Eno. Half the heart of Cæsar, worthy Mecænas! my honourable friend, Agrippa! Agr. Good Enobarbus! Mec. We have cause to be glad, that matters are so well digested. You staid well by it in Egypt. Eno. Ay, sir; we did sleep day out of countenance, and made the night light with drinking. Mec. Eight wild boars roasted whole at a breakfast, and but twelve persons there; Is this true? Eno. This was but as a fly by an eagle: we had much more monstrous matter of feast, which worthily deserved noting. Mec. She's a most triumphant lady, if report be square to her. up Eno. When she first met Mark Antony, she pursed his heart upon the river of Cydnus. Agr. There she appeared indeed; or my reporter devised well for her. Eno. I will tell you: The barge she sat in, like a burnish'd throne, Burn'd on the water: the poop was beaten gold; Purple the sails, and so perfumed, that The winds were love-sick with them: the oars were silver; Which to the tune of flutes kept stroke, and made In her pavilion, (cloth of gold, of tissue,) Agr. O, rare for Antony ! 8 Suit with her merits. Eno. Her gentlewomen, like the Nereides, So many mermaids, tended her i' the eyes, And made their bends adornings: at the helm A seeming mermaid steers; the silken tackle Swell with the touches of those flower-soft hands, That yarely frame the office. From the barge A strange invisible pérfume hits the sense Of the adjacent wharfs. The city cast Her people out upon her; and Antony, Enthron'd in the market-place, did sit alone, Whistling to the air; which, but for vacancy, Had gone to gaze on Cleopatra too, And made a gap in nature. Agr. Rare Egyptian! It should be better, he became her guest; For what his eyes eat only. Agr. Royal wench! She made great Cæsar lay his sword to bed; Hop forty paces through the publick street: And having lost her breath, she spoke, and panted, That she did make defect, perfection, And, breathless, power breathe forth. Mec. Now Antony must leave her utterly. Eno. Never; he will not. Age cannot wither her, nor custom stale Her infinite variety: Other women Cloy th' appetites they feed; but she makes hungry Where most she satisfies. For vilest things Become themselves in her. Readily perform. Mec. If beauty, wisdom, modesty, can settle The heart of Antony, Octavia is A blessed lottery to him. Let us go. Good Enobarbus make yourself my guest, Agr. Whilst you abide here. Eno. Humbly, sir, I thank you. [Exeunt. SCENE III. A Room in Cæsar's House.. Enter CESAR, ANTONY, OCTAVIA between them; Attendants and a Soothsayer. Ant. The world, and my great office, will sometimes Divide me from your bosom. Octa. All which time Before the gods my knee shall bow in prayers Ant. Good night, sir. - My Octavia, Read not my blemishes in the world's report: I have not kept my square; but that to come Shall all be done by the rule. Good night, dear lady. Octa. Good night, sir. Cæs. Good night. [Exeunt CÆSAR and OCTAVIA. Ant. Now, sirrah! you do wish yourself in Egypt? Sooth. Would I had never come from thence, nor you Thither! Ant. If you can, your reason? I see 't in My motion, have it not in my tongue: But yet Ant. Say to me, Whose fortunes shall rise higher, Cæsar's, or mine? Sooth. Cæsar's. Therefore; O Antony, stay not by his side: Where Cæsar's is not; but near him, thy angel Ant. Speak this no more. Sooth. To none but thee; no more, but when to thee. If thou dost play with him at any game, Thou art sure to lose; and, of that natural luck, He beats thee 'gainst the odds; thy lustre thickens, When he shines by: I say again, thy spirit Is all afraid to govern thee near him; But, he away, 'tis noble. Get thee gone: Ant. [Exit Soothsayer. He shall to Parthia. Be it art, or hap, He hath spoken true: the very dice obey him; Enter VENTIDIUS. I' the east my pleasure lies: - O, come, Ventidius, You must to Parthia; your commission 's ready: Follow me, and receive it. [Exeunt. 1 The ancients used to match quails as we match cocks. 2 Inclosed. SCENE IV. A Street. Enter LEPIDUS, MECENAS, and AGRIPPA. Lep. Trouble yourselves no further: pray you, hasten Your generals after. Agr. Sir, Mark Antony Will e'en but kiss Octavia, and we 'll follow. Mec. in your soldier's dress, We shall, As I conceive the journey, be at mount 3 Lep. My purposes do draw me much about; Your way is shorter, You'll win two days upon me. Mec. Agr. Lep. Farewell. SCENE V. Alexandria. A Room in the Palace. Enter CLEOPATRA, CHARMIAN, IRAS, and ALEXAS. Cleo. Give me some musick; musick, moody+food Of us that trade in love. Attend. The musick, ho!' Mount Misenum, + Melancholy. |