Antony and Cleopatra, Act 5, Scene 2

My desolation does begin to make A better life. ’Tis paltry to be Caesar; Not being Fortune, he’s but Fortune’s knave, A minister of her will. And it is great To do that thing that ends all other deeds, Which shackles accidents and bolts up change, Which sleeps and never palates more the dung, The beggar’s nurse and Caesar’s.

My ruin is beginning to shape a better life for me. It's a worthless thing to be Caesar; since he isn't Fortune himself, he's only Fortune's servant, an agent carrying out her will. And it's a great thing to do the deed that puts an end to all other deeds, that chains up chance and locks out change, that sleeps and never again tastes the dirt that feeds the beggar and Caesar alike.

Caesar sends greetings to the queen of Egypt, And bids thee study on what fair demands Thou mean’st to have him grant thee.

Caesar sends his greetings to the queen of Egypt, and asks you to consider what reasonable requests you want him to grant you.

What’s thy name?

What's your name?

My name is Proculeius.

My name is Proculeius.

Antony Did tell me of you, bade me trust you, but I do not greatly care to be deceived 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 conquered Egypt for my son, He gives me so much of mine own as I Will kneel to him with thanks.

Antony spoke to me about you, and told me to trust you, but I don't much mind being deceived, since I have no use for trust now. If your master wants a queen for his beggar, you must tell him that majesty, to keep up appearances, must beg for nothing less than a kingdom. If it pleases him to give me conquered Egypt for my son, he gives me so much of what is already mine that I'll kneel to him in thanks for it.

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 kneeled to.

Take heart. You have fallen into the hands of a prince; fear nothing. Submit your case entirely and freely to my lord, who is so full of graciousness that it overflows onto everyone in need. Let me report your gentle submission to him, and you'll find a conqueror who asks to be allowed to be kind when he is knelt to for mercy.

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’ th’ face.

Please tell him I am the subject of his fortune, and that I hand over to him the greatness he has won. I'm learning the lesson of obedience hour by hour, and would gladly look him in the face.

This I’ll report, dear lady. Have comfort, for I know your plight is pitied Of him that caused it.

I'll report this, dear lady. Be comforted, for I know your situation is pitied by the man who caused it.

You see how easily she may be surprised. Guard her till Caesar come.

You see how easily she can be taken by surprise. Guard her until Caesar comes.

Royal queen!

Royal queen!

O Cleopatra, thou art taken, queen!

Oh, Cleopatra, you're captured, queen!

Quick, quick, good hands.

Quick, quick, my good hands.

Hold, worthy lady, hold!

Stop, honoured lady, stop!

Do not yourself such wrong, who are in this Relieved, but not betrayed.

Don't do yourself such a wrong; in this you are being rescued, not betrayed.

What, of death too, That rids our dogs of languish?

What, robbed of death as well — death that frees even our dogs from lingering pain?

Cleopatra, Do not abuse my master’s bounty by Th’ undoing of yourself. Let the world see His nobleness well acted, which your death Will never let come forth.

Cleopatra, don't insult my master's generosity by destroying yourself. Let the world see his nobleness properly performed, which your death would prevent from ever being shown.

Where art thou, Death? Come hither, come! Come, come, and take a queen Worth many babes and beggars!

Where are you, Death? Come here, come! Come, come, and take a queen worth many babies and beggars!

O, temperance, lady!

Oh, calm yourself, lady!

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 Caesar what he can. Know, sir, that I Will not wait pinioned at your master’s court, Nor once be chastised 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 me up in chains!

Sir, I will eat no food; I'll drink nothing, sir; and if idle words must be said once more, I won't sleep either. I'll wreck this house of flesh, whatever Caesar may do. Understand, sir, that I will not wait with my arms bound at your master's court, nor be scolded even once by the disapproving stare of lifeless Octavia. Are they going to hoist me up and display me to the jeering rabble of critical Rome? I'd rather have a ditch in Egypt for my kindly grave! I'd rather be laid stark naked on the mud of the Nile, and let the flies lay their eggs in me until I'm a thing of horror! I'd rather have my country's tall pyramids for my gallows and be hung up in chains!

