 | The Tragedie of Cleopatra |  |
ACTVS V.
SCENA I.
Dolabella.Titius.
Come tell me Titius euery circumstance
How Cleopatra did receiue my newes,
Tell euery looke, each gesture, countenance,
That shee did in my letters-reading vse.
How Cleopatra did receiue my newes,
Tell euery looke, each gesture, countenance,
That shee did in my letters-reading vse.
Tit.
I shall my Lord, so far as I could note,
Or my conceit obserue in any wise,
It was the time when as shee hauing gote
Leaue to her dearest dead to sacrifice.
And now was issuing out the monument
With odours, incense, garlands in her hand,
When I approch't (as one from Cæsar sent)
And did her close thy message t'vnderstand,
Shee turnes her backe, and with her takes me in,
Reades in thy lines thy strange vnlookt-for tale,
And reades, and smiles, and stares, and doth begin
Againe to read, then blusht, and then was pale,
And hauing ended with a sigh, refolds
The letter vp; and with a fixed eye
(Which stedfast her imagination holds)
Shee mus'd a while, standing confusedly,
At length, ah friend, saith shee, tell thy good Lord
How deare I hold his pittying of my case,
That out of his sweet nature can affoard
A miserable woman so much grace,
Tell him how much my heauy soule doth grieue
Mercilesse Cæsar should so deale with me,
Pray him that hee the best aduice would giue
That might diuert him from such cruelty.
As for my loue, say Antony hath all,
Say that my heart is gone into the graue
With him, in whom it rests, and ener shall.
I haue it not my selfe, nor can it haue,
Yet tell him, he shall more command of me
Then any whosoeuer liuing can.
He that so friendly shewes himselfe to be
A worthy Roman and a gentleman.
Although his nation fatall vnto me,
Haue had mine age a spoyle, my youth a prey,
Yet his affection must accepted be
That fauours one from whom all run away.
Or my conceit obserue in any wise,
It was the time when as shee hauing gote
And now was issuing out the monument
With odours, incense, garlands in her hand,
When I approch't (as one from Cæsar sent)
And did her close thy message t'vnderstand,
Shee turnes her backe, and with her takes me in,
Reades in thy lines thy strange vnlookt-for tale,
And reades, and smiles, and stares, and doth begin
Againe to read, then blusht, and then was pale,
And hauing ended with a sigh, refolds
The letter vp; and with a fixed eye
(Which stedfast her imagination holds)
Shee mus'd a while, standing confusedly,
At length, ah friend, saith shee, tell thy good Lord
How deare I hold his pittying of my case,
That out of his sweet nature can affoard
A miserable woman so much grace,
Tell him how much my heauy soule doth grieue
Mercilesse Cæsar should so deale with me,
Pray him that hee the best aduice would giue
That might diuert him from such cruelty.
As for my loue, say Antony hath all,
Say that my heart is gone into the graue
With him, in whom it rests, and ener shall.
I haue it not my selfe, nor can it haue,
Yet tell him, he shall more command of me
Then any whosoeuer liuing can.
He that so friendly shewes himselfe to be
A worthy Roman and a gentleman.
Although his nation fatall vnto me,
Haue had mine age a spoyle, my youth a prey,
Yet his affection must accepted be
That fauours one from whom all run away.
Ah, he was worthy then to haue been lou'd
Of Cleopatra whiles her glory lasted,
Before shee had declining fortune prou'd,
Or seene her honour wrackt, her flower all blasted.
Now there is nothing left her but disgrace,
Nothing but her affliction that can mooue.
Tell Dolabella, one that's in her case,
Poore soule, needs rather pittie now then loue.
But shortly shall thy Lord heare more of me.
And ending so her speech no longer staid.
But hasted to the tombe of Antony.
And this was all shee did, and all shee said.
Of Cleopatra whiles her glory lasted,
Or seene her honour wrackt, her flower all blasted.
Now there is nothing left her but disgrace,
Nothing but her affliction that can mooue.
Tell Dolabella, one that's in her case,
Poore soule, needs rather pittie now then loue.
But shortly shall thy Lord heare more of me.
And ending so her speech no longer staid.
But hasted to the tombe of Antony.
And this was all shee did, and all shee said.
Dol.
Ah sweet distressed Lady, what hard heart
Could choose but pitty thee and loue thee to?
