I ascribe any
of these things to myself or my sexly weakness, I were not worthy to
live, and of all most unworthy of the mercies I have received at God's
hands, but to God only and wholly all is given and ascribed.

The cares and troubles of a crown I cannot more fitly resemble than to
the drugs of a learned physician, perfumed with some aromatical savour,
or to bitter pills gilded over, by which they are made more acceptable
or less offensive, which indeed are bitter and unpleasant to take; and
for my own part, were it not for conscience sake to discharge the duty
that God hath laid upon me, and to maintain his glory, and keep you in
safety, in mine own disposition I should be willing to resign the place
I hold to any other, and glad to be freed of the glory with the
labours, for it is not my desire to live nor to reign longer than my
life and reign shall be for your good. And though you have had and may
have many mightier and wiser princes sitting in this seat, yet you
never had or shall have any that will love you better.

{8}

SIR THOMAS NORTH 1535-1601

DEATH OF CLEOPATRA

Shortly after Caesar came himself in person to see her, and to comfort
her. Cleopatra being laid upon a little low bed in poor estate, when
she saw Caesar come in to 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 herself within, by her outward looks and
countenance. When Caesar had made her lie down again, and sat by her
bedside, Cleopatra began to clear and excuse herself for that she had
done, laying all to the fear she had of Antonius. Caesar, in contrary
manner, reproved her in every point. Then she suddenly altered her
speech, and prayed him to pardon her, as though she were afraid 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,