Previous
Act 5, Scene 1
Antony and Cleopatra Translation Act 5, Scene 2
Enter CLEOPATRA, CHARMIAN, and IRAS
CLEOPATRA
My desolation does begin to make A better life. ’Tis paltry to be Caesar. Not being Fortune, he’s but Fortune’s knave, A minister of her will. And it is great To do that thing that ends all other deeds, Which shackles accidents and bolts up change, Which sleeps and never palates more the dung, The beggar’s nurse, and Caesar’s.
CLEOPATRA
My isolation has helped me better understand my life. It's no great thing to be Caesar. He doesn't control his own fate, he's controlled by fate, and does whatever fortune dictates. And it is great, to do that deed that puts an end to everything else, that puts a stop to all the accidents of fortune and to all change, that makes us sleep forever so that we never eat food from the earth again—food that nourishes beggars as well as great men like Caesar.
Enter PROCULEIUS
PROCULEIUS
Caesar sends greeting to the Queen of Egypt,And bids thee study on what fair demandsThou mean’st to have him grant thee.
PROCULEIUS
Caesar sends greetings to the Queen of Egypt and asks what requests you have for him.
CLEOPATRA
What’s thy name?
CLEOPATRA
What is your name?
Ask LitCharts AI:
The answer to your questions
Get instant explanations to your questions about anything we cover.
Powered by LitCharts content and AI.
Learn More
Powered by LitCharts content and AI.
Ask LitCharts AI:
The answer to your questions
Ask LitCharts AI:
The answer to your questions
Learn More
PROCULEIUS
My name is Proculeius.
PROCULEIUS
My name is Proculeius.
CLEOPATRA
Antony Did tell me of you, bade me trust you, but I do not greatly care to be deceived, That have no use for trusting. If your master Would have a queen his beggar, you must tell him, That majesty, to keep decorum, must No less beg than a kingdom. If he please To give me conquered Egypt for my son, He gives me so much of mine own as I Will kneel to him with thanks.
CLEOPATRA
Antony told me about you and told me to trust you, but I am still hesitant to trust people, since I do not like being deceived. If your master wants me, a queen, to beg for favors from him, then you must tell him that a queen, if she is to act appropriately, cannot ask for anything less than a kingdom. If Caesar is willing to give Egypt back to me so I can make my son its ruler, then I will kneel down and thank him for giving me back what is rightfully mine.
PROCULEIUS
Be of good cheer. You’re fall’n into a princely hand. Fear nothing. Make your full reference freely to my lord, Who is so full of grace that it flows over On all that need. Let me report to him Your sweet dependency, and you shall find A conqueror that will pray in aid for kindness Where he for grace is kneeled to.
PROCULEIUS
Take comfort. You've been conquered by a noble and generous man. Don't be afraid of anything. Make all your requests to my lord without hesitation. His generosity is so great that he will willingly meet your needs. Let me report back to him how humbly you acknowledge his power, and you'll find that this conquerer will beg you to tell him new ways to show kindness to you, once you've knelt down to ask him for mercy.
CLEOPATRA
Pray you, tell him I am his fortune’s vassal, and I send him The greatness he has got. I hourly learn A doctrine of obedience, and would gladly Look him i’ th’ face.
CLEOPATRA
Please, tell him that I am at the mercy of fortune and that I acknowledge the great power he has won through his good fortune. Every hour I learn to become more obedient, and I would gladly speak to him face to face.
PROCULEIUS
This I’ll report, dear lady.Have comfort, for I know your plight is pitiedOf him that caused it.
PROCULEIUS
I'll tell him this, dear lady. Take comfort, for I know that Caesar, who put you in this position, pities you for what he's done.
GALLUS and Roman soldiers enter from behind and take CLEOPATRA prisoner
GALLUS
You see how easily she may be surprised. [To the soldiers] Guard her till Caesar come.
GALLUS
[To the soldiers] You see how easily someone can sneak up on her. Guard her until Caesar arrives.
IRAS
Royal Queen!
IRAS
Royal Queen!
CHARMIAN
O Cleopatra! Thou art taken, Queen.
CHARMIAN
Oh Cleopatra! You are captured, Queen.
CLEOPATRA draws a dagger
CLEOPATRA
Quick, quick, good hands.
CLEOPATRA
[Moving as if to stab herself] Act quickly, my good hands.
PROCULEIUS seizes the dagger
PROCULEIUS
Hold, worthy lady, hold!Do not yourself such wrong, who are in thisRelieved but not betrayed.
PROCULEIUS
Stop, worthy lady, stop! Do not do yourself such wrong. We are trying to help you, not betray you.
CLEOPATRA
What, of death too,That rids our dogs of languish?
