Mar. Not in deed, madam; for I can do nothing But what indeed is honest to be done : Yet have I fierce affections, and think, What Venus did with Mars.

Cleo. O Charmian, Where think'st thou he is now? Stands he, or sits he? Or does he walk? or is he on bis horse? O happy horse, to bear the weight of Antony! Do bravely, horse! for wot'st thou whom thou The demi-Atlas of this earth, the arm [mov'st? And burgonet of men.-He's speaking now, Or murmuring, Where's my serpent of old Nile? For so he calls me; Now I feed myself With most delicious poison :-Think on me, That am with Phoebus' amorous pinches black, And wrinkled deep in time? Broad-fronted Cæsar, When thou wast here above the ground, I was A morsel for a monarch: and great Pompey Would stand, and make his eyes grow in my brow; There would he anchor his aspect, and die With looking on his life.

Alex.

Enter ALEXAS.

Sovereign of Egypt, hail! Cleo. How much unlike art thou Mark Antory! Yet, coming from him, that great medicine hath With his tinct gilded thee.

How goes it with my brave Mark Antony?

Alex. Last thing he did, dear queen, He kiss'd, the last of many doubled kisses,This orient pearl ;-His speech sticks in my heart. Cleo. Mine ear must pluck it thence. Alex. Good friend, quoth he, Say, the firm Roman to great Egypt sends This treasure of an oyster; at whose foot, To mend the petty present, I will piece Her opulent throne with kingdoms; All the east, Say thou, shall call her mistress. So he nodded, And soberly did mount a termagant steed, Who neigh'd so high, that what I would have spoke Was beastly dumb'd by him. Cleo.

What, was he sad, or merry? Alex. Like to the time o' the year between the

extremes

Of hot and cold; he was nor sad, nor merry. Cleo. O well-divided disposition!-Note him,

Note him, good Charmian, 'tis the man; but note him:

He was not sad; for he would shine on those
That make their looks by his: he was not merry;
Which seem'd to tell them his remembrance lay
In Egypt with his joy: but between both:

heavenly mingle!-Be'st thou sad, or merry, The violence of either thee becomes;

So does it no man else.-Met'st thou my posts? Alex. Ay, madam, twenty several messengers: Why do you send so thick?

Cleo.

Who's born that day When I forget to send to Antony,

Shall die a beggar.-Ink and paper, Charmian.Welcome, my good Alexas.-Did I, Charmian, Ever love Cæsar so?

Char. O that brave Cæsar! Cleo. Be chok'd with such another emphasis! Say, the brave Antony.

Char.

The valiant Cæsar!

We, ignorant of ