SCENE III. The same. A room in Cæsar's house. Enter Cæsar, Antony, Octavia between them; Attendants, and a Soothsayer. Ant. The world, and my great office, will some times Divide me from your bosom. Octa. All which time Before the gods my knee shall bow my prayers Ant. Good night, sir.-My Octavia, Read not my blemishes in the world's report: lady. Octa. Good night, sir. Cas. Good night. [Exeunt Cæsar and Octavia. Ant. Now, sirrah! you do wish yourself in Egypt? Sooth. Would I had never come from thence, nor Thither! you 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: Thy dæmon, that's thy spirit which keeps thee, is Noble, courageous, high, unmatchable, Where Cæsar is not; but near him, thy angel Becomes a Fear, as being o'erpower'd; therefore 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. Ant. Get thee gone: Say to Ventidius, I would speak with him: [Exit Soothsayer. ; He shall to Parthia.-Be it art, or hap, 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. * The ancients used to match quails as we match cocks ↑ Inclosed. SCENE IV. The same. A street. Enter Lepidus, Mæcenas, 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. Lep. Till I shall see you in your soldier's dress, Which will become you both, farewell. Мес. As I conceive the journey, be at mount Before you, Lepidus. Lep. We shall, Your way is shorter, Sir, good success! [Exeunt. My purposes do draw me much about; You'll win two days upon me. Mac. Agr. Lep. Farewell. SCENE V. Alexandria. A room in the palace. Enter Cleopatra, Charmian, Iras, and Alexas. Cleo. Give me some musick; musick, moodyt Enter Mardian. Cleo. Let it alone; let us to billiards: Come, Charmian. Char. My arm is sore, best play with Mardian. Cleo. As well a woman with an eunuch play'd, As with a woman;-Come, you'll play with me, sir? Mar. As well as I can, madam. Cleo. And when good will is show'd, though it come too short, The actor may plead pardon. I'll none now:- I'll think them every one an Antony, And say, Ah, ha! you're caught. Char. 'Twas merry, when You wager'd on your angling; when your diver Cleo. That time!-O times!I laugh'd him out of patience; and that night I laugh'd him into patience: and next morn, Ere the ninth hour, I drunk him to his bed; Then put my tires* and mantles on him, whilst I wore his sword Philippan. O! from Italy; Enter a Messenger. Ram thou thy fruitful tidings in mine ears, Mess. Cleo. Antony's dead? Madam, madam, If thou say so, villain, thou kill'st thy mistress: But well and free, If thou so yield him, there is gold, and here Head-dress. My bluest veins to kiss; a hand, that kings Mess. First, madam, he's well. Cleo. Why, there's more gold. But, sirrah, mark; We use To say, the dead are well: bring it to that, Mess. Good madam, hear me. Well, go to, I will; Mess. Will't please you hear me? Cleo. I have a mind to strike thee, ere thou speak'st: Yet, if thou say, Antony lives, is well, Or friends with Cæsar, or not captive to him, I'll set thee in a shower of gold, and hail Rich pearls upon thee. Mess. Cleo. Madam, he's well. Well said. Thou'rt an honest man. Mess. And friends with Cæsar. Cleo. Mess. Cæsar and he are greater friends than ever. Cleo. Make thee a fortune from me. Mess. But yet, madam, Cleo. I do not like but yet, it does allay The good precedence‡; fye upon but yet: Some monstrous malefactor. Pr'ythee, friend, The good and bad together: He's friend with Cæsar; So sour a countenance. Preceding. |