th' World,I cannot proiect mine owne cause so wellTo make it cleare, but do confesse I haueBene laden with like frailties, which beforeHaue often sham'd our Sex
Caesar. Cleopatra know,We will extenuate rather then inforce:If you apply your selfe to our intents,Which towards you are most gentle, you shall findeA benefit in this change: but if you seekeTo lay on me a Cruelty, by takingAnthonies course, you shall bereaue your selfeOf my good purposes, and put your childrenTo that destruction which Ile guard them from,If thereon you relye. Ile take my leaue
Cleo. And may through all the world: tis yours, & we your Scutcheons, and your signes of Conquest shall Hang in what place you please. Here my good Lord
Caesar. You shall aduise me in all for Cleopatra
Cleo. This is the breefe: of Money, Plate, & IewelsI am possest of, 'tis exactly valewed,Not petty things admitted. Where's Seleucus?Seleu. Heere Madam
Cleo. This is my Treasurer, let him speake (my Lord)Vpon his perill, that I haue reseru'dTo my selfe nothing. Speake the truth Seleucus
Seleu. Madam, I had rather seele my lippes,Then to my perill speake that which is not
Cleo. What haue I kept backe
Sel. Enough to purchase what you haue made knownCaesar. Nay blush not Cleopatra, I approueYour Wisedome in the deede
Cleo. See Caesar: Oh behold,How pompe is followed: Mine will now be yours,And should we shift estates, yours would be mine.The ingratitude of this Seleucus, doesEuen make me wilde. Oh Slaue, of no more trustThen loue that's hyr'd? What goest thou backe, y shaltGo backe I warrant thee: but Ile catch thine eyesThough they had wings. Slaue, Soule-lesse, Villain, Dog.O rarely base!Caesar. Good Queene, let vs intreat you
Cleo. O Caesar, what a wounding shame is this,That thou vouchsafing heere to visit me,Doing the Honour of thy LordlinesseTo one so meeke, that mine owne Seruant shouldParcell the summe of my disgraces, byAddition of his Enuy. Say (good Caesar)That I some Lady trifles haue reseru'd,Immoment toyes, things of such DignitieAs we greet moderne Friends withall, and saySome Nobler token I haue kept apartFor Liuia and Octauia, to induceTheir mediation, must I be vnfoldedWith one that I haue bred: The Gods! it smites meBeneath the fall I haue. Prythee go hence,Or I shall shew the Cynders of my spiritsThrough th' Ashes of my chance: Wer't thou a man,Thou would'st haue mercy on me
Caesar. Forbeare Seleucus
Cleo. Be it known, that we the greatest are mis-thoghtFor things that others do: and when we fall,We answer others merits, in our nameAre therefore to be pittied
Caesar. Cleopatra,Not what you haue reseru'd, nor what acknowledg'dPut we i'th' Roll of Conquest: still bee't yours,Bestow it at your pleasure, and beleeueCaesars no Merchant, to make prize with youOf things that Merchants sold. Therefore be cheer'd,Make not your thoughts your prisons: No deere Queen,For we intend so to dispose you, asYour selfe shall giue vs counsell: Feede, and sleepe:Our care and pitty is so much vpon you,That we remaine your Friend, and so adieu
Cleo. My Master, and my Lord
Caesar. Not so: Adieu.
Flourish. Exeunt Caesar, and his Traine.
Cleo. He words me Gyrles, he words me,That I should not be Noble to my selfe.But hearke thee Charmian
Iras. Finish good Lady, the bright day is done,And we are for the darke
Cleo. Hye thee againe,I haue spoke already, and it is prouided,Go put it to the haste
Char. Madam, I will.Enter Dolabella.
Dol. Where's the Queene?Char. Behold sir
Cleo. Dolabella
Dol. Madam, as thereto sworne, by your command(Which my loue makes Religion to obey)I tell you this: Caesar through SyriaIntends his iourney, and within three dayes,You with your Children will he send before,Make your best vse of this. I haue perform'dYour pleasure, and my promise
Cleo. Dolabella, I shall remaine your debter
Dol. I your Seruant:Adieu good Queene, I must attend on Caesar.
