IRAS.
I’ll never see’t; for I am sure mine nails
Are stronger than mine eyes.
CLEOPATRA.
Why, that’s the way
To fool their preparation and to conquer
Their most absurd intents.
[Enter CHARMIAN.]
Now, Charmian!—
Show me, my women, like a queen.—Go fetch
My best attires;—I am again for Cydnus,
To meet Mark Antony:—sirrah, Iras, go.—
Now, noble Charmian, we’ll despatch indeed;
And when thou hast done this chare, I’ll give thee leave
To play till doomsday.—Bring our crown and all.
[Exit IRAS. A noise within.]
Wherefore’s this noise?
[Enter one of the Guard.]
GUARD.
Here is a rural fellow
That will not be denied your highness’ presence:
He brings you figs.
CLEOPATRA.
Let him come in.
[Exit Guard.]
What poor an instrument
May do a noble deed! he brings me liberty.
My resolution’s plac’d, and I have nothing
Of woman in me: now from head to foot
I am marble-constant; now the fleeting moon
No planet is of mine.
[Re-enter Guard, with Clown bringing a basket.]
GUARD.
This is the man.
CLEOPATRA.
Avoid, and leave him.
[Exit Guard.]
Hast thou the pretty worm of Nilus there
That kills and pains not?
CLOWN. Truly, I have him. But I would not be the party that should desire you to touch him, for his biting is immortal; those that do die of it do seldom or never recover.
CLEOPATRA.
Remember’st thou any that have died on’t?
CLOWN. Very many, men and women too. I heard of one of them no longer than yesterday: a very honest woman, but something given to lie; as a woman 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 falliable, the worm’s an odd worm.
CLEOPATRA.
Get thee hence; farewell.
CLOWN.
I wish you all joy of the worm.
[Sets down the basket.]
CLEOPATRA.
Farewell.
CLOWN.
You must think this, look you, that the worm will do his kind.
CLEOPATRA.
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.
CLEOPATRA.
Take thou no care; it shall be heeded.
CLOWN. Very good. Give it nothing, I pray you, for it is not worth the feeding.
CLEOPATRA.
Will it eat me?
CLOWN. You must not think I am so simple but I know the devil himself will not eat a woman: I know that a woman is a dish for the gods, if the devil dress her not. But truly, these same whoreson devils do the gods great harm in their women, for in every ten that they make the devils mar five.
CLEOPATRA.
Well, get thee gone; farewell.
CLOWN.
Yes, forsooth. I wish you joy o’ the worm.
[Exit.]
[Re-enter IRAS, with a robe, crown, &c.]
CLEOPATRA.
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 Caesar, which the gods give men
To excuse their after wrath. Husband, I come:
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.
[Kisses them. IRAS falls and dies.]
Have I the aspic in my lips? Dost fall?
If thus 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 thou vanishest, thou tell’st the world
It is not worth leave-taking.
CHARMIAN.
Dissolve, thick cloud, and rain; that I may say
The gods themselves do weep!
CLEOPATRA.
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, thou mortal wretch,
[To an asp, which she applies to her breast.]
With thy sharp teeth this knot intrinsicate
Of life at once untie: poor venomous fool,
Be angry and despatch. O couldst thou speak,
That I might hear thee call great Caesar ass
Unpolicied!
CHARMIAN.
O eastern star!
CLEOPATRA.
Peace, peace!
Dost thou not see my baby at my breast
That sucks the nurse asleep?
CHARMIAN.
O, break! O, break!
CLEOPATRA.
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,—
[Falls on a bed and dies.]
CHARMIAN.
In this vile world?—So, fare thee well.—
Now boast thee, death, in thy possession lies
A lass unparallel’d.—Downy windows, close;