Their mediation; must I be unfolded [me For things that others do; and, when we fall, Cœs. Cleopatra, Not what you have reserv'd, nor what acknowledg'd, Put we i'the roll of conquest: still be it yours, Make not your thoughts your prisons: no, dear Not so: Adieu. [Exeunt Cæsar and his Train. Cleo. He words me, girls, he words me, that I should not Be noble to myself; but hark thee, Charmian. [Whispers Charmian. Iras. Finish, good lady; the bright day is done, And we are for the dark. Cleo. Hie thee again: I have spoke already, and it is provided; Go, put it to the haste. Char. Madam, I will. Re-enter Dolabella. Dol. Where is the queen? Char. Cleo. Behold, sir. [Exit Charmian. D. Madam, as thereto sworn by your command, I shall remain your debtor. Dolabella, I your servant. Dol. Thou, an Egyptian puppet, shall be shown Iras. Extemporally will stage us, and present Our Alexandria revels; Antony Shall be brought drunken forth, and I shall see Some squeaking Cleopatra, boy1 my greatness. O the good gods! Iras. Cleo. Nay, that is certain. Iras. I'll never see it; for, I am sure my nails Are stronger than mine eyes. Cleo. Why, that's the way To fool their preparation, and to conquer Their most absurd intents.-Now, Charmian?Enter Charmian. Show me, my women, like a queen-Go fetch thee leave To play till doomsday.-Bring our crown and all. Wherefore's this noise? [Exit Iras. A noise within. 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. Of woman in me: Now from head to foot 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. [on't? Cleo. Remember'st thou any that have died 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 pains 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. Cleo. Get thee hence; farewell. Clown. I wish you all joy of the worm. Cleo. Farewell. [Clown sets down the Basket. Clown. You must think this, look you, that the worm will do bis kind. 3 I tell you all her wealth.-[To France.] For you, great king, I woull not from your love make such a stray, To match you where I hate: therefore beseech To avert your liking a more worthier way, [you Than on a wretch whom nature is asham'd Almost to acknowledge hers. France. Commit a thing so monstrous, to dismantle That monsters it, or your fore-vouch'd affection Cor. 2 Because. Hadst not been born, than not to have pleas'd me better. France. Is it but this? a tardiness in nature, Which often leaves the history unspoke, That it intends to do?-My lord of Burgundy, What say you to the lady? Love is not love, When it is mingled with respects, that stand She is herself a dowry. Aloof from the entire point. Will you have her? Royal Lear, Bur. Give but that portion which yourself propos'd, And here I take Cordelia by the hand, Duchess of Burgundy. Lear. Nothing: I have sworn; I am firm. Bur. I am sorry then, you have so lost a father, That you must lose a husband. Cor. Peace be with Burgundy! Since that respects of fortune are his love, I shall not be his wife. France. Fairest Cordelia, thou art most rich, being poor; Most choice, forsaken: and most lov'd, despis'd! My love should kindle to inflam'd respect.Thy dowerless daughter, king, thrown to my chance, Is queen of us, of ours, and our fair France: Lear. Thou hast her, France: let her be thine; for we Have no such daughter, nor shall ever see That face of hers again:-Therefore be gone, Without our grace, our love, our benizon.1Come, noble Burgundy. eyes [Flourish. Exeunt Lear, Burgundy, Cornwall, Albany, Gloster, and Attendants. France. Bid farewell to your sisters. Cor. The jewels of our father, with wash'd Cordelia leaves you; I know you what you are; And, like a sister, am most loath to call Your faults, as they are nam'd. Use well oar father: To your professed bosoms I commit him: Gon. Prescribe not us our duties. Cor. Time shall unfold what plaited cunning Who cover faults, at last shame them derides Well may you prosper! France. Come, my fair Cordelia. [Exeunt France and Cordelia. Gon. Sister, it is not a little I have to say, of what most nearly appertains to us both. think, our father will hence to-night. 1 Blessing. |