SCENE III.-The same. A Room in CESAR's House. Enter CESAR, ANTONY, OCTAVIA between them; Attendants and a Soothsayer. Ant. The world, and my great office, will sometimes Divide me from your bosom. Octa. All which time Before the gods my knee shall bow my prayers Ant. Good night, sir.-My Octavia, Read not my blemishes in the world's report: I have not kept my square; but that to come Cas. Good night. [Exeunt CESAR and OCTAVIA. Thither! Ant. If you can, your reason? Sooth. 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: Thy dæmon, that's thy spirit which keeps thee, is Becomes a Fear, as being o'erpower'd; therefore Make space enough between you. 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, Is all afraid to govern thee near him; Ant. Get thee gone: Say to Ventidius, I would speak with him: [Exit Soothsayer. He shall to Parthia.-Be it art, or hap, Enter VENTIDIUS. I' the east my pleasure lies :-0, come, Ventidius, [Exeunt SCENE IV. The same. A street. Enter LEPIDUS, MECENAS, and AGRIPPA. Lep. Trouble yourselves no further: pray you, has ten Your generals after. Agr. Sir, Mark Antony Will e'en but kiss Octavia, and we'll follow. Lep. Till I shall see you in your soldier's dress, Which will become you both, farewell. Mec. We shall, As I conceive the journey, be at mount Lep. Your way is shorter, My purposes do draw me much about; You'll win two days upon me. Mec. Agr. Sir, good success! [Exeunt. SCENE V.-Alexandria. A Room in the Palace. Enter CLEOPATRA, CHARMIAN, IRAS, and ALEXAS. Cleo. Give me some musick; musick, moody food Of us that trade in love. Attend. The musick, 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, The actor may plead pardon. I'll none now:- Char. "Twas merry, when You wager'd on your angling: when your diver Cleo. That time!-O times! I laugh'd him out of patience; and that night Enter a Messenger. Ram thou thy fruitful tidings in mine ears, Mess. Madam, madam, Cleo. Antony's dead?— If thou say so, villain, thou kill'st thy mistress: If thou so yield him, there is gold, and here My bluest veins to kiss; a hand, that kings Have lipp'd, and trembled kissing. 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, The gold, I give thee, will I melt, and pour Mess. Good madam, hear me. Cleo. Well, go to, I will; But there's no goodness in thy face: If Antony Thou should'st come like a fury crown'd with snakes, Mess. Will't please you hear me? Cleo. I have a mind to strike thee, ere thou speak'st: Yet, if thou say, Antony lives, is well, Or friends with Cæsar, or not captive to him, I'll set thee in a shower of gold, and hail Rich pearls upon thee. Mess. Madam, he's well. Cleo. Well said. Mess. And friends with Cæsar. Cleo. Thou'rt an honest man. Mess. Cæsar and he are greater friends than ever. Cleo. Make thee a fortune from me. Mess. But yet, madam,— Cleo. I do not like but yet, it does allay The good precedence; fye upon but yet : But yet is as a gaoler to bring forth Some monstrous malefactor. Pr'ythee, friend, |