ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA.

5

II.

ANTONY taking leave of CLEOPATRA on hearing of the death of his wife FULVIA.

"CLEO. Nay, pray you, seek no colour for your going, But bid farewell, and go: when you sued staying,

Then was the time for words: no going then ;

Eternity was in our lips, and eyes;

Bliss in our brows' bent; none our parts so poor
But was a race of heaven.

ANT.

Hear me, queen :

The strong necessity of time commands

Our services a while; but my full heart
Remains in use with you.

My more particular,

And that which most with you should safe my going,

Is Fulvia's death.

CLEO.

Courteous lord, one word.

Sir, you and I must part,-but that's not it;

Sir, you

and I have loved,-but there's not it;

That you know well: Something it is I would,—

O, my oblivion is a very Antony,

And I am all forgotten!"

ACT I. S. 3.

III.

The meeting between OCTAVIUS CÆSAR and
ANTONY.

"CÆSAR.

I wrote to you,

When rioting in Alexandria; you

Did pocket up my letters, and with taunts
Did gibe my missive out of audience.

You have broken

The article of your oath; which you shall never

Have tongue to charge me with.

LEP.

Soft, Cæsar.

ANT. No, Lepidus, let him speak;

The honour's sacred which he talks on now,
Supposing that I lack'd it: But on, Cæsar;

The article of my oath ?

CESAR. To lend me arms, and aid, when I required