Antony and Cleopatra A Tragedy |
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 | Antony and Cleopatra |  |
SCENE VII.
The Children enter, and run to Antony.Cleo.
O, save us, father, save us! they are just
at our heels!
Alex.
Give me a sword, sir! our guards are
run away. All we meet are gone mad, and look
as if they would kill us.
Ant.
O, this last agony was kept in store,
For those who smile in death, and laugh at torture!
Cleo.
Indeed they'll kill us—save us, father,
save us!
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O, I would save ye, wrap ye with my vitals,
Fold my fond heart and yearning soul about ye!
Alex.
Don't fear now, sister! He will let no
one near us.
Ant.
Alas, my sweet companions, my dear infants,
The quick and feeling part of my existence,
Our plays are done—our plays are done, my children!
Rent is the rock, where rose your tower of strength;
And, on your precious heads—ay, there's the ruin—
My ruin tumbles!
Cleo.
What is the matter, sir, pray what's the
matter?
Alex.
Why do you look so sad, and fearful
on us?
Ant.
Hell, darkness, demons!
Did ye foresee it, gods—yet suffer this to be?
It is not to be born—here, Eros, take them!
Bear off my little ones—rend, wrench them from me!
Cleo.
We will not leave you, sir!
Alex.
We will not leave you!—Where should
we go to, father?
Ant.
Well thought, well thought!—Ah, where, indeed, my children?
Your world is seiz'd into the hands of strangers;
And not a nook is left upon the earth,
To rest your little heads!
O, you companions of my blissful hours!
Will your stern masters see your bonds be soft,
418
Or will some envious stepdame, from a brow
Of clouds, shed comforts on you?—No, no, no!
Alex.
Where you go, sir, we'll go.
Cleo.
Don't part us, father!
Ant.
'Tis well advised—
The insulting foe shall have no part of Antony,
To vaunt his triumph on!
Eros.
What mean you, sir?
Ant.
Eros, hold off!
I am not myself—my thoughts are full of fellness!
[Draws a dagger.
Alex.
Ah, father, you won't kill us?
Ant.
Kill ye?—O, no—I had rather pierce my heart,
Than prick your smallest finger!
Cleo.
Save us!—
O, save us, father, from that ugly dagger!
Ant.
So quick, it shall not hurt ye—
Eros,—keep off!—
Eros.
No—strike them through me!—
[Interposes.
What, would you black the whiteness of your name
To infinite ages?
Ant.
Ha!—That might be worth a thought!
Haste—bear them hence—and charge the eunuchs with 'em.
Away, lest sudden frenzy should return—
And you, and I, and they, all plunge together!
[Exit Eros with Children.
| Antony and Cleopatra | |