Immoment toys, things of such dignity
As we greet modern triends withal; and say,
Some nobler token I have kept apart
For Livia, and Octavia, to induce
Their mediation: must I be unfolded

Of one that I have bred? The gods! it smites me
Beneath the fall I have.-Wert thou a man,
Thou wouldst have mercy on me.

Oct. Forbear, Seleucus.

[Exit SELEUCU3. Cleo. Be it known, that we, the greatest, are mis

thought

For things that others do; and, when we fall,
We answer others' merits: in our name
Are therefore to be pity'd..

Oct. Cleopatra,

yours,

Not what you have reserv'd, nor what acknowledg'd,
Put we i' the roll of conquest: still be it
Bestow it at your pleasure; and believe,
Cæsar's no merchant, to make prize with you
Of things that merchants sold. Therefore be cheer'd;
Make not your thoughts your prisons: no, dear

queen;

For we intend so to dispose you, as

Yourself shall give us counsel. Feed, and sleep:
Our care and pity is so much upon you,
That we remain your friend; and so, adieu.
Cleo. My master, and my lord,-
Oct. Not so: Adieu.

[Exeunt CESAR, DOLABELLA, and Train. Cleo. He words me, girls, he words me, that I should

not

Be noble to myself: But hark thee, Charmian.
Iras. Finish, good lady, the bright day is done,
And we are for the dark.

Cleo. Hie thee again :

I have spoke already, and it is provided;
Go, put it to the haste.

Char. Madam, I will.

[Going.

Enter DOLABELLA.
Dol. Where is the queen?
Char. Behold, sir.

[Exit, Cleo. Dolabella? Dol. Madam, as thereto sworn by your com

ommand,
Which my love makes religion to obey, ,
I tell you this; Cæsar through Syria
Intends his journey; and, within three days,
You with your children will he send before:
Make your best use of this; I have perform’d
Your pleasure, and my promise.

Cleo. Dolabella,
I shall remain your debtor.

Dol. I your servant.
Adieu, good queen; I must attend on Cæsar,
Cleo. Farewell, and thanks. [Exit DOLABELLA.]

Now, Iras, what think'st thou ?
Thou, an Egyptian puppet, shalt be shown
In Rome, as well as I: mechanic slaves,
With greasy aprons, rules, and hammers, shall
Uplift us to the view; in their thick breaths,
Rank of gross diet, shall we be enclouded,
And forc'd to drink their vapour.

Iras. The gods forbid !
Cleo. Nay, 'tis most certain, Iras: Saucy lictors
Will catch at us, like strumpets; and scald rhimers
Ballad us out o'tune : the quick comedians
Extemporally will stage us, and present
Our Alexandrian revels.

Iras. O the good gods.
Cleo. Nay, this is certain.

Iras. I'll never see't; for, I am sure, my nails
Are stronger than mine eyes.

Cleo. Why, that's the way
To fool their preparation, and to conquer
Their nuost assurd intents.- Now, Charmian?

Enter CHARMIAN.

Show me, my women, like a queen; go fetch
My best attires;-I am again for Cydnus,
To meet Mark Antony:-Iras, go.
Now, noble Charmian, we'll despatch, indeed:

And when thou hast done this chare, I'll give thee leave

should not do, but in the way of honesty: how she died of the biting of it; what pain she felt. Truly, she makes a very good report o'the worm: But he that will believe all that they say, shall never be saved by half that they do: But this is most fallible, the worm's an odd worm.

Cleo. Get thee hence; farewell.

Clown. I wish you all joy of the worm.

[Setting down his Basket.

Cleo. Farewell.

Clown. You must think this, look you, that the worm will do his kind.

Cleo. Ay, ay; farewell.

Clown. Look you, the worm is not to be trusted, but in the keeping of wise people; for, indeed, there is no goodness in the worm.

Cleo. Take thou no care; it shall be heeded. Clown. Very good: give it nothing, I pray you, for it is not worth the feeding.

Cleo. Well, get thee gone; farewell.
Clown. Yes, forsooth; I wish you joy of the worm.
[Exit.

Enter IRAS, with Robe, &c.

Cleo. Give me my robe, put on my crown; I have Immortal longings in me: Now no more The juice of Egypt's grape shall moist this lip:Yare, yare, good Iras; quick.-Methinks I hear Antony call; I see him rouse himself To praise my noble act; I hear him mock The luck of Cæsar, which the gods give men, To excuse their after wrath: Husband, I come:

[Goes to a Bed, or Sofa, which she ascends; her Women compose her on it: IRAS sets the Basket, which she has been holding upon her own Arm, by her.

Now to that name my courage prove my title!

I am fire, and air; my other elements
I give to baser life. So, have you done?
Come then, and take the last warmth of my lips.
Farewell, kind Charmian ;-Iras, long farewell.
[Kissing them.
Have I the aspick in my lips? Dost fall?
If thou and nature can so gently part,
The stroke of death is as a lover's pinch,
Which hurts, and is desir'd. Dost thou lie still?
If thus thou vanishest, thou tell'st the world
It is not worth leave-taking.

Char. Dissolve, thick cloud, and rain; that I may

t

say,

The gods themselves do weep!

Cleo. This proves me base:

If she first meet the curled Antony,

He'll make demand of her; and spend that kiss,
Which is my heaven to have:-Come, mortal wretch,
[To the Asp; applying it to her Breast.
With thy sharp teeth this knot intrinsicate
Of life at once untie: poor venomous fool,

Cleo. Peace, peace:

Dost thou not see my baby at my breast,
That sucks the nurse asleep?

IRAS falls.

[Stirring it. Be angry, and despatch. O, couldst thou speak! That I might hear thee call great Cæsar, ass, Unpolicy'd !

Char. O eastern star!

Char. O, break! O, break!

Cleo. As sweet as balm, as soft as air, as gentle

O Antony!-Nay, I will take thee too: [Applying another Asp to her Arm. What should I stay— ́