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- $Unique_ID{SSP01458}
- $Title{Antony and Cleopatra: Act II, Scene III}
- $Author{Shakespeare, William}
- $Subject{}
- $Log{Dramatis Personae*01450.txt}
-
- Portions copyright (c) CMC ReSearch, Inc., 1989
-
- The Complete Works of William Shakespeare
-
- ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA
-
-
- ACT II
- ................................................................................
-
-
- SCENE III: The same. OCTAVIUS CAESAR's house.
- . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
-
- {Enter MARK ANTONY, OCTAVIUS CAESAR, OCTAVIA between
- them, and Attendants.}
-
- MARK ANTONY: The world and my great office will sometimes
- Divide me from your bosom.
-
- OCTAVIA: All which time
- Before the gods my knee shall bow my prayers
- To them for you.
-
- MARK ANTONY: Good night, sir. My Octavia,
- Read not my blemishes in the world's report:
- I have not kept my square; but that to come
- Shall all be done by the rule. Good night,
- dear lady.
- Good night, sir.
-
- OCTAVIUS CAESAR: Good night.
-
- [Exeunt OCTAVIUS CAESAR and OCTAVIA.]
-
- {Enter Soothsayer.}
-
- MARK ANTONY: Now, sirrah; you do wish yourself in Egypt?
-
- Soothsayer: Would I had never come from thence, nor you
- Thither!
-
- MARK ANTONY: If you can, your reason?
-
- Soothsayer: I see it in
- My motion, have it not in my tongue: but yet
- Hie you to Egypt again.
-
- MARK ANTONY: Say to me,
- Whose fortunes shall rise higher, Caesar's or mine?
-
- Soothsayer: Caesar's.
- Therefore, O Antony, stay not by his side:
- Thy demon, that's thy spirit which keeps thee, is
- Noble, courageous high, unmatchable, 20
- Where Caesar's is not; but, near him, thy angel
- Becomes a fear, as being o'erpower'd: therefore
- Make space enough between you.
-
- MARK ANTONY: Speak this no more.
-
- Soothsayer: 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.
-
- MARK ANTONY: Get thee gone: 30
- 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, at odds. I will to Egypt:
- And though I make this marriage for my peace,
- I' the east my pleasure lies.
-
- {Enter VENTIDIUS.}
-
- O, come, Ventidius,
- You must to Parthia: your commission's ready; 40
- Follow me, and receive't.
-
- [Exeunt.]
-