ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA, Act IV

ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA

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Scene I Before Alexandria. OCTAVIUS CAESAR's camp.

	[Enter OCTAVIUS CAESAR, AGRIPPA, and MECAENAS, with his Army; OCTAVIUS CAESAR reading a letter]
OCTAVIUS CAESAR	He calls me boy; and chides, as he had power To beat me out of Egypt; my messenger He hath whipp'd with rods; dares me to personal combat, Caesar to Antony: let the old ruffian know I have many other ways to die; meantime Laugh at his challenge.
MECAENAS	Caesar must think, When one so great begins to rage, he's hunted Even to falling. Give him no breath, but now Make boot of his distraction: never anger Made good guard for itself.
OCTAVIUS CAESAR	Let our best heads Know, that to-morrow the last of many battles We mean to fight: within our files there are, Of those that served Mark Antony but late, Enough to fetch him in. See it done: And feast the army; we have store to do't, And they have earn'd the waste. Poor Antony!
	[Exeunt]

Scene II Alexandria. CLEOPATRA's palace.

	[Enter MARK ANTONY, CLEOPATRA, DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS, CHARMIAN, IRAS, ALEXAS, with others]
MARK ANTONY	He will not fight with me, Domitius.
DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS	No.
MARK ANTONY	Why should he not?
DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS	He thinks, being twenty times of better fortune, He is twenty men to one.
MARK ANTONY	To-morrow, soldier, By sea and land I'll fight: or I will live, Or bathe my dying honour in the blood Shall make it live again. Woo't thou fight well?
DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS	I'll strike, and cry 'Take all.'
MARK ANTONY	Well said; come on. Call forth my household servants: let's to-night Be bounteous at our meal.
	[Enter three or four Servitors]
	Give me thy hand, Thou hast been rightly honest;--so hast thou;-- Thou,--and thou,--and thou:--you have served me well, And kings have been your fellows.
CLEOPATRA	[Aside to DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS] What means this?
DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS	[Aside to CLEOPATRA] 'Tis one of those odd tricks which sorrow shoots Out of the mind.
MARK ANTONY	And thou art honest too. I wish I could be made so many men, And all of you clapp'd up together in An Antony, that I might do you service So good as you have done.
All	The gods forbid!
MARK ANTONY	Well, my good fellows, wait on me to-night: Scant not my cups; and make as much of me As when mine empire was your fellow too, And suffer'd my command.
CLEOPATRA	[Aside to DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS] What does he mean?
DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS	[Aside to CLEOPATRA] To make his followers weep.
MARK ANTONY	Tend me to-night; May be it is the period of your duty: Haply you shall not see me more; or if, A mangled shadow: perchance to-morrow You'll serve another master. I look on you As one that takes his leave. Mine honest friends, I turn you not away; but, like a master Married to your good service, stay till death: Tend me to-night two hours, I ask no more, And the gods yield you for't!
DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS	What mean you, sir, To give them this discomfort? Look, they weep; And I, an ass, am onion-eyed: for shame, Transform us not to women.
MARK ANTONY	Ho, ho, ho! Now the witch take me, if I meant it thus! Grace grow where those drops fall! My hearty friends, You take me in too dolorous a sense; For I spake to you for your comfort; did desire you To burn this night with torches: know, my hearts, I hope well of to-morrow; and will lead you Where rather I'll expect victorious life Than death and honour. Let's to supper, come, And drown consideration.
	[Exeunt]

Scene III The same. Before the palace.

