 | The Tragedie of Anthonie, and Cleopatra |  |
Actus Primus.
Scæna Prima.
Enter Demetrius and Philo.Philo.
Nay, but this dotage of our Generals
Ore-flowes the measure: those his goodly eyes
That o're the Files and Musters of the Warre,
Haue glow'd like plated Mars:
Now bend, now turne
The Office and Deuotion of their view
Vpon a Tawny Front. His Captaines heart,
Which in the scuffles of great Fights hath burst
The Buckles on his brest, reneages all temper,
And is become the Bellowes and the Fan
To coole a Gypsies Lust.
Flourish. Enter Anthony, Cleopatra her Ladies, the Traine, with Eunuchs fanning her.
Looke where they come:
Take but good note, and you shall see in him
(The triple Pillar of the world) transform'd
Into a Strumpets Foole. Behold and see.
Cleo.
If it be Loue indeed, tell me how much.
Ant.
There's beggery in the loue that can be reckon'd
Cleo.
Ile set a bourne how farre to be belou'd.
Ant.
Then must thou needes sinde out new Heauen,
new Earth.
Enter a Messenger.
Mes.
Newes (my good Lord) from Rome.
Ant.
Grates me, the summe.
Cleo.
Nay heare them Anthony.
Fuluia perchance is angry: Or who knowes,
If the scarse-bearded Cæsar haue not sent
His powrefull Mandate to you. Do this, or this;
Take in that Kingdome, and Infranchise that:
Perform't, or else we damne thee.
Ant.
How, my Loue?
Cleo.
Perchance? Nay, and most like:
You must not stay heere longer, your dismission
Is come from Cæsar, therefore heare it Anthony.
Where's Fuluias Processe? (Cæsars I would say) both?
Call in the Messengers: As I am Egypts Queene,
Thou blushest Anthony, and that blood of thine
Is Cæsars homager: else so thy cheeke payes shame.
When shrill-tongu'd Fuluia scolds. The Messengers.
Ant.
Let Rome in Tyber melt, and the wide Arch
Of the raing'd Empire fall: Heere is my space,
Kingdomes are clay: Our dungie earth alike
Feeds Beast as Man; the Noblenesse of life
Is to do thus: when such a mutuall paire,
And such a twaine can doo't, in which I binde
One paine of punishment, the world to weete
We stand vp Peerelesse.
Cleo.
Excellent falshood:
Why did he marry Fuluia, and not loue her?
Ile seeme the Foole I am not. Anthony will be himselfe.
Ant
But stirr'd by Cleopatra.
Now for the loue of Loue, and her soft houres,
Let's not confound the time with Conference harsh;
There's not a minute of our liues should stretch
Without some pleasure now. What sport to night?
Cleo.
Heare the Ambassadors.
Ant.
Fye wrangling Queene:
Whom euery thing becomes, to chide, to laugh,
To weepe: who euery passion fully striues
To make it selfe (in Thee) faire, and admir'd.
No Messenger but thine, and all alone, to night
Wee'l wander through the streets, and note
The qualities of people. Come my Queene,
Last night you did desire it. Speake not to vs.
Exeunt with the Traine.
Dem.
Is Cæsar with Anthonius priz'd so slight?
Philo.
Sir sometimes when he is not Anthony,
He comes too short of that great Property
Which still should go with Anthony.
Dem.
I am full sorry, that hee approues the common
Lyar who thus speakes of him at Rome; but I will hope
of better deeds to morrow. Rest you happy.
Exeunt
Enter Enobarbus, Lamprius, a Southsayer, Rannius, Lucillius, Charmian, Iras, Mardian the Eunuch, and Alexas.
Char.
L. Alexas, sweet Alexas, most any thing Alexas,
almost most absolute Alexas, where's the Soothsayer
that you prais'd so to'th'Queene? Oh that I knewe this
Husband, which you say, must change his Hornes with
Garlands.
Alex.
Soothsayer.
Sooth.
Your will?
Char.
Is this the Man? Is't you sir that know things?
Sooth.
In Natures infinite booke of Secrecie, a little I
can read.
Alex.
Shew him your hand.
Enob.
Bring in the Banket quickly: Wine enough,
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Char.
Good sir, giue me good Fortune.
Sooth.
I make not, but foresee.
Char.
Pray then, foresee me one.
Sooth.
You shall be yet farre fairer then you are.
Char.
He meanes in flesh.
Iras.
No, you shall paint when you are old.
Char.
Wrinkles forbid.
Alex.
Vex not his prescience, be attentiue.
Char.
Hush.
Sooth.
You shall be more belouing, then beloued.
Char.
I had rather heate my Liuer with drinking.
Alex.
Nay, heare him.
Char.
Good now some excellent Fortune: Let mee
be married to three Kings in a forenoone, and Widdow
them all: Let me haue a Childe at fifty, to whom Herode
of Iewry may do Homage. Finde me to marrie me with
Octauius Cæsar, and companion me with my Mistris.
Sooth.
You shall out-liue the Lady whom you serue.
Char.
Oh excellent, I loue long life better then Figs.
Sooth.
You haue seene and proued a fairer former fortune,
then that which is to approach.
Char.
Then belike my Children shall haue no names:
Prythee how many Boyes and Wenches must I haue.
Sooth.
If euery of your wishes had a wombe, & foretell
euery wish, a Million.
Char.
Out Foole, I forgiue thee for a Witch.
Alex.
You thinke none but your sheets are priuie to
your wishes.
Char.
Nay come, tell Iras hers.
Alex.
Wee'l know all our Fortunes.
Enob.
Mine, and most of our Fortunes to night, shall
be drunke to bed.
Iras.
There's a Palme presages Chastity, if nothing els.
Char.
E'ne as the o're-flowing Nylus presageth Famine.
Iras.
Go you wilde Bedfellow, you cannot Soothsay.
Char.
Nay, if an oyly Palme bee not a fruitfull Prognostication,
I cannot scratch mine eare. Prythee tel her
but a worky day Fortune.
Sooth.
Your Fortunes are alike.
Iras.
But how, but how, giue me particulars.
Sooth.
I haue said.
Iras.
Am I not an inch of Fortune better then she?
Char.
Well, if you were but an inch of fortune better
then I: where would you choose it.
Iras.
Not in my Husbands nose.
Char.
Our worser thoughts Heauens mend.
Alexas.
Come, his Fortune, his Fortune. Oh let him
mary a woman that cannot go, sweet Isis, I beseech thee,
and let her dye too, and giue him a worse, and let worse
follow worse, till the worst of all follow him laughing to
his graue, fifty-fold a Cuckold. Good Isis heare me this
Prayer, though thou denie me a matter of more waight:
good Isis I beseech thee.
Iras.
Amen, deere Goddesse, heare that prayer of the
people. For, as it is a heart-breaking to see a handsome
man loose Wiu'd, so it is a deadly sorrow, to beholde a
foule Knaue vncuckolded: Therefore deere Isis keep decorum,
and Fortune him accordingly.
Char.
Amen.
Alex.
Lo now, if it lay in their hands to make mee a
Cuckold, they would make themselues Whores, but
they'ld doo't.
Enter Cleopatra.
Enob.
Hush, heere comes Anthony.
Char.
Not he, the Queene.
Cleo.
Saue you, my Lord.
Enob.
No Lady.
Cleo.
Was he not heere?
Char.
No Madam.
Cleo.
He was dispos'd to mirth, but on the sodaine
A Romane thought hath strooke him.
Enobarbus?
Enob.
Madam.
Cleo.
Seeke him, and bring him hither: wher's Alexias?
Alex.
Heere at your seruice.
My Lord approaches.
Enter Anthony, with a Messenger.
Cleo.
We will not looke vpon him:
Go with vs.
Exeunt.
Messen.
Fuluia thy Wife,
First came into the Field.
Ant.
Against my Brother Lucius?
Messen.
I: but soone that Warre had end,
And the times state
Made friends of them, ioynting their force 'gainst Cæsar,
Whose better issue in the warre from Italy,
Vpon the first encounter draue them.
Ant.
Well, what worst.
Mess.
The Nature of bad newes infects the Teller.
Ant.
When it concernes the Foole or Coward: On.
Things that are past, are done, with me. 'Tis thus,
Who tels me true, though in his Tale lye-death,
I heare him as he flatter'd.
Mes.
Labienus (this is stiffe-newes)
Hath with his Parthian Force
Extended Asia: from Euphrates his conquering
Banner shooke, from Syria to Lydia,
And to Ionia, whil'st—
Ant.
Anthony thou would'st say.
Mes.
Oh my Lord.
Ant.
Speake to me home,
Mince not the generall tongue, name
Cleopatra as she is call'd in Rome:
Raile thou in Fuluia's phrase, and taunt my faults
With such full License, as both Truth and Malice
Haue power to vtter. Oh then we bring forth weeds,
When our quicke windes lye still, and our illes told vs
Is as our earing: fare thee well awhlle.
Mes.
At your Noble pleasure.
Exit Messenger.
Enter another Messenger.
Ant.
From Scicion how the newes? Speake there.
1. Mes.
The man from Scicion,
Is there such an one?
2. Mes.
He stayes vpon your will.
Ant.
Let him appeare:
These strong Egyptian Fetters I must breake,
Or loose my selfe in dotage.
Enter another Messenger with a Letter.
What are you?
3. Mes.
Fuluia thy wife is dead.
Ant.
Where dyed she.
Mes.
In Scicion, her length of sicknesse,
With what else more serious,
Importeth thee to know, this beares.
Antho.
Forbeare me
There's a great Spirit gone, thus did I desire it:
What our contempts doth often hurle from vs,
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By reuolution lowring, does become
The opposite of it selfe: she's good being gon,
The hand could plucke her backe, that shou'd her on.
I must from this enchanting Queene breake off,
Ten thousand harmes, more then the illes I know
My idlenesse doth hatch.
Enter Enobarbus.
How now Enobarbus.
Eno.
What's your pleasure, Sir?
Anth.
I must with haste from hence.
Eno.
Why then we kill all our Women. We see how
mortall an vnkindnesse is to them, if they suffer our departure
death's the word.
Ant.
I must be gone.
Eno.
Vnder a compelling an occasion, let women die.
It were pitty to cast them away for nothing, though betweene
them and a great cause, they should be esteemed
nothing. Cleopatra catching but the least noyse of this,
dies instantly: I haue seene her dye twenty times vppon
farre poorer moment: I do think there is mettle in death,
which commits some louing acte vpon her, she hath such
a celerity in dying.
Ant.
She is cunning past mans thought.
Eno.
Alacke Sir no, her passions are made of nothing
but the finest part of pure Loue. We cannot cal her winds
and waters, sighes and teares: They are greater stormes
and Tempests then Almanackes can report. This cannot
be cunning in her; if it be, she makes a showre of Raine
as well as loue.
Ant.
Would I had neuer seene her.
Eno.
Oh Sir, you had then left vnseene a wonderfull
peece of worke, which not to haue beene blest withall,
would haue discredited your Trauaile.
Ant.
Fuluia is dead.
Eno.
Sir.
Ant.
Fuluia is dead.
Eno.
Fuluia?
Ant.
Dead.
Eno.
Why sir, giue the Gods a thankefull Sacrifice:
when it pleaseth their Deities to take the wife of a man
from him, it shewes to man the Tailors of the earth: comforting
therein, that when olde Robes are worne out,
there are members to make new. If there were no more
Women but Fuluia, then had you indeede a cut, and the
case to be lamented: This greefe is crown'd with Consolation,
your old Smocke brings foorth a new Petticoate,
aud indeed the teares liue in an Onion, that should water
this sorrow.
Ant.
The businesse she hath broached in the State,
Cannot endure my absence.
Eno.
And the businesse you haue broach'd heere cannot
be without you, especially that of Cleopatra's, which
wholly depends on your abode.
Ant.
No more light Answeres:
Let our Officers
Haue notice what we purpose. I shall breake
The cause of our Expedience to the Queene,
And get her loue to part. For not alone
The death of Fuluia, with more vrgent touches
Do strongly speake to vs: but the Letters too
Of many our contriuing Friends in Rome,
Petition vs at home. Sextus Pompeius
Haue giuen the dare to Cæsar, and commands
The Empire of the Sea. Our slippery people,
Whose Loue is neuer link'd to the deseruer,
Till his deserts are past, begin to throw
Pompey the great, and all his Dignities
Vpon his Sonne, who high in Name and Power,
Higher then both in Blood and Life, stands vp
For the maine Souldier. Whose quality going on,
The sides o'th'world may danger. Much is breeding,
Which like the Coursers heire, hath yet but life,
And not a Serpents poyson. Say our pleasure,
To such whose places vnder vs, require
Our quicke remoue from hence.
Enob.
I shall doo't.
Enter Cleopatra, Charmian, Alexas, and Iras.
Cleo.
Where is he?
Char.
I did not see him since.
Cleo.
See where he is,
Whose with him, what he does:
I did not send you. If you finde him sad,
Say I am dauncing: if in Myrth, report
That I am sodaine sicke. Quicke, and returne.
Char.
Madam, me thinkes if you did loue him deerly,
You do not hold the method, to enforce
The like from him.
Cleo.
What should I do, I do not?
Ch.
In each thing giue him way, crosse him in nothing.
Cleo.
Thou teachest like a foole: the way to lose him.
Char.
Tempt him not so too farre. I wish forbeare,
In time we hate that which we often feare.
Enter Anthony.
But heere comes Anthony.
Cleo.
I am sicke, and sullen.
An.
I am sorry to giue breathing to my purpose.
Cleo.
Helpe me away deere Charmian, I shall fall,
It cannot be thus long, the sides of Nature
Will not sustaine it.
Ant.
Now my deerest Queene.
Cleo.
Pray you stand farther from mee.
Ant.
What's the matter?
Cleo.
I know by that same eye ther's some good news.
What sayes the married woman you may goe?
Would she had neuer giuen you leaue to come.
Let her not say 'tis I that keepe you heere,
I haue no power vpon you: Hers you are.
Ant.
The Gods best know.
Cleo.
Oh neuer was there Queene
So mightily betrayed: yet at the first
I saw the Treasons planted.
Ant.
Cleopatra.
Cleo.
Why should I thinke you can be mine, & true,
(Though you in swearing shake the Throaned Gods)
Who haue beene false to Fuluia?
Riotous madnesse,
To be entangled with those mouth-made vowes,
Which breake themselues in swearing.
Ant.
Most sweet Queene.
Cleo.
Nay pray you seeke no colour for your going,
But bid farewell, and goe:
When you sued staying,
Then was the time for words: No going then,
Eternity was in our Lippes, and Eyes,
Blisse in our browes bent: none our parts so poore,
But was a race of Heauen. They are so still,
Or thou the greatest Souldier of the world,
Art turn'd the greatest Lyar.
Ant.
How now Lady?
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I would I had thy inches, thou should'st know
There were a heart in Egypt.
Ant.
Heare me Queene:
The strong necessity of Time, commands
Our Seruicles a-while: but my full heart
Remaines in vse with you. Our Italy,
Shines o're with ciuill Swords, Sextus Pompeius
Makes his approaches to the Port of Rome,
Equality of two Domesticke powers,
Breed scrupulous faction: The hated growne to strength
Are newly growne to Loue: The condemn'd Pompey,
Rich in his Fathers Honor, creepes apace
Into the hearts of such as haue not thriued
Vpon the present state, whose Numbers threaten,
And quietnesse growne sicke of rest, would purge
By any desperate change: My more particular,
And that which most with you should safe my going,
Is Fuluias death.
Cleo.
Though age from folly could not giue me freedom
It does from childishnesse. Can Fuluia dye?
Ant.
She's dead my Queene.
Looke heere, and at thy Soueraigne leysure read
The Garboyles she awak'd: at the last, best,
See when and where shee died.
Cleo.
O most false Loue!
Where be the Sacred Violles thou should'st fill
With sorrowfull water? Now I see, I see,
In Fuluias death, how mine receiu'd shall be.
Ant.
Quarrell no more, but bee prepar'd to know
The purposes I beare: which are, or cease,
As you shall giue th'aduice. By the fire
That quickens Nylus slime, I go from hence
Thy Souldier, Seruant, making Peace or Warre,
As thou affects.
Cleo.
Cut my Lace, Charmian come,
But let it be, I am quickly ill, and well,
So Anthony loues.
Ant.
My precious Queene forbeare,
And giue true euidence to his Loue, which stands
An honourable Triall.
Cleo.
So Fuluia told me.
I prythee turne aside, and weepe for her,
Then bid adiew to me, and say the teares
Belong to Egypt. Good now, play one Scene
Of excellent dissembling, and let it looke
Like perfect Honor.
Ant.
You'l heat my blood no more?
Cleo.
You can do better yet: but this is meetly.
Ant.
Now by Sword.
Cleo.
And Target. Still he mends.
But this is not the best. Looke prythee Charmian,
How this Herculean Roman do's become
The carriage of his chase.
Ant.
Ile leaue you Lady.
Cleo.
Courteous Lord, one word:
Sir, you and I must part, but that's not it:
Sir, you and I haue lou'd, but there's not it:
That you know well, something it is I would:
Oh, my Obliuion is a very Anthony,
And I am all forgotten.
Ant.
But that your Royalty
Holds Idlenesse your subiect, I should take you
For Idlenesse it selfe.
Cleo.
'Tis sweating Labour,
To beare such Idlenesse so neere the heart
As Cleopatra this. But Sir, forgiue me,
Since my becommings kill me, when they do not
Eye well to you. Your Honor calles you hence,
Therefore be deafe to my vnpittied Folly,
And sir the Gods go with you. Vpon your Sword
Sit Lawrell victory, and smooth successe
Be strew'd before your feete.
Ant.
Let vs go.
Come: Our separation so abides and flies,
That thou reciding heere, goes yet with mee;
And I hence fleeting, heere remaine with thee.
Away.
Exeunt.
Enter Octauius reading a Letter, Lepidus, and their Traine.
Cæs.
You may see Lepidus, and henceforth know,
It is not Cæsars Naturall vice, to hate
One great Competitor. From Alexandria
This is the newes: He fishes, drinkes, and wastes
The Lampes of night in reuell: Is not more manlike
Then Cleopatra: nor the Queene of Ptolomy
More Womanly then he. Hardly gaue audience
Or vouchsafe to thinke he had Partners. You
Shall finde there a man, who is th'abstracts of all faults,
That all men follow.
Lep.
I must not thinke
There are, euils enow to darken all his goodnesse:
His faults in him, seeme as the Spots of Heauen,
More fierie by nights Blacknesse; Hereditarie,
Rather then purchaste: what he cannot change,
Then what he chooses.
Cæs.
You are too indulgent. Let's graunt it is not
Amisse to tumble on the bed of Ptolomy,
To giue a Kingdome for a Mirth, to sit
And keepe the turne of Tipling with a Slaue,
To reele the streets at noone, and stand the Buffet
With knaues that smels of sweate: Say this become him
(As his composure must be rare indeed,
Whom these things cannot blemish) yet must Anthony
No way excuse his foyles, when we do beare
So great waight in his lightnesse. If he fill'd
His vacancie with his Voluptuousnesse,
Full surfets, and the drinesse of his bones,
Call on him for't. But to confound such time,
That drummes him from his sport, and speakes as lowd
As his owne State, and ours, 'tis to be chid:
As we rate Boyes, who being mature in knowledge,
Pawne their experience to their present pleasure,
And so rebell to iudgement.
