Tragedie of Anthony and Cleopatra. ACT I., SC. I.
If they had swallow'd poyson, 'twould appeare
By externall swelling: but she lookes like sleepe,
As she would catch another Anthony
In her strong toyle of Grace.
There is a vent of Bloud, and something blowne,
The like is on her Arme.
This is an Aspickes traile,
And these Figge-leaves have slime upon them, such
As th'Aspicke leaves upon the Caves of Nyle.
Most probable
Casar.
That so she dyed for her Physitian tels mee
She hath pursu'de Conclusions infinite
Of easie wayes to dye. Take up her bed,
And beare her Women from the Monument,
She shall be buried by her Anthony.
No Grave upon the earth shall clip in it
A payre so famous: high events as these
Strike those that make them and their Story is
No lesse in pitty, then his Glory which
Brought them to be lamented. Our Army shall
In solemne shew, attend this Funerall,
And then to Rome. Come Dolabella, see
High Order, in this great Solemnity.
1 His daughter, and the heire of's kingdome (whom
He purpos'd to his wives sole Sonne, a Widdow
That late he married) hath referr'd her selfe
Unto a poore, but worthy Gentleman. She's wedded,
Her Husband banish'd; she imprison'd, all
Is outward sorrow, though I thinke the King
Be touch'd at very heart.
1 He that hath lost her too: so is the Queene, That most desir'd the Match. But not a Courtier, Although they weare their faces to the bent
Of the Kings lookes, hath a heart that is not
Glad at the thing they scowle at.
I He that hath miss'd the Princesse, is a thing Too bad, for bad report: and he that hath her,
(I meane, that married her, alacke good man,
And therefore banish'd) is a Creature, such,
As to seeke through the Regions of the Earth
For one, his like; there would be something failing
In him, that should compare, I do not thinke,
So faire an Outward, and such stuffe Within
Endowes a man, but hee.
You speake him farre.
1 I do extend him (Sir) within himselfe,
Crush him together, rather then unfold
What's his name, and Birth?
I I cannot delve him to the roote: His Father
Was call'd Sicillius, who did joyne his Honor
Against the Romanes, with Cassibulan,
But had his Titles by Tenantius, whom
He serv'd with Glory, and admir'd Successe:
So gain'd the Sur-addition, Leonatus.
And had (besides this Gentleman in question)
Two other Sonnes, who in the Warres o'th'time
Dy'de with their Swords in hand. For which, their Father
Then old, and fond of yssue, tooke such sorrow
That he quit Being; and his gentle Lady
Bigge of this Gentleman (our Theame) deceast
As he was borne. The King he takes the Babe
To his protection, cals him Posthumus Leonatus,
Breedes him, and makes him of his Bed-chamber,
Puts to him all the Learnings that his time
Could make him the receiver of, which he tooke
As we do ayre, fast as 'twas ministred,
And in's Spring, became a Harvest. Liv'd in Court
(Which rare it is to do) most prais'd, most lov'd,
A sample to the yongest: to thʼmore Mature,
A glasse that feated them: and to the graver,
A Childe that guided Dotards. To his Mistris,
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