Page:Antony and Cleopatra (1921) Yale.djvu/121

Antony and Cleopatra, IV. xii

Sufficing strokes for death.

Dio. Most absolute lord,

My mistress Cleopatra sent me to thee.

Ant. When did she send thee?

Dio. Now, my lord.

Ant. Where is she?

Dio. Lock'd in her monument. She had a prophesying fear

Of what hath come to pass; for when she saw—

Which never shall be found—you did suspect

She had dispos'd with Cæsar, and that your rage

Would not be purg'd, she sent you word she was dead;

But, fearing since how it might work, hath sent

Me to proclaim the truth; and I am come,

I dread, too late.

Ant. Too late, good Diomed. Call my guard, I prithee.

Dio. What, ho! the emperor's guard! The guard, what, ho!

Come, your lord calls!

Ant. Bear me, good friends, where Cleopatra bides;

'Tis the last service that I shall command you.

First Guard. Woe, woe are we, sir, you may not live to wear

All your true followers out.

All. Most heavy day!

Ant. Nay, good my fellows, do not please sharp fate

To grace it with your sorrows; bid that welcome

 123 dispos'd: come to terms

124 purg'd: cleared away 