dear queen;

tra.

my lord,

Ces. Cleopatra, know,

We answer others' merits* in our name,
We will extenuate rather than enforce: Are therefore to be pitied.
If you apply yourself to our intents,

Ces. Cleopatra,

[ledg'd, (Which towards you are most gentle,) you Not what you have reservd, nor what acknowshall find

Put we i'the roll of conquest: still be it yours, A benefit in this change; but if you seek Bestow it at your pleasure; and believe, To lay on me a cruelty, by taking

Cesar's no merchant, to make prize with you Antony's course, you shall bereave yourself Of things that mercbants sold. Therefore be Of my good purjoses, and put your children

cheer'd; To that destruction which I'll guard them Make not your thoughts your prisons : no,

from, If thereon you rely. I'll take my leave. For we intend so to dispose you, as (sleep; Cleo. And may, through all the world : 'tis Yourself shall give us counsel. Feed, and yours: and we

Our care and pity is so much upon you, Your 'scutcheons, and your signs of conquest, That we remain your friend; And so adieu. shall

lord

Cleo. My master, and my lord!
Hang in what place you please. Here, my good Ces. Not so: Adieu.
Ces. You shall advise me in all for Cleopa-

[Ereunt CESAR, and his Train.

Cleo. He words me, girls, he words me, that Cleo. This is the brief of money, plate, and

I should not jewels,

Be noble to myself: but hark thee, Charmian. I am possess'd of: 'tis exactly valued ;

[Whispers CHARMIAN. Not petty things admitted.- Where's Seleucus? Iras. Finish, good lady; the bright day is Sel. Here, madam.

And we are for the dark.

[done, Cleo. This is my treasurer; let him speak, Cleo. Hie thee again:

I have spoke already, and it is provided ; Upon his peril, that I have reserv'd

Go, put it to the haste.
To myself nothing. Speak the truth, Seleucus. Char. Madam, I will.

Sel. Madam,
I bad rather seel* my lips, than, to my peril,

Re-enter DOLABELLA.
Speak that which is not.

Dol. Where is the queen ? Cleo. What have I kept back?

Char. Behold, Sir. Sel. Enough to purchase what you have

(Exit CHARMIAN.

Cleo, Dolabella ? made known. Ces. Nay, blush not, Cleopatra; I approve

Dol. Madam, as thereto sword by your come Your wisdom in the deed.

mand,

Which my love makes religion to obey, Cleo. See, Cesar! 0, behold, How pomp is follow'd! mine will now be Intends his journey; and, within three days,

I tell you this: Cesar through Syria yours; And, should we shift estates, yours would be Make your best use of this: I have perform'd

(mine. You with your children will be send before: The ingratitude of this Seleucus does (trust Your pleasure, and my promise. Even make me wild :-0 slave, of no more Than love that's hir'd !-What, goest thou I shall remain your debtor.

Cleo. Dolabella, back? thou shalt

[eyes,

Dol. I your servant. Go back, I warrant thee; but I'll catch thine Adieu, good queen; I must attend on Cesar. Though they had wings: Slave, soulless villian, dog!

Cleo. Farewell, and thanks. (Exit Dol.1 O rarelyt base!

Now, Iras, what think'st thou? Ces. Good queen, let us entreat you,

Thou, an Egyptian puppet, shall be shown Cleo. O Cesar, what a wounding shame is With greasy aprons, rules, and hammers, shall

In Rome, as well as I: mechanic slaves, this; That thou, vouchsafing here to visit me,

Uplift us to the view; in their thick breaths, Doing the honour of thy lordliness

Rank of gross diet, shall we be enclouded, To one so meek, that mine own servant should And forc'd to drink their vapour.

Iras. The gods forbid !
Parcelt the sum of my disgraces by
Addition of his envy! Say, good Cesar,

Cleo. Nay, 'tis most certain, Iras: Saucy
lictorst

(rhymers That I some lady trifles have reserv'd,

Will catch at us, like strumpets; and scald Immoment toys, things of such dignity As we greet moderng friends withal; and say, Extemporally will stage us, and present

Ballad us out o'tune: the quickt comedians Some nobler token I have kept apart

Our Alexandrian revels; Antony
For Livials and Octavia, f to induce
Their mediation ; must I be unfolded

Shall be brought drunken forth, and I shall see With one that I have bred? The gods! It I'the posture of a whore.

