 | Antony and Cleopatra |  |
Scene the Fifth.
The Gates drawn open.A shout from the Town. Photinus is attacqued from behind.
Antonius Enters.
Anto.
Spare on your Lives th'unarm'd and meaner sort,
And all who to Our Clemency resort.
This easie entrance to some Friend we owe:
We from within came pouring on the Foe.
Canid.
They are no Traytors till they kill our men,
And then as vanquish't must be spar'd agen.
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They're Cleopatra's Subjects: let that be
A full Protection in our Victory.
Enter Lucilius with Photinus, Memnon, and Chilax Prisoners.
Lucil.
Health to Antonius, in whose Cause to fight
Is less Lucilius duty than delight.
Take from my hand your treacherous Enemies,
And use 'em as your Safety shall advise.
Memn.
Traitor's a name my Vertue cannot brook;
How cou'd I break a Trust I never took?
Anto.
Armes 'gainst your Lawful Queen are still unjust,
A Subject born betrays a Native trust.
But thou Photinus beyond Villains base,
Whom with her Trust and Friendship she did grace,
Whom Birth and Fortune both had laid so low,
To raise thee up again she scarce knew how;
Only rash Favour, whose extravagance
Seems yet a blinder Power than that of Chance,
Remain'd thy Friend—
Phot.
I do confess, my Queen
From nothing made me all that I have been;
And much I to Antonius favour owe,
Whom then should I depend on but you two?
Anto.
We two! whom thou didst shut the Town against,
And to whom now thou but repentance feign'st.
Phot.
From this seditious Rout what cou'd I gain?
I might not hope in Cleopatra's reign:
Weigh then my Int'rest, by that Scale you'l find
My Crime, though great, lay never in my mind:
I shou'd have dy'd, I know, I wish I had,
Rather than seem'd to have my Trust betray'd:
I shou'd have chose their Dagger, scorn'd their side;
It had been past, and I had nobly dy'd.
Chil.
O that thou hadst! I would have driv'n it home,
Till forth with the broad point thy Soul had come.
Phot.
Death I have often met in open field,
With my Sword sent, repell'd him with my Shield:
Surpriz'd, defenceless! I confess I shook,
And cou'd not in cold blood his visage brook
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Serenely and unshaken, put off man.
Cæsar.
We might have known that Party needs must fall,
Who to his own fear, owe their General.
Phot.
Kill me! alas! I do not ask to live!
Shou'd you, I never cou'd my self forgive,
Death to my fear is due, why shou'd I plead?
I was no Traytor, I was worse, afraid:
Love, Faith, and Zeal, if Resolution fail,
No more than the faint Glow-worm's Fire avail.
All that I now repent, is that with shame
I lose that Life, I might have lost with Fame.
Anto.
How cam'st thou to appear in open Arms,
For thy black Soul has Treachery such Charms?
Phot.
Had I not been their General I had dy'd,
Death turn'd the Scale, and so I took their side.
Besides, I for your Service thought it best,
I shou'd with them maintain my Interest;
That at some time unlook't for you might see
The good intent of seeming Treachery.
What greater Blessing can your Arms attend,
Than t'have your Foes, commanded by your Friend?
I early of Lucilius project knew,
And from the neighb'ring parts my Arms withdrew,
That he a Body might of Romans form,
The great exploit securely to perform.
Anto.
'Tis possible thou mayst be honest! yet 'twere strange,
Men still were doubted, who but seem to change.
But say! how came this Tumult to begin?
Phot.
The people long have discontented been,
Curst me aloud, and murmur'd at the Queen;
That to your side so firmly we adher'd,
And to their Common Peace your Cause preferr'd;
They said they wou'd not be the Victor's prey;
But whom they must at last, betimes obey:
And ruine all who stop't 'em in their way.
Anto.
Where were the Souldiers?
Phot.
When she sally'd forth—
None stay'd, who lov'd the Queen or Martial Worth;
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And had effected what they long design'd,
Had not those Pow'rs that Treachery prevent,
To your relief the brave Lucilius sent:
He in the Town a Band of Romans got,
And overthrew the Rebels and their Plot.
Anto.
You then are none of 'em—
Phot.
I was by force:
But Lucrece ne're cou'd hate vile Tarquin worse,
Than I these Forcers of my Loyalty—
[Points to the Lords.
And like her too (since not believ'd) I'l dye.
Memn.
You durst not dye by an Egyptian Sword:
What is't this sudden Courage does afford?
Phot.
I was no Villain thought, but now I hate
My Life, and cou'd rush gladly on my fate;
And you repent—
Chil.
That e're we trusted thee—
Slave! more uncertain than a Winters Sea.
Anto.
I will believe Death shook thy Loyalty,
And all thou didst was Fear, not Treachery:
Photinus rise! thy frailty I forgive.
[Rises.
And if thou can'st or dar'st thus branded, live;
But never more a weighty Charge receive.
Phot.
I wou'd live gladly to redeem my Crime;
'Tis all the benefit I ask of Time.
Anto.
But you Fierce Lords that dare your Soveraign blame,
And would depose, or govern in Her name,
Shall find what 'tis to play with Royalty;
And fall like Phaeton from the borrow'd Skie.
Chil.
We scorn thy Mercy, and our Country love,
And gladly from her dying Cries remove.
| Antony and Cleopatra | |