Antonius Garnier, Robert This text is an enriched version of the TCP digital transcription A01502 of text S105701 in the English Short Title Catalog (STC 11623). Textual changes and metadata enrichments aim at making the text more computationally tractable, easier to read, and suitable for network-based collaborative curation by amateur and professional end users from many walks of life. The text has been tokenized and linguistically annotated with MorphAdorner. The annotation includes standard spellings that support the display of a text in a standardized format that preserves archaic forms ('loveth', 'seekest'). Textual changes aim at restoring the text the author or stationer meant to publish. Martin Mueller Incompletely or incorrectly transcribed words were reviewed and in many cases fixed by Nayoon Ahn This text has not been fully proofread EarlyPrint Project Evanston IL, Notre Dame IN, St.Louis, Washington MO 2017 Distributed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Unported License A01502.xml The tragedie of Antonie. Doone into English by the Countesse of Pembroke. Garnier, Robert, 1544-1590. 56 600dpi TIFF G4 page images University of Michigan, Digital Library Production Service Ann Arbor, Michigan 2003 January (TCP phase 1) 99841427 STC (2nd ed.) 11623. Greg, I, 108(b). 6008 A01502 2240884737

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 The tragedie of Antonie. Doone into English by the Countesse of Pembroke. Marc Antoine. English Marc Antoine. Antonius. Garnier, Robert, 1544-1590. Pembroke, Mary Sidney Herbert, 1561-1621, [112] p. [By P. Short] for William Ponsonby, Imprinted at London : 1595. 1590

A translation of: Garnier, Robert. Marc Antoine.

Colophon reads "Printed at London by P.S. for William Ponsonby. 1595."; printer's name from STC.

Signatures: A-G.

The last leaf is blank.

Running title reads: Antonius.

First published with Philippe de Mornay's "A discourse of life and death", 1592.

Variant: title page has "Done into englishe".

Reproduction of the original in the Henry E. Huntington Library and Art Gallery.

 Antonius, Marcus, -- 83?-30 B.C. -- Drama. A01502 shc Antonius Garnier, Robert Nayoon Ahn 1590 play tragedy shc no A01502 S105701 (STC 11623). 112 17748 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.00 A This text has no known defects that were recorded as gap elements at the time of transcription. Incorporated ~ 10,000 textual changes made to the SHC corpus by Hannah Bredar, Kate Needham, and Lydia Zoells between April and July 2015 during visits, separately or together, to the Bodleian, Folger and Houghton Libraries as well as the Rare Book Libraries at Northwestern University and the University of Chicago

THE TRAGEDIE OF Antonie .

Doone into English by the Countesse of Pembroke

Imprinted at London for William Ponsonby 1595 .

The Argument .

AFTER the ouerthrowe of Brutus and Cassius , the libertie of Rome being now vtterly oppressed , and the Empire setled in the hands of Octauius Caesar and Marcus Antonius , ( who for knitting a straiter bonde of amitie betweene them , had taken to wife Octauia the sister of Caesar ) Antonius vndertooke a iourney agàinst the Parthians , with intent to regaine on them the honor won by them from the Romanes , at the discomfiture and slaughter of Crassus . But comming in his iourney into Siria the places renewed in his remembrance the long intermitted loue of Cleopatra Queene of Aegipte : who before time had both in Cilicia and at Alexandria , entertained him with all the exquisite delightes and sumptuous pleasures , which a great Prince and voluptuous louer could to the vttermost desire . Wherevpon omitting his enterprice , he made his returne to Alexandria , againe falling to his former loues , without any regarde of his vertuous wife Octauia , by whom neuertheles he had excellent children . This occation Octauius toke of taking armes against him : & preparing a mighty fleet , encountred him at Actium , who also had assembled to that place a great number of Gallies of his own , beside , 60. which Cleopatra brought with her from Aegipt , But at the very beginning of the battel Cleopatra with all her Gallies betooke her to flight , which Antony seeing could not but follow : by his departure to Octauius the greatest victory which in any Seabattell hath beene hard off . Which he not negligent to pursue , followes them the next spring and besiedgeth them with in Alexandria , where Antony finding al that he trusted to faile him , beginneth to growe iealouse and to suspect Cleopatra . She therevpon enclosed her selfe with two of her women in a monument she had before caused to be built , thence sends him worde she was dead : which he beleeuing for truth , gaue himselfe with his Sworde a deadly wound : but died not vntil a messenger came from Cleopatra to haue him brought to her to the tombe . Which she not daring to open least she should bee made a prisoner to the Romaines , & carried in Caesars triumph , cast downe a cord from an high window , by the which ( her women helping her ) she trussed vp Antonius halfe dead , & so got him into the monument . The stage supposed alexandria : the chorus first Egiptians , & after Romane souldiors : The history to be read at large in Plutarch in the life of Antonius .