Enter a Messenger.
Lep.
Heere's more newes.
Mes.
Thy biddings haue beene done, & euerie houre
Most Noble Cæsar, shalt thou haue report
How 'tis abroad. Pompey is strong at Sea,
And it appeares, he is belou'd of those
That only haue feard Cæsar: to the Ports
The discontents repaire, and mens reports
Giue him much wrong'd.
Cæs.
I should haue knowne no lesse,
It hath bin taught vs from the primall state
That he which is was wisht, vntill he were:
And the ebb'd man,
Ne're lou'd, till ne're worth loue,
Comes fear'd, by being lack'd. This common bodie,
Like to a Vagabond Flagge vpon the Streame,
Goes too, and backe, lacking the varrying tyde
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Mes.
Cæsar I bring thee word,
Menacrates and Menas famous Pyrates
Makes the Sea serue them, which they eare and wound
With keeles of euery kinde. Many hot inrodes
They make in Italy, the Borders Maritime
Lacke blood to thinke on't, and flush youth reuolt,
No Vessell can peepe forth: but 'tis as soone
Taken as seene: for Pompeyes name strikes more
Then could his Warre resisted.
Cæsar.
Anthony,
Leaue thy lasciuious Vassailes. When thou once
Was beaten from Medena, where thou slew'st
Hirsius, and Pausa Consuls, at thy heele
Did Famine follow, whom thou fought'st against,
(Though daintily brought vp) with patience more
Then Sauages could suffer. Thou did'st drinke
The stale of Horses, and the gilded Puddle
Which Beasts would cough at. Thy pallat thē did daine
The roughest Berry, on the rudest Hedge.
Yea, like the Stagge, when Snow the Pasture sheets,
The barkes of Trees thou brows'd. On the Alpes,
It is reported thou did'st eate strange flesh,
Which some did dye to looke on: And all this
(It wounds thine Honor that I speake it now)
Was borne so like a Soldiour, that thy cheeke
So much as lank'd not.
Lep.
'Tis pitty of him.
Cæs.
Let his shames quickely
Driue him to Rome, 'tis time we twaine
Did shew our selues i'th' Field, and to that end
Assemble me immediate counsell, Pompey
Thriues in our Idlenesse.
Lep.
To morrow Cæsar,
I shall be furnisht to informe you rightly
Both what by Sea and Land I can be able
To front this present time.
Cæs.
Til which encounter, it is my busines too. Farwell.
Lep.
Farwell my Lord, what you shal know mean time
Of stirres abroad, I shall beseech you Sir
To let me be partaker.
Cæsar.
Doubt not sir, I knew it for my Bond.
Exeunt
Enter Cleopatra, Charmian, Iras, & Mardian.
Cleo.
Charmian.
Char.
Madam.
Cleo.
Ha, ha, giue me to drinke Mandragoru.
Char.
Why Madam?
Cleo.
That I might sleepe out this great gap of time:
My Anthony is away.
Char.
You thinke of him too much.
Cleo.
O 'tis Treason.
Char.
Madam, I trust not so.
Cleo.
Thou, Eunuch Mardian?
Mar.
What's your Highnesse pleasure?
Cleo.
Not now to heare thee sing. I take no pleasure
In ought an Eunuch ha's: Tis well for thee,
That being vnseminar'd, thy freer thoughts
May not slye forth of Egypt. Hast thou Affections?
Mar.
Yes gracious Madam.
Cleo.
Indeed?
Mar.
Not in deed Madam, for I can do nothing
But what in deede is honest to be done:
Yet haue I fierce Affections, and thinke
What Venus did with Mars.
Cleo.
Oh Charmion:
Where think'st thou he is now? Stands he, or sits he?
Or does he walke? Or is he on his Horse?
Oh happy horse to beare the weight of Anthony!
Do brauely Horse, for wot'st thou whom thou moou'st,
The demy Atlas of this Earth, the Arme
And Burganet of men. Hee's speaking now,
Or murmuring, where's my Serpent of old Nyle,
(For so he cals me:) Now I feede my selfe
With most delicious poyson. Thinke on me
That am with Phœbus amorous pinches blacke,
And wrinkled deepe in time. Broad-fronted Cæsar,
When thou was't heere aboue the ground, I was
A morsell for a Monarke: and great Pompey
Would stand and make his eyes grow in my brow,
There would he anchor his Aspect, and dye
With looking on his life.
Enter Alexas from Cæsar.
Alex.
Soueraigne of Egypt, haile.
Cleo.
How much vnlike art thou Marke Anthony?
Yet comming from him, that great Med'cine hath
With his Tinct gilded thee.
How goes it with my braue Marke Anthonie?
Alex.
Last thing he did (deere Qu ene)
He kist the last of many doubled kisses
This Orient Pearle. His speech stickes in my heart.
Cleo.
Mine eare must plucke it thence.
Alex.
Good Friend, quoth he:
Say the firme Roman to great Egypt sends
This treasure of an Oyster: at whose foote
To mend the petty present, I will peece
Her opulent Throne, with Kingdomes. All the East,
(Say thou) shall call her Mistris. So he nodded,
And soberly did mount an Arme-gaunt Steede,
Who neigh'd so hye, that what I would haue spoke,
Was beastly dumbe by him.
Cleo.
What was he sad, or merry?
Alex.
Like to the time o'th'yeare, between ye extremes
Of hot and cold, he was nor sad nor merrie.
Cleo.
Oh well diuided disposition: Note him,
Note him good Charmian, 'tis the man; but note him.
He was not sad, for he would shine on those
That make their lookes by his. He was not merrie,
Which seem'd to tell them, his remembrance lay
In Egypt with his ioy, but betweene both.
Oh heauenly mingle! Bee'st thou sad, or merrie,
The violence of either thee becomes,
So do's it no mans else. Met'st thou my Posts?
Alex.
I Madam, twenty seuerall Messengers.
Why do you send so thicke?
Cleo.
Who's borne that day, when I forget to send
to Anthonie, shall dye a Begger. Inke and paper Charmian.
Welcome my good Alexas. Did I Charmian euer
loue Cæsar so?
Char.
Oh that braue Cæsar!
Cleo.
Be choak'd with such another Emphasis,
Say the braue Anthony.
Char.
The valiant Cæsar.
Cleo.
By Isis, I will giue thee bloody teeth,
If thou with Cæsar Parago nagaine:
My man of men.
Char.
By your most gracious pardon,
I sing but after you.
Cleo.
My Sallad dayes,
When I was greene in iudgement, cold in blood,
To say, as I saide then. But come, away,
Get me Inke and Paper,
345
he shall haue euery day a seuerall greeting, or Ile vnpeople
Egypt.
Exeunt
Enter Pompey, Menecrates, and Menas, in warlike manner.
Pom.
If the great Gods be iust, they shall assist
The deeds of iustest men.
Mene.
Know worthy Pompey, that what they do delay,
they not deny.
Pom.
Whiles we are sutors to their Throne, decayes
the thing we sue for.
Mene.
We ignorant of our selues,
Begge often our owne harmes, which the wise Powres
Deny vs for our good: so finde we profit
By loosing of our Prayers.
Pom.
I shall do well.
The people loue me, and the Sea is mine;
My powers are Cressent, and my Auguring hope
Sayes it will come to'th'full. Marke Anthony
In Egypt sits at dinner, and will make
No warres without doores. Cæsar gets money where
He looses hearts: Lepidus flatters both,
Of both is flatter'd: but he neither loues,
Nor either cares for him.
Mene.
Cæsar and Lepidus are in the field,
A mighty strength they carry.
Pom.
Where haue you this? 'Tis false.
Mene.
From Siluius, Sir.
Pom.
He dreames: I know they are in Rome together
Looking for Anthony: but all the charmes of Loue,
Salt Cleopatra soften thy wand lip,
Let Witchcraft ioyne with Beauty, Lust with both,
Tye vp the Libertine in a field of Feasts,
Keepe his Braine fuming. Epicurean Cookes,
Sharpen with cloylesse sawce his Appetite,
That sleepe and feeding may prorogue his Honour,
Euen till a Lethied dulnesse—
Enter Varrius.
How now Varrius?
Var.
This is most certaine, that I shall deliuer:
Marke Anthony is euery houre in Rome
Expected. Since he went from Egypt, 'tis
A space for farther Trauaile.
Pom.
I could haue giuen lesse matter
A better eare. Menas, I did not thinke
This amorous Surfetter would haue donn'd his Helme
For such a petty Warre: His Souldiership
Is twice the other twaine: But let vs reare
The higher our Opinion, that our stirring
Can from the lap of Egypts Widdow, plucke
The neere Lust-wearied Anthony.
Mene.
I cannot hope,
Cæsar and Anthony shall well greet together;
His Wife that's dead, did trespasses to Cæsar,
His Brother wan'd vpon him, although I thinke
Not mou'd by Anthony.
Pom.
I know not Menas,
How lesser Enmities may giue way to greater,
Were't not that we stand vp against them all:
'Twer pregnant they should square between themselues,
For they haue entertained cause enough
To draw their swords: but how the feare of vs
May Ciment their diuisions, and binde vp
The petty difference, we yet not know:
Bee't as our Gods will haue't; it onely stands
Our liues vpon, to vse our strongest hands
Come Menas.
Exeunt.
Enter Enobarbus and Lepidus.
Lep.
Good Enobarbus, 'tis a worthy deed,
And shall become you well, to intreat your Captaine
To soft and gentle speech.
Enob.
I shall intreat him
To answer like himselfe: if Cæsar moue him,
Let Anthony looke ouer Cæsars head,
And speake as lowd as Mars. By Iupiter,
Were I the wearer of Anthonio's Beard,
I would not shaue't to day.
Lep.
'Tis not a time for priuate stomacking.
Eno.
Euery time serues for the matter that is then
borne in't.
Lep.
But small to greater matters must giue way.
Eno.
Not if the small come first.
Lep.
Your speech is passion: but pray you stirre
No Embers vp. Heere comes the Noble Anthony.
Enter Anthony and Ventidius.
Eno.
And yonder Cæsar.
Enter Cæsar, Mecenas, and Agrippa.
Ant.
If we compose well heere, to Parthia:
Hearke Ventidius.
Cæsar.
I do not know Mecenas, aske Agrippa.
Lep.
Noble Friends:
That which combin'd vs was most great, and let not
A leaner action rend vs. What's amisse,
May it be gently heard. When we debate
Our triuiall difference loud, we do commit
Murther in healing wounds. Then Noble Partners,
The rather for I earnestly beseech,
Touch you the sowrest points with sweetest tearmes,
Nor curstnesse grow to'th' matter.
Ant.
'Tis spoken well:
Were we before our Armies, and to fight,
I should do thus.
Flourish.
Cæs.
Welcome to Rome.
Ant.
Thanke you.
Cæs.
Sit.
Ant.
Sit sir.
Cæs.
Nay then.
Ant.
I learne, you take things ill, which are not so:
Or being, concerne you not.
Cæs.
I must be laught at, if or for nothing or a little, I
Should say my selfe offended, and with you
Chiefely i'th'world. More laught at, that I should
Once name you derogately: when to sound your name
It not concern'd me.
Ant.
My being in Egypt Cæsar, what was't to you?
Cæs.
No more then my reciding heere at Rome
Might be to you in Egypt: yet if you there
Did practise on my State, your being in Egypt
Might be my question.
Ant.
How intend you, practis'd?
Cæs.
You may be pleas'd to catch at mine intent,
By what did heere befall me. Your Wife and Brother
Made warres vpon me, and their contestation
Was Theame for you, you were the word of warre.
Ant.
You do mistake your busines, my Brother neuer
Did vrge me in his Act: I did inquire it,
And haue my Learning from some true reports
That drew their swords with you, did he not rather
Discredit my authority with yours,
And make the warres alike against my stomacke,
Hauing alike your cause. Of this, my Letters
Before did satisfie you. If you'l patch a quarrell,
As matter whole you haue to make it with,
346
Cæs.
You praise your selfe, by laying defects of iudgement
to me: but you patcht vp your excuses.
Anth.
Not so, not so:
I know you could not lacke, I am certaine on't,
Very necessity of this thought, that I
Your Partner in the cause 'gainst which he fought,
Could not with gracefull eyes attend those Warres
Which fronted mine owne peace. As for my wife,
I would you had her spirit, in such another,
The third oth'world is yours, which with a Snaffle,
You may pace easie, but not such a wife.
Enobar.
Would we had all such wiues, that the men
might go to Warres with the women.
Anth.
So much vncurbable, her Garboiles (Cæsar)
Made out of her impatience: which not wanted
Shrodenesse of policie to: I greeuing grant,
Did you too much disquiet, for that you must,
But say I could not helpe it?
Cæsar.
I wrote to you, when rioting in Alexandria you
Did pocket vp my Letters: and with taunts
Did gibe my Misiue out of audience.
Ant.
Sir, he fell vpon me, ere admitted, then:
Three Kings I had newly feasted, and did want
Of what I was i'th'morning: but next day
I told him of my selfe, which was as much
As to haue askt him pardon. Let this Fellow
Be nothing of our strife: if we contend
Out of our question wipe him.
Cæsar.
You haue broken the Article of your oath,
which you shall neuer haue tongue to charge me with.
Lep.
Soft Cæsar.
Ant.
No Lepidus, let him speake,
The Honour is Sacred which he talks on now,
Supposing that I lackt it: but on Cæsar,
The Article of my youth.
Cæsar.
To lend me Armes, and aide when I requir'd
them, the which you both denied.
Anth.
Neglected rather:
And then when poysoned houres had bound me vp
From mine owne knowledge, as neerely as I may,
Ile play the penitent to you. But mine honesty,
Shall not make poore my greatnesse, nor my power
Worke without it. Truth is, that Fuluia,
To haue me out of Egypt, made Warres heere,
For which my selfe, the ignorant motiue, do
So farre aske pardon, as befits mine Honour
To stoope in such a case.
Lep.
'Tis Noble spoken.
Mece.
If it might please you, to enforce no further
The griefes betweene ye: to forget them quite,
Were to remember: that the present neede,
Speakes to attone you.
Lep.
Worthily spoken Mecenas.
Enobar.
Or if you borrow one anothers Loue for the
instant, you may when you heare no more words of
Pompey returne it againe: you shall haue time to wrangle
in, when you haue nothing else to do.
Anth.
Thou art a Souldier, onely speake no more.
Enob.
That trueth should be silent, I had almost forgot.
Anth.
You wrong this presence, therefore speake no
more.
Enob.
Go too then: your Considerate stone.
Cæsar.
I do not much dislike the matter, but
The manner of his speech: for't cannot be,
We shall remaine in friendship, our conditions
So diffring in their acts. Yet if I knew,
What Hoope should hold vs staunch from edge to edge
Ath'world: I would persue it.
Agri.
Giue me leaue Cæsar.
Cæsar.
Speake Agrippa.
Agri.
Thou hast a Sister by the Mothers side, admir'd
Octauia? Great Mark Anthony is now a widdower.
Cæsar.
Say not, say Agrippa; if Cleopater heard you, your
proofe were well deserued of rashnesse.
Anth.
I am not marryed Cæsar: let me heere Agrippa
further speake.
Agri.
To hold you in perpetuall amitie,
To make you Brothers, and to knit your hearts
With an vn-slipping knot, take Anthony,
Octauia to his wife: whose beauty claimes
No worse a husband then the best of men: whose
Vertue, and whose generall graces, speake
That which none else can vtter. By this marriage,
All little Ielousies which now seeme great,
And all great feares, which now import their dangers,
Would then be nothing. Truth's would be tales,
Where now halfe tales be truth's: her loue to both,
Would each to other, and all loues to both
Draw after her. Pardon what I haue spoke,
For 'tis a studied not a present thought,
By duty ruminated.
Anth.
Will Cæsar speake?
Cæsar.
Not till he heares how Anthony is toucht,
With what is spoke already.
Anth.
What power is in Agrippa,
If I would say Agrippa, be it so,
To make this good?
Cæsar.
The power of Cæsar,
And his power, vnto Octauia.
Anth.
May I neuer
(To this good purpose, that so fairely shewes)
Dreame of impediment: let me haue thy hand
Further this act of Grace: and from this houre,
The heart of Brothers gouerne in our Loues,
And sway our great Designes.
Cæsar.
There's my hand:
A Sister I bequeath you, whom no Brother
Did euer loue so deerely. Let her liue
To ioyne our kingdomes, and our hearts, and neuer
Flie off our Loues againe.
Lepi.
Happily, Amen.
Ant.
I did not think to draw my Sword 'gainst Pompey,
For he hath laid strange courtesies, and great
Of late vpon me. I must thanke him onely,
Least my remembrance, suffer ill report:
At heele of that, defie him.
Lepi.
Time cals vpon's,
Of vs must Pompey presently be sought,
Or else he seekes out vs.
Anth.
Where lies he?
Cæsar.
About the Mount-Mesena.
Anth.
What is his strength by land?
Cæsar.
Great, and encreasing:
But by Sea he is an absolute Master.
Anth.
So is the Fame,
Would we had spoke together. Hast we for it,
Yet ere we put our selues in Armes, dispatch we
The businesse we haue talkt of.
Cæsar.
With most gladnesse,
And do inuite you to my Sisters view,
347
Anth.
Let vs Lepidus not lacke your companie.
Lep.
Noble Anthony, not sickenesse should detaine
me.
Flourish. Exit omnes.
Manet Enobarbus, Agrippa, Mecenas.
Mec.
Welcome from Ægypt Sir.
Eno.
Halfe the heart of Cæsar, worthy Mecenas. My
honourable Friend Agrippa.
Agri.
Good Enobarbus.
Mece.
We haue cause to be glad, that matters are so
well disgested: you staid well by't in Egypt.
Enob.
I Sir, we did sleepe day out of countenaunce:
and made the night light with drinking.
Mece.
Eight Wilde-Boares rosted whole at a breakfast:
and but twelue persons there. Is this true?
Eno.
This was but as a Flye by an Eagle: we had much
more monstrous matter of Feast, which worthily deserued
noting.
Mecenas.
She's a most triumphant Lady, if report be
square to her.
Enob.
When she first met Marke Anthony, she purst
vp his heart vpon the Riuer of Sidnis.
Agri.
There she appear'd indeed: or my reporter deuis'd
well for her.
Eno.
I will tell you,
The Barge she sat in, like a burnisht Throne
Burnt on the water: the Poope was beaten Gold,
Purple the Sailes: and so perfumed that
The Windes were Loue-sicke.
With them the Owers were Siluer,
Which to the tune of Flutes kept stroke, and made
The water which they beate, to follow faster;
As amorous of their strokes. For her owne person,
It beggerd all discription, she did lye
In her Pauillion, cloth of Gold, of Tissue,
O're-picturing that Venus, where we see
The fancie out-worke Nature. On each side her,
Stood pretty Dimpled Boyes, like smiling Cupids,
With diuers coulour'd Fannes whose winde did seeme,
To gloue the delicate cheekes which they did coole,
And what they vndid did.
Agrip.
Oh rare for Anthony.
Eno.
