 | The Tragedie of Cleopatra Queen of Aegypt |  |
Actus Quintus.
Antonius, Lucilius, Aristocrates.AN.
Defeated are my troops, my fleet revolted,
The Seas and Lands are lost; and nothing now
Is left Antonius but a Roman hand,
A sword and heart to die. You truest servants,
Whose faith and manly constancie upbraids
This wicked age, and shall instruct the next,
Take from a wretched hand this legacie.
Fortune has made my will, and nought but this
Can I bequeath you. Carry it to Cæsar;
If he be noble, it contains enough
To make you happier then Antonius can.
And from this hand expects a period.
LU.
My Lord, take fairer hopes.
AN.
Fie, fie, Lucilius;
Lose not thy former merits in perswading
A man, whom once thou lov'dst to such a shame
As to preferre a loath'd captivity
Before a noble death.
Thy looks speak grief
Enter Eros.
Speak Eros, wher's the Queen?
ERO.
She's dead my Lord.
When those unhappy tydings came to her
Of your defeat, she straight shut up her self
Within her tombe, and dy'd.
AN.
Oh Cleopatra,
Why have I lingred thus, that thou a woman
Should'st teach so old a souldier how to die?
Fortune, I blame not thee; I have enjoy'd
What thou could'st give, and on the envy'd top
Of thy proud wheel have long unshaken stood.
Whom Kings have serv'd, and Rome her self obey'd;
Whom all the Zones of earths diffused Globe,
That know inhabitants, have known, and fear'd.
Nor is my fall so much degenerate.
My strength no arms but Roman arms subdue,
And none, but Monarch of the world succeeds.
Glutted with life and Empire now I go
Free and undaunted to the shades below.
Here Eros, take this sword, perform the promise
Which thou hast made, to kill me whensoere
ER.
I will be true or die. Stand fair; your Eros
Will be your Usher to th'Elizian fields.
Kils himself.
AN.
What hast thou done unfaithfull faithfull Eros
Too kindly cruell, falsly vertuous?
I'll trust no more, to be no more directed
By such examples: but we must be speedie.
The gates ere this time are set ope to Cæsar.
Fair Cleopatra, I am comming now
To dwell with thee, and ever to behold
Thy heavenly figure, where nor time nor death
Shall make divorce of our eternall loves.
Thus, thus I come to thee: unfaithfull sword,
I never knew thee slow in giving death
Till this sad houre, some friendly hand lend aid,
And with another wound release my soule.
Enter Mardio.
Where is my Lord Antonius? Oh sad sight
The Queen enclosed in her tombe desir'd
To take her last leave of you.
AN.
Is she living?
Tis welcome news, convey me quickly, friends,
Oh quickly thither, that I may expire
That breath that's left in Cleopatrae's arms.
Exeunt.
AGR.
Go you, Epaphroditus, and besiege
The Palace, to surprize Antonius;
You Proculeius, and Cornelius Gallus,
Go presently to Cleopatraes tombe,
Wo her with all your art and eloquence
With all assurances of Cæsar's love
To leave that place, and yield her person to him.
Spare no attempts of force or policy
To draw her thence: for you the Citizens
Of Alexandria, cheer your fainting hearts,
I'll mediate in your behalf to Cæsar,
To spare the City.
CI.
Thanks to the most noble
And good Agrippa.
AGR.
Heer he comes himself.
Enter Cæsab, Arius, Titius, Plancus.
Cæ.
The palenesse of your fear declares your guilt.
But that, though nere so great, shall not exceed
Our clemencie, to let you know it was
Your happinesse to be subdu'd by us.
Mercy shall rule our just severitie.
First for your founder Alexanders sake,
Next for the love of reverent Arius
Our Master heer: whose goodnesse far out-weighs
CIT.
Cæsar in goodnesse, as in greatnesse, bears
Equalitie with Jove.
Enter Achoreus.
ACHO.
Hail mighty Cæsar.
Cæ.
What's he?
ARI.
Achoreus, Ostris Priest,
A good and holy man.
