Enter ENOBARBCS.

Char. Tempt him not so too far: I wish, forbear; Eno. What's your pleasure, sir?

In time we hate that which we often fear. Ant. I must with haste from hence,

Enter ANTONY. Eno. Why then, we kill all our women: We see

But here comes Antony.

Cleo. how mortal an unkindness is to them; if they sui

I am sick, and sullen. fer our departure, death's the word.

Ant. I am sorry to give breathing to my purpose. Ant. I must be gone.

Cleo. Help me away, dear Charmian, I shall fall; Eno. Under compelling occasion, let woman die:

It cannot be thus long, the sides of nature It were pity to cast them away for nothing; though,

Will not sustain it. between them and a great cause, they should be

Ant.

Now, my dearest queen,esteemed nothing. Cleopatra, catching but the

Cleo. Pray you, stand further from me. Jeast noise of this, dies instantly: I have seen her

Ant.

What's the matter? die twenty times upon far poorer moment: I do

Cleo. I know, by that same eye, there's some think, there is metile in death, which commits

good news. some loving act upon her, she hath such a celerity Would, she had never given you leave to come!

What the married woman?-You may go; in dying. Ant. She is cunning past man's thought.

Let her not say, 'tis I that keep you here, Eno. Alack, sir, no;' her passions are made of I have no power upon you: hers you are. nothing but the finest part of pure love; We can

Ant. The gods best know,not call her winds and waters, sighs and tears; they so mightily betray’d? Yet, at the first,

Cleo.

0, never was there queen are greater storms and tempests than almanacs can

ort: this cannot be cunning in her; if it be, she I saw the treasons planted. makes a shower of rain as well as Jove.

Ant.

Cleopatra, Ant. 'Would I had never seen her!

Cleo. Why should I think, you can be mine, and Eno. O, sir, you had then left unseen a wonder

true, ful piece of work; which not to have been blessed Though you in swearing shake the throned gods, withal, would have discredited your travel.

Who have been false to Fulvia ? Riotous madness, Ani. Fulvia is dead.

To be entangled with those mouth-made vows, Eno. Sir?

Which break themselves in swearing! Ant. Fulvia is dead.

Ant.

Most sweet queen, Eno. Fulvia ?

Cleo. Nay, pray you, seek no color for your going, Ant. Dead.

But bid farewell, and go: when you sued staying, Eno. Why, sir, give the gods a thankful sacrifice. Then was the time for words: No going then; When it pleaseth their deities to take the wife of a

Eternity was in our lips and eyes; man from him, it shows to man the tailors of the

Bliss in our brows' bent;' none our parts so poor, earth; comforting therein, that when old robes are

But was a race of heaven: They are so still, worn out, there are members to make new. If Or thou, the greatest soldier of the world, there were no more women but Fulvia, then had

Art turn'd the greatest liar. you indeed a cut, and the case to be lamented: this

Ant.

How now, lady! grief is crowned with consolation; your old smock

Cleo. I would, I had thy inches; thou shouldst brings forth a new petticoat:-and indeed the tears

know, live in an onion, that should water this sorrow.

There were a heart in Egypt.
Ant. The business slie hath broached in the state, The strong necessity of time commands

Ant.

Hear me, queen: Cannot endure my absence.

Eno. And the business you have broached here, Our services awhile; but my full heart cannot be without you; especially that of Cleo Remains in use with you. Our Italy patra's, which wholly depends on your abode.

Shines o'er with civil swords: Sextus Pompeius Ant. No more light answers. Let our officers

Makes his approaches to the port of Rome: Have notice what we purpose. I shall break

Equality of two domestic powers The cause of our expediences to the queen,

Breeds scrupulous faction: The hated, grown to And get her loves to part. For not alone

strength, The death of Fulvia, with more urgent touches,

Are newly grown to love: the condemn'd Pompey, Do strongly speak to us; but the letters too

Rich in his father's honor, creeps a pace Oi many our contriving friends in Rome

Into the hearts of such as have not thrived Petition us at home: Sextus Pompeius

Upon the present state, whose numbers threaten; Hath given the dare to Cæsar, and commands