Some squeaking Cleopatra boyộ my greataess smites me

Iras. O the good gous ! Beneath the fall I have. Pr’ythee, go hence;

Cleo. Nay, that is certain.

[To Seleucus. Trus. I'll never see it; for, I am sure, my nails Or I shall show the cinders** of my spirits

Are stronger than mine eyes. Through the ashes of my chance :- Wert thou

Cleo. Why that's the way a man, Thou would'st have mercy on me.

To fool their preparation, and to conquer, Ces. Forbear, Seleucus. [Exit SeleucUS.

Their most absurd intents. Now, Charmian? Cieo. Be it known, that we, the greatest, are

Enter CHARMIAN. misthought For things that others do; and, when we fall, Show me, my women, like a queen ;-Go fetch Sew up. + Uncommonly. Add to.

* Merits or demerits. + Beadles. I Cosar's wife and

ġ Female characters were played by boje

My best attires ;-I am again for Cydnus, To praise ny noble act ; I hear him mock
To meet Mark Antony :-Sirrah, Iras,go.- The luck of Cesar, which the gods give men
Now, noble Charmian, we'll despatch indeed: To excuse their after wrath: Husband, I come:
And, when thou hast done this chare,* I'll Now to that name my courage prove my title !
give thee leave

I am fire, and air; my other elements
To play till doomsday.-Bring our crown and I give to baser life.--So,-have you done?
Wherefore's this noise ?

[all. Come then, and take the last warmth of my [Exit Iras. A Noise withir.

lips.

(well. Enter one of the GUARD.

Farewell, kind Charmian ;-Iras, long fareGuard. Here is a rural fellow,

(Kisses them. Tras falls and dies. That will not be denied your highness' presence; if thou and pature can so gently part,

Have I the aspic in my lips? Dost fall ? He brings you figs.

The stroke of death is as a lover's pinch, Cleo. Let him come in. How poor an instru- Which hurts, and is desir’d. Dost thou lie still? ment

[Exit GUARD. If thus thou vanishest, thou tell'st the world May do a noble deed! he brings me liberty. It is not worth leave-taking. My resolution's plac'd, and I have nothing

Char. Dissolve, thick cloud, and rain; that I Of woman in me: Now from head to foot

may say I am marble-constant: now the fleetingi moon The gods themselves do weep! No planet is of mine.

Cleo. This proves me base :
Re-enter GUARD, with a Clown bringing a

If she first meet the curled Antony,
Basket.

He'll make demand of her; and spend that kiss, Guard. This is the man.

Which is my heaven to have. Come, mortal

wretch, Cleo. Avoid, and leave him. [Exit GUARD.

[To the Asp, which she applies to her Breast. Hast thou the pretty wormt of Nilus there, That kills and pains not?

With thy sharp teeth this knot intrinsicate

Of life at once untie : poor venomous fool, Clown. Truly I have him : but I would not be the party that should desire you to touch

Be angry, and despatch. O, could'st thot him, for his biting is immortal; those, that do that I might hear thee call great Cesar, ass

speak! die of it, do seldom or never recover.

Unpolicies !* Cleo. Remembers't thou any that have died

Char. O eastern star! on't? Cloun. Very many, men and women too, ! Dost thou not see my baby at my breast,

Cleo. Peace, peace! heard of one of them no longer than yesterday: That sucks

the nurse asleep? a very honest woman, but something given to lie; as a woman should not do, but in the way

Char. O, break! (, break!

Cleo. As sweet as balm, as soft as air, as of honesty: how she died of the biting of it, what pain she felt,-Truly, she makes a very Antony !-Nay, I will take thee too :

gentle, good report o'the worm: But he that will be lieve all that they say, shall never be saved by What should I stay

[Applying another Asp to her Arm. half that they do: But this is most fallible, the Form's an odd worm.

[Falls on a Bed, and dies.