Exit
Cleo. Farewell, and thankes.Now Iras, what think'st thou?Thou, an Egyptian Puppet shall be shewneIn Rome aswell as I: Mechanicke SlauesWith greazie Aprons, Rules, and Hammers shallVplift vs to the view. In their thicke breathes,Ranke of grosse dyet, shall we be enclowded,And forc'd to drinke their vapour
Iras. The Gods forbid
Cleo. Nay, 'tis most certaine Iras: sawcie LictorsWill catch at vs like Strumpets, and scald RimersBallads vs out a Tune. The quicke ComediansExtemporally will stage vs, and presentOur Alexandrian Reuels: AnthonyShall be brought drunken forth, and I shall seeSome squeaking Cleopatra Boy my greatnesseI'th' posture of a Whore
Iras. O the good Gods!Cleo. Nay that's certaine
Iras. Ile neuer see't? for I am sure mine NailesAre stronger then mine eyes
Cleo. Why that's the way to foole their preparation,And to conquer their most absurd intents.Enter Charmian.
Now Charmian.Shew me my Women like a Queene: Go fetchMy best Attyres. I am againe for Cidrus,To meete Marke Anthony. Sirra Iras, go(Now Noble Charmian, wee'l dispatch indeede,)And when thou hast done this chare, Ile giue thee leaueTo play till Doomesday: bring our Crowne, and all.
A noise within.
Wherefore's this noise?Enter a Guardsman.
Gards. Heere is a rurall Fellow,That will not be deny'de your Highnesse presence,He brings you Figges
Cleo. Let him come in.
Exit Guardsman.
What poore an InstrumentMay do a Noble deede: he brings me liberty:My Resolution's plac'd, and I haue nothingOf woman in me: Now from head to footeI am Marble constant: now the fleeting MooneNo Planet is of mine.Enter Guardsman, and Clowne.
Guards. This is the man
Cleo. Auoid, and leaue him.
Exit Guardsman.
Hast thou the pretty worme of Nylus there, That killes and paines not? Clow. Truly I haue him: but I would not be the partie that should desire you to touch him, for his byting is immortall: those that doe dye of it, doe seldome or neuer recouer
Cleo. Remember'st thou any that haue dyed on't? Clow. Very many, men and women too. I heard of one of them no longer then yesterday, a very honest woman, but something giuen to lye, as a woman should not do, but in the way of honesty, how she dyed of the byting of it, what paine she felt: Truely, she makes a verie good report o'th' worme: but he that wil beleeue all that they say, shall neuer be saued by halfe that they do: but this is most falliable, the Worme's an odde Worme
Cleo. Get thee hence, farewell
Clow. I wish you all ioy of the Worme
Cleo. Farewell
Clow. You must thinke this (looke you,) that theWorme will do his kinde
Cleo. I, I, farewell
Clow. Looke you, the Worme is not to bee trusted, but in the keeping of wise people: for indeede, there is no goodnesse in the Worme
Cleo. Take thou no care, it shall be heeded
Clow. Very good: giue it nothing I pray you, for it is not worth the feeding
Cleo. Will it eate me? Clow. You must not think I am so simple, but I know the diuell himselfe will not eate a woman: I know, that a woman is a dish for the Gods, if the diuell dresse her not. But truly, these same whorson diuels doe the Gods great harme in their women: for in euery tenne that they make, the diuels marre fiue
Cleo. Well, get thee gone, farewell
Clow. Yes forsooth: I wish you ioy o'th' worm.
