When Mark Antony saw that his men did forsake him, and yielded unto
Cæsar,[106] and that his footmen were broken and overthrown: he then
fled into the city, crying out that Cleopatra had betrayed him unto
them, with whom he had made war for her sake. Then she being afraid of
his fury, fled into the tomb which she had caused to be made, and
there locked the doors unto her, and shut all the springs of the locks
with great bolts, and in the meantime sent unto Antony to tell him
that she was dead. Antony believing it, said unto himself: What dost
thou look for further, Antony, sith spiteful fortune had taken from
thee the only joy thou hadst, for whom thou yet reservedst thy life?
when he had said these words, he went into a chamber and unarmed
himself, and being naked said thus: O Cleopatra, it grieveth me not
that I have lost thy company, for I will not be long from thee: but I
am sorry, that having been so great a captain and emperor, I am indeed
condemned to be judged of less courage and noble mind, than a woman.
Now he had a man of his called Eros, whom he loved and trusted much,
and whom he had long before caused to swear unto him, that he should
kill him when he did command him: and then he willed him to keep his
promise. His man drawing his sword, lift it up as though he had meant
to have stricken his master: but turning his head at one side he
thrust his sword into himself, and fell down dead at his master's
foot. Then said Antony, O noble Eros, I thank thee for this, and it is
valiantly done of thee, to shew me what I should do to my self, which
thou couldst not do for me. Therewithal he took his sword, and thrust
it into his belly, and so fell down upon a little bed. The wound he
had killed him not presently, for the blood stinted a little when he
was laid: and when he came somewhat to himself again, he prayed them
that were about him to despatch him. But they all fled out of the
chamber, and left him crying out and tormenting himself: until at last
there came a secretary unto him called Diomedes, who was commanded to
bring him unto the tomb or monument where Cleopatra was.
When he heard that she was alive, he very earnestly prayed his men to
carry his body thither, and so he was carried in his men's arms into
the entry of the monument. Notwithstanding, Cleopatra would not open
the gates, but came to the high windows, and cast out certain chains
and ropes, in the which Antony was trussed: and Cleopatra her own
self, with two women only, which she had suffered to come with her
into these monuments, triced Antony up. They that were present to
behold it, said they never saw so pitiful a sight. For, they plucked
up poor Antony all bloody as he was, and drawing on with pangs of
death, who holding up his hands to Cleopatra raised up himself as well
as he could. It was a hard thing for these women to do, to lift him
up: but Cleopatra stooping down with her head, putting to all her
strength to her uttermost power, did lift him up with much ado, and
never let go her hold, with the help of the women beneath that bade
her be of good courage, and were as sorry to see her labour so, as she
her self.
So when she had gotten him in after that sort, and laid him on a bed:
she rent her garments upon him, clapping her breast, and scratching
her face and stomach. Then she dried up his blood that had berayed his
face, and called him her lord, her husband, and emperor, forgetting
her own misery and calamity, for the pity and compassion she took of
him. Antony made her cease her lamenting, and called for wine, either
because he was athirst, or else for that he thought thereby to hasten
his death. When he had drunk, he earnestly prayed her, and persuaded
her, that she would seek to save her life, if she could possible,
without reproach and dishonour: and that chiefly she should trust
Proculeius above any man else about Cæsar. And as for himself, that
she should not lament nor sorrow for the miserable change of his
fortune at the end of his days: but rather that she should think him
the more fortunate, for the former triumphs and honours he had
received, considering that while he lived he was the noblest and
greatest prince of the world, and that now he was overcome, not
cowardly, but valiantly, a Roman by another Roman.
As Antony gave the last gasp, Proculeius came that was sent from
Cæsar. For after Antony had thrust his sword in himself, as they
carried him into the tombs and monuments of Cleopatra, one of his
guard called Dercetæus, took his sword with the which he had stricken
himself, and hid it: then he secretly stole away, and brought Octavius
Cæsar the first news of his death, and shewed him his sword that was
bloodied. Cæsar hearing these news, straight withdrew himself into a
secret place of his tent, and there burst out with tears, lamenting
his hard and miserable fortune, that had been his friend and
brother-in-law,[107] his equal in the empire, and companion with him
in sundry great exploits and battels. Then he called for all his
friends, and shewed them the letters Antony had written to him, and
his answers also sent him again, during their quarrel and strife: and
how fiercely and proudly the other answered him, to all just and
reasonable matters he wrote unto him.
