[_Applying another asp to her arm._] What should I stay— [_Dies._] CHARMIAN. In this vile world? So, fare thee well. Now boast thee, Death, in thy possession lies A lass unparalleled. Downy windows, close, And golden Phœbus never be beheld Of eyes again so royal! Your crown’s awry; I’ll mend it and then play. Enter the Guard rustling in. FIRST GUARD. Where’s the queen? CHARMIAN. Speak softly. Wake her not. FIRST GUARD. Caesar hath sent— CHARMIAN. Too slow a messenger. [_Applies an asp._] O, come apace, dispatch! I partly feel thee. FIRST GUARD. Approach, ho! All’s not well. Caesar’s beguiled. SECOND GUARD. There’s Dolabella sent from Caesar. Call him. FIRST GUARD. What work is here, Charmian? Is this well done? CHARMIAN. It is well done, and fitting for a princess Descended of so many royal kings. Ah, soldier! [_Charmian dies._] Enter Dolabella. DOLABELLA. How goes it here? SECOND GUARD. All dead. DOLABELLA. Caesar, thy thoughts Touch their effects in this. Thyself art coming To see performed the dreaded act which thou So sought’st to hinder. Enter Caesar and all his train, marching. ALL. A way there, a way for Caesar! DOLABELLA. O sir, you are too sure an augurer: That you did fear is done. CAESAR. Bravest at the last, She levelled at our purposes and, being royal, Took her own way. The manner of their deaths? I do not see them bleed. DOLABELLA. Who was last with them? FIRST GUARD. A simple countryman that brought her figs. This was his basket. CAESAR. Poisoned then. FIRST GUARD. O Caesar, This Charmian lived but now; she stood and spake. I found her trimming up the diadem On her dead mistress; tremblingly she stood, And on the sudden dropped. CAESAR. O noble weakness! If they had swallowed poison ’twould appear By external swelling; but she looks like sleep, As she would catch another Antony In her strong toil of grace. DOLABELLA. Here on her breast There is a vent of blood, and something blown. The like is on her arm. FIRST GUARD. This is an aspic’s trail, and these fig leaves Have slime upon them, such as th’ aspic leaves Upon the caves of Nile. CAESAR. Most probable That so she died, for her physician tells me She hath pursued conclusions infinite Of easy ways to die. Take up her bed, And bear her women from the monument. She shall be buried by her Antony. 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 No less in pity than his glory which Brought them to be lamented. Our army shall In solemn show attend this funeral, And then to Rome. Come, Dolabella, see High order in this great solemnity. [_Exeunt omnes._] AS YOU LIKE IT Contents ACT I Scene I. An Orchard near Oliver’s house Scene II. A Lawn before the Duke’s Palace Scene III. A Room in the Palace