Ant. We'll to yonder eminence :- Is both for sea and land: On sea, I fear, Ven. Swallows have built [Exit ANTONY. In Cleopatra's sails their nests; the augurers SCENE II. Interior of CLEOPATRA's Palace. Shouts at a distance. Enter CLEOPATRA, CHARMION, and IRAS. Cle. Hear'st thou how fares the battle? Char. Antony .. [Shout again. Now stands surveying our Egyptian gallies Engaging Cæsar's fleet. Cle. Now death, or conquest! Iras. Have comfort, madam; 'twas a cheering shout. [Shouts repeated Egypt has been;-our latest hour is come; Cle. Say the worst. Alex. Proud on the waves, your well-appointed fleet Row'd forth to sea, and smooth the well-timed oars Were dip: to meet the foe. Soon did they meet, But not as foes! In brief, we saw their caps On either side thrown up; Egyptian gallies (Received like friends) past through, and fell behind The Roman rear; and, now, they all come forward, And ride within the port. Cle. Enough, Alexas; I've heard my doom!-What says Mark Antony? Where is he? Oh, he will be more enraged Alex. You must avoid him. He raves on you, and cries he is betray'd. Alex. Retire, awhile, Within your monument :-meet not this tempest; It will o'erblow. Cle. Not till he hears I'm dead ; Then would this gust of anger end in grief. Alex. E'en that way turn it, then;-let me report To Antony that you have slain yourself: Cle. Well, well, be it so. Away, Alexas! [Exit ALEXAS. And yet, 'tis not for fear that I avoid him : [Exeunt CLEOPATRA and her Women. SCENE III. Within the Town of Alexandria. Enter ANTONY and VENTIdius. Ant. Gods! how this foul Ægyptian hath betray'd me! Her fleet and Cæsar's mingle in the port, And there, like long-lost friends, carouse together. Fortune and Antony part here, even here !- Ven. This Ægypt is One universal traitor; and their queen The least unmortgaged hope?-for, if there be, Ven. There are yet (The remnant now fled with us from the hills) How now, Alexas? Enter ALEXAS. Ven. He comes from Cleopatra; And looks a lie before he utters it. Hence, villain, hence! Ant. Away from me for ever! No syllable to justify thy queen: Let her begone; the blot of my renown, And bane of all my hopes! Let her be driven Alex. Sir, be satisfied, She'll ne'er molest you more ;-she could not bear Within her monument: Her silent tears Ant. My heart forebodes! Ven. All for the best: Go on. And ere we could prevent the fatal blow, She half pronounced your name with her last breath, And half was lost with it. Ant. And art thou dead? Dead, Cleopatra! Oh, then what am I? And thus you thank 'em for't. Ant. [To ALEXAS.] Why stay'st thou here? And see its inward mourning? get thee hence: Becomes a Roman emperor to perform. [Exit ALEXAS I will not fight; there's no more work for war; The business of my angry hours is done. Ven. Cæsar is at your gate. Ant. Why, let him enter; He's welcome, now. Ven. What lethargy has crept into your soul? Ant. 'Tis but a scorn of life, and just desire To free myself from bondage. Ven. Do it bravely. Ant. I will; but not by fighting. O, Ventidius! What should I fight for now? My Cleopatra, Now thou art dead, let Cæsar take the world,→ An empty circle, since the jewel's gone Which made it worth my strife. Ven. Would you be taken? Ant. Yes, I would be taken; But as a Roman ought,-dead, my Ventidius. We might, at least, thrust out our paws, and wound |