And quietness, grown sick of rest, would purge The empire of the sea: our slippery people

By any desperate change: My more particular, (Whose love is never link'd to ihe deserver,

And that which most with you should sate my Till his deserts are past) begin to throw

going, Pompey the great, and all his dignities,

Is Fulvia's death. Upon his son; who, high in name and power,

Cleo. Though age from folly could not give me Higher than both in blood and lite, stands up

freedom, For the main soldier: whose quality, going on,

It does from childishness:-Can Fulvia die? The sides o’the world maydanger. Much is breeding,

Ant. She's dead, my queen: Which, like the courser's hair, hath yet but life,

Look hare, and, at thy sovereign leisure, read And not a serpent's poison. Say, our pleasure,

The garboils she awaked ;2 at the last, best:
To such whose place is under us, requires

See, when, and where she died.
Clen.

O most false love!
Our quick remove from hence.
Ero. I shall do't.

(Exeunt.

Where be the sacred vials thou shouldst till

With sorrowful water? Now I see, I see,
SCENE III.

In Fulvia's death, how mine received shall be. Enter CLEOPATRA, CHARMIAN, Iras, and ALEXAS. Ant. Quarrel no more, but be prepared to know Cleo. Where is he?

The purposes I bear; which are, or cease, Char.

I did not see him since. As you shall give the advice: Now, by the fire Cleo. See where he is, who's with him, what he That quickens Nilus' slime, I go from hence, does :

Thy soldier, servant; making peace, or war, I diil not send you:7-If you find him sad,

As thou affect'st. Say, I am dancing; if in mirth, report

Cleo.

Cut my lace, Charmian, come;That I am sudden sick: Quick, and return. But let it be. I am quickly ill, and well:

(Exit Alexas. So Antony loves. Char. Madam, methinks, if you did love him Ant.

My precious queen, forbear; dearly,

And give true evidence to his love, which stands You do not hold the method to enforce

An honorable trial. The like from him.

Cleo.

So Fulvia told me. Cleo.

What should I do, I do not? I prythee turn aside, and weep for her; Char. In each thing give him way, cross him Then bid adieu to me, and say, the tears in nothing.

Belong to Egypt:3 Good now, play one scene Cleo. Thou teachest like a fool: the way to lose him.

• The arch of our eye-brows.

9 Smack or flavor. • Expedition.

• Leave.
1 Gate.

· The commotion she occasioned. + Look as if I did not send you.

• To me, the queen of Egypt.

Of excellent dissembling; and let it look

That he, which is, was wish'd, until he were;
Like perfect honor.

And the ebb'd man, ne'er lov'd, till ne'er worth
Ant.
You'll heat my blood; no more.

love,
Cleo. You can do better yet; but this is meetly. Comes dear'd, by being lack'd. This common body,
Ant. Now by my sword,

Like a vagabond flag upon the stream,
Cleo.

And target,--Still he mends; | Goes to, and back, lackeying the varying tide,
But this is not the best : Look, pr’ythee, Char an, To rot itself with motion.
How this Herculean Roman does become

Mess.

Csesar, I bring thee word, The carriage of his chase.

Menecrates and Menas, famous pirates, Ant.

I'll leave you, lady. Make the sea serve them; which they earand wound
Clea. Courteous lord, one word.

With keels of every kind: Many hot inroads
Sir, you and I must part,--but that's not it: They make in Italy; the borders maritime
Sir, you and I have lov’d,-but there's not it; Lack blood2 to think on't, and flush youth revolt:
Thai you know well: Something it is I would, - No vessel can peep forth, but 'uis as soon
0, my oblivion is a very Antony,

Taken as seen; for Pompey's name strikes more,
And I am all forgotten.

Than could his war resisted.
Ant.
But that your royalty
Cæs.

Antony,
Holds idleness your subject, I should take you Leave thy lascivious wassels. When thou once
For idleness itself.