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

You are stretching these horrible thoughts much further than you'll find any reason for in Caesar.

Proculeius, What thou hast done thy master Caesar knows, And he hath sent for thee. For the queen, I’ll take her to my guard.

Proculeius, your master Caesar knows what you've done, and he has sent for you. As for the queen, I'll take her into my custody.

So, Dolabella, It shall content me best. Be gentle to her. [To Cleopatra.] To Caesar I will speak what you shall please, If you’ll employ me to him.

Very well, Dolabella, that suits me best. Be gentle with her. [To Cleopatra.] I'll say to Caesar whatever you like, if you'll send me to him.

Say I would die.

Say that I want to die.

Most noble empress, you have heard of me?

Most noble empress, have you heard of me?

I cannot tell.

I can't say.

Assuredly you know me.

Surely you know me.

No matter, sir, what I have heard or known. You laugh when boys or women tell their dreams; Is’t not your trick?

It makes no difference, sir, what I've heard or known. You men laugh when boys or women tell their dreams; isn't that your habit?

I understand not, madam.

I don't follow you, madam.

I dreamt there was an Emperor Antony. O, such another sleep, that I might see But such another man!

I dreamed there was an Emperor Antony. Oh, if only I could sleep like that again, so that I might see another man like him!

If it might please you—

If you would allow me—

His face was as the heavens, and therein stuck A sun and moon, which kept their course, and lighted The little O, the earth.

His face was like the sky, and in it were fixed a sun and a moon, which kept their courses and gave light to the little circle of the earth.

Most sovereign creature—

Most royal creature—

His legs bestrid the ocean; his reared 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 ’twas That grew the more by reaping. His delights Were dolphin-like; they showed his back above The element they lived in. In his livery Walked crowns and crownets; realms and islands were As plates dropped from his pocket.

His legs straddled the ocean; his raised arm was the crest above the world; his voice, when he spoke to friends, had the quality of all the music of the spheres; but when he meant to terrify and shake the globe, he was like crashing thunder. As for his generosity, there was no winter in it; it was an autumn that grew more plentiful the more it was harvested. His pleasures were like dolphins; they showed his back rising above the element he lived in. Kings and princes wore his uniform; kingdoms and islands were like silver coins dropped from his pocket.

Cleopatra—

Cleopatra—

Think you there was or might be such a man As this I dreamt of?

Do you think there was, or could be, such a man as the one I dreamed of?

Gentle madam, no.

Gentle madam, no.

You lie up to the hearing of the gods! But if there be nor ever were one such, It’s past the size of dreaming. Nature wants stuff To vie strange forms with fancy; yet t’ imagine An Antony were nature’s piece ’gainst fancy, Condemning shadows quite.

You're lying loud enough for the gods to hear! But if there is not and never was such a man, he's beyond anything dreams can reach. Nature lacks the material to compete with imagination in making strange shapes; yet to imagine an Antony would be nature's masterpiece beating imagination, putting all its mere phantoms to shame.

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.

Listen to me, good madam. Your loss is as great as you are yourself, and you bear it in proportion to its weight. May I never achieve the success I'm pursuing if I don't feel, echoing back from your grief, a sorrow that strikes my heart at its very root.

I thank you, sir. Know you what Caesar means to do with me?

I thank you, sir. Do you know what Caesar intends to do with me?

I am loath to tell you what I would you knew.

I'm reluctant to tell you what I wish you knew.

Nay, pray you, sir.

No, please, sir.

Though he be honourable—

Although he is honourable—

He’ll lead me, then, in triumph.

He'll lead me in his victory parade, then.

Madam, he will. I know it.

Madam, he will. I know it.

Make way there! Caesar!

Make way there! Caesar!

Which is the Queen of Egypt?

Which one is the Queen of Egypt?

It is the Emperor, madam.

It is the Emperor, madam.

Arise, you shall not kneel. I pray you, rise. Rise, Egypt.

Get up, you shall not kneel. Please, rise. Rise, Egypt.

Sir, the gods Will have it thus. My master and my lord I must obey.

Sir, the gods will have it this way. I must obey my master and my lord.

Take to you no hard thoughts. The record of what injuries you did us, Though written in our flesh, we shall remember As things but done by chance.