	[Enter two Soldiers to their guard]
First Soldier	Brother, good night: to-morrow is the day.
Second Soldier	It will determine one way: fare you well. Heard you of nothing strange about the streets?
First Soldier	Nothing. What news?
Second Soldier	Belike 'tis but a rumour. Good night to you.
First Soldier	Well, sir, good night.
	[Enter two other Soldiers]
Second Soldier	Soldiers, have careful watch.
Third Soldier	And you. Good night, good night.
	[They place themselves in every corner of the stage]
Fourth Soldier	Here we: and if to-morrow Our navy thrive, I have an absolute hope Our landmen will stand up.
Third Soldier	'Tis a brave army, And full of purpose.
	[Music of the hautboys as under the stage]
Fourth Soldier	Peace! what noise?
First Soldier	List, list!
Second Soldier	Hark!
First Soldier	Music i' the air.
Third Soldier	Under the earth.
Fourth Soldier	It signs well, does it not?
Third Soldier	No.
First Soldier	Peace, I say! What should this mean?
Second Soldier	'Tis the god Hercules, whom Antony loved, Now leaves him.
First Soldier	Walk; let's see if other watchmen Do hear what we do?
	[They advance to another post]
Second Soldier	How now, masters!
All	[Speaking together] How now! How now! do you hear this?
First Soldier	Ay; is't not strange?
Third Soldier	Do you hear, masters? do you hear?
First Soldier	Follow the noise so far as we have quarter; Let's see how it will give off.
All	Content. 'Tis strange.
	[Exeunt]

Scene IV The same. A room in the palace.

	[Enter MARK ANTONY and CLEOPATRA, CHARMIAN, and others attending]
MARK ANTONY	Eros! mine armour, Eros!
CLEOPATRA	Sleep a little.
MARK ANTONY	No, my chuck. Eros, come; mine armour, Eros!
	[Enter EROS with armour]
	Come good fellow, put mine iron on: If fortune be not ours to-day, it is Because we brave her: come.
CLEOPATRA	Nay, I'll help too. What's this for?
MARK ANTONY	Ah, let be, let be! thou art The armourer of my heart: false, false; this, this.
CLEOPATRA	Sooth, la, I'll help: thus it must be.
MARK ANTONY	Well, well; We shall thrive now. Seest thou, my good fellow? Go put on thy defences.
EROS	Briefly, sir.
CLEOPATRA	Is not this buckled well?
MARK ANTONY	Rarely, rarely: He that unbuckles this, till we do please To daff't for our repose, shall hear a storm. Thou fumblest, Eros; and my queen's a squire More tight at this than thou: dispatch. O love, That thou couldst see my wars to-day, and knew'st The royal occupation! thou shouldst see A workman in't.
	[Enter an armed Soldier]
	Good morrow to thee; welcome: Thou look'st like him that knows a warlike charge: To business that we love we rise betime, And go to't with delight.
Soldier	A thousand, sir, Early though't be, have on their riveted trim, And at the port expect you.
	[Shout. Trumpets flourish]
	[Enter Captains and Soldiers]
Captain	The morn is fair. Good morrow, general.
All	Good morrow, general.
MARK ANTONY	'Tis well blown, lads: This morning, like the spirit of a youth That means to be of note, begins betimes. So, so; come, give me that: this way; well said. Fare thee well, dame, whate'er becomes of me: This is a soldier's kiss: rebukeable
	[Kisses her]
	And worthy shameful cheque it were, to stand On more mechanic compliment; I'll leave thee Now, like a man of steel. You that will fight, Follow me close; I'll bring you to't. Adieu.
	[Exeunt MARK ANTONY, EROS, Captains, and Soldiers]
CHARMIAN	Please you, retire to your chamber.
CLEOPATRA	Lead me. He goes forth gallantly. That he and Caesar might Determine this great war in single fight! Then Antony,--but now--Well, on.
	[Exeunt]

Scene V Alexandria. MARK ANTONY's camp.