Wast beaten from Modena, where thou slew'st
Cleo.
'Tis sweating labor,

Hirtius and Pansa, consuls, at thy heel To bear such idleness so near the heart

Did famine follow; whom thou fought'st against,
As Cleopatra this. But, sir, forgive me;

Though daintily brought up, with patience more
Since my becomings kill me, when they do not Than savages could suittr: thou didst drink
Eye well to you: Your honor calls you hence; The stalet of horses, and the gilded puddles
Therefore be deaf to my unpitied folly,

Which beasts would cough at: thy palate then did
And all the gods go with you! upon your sword

deign Sit laurel’d victory! and smooth success

The roughest berry on the rudest hedge; Be strew'd before your feet!

Yea, like the stag, when snow the pasture sheets, Ant.

Let us go. Come; The barks of trees thou browsed'st; on the Alps Our separation so abides, and flies,

It is reported, thou didst eat strange flesh. That you, residing here, go'st yet with me,

Which some did die to look on: And all this And I, hence fleeting, here remain with thee. (It wounds thine honor, that I speak it now) Away.

(Exeunt. Was borne so like a soldier, that thy cheek SCENE IV.-Rome. An Apartment in Cæsar's So much as lank'd not. House.

Lep.

It is pity of him.

Cæs. Let his shames quickly Enter OCTAVIUS CÆSAR, LEPIDUS, and Attend.

Drive him to Rome: 'Tis time we twain ants, Cæs. You may see, Lepidus, and henceforth know, Assemble we immediate council: Pompey

Did show ourselves i' the tield; and, to that end, It is not Cæsar's natural vice to hate

Thrives in our idleness, One great competitor: From Alexandria

Lep.

T'o-morrow, Cæsar, This is the news: Ile fishes, drinks, and wastes

I shall be furnish'd to inform you rightly The lamps of' night in revel: is not more manlike

Both what by sea and land I can be able, Than Cleopatra; nor the queen Ptolemy

To front this present time. More womanly than he: hardly gave audience, or

Cæs.

Till which encounter, Vouchsafed to think he had partners: You shall

It is my business too. Farewell. find there

Lep. Farewell, my lord: What you shall know A man, that is the abstract of all faults

meantime That all men follow.

of stirs abroad, I shall beseech you, sir, Lep. I must not think, there are

To let me be partaker. Evils enough to darken all his goodness :

Cæs.

Doubt not, sir : His faults, in him, seem as the spots of heaven,

I knew it for my bond.

[Exeunt.
More tiery by night's blackness; hereditary,
Rather than purchas'd;6 what he cannot change, SCENE V.-Alexandria. A Room in the Palace.
Than what he chooses.
Cæs. You are too indulgent: Let us grant, it is not

Enter CLEOPATRA, CHARMIAN, IRAs, and

MARDIAN. Amiss to tumble on the bed of Ptolemy;

Cleo. Charmian,To give a kingdoin for a mirth; to sit

Char. Madam. And keep the turn of tippling with a slave;

Cleo. Ha, ha! To reel the sireets at noon, and stand the buffet

Give me to drink mandragora.7 With knaves that smell of sweat: say, this becomes

Char.

Why, madam! him,

Cleo. That I might sleep out this great gap of (As his composure must be rare indeed, Whom these things cannot blemish,) yet must My Antony is away.

time, Antony

Char.

You think of him No way excuse his soils, when we do bear

Too much. So great weight in his lightness. If he fill'd

Cleo. O, treason! His vacancy with his voluptuousness,

Char.

Madam, I trust, not so.
Full surteits, and the dryness of his bones,
Call on him? for't: but, to confound such time,

Cleo. Thou, eunuch ! Mardian !

Mar. That drums him from his sport, and speaks as loud

What's your highness' pleasure ?

Cleo. Not now to hear thee sing; I take no
As his own state, and ours,-'uis to be chid
As we rate boys; who being mature in knowledge, In aught an eunuch has: 'Tis well for thee,

pleasure
Pawn their experience to their present pleasure,
And so rebel to judgment.