Her Gentlewoman, like the Nereides,
So many Mer-maides tended her i'th' eyes,
And made their bends adornings. At the Helme
A seeming Mer-maide steeres: The Silken Tackle,
Swell with the touches of those Flower-soft hands,
That yarely frame the office. From the Barge
A strange inuisible perfume hits the sense
Of the adiacent Wharfes. The Citty cast
Her people out vpon her: and Anthony
Enthron'd i'th' Market-place, did sit alone,
Whisling to'th'ayre: which but for vacancie,
Had gone to gaze on Cleopater too,
And made a gap in Nature.
Agri.
Rare Egiptian.
Eno.
Vpon her landing, Anthony sent to her,
Inuited her to Supper: she replyed,
It should be better, he became her guest:
Which she entreated, our Courteous Anthony,
Whom nere the word of no woman hard speake,
Being barber'd ten times o're, goes to the Feast;
And for his ordinary, paies his heart,
For what his eyes eate onely.
Agri.
Royall Wench:
She made great Cæsar lay his Sword to bed,
He ploughed her, and she cropt.
Eno.
I saw her once
Hop forty Paces through the publicke streete,
And hauing lost her breath, she spoke, and panted,
That she did make defect, perfection,
And breathlesse powre breath forth.
Mece.
Now Anthony, must leaue her vtterly.
Eno.
Neuer he will not:
Age cannot wither her, nor custome stale
Her infinite variety: other women cloy
The appetites they feede, but she makes hungry,
Where most she satisfies. For vildest things
Become themselues in her, that the holy Priests
Blesse her, when she is Riggish.
Mece
If Beauty, Wisedome, Modesty, can settle
The heart of Anthony: Octauia is
A blessed Lottery to him.
Agrip.
Let vs go. Good Enobarbus, make your selfe
my guest, whilst you abide heere.
Eno.
Humbly Sir I thanke you.
Exeunt
Enter Anthony, Cæsar, Octauia betweene them.
Anth.
The world, and my great office, will
Sometimes deuide me from your bosome.
Octa.
All which time, before the Gods my knee shall
bowe my prayers to them for you.
Anth.
Goodnight Sir. My Octauia
Read not my blemishes in the worlds report:
I haue not kept my square, but that to come
Shall all be done by th'Rule: good night deere Lady:
Good night Sir.
Cæsar.
Goodnight.
Exit.
Enter Soothsaier.
Anth.
Now sirrah: you do wish your selfe in Egypt?
Sooth.
Would I had neuer come from thence, nor you
thither.
Ant.
If you can, your reason?
Sooth.
I see it in my motion: haue it not in my tongue,
But yet hie you to Egypt againe.
Antho.
Say to me, whose Fortunes shall rise higher
Cæsars or mine?
Soot.
Cæsars. Therefore (oh Anthony) stay not by his side
Thy Dæmon that thy spirit which keepes thee, is
Noble, Couragious, high vnmatchable,
Where Cæsars is not. But neere him, thy Angell
Becomes a feare: as being o're-powr'd, therefore
Make space enough betweene you.
Anth.
Speake this no more.
Sooth.
To none but thee no more but: when to thee,
If thou dost play with him at any game,
Thou art sure to loose: And of that Naturall lucke,
He beats thee 'gainst the oddes. Thy Luster thickens,
When he shines by: I say againe, thy spirit
Is all affraid to gouerne thee neere him:
But he alway 'tis Noble.
Anth.
Get thee gone:
Say to Ventigius I would speake with him.
Exit.
He shall to Parthia, be it Art or hap,
He hath spoken true. The very Dice obey him,
And in our sports my better cunning faints,
Vnder his chance, if we draw lots he speeds,
His Cocks do winne the Battaile, still of mine,
When it is all to naught: and his Quailes euer
Beate mine (in hoopt) at odd's. I will to Egypte:
348
I'th'East my pleasure lies. Oh come Ventigius.
Enter Ventigius.
You must to Parthia, your Commissions ready.
Follow me, and reciue't.
Exeunt
Enter Lepidus, Mecenas and Agrippa.
Lepidus.
Trouble your selues no further: pray you
hasten your Generals after.
Agr.
Sir, Marke Anthony, will e'ne but kisse Octauia,
and weele follow.
Lepi.
Till I shall see you in your Souldiers dresse,
Which will become you both: Farewell.
Mece.
We shall: as I conceiue the iourney, be at
Mount before you Lepidus.
Lepi.
Your way is shorter, my purposes do draw me
much about, you'le win two dayes vpon me.
Both.
Sir good successe.
Lepi.
Farewell.
Exeunt.
Enter Cleopater, Charmian, Iras, and Alexas.
Cleo.
Giue me some Musicke: Musicke, moody foode
of vs that trade in Loue.
Omnes.
The Musicke, hoa.
Enter Mardian the Eunuch.
Cleo.
Let it alone, let's to Billards: come Charmian.
Char.
My arme is sore, best play with Mardian.
Cleopa.
As well a woman with an Eunuch plaide, as
with a woman. Come you'le play with me Sir?
Mardi.
As well as I can Madam.
Cleo.
And when good will is shewed,
Though't come to short
The Actor may pleade pardon. Ile none now,
Giue me mine Angle, weele to'th'Riuer there
My Musicke playing farre off. I will betray
Tawny fine fishes, my bended hooke shall pierce
Their slimy iawes: and as I draw them vp,
Ile thinke them euery one an Anthony,
And say, ah ha; y'are caught.
Char.
'Twas merry when you wager'd on your Angling,
when your diuer did hang a salt fish on his hooke
which he with feruencie drew vp.
Cleo.
That time? Oh times:
I laught him out of patience: and that night
I laught him into patience, and next morne,
Ere the ninth houre, I drunke him to his bed:
Then put my Tires and Mantles on him, whilst
I wore his Sword Phillippan. Oh from Italie,
Enter a Messenger.
Ramme thou thy fruitefull tidings in mine eares,
That long time haue bin barren.
Mes.
Madam, Madam.
Cleo.
Anthonyo's dead.
If thou say so Villaine, thou kil'st thy Mistris:
But well and free, if thou so yeild him.
There is Gold, and heere
My blewest vaines to kisse: a hand that Kings
Haue lipt, and trembled kissing.
Mes.
First Madam, he is well.
Cleo.
Why there's more Gold.
But sirrah marke, we vse
To say, the dead are well: bring it to that,
The Gold I giue thee, will I melt and powr
Downe thy ill vttering throate.
Mes.
Good Madam heare me.
Cleo.
Well, go too I will:
But there's no goodnesse in thy face if Anthony
Be free and healthfull; so tart a fauour
To trumpet such good tidings. If not well,
Thou shouldst come like a Furie crown'd with Snakes,
Not like a formall man.
Mes.
Wilt please you heare me?
Cleo.
I haue a mind to strike thee ere thou speak'st:
Yet if thou say Anthony liues, 'tis well,
Or friends with Cæsar, or not Captiue to him,
Ile set thee in a shower of Gold, and haile
Rich Pearles vpon thee.
Mes.
Madam, he's well.
Cleo.
Well said.
Mes.
And Friends with Cæsar.
Cleo.
Th'art an honest man.
Mes.
Cæsar, and he, are greater Friends then euer.
Cleo.
Make thee a Fortune from me.
Mes.
But yet Madam.
Cleo.
I do not like but yet, it does alay
The good precedence, fie vpon but yet,
Bur yet is as a Iaylor to bring foorth
Some monstrous Malefactor. Prythee Friend,
Powre out the packe of matter to mine eare,
The good and bad together: he's friends with Cæsar,
In state of health thou saist, and thou saist, free.
Mes.
Free Madam, no: I made no such report,
He's bound vnto Octauia.
Cleo.
For what good turne?
Mes.
For the best turne i'th'bed.
Cleo.
I am pale Charmian.
Mes.
Madam, he's married to Octauia.
Cleo.
The most infectious Pestilence vpon thee.
Strikes him downe.
Mes.
Good Madam patience.
Cleo.
What say you?
Strikes him.
Hence horrible Villaine, or Ile spurne thine eyes
Like balls before me: Ile vnhaire thy head,
She hales him vp and downe.
Thou shalt be whipt with Wyer, and stew'd in brine,
Smarting in lingring pickle.
Mes.
Gratious Madam,
I that do bring the newes, made not the match.
Cleo.
Say 'tis not so, a Prouince I will giue thee,
And make thy Fortunes proud: the blow thou had'st
Shall make thy peace, for mouing me to rage,
And I will boot thee with what guift beside
Thy modestie can begge.
Mes.
He's married Madam.
Cleo.
Rogue, thou hast liu'd too long.
Draw a knife.
Mes.
Nay then Ile runne:
What meane you Madam, I haue made no fault.
Exit.
Char.
Good Madam keepe your selfe within your selfe,
The man is innocent.
Cleo.
Some Innocents scape not the thunderbolt:
Melt Egypt into Nyle: and kindly creatures
Turne all to Serpents. Call the slaue againe,
Though I am mad, I will not byte him: Call?
Char.
He is afeard to come.
Cleo.
I will not hurt him,
These hands do lacke Nobility, that they strike
A meaner then my selfe: since I my selfe
Haue giuen my selfe the cause. Come hither Sir.
Enter the Messenger againe.
Though it be honest, it is neuer good
To bring bad newes: giue to a gratious Message
349
Themselues, when they be felt.
Mes.
I haue done my duty.
Cleo.
Is he married?
I cannot hate thee worser then I do,
If thou againe say yes.
Mes.
He's married Madam.
Cleo.
The Gods confound thee,
Dost thou hold there still?
Mes.
Should I lye Madame?
Cleo.
Oh, I would thou didst:
So halfe my Egypt were submerg'd and made
A Cesterne for scal'd Snakes. Go get thee hence,
Had'st thou Narcissus in thy face to me,
Thou would'st appeere most vgly: He is married?
Mes.
I craue your Highnesse pardon.
Cleo.
He is married?
Mes.
Take no offence, that I would not offend you,
To punnish me for what you make me do
Seemes much vnequall, he's married to Octauia.
Cleo.
Oh that his fault should make a knaue of thee,
That art not what th'art sure of. Get thee hence,
The Marchandize which thou hast brought from Rome
Are all too deere for me:
Lye they vpon thy hand, and be vndone by em.
Char.
Good your Highnesse patience.
Cleo.
In praysing Anthony, I haue disprais'd Cæsar.
Char.
Many times Madam.
Cleo.
I am paid for't now: lead me from hence,
I faint, oh Iras, Charmian: 'tis no matter.
Go to the Fellow, good Alexas bid him
Report the feature of Octauia: her yeares,
Her inclination, let him not leaue out
The colour of her haire. Bring me word quickly,
Let him for euer go, let him not Charmian,
Though he be painted one way like a Gorgon,
The other wayes a Mars. Bid you Alexas
Bring me word, how tall she is: pitty me Charmian,
But do not speake to me. Lead me to my Chamber.
Exeunt.
Flourish. Enter Pompey, at one doore with Drum and Trumpet: at another Cæsar, Lepidus, Anthony, Enobarbus, Mecenas, Agrippa, Menas with Souldiers Marching.
Pom.
Your Hostages I haue, so haue you mine:
And we shall talke before we fight.
Cæsar.
Most meete that first we come to words,
And therefore haue we
Our written purposes before vs sent,
Which if thou hast considered, let vs know,
If 'twill tye vp thy discontented Sword,
And carry backe to Cicelie much tall youth,
That else must perish heere.
Pom.
To you all three,
The Senators alone of this great world,
Chiefe Factors for the Gods. I do not know,
Wherefore my Father should reuengers want,
Hauing a Sonne and Friends, since Iulius Cæsar,
Who at Phillippi the good Brutus ghosted,
There saw you labouring for him. What was't
That mou'd pale Cassius to conspire? And what
Made all-honor'd, honest, Romaine Brutus,
With the arm'd rest, Courtiers of beautious freedome,
To drench the Capitoll, but that they would
Haue one man but a man, and that his it
Hath made me rigge my Nauie. At whose burthen,
The anger'd Ocean fomes, with which I meant
To scourge th'ingratitude, that despightfull Rome
Cast on my Noble Father.
Cæsar.
Take your time.
Ant.
Thou can'st not feare vs Pompey with thy sailes.
Weele speake with thee at Sea. At land thou know'st
How much we do o're-count thee.
Pom.
At Land indeed
Thou dost ore count me of my Fatherrs house:
But since the Cuckoo buildes not for himselfe,
Remaine in't as thou maist.
Lepi.
Be pleas'd to tell vs,
(For this is from the present now you take)
The offers we haue sent you.
Cæsar.
There's the point.
Ant.
Which do not be entreated too,
But waigh what it is worth imbrac'd
Cæsar.
And what may follow to try a larger Fortune.
Pom.
You haue made me offer
Of Cicelie, Sardinia: and I must
Rid all the Sea of Pirats. Then, to send
Measures of Wheate to Rome: this greed vpon,
To part with vnhackt edges, and beare backe
Our Targes vndinted.
Omnes.
That's our offer.
Pom.
Know then I came before you heere,
A man prepar'd
To take this offer. But Marke Anthony,
Put me to some impatience: though I loose
The praise of it by telling. You must know
When Cæsar and your Brother were at blowes,
Your Mother came to Cicelie, and did finde
Her welcome Friendly.
Ant.
I haue heard it Pompey,
And am well studied for a liberall thanks,
Which I do owe you.
Pom.
Let me haue your hand:
I did not thinke Sir, to haue met you heere,
Ant.
The beds i'th'East are soft, and thanks to you,
That cal'd me timelier then my purpose hither:
For I haue gained by't.
Cæsar.
Since I saw you last, ther's a change vpon you.
Pom.
Well, I know not,
What counts harsh Fotune cast's vpon my face,
But in my bosome shall she neuer come,
To make my heart her vassaile.
Lep.
Well met heere.
Pom.
I hope so Lepidus, thus we are agreed:
I craue our composion may be written
And seal'd betweene vs,
Cæsar.
That's the next to do.
Pom.
Weele feast each other, ere we part, and lett's
Draw lots who shall begin.
Ant.
That will I Pompey.
Pompey.
No Anthony take the lot: but first or last,
your fine Egyptian cookerie shall haue the fame, I haue
heard that Iulius Cæsar, grew fat with feasting there.
Anth.
You haue heard much.
Pom.
I haue faire meaning Sir.
Ant.
And faire words to them.
Pom.
Then so much haue I heard,
And I haue heard Appolodorus carried—
Eno.
No more that: he did so.
Pom.
What I pray you?
Eno.
A certaine Queene to Cæsar in a Matris.
Pom.
I know thee now, how far'st thou Souldier?
Eno.
Well, and well am like to do, for I perceiue
350
Pom.
Let me shake thy hand,
I neuer hated thee: I haue seene thee fight,
When I haue enuied thy behauiour.
Enob.
Sir, I neuer lou'd you much, but I ha'prais'd ye,
When you haue well deseru'd ten times as much,
As I haue said you did.
Pom.
Inioy thy plainnesse,
It nothing ill becomes thee:
Aboord my Gally, I inuite you all.
Will you leade Lords?
All.
Shew's the way, sir.
Pom.
Come.
Exeunt.
Manet Enob. & Menas
Men.
Thy Father Pompey would ne're haue made this
Treaty. You, and I haue knowne sir.
Enob.
At Sea, I thinke.
Men.
We haue Sir.
Enob.
You haue done well by water.
Men.
And you by Land.
Enob.
I will praise any man that will praise me, thogh
it cannot be denied what I haue done by Land.
Men.
Nor what I haue done by water.
Enob.
Yes some-thing you can deny for your owne
safety: you haue bin a great Theefe by Sea.
Men.
And you by Land.
Enob.
There I deny my Land seruice: but giue mee
your hand Menas, if our eyes had authority, heere they
might take two Theeues kissing.
Men.
All mens faces are true, whatsomere their hands
are.
Enob.
But there is neuer a fayre Woman, ha's a true
Face.
Men.
No slander, they steale hearts.
Enob.
We came hither to fight with you.
Men.
For my part, I am sorry it is turn'd to a Drinking.
Pompey doth this day laugh away his Fortune.
Enob.
If he do, sure he cannot weep't backe againe.
Men.
Y'haue said Sir, we look'd not for Marke Anthony
heere, pray you, is he married to Cleopatra?
Enob.
Cæsars Sister is call'd Octauia.
Men.
True Sir, she was the wife of Caius Marcellus.
Enob.
But she is now the wife of Marcus Anthonius.
Men.
Pray ye sir.
Enob.
'Tis true.
Men.
Then is Cæsar and he, for euer knit together.
Enob.
If I were bound to Diuine of this vnity, I wold
not Prophesie so.
Men.
I thinke the policy of that purpose, made more
in the Marriage, then the loue of the parties.
Enob.
I thinke so too. But you shall finde the band
that seemes to tye their friendship together, will bee the
very strangler of their Amity: Octauia is of a holy, cold,
and still conuersation.
Men.
Who would not haue his wise so?
Eno.
Not he that himselfe is not so: which is Marke
Anthony: he will to his Egyptian dish againe: then shall
the sighes of Octauia blow the fire vp in Cæsar, and (as I
said before) that which is the strength of their Amity,
shall proue the immediate Author of their variance. Anthony
will vse his affection where it is. Hee married but
his occasion heere.
Men.
And thus it may be. Come Sir, will you aboord?
I haue a health for you.
Enob.
I shall take it sir: we haue vs'd our Throats in
Egypt.
Men.
Come, let's away.
Exeunt.
Musicke playes. Enter two or three Seruants with a Banket.
1
Heere they'l be man: some o'th'their Plants are ill
rooted already, the least winde i'th'world wil blow them
downe.
2
Lepidus is high Conlord.
1
They haue made him drinke Almes drinke.
2
As they pinch one another by the disposition, hee
cries out, no more; reconciles them to his entreatie, and
himselfe to'th'drinke.
1
But it raises the greater warre betweene him & his
discretion.
2
Why this it is to haue a name in great mens Fellowship:
I had as liue haue a Reede that will doe me no
seruice, as a Partizan I could not heaue.
1
To be call'd into a huge Sphere, and not to be seene
to moue in't, are the holes where eyes should bee, which
pittifully disaster the cheekes.
A Sennet sounded. Enter Cæsar, Anthony, Pompey, Lepidus, Agrippa, Mecenas, Enobarbus, Menes, with other Captaines.
Ant.
Thus do they Sir: they take the flow o'th'Nyle
By certaine scales i'th'Pyramid; they know
By'th'height the lownesse, or the meane: If dearth
Or Foizon follow. The higher Nilus swels,
The more it promises: as it ebbes, the Seedsman
Vpon the slime and Ooze scatters his graine,
And shortly comes to Haruest.
Lep.
Y'haue strange Serpents there?
Anth.
I Lepidus.
Lep.
Your Serpent of Egypt, is bred now of your mud
by the operation of your Sun: so is your Crocodile.
Ant.
They are so.
Pom.
Sit, and some Wine: A health to Lepidus.
Lep.
I am not so well as I should be:
But Ile ne're out.
Enob.
Not till you haue slept: I feare me you'l bee in
till then.
Lep.
Nay certainly, I haue heard the Ptolomies Pyramisis
are very goodly things: without contradiction I
haue heard that.
