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. 1 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 1. 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 I dread, too late. Ant. Too late, good Diomede. Call my guard, I pr'y thee. Diom. What ho, the emperor's guard! The guard, what ho! Come, your Enter some of the GUARD. lord calls. Ant. Bear me, good friends, where Cleopatra bides; "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. All. Most heavy day! Ant. 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 [Exeunt, bearing Antony. Scene VIII. The same.—A Monument. Enter, at a Window above, Cleopatra, Charmian, and Iras. Cleo. O Charmian, I will never go from hence. Cleo. No, I will not: All strange and terrible events are welcome, Enter Diomede. As that which makes it.—How now? is he dead? out O'the other side your monument.—But see, Enter Antony, borne by the Guard. Cleo. O sun, sun, Look Burn the great sphere thou mov'st in! darkling stand The varying shore o'the world!—O Antony, Antony, Antony !—Charmian, help; help, Iras; Help, friends below; let's draw him hither. Ant. Peace: Not Cæsar's valour hath o'er-thrown Antony, poor last I lay upon thy lips :—Come down. Cleo. I dare not, (Dear, dear, my lord; your pardon that I dare not) Lest I be taken: Not the imperious show Of the tull-fortun'd Cæsar ever shall Be broocht with me: if knives, drugs, serpents, have Edge, sting, or operation, I am safe: Your wife Octavia, with her modest eyes, And still conclusion, shall acquire no honour Demurring upon me. But come, come, Antony,— Help me, my women, we must draw thee up ;— Assist, good friends. [cleopatra and her Women throw out certain Tackle, into which the people below put ANTONY, and he is drawn up. Ant. O, quick, or I am gone. SCENE IX. Inside of the Monument. Cleo. 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,— Wishers were ever fools;—O come, come, come; All. A heavy sight! Ant. I am dying, Egypt, dying: Give me some wine, and let me speak a little. Ant. One word, sweet queen; Of Cæsar seek your honour, with your safety. O! Cleo. They do not go together. Ant. Gentle, hear me: None about Cæsar trust but Proculeius. Cleo. My resolution, and my hands, I'll trust; Ant. The miserable change now at my end Cleo. Noblest of men, woo't die? [Sinks. [ANTONY dies. And there is nothing left remarkable Char. O, quietness, lady. gone, [CLEOPATRA Swoons. |