Age cannot wither her, nor custom stale Cloy the 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.1 Mec. If beauty, wisdom, modesty can settle The heart of Antony, Octavia is A blessed lottery 2 to him. Agr. Let us go. Good Enobarbus, make yourself my guest, Whilst you abide here. Eno. SCENE III. The same. A Room in Cæsar'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 3 To them for you. Ant. Good night, sir.-My Octavia, Read not my blemishes in the world's report. Cæs. Good night. [Exeunt CESAR and OCTAvia. Thither! Ant. If you can, your reason? I see't in 1 Riggish is wanton, immodest. 2 Lottery for allotment. 3 The same construction is found in Coriolanus, Act i. Sc. 1," Shouting their emulation." My motion, have it not in my tongue. But yet Ant. Say to me, Whose fortunes shall rise higher; Cæsar's, or mine? Sooth. Cæsar's; Therefore, O Antony, stay not by his side. Thy demon, that's thy spirit which keeps thee, is Where Cæsar's 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 2 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, Enter VENTIDIUS. I'the East my pleasure lies.-O come, Ventidius, 1 A Fear was a personage in some of the old moralities. 2 So in Macbeth, "light thickens." [Exeunt Julius 3 The ancients used to match quails as we match cocks. Pollux relates, that a circle was made in which the birds were placed, and he whose quail was first driven out of this circle lost the stake. SCENE IV. The same. A Street. Enter LEPIDUS, MECENAS, 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. Lep. Till I shall see you in your soldier's dress, Which will become you both, farewell. Mec. As I conceive the journey, be at mount1 Lep. We shall, Your way is shorter; Sir, good success! [Exeunt. My purposes do draw me much about; Mec. Agr. Lep. Farewell. SCENE V. Alexandria. A Room in the Palace. Enter CLEOPATRA, CHARMIAN, IRAS, and ALEXAS. Cleo. Give me some music; music, moody food Of us that trade in love. Attend. The music, ho! Enter MARDIAN. Cleo. Let it alone; let us to billiards.3 Come, Charmian. Char. My arm is sore; best play with Mardian. Cleo. As well a woman with an eunuch played, As with a woman:-Come, you'll play with me, sir? 1 Mount Misenum. 2 Moody here means melancholy. 3 It is scarcely necessary to remark that this is an anachronism. Billiards were not known to the ancients. Mar. As well as I can, madam. Cleo. And when good will is showed, though it come too short, The actor may plead pardon. I'll none now;— Tawny-finned fishes; my bended hook shall pierce I'll think them every one an Antony, And say, Ah ha! you're caught. Char. 'Twas merry, when You wagered on your angling; when your diver Cleo. Enter a Messenger. Rain thou thy fruitful tidings in mine ears, Mess. Cleo. Antony's dead? Madam, madam, If thou say so, villain, thou kill'st thy mistress; But well and free, 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 1 This circumstance is from Plutarch. 2 The battle of Philippi being the greatest action of Antony's life, it was an adroit piece of flattery to name his sword from it. 3 The old copy reads "Ram thou," &c. Rain agrees better with the epithets fruitful and barren. So in Timon:— "Rain sacrificial whisperings in his ear." To say, the dead are well: bring it to that, Mess. Good madam, hear me. Cleo. Well, go to, I will; But there's no goodness in thy face. If Antony Be free, and healthful,-why so tart a favor To trumpet such good tidings? If not well, Thou shouldst come like a fury crowned with snakes, Not like a formal man.1 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.2 Mess. Cleo. Madam, he's well. Well said. Thou'rt an honest man. Mess. And friends with Cæsar. Cleo. Mess. Cæsar and he are greater friends than ever. Cleo. Make thee a fortune from me. But yet, madam,— Mess. Some monstrous malefactor. Pr'ythee, friend, The good and bad together. He's friend with Cæsar; Cleo. Mess. For the best turn i'the bed. Cleo. For what good turn? I am pale, Charmian. Mess. Madam, he's married to Octavia. 1 i. e. not like a man in form; not in your own proper shape. 2 The Eastern ceremony at the coronation of their kings was to powder them with gold-dust and seed-pearl. 3 i. e. abates the good quality of what is already reported. |