The Actors . Antonius . Cleopatra . Eras and Charmion . Cleopatras women Philostratus a Philosopher . Lucilius . Diomede Secretarie to Cleopatra . Octauius Caesar . Agrippa . Euphron , teacher of Cleopatras children . Children of Cleopatra , Dircetus the Messenger .
ANTONIVS SInce cruell Heau'ns against me obstinate , Since all mishappes of the round engin doo Conspire my harme : since men , since powers diuine Aire , earth , and Sea are all iniurious : And that my Queene her selfe , in whome I liu'd , The Idoll of my harte , doth me pursue ; It 's meete I dye . For her haue I forgone My Country , Caesar vnto warre prouok'd ( For iust reuenge of Sisters wrong my wife , Who mou'de my Queene ( ay me ! ) to iealousie ) For loue of her , in her allurements caught Abandon'd life , I honor haue despisde , Disdain'd my freends , and of the statelye Rome Despoilde the Empire of her best attire , Contemn'd that power that made me so much fear'd , A slaue become vnto her feeble face . O cruell , traitres , woman most vnkinde , Thou dost , forsworne , my loue and life betraie : And giu'st me vp to ragefull enemie , Which soone ( ô foole ! ) will plague thy periurye . Yeelded Pelusium on this countries shore , Yeelded thou hast my Shippes and men of warre , That nought remaines ( so destitute am I ) But these same armes which on my back I weare . Thou should'st haue had them too , and me vnarm'de Yeelded to Caesar naked of defence . Which while I beare let Caesar neuer thinke Triumph of me shall his proud chariot grace Not thinke with me his glory to adorne , On me aliue to vse his victorie . Thou only Cleopatra triumph hast , Thou only hast my fredome seruile made , Thou only hast me vanquisht : not by force ( For forste I cannot be ) but by sweete baites Of thy eyes graces , which did gaine so fast vpon my libertie , that nought remain'd . None els henceforth , but thou my dearest Queene , Shall glorie in commaunding Antonie . Haue Caesar fortune and the Gods his freends , To him haue Ioue and fatall sisters giuen The Scepter of the earth : he neuer shall Subiect my life to his obedience . But when that death , my glad refuge , shall haue Bounded the course of my vnstedfast life , And frosen corps vnder a marble colde Within tombes bosome widdowe of my soule : Then at his will let him it subiect make : Then what he will let Caesar doo with me : Make me limme after limme be rent : make me My buriall take in sides of Thracian wolte . Poore Antonie ! alas what was the day , The daies of losse that gained thee thy loue ! Wretch Antonie ! since Maegaera pale With Snakie haires enchain'd thy miserie . The fire thee burnt was neuer Cupids fire ( For Cupid beares not such a mortall brand ) It was some furies torch , Orestes torche , Which somtimes burnt his mother-murdering soule ( When wandring madde , rage boiling in his bloud , He fled his fault which folow'd as he fled ) kindled within his bones by shadow pale Of mother slaine return'd from Stygian lake . Antony , poore Antony ! since that daie Thy olde good hap did farre from thee retire . Thy vertue dead : thy glory made aliue So ofte by martiall deeds is gone in smoke : Since then the Baies so well thy forehead knewe To Venus mirtles yeelded haue their place : Trumpets to pipes : field tents to courtly bowers : Launces and Pikes to daunces and to feastes . Since then , ô wretch ! in stead of bloudy warres Thou shouldst haue made vpon the Parthian Kings For Romain honor filde by Crassus foile , Thou threw'st thy Curiace off , and fearfull healme , With coward courage vnto Aegipts Queene In haste to runne , about her necke to hang Languishing in her armes thy I doll made : In summe giuen vp to Cleopatras eies Thou breakest at length from thence , as one encharm'd Breakes from th' enchaunter that him strongly helde . For thy first reason ( spoyling of their force the poisned cuppes of thy faire Sorceres ) Recur'd thy sperit : and then on euery side Thou mad'st again the earth with Souldiours swarme All Asia hidde : Euphrates bankes do tremble To see at once so many Romanes there Breath horror , rage , and with a threatning eye In mighty squadrons crosse his swelling streames . Nought seene but horse , and fier sparkling armes : Nought heard but hideous noise of muttring troups , The Parth , the Mede , abandoning their goods Hide them for feare in hilles of Hircanie , Redoubting thee . Then willing to besiege The great Phraate head of Media , Thou campedst at her walles with vaine assault , Thy engins fit ( mishap ! ) not thither brought , So long thou stai'st , so long thou dost thee rest , So long thy loue with such things nourished Reframes , reformes it selfe and stealingly Retakes his force and rebecomes more great . For of thy Queene the lookes , the grace , the words , Sweetnes , alurements , amorous delights , Entred againe thy soule , and day and night , In watch , in sleepe , her Image follow'd thee : Not dreaming but of her , repenting still That thou for warre hadst such a goddes left . Thou car'st no more for Parth , nor Parthian bow , Sallies , assaults , encounters , shocks , alarmes , For ditches , rampiers , wards , entrenched grounds : Thy only care is sight of Nilus streames , Sight of that face whose gilefull semblant doth ( Wandring in thee ) infect thy tainted hart . Her absence thee besottes : each hower , each hower Of staie , to thee impatient seemes an age . Enough of conquest , praise thou deem'st enough , If soone enough the bristled fields thou see Of fruitfull Aegipt , and the stranger floud Thy Queenes faire eyes ( another Pharos ) lights . Returned loe , dishonoured , despisde , In wanton loue a woman thee misleades Sunke in foule sinke : meane while respecting nought Thy wife Octauia and her tender babes , Of whome the long contempt against thee whets The sword of Caesar now thy Lord become . Lost thy great Empire , all those goodly townes Reuerenc'd thy name as rebells now thee leaue : Rise against thee , and to the ensignes flocke Of conqu'ring Caesar , who enwalles thee round Cag'd in thy hold , scarse maister of thy selfe , Late maister of so many Nations . Yet , yet , which is of griefe extreamest griefe , Which is yet of mischiefe highest mischiefe , It 's Cleopatra alas ! alas , it 's she , It 's she augments the torment of thy paine , Betraies thy loue , thy life alas ! ) betraies , Caesar to please , whose grace she seekes to gaine : With thought her crowne to saue and fortune make Onely thy foe which common ought haue beene . If her I alwaies lou'd , and the first flame Of her heart-killing loue shall burne me last : Iustly complaine I she disloyall is , Nor constant is , euen as I constant am , To comfort my mishap , despising me No more , then when the heauens fauour'd me . But ah ! by nature women wau'ring are , Each moment changing and rechanging mindes . Vnwise , who blinde in them , thinkes loyaltie Euer to finde in beauties companie . Chorus . The boyling tempest still makes not Sea waters fome : nor still the Northern blast disquiets quiet streames : Nor who his chest to fill sayles to the morning beames , on waues winde tosseth fast still kepes his ship from home . Nor Ioue still downe doth cast inflam'd with bloudie ire on man , on tree , on hill , his darts of thundring fire . nor still the heat doth last on face of parched plaine . nor wrinkled colde doth still on frozen furrowes raigne . But still as long as we in this low world remaine , mishapps our daily mates our liues doe intertaine : and woes which beare no dates still pearch vpon our heads , none go but straight will be some greater in their steads . Nature made vs not free When first she made vs liue : When we began to be , To be began our woe : Which growing euermore As dying life doth growe , Do more and more vs greeue , And tire vs more and more . No stay in fading states , For more to height they retch , Their fellow miseries . The more to height do stretch . They cling euen to the crowne , And threatning furious wise From tirannizing pates Do often pull it downe . In vaine on waues vntride To shun them go we should To Scythes and Massagetes Who neere the Pole reside : In vaine to boiling sandes Which Phaebus battry beates , For with vs still they would Cut seas and compasse landes . The darknes no more sure To ioyne with heauy night : The light which guildes the days To follow Titan pure : No more the shadow light The body to ensue : Then wretchednes alwaies Vs wretches to pursue . O blest who neuer breath'd , Or whome with pittie mou'de , Death from his cradle reau'de , And swadled in his graue : And blessed also he ( As curse may blessing haue ) Who low and liuing free No princes charge hath prou'de . By stealing sacred fire . Prometheus then vnwise , prouking Gods to ire , the heape of ills did sturre , and sicknes pale and colde our ende which onward spurre , to plague our hands too bolde to filch the wealth of skies . In heauens hate since then of ill with ill enchain'd we race of mortall men ful fraught our brests haue borne and thousand thousand woes our heau'nly soules now thorne , which free before from those no! earthly passion pain'd . Warre and warrs bitter cheare now long time with vs staie , and feare of hated foe still still encreaseth sore : our harmes worse dayly grow , lesse yesterday they were then now , and will be more to morrow then to day .
Act. 2. Philostratus . What horrible furie , what cruell rage , O Aegipt so extremely thee torments ? Hast thou the Gods so angred by thy fault ? Hast thou against them some such crime conceiu'd . That their engrained hand lift vp in threats They should desire in thy heart bloud to bathe ? And that their burning wrath which noght can quench Should pittiles on vs still lighten downe ? We are not hew'n out of the monst'rous masse Of Giantes those , which heauens wrack conspir'd : Ixions race , false prater of his loues : Nor yet of him who fained lightnings found : Nor cruell Tantalus , nor bloudy Atreus , Whose cursed banquet for Thyestes plague Made the beholding Sunne for horrour turne His backe , and backward from his course returne : And hastning his wing-footed horses race Plunge him in sea for shame to hide his face : While sulleine night vpon the wondring world For mid-daies light her starrie mantle cast . But what we be , what euer wickednesse By vs is done , Alas ! with what more plagues , More eager torments could the Gods declare To heauen and earth that vs they hatefull holde ? With souldiors , strangers , horrible in armes Our land is hidde , our people drown'd in teares . But terror here and horror , nought is seene : And present death prising our life each hower . Hard at our ports and at our porches waites Our conquering foe : harts faile vs , hopes are dead : Our Queene laments : and this great Emperour Somtime ( would now they did ) whom worlds did fear Abandoned , betraid , now mindes no more But from his euils by hast'ned death to passe . Come ! you poore people ti'rde with ceasles plaints With teares and sighes make mournful sacrifice On Isis altars : not our selues to saue , But soften Caesar and him piteous make To vs , his praie : that so his lenitie May change our death into captiuitie . Strange are the euils the fates on vs haue brought , O but alas ! how far more strange the cause ! Loue , loue ( alas , who euer would haue thought ? ) Hath lost this Realme inflamed with his fire . Loue , playing loue , which men say kindles not But in soft hearts , hath ashes made our townes . And his sweet shafts , with whose shot none are kill'd , Which vlcer not , with deaths our lands haue fill'd , Such was the bloudie , murdring , hellish loue Possest thy hart faire false guest Priams sonne , Firing a brand which after made to burne The Troian towers by Graecians ruinate . By this loue , Priam , Hector , Troilus , Memnon , Deiphaebus , Glancus , thousands mo . Whome redd Scamanders armor clogged streames Roll'd into Seas , before their dates are dead . So plaguie he , so many tempests raiseth , So murdring he , so many Citties raiseth , When insolent , blinde , lawles , orderles , With made delights our sence he entertaines . All knowing Gods our wracks did vs fortell By signes in earth , by signes in starry Sphaeres , Which should haue mou'd vs , had not destinie With too strong hand warped our miserie . The Comets flaming through the scat'red clouds With fiery beames , most like vnbroaded haires : The fearfull dragon whistling at the bankes : And holy Apis ceasles bellowing ( As neuer erst ) and shedding endles teares : Bloud raining down from heau'n in vnknow'n showers : Our Gods darke faces ouer cast with woe , And dead mens Ghosts appearing in the night . Yea euen this night while all the Cittie stood Opprest with terror , horror , seruile feare , Deepe silence ouer all : the sounds were heard Of diuers songs , and diuerse instruments , Within the voide of aire : and howling noise , Such as madde Bacchus priests in Bacchus feasts On Nisa make : and ( seem'd ) the company , Our Cittie lost , went to the enemie . So we forsaken both of Gods and men , So are we in the mercy of our foes : And we henceforth obedient must become To lawes of them who haue vs ouercome . Chorus . Lament we our mishaps , Drowne we with teares our woe : For Lamentable happes Lamented easie growe : and much lesse torment bring then when they first did spring . We want that wofull song , wherwith wood-musiques Queen doth ease her woes , among , fresh springtimes bushes greene , on pleasant branch alone renewing auntient mone . We want that monefull sound , that pratling Progne makes on fields of Thracian ground , or streames of Thracian lakes : to empt her brest of paine for Itys by her slaine . Though Halcyons do still , bewailing Ceyx lot , the Seas with plainings fill which his dead limmes haue got , not euer other graue then tombe of waues to haue : And though the bird in death that most Meander loues : so sweetly sighes his breath when death his fury proues , as almost softs his heart , and almost blunts his dart : Yet all the plaints of those , nor all their tearfull larmes , cannot content our woes , nor serue to waile the harmes , in soule which we , poore we . to feele enforced be . Nor they of Phaebus bredd in teares can doo so well , they for their brother shedd , who into Padus fell , rash guide of chariot cleere surueiour of the yeare . Nor she whom heau'nly powers to weping rocke did turne , whose teares distill in showers , and shew she yet doth mourne , wherewith his toppe to Skies mount Sipylus doth rise . Nor weping drops which flowe from barke of wounded tree , that Mirrhas shame doth showe with ours compar'd may be , to quench her louing fire who durst embrace her fire . Nor all the howlings made on Cybels sacred hill By Eunukes of her trade , Who Atys , Atys still with doubled cries resound , which Eccho makes rebound . Our plaints no limits stay , nor more then do our woes : both infinitely straie and neither measure knowes In mea sure let them plaine : Who measured griefes sustaine . Cleopatrra . Eras. Charmton . Diomede . Cleopatra . That I haue thee betraide , deare Antonie , My life , my soule , my sunne ? I had such thought ? That I haue thee betraide my Lord , my King ? That I would breake my vowed faith to thee ? I aue thee ? deceiue thee ? yeelde thee to the rage Of mightie foe ? I euer had that hart ? Rather sharpe lightning lighten on my head : Rather may I to deepest mischiefe fall : Rather the opened earth deuoure me : Rather fierce Tigers feed them on my flesh : Rather , ô rather let our Nilus send , To swallow me quicke , some weeping Crocodile . And didst thou then suppose my royall heart Had hatcht , thee to ensnare , a faithles loue ? And changing minde , as Fortune changed cheare , I would weake thee , to winne the stronger , loose ? O wretch ! ô caitiue ! ô too cruell happe ! And did not I sufficient losse sustaine Loosing my Realme , loosing my libertie , My tender of-spring , and the ioyfull light Of beamy Sunne , and yet , yet loosing more Thee Antony my care , if I loose not What yet remain'd ? thy loue alas ! thy loue , More deare then Scepter , children , freedome , light So readie I to row in Charons barge , Shall leese the joy of dying in thy loue : So the sole comfort of my miserie To haue one tombe with thee is me bereft . So I in shady plaines shall plaine alone , Not ( as I hop'd ) companion of thy mone , O height of griefe ! Eras why with Continuall cries Your griefull harmes doo you exasperate ? Torment your selfe with murthering complaints ; Straine your weake brest so ost , so vehemently ? Water with teares this faire alablaster ? With sorrowes sting so many beauties wound ? Come of so many Kings want you the hart Brauely , stoutly , this tempest to resist ? Cl. My eu'lls are wholy vnsupportable , No humain force can them withstand , but death . Eras. To him that striues nought is impossible . Cl. In striuing lyes no hope of my mishapps . Eras. All things do yeelde to force of louely face . Cl. My face too louely caus'd my wretched case . My face hath so entrap'd , so cast vs downe , That for his conquest Caesar may it thanke , Causing that Antonie one army lost The other wholy did to Caesar yeld . For not induring ( so his amorouse sprite Was with my beautie fir'de ) my shamefull flight , Soone as he saw from ranke wherein he stoode In hottest fight , my Gallies making saile : Forgetfull of his charg ( as if his soule Vnto his Ladies soule had beene enchain'd ) He left his men , who so couragiously Did leaue their liues to gaine him victorie . And carelesse both of fame and armies losse My oared Gallies follow'd with his ships Companion of my flight , by this base parte Blasting his former flourishing renowne . Eras. Are you therefore cause of his ouerthrow ? Cl. I am sole cause : I did it , only I . Er. Feare of a woman troubled so his sprite ? Cl. Fire of his loue was by my feare enflam'd . Er. And should he then to warre haue led a Queene ? Cl. Alas ! this was not this offence , but mine . Antony ( ay me ! who else so braue a chiefe ! ) Would not I should haue taken Seas with him : But would haue left me fearefull woman farre From common hazard of the doubtfull warre . O that I had beleeu'd ! now , now of Rome All the great Empire at our beck should bende . All should obey , the vagabonding Scythes , The feared Germaines , back-shooting Parthians , Wandring Numidians , Brittons farre remou'd , And tawny nations scorched with the Sunne . But I car'd not : so was my soule possest , ( To my great harme ) with burning iealousie : Fearing least in my absence Antony Should leauing me retake Octauia . Char. Such was the rigour of your desteny . Cl. Such was my errour and obstinacie . Ch. But since Gods would not , could you do withall ? Cl. Alwaies from Gods good haps , not harms , do fall . Ch. And haue they not all power on mens affaires ? Cl. They neuer bow so low , as worldly cares . But leaue to mortall men to be dispos'd Freely on earth what euer mortall is . If we therein sometimes some faults commit , We may them not to their high maiesties , But to our selues impute ; whose passions Plunge vs each day in all afflictions . Wherwith when we our soules do thorned feele , Flatt'ring our selues we say they dest'nies are : That gods would haue it so , and that our care Could not empeach but that it must be so . Char. Things here below are in the heau'ns begot , Before they be in this our worlde borne : And neuer can our weaknesse turne awry The stailesse course of powerfull destenie . Nought here force , reason , humaine prouidence , Holie deuotion , noble bloud preuailes : And Ioue himselfe whose hand doth heauens rule , Who both to gods and men as King Commands , Who earth ( our firme support ) with plenty stores , Mouses aire and sea with twinckling of his eie , Who all can doe , yet neuer can vndoe What once hath beene by their hard lawes decreed . When Troyan walles , great Neptunes workmanship . Enuiron'd were with Greekes , and Fortunes whele Doubtfull ten yeares now to the campe did turne , And now againe towards the towne return'd . How many times did force and fury swell In Hectors veines egging him to the spoile Of conquer'd foes , which at his blowes did fly , As fearefull sheepe at feared wolues approch : To saue ( in vaine : for why ? it would not be ) Poore walles of Troy from aduersaries rage , Who died them in bloud , and cast to ground Heap'd them with bloudie burning carcases . No , Madame , thinke , that if the ancient crowne Of your progenitors that Nilus rul'd , Force take from you ; the Gods haue will'd it so , To whome oft times Princes are odious . They haue to euery thing an end ordain'd ; All worldly greatnes by them bounded is : Some sooner , later some , as they thinke best : None their decree is able to infringe . But , which is more , to vs disastred men Which subiect are in all things to their will , Their will is hid : nor while we liue , we know How , or how long we must in life remaine . Yet must we not for that feede on dispaire , And make vs wretched ere we wretched be : But alwaies hope the best , euen to the last , That from our selues the mischiefe may not grow . Then , Madame , helpe your selfe , leaue of in time Antonies wracke , left it your wracke procure : Retire you from him , saue from wrathfull rage Of angry Caesar both your Realme and you . You see him lost , so as your amitie Vnto his euills can yeeld no more reliefe . You see him ruin'd , so as your support No more henceforth can him with comfort raise . With-draw you from the storme : persist not still To loose your selfe : this royall diademe Regaine of Caesar . Cl. Sooner shining light Sall leaue the day , and darknes leaue the night : Sooner moist currents of tempestuous seas Shall waue in heauen , and the nightly troopes Of starres shall shine within the foming waues , Then I thee , Antony , Leaue in deepe distres . I am with thee , be it thy worthy soule Lodge in thy brest , or from that lodging parte Crossing the ioyles lake to take her place In place prepared for men Demy-gods . Liue , if thee please , if life be lothsome die : Dead and aliue , Antony , thou shalt see Thy princesse follow thee , folow , and lament , Thy wrack , no lesse her owne then was thy weale . Char. What helps his wrack this euer-lasting loue ? . Cl. Help , or help not , such must , such ought I proue . Ch. Ill done to loose your selfe , and to no end . Cl. How ill thinke you to follow such a frend ? Ch. But this your loue nought mitigates his praine . Cl. Without this loue I should be inhumaine . Ch, Inhumaine he , who his owne death pursues . Cl. Not inhumaine who miseries eschues . Ch. Liue for your sonnes . Cl. Nay for their father die . Ch. Hardharted mother ! Cl. Wife kindhearted I . Ch. Then will you them depriue of royall right ? Cl , Do I depriue them ? no , it 's dest'nies might . Ch. Do you not them depriue of heritage , That giue them vp to aduersaries hands , A man forsaken fearing to forsake , Whome such huge numbers hold inuironned ? T' abandon one gainst whome the frowning world Banded with Caesar makes conspiring warre . Cl. The lesse ought I to leaue him lest of all . A frend in most distresse should most assist . If that when Antonie great and glorious His legions led to drinke Euphrates streames , So many Kings in traine redoubting him ; In triumph rais'd as high as highest heau'n ; Lord-like disposing as him pleased best , The wealth of Greece , the wealth of Asia : In that faire fortune had I him exchaung'd For Caesar , then , men would haue counted me Faithles , vnconstant , light : but now the storme , And blustring tempest driuing on his face , Readie to drowne , Alas ! what would they say ? What would himselfe in Platos mansion say ? If , I whome alwaies more then life he lou'de , If I , Who am his heart , who was his hope , Leaue him , forsake him ( and perhaps in vaine ) Weakly to please who him hath ouerthrowne ? Not light , vnconstant , faith lesse should I be , But vile , forsworne , of treachrous cruelty . Ch. Crueltie to shunne you selfe-cruell are : Cl. Selfe-cruell him from cruelty to spare . Ch. Our first affection to ourselfe is due . Cl. He is my selfe . Ch. Next it extends vnto Our children , frends , and to our country soile . And you for some respect of wiuely loue , ( Albee scarce wiuely ) loose your natiue land , Your children , frends , and ( which is more ) your life , With so strong charmes doth loue bewitch our witts : So fast in vs this fire once kindled flames . Yet if his harme by yours redresse might haue , Cl. With mine it may be clos'de in darksome graue . Ch. And that , as Alcest to her selfe vnkind , You might exempt him from the lawes of death . But he is sure to die : and now his sword Already moisted is in his warme bloud , Helples for any succour you can bring Against deaths sting , which he must shortly feele . Then let your loue be like the loue of olde Which Carian Queene did nourish in hir heart Of hir Mausolus : builde for him a tombe Whose statelinesse a wonder new may make . Let him , let him haue sumptuous funeralls : Let graue thereon the horror of his fights : Let earth be buri'd with vnburied heaps . Frame their Pharsaly , and discoulour'd stream's Of deepe Enipeus : frame the grassie plaine , Which lodg'd his campe at siege of Mutina . Make all his combats , and couragious acts : And yearely plaies to his praise institute : Honor his memory : with doubled care Breed and bring vp the children of you both In Caesars grace : who as a noble Prince Will leaue them Lords of this most glorious realme . Cl. What shame were that ? ah Gods ! what infamie ? With Antony in his good haps to share , And ouerliue him dead : deeming enough To shed some teares vpon a widdow tombe ? The after-liuers iustly might report That I him only for his Empire lou'd And high estate : and that in hard estate I for another did him lewdly leaue ? Like to those birds wafted with wandring wings . From foraine lands in spring-time here arriue : And liue with vs so long as Somers heate , And their foode lasts , then seeke another soile . And as we see with ceaslesse fluttering Flocking of seelly flies a brownish cloud To vintag'd wine yet working in the tonne : Not parting thence while they sweete liquor taste : After , as smoke , all vanish in the aire , And of the swarme not one so much appeare . Eras. By this sharpe death what profit can you winne ? Cl. I neither gaine nor profit seeke therein . Er. What praise shall you of after-ages get ? Cl. Nor praise , nor Glory in my cares are set . Eras. What other end ought you respect , then this ? Cl. My only end my onele duty is . Eras. Your dutie must vpon some good be founded ? Cl. On vertue it , the onely good , is grounded . Er. What is that Vertue ? Cl. That which vs beseemes . Er. Outrage our selues ? who that beseeming deemes ? Cl. Finish I will my sorrowes dieng thus . Er. Minish you will your glories doing thus . Cl. Good frends I pray you seeke not to reuoke My fix'd intent of folowing Antony . I will die . I will die : must not his life , His life and death by mine be followed ? Meane while , deare sisters , liue : and while you liue , Do often honor to our loued Tombes . Straw them with flowers : and sometimes happely The tender thought of Antony your Lord And me poore soule to teares shall you inuite , And our true loues to dolefull voice commend . Ch. And thinke you Madame , we from you will part ? Thinke you alone to feele deaths ougly darte ? Thinke you to leaue vs ? and that the same sunne Shall see at once you dead , and vs aliue ? Wee le die with you : and Clotho pittilesse Shall vs with you in hellish boate imbarque : Cl. Ah liue , I praie you : this disastred woe Which racks my heart , alone to me belongs : My lot longs not to you : seruants to be No shame , no harme to you , as is to me . Liue sisters , liue , and seing his suspect Hath causlesse me in sea of sorrowes drown'd , And that I cannot liue , if so I would , Nor yet would leaue