	[Trumpets sound. Enter MARK ANTONY and EROS; a Soldier meeting them]
Soldier	The gods make this a happy day to Antony!
MARK ANTONY	Would thou and those thy scars had once prevail'd To make me fight at land!
Soldier	Hadst thou done so, The kings that have revolted, and the soldier That has this morning left thee, would have still Follow'd thy heels.
MARK ANTONY	Who's gone this morning?
Soldier	Who! One ever near thee: call for Enobarbus, He shall not hear thee; or from Caesar's camp Say 'I am none of thine.'
MARK ANTONY	What say'st thou?
Soldier	Sir, He is with Caesar.
EROS	Sir, his chests and treasure He has not with him.
MARK ANTONY	Is he gone?
Soldier	Most certain.
MARK ANTONY	Go, Eros, send his treasure after; do it; Detain no jot, I charge thee: write to him-- I will subscribe--gentle adieus and greetings; Say that I wish he never find more cause To change a master. O, my fortunes have Corrupted honest men! Dispatch.--Enobarbus!
	[Exeunt]

Scene VI Alexandria. OCTAVIUS CAESAR's camp.

	[Flourish. Enter OCTAVIUS CAESAR, AGRIPPA, with DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS, and others]
OCTAVIUS CAESAR	Go forth, Agrippa, and begin the fight: Our will is Antony be took alive; Make it so known.
AGRIPPA	Caesar, I shall.
	[Exit]
OCTAVIUS CAESAR	The time of universal peace is near: Prove this a prosperous day, the three-nook'd world Shall bear the olive freely.
	[Enter a Messenger]
Messenger	Antony Is come into the field.
OCTAVIUS CAESAR	Go charge Agrippa Plant those that have revolted in the van, That Antony may seem to spend his fury Upon himself.
	[Exeunt all but DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS]
DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS	Alexas did revolt; and went to Jewry on Affairs of Antony; there did persuade Great Herod to incline himself to Caesar, And leave his master Antony: for this pains Caesar hath hang'd him. Canidius and the rest That fell away have entertainment, but No honourable trust. I have done ill; Of which I do accuse myself so sorely, That I will joy no more.
	[Enter a Soldier of CAESAR's]
Soldier	Enobarbus, Antony Hath after thee sent all thy treasure, with His bounty overplus: the messenger Came on my guard; and at thy tent is now Unloading of his mules.
DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS	I give it you.
Soldier	Mock not, Enobarbus. I tell you true: best you safed the bringer Out of the host; I must attend mine office, Or would have done't myself. Your emperor Continues still a Jove.
	[Exit]
DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS	I am alone the villain of the earth, And feel I am so most. O Antony, Thou mine of bounty, how wouldst thou have paid My better service, when my turpitude Thou dost so crown with gold! This blows my heart: If swift thought break it not, a swifter mean Shall outstrike thought: but thought will do't, I feel. I fight against thee! No: I will go seek Some ditch wherein to die; the foul'st best fits My latter part of life.
	[Exit]

Scene VII Field of battle between the camps.

	[Alarum. Drums and trumpets. Enter AGRIPPA and others]
AGRIPPA	Retire, we have engaged ourselves too far: Caesar himself has work, and our oppression Exceeds what we expected.
	[Exeunt]
	[Alarums. Enter MARK ANTONY and SCARUS wounded]
SCARUS	O my brave emperor, this is fought indeed! Had we done so at first, we had droven them home With clouts about their heads.
MARK ANTONY	Thou bleed'st apace.
SCARUS	I had a wound here that was like a T, But now 'tis made an H.
MARK ANTONY	They do retire.
SCARUS	We'll beat 'em into bench-holes: I have yet Room for six scotches more.
	[Enter EROS]
EROS	They are beaten, sir, and our advantage serves For a fair victory.
SCARUS	Let us score their backs, And snatch 'em up, as we take hares, behind: 'Tis sport to maul a runner.
MARK ANTONY	I will reward thee Once for thy spritely comfort, and ten-fold For thy good valour. Come thee on.
SCARUS	I'll halt after.
	[Exeunt]

Scene VIII Under the walls of Alexandria.

