Chapter 19Scene 2

Antiochus’ chamber. Cleopatra, Antiochus, Eunice, Rodogune. CLEOPATRA Eunice, cruel, heartless, sweet Eunice, How could you leave me? EUNICE Pardon me, dear lady. ANTIOCHUS Mine was the error, mother. CLEOPATRA O my son, If you had said that “mother” to me then, All this had never happened. ANTIOCHUS I have been hard To you, my mother, you to me your son. We have both erred and it may be the gods Will punish our offences even yet. CLEOPATRA O, say not that, my child. We must be happy; I will have just a little happiness. RODOGUNE O, answer her with kisses, dear Antiochus.

Rodogune CLEOPATRA Do you too plead for me, sweet Parthian? EUNICE Cousin Antiochus. ANTIOCHUS My heart is chastened and I love, Mother, though even now I will not lie And say I love you as a child might love Who from his infancy had felt your clasp. But, mother, give me time and if the gods Will give it too, who knows? we may be happy. Philoctetes enters. PHILOCTETES Pardon me, Madam, but my soul is harried With fierce anxieties. You do not well To linger with your son Antiochus. A jealous anger works in Timocles When he hears of it. CLEOPATRA Is’t possible? PHILOCTETES Fear it! Believe it! CLEOPATRA (shuddering) I will not give the gods a handle. But I may take Eunice and your wife To comfort me a little? ANTIOCHUS Go with her,

Act V, Scene 2 Eunice. Leave me for an hour, my Rodogune. All go from the chamber except Antiochus. When, when will the gods strike? I feel the steps Of Doom about me. Open thy barriers, Death; I would not linger underneath the stroke. Phayllus enters with soldiers. PHAYLLUS Seize him! This is the prince Antiochus. ANTIOCHUS So soon! I said not farewell to my love. Well, Syrian, dost thou carry only warrants Or keeps the death-doom pace with thy arrest? PHAYLLUS Thy plots have been discovered, plotter. ANTIOCHUS Plots! Vain subtle fool, I will not answer thee. What matters the poor pretext? Guards, conduct me. He goes out, guarded. PHAYLLUS Must thou be royal even in thy fall?