this life , if so I could , Without his loue : procure me , Diomed , That gainst poore me he be no more incensd . Wrest out of his conceit that harmefull doubt , That since his wracke he hath of me conceiu'd Thogh wrong conceiu'd : witnes you reuerent Gods , Barking Anubis , Apis bellowing . Tell him , my soule burning , impatient , Forlorne with loue of him , for certaine seale Of her true loialtie my corpse hath left , T encrease of dead the number numberlesse , Go then , and if as yet he me bewaile , If yet for me his heart one sigh fourth breathe Blest shall I be : and far with more content Depart this world , where so I me torment . Meane season vs let this sad tombe enclose , Attending here till death conclude our woes . Diom. I will obey your will . Cl. So the desert The Gods repay of thy true faithfull heart . Diomed. And is 't not pittie , Gods , ah Gods of heau'n To see from loue such hatefull frutes to spring ? And is 't not pittie that this firebrand so Laies waste the trophes of Phillippi fieldes ? Where are those sweet allurements , those sweet lookes , Which gods them selues right hart sick wuld haue made What doth that beautie , rarest guift of heau'n , Wonder of earth ? Alas ! what do those eies ? And that sweete voice all Asia vnderstoode , And sunburnt Africke wide in deserts spred ? Is their force dead ? haue they no further power ? Can not by them Octauius be suppriz'd ? Alas ! if Ioue in middst of all his ire , With thunderbolt in hand some land to plague , Had cast his eies on my Queene , out of hand His Plaguing bolte had falne out of his hand : Fire of his wrath into vaine smoke should turne , And other fire within his brest should burne . Nought liues so faire . Nature by such a worke Her selfe , should seeme , in workmanship hath past . She is all heau'nly : neuer any man But seeing hir was rauish'd with her sight . The Allablaster couering of her face , The corall coullor hir two lips engraines , Her beamy eies , two Sunnes of this our world , Of hir faire haire the fine and flaming golde , Her braue streight stature , and her winning partes Are nothing else but fiers , fetters , dartes . Yet this is nothing th' enchaunting skilles Of her celestiall Sp'rite , hir training speach , Her grace , hir maiesty , and forcing voice , Whither she it with fingers speach consorte , Or hearing sceptred kings embassadors Answere to each in his owne language make . Yet now at neede it aides her not at all With all these beauties , so her sorrow stinges . Darkned with woe her only study is To weepe , to sigh , to seeke for lonelines . Careles of all , hir haire disordred hangs : Hir charming eies whence murthring looks did flie , Now riuers grown ' , whose wellspring anguish is , Do trickling wash the marble of hir face . Hir faire discouer'd brest with sobbing swolne Selfe cruell she still martirith with blowes , Alas ! It 's our ill hap , for if hir teares She would conuert into her louing charmes , To make a conquest of the conqueror , ( As well she might , would she hir force imploie ) She should vs saftie from these ills procure , Hir crowne to hir , and to hir race assure . Vnhappy he , in whome selfe-succour lies , Yet selfe-forsaken wanting succour dies . Chorus . O sweete fertile land , wherein Phaebus did with breth inspire man who men did first begin , formed first of Nilus mire . whence of Artes the eldest kindes , earths most heauenly ornament , were as from their fountaine sent to enlight our misty mindes . whose grose sprite from endles time as in darkned prison pente , neuer did to knowledge clime . Wher the Nile , our father good , father-like doth neuer misse yearely vs to bring such food , as to life required is : visiting each yeare this plaine , and with fat slime cou'ring it , which his seauen mouthes do spit , as the season comes againe . making therby greatest growe busie reapers ioyfull paine , when his flouds do highest flow . Wandring Prince of riuers thou , honor of the Aethiops lande , of a Lord and maister now thou a slaue in awe must stand . now of Tiber which is spred lesse in force , and lesse in fame reuerence thou must the name , whome all other riuers dread , for his children swolne in pride , who by conquest seeke to treade round this earth on euery side . Now thou must begin to send tribute of thy watry store , as sea pathes thy steps shall bend , yearely presents more and more . thy fat skumme , our fruitfull corne , pill'd from hence with theuish hands all vncloth'd shal leaue our lands into forraine country borne . which puft vp with such a pray shall thereby the praise adorne of that scepter Rome doth sway . Nought thee helps thy hornes to hide far from hence in vnknown grounds , that thy waters wander wide , yerely breaking banks , and bounds . and that thy Skie-coullor'd brooks through a hundred peoples passe , drawing plots for trees and grasse with a thousand turn's and crookes . whome all weary of their way thy throats which in widenesse passe powre into their mother Sea . Nought so happie haplesse life in this world as freedome findes : nought wherin mor sparkes are rise to inflame couragious mindes . but if force must vs inforce needes a yoke to vndergo , vnder foraine yoke to go Still it proues a bondage worse . and doubled subiection see we shall , and feele , and know subiect to a stranger growne . From hence forward for a King , whose first being from this place should his brest by nature bring care of country to imbrace , We at surly face must quake of some Romaine madly bent : who our terrour to augment . his Proconsuls axe will shake . driuing with our Kings from hence our establish'd gouernment , iustice sword , and lawes defence . Nothing worldly of such might but more mighty Destiny , by swift Times vnbridled flight , makes in end his end to see . euery thing Time ouerthrowes , nought to end doth steadfast staie . his great sithe mowes all away as the stalke of tender rose . onely immortalitie of the heauens doth it oppose gainst his powrefull Deitie . One day there will come a day which shall quaile they fortunes flower and thee ruinde low shall laie in some barbarous Princes power . when the pittie-wanting fire shall , O Rome , thy beauties burne , and to humble ashes turne thy proud wealth and rich attire , those guilt roofes which turretwise , iustly making enuy mourne , threaten now to pearce Skies . As thy forces fill each land haruests making here and there , reaping all with rauening hand they find growing any where : from each land so to thy fall , multitudes repaire shall make , from the common spoile to take what to each mans shaire may fall . fingred all thou shalt behold : no iote left for tokens sake that thou wert so great of olde . Like vnto the ancient Troie whence deriu'd thy founders be , conqu'ring foe shall thee enioie , and a burning praie in thee . for within this turning ball this we see , and see each daie : all things fixed ends do staie , ends to first beginnings fall . & that nought , how strong or strange chaungeles doth endure alwaie , But endureth fatall change .
M. Antonius . Lucilius . M. Ant. Lucil . sole comfort of my bitter case , The only trust , the only hope I haue , In last despaire : Ah is not this the daie That death should me of life and loue bereaue ? What waite I for that haue no refuge left , But am sole remnant of my fortune left ? All leaue me , flie me : none , noe not of them Which of my greatnes greatest good receiu'd , Stands with my fall : they seeme as now asham'd That heretofore they did me ought regard : They draw them backe , shewing they folow'd me , Not to partake my harm's , but coozen me . Lu. In this our world nothing is stedfast found , In vaine he hopes , who here his hopes doth ground . An. Yet nought afflicts me , nothing killes me so , As that I so my Cleopatra see Practise with Caesar , and to him transport My flame , her loue , more deare then life to me . Lu. Beleeue it not : Too high a heart she beares , Too princely thoughts . An. Too wise a head she weare Too much enflam'd with greatnes , euermore Gaping for our great Empires gouerment . Lu. So long time you her constant loue haue tri'de . An. But still with me good fortune did abide . Lu. Her changed loue what token makes you know ? An. Pelusium lost , and Actian ouerthrow , Both by her fraud : my well appointed fleet , And trusty Souldiors in my quarrell arm'd , Whome she , false she , in stede of my defence , Came to perswade , to yelde them to my foe : Such honor Thyre done , such welcome giuen , Their long close talkes I neither knew , nor would , And trecherous wrong Alexas hath me donne , Witnes too well her periur'd loue to me . But you O Gods ( if any faith regarde ) With sharpe reuenge her faithlesse change reward . Lu. The dole she made vpon our ouerthrow , Her realme giuen vp for refuge to our men , Her poore attire when she deuoutly kept The solemne day of her natiuitie , Againe the cost and prodigall expence Shew'd when she did your birth day celebrate , Do plaine enough her heart vnfained proue , Equally toucht , you louing , as you loue . Ant. Well ; be her loue to me or false , or true , Once in my soule a cureles wound I feele . I Ioue : nay burne in fire of her loue : Each day , each night hir Image haunts my minde , Her selfe my dreames : and still I tired am , And still I am with burning pincers nipt . Extreame my harme : yet sweeter to my sence Then boiling Torch of iealous torments fire : This griefe , nay rage , in me such sturre doth keepe , And thornes me still , both when I wake and sleepe . Take Caesar conquest , take my goods , take he Th' onor to be Lord of the earth alone , My sonnes , my life bent headlong to mishapps : No force , so not my Cleopatra take . So foolish I , I cannot her forget , Though better were I banisht her my thought . Like to the sicke whose throte the feauers fire Hath vehemently with thirstie drought enflam'd , Drinkes still , albee the drinke he still desires Be nothing else but fewell to his flame . He cannot rule himself : his health's respect Yealdeth to his distempered stomacks heate . Lu. Leaue of this loue , that thus renewes your woe . An. I do my best , but ah ! can not do so . Lu. Thinke how you haue so braue a captaine bene , And now are by this vaine affection falne . An. The ceasles thought of my felicitie Plunges me more in this aduersitie . For nothing so a man in ill torments , As who to him his good state represents . This makes my rack , my anguish , and my woe Equall vnto the hellish passions growe , When I to mind my happie puisance call Which erst I had by warlike conquest wonne , And that good fortune which me neuer left , Which hard disastre now hath me bereft . With terror tremble all the world I made At my sole word , as Rushes in the streames At waters will : I conquer'd Italie , I conquer'd Rome , that nations so redoubt . I Bare ( meane while besieging Mutina ) Two consuls armies for my ruine brought . Bath'd in their bloud , by their deaths witnessing My force and skill in matters Martiall . To wreake thy vnkle , vnkind Caesar , I With bloud of enemies the bankes embru'd Of stain'd Enipeus , hindring his course Stopped with heapes of piled carcases : When Cassius and Brutus ill betide Marcht against vs , by vs twise put to flight , But by my sole conduct : for all the time Caesar hart-sicke with feare and feauer lay . Who knowes it not ? and how by euery one Fame of the fact was giu'n to me alone . There sprang the loue , the neuer changing loue , Wherin my heart hath since to yours bene bound : There was it , my Lucill , you Brntus sau'de , And for your Brutus Antony , you found . Better my hap in gaining such a frend , Then in subduing such an enimie . Now former vertue dead doth me forsake , Fortune engulfes me in extreame distresse : She turnes from me her smiling countenance , Casting on me mishapp vpon mishapp , Left and betraide of thousand thousand frends , Once of my sute , but you Lucill are left Remaining to me stedfast as a tower In holy loue , in spite of fortunes blastes . But if of any God my voice be heard , And be not vainely scatt'red in the heau'ns , Such goodnes shall not glorilesse be loste . But comming ages still there of shall boste . Lu. Men in their frendship euer should be one , And neuer ought with fickle Fortune shake , Which still remoues , nor will , nor knowes the way , Her rowling bowle in one sure state to staie . Wherfore we ought as borrow'd things receiue The goods light she lends vs to pay againe : Not hold them sure , nor on them build our hopes As on such goods as cannot faile , and fall : But thinke againe , nothing is dureable , Vertue except , our neuer failing host : So bearing saile when fauoring windes do blow , As frowning tempests may vs least dismaie When they on vs do fall : not ouer-glad With good estate , nor ouer-grieu'd with bad . Resist mishap . Ant. Alas ! it is too strong . Mishappes oft times are by some comfort borne : But these , ay me ! whose weights oppresse my hart , Too heauie lie , no hope can them relieue . There rests no more , but that with cruell blade For lingring death a hastie waie be made . Lu , Caesar , as heire vnto his fathers state . So will his Fathers goodnes imitate , To you ward : whome he know's allied in bloud , Allied in mariage , ruling equally Th' Empire with him , and with him making warre Haue purg'd the earth of Caesars murtherers . You into portions parted haue the world Euen like coheirs their heritages parte : And now with one accord so many yeares In quiet peace both haue your charges rul'd . Ant. Bloud and alliance nothing do preuaile To coole the thirst of hote ambitious brests : The sonne his Father hardly can endure , Brother his brother , in one common Realme . So feruent this desire to Commaund : Such iealousie it kindleth in our hearts , Sooner will men permit another should Loue her they loue then weare the crowne they weare . All lawes it breakes , turnes all things vpside downe : Amitie , kindred , nought so holy