That, being unseminar'd, thy freer thoughts

May not fly forth of Egypt. Hast thou atlections ?
Enter a Messenger.

Mar. Yes, gracious madam.
Lep.
Here's more news.
Cleo.

Indeed?
Mess. Thy biddings have been done; and every Mar. Not in decd, madain; for I can do nothing
hour,

But what in deed is honest to be done: Most noble Cæsar, shalt thou have report

Yet have I fierce atfections, and think, How 'tis abroad. Pompey is strong at sea;

What Venus did with Mars. And it appears, he is belov'd of those

Cleo.

O Charmian, That only have fear'd Cæsar: to the ports

Where think'st thou he is now? Slands he, or The discontents9 repair, and men's reports

sits he? Give him much wrong'd.

Or does he walk? or is he on his horse ? Cas.

I should have known no less :- happy horse, to bear the weight of Antony! It hath been taught us from the primal state,

1 Endeared by being missed. 3 Turn pale. • Race.

• Oblivious memory.

: Feastinge; in the old copy it is vaissailes, i.e. vassals. • Procured by his own fault.

• Visit him.

• Urine. Stagnant, slimy water. • My bouwden duty. • Consume.

• Discontented.
"A sleepy potion.

• Unmanned.

Do bravely, horse! for wot'st thou whom thou Alex. Like to the time o' the year between the mov'st?

extremes The demi-Atlas of this earth, the arm

Of hot and cold; he was nor sad nor merry. And burgonet9 of men.--He's speaking now, Cleo. () well-divided disposition !-Note him, Or murmuring, Where's my serpent of old Nile? Note him, good Charmian, 'tis the man; but note For so he calls me: Now I feed myself

him: With most delicious poison :--Think on me, He was not sad : for he would shine on those That am with Phæbus' amorous pinches black, That make their looks by his: he was not merry ; And wrinkled deep in time? Broad-fronted Cæsar, Which seem'd to tell them, his remembrance lay When thou wast here above the ground, I was In Egypt with his joy: but between both; A morsel for a monarch: and great Pompey O heavenly mingle !-Be'st thou sad or merry, Would stand, and make his eyes grow in my brow; The violence of either thee becomes ; There would be anchor his aspect, and die So does it no man else.—Met'st thou my posts? With looking on his life.

Alex. Ay, madam, twenty several messengers:
Enter ALEXA8.

Why do you send so thick?
Cleo.

Who's born that day Aler.

Sovereign of Egypt, hail! Cleo. How much unlike art thou Mark Antony! Shall die a beggar.-Ink and paper, Charmian.

When I forget to send to Antony, Yet coming from him, that great medicine hath

Welcome, my good Alexas.-Díd I, Charmian, With his tinct gilded thee.

Ever love Cæsar so ? How goes it with my brave Mark Antony?

Char.

O that brave Cæsar! Alex. Last thing he did, dear queen,

Cleo. Be choked with such another emphasis ! He kiss'd, -the last of many doubled kisses, This orient pearl ;-His speech sticks in my heart. Say; the brave Antony.

Char.

The valiant Cæsar! Cleo. Mine ear must pluck it thence. Alex. Good friend, quoth he, If thou with Cæsar paragon again

Cleo. By Isis, I will give thee bloody teeth, Say, The firm Roman to great Egypt sends

My man of men. This treasure of an oyster; at whose foot,

Char. To mend the petty present, I will piece

By your most gracious pardon,

I sing but after you. Her opulent íhrone with kingdoms ; All the east,

Cleo.

My salad days; Say thou, shall call her mistress. So he nodded,

When I was green in judgment:-Cold in blood, And soberly, did mount a termagant steed, Who neigh'd so high, that what I would have

To say, as I said then !--But, come, a way: spoke

Get me ink and paper: he shall have every day

A several greeting, or I'll unpeople Egypt.
Was beastly dumb'd by him.
Cleo.
What, was he sad, or merry ?

(Exeunt

ACT II.

SCENE 1.Messina. A Room in Pompey's This amorous surfeiter would have don'd' his helm House.