	[Alarum. Enter MARK ANTONY, in a march; SCARUS, with others]
MARK ANTONY	We have beat him to his camp: run one before, And let the queen know of our gests. To-morrow, Before the sun shall see 's, we'll spill the blood That has to-day escaped. I thank you all; For doughty-handed are you, and have fought Not as you served the cause, but as 't had been Each man's like mine; you have shown all Hectors. Enter the city, clip your wives, your friends, Tell them your feats; whilst they with joyful tears Wash the congealment from your wounds, and kiss The honour'd gashes whole.
	[To SCARUS]
	Give me thy hand
	[Enter CLEOPATRA, attended]
	To this great fairy I'll commend thy acts, Make her thanks bless thee.
	[To CLEOPATRA]
	O thou day o' the world, Chain mine arm'd neck; leap thou, attire and all, Through proof of harness to my heart, and there Ride on the pants triumphing!
CLEOPATRA	Lord of lords! O infinite virtue, comest thou smiling from The world's great snare uncaught?
MARK ANTONY	My nightingale, We have beat them to their beds. What, girl! though grey Do something mingle with our younger brown, yet ha' we A brain that nourishes our nerves, and can Get goal for goal of youth. Behold this man; Commend unto his lips thy favouring hand: Kiss it, my warrior: he hath fought to-day As if a god, in hate of mankind, had Destroy'd in such a shape.
CLEOPATRA	I'll give thee, friend, An armour all of gold; it was a king's.
MARK ANTONY	He has deserved it, were it carbuncled Like holy Phoebus' car. Give me thy hand: Through Alexandria make a jolly march; Bear our hack'd targets like the men that owe them: Had our great palace the capacity To camp this host, we all would sup together, And drink carouses to the next day's fate, Which promises royal peril. Trumpeters, With brazen din blast you the city's ear; Make mingle with rattling tabourines; That heaven and earth may strike their sounds together, Applauding our approach.
	[Exeunt]

Scene IX OCTAVIUS CAESAR's camp.

	[Sentinels at their post]
First Soldier	If we be not relieved within this hour, We must return to the court of guard: the night Is shiny; and they say we shall embattle By the second hour i' the morn.
Second Soldier	This last day was A shrewd one to's.
	[Enter DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS]
DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS	O, bear me witness, night,--
Third Soldier	What man is this?
Second Soldier	Stand close, and list him.
DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS	Be witness to me, O thou blessed moon, When men revolted shall upon record Bear hateful memory, poor Enobarbus did Before thy face repent!
First Soldier	Enobarbus!
Third Soldier	Peace! Hark further.
DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS	O sovereign mistress of true melancholy, The poisonous damp of night disponge upon me, That life, a very rebel to my will, May hang no longer on me: throw my heart Against the flint and hardness of my fault: Which, being dried with grief, will break to powder, And finish all foul thoughts. O Antony, Nobler than my revolt is infamous, Forgive me in thine own particular; But let the world rank me in register A master-leaver and a fugitive: O Antony! O Antony!
	[Dies]
Second Soldier	Let's speak To him.
First Soldier	Let's hear him, for the things he speaks May concern Caesar.
Third Soldier	Let's do so. But he sleeps.
First Soldier	Swoons rather; for so bad a prayer as his Was never yet for sleep.
Second Soldier	Go we to him.
Third Soldier	Awake, sir, awake; speak to us.
Second Soldier	Hear you, sir?
First Soldier	The hand of death hath raught him.
	[Drums afar off]
	Hark! the drums Demurely wake the sleepers. Let us bear him To the court of guard; he is of note: our hour Is fully out.
Third Soldier	Come on, then; He may recover yet.
	[Exeunt with the body]

Scene X Between the two camps.

	[Enter MARK ANTONY and SCARUS, with their Army]
MARK ANTONY	Their preparation is to-day by sea; We please them not by land.
SCARUS	For both, my lord.
MARK ANTONY	I would they'ld fight i' the fire or i' the air; We'ld fight there too. But this it is; our foot Upon the hills adjoining to the city Shall stay with us: order for sea is given; They have put forth the haven [ ] Where their appointment we may best discover, And look on their endeavour.
	[Exeunt]

Scene XI Another part of the same.

