were man never Do not yourself such wrong, who are in this The element they liv'd in: In his livery Walk'd crowns, and crownets ; realms and islands Cleo. What, of death too That rids our dogs of languish ? As plates dropp'd from his pocket. Cleopatra, Cleopatra, Do not abuse my master's bounty, by Cleo. Think you, there was, or might be, such a The undoing of yourself: let the world see His nobleness well acted, which your death As this I dream'd of? Will never let come forth. Dol. Gentle madam, no. Cleo. Where art thou, death? Cleo. You lie, up to the hearing of the gods. Come hither, come! come, come, and take a But, if there be, or ever were one such, queen It's past the size of dreaming : Nature wants stuff Worth many babes and beggars ! To vie strange forms with fancy; yet, to imagine Pro. O, temperance, lady! | An Antony, were nature's piece 'gainst fancy, Cleo. Sir, I will eat no meat, I'll not drink, sir ; Condemning shadows quite. If idle talk will once be necessary, Dol. Hear me, good madam : I'll not sleep neither : This mortal house I'll ruin, Your loss is as yourself, great ; and you bear it Do Cæsar what he can. Know, sir, that I As answering to the weight: 'Would I might Will not wait pinion'd at your master's court; Nor once be chastis'd with the sober eye O’ertake pursu'd success, but I do feel, Of dull Octavia. Shall they hoist me up, By the rebound of yours, a grief that shoots And show me to the shouting varletry My very heart at root. Of censuring Rome? Rather a ditch in Egypt Cleo. I thank you, sir. Be gentle grave to me! rather on Nilus' mud Know you, what Cæsar means to do with me? Lay me stark naked, and let the water-flies Dol. I am loath to tell you what I would you Blow me into abhorring! rather make knew. My country's high pyramides my gibbet, Cleo. Nay, pray you, sir, — And hang me up in chains ! Dol. Though he be honourable, Pro. You do extend Cleo. He'll lead me then in triumph ? These thoughts of horror further than you shall Dol. Madam, he will; Find cause in Cæsar. I know it. Within. Make way there, - Cæsar. Enter Cæsar, Gallus, PROCULEIUS, MECENAS, What thou hast done thy master Cæsar knows, SELEUCUS, and Attendants. And he hath sent for thee : as for the queen, Cos. Which is the queen I'll take her to my guard. Of Egypt? Dol. 'Tis the emperor, madam. (CLEOPATRA krea's To Cæsar I will speak what you shall please, Cæs. Arise, [ To CLEOPATRA. You shall not kneel : If you'll employ me to him. pray you, rise ; rise, Egypt. Cleo. Say, I would die. Cleo. Sir, the gods [Exeunt PROCULEIUS, and Soldiers. Will have it thus; my master and my lord Dol. Most noble empress, you have heard of I must obey. me? Ces. Take to you no hard thoughts: Cleo. I cannot tell. The record of what injuries you did us, Dol. Assuredly, you know me. Though written in our flesh, we shall remember Cleo. No matter, sir, what I have heard, or known. As things but done by chance. You laugh, when boys, or women, tell their dreams; Cleo. Sole sir o'the world, Is't not your trick ? I cannot project mine own cause so well Dol. I understand not, madam. To make it clear ; but do confess, I have Cleo. I dream'd, there was an emperor Antony ; Been laden with like frailties, which before 0, such another sleep, that I might see Have often sham'd our sex. But such another man ! Cæs. Cleopatra, know, Dol. If it might please you, We will extenuate rather than enforce : Cleo. His face was as the heavens; and therein If you apply yourself to our intents, stuck (Which towards you are most gentle,) you shall find A sun, and moon; which kept their course, and A benefit in this change ; but if you seek lighted To lay on me a cruelty, by taking The little O, the earth. Antony's course, you shall bereave yourself Dol. Most sovereign creature,- Of my good purposes, and put your children Cleo. His legs bestrid the ocean : his rear'd arm To that destruction which I'll guard then from, Crested the world: his voice was propertied If thereon you rely. I'll take my leave. As all the tuned spheres, and that to friends ; Cleo. And