Become themselves in her; that the holy priests Mec. If beauty, wisdom, modefty, can settle A bleft allottery to him. Agr Let us go. Good Enobarbus, make yourself my gueft, Whilft you abide here. Eno. Humbly, fir, I thank you. [Exeunt. SCENE III. The fame. A Room in Cæfar's Houfe. Enter Cæfar, Antony, Octavia between them; attendants bebind, and Soothsayer. Ant. The world, and my great office, will fometimes Divide me from your bofom. Oa. All which time, Before the gods my knee shall bow in To them for you. prayers Ant. Good night, fir.-My Odavia, Read not my blemishes in the world's report: I have not kept my fquare; but that to come Shall all be done by the rule Good night, dear lady. Oa. Good night, fir. Caf. Good night. [Exeunt Cæfar, Octavia, and attendants. "Ant. Now, firrah! you do wifh yourself in Egypt? "Soo. 'Would I had never come from thence, nor you "Thither! "Ant. If you can, your reafon ? "Soo. I fee it in "My motion, have it not in my tongue : But yet "Hye you again to Egypt. "Ant. Say to me, "Whofe fortunes fhall rife higher, Cæfar's or mine? "Soo. Cæfar's. "Therefore, O Antony, ftay not by his fide: As we hate fortune-telling, and would refcue Antony from a little of the obloquy he throws on himself, we have marked this fhort fcene for omiffion, "Thy "Thy dæmon, that's thy spirit which keeps thee, is "Noble, courageous, high, unmatchable, "Where Cafar's is not; but, near him, thy angel "Becomes a fear, as being o'er-power'd; and therefore "Make space enough between you. "Ant. Speak this no more. "Soo. 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 lock, "He beats thee 'gainst the odds: thy luftre thickens, "When he fhines by: I fay again, thy fpirit "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 Soothfayer. "He fhall to Parthia. Be it art, or hap, "He hath spoken true: The very dice obey him; "And, in our fports, my better cunning faints "Under his chance: if we draw lots, he fpeeds: "His cocks do win the battle ftill of mine, When it is all to nought; and his quails ever "Beat mine, in whoopt-at odds. I will to Egypt: "And though I make this marriage for my peace, "I'the eaft my pleasure lies.”—O, come, Ventidius, Enter Ventidius. You must to Parthia; your commiffion's ready SCENE IV. The fame. A Street. [Exeunt. Enter Lepidus, attended: Mecenas and Agrippa. Lep. Trouble yourselves no farther: pray you, haften Your generals after. Agr. Sir, Mark Antony Will e'en but kifs Octavia, and we'll follow. Lep. 'Till I fhall fee you in your foldier's drefs, Which will become you both, farewel. Mec. We fhall, As I conceive the journey, be at the mount Before you, Lepidus. Q = Lep. Your way is shorter, My purposes do draw me much about; Mec. Agr. Sir, good fuccefs! Lep. Farewel. [Exeunt feverally. SCENE V. Alexandria. A Room in the Palace. Enter Cleopatra, Charmian, Iras, and Alexas. Cle. Give me fome mufic; mufic, moody food Of us that trade in love. Att. The mufic, ho! Enter Mardian. Cle. Let it alone; let us to billiards :-come, Charmian. Cha. My arm is fore, beft play with Mardian. Cle. As well a woman with an eunuch play'd, As with a woman:-Come, you'll play with me, fir? Mar. As well as I can, madam. Cle. And when good will is fhew'd, though't come too short, The actor may plead pardon. I'll none now:- Tawny-fin'd fishes: my bended hook fhall pierce And fay, Ah, ha! you're caught. Cha. 'Twas merry, when You wager'd on your angling; when your diver Cle. That time!-O times! I laugh'd him out of patience; and that night Enter a Meffenger. Rain thou thy fruitful tidings in mine ears, Cle. Antony's dead :-If thou fay fo, Villain, thou kill'it thy mistress: but well, and free, Have lip'd, and trembl'd kiffing. Mef. First, madam, he is well. Cle. Why, there's more gold. But, firrah, mark; we use To fay, the dead are well: bring it to that, Mef. Good madam, hear me. But there's no goodness in thy face: If Antony "Mef. Will't please you hear me? "Cle. I have a mind to ftrike thee, ere thou speak'ft: "Yet if thou fay, Antony lives, is well, Or friends with Cafar, or not captive to him, "Pll fet thee in a fhower of gold, and hail "Rich pearls upon thee. Mef. Madam, he's well. Cle. Well faid. Mef. And friends with Cafar. Cle. Thou'rt anʼhoneft man. Mef. Cæfar and he are greater friends than ever. Mef. But yet, madam, Cle. I do not like but yet, it does allay The good precedence; fie upon but yet: But yet is as a jailer to bring forth Some monftrous malefactor. Pr'ythee, friend, Q 3 The The good and bad together: He's friends with Cafar; In ftate of health, thou fay 'ft; and, thou fay'ft, free. Mef. Free, madam! no; I made no such report: He's bound unto Octavia. "Cle. For what good turn? Mel. For the best turn i'the bed. Cle. I am pale, Charmian. Mef. Madam, he's maèry'd to Q&tavia. "Cle. The moft infectious pestilence upon thee ! 66 Mef. Good madam, patience. [* Strikes bim down. "Cle. What fay you? [firiking bim again.] Hence, "Horrible villain! or I'll fpurn thine eyes Like balls before me; I'll unhair thy head: “ [Hales him up and down. ** Thou shalt be whipt with wire, and ftew1d in brine, Smarting in lingʼring pickle. Mef. Gracious madam, “ I, that do bring the news, mađe not the match. Thy modefty can beg. Mef. He's marry'd, madam. "Cle. Rogue, thou haft liv'd too long. "Mef. Nay, then I'll run : "[Draws a dagger. "What mean you, madam? I have made no fault. "[Exit Meffenger. "Cha. Good madam, keep yourself within yourself; "The man is innocent. "Cle. Some innocents 'scape not the thunder-bolt.— "Melt Egypt into Nile! and kindly creatures "Turn all to ferpents!-Call the flave again; "Though I am mad, I will not bite him; call. "Cha. He is afeard to come. * The vulgar and virago spirit of Cleopatra, fhames every idea of her character; she is in this fcene a perfect Covent-Garden amazon, wherefore, to foften her as much as poffible, we curtail. |