A Book of English Prose | Page 5

for conscience sake to discharge
the duty that God hath laid upon me, and to maintain his glory, and
keep you in safety, in mine own disposition I should be willing to
resign the place I hold to any other, and glad to be freed of the glory
with the labours, for it is not my desire to live nor to reign longer than
my life and reign shall be for your good. And though you have had and
may have many mightier and wiser princes sitting in this seat, yet you
never had or shall have any that will love you better.

{8}
SIR THOMAS NORTH 1535-1601
DEATH OF CLEOPATRA
Shortly after Caesar came himself in person to see her, and to comfort
her. Cleopatra being laid upon a little low bed in poor estate, when she
saw Caesar come in to her chamber, she suddenly rose up, naked in her
smock, and fell down at his feet marvellously disfigured: both for that
she had plucked her hair from her head, as also for that she had
martyred all her face with her nails, and besides, her voice was small
and trembling, her eyes sunk into her head with continual blubbering:
and moreover, they might see the most part of her stomach torn in
sunder. To be short, her body was not much better than her mind: yet
her good grace and comeliness and the force of her beauty was not
altogether defaced. But notwithstanding this ugly and pitiful state of
hers, yet she shewed herself within, by her outward looks and
countenance. When Caesar had made her lie down again, and sat by her

bedside, Cleopatra began to clear and excuse herself for that she had
done, laying all to the fear she had of Antonius. Caesar, in contrary
manner, reproved her in every point. Then she suddenly altered her
speech, and prayed him to pardon her, as though she were afraid to die,
and desirous to live. At length she gave him a brief and memorial of all
the ready money and treasure she had. But by chance there stood
Seleucus by, one of her treasurers, who, to seem a good servant, came
straight to Caesar to disprove {9} Cleopatra, that she had not set in all,
but kept many things back of purpose. Cleopatra was in such a rage
with him, that she flew upon him, and took him by the hair of the head,
and boxed him well-favouredly. Caesar fell a-laughing, and parted the
fray. "Alas," said she, "O Caesar, is not this a great shame and reproach,
that thou having vouchsafed to take the pains to come unto me, and
hast done me this honour, poor wretch, and caitiff creature, brought
into this pitiful and miserable estate: and that mine own servants should
come now to accuse me, though it may be I have reserved some jewels
and trifles meet for women, but not for me (poor soul) to set out myself
withal, but meaning to give some pretty presents and gifts unto Octavia
and Livia, that they making means and intercession for me to thee, thou
mightest yet extend thy favour and mercy upon me?" Caesar was glad
to hear her say so, persuading himself thereby that she had yet a desire
to save her life. So he made her answer, that he did not only give her
that to dispose of at her pleasure, which she had kept back, but further
promised to use her more honourably and bountifully than she would
think for: and so he took his leave of her, supposing he had deceived
her, but indeed he was deceived himself.
There was a young gentleman Cornelius Dolabella, that was one of
Caesar's very great familiars, and besides did bear no evil will unto
Cleopatra. He sent her word secretly as she had requested him, that
Caesar determined to take his journey through Syria, and that within
three days he would send her away before with her children. When this
was told Cleopatra, she requested Caesar that {10} it would please him
to suffer her to offer the last oblations of the dead, unto the soul of
Antonius. This being granted her, she was carried to the place where
his tomb was, and there falling down on her knees, embracing the tomb
with her women, the tears running down her cheeks, she began to speak

in this sort: "O my dear Lord Antonius, not long sithence I buried thee
here, being a free woman: and now I offer unto thee the funeral
sprinklings and oblations, being a captive and prisoner; and yet I am
forbidden and kept from tearing and murdering this captive body of
mine with blows, which they carefully guard and keep, only to triumph
of thee: look therefore