Act V. Scene I - Page 2

CLEOPATRA
Look well thou do't; else--

ALEXAS
Else, what your silence threatens.--Antony
Is mounted up the Pharos; from whose turret,
He stands surveying our Egyptian galleys,
Engaged with Caesar's fleet. Now death or conquest!
If the first happen, fate acquits my promise;
If we o'ercome, the conqueror is yours.

[A distant shout within.]

CHARMION
Have comfort, madam: Did you mark that shout?

[Second shout nearer.]

IRAS
Hark! they redouble it.

ALEXAS
'Tis from the port.
The loudness shows it near: Good news, kind heavens!

CLEOPATRA
Osiris make it so!

Enter SERAPION

SERAPION
Where, where's the queen?

ALEXAS
How frightfully the holy coward stares
As if not yet recovered of the assault,
When all his gods, and, what's more dear to him,
His offerings, were at stake.

SERAPION
O horror, horror!
Egypt has been; our latest hour has come:
The queen of nations, from her ancient seat,
Is sunk for ever in the dark abyss:
Time has unrolled her glories to the last,
And now closed up the volume.

CLEOPATRA
Be more plain:
Say, whence thou comest; though fate is in thy face,
Which from the haggard eyes looks wildly out,
And threatens ere thou speakest.

SERAPION
I came from Pharos;
From viewing (spare me, and imagine it)
Our land's last hope, your navy--

CLEOPATRA
Vanquished?

SERAPION
No:
They fought not.

CLEOPATRA
Then they fled.

SERAPION
Nor that. I saw,
With Antony, your well-appointed fleet
Row out; and thrice he waved his hand on high,
And thrice with cheerful cries they shouted back:
'Twas then false Fortune, like a fawning strumpet,
About to leave the bankrupt prodigal,
With a dissembled smile would kiss at parting,
And flatter to the last; the well-timed oars,
Now dipt from every bank, now smoothly run
To meet the foe; and soon indeed they met,
But not as foes. In few, we saw their caps
On either side thrown up; the Egyptian galleys,
Received like friends, passed through, and fell behind
The Roman rear: And now, they all come forward,
And ride within the port.

CLEOPATRA
Enough, Serapion:
I've heard my doom.--This needed not, you gods:
When I lost Antony, your work was done;
'Tis but superfluous malice.--Where's my lord?
How bears he this last blow?

SERAPION
His fury cannot be expressed by words:
Thrice he attempted headlong to have fallen
Full on his foes, and aimed at Caesar's galley:
Withheld, he raves on you; cries,--He's betrayed.
Should he now find you--

ALEXAS
Shun him; seek your safety,
Till you can clear your innocence.