Menas.
Pompey, a word.
Pomp.
Say in mine eare, what is't.
Men.
Forsake thy seate I do beseech thee Captaine,
And heare me speake a word.
Pom.
Forbeare me till anon.
Whispers in's Eare.
This Wine for Lepidus.
Lep.
What manner o'thing is your Crocodile?
Ant.
It is shap'd sir like it selfe, and it is as broad as it
hath bredth; It is iust so high as it is, and mooues with it
owne organs. It liues by that which nourisheth it, and
the Elements once out of it, it Transmigrates.
Lep.
What colour is it of?
Ant.
Of it owne colour too.
Lep.
'Tis a strange Serpent.
Ant.
'Tis so, and the teares of it are wet.
Cæs.
Will this description satisfie him?
Ant.
With the Health that Pompey glues him, else he
is a very Epicure.
Pomp.
Go hang sir, hang: tell me of that? Away:
Do as I bid you. Where's this Cup I call'd for?
Men.
If for the sake of Merit thou wilt heare mee,
351
Pom.
I thinke th'art mad: the matter?
Men.
I haue euer held my cap off to thy Fortunes.
Pom.
Thou hast seru'd me with much faith: what's
else to say? Be iolly Lords.
Anth.
These Quicke-sands Lepidus,
Keepe off, them for you sinke.
Men.
Wilt thou be Lord of all the world?
Pom.
What saist thou?
Men.
Wilt thou be Lord of the whole world?
That's twice.
Pom.
How should that be?
Men.
But entertaine it, and though thou thinke me
poore, I am the man will giue thee all the world.
Pom.
Hast thou drunke well.
Men.
No Pompey, I haue kept me from the cup,
Thou art if thou dar'st be, the earthly Ioue:
What ere the Ocean pales, or skie inclippes,
Is thine, if thou wilt ha't.
Pom.
Shew me which way?
Men.
These three World-sharers, these Competitors
Are in thy vessell. Let me cut the Cable,
And when we are put off, fall to their throates:
All there is thine.
Pom.
Ah, this thou shouldst haue done,
And not haue spoke on't. In me 'tis villanie,
In thee, 't had bin good seruice: thou must know,
'Tis not my profit that does lead mine Honour:
Mine Honour it, Repent that ere thy tongue,
Hath so betraide thine acte. Being done vnknowne,
I should haue found it afterwards well done,
But must condemne it now: desist, and drinke.
Men.
For this, Ile neuer follow
Thy paul'd Fortunes more,
Who seekes and will not take, when once 'tis offer'd,
Shall neuer finde it more.
Pom.
This health to Lepidus.
Ant.
Beare him ashore,
Ile pledge it for him Pompey.
Eno.
Heere's to thee Menas.
Men.
Enobarbus, welcome.
Pom.
Fill till the cup be hid.
Eno.
There's a strong Fellow Menas.
Men.
Why?
Eno.
A beares the third part of the world man: seest
not?
Men.
The third part, then he is drunk: would it were
all, that it might go on wheeles.
Eno.
Drinke thou: encrease the Reeles.
Men
Come.
Pom.
This is not yet an Alexandrian Feast.
Ant.
It ripen's towards it: strike the Vessells hoa.
Heere's to Cæsar.
Cæsar.
I could well forbear't, it's monstrous labour
when I wash my braine, and it grow fouler.
Ant.
Be a Child o'th'time.
Cæsar.
Possesse it, Ile make answer: but I had rather
fast from all, foure dayes, then drinke so much in one.
Enob.
Ha my braue Emperour, shall we daunce now
the Egyptian Backenals, and celebrate our drinke?
Pom.
Let's ha't good Souldier.
Ant.
Come, let's all take hands,
Till that the conquering Wine hath steep't our sense,
In soft and delicate Lethe.
Eno.
All take hands:
Make battery to our eares with the loud Musicke,
The while, Ile place you, then the Boy shall sing.
The holding euery man shall beare as loud.
As his strong sides can volly.
Musicke Playes. Enobarbus places them hand in hand.
The Song.
Come thou Monarch of the Vine,
Plumpie Bacchus, with pinke eyne:
In thy Fattes our Cares be drown'd,
With thy Grapes our haires be Crown'd.
Cup vs till the world go round,
Cup vs till the world go round.
Cæsar.
What would you more?
Pompey goodnight. Good Brother
Let me request you of our grauer businesse
Frownes at this leuitie. Gentle Lords let's part,
You see we haue burnt our cheekes. Strong Enobarbe
Is weaker then the Wine, and mine owne tongue
Spleet's what it speakes: the wilde disguise hath almost
Antickt vs all. What needs more words? goodnight.
Good Anthony your hand.
Pom.
Ile try you on the shore.
Anth.
And shall Sir, giues your hand.
Pom.
Oh Anthony, you haue my Father house.
But what, we are Friends?
Come downe into the Boate.
Eno.
Take heed you fall not Menas: Ile not on shore,
No to my Cabin: these Drummes.
These Trumpets, Flutes: what
Let Neptune heare, we bid aloud farewell
To these great Fellowes. Sound and be hang'd, sound out.
Sound a Flourish with Drummes.
Enor.
Hoo saies a there's my Cap.
Men.
Hoa, Noble Captaine, come.
Exeunt.
Enter Uentidius as it were in triumph, the dead body of Pacorus borne before him.
Ven.
Now darting Parthya art thou stroke, and now
Pleas'd Fortune does of Marcus Crassus death
Make me reuenger. Beare the Kings Sonnes body,
Before our Army thy Pacorus Orades,
Paies this for Marcus Crassus.
Romaine.
Noble Uentidius,
Whil'st yet with Parthian blood thy Sword is warme,
The Fugitiue Parthians follow. Spurre through Media,
Mesapotamia, and the shelters, whether
The routed flie. So thy grand Captaine Anthony
Shall set thee on triumphant Chariots, and
Put Garlands on thy head.
Ven.
Oh Sillius, Sillius,
I haue done enough. Alower place note well
May make too great an act. For learne this Sillius,
Better to leaue vndone, then by our deed
Acquire too high a Fame, when him we serues away.
Cæsar and Anthony, haue euer wonne
More in their officer, then person. Sossius
One of my place in Syria, his Lieutenant,
For quicke accumulation of renowne,
Which he atchiu'd by'th'minute, lost his fauour.
Who does i'th'Warres more then his Captaine can,
Becomes his Captaines Captaine: and Ambition
(The Souldiers vertue) rather makes choise of losse
Then gaine, which darkens him.
I could do more to do Anthonius good,
But 'twould offend him. And in his offence,
352
Rom.
Thou hast Ventidius that, without the which a
Souldier and his Sword graunts scarce distinction: thou
wilt write to Anthony.
Ven.
Ile humbly signifie what in his name,
That magicall word of Warre we haue effected,
How with his Banners, and his well paid ranks,
The nere yet beaten Horse of Parthia,
We haue iaded out o'th' Field.
Rom.
Where is he now?
Ven.
He purposeth to Athens, whither with what hast
The waight we must conuay with's, will permit:
We shall appeare before him. On there, passe along.
Exeunt.
Enter Agrippa at one doore, Enobarbus at another.
Agri.
What are the Brothers parted?
Eno.
They haue dispatcht with Pompey, he is gone,
The other three are Sealing. Octauia weepes
To part from Rome: Cæsar is sad, and Lepidus
Since Pompey's feast, as Menas saies, is troubled
With the Greene-Sicknesse.
Agri.
'Tis a Noble Lepidus.
Eno.
A very fine one: oh, how he loues Cæsar.
Agri.
Nay but how deerely he adores Mark Anthony.
Eno.
Cæsar? why he's the Iupiter of men.
Ant.
What's Anthony, the God of Iupiter?
Eno.
Spake you of Cæsar? How, the non-pareill?
Agri.
Oh Anthony, oh thou Arabian Bird!
Eno.
Would you praise Cæsar, say Cæsar go no further.
Agr.
Indeed he plied them both with excellent praises.
Eno.
But he loues Cæsar best, yet he loues Anthony:
Hoo, Hearts, Tongues, Figure,
Scribes, Bards, Poets, cannot
Thinke speake, cast, write, sing, number: hoo,
His loue to Anthony. But as for Cæsar,
Kneele downe, kneele downe, and wonder.
Agri.
Both he loues.
Eno.
They are his Shards, and he their Beetle, so:
This is to horse: Adieu, Noble Agrippa.
Agri.
Good Fortune worthy Souldier, and farewell.
Enter Cæsar, Anthony, Lepidus, and Octauia.
Antho.
No further Sir.
Cæsar.
You take from me a great part of my selfe:
Vse me well in't. Sister, proue such a wife
As my thoughts make thee, and as my farthest Band
Shall passe on thy approofe: most Noble Anthony,
Let not the peece of Vertue which is set
Betwixt vs, as the Cyment of our loue
To keepe it builded, be the Ramme to batter
The Fortresse of it: for better might we
Haue lou'd without this meane, if on both parts
This be not cherisht.
Ant.
Make me not offended, in your distrust.
Cæsar.
I haue said.
Ant.
You shall not finde,
Though you be therein curious, the lest cause
For what you seeme to feare, so the Gods keepe you,
And make the hearts of Romaines serue your ends:
We will heere part.
Cæsar.
Farewell my deerest Sister, fare thee well,
The Elements be kind to thee, and make
Thy spirits all of comfort: fare thee well.
Octa.
My Noble Brother.
Anth.
The Aprill's in her eyes, it is Loues spring,
And these the showers to bring it on: be cheerfull.
Octa.
Sir, looke well to my Husbands house: and—
Cæsar.
What Octauia?
Octa.
Ile tell you in your eare.
Ant.
Her tongue will not obey her heart, nor can
Her heart informe her tongue.
The Swannes downe feather
That stands vpon the Swell at the full of Tide:
And neither way inclines.
Eno.
Will Cæsar weepe?
Agr.
He ha's a cloud in's face.
Eno.
He were the worse for that were he a Horse, so is
he being a man.
Agri.
Why Enobarbus:
When Anthony found Iulius Cæsar dead,
He cried almost to roaring: And he wept,
When at Phillippi he found Brutus slaine.
Eno.
That year indeed, he was trobled with a rheume,
What willingly he did confound, he wail'd,
Beleeu't till I weepe too.
Cæsar.
No sweet Octauia,
You shall heare from me still: the time shall not
Out-go my thinking on you.
Ant.
Come Sir, come,
Ile wrastle with you in my strength of loue,
Looke heere I haue you, thus I let you go,
And giue you to the Gods.
Cæsar.
Adieu, be happy.
Lep.
Let all the number of the Starres giue light
To thy faire way.
Cæsar.
Farewell, farewell.
Kisses Octauia.
Ant.
Farewell.
Trumpets sound. Exeunt.
Enter Cleopatra, Charmian, Iras, and Alexas.
Cleo.
Where is the Fellow?
Alex.
Halfe afeard to come.
Cleo.
Go too, go too: Come hither Sir.
Enter the Messenger as before.
Alex.
Good Maiestie: Herod of Iury dare not looke
vpon you, but when you are well pleas'd.
Cleo.
That Herods head, Ile haue: but how? When
Anthony is gone, through whom I might commaund it:
Come thou neere.
Mes.
Most gratious Maiestie.
Cleo.
Did'st thou behold Octauia?
Mes.
I dread Queene.
Cleo.
Where?
Mes.
Madam in Rome, I lookt her in the face: and
saw her led betweene her Brother, and Marke Anthony.
Cleo.
Is she as tall as me?
Mes.
She is not Madam.
Cleo.
Didst heare her speake?
Is she shrill tongu'd or low?
Mes.
Madam, I heard her speake, she is low voic'd.
Cleo.
That's not so good: he cannot like her long.
Char.
Like her? Oh Isis: 'tis impossible.
Cleo.
I thinke so Charmian: dull of tongue, & dwarfish
What Maiestie is in her gate, remember
If ere thou look'st on Maiestie.
Mes.
She creepes: her motion, & her station are as one.
She shewes a body, rather then a life,
A Statue, then a Breather.
Cleo.
Is this certaine?
Mes.
Or I haue no obseruance.
Cha.
Three in Egypt cannot make better note.
Cleo.
He's very knowing, I do perceiu't,
There's nothing in her yet.
353
Char.
Excellent.
Cleo.
Guesse at her yeares, I prythee.
Mess.
Madam, she was a widdow.
Cleo.
Widdow? Charmian, hearke.
Mes.
And I do thinke she's thirtie.
Cle.
Bear'st thou her face in mind? is't long or round?
Mess.
Round, euen to faultinesse.
Cleo.
For the most part too, they are foolish that are
so. Her haire what colour?
Mess.
Browne Madam: and her forehead
As low as she would wish it.
Cleo.
There's Gold for thee,
Thou must not take my former sharpenesse ill,
I will employ thee backe againe: I finde thee
Most fit for businesse. Go, make thee ready,
Our Letters are prepar'd.
Char.
A proper man.
Cleo.
Indeed he is so: I repent me much
That so I harried him. Why me think's by him,
This Creature's no such thing.
Char.
Nothing Madam.
Cleo.
The man hath seene some Maiesty, and should
know.
Char.
Hath he seene Maiestie? Isis else defend: and
seruing you so long.
Cleopa.
I haue one thing more to aske him yet good
Charmian: but 'tis no matter, thou shalt bring him to me
where I will write; all may be well enough.
Char.
I warrant you Madam.
Exeunt.
Enter Anthony and Octauia.
Ant.
Nay, nay Octauia, not onely that,
That were excusable, that and thousands more
Of semblable import, but he hath wag'd
New Warres 'gainst Pompey. Made his will, and read it,
To publicke eare, spoke scantly of me,
When perforce he could not
But pay me tearmes of Honour: cold and sickly
He vented then most narrow measure: lent me,
When the best hint was giuen him: he not look't,
Or did it from his teeth.
Octaui.
Oh my good Lord,
Beleeue not all, or if you must beleeue,
Stomacke not all. A more vnhappie Lady,
If this deuision chance, ne're stood betweene
Praying for both parts:
The good Gods wil mocke me presently,
When I shall pray: Oh blesse my Lord, and Husband,
Vndo that prayer, by crying out as loud,
Oh blesse my Brother. Husband winne, winne Brother,
Prayes, and distroyes the prayer, no midway
'Twixt these extreames at all.
Ant.
Gentle Octauia,
Let your best loue draw to that point which seeks
Best to preserue it: if I loose mine Honour,
I loose my selfe: better I were not yours
Then your so branchlesse. But as you requested,
Your selfe shall go between's, the meane time Lady,
Ile raise the preparation of a Warre
Shall staine your Brother, make your soonest hast,
So your desires are yours.
Oct.
Thanks to my Lord,
The Ioue of power make me most weake, most weake,
You reconciler: Warres 'twixt you twaine would be,
As if the world should cleaue, and that slaine men
Should soader vp the Rift.
Anth.
When it appeeres to you where this begins,
Turne your displeasure that way, for our faults
Can neuer be so equall, that your loue
Can equally moue with them. Prouide your going,
Choose your owne company, and command what cost
Your heart he's mind too.
Exeunt.
Enter Enobarbus, and Eros.
Eno.
How now Friend Eros?
Eros.
Ther's strange Newes come Sir.
Eno.
What man?
Ero.
Cæsar & Lepidus haue made warres vpon Pompey.
Eno.
This is old, what is the successe?
Eros.
Cæsar hauing made vse of him in the warres
'gainst Pompey: presently denied him riuality, would not
let him partake in the glory of the action, and not resting
here, accuses him of Letters he had formerly wrote to
Pompey. Vpon his owne appeale seizes him, so the poore
third is vp, till death enlarge his Confine.
Eno.
Then would thou hadst a paire of chaps no more,
and throw betweene them all the food thou hast, they'le
grinde the other. Where's Anthony?
Eros.
He's walking in the garden thus, and spurnes
The rush that lies before him. Cries Foole Lepidus,
And threats the throate of that his Officer,
That murdred Pompey.
Eno.
Our great Nauies rig'd.
Eros.
For Italy and Cæsar, more Domitius,
My Lord desires you presently: my Newes
I might haue told heareafter.
Eno.
'Twill be naught, but let it be: bring me to Anthony.
Eros.
Come Sir,
Exeunt.
Enter Agrippa, Mecenas, and Cæsar.
Cæs.
Contemning Rome he ha's done all this, & more
In Alexandria: heere's the manner of't:
I'th' Market-place on a Tribunall siluer'd,
Cleopatra and himselfe in Chaires of Gold
Were publikely enthron'd: at the feet, sat
Cæsarion whom they call my Fathers Sonne,
And all the vnlawfull issue, that their Lust
Since then hath made betweene them. Vnto her,
He gaue the stablishment of Egypt, made her
Of lower Syria, Cyprus, Lydia, absolute Queene.
Mece.
This in the publike eye?
Cæsar.
I'th' common shew place, where they exercise,
His Sonnes hither proclaimed the King of Kings,
Great Media, Parthia, and Armenia
He gaue to Alexander. To Ptolomy he assign'd,
Syria, Silicia, and Phœnetia: she
In th'abiliments of the Goddesse Isis
That day appeer'd, and oft before gaue audience,
As 'tis reported so.
Mece.
Let Rome be thus inform'd.
Agri.
Who queazie with his insolence already,
Will their good thoughts call from him.
Cæsar.
The people knowes it,
And haue now receiu'd his accusations.
Agri.
Who does he accuse?
Cæsar.
Cæsar, and that hauing in Cicilie
Sextus Pompeius spoil'd, we had not rated him
His part o'th'Isle. Then does he say, he lent me
Some shipping vnrestor'd. Lastly, he frets
That Lepidus of the Triumpherate, should be depos'd,
And being that, we detaine all his Reuenue.
Agri.
Sir, this should be answer'd.
Cæsar.
'Tis done already, and the Messenger gone:
I haue told him Lepidus was growne too cruell,
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And did deserue his change: for what I haue conquer'd,
I grant him part: but then in his Armenia,
And other of his conquer'd Kingdoms, I demand the like
Mec.
Hee'l neuer yeeld to that.
Cæs.
Nor must not then be yeelded to in this.
Enter Octauia with her Traine.
Octa.
Haile Cæsar, and my L. haile most deere Cæsar.
Cæsar.
That euer I should call thee Cast-away.
Octa.
You haue not call'd me so, nor haue you cause.
Cæs.
Why haue you stoln vpon vs thus? you come not
Like Cæsars Sister, The wife of Anthony
Should haue an Army for an Vsher, and
The neighes of Horse to tell of her approach,
Long ere she did appeare. The trees by'th'way
Should haue borne men, and expectation fainted,
Longing for what it had not. Nay, the dust
Should haue ascended to the Roofe of Heauen,
Rais'd by your populous Troopes: But you are come
A Market-maid to Rome, and haue preuented
The ostentation of our loue; which left vnshewne,
Is often left vnlou'd: we should haue met you
By Sea, and Land, supplying euery Stage
With an augmented greeting.
Octa.
Good my Lord,
To come thus was I not constrain'd, but did it
On my free-will. My Lord Marke Anthony,
Hearing that you prepar'd for Warre, acquainted
My greeued eare withall; whereon I begg'd
His pardon for returne.
