The Tragedy of Antony and Cleopatra: ACT II , SCENE III. The same. OCTAVIUS CAESAR's house.

The Tragedy of Antony and Cleopatra: ACT II


	Introduction

	ACT I

	ACT II

		SCENE I. Messina. POMPEY's house.

		SCENE II. Rome. The house of LEPIDUS.

		SCENE III. The same. OCTAVIUS CAESAR's house.

		SCENE IV. The same. A street.

		SCENE V. Alexandria. CLEOPATRA's palace.

		SCENE VI. Near Misenum.

		SCENE VII. On board POMPEY's galley, off Misenum.

	ACT III

	ACT IV

	ACT V

	About the Play

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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
5     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.
10    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

15    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

20    Caesar's.
      Therefore, O Antony, stay not by his side:
      Thy demon, that's thy spirit which keeps thee, is
      Noble, courageous high, unmatchable,
      Where Caesar's is not; but, near him, thy angel
25    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,
30    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

35 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
40    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,
45    I' the east my pleasure lies.

Enter VENTIDIUS

      O, come, Ventidius,
      You must to Parthia: your commission's ready;
      Follow me, and receive't.

Exeunt

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