CLEOPATRA
What, you are depriving me of my death, too? Even dogs are allowed to die to avoid prolonged suffering.
PROCULEIUS
Cleopatra,Do not abuse my master’s bounty byTh’ undoing of yourself. Let the world seeHis nobleness well acted, which your deathWill never let come forth.
PROCULEIUS
Cleopatra, do not show such ingratitude to my master's generosity by killing yourself. Let the world have a chance to see how nobly he acts; if you die, his nobility cannot be displayed.
CLEOPATRA
Where art thou, Death?Come hither, come! Come, come and take a queenWorth many babes and beggars!
CLEOPATRA
Where are you, Death? Come here, come! Come, come, and kill me, a queen, who is worth more than the babies and beggars that you so frequently kill!
PROCULEIUS
Oh, temperance, lady!
PROCULEIUS
Oh, be patient, my lady!
CLEOPATRA
Sir, I will eat no meat, I’ll not drink, sir. If idle talk will once be necessary, I’ll not sleep neither. This mortal house I’ll ruin, Do Caesar what he can. Know, sir, that I Will not wait pinioned at your master’s court, Nor once be chastised with the sober eye Of dull Octavia. Shall they hoist me up And show me to the shouting varletry Of censuring Rome? Rather a ditch in Egypt Be gentle grave unto me. Rather on Nilus’ mud Lay me stark naked and let the waterflies Blow me into abhorring. Rather make My country’s high pyramides my gibbet And hang me up in chains!
CLEOPATRA
Sir, I will eat no food and I will not drink, sir. Even if it takes idle chatter to keep me awake, I won't sleep either. I'll destroy my own body, no matter what Caesar tries to do. You should know, sir, that I won't wait around to be a captive at your master's court, or to be judged with solemn looks from dull Octavia. Shall they hoist me up and display me to the shouting mobs of Rome with all their harsh judgments? I'd rather have a friendly grave in a ditch in Egypt. I'd rather be laid stark naked in the mud on the shores of the Nile and let waterflies lay eggs on me until I become disgusting. I'd rather you turned Egypt's tall pyramids into a gallows and hung me from them in chains!
PROCULEIUS
You do extendThese thoughts of horror further than you shallFind cause in Caesar.
PROCULEIUS
You'll learn from Caesar that you're alarming yourself needlessly.
Enter DOLABELLA
DOLABELLA
Proculeius, What thou hast done thy master Caesar knows, And he hath sent for thee. For the Queen, I’ll take her to my guard.
DOLABELLA
Proculeius, your master Caesar knows what you have done, and he's sent for you. As for the Queen, I'll guard her.
PROCULEIUS
So, Dolabella, It shall content me best. Be gentle to her. [To CLEOPATRA] To Caesar I will speak what you shall please, If you’ll employ me to him.
PROCULEIUS
That sounds fine to me, Dolabella. Be gentle with her.
[To CLEOPATRA] I'll tell Caesar whatever you wish, if you'll send a message to him through me.
CLEOPATRA
Say I would die.
CLEOPATRA
Tell him I wish to die.
Exit PROCULEIUS
DOLABELLA
Most noble Empress, you have heard of me?
DOLABELLA
Most noble Empress, have you heard of me?
CLEOPATRA
I cannot tell.
CLEOPATRA
I cannot tell.
DOLABELLA
Assuredly you know me.
DOLABELLA
I'm sure that you know me.
CLEOPATRA
No matter, sir, what I have heard or known.You laugh when boys or women tell their dreams.Is ’t not your trick?
CLEOPATRA
It doesn't matter, sir, what I have heard or known. You laugh when boys or women tell you about their dreams. Isn't that your habit?
DOLABELLA
I understand not, madam.
DOLABELLA
I don't understand, madam.
CLEOPATRA
I dreamt there was an emperor Antony.Oh, such another sleep, that I might seeBut such another man!
CLEOPATRA
I dreamt Antony was emperor. Oh, I wish I could sleep again like that, so I could dream about another man like that!
DOLABELLA
If it might please ye—
DOLABELLA
If you care to—
CLEOPATRA
His face was as the heavens, and therein stuckA sun and moon, which kept their course and lightedThe little “O,” the earth.
CLEOPATRA
His face was as bright and majestic as the heavens. In his face were two bright orbs, like the sun and moon, that followed their course and shed light on this whole round planet, the earth.
DOLABELLA
Most sovereign creature—
DOLABELLA
Most royal lady—
CLEOPATRA
His legs bestrid the ocean. His reared arm Crested the world. His voice was propertied As all the tunèd spheres, and that to friends. But when he meant to quail and shake the orb, He was as rattling thunder. For his bounty, There was no winter in ’t, an autumn ’twas That grew the more by reaping. His delights Were dolphinlike; they showed his back above The element they lived in. In his livery Walked crowns and crownets. Realms and islands were As plates dropped from his pocket.
