Marked words are the most distinguishing words of T54: antony, caesar, anthony, cleopatra, antonius, love, death, die, heart, breast.
Merciless Caesar should so deal with me: Pray him that he would all the counsel give, That might divert him from such cruelty. As for my love, say Anthony hath all, Say that my heart is gone into the grave With him, in whom it rests and ever shall: I have it not myself, nor cannot have. Yet tell him, he shall more command of me Then any, whosoever living, can. He that so friendly shows himself to be A right kind Roman, and a Gentleman. Although his Nation (fatal unto me,) Have had mine age a spoil, my youth a prey, Yet his affection must accepted be, That favours one distressed in such decay. Ah, he was worthy then to have been loved, Of Cleopatra whiles her glory lasted; Before she had declining fortune proved, Or scene her honour wracked, her flower blasted. Now there is nothing left her but disgrace, Nothing but her affliction that can move: Tell Dolabella, one that's in her case, (Poor soul,) needs rather pity now then love. But shortly shall thy Lord hear more of me. And ending so her speech, no longer stayed, But hasted to the Tomb of Anthony. And this was all she did, and all she said. Ah sweet distressed Lady. What hard heart Could choose but pity thee, and love thee too? Thy worthiness, the state wherein thou art Requireth both, and both I vow to do. Although ambition lets not Caesar see The wrong he doth thy Majesty and sweetness, Which makes him now exact so much of thee, To add unto his pride, to grace his greatness. He knows thou canst no hurt procure us now, Sith all thy strength is ceased into our hands: Nor fears he that, but rather labours how He might show Rome so great a Queen in bands. That our great Ladies (envying thee so much That stained them all, & held them in such wonder,) Might joy to see thee, and thy fortune such, Thereby extolling him that brought thee under. But I will seek to stay it what I may; I am but one, yet one that Caesar loves, And o if now I could do more than pray, Then shouldst thou know how far affection moves. But what my power and prayer may prevail, I'll join them both, to hinder thy disgrace: And even this present day I will not fail To do my best with Caesar in this case. And Sir, even now herself hath Letters sent, I met her messenger as I came hither, With a dispatch as he to Caesar went, But knows not what imports her sending thither. Yet this he told, how Cleopatra late Was come from sacrifice. How richly clad Was served to dinner in most sumptuous state, With all the bravest ornaments she had. How having dined, she writes, and sends away Him straight to Caesar, and commanded than All should depart the Tomb, and none to stay But her two maids, and one poor Countryman.
seed 43: T51 · seed 44: T48 — topic numbers are assigned independently in each run; equal or different numbers say nothing by themselves
Original spelling (EEBO-TCP, unregularized)
Mercilesse Caesar should so deale with mee: Pray him that he would all the counsell giue, That might diuert him from such crueltie. As for my loue, say Anthony hath all, Say that my hart is gone into the graue With him, in whom it rests and euer shall: I haue it not my selfe, nor cannot haue. Yet tell him, he shall more commaund of mee Then any, whosoeuer lyuing, can. Hee that so friendly shewes himselfe to be A right kind Roman, and a Gentleman. Although his Nation (fatall vnto mee,) Haue had mine age a spoyle, my youth a pray, Yet his affection must accepted be, That fauours one distrest in such decay. Ah, hee was worthy then to haue been lou'd, Of Cleopatra whiles her glory lasted; Before shee had declyning fortune prou'd, Or scene her honor wrackt, her flower blasted. Now there is nothing left her but disgrace, Nothing but her affliction that can moue: Tell Dolabella, one that's in her case, (Poore soule,) needes rather pitty now then loue. But shortly shall thy Lord heare more of mee. And ending so her speech, no longer stayd, But hasted to the Tombe of Anthony. And this was all shee did, and all shee said. Ah sweet distressed Lady. What hard hart Could chuse but pitty thee, and loue thee too? Thy worthines, the state wherein thou art Requireth both, and both I vow to doo. Although ambition lets not Caesar see The wrong hee doth thy Maiestie and sweetnes, VVhich makes him now exact so much of thee, To add vnto his pride, to grace his greatnes. Hee knowes thou canst no hurt procure vs now, Sith all thy strength is ceaz'd into our hands: Nor feares hee that, but rather labours how Hee might shew Rome so great a Queene in bands. That our great Ladies (enuying thee so much That stain'd thē all, & hell'd them in such wonder,) Might ioy to see thee, and thy fortune such, Thereby extolling him that brought thee vnder. But I will seeke to stay it what I may; I am but one, yet one that Caesar loues, And ô if now I could doe more then pray, Then should'st yu know how far affection moues. But what my powre and prayer may preuaile, Ile ioyne them both, to hinder thy disgrace: And euen this present day I will not fayle To doe my best with Caesar in this case. And Sir, euen now her selfe hath Letters sent, I met her messenger as I came hither, With a dispatch as hee to Caesar went, But knowes not what imports her sending thither. Yet this hee told, how Cleopatra late Was come from sacrifice. How ritchly clad VVas seru'd to dinner in most sumptuous state, VVith all the brauest ornaments shee had. How hauing dyn'd, shee writes, and sends away Him straight to Caesar, and commaunded than All should depart the Tombe, and none to stay But her two maides, and one poore Countryman.