Cæ.
We dare believe thee,
And therfore welcom him.
ACHO.
Please it great Cæsar,
To give Achoreus leave to wait on him
Into the ancient Temples of our Gods
To shew th'Ægyptian rites and mysteries,
And all the Deities that we adore.
Cæ.
Most willingly Achoreus, I would see
Gods, but not Oxen.
TI.
He has blank'd the Priest.
Cæ.
I fain would see great Alexander's herse
The mansion once of so divine a soul
A spirit greater then the world it self,
Whom the world fear'd but could not satisfie.
ACH.
Within the vault of our Pyramides
And all the bodies of our Ptolomeys.
Cæ.
I'd see Kings only, not dead carcasses.
But see, Epaphroditus is return'd.
Enter Epaphroditus, Lvcilius, Aristocrates.
Cæ.
Speak man, where is Antonius?
EP.
Slain, my Lord.
Cæ.
How? slain? what hand durst do it?
EPA.
His own hand.
Cæ.
That was our fear: cruell Antonius.
Too cruell to thy self, to Rome, and me
How white a day have all the people lost?
How great might Cæsar's happinesse have been
Had but the fates permitted me to lay
These conquering arms aside, and once again
Embrace thee, dear Antonius, as a friend
Thou worthy aider of my infant fortunes,
Thou brave revenger of great Julius death,
Witnesse these tears, though I were forc'd to warre
(Whilst thou preferring forreigne love before
Cæsar's alliance, did'st reject my kindred,
And scorn my love) I still could honour thee.
But since too cruell fate denies to me
So great an happinesse as to expresse
This love to thee alive, let thy dear ghost
Behold my Pietie, and see the honours
LU.
Most royall Cæsar-like dissimulation.
ARI.
I hope how ere 'twill serve our turns Lucilius.
Now is the fittest time.
Cæ.
What men are these?
EPAP.
Two of Antonius truest servants, Cæsar,
Who bring a letter from their dying Lord.
Cæ.
Let me peruse it well, it shall be granted.
Your lives and fortunes both are safe, and since
We ever lov'd fidelitie, you shall
If so you like, be welcome to our service,
LU.
'Tis our desire; our lives and fortunes ever
Shall do great Cæsar true and faithfull service
As they before did to Antonius.
Cæ.
Where did he die?
EPA.
In Cleopatraes arms
By her with ropes let up into the tombe,
After his deadly wound.
Cæ.
Is she there still?
Enter Gallus.
Now I shall know; speak Gallus, what's the news?
GAL.
We came and call'd at Cleopatraes tombe,
Who from above made answer, and deny'd
When I with best persuasions strove to winne her,
And held her talk awhile, whilst Proculeius
On tother side the tombe espy'd a place
That open stood, by which the Queen receiv'd
Dying Antonius, which he scaling enter'd
Behinde the Queen: but had he not been speedy
She there had slain herself: a maid of hers
Spy'd Proculeius entring, and aloud
Cry'd out oh Queen thou art surpriz'd alive.
She drawing a short poniard was restrain'd
By Proculeius, who both held her hand
And spake her fair; at last obtain'd so much
By strong persuasions of your clemencie
He drew her thence, and got her to the Palace.
Where now she is, and Proculeius stays.
But her desire is still to speak with you.
Till when from us she will admit no comfort.
Cæ.
We will in person presently go see her.
Protect me Pallas 'gainst false Venus charms.
Exeunt.
Cleopatra
in mourning.
Known mischiefs have their cure; but doubts have none,
And better is despair then fruitlesse hope
Mixt with a killing fear: my thoughts are now
More black and balefull then this sad attire.
If Cæsar come, I do not fear his chiding
I have a certain Antidote 'gainst that.
'Tis not his anger, but his love afflicts
My doubting soul, whether that love will prove
Fained or true, yet may straight apppear.
But that his actions, gestures, words, and looks
Will make his heart lie open to my view.
Enter Cæsar, and Epaphroditus.
Cæ.
How sweet a sorrow dwels upon that brow!