CLEOPATRA
He was so tall that his legs straddled the ocean. His upraised arm reached across the whole world. When he spoke to friends, his voice had the same qualities as musical spheres. But when he wanted to frighten and shake the world, his voice rumbled like thunder. His generosity was endless. It was like an autumn harvest, that grew more bountiful the more you drew from it. The things he took delight in revealed his extraordinary character; just as a dolphin's fin rises above the water, his character made him rise above the level of common people. Kings and princes were his servants. He could give away realms and islands as easily as he could drop silver coins from his pocket.
DOLABELLA
Cleopatra—
DOLABELLA
Cleopatra—
CLEOPATRA
Think you there was or might be such a manAs this I dreamt of?
CLEOPATRA
Do you think there was, or could be, a man like the one I dreamed of?
DOLABELLA
Gentle madam, no.
DOLABELLA
Gentle madam, no.
CLEOPATRA
You lie up to the hearing of the gods. But if there be nor ever were one such, It’s past the size of dreaming. Nature wants stuff To vie strange forms with fancy, yet t’ imagine An Antony were nature’s piece ’gainst fancy, Condemning shadows quite.
CLEOPATRA
You lie so blatantly that even the gods can hear you! But if there is or ever was such a man, he's greater than anything that could be dreamed up. Nature cannot create creatures as strange as the ones we can imagine, but if nature could create a man like Antony, it would outdo even the imagination, and reveal how pathetic and worthless our imaginary visions are.
DOLABELLA
Hear me, good madam. Your loss is as yourself, great, and you bear it As answering to the weight. Would I might never O’ertake pursued success, but I do feel, By the rebound of yours, a grief that smites My very heart at root.
DOLABELLA
Listen to me, good madam. Your loss is great because you yourself are great, and you bear it like the heavy burden it is. May I never achieve the success I seek if this is not true: that from sympathizing with your grief, I feel a grief that strikes deep in my own heart.
CLEOPATRA
I thank you, sir.Know you what Caesar means to do with me?
CLEOPATRA
I thank you, sir. Do you know what Caesar intends to do with me?
DOLABELLA
I am loath to tell you what I would you knew.
DOLABELLA
It pains me to tell you what I want you to know.
CLEOPATRA
Nay, pray you, sir.
CLEOPATRA
No, please, go on, sir.
DOLABELLA
Though he be honorable—
DOLABELLA
Even though Caesar is honorable—
CLEOPATRA
He’ll lead me, then, in triumph.
CLEOPATRA
He'll lead me in his triumphal procession, then.
DOLABELLA
Madam, he will. I know ’t.
DOLABELLA
Madam, he will. I know it.
Flourish. Enter CAESAR, PROCULEIUS, GALLUS, MAECENAS, and other ATTENDANTS
ATTENDANTS
Make way there! Caesar!
ATTENDANTS
Make way there! Caesar is coming!
CAESAR
Which is the Queen of Egypt?
CAESAR
Which person is the Queen of Egypt?
DOLABELLA
[To CLEOPATRA] It is the Emperor, madam.
DOLABELLA
[To CLEOPATRA] It is the Emperor, madam.
CLEOPATRA kneels
CAESAR
Arise, you shall not kneel.I pray you, rise. Rise, Egypt.
CAESAR
Get up, you shouldn't kneel. Please, rise. Rise, Queen of Egypt.
CLEOPATRA
Sir, the godsWill have it thus. My master and my lordI must obey.
CLEOPATRA
Sir, this is what the gods have willed. I must obey my lord and master.
CLEOPATRA stands
CAESAR
Take to you no hard thoughts. The record of what injuries you did us, Though written in our flesh, we shall remember As things but done by chance.
CAESAR
Please don't hold any grudges. Even though our bodies still bear the wounds from battle, we'll agree to forget about the injuries you inflicted on us, treating them as accidents.
CLEOPATRA
Sole sir o’ th’ world, I cannot project mine own cause so well To make it clear, but do confess I have Been laden with like frailties which before Have often shamed our sex.
CLEOPATRA
Only ruler of the world, I cannot explain my side of the story well enough to make it clear. I can only confess that I have some of the same weaknesses that have often brought shame to women.
CAESAR
Cleopatra, know We will extenuate rather than enforce. If you apply yourself to our intents, Which towards you are most gentle, you shall find A benefit in this change, but if you seek To lay on me a cruelty by taking Antony’s course, you shall bereave yourself Of my good purposes and put your children To that destruction which I’ll guard them from If thereon you rely. I’ll take my leave.