Cæs.
Which soone he granted,
Being an abstract 'tweene his Lust, and him.
Octa.
Do not say so, my Lord.
Cæs.
I haue eyes vpon him,
And his affaires come to me on the wind: wher is he now?
Octa.
My Lord, in Athens.
Cæs.
No my most wronged Sister, Cleopatra
Hath nodded him to her. He hath giuen his Empire
Vp to a Whore, who now are leuying
The Kings o'th'earth for Warre. He hath assembled,
Bochus the King of Lybia, Archilaus
Of Cappadocia, Philadelphos King
Of Paphlagonia: the Thracian King Adullas,
King Mauchus of Arabia, King of Pont,
Herod of Iewry, Mithridates King
Of Comageat, Polemen and Amintas,
The Kings of Mede, and Licoania,
With a more larger List of Scepters.
Octa.
Aye me most wretched,
That haue my heart parted betwixt two Friends,
That does afflict each other.
Cæs.
Welcom hither: your Letters did with-holde our breaking forth
Till we perceiu'd both how you were wrong led,
And we in negligent danger: cheere your heart,
Be you not troubled with the time, which driues
O're your content, these strong necessities,
But let determin'd things to destinie
Hold vnbewayl'd their way. Welcome to Rome,
Nothing more deere to me: You are abus'd
Beyond the marke of thought: and the high Gods
To do you Iustice, makes his Ministers
Of vs, and those that loue you. Best of comfort,
And euer welcom to vs.
Agrip.
Welcome Lady.
Mec.
Welcome deere Madam,
Each heart in Rome does loue and pitty you,
Onely th'adulterous Anthony, most large
In his abhominations, turnes you off,
And giues his potent Regiment to a Trull
That noyses it against vs.
Octa.
Is it so sir?
Cæs.
Most certaine: Sister welcome: pray you
Be euer knowne to patience. My deer'st Sister.
Exeunt
Enter Cleopatra, and Enobarbus.
Cleo.
I will be euen with thee, doubt it not.
Eno.
But why, why, why?
Cleo.
Thou hast forespoke my being in these warres,
And say'st it it not fit.
Eno.
Well: is it, is it.
Cleo.
If not, denounc'd against vs, why should not
we be there in person.
Enob.
Well, I could reply: if wee should serue with
Horse and Mares together, the Horse were meerly lost:
the Mares would beare a Soldiour and his Horse.
Cleo.
What is't you say?
Enob.
Your presence needs must puzle Anthony,
Take from his heart, take from his Braine, from's time,
What should not then be spar'd. He is already
Traduc'd for Leuity, and 'tis said in Rome,
That Photinus an Eunuch, and your Maides
Mannage this warre.
Cleo.
Sinke Rome, and their tongues rot
That speake against vs. A Charge we beare i'th'Warre,
And as the president of my Kingdome will
Appeare there for a man. Speake not against it,
I will not stay behinde.
Enter Anthony and Camidius.
Eno.
Nay I haue done, here comes the Emperor.
Ant.
Is it not strange Camidius,
That from Tarrentum, and Brandusium,
He could so quickly cut the Ionian Sea,
And take in Troine. You haue heard on't (Sweet?)
Cleo.
Celerity is neuer more admir'd,
Then by the negligent.
Ant.
A good rebuke,
Which might haue well becom'd the best of men
To taunt at slacknesse. Camidius, wee
Will fight with him by Sea.
Cleo.
By Sea, what else?
Cam.
Why will my Lord, do so?
Ant.
For that he dares vs too't.
Enob.
So hath my Lord, dar'd him to single fight.
Cam.
I, and to wage this Battell at Pharsalia,
Where Cæsar fought with Pompey. But these offers
Which serue not for his vantage, he shakes off,
And so should you.
Enob.
Your Shippes are not well mann'd,
Your Marriners are Militers, Reapers people
Ingrost by swift Impresse. In Cæsars Fleete,
Are those, that often haue 'gainst Pompey fought,
Their shippes are yare, yours heauy; no disgrace
Shall fall you for refusing him at Sea,
Being prepar'd for Land.
Ant.
By Sea, by Sea.
Eno.
Most worthy Sir, you therein throw away
The absolute Soldiership you haue by Land.
Distract your Armie, which doth most consist
Of Warre-markt-footmen, leaue vnexecuted
Your owne renowned knowledge, quite forgoe
The way which promises assurance, and
Giue vp your selfe meerly to chance and hazard,
From firme Securitie.
Ant.
Ile fight at Sea.
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I haue sixty Sailes, Cæsar none better.
Ant.
Our ouer-plus of shipping will we burne,
And with the rest full mann'd, from th'head of Action
Beate th'approaching Cæsar. But if we faile.
We then can doo't at Land.
Enter a Messenger.
Thy Businesse?
Mes.
The Newes is true, my Lord, he is descried,
Cæsar ha's taken Toryne.
Ant.
Can he be there in person? 'Tis impossible
Strange, that his power should be. Camidius,
Our nineteene Legions thou shalt hold by Land,
And our twelue thousand Horse. Wee'l to our Ship,
Away my Thetis.
Enter a Soldiour.
How now worthy Souldier?
Soul.
Oh Noble Emperor, do not sight by Sea,
Trust not to rotten plankes: Do you misdoubt
This Sword, and these my Wounds; let th'Egyptians
And the Phœnicians go a ducking: wee
Haue vs'd to conquer standing on the earth,
And fighting foot to foot.
Ant.
Well, well, away.
exit Ant. Cleo. & Enob.
Soul.
By Hercules I thinke I am i'th'right.
Cam.
Souldier thou art: but his whole action growes
Not in the power on't: so our Leaders leade,
And we are Womens men.
Soul.
You keepe by Land the Legions and the Horse
whole, do you not?
Uen.
Marcus Octauius, Marcus Iusteus,
Publicola, and Celius, are for Sea:
But we keepe whole by Land. This speede of Cæsars
Carries beyond beleefe.
Soul.
While he was yet in Rome,
His power went out in such distractions,
As beguilde all Spies.
Cam.
Who's his Lieutenant, heare you?
Soul.
They say, one Towrus.
Cam.
Well, I know the man.
Enter a Messenger.
Mes.
The Emperor cals Camidius.
Cam.
With Newes the times with Labour,
And throwes forth each minute, some.
exeunt
Enter Cæsar with his Army, marching.
Cæs.
Towrus?
Tow.
My Lord.
Cæs.
Strike not by Land.
Keepe whole, prouoke not Battaile
Till we haue done at Sea. Do not exceede
The Prescript of this Scroule: Our fortune lyes
Vpon this iumpe.
exit.
Enter Anthony, and Enobarbus.
Ant
Set we our Squadrons on yond side o'th'Hill,
In eye of Cæsars battaile, from which place
We may the number of the Ships behold,
And so proceed accordingly.
exit.
Camidius Marcheth with his Land Army one way ouer the stage, and Towrus the Lieutenant of Cæsar the other way: After their going in, is heard the noise of a Sea fight. Alarum. Enter Enobarbus and Scarus.
Eno.
Naught, naught, al naught, I can behold no longer:
Thantoniad, the Egyptian Admirall,
With all their sixty flye, and turne the Rudder:
To see't, mine eyes are blasted.
Enter Scarrus.
Scar.
Gods, & Goddesses, all the whol synod of them!
Eno.
What's thy passion.
Scar.
The greater Cantle of the world, is lost
With very ignorance, we haue kist away
Kingdomes, and Prouinces.
Eno.
How appeares the Fight?
Scar.
On our side, like the Token'd Pestilence,
Where death is sure. Yon ribaudred Nagge of Egypt,
(Whom Leprosie o're-take) i'th' midst o'th'fight,
When vantage like a payre of Twinnes appear'd
Both as the same, or rather ours the elder;
(The Breeze vpon her) like a Cow in Inne,
Hoists Sailes, and flyes.
Eno.
That I beheld:
Mine eyes did sicken at the sight, and could not
Indure a further view.
Scar.
She once being looft,
The Noble ruine of her Magicke, Anthony,
Claps on his Sea-wing, and (like a doting Mallard)
Leauing the Fight in heighth, flyes after her:
I neuer saw an Action of such shame;
Experience, Man-hood, Honor, ne're before,
Did violate so it selfe.
Enob.
Alacke, alacke.
Enter Camidius.
Cam.
Our Fortune on the Sea is out of breath,
And sinkes most lamentably. Had our Generall
Bin what he knew himselfe, it had gone well:
Oh his ha's giuen example for our flight,
Most grossely by his owne.
Enob.
I, are you thereabouts? Why then goodnight
indeede.
Cam.
Toward Peloponnesus are they fled.
Scar.
'Tis easie toot,
And there I will attend what further comes.
Camid.
To Cæsar will I render
My Legions and my Horse, sixe Kings alreadie
Shew me the way of yeelding.
Eno.
Ile yet follow
The wounded chance of Anthony, though my reason
Sits in the winde against me.
Enter Anthony with Attendants.
Ant.
Hearke, the Land bids me tread no more vpon't,
It is asham'd to beare me. Friends, come hither,
I am so lated in the world, that I
Haue lost my way for euer. I haue a shippe,
Laden with Gold, take that, diuide it: flye,
And make your peace with Cæsar.
Omnes.
Fly? Not wee.
Ant.
I haue fled my selfe, and haue instructed cowards
To runne, and shew their shoulders. Friends be gone,
I haue my selfe resolu'd vpon a course,
Which has no neede of you. Be gone,
My Treasure's in the Harbour. Take it: Oh,
I follow'd that I blush to looke vpon,
My very haires do mutiny: for the white
Reproue the browne for rashnesse, and they them
For feare, and doting. Friends be gone, you shall
Haue Letters from me to some Friends, that will
Sweepe your way for you. Pray you looke not sad,
Nor make replyes of loathnesse, take the hint
Which my dispaire proclaimes. Let them be left
Which leaues it selfe, to the Sea-side straight way;
I will possesse you of that ship and Treasure.
356
Nay do so: for indeede I haue lost command,
Therefore I pray you, Ile see you by and by.
Sits downe
Enter Cleopatra led by Charmian and Eros.
Eros.
Nay gentle Madam, to him, comfort him.
Iras.
Do most deere Queene.
Char.
Do, why, what else?
Cleo.
Let me sit downe: Oh Iuno.
Ant.
No, no, no, no, no.
Eros.
See you heere, Sir?
Ant.
Oh fie, fie, fie.
Char.
Madam.
Iras.
Madam, oh good Empresse.
Eros.
Sir, sir.
Ant.
Yes my Lord, yes; he at Philippi kept
His sword e'ne like a dancer, while I strooke
The leane and wrinkled Cassius, and 'twas I
That the mad Brutus ended: he alone
Dealt on Lieutenantry, and no practise had
In the braue squares of Warre: yet now: no matter.
Cleo.
Ah stand by.
Eros.
The Queene my Lord, the Queene.
Iras.
Go to him, Madam, speake to him,
Hee's vnqualited with very shame.
Cleo.
Well then, sustaine me: Oh.
Eros.
Most Noble Sir arise, the Queene approaches,
Her head's declin'd, and death will cease her, but
Your comfort makes the rescue.
Ant.
I haue offended Reputation,
A most vnnoble sweruing.
Eros.
Sir, the Queene.
Ant.
Oh whether hast thou lead me Egypt, see
How I conuey my shame, out of thine eyes,
By looking backe what I haue left behinde
Stroy'd in dishonor.
Cleo.
Oh my Lord, my Lord,
Forgiue my fearfull sayles, I little thought
You would haue followed.
Ant.
Egypt, thou knew'st too well,
My heart was to thy Rudder tyed by'th'strings,
And thou should'st stowe me after. O're my spirit
The full supremacie thou knew'st, and that
Thy becke, might from the bidding of the Gods
Command mee.
Cleo.
Oh my pardon.
Ant.
Now I must
To the young man send humble Treaties, dodge
And palter in the shifts of lownes, who
With halfe the bulke o'th'world plaid as I pleas'd,
Making, and marring Fortunes. You did know
How much you were my Conqueror, and that
My Sword, made weake by my affection, would
Obey it on all cause.
Cleo.
Pardon, pardon.
Ant
Fall not a teare I say, one of them rates
All that is wonne and lost: Giue me a kisse,
Euen this repayes me.
We sent our Schoolemaster, is a come backe?
Loue I am full of Lead: some Wine
Within there, and our Viands: Fortune knowes,
We scorne her most, when most she offers blowes.
Exeunt
Enter Cæsar, Agrippa, and Dollabello, with others.
Cæs.
Let him appeare that's come from Anthony.
Know you him.
Dolla.
Cæsar, 'tis his Schoolemaster,
An argument that he is pluckt, when hither
He sends so poore a Pinnion of his Wing,
Which had superfluous Kings for Messengers,
Not many Moones gone by.
Enter Ambassador from Anthony.
Cæsar.
Approach, and speake.
Amb.
Such as I am, I come from Anthony:
I was of late as petty to his ends,
As is the Morn-dew on the Mertle leafe
To his grand Sea.
Cæs.
Bee't so, declare thine office.
Amb.
Lord of his Fortunes he salutes thee, and
Requires to liue in Egypt, which not granted
He Lessons his Requests, and to thee sues
To let him breath betweene the Heauens and Earth
A priuate man in Athens: this for him.
Next, Cleopatra does confesse thy Greatnesse,
Submits her to thy might, and of thee craues
The Circle of the Ptolomies for her heyres,
Now hazarded to thy Grace.
Cæs.
For Anthony,
I haue no eares to his request. The Queene,
Of Audience, nor Desire shall faile, so shee
From Egypt driue her all-disgraced Friend,
Or take his life there. This if shee performe,
She shall not sue vnheard. So to them both.
Amb.
Fortune pursue thee.
Cæs.
Bring him through the Bands:
To try thy Eloquence, now 'tis time, dispatch,
From Anthony winne Cleopatra, promise
And in our Name, what she requires, adde more
From thine inuention, offers. Women are not
In their best Fortunes strong; but want will periure
The ne're touch'd Vestall. Try thy cunning Thidias,
Make thine owne Edict for thy paines, which we
Will answer as a Law.
Thid.
Cæsar, I go.
Cæsar.
Obserue how Anthony becomes his flaw,
And what thou think'st his very action speakes
In euery power that mooues.
Thid.
Cæsar, I shall.
exeunt
Enter Cleopatra, Enobarbus, Charmian, & Iras.
Cleo.
What shall we do, Enobarbus?
Eno.
Thinke, and dye.
Cleo.
Is Anthony, or we in fault for this?
Eno.
Anthony onely, that would make his will
Lord of his Reason. What though you fled,
From that great face of Warre, whose seuerall ranges
Frighted each other? Why should he follow?
The itch of his Affection should not then
Haue nickt his Captain-ship, at such a point,
When halfe to halfe the world oppos'd, he being
The meered question? 'Twas a shame no lesse
Then was his losse, to course your flying Flagges,
And leaue his Nauy gazing.
Cleo.
Prythee peace.
Enter the Ambassador, with Anthony.
Ant.
Is that his answer?
Amb.
I my Lord.
Ant.
The Queene shall then haue courtesie,
So she will yeeld vs vp.
Am.
He sayes so.
Antho.
Let her know't. To the Boy Cæsar send this
grizled head, and he will fill thy wishes to the brimme,
With Principalities.
Cleo.
That head my Lord?
357
To him againe, tell him he weares the Rose
Of youth vpon him: from which, the world should note
Something particular: His Coine, Ships, Legions,
May be a Cowards, whose Ministers would preuaile
Vnder the seruice of a Childe, as soone
As i'th' Command of Cæsar. I dare him therefore
To lay his gay Comparisons a-part,
And answer me declin'd. Sword against Sword,
Our selues alone: Ile write it: Follow me.
Eno.
Yes like enough: hye battel'd Cæsar will
Vnstate his happinesse, and be Stag'd to'th' shew
Against a Sworder. I see mens Iudgements are
A parcell of their Fortunes, and things outward
Do draw the inward quality after them
To suffer all alike, that he should dreame,
Knowing all measures, the full Cæsar will
Answer his emptinesse; Cæsar thou hast subdu'de
His iudgement too.
Enter a Seruant.
Ser.
A Messenger from Cæsar.
Cleo.
What no more Ceremony? See my Women,
Against the blowne Rose may they stop their nose,
That kneel'd vnto the Buds. Admit him sir.
Enob.
Mine honesty, and I, beginne to square,
The Loyalty well held to Fooles, does make
Our Faith meere folly: yet he that can endure
To follow with Allegeance a falne Lord,
Does conquer him that did his Master conquer,
And earnes a place i'th'Story.
Enter Thidias.
Cleo.
Cæsars will.
Thid.
Heare it apart.
Cleo.
None but Friends: say boldly.
Thid.
So haply are they Friends to Anthony.
Enob.
He needs as many (Sir) as Cæsar ha's,
Or needs not vs. If Cæsar please, our Master
Will leape to be his Friend: For vs you know,
Whose he is, we are, and that is Cæsars.
Thid.
So. Thus then thou most renown'd, Cæsar intreats,
Not to consider in what case thou stand'st
Further then he is Cæsars.
Cleo.
Go on right Royall.
Thid.
He knowes that you embrace not Anthony
As you did loue, but as you feared him.
Cleo.
Oh.
Thid.
The scarre's vpon your Honor, therefore he
Does pitty, as constrained blemishes,
Not as deserued.
Cleo.
He is a God,
And knowes what is most right. Mine Honour
Was not yeelded, but conquer'd meerely.
Eno.
To be sure of that, I will aske Anthony.
Sir, sir, thou art so leakie
That we must leaue thee to thy sinking, for
Thy deerest quit thee.
Exit Enob.
Thid.
Shall I say to Cæsar,
What you require of him: for he partly begges
To be desir'd to giue. It much would please him,
That of his Fortunes you should make a staffe
To leane vpon. But it would warme his spirits
To heare from me you had left Anthony,
And put your selfe vnder his shrowd, the vniuersal Landlord.
Cleo.
What's your name?
Thid.
My name is Thidias.
Cleo.
Most kinde Messenger,
Say to great Cæsar this in disputation,
I kisse his conqu'ring hand: Tell him, I am prompt
To lay my Crowne at's feete, and there to kneele.
Tell him, from his all-obeying breath, I heare
The doome of Egypt.
Thid.
'Tis your Noblest course:
Wisedome and Fortune combatting together,
If that the former dare but what it can,
No chance may shake it. Giue me grace to lay
My dutie on your hand.
Cleo.
Your Cæsars Father oft,
(When he hath mus'd of taking kingdomes in)
Bestow'd his lips on that vnworthy place,
As it rain'd kisses.
Enter Anthony and Enobarbus.
Ant.
Fauours? By Ioue that thunders. What art thou Fellow?
Thid.
One that but performes
The bidding of the fullest man, and worthiest
To haue command obey'd.
Eno.
You will be whipt.
Ant.
Approch there: ah you Kite. Now Gods & diuels
Authority melts from me of late. When I cried hoa,
Like Boyes vnto a musse, Kings would start forth,
And cry, your will. Haue you no eares?
I am Anthony yet. Take hence this Iack, and whip him.
Enter a Seruant.
Eno.
'Tis better playing with a Lions whelpe,
Then with an old one dying.