Exit
Cleo. Giue me my Robe, put on my Crowne, I haueImmortall longings in me. Now no moreThe iuyce of Egypts Grape shall moyst this lip.Yare, yare, good Iras; quicke: Me thinkes I heareAnthony call: I see him rowse himselfeTo praise my Noble Act. I heare him mockThe lucke of Caesar, which the Gods giue menTo excuse their after wrath. Husband, I come:Now to that name, my Courage proue my Title.I am Fire, and Ayre; my other ElementsI giue to baser life. So, haue you done?Come then, and take the last warmth of my Lippes.Farewell kinde Charmian, Iras, long farewell.Haue I the Aspicke in my lippes? Dost fall?If thou, and Nature can so gently part,The stroke of death is as a Louers pinch,Which hurts, and is desir'd. Dost thou lye still?If thus thou vanishest, thou tell'st the world,It is not worth leaue-taking
Char. Dissolue thicke clowd, & Raine, that I may sayThe Gods themselues do weepe
Cleo. This proues me base:If she first meete the Curled Anthony,Hee'l make demand of her, and spend that kisseWhich is my heauen to haue. Come thou mortal wretch,With thy sharpe teeth this knot intrinsicate,Of life at once vntye: Poore venomous Foole,Be angry, and dispatch. Oh could'st thou speake,That I might heare thee call great Caesar Asse, vnpolicied
Char. Oh Easterne Starre
Cleo. Peace, peace:Dost thou not see my Baby at my breast,That suckes the Nurse asleepe
Char. O breake! O breake!Cleo. As sweet as Balme, as soft as Ayre, as gentle.O Anthony! Nay I will take thee too.What should I stay-
Dyes.
Char. In this wilde World? So fare thee well:Now boast thee Death, in thy possession lyesA Lasse vnparalell'd. Downie Windowes cloze,And golden Phoebus, neuer be beheldOf eyes againe so Royall: your Crownes away,Ile mend it, and then play-Enter the Guard rustling in; and Dolabella.
1.Guard. Where's the Queene?Char. Speake softly, wake her not
1 Caesar hath sentChar. Too slow a Messenger.Oh come apace, dispatch, I partly feele thee
1 Approach hoa,All's not well: Caesar's beguild
2 There's Dolabella sent from Caesar: call him
1 What worke is heere Charmian?Is this well done?Char. It is well done, and fitting for a PrincesseDescended of so many Royall Kings.Ah Souldier.
Charmian dyes.
Enter Dolabella.
Dol. How goes it heere?2.Guard. All dead
Dol. Caesar, thy thoughtsTouch their effects in this: Thy selfe art commingTo see perform'd the dreaded Act which thouSo sought'st to hinder.Enter Caesar and all his Traine, marching.
All. A way there, a way for Caesar
Dol. Oh sir, you are too sure an Augurer:That you did feare, is done
Caesar. Brauest at the last,She leuell'd at our purposes, and being RoyallTooke her owne way: the manner of their deaths,I do not see them bleede
Dol. Who was last with them?1.Guard. A simple Countryman, that broght hir Figs:This was his Basket
Caesar. Poyson'd then
1.Guard. Oh Caesar:This Charmian liu'd but now, she stood and spake:I found her trimming vp the Diadem;On her dead Mistris tremblingly she stood,And on the sodaine dropt
Caesar. Oh Noble weakenesse:If they had swallow'd poyson, 'twould appeareBy externall swelling: but she lookes like sleepe,As she would catch another AnthonyIn her strong toyle of Grace
Dol. Heere on her brest,There is a vent of Bloud, and something blowne,The like is on her Arme
1.Guard. This is an Aspickes traile, And these Figge-leaues haue slime vpon them, such As th' Aspicke leaues vpon the Caues of Nyle
Caesar. Most probableThat so she dyed: for her Physitian tels meeShe hath pursu'de Conclusions infiniteOf easie wayes to dye. Take vp her bed,And beare her Women from the Monument,She shall be buried by her Anthony.No Graue vpon the earth shall clip in itA payre so famous: high euents as theseStrike those that make them: and their Story isNo lesse in pitty, then his Glory whichBrought them to be lamented. Our Army shallIn solemne shew, attend this Funerall,And then to Rome. Come Dolabella, seeHigh Order, in this great Solemnity.
Exeunt. omnes