Don't hold any bitter thoughts. The record of the injuries you did us, though written in our own flesh, we shall remember as no more than accidents.

Sole sir o’ th’ world, I cannot project mine own cause so well To make it clear, but do confess I have Been laden with like frailties which before Have often shamed our sex.

Sole master of the world, I can't present my own case well enough to clear myself, but I do admit I've been burdened with the same weaknesses that have often disgraced our sex before now.

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.

Cleopatra, understand that we will play your faults down rather than press them. If you fall in with our plans, which are entirely gentle towards you, you'll find this change to your advantage; but if you try to fasten a reputation for cruelty on me by taking the course Antony took, you'll rob yourself of my good intentions, and expose your children to the ruin I will protect them from if you depend on me for it. I'll take my leave now.

And may, through all the world. ’Tis yours, and we, Your scutcheons and your signs of conquest, shall Hang in what place you please. Here, my good lord.

And you may take it anywhere in the world. The world is yours, and we, your trophy shields and tokens of conquest, will hang wherever you choose. Here, my good lord.

You shall advise me in all for Cleopatra.

You shall be my adviser in everything concerning Cleopatra.

This is the brief of money, plate, and jewels I am possessed of. ’Tis exactly valued, Not petty things admitted. Where’s Seleucus?

This is the inventory of the money, silverware and jewels I own. It's valued precisely, with the small items left out. Where's Seleucus?

Here, madam.

Here, madam.

This is my treasurer. Let him speak, my lord, Upon his peril, that I have reserved To myself nothing. Speak the truth, Seleucus.

This is my treasurer. Let him confirm, my lord, at the risk of his own life, that I have kept nothing back for myself. Tell the truth, Seleucus.

Madam, I had rather seal my lips Than to my peril speak that which is not.

Madam, I would rather keep my lips sealed than risk my life by saying what isn't true.

What have I kept back?

What have I held back?

Enough to purchase what you have made known.

Enough to buy everything you've declared.

Nay, blush not, Cleopatra. I approve Your wisdom in the deed.

No, don't blush, Cleopatra. I approve of your good sense in what you did.

See, Caesar! 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 hired! What, goest thou back? Thou shalt Go back, I warrant thee! But I’ll catch thine eyes Though they had wings. Slave, soulless villain, dog! O rarely base!

Look, Caesar! Oh, see how greatness is attended! What is mine will now be yours, and if we changed places, yours would be mine. This Seleucus's ingratitude drives me absolutely mad. Oh, you slave, no more to be trusted than bought love! What, are you backing away? You will back away, I promise you! But I'll get my nails in your eyes even if they had wings to fly. Slave, soulless villain, dog! Oh, splendidly low!

Good queen, let us entreat you.

Good queen, let us beg you to stop.

O Caesar, what a wounding shame is this, That thou vouchsafing here to visit me, Doing the honour of thy lordliness To one so meek, that mine own servant should Parcel the sum of my disgraces by Addition of his envy! Say, good Caesar, That I some lady trifles have reserved, 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. [To Seleucus.] Prithee go hence, Or I shall show the cinders of my spirits Through th’ ashes of my chance. Wert thou a man, Thou wouldst have mercy on me.

Oh Caesar, what a cutting humiliation this is: that while you condescend to visit me here, doing the honour of your high rank to someone so humble, my own servant should swell the total of my disgraces by adding his own spite! Suppose, good Caesar, that I have held back a few ladies' trifles, unimportant knick-knacks, the sort of small things we give to everyday acquaintances; and suppose I have set aside some more valuable gift for Livia and Octavia, to win their support for me — must I be exposed by someone I have brought up in my own house? Gods! It strikes me lower than the fall I have already had. [To Seleucus.] Please, get out of here, or I'll show the live coals of my spirit through the ashes of my ruined fortune. If you were a man, you would have pity on me.

Forbear, Seleucus.

Stand back, Seleucus.

Be it known that we, the greatest, are misthought For things that others do; and when we fall, We answer others’ merits in our name, Are therefore to be pitied.

Let it be understood that we, the greatest, are blamed for things other people do; and when we fall, we are held answerable in our own names for what others have deserved, and so we ought to be pitied.