Char. In this wild world ?-So, fare thee Cleo. Get thee hence; farewell.

well. Clown. I wish you all joy of the worm. Cleo. Farewell. [Clown sets down the Basket. Now boast thee, death! in thy possession lies Clown. You must think this, look you, that And golden Phoebus never be beheld

A lass unparallel'd.-Downy windows, close; the worm will do his kind.§ Cleo. Ay, ay; farewell.

Of eyes again so royal! Your crown's awry; Clown. Look you, the worm is not to be I'll mend it, and then play. trusted, but in the keeping of wise people; for,

Enter the GUARD, rushing in. 'ndeed, there is no goodness in the worm.

1 Guard. Where is the queen ? Cleo. Take thou no care; it shall be heeded. Clown. Very good: give it nothing, I pray

Char. Speak softly, wake her not.

1 Guard. Cesar hath sentyou, for it is not worth the feeding.

Char. Too slow a messenger. Cleo. Will it eat me? Clown. You must not think I am so simple, o, come; apace, despatch : 1 partly feel thee

[Applies the Asp but I know the devil hinself will not eat a woman: I know, that a woman is a dish for the 1 Guard. Approach, ho! All's not well : Ce

sar's beguil'd. gods, if the devil dress her not. But, truly,

2 Guard. There's Dolabella sent from Ce. these same whoreson devils do the gods great

sar;-call him. harm in their women ; for in every ten that they make, the devils mar five.

1 Guard. What work is here?-Charmian, is

this well done? Cleo. Well, get thee gone; farewell. Clown. Yes, forsooth; wish you joy of the

Char. It is well done, and fitting for a prin[Exit.

Descended of so many royal kings. (cess
Ah, soldier!

[Dies. Re-enter Iras, with a Robe, Crown, &c. Cleo. Give me my robe, put on my crown; I

Enter DOLABELLA have

Dol. How goes it here? Immortal longings in me: Now no more

2 Guard. All dead. The juice of Egypt's grape shall noist this Dol. Cesar, thy thoughts lip :

[hear Touch their effects in this: Thyself art coming Yare, yare,ll good Iras; quick.—Methinks, 1 To see perform’d the dreaded act, which thoa Antony call'; I see him rouse himself

So sought'st to hinder.

worm.

Enter Cesar, and Attendants.

Dol. Here, on her breast, Dol. O, Sir, you are too sure an augurer;

There is a vent of blood, and something blowa :

The like is on her arm.
That you did fear, is done.
Ces. Bravest at the last :

Å Suard. This is an aspic's trail: and these She levell’d at our purposes, and, being royal, Have slinie upon them, şuch as the aspic leaves

fig-leaves Took her own way. The manner of their Upon the caves of Nile. I do not see them bleed.

[deaths ? Dol. Who was last with them ?

Ces. Most probable, 1 Guard. A simple countryman, that brought That so she died; for her physician tells me, ber tigs;

She had pursu'd conclusions* infinite This was his basket.

Of easy ways to die.—Take up her bed; Ces. Poison'd then,

And bear her women from the monument :-. 1 Guard. O Cesar,

[spake

She shall be buried by her Antony: This Charmian lived but now; she stood, and No grave upon the earth shall clip in it I found her trimming up the diadem

A pair so famous. High events as these On her dead mistress;

tremblingly she stood, Strike those that make them: and their story is And on the sudden dropp'd.

No less in pity, than his glory, which
Ces, () noble weakness! -

Brought them to be lamented.
If they had swallow'd poison, 'twould appear In solemn show, attend the funeral ;

shall,
By external swelling: but she looks like sleep, And then to Rome.-Come, Dolabella, see
As she would catch another Antony
In her strong toil of grace.

High order in this great solemnity. (Exeunt. * Graceful appearance.

Our army

TIMON OF ATHENS.

PERSONS REPRESENTED.

Timox, a noble Athenian.

Two SERVANTS of VARRO, and the Servaxt at Lucius,

ISIDORE ; two of Timon's Creditors. LICULLUS, Lords, and Flatterers of Timon. Cupid, and MASKERS. SEMPRONIUS, S

Three STRANGERS. VENTIDIUS, one of Timon's false Friends, Poet, PAINTER, JEWELLER, and MERCHANT. APEMANTUS, a churlish Philosopher.