is but it defiles . A monarchie to gaine None cares which way , so he may it obtaine . Lu. Suppose he Monarch be and that this world No more acknowledg sundry Emperours , That Rome him only feare , and that he ioyne The east with west , and both at once do rule : Why should he not permitt you peaceablie Discharg'd of charge and Empires dignitie , Priuate to liue reading Philosophy , In learned Greece , Spaine , Asia , any land ? An. Neuer will he his Empire thinke assur'de While in this world Marke Antony shall liue . Sleepeles Suspicion , Pale distrust , cold feare Alwaies to princes companie do beare Bred of reports : reports which night and day Perpetuall guests from court go not away . Lu. He hath not slaine your brother Lucius , Nor shortned hath the age of Lepidus , Albeit both into his hands were falne , And he with wrath against them both enflam'd . Yet one , as Lord in quiet rest doth beare . The greatest sway in great Iberia : The other with his gentle Prince retaines Of highest Priest the sacred dignitie . An. He feares not them , their feeble force he knowes . Lu. He feares no vanquisht ouerfill'd with woes . An. Fortune may chaunge againe . L. A down-cast foe Can hardly rise , which once is brought so low . Ant. All that I can is donne : for last assay ( When all means fail'd ) I to entreaty fell , ( Ah coward creature ! ) whence againe repulst Of combate I vnto him proffer made : Though he in prime , and I by feeble age Mightily weakned both in force and skill . Yet could not he his coward heart aduaunce Basely affraide to trie so praisefull chaunce . This makes me plaine , makes me my selfe accuse , Fortune in this her spitefull force doth vse 'Gainst my gray hayres : in this vnhappy I Repine at heau'ns in my happes pittiles . A man , a woman both in might and minde , In Mars his schole who neuer lesson learn'd , Should me repulse , chase , ouerthow , destroy , Me of such fame , bring to so low an ebbe ? Alcides bloud , who from my infancy With happy prowesse crowned haue my praise Witnesse thou Gaule vnus'd to seruile yoke , Thou valiant Spaine , you fields of Thessalie With millions of mourning cries bewail'd , Twise watred now with bloud of Italie . Lu. Witnes may Afrique , and of conquer'd world All fower quarters witnesses may be . For in what part of earth inhabited , Hungry of praise haue you not ensignes spred ? Ant. Thou know'st rich Aegipt ( Aegipt of my deedes Faire and foule subiect ) Aegypt ah ! thou know'st How I behau'd me fighting for thy kinge , When I regainde him his rebellious Realme : Against his foes in battaile shewing force , And after fight in victory remorse . Yet if to bring my glory to the ground , Fortune had made me ouerthrowne by one Of greater force , of better skill then I : One of those Captaines feared so of olde , Camill , Marcellus , Worthy Scipio , This late great Caesar , honor of our state , Or that great Pompei aged growne in armes ; That after haruest of a world of men Made in a hundred battailes , fights , assaults , My body thorow pearst with push of pike Had vomited my bloud , in bloud my life , In midd'st of millions felowes in my fall : The lesse her wrong , the lesse should my woe : Nor she should paine , nor I complaine me so . No , no , wheras I should haue died in armes , And vanquisht oft new armies should haue arm'd , New battailes giuen , and rather lost with me All this whole world submitted vnto me : A man who neuer saw enlaced pikes With bristled points against his stomake bent , Who feares the field , and hides him cowardly Dead at the very noise the souldiors make . His vertue , fraud , deceit , malicious guile , His armes the arts that false Vlisses vs'de , Knowne at Modena , where the Consuls both Death-wounded were , and wounded by his men To get their armie , war with it to make Against his faith , against his country soile , Of Lepidus , which to his succours came , To honor whome he was by dutie bound , The Empire he vsurpt : corrupting first with baites and bribes the most part of his men . Yet me hath ouercome , and made his pray , And state of Rome , with me hath ouercome . Strange ! one disordred act at Actium The earth subdu'de , my glory hath obscur'd . For since , as one whome heauens wrath attaints With furie caught , and more then furious Vex'd with my euills , I neuer more had care My armies lost , or lost name to repaire : I did no more resist . Lu. all warres affaires , But battailes most , dayly haue their successe Now good , now ill : and though that fortune haue Great force and power in euery worldly thing , Rule all , do all , haue all things fast enchaind Vnto the circle of hir turning wheele : Yet seemes it more then any practise else She doth frequent Bellonas bloudy trade : And that hir fauour , wauering as the wind , Hir greatest power therein doth oftnest shewe . Whence growes , we dailie see , who in their youth Gett honor ther , do loose it in their age , Vanquisht by some lesse warlike then themselues : Whome yet a meaner man shall ouerthrowe . Hir vse is not to lend vs still her hande , But sometimes headlong backe a gaine to throwe , When by hir fauor she hath vs extolld Vnto the topp of highest happines . Ant. well ought I curse within my grieued soule , Lamenting daie and night , this sencelesse loue , Whereby my faire entising foe entrap'd My hedelesse Reason , could no more escape . It was not fortunes euer chaunging face : It was not Destinies chaungles Violence Forg'd my mishap . Alas ! who doth not know They make , nor marre , nor any thing can doe . Fortune , which men so feare , adore , detest , Is but a chaunce whose cause vnknow'n doth rest . Although oft times the cause is well perceiu'd , But not th' effect the same that was conceiu'd . Pleasure , nought else , the plague of this our life , Our life which still a thousand plagues pursue , Alone hath me this strange disastre spunne , Falne from a souldior to a chamberer , Careles of vertue , careles of all praise . Nay , as the fatted swine in filthy mire With glutted heart I wallowed in delights , All thoughts of honor troden vnder foote . So I me lost : for finding this sweet cupp Pleasing my tast , vnwise I drunke my fill , And through the sweetnes of that poisons power By steps I draue my former wits astraie . I made my frends , offended me forsake , I holpe my foes against my selfe to rise . I robd my subiects , and for followers I saw my selfe be set with flatterers . Mine idle armes faire wrought with spiders worke , My scattred men without their ensignes strai'd : Caesar meane while who neuer would haue dar'de To cope with me , me sodainely despis'de , Tooke hart to fight , and hop'de for victorie On one so gone , who glorie had forgone . Lu. Enchaunting pleasure Venus sweete delights Weaken our bodies , ouer-cloud our sprights , Trouble our reason , from our hearts out chase All holie vertues lodging in thir place : Like as the cunnig fisher takes the fishe By traitor baite whereby the hooks is hid : So Pleasure serues to vice in steede of foode To baite our soules thereon too liquorishe . This poison deadly is alike to all , But on great kings doth greatest outrage worke , Taking the roiall scepters from their hands , Thence forward to be by some stranger borne : While that their people charg'd with heauie loades Their flatt'rers pill , and suck their mary drie , Not rul'd but left to great men as a pray , While this fonde Prince himselfe in pleasur's drowns Who hears nought , sees noght , doth nought of a king Seming himselfe against himselfe conspirde . Then equall Iustice wandreth banished , And in her seat sitts greedie Tyrannie . Confus'd disorder troubleth all estates , Crimes without feare and outrages are done . Then mutinous Rebellion shewes her face , Now hid with this , and now with that pretence , Prouoking enimies , which on each side Enter at ease , and make them Lords of all . The hurtfull workes of pleasure here behold , An. The wolfe is not so hurtfull to the folde , Frost to the grapes , to ripened frutes the raine : As pleasure is to princes full of paine . Lu. There nedes no proofe , but by th' Assirian kinge , On whom that Monster woefull wrack did bring . An. There nedes no proofe , but by vnhappie I , Who lost my empire , honor , life thereby , Lu Yet hath this ill so much the greater force , As scarcely any do against it stand : No not the Demy-gods the olde world knew , Who all subdu'de , could Pleasures power subdue . Great Hercules , Hercules once that was Wonder of earth and heauen , matchles in might , Who Anteus , Lycus , Geryon ouercame , Who drew from hell the triple-headed dogg , Who Hydra kill'd , vanquishd Achelous , Who heauens weight on his strong shoulders bare ; Did he not vnder Pleasures burthen bow ? Did he not Captiue to this passion yelde , When by his Captiue , so he was inflam'd , As now your self in Cleopatra burne ? Slept in hir lapp , hir bosome kist and kiste , With base vnseemely seruice bought her loue , Spinning at distaffe , and with sinewy hand Winding on spindles threde , in maides attire ? His conqu'ring clubbe at rest on wal did hang : His bow unstring'd he bent not as he vs'de : Vpon his shafts the weauing spiders spunne : And his hard cloake the fretting mothes did pierce . The monsters free and fearles all the time Throughtout the world the people did torment . And more and more encreasing daie by daie Scorn'd his weake heart become a mistresse play . An. In onely this like Hercules am I , In this I proue me of his lignage right : In this himselfe , his deedes I shew in this : In this , nought else , my ancestor he is . But goe we : die I must , and with braue end Conclusion make of all foregoing harmes : Die , die I must : I must a noble death , A glorious death vnto my succour call : I must deface the shame of time abus'd , I must adorne the wanton loues I vs'de , With some couragious act : that my last day By mine owne hand my spots may wash away . Come deare Lucill : alas ! why weepe you thus ! This mortall lot is common to vs all . We must all die , each doth in homage owe Vnto that God that shar'd the Realmes belowe Ah sigh no more : alas ! appeace your woes , For by your greife my griefe more eager growes , Chorus . Alas , with what tormenting fire Vs martireth this blind desire to stay our life from flieng ! How ceasleslie our minds doth rack , How heauie lies vpon our back This dastard feare of dieng ! Death rather healthfull succour giues , Death rather all mishapps relieues That life vpon vs throweth : And euer to vs death vnclose The dore whereby from curelesse woes Our weary soule out goeth . What Goddesse else more milde then she To burie all our paine can be , What remedie more pleasing ? Our pained hearts when dolor stings , And nothing rest , or respite brings , What help haue we more easing ? Hope which to vs doth comfort giue , And doth our fainting harts reuiue , Hath not such force in anguish : For promising a vaine reliefe She oft vs failes in midst of griefe , And helples let s vs languish . But Death who call on her at neede Doth neuer with vaine semblant feed , But when them sorrow paineth , So riddes their soules of all distresse Whose heauie weight did them oppresse , That not one griefe remaineth . Who feareles and with courage bolde Can Acherons black face behold , Which muddie water beareth : And crossing ouer in the way Is not amaz'd at Perruque gray Olde rusty Charon weareth ? Who voide of dread can looke vpon The dreadfull shades that Rome alone , On bankes where sound no voices : Whome with hir fire-brands and her Snakes No whit afraide Alecto makes , Nor triple-barking noises : Who freely can himselfe dispose Of that last hower which all must close , And leaue this life at pleasure : This noble freedome more esteemes , And in his heart more precious deemes , Then crowne and kinglie treasure , The waues which Boreas blasts turmoile And cause with foaming furie boile , Make not his heart to tremble : Nor brutish broile , when with strong head A rebell people madly ledde Against their Lords assemble : Nor fearefull face of Tirant wood , Who breaths but threats , & drinks but bloud , No , nor the hand which thunder , The hand of Ioue which thunder beares , And ribbs of rocks in sunder teares , Teares mountains sides in sunder : Nor bloudy Marses butchering bands , Whose lightnings desert laie the lands Whome dustie cloudes do couer : From of whose armour sun-beames flie , And vnder them make quaking lie The plaines wheron they houer : Nor yet the cruell murth'ing blade Warme in the moistie bowels made Of people pell mell dieng In some great Cittie put to sack By sauage Tirant brought to wrack , At his colde mercie lieng . How abiect him , how base thinke I , Who wanting courage can not dye When need him thereto calleth ? From whome the dagger drawne to kill The cureles griefes that vexe him still For feare and faintnes falleth ? O Antony with thy deare mate Both in misfortunes fortunate ! Whose thoughts to death aspiring Shall you protect from victors rage , Who on each side doth you encage , To triumph much desiring . That Caesar may you not offend Nought else but death can you defend , Which his weake force derideth . And all in this round earth containd , Powr'les on them whome once enchaind Auernus prison hideth : Where great Psammetiques ghost doth rest , Not with infernall paine possest , But in sweete fields detained : And olde Amasis soule likewise , And all our famous Ptolomies That whilome on vs raigned .
