As amorous of their strokes. For her own person, The fancy out-work nature: on each side her, Agr. O, rare for Antony! Eno. Her gentlewomen, like the Nereides, So many mermaids, tended her i'the eyes, And made their bends adornings: at the helm A seeming mermaid steers; the silken tackle Swell with the touches of those flower-soft hands, That yarely frame2 the office. From the barge A strange invisible pérfume hits the sense Of the adjacent wharfs. The city cast Her people out upon her; and Antony, Enthron'd in the market place, did sit alone, Whistling to the air; which, but for vacancy, Had gone to gaze on Cleopatra tco, And made a gap in nature. Agr. Rare Egyptian! Eno. Upon her landing, Antony sent to her, It should be better, he became her guest; For what his eyes eat only. Agr. Royal wench! She made great Cæsar lay his sword to bed; He plough'd her, and she cropp'd. Eno. I saw her once (1) Added to the warmth they were intended to diminish. (2) Readily perform. Hop forty paces through the public street: And, breathless, power breathe forth. Mac. Now Antony must leave her utterly. Age cannot wither her, nor custom stale Cloy th' appetites they feed; but she makes hungry Mac. If beauty, wisdom, modesty, can settle The heart of Antony, Octavia is A blessed lottery2 to him. Agr. Let us go. Good Enobarbus, make yourself my guest, Eno. Humbly, sir, I thank you. [Exeunt. SCENE III.-The same. A room in Cæsar's house. Enter Cæsar, Antony, Octavia between them; Attendants, and a Soothsayer. Ant. The world, and my great office, will some times Divide me from your bosom. Octa. All which time Before the gods my knee shall bow my prayers Ant. Octa. Good night, sir. Caes. Good night. [Exeunt Cæsar and Octavia. Ant. Now, sirrah! you do wish yourself in Egypt? (1) Wanton. (2) Allotment. Sooth. 'Would I had never come from thence, Thither! nor you Ant. If you can, your reason? I see't in My motion, have it not in my tongue : But yet Ant. Say to me, Whose fortunes shall rise higher, Cæsar's, or mine? Therefore, O Antony, stay not by his side: Where Cæsar is not; but near him, thy angel 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: : [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,2 at odds. I will to Egypt: And though I make this marriage for my peace, (1) The ancients used to match quails as we match cocks. (2) Inclosed. Enter Ventidius. I' the east my pleasure lies:-0, come, Ventidius, You must to Parthia; your commission's ready : and receive it. Follow me, [Exeunt. SCENE IV.-The same. A street. Enter Lepidus, Mæcenas, 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. Mac. As I conceive the journey, be at mount! Lep. My purposes do draw me much about; Mac. Agr. Lep. Farewell. We shall, Your way is shorter, Sir, good success [Exeunt SCENE V-Alexandria. A room in the palace Enter Cleopatra, Charmian, Iras, and Alexas. Cleo. Give me some music; music, moody2 food Of us that trade in love. Attend. The music, ho! Enter Mardian. Cleo. Let it alone; let us to billiards. Come, Charmian. Char. My arm is sore, best play with Mardian Cleo As well a woman with an eunuch play'd, As with a woman ;-Come, you'll play with me, sir? Mar. As well as I can, madam. Cleo. And when good will is show'd, though it come too short, (1) Mount Misenum. (2) Melancholy. The actor may plead pardon. I'll none now :- Tawny-finn'd fishes; my bended hook shall pierce And say, Ah, ha! you're caught. Char. 'Twas merry, when You wager'd on your angling; when your diver Cleo. That time!-0 times!- Ram thou thy fruitful tidings in mine ears, Mess. Cleo. Antony's dead?— Madam, madam,— If thou say so, villain, thou kill'st thy mistress: If thou so yield him, there is gold, and here Mess. First, madam, he's well Cleo. Why, there's more gold. But, sirrah, mark; We use To say, the dead are well: bring it to that, Mess. Good madam, hear me. (1) Head-dress. (2) So sour a countenance. |