Ant.
Moone and Starres,
Whip him: wer't twenty of the greatest Tributaries
That do acknowledge Cæsar, should I finde them
So sawcy with the hand of she heere, what's her name
Since she was Cleopatra? Whip him Fellowes,
Till like a Boy you see him crindge his face,
And whine aloud for mercy. Take him hence.
Thid.
Marke Anthony.
Ant.
Tugge him away: being whipt
Bring him againe, the Iacke of Cæsars shall
Beare vs an arrant to him.
Exeunt with Thidius.
You were halfe blasted ere I knew you: Ha?
Haue I my pillow left vnprest in Rome,
Forborne the getting of a lawfull Race,
And by a Iem of women, to be abus'd
By one that lookes on Feeders?
Cleo.
Good my Lord.
Ant.
You haue beene a boggeler euer,
But when we in our viciousnesse grow hard
(Oh misery on't) the wise Gods seele our eyes
In our owne filth, drop our cleare iudgements, make vs
Adore our errors, laugh at's while we strut
To our confusion.
Cleo.
Oh, is't come to this?
Ant.
I found you as a Morsell, cold vpon
Dead Cæsars Trencher: Nay, you were a Fragment
Of Gneius Pompeyes, besides what hotter houres
Vnregistred in vulgar Fame, you haue
Luxuriously pickt out. For I am sure,
Though you can guesse what Temperance should be,
You know not what it is.
Cleo.
Wherefore is this?
Ant.
To let a Fellow that will take rewards,
And say, God quit you, be familiar with
My play-fellow, your hand; this Kingly Seale,
And plighter of high hearts. O that I were
Vpon the hill of Basan, to out-roare
The horned Heard, for I haue sauage cause,
And to proclaime it ciuilly, were like
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For being yare about him. Is he whipt?
Enter a Seruant with Thidias.
Ser.
Soundly, my Lord.
Ant.
Cried he? and begg'd a Pardon?
Ser.
He did aske fauour.
Ant.
If that thy Father liue, let him repent
Thou was't not made his daughter, and be thou sorrie
To follow Cæsar in his Triumph, since
Thou hast bin whipt. For following him, henceforth
The white hand of a Lady Feauer thee,
Shake thou to looke on't. Get thee backe to Cæsar,
Tell him thy entertainment: looke thou say
He makes me angry with him. For he seemes
Proud and disdainfull, harping on what I am,
Not what he knew I was. He makes me angry,
And at this time most easie 'tis to doo't:
When my good Starres, that were my former guides
Haue empty left their Orbes, and shot their Fires
Into th'Abisme of hell. If he mislike,
My speech, and what is done, tell him he has
Hiparchus, my enfranched Bondman, whom
He may at pleasure whip, or hang, or torture,
As he shall like to quit me. Vrge it thou:
Hence with thy stripes, be gone.
Exit Thid.
Cleo.
Haue you done yet?
Ant.
Alacke our Terrene Moone is now Eclipst,
And it portends alone the fall of Anthony.
Cleo.
I must stay his time?
Ant.
To flatter Cæsar, would you mingle eyes
With one that tyes his points.
Cleo.
Not know me yet?
Ant.
Cold-hearted toward me?
Cleo.
Ah (Deere) if I be so,
From my cold heart let Heauen ingender haile,
And poyson it in the sourse, and the first stone
Drop in my necke: as it determines so
Dissolue my life, the next Cæsarian smile,
Till by degrees the memory of my wombe,
Together with my braue Egyptians all,
By the discandering of this pelleted storme,
Lye grauelesse, till the Flies and Gnats of Nyle
Haue buried them for prey.
Ant.
I am satisfied:
Cæsar sets downe in Alexandria, where
I will oppose his Fate. Our force by Land,
Hath Nobly held, our seuer'd Nauie too
Haue knit againe, and Fleete, threatning most Sea-like.
Where hast thou bin my heart? Dost thou heare Lady?
If from the Field I shall returne once more
To kisse these Lips, I will appeare in Blood,
I, and my Sword, will earne our Chronicle,
There's hope in't yet.
Cleo.
That's my braue Lord.
Ant.
I will be trebble-sinewed, hearted, breath'd,
And fight maliciously: for when mine houres
Were nice and lucky, men did ransome liues
Of me for iests: But now, Ile set my teeth,
And send to darkenesse all that stop me. Come,
Let's haue one other gawdy night: Call to me
All my sad Captaines, fill our Bowles once more:
Let's mocke the midnight Bell.
Cleo.
It is my Birth-day,
I had thought t'haue held it poore. But since my Lord
Is Anthony againe, I will be Cleopatra.
Ant.
We will yet do well.
Cleo.
Call all his Noble Captaines to my Lord.
Ant.
Do so, wee'l speake to them,
And to night Ile force
The Wine peepe through their scarres.
Come on (my Queene)
There's sap in't yet. The next time I do fight
Ile make death loue me: for I will contend
Euen with his pestilent Sythe.
Exeunt.
Eno.
Now hee'l out-stare the Lightning, to be furious
Is to be frighted out of feare, and in that moode
The Doue will pecke the Estridge; and I see still
A diminution in our Captaines braine,
Restores his heart; when valour prayes in reason,
It eates the Sword it fights with: I will seeke
Some way to leaue him.
Exeunt.
Enter Cæsar, Agrippa, & Mecenas with his Army, Cæsar reading a Letter.
Cæs.
He calles me Boy, and chides as he had power
To beate me out of Egypt. My Messenger
He hath whipt with Rods, dares me to personal Combat.
Cæsar to Anthony: let the old Russian know,
I haue many other wayes to dye: meane time
Laugh at his Challenge.
Mece.
Cæsar must thinke,
When one so great begins to rage, hee's hunted
Euen to falling. Giue him no breath, but now
Make boote of his distraction: Neuer anger
Made good guard for it selfe.
Cæs.
Let our best heads know,
That to morrow, the last of many Battailes
We meane to fight. Within our Files there are,
Of those that seru'd Marke Anthony but late,
Enough to fetch him in. See it done,
And Peast the Army, we haue store to doo't,
And they haue earn'd the waste. Poore Anthony.
Exeunt
Enter Anthony, Cleopatra, Enobarbus, Charmian, Iras, Alexas, with others.
Ant.
He will not fight with me, Domitian?
Eno.
No?
Ant.
Why should he not?
Eno.
He thinks, being twenty times of better fortune,
He is twenty men to one.
Ant.
To morrow Soldier,
By Sea and Land Ile fight: or I will liue,
Or bathe my dying Honor in the blood
Shall make it liue againe. Woo't thou fight well.
Eno.
Ile strike, and cry, Take all.
Ant.
Well said, come on:
Call forth my Houshold Seruants, lets to night
Enter 3 or 4 Seruitors.
Be bounteous at our Meale. Giue me thy hand,
Thou hast bin rightly honest, so hast thou,
Thou, and thou, and thou: you haue seru'd me well,
And Kings haue beene your fellowes.
Cleo.
What meanes this?
Eno.
'Tis one of those odde tricks which sorow shoots
Out of the minde.
Ant.
And thou art honest too:
I wish I could be made so many men,
And all of you clapt vp together, in
An Anthony: that I might do you seruice,
So good as you haue done.
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The Gods forbid.
Ant.
Well, my good Fellowes, wait on me to night:
Scant not my Cups, and make as much of me,
As when mine Empire was your Fellow too,
And suffer'd my command.
Cleo.
What does he meane?
Eno.
To make his Followers weepe.
Ant.
Tend me to night;
May be, it is the period of your duty,
Haply you shall not see me more, or if,
A mangled shadow. Perchance to morrow,
You'l serue another Master. I looke on you,
As one that takes his leaue. Mine honest Friends,
I turne you not away, but like a Master
Married to your good seruice, stay till death:
Tend me to night two houres, I aske no more,
And the Gods yeeld you for't.
Eno.
What meane you (Sir)
To giue them this discomfort? Looke they weepe,
And I an Asse, am Onyon-ey'd; for shame,
Transforme vs not to women.
Ant.
Ho, ho, ho:
Now the Witch take me, if I meant it thus.
Grace grow where those drops fall (my hearty Friends)
You take me in too dolorous a sense,
For I spake to you for your comfort, did desire you
To burne this night with Torches: Know (my hearts)
I hope well of to morrow, and will leade you,
Where rather Ile expect victorious life,
Then death, and Honor. Let's to Supper, come,
And drowne consideration.
Exeunt.
Enter a Company of Soldiours.
1. Sol.
Brother, goodnight: to morrow is the day.
2. Sol.
It will determine one way: Fare you well.
Heard you of nothing strange about the streets.
1
Nothing: what newes?
2
Belike 'tis but a Rumour, good night to you.
1
Well sir, good night.
They meete other Soldiers.
2
Souldiers, haue carefull Watch.
1
And you: Goodnight, goodnight.
They place themselues in euery corner of the Stage.
2
Heere we: and if to morrow
Our Nauie thriue, I haue an absolute hope
Our Landmen will stand vp.
1
'Tis a braue Army, and full of purpose.
Musicke of the Hoboyes is vnder the Stage.
2
Peace, what noise?
1
List list.
2
Hearke.
1
Musicke i'th'Ayre.
3
Vnder the earth.
4
It signes well, do's it not?
3
No.
1
Peace I say: What should this meane?
2
'Tis the God Hercules, whom Anthony loued,
Now leaues him.
1
Walke, let's see if other Watchmen
Do heare what we do?
2
How now Maisters?
Speak together.
Omnes.
How now? how now? do you heare this?
1
I, is't nor strange?
3
Do you heare Masters? Do you heare?
1
Follow the noyse so farre as we haue quarter.
Let's see how it will giue off.
Omnes.
Content: 'Tis strange.
Exeunt.
Enter Anthony and Cleopatra, with others.
Ant.
Eros, mine Armour Eros.
Cleo.
Sleepe a little.
Ant.
No my Chucke. Eros, come mine Armor Eros.
Enter Eros.
Come good Fellow, put thine Iron on,
If Fortune be not ours to day, it is
Because we braue her. Come.
Cleo.
Nay, Ile helpe too, Anthony.
What's this for? Ah let be, let be, thou art
The Armourer of my heart: False, false: This, this,
Sooth-law Ile helpe: Thus it must bee.
Ant.
Well, well, we shall thriue now.
Seest thou my good Fellow. Go, put on thy defences.
Eros.
Briefely Sir.
Cleo.
Is not this buckled well?
Ant.
Rarely, rarely:
He that vnbuckles this, till we do please
To daft for our Repose, shall heare a storme.
Thou fumblest Eros, and my Queenes a Squire
More tight at this, then thou: Dispatch. O Loue,
That thou couldst see my Warres to day and knew'st
The Royall Occupation, thou should'st see
A Workeman in't.
Enter an Armed Soldier.
Good morrow to thee, welcome,
Thou look'st like him that knowes a warlike Charge:
To businesse that we loue, we rise betime,
And go too't with delight.
Soul.
A thousand Sir early though't be, haue on their
Riueted trim, and at the Port expect you.
Showt.
Trumpets Flourish.
Enter Captaines, and Souldiers.
Alex.
The Morne is faire: Good morrow Generall.
All.
Good morrow Generall.
Ant.
'Tis well blowne Lads.
This Morning, like the spirit of a youth
That meanes to be of note, begins betimes.
So, so: Come giue me that, this way, well-sed.
Fare thee well Dame, what ere becomes of me,
This is a Soldiers kisse: rebukeable,
And worthy shamefull checke it were, to stand
On more Mechanicke Complement, Ile leaue thee.
Now like a man of Steele, you that will fight,
Follow me close, Ile bring you too't: Adieu.
Exeunt.
Char.
Please you retyre to your Chamber?
Cleo.
Lead me:
He goes forth gallantly: That he and Cæsar might
Determine this great Warre in single fight;
Then Anthony; but now. Well on.
Exeunt.
Trumpets sound. Enter Anthony, and Eros.
Eros.
The Gods make this a happy day to Anthony.
Ant.
Would thou, & those thy scars had once preuaild
To make me fight at Land.
Eros.
Had'st thou done so,
The Kings that haue reuolted and the Soldier
That has this morning left thee, would haue still
Followed thy heeles.
Ant.
Whose gone this morning?
Eros.
Who? one euer neere thee, call for Enobarbus,
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Say I am none of thine.
Ant.
What sayest thou?
Sold.
Sir he is with Cæsar.
Eros.
Sir, his Chests and Treasure he has not with him.
Ant.
Is he gone?
Sol.
Most certaine.
Ant.
Go Eros, send his Treasure after, do it,
Detaine no iot I charge thee: write to him,
(I will subscribe) gentle adieu's, and greetings;
Say, that I wish he neuer finde more cause
To change a Master. Oh my Fortunes haue
Corrupted honest men. Dispatch Enobarbus.
Exit
Flourish. Enter Agrippa, Cæsar, with Enobarbus, and Dollabella.
Cæs.
Go forth Agrippa, and begin the fight:
Our will is Anthony be tooke aliue:
Make it so knowne.
Agrip.
Cæsar, I shall.
Cæsar.
The time of vniuersall peace is neere:
Proue this a prosp'rous day, the three nook'd world
Shall beare the Oliue freely.
Enter a Messenger.
Mes.
Anthony is come into the Field.
Cæs.
Go charge Agrippa,
Plant those that haue reuolted in the Vant,
That Anthony may seeme to spend his Fury
Vpon himselfe.
Exeunt.
Enob.
Alexas did reuolt, and went to Iewrij on
Affaires of Anthony, there did disswade
Great Herod to incline himselfe to Cæsar,
And leaue his Master Anthony. For this paines,
Cæsar hath hang'd him: Camindius and the rest
That fell away, haue entertainment, but
No honourable trust: I haue done ill,
Of which I do accuse my selfe so forely,
That I will ioy no mote.
Enter a Soldier of Cæsars.
Sol.
Enobarbus, Anthony
Hath after thee sent all thy Treasure, with
His Bounty ouer-plus. The Messenger
Came on my guard, and at thy Tent is now
Vnloading of his Mules.
Eno.
I giue it you.
Sol.
Mocke not Enobarbus,
I tell you true: Best you saf't the bringer
Out of the hoast, I must attend mine Office,
Or would haue done't my selfe. Your Emperor
Continues still a Ioue.
Exit
Enob.
I am alone the Villaine of the earth,
And feele I am so most, Oh Anthony,
Thou Mine of Bounty, how would'st thou haue payed
My better seruice, when my turpitude
Thou dost so Crowne with Gold. This blowes my hart,
If swift thought breake it not: a swifter meane
Shall out-strike thought, but thought will doo't. I feele
I fight against thee: No I will go seeke
Some Ditch, wherein to dye: the foul'st best fits
My latter part of life.
Exit.
Alarum, Drummes and Trumpets. Enter Agrippa.
Agrip.
Retire, we haue engag'd our selues too farre:
Cæsar himselfe ha's worke, and our oppression
Exceeds what we expected.
Exit.
Alarums. Enter Anthony, and Scarrus wounded.
Scar.
O my braue Emperor, this is fought indeed,
Had we done so at first, we had drouen them home
With clowts about their heads.
Far off.
Ant.
Thou bleed'st apace.
Scar.
I had a wound heere that was like a T,
But now 'tis made an H.
Ant.
They do retyre.
Scar.
Wee'l beat 'em into Bench-holes, I haue yet
Roome for six scotches more.
Enter Eros.
Eros.
They are beaten Sir, and our aduantage serues
For a faire victory.
Scar.
Let vs score their backes,
And snatch 'em vp, as we take Hares behinde,
'Tis sport to maul a Runner.
Ant.
I will reward thee
Once for thy sprightly comfort, and ten-fold
For thy good valour. Come thee on.
Scar.
Ile halt after.
Exeunt
Alarum. Enter Anthony againe in a March. Scarrus, with others.
Ant.
We haue beate him to his Campe: Runne one
Before, & let the Queen know of our guests: to morrow
Before the Sun shall see's, wee'l spill the blood
That ha's to day escap'd. I thanke you all,
For doughty handed are you, and haue fought
Not as you seru'd the Cause, but as't had beene
Each mans like mine: you haue shewne all Hectors.
Enter the Citty, clip your Wiues, your Friends,
Tell them your feats, whil'st they with ioyfull teares
Wash the congealement from your wounds, and kisse
The Honour'd-gashes whole.
Enter Cleopatra.
Giue me thy hand,
To this great Faiery, Ile commend thy acts,
Make her thankes blesse thee. Oh thou day o'th'world,
Chaine mine arm'd necke, leape thou, Attyre and all
Through proofe of Harnesse to my heart, and there
Ride on the pants triumphing.
Cleo.
Lord of Lords.
Oh infinite Vertue, comm'st thou smiling from,
The worlds great snare vncaught.
Ant.
Mine Nightingale,
We haue beate them to their Beds.
What Gyrle, though gray
Do somthing mingle with our yonger brown, yet ha we
A Braine that nourishes our Nerues, and can
Get gole for gole of youth. Behold this man,
Commend vnto his Lippes thy sauouring hand,
Kisse it my Warriour: He hath fought to day,
As if a God in hate of Mankinde, had
Destroyed in such a shape.
Cleo.
Ile giue thee Friend
An Armour all of Gold: it was a Kings.
Ant.
He has deseru'd it, were it Carbunkled
Like holy Phœbus Carre. Giue me thy hand,
Through Alexandria make a iolly March,
Beare our backt Targets, like the men that owe them.
Had our great Pallace the capacity
To Campe this hoast, we all would sup together,
And drinke Carowses to the next dayes Fate
361
With brazen dinne blast you the Citties eare,
Make mingle with our ratling Tabourines,
That heauen and earth may strike their sounds together,
Applauding our approach.
Exeunt.
Enter a Centerie, and his Company, Enobarbus followes.
Cent.
If we be not releeu'd within this houre,
We must returne to'th'Court of Guard: the night
Is shiny, and they say, we shall embattaile
By'th'second houre i'th'Morne.
1. Watch.
This last day was a shrew'd one too's.
Enob.
Oh beare me witnesse night.
2
What man is this?
1
Stand close, and list him.
Enob.
Be witnesse to me (O thou blessed Moone)
When men reuolted shall vpon Record
Beare hatefull memory: poore Enobarbus did
Before thy face repent.
Cent.
Enobarbus?
2
Peace: Hearke further.
Enob.
Oh Soueraigne Mistris of true Melancholly,
The poysonous dampe of night dispunge vpon me,
That Life, a very Rebell to my will,
May hang no longer on me. Throw my heart
Against the flint and hardnesse of my fault,
Which being dried with greefe, will breake to powder,
And finish all foule thoughts. Oh Anthony,
Nobler then my reuolt is Infamous,
Forgiue me in thine owne particular,
But let the world ranke me in Register
A Master leauer, and a fugitiue:
Oh Anthony! Oh Anthony!
1
Let's speake to him.
Cent.
Let's heare him, for the things he speakes
May concerne Cæsar.
2
Let's do so, but he sleepes.
Cent.
Swoonds rather, for so bad a Prayer as his
Was neuer yet for sleepe.
1
Go we to him.
2
Awake sir, awake, speake to vs.
1
Heare you sir?
Cent.
The hand of death hath raught him.
