A vapour, sometime, like a bear, or lion, A forked mountain, or blue promontory And mock our eyes with air: Thou hast seen these signs; They are black vesper's pageants. Eros. Ay, my lord. Ant. That, which is now a horse, even with a thought The rack dislimus; and makes it indistinct, As water is in water. Eros. It does, my lord. Ant. My good knave, Eros, now thy captain is Yet cannot hold this visible shape, my knave. Nay, weep not, gentle Eros; there is left us She has robb'd me of my sword. Mar. No, Antony; My mistress lov'd thee, and her fortunes mingled Ant. Hence, saucy eunuch; peace; She hath betray'd me, and shall die the death. Mar. Death of one person can be paid but once; And that she hath discharg'd: 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 Between her heart and lips: she render'd life, Ant. Dead then? Mar. Dead. Ant. Unarm me, Eros; the long day's task is done, And we must sleep:-That thou depart'st hence safe, Does pay thy labour richly; Go.-[Exit MAR.] Pluck off ; sides! The seven-fold shield of Ajax cannot keep I will o'ertake thee, Cleopatra, and Eros. What would my lord? I have liv'd in such dishonour, that the gods That, when the exigent should come, (which now Disgrace and horror, that, on my command, Thou then wouldst kill me: do't, the time is come: Eros. The gods withhold me! Shall I do that, which all the Parthian darts, Ant. Eros, Wouldst thou be window'd in great Rome, and see To penetrative shame; whilst the wheel'd seat Eros. I would not see't. Ant. Come, then; for with a wound I must be cur'd. Draw that thy honest sword, which thou hast worn Most useful for thy country. Eros. O sir, pardon me. Ant. When I did make thee free, swor'st thou not then. To do this when I bade thee? Do it at once; Or thy precedent services are all But accidents unpurpos'd. Draw, and come. Eros. Turn from me then that noble countenance, Wherein the worship of the whole world lies. Ant. Lo thee. Eros. My sword is drawn. Ant. Then let it do at once [Turning away his Face. The thing why thou hast drawn it. My captain, and my emperor, let me say, Eros. Farewell, great chief. Shall I strike now? Ant. Now, Eros. Eros. Why, there then: [Falling on his Sword.] Thus I do escape the sorrow Of Antony's death. Ant. Thrice nobler than myself! Thou teachest me, O valiant Eros, what [Dies. 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; [Taking EROS' Sword.] and, Eros, Thy master dies thy scholar; to do thus [Running on it. I learnt of thee. How! not yet dead? not dead? Enter GUARD and DERCETAS. The guard? how ! -O despatch me. 1 Guard. What's the noise? Ant. I have done my work ill, friends; O, make an end Of what I have begun. 2 Guard. The star is fallen. 1 Guard. And time is at his period. All. Alas, and woe! Ant. Let him, that loves me, strike me dead. 1 Guard. Not I. 2 Guard. Nor I. 3 Guard. Nor any one. [Exeunt GUARD. Der. Thy death and fortunes bid thy followers fly. This sword but shown to Cæsar, with this tidings, Shall enter me with him. Enter DIOMede. Diom. Where's Antony? Der. There, Diomede, there. Diom. Lives he?-Wilt thou not answer, man? [Exit DERCETAS, with the Sword. Ant. Art thou there, Diomede? Draw thy sword, and give me Sufficing strokes for death. Diom. Most absolute lord, The empress Cleopatra sent me to thee? Ant. When did she send thee? Diom. Now, my lord. Ant. Where is she? Diom. Lock'd in her monument. She had a pro- Of what hath come to pass: for when she saw But, fearing since how it might work, hath sent Ant. Too late, good Diomede. Call my guard, I Diom. What ho, the emperor's guard! The guard, Enter some of the GUARD. Come, your lord calls. Ant. Bear me, good friends, where Cleopatra 'Tis the last service that I shall command you. 1 Guard. Woe are we, sir, you may not live to wear All your true followers out. Το All. Most heavy day! Ant. Nay, good my fellows, do not please sharp grace it with your sorrows: bid that welcome |