The Death of Cleopatra
A. Bauld
Cleopatra
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.
Charmian and Iras begin to dress her.
Yare, yare, good Iras, quick. Methinks I hear
Antony call. I see him rouse himself
To praise my noble act. I hear him mock
The luck of Caesar, which the gods give men
To excuse their after wrath.—Husband, I come!
Now to that name my courage prove my title.
I am fire and air; my other elements
I give to baser life.—So, have you done?
Come then, and take the last warmth of my lips.
Farewell, kind Charmian.—Iras, long farewell.
She kisses them. Iras falls and dies.
Have I the aspic in my lips? Dost fall?
If thou and nature can so gently part,
The stroke of death is as a lover's pinch,
Which hurts and is desired. Dost thou lie still?
If thus thou vanishest, thou tell'st the world
It is not worth leave-taking.
Charmian
Dissolve, thick cloud, and rain, that I may say
The gods themselves do weep!
Cleopatra
This proves me base.
If she first meet the curlèd Antony,
He'll make demand of her, and spend that kiss
Which is my heaven to have.—Come, thou mortal wretch,
She places an asp on her breast.
With thy sharp teeth this knot intrinsicate
Of life at once untie. Poor venomous fool,
Be angry and dispatch. O, couldst thou speak,
That I might hear thee call great Caesar ass
Unpolicied!
Charmian
O eastern star!
Cleopatra
Peace, peace!
Dost thou not see my baby at my breast,
That sucks the nurse asleep?
Charmian
O, break! O, break!
Cleopatra
As sweet as balm, as soft as air, as gentle—
O Antony!—Nay, I will take thee too.
She places an asp on her arm.
What should I stay—
Dies.
Charmian
In this wild world? So, fare thee well.
Now boast thee, Death, in thy possession lies
A lass unparalleled. Downy windows, close,
She closes Cleopatra's eyes.
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 rustling in.