第31章

Think we have had a clear and glorious day And Heaven did kindly to delay the storm, Just till our close of evening. Ten years' love, And not a moment lost, but all improved To the utmost joys,--what ages have we lived?

And now to die each other's; and, so dying, While hand in hand we walk in groves below, Whole troops of lovers' ghosts shall flock about us, And all the train be ours.

CLEOPATRA. Your words are like the notes of dying swans, Too sweet to last. Were there so many hours For your unkindness, and not one for love?

ANTONY. No, not a minute.--This one kiss--more worth Than all I leave to Caesar.

[Dies.]

CLEOPATRA. O tell me so again, And take ten thousand kisses for that word.

My lord, my lord! speak, if you yet have being;Sign to me, if you cannot speak; or cast One look! Do anything that shows you live.

IRAS. He's gone too far to hear you;

And this you see, a lump of senseless clay, The leavings of a soul.

CHARMION. Remember, madam, He charged you not to grieve.

CLEOPATRA. And I'll obey him.

I have not loved a Roman, not to know What should become his wife; his wife, my Charmion!

For 'tis to that high title I aspire;

And now I'll not die less. Let dull Octavia Survive, to mourn him dead: My nobler fate Shall knit our spousals with a tie, too strong For Roman laws to break.

IRAS. Will you then die?

CLEOPATRA. Why shouldst thou make that question?

IRAS. Caesar is merciful.

CLEOPATRA. Let him be so To those that want his mercy: My poor lord Made no such covenant with him, to spare me When he was dead. Yield me to Caesar's pride?

What! to be led in triumph through the streets, A spectacle to base plebeian eyes;While some dejected friend of Antony's, Close in a corner, shakes his head, and mutters A secret curse on her who ruined him!

I'll none of that.

CHARMION. Whatever you resolve, I'll follow, even to death.

IRAS. I only feared For you; but more should fear to live without you.

CLEOPATRA. Why, now, 'tis as it should be. Quick, my friends, Despatch; ere this, the town's in Caesar's hands:

My lord looks down concerned, and fears my stay, Lest I should be surprised;Keep him not waiting for his love too long.

You, Charmion, bring my crown and richest jewels;With them, the wreath of victory I made (Vain augury!) for him, who now lies dead:

You, Iras, bring the cure of all our ills.

IRAS. The aspics, madam?

CLEOPATRA. Must I bid you twice?

[Exit CHARMION and IRAS.]

'Tis sweet to die, when they would force life on me, To rush into the dark abode of death, And seize him first; if he be like my love, He is not frightful, sure.

We're now alone, in secrecy and silence;

And is not this like lovers? I may kiss These pale, cold lips; Octavia does not see me:

And, oh! 'tis better far to have him thus, Than see him in her arms.--Oh, welcome, welcome!

Enter CHARMION and IRAS

CHARMION. What must be done?

CLEOPATRA. Short ceremony, friends;

But yet it must be decent. First, this laurel Shall crown my hero's head: he fell not basely, Nor left his shield behind him.--Only thou Couldst triumph o'er thyself; and thou alone Wert worthy so to triumph.

CHARMION. To what end These ensigns of your pomp and royalty?

CLEOPATRA. Dull, that thou art! why 'tis to meet my love;As when I saw him first, on Cydnus' bank, All sparkling, like a goddess: so adorned, I'll find him once again; my second spousals Shall match my first in glory. Haste, haste, both, And dress the bride of Antony.

CHARMION. 'Tis done.

CLEOPATRA. Now seat me by my lord. I claim this place, For I must conquer Caesar too, like him, And win my share of the world.--Hail, you dear relics Of my immortal love!

O let no impious hand remove you hence:

But rest for ever here! Let Egypt give His death that peace, which it denied his life.--Reach me the casket.

IRAS. Underneath the fruit The aspic lies.