So differing in their acts. Yet, if I knew What hoop should hold us staunch, from edge to edge O' the world I would pursue it. Agr. Give me leave, Cæsar, Cas. Speak, Agrippa. Agr. Thou hast a sister by the mother's side, Admir'd Octavia: great Mark Antony Is now a widower. Cas. Say not so, Agrippa; If Cleopatra heard you, your reproof Ant. I am not married, Cæsar: let me hear Agr. To hold you in perpetual amity, To make you brothers, and to knit your hearts Draw after her. Pardon what I have spoke; Ant. Will Cæsar speak? Cas. Not till he hears how Antony is touch'd With what is spoke already. Ant. What power is in Agrippa, If I would say, Agrippa, be it so, To make this good? Cas. The power of Cæsar, and His power unto Octavia. Ant. May I never To this good purpose, that so fairly shows, And sway our great designs! Cas. There is my hand. A sister I bequeath you, whom no brother Did ever love so dearly: Let her live To join our kingdoms, and our hearts; and never Fly off our loves again! Lep. Happily, amen! Ant. I did not think to draw my sword 'gainst Pom pey; For he hath laid strange courtesies, and great, Of late upon me: I must thank him only, Lest my remembrance suffer ill report; Lep. Time calls upon us: Of us must Pompey presently be sought, Or else he seeks out us. Ant. And where lies he? Cas. About the Mount Misenum. Ant. What's his strength By land? Cas. Great, and increasing: but by sea He is an absolute master. Ant. So is the fame. 'Would, we had spoke together! Haste we for it: Yet, ere we put ourselves in arms, despatch we The business we have talk'd of. Cæs. With most gladness; And do invite you to my sister's view, Not lack your company. Lep. Noble Antony, Not sickness should detain me. [Flourish. Exeunt CESAR, ANTONY, and LEPIDUS. Mec. Welcome from Egypt, sir. Eno. Half the heart of Cæsar, worthy Mecanas !— my honourable friend, Agrippa!— Agr. Good Enobarbus ! Mec. We have cause to be glad, that matters are so well digested. You stayed well by it in Egypt. Eno. Ay, sir; we did sleep day out of countenance, and made the night light with drinking. Mec. Eight wild boars roasted whole at a breakfast, and but twelve persons there; Is this true? Eno. This was but as a fly by an eagle: we had much more monstrous matter of feast, which worthily deserved noting. Mec. She's a most triumphant lady, if report be square to her. Eno. When she first met Mark Antony, she pursed up his heart, upon the river of Cydnus. Agr. There she appeared indeed; or my reporter devised well for her. Eno. I will tell you: The barge she sat in, like a burnish'd throne, Burn'd on the water: the poop was beaten gold; The winds were love-sick with them: the oars were silver; Which to the tune of flutes kept stroke, and made Agr. O, rare for Antony! Eno. Her gentlewomen, like the Nereides, And made a gap in nature. Agr. Rare Egyptian! Eno. Upon her landing, Antony sent to her, Invited her to supper: she replied, It should be better, he became her guest; Which she entreated: Our courteous Antony, For what his eyes eat only. Agr. Royal wench! She made great Cæsar lay his sword to bed; Eno. I saw her once Hop forty paces through the public street: And having lost her breath, she spoke, and panted, 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 th' 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. Humbly sir, I thank you. [Exeunt. |