Act. 4 Caesar . Agrippa . Dircetus . the Messenger . Caesar . You euer-liuing Gods which all things holde Within the power of your celestiall hands , By whome heate , colde , the thunder , and the wind , The properties of enter chaunging mon'ths Their course and being haue ; which do set downe Of Empires by your destinied decree The force , age , time , and subiect to no chaunge Chaunge all , reseruing nothing in one state : You haue aduaunst , as high as thundring heau'n The Romaines greatnes by Bellonas might : Maistring the world with fearefull violence , Making the world widdow of libertie . Yet at this day this proud exalted Rome Despoil'd , captiu'd , at one mans will doth bend : Her Empire mine , her life is in my hand , As Monarch I both world and Rome commaund ; Do all , can all ; foorth my command'ment cast Like thundring fire from one to other Pole Equall to Ioue : bestowing by my word Happs and mishappes , as Fortunes King and Lord . No towne there is , but vp my Image settes , But sacrifice to me doth dayly make : Whither where Phaebus ioyne his mourning steedes , Or where the night them weary entertaines , Or where the heat the Garamants doth scorch , Or where the colde from Boreas breast is blowne : All Caesar do both awe and honor beare , And crowned Kings his verie name doth feare . Antony knowes it well , for whome not one Of all the Princes all this earth do rule , Armes against me : for all redoubt the power which heau'nly powers on earth haue made me beare . Antony , he poore man with fire inflam'de A womans beauties kindled in his heart . Rose against me , who longer could not beare My sisters wrong he did so ill intreat : Seing her left while that his leud delights Her husband with his Cleopatre tooke In Alexandria , where both nights and daies Their time they pass'd in nought but loues and plaies All Asias forces into one he drewe , And forth he set vpon the azur'd waues A thousand and a thousand Shipps , which fill'd With Souldiors , pikes , with targets , arrowes , darts , Made Neptune quake , and all the watry troupes Of Glauques , and Tritons lodg'd at Actium , But mightie Gods , who still the force withstand Of him , who causles doth another wrong , In lesse then moments space redus'd to nought All that proud power by Sea or land he brought . Agr. Presumptuous pride of heigh and hawtie sprite , Voluptuous care of fond and foolish loue , Haue iustly wrought his wrack : who thought he helde ( By ouerweening ) Fortune in his hand . Of vs he made no count , but as to play , So feareles came our forces to assay . So sometimes fell to Sonnes of mother earth , Which crawl'd to heau'n warre on the God to make , Olymp on Pelion , Ossa on Olymp , Pindus on Ossa loading by degrees : That at hand strokes with mightie clubbes the might On mossie rocks the Gods make tumble downe : When mightie Ioue with burning anger chaf'd , Disbraind with him Gyges and Briareus , Blunting his darts vpon their brused bones . For no one thing the Gods can lesse abide In deedes of men , then Arrogance and pride . And still the proud , which too much takes in hand , Shall fowlest fall , where best he thinkes to stand . Caes. Right as some Pallace , or some stately tower , Which ouer-lookes the neighbour buildings round In scorning wise , and to the starres vp growes , Which in short time his owne weight ouerthrowes . What monstrous pride , nay what impietie Incenst him onward to the Gods disgrace ? When his two children , Cleopatras bratts , To Phaebe and her brother he compar'd , Latonas race , causing them to be call'd The Sunne and Moone ? Is not this follie right And is not this the Gods to make his foes ? And is not this himselfe to worke his woes ? Agr. In like proud sort he caus'd his hed to leese The Iewish king Antigonus , to haue His Realme for balme , that Cleopatra lou'd , As though on him he had some treason prou'd . Caes Lidia to her , and Siria he gaue , Cyprus of golde , Arabia rich of smelles : And to his children more Cilicia , Parth's , Medes , Armenia , Phaenicia : The kings of kings proclaming them to be , By his owne word , as by a sound decree . Agr. What ? Robbing his owne country of her due Triumph'd he not in Alexandriae , Of Artabasus the Armenian King , Who yeelded on his periur'd word to him ? Caes. Nay , neuer Rome more iniuries receiu'd , Since thou , ô Romulus , by flight of birds With happy hand the Romain walles did'st build , Then Antonyes fond loues to it hath done . Nor euer warre more holie , nor more iust , Nor vndertaken with more hard constraint , Then is this warre : which were it not , our state Within small time all dignitie should loose : Though I lament ( thou Sunne my witnes art , And thou great Ioue ) that it so deadly proues : That Romaine bloud should in such plentie flowe , Watring the fields and pastures where we go . What Carthage in olde hatred obstinate , What Gaule still barking at our rising state , What rebell Samnite , what fierce Phyrrhus power , What cruell Mithridate , what Parth hath wrought Such woe to Rome ? whose common wealth he had , ( Had he bene victor ) into Egypt brought . Agr. Surely the Gods , which haue this cittie built Steadfast to stand as long as time endures , Which keepe the Capitoll , of vs take care , And care will take of those shall after come , Haue made you victor , that you might redresse Their honor growne by passed mischieues lesse . Caes. The seelie man when all the Greekish Sea His fleete had hid , in hope me sure to drowne , Me battaile gaue : where fortune in my stede , Repulsing him his forces disaraied . Himselfe tooke flight , soone as his loue he saw All wanne through feare with full sailes flie away . His men , though lost , whome none did now direct , With courage fought fast grappled shipp with shipp , Charging , resisting , as their oares would serue , With darts , with swords , with pikes , with fiery flames . So that the darkned night her starrie vaile Vpon the bloudy sea had ouer-spred , Whilst yet they held : and hardly , hardly then They fell to flieng on the wauie plaine , All full of soldiors ouerwhelm'd with waues . The aire throughout with cries & grones did sound : The sea did blush with bloud : the neighbour shores Groned , so they with shipwracks pestred were , And floting bodies left for pleasing foode To birds , and beasts , and fishes of the sea , You know it well Agrippa . Ag. Mete it was The Romain Empire so should ruled be , As heau'n is rul'd : which turning ouer vs , All vnder things by his example turnes . Now as of heau'n one onely Lord we know : One onely Lord should rule this earth below . When one selfe pow're is common made to two Their duties they nor suffer will , nor doe . In quarell still , in doubt , in hate , in feare ; Meane while the people all the smart do beare . Caes. Then to the end none , while my daies endure , Seeking to raise himselfe may succours find , We must with bloud marke this our victory , For iust example to all memorie Murther we must , vntil not one we leaue , Which may hereafter vs of rest be . Ag. Marke it with murthers ? Who of that can like ? Cae. Murthers must vse , who doth assurance seeke . Ag. Assurance call you enemies to make ? Cae. I make no such , but such away I take . Ag. Nothing so much as rigour doth displease . Cae. Nothing so much doth make me liue at ease . Ag. What ease to him that feared is of all ? Cae. Feared to be , and see his foes to fall . Ag. Commonly feare doth brede and nourish hate . Cae. Hate without pow'r comes commonly too late . Ag. A feared Prince hath oft his death desir'd Cae. A Prince not fear'd hath oft his wrong conspir'd . Ag. No guard so sure , no forte so strong doth proue . No such defence , as is the peoples loue . Cae. Nought more vnsure more weak , more like the winde , Then Peoples fauour still to change enclinde . Ag. Good Gods ! what loue to gratious prince men beare ! Cae. What honor to the Prince that is seuere ! Ag. Nought more diuine then is Benigntie . Cae. Nought likes the Gods as doth Seuerity . Ag. Gods all forgiue . Cae. On faults they paines do lay . Ag. And giue their goods . C. Oft times they tak away Ag. They wreake them not , ô Caesar , at each time That by our sinnes they are to wrath prouok'd . Neither must you ( beleeue , I humblie praie ) Your victorie with crueltie defile . The Gods it gaue , it must not be abus'd , But to the good of all men mildely vs'd , And they be thank'd : that hauing giu'n you grace To raigne alone , and rule this earthly masse , They may hence-forward hold it still in rest , All scattered power vnited in one brest . Cae. But what is he that breathles comes so fast , Approching vs , and going in such hast ? Ag. He seemes affraid : and vnder his arme I ( But much I erre ) a bloudy sword espie . Cae. I long to vnderstand what it may be . Ag. He hither comes : it 's best we stay and see . Dirce. What good God now my voice will reenforce , That tell I may to rocks , and hilles , and woods , To waues of sea , which dash vpon the shore , To earth , to heauen , the woefull newes I bring ? A. What sodaine chance thee towards vs hath broght Dir. A lamentable chance . O wrath of heau'ns ! O Gods too pittiles ! Caes. What monstrous hap Wilt thou recount ? Dir. Alas too hard mishap ! When I but dreame of what mine eies beheld , My hart doth freeze , my limmes do quiuering quake , I senceles stand , my brest with tempest tost Killes in my throte my words , ere fully borne . Dead , dead he is : be sure of what I say , This murthering sword hath made the man away . Caes. Alas my heart doth cleaue , pittie me rackes , My brest doth pant to heare this dolefull tale . Is Antony then dead ? to death , alas ! I am the cause despaire him so compelld . But soldior of his death the manner showe , And how he did this liuing light forgoe . Dir. When Antony no hope remaining saw How warre he might , or how agreement make , Saw him betraid by all his men of warre In euery fight as well by sea , as land ; That not content to yeeld them to their foes They also came against himselfe to fight : Alone in court he gan himselfe torment , Accuse the Queene , himselfe of hir lament , Call'd hir vntrue and traitresse , as who sought To yeeld him vp she could no more defend : That in the harmes which for hir sake he bare , As in his blisfull state , she might not share . But she againe , who much his fury fear'd , Gat to the tombes , darke horrors dwelling place : Made lock the doores , and pull the hearses downe . Then fell she wretched , with hir selfe to fight . A thousand plaints , a thousand sobbes she cast From hir weake brest which to the bones was torne . Of women hir the most vnhappy call'd , Who by hir loue , hir woefull loue , had lost Hir realme , hir life , and more the loue of him , Who while he was , was all hir woes support . But that she faultles was she did inuoke For witnes heau'n , and aire , and earth , and sea . Then sent him word , she was no more aliue , But lay inclosed dead within her tombe . This he beleeu'd ; and fell to sigh and grone , And crost his armes , then thus began to mone . C. Poore hopeles man ! D. What dost thou more attend Ah Antony ! why dost thou death deferre . Since Fortune thy professed enimie , Hath made to die , who only made thee liue ? Sone as with sighes hee had these words vp clos'd , His armor he vnlaste and cast it off , Then all disarm'd he thus againe did say : My Queene , my heart , the griefe that now I feele . Is not that I your eies , my Sunne , do loose , For soone againe one tombe shall vs conioyne : I grieue , whome men so valorous did deeme , Should now , then you , of lesser valor seeme . So said , forthwith he Eros to him call'd , Eros his man ; summond him on his faith To kill him at his nede . He tooke the sword , And at that instant stab'd therwith his breast , And ending life fell dead before his feete . O Eros thankes ( quoth Antony ) for this Most noble acte , who pow'rles me to kill , On thee hast done , what I on mee should do . Of speaking thus he scarsce had made an end , And taken vp the bloudy sword from ground , But he his bodie piers'd ; and of red bloud A gushing fountaine all the chamber fill'd . He staggred at the blow , his face grew pale , And on a couche all feeble downe he fell , Sounding with anguish : deadly cold him tooke , As if his soule had then his lodging left But he reuiu'd , and marking all our eies , Bathed in teares , and how our breasts we beate For pittie , anguish , and for bitter griefe , To see him plong'd in extreame wretchednes : He prai'd vs all to haste his lingring death : But no man willing , each himselfe withdrew . Then fell he new to cry and vexe himselfe , Vntill a man from Cleopatra came , Who said from hir he had commaundement To bring him to hir to the monument . The poore soule at these words euen rapt with ioy Knowing she liu'd , prai'd vs him to conuey Vnto his Lady . Then vpon our armes We bare him to the Tombe , but entred not . For she who feared captiue to be made , And that she should to Rome in triumph goe , Kept close the gate but from a window high Cast downe a corde , wherein he was impackt . Then by hir womens help the corps she rais'd , And by strong armes into hir window drew . So pittifull a sight was neuer seene . Little and little Antony was pull'd , Now breathing death : his beard was all vnkempt , His face and brest al bathed in his bloud . So hideous yet , and dieng as he was , His eies half-clos'd vppon the Queene he cast : Held vp his hands , and holpe himselfe to raise , But still with weaknes back his bodie fell . The miserable ladie with moist eies , With haire which careles on hir forhead hong , With brest which blowes had bloudily benumb'd , With stooping head , and body down-ward bent , Enlast hir in the corde , and with all force This life-dead man couragiously vprais'd , The bloud with paine into hir face did flowe , Hir sinewes stiff , her selfe did breathles grow . The people which beneath in flocks beheld , Assisted her with gesture , speach , desire : Cride and incourag'd her , and in thier soules Did sweate , and labor , no whit lesse then she . Who neuer tir'd in labor , held so long Helpt by her women , and hir constant heart , That Antony was drawne into the tombe , And there ( I thinke ) of dead augments the summe . The cittie all to teares and sighes is turn'd , To plaints and outcries horrible to heare : Men , women , children , hoary-headed age Do all pell mell in house and streete lament , Scratching their faces , tearing of their haire , Wringing their hands , and martyring their brests Extreame their dole : and greater misery In sacked townes can hardlie euer be . Not if the fire had scal'de the highest towers : That all things were of force and murther full ; That in the streets the bloud in riuers stream'd ; The sonne his sire saw in his bosome slaine , The sire his sonne : the husband and rest of breath In his wiues armes , who furious runnes to death . Now my brest wounded with their piteouse plaints I left their towne , and tooke with me this sworde , Which I tooke vp at what time Antony Was from his chamber caried to the tombe : And brought it you , to make his death more plaine , And that thereby my words may credite gaine . Cas. Ah Gods what cruell hap ! poore Antony , Alas hast thou this sword so long time borne Against thy foe , that in the end it should Of thee his Lord the cursed murth'rer be ? O Death how I bewaile thee ! we ( alas ! ) So many warres haue ended , brothers , frends , Companions , coozens , equalls in estate : And must it now to kill thee be my fate ? Ag. Why trouble you your selfe with bootles griefe ? For Antony why spend you teares in vaine ? Why darken you with dole your victory ? Me seemes your selfe your glory do enuie . Enter the towne , giue thanks vnto the Gods . Cae. I cannot but his tearefull chaunce lament , Although not I , but his owne pride the cause , And vnchast loue of this Aegiptian . Agt. But best we sought into the tombe to get , Lest she consume in this amazed case So much rich treasure , with which happely Despaire in death may make hir feede the fire : Suffring the flames hir Iewells to deface , You to defraud , hir funerall to grace . Sende then to hir , and let some meane be vs'd With some deuise so hold her still aliue , Some faire large promises : and let them marke Whither they may by some fine cunning slight Enter the tombes . Caesar . Let Proculeius goe , And feede with hope hir soule disconsolate . Assure hir soe , that we may wholy get Into our hands hir treasure and her selfe . For this of all things most I do desire To keepe her safe vntill our going hence : That by hir presence beautified may be The glorious triumph Rome prepares for me . Chorus of Romaine Souldiors . Shall euer ciuile bate gnaw and deuour our state ? shall neuer we this blade , our bloud hath bloudy made , lay downe ? these armes downe lay as robes we weare alway ? but as from age to age . so passe from rage to rage ? Our hands shall we not rest to bath in our owne brest ? and shall thick in each land our wretched trophees stand , to tell posteritie , what madd Impietie our stonie stomacks led against the place vs bred ? Then still must heauen view the plagues that vs pursue . and euery wher descrie Heaps of vs scattred lie , making the stranger plaines fat with our bleeding raines , proud that on them their graue so many legions haue . And without fleshes still Neptune his fishes fill and dronke with bloud from blue the sea take blushing hue : as iuice of Tyrian shell , when clarified well to wolle of finest fields a purple glosse it yeeldes . But since the rule of Rome , to one mans hand is come , who gouernes without mate hir now vnited state , late iointly rulde by three enuieng mutuallie , whose triple yoke much woe on Latines necks did throwe : I hope the cause of iarre , and of this bloudie warre , and deadly discord gone by what we last haue done : our banks shall cherish now the branchie pale-hew'd bow of Oliue , Pallas praise , in stede of barraine baies . And that his temple dore , which bloudy Mars before held open , now at last olde Ianus shall make fast : and rust the sword consume , and spoild of wauing plume , The vseles morion shall on crooke hang by the wall . At least if warre returne It shall not here soiourne , to kill vs with those armes were forg'd for others harmes : but haue their points addrest , against the Germaines brest , The Parthians fayned flight , the Biscaines martiall might . Olde Memory doth there painted on forehead weare our Fathers praise : thence torne our triumphs baies haue worne : therby our matchles Rome whilome of Shepeheards come rais'd to this greatnes stands , the Queene of forraine lands . Which now euen seemes to face the heau'ns , her glories place : nought resting vnder skies that dares affront her eies . So that she needes but feare the weapons Ioue doth beare , who angry at one blowe may her quite ouerthrowe .
Act. 5 , Cleopatra . Euphron . Children of Cleopatra . Charmion . Eras. Cleop. O cruell fortune ! ô accursed lot ! O plaguy loue ! ô most detested brand ! O wretched ioyes ! ô beauties miserable ! O deadly state ! ô deadly roialtie ! O hatefull life ! ô Queene most lamentable ! O Antony by my faulte buriable ! O hellish worke of heau'n ! alas ! the wrath Of all the Gods at once on vs is falne . Vnhappie Queene ! ô would I in this world The wandring light of day had neuer seene ? Alas ! of mine the plague and poison I The crowne haue lost my ancestors me left , This Realme I haue to strangers subiect made , And robd my children of their heritage . Yet this is nought ( alas ! ) vnto the price Of you deare husband , whome my snares intrap'd : Of you , whome I haue plagu'd , whom I haue made With bloudy hand a guest of mouldie tombe : Of you , whome I destroied , of you , deare Lord , Whome I of Empire , honor , life haue spoil'd . O hurtfull woman ! and can I yet liue , Yet longer liue in this Ghost-haunted tombe ? Can I yet breath ! can yet in such annoy , Yet can my soule within this body dwell ? O Sisters you that spin the thredes of death ! O Styx ! ô Plegethon ! you brookes of hell ! O Impes of Night ! Euph. Liue for your childrens sake : Let not your death of kingdome them depriue . Alas what shall they do who will haue care ? Who will preserue this royall race of yours ? Who pittie take ? euen now me seemes I see These little soules to seruile bondage falne , And borne in triumph . Cl. Ah most miserable ! Euph. Their tender armes with cursed cord fast bound At their weake backs . Cl. Ah Gods what pitty more ! Euph. Their seely necks to ground with weaknes bend Cl. Neuer on vs , good Gods , such mischiefe send . Euph. And pointed at with fingers as they go . Cl. Rather a thousand deaths . Euph. Lastly his knife Some cruell catiue in their bloud embrue . Cl. Ah my heart breaks . By shady banks of hell , By fields whereon the lonely Ghosts do treade , By my foule , and the soule of Antony I you besech , Euphron , of them haue care . Be their good Father , let your wisedome lett That they fall not into this Tyrants hands . Rather conduct them where their freezed locks Black Aethiops to neighbour Sunne do shew ; On wauie Ocean at the waters will ; On barraine cliffes of snowie Caucasus ; To Tigers swift , to Lions , and to Beares ; And rather , rather vnto euery coaste , To eu'ry land and sea : for nought I feare As rage of him , whose thirst no bloud can quench . Adieu deare children , children deare adieu : Good Isis you to place of safety guide , Farre from our foes , where you your liues may leade In free estate deuoid of seruile dread . Remember not , my children , you were borne Of such a Princely race : remember not So many braue Kings which haue Egipt rul'de In right descent your ancestors haue beene : That this great Antony your father was , Hercules bloud , and more then he in praise . For your high courage such remembrance will , Seing your fall with burning rages fill . Who knowes if that your hands false Destinie The Scepters promis'd of imperious Rome , In stede of them shall crooked shepehookes beare , Needles or forkes , or guide the carte , or plough ? Ah learne t' endure : your birth and high estate Forget , my babes , and bend to force of fate . Farwell , my babes , farwell my heart is clos'd , With pittie and paine , my selfe with death enclos'd , My breath doth faile . Farwell for euermore , Your Sire and me you shall see neuer more . Farwell sweet care , farwell . Chil. Madame Adieu . Cl. Ah this voice killes me . Ah good Gods ! I swound . I can no more , I die . Eras. Madame , alas ! And will you yeld to woe ? Ah speake to vs . Eu, Come Children . Chil. We come . Eu. Follow we our chance . The Gods shall guide vs . Char. O too cruell lot ! O too hard chaunce ! Sister what shall we do , What shall we do , alas ! if murthring darte Of death arriue while that in slumbring swound Halfe dead she lie with anguish ouergone ? Er, Her face is frozen . Ch. Madame for Gods loue Leaue vs not thus : bid vs yet first farwell . Alas ! wepe ouer Antony : Let not His bodie be without due rites entomb'd . Cl. Ah , ah . Char. Madame . Cl. Ay me ! Ch. How fainte she is ? Cl. My Sisters , holde me vp . How wretched I , How cursed am : and was there euer one By Fortunes hate into more dolours throwne ? Ah , weeping Niobe , although thy heart Beholds it selfe enwrap'd in causefull woe For thy dead children , that a sencelesse rocke With griefe become , on Sipylus thou stand'st In endles teares : yet didst thou neuer feele The weights of griefe that on my heart do lie . Thy Children thou , mine I poore soule haue lost , And lost their Father , more then them I waile , Lost this faire realme ; yet me the heauens wrath Into a stone not yet transformed hath . Phaetons sisters , daughters of the Sunne , Which waile your brother falne into the streames Of stately Po : the Gods vpon the bankes Your bodies to banke-louing Alders turn'd . For me , I sigh , I ceasles wepe , and waile , And heauen pittiles laughes at my woe , Reuiues , renewes it still : and in the ende ( Oh cruelty ! ) doth death for comfort lend . Die Cleopatra then no longer stay From Antony , who thee at Styx attends : Go ioyne thy Ghost with his , and sob no more Without his loue within these tombes enclos'd . Eras. Alas ! yet let vs wepe , lest sodaine death From him our teares , and those last duties take Vnto his tombe we owe . Ch. Ah let vs wepe While moisture lasts , then die before his feete . Cl. Who furnish will mine eies with streaming teares My boiling anguish worthily to waile , Waile thee Antony , Antony my heart ? Alas , how much I weeping liquor want ! Yet haue mine eies quite drawne their Condits drie By long beweeping my disastred harmes . Now reason is that from my side they sucke First vitall moisture , then the vitall bloud . Then let the bloud from my sad eies outflowe , And smoking yet with thine in mixture grow . Moist it , and heat it newe , and neuer stop , All watring thee , while yet remaines one drop . Ch. Antony take our teares : this is the last Of all the duties we to thee can yelde , Before we die . Er. These sacred obseques Take Antony , and take them in good parte . Cl. O Goddesse thou whom Cyprus doth adore , Venus of Phaphos , bent to worke vs harme For olde Iulus broode , if thou take care Of Caesar , why of vs tak'st thou no care ? Antony did descend , as well as he , From thine owne Sonne by long enchained line : And might haue rul'd by one and selfe same fate , True Troian bloud , the stately Romain state . Antony , poore Antony , my deare soule , Now but a blocke , the bootie of a tombe , Thy life thy heat is lost , thy coullour gone , And hideous palenes on thy face hath seaz'd . Thy eies , two Sunnes , the lodging place of loue , Which yet for tents to warlike Mars did serue , Lock'd vp in lidds ( as faire daies cherefull light Which darkenese flies ) do winking hide in night . Antony by our true loues I thee beseeche , And by our hearts sweete sparks haue set on fire , Our holy mariage , and the tender ruthe Of our deare babes , knot of our amitie : My dolefull voice thy eare let entertaine , And take me with thee to the hellish plaine , Thy wife , thy frend : heare Antony , ô heare My sobbing sighes , if here thou be , or there . Liued thus long , the winged race of yeares Ended I haue as Destinie decreed . Flourish'd and raign'd , and taken iust reuenge Of him who me both hated and despisde . Happie , alas too happie : if of Rome Only the fleete had hither neuer come . And now of me an Image great shall goe Vnder the earth to bury there my woe . What say I ? where am I ? ô Cleopatra , Poore Cleopatra , griefe thy reason reaues . No , no , most happie in this happles case , To die with thee , and dieng thee embrace : My bodie ioynde with thine , my mouth with thine , my mouth , whose moisture burning sighes haue dried To be in one selfe tomble , and one selfe chest , And wrapt with thee in one selfe sheete to rest . The sharpest torment in my heart I feele Is that I stay from thee , my heart , this while . Die will I straight now , now streight will I die , And streight with thee a wandring shade will be , Vnder the Cypres trees thou haunt'st alone , Where brookes of hell do falling seeme to mone . But yet I stay , and yet thee ouerliue , That ere I die due rites I may thee giue . A thousand sobbes I from my brest will teare , With thousand plaints thy funeralls adorne : My haire shall serue for thy oblations , My boiling teares for thy effusions , Mine eies thy fire : for out of them the flame ( Which burnt thy heart on me enamour'd ) came . Wepe my companions , weepe , and from your eies Raine downe on him of teares a brinish streame . Mine can no more , consumed by the coales Which from my brest , as from a furnace rise . Martir your breasts with multiplied blowes , With violent hands teare of your hanging haire , Outrage your face : alas ! why should we seeke ( Since now we die ) our beauties more to keepe ? I spent in teares , not able more to spende , But kisse him now , what rests me more to doe ? Then let me kisse you , you faire eies , my light , Front seat of honor , face most firce , most faire ! O neck , ô armes , ô hands , ô breast where death ( O mischiefe ) comes to choake vp vitall breath . A thousand kisses , thousand thousand more Let you my mouth for honors farewell giue : That in this office weake my limmes may growe , Fainting on you , and fourth my soule may flow . At Rams bury . 26. of Nouember . 1590 .