Thy worthinesse, the state wherein thou art,
Requireth both, and both I vow to doe:
And what my powers and praiers may preuaile,
Ile ioyne them both to hinder thy disgrace:
And euen this present day, I will not faile
To do my best with Cæsar in this case.
Tit.
And Sir, euen now her selfe hath letters sent,
I met her messengers as I came hither,
With some dispatch, as he to Cæsar went
But knowing not what meanes her sending thither;
Yet this he told, how Cleopatra late
Was come from sacrifice, how richly clad
Was seru'd to dinner, with most sumptuous state,
In all the brauest ornaments shee had.
How hauing din'd, shee writes and sends away
Him, streight to Cæsar, and commanded than,
All should depart the tombe, and none to stay
But her two maides, and one poore countriman.
Dol.
When then I know she sendes t'haue audience now
And means t'experience what her state can do,
To see if Maiestie will make him bow,
To what affliction could not mooue him to.
And now if that shee could but bring a view
The argument wherewith shee ouerthrew
The wit of Iulius Cæsar and the rest
Then happily Augustus might relent,
Whilst powerful loue, far stronger then ambition,
Might worke in him a minde to be content
To grant her asking in the best condition.
But beeing as shee is, yet doth shee merit,
To be respected for what shee hath beene.
The wonder of her kind of powerfull spirit,
A glorious Lady, and a mighty queene.
And now but by a little weakenes falling
To doe that which perhaps sh'was forc'd to doe,
Alas, an error past, is past recalling,
Take away weakenesse, and take women too.
But now I goe to be thy aduocate,
Sweete Cleopatra, now Ile vse my heart,
Thy presence will me greatly animate,
Thy face will teach my tongue, thy loue my heart.
SCENA II.
Cleopatra.Eras. Charmion, Diomedes. the Guard, and Cæsars messengers.
Now
Eras; come, what newes hast thou lookt out,
Is Diomedes comming yet or not?
Is Diomedes comming yet or not?
Eras.
Madame, I haue from off the turret top,
View'd euery way, he is not comming yet,
Cl.
Didst thou see no man tending hitherward?
Er.
None truly madame, but one countriman
Carrying a basket as I could discerne.
Alas then Eras I doe feare th'euent
Of my designe, for sure he would not stay
Thus long I know, did not some force preuent
His forward faith, and hold him by the way.
Char.
Madame there may be many hindrances
To counterchecke and interrupt his speed.
He hath a wary worke to doe in this
He must take time.
Cl.
Charmion tis true indeed.
And yet in all ths time me thinkes he might
Effected haue his worke, had all gone right.
Er.
Alas we euer thinke the stay is more,
When our desire is run t'our wish before.
Cle.
Eras I know my will to haue it done
Rides post, and feare in doing to b'vndone
Puts spurs thereto: whilst that for which we long
Creepes but a foote. Yet sure he staies too long.
Good Eras goe and looke out once againe,
Yet stay a while, I know it is in vaine.
O gods, I craue no other fortune I
Of heauen and you, but onely lucke to die:
And shall I not haue that. Well, I will yet
Write my dispatch to Cæsar, and when that
Is done, I will dispatch my selfe, what way
So euer, I must vse no more delay.
Enter the Guard with Diomedes.
Gua.
And whither now sir, stay, what haue you there?
Diom.
Good sirs, I haue a simple present here,
Which I would faine deliuer to our queene.
Gu.
What ist? lets see?
Diom.
And please you sirs it is
Onely a few choice figs which I haue growne
In mine owne garden, and are soonest ripe
Of any here about, and euery yeare
I vse to bring a few vnto our queene.
And pray my masters take a taste of them
Gua.
No, no, my friend, goe on, and beare them in.
Cl.
Now Eras, looke if he be comming yet.
See here he comes, This is that countriman
Which Eras thou discrid'st, O happy man,
Can such poore rogues beguile a Princes power?
Why then I see, it is our outsides most
Doe mocke the world. But tell me are they here?
Speake Diomedes.
Diom.
Madame they are there.
Cle.
O good-ill lucke, most fortunate distresse,
Deare Diomedes, thou hast blest me now:
And here, goe take these letters, and dismaske
Thy selfe againe, returne to thine owne shape
Good Diomedes, and giue Cæsar these.
Goe, leaue me here alone, I need no more:
I haue but these to keepe a death in store.
I will not vse their helpe till needes I must,
(And that is now) goe Diomedes goe.