CAESAR
Cleopatra, you should know that I intend to excuse your offenses rather than dwell on them. If you agree to go along with my plans, which are very generous, you'll find that this change will benefit you. But if you try to injure me by killing yourself as Antony did, you'll lose all the generosity I intend to show you and ensure that I destroy your children—which I will not do if you submit to me. I'll leave you now.
CLEOPATRA
And may, through all the world! ’Tis yours, and we,Your scutcheons and your signs of conquest, shallHang in what place you please. Here, my good lord.
CLEOPATRA
And you may go freely wherever you like in the world! The world is yours, and just as you can freely display the shields of your conquered enemies, you can do whatever what you like with me.
She gives him a scroll
CAESAR
You shall advise me in all for Cleopatra.
CAESAR
You will let me know everything you need.
CLEOPATRA
This is the brief of money, plate, and jewelsI am possessed of. ’Tis exactly valued,Not petty things admitted. Where’s Seleucus?
CLEOPATRA
Here's an inventory of all the money, precious metals, and jewels that I own. I've calculated the exact value of everything except for the smaller items. Where's Seleucus?
Enter SELEUCUS
SELEUCUS
Here, madam.
SELEUCUS
I'm here, madam.
CLEOPATRA
This is my treasurer. Let him speak, my lord, Upon his peril, that I have reserved To myself nothing. — Speak the truth, Seleucus.
CLEOPATRA
[To CAESAR] This is my treasurer. He will tell you on his honor, my lord, that I haven't held back anything for myself.
[To SELEUCUS] Speak truthfully, Seleucus.
SELEUCUS
Madam, I had rather seal my lipsThan to my peril speak that which is not.
SELEUCUS
Madam, I would rather not speak than risk endangering myself by saying something false.
CLEOPATRA
What have I kept back?
CLEOPATRA
What have I held back?
SELEUCUS
Enough to purchase what you have made known.
SELEUCUS
You've held back enough treasure to buy back everything you listed on that inventory.
CAESAR
Nay, blush not, Cleopatra. I approveYour wisdom in the deed.
CAESAR
No, don't blush, Cleopatra. I approve of the wisdom you demonstrated in this trick.
CLEOPATRA
See, Caesar! Oh, behold How pomp is followed! Mine will now be yours, And, should we shift estates, yours would be mine. The ingratitude of this Seleucus does Even make me wild. [To SELEUCUS] O slave, of no more trust Than love that’s hired! What, goest thou back? Thou shalt Go back, I warrant thee! But I’ll catch thine eyes, Though they had wings. Slave, soulless villain, dog! Oh, rarely base!
CLEOPATRA
See, Caesar! Oh, see what happens when all the spectacle is over! My followers will now be your followers, and if we exchanged our positions, your followers would be my followers. Still, Seleucus's ingratitude makes me wild with anger.
[To SELEUCUS] Oh you villainous man, you are less trustworthy than a mercenary! What, do you retreat from me? I bet you do! But even if your eyes had wings to fly away, I would catch them. Scoundrel, soulless villain, dog! Oh, you uncommonly corrupt man!
CAESAR
Good Queen, let us entreat you—
CAESAR
Good Queen, let me ask you to—
CLEOPATRA
O Caesar, what a wounding shame is this, That thou, vouchsafing here to visit me, Doing the honor of thy lordliness To one so meek, that mine own servant should Parcel the sum of my disgraces by Addition of his envy! Say, good Caesar, That I some lady trifles have reserved, Immoment toys, things of such dignity As we greet modern friends withal, and say Some nobler token I have kept apart For Livia and Octavia, to induce Their mediation, must I be unfolded With one that I have bred? The gods! It smites me Beneath the fall I have. [To SELEUCUS] Prithee, go hence, Or I shall show the cinders of my spirit Through th’ ashes of my chance. Wert thou a man, Thou wouldst have mercy on me.
CLEOPATRA
Oh Caesar, I am so ashamed—you agreed to visit me here and honor me in my humiliation with your great presence, and my own servant adds to all my disgraces out of spite! Let's suppose, good Caesar, that I did hold back some little feminine, insignificant trinkets, the kind of common items that we give them away to our ordinary friends; and let's suppose that I did hold back some more valuable objects to give to your wife Livia and to Octavia, to persuade them to intervene for me—even supposing all that, do I deserve to be betrayed by a servant I have nurtured? The gods! This causes me more agony than the embarrassment I've already endured.
[To SELEUCUS] Get out of here, or I'll show what's left of my strong will with what resources luck has left me. If you were a real man, you would have had sympathy for me.
CAESAR
Forbear, Seleucus.
CAESAR
Hold back, Seleucus.