Cleopatra, Not what you have reserved nor what acknowledged Put we i’ th’ roll of conquest. Still be’t yours; Bestow it at your pleasure, and believe Caesar’s no merchant to make prize with you Of things that merchants sold. Therefore be cheered; 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.

Cleopatra, we don't put down in the list of conquered goods either what you have kept back or what you have declared. Let it still be yours; give it away as you please, and believe me, Caesar is no tradesman, to haggle with you over goods that tradesmen sell. So cheer up; don't make your own thoughts into a prison for yourself. No, dear queen, because we mean to settle your situation as you yourself shall advise us. Eat and sleep. Our concern and pity for you is so great that we remain your friend; and so, goodbye.

My master and my lord!

My master and my lord!

Not so. Adieu.

Not so. Goodbye.

He words me, girls, he words me, that I should not Be noble to myself. But hark thee, Charmian!

He's talking me round, girls, he's talking me round, so that I won't do the noble thing for myself. But listen, Charmian!

Finish, good lady. The bright day is done, And we are for the dark.

Make an end, good lady. The bright day is over, and we are bound for the dark.

Hie thee again. I have spoke already, and it is provided. Go put it to the haste.

Hurry back. I have already given the order, and it is all arranged. Go and see that it's done quickly.

Madam, I will.

Madam, I will.

Where’s the Queen?

Where is the Queen?

Behold, sir.

There she is, sir.

Dolabella!

Dolabella!

Madam, as thereto sworn by your command, Which my love makes religion to obey, I tell you this: Caesar 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 performed Your pleasure and my promise.

Madam, since I swore to it at your command, which my love makes it a sacred duty to obey, I tell you this: Caesar means to travel by way of Syria, and within three days he will send you and your children on ahead. Make the best use you can of this. I have done what you wanted and kept my promise.

Dolabella, I shall remain your debtor.

Dolabella, I shall always be in your debt.

I your servant. Adieu, good queen. I must attend on Caesar.

And I your servant. Goodbye, good queen. I must wait on Caesar.

Farewell, and thanks.

Farewell, and thank you.

Now, Iras, what think’st thou? Thou an Egyptian puppet shall 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 forced to drink their vapour.

Now, Iras, what do you think? You'll be put on display in Rome as an Egyptian doll, just as I will. Workmen and labourers with greasy aprons, measuring sticks and hammers will lift us up to be stared at. We'll be wrapped in a cloud of their heavy breath, stinking of coarse food, and forced to drink in their stench.

The gods forbid!

The gods forbid it!

Nay, ’tis most certain, Iras. Saucy lictors Will catch at us like strumpets, and scald rhymers Ballad us out o’ tune. The quick comedians Extemporally will stage us and present Our Alexandrian revels; Antony Shall be brought drunken forth, and I shall see Some squeaking Cleopatra boy my greatness I’ th’ posture of a whore.

No, it's absolutely certain, Iras. Insolent officers will grab at us as if we were prostitutes, and filthy rhymers will write out-of-tune ballads about us. The sharp-witted actors will improvise plays about us and put on our Alexandrian parties; Antony will be brought on drunk, and I shall see some squeaking boy playing Cleopatra act out my greatness in the pose of a whore.

O the good gods!

Oh, the good gods!

Nay, that’s certain.

No, that's certain.

I’ll never see’t, for I am sure mine nails Are stronger than mine eyes.

I'll never see it, because I'm sure my nails are stronger than my eyes.

Why, that’s the way To fool their preparation and to conquer Their most absurd intents.

Why, that's the way to make a fool of their arrangements and defeat their utterly ridiculous plans.

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 dispatch indeed, And when thou hast done this chare, I’ll give thee leave To play till doomsday. Bring our crown and all.

Now, Charmian! Dress me like a queen, my women. Go and fetch my finest clothes. I am off to the river Cydnus again to meet Mark Antony. Come on, Iras, go. Now, noble Charmian, we really shall be quick about it, and when you have finished this task I'll let you go and play until the end of the world. Bring our crown and everything.

Wherefore’s this noise?

What's this noise about?