AN OLD ATHENIAN. ALCIBIADES, an Athenian General.

A PAGE.
FLAVIUS, Steward to Timon.

A FOOL.
FLAMINIUS,
Lucilius, Timon's Servants.

PHRYNIA,
SERVILIUS,
CAPAIS,
PhiloTUS,

Other Lords, Senators, Officers, Soldiers,
TITUS,
Servants to Timon's Creditors.

Thieves, and Attendants.
Lucius,
HORTENSIUS,

SCENE, Athens; and the Woods adjoining.

TIMANDAA, | Mistresses to Alcibiades.

ACT I.

Puin. You are rapt, Sir, in sonie work, some

dedication SCENE 1.-Athens.--A Hall in Timon's

To the great lord.
House.

Poet. A thing slipp'd idly from me. Enter Poet, Painter, JEWELLER, MERCHANT, Our poesy is as a gum, which oozes [flint and others, at several Doors.

From whence 'tis nourished: The fire i'the Poet. Good day, Sir.

Shows not, till it be struck; our gentle flame Pain. I am glad you are well.

Provokes itself, and, like the current, flies Poet. I have not seen you long; How goes Each bound it chafes. What have you there? the world?

Pain. A picture, Sir.–And when comes your Pain. It wears, Sir, as it grows.

book forth? Poet. Ay, that's well known:

Poet. Upon the heels of my presentment, * But what particular rarity? what strange,

Let's see your piece.

[Sir Which manifold record not matches ? See,

Pain. 'Tis a good piece. Magic of bounty! all these spirits thy power

Poet. So 'tis : this comes off well and excelHath conjur'd to attend. I know the merchant.

lent. Pain. I know them both; t'other's a jeweller.

Pain. Indifferent. Ver. 0, 'tis a worthy lord !

Poet. Admirable : How this grace Jew. Nay, that's most fix'd.

Speaks his own standing! what a mental power Der. A most incomparable man; breath'd, * This eye shoots forth ! how big imagination as it were,

Moves in this lip! to the dumbness of the gesTo an untirable and continuatet goodness :

One might interpret.

(ture the passes.

Pain. It is a pretty mocking of the life. Jew. I have a jewel here.

Here is a touch; Is't good ? Mer. O, pray, let's see't: For the lord Ti. Poet. I'll say of it,

It tutors nature : artificial strifet Jew. If he will touch the estimate: But, for Livre in these touches, livelier than life. that

Enter certain SENATORS, and pass over. Poet. When we for recompense have prais'd the vile,

Pain. How this lord's follow'd ! It stains the glory in that happy verse

Poet. The senators of Athens:-Happy men! Which aptly sings the good.

Pain. Look, more! Mer. "Tis a good form.

Poet. You see this confluence, this great flood (Looking at the Jewel.

of visitors. Jew. And rich: here is a water, look you.

I have, in this rough work, shap'd out a mau, lzuced by constant practice. + For continual. * As soon as my book has been presented to Tinano 14. Exceeds, goes beyond common bounds.

#I. e, The contest of art with nature.

mon, Sir ?

ance

Whom this beneath world doth embrace and Ven. Serv. Ay, my good lord: five talents is hug

his debt; With amplest entertainment: My free drift His means most short, his creditors most strait: Halts not particularly,* but moves itself Your honourable letter he desires [him, In a wide sea of wax: no levell’d malice To those have shut him up; which failing to Infects one comma in the course I hold; Periods his comfort. But lies an eagle flight, bold, and forth on,

Tim. Noble Ventidius! Well; Leaving no tract behind.

I am not of that feather, to shake off [him Pain. How shall I understand you?

My friend when he must need me. I do know Poet. I'll unbolt to you.