Exit SELEUCUS
CLEOPATRA
Be it known that we, the greatest, are misthought For things that others do, and when we fall We answer others’ merits in our name, Are therefore to be pitied.
CLEOPATRA
Let it be known that we, the greatest, are misjudged for the things other people do, and when we fall, we have to answer for the things that others have done in our name. We should therefore be pitied.
CAESAR
Cleopatra, Not what you have reserved nor what acknowledged Put we i’ th’ roll of conquest. Still be ’t yours. Bestow it at your pleasure, and believe Caesar’s no merchant, to make prize with you Of things that merchants sold. Therefore be cheered. Make not your thoughts your prison. No, dear Queen, For we intend so to dispose you as Yourself shall give us counsel. Feed and sleep. Our care and pity is so much upon you That we remain your friend. And so, adieu.
CAESAR
Cleopatra, I don't claim as a right of conquest either the treasure you have held back or the treasure you have declared in your inventory. Let it all still belong to you. Do what you like with it, and do not think that I am like a common merchant, so concerned with material things that I would haggle with you over your property. Therefore, be cheerful. Don't imprison yourself in gloomy thoughts. No, dear, Queen, because I intend to treat you in whatever way you yourself advise me to. Eat and sleep. I have so much care and pity for you that I will continue to be your friend. And so, goodbye.
CLEOPATRA
My master, and my lord!
CLEOPATRA
My master, and my lord!
CAESAR
Not so. Adieu.
CAESAR
I am not your master or your lord. Goodbye.
Flourish. Exeunt CAESAR and his train
CLEOPATRA
He words me, girls, he words me, that I should notBe noble to myself. But, hark thee, Charmian.
CLEOPATRA
He tries to pacify me with empty words, girls, empty words, so that I will not do the noble thing and commit suicide. But, listen to me, Charmian.
She whispers to CHARMIAN
IRAS
Finish, good lady. The bright day is done,And we are for the dark.
IRAS
Wrap things up, my lady. The bright day is over and night is upon us.
CLEOPATRA
[To CHARMIAN] Hie thee again.I have spoke already, and it is provided.Go put it to the haste.
CLEOPATRA
[To CHARMIAN] Hurry back. I have already given instructions, and everything is arranged. Go set things in motion quickly.
CHARMIAN
Madam, I will.
CHARMIAN
Madam, I will.
Enter DOLABELLA
DOLABELLA
Where’s the Queen?
DOLABELLA
Where is the Queen?
CHARMIAN
Behold, sir.
CHARMIAN
She's there, sir.
Exit
CLEOPATRA
Dolabella!
CLEOPATRA
Dolabella!
DOLABELLA
Madam, as thereto sworn by your command, Which my love makes religion to obey, I tell you this: Caesar through Syria Intends his journey, and within three days You with your children will he send before. Make your best use of this. I have performed Your pleasure and my promise.
DOLABELLA
Madam, I vowed to obey your commands, and my devotion compels me to uphold that vow. Therefore, I must tell you this: Caesar intends to travel back through Syria, and within three days, he'll send you and your children on the road ahead of him. Make the best use of this information that you can. I've carried out my promise and served you well.
CLEOPATRA
Dolabella,I shall remain your debtor.
CLEOPATRA
Dolabella, I will always be in your debt.
DOLABELLA
I your servant.Adieu, good Queen. I must attend on Caesar.
DOLABELLA
And I will always be your servant. Goodbye, good Queen. I must go to Caesar.
CLEOPATRA
Farewell, and thanks.
CLEOPATRA
Goodbye, and thank you.
Exit DOLABELLA
Now, Iras, what think’st thou? Thou an Egyptian puppet shalt be shown In Rome, as well as I. Mechanic slaves With greasy aprons, rules, and hammers shall Uplift us to the view. In their thick breaths, Rank of gross diet, shall be enclouded, And forced to drink their vapor.
Now, Iras, what do you think about this? You'll be displayed in Rome like an Egyptian puppet, and so will I. Common laborers with greasy aprons, rulers, and hammers will lift us up for everyone to see. We'll be suffocated by their foul breath that stinks from the unwholesome food they eat, and forced to breathe in their stench.
IRAS
The gods forbid!
IRAS
May the gods forbid it!
CLEOPATRA
Nay, ’tis most certain, Iras. Saucy lictors Will catch at us like strumpets, and scald rhymers Ballad us out o’ tune. The quick comedians Extemporally will stage us and present Our Alexandrian revels. Antony Shall be brought drunken forth, and I shall see Some squeaking Cleopatra boy my greatness I’ th’ posture of a whore.
