 | The Tragedie of Cleopatra |  |
The Argument.
After the death of Antonius, Cleopatra (liuing still in the monument shee had caused to be built) could not by any meanes be drawne forth, although Octauius Cæsar very earnestly laboured it, and sent Proculeius, to vse all diligence to bring her vnto him: for that he thought it would be a great ornament to his triumphs, to get her aliue to Rome. But neuer would shee put her selfe into the handes of Proculeius, although on a time he found the meanes, (by a window that was at the toppe of the Monument,) to come downe vnto her: where hee perswaded her (all he might) to yeeld herselfe to Cæsars mercy. Which she (to be rid of him) cunningly seemed to grant vnto. After that, Octouius in person went to visite her, to whome she excused her offence, laying all the fault vpon the greatnes, and feare shee had of Antonius, and withall seemed very tractable, and willing to be disposed of by him.
Whereupon Octauius, thinking himselfe sure resolued
presently to send her away to Rome. Whereof Dolabella
a fauourite of Cæsars (and one that was growne
into some good liking of her) hauing certified her shee
makes her humble petition to Cæsar that he would suffer
her to sacrifice to the Ghost of Antonius, which beeing
granted her, shee was brought vnto his Sepulchre,
where, after her rites performed she returned to the monument,
and there dined with great magnificence. And
Cæsario her sonne, which she had by Iulius Cæsar (conueyed before vnto India, out of the danger of the warres) was about the same time of her death murthered at Rhodes; trained thether by the falshood of his Tutor, (corrupted by Cæsar. And so hereby came the race of the Ptolomies to bee wholy extinct, and the flourishing rich kingdome of Egypt vtterly ouerthrowne and subdued.
| The Tragedie of Cleopatra | |