Diom.
Good madame, I know well this furniture
Of death, is farre more requisite, then that
Of life, whre such as you cannot endure
To be beneath your selues, debas'd in state.
I goe t'effect your will as well in this
As I haue done in that onely pray
Our tutelarie gods to giue successe
Vnto the same, and be it what it may.
Cl.
Come rarest beast, that all our Egypt breeds,
How deerely welcome art thou now to me?
The fairest creature that faire Nylus feedes,
Me thinkes I see, in now be holding thee.
Better then death, deaths office thou dischargest,
That with one gentle touch canst free our breath,
And in a pleasing sleepe our soule in largest,
Making our selues not priuie to our death.
O welcome now of wonders, wonder chiefe,
That open canst with such an easie kay,
The dore of life, come gentle cunning theefe,
That from our selues so steal'st our selues away
And now I sacrifice these armes to death,
That lust late dedicated to delights,
Offring vp for my last, this last of breath,
The complement of my loues dearest rites.
How deerely welcome art thou now to me?
The fairest creature that faire Nylus feedes,
Me thinkes I see, in now be holding thee.
Better then death, deaths office thou dischargest,
That with one gentle touch canst free our breath,
And in a pleasing sleepe our soule in largest,
Making our selues not priuie to our death.
O welcome now of wonders, wonder chiefe,
The dore of life, come gentle cunning theefe,
That from our selues so steal'st our selues away
And now I sacrifice these armes to death,
That lust late dedicated to delights,
Offring vp for my last, this last of breath,
The complement of my loues dearest rites.
What now false flesh what? and wilt thou conspire
With Cæsar too, as thou wert none of ours,
To worke my shame, and hinder my desire:
And bend thy rible parts against my powers?
Wouldst thou retaine in closure of thy vaines
That enemy, base life, to le: my good?
No know, there is a greater pewer constraines
Then can be countercheckt with fearefull blood:
For to a minde that's great nothing seemes great:
And seeing death to be the last of woes,
And life lasting disgrace which I shall get,
What doe I lose that haue but life to lose?
With Cæsar too, as thou wert none of ours,
To worke my shame, and hinder my desire:
And bend thy rible parts against my powers?
Wouldst thou retaine in closure of thy vaines
That enemy, base life, to le: my good?
No know, there is a greater pewer constraines
Then can be countercheckt with fearefull blood:
For to a minde that's great nothing seemes great:
And seeing death to be the last of woes,
And life lasting disgrace which I shall get,
What doe I lose that haue but life to lose?
Eras.
See, not a yeilding shrinke, or touch of feare
Consents now to bewray least sence of paine,
But still in one same sweet vnaltered cheere,
Her honor doth her dying spirits retaine.
Cle.
Well now this worke of mine is done, here endes
This act of life, that part the fates assign'd
What glory or disgrace this world could lend,
Both haue I had, and both I leaue behind,
And Egypt now the Theater where I
Haue acted this, witnes I die vnforc'd,
Witnes my soule parts free to Antony,
And now prowd tyrant Cæsar doe thy worst.
Erw.
Come Charmion, come, wee must not onely be
Spectators in this Scene, but Actors too.
Now comes our part, you know we did agree
The fellowship of death to vndergoe.
A glorie by this acte, they shall haue fame.
Ch.
Eras I am prepar'd, and here is that
Will do the deed.
Er.
And here is of the same.
Ch.
But Eras ile begin, it is my place.
Er.
Nay Charmion, here I drinke a death to thee.
I must be first.
Ch.
Indeed thou hast preuented me.
Yet will I haue this honor to be last
Which shall adorne this head, which must be seene
To weare that crowne in death, her life held fast,
That all the world may see, shee di'd a queene.
O see this face the wonder of her life,
Retaines in death a grace, that graces death.
Colour so liuely, cheere so louely rife,
As none would thinke this bewty could want breath.
And in this cheere th'impression or a smile
Doth seeme to shew shee skorns both death & Cæsar,
And glories that shee could them so beguile,
And here tels death, how well her death doth please her.
Ces. mess.
See, we are come too late, this is dispatcht,
Cæsar is disappointed of this grace.
Why how now Charmion, what is this well done?
Ch.
Yea very well, and shee that from the race
Of so great kings descends doth best become.
CHORVS.