CLEOPATRA
No, it will certainly happen, Iras. Insolent officers will grab at us as if we were prostitutes, and good-for-nothing poets will make up vulgar ballads about us. Witty actors will improvise plays about us and dramatize the parties we had in Alexandria. They'll bring out some drunken man to play Antony, and I'll see some squeaky-voiced boy play me, in all my greatness, as if I were nothing more than a whore.
IRAS
Oh, the good gods!
IRAS
Oh, may the good gods forbid it!
CLEOPATRA
Nay, that’s certain.
CLEOPATRA
No, it's certain.
IRAS
I’ll never see ’t! For I am sure mine nailsAre stronger than mine eyes.
IRAS
I'll never see it! For I'm sure I have enough will-power to tear out my eyes with nails first.
CLEOPATRA
Why, that’s the wayTo fool their preparation and to conquerTheir most absurd intents.
CLEOPATRA
Why, that's the best way to ruin their plans and undermine the terrible things they intend to do.
Enter CHARMIAN
Now, Charmian! Show me, my women, like a queen. Go fetch My best attires. I am again for Cydnus, To meet Mark Antony. —Sirrah Iras, go.— Now, noble Charmian, we’ll dispatch indeed, And when thou hast done this chare I’ll give thee leave To play till doomsday. [To IRAS] Bring our crown and all.
CLEOPATRA
Now, Charmian! Dress me, my women, like a queen. Go get my best robes. I am going to Cydnus, to meet Mark Antony.
[To IRAS] Iras, get going.
[To CHARMIAN] Now, noble Charmian, we'll put our plans into action, and when you've done this task, I give you permission to do as you please until the end of the world.
[To IRAS] Bring my crown and everything.
Exit IRAS. A noise within
Wherefore’s this noise?
What's this noise?
Enter a GUARDSMAN
GUARDSMAN
Here is a rural fellowThat will not be denied your Highness’ presence.He brings you figs.
GUARDSMAN
Here's a country peasant who insists on seeing the Queen. He brings you figs.
CLEOPATRA
Let him come in.
CLEOPATRA
Let him come in.
Exit GUARDSMAN
What poor an instrument May do a noble deed! He brings me liberty. My resolution’s placed, and I have nothing Of woman in me. Now from head to foot I am marble-constant. Now the fleeting moon No planet is of mine.
See how a humble person can help accomplish a noble deed! This peasant brings me freedom. I am fully resolved to do this, and I have no more feminine fear or weakness in me. Now I am so completely dedicated to my purpose that my will cannot be shaken. Now I am unchangeable.
Enter GUARDSMAN, and COUNTRYMAN bringing in a basket
GUARDSMAN
This is the man.
GUARDSMAN
This is the man.
CLEOPATRA
Avoid, and leave him.
CLEOPATRA
Get out, and leave him here.
Exit GUARDSMAN
Hast thou the pretty worm of Nilus there,That kills and pains not?
[To the COUNTRYMAN] Did you bring that attractive serpent of the Nile, the one that kills without causing pain?
COUNTRYMAN
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.
COUNTRYMAN
Yes, I have him, but I wouldn't advise you to touch him, for his bite is fatal. Those that die from the bite seldom or never recover.
CLEOPATRA
Remember’st thou any that have died on ’t?
CLEOPATRA
Do you know of any people who have died from it?
COUNTRYMAN
Very many, men and women too. I heard of one of them nolonger than yesterday—a very honest woman, but something given to lie, as a woman should not do but in the way of honesty —how she died of the biting of it, what pain she felt. Truly, she makes a very good report o’ th’ worm. But he that will believe all that they say shall never be saved by half that they do. But this is most falliable, the worm’s an odd worm.
COUNTRYMAN
Very many, both men and women. I heard of one just yesterday. She was a very honest woman, but had a slight tendency to lie, which women should not do except when it's honest. I heard she died from its bite and the pain. Really, she had very favorable things to say about the serpent. But if you believe what they say about the serpent and act on it, you'll never reach heaven. But this is definitely certain, that the serpent is an odd creature.
CLEOPATRA
Get thee hence, farewell.
CLEOPATRA
Get going, goodbye.
COUNTRYMAN
I wish you all joy of the worm.
COUNTRYMAN
I wish you luck with the serpent.
He sets down his basket
CLEOPATRA
Farewell.
CLEOPATRA
Goodbye.
COUNTRYMAN
You must think this, look you, that the worm will do his kind.
COUNTRYMAN
Be careful, you should be aware that the serpent will do what serpents typically do.
CLEOPATRA
Ay, ay. Farewell.
CLEOPATRA
Yes, yes. Goodbye.
COUNTRYMAN
Look you, the worm is not to be trusted but in the keeping of wise people, for indeed there is no goodness in the worm.
COUNTRYMAN
See here, it isn't safe for anyone except a wise person to hold on to that serpent, for it really is a dangerous animal.
