ABSTRACT
The Tragedy of Cleopatra 4 15 But through a grate at th'entry of the place Standing to treat, I labour'd to advise her, To come to Ctesar, and to sue for grace. She said, she crav'd not life, but leave to die, Yet for her children, pray'd they might inherite, That Ctesar would vouchsafe (in clemencie) To pittie them, though she deserv'd no merite. 290 So leaving her for then; and since of late, With Gallus sent to trie an other time, The whilst he entertaines her at the grate, I found the meanes up to the Tombe to clime. Where, in descending in the closest wise, And silent manner as I could contrive: Her woman me descri'd, and out she cries, Poore Cleopatra, thou art tane alive. With that the Queene raught from her side her knife, And even in act to stab her martred brest, 300 I stept with speede, and held, and sav'd her life, And forth her trembling hand the blade did wrest. Ah Cleopatra, why shouldst thou, (said I) Both injurie thy selfe and Ctlisar so? Barre him the honour of his victorie, Who ever deales most mildly with his foe? Live, and relie on him, whose mercy will To thy submission alwayes readie be.