Then
thus we haue beheld
Th'accomplishment of woes
The full of ruine and
The worst of worst of ills:
And seeme all hope expeld,
That euer sweet repose,
Shall repossesse the land,
That desolation fills,
And where ambition spills
With vncontrouled hand,
All th'issue of all those
That so long rule haue held:
To make vs no more vs,
But cleane confound vs thus.
Th'accomplishment of woes
The full of ruine and
And seeme all hope expeld,
That euer sweet repose,
Shall repossesse the land,
That desolation fills,
And where ambition spills
With vncontrouled hand,
All th'issue of all those
That so long rule haue held:
To make vs no more vs,
But cleane confound vs thus.
And canst O Nylus thou
Father of flouds indure
That yellow Tyber should
With sandy streames rule thee?
Wilt thou be pleas'd to bowe
To him those feete so pure,
Whose vnknowne head we hold
A power diuine to be?
Thou that didst euer see
Thy free bankes vncontrould,
Liue vnder thine owne care:
Ah wilt thou beare it now?
And now wilt yeild thy streams
A prey to other Reames?
Father of flouds indure
That yellow Tyber should
With sandy streames rule thee?
Wilt thou be pleas'd to bowe
To him those feete so pure,
Whose vnknowne head we hold
A power diuine to be?
Thou that didst euer see
Thy free bankes vncontrould,
Liue vnder thine owne care:
Ah wilt thou beare it now?
And now wilt yeild thy streams
A prey to other Reames?
Draw backe thy waters flo
To thy concealed head:
Rockes strangle vp thy waues,
Stop Cataractes thy fall.
And turne thy courses so,
That sandy Desarts dead,
The world of dust that craues
To swallow thee vp all,
Nay drinke so much as shall
Reuiue from vastie graues
A liuing greene which spred
Far flourishing, may grow
On that wide face of death,
Where nothing now drawes breath,
To thy concealed head:
Rockes strangle vp thy waues,
Stop Cataractes thy fall.
And turne thy courses so,
That sandy Desarts dead,
The world of dust that craues
To swallow thee vp all,
Reuiue from vastie graues
A liuing greene which spred
Far flourishing, may grow
On that wide face of death,
Where nothing now drawes breath,
Fatten some people there,
Euen as thou vs hast done,
With plenties wanton store,
And feeble luxurie:
And them as vs prepare
Fit for the day of mone
Lespected not before.
Reaue leueld Egypt drie,
A barren prey to lie,
Wasted for euermore,
Of plenties yielding none
To recompence the care
Of Victors greedie lust,
And bring forth nought but dust.
Euen as thou vs hast done,
With plenties wanton store,
And feeble luxurie:
And them as vs prepare
Fit for the day of mone
Lespected not before.
Reaue leueld Egypt drie,
A barren prey to lie,
Wasted for euermore,
Of plenties yielding none
To recompence the care
Of Victors greedie lust,
And bring forth nought but dust.
And so O leaue to be,
Sith thou art what thou art:
Let not our race possesse
Th'inheritance of shame,
The fee of sinne that we
Haue left them for their part:
The yoake of whose distresse
Must still vpbraid our blame,
Telling from whom it came,
Our weight of wantonnesse
Lies heauy on their heart,
Who neuer more shall see
The glory of that worth
They left who brought vs forth.
Sith thou art what thou art:
Let not our race possesse
Th'inheritance of shame,
The fee of sinne that we
Haue left them for their part:
The yoake of whose distresse
Must still vpbraid our blame,
Telling from whom it came,
Our weight of wantonnesse
Lies heauy on their heart,
Who neuer more shall see
The glory of that worth
O thou al-seeing light,
High president of Heauen,
You Magistrates the starres
Of that eternall Court
Of Prouidence of Right
Are these the bounds y'haue giuen
Th'vntranspassable barres,
That limit pride so short,
Is greatnesse of this sort,
That greatnesse greatnes marres,
And wrackes it selfe, selfe driuen
On rockes of her owne might?
Doth order order so
Disorders ouerthrow?
High president of Heauen,
You Magistrates the starres
Of that eternall Court
Of Prouidence of Right
Are these the bounds y'haue giuen
Th'vntranspassable barres,
That limit pride so short,
Is greatnesse of this sort,
That greatnesse greatnes marres,
And wrackes it selfe, selfe driuen
On rockes of her owne might?
Doth order order so
Disorders ouerthrow?
FINIS.
| The Tragedie of Cleopatra | |