After this, he sent Proculeius, and commanded him to do what he could
possible to get Cleopatra alive, fearing lest otherwise all the
treasure would be lost: and furthermore, he thought that if he could
take Cleopatra, and bring her alive to Rome, she would marvellously
beautify and set out his triumph. But Cleopatra would never put her
self into Proculeius' hands, although they spake together. For
Proculeius came to the gates that were very thick and strong, and
surely barred, but yet there were some crannies through the which her
voice might be heard, and so they without understood, that Cleopatra
demanded the kingdom of Egypt for her sons: and that Proculeius
answered her, That she should be of good cheer, and not be affrayed to
refer all unto Cæsar. After he had viewed the place very well, he came
and reported her answer unto Cæsar. Who immediately sent Gallus to
speak once again with her, and bade him purposely hold her with talk,
whilst Proculeius did set up a ladder against that high window, by the
which Antony was triced up, and came down into the monument with two
of his men hard by the gate, where Cleopatra stood to hear what Gallus
said unto her.
One of her women which was shut in her monuments with her, saw
Proculeius by chance as he came down, and shrieked out: O poor
Cleopatra, thou art taken. Then when she saw Proculeius behind her as
she came from the gate, she thought to have stabbed her self in with a
short dagger she wore of purpose by her side. But Proculeius came
suddenly upon her, and taking her by both the hands, said unto her:
Cleopatra, first thou shalt do thy self great wrong, and secondly unto
Cæsar: to deprive him of the occasion and opportunity, openly to shew
his bounty and mercy, and to give his enemies cause to accuse the most
courteous and noble prince that ever was, and to appeach him, as
though he were a cruel and merciless man, that were not to be trusted.
So even as he spake the word, he took her dagger from her, and shook
her clothes for fear of any poison hidden about her. Afterwards Cæsar
sent one of his enfranchised men called Epaphroditus, whom he
straightly charged to look well unto her, and to beware in any case
that she made not her self away: and for the rest, to use her with all
the courtesy possible.
And for himself, he in the meantime entered the city of Alexandria,
and as he went, talked with the philosopher Arrius, and held him by
the hand, to the end that his countrymen should reverence him the
more, because they saw Cæsar so highly esteem and honour him. Then he
went into the shew-place of exercises, and so up to his chair of state
which was prepared for him of a great height: and there according to
his commandment, all the people of Alexandria were assembled, who
quaking for fear, fell down on their knees before him, and craved
mercy. Cæsar bade them all stand up, and told them openly that he
forgave the people, and pardoned the felonies and offences they had
committed against him in this war. First, for the founder sake of the
same city, which was Alexander the Great: secondly, for the beauty of
the city, which he much esteemed and wondered at: thirdly, for the
love he bare unto his very friend Arrius. Thus did Cæsar honour
Arrius, who craved pardon for himself and many others, and especially
for Philostratus, the eloquentest man of all the sophisters and
orators of his time, for present and sudden speech: howbeit he falsely
named himself an academic philosopher. Therefore, Cæsar that hated his
nature and conditions, would not hear his suit. Thereupon he let his
grey beard grow long, and followed Arrius step by step in a long
mourning gown, still buzzing in his ears this Greek verse:
A wise man if that he be wise indeed,
May by a wise man have the better speed.
Cæsar understanding this, not for the desire he had to deliver
Philostratus of his fear, as to rid Arrius of malice and envy that
might have fallen out against him: he pardoned him.
Now touching Antony's sons, Antyllus, his eldest son by Fulvia was
slain, because his schoolmaster Theodorus did betray him unto the
soldiers, who strake off his head. And the villain took a precious
stone of great value from his neck, the which he did sew in his
girdle, and afterwards denied that he had it: but it was found about
him, and so Cæsar trussed him up for it. For Cleopatra's children,
they were very honourably kept, with their governors and train that
waited on them. But for Cæsarion, who was said to be Julius Cæsar's
son:[108] his mother Cleopatra had sent him unto the Indians through
Ethiopia, with a great sum of money. But one of his governors also
called Rhodon, even such another as Theodorus, persuaded him to return
into his country, and told him that Cæsar sent for him to give him his
mother's kingdom. So, as Cæsar was determining with himself what he
should do, Arrius said unto him:
Too many Cæsars is not good.
Alluding unto a certain verse of Homer that saith:
Too many lords doth not well.
Therefore Cæsar did put Cæsarion to death, after the death of his
mother Cleopatra. Many princes, great kings and captains did crave
Antony's body of Octavius Cæsar, to give him honourable burial: but
Cæsar would never take it from Cleopatra, who did sumptuously and
royally bury him with her own hands, whom Cæsar suffered to take as
much as she would to bestow upon his funerals.