How would she look in smiling dalliance?
Oh pardon me thou powerfull God of love,
That durst presume to tempt thy Deitie.
Forgive my confidence. I now excuse
Antonius weaknesse, but stay there my heart,
My vertuous Livia is more fair then she,
CLE.
Hail mighty Prince; for that high name the Gods.
Who reft me of it, have bestow'd on thee.
Cæ.
Rise Cleopatra, Cæsar's victory
Takes nought from you.
CLE.
Oh let me never rise
Till Cæsar grant my suit.
Cæ.
Good Queen stand up,
And freely speak what you desire:
CLE.
I beg
A boon but small, which Cæsar nere deni'd
His greatest enemies.
Cæ.
And can you think
I should deny it you? Do but expresse it.
That thou would'st kill me Cæsar; I have liv'd
These many yeers too long: I should have dy'd
When that great Worthy, that renowmed Cæsar
Was basely murther'd in Romes Capitoll,
Surviving him was my unhappinesse.
But I have liv'd to see his sonne inherit
His state and Empire, and controll the world.
Cæ.
Be cheery Cleopatra, fear no wrong
At Cæsar's hands.
CLE.
Death is no wrong at all.
I have deserv'd it, Sir.
Cæ.
But can you think
That we, whose clemencie so many men
And stubborn enemies so oft have prov'd,
Should now at last be cruell to a Queen?
But we must chide you, that so long together
Have sided with Antonius, and with him
Conspir'd the wrack of Rome.
CLE.
That's soon excus'd.
If 'twere a crime to love Antonius
(Which I confesse I did, and his large favours
Truly deserv'd it) think it was not mine
But fates own crime, that first allotted me
To his protection: had your share of rule
In Egypt lyen, I had been Cæsars friend.
Cæ.
Besides with men and money you give aid
To Caius Cassius in Philippi field
Who murther'd Cæsar in the Capitoll.
Cæsar, as false as truth it self is true.
I was accused to Antonius
For that before; but in Cilicia
I quickly cleer'd those causelesse jealousies,
Witnesse thou glorious starre, which the great soule
Of noble Julius, when he left the earth,
Added to heaven, how innocent I am
From any fault in that: but Cæsar know
Against thy father not the act alone,
But even suspition shall be purg'd with death.
I can no longer live.
Cæ.
What have I done?
I fear my rashnesse has too far betray'd
My thoughts to Cleopatra: gentle Queen
Be comforted; expect at Cæsar's hand
Nothing but love and friendship: do not wrong
My goodnesse with unjust suspition
All former grievances are quite forgot.
Your port and state shall be maintain'd at full.
Your houshold servants not diminished.
Epaphroditus, see the Queen attended
As fits her stare and honour; and till next
We visit you, rest with a full assurance
Of our best love and friendship.
CLE.
All the payment
That my poor fortunes can return to Cæsar
Is thanks and service.
Cæ.
Epaphroditus.
EPAP.
Cæsar.
they whisper.
Yes. whisper on; you cannot over-reach
My jealousies: no signes of love at all,
Exit Cæsar.
No smile, nor amorous glance, I was deceiv'd,
And meerly coosen'd by base Thyreus.
But I must hide my fears, and cleer this brow
The better to effect my purposes.
EPA.
How fares your Majesty?
CLE.
Never so well
As now I am, I did not think great Cæsar
Had been so full of love and courtesie.
EPA.
Oh Madam, Cæsar's th'unexampled mirrour
Of royaltie, and does as far exceed
All petie Kings in goodnesse as in power.
And if my humblest services in ought
May give content to royall Cleopatra
I shall be proud to be commanded still.
CLE.
Thanks good Epaphroditus.
That love is true that's shew'd in misery.
But what have I forgot? I had a note
Of some particulars I meant to give
To Cæsar's hand and quite forgot it here.
Nor would I trust the cariage of a thing
Of so great consequence to every hand.
EPA.
Will you command my service?
CLE.
I shall rest
Indebted to your love; Cæsar will thank you.