may, through all the world: 'tis youts; But when he meant to quail and shake the orb, and we He was as rattling thunder. For his bounty, Your 'scutcheons, and your signs of conques There was no winter in't; an autumn 'twas, shall That grew the more by reaping : His delights Hang in what place you please. Here, my ged Were dolphin-like; they show'd his back above lord. Cæs. You shall advise me in all for Cleopatra. Cæs. Not so: Adieu. Cleo. This is the brief of money, plate, and jewels, (Exeunt Cesar, and his Train. I am possessid of : 'tis exactly valued ; Cleo. He words me, girls, he words me, that I Not petty things admitted. - Where's Seleucus ? should not Sel. Here, madam. Be noble to myself : but hark thee, Charmian. Cleo. This is my treasurer ; let him speak, my [Whispers CHARMIAN., lord. Iras. Finish, good lady; the bright day is done, Upon his peril, that I have reserv'd And we are for the dark. To myself nothing. Speak the truth, Seleucus. Cleo. Hie thee again : I have spoke already, and it is provided ; Char, Madam, I will. Re-enter DOLABELLA. Dol. Where is the queen ? Cæs. Nay, blush not, Cleopatra ; I approve Char. Behold, sir. (Exit CHARMIAN. Your wisdom in the deed. Cleo. Dolabella? Cleo. See, Cæsar! O, behold, Dol. Madam, as thereto sworn by your command, How pomp is follow'd ! mine will now be yours; Which my love makes religion to obey, And, should we shift estates, yours would be I tell you this : Cæsar through Syria mine. Intends his journey; and, within three days, The ingratitude of this Seleucus does You with your children will be send before : Even make me wild: O slave, of no more trust Make your best use of this : I have perform'd Than love that's hir'd! - What, goest thou back ? Your pleasure, and my promise. thou shalt Cleo. Dolabella, I your servant. dog! Adieu, good queen; I must attend on Cæsar. O rarely base! Cleo. Farewell, and thanks. (Exit Dol.] Now, Iras, what think'st thou ? In Rome, as well as I: mechanick slaves With greasy aprons, rules, and hammers, shall To one so meek, that mine own servant should Uplift us to the view; in their thick breaths, Parcel the sum of my disgraces by Rank of gross diet, shall we be enclouded, Addition of his envy! Say, good Cæsar, And forc'd to drink their vapour. That I some lady trifles have reserv'd, Iras. The gods forbid ! Immoment toys, things of such dignity Cleo. Nay, 'tis most certain, Iras : Saucy lictors As we greet modern friends withal; and say, Will catch at us, like strumpets ; and scald rhymers Some nobler token I have kept apart Ballad us out o'tune : the quick comedians For Livia, and Octavia, to induce Extemporally will stage us, and present Their mediation ; must I be unfolded Our Alexandrian revels; Antony With one that I have bred? The gods! It smites shall be brought drunken forth, and I shall see Some squeaking Cleopatra boy my greatness [TO SELEUCUS. O the good gods ! Cleo. Nay, that is certain. Through the ashes of my chance : - - Wert thou a Iras. I'll never see it; for, I am sure, my nails man, Are stronger than mine eyes. Thou would'st have mercy on me. Cleo. Why, that's the way Cæs. Forbear, Seleucus. To fool their preparation, and to conquer (Exit SeleucUS. Their most absurd intents. - Now, Charmian? Cleo. Be it known, that we, the greatest, are mis Enter CHARMIAN. thought For things that others do; and, when we fall, Show me, my women, like a queen; - Go fetch We answer others' merits in our name, My best attires; — I am again for Cydnus, To meet Mark Antony: — Sirrah, Iras, go. Now, noble Charmian, we'll despatch indeed : leave Bestow it at your pleasure ; and believe, To play till dooms-day. — Bring our crown and all. C-sar's no merchant, to make prize with you Wherefore's this noise ? Of things that merchants sold. Therefore be cheer'd ;. [Erit Iras. A noise within. Make not your thoughts your prisons: no, dear Enter one of the Guard. queen ; For we intend so to dispose you, as Guard. Here is a rural fellow, Yourself shall give us counsel. Feed, and sleep : That will not be denied your highness' presence ; Our