, nor
sacrifices from me, for these are the last which Cleopatra can give
thee, sith now they carry her away. Whilst we lived together, nothing
could sever our companies: but now at our death, I fear me they will
make us change our countries. For as thou, being a Roman, hast been
buried in Egypt: even so, wretched creature I, an Egyptian, shall be
buried in Italy, which shall be all the good that I have received by
thy country. If therefore the gods where thou art now have any power
and authority, sith our gods here have forsaken us, suffer not thy true
friend and lover to be carried away alive, that in me they triumph of
thee: but receive me with thee, and let me be buried in one self tomb
with thee. For though my griefs and miseries be infinite, yet none
hath grieved me more, nor that I could less bear withal, than this
small time which I have been driven to live without thee." Then,
having ended these doleful plaints, and crowned the tomb with garlands
and sundry {11} nosegays, and marvellous lovingly embraced the same,
she commanded they should prepare her bath, and when she had bathed and
washed herself, she fell to her meat and was sumptuously served.

Now whilst she was at dinner there came a countryman, and brought her a
basket. The soldiers that warded at the gates, asked him straight what
he had in his basket. He opened the basket, and took out the leaves
that covered the figs, and shewed them that they were figs he brought.
They all of them marvelled to see so goodly figs. The countryman
laughed to hear them, and bade them take some if they would. They
believed he told them truly, and so bade him carry them in.

After Cleopatra had dined, she sent a certain table written and sealed
unto Caesar, and commanded them all to go out of the tombs where she
was, but the two women; then she shut the doors to her. Caesar, when
he received this table, and began to read her lamentation and petition,
requesting him that he would let her be buried with Antonius, found
straight what she meant, and thought to have gone thither himself:
howbeit he sent one before in all haste that might be, to see what it
was. Her death was very sudden. For those whom Caesar sent unto her
ran thither in all haste possible, and found the soldiers standing at
the gate, mistrusting nothing, nor understanding of her death. But
when they had opened the doors, they found Cleopatra stark dead, laid
upon a bed of gold, attired and array