Enter a Messenger.

Cas.

Agr. Mec.

Dolabella!

Cas. Let him alone, for I remember now How he 's employed; he shall in time be ready. Go with me to my tent: where you shall see How hardly I was drawn into this war; How calm and gentle I proceeded still In all my writings: Go with me, and see What I can show in this.

SCENE II.-Alexandria. A Room in the

Monument.

Cleo. [Within.]

What's thy name?

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
Would have a queen his beggar, you must tell him
That majesty, to keep decorum, must

No less beg than a kingdom: if he please
To give me conquer'd Egypt for my son,
He gives me so much of mine own, as I
Will kneel to him with thanks.
Pro.
Be of good cheer;
You are fallen into a princely hand; fear nothing:
Make your full reference freely to my lord,
Who is so full of grace that it flows over
On all that need: Let me report to him
Your sweet dependency: and you shall find
A conqueror that will pray in aid for kindness,
Where he for grace is kneel'd to.
Cleo. Within.]

Pray you, tell him

I am his fortune's vassal, and I send him The greatness he has got. I hourly learn

A doctrine of obedience; and would gladly Look him i' the face.

Pro.

This I'll report, dear lady. Have comfort; for I know your plight is pitied Of him that caus'd it.

Gal. You see how easily she may be surpris'd; [Here Proculeius and two of the Guard ascend the Monument by a ladder placed against a window, and, having descended, come behind Cleopatra. Some of the Guard unbar and open the gates. Guard her till Cæsar come.

[To Proculeius and the Guard. Exit Gallus. Iras. Royal queen!

Char. O Cleopatra! thou art taken, queen!-
Cleo. Quick, quick, good hands.
Pro.

[Drawing a dagger. Hold, worthy lady, hold: [Seizes and disarms her.

Do not yourself such wrong, who are in this
Reliev'd, but not betray'd.
Cleo.

Pro.

O, temperance, lady!
Cleo. Sir, I will eat no meat, I'll not drink, sir;
If idle talk will once be necessary,
I'll not sleep neither: This mortal house I 'll ruin,
Do Cæsar what he can. Know, sir, that I
Will not wait pinion'd at your master's court;
Nor once be chastis'd with the sober eye
Of dull Octavia. Shall they hoist me up,
And show me to the shouting varletry

Of censuring Rome? Rather a ditch in Egypt
Be gentle grave unto me! rather on Nilus' mud
Lay me stark naked, and let the water-flies
Blow me into abhorring! rather make
My country's high pyramides my gibbet,
And hang ine up in chains!

Pro. You do extend These thoughts of horror further than you shall Find cause in Cæsar.

Say, I would die. [Exeunt Proculeius and Soldiers. Dol. Most noble empress, you have heard of me? Cleo. I cannot tell. Dol. Assuredly, you know me. Cleo. No matter, sir, what I have heard or known. You laugh, when boys or women tell their dreams: Is 't not your trick?

Dol.
I understand not, madam.
Cleo. I dreamt there was an emperor Antony;-
O, such another sleep, that I might see
But such another man!

Dol.
If it might please you,-
Cleo. His face was as the heavens; and therein
stuck

A sun and moon, which kept their course, and
The little O, the earth.
[lighted
Dol.
Most sovereign creature,-
Cleo. His legs bestrid the ocean: his rear'd arm
Crested the world: his voice was propertied
As all the tuned spheres, and that to friends;
But when he meant to quail and shake the orb,
He was as rattling thunder. For his bounty,
There was no winter in 't; an autumn 't was,
That grew the more by reaping: His delights
Were dolphin-like; they show'd his back above
The element they liv'd in: In his livery

Cleo. O Cæsar, what a wounding shame is this; That thou, vouchsafing here to visit me, Doing the honour of thy lordliness

Dol.

Gentle madam, no.

[man

Cleo. You lie, up to the hearing of the gods. But, if there be, or ever were, one such, It's past the size of dreaming: Nature wants stuff To vie strange forms with fancy; yet, to imagine An Antony, were nature's piece 'gainst fancy, Condemning shadows quite.

Dol. Hear me, good madam: Your loss is as yourself, great; and you bear it As answering to the weight: 'Would I might never O'ertake pursued success, but I do feel, By the rebound of yours, a grief that smites My very heart at root.

Cleo. I thank you, sir. Know you what Cæsar means to do with me? Dol. I am loth to tell you what I would you knew. Cleo. Nay, pray you, sir,Dol.

Though he be honourable,Cleo. He'll lead me then in triumph? Dol. Madam, he will; Within. Make way there,-Cæsar Enter Cæsar, Gallus, Proculeius, Mecænas, Seleucus, and Attendants.

