Cas. Great and increasing: but by sea He is an absolute master. Would we had spoke together! Haste we for it: Cæs. And do invite you to my sister's view, Ant. Not lack your company. Lep. With most gladness: 170 Let us, Lepidus, Noble Antony, Not sickness should detain me. [Flourish. Exeunt Cæsar, Antony, and Lepidus. Mec. Welcome from Egypt, sir. Eno. Half the heart of Cæsar, worthy Mecenas! My honourable friend, Agrippa! Agr. Good Enobarbus! Mec. We have cause to be glad that matters are so well digested. You stayed well by't in Egypt. 180 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. 190 Eno. When she first met Mark Antony, she pursed up 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 The water which they beat to follow faster, As amorous of their strokes. For her own person, In her pavilion-cloth-of-gold of tissue- 200 To glow the delicate cheeks which they did cool, Agr. Agr. Rare Egyptian! Eno. Upon her landing, Antony sent to her, Invited her to supper: she replied, It should be better he became her guest; Which she entreated: our courteous Antony, Whom ne'er the word of "No" woman heard speak, For what his eyes eat only. Agr. Royal wench! She made great Cæsar lay his sword to bed; Eno. I saw her once Hop forty paces through the public street; And having lost her breath, she spoke, and panted, And, breathless, power breathe forth. Mec. Now Antony must leave her utterly. Eno. Never; he will not: Age cannot wither her, nor custom stale 210 220 230 240 The appetites they feed: but she makes hungry Where most she satisfies: for vilest things Become themselves in her; that the holy priests Mec. If beauty, wisdom, modesty, can settle A blessed lottery to him. Agr. Let us go. Good Enobarbus, make yourself my guest Eno. Humbly, sir, I thank you. [Exeunt. 250 SCENE III. The same. Cæsar's house. Enter ANTONY, CÆSAR, OCTAVIA between them, and Attend. ants. Ant. The world and my great office will sometimes Divide me from your bosom. O⚫ta. All which time Before the gods my knee shall bow my prayers To them for you. 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. Caes. Good night. [Exeunt Cæsar and Octavia. Enter Soothsayer. 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 it in My motion, have it not in my tongue: but yet Hie you to Egypt again. 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 demon, that's thy spirit which keeps thee, is 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. Is all afraid to govern thee near him; But, he away, 'tis noble. Ant. Get thee gone: 10 20 30 [Exit Soothsayer. Say to Ventidius I would speak with him: He shall to Parthia. Be it art or hap, And in our sports my better cunning faints Enter VENTIDIUS. O, come, Ventidius, You must to Parthia: your commission's ready; SCENE IV. The same. A street. 40 [Exeunt. 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. Lep. Till I shall see you in your soldier's dress, Which will become you both, farewell. Mec. We shall, As I conceive the journey, be at the Mount Before you, Lepidus. My purposes do draw me much about: You'll win two days upon me. Lep. Your way is shorter; Mec. Sir, good success! [Exeunt. 10 SCENE V. Alexandria. Cleopatra's palace. Enter CLEOPATRA, CHARMIAN, IRAS, and ALEXAS. Cleo. Give me some music; music, moody food Of us that trade in love. Attend. The music, ho! Enter MARDIAN the Eunuch. Cleo. Let it alone; let's 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, madaın. Cleo. And when good will is show'd, though't come too short, The actor may plead pardon. I'll none now: Give me mine angle; we'll to the river: there, Tawny-finn'd fishes; my bended hook shall pierce 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!- Enter a Messenger. O, from Italy! Ram thou thy fruitful tidings in mine ears, Mess. But, sirrah, mark, we use 10 20 30 Why, there's more gold. To say the dead are well: bring it to that, Mess. Good madam, hear me. Well, go to, I will; But there's no goodness in thy face: if Antony Be free and healthful, To trumpet such good tidings! If not well, Thou shouldst come like a fury crown'd with snakes, 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, 40 |