For such a petty war: his soldiership

Is twice the other twain: But let us rear Enter Pompey, MENECRATES, and MENAS.

The higher our opinion, that our stirring
Pom. If the great gods be just, they shall assist Can from the lap or Egypt's widow pluck
The deeds of justest men.

The ne'er lust-wearied Antony.
Mene.
Know, worthy Pompey,
Men.

I cannot hope, That what they do delay, they not deny.

Cæsar and Antony shall well greet together: Pom. While we are suitors to their throne, His wife, that's dead, did trespasses to Cæsar; decays

His brother warr'd upon him; although, I think, The thing we sue for.

Not mov'd by Antony.
Mene.
We, ignorant of ourselves, Pom.

I know not, Menas,
Beg often our own harms, which the wise powers

How lesser enmities may give way to greater. Deny us for our good; so find we profit,

Wer't not that we stand up against them all, By losing of our prayers.

'Twere pregnant they should square6 between Pom. I shall do well:

themselves; The people love me, and the sea is mine;

For they have entertained cause enough My power's a crescent, and my auguring hope

To draw their swords : but how the fear of us
Says, it will come to the full. Mark Antony May cément their divisions, and bind up
In Egypt sits at dinner, and will make

The petty difference, we yet not know.
No wars without doors : Cæsar gets money, where Be it as our gods will have it! It only stands
He loses hearts : Lepidus tlatters both,

Our lives upon, to use our strongest hands.
Of both is flatter'd; but he neither loves,

Come, Menas.

(Exeunt. Nor either cares for him. Men. Cæsar and Lepidus

SCENE II.-Rome. A Room in the House of Are in the field; a mighty strength they carry.

Lepidus.
Pom. Where have you this ? 'tis false.
Men.

From Silvius, sir.

Enter ENOBARBUS and LEPIDUS. Pom. He dreams; I know, they are in Rome Lep. Good Enobarbus, 'tis a worthy deed, together,

And shall become you well, to entreat your captain Looking for Antony: But all charms of love, To soft and gentle speech. Salt Cleopatra, soften thy waned? lip!

Eno.

I shall entreat him Let witchcraft join with beauty, lust with both! To answer like himself: If Cæsar move bim, Tie up the libertine in a field of feasts,

Let Antony look over Cæsar's head, Keep his brain fuming; Epicúrean cooks,

And speak as loud as Mars. By Jupiter,
Sharpen with cloyless sauce his appetite;

Were I the wearer of Antonius' beard,
That sleep and feeding may prorogue his honor, I would not shav't to-day.
Even till a Lethe'd dulness.-How now, Varrius? Lep.

'Tis not a time
Enter VARRIUS.

For private stomaching.
Eno.

Every time
Var. This is most certain that I shall deliver: Serves for the matter that is then born in it.
Mark Antony is every hour in Rome

Lep. But small to greater matters must give way. Expected ; since he went from Egypt, 'tis

Eno. Not if the small come first. A space for further travel.

Lep.

Your speech is passion : Pom.

I could have given less matter But, pray you, stir no embers up. Here comes A better ear.-Menas, I did not think,

The noble Antony.
A helmet. Furious. » Declined, faded. 1 To. • Done on; i.e. put on.

• Helmet. . Quarrel.

Enter ANTONY and VENTIDIUS.

Be nothing of our strife; if we contend,
Eno.
And yonder, Cæsar.

Out of our questioni wipe him.
Cæs.

You have broken Enter CÆSAR, MECÆNA8, and AGRIPPA.

The article of your oath; which you shall never Ant. If we compose? well here, to Parthia: Have tongue to charge me with. Hark you, Ventidius.

Lep.

Soft, Cæsar.
Cas.
I do not know,

Ant. No, Lepidus, let him speak;
Mecenas; ask Agrippa.

The honor's sacred which he talks on now,
Lep.
Noble friends,

Supposing that I lack'd it: But on, Cesar;
That which combin'd us was most great, and let not

The article of my oath,--A leaner action rend us. What's amiss,

Cæs. To lend me arms, and aid, when I required May it be gently heard: When we debate

them; Our trivial difference loud, we do commit

The which you both denied. Murder in healing wounds: Then, noble partners, Ant.