	[Enter OCTAVIUS CAESAR, and his Army]
OCTAVIUS CAESAR	But being charged, we will be still by land, Which, as I take't, we shall; for his best force Is forth to man his galleys. To the vales, And hold our best advantage.
	[Exeunt]

Scene XII Another part of the same.

	[Enter MARK ANTONY and SCARUS]
MARK ANTONY	Yet they are not join'd: where yond pine does stand, I shall discover all: I'll bring thee word Straight, how 'tis like to go.
	[Exit]
SCARUS	Swallows have built In Cleopatra's sails their nests: the augurers Say they know not, they cannot tell; look grimly, And dare not speak their knowledge. Antony Is valiant, and dejected; and, by starts, His fretted fortunes give him hope, and fear, Of what he has, and has not.
	[Alarum afar off, as at a sea-fight]
	[Re-enter MARK ANTONY]
MARK ANTONY	All is lost; This foul Egyptian hath betrayed me: My fleet hath yielded to the foe; and yonder They cast their caps up and carouse together Like friends long lost. Triple-turn'd whore! 'tis thou Hast sold me to this novice; and my heart Makes only wars on thee. Bid them all fly; For when I am revenged upon my charm, I have done all. Bid them all fly; begone.
	[Exit SCARUS]
	O sun, thy uprise shall I see no more: Fortune and Antony part here; even here Do we shake hands. All come to this? The hearts That spaniel'd me at heels, to whom I gave Their wishes, do discandy, melt their sweets On blossoming Caesar; and this pine is bark'd, That overtopp'd them all. Betray'd I am: O this false soul of Egypt! this grave charm,-- Whose eye beck'd forth my wars, and call'd them home; Whose bosom was my crownet, my chief end,-- Like a right gipsy, hath, at fast and loose, Beguiled me to the very heart of loss. What, Eros, Eros!
	[Enter CLEOPATRA]
	Ah, thou spell! Avaunt!
CLEOPATRA	Why is my lord enraged against his love?
MARK ANTONY	Vanish, or I shall give thee thy deserving, And blemish Caesar's triumph. Let him take thee, And hoist thee up to the shouting plebeians: Follow his chariot, like the greatest spot Of all thy sex; most monster-like, be shown For poor'st diminutives, for doits; and let Patient Octavia plough thy visage up With her prepared nails.
	[Exit CLEOPATRA]
	'Tis well thou'rt gone, If it be well to live; but better 'twere Thou fell'st into my fury, for one death Might have prevented many. Eros, ho! The shirt of Nessus is upon me: teach me, Alcides, thou mine ancestor, thy rage: Let me lodge Lichas on the horns o' the moon; And with those hands, that grasp'd the heaviest club, Subdue my worthiest self. The witch shall die: To the young Roman boy she hath sold me, and I fall Under this plot; she dies for't. Eros, ho!
	[Exit]

Scene XIII Alexandria. Cleopatra's palace.

	[Enter CLEOPATRA, CHARMIAN, IRAS, and MARDIAN]
CLEOPATRA	Help me, my women! O, he is more mad Than Telamon for his shield; the boar of Thessaly Was never so emboss'd.
CHARMIAN	To the monument! There lock yourself, and send him word you are dead. The soul and body rive not more in parting Than greatness going off.
CLEOPATRA	To the monument! Mardian, go tell him I have slain myself; Say, that the last I spoke was 'Antony,' And word it, prithee, piteously: hence, Mardian, And bring me how he takes my death. To the monument!
	[Exeunt]

Scene XIV The same. Another room.

