With trees upon't, that nod unto the world, And mock our eyes with air: Thou hast seen these signs; They are black vesper's pageants. Eros. Ay, my lord. Ant. That, which is now a horse, even with a thought, The rack dislimns; and makes it indistinct, As water is in water. Eros. It does, my lord. Ant. My good kuavet, Eros, now thy captain is Even such a body: here I am Antony; Yet cannot hold this visible shape, my knave. Nay, weep not, gentle Eros; there is left us Enter Mardian. She has robb'd me of my sword. No, Antony; Mar. My mistress lov'd thee, and her fortunes mingled With thine entirely. Ant. Hence, saucy eunuch; peace; She hath betray'd me, and shall die the death. Mar. Death of one person can be paid but once; And that she has discharg'd: What thou would'st do, Is done unto thy hand; the last she spake Was, Antony! most noble Antony ! Then in the midst a tearing groan did break Between her heart and lips: she render'd life, * The fleeting clouds. + Servant. Ant. Mar. Dead then? Dead. Ant. Eros, unarm; the long day's task is done, And we must sleep:-That thou depart'st hence safe, Does pay thy labour richly; Go.-Off, pluck off;→→ [Exit Mardian. The seven-fold shield of Ajax cannot keep I will o'ertake thee, Cleopatra, and Weep for my pardon. So it must be, for now And with our sprightly port make the ghosts gaze: And all the haunt be ours.-Come, Eros, Eros! Re-enter Eros. Eros. What would my lord? Ant. Since Cleopatra died, I have liv'd in such dishonour, that the gods i.e. The thing that contains thee. + Sealing compleats a contract. That, when the exigent should come (which now Disgrace and horror, that, on my command, Thou then would'st kill me: do't; the time is come: Thou strik'st not me, 'tis Cæsar thou defeat'st. Put colour in thy cheek. Eros. The gods withhold me! Shall I do that, which all the Parthian darts, Ant. Eros, Would'st thou be window'd in great Rome, and see Thy master thus with pleach'd arms, bending down His corrigiblet neck, his face subdued To penetrative shame; whilst the wheel'd seat Eros. I would not see't. Ant. Come then; for with a wound I must be cur'd. Draw that thy honest sword, which thou hast worn Most useful for thy country. Eros. O, sir, pardon me. Ant. When I did make thee free, swor'st thou not then To do this when I bade thee? Do it at once; But accidents unpurpos'd. Draw, and come. Eros. Turn from me then that noble countenance, Wherein the worship of the whole world lies. Ant. Lo thee. Eros. My sword is drawn. Ant. [Turning from him. Then let it do at once The thing why thou hast drawn it. Eros. My dear master, My captain, and my emperor! let me say, *Folded. + Corrected. Penetrating. Dignity. Ant. 'Tis said, man ;-and farewell. Eros. Farewell, great chief. Shall I strike now? Ant. Now, Eros. Eros. Why, there then-[Falls on his sword. Thus do I escape the sorrow Of Antony's death. Ant. [Dies. Thrice nobler than myself! Thou teachest me, O valiant Eros, what I should, and thou could'st not. My queen and Eros A bridegroom in my death, and run into't [Falling on his sword. I learn'd of thee. How! not yet dead? not dead?The guard!-ho!-O, despatch me. 1 Guard. Enter Dercetas and Guard. What's the noise? Ant. I have done my work ill, friends; O, make an end Of what I have begun. 2 Guard. 1 Guard. And time is at his period. Ant. Let him that loves me, strike me dead. 1 Guard. 2 Guard. Nor I. 3 Guard. Nor any one. The star is fallen. Alas, and woe! Not I. [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. Ant. Art thou there, Diomed? Draw thy sword, and give me Sufficing strokes for death. Dio. Most absolute lord, My mistress Cleopatra sent me to thee. Dio. Ant. Now, my lord. Where is she? Dio. Lock'd in her monument. She had a pro phesying fear Of what hath come to pass: for when she saw dead; But, fearing since how it might work, hath sent I dread, too late. Ant. Too late, good Diomed:-Call my guard, I pr'ythee. Dio. What ho! the emperor's guard! The guard what, ho! Come, your lord calls. Enter some of the Guard. 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 * Settled. |