CLEOPATRA
Take thou no care. It shall be heeded.
CLEOPATRA
Don't worry. I will listen to your warnings.
COUNTRYMAN
Very good. Give it nothing, I pray you, for it is not worth the feeding.
COUNTRYMAN
Very good. Don't give it any food, I advise you, for it isn't worth keeping alive.
CLEOPATRA
Will it eat me?
CLEOPATRA
Will it eat me?
COUNTRYMAN
You must not think I am so simple but I know the devil himself will not eat a woman. I know that a woman is a dish for the gods, if the devil dress her not. But, truly, these same whoreson devils do the gods great harmin their women, for in every ten that they make, the devils mar five.
COUNTRYMAN
You can't think I'm so foolish—I know that even the devil would not eat a woman. I know that a woman is worthy food for the gods, so long as the devil doesn't corrupt her. But in fact, those terrible devils do the gods great harm by ruining so many women. For every ten women the gods make, the devil ruins five.
CLEOPATRA
Well, get thee gone. Farewell.
CLEOPATRA
Well, get going. Goodbye.
COUNTRYMAN
Yes, forsooth. I wish you joy o’ th’ worm.
COUNTRYMAN
Yes, indeed. I wish you luck with the worm.
Exit
Enter IRAS with royal attire
CLEOPATRA
Give me my robe. Put on my crown. I haveImmortal longings in me. Now no moreThe juice of Egypt’s grape shall moist this lip.
CLEOPATRA
Give me my robe. Put on my crown. I long to enter into the afterlife. I will never again drink wine made from Egypt's grapes.
The women 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.
Quickly, quickly, good Iras, quickly. I think I hear Antony calling me. I see his spirit lifting itself up to praise my noble act. I hear him mocking Caesar's fortunes; the gods may give men good luck at first, but only to make up for giving them bad luck later.
[As if to ANTONY] Husband, I'm coming! Now may I be brave enough to prove myself worthy to call you husband! Now I am only a soul, I leave my body behind on earth where coarser, less noble creatures live.
[To her women] So, have you finished? Come then and receive my final kiss. Farewell, kind Charmian. Iras, farewell forever.
[To her women] So, have you finished? Come then and receive my final kiss. Farewell, kind Charmian. Iras, farewell forever.
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.
Do I have poison in my lips? Do you fall? If you can die so peacefully, then death's stroke hurts no more than a lover's pinch, a pain that we desire. Are you dead? If you depart like this, you tell the world that it isn't worth saying goodbye to.
CHARMIAN
Dissolve, thick cloud, and rain, that I may sayThe gods themselves do weep!
CHARMIAN
May the thick clouds dissolve and rain so that I can say the gods themselves 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,
CLEOPATRA
Iras's act makes mine seem less noble. If she meets the curly-haired Antony in the afterlife before I do, he'll speak to her and give her that heavenly kiss that belongs to me.
[To the serpent] Come, you wretched, poisonous thing.
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. Oh, couldst thou speak, That I might hear thee call great Caesar ass Unpolicied!
With your sharp teeth, end my life immediately. Poor silly venomous thing, get angry and finish me off. Oh, if only you could speak, so I could hear you call great Caesar an ass now that I've outwitted him!
CHARMIAN
O eastern star!
CHARMIAN
Oh goddess!
CLEOPATRA
Peace, peace!Dost thou not see my baby at my breast,That sucks the nurse asleep?
CLEOPATRA
Quiet, quiet! Don't you see this baby that's lulling me to sleep by sucking on my breast?
CHARMIAN
Oh, break! Oh, break!
CHARMIAN
Oh, I wish my heart would break!
CLEOPATRA
As sweet as balm, as soft as air, as gentle—O Antony!—Nay, I will take thee too.
CLEOPATRA
This feeling is as sweet as perfumed oil, as soft as air, as gentle—O Antony!—Oh yes, I will take you too.
Applying another asp to her arm
What should I stay—
Why should I stay—
Dies
CHARMIAN
In this wild world? So, fare thee well.Now boast thee, Death, in thy possession liesA lass unparalleled. Downy windows, close,
CHARMIAN
In this wild world? So, farewell. Now, Death, you can boast that you have taken a woman who has no equal. Let's close these soft eyelids.
She closes CLEOPATRA’s eyes
And golden Phoebus never be beheldOf eyes again so royal! Your crown’s awry.I’ll mend it and then play—
And may no person as royal ever live to see the sun! Your crown is askew. I'll adjust it and then play—
Enter the GUARD, rustling in
FIRST GUARD
Where’s the Queen?
FIRST GUARD
Where's the Queen?
CHARMIAN
Speak softly. Wake her not.
CHARMIAN
Speak softly. Don't wake her up.
