d speak,

t,

ACT II, SCENE II

The appetites they feed but she makes hungry
Where most she satisfies for vilest things
Become themselves in her; that the holy priests
Bless her when she is riggish.

MECENAS

If beauty, wisdom, modesty, can settle
The heart of Antony, Octavia is

A blessed lottery to him.

AGRIPPA

Let us go.

Good Enobarbus, make yourself my guest
Whilst you abide here.

The world and my great office will sometimes
Divide me from your bosom.

OCTAVIA

All which time

Before the gods my knee shall bow my prayers

To them for you.

47

ANTONY

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.
Good night, sir.

Good night.

CÆSAR

Exeunt Cæsar and Octavia.

Enter SOOTHSAYER.

ANTONY

Now, sirrah; you do wish yourself in Egypt ?

SOOTHSAYER

Would I had never come from thence, nor you

Thither!

ANTONY

If you can, your reason?

SOOTHSAYER

I see it in

My motion, have it not in my tongue : but yet

Hie you to Egypt again.

ANTONY

Say to me,

Whose fortunes shall rise higher, Caesar's or mine ?

Cæsar's.

SOOTHSAYER

Therefore, O Antony, stay not by his side :

Thy demon, that 's thy spirit which keeps thee, is
Noble, courageous, high, unmatchable,

Where Cæsar's is not; but, near him, thy angel Becomes a fear, as being o'erpower'd: therefore Make space between you.

ANTONY

Speak this no more.

SOOTHSAYER

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, 't is noble.

ANTONY

Get thee gone :

Say to Ventidius I would speak with him:

Exit Soothsayer.

He shall to Parthia. Be it art or hap,
He hath spoken true: the very dice obey him;
And in our sports my better cunning faints
Under his chance: if we draw lots, he speeds;
His cocks do win the battle still of mine,
When it is all to nought; and his quails ever
Beat mine, inhoop'd, at odds. I will to Egypt:
And though I make this marriage for my peace,
I' th' east my pleasure lies.

Enter VENTIDIUS.

O, come, Ventidius,

You must to Parthia: your commission 's ready;

Antony and Cleopatra.

7

Will e'en but kiss Octavia, and we 'll follow.

LEPIDUS

Till I shall see you in your soldier's dress,
Which will become you both, farewell.

MECENAS

We shall,

As I conceive the journey, be at the Mount

Before you, Lepidus.

LEPIDUS

Your way is shorter;

My purposes do draw me much about:

You'll win two days upon me.

Farewell.

MECENAS, AGRIPPA

Sir, good success!

LEPIDUS

Exeunt.

SCENE V

ALEXANDRIA. CLEOPATRA'S PALACE

Enter CLEOPATRA, CHARMIAN, IRAS and ALEXAS.

CLEOPATRA

Give me some music; music, moody food

Of us that trade in love.

ATTENDANTS

The music, ho!

Enter MARDIAN the Eunuch.

CLEOPATRA

Let it alone; let 's to billiards: come, Charmian.

CHARMIAN

My arm is sore; best play with Mardian.

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,
My music playing far off, I will betray
Tawny-finn'd fishes; my bended hook shall pierce
Their slimy jaws; and, as I draw them up,