If I endured him after, 'twas because I judged it due to the first name of men;And, half constrained, I gave, as to a tyrant, What he would take by force.
VENTIDIUS. O Syren! Syren!
Yet grant that all the love she boasts were true, Has she not ruined you? I still urge that, The fatal consequence.
CLEOPATRA. The consequence indeed--
For I dare challenge him, my greatest foe, To say it was designed: 'tis true, I loved you, And kept you far from an uneasy wife,--Such Fulvia was.
Yes, but he'll say, you left Octavia for me;--And, can you blame me to receive that love, Which quitted such desert, for worthless me?
How often have I wished some other Caesar, Great as the first, and as the second young, Would court my love, to be refused for you!
VENTIDIUS. Words, words; but Actium, sir; remember Actium.
CLEOPATRA. Even there, I dare his malice. True, I counselled To fight at sea; but I betrayed you not.
I fled, but not to the enemy. 'Twas fear;Would I had been a man, not to have feared!
For none would then have envied me your friendship, Who envy me your love.
ANTONY. We are both unhappy:
If nothing else, yet our ill fortune parts us.
Speak; would you have me perish by my stay?
CLEOPATRA. If, as a friend, you ask my judgment, go;If, as a lover, stay. If you must perish--'Tis a hard word--but stay.
VENTIDIUS. See now the effects of her so boasted love!
She strives to drag you down to ruin with her;But, could she 'scape without you, oh, how soon Would she let go her hold, and haste to shore, And never look behind!
CLEOPATRA. Then judge my love by this.
[Giving ANTONY a writing.]
Could I have borne A life or death, a happiness or woe, >From yours divided, this had given me means.
ANTONY. By Hercules, the writing of Octavius!
I know it well: 'tis that proscribing hand, Young as it was, that led the way to mine, And left me but the second place in murder.--See, see, Ventidius! here he offers Egypt, And joins all Syria to it, as a present;So, in requital, she forsake my fortunes, And join her arms with his.
CLEOPATRA. And yet you leave me!
You leave me, Antony; and yet I love you, Indeed I do: I have refused a kingdom;That is a trifle;
For I could part with life, with anything, But only you. Oh, let me die but with you!
Is that a hard request?
ANTONY. Next living with you, 'Tis all that Heaven can give.
ALEXAS. He melts; we conquer.
[Aside.]
CLEOPATRA. No; you shall go: your interest calls you hence;Yes; your dear interest pulls too strong, for these Weak arms to hold you here.
[Takes his hand.]
Go; leave me, soldier (For you're no more a lover): leave me dying:
Push me, all pale and panting, from your bosom, And, when your march begins, let one run after, Breathless almost for joy, and cry--She's dead.
The soldiers shout; you then, perhaps, may sigh, And muster all your Roman gravity:
Ventidius chides; and straight your brow clears up, As I had never been.
ANTONY. Gods, 'tis too much; too much for man to bear.
CLEOPATRA. What is't for me then, A weak, forsaken woman, and a lover?--Here let me breathe my last: envy me not This minute in your arms: I'll die apace, As fast as e'er I can, and end your trouble.
ANTONY. Die! rather let me perish; loosened nature Leap from its hinges, sink the props of heaven, And fall the skies, to crush the nether world!
My eyes, my soul, my all!
[Embraces her.]
VENTIDIUS. And what's this toy, In balance with your fortune, honour, fame?
ANTONY. What is't, Ventidius?--it outweighs them all;Why, we have more than conquered Caesar now:
My queen's not only innocent, but loves me.
This, this is she, who drags me down to ruin!
"But, could she 'scape without me, with what haste Would she let slip her hold, and make to shore, And never look behind!"Down on thy knees, blasphemer as thou art, And ask forgiveness of wronged innocence.
VENTIDIUS. I'll rather die, than take it. Will you go?
ANTONY. Go! whither? Go from all that's excellent?
Faith, honour, virtue, all good things forbid, That I should go from her, who sets my love Above the price of kingdoms! Give, you gods, Give to your boy, your Caesar, This rattle of a globe to play withal, This gewgaw world, and put him cheaply off:
I'll not be pleased with less than Cleopatra.
CLEOPATRA. She's wholly yours. My heart's so full of joy, That I shall do some wild extravagance Of love, in public; and the foolish world, Which knows not tenderness, will think me mad.
VENTIDIUS. O women! women! women! all the gods Have not such power of doing good to man, As you of doing harm.
[Exit.]
ANTONY. Our men are armed:--
Unbar the gate that looks to Caesar's camp:
I would revenge the treachery he meant me;And long security makes conquest easy.
I'm eager to return before I go;
For, all the pleasures I have known beat thick On my remembrance.--How I long for night!
That both the sweets of mutual love may try, And triumph once o'er Caesar ere we die.
[Exeunt.]