care and pity is so much upon you, He brings you figs. That we remain your friend; And so adieu. Cleo. Let him come in. How poor an instrument Cleo. My master, and my lord ! [Exit Guard. me a May do a noble deed! he brings me liberty.. Char. Dissolve, thick cloud, and rain; that I may My resolution's plac'd, and I have nothing say, Of woman in me :: Now from head to foot: The gods themselves do weep! I am marble-constant : now the fleeting moon Clee. This proves me base : No planet is of mine. If she first meet the curled Antony, He'll make demand of her; and spend that kiss, Re-enter Guard, with a Clown bringing a basket. Which is my heaven to have. Come, mortal Guard. This is the man. wretch, Cleo. Avoid, and leave him. [Exit Guard. [To the asp, which she applies to her breast. Hast thou the pretty worm of Nilus there, With thy sharp teeth this knot intrinsicate That kills and pains not? Of life at once untie : poor venomous fool, Clown. Truly I have him : but I would not be Be angry, and despatch. O, could'st thou speak ! the party that should desire you to touch him, for That I might hear thee call great Cæsar, ass his biting is immortal; those, that do die of it, do Unpolicied! seldom or never recover. Char. O eastern star! Cleo. Remember'st thou any that have died on't ? Cleo. Peace, peace! Clown. Very many, men and women too. I heard Dost thou not see my baby at my breast, of one of them no longer than yesterday: a very That sucks the nurse asleep? honest woman, but something given to lie; as a wo- Char. O, break! O, break! man should not do, but in the way of honesty : how Cleo. As sweet as balm, as soft as air, as gen, she died of the biting of it, what pain she felt, tle, Truly, she makes a very good report o' the worm: O Antony ! - Nay, I will take thee too :But he that will believe all that they say, shall never ( Applying another asp to her arzt. be saved by half that they do : But this is most fal- What should I stay – (Falls on a bed, and dies. lible, the worm's an odd worm, Char. In this wide world? - So, fare thee Cleo. Get thee hence ; farewell. well. Clown. I wish you all joy of the worm. Now boast thee, death! in thy possession lies Cleo. Farewell. [Clown sets down the basket. A lass unparallel'd. — Downy windows, close ; Clown. You must think this, look you, that the And golden Phæbus never be beheld worm will do his kind. Of eyes again so royal! Your crown's awry; Cleo. Ay, ay; farewell. I'll mend it, and then play. Clown. Look you, the worm is not to be trusted, but in the keeping of wise people : for, indeed, Enter the Guard, rushing in. there is no goodness in the worm. 1 Guard. Where is the queen ?' Cleo. Take thou no care ; it shall be heeded. Char. Speak softly, wake her not. Clown. Very good : give it nothing, I pray you, 1 Guard, Cæsar hath sent for it is not worth the feeding. Char. Too slow a messenger. Cleo. Will it eat me ? [Applies the am. Clown. You must not think I am so simple, but I 0, come; apace, despatch : I partly feel thee. know the devil himself will not eat a woman: I know, 1 Guard. Approach, ho! All's not well : Cæsar's that a woman is a dish for the gods, if the devil dress beguil'd. her not. But, truly, these same whoreson devils do 2 Guard. There's Dolabella sent from Cæsar;the gods great harm in their women ; for in every call him. ten that they make, the devils mar five. 1 Guard. Wirat work is here ? - Charmian, is Cleo. Well, get thee gone ; farewell. this well done? Clown. Yes, forsooth; I wish you joy of the Char. It is well done, and fitting for a princess worm, [Exit. Descended of so many royal kings. Re-enter Iras, with a robe, crown, &c. Ah, soldier ! [ Dies 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 moist this lip: Dol Cæsar, thy thoughts Yare, yare, good Iras ; quick. — Methinks, I hear Touch their effects in this : Thyself art coming Antony call; I see him rouse himself To see perform'd the dreaded act, which thou To praise my noble act; I hear him mock So sought'st to hinder, The luck of Cæsar, which the gods give men Within. A way