Now was she altogether overcome with sorrow and passion of mind, for
she had knocked her breast so pitifully, that she had martyred it, and
in divers places had raised ulcers and inflammations, so that she fell
into a fever withal: whereof she was very glad, hoping thereby to have
good colour to abstain from meat, and that so she might have died
easily without any trouble. She had a physician called Olympus, whom
she made privy of her intent, to the end he should help her rid her
out of her life: as Olympus writeth himself, who wrote a book of all
these things. But Cæsar mistrusted the matter, by many conjectures he
had, and therefore did put her in fear, and threatened her to put her
children to shameful death. With these threats, Cleopatra for fear
yielded straight, as she would have yielded unto strokes: and
afterwards suffered her self to be cured and dieted as they listed.
Shortly after, Cæsar came himself in person to see her, and to comfort
her. Cleopatra being laid upon a little low bed in poor state, when
she saw Cæsar come into 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 her self within, by her outward looks and
countenance.
When Cæsar had made her lie down again, and sat by her bedside:
Cleopatra began to clear and excuse her self for that she had done,
laying all to the fear she had of Antony; Cæsar, in contrary manner,
reproved her in every point. Then she suddenly altered her speech, and
prayed him to pardon her, as though she were affrayed 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 Cæsar to disprove Cleopatra, that she had 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. Cæsar fell a-laughing and parted
the fray. Alas, said she, O Cæsar: is not this a great shame and
reproach, that thou having vouchsafed to take the pains to come unto
me, and has done me this honour, poor wretch, and caitiff creature,
brought into this pitiful and miserable state: 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 my self withal, but meaning to give some pretty
presents and gifts unto Octavia and Livia, that they making means and
intercessions for me to thee, thou mightest yet extend thy favour and
mercy upon me? Cæsar 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 that 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,[109] that was of
Cæsar's very great familiars, and besides did bear no evil will unto
Cleopatra. He sent her word secretly as she had requested him, that
Cæsar 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 Cæsar that it would please him to
suffer her to offer the last oblations of the dead, unto the soul of
Antony. 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 dearn lord Antony, not long sithence I buried thee here, being a
freewoman: and now I offer unto thee the funeral springlings 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 henceforth for no other honours, offerings, nor sacrifices
from me, for these are the last which Cleopatra can give thee, sith
now they carry her away. Whilst we lived together, nothing could sever
our companies: but now at our death, I fear me they will make us
change our countries. For as thou being a Roman, has been buried in
Egypt: even so wretched creature I, an Egyptian, shall be buried in
Italy, which shall be all the good that I have received by thy
country. If therefore the gods where thou art now have any power and
authority, sith our gods here have forsaken us: suffer not thy true
friend and lover to be carried away alive, that in me, they triumph of
thee: but receive me with thee, and let me be buried in one self tomb
with thee. For though my griefs and miseries be infinite, yet none
hath grieved me more, nor that I could less bear withal: than this
small time, which I have been driven to live alone without thee."
Then having ended these doleful plaints, and crowned the tomb with
garlands and sundry nosegays, and marvellous lovingly embraced the
same: she commanded they should prepare her bath, and when she had
bathed and washed her self, she fell to her meat, and was sumptuously
served. Now whilst she was at dinner, there came a countryman, and
brought her a basket. The soldiers that warded at the gate, asked him
straight what he had in his basket. He opened the basket, and took out
the leaves that covered the figs, and shewed them that they were figs
he brought. They all of them marvelled to see so goodly figs. The
countryman laughed to hear them, and bade them take some if they
would. They believed he told them truly, and so bade him carry them
in. After Cleopatra had dined, she sent a certain table written and
sealed unto Cæsar, and commanded them all to go out of the tombs where
she was, but the two women, then she shut the doors to her. Cæsar when
he received this table, and began to read her lamentation and
petition, requesting him that he would let her be buried with Antony,
found straight what she meant, and thought to have gone thither
himself: howbeit he sent one before in all haste that might be, to see
what it was.
Her death was very sodain. For those whom Cæsar sent unto her ran
thither in all haste possible, and found the soldiers standing at the
gate, mistrusting nothing, nor understanding of her death. But when
they had opened the doors, they found Cleopatra stark dead, laid upon
a bed of gold, attired and arrayed in her royal robes, and one of her
two women, which was called Iras, dead at her feet: and her other
woman called Charmion half-dead, and trembling, trimming the diadem
which Cleopatra wore upon her head. One of the soldiers seeing her,
angrily said unto her: Is that well done Charmion? Very well said she
again, and meet for a princess descended from the race of so many
noble kings. She said no more, but fell down dead hard by the bed.