Enter one of the Guard.

Guard. Here is a rural fellow

That will not be denied your highness' presence: He brings you figs.

Cleo. Let him come in. [Exit Guard].-How 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.

Re-enter Guard, with a Clown bringing a basket.

Guard. This is the man.

Cleo. Avoid, and leave him.- [Exit Guard. Hast thou the pretty worm of Nilus there, That kills and pains not?

Clown. 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.

Cleo. Remember'st thou any that have died on't?

Clown. Very many, men and women too. I heard of one of them no longer than yesterday: a very honest woman, but something given to lie, as a woman should not do but in the way of honesty how she died of the biting of it, what pain she felt; truly she makes a very good report o' the worm: but he that will believe all that they say, shall never be saved by half that they do. But this is most fallible, the worm's an odd worm.

Re-enter IRAs, with a robe, crown, &c. Cleo. Give me my robe; put on my crown. I have

Immortal longings in me: now no more
The juice of Egypt's grape shall moist this lip.—
Yare, yare, good Iras; quick.-Methinks I hear
Antony call: I see him rouse himself

To praise my noble act: I hear him mock
The luck of Cæsar, which the gods give men
To excuse their after-wrath.-Husband, I come
Now to that name my courage prove my title!
I am fire and air; my other elements

I give to baser life.-So; have you done?
Come, then, and take the last warmth of my lips.
Farewell, kind Charmian :-Iras, long farewell.
[Kisses them. IRAs falls and dies.
Have I the aspick 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.

Char. Dissolve, thick cloud, and rain: that I may say,

The gods themselves do weep!
Cleo. This proves me base :
If she first meet the curléd Antony,
He'll make demand of her; and spend that kiss
Which is my heaven to have.-Come, thou mortal
wretch,

[To the asp, which she applies to her breast. With thy sharp teeth this knot intrinsicate Of life at once untie: poor venomous fool,

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

[Applying another asp to her arm. What should I stay- [Falls on a bed, and dies. Char. In this wild world?-So, fare thee well.Now boast thee, death! in thy possession lies A lass unparalleled.-Downy windows, close; And golden Phoebus never be beheld

Of eyes again so royal!-Your crown's awry: I'll mend it, and then play.

Enter the Guard, rushing in. 1st Guard. Where is the queen? Char. Speak softly; wake her not. 1st Guard. Cæsar hath sentChar. Too slow a messenger. [Applies the asp. O come! apace, despatch! I partly feel thee. 1st Guard. Approach, ho! all's not well. Cæsar's beguiled.

2nd Guard. There's Dolabella sent from

Cæsar:-call him.

1st Guard. What work is here?-Charmian,

is this well done?

you I did fear is done.

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.

Dol.

Who was last with them?

1st Guard. A simple countryman, that brought her figs.

This was his basket.

Cæs.
1st Guard.

Poisoned, then.

O Cæsar,

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.

[Exeunt.