It much concerns both his estate and mine.
I long to heare his answer.
EPA.
Fear not Madam.
A quick performance, it rejoyces me
To see her look so cheerily again.
Exit Epa.
CLE.
So now my trouble is remov'd, I come,
I come my dearest Lord Antonius,
Never till now thy true and faithfull love.
My much abused Lord, do not disdain
Or blush t'acknowledge Cleopatra's name
When tears and bloud have wash'd her spotted soul.
Wert thou alive again, not all the world
Should shake my constancie, or make divorce
Twixt thee and mee: but since too late, alas,
My tears of sorrow come, I'll follow thee,
And beg thy pardon in the other world.
All crimes are there for evermore forgot.
There Ariadne pardons Theseus falshood.
Dido forgives the perjur'd Prince of Troy,
And Troilus repentant Cressida.
Though false to thee alive, I now am come
A faithfull lover of thy dust and tombe.
Exit.
Enter Agrippa, Gallus, and two Psyls.
GAL.
Marcus Agrippa, I have here provided
As Cæsar gave in charge two Libyan Psyls.
All Afrik yields not fitter for his purpose.
AGRI.
They look like likely ones.
They have been prov'd,
And have already on my souldiers,
When they were bit by Serpents, done strange cures;
Past all belief or hope, recall'd fled life
Back to his mansion, and beyond the power
Of Æsculapius have suck'd and charm'd
The mortall venome from their dying limbs.
These two, Agrippa in their infancy
Their doubting sires to try their lawfull births
(As Eagles try their Eaglets 'gainst the Sun)
Expos'd to mortall Serpents, and were so
Confirm'd in what they sought, the trembling Snakes
Durst not assault the Infants.
Enter Cæsar.
AG.
Here he comes.
Cæ.
Are those the men?
GAL.
Yes, Cæsar.
Cæ.
Carry them
To Cleopatraes Palace; let them wait
Neer to Epaphroditus. What's the news?
How fares the Queen?
EPA.
Never more cheery Sir.
Her looks expresse her hopes; nor in her words
Can she conceal her inward cheerfulnesse.
But one thing, Sir, she sai'd she had forgot,
Which neerly did concern both you and her;
And that in such a cause she durst not trust
A common messenger, requesting me
To give it to your hands.
She has deceiv'd thee,
And all of us; the worst that I could fear
Is come to passe: oh run Epaphroditus,
I'll follow thee with all the speed I can.
But all too late, I fear, our speed will come.
Exeunt.
Enter Cleopatra crown'd, attended by Glaucus, Mardio, Eira, Charmio, shee takes her state: Anthony's Herse brought in.
CLE.
This is my second Coronation day;
But nobler then the first, and fuller farre
Of reall honour, and magnificence.
Nor till this pompous houre was Cleopatra
A perfect Queen, alas, I did not sway
A Scepter over fortune, or command
As now I do, the destinies themselves.
I wore a painted honour, a meer shadow
Of Royall state, and such a feeble Crown
As warre could threaten, treason undermine,
And every puffe of Fortune blow it off.
My state is constant now, my thoughts above
The fear of dangers or opposing foes.
MAR.
What new addition has she got off state?
GLA.
I cannot tell, nor can I guesse her meaning.
CLE.
Glaucus and Mardio, leave the room a while.
Exeunt Glaucus and Mardio.
Come hither Girles, I will no longer hide
My joys from you; in such attire as this
I go to meet my dear Antonius.
Madam, he's dead.
CLE.
Alas, thou art deceiv'd.
He lives my Charmio in the other world,
And stays for me; I have been too too slack
In comming to him: this that here lies dead
Was but the house that lodg'd my dearest Lord,
That earthly Mansion, that did once contain
The kindest, noblest, and the truest soule
That ever liv'd; and this our second meeting
Is farre more sweet, and full of noble love
Then when we first met in Cilicia,
When our magnificence and pomp did fill
The world with wonder and astonishment.
