That I might hear thee call great Cæsar, ass 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 ash to her arm. What should I stay[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 ;7 And golden Phoebus never be beheld Of eyes again so royal! Your crown's awry ; Enter the Guard, rushing in. 1 Guard. Where is the queen? Char. Speak softly, wake her not. 1 Guard. Cæsar hath sent Char. Too slow a messsenger. [Applies the asp. -O, come; apace, despatch: I partly feel thee. 1 Guard.Approach,ho! All's not well: Cæsar's beguil❜d. 2Guard.There's Dolabella sent from Cæsar;-call him. 1 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? 2 Guard. All dead. 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, [Dies. [7] Charmian, in saying this, must be conceived to close Cleopatra's eyes + one of the first ceremonies performed towards a dead body. RITSON. Took her own way.-The manner of their deaths? I do not see them bleed. Dol. Who was last with them ? 1Guard. A simple countryman, that brought her figs; This was his basket. Cas. Poison'd then. 1 Guard. O Cæsar, This Charmian lived but now; she stood, and spake : 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 : 1 Guard. This is an aspick's train; and these fig-leaves Have slime upon them, such as the aspick leaves Upon the caves of Nile. 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 :- No grave upon the earth shall clip in it Strike those that make them: and their story is Brought them to be lamented. Our army shall, And then to Rome.--Come, Dolabella, see [Exeunt. END OF VOL. VI. MUNROE & FRANCIS' Third Edition. |