Neglected, rather ; (The rather, for I earnestly beseech,)

And then, when poison'd hours had bound me up Touch you the sourest points with sweetest terms, From mine own knowledge. As nearly as I may, Nor curstness' grow to the matter.

I'll play the penitent to you: but mine honesty Ant.

'Tis spoken well; | Shall not make pour my greatness, nor my power Were we before our armies, and to tiglit,

Work without it: Truth is, that Fulvia, I should do thus.

To have me out of Egypt, made wars here;
Cæs. Welcome to Rome.

For which myself, the ignorant motive, do
Ant.
Thank you.

So far ask pardon, as belits mine bonor
Cæs.

Sit.

To stoop in such a case.
Ant.

Sit, sir!
Lep.

'Tis nobly spoken. Cæs.

Nay, Mec. If it might please you, to enforce no further Then

The grietsó between ye: to forget thein quite,
Ant. I learn, you take things ill, which are not so; Were to remember that the present need
Or, being, concern you not.

Speaks to atone you.
Cas.
I must be laugh'd at, Lep.

Worthily spoke, Mecænas. If, or for nothing, or a little, I

Eno. Or, if you borrow one another's love for Should say myself offended; and with you

the instant, you may, when you hear no more words Chiesly i'ihe world : more laugh'd at, that I should

of Pompey, return it again: you shall have time to Once name you derogately, when to suund your wrangle in, when you have nothing else to do. name

Ant. Thou art a soldier only; speak no more. It not concern'd me.

Eno. That truth should be silent, I had almost Ant.

My being in Egypt, Cæsar, forgot. What was't to you?

Ant. You wrong this presence, therefore speak Cæs. No more than my residing here at Rome

no more. Might be to you in Egypt: Yet, it you there

Eno. Go to, then; your considerate stone. Did practises on my state, your being in Egypt Cæs. I do not much dislike the matter, but Might be my question.!

The manner of his speech: for it cannot be, Ant.

How intend you, practis'd ? | We shall remain in friendship, our conditions: Cæs. You may be pleas'd to catch at mine intent, So ditlering in their acts. Yet, it I knew By what did here befall me. Your wife, and brother, What houp should hold us staunch,from edge toedge Made wars upon me; and their contestation O'the world I would pursue it. Was theme for you, you were the word of war. Agr.

Give me leave, Cæsar,Ant. You do mistake your business ; my brother Cæs. Speak, Agrippa. never

Agr. Thou hast a sister by the mother's side,
Did urge me in his act: I did inquire it;

Admir'd Octavia : great Mark Antony
And have my learning from some true reports, Is now a widower.
That drew their swords with you. Did he not rather Cæs.

Say not so, Agrippa;
Discredit my authority with yours;

If Cleopatra heard you, your reproof
And make the wars alike against my stomach, Were well deserv'd of rashness.
Having alike your cause? Of this, my Iriters Ant. I am not married, Cæsar: let me hear
Before did satisfy you. If you'll patch a quarrel, Agrippa further speak,
As matter whole you have not to make it with, Agr. To hold you in perpetual amity,
It must not be with this.

To make you brothers, and to knit your hearts
Cæs.

You praise yourself With an unslipping knot, take Antony By laying defects of judgment to me; but

Octavia to his wite: whose beauty claims You patch'd up your excuses.

No worse a husband than the best of men; Ant.

Not so, not so; Whose virtue, and whose general graces, speak I know you could not lack, I am certain on't, That which none else can utter. By this marriage, Very necessity of this thought, that I,

All little jealousies, which now seem great, Your partner in the cause 'gainst which he fought, And all great tears,which now import their dangers, Could not with graceful eyes attend those wars Would then be nothing: truths would be but tales Which 'fronted? mine own peace. As for my wife, where now half tales be truths: her love to both, I would you had her spirit in such another: Would, each to other, and all loves to both, The third o' the world is yours; which with a snaffle Draw after her. Pardon what I have spoke; You may pace easy, but not such a wife.