FIRST GUARD
Caesar hath sent—
FIRST GUARD
Caesar has sent—
CHARMIAN
Too slow a messenger.
CHARMIAN
A messenger that was too slow.
She applies an asp to herself.
Oh, come apace, dispatch! I partly feel thee.
Oh, hurry up, finish me off! I partly feel the poison working.
FIRST GUARD
[calling] Approach, ho! All’s not well. Caesar’s beguiled.
FIRST GUARD
[Calling] Hey there, come here! Something's gone wrong. Caesar has been tricked.
SECOND GUARD
There’s Dolabella sent from Caesar. Call him.
SECOND GUARD
There's Dolabella, who was sent from Caesar. Call him.
Exit SECOND GUARD
FIRST GUARD
What work is here, Charmian? Is this well done?
FIRST GUARD
What happened here, Charmian? Was this a good thing to do?
CHARMIAN
It is well done and fitting for a princessDescended of so many royal kings.Ah, soldier!
CHARMIAN
It was a good thing to do, and it was fitting for a princess who was descended from so many royal kings. Ah, soldier!
CHARMIAN dies
Enter DOLABELLA
DOLABELLA
How goes it here?
DOLABELLA
What's going on here?
SECOND GUARD
All dead.
SECOND GUARD
They are all dead.
DOLABELLA
Caesar, thy thoughts Touch their effects in this. Thyself art coming To see performed the dreaded act which thou So sought’st to hinder.
DOLABELLA
Caesar, this is the effect of all your planinng. You'll arrive and see she's done the dreaded act you tried so hard to prevent.
Enter CAESAR and all his train, marching
ALL
A way there, a way for Caesar!
ALL
Make way there, make way for Caesar!
DOLABELLA
O sir, you are too sure an augurer.That you did fear is done.
DOLABELLA
Oh sir, your prediction came true. What you feared has happened.
CAESAR
Bravest at the last, She leveled at our purposes and, being royal, Took her own way. The manner of their deaths? I do not see them bleed.
CAESAR
She was bravest at the very end; she guessed what I planned to do and, being noble, took matters into her own hands. How did they die? I don't see any blood.
DOLABELLA
Who was last with them?
DOLABELLA
Who was the last person with them?
FIRST GUARD
A simple countryman that brought her figs.This was his basket.
FIRST GUARD
A simple peasant who brought her figs. This was his basket.
CAESAR
Poisoned, then.
CAESAR
They must have been poisoned, then.
FIRST GUARD
Oh, Caesar, This Charmian lived but now. She stood and spake. I found her trimming up the diadem On her dead mistress. Tremblingly she stood And on the sudden dropped.
FIRST GUARD
Oh, Caesar, this woman Charmian was alive until a moment ago. She stood and spoke. I found her adjusting the crown of her dead mistress. She stood trembling and then suddenly collapsed.
CAESAR
Oh, noble weakness! If they had swallowed poison, ’twould appear By external swelling, but she looks like sleep, As she would catch another Antony In her strong toil of grace.
CAESAR
Oh, these women were weak but noble, too! If they had taken poison, we would be able to tell by the swelling of their bodies, but Cleopatra just looks as if she were sleeping—as if she were dreaming of catching another man like Antony with her strong, bewitching charms.
DOLABELLA
Here on her breastThere is a vent of blood, and something blown.The like is on her arm.
DOLABELLA
There's a trail of blood here on her breast, and some discharge. The same thing appears on her arm.
FIRST GUARD
This is an aspic’s trail, and these fig leavesHave slime upon them, such as th’ aspic leavesUpon the caves of Nile.
FIRST GUARD
This is the trail of a serpent. These fig leaves have a slimy discharge on them too, just as a serpent leaves in the caves of the Nile.
CAESAR
Most probable That so she died, for her physician tells me She hath pursued conclusions infinite Of easy ways to die. Take up her bed And bear her women from the monument. She shall be buried by her Antony. No grave upon the earth shall clip in it A pair so famous. High events as these Strike those that make them, and their story is No less in pity than his glory which Brought them to be lamented. Our army shall In solemn show attend this funeral, And then to Rome. Come, Dolabella, see High order in this great solemnity.
CAESAR
It's most likely that she died from the serpents' bite, for her doctor tells me that she performed countless experiments to find easy ways to die. Pick up her bed and carry her women out of the tomb. She will be buried beside her Antony. No grave on earth will contain such a famous couple. Great events like these strike the hearts of those who brought them about. The pity of their story is as great as the glory of that person who brought them to this lamentable end. Our army will solemnly watch this funeral, and then they will go to Rome. Come, Dolabella, and observe the great decorum that this solemn occasion requires.
Exeunt, bearing the dead bodies