Here is a rural fellow That will not be denied your highness’ presence. He brings you figs.

There's a country fellow here who won't be kept out of your highness's presence. He's bringing you figs.

Let him come in.

Let him come in.

What poor an instrument May do a noble deed! He brings me liberty. My resolution’s placed, 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.

What a poor agent may carry out a noble deed! He brings me my freedom. My mind is made up, and there is nothing of the woman left in me. Now from head to foot I am as firm as marble. Now the changeable moon is no planet of mine.

This is the man.

This is the man.

Avoid, and leave him.

Get out, and leave him here.

Hast thou the pretty worm of Nilus there That kills and pains not?

Have you got the pretty snake of the Nile there, the one that kills without causing pain?

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.

Truly, I have him here, but I wouldn't be the one to encourage you to touch him, because his bite is everlasting. Those who do die of it seldom or never recover.

Remember’st thou any that have died on’t?

Do you remember anyone who has died of it?

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’ th’ 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.

Very many, men and women too. I heard about one of them only yesterday — a very chaste woman, though rather inclined to lie, as a woman shouldn't except honestly — how she died of its bite, and what pain she felt. Truly, she gives a very good account of the snake; but a man who believes everything they say will never be saved by half of what they do. But this much is most reliable: the snake is a strange snake.

Get thee hence. Farewell.

Be off with you. Goodbye.

I wish you all joy of the worm.

I wish you all joy of the snake.

Farewell.

Goodbye.

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

You must keep this in mind, you see, that the snake will act according to its nature.

Ay, ay, farewell.

Yes, yes, goodbye.

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.

You see, the snake shouldn't be trusted except in the care of sensible people; because truly, there's no good at all in the snake.

Take thou no care; it shall be heeded.

Don't you worry; it will be looked after.

Very good. Give it nothing, I pray you, for it is not worth the feeding.

Very good. Give it nothing, please, because it isn't worth feeding.

Will it eat me?

Will it eat me?

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.

You mustn't think I'm so stupid that I don't know the devil himself won't eat a woman. I know a woman is a dish fit for the gods, so long as the devil hasn't cooked her. But truly, these damned devils do the gods great harm where their women are concerned, because for every ten the gods make, the devils spoil five.

Well, get thee gone. Farewell.

Well, be off. Goodbye.

Yes, forsooth. I wish you joy o’ th’ worm.

Yes, indeed. I wish you joy of the snake.

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.

Give me my robe. Put on my crown. I have longings for immortality in me. Never again shall the juice of Egypt's grape wet this lip. Quick, quick, good Iras; hurry. I think I hear Antony calling. I see him stand up to praise my noble act. I hear him mock Caesar's good luck, the kind the gods give men as an excuse for the anger they'll pour on them later. Husband, I'm coming! Now let my courage prove my right to that title! I am fire and air; my other elements I leave to lower forms of life. — So, have you finished? Come then, and take the last warmth of my lips. Farewell, kind Charmian. Iras, a long farewell.

Have I the aspic 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 desired. Dost thou lie still? If thus thou vanishest, thou tell’st the world It is not worth leave-taking.

Do I have the poisonous snake in my lips? Are you falling? If you and nature can separate as gently as that, then death's blow is like a lover's pinch, which hurts and is wanted all the same. Are you lying still? If you disappear like this, you're telling the world it isn't worth saying goodbye to.

Dissolve, thick cloud, and rain, that I may say The gods themselves do weep!

Break open, heavy cloud, and rain, so that I can say the gods themselves are weeping!

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,

This shows me up as low-minded. If she meets curly-haired Antony first, he'll ask her for news, and spend on her the kiss that is my heaven to have. — Come, you deadly little creature,

With thy sharp teeth this knot intrinsicate Of life at once untie. Poor venomous fool, Be angry and dispatch. O couldst thou speak, That I might hear thee call great Caesar ass Unpolicied!

with your sharp teeth untie this tangled knot of life all at once. Poor venomous fool, get angry and be quick about it. Oh, if only you could speak, so that I might hear you call great Caesar an ass outwitted!

O eastern star!

Oh, star of the east!

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

Quiet, quiet! Don't you see my baby at my breast, sucking its nurse to sleep?

