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. Re-enter Guard, with a Clown bringing a basket. 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. Cleo. Remember'st thou any that have died on't? 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 pain 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. Re-enter IRAs, with a robe, crown, &c. Cleo. Give me my robe; put on my crown. I have Immortal longings in me: now no more To praise my noble act: I hear him mock I give to baser life.-So; have you done? Char. Dissolve, thick cloud, and rain: that I [To the asp, which she applies to her breast. With thy sharp teeth this knot intrinsicate Of life at once untie: poor venomous fool, Cleo. As sweet as balm, as soft as air, as gentle,- [Applying another asp to her arm. Of eyes again so royal!-Your crown's awry: Enter the Guard, rushing in. 2nd Guard. There's Dolabella sent from Cæsar:-call him. 1st Guard. What work is here ?-Charmian, is this well done? Char. It is well done, and fitting for a princess Descended of so many royal kings. Ah, soldier! Enter DOLABELLA. All dead. Dol. How goes it here? 2nd Guard. Dol. Cæsar, thy thoughts [Dies. Touch their effects in this. Thyself art coming So sought'st to hinder. Within. That so she died; for her physician tells me 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 A way there; a way for Cæsar! High order in this great solemnity. [Exeunt. SCENE I.-Northampton. A Room of State in the Palace. Enter KING JOHN, QUEEN ELINOR, PEMBROKE, ESSEX, SALISBURY, and others, with CHATIL LON. King John. Now, say, Chatillon, what would France with us? Chat. Thus, after greeting, speaks the King of France, my behaviour, to the majesty (The borrowed majesty) of England here. Eli. A strange beginning:-" Borrowed majesty!" K. John. Silence, good mother; hear the embassy. Chat. Philip of France, in right and true behalf Of thy deceased brother Geffrey's son, Arthur Plantagenet, lays most lawful claim, To this fair island, and the territories; To Ireland, Poictiers, Anjou, Touraine, Maine: Desiring thee to lay aside the sword Which sways usurpingly these several titles, And put the same into young Arthur's hand, Thy nephew and right royal sovereign. K. John. What follows, if we disallow of this? Char. The proud control of fierce and bloody war, To enforce these rights so forcibly withheld. |