Why weep you girles? is it to see your Mistris
Greater then ere in Glory? if you lov'd me,
You'd weep to see great Cleopatra led
A wretched captive through the streets of Rome
Before proud Cæsar's chariot, mock'd and flowted,
And from a Queen become Octaviaes drudge.
No, no, my girles, I will be still my self
And from this seat of state look down in scorn
On Rome, and Cæsar's threats as things below me.
EI.
Nor heer shall my attendance leave you, Madam,
I'll wait upon you to th'Elisian shades.
CHAR.
Nor will poor Charmio be left behinde.
CLE.
My earthly race is run, and I descend
As great a ghost as Theban Semele,
When her ambitious love had sought and met
The Thunderers embraces, when no Pile
Of earthly wood, but Jove's celestiall fire
Consum'd her beauties reliques, and sent down
Farewell thou fading remnant of my Love.
When I am gone, I'll leave these earthly parts
To keep thee company: never to part,
But dwell together, and dissolve together,
Come Aspe, possesse thy mansion; freely feed
On these two hils, upon whose snowy tops
The winged Cupid oft has taken stand,
And shot from thence the proudest hearts on earth.
Corruption now, and rottennesse must seize
This once admired fabrick, and dissolve
This flesh to common elements again:
When skilfull nature, were she strictly bound
To search through all her store-house would be pos'd
To tell which piece was Cleopatra once.
Sweet Aspe, I feel thy touch, and life begins
From these cold limbs to take her gentle flight.
A slumber seizes me; farewell my girles.
Thus let the Romans finde me dead, and know
Maugre the power of Rome, and Cæsar's spleen
That Cleopatra liv'd, and di'd a Queen.
CHAR.
She's dead, and Eira too. I heare a noise.
There is no dallying now; I must be speedy,
And use the common and sure way to death.
She stabs her self.
Cæ.
We come too late, and all in vain I fear
Our care has been.
EPA.
Here lies her servant bleeding,
Not dead: speak Charmio, how dy'd the Queen?
CHAR.
A death that well beseem'd her royall birth.
dyes.
AGR.
See Cæsar, see; the mark upon her brest,
And here the fatall authour.
Cæ.
'Twas the Aspe.
Be speedie now, and use your utmost power
You skilfull Psyls, call back this royall soul
To her fair seat, and take from Cæsar's bounty
Above your wish: suck thou the wounded place,
And mutter thou thy strongest charms to fright
Pale death from thence; and you infernall Gods,
If ere to humane prayers you could lend
An exorable eare, 'tis Cæsar begs,
Cæsar, whose sword has sent to your black shades
A hundred thousand souls, and still has power
T'enlarge your Empire, begs in lieu of all
But restitution of one soul alone.
TI.
How royally she dy'd?
PLA.
No conquer'd Prince.
Did ever finde a nobler way to death.
He had redeem'd his captive life from shame.
And not depriv'd the Conquerour of fame.
Cæ.
Is there no hope?
PSY.
She's gone past all recoverie.
Cæ.
We will no longer strive 'gainst destiny.
Though thou art dead, yet live renowm'd for ever;
And let this action speak thee to the world
A fo not shaming Cæsar's victory.
No other Crown or Scepter after thine
Shall Ægypt honour: thou shalt be the last
Of all the raigning race of Ptolomey:
And all, and more then what thy letter crav'd
Will Cæsar grant with dead Antonius
In richer state then ere proud Memphis saw
Her Kings inter'd shall Cleopatra lye.
Thy dying figure carv'd in fairest stone
Shall my triumphant chariot wear, for all
To gaze and wonder at thy form and worth.
Ægypt no more a Kingdome, now a Province
Cornelius Gallus, is thy government.
And here let Cæsar sheath the civill sword,
Whose fatall edge these twenty years has ripp'd
The bleeding entrails of afflicted Rome.
Heer let our labours end: advance brave friends
Our prosperous Eagles home to Italy,
To reap the fruit of all our wars and toils,
And fill great Rome with conquer'd Ægypts spoils.
FINIS.
| The Tragedie of Cleopatra Queen of Aegypt | |