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

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.

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

A blessed lottery to him.

Agr.

Let us go.

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

Eno.

240

Humbly, sir, I thank you. [Exeunt. 250

SCENE III. The same. Cæsar's house.

Enter ANTONY, Cæsar, OctavVIA between them,
and Attendants.

Ant. The world and my great office will some-
times

Divide me from your bosom.

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.

245. riggish, wanton.

Cas. 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?

Sooth.

I see it in

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

Hie you to Egypt again.

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
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 enough between you.

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:

14. motion, power of perception, understanding.

[Exit Soothsayer.

IO

20

30

24. when, elliptical for the phrase 'at the time when I speak.'

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' the east my pleasure lies.

Enter VENTIDIUS.

O, come, Ventidius,

[Exeunt.

You must to Parthia: your commission's ready;
Follow me, and receive 't.

SCENE IV. The same. 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.

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.

Lep.

Your way is shorter ;

My purposes do draw me much about:

You'll win two days upon me.

Mec.

luck.

40

38. inhoop'd, enclosed in a hoop, so as to be compelled to fight.

VOL. IX

305

X

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
Come, you'll play with me,

As with a woman.

sir?

Mar. As well as I can, madam.

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,
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,

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
Did hang a salt-fish on his hook, which he
With fervency drew up.

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;

ΤΟ

20

Then put my tires and mantles on him, whilst

I wore his sword Philippan.

Enter a Messenger.

O, from Italy!

Ram thou thy fruitful tidings in mine ears,
That long time have been barren.

Mess.

Madam, madam,——

Cleo. Antonius dead! If thou say so, villain,
Thou kill'st thy mistress: but well and free,
If thou so yield him, there is gold, and here
My bluest veins to kiss; a hand that kings.
Have lipp'd, and trembled kissing.

Mess. First, madam, he is well.
Cleo.

But, sirrah, mark, we use

Why, there's more gold.

To say the dead are well: bring it to that,
The gold I give thee will I melt and pour
Down thy ill-uttering throat.

Mess. Good madam, hear me.

Cleo.

Well, go to, I will;

But there's no goodness in thy face: if Antony
Be free and healthful,—so tart a favour

To trumpet such good tidings! If not well,
Thou shouldst come like a Fury crown'd with

snakes,

Not like a formal man.

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

23. sword Philippan, the sword which Antony had used at the battle of Philippi when

30

40

he and Octavius overthrew Brutus and Cassius.

41. formal, ordinary.