there, a way for Cesar! To excuse their after wrath : Husband, I comé : Now to that name my courage prove my title ! Enter CESAR and Attendants. Dol. O, sir, you are too sure an augurer; Cæs. Bravest at the last : Farewell, kind Charmian ; - Iras, long farewell. She levell’d at our purposes, and, being royal, [Kisses them. Tras falls and dies. Took her own way. — The manner of their deaths? Have I the aspick in my lips ? Dost fall? I do not see them bleed. If thou and nature can so gently part, Dol. Who was last with them? The stroke of death is as a lover's pinch, 1 Guard. A simple countryman, that brouglas Which hurts, and is desir’d. Dost thou lie still ? her figs. If thus thou vanishest, thou tell'st the world This was his basket. It is not worth leave-taking. Cæs. Poison'd then. 1 Guard. O Cæsar, Have slime upon them, such as the aspick leaves This Charmian lived but now; she stood, and Upon the caves of Nile. spake: Cæs. Most probable, That so she died; for her physician tells me, Of easy ways to die. — Take up her bed ; O noble weakness! And bear her women from the monument : A pair so famous. High events as these Strike those that make them; and their story is Here, on her breast, No less in pity, than his glory, which There is a vent of blood, and something blown : Brought them to be lamented. Our army shall, The like is on her arm. In solemn show, attend this funeral ; 1 Guard. This is an aspick's trail : and these fig. And then to Rome. - Come, Dolabella, see leaves High order in this great solemnity. (Exeunte Dol. CYMBELINE. PERSONS REPRESENTED. CYMBELINE, King of Britain. Two British Captains. Two Gentlemen. of Morgan. GUIDERIUS, sons to Cymbeline, disguised under the QUEEN, wife to Cymbeline. ARVIRAGUS, names of Polydore and Cadwal, Imogen, daughter to Cymbeline by a former queen supposed sons to Belarius. HELEN, woman to Imogen. PHILARIO, friend to Posthumus, Italians. Iachimo, friend to Philario, Lords, Ladies, Roman Senators, Tribunes, AppzA French Gentleman, friend to Philario. ritions, a Soothsayer, a Dutch Gentleman, s Caius Lucius, general of the Roman Forces. Spanish Gentleman, Musicians, Officers, Catarina A Roman Captain. Soldiers, Messengers, and other Attendants SCENE, — sometimes in BRITAIN ; sometimes in Italy. } ACT I. 'SCENE I. - Britain. The Garden behind Too bad for bad report: and he that hath ber, Cymbeline's Palace. (I mean, that married her, - alack, good man! And therefore banish'd,) is a creature such As, to seek through the regions of the earth 1 Gent. You do not meet a man, but frowns : For one his like, there would be something failiag our bloods In him that should compare. I do not think, No more obey the heavens, than our courtiers; So fair an outward, and such stuff within, Still seem, as does the king's. Endows a man but he. 2 Gent. But what's the matter ? 2 Gent. You speak him far. 1 Gent. His daughter, and the heir of his king- I Gent. I do extend him, sir, within himself; dom, whom Crush him together, rather than unfold 2 Gent. What's his name, and birch? Unto a poor, but worthy, gentleman: She's wedded; I Gent. I cannot delve him to the root: Hua Her husband banishd; she imprison'd : all father Is outward sorrow; though, I think, the king Was callid Sicilius, who did join his honour, Be touch'd at very heart. Against the Romans, with Cassibelan; 2 Gent. None but the king? But had his titles by Tenantius, whom I Gent. He, that hath lost her, too: so is the He serv'd with glory and admir'd success : queen, So gain'd the sur-addition, Leonatus : That most desir'd the match : But not a courtier, And had, besides this gentleman in question, Although they wear their faces to the bent Two other sons, who, in the wars o'the time, Of the king's looks, hath a heart that is not Died with their swords in hand; for which, their Glad at the thing they scowl at. father 2 Gent. And why so ? (Then old and fond of issue,) took such sorrow, i Gent. He that hath miss'd the princess, is a That he quit being ; and his gentle lady, thing Big of this gentleman, our theme, deceas'd |