	[Enter MARK ANTONY and EROS]
MARK ANTONY	Eros, thou yet behold'st me?
EROS	Ay, noble lord.
MARK ANTONY	Sometimes we see a cloud that's dragonish; A vapour sometime like a bear or lion, A tower'd citadel, a pendent rock, A forked mountain, or blue promontory With trees upon't, that nod unto the world, And mock our eyes with air: thou hast seen these signs; They are black vesper's pageants.
EROS	Ay, my lord,
MARK ANTONY	That which is now a horse, even with a thought The rack dislimns, and makes it indistinct, As water is in water.
EROS	It does, my lord.
MARK ANTONY	My good knave Eros, now thy captain is Even such a body: here I am Antony: Yet cannot hold this visible shape, my knave. I made these wars for Egypt: and the queen,-- Whose heart I thought I had, for she had mine; Which whilst it was mine had annex'd unto't A million more, now lost,--she, Eros, has Pack'd cards with Caesar, and false-play'd my glory Unto an enemy's triumph. Nay, weep not, gentle Eros; there is left us Ourselves to end ourselves.
	[Enter MARDIAN]
	O! thy vile lady! She has robb'd me of my sword.
MARDIAN	No, Antony; My mistress loved thee, and her fortunes mingled With thine entirely.
MARK ANTONY	Hence, saucy eunuch; peace! She hath betray'd me and shall die the death.
MARDIAN	Death of one person can be paid but once, And that she has discharged: what thou wouldst do Is done unto thy hand: the last she spake Was 'Antony! most noble Antony!' Then in the midst a tearing groan did break The name of Antony; it was divided Between her heart and lips: she render'd life, Thy name so buried in her.
MARK ANTONY	Dead, then?
MARDIAN	Dead.
MARK ANTONY	Unarm, Eros; the long day's task is done, And we must sleep.
	[To MARDIAN]
	That thou depart'st hence safe, Does pay thy labour richly; go.
	[Exit MARDIAN]
	Off, pluck off: The seven-fold shield of Ajax cannot keep The battery from my heart. O, cleave, my sides! Heart, once be stronger than thy continent, Crack thy frail case! Apace, Eros, apace. No more a soldier: bruised pieces, go; You have been nobly borne. From me awhile.
	[Exit EROS]
	I will o'ertake thee, Cleopatra, and Weep for my pardon. So it must be, for now All length is torture: since the torch is out, Lie down, and stray no farther: now all labour Mars what it does; yea, very force entangles Itself with strength: seal then, and all is done. Eros!--I come, my queen:--Eros!--Stay for me: Where souls do couch on flowers, we'll hand in hand, And with our sprightly port make the ghosts gaze: Dido and her AEneas shall want troops, And all the haunt be ours. Come, Eros, Eros!
	[Re-enter EROS]
EROS	What would my lord?
MARK ANTONY	Since Cleopatra died, I have lived in such dishonour, that the gods Detest my baseness. I, that with my sword Quarter'd the world, and o'er green Neptune's back With ships made cities, condemn myself to lack The courage of a woman; less noble mind Than she which by her death our Caesar tells 'I am conqueror of myself.' Thou art sworn, Eros, That, when the exigent should come, which now Is come indeed, when I should see behind me The inevitable prosecution of Disgrace and horror, that, on my command, Thou then wouldst kill me: do't; the time is come: Thou strikest not me, 'tis Caesar thou defeat'st. Put colour in thy cheek.
EROS	The gods withhold me! Shall I do that which all the Parthian darts, Though enemy, lost aim, and could not?
