Antony and Cleopatra

one that I have bred? The gods! it smites me
Beneath the fall I have. To Seleucus. Prithee, go hence;
Or I shall show the cinders of my spirits
Through the ashes of my chance: wert thou a man,
Thou wouldst have mercy on me. Caesar Forbear, Seleucus. Exit Seleucus. Cleopatra

Be it known, that we, the greatest, are misthought
For things that others do; and, when we fall,
We answer others’ merits in our name,
Are therefore to be pitied.

Caesar

Cleopatra,
Not what you have reserved, nor what acknowledged,
Put we i’ the roll of conquest: still be’t yours,
Bestow it at your pleasure; and believe,
Caesar’s no merchant, to make prize with you
Of things that merchants sold. Therefore be cheer’d;
Make not your thoughts your prisons: no, dear queen;
For we intend so to dispose you as
Yourself shall give us counsel. Feed, and sleep:
Our care and pity is so much upon you,
That we remain your friend; and so, adieu.

Cleopatra My master, and my lord! Caesar Not so. Adieu. Flourish. Exeunt Caesar and his train. Cleopatra

He words me, girls, he words me, that I should not
Be noble to myself: but, hark thee, Charmian. Whispers Charmian.

Iras

Finish, good lady; the bright day is done,
And we are for the dark.

Cleopatra

Hie thee again:
I have spoke already, and it is provided;
Go put it to the haste.

Charmian Madam, I will. Re-enter Dolabella. Dolabella Where is the queen? Charmian Behold, sir. Exit. Cleopatra Dolabella! Dolabella

Madam, as thereto sworn by your command,
Which my love makes religion to obey,
I tell you this: Caesar through Syria
Intends his journey; and within three days
You with your children will he send before:
Make your best use of this: I have perform’d
Your pleasure and my promise.

Cleopatra

Dolabella,
I shall remain your debtor.

Dolabella

I your servant.
Adieu, good queen; I must attend on Caesar.

Cleopatra

Farewell, and thanks. Exit Dolabella. Now, Iras, what think’st thou?
Thou, an Egyptian puppet, shalt be shown
In Rome, as well as I: mechanic slaves
With greasy aprons, rules, and hammers, shall
Uplift us to the view; in their thick breaths,
Rank of gross diet, shall be enclouded,
And forced to drink their vapour.

Iras The gods forbid! Cleopatra

Nay, ’tis most certain, Iras: saucy lictors
Will catch at us, like strumpets; and scald rhymers
Ballad us out o’ tune: the quick comedians
Extemporally will stage us, and present
Our Alexandrian revels; Antony
Shall be brought drunken forth, and I shall see
Some squeaking Cleopatra boy my greatness
I’ the posture of a whore.

Iras O the good gods! Cleopatra Nay, that’s certain. Iras

I’ll never see’t; for, I am sure, my nails
Are stronger than mine eyes.

Cleopatra

Why, that’s the way
To fool their preparation, and to conquer
Their most absurd intents.

Re-enter Charmian.

Now, Charmian!
Show me, my women, like a queen: go fetch
My best attires: I am again for Cydnus,
To meet Mark Antony: sirrah Iras, go.
Now, noble Charmian, we’ll dispatch indeed;
And, when thou hast done this chare, I’ll give thee leave
To play till doomsday. Bring our crown and all.
Wherefore’s this noise? Exit Iras. A noise within.

Enter a Guardsman. Guard

Here is a rural fellow
That will not be denied your highness’ presence:
He brings you figs.

Cleopatra

Let him come in. Exit Guardsman. What poor an instrument
May do a noble deed! he brings me liberty.
My resolution’s placed, and I have nothing
Of woman in me: now from head to foot
I am marble-constant; now the fleeting moon
No planet is of mine.

Re-enter Guardsman, with Clown bringing in a basket. Guard This is the man. Cleopatra

Avoid, and leave him. Exit Guardsman.
Hast thou the pretty worm of Nilus there,
That kills and pains not?

Clown Truly, I have him: but I would not be the party that should desire you to touch him, for his biting is immortal; those that do die of it do seldom or never recover. Cleopatra Rememberest thou any that have died on’t? Clown Very many, men and women too. I heard of one of them no longer than yesterday: a very honest woman, but something given to lie; as a woman should not do, but in the way of honesty: how she died of the biting of it, what pain she felt: truly, she makes a very good report o’ the worm; but he that will believe all that they say, shall never be saved by half that they do: but this is most fallible, the worm’s an odd worm. Cleopatra Get thee hence; farewell. Clown I wish you all joy of the worm. Setting down his basket. Cleopatra Farewell. Clown You must think this, look you, that the worm will do his kind. Cleopatra Ay, ay; farewell. Clown Look you, the worm is not to be trusted but in the keeping of wise people; for, indeed, there is no goodness in worm. Cleopatra Take thou no care; it shall be heeded. Clown Very good. Give it nothing, I pray you, for it is not worth the feeding. Cleopatra Will it eat me? Clown You must not think I am so simple but I know the devil himself will not eat a woman: I know that a woman is a dish for the gods, if the devil dress her not. But, truly, these same whoreson devils do the gods great harm in their women; for in every ten that they make, the devils mar five. Cleopatra Well, get thee gone; farewell. Clown Yes, forsooth: I wish you joy o’ the worm. Exit. Re-enter Iras with a robe, crown, etc. Cleopatra

Give me my robe, put on my crown; I have
Immortal longings in me: now no more
The juice of Egypt’s grape shall moist this lip:
Yare, yare, good Iras; quick. Methinks I hear
Antony call; I see him rouse himself
To praise my noble act; I hear him mock
The luck of Caesar, which the gods give men
To excuse their after wrath: husband, I come:
Now to that name my courage prove my title!
I am fire and air; my other elements
I give to baser life. So; have you done?
Come then, and take the last warmth of my lips.
Farewell, kind Charmian; Iras, long farewell. Kisses them. Iras falls and dies.
Have I the