Antony and Cleopatra
Act II. Scene III.
The Same A Room in CAESAR’S House.
Enter CAESAR, ANTONY, OCTAVIA between them; Attendants.
- ANTONY
- 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.
- 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.
- OCTAVIA
- Good night, sir.
- CAESAR
- Good night.
Exeunt CAESAR 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?
- SOOTHSAYER
- Caesar’s.
Therefore, O Antony! stay not by his side;
Thy demon—that’s thy spirit which keeps thee,—is
Noble, courageous, high, unmatchable,
Where Caesar’s is not; but near him thy angel
Becomes a fear, as being o’erpower’d; therefore
Make space enough 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, ’tis 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’ the east my pleasure lies.
Enter VENTIDIUS.
O! come, Ventidius,
You must to Parthia; your commission’s ready;
Follow me, and receive ’t. [Exeunt.]Next