For 'tis a studied, not a present thought, Eno. 'Would we had all such wives, that the men By duty ruminated. might go to wars with the women!

Ant.

Will Cæsar speak? Ant. So much uncurable, her garboils,3 Cesar, Cæs. Not till he hears how Antony is touch'd Made out of her impatience, (which not wanted With what is spoke already. Shrewdness of policy too,) I grieving grant,

Ant.

What power is in Agrippa, Did you too much disquiet: for that, you must If I would say, Agrippa, be it so, But say, I could not help it.

To make this good ? (æs.

I wrote to you,

Cæs.

The power of Cæsar, and When rioting in Alexandria ; you

His power unto Octavia. Did pocket up my letters, and with taunts

Ant.

May I never Did gibe iny missives out of audience.

To this good purpose, that so fairly shows, Ant.

Sir,

Dream or impediment !-Let me have thy hand: He tell upon me, ere admitted; then

Further this act of grace; and, from this hour, Three kings I had newly feasted, and did want The heart of brothers govern in our loves, Of what I was i' the morning: but, next day, And sway our great designs ! I told him of myself; which was as much

Cæs.

There is my hand. As to have ask'd him pardon: Let this fellow A sister I bequeath you, whom no brother

Did ever love so dearly: Let her live • Agree.

& Let not ill-humor be added. • Use bad arts or stratagems. Subject of conversatiou.

• Conversation.

& Grievances. • Opposed. a Commotions. • Messenger.

. Reconcile.

• Dispositions

To join our kingdoms and our hearts; and never And, for his ordinary, pays his heart,
Fly off our loves again!

For what his eyes eat only.
Lep.
Happily, amen!
Agr.

Royal wench!
Ant. I did not think to draw iny sword 'gainst She made great Cæsar lay his sword to bed;
Pompey;

He plough`d her, and she cropp'd. For he hath laid strange courtesies, and great,

Eno. I saw her once Of late upon me: I must thank him only,

Hop forty paces through the public street: Lest my remembrance suffer ill report;

And having lost her breath, she spoke, and panted, At heel of that, dery him.

That she did make defect, perfection, Lep.

Time calls upon us : And, breathless, power breathe forth. Of us must Pompey presently be sought,

Mec. Now Antony must leave her utterly. Or else he seeks out us.

Eno. Never; he will not. Ant.

And where lies he ? Age cannot wither her, nor custom stale Cæs. About the Mount Misenum.

Her intimite variety: Other women Ant.

What's his strength Cloy th'appetites they feed; but she makes hungry By land ?

Where most she satisties. For vilest things
Cæs. Great, and increasing: but by sea Become themselves in her; that the holy priests
He is an absolute master.

Bless her, when she is riggish.2
Ant.
So is the fame.

Mec. If beauty, wisdom, modesty can settle
'Would, we had spoke together! Haste we for it: The heart of Antony, Octavia is
Yet, ere we put ourselves in arms, despatch we A blessed lottery to him.
The business we have talk'd of.

Agr.

Let us go.Cæs.

With most gladness; Good Enobarbus, make yourself my guest, And do invite you to my sister's view,

Whilst you abide here. Whither straight I will lead you.

Eno.

Humbly, sir, I thank you. Ant. Let us, Lepidus,

[Ereunt. Not lack your company.

SCENE III.A Room in Cæsar's House. Lep.

Noble Antony, Not sickness should detain me.

Enter CÆSAR, ANTONY, OCTAVIA between them; [Flourish. Exeunt CÆSAR, ANTONY, and

Attendants, and a Soothsayer.
LEPIDUS.

Ant. The world, and my great otfice, will some Mec. Welcome from Egypt, sir.

times Eno. Half the heart of Casar, worthy Mecænas! Divide me from your bosom. -my honorable friend, Agrippa!

Octa.

All which time Agr. Good Enobarbus!

Before the gods my knee shall bow in prayers Mec. We have cause to be glad, that matters are To them for you. so well digested. You stay'd well by it in Egypt. Ant.

