Immoment toys, things of such dignity

As we greet modern friends withal; and say,
Some nobler token I have kept apart
For Livia, and Octavia, to induce

Their mediation: must I be unfolded

Of one that I have bred? The gods! it smites me
Beneath the fall I have.—Wert thou a man,

Thou wouldst have mercy on me.

Oct. Forbear, Seleucus.

[Exit Seleucus.

Cleo. 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 pity'd.

Oct. Cleopatra,

Not what you have reserv'd, nor what acknowledg'd, Put we i' the roll of conquest: still be it yours, Bestow it at your pleasure; and believe,

Cæsar'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.
Cleo. My master, and my lord,—

Oct. Not so: Adieu.

[Exeunt Cesar, Dolabella, and Train,

Cleo. He words me, girls, he words me, that I should

not

Be noble to myself: But hark thee, Charmian.
Iras. Finish, good lady, the bright day is done,
And we are for the dark.

Cleo. Hie thee again :

I have spoke already, and it is provided;

Go, put it to the haste.

Char. Madam, I will.

[Going.

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Enter CHARMIAN.

Show me, my women, like a queen; go fetch
My best attires;—I am again for Cydnus,
To meet Mark Antony:—Iras, go.

Now, noble Charmian, we'll despatch, indeed:
And when thou hast done this chare, I'll give thee
leave

To play till dooms-day.—Bring our crown and all. [Exit Iras.—Charmian falls to adjusting Cleopatra's Dress.—Noise within.

Wherefore's this noise?

Enter some of the Guard.

1 Guard. Here is a rural fellow,

That will not be deny'd your highness' presence;

He brings you figs.

Cleo. Let him come in. [Exeunt Guard.] How poor an instrument

May do a noble deed! he brings me liberty.
My resolution's plac'd, 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.

Enter Guard, with the Clown.

1 Guard. This is the man.

· Cleo. Avoid and leave him.

[Exit Guard.

Hast thou the pretty worm of Nilus there,
That kills and pains not?

Cloun. 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.

Cleo. Remember'st thou any that have dy'd 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.

Cleo. Get thee hence; farewell.

Clown. I wish you all joy of the worm.

Cleo. Farewell.

[Setting down his Basket.

Clown. You must think this, look you, that the worm will do his kind.

Cleo. 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.

Cleo. Take thou no care; it shall be heeded.

Clown. Very good: give it nothing, I pray you, for it is not worth the feeding.

Cleo. Well, get thee gone; farewell.

Clown. Yes, forsooth: I wish you joy of the worm.

Enter Iras, with Robe, &c.

[Exit.

Cleo. 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 Cæsar, which the gods give men,
To excuse their after wrath: Husband, I come:

[Goes to a Bed, or sofa, which she ascends;
her Women compose her on it: Iras sets the
Basket, which she has been holding upon her
own Arm, by her.

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.
[Kissing them.

Have I the aspick in my lips? Dost fall?
If thou and nature can so gently part,
The stroke of death is as a lover's pinch,
Which hurts, and is desir'd.

IRAS falls.

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; applying it to her Breast.

With thy sharp teeth this knot intrinsicate

Of life at once untie: poor venomous fool,

[Stirring it. Be angry, and despatch. O, couldst thou speak! That I might hear thee call great Cæsar, ass, Unpolicy'd!

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 :—

[Applying another Asp to her Arm. |

What should I stay

Enter some of the Guard.

1 Guard Where is the queen ? Char. Speak softly, wake her not.

[Dies.