Printed at London by P. S. for William Ponsonby . 1595 .

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intermittedloue places renewed in his remembrāce the long intermitted loue of Cleopatra Queene of Aegipte : who Aslaue that power that made me so much fear'd , A slaue become vnto her feeble face . O cruell exrreamest Nations . Yet , yet , which is of griefe extreamest griefe , Which is yet of mischiefe highest wau ' ring heauens fauour'd me . But ah ! by nature women wau'ring are , Each moment changing and rechanging morunfull ceasles plaints With teares and sighes make mournful sacrifice On Isis altars : not our selues sacrfice plaints With teares and sighes make mournful sacrifice On Isis altars : not our selues to saue measnr'd knowes In mea sure let them plaine : Who measured griefes sustaine . ●● Cl. assift all . A frend in most distresse should most assist . If that when Antonie great and glorious scatt ' red God my voice be heard , And be not vainely scatt'red in the heau'ns , Such goodnes shall not ●ut downe : Amitie , kindred , nought so holy is but it defiles . A monarchie to gaine None cares Dest nies fortunes euer chaunging face : It was not Destinies chaungles Violence Forg'd my mishap An●eus earth and heauen , matchles in might , Who Anteus , Lycus , Geryon ouercame , Who drew from Ly●us heauen , matchles in might , Who Anteus , Lycus , Geryon ouercame , Who drew from hell the vnstringd clubbe at rest on wal did hang : His bow unstring'd he bent not as he vs'de : Vpon his shafts thuder hand which thunder , The hand of Ioue which thunder beares , And ribbs of rocks in sunder teares Glanques Neptune quake , and all the watry troupes Of Glauques , and Tritons lodg'd at Actium , But mightie bethank'd the good of all men mildely vs'd , And they be thank'd : that hauing giu'n you grace To with out them their graue so many legions haue . And without fleshes still Neptune his fishes fill eites to doe ? Then let me kisse you , you faire eies , my light , Front seat of honor , face