Good-night, sir.- My Octavia, Eno. Ay, sir; we did sleep day out of counte- Read not my blemishes in the world's report: nance, and made the night light with drinking. I have not kept my square; but that to come

Mec. Eight wild boars roasted whole at a break-Shall all be done by the rule. Good-night, dear fast, and but twelve persons there : Is this true?

lady. Eno. This was but as a tly by an eagle: we had Octa. Good-night, sir. much more monstrous matter of' feasts, which wor- Cæs. Good-night. [Ex. CÆSAR and OCTAVIA. thily deserved noting.

Ani. Now, sirrah! you do wish yourself in Mec. She's a most triumphant lady, if report be

Egypt? square to her.

Sooth. Would I had never come from thence, Eno. When she first met Mark Antony, she

nor you pursed up his heart upon the river of Cydnus. Thither! Agr. There she appeared indeed; or my reporter

Ant. If you can, your reason? devised well for her.

Sooth.

I see't in Eno. I will tell you:

My motion, have it not in my tongue: But yet The barge she sat in, like a burnish'd throne, Hie you again to Egypt. Burn'd on the water: the poop was beaten gold : Ant.

Say to me, Purple the sails, and so pertumed, that

Whose fortunes shall rise higher, Cæsar's, or The winds were love-sick with them : the oars were

mine? silver;

Soolh. Cæsar's. Which to the tune of flutes kept stroke, and made Therefore, 0 Antony, stay not by his side: The water, which they beat, to follow faster, Thy dæmon, that's ihy spirit which keeps thee, is As amorous of their strokes. For her own person, Noble, courageous, high, unmatchable, It beggar'd all description : she did lie

Where Cæsar's is not; but near him, thy angel In her pavilion, (cloth of gold, of tissue,)

Becomes a Fear, as being o’erpower'd; therefore O’er-picturing that Venus, where we see,

Make space enough between you. The fancy out-work nature: on each side her, Ant.

Speak this no more. Stood pretty dimpled boys, like smiling Cupids, Sooth. To none but thee; no more, but when to With diverse-color'd fans, whose wind did seem

thee. To glow the delicate cheeks which they did cool, If thou dost play with him at any game, And what they undid, did.

Thou art sure to lose; and, of that natural luck, Agr.

O, rare for Antony! He beats thee 'gainst the odds; thy lustre thickens,
Eno. Her gentlewomen, like the Nereides, When he shines by: I say again, thy spirit
So many mermaids, tender her i’ the eyes,

Is all afraid to govern thee near him;
And made their bends adornings: at the helm But, he away, 'tis noble.
A seeming mermaid steers; the silken tackles Ant.

Get thee gone:
Swell with the touches of those flower-soft hands, Say to Ventidius, I would speak with him:
That yarely framel the ottice. From the barge

(Erit Soothsayer. A strange invisible perfume hits the sense

He shall to Parthia.-Be it art, or hap, Of the adjacent wharts. The city cast

He hath spoken true: the very dice obey him; Her people out upon her; and Antony,

And, in our sports, my better cunning taints Enthron'd in the market-place, did sit alone, Under his chance: if we draw lots, he speeds: Whistling to the air; which, but for vacancy, His cocks do win the battles still of mine, Had gone to gaze on Cleopatra too,

When it is all to nought; and his quails3 ever And made a gap in nature.

Beat mine, inhoop'di at odds. I will to Egypt: Agr.

Rare Egyptian ! And though I make this marriage for my peace, Eno. Upon her landing, Antony sent to her, Invited her to supper: she replied,

Enter VENTIDIUS. It should be better, he became her guest;

l' the east my pleasure lies:-0, come, Ventidius, Which she entreated ; Our courteous Antony, You must to Parthia ; your commission's ready: Whom ne'er the word of No woman heard speak, Follow me, and receive it.

(Exeunt. Being barber'd ten times o'er, goes to the feast; Wanton.

3 The ancients used to match quails as we match cocks • Suit with her merits.

* Readily perform. • Inclosed.