A gentleman, that well deserves a help, You see how all conditions, how all minds, Which he shall have: I'll pay the debt, and (As well of glib and slippery creatures, as

free bim. Of grave and austere quality,) tender down Ven. Serv. Your lordship ever binds kim. Their services to lord Timon: his large fortune,

Tim. Commend me to him: I will send his Upon his good and gracious nature hapging,

ransom;

[me:Subdues and properties to his love and tend-And, being enfranchis'd, bid him come to

'Tis not enough to help the feeble up, All sorts of hearts; yea, from the glass-faca | But to support him after.- Fare you well. flatterert

Ven. Sero. All happiness to your honour! To Apemantus, that few things loves better

[Erit. Than to abhor himself: even he drops down The knee before him, and returns in peace

Enter an old ATHENIAN. Most rich in Timon's nod.

Old Ath. Lord Timon, hear me speak. Pain. I saw them speak together.

Tim. Freely, good father. Poet. Sir, I have upon a high and pleasant Old Ath. Thou hast a servant nam'd Lu. hill,

cilius. Feign’d Fortune to be thron'd: The base Tim. I have so: What of him ? o'the mount

Old Ath. Most noble Timon, call the man Is rank'd with all deserts, all kind of natures,

before thee. That labour on the busom of this sphere

Tim. Attends he here, or no ?-Lucilius!
To propogate their states:ý amongst them all,
Whose eyes are on this sovereign lady fix’d,

Enter LUCILIUS.
One do I personate of lord Timon's franie,
Whom Fortune with her ivory hand wafts to

Luc. Here, at your lordship's service.
her;

[vants

Old Ath. This fellow here, lord Timon, this Whose present grace to present slaves and ser- By night frequents my house. I am a man

thy creature, Translates his rivals. Puin. 'Tis conceiv'd to scope. (thinks,

That irom my first have been inclin'd to thrift; This throne, this Fortune, and this hill, me

And my estate deserves an heir more rais'd,

Than one which holds a trencher.
With one man beckon'd from the rest below,
Bowing his head against the steepy mount

Tim. Well; what further?
To climb his happiness, would be well ex-

Old Ath. One only daughter have I, no kin In our condition.

(press'd

else, Poet. Nay, Sir, but hear me on:

On whom I may confer what I have got: All those which were his fellows but of late,

The maid is fair, o'the youngest for a bride,

And I have bred her at my dearest cost, (Some better than his value,) on the moment Follow his strides, his lobbies fill with tend. In qualities of the best. This man of thine

Attempts her love: 1 pr’ythee, noble lord, ance, Rain sacrificial whisperings in his ear,

Join with me to forbid him her resort;
Make sacred even his stirrup, and through him Myself have spoke in vain.
Drink the free air.

Tim. The man is honest.
Pain. Ay, marry, what of these?

Old Ath. Therefore he will be, Timon: Poet. When Fortune, in her shift and change It must not bear my daughter.

His honesty rewards him in itself, of mood,

(ants,

Tim. Does she love him? Spurns down her late belov’d, all his dependWhich labour'd after him to the mountain's top; Our own precedent passions do instruct us

Old Ath. She is young, and apt: Even on their knees and hands, let him slip What levity's in youth.

down, Not one accompanying his declining foot.

Tim. (To Lucilius.) Love you the maid? Pain. "Tis common :

Luc. Ay, my good lord, and she accepts A thousand moral paintings I can show

of it. That shall demonstrate these quick blows of

Old Ath. If in her marriage my consent be fortune

missing, More pregnantly than words. Yet you do well, I call the gods to witness, I will choose To show lord 'Í'imon, that mean eyes** have Mine heir from forth the beggars of the world, The foot above the beari.

(seen

And dispossess her all.

Tim. How shail she be endow'd, Trumpets sound. Enter Timon, attended; the

If she be mated with an equal husband? SERVANT of Ventidius talking with him.

Old Ath. Three talents, on the preseni; in

future, all. Tim. Imprison'd is he, say you?

Tim. This gentleman of mine hath serv'd 770

long; My design docs not stop at any particular character.

To build his fortune, I will strain a little, + Open, explain.

For 'tis a bond in men.

Give himn thy dzega * One who shows by reflection the looks of his patron.

ter: To advance their conditions of life. Whisperings of officious servility.

What you bestow, in him I'll counterpoin,

Inhale. . * 1 e. Luserior spectators.

And make him weigh with ber.

a