MARK ANTONY	Eros, Wouldst thou be window'd in great Rome and see Thy master thus with pleach'd arms, bending down His corrigible neck, his face subdued To penetrative shame, whilst the wheel'd seat Of fortunate Caesar, drawn before him, branded His baseness that ensued?
EROS	I would not see't.
MARK ANTONY	Come, then; for with a wound I must be cured. Draw that thy honest sword, which thou hast worn Most useful for thy country.
EROS	O, sir, pardon me!
MARK ANTONY	When I did make thee free, sworest thou not then To do this when I bade thee? Do it at once; Or thy precedent services are all But accidents unpurposed. Draw, and come.
EROS	Turn from me, then, that noble countenance, Wherein the worship of the whole world lies.
MARK ANTONY	Lo thee!
	[Turning from him]
EROS	My sword is drawn.
MARK ANTONY	Then let it do at once The thing why thou hast drawn it.
EROS	My dear master, My captain, and my emperor, let me say, Before I strike this bloody stroke, farewell.
MARK ANTONY	'Tis said, man; and farewell.
EROS	Farewell, great chief. Shall I strike now?
MARK ANTONY	Now, Eros.
EROS	Why, there then: thus I do escape the sorrow Of Antony's death.
	[Kills himself]
MARK ANTONY	Thrice-nobler than myself! Thou teachest me, O valiant Eros, what I should, and thou couldst not. My queen and Eros Have by their brave instruction got upon me A nobleness in record: but I will be A bridegroom in my death, and run into't As to a lover's bed. Come, then; and, Eros, Thy master dies thy scholar: to do thus
	[Falling on his sword]
	I learn'd of thee. How! not dead? not dead? The guard, ho! O, dispatch me!
	[Enter DERCETAS and Guard]
First Guard	What's the noise?
MARK ANTONY	I have done my work in, friends: O, make an end Of what I have begun.
Second Guard	The star is fall'n.
First Guard	And time is at his period.
All	Alas, and woe!
MARK ANTONY	Let him that loves me strike me dead.
First Guard	Not I.
Second Guard	Nor I.
Third Guard	Nor any one.
	[Exeunt Guard]
DERCETAS	Thy death and fortunes bid thy followers fly. This sword but shown to Caesar, with this tidings, Shall enter me with him.
	[Enter DIOMEDES]
DIOMEDES	Where's Antony?
DERCETAS	There, Diomed there.
DIOMEDES	Lives he? Wilt thou not answer, man?
	[Exit DERCETAS]
MARK ANTONY	Art thou there, Diomed? Draw thy sword, and give me Sufficing strokes for death.
DIOMEDES	Most absolute lord, My mistress Cleopatra sent me to thee.
MARK ANTONY	When did she send thee?
DIOMEDES	Now, my lord.
MARK ANTONY	Where is she?
DIOMEDES	Lock'd in her monument. She had a prophesying fear Of what hath come to pass: for when she saw-- Which never shall be found--you did suspect She had disposed with Caesar, and that your rage Would not be purged, she sent you word she was dead; But, fearing since how it might work, hath sent Me to proclaim the truth; and I am come, I dread, too late.
MARK ANTONY	Too late, good Diomed: call my guard, I prithee.
DIOMEDES	What, ho, the emperor's guard! The guard, what, ho! Come, your lord calls!
	[Enter four or five of the Guard of MARK ANTONY]
MARK ANTONY	Bear me, good friends, where Cleopatra bides; 'Tis the last service that I shall command you.
First Guard	Woe, woe are we, sir, you may not live to wear All your true followers out.
All	Most heavy day!
MARK ANTONY	Nay, good my fellows, do not please sharp fate To grace it with your sorrows: bid that welcome Which comes to punish us, and we punish it Seeming to bear it lightly. Take me up: I have led you oft: carry me now, good friends, And have my thanks for all.
	[Exeunt, bearing MARK ANTONY]

