Her death was very sodain. For those whom Caesar sent unto her ran thither in all haste possible, and found the soldiers standing at the gate, mistrusting nothing, nor understanding of her death. But when they had opened the doors, they found Cleopatra stark dead, laid upon a bed of gold, attired and arrayed in her royal robes, and one of her two women, which was called Iras, dead at her feet: and her other woman called Charmian half dead, and trembling, trimming the diadem which Cleopatra wore upon her head. One of the soldiers seeing her, angrily said to her: Is that well done, Charmian? Very well said she again, and meet for a princess descended of so many royal kings. She said no more, but fell down dead hard by the bed. (ii). SHAKESPEARE. (Antony and Cleopatra, Act V, Scene 2) _Cleopatra._ Give me my robe, put on my crown; I have Immortal longings in me; now no more The juice of Egypt’s grape shall moist this lip. Yare, yare, good Iras; quick. Methinks I hear Antony call; I see him rouse himself To praise my noble act; I hear him mock The luck of Caesar, which the gods give men To excuse their after wrath: husband, I come: Now to that name my courage prove my title! I am fire and air; my other elements I give to baser life. So; have you done? Come then, and take the last warmth of my lips. Farewell, kind Charmian; Iras, long farewell. (kisses them. Iras falls and dies). Have I the aspic in my lips? Dost fall? If thou and nature can so gently part, The stroke of death is as a lover’s pinch, Which hurts and is desired. Dost thou lie still? If thus thou vanishest, thou tell’st the world It is not worth leave-taking. _Charmian._ Dissolve thick cloud and rain; that I may say The gods themselves do weep. _Cleopatra._ This proves me base: If she meet first the curled Antony He’ll make demand of her, and spend that kiss Which is my heaven to have. Come thou mortal wretch (to the asp, which she applies to her breast) With thy sharp teeth this knot intrinsicate Of life at once untie; poor venomous fool, Be angry, and despatch. O! couldst thou speak, That I might hear thee call great Caesar ass Unpolicied. _Charmian._ O eastern star! _Cleopatra._ Peace, peace! Dost thou not see my baby at my breast, That sucks the nurse asleep? _Charmian._ O, break! O, break!