ACT V. SCENE I.-CESAR'S Camp before Alexandria. Enter CESAR, AGRIPPA, DOLABELLA, MECENAS, GALLUS, PROCULEIUS, and Others. Cas. Go to him, Dolabella, bid him yield; Being so frustrate, tell him, he mocks us by The pauses that he makes. Dol. Cæsar, I shall. [Exit DOLABElla, Enter DERCETAS, with the Sword of ANTONY. Cas. Wherefore is that? and what art thou, that dar'st Appear thus to us? Der. I am call'd Dercetas ; Mark Antony I serv'd, who best was worthy Best to be serv'd: whilst he stood up, and spoke, He was my master; and I wore my life, To spend upon his haters: If thou please To take me to thee, as I was to him Cas. What is't thou say'st? Der. I say, O Cæsar, Antony is dead. Cas. The breaking of so great a thing should make A greater crack: The round world should have shook Lions into civil streets, And citizens to their dens :-The death of Antony Is not a single doom; in the name lay Der. He is dead, Cæsar; Not by a public minister of justice, Nor by a hired knife; but that self hand, Which writ his honour in the acts it did, Hath, with the courage which the heart did lend it, I robb'd his wound of it; behold it stain'd Cæs. Look you sad, friends? The gods rebuke me, but it is a tidings Agr. And strange it is, That nature must compel us to lament Our most persisted deeds. Mec. His taints and honours Waged equal with him. Agr. A rarer spirit never Did steer humanity: but you, gods, will give us Cæsar is touch'd. Mec. When such a spacious mirror's set before him, He needs must see himself. Cas. O Antony! I have follow'd thee to this;-But we do lance Have shown to thee such a declining day, In top of all design, my mate in empire, Where mine his thoughts did kindle,-that our stars, Our equalness to this.-Hear me, good friends,- Enter a Messenger. The business of this man looks out of him, Of thy intents desires instruction; That she preparedly may frame herself Cas. Bid her have good heart; She soon shall know of us, by some of ours, Determine for her: for Cæsar cannot live To be ungentle. Mess. So the gods preserve thee! [Exit. Cas. Come hither, Proculeius; Go, and say, We purpose her no shame: give her what comforts The quality of her passion shall require; Lest, in her greatness, by some mortal stroke She do defeat us: for her life in Rome Would be eternal in our triumph: Go, And, with your speediest, bring us what she says, Pro. Cæsar, I shall. [Exit PROCULeius. Cas. Gallus, go you along.-Where's Dolabella, To second Proculeius? Agr. Mec. Dolabella! [Exit GALLUS. Cas. Let him alone, for I remember now How he's employed; he shall in time be ready. How calm and gentle I proceeded still [Exeunt. SCENE II.-Alexandria. A Room in the Monument. Enter CLEOPATRA, CHARMIAN, and IRAS. Cleo. My desolation does begin to make To do that thing that ends all other deeds; Enter, to the Gates of the Monument, PROCULEius, Pro. Cæsar sends greeting to the queen of Egypt; And bids thee study on what fair demands Thou mean'st to have him grant thee. Cleo. [Within.] What's thy name? Cleo. [Within.] Antony Did tell me of you, bade me trust you; but I do not greatly care to be deceiv'd, That have no use for trusting. If your master No less beg than a kingdom: if he please To give me conquer'd Egypt for my son, Pro. Be of good cheer; You are fallen into a princely hand, fear nothing: Who is so full of grace, that it flows over Cleo. [Within.] Pray you, tell him I am his fortune's vassal, and I send him Pro. This I'll report, dear lady. Have comfort; for, I know, your plight is pitied Gal. You see how easily she may be surpriz'd; Guard her till Cæsar come. [TO PROCULEIUS and the Guard. Exit GALLUS. |