Antony call; I see him rouse himself To praise my noble act; I hear him mock I give to baser life.-So,-have you done? The stroke of death is as a lover's pinch, Which hurts, and is desir'd. Dost thou lie still? If thus thou vanishest, thou tell'st the world It is not worth leave-taking. Char. Dissolve, thick cloud, and rain; that I may say, The gods themselves do weep! Cleo. This proves me base : If she first meet the curled Antony, He'll make demand of her; and spend that kiss, Which is my heaven to have. Come, mortal wretch, [To the Asp, which she applies to her Breast. With thy sharp teeth this knot intrinsicate Be angry, and despatch. O, could'st thou speak! Char. O eastern star! Cleo. Peace, peace! Dost thou not see my baby at my breast, That sucks the nurse asleep? Char. O, break! O, break! Cleo. As sweet as balm, as soft as air, as gentle,O Antony ! -Nay, I will take thee too : What should I stay [Applying another Asp to her Arm. [Falls on a Bed, and dies. Char. In this wild world?-So, fare thee well.— Now boast thee, death! in thy possession lies A lass unparallel'd.- Downy windows, close; And golden Phoebus never be beheld Of eyes again so royal! Your crown's awry; Enter the Guard, rushing in. 1st Guard. Where is the queen? Char. Speak softly, wake her not. 1st Guard. Cæsar hath sent Char. Too slow a messenger. [Applies the Asp. O, come; apace, despatch: I partly feel thee. 1st Guard. Approach, ho! All's not well: Cæsar's beguil'd. 2d Guard. There's Dolabella sent from Cæsar ;-call him. 1st Guard. What work is here?-Charmian, is this well done? Char. It is well done, and fitting for a princess Descended of so many royal kings. Ah, soldier! Enter DOLABELLA. Dol. How goes it here? 2d Guard. All dead. [Dies. Dol. Cæsar, thy thoughts Touch their effects in this: Thyself art coming Within. A way there, way for Cæsar! Enter CESAR, and Attendants. Dol. O, sir, you are too sure an augurer; That you did fear, is done. Cas. Bravest at the last: She levell❜d at our purposes, and, being royal, Dol. Who was last with them? 1st Guard. A simple countryman, that brought her figs; This was his basket. Cæs. Poison'd then. 1st Guard. O Cæsar, This Charmian lived but now; she stood, and spake : I found her trimming up the diadem On her dead mistress; tremblingly she stood, Cas. O noble weakness! If they had swallow'd poison, 'twould appear In her strong toil of grace. Dol. Here, on her breast, There is a vent of blood, and something blown : 1st Guard. This is an aspick's trail: and these fig leaves Have slime upon them, such as the aspick leaves Cas. 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; And bear her women from the monument ;- Strike those that make them: and their story is And then to Rome.-Come, Dolabella, see [Exeunt. END OF VOLUME FIFTEENTH. |