O, break! O, break!

Oh, break! Oh, break!

As sweet as balm, as soft as air, as gentle— O Antony!—Nay, I will take thee too.

As sweet as balm, as soft as air, as gentle — oh, Antony! — No, I'll take you as well.

What should I stay—

Why should I stay—

In this vile world? So, fare thee well. Now boast thee, Death, in thy possession lies A lass unparalleled. Downy windows, close, And golden Phœbus never be beheld Of eyes again so royal! Your crown’s awry; I’ll mend it and then play.

In this vile world? So, goodbye. Now boast, Death: a girl beyond compare lies in your keeping. Soft eyelids, close, and let golden Phoebus never again be looked upon by eyes so royal! Your crown is crooked; I'll straighten it, and then I'm done.

Where’s the queen?

Where is the queen?

Speak softly. Wake her not.

Speak quietly. Don't wake her.

Caesar hath sent—

Caesar has sent—

Too slow a messenger.

A messenger who came too slowly.

O, come apace, dispatch! I partly feel thee.

Oh, come quickly, be quick about it! I can partly feel you already.

Approach, ho! All’s not well. Caesar’s beguiled.

Come here, you! Something is wrong. Caesar has been tricked.

There’s Dolabella sent from Caesar. Call him.

Dolabella is here, sent from Caesar. Call him.

What work is here, Charmian? Is this well done?

What have you done here, Charmian? Is this a fine thing to do?

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

It is a fine thing to do, and right for a princess descended from so many royal kings. Ah, soldier!

How goes it here?

How are things here?

All dead.

All dead.

Caesar, thy thoughts Touch their effects in this. Thyself art coming To see performed the dreaded act which thou So sought’st to hinder.

Caesar, your fears meet their outcome in this. You yourself are coming to see carried out the dreaded act you tried so hard to prevent.

A way there, a way for Caesar!

Make way there, make way for Caesar!

O sir, you are too sure an augurer: That you did fear is done.

Oh sir, you were too accurate a prophet: what you feared has happened.

Bravest at the last, She levelled at our purposes and, being royal, Took her own way. The manner of their deaths? I do not see them bleed.

Most courageous at the end, she guessed our intentions and, being royal, took her own path. How did they die? I see no blood on them.

Who was last with them?

Who was with them last?

A simple countryman that brought her figs. This was his basket.

An ordinary countryman who brought her figs. This was his basket.

Poisoned then.

Poisoned, then.

O Caesar, This Charmian lived but now; she stood and spake. I found her trimming up the diadem On her dead mistress; tremblingly she stood, And on the sudden dropped.

Oh Caesar, this Charmian was alive just now; she was standing and speaking. I found her straightening the crown on her dead mistress; she stood there trembling, and suddenly dropped.

O noble weakness! If they had swallowed poison ’twould appear By external swelling; but she looks like sleep, As she would catch another Antony In her strong toil of grace.

Oh, noble frailty! If they had swallowed poison it would show in swelling on the outside; but she looks as though she is asleep, as if she meant to catch another Antony in the strong net of her beauty.

Here on her breast There is a vent of blood, and something blown. The like is on her arm.

Here on her breast there is a small opening where blood came out, and some swelling. There is the same on her arm.

This is an aspic’s trail, and these fig leaves Have slime upon them, such as th’ aspic leaves Upon the caves of Nile.

This is a snake's track, and these fig leaves have slime on them, like the slime a snake leaves on the caves of the Nile.

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. No grave upon the earth shall clip in it A pair so famous. High events as these Strike those that make them; and their story is No less in pity than his glory which Brought them to be lamented. Our army shall In solemn show attend this funeral, And then to Rome. Come, Dolabella, see High order in this great solemnity.

Most likely she died that way, for her doctor tells me she had tried out endless experiments in easy ways of dying. Lift up her bed, and carry her women out of the monument. She shall be buried beside her Antony. No grave on earth shall enclose in it a pair so famous. Great happenings like these strike hard at those who cause them; and their story earns as much pity as the glory of the man who brought them to be mourned. Our army shall attend this funeral in a solemn procession, and then to Rome. Come, Dolabella, see to strict order in this great ceremony.