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? Enter Charmian. Show me, my women, like a queen ;-Go fetch To play till dooms-day.-Bring our crown and all. Wherefore's this noise? Guard. [Erit Iras. A noise within. Enter one of the Guard. Here is a rural fellow, That will not be denied your highness' presence; He brings you figs. Cleo. Let him come in. How pcor an instru ment [Erit Guard. May do a noble deed! he brings me liberty. Re-enter Guard, with a Clown bringing a basket. Guard. This is the man. [Exit Guard. Cleo. Avoid, and leave him. Hast thou the pretty worm of Nilus there, That kills and pains not? Job of work. + Inconstant. 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. I 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, -Truly, she makes a very good report o'the worm: But he that will believe all that they say, shall 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. 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; I wish you joy of the [Exit. worm. • Act according to his nature. Re-enter Iras, with a robe, crown, &c. 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 Have I the aspick in my lips? If thou and nature can so gently part, The stroke of death is as a lover's pinch, Which hurts, and is desir'd. Dost thou lie still? Char. Dissolve, thick cloud, and rain; that I may say, 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, Char. O castern star! Make haste. + Unpolitick, to leave me to myself. Cleo. Peace, peace! Dost thou not see my baby at my breast, That sucks the nurse asleep? Char. O, break! O, break! Cleo. As sweet as balm, as soft as air, as gentle,O Antony!-Nay, I will take thee too : What should I stay [Applying another asp to her arm. [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 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 hiin. 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! [Dies. Thyself art coming Touch their effects in this: To see perform'd the dreaded act, which thou So sought'st to hinder. 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. Cas. 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. Cæs. 1 Guard. Poison'd then. O Cæsar, This Charmian lived but now; she stood, and spake : I found her trimming up the diadem On her dead mistress; tremblingly she stood, And on the sudden dropp'd. Cas. O noble weakness! If they had swallow'd poison, 'twould appear In her strong toil of grace. Dol. Here, on her breast, There is a vent of blood, and something blown: 1 Guard. This is an aspick's trail: and these figleaves Have slime upon them, such as the aspick leaves Upon the caves of Nile. Cas. Most probable, That so she died; for her physician tells me, She hath pursu'd conclusions + infinite Of easy ways to die.-Take up her bed; She shall be buried by hier Antony: No grave upon the earth shall clip in it • Graceful appearance. Eufold. |