I know it.

Cas. Which is the queen of Egypt?

Parcel the sum of my disgraces by
Addition of his envy! Say, good Cæsar,
That I some lady trifles have reserv'd,
Immoment toys, things of such dignity
As we greet modern friends withal; and say,
Some nobler token I have kept apart
For Livia, and Octavia, to induce
Their mediation; must I be unfolded
With one that I have bred? The gods! It smites me
Beneath the fall I have. Prithee, go hence;
[To Seleucus.
Or I shall show the cinders of my spirits
Through the ashes of my chance:-Wert thou a man,
Thou would'st have mercy on me.
Forbear, Seleucus. [Exit Sel.
Cleo. Be it known that we, the greatest, are mis-
thought

Cas.

I pray you, rise; rise, Egypt. Cleo.

Sir, the gods

Will have it thus; my master and my lord
I must obey.
Cas.

Take to you no hard thoughts

Cæs.

Cleopatra, know, We will extenuate rather than enforce: If you apply yourself to our intents, (Which towards you are most gentle,) you shall find A benefit in this change; but if you seek To lay on me a cruelty, by taking Antony's course, you shall bereave yourself Of my good purposes, and put your children To that destruction which I'll guard them from, If thereon you rely. I'll take my leave. [and we Cleo. And may, through all the world: 't is yours; Your 'scutcheons, and your signs of conquest, shall Hang in what place you please. Here, my good lord. Cas. You shall advise me in all for Cleopatra. Cleo. This is the brief of money, plate, and jewels, I am possess'd of; 't is exactly valued;"

Not petty things admitted.-Where 's Seleucus? Sel. Here, madam.

Cleo. This is my treasurer; let him speak, my lord,
Upon his peril, that I have reserv'd

To myself nothing. Speak the truth, Seleucus.
Sel. Madam,

I had rather seal my lips, than, to my peril,
Speak that which is not.
Cleo.

What have I kept back? Sel. Enough to purchase what you have made

known.

Cas. Nay, blush not, Cleopatra; I approve
Your wisdom in the deed.
Cleo.
See, Cæsar! O, behold,
How pomp is followed! mine will now be yours;
And should we shift estates yours would be mine.
The ingratitude of this Seleucus does
Even make me wild: O slave, of no more trust
Than love that 's hir'd-What, goest thou back?
thou shalt

Go back, I warrant thee; but I'll catch thine eyes,
Though they had wings: Slave, soulless villain,
O rarely base!
[dog!
Cas.
Good queen, let us entreat you.

[queen;

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!
Cas.

Not so: Adieu. [Exeunt Cæsar and his Train.

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.
Re-enter Dolabella.
Dol. Where is the queen?
Char.
Cleo.
Del. Madam, as thereto sworn by your command,
Which my love makes religion to obey,

Behold, sir. [Fxit Charmian.
Dolabella?

I tell you this: Cæsar through Syria
Intends his journey; and, within three days,
You with your children will he send before:
Your pleasure, and my promise.
Make your best use of this: I have perform'd
Cleo. Dolabella,

I shall remain your debtor. Dol. I your servant.
Adieu, good queen; I must attend on Cæsar.
Cleo. Farewell, and thanks.
[Exit Dol.
Now, Iras, what think'st thou?
Thou, an Egyptian puppet, shalt be shown
In Rome, as well as I: mechanic slaves
Uplift us to the view; in their thick breaths,
With greasy aprons, rules, and hammers, shall
Rank of gross diet, shall we be enclouded,
And forc'd to drink their vapour.

Iras.
The gods forbid !
Cleo. Nay, 't is most certain, Iras: Saucy lictors
Will catch at us like strumpets; and scald rhymers
Extemporally will stage us, and present
Ballad us out o' tune: the quick comedians
Our Alexandrian revels: Antony

Shall be brought drunken forth, and I shall see
Some squeaking Cleopatra boy my greatness
I' the posture of a whore.
Iras.

O the good gods!
Cleo. Nay, that is certain.
Iras. I'll never see it; for, I am sure, my nails
Are stronger than mine eyes.
Cleo.
Why, that's the way
Their most absurd intents.-Now, Charmian?-
To fool their preparation, and to conquer

Enter Charmian.

Show me, my women, like a queen ;-Go fetch

Cleo. 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 fallible, the worm 's an odd worm.

Cleo. Get thee hence; farewell. Clown. I wish you all joy of the worm. Cleo. Farewell. [Clown sets down the basket. Clown. You must think this, look you, that the worm will do his kind.

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.

