University of Virginia Library

Scene the Fifth.

Cæsar, Cleopatra, Antonius, Lepidus, Achoreus, Charmion.
Cæsar.
Her noble Rage and their bold Crime alike
My Soul with Wonder and Amazement strike.
Are these the Men great Queen you'd have me save?

Cleop.
Your gracious pardon for my Self I crave,
Your Justice I no longer will prevent,
Go Sir, and give them their due Punishment.
These Traitors most of all My Death desire,
Against my Crown and Person they conspire,
You being my Support, they but design
Your Death and Ruine to make way to mine.
Just were my Anger, yet I must with grief
Remember that their Leader and their Chief
Is still my Brother, may I hope again
To tempt your Pity and this Sute obtain,
That when just Rage inflames your noble Breast,
You would Distinguish Him from all the rest?

Cæsar.
I will, and must preserve him, for this Arm,
Where you would save, can have no power to harm,
Despise all fear, these base Assassinates
Can ne're Subvert or Change our glorious Fates;
Exposing but a Gibbet to their sight,
A Band of Hangmen puts them all to flight,
Who shall, to work upon their Guilty fear,
My Rods and Axes for their Ensigns bear.

[Exit Cæsar and Romans.
Cleop.
Good Achoreus, where so e're he goes,
Be still with Cæsar, aid him 'gainst my Foes,
And when their Blood imbrues his angry Blade,
Urge thou the promise he so lately made;
Be carefull of the King, avert my Fears,
And spare his Blood that I may spare my Tears.

Acho.
Madam, if all my Diligence and Care
Can save his Life, you have no cause to fear.

Exeunt omnes.