All length is torture; since the torch is out,
Lie down, and stray no further. Now all labour
Mars what it does; yea, very force entangles 48
Itself with strength; seal then, and all is done.
Eros!—I come, my queen.—Eros!—Stay for me:
Where souls do couch on flowers, we'll hand in hand,
And with our sprightly port make the ghosts gaze; 52
Dido and her Æneas shall want troops,
And all the haunt be ours. Come, Eros! Eros!
Enter Eros.
Eros. What would my lord?
Ant. Since Cleopatra died,
I have liv'd in such dishonour, that the gods 56
Detest my baseness. I, that with my sword
Quarter'd the world, and o'er green Neptune's back
With ships made cities, condemn myself to lack
The courage of a woman; less noble mind 60
Than she, which by her death our Cæsar tells
'I am conqueror of myself.' Thou art sworn, Eros,
That, when the exigent should come,—which now
Is come indeed,—when I should see behind me 64
The inevitable prosecution of
Disgrace and horror, that, on my command,
Thou then wouldst kill me: do 't; the time is come.
Thou strik'st not me, 'tis Cæsar thou defeatfst. 68
Put colour in thy cheek.
Eros. The gods withhold me!
Shall I do that which all the Parthian darts,
Though enemy, lost aim and could not?
Ant. Eros,
Wouldst thou be window'd in great Rome, and see 72
48, 49 yea, very force . . . strength; cf. n.
49 seal: bring to a conclusion
52 port: bearing, demeanor
63 exigent: emergency
