 | Antony and Cleopatra |  |
42
Scene the Fourth.
The Gates being shut.Enter Antonius, Cleopatra, Canidius, and Attendants.
Anto.
How well my Queen doth this one act reprove
My needless Jealousie, and shew your Love?
Cleop.
Her! whom you not esteem, why wou'd you save?
But thô unjust, Antonius still is brave.
Ant.
I not esteem you! by the Gods I do
As much as Love—
Cleop.
No my Antonius! No!
You think me all that can a Queen disgrace,
Lighter than Woman, and than Man more base.
How cou'd I else forsake you in distress?
Or could Thyreus in a moment please.
Anto.
It was the raging Feaver of my Love,
And strongest Natures, strong Distempers prove:
Forgive it Madam, as my Loves excess.
Cleop.
Had Cæsar su'd, I had his flame disdain'd;
And cou'd you think another entertain'd?
When the whole World shall to his Fortune yield,
My Heart against your Foe shall keep the Field.
Anto.
On me so thick your obligations fall,
I must subdue that World to pay 'em all,
And make proud Rome acknowledge you her Queen;
Your Glory does demand no less a Scene.
Canid.
'Tis very fine, here's all the Sense he has!
His Legions, Empire, all are in that face!
I do not think he knows he is besieg'd,
But quite undone, talks how he is oblig'd!
Pray, Sir, do you consider where we are,
If we stay long we shall have Cæsar here.
Ant.
Were he in sight I'd not one word forbear
Till I did guiltless to my Queen appear.
Thyreus dying—
Cleop.
Have you kill'd him then—
I shall be hateful to the Race of men.
To Cleopatra it is death to speak:
43
And those she looks on, by Antonius fall.
Anto.
He clear'd your Vertue with his dying Breath.
Cleop.
You stain'd it in the manner of his death.
Anto.
Lovers like Misers cannot bear the stealth
Of the least trifle from their endless wealth.
I saw him kiss your hand, for that he dy'd:
And shou'd had he Ten Thousand lives beside.
You seem not pleas'd with my revenge enough.
Cleop.
It was too rash, and for his crime too rough.
Anto.
T'attempt the spotless Honor of my Queen,
Is such a Crime, as it is death to mean.
Cleop.
He shou'd have liv'd, if that he lov'd indeed,
My Scorn all other Torments might exceed:
His life had been but one continued pain,
And mine but one long Act of my disdain:
But now all means to clear my self are lost;
You can but think me innocent at most.
Anto.
I from that Viper such an Oyl have wrung,
As heals that Love which he before had stung:
Since from a dying Rival's mouth I hear,
His hope was as ill grounded as my fear:
He call'd you most Ingrateful as he dy'd;
Confess'd his Passion, and accus'd your Pride:
What stronger demonstration can be thought?
Cleop.
Could nothing I might say, the like have wrought?
Then vain is all I've suffer'd, and have done:
My slighted Fame, and my endanger'd Throne,
Can nothing weigh; and 'twas Thyreus grace,
That I was clear'd! Antonius held me base.
Anto.
O say not so! My Love of its own strength
Had overcome that jealousie at length:
To him indeed I owe my speedy Cure.
Cleop.
Are you for ever from relapse secure?
Anto.
I rather will believe all that is strange,
The whole Sex true, than that my Queen can change.
44
Sould.
The Town is lost, your Romans kill'd or fled,
And false Photinus does the Traytor head:
Memnon and Chilax in bright Arms appear,
And for Octavius Cæsar all declare
Anto. Canid. appear with their Army under the Walls and find opposition, some that go near are kill'd.
Anto.
Treason before, and Enemies behind;
In such a choice 'twere equal to be blind.
I know not which I shou'd attacque the first;
I'm only sure of all: Delay's the worst.
Storm then the Town with all that we can make
E're Cæsar see, and this advantage take.
Safe at a distance here my Queen must stay,
Charge without.
While we with blood and slaughter force our way.
[They are beat off.
Canid.
It is in vain, these Barb'rous Villains dare
Not hope for the fair Quarter of a War;
And are turn'd desperate.
Anto.
We are alike,
Desperate with them,
When for the whole both Parties strike,
Courage must carry't, Charge them once agen.
[Charge.
[Shout.
| Antony and Cleopatra | |