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

Re-enter Iras, with a robe, crown, &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: 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 falis and dies. Have I the aspic in my lips? Dost fali? 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 The gods themselves do weep!

[say,

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 the 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, could'st thou speak!
That I might hear thee call great Cæsar, ass
Unpolicied! Char. O eastern star!

Cleo.

Peace, peace! Dost thou not see my baby at my breast, That sucks the nurse asleep? 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- [Falls on a bed, and dies Char. In this wild world?-So, fare thee well.

Now boast thee, Death! in thy possession lies
A lass unparallel'd.-Downy windows, close;
And golden Phoebus never be beheld
Of eyes again so royal! Your crown 's awry ;
I'll mend it, and then play.

Enter the Guard, rushing in.

1 Guard. Where is the queen?
Char.

I Guard. Cæsar hath sent-
Char.

Speak softly, wake her not.
Too slow a messenger.
[Applies the asp.

o, come; apace, despatch: I partly feel thee.
1 Guard. Approach, ho! All 's not well: Cæsar 's
beguil'd.
2 Guard. There 's Dolabella sent from Cæsar;-
call him.

1 Guard. What work is here?-Charmian, is this well done?

Char. It is well done, and fitting for a princess
Descended of so many royal kings.
Ah, soldier!

Enter Dolabella.

Dol. How goes it here?

Dol.

[Dies.

2 Guard. All dead. Cæsar, thy thoughts

Touch their effects in this: Thyself art coming
To see perform'd the dreaded act which thou
So sought'st to hinder.
Within.

A way there, a way for Cæsar!
Enter Cæsar and Attendants.
Dol. O, sir, you are too sure an augurer

That you did fear is done.

Cas.

Bravest at the last;

She levell'd at our purposes, and, being royal, Took her own way.-The manner of their deaths? do not see them bleed.

I

Dol.

Who was last with them? This was his basket. I Guard. A simple countryman, that brought her [figs. Poison'd then.

Cas.

O noble weakness!If they had swallow'd poison 't would appear By external swelling: but she looks like sleep, As she would catch another Antony In her strong toil of grace. Dol. Here, on her breast, There is a vent of blood, and something blown: The like is on her arm.

1 Guard. This is an aspic's trail: and these fig. leaves

Have slime upon them, such as the aspic leaves
Upon the caves of Nile.

Cas.
Most probable
That so she died; for her physician tells me
She hath pursued conclusions infinite
Of easy ways to die.-Take up her bed;
And bear her women from the monument:-
She shall be buried by her Antony:

ACT I.

SCENE I.-Rome.

Flourish. Enter the Tribunes and Senators, aloft: and then enter Saturninus and his Followers at one door, and Bassianus and his Followers at the other, with drum and colours.

Sat. Noble patricians, patrons of my right, Defend the justice of my cause with arms; And, countrymen, my loving followers, Plead my successive title with your swords: I am his first-born son, that was the last That wore the imperial diadem of Rome: Then let my father's honours live in me, Nor wrong mine age with this indignity.

[right,

Bass. Romans, friends, followers, favourers of my
If ever Bassianus, Cæsar's son,
Were gracious in the eyes of royal Rome,
Keep then this passage to the Capitol;
And suffer not dishonour to approach
Th' imperial seat; to virtue consecrate,
To justice, continence, and nobility:
But let desert in pure election shine;
And, Romans, fight for freedom in your choice.
Enter Marcus Andronicus, aloft, with the crown.
Marc. Princes, that strive by factions and by
Ambitiously for rule and empery,
[friends
Know that the people of Rome, for whom we stand
A special party, have by common voice,
In election for the Roman empery,
Chosen Andronicus, surnamed Pius,
For many good and great deserts to Rome:
A nobler man, a braver warrior,
Lives not this day within the city walls.
He by the senate is accited home,
From weary wars against the barbarous Goths,
That with his sons, a terror to our foes,

Hath yok'd a nation strong, train'd up in arms.
Ten years are spent, since first he undertook
This cause of Rome, and chastised with arms
Our enemies' pride: five times he hath return'd
Bleeding to Rome, bearing his valiant sons
In coffins from the field;

And now at last, laden with honour's spoils,
Returns the good Andronicus to Rome,
Renowned Titus, flourishing in arms.
Let us entreat,-by honour of his name,
Whom worthily you would have now succeed,
And in the Capitol and senate's right,
Whom you pretend to honour and adore,-
That you withdraw you, and abate your strength;
Dismiss your followers, and, as suitors should,"
Plead your deserts in peace and humbleness.

Sat. How fair the tribune speaks to calm my
Bass. Marcus Andronicus, so I do affy [thoughts.

