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, thou mortal wretch, [To the asp, which she applies to her breast. With thy sharp teeth this knot intrinsicate 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. 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 sentChar. Too slow a messenger. O, come; apace, despatch: I partly feel thee. 1 Guard. Approach, ho! All 's not well: Cæsar 's beguil❜d. 2 Guard. 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! Dol. How goes it here? 2 Guard. Dol. [Dies. Enter DOLABELLA. All dead. Cæsar, thy thoughts Touch their effects in this: Thyself art coming Within. A way there, a 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? 1 Guard. A simple countryman, that brought her This Charmian liv'd but now; she stood, and spake: On her dead mistress; tremblingly she stood, Cæs. O noble weakness! If they had swallow'd poison 't would appear In her strong toil of grace Dol. Here, on her breast, There is a vent of blood, and something blown : The like is on her arm. 1 Guard. This is an aspic's trail: and these fig. leaves Have slime upon them, such as the aspic leaves Cæs. Most probable, That so she died; for her physician tells me Brought them to be lamented. Our army shall, [Exeunt. End of Antony and Cleopatra. |