Drummes afarre off.
Hearke the Drummes demurely wake the sleepers:
Let vs beare him to'th'Court of Guard: he is of note:
Our houre is fully out.
2
Come on then, he may recouer yet.
exeunt
Enter Anthony and Scarrus, with their Army.
Ant.
Their preparation is to day by Sea,
We please them not by Land.
Scar.
For both, my Lord.
Ant.
I would they'ld fight i'th'Fire, or i'th'Ayre,
Wee'ld fight there too. But this it is, our Foote
Vpon the hilles adioyning to the Citty
Shall stay with vs. Order for Sea is giuen,
They haue put forth the Hauen:
Where their appointment we may best discouer,
And looke on their endeuour.
exeunt
Enter Cæsar, and his Army.
Cæs.
But being charg'd, we will be still by Land,
Which as I tak't we shall, for his best force
Is forth to Man his Gallies. To the Vales,
And hold our best aduantage.
exeunt.
Alarum afarre off, as at a Sea-fight. Enter Anthony, and Scarrus.
Ant.
Yet they are not ioyn'd:
Where yon'd Pine does stand, I shall discouer all.
Ile bring thee word straight, how 'ris like to go.
exit.
Scar.
Swallowes haue built
In Cleopatra's Sailes their nests. The Auguries
Say, they know not, they cannot tell, looke grimly,
And dare not speake their knowledge. Anthony,
Is valiant, and deiected, and by starts
His fretted Fortunes giue him hope and feare
Of what he has, and has not.
Enter Anthony.
Ant.
All is lost:
This fowle Egyptian hath betrayed me:
My Fleete hath yeelded to the Foe, and yonder
They cast their Caps vp, and Carowse together
Like Friends long lost. Triple-turn'd Whore, 'tis thou
Hast sold me to this Nouice, and my heart
Makes onely Warres on thee. Bid them all flye:
For when I am reueng'd vpon my Charme,
I haue done all. Bid them all flye, be gone.
Oh Sunne, thy vprise shall I see no more,
Fortune, and Anthony part heere, euen heere
Do we shake hands? All come to this? The hearts
That pannelled me at heeles, to whom I gaue
Their wishes, do dis-Candie, melt their sweets
On blossoming Cæsar: And this Pine is barkt,
That ouer-top'd them all. Betray'd I am.
Oh this false Soule of Egypt! this graue Charme,
Whose eye beck'd forth my Wars, & cal'd them home:
Whose Bosome was my Crownet, my chiefe end,
Like a right Gypsie, hath at fast and loose
Beguil'd me, to the very heart of losse.
What Eros, Eros?
Enter Cleopatra.
Ah, thou Spell! Auaunt.
Cleo.
Why is my Lord enrag'd against his Loue?
Ant.
Vanish, or I shall giue thee thy deseruing,
And blemish Cæsars Triumph. Let him take thee,
And hoist thee vp to the shouting Plebeians,
Follow his Chariot, like the greatest spot
Of all thy Sex. Most Monster-like be shewne
For poor'st Diminitiues, for Dolts, and let
Patient Octauia, plough thy visage vp
With her prepared nailes.
exit Cleopatra.
'Tis well th'art gone,
If it be well to liue. But better 'twere
Thou fell'st into my furie, for one death
Might haue preuented many. Eros, hoa?
The shirt of Nessus is vpon me, teach me
Alcides, thou mine Ancestor, thy rage.
Let me lodge Licas on the hornes o'th'Moone,
And with those hands that graspt the heauiest Club,
Subdue my worthiest selfe: The Witch shall die,
To the young Roman Boy she hath sold me, and I fall
Vnder this plot: She dyes for't. Eros hoa?
exit.
Enter Cleopatra, Charmian, Iras, Mardian.
Cleo.
Helpe me my women: Oh hee's more mad
Then Telamon for his Shield, the Boare of Thessaly
Was neuer so imbost.
Char.
To'th'Monument, there locke your selfe,
And send him word you are dead:
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Then greatnesse going off.
Cleo.
To'th'Monument:
Mardian, go tell him I haue slaine my selfe:
Say, that the last I spoke was Anthony,
And word it (prythee) pitteously. Hence Mardian,
And bring me how he takes my death to'th'Monument.
Exeunt.
Enter Anthony, and Eros.
Ant.
Eros, thou yet behold'st me?
Eros.
I Noble Lord.
Ant.
Sometime we see a clowd that's Dragonish,
A vapour sometime, like a Beare, or Lyon,
A toward Cittadell, a pendant Rocke,
A forked Mountaine, or blew Promontorie
With Trees vpon't, that nodde vnto the world,
And mocke our eyes with Ayre.
Thou hast seene these Signes,
They are blacke Vespers Pageants.
Eros.
I my Lord.
Ant.
That which is now a Horse, euen with a thoght
the Racke dislimes, and makes it indistinct
Eros.
It does my Lord.
Ant.
My good Knaue Eros, now thy Captaine is
Euen such a body: Heere I am Anthony,
Yet cannot hold this visible shape (my Knaue)
I made these warres for Egypt, and the Queene,
Whose heart I thought I had, for she had mine:
Which whil'st it was mine, had annext vntoo't
A Million moe, (now lost:) shee Eros has
Packt Cards with Cæsars, and false plaid my Glory
Vnto an Enemies triumph.
Nay, weepe not gentle Eros, there is left vs
Our selues to end our selues.
Enter Mardian.
Oh thy vilde Lady, she has rob'd me of my Sword.
Mar.
No Anthony,
My Mistris lou'd thee, and her Fortunes mingled
With thine intirely.
Ant.
Hence sawcy Eunuch peace, she hath betraid me,
And shall dye the death.
Mar.
Death of one person, can be paide but once,
And that she ha's discharg'd. What thou would'st do
Is done vnto thy hand: the last she spake
Was Anthony, most Noble Anthony.
Then in the midd'st a tearing grone did breake
The name of Anthony: it was diuided
Betweene her heart, and lips: she rendred life
Thy name so buried in her.
Ant.
Dead then?
Mar.
Dead.
Ant.
Vnarme Eros, the long dayes taske is done,
And we must sleepe: That thou depart'st hence safe
Does pay thy labour richly: Go.
exit Mardian.
Off, plucke off,
The seuen-fold shield of Aiax cannot keepe
The battery from my heart. Oh cleaue my sides.
Heart, once be stronger then thy Continent,
Cracke thy fraile Case. Apace Eros, apace,
No more a Soldier: bruised peeces go,
You haue bin Nobly borne. From me awhile.
exit Eros
I will o're-take thee Cleopatra, and
Weepe for my pardon. So it must be, for now
All length is Torture: since the Torch is out,
Lye downe and stray no farther. Now all labour
Marres what it does: yea, very force entangles
It selfe with strength: Seale then and all is done.
Eros? I come my Queene. Eros? Stay for me,
Where Soules do couch on Flowers, wee'l hand in hand,
And with our sprightly Port make the Ghostes gaze:
Dido, and her Æneas shall want Troopes,
And all the haunt be ours. Come Eros, Eros.
Enter Eros.
Eros.
What would my Lord?
Ant.
Since Cleopatra dyed,
I haue liu'd in such dishonour, that the Gods
Detest my basenesse. I, that with my Sword,
Quarter'd the World, and o're greene Neptunes backe
With Ships, made Cities; condemne my selfe, to lacke
The Courage of a Woman, lesse Noble minde
Then she which by her death, our Cæsar telles
I am Conqueror of my selfe. Thou art sworne Eros,
That when the exigent should come, which now
Is come indeed: When I should see behinde me
Th'ineuitable prosecution of disgrace and horror,
That on my command, thou then would'st kill me.
Doo't, the time is come: Thou strik'st not me,
'Tis Cæsar thou defeat'st. Put colour in thy Cheeke.
Eros.
The Gods with-hold me,
Shall I do that which all the Parthian Darts,
(Though Enemy) lost ayme, and could not.
Ant.
Eros,
Would'st thou be window'd in great Rome, and see
Thy Master thus with pleacht Armes, bending downe
His corrigible necke, his face subdu'de
To penetratiue shame; whil'st the wheel'd seate
Of Fortunate Cæsar drawne before him, branded
His Basenesse that ensued.
Eros.
I would not see't.
Ant.
Come then: for with a wound I must be cur'd.
Draw that thy honest Sword, which thou hast worne
Most vsefull for thy Country.
Eros.
Oh sir, pardon me.
Ant.
When I did make thee free, swor'st yu not then
To do this when I bad thee? Do it at once,
Or thy precedent Seruices are all
But accidents vnpurpos'd. Draw, and come.
Eros.
Turne from me then that Noble countenance,
Wherein the worship of the whole world lyes.
Ant.
Loe thee.
Eros.
My sword is drawne.
Ant.
Then let it do at once
The thing why thou hast drawne it.
Eros.
My deere Master,
My Captaine, and my Emperor. Let me say
Before I strike this bloody stroke, Farwell.
Ant.
'Tis said man, and farewell.
Eros.
Farewell great Chiefe. Shall I strike now?
Ant.
Now Eros.
Killes himselfe.
Eros.
Why there then:
Thus I do escape the sorrow of Anthonies death.
Ant.
Thrice-Nobler then my selfe,
Thou teachest me: Oh valiant Eros, what
I should, and thou could'st not, my Queene and Eros
Haue by their braue instruction got vpon me
A Noblenesse in Record. But I will bee
A Bride-groome in my death, and run intoo't
As to a Louers bed. Come then, and Eros,
Thy Master dies thy Scholler; to do thus
I learnt of thee. How, not dead? Not dead?
The Guard, how? Oh dispatch me.
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1. Guard.
What's the noise?
Ant.
I haue done my worke ill Friends:
Oh make an end of what I haue begun.
2
The Starre is falne.
1
And time is at his Period.
All.
Alas, and woe.
Ant.
Let him that loues me, strike me dead.
1
Not I.
2
Nor I.
3
Nor any one.
exeunt
Dercetus.
Thy death and fortunes bid thy folowers fly
This sword but shewne to Cæsar with this tydings,
Shall enter me with him.
Enter Diomedes.
Dio.
Where's Anthony?
Decre.
There Diomed there.
Diom.
Liues he: wilt thou not answer man?
Ant.
Art thou there Diomed?
Draw thy sword, and giue mee,
Suffising strokes for death.
Diom.
Most absolute Lord:
My Mistris Cleopatra sent me to thee.
Ant.
When did shee send thee?
Diom.
Now my Lord.
Anth.
Where is she?
Diom.
Lockt in her Monument: she had a Prophesying feare
Of what hath come to passe: for when she saw
(Which neuer shall be found) you did suspect
She had dispos'd with Cæsar, and that your rage
Would not be purg'd, she sent you word she was dead:
But fearing since how it might worke, hath sent
Me to proclaime the truth, and I am come
I dread, too late.
Ant.
Too late good Diomed: call my Guard I prythee.
Dio.
What hoa: the Emperors Guard,
The Guard, what hoa? Come, your Lord calles.
Enter 4. or 5. of the Guard of Anthony.
Ant.
Beare me good Friends where Cleopatra bides,
'Tis the last seruice that I shall command you.
1
Woe, woe are we sir, you may not liue to weare
All your true Followers out.
All.
Most heauy day.
Ant.
Nay good my Fellowes, do not please sharp fate
To grace it with your sorrowes. Bid that welcome
Which comes to punish vs, and we punish it
Seeming to beare it lightly. Take me vp,
I haue led you oft, carry me now good Friends,
And haue my thankes for all.
Exit bearing Anthony
Enter Cleopatra, and her Maides aloft, with Charmian & Iras.
Cleo.
Oh Charmian, I will neuer go from hence.
Char.
Be comforted deere Madam.
Cleo.
No, I will not:
All strange and terrible euents are welcome,
But comforts we dispise; our size of sorrow
Proportion'd to our cause, must be as great
As that which makes it.
Enter Diomed.
How now? is he dead?
Diom
His death's vpon him, but not dead.
Looke out o'th other side your Monument,
His Guard haue brought him thither.
Enter Anthony, and the Guard.
Cleo.
Oh Sunne,
Burne the great Sphere thou mou'st in, darkling stand
The varrying shore o'th'world. O Antony, Antony, Antony
Helpe Charmian, helpe Iras helpe: helpe Friends
Below, let's draw him hither.
Ant.
Peace,
Not Cæsars Valour hath o'rethrowne Anthony,
But Anthonie's hath Triumpht on it selfe.
Cleo.
So it should be,
That none but Anthony should conquer Anthony.
But woe 'tis so.
Ant.
I am dying Egypt, dying; onely
I heere importune death a-while, vntill
Of many thousand kisses, the poore last
I lay vpon thy lippes.
Cleo.
I dare not Deere,
Deere my Lord pardon: I dare not,
Least I be taken: not th'Imperious shew
Of the full-Fortun'd Cæsar, euer shall
Be brooch'd with me, if Knife, Drugges, Serpents haue
Edge, sting, or operation. I am safe:
Your Wife Octauia, with her modest eyes,
And still Conclusion, shall acquire no Honour
Demuring vpon me: but come, come Anthony,
Helpe me my women, we must draw thee vp:
Assist good Friends.
Ant.
Oh quicke, or I am gone.
Cleo.
Heere's sport indeede:
How heauy weighes my Lord?
Our strength is all gone into heauinesse,
That makes the waight. Had I great Iuno's power,
The strong wing'd Mercury should fetch thee vp,
And set thee by Ioues side. Yet come a little,
Wishers were euer Fooles. Oh come, come, come,
They heaue Anthony aloft to Cleopatra.
And welcome, welcome. Dye when thou hast liu'd,
Quicken with kissing: had my lippes that power,
Thus would I weare them out.
All.
A heauy sight.
Ant.
I am dying Egypt, dying.
Giue me some Wine, and let me speake a little.
Cleo.
No, let me speake, and let me rayle so hye,
That the false Huswife Fortune, breake her Wheele,
Prouok'd by my offence.
Ant.
One word (sweet Queene)
Of Cæsar seeke your Honour, with your safety. Oh.
Cleo.
They do not go together.
Ant.
Gentle heare me,
None about Cæsar trust, but Proculeius.
Cleo.
My Resolution, and my hands, Ile trust,
None about Cæsar.
Ant.
The miserable change now at my end,
Lament nor sorrow at: but please your thoughts
In feeding them with those my former Fortunes
Wherein I liued. The greatest Prince o'th'world,
The Noblest: and do now not basely dye,
Not Cowardly put off my Helmet to
My Countreyman. A Roman, by a Roman
Valiantly vanquish'd. Now my Spirit is going,
I can no more.
Cleo.
Noblest of men, woo't dye?
Hast thou no care of me, shall I abide
In this dull world, which in thy absence is
No better then a Stye? Oh see my women:
The Crowne o'th'earth doth melt. My Lord?
Oh wither'd is the Garland of the Warre,
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Are leuell now with men: The oddes is gone,
And there is nothing left remarkeable
Beneath the visiting Moone.
Char.
Oh quietnesse, Lady.
Iras.
She's dead too, our Soueraigne.
Char.
Lady.
Iras.
Madam.
Char.
Oh Madam, Madam, Madam.
Iras.
Royall Egypt: Empresse.
Char.
Peace, peace, Iras.
Cleo.
No more but in a Woman, and a commanded
By such poore passion, as the Maid that Milkes,
And doe's the meanest chares. It were for me,
To throw my Scepter at the iniurious Gods,
To tell them that this World did equall theyrs,
Till they had stolne our Iewell. All's but naught:
Patience is sottish, and impatience does
Become a Dogge that's mad: Then is it sinne,
To rush into the secret house of death,
Ere death dare come to vs. How do you Women?
What, what good cheere? Why how now Charmian?
My Noble Gyrles? Ah Women, women! Looke
Our Lampe is spent, it's out. Good sirs, take heart,
Wee'l bury him: And then, what's braue, what's Noble,
Let's doo't after the high Roman fashion,
And make death proud to take vs. Come, away,
This case of that huge Spirit now is cold.
Ah Women, Women! Come, we haue no Friend
But Resolution, and the breefest end.
Exeunt, bearing of Anthonies body.
Enter Cæsar, Agrippa, Dollabella, Menas, with his Counsell of Warre.
Cæsar.
Go to him Dollabella, bid him yeeld,
Being so frustrate, tell him,
He mockes the pawses that he makes.
Dol.
Cæsar, I shall.
Enter Decretas with the sword of Anthony.
Cæs.
Wherefore is that? And what art thou that dar'st
Appeare thus to vs?
Dec.
I am call'd Decretas,
Marke Anthony I seru'd, who best was worthie
Best to be seru'd: whil'st he stood vp, and spoke
He was my Master, and I wore my life
To spend vpon his haters. If thou please
To take me to thee, as I was to him,
Ile be to Cæsar: if yu pleasest not, I yeild thee vp my life.
Cæsar.
What is't thou say'st?
Dec.
I say (Oh Cæsar) Anthony is dead.
Cæsar.
The breaking of so great a thing, should make
A greater cracke. The round World
Should haue shooke Lyons into ciuill streets,
And Cittizens to their dennes. The death of Anthony
Is not a single doome, in the name lay
A moity of the world.
Dec.
He is dead Cæsar,
Not by a publike minister of Iustice,
Nor by a hyred Knife, but that selfe-hand
Which writ his Honor in the Acts it did,
Hath with the Courage which the heart did lend it,
Splitted the heart. This is his Sword,
I robb'd his wound of it: behold it stain'd
With his most Noble blood.
Cæs.
Looke you sad Friends,
The Gods rebuke me, but it is Tydings
To wash the eyes of Kings.
Dol.
And strange it is,
That Nature must compell vs to lament
Our most persisted deeds.
Mec.
His taints and Honours, wag'd equal with him.
Dola.
A Rarer spirit neuer
Did steere humanity: but you Gods will giue vs
Some faults to make vs men. Cæsar is touch'd.
Mec.
When such a spacious Mirror's set before him,
He needes must see him selfe.
Cæsar.
Oh Anthony,
I haue followed thee to this, but we do launch
Diseases in our Bodies. I must perforce
Haue shewne to thee such a declining day,
Or looke on thine: we could not stall together,
In the whole world. But yet let me lament
With teares as Soueraigne as the blood of hearts,
That thou my Brother, my Competitor,
In top of all designe; my Mate in Empire,
Friend and Companion in the front of Warre,
That Arme of mine owne Body, and the Heart
Where mine his thoughts did kindle; that our Starres
Vnreconciliable, should diuide our equalnesse to this.
Heare me good Friends,
But I will tell you at some meeter Season,
The businesse of this man lookes out of him,
Wee'l heare him what he sayes.
Enter an Ægyptian.
Whence are you?
Ægyp.
A poore Egyptian yet, the Queen my mistris
Confin'd in all, she has her Monument
Of thy intents, desires, instruction,
That she preparedly may frame her selfe
To'th' way shee's forc'd too.
Cæsar.
Bid her haue good heart,
She soone shall know of vs, by some of ours,
How honourable, and how kindely Wee
Determine for her. For Cæsar cannot leaue to be vngentle
Ægypt.
So the Gods preserue thee.
Exit.
Cæs.