In thy uprightness and integrity,
And so I love and honour thee and thine,
And her to whom my thoughts are humbled all,
Thy noble brother Titus and his sons,
Gracious Lavinia, Rome's rich ornament,
That I will here dismiss my loving friends;
And to my fortunes and the people's favour
Commit my cause in balance to be weigh'd.

[Exeunt Followers of Bassianus.
Sat. Friends, that have been thus forward in my
I thank you all, and here dismiss you all; [right,
And to the love and favour of my country
Commit myself, my person, and the cause.
[Exeunt Followers of Saturninus.
Rome, be as just and gracious unto me,
As I am confident and kind to thee.
Open the gates and let me in.
Bass. Tribunes, and me, a poor competitor.
[Flourish. They go up into the Senate-house.
SCENE II.-The same.

Enter a Captain, and others.

Cap. Romans, make way: the good Andronicus, Patron of virtue, Rome's best champion, Successful in the battles that he fights, With honour and with fortune is return'd, From where he circumscribed with his sword, And brought to yoke, the enemies of Rome. [Sound drums and trumpets, and then enter two of Titus' Sons. After them two Men bearing a coffin covered with black: then two other Sons. After them Titus Andronicus; and then Tamora, the queen of Goths, and her two Sons, Chiron and Demetrius, with Aaron the Moor, and others, as many as can be. They set down the coffin, and Titus speaks.

Tit. Hail, Rome, victorious in thy mourning weeds!

Lo, as the bark that hath discharg'd her fraught,
Returns with precious lading to the bay
From whence at first she weigh'd her anchorage,
Cometh Andronicus, bound with laurel boughs,
To re-salute his country with his tears,
Tears of true joy for his return to Rome.
Thou great defender of this Capitol,
Stand gracious to the rites that we intend!
Romans, of five-and-twenty valiant sons,
Half of the number that king Priam had,
Behold the poor remains, alive, and dead!
These that survive let Rome reward with love:
These that I bring unto their latest home,
With burial amongst their ancestors.
Here Goths have given me leave to sheath my
Titus, unkind, and careless of thine own, [sword.
Why suffer'st thou thy sons, unburied yet,

To hover on the dreadful shore of Styx?
Make way to lay them by their brethren.
[They open the tomb.
There greet in silence, as the dead are wont,
And sleep in peace, slain in your country's wars:
O sacred receptacle of my joys,
Sweet cell of virtue and nobility,

How many sons of mine hast thou in store,
That thou wilt never render to me more!

Luc. Give us the proudest prisoner of the Goths,
That we may hew his limbs, and on a pile,
Ad manes fratrum, sacrifice his flesh,
Before this earthy prison of their bones;
That so the shadows be not unappeas'd,
Nor we disturb'd with prodigies on earth.
Tit. I give him you, the noblest that survives,
The eldest son of this distressed queen.

Tam. Stay, Roman brethren, gracious conqueror,
Victorious Titus, rue the tears I shed,
A mother's tears in passion for her son:
And if thy sons were ever dear to thee,
O think my son to be as dear to me.
Sufficeth not, that we are brought to Rome
To beautify thy triumphs, and return
Captive to thee, and to thy Roman yoke;
But must my sons be slaughter d in the streets,
For valiant doings in their country's cause?
O, if to fight for king and commonweal
Were piety in thine, it is in these.
Andronicus, stam not thy tomb with blood.
Wilt thou draw near the nature of the gods?
Draw near them then in being merciful:
Sweet mercy is nobility's true badge.
Thrice-noble Titus, spare my first-born son.
Tit. Patient yourself, madam, and pardon me.
These are the brethren, whom you Goths beheld
Alive and dead, and for their brethren slain
Religiously they ask a sacrifice:

To this your son is mark'd, and die he must,
Tappease their groaning shadows that are gone.
Luc. Away with him, and make a fire straight;
And with our swords, upon a pile of wood,
Let's hew his limbs till they be clean consum'd.
[Exeunt Titus' Sons with Alarbus.
Tom. O cruel, irreligious piety!
Chi. Was ever Scythia half so barbarous?
Demet. Oppose not Scythia to ambitious Rome.
Alarbus goes to rest, and we survive
To tremble under Titus' threat'ning look.
Then, madam, stand resolv'd; but hope withal,
The self-same gods that arm'd the queen of Troy
With opportunity of sharp revenge
Upon the Thracian tyrant in his tent,
May favour Tamora, the queen of Goths,

(When Goths were Goths, and Tamora was queen,) To quit the bloody wrongs upon her foes.