Scene XV The same. A monument.

	[Enter CLEOPATRA and her maids aloft, with CHARMIAN and IRAS]
CLEOPATRA	O Charmian, I will never go from hence.
CHARMIAN	Be comforted, dear madam.
CLEOPATRA	No, I will not: All strange and terrible events are welcome, But comforts we despise; our size of sorrow, Proportion'd to our cause, must be as great As that which makes it.
	[Enter, below, DIOMEDES]
	How now! is he dead?
DIOMEDES	His death's upon him, but not dead. Look out o' the other side your monument; His guard have brought him thither.
	[Enter, below, MARK ANTONY, borne by the Guard]
CLEOPATRA	O sun, Burn the great sphere thou movest in! darkling stand The varying shore o' the world. O Antony, Antony, Antony! Help, Charmian, help, Iras, help; Help, friends below; let's draw him hither.
MARK ANTONY	Peace! Not Caesar's valour hath o'erthrown Antony, But Antony's hath triumph'd on itself.
CLEOPATRA	So it should be, that none but Antony Should conquer Antony; but woe 'tis so!
MARK ANTONY	I am dying, Egypt, dying; only I here importune death awhile, until Of many thousand kisses the poor last I lay up thy lips.
CLEOPATRA	I dare not, dear,-- Dear my lord, pardon,--I dare not, Lest I be taken: not the imperious show Of the full-fortuned Caesar ever shall Be brooch'd with me; if knife, drugs, serpents, have Edge, sting, or operation, I am safe: Your wife Octavia, with her modest eyes And still conclusion, shall acquire no honour Demuring upon me. But come, come, Antony,-- Help me, my women,--we must draw thee up: Assist, good friends.
MARK ANTONY	O, quick, or I am gone.
CLEOPATRA	Here's sport indeed! How heavy weighs my lord! Our strength is all gone into heaviness, That makes the weight: had I great Juno's power, The strong-wing'd Mercury should fetch thee up, And set thee by Jove's side. Yet come a little,-- Wishes were ever fools,--O, come, come, come;
	[They heave MARK ANTONY aloft to CLEOPATRA]
	And welcome, welcome! die where thou hast lived: Quicken with kissing: had my lips that power, Thus would I wear them out.
All	A heavy sight!
MARK ANTONY	I am dying, Egypt, dying: Give me some wine, and let me speak a little.
CLEOPATRA	No, let me speak; and let me rail so high, That the false housewife Fortune break her wheel, Provoked by my offence.
MARK ANTONY	One word, sweet queen: Of Caesar seek your honour, with your safety. O!
CLEOPATRA	They do not go together.
MARK ANTONY	Gentle, hear me: None about Caesar trust but Proculeius.
CLEOPATRA	My resolution and my hands I'll trust; None about Caesar.
MARK ANTONY	The miserable change now at my end Lament nor sorrow at; but please your thoughts In feeding them with those my former fortunes Wherein I lived, the greatest prince o' the world, The noblest; and do now not basely die, Not cowardly put off my helmet to My countryman,--a Roman by a Roman Valiantly vanquish'd. Now my spirit is going; I can no more.
CLEOPATRA	Noblest of men, woo't die? Hast thou no care of me? shall I abide In this dull world, which in thy absence is No better than a sty? O, see, my women,
	[MARK ANTONY dies]
	The crown o' the earth doth melt. My lord! O, wither'd is the garland of the war, The soldier's pole is fall'n: young boys and girls Are level now with men; the odds is gone, And there is nothing left remarkable Beneath the visiting moon.
	[Faints]
CHARMIAN	O, quietness, lady!
IRAS	She is dead too, our sovereign.
CHARMIAN	Lady!
IRAS	Madam!
CHARMIAN	O madam, madam, madam!
IRAS	Royal Egypt, Empress!
CHARMIAN	Peace, peace, Iras!
CLEOPATRA	No more, but e'en a woman, and commanded By such poor passion as the maid that milks And does the meanest chares. It were for me To throw my sceptre at the injurious gods; To tell them that this world did equal theirs Till they had stol'n our jewel. All's but naught; Patience is scottish, and impatience does Become a dog that's mad: then is it sin To rush into the secret house of death, Ere death dare come to us? How do you, women? What, what! good cheer! Why, how now, Charmian! My noble girls! Ah, women, women, look, Our lamp is spent, it's out! Good sirs, take heart: We'll bury him; and then, what's brave, what's noble, Let's do it after the high Roman fashion, And make death proud to take us. Come, away: This case of that huge spirit now is cold: Ah, women, women! come; we have no friend But resolution, and the briefest end.
	[Exeunt; those above bearing off MARK ANTONY's body]

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