FIRST GUARD O, Caesar, This Charmian lived but now; she stood and spoke. I found her trimming up the diadem On her dead mistress; tremblingly she stood, And on the sudden dropped. CAESAR O, noble weakness! If they had swallowed poison, ’twould appear By external swelling; but she looks like sleep, As she would catch […]
Continue ReadingCaesar: how did they die? is anyone at fault here? (5.2.322-329) #BurningBarge #SlowShakespeare
Enter Caesar and all his train, marching ALL A way there, a way for Caesar! DOLABELLA [to Caesar] O, sir, you are too sure an augurer. That you did fear is done. CAESAR Bravest at the last, She levelled at our purposes, and, being royal, Took her own way. The manner of their deaths? I do […]
Continue ReadingAnonymous soldier: well I hope you’re proud of yourselves ladies (5.2.313-322) #BurningBarge #SlowShakespeare
FIRST GUARD Approach, ho! All’s not well. Caesar’s beguiled. SECOND GUARD There’s Dolabella sent from Caesar. Call him. [Exit a Guardsman] FIRST GUARD What work is here, Charmian? Is this well done? CHARMIAN It is well done, and fitting for a princess Descended of so many royal kings. Ah, soldier! Charmian dies Enter Dolabella DOLABELLA […]
Continue ReadingCharmian, faithful handmaid to the lass unparalleled (5.2.303-312) #BurningBarge #SlowShakespeare
CHARMIAN So, fare thee well. Now boast thee, death, in thy possession lies A lass unparalleled. Downy windows, close, And golden Phoebus, never be beheld Of eyes again so royal. Your crown’s awry. I’ll mend it, and then play—Enter the Guard, rustling in FIRST GUARD Where’s the Queen? CHARMIAN Speak softly. Wake her not. FIRST […]
Continue ReadingCleopatra: hush, hush, nearly there… (5.2.297-303) #BurningBarge #SlowShakespeare
CHARMIAN O, eastern star! CLEOPATRA Peace, peace. Dost thou not see my baby at my breast, That sucks the nurse asleep? CHARMIAN O, break! O, break! CLEOPATRA As sweet as balm, as soft as air, as gentle. O Antony! Nay, I will take thee too. [She takes another aspic] What should I stay— [She] dies […]
Continue ReadingCleopatra: BITE ME, Antony’s waiting and he’s looking GORGEOUS (5.2.288-297) #BurningBarge #SlowShakespeare
CHARMIAN Dissolve, thick cloud, and rain, that I may say The gods themselves do weep. CLEOPATRA This proves me base. If she first meet the curlèd Antony He’ll make demand of her, and spend that kiss Which is my heaven to have. [She takes an aspic from the basket and puts it to her breast] […]
Continue ReadingCleopatra: I am FIRE AND AIR (5.2.278-287) #BurningBarge #SlowShakespeare
CLEOPATRA I am fire and air; my other elements I give to baser life. So, have you done? Come then, and take the last warmth of my lips. [She kisses them] Farewell, kind Charmian. Iras, long farewell. [Iras falls and dies] Have I the aspic in my lips? Dost fall? If thou and nature can […]
Continue ReadingCleopatra: IMMORTAL LONGINGS (5.2.269-277) #BurningBarge #SlowShakespeare
[Enter Iras with a robe, crown, and other regalia] CLEOPATRA Give me my robe. Put on my crown. I have Immortal longings in me. Now no more The juice of Egypt’s grape shall moist this lip. Yare, yare, good Iras, quick—methinks I hear Antony call. I see him rouse himself To praise my noble act. […]
Continue ReadingI wish you joy of the worm! but also, mind the worm! (5.2.251-268) #BurningBarge #SlowShakespeare
CLEOPATRA Get thee hence, farewell. CLOWN I wish you all joy of the worm. CLEOPATRA Farewell. CLOWN You must think this, look you, that the worm will do his kind. CLEOPATRA Ay, ay; farewell. CLOWN Look you, the worm is not to be trusted but in the keeping of wise people; for indeed there is no […]
Continue ReadingTHIS snake? yes, this snake is totally fatal, on the best authority–you don’t want this snake (5.2.237-250) #BurningBarge #SlowShakespeare
Enter Guardsman, and Clown [with a basket] GUARDSMAN This is the man. CLEOPATRA Avoid, and leave him. Exit Guardsman Hast thou the pretty worm Of Nilus there, that kills and pains not? CLOWN Truly, I have him; but I would not be the party that should desire you to touch him, for his biting is immortal; […]
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