Enter the Sons of Andronicus again. Luc. See, lord and father, how we have perform'd Our Roman rites: Alarbus' limbs are lopp'd, And entrails feed the sacrificing fire, Whose smoke, like incense, doth perfume the sky. Remaineth nought, but to inter our brethren, And with loud Tarums welcome them to Ronie. Tit. Let it be so, and let Andronicus Make this his latest farewell to their souls.

[Flourish. Sound trumpets, and they lay

the coffin in the tomb.

In peace and honour rest you here, my sons;
Rome's readiest champions, repose you here in
Secure from worldly chances and mishaps: [rest,
Here lurks no treason, here no envy swells,
Here grow no damned grudges; here are no storms,
No noise, but silence and eternal sleep.
In peace and honour rest you here, my sons.
Enter Lavinia.

Lav. In peace and honour live lord Titus long;
My noble lord and father, live in fame !
Lo, at this tomb my tributary tears
I render for my brethren's obsequies:
And at thy feet I kneel, with tears of joy
Shed on the earth for thy return to Rome.
Obless me here with thy victorious hand,
Whose fortunes Rome's best citizens applaud.
Tit. Kind Rome, thou hast thus lovingly reserv'd

The cordial of mine age to glad my heart!
Lavinia, live; outlive thy father's days,
And fame's eternal date, for virtue's praise.
Enter Marcus Andronicus, Saturninus, Bassianus,
and others.

Marc. Long live lord Titus, my beloved brother,
Gracious triumpher in the eyes of Rome!

Tit. Thanks, gentle tribune, noble brother Marcus. Marc. And welcome, nephews, from successful wars,

You that survive, and you that sleep in fame:
Fair lords, your fortunes are alike in all,
That in your country's service drew your swords.
But safer triumph is this funeral pomp,
That hath aspired to Solon's happiness,
And triumphs over chance in honour's bed.
Titus Andronicus, the people of Rome,
Whose friend in justice thou hast ever been,
Send thee by me, their tribune and their trust,
This palliament of white and spotless hue,
And name thee in election for the empire,
With these our late deceased emperor's sons:
Be candidatus then, and put it on,

And help to set a head on headless Rome.
Tit. A better head her glorious body fits,
Than his that shakes for age and feebleness.
What! should I don this robe, and trouble you?
Be chosen with proclamations to-day,
To-morrow yield up rule, resign my life,
And set abroad new business for you all?
Rome, I have been thy soldier forty years,
And led my country's strength successfully,
And buried one-and-twenty valiant sons,
Knighted in field, slain manfully in arms,
In right and service of their noble country;
Give me a staff of honour for mine age,
But not a sceptre to control the world!
Upright he held it, lords, that held it last.
Marc. Titus, thou shalt obtain and ask the empery.
Sat. Proud and ambitious tribune, canst thou tell?
Tit. Patience, prince Saturninus.
Sat.

[selves.

Romans, do me right.
Patricians, draw your swords, and sheath them not
Till Saturninus be Rome's emperor:
Andronicus, would thou wert shipp'd to hell,
Rather than rob me of the people's hearts.
Luc. Proud Saturnine, interrupter of the good
That noble-minded Titus means to thee!
Tit. Content thee, prince, I will restore to thee
The people's hearts, and wean them from them-
Bass. Andronicus, I do not flatter thee,
But honour thee, and will do till I die:
My faction if thou strengthen with thy friends,
I will most thankful be, and thanks to men
Of noble minds is honourable meed.
Tit People of Rome, and people's tribunes here,
Will you bestow them friendly on Andronicus?
I ask your voices and your suffrages;
Tribunes. To gratify the good Andronicus,
The people will accept whom he admits.
And gratulate his safe return to Rome,

Tit. Tribunes, I thank you: and this suit I make,
That you create your emperor's eldest son,
Lord Saturnine, whose virtues will, I hope,
Reflect on Rome as Titan's rays on earth,

And ripen justice in this commonweal:
Then, if you will elect by my advice,
Crown him, and say, 'Long live our emperor!
Marc. With voices and applause of every sort,
Patricians, and plebeians, we create
Lord Saturninus Rome's great emperor;
And say, 'Long live our emperor, Saturnine!"

A long flourish, till they come down.
Sat. Titus Andronicus, for thy favours done
To us in our election this day,

I give thee thanks in part of thy deserts,
And will with deeds requite thy gentleness:
And for an onset, Titus, to advance
Thy name, and honourable family,
Lavinia will I make my empress,

Rome's royal mistress, mistress of my heart,
And in the sacred Pantheon her espouse:

Tell me, Andronicus, doth this motion please thee!
Tit. It doth, my worthy lord; and in this match