_Cleo._ What is't for me then, A weak forsaken woman, and a lover?-- Here let me breathe my last: envy me not This minute in your arms: I'll die apace, As fast as e'er I can; and end your trouble. _Ant._ Die! rather let me perish; loosened nature Leap from its hinges, sink the props of heaven, And fall the skies, to crush the nether world! My eyes, my soul, my all!-- [_Embraces her._ _Vent._ And what's this toy, In balance with your fortune, honour, fame? _Ant._ What is't, Ventidius? it out-weighs them all; Why, we have more than conquered Caesar now: My queen's not only innocent, but loves me. This, this is she, who drags me down to ruin! But, could she 'scape without me, with what haste Would she let slip her hold, and make to shore, And never look behind! Down on thy knees, blasphemer as thou art, And ask forgiveness of wronged innocence. _Vent._ I'll rather die, than take it. Will you go? _Ant._ Go! Whither? Go from all that's excellent! Faith, honour, virtue, all good things forbid, That I should go from her, who sets my love Above the price of kingdoms. Give, you gods, Give to your boy, your Caesar, This rattle of a globe to play withal, This gewgaw world, and put him cheaply off: I'll not be pleased with less than Cleopatra. _Cleo._ She's wholly yours. My heart's so full of joy, That I shall do some wild extravagance Of love, in public; and the foolish world, Which knows not tenderness, will think me mad. _Vent._ O women! women! women! all the gods Have not such power of doing good to man, As you of doing harm. [_Exit._ _Ant._ Our men are armed:-- Unbar the gate that looks to Caesar's camp: I would revenge the treachery he meant me; And long security makes conquest easy. I'm eager to return before I go; For, all the pleasures I have known beat thick On my remembrance.--How I long for night! That both the sweets of mutual love may try, And triumph once o'er Caesar ere we die. [_Exeunt._ ACT III. SCENE I. _At one door, enter_ CLEOPATRA, CHARMION, IRAS, _and_ ALEXAS, _a Train of Egyptians: at the other,_ ANTONY _and Romans. The entrance on both sides is prepared by music; the trumpets first sounding on_ ANTONY'S _part: then answered by timbrels, &c. on_ CLEOPATRA'S. CHARMION _and_ IRAS _hold a laurel wreath betwixt them. A Dance of Egyptians. After the ceremony,_ CLEOPATRA _crowns_ ANTONY. _Ant._ I thought how those white arms would fold me in, And strain me close, and melt me into love; So pleased with that sweet image, I sprung forwards, And added all my strength to every blow. _Cleo._ Come to me, come, my soldier, to my arms! You've been too long away from my embraces; But, when I have you fast, and all my own, With broken murmurs, and with amorous sighs, I'll say, you were unkind, and punish you, And mark you red with many an eager kiss. _Ant._ My brighter Venus! _Cleo._ O my greater Mars!