Clown. You must think this, look you, that the worm will do his kind.2 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 the 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. Cleopatra. Well, get thee gone; farewell. Clown. Yes, forsooth; I wish you joy of the worm. [Exit. Re-enter IRAS, with a Robe, Crown, &c. Cleopatra. Give me my robe, put on my crown; I have Immortal longings in me: Now no more 3 The juice of Egypt's grape shall moist this lip:- To praise my noble act; I hear him mock [Kisses them. IRAS falls and dies. Have I the aspick in my lips? Dost fall? If thou and nature can so gently part, If thus thou vanishest, thou tell'st the world It is not worth leave-taking. Charmian. Dissolve, thick cloud, and rain; that I may say, The gods themselves do weep! 2 Act according to his nature. 3 Make haste. Cleopatra. This proves me base: If she first meet the curled Antony, He'll make demand of her; and spend that kiss, With thy sharp teeth this knot intrinsicate Charmian. O eastern star! Peace, peace! Dost thou not see my baby at my breast, Charmian. O, break! O, break! Cleopatra. As sweet as balm, as soft as air, as gentle,— O Antony!-Nay, I will take thee too:— [Applying another Asp to her Arm. [Falls on a Bed, and dies. Charmian. In this wild world?-So, fare thee well.— What should I stay Now boast thee, death! in thy possession lies A lass unparallel'd.-Downy windows, close; Of eyes again so royal! Your crown's awry; Enter the GUARD, rushing in. 1 Guard. Where is the queen? Charmian. Speak softly, wake her not. 1 Guard. Cæsar hath sentCharmian. Too slow a messenger. [Applies the Asp. O, come: apace, despatch: I partly feel thee. 1 Guard. Approach, ho! All's not well: Cæsar's be guil'd. 2 Guard. There's Dolabella sent from Cæsar ;-call him. * Unpolitic, to leave me to myself. 1 Guard. What work is here?-Charmian, is this well done? Charmian. It is well done, and fitting for a princess Descended of so many royal kings. Ah, soldier! [Dies. Enter DOLABELLA. Dolabella. How goes it here? 2 Guard. All dead. Cæsar, thy thoughts [Within.] A way there, way for Cæsar! Dolabella. Touch their effects in this: Thyself art coming Enter CESAR, and ATTENDANTS. Dolabella. O, sir, you are too sure an augurer; That you did fear, is done. Cæsar. Bravest at the last: She levell❜d at our purposes, and, being royal, Dolabella. Who was last with them? 1 Guard. A simple countryman, that brought her This Charmian liv'd but now; she stood, and spake: I found her trimming up the diadem On her dead mistress; trembling she stood, And on the sudden dropp'd. O noble weakness! Cæsar. In her strong toil of grace.5 Dolabella. Here, on her breast, 5 Graceful appearance. There is a vent of blood, and something blown: The like is on her arm. 1 Guard. This is an aspick's trail: and these fig-leaves Have slime upon them, such as the aspick leaves Upon the caves of Nile. Cæsar. Most probable, That so she died; for her physician tells me, She hath pursu'd conclusions infinite Of easy ways to die.-Take up her bed; 6 Enfold. [Exeunt. |