Come hither Proculeius. Go and say
We purpose her no shame: giue her what comforts
The quality of her passion shall require;
Least in her greatnesse, by some mortall stroke
She do defeate vs. For her life in Rome,
Would be eternall in our Triumph: Go,
And with your speediest bring vs what she sayes,
And how you finde of her.
Pro.
Cæsar I shall.
Cæs.
Gallus, go you along: where's Dolabella, to second
Proculeius?
All.
Dolabella.
Cæs.
Let him alone: for I remember now
How hee's imployd: he shall in time be ready.
Go with me to my Tent, where you shall see
How hardly I was drawne into this Warre,
How calme and gentle I proceeded still
In all my Writings. Go with me, and see
What I can shew in this.
Exeunt.
Enter Cleopatra, Charmian, Iras, and Mardian.
Cleo.
My desolation does begin to make
A better life: Tis paltry to be Cæsar:
Not being Fortune, hee's but Fortunes knaue,
A minister of her will: and it is great
365
Which shackles accedents, and bolts vp change;
Which sleepes, and neuer pallates more the dung,
The beggers Nurse, and Cæsars.
Enter Proculeius.
Pro.
Cæsar sends greeting to the Queene of Egypt,
And bids thee study on what faire demands
Thou mean'st to haue him grant thee.
Cleo.
What's thy name?
Pro.
My name is Proculeius.
Cleo.
Anthony
Did tell me of you, bad me trust you, but
I do not greatly care to be deceiu'd
That haue no vse for trusting. If your Master
Would haue a Queece his begger, you must tell him,
That Maiesty to keepe decorum, must
No lesse begge then a Kingdome: If he please
To giue me conquer'd Egypt for my Sonne,
He giues me so much of mine owne, as I
Will kneele to him with thankes.
Pro.
Be of good cheere:
Y'are falne into a Princely hand, feare nothing,
Make your full reference freely to my Lord,
Who is so full of Grace, that it flowes ouer
On all that neede. Let me report to him
Your sweet dependacie, and you shall finde
A Conqueror that will pray in ayde for kindnesse,
Where he for grace is kneel'd too.
Cleo.
Pray you tell him,
I am his Fortunes Vassall, and I send him
The Greatnesse he has got. I hourely learne
A Doctrine of Obedience, and would gladly
Looke him i'th' Face.
Pro.
This Ile report (deere Lady)
Haue comfort, for I know your plight is pittied
Of him that caus'd it.
Pro.
You see how easily she may be surpriz'd:
Guard her till Cæsar come.
Iras.
Royall Queene.
Char.
Oh Cleopatra, thou art taken Queene.
Cleo.
Quicke, quicke, good hands.
Pro.
Hold worthy Lady, hold:
Doe not your selfe such wrong, who are in this
Releeu'd, but not betraid.
Cleo.
What of death too that rids our dogs of languish
Pro.
Cleopatra, do not abuse my Masters bounty, by
Th'vndoing of your selfe: Let the World see
His Noblenesse well acted, which your death
Will neuer let come forth.
Cleo.
Where art thou Death?
Come hither come; Come, come, and take a Queene
Worth many Babes and Beggers.
Pro.
Oh temperance Lady.
Cleo.
Sir, I will eate no meate. Ile not drinke sir,
If idle talke will once be necessary
Ile not sleepe neither. This mortall house Ile ruine,
Do Cæsar what he can. Know sir, that I
Will not waite pinnion'd at your Masters Court,
Nor once be chastic'd with the sober eye
Of dull Octauia. Shall they hoyst me vp,
And shew me to the showting Varlotarie
Of censuring Rome? Rather a ditch in Egypt.
Be gentle graue vnto me rather on Nylus mudde
Lay me starke-nak'd, and let the water-Flies
Blow me into abhorring; rather make
My Countries high pyramides my Gibbet,
And hang me vp in Chaines.
Pro.
You do extend
These thoughts of horror further then you shall
Finde cause in Cæsar.
Enter Dolabella.
Dol.
Proculeius,
What thou hast done, thy Master Cæsar knowes,
And he hath sent for thee: for the Queene,
Ile take her to my Guard.
Pro.
So Dolabella,
It shall content me best: Be gentle to her,
To Cæsar I will speake, what you shall please,
If you'l imploy me to him.
Exit Proculeius
Cleo.
Say, I would dye.
Dol.
Most Noble Empresse, you haue heard of me.
Cleo.
I cannot tell.
Dol.
Assuredly you know me.
Cleo.
No matter sir, what I haue heard or knowne:
You laugh when Boyes or Women tell their Dreames,
Is't not your tricke?
Dol.
I vnderstand not, Madam.
Cleo.
I dreampt there was an Emperor Anthony.
Oh such another sleepe, that I might see
But such another man.
Dol.
If it might please ye.
Cleo.
His face was as the Heau'ns, and therein stucke
A Sunne and Moone, which kept their course, & lighted
The little o'th' earth.
Dol.
Most Soueraigne Creature.
Cleo.
His legges bestrid the Ocean his rear'd arm
Crested the world: His voyce was propertied
As all the tuned Spheres, and that to Friends:
But when he meant to quaile, and shake the Orbe,
He was as ratling Thunder. For his Bounty,
There was no winter in't. An Anthony it was,
That grew the more by reaping: His delights
Were Dolphin-like, they shew'd his backe aboue
The Element they liu'd in: In his Liuery
Walk'd Crownes and Crownets: Realms & Islands were
As plates dropt from his pocket.
Dol.
Cleopatra.
Cleo.
Thinke you there was, or might be such a man
As this I dreampt of?
Dol.
Gentle Madam, no.
Cleo.
You Lye vp to the hearing of the Gods:
But if there be, nor euer were one such
It's past the size of dreaming: Nature wants stuffe
To vie strange formes with fancie, yet t'imagine
An Anthony were Natures peece, 'gainst Fancie,
Condemning shadowes quite.
Dol.
Heare me, good Madam:
Your losse is as your selfe, great; and you beare it
As answering to the waight, would I might neuer
Ore-take pursu'de successe: But I do feele
By the rebound of yours, a greefe that suites
My very heart at roote.
Cleo.
I thanke you sir:
Know you what Cæsar meanes to do with me?
Dol.
I am loath to tell you what, I would you knew.
Cleo.
Nay pray you sir.
Dol.
Though he be Honourable.
Cleo.
Hee'l leade me then in Triumph.
Dol.
Madam he will, I know't.
Flourish.
Enter Proculeius, Cæsar, Gallus, Mecenas, and others of his Traine.
All.
Make way there Cæsar.
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Which is the Queene of Egypt.
Dol.
It is the Emperor Madam.
Cleo. kneeles.
Cæsar.
Arise, you shall not kneele:
I pray you rise, rise Egypt.
Cleo.
Sir, the Gods will haue it thus,
My Master and my Lord I must obey,
Cæsar.
Take to you no hard thoughts,
The Record of what iniuries you did vs,
Though written in our flesh, we shall remember
As things but done by chance.
Cleo.
Sole Sir o'th' World,
I cannot proiect mine owne cause so well
To make it cleare, but do confesse I haue
Bene laden with like frailties, which before
Haue often sham'd our Sex.
Cæsar.
Cleopatra know,
We will extenuate rather then inforce:
If you apply your selfe to our intents,
Which towards you are most gentle, you shall finde
A benefit in this change: but if you seeke
To lay on me a Cruelty, by taking
Anthonies course, you shall bereaue your selfe
Of my good purposes, and put your children
To that destruction which Ile guard them from,
If thereon you relye. Ile take my leaue.
Cleo.
And may through all the world: tis yours, & we
your Scutcheons, and your signes of Conquest shall
Hang in what place you please. Here my good Lord.
Cæsar.
You shall aduise me in all for Cleopatra.
Cleo.
This is the breefe: of Money, Plate, & Iewels
I am possest of, 'tis exactly valewed,
Not petty things admitted. Where's Seleucus?
Seleu.
Heere Madam.
Cleo.
This is my Treasurer, let him speake (my Lord)
Vpon his perill, that I haue reseru'd
To my selfe nothing. Speake the truth Seleucus.
Seleu.
Madam, I had rather seele my lippes,
Then to my perill speake that which is not.
Cleo.
What haue I kept backe.
Sel.
Enough to purchase what you haue made known
Cæsar.
Nay blush not Cleopatra, I approue
Your Wisedome in the deede.
Cleo.
See Cæsar: Oh behold,
How pompe is followed: Mine will now be yours,
And should we shift estates, yours would be mine.
The ingratitude of this Seleucus, does
Euen make me wilde. Oh Slaue, of no more trust
Then loue that's hyr'd? What goest thou backe, yu shalt
Go backe I warrant thee: but Ile catch thine eyes
Though they had wings. Slaue, Soule-lesse, Villain, Dog.
O rarely base!
Cæsar.
Good Queene, let vs intreat you.
Cleo.
O Cæsar, what a wounding shame is this,
That thou vouchsafing heere to visit me,
Doing the Honour of thy Lordlinesse
To one so meeke, that mine owne Seruant should
Parcell the summe of my disgraces, by
Addition of his Enuy. Say (good Cæsar)
That I some Lady trifles haue reseru'd,
Immoment toyes, things of such Dignitie
As we greet moderne Friends withall, and say
Some Nobler token I haue kept apart
For Liuia and Octauia, to induce
Their mediation, must I be vnfolded
With one that I haue bred: The Gods! it smites me
Beneath the fall I haue. Prythee go hence,
Or I shall shew the Cynders of my spirits
Through th'Ashes of my chance: Wer't thou a man,
Thou would'st haue mercy on me.
Cæsar.
Forbeare Seleucus.
Cleo.
Be it known, that we the greatest are mis-thoght
For things that others do: and when we fall,
We answer others merits, in our name
Are therefore to be pittied.
Cæsar.
Cleopatra,
Not what you haue reseru'd, nor what acknowledg'd
Put we i'th' Roll of Conquest: still bee't yours,
Bestow it at your pleasure, and beleeue
Cæsars no Merchant, to make prize with you
Of things that Merchants sold. Therefore be cheer'd,
Make not your thoughts your prisons: No deere Queen,
For we intend so to dispose you, as
Your selfe shall giue vs counsell: Feede, and sleepe:
Our care and pitty is so much vpon you,
That we remaine your Friend, and so adieu.
Cleo.
My Master, and my Lord.
Cæsar.
Not so: Adieu.
Flourish.
Exeunt Cæsar, and his Traine.
Cleo.
He words me Gyrles, he words me,
That I should not be Noble to my selfe.
But hearke thee Charmian.
Iras.
Finish good Lady, the bright day is done,
And we are for the darke.
Cleo.
Hye th e againe,
I haue spoke already, and it is prouided,
Go put it to the haste.
Char.
Madam, I will.
Enter Dolabella.
Dol.
Where's the Queene?
Char.
Behold sir.
Cleo.
Dollabella.
Dol.
Madam, as thereto sworne, by your command
(Which my loue makes Religion to obey)
I tell you this: Cæsar through Syria
Intends his iourney, and within three dayes,
You with your Children will he send before,
Make your best vse of this. I haue perform'd
Your pleasure, and my promise.
Cleo.
Dolabella, I shall remaine your debter.
Dol.
I your Seruant:
Adieu good Queene, I must attend on Cæsar.
Exit
Cleo.
Farewell, and thankes.
Now Iras, what think'st thou?
Thou, an Egyptian Puppet shall be shewne
In Rome aswell as I: Mechanicke Slaues
With greazie Aprons, Rules, and Hammers shall
Vplift vs to the view. In their thicke breathes,
Ranke of grosse dyet, shall we be enclowded,
And forc'd to drinke their vapour.
Iras.
The Gods forbid.
Cleo.
Nay, 'tis most certaine Iras: sawcie Lictors
Will catch at vs like Strumpets, and scald Rimers
Ballads vs out a Tune. The quicke Comedians
Extemporally will stage vs, and present
Our Alexandrian Reuels: Anthony
Shall be brought drunken forth, and I shall see
Some squeaking Cleopatra Boy my greatnesse
I'th' posture of a Whore.
Iras.
O the good Gods!
Cleo.
Nay that's certaine.
Iras.
Ile neuer see't? for I am sure mine Nailes
Are stronger then mine eyes.
367
Why that's the way to foole their preparation,
And to conquer their most absurd intents.
Enter Charmian.
Now Charmian
Shew me my Women like a Queene: Go fetch
My best Attyres. I am againe for Cidrus,
To meete Marke Anthony. Sirra Iras, go
(Now Noble Charmian, wee'l dispatch indeede,)
And when thou hast done this chare, Ile giue thee leaue
To play till Doomesday: bring our Crowne, and all.
A noise within.
Wherefore's this noise?
Enter a Guardsman.
Gards.
Heere is a rurall Fellow.
That will not be deny'de your Highnesse presence,
He brings you Figges.
Cleo.
Let him come in.
Exit Guardsman.
What poore an Instrument
May do a Noble deede: he brings me liberty:
My Resolution's plac'd, and I haue nothing
Of woman in me: Now from head to foote
I am Marble constant: now the fleeting Moone
No Planet is of mine.
Enter Guardsman, and Clowne.
Guards.
This is the man.
Cleo.
Auoid, and leaue him.
Exit Guardsman.
Hast thou the pretty worme of Nylus there,
That killes and paines not?
Clow.
Truly I haue him: but I would not be the partie
that should desire you to touch him, for his byting is
immortall: those that doe dye of it, doe seldome or neuer
recouer.
Cleo.
Remember'st thou any that haue dyed on't?
Clow.
Very many, men and women too. I heard of
one of them no longer then yesterday, a very honest woman,
but something giuen to lye, as a woman should not
do, but in the way of honesty, how she dyed of the byting
of it, what paine she felt: Truely, she makes a verie
good report o'th'worme: but he that wil beleeue all that
they say, shall neuer be saued by halfe that they do: but
this is most falliable, the Worme's an odde Worme.
Cleo.
Get thee hence, farewell.
Clow.
I wish you all ioy of the Worme.
Cleo.
Farewell.
Clow.
You must thinke this (looke you,) that the
Worme will do his kinde.
Cleo.
I, I, farewell.
Clow.
Looke you, the Worme is not to bee trusted,
but in the keeping of wise people: for indeede, there is
no goodnesse in the Worme.
Cleo.
Take thou no care, it shall be heeded.
Clow.
Very good: giue it nothing I pray you, for it
is not worth the feeding.
Cleo.
Will it eate me?
Clow.
You must not think I am so simple, but I know
the diuell himselfe will not eate a woman: I know, that
a woman is a dish for the Gods, if the diuell dresse her
not. But truly, these same whorson diuels doe the Gods
great harme in their women: for in euery tenne that they
make, the diuels marre fiue.
Cleo.
Well, get thee gone, farewell.
Clow.
Yes forsooth: I wish you ioy o'th' worm.
Exit
Cleo.
Giue me my Robe, put on my Crowne, I haue
Immortall longings in me. Now no more
The iuyce of Egypts Grape shall moyst this lip.
Yare, yare, good Iras; quicke: Me thinkes I heare
Anthony call: I see him rowse himselfe
To praise my Noble Act. I heare him mock
The lucke of Cæsar, which the Gods giue men
To excuse their after wrath. Husband, I come:
Now to that name, my Courage proue my Title.
I am Fire, and Ayre; my other Elements
I giue to baser life. So, haue you done?
Come then, and take the last warmth of my Lippes.
Farewell kinde Charmian, Iras, long farewell.
Haue I the Aspicke in my lippes? Dost fall?
If thou, and Nature can so gently part,
The stroke of death is as a Louers pinch,
Which hurts, and is desir'd. Dost thou lye still?
If thus thou vanishest, thou tell'st the world,
It is not worth leaue-taking.
Char.
Dissolue thicke clowd, & Raine, that I may say
The Gods themselues do weepe.
Cleo.
This proues me base:
If she first meete the Curled Anthony.
Hee'l make demand of her, and spend that kisse
Which is my heauen to haue. Come thou mortal wretch,
With thy sharpe teeth this knot intrinsicate,
Of life at once vntye: Poore venomous Foole,
Be angry, and dispatch. Oh could'st thou speake,
That I might heare thee call great Cæsar Asse, vnpolicied.
Char.
Oh Easterne Starre.
Cleo.
Peace, peace:
Dost thou not see my Baby at my breast,
That suckes the Nurse asleepe.
Char.
O breake! O breake!
Cleo.
As sweet as Balme, as soft as Ayre, as gentle.
O Anthony! Nay I will take thee too.
What should I stay—
Dyes.
Char.
In this wilde World? So fare thee well:
Now boast thee Death, in thy possession lyes
A Lasse vnparalell'd. Downie Windowes cloze,
And golden Phœbus, neuer be beheld
Of eyes againe so Royall: your Crownes away,
Ile mend it, and then play—
Enter the Guard rustling in, and Dolabella.
1 Guard.
Where's the Queene?
Char.
Speake softly, wake her not.
1
Cæsar hath sent
Char.
Too slow a Messenger.
Oh come apace, dispatch, I partly feele thee.
1
Approach hoa,
All's not well: Cæsar's beguild.
2
There's Dolabella sent from Cæsar: call him.
1
What worke is heere Charmian?
Is this well done?
Char.
It is well done, and fitting for a Princesse
Descended of so many Royall Kings.
Ah Souldier.
Charmian dyes.
Enter Dolabella.
Dol.
How goes it heere?
2. Guard.
All dead.
Dol.
Cæsar, thy thoughts
Touch their effects in this: Thy selfe art comming
To see perform'd the dreaded Act which thou
So sought'st to hinder.
Enter Cæsar and all his Traine, marching.
All.
A way there, a way for Cæsar.
368
Oh sir, you are too sure an Augurer:
That you did feare, is done.
Cæsar.
Brauest at the last,
She leuell'd at our purposes, and being Royall
Tooke her owne way: the manner of their deaths,
I do not see them bleede.
Dol.
Who was last with them?
1 Guard.
A simple Countryman, that broght hir Figs:
This was his Basket.
Cæsar.
Poyson'd then.
1. Guard.
Oh Cæsar:
This Charmian liu'd but now, she stood and spake:
I found her trimming vp the Diadem;
On her dead Mistris tremblingly she stood,
And on the sodaine dropt.
Cæsar.
Oh Noble weakenesse:
If they had swallow'd poyson, 'twould appeare
By externall swelling: but she lookes like sleepe,
As she would catch another Anthony
In her strong toyle of Grace.
Dol.
Heere on her brest,
There is a vent of Bloud, and something blowne,
The like is on her Arme.
1. Guard.
This is an Aspickes traile,
And these Figge-leaues haue slime vpon them, such
As th'Aspicke leaues vpon the Caues of Nyle.
Cæsar.
Most probable
That so she dyed: for her Physitian tels mee
She hath pursu'de Conclusions infinite
Of easie wayes to dye. Take vp her bed,
And beare her Women from the Monument,
She shall be buried by her Anthony.
No Graue vpon the earth shall clip in it
A payre so famous: high euents as these
Strike those that make them: and their Story is
No lesse in pitty, then his Glory which
Brought them to be lamented. Our Army shall
In solemne shew, attend this Funerall,
And then to Rome. Come Dolabella, see
High Order, in this great Solmemnity.
Exeunt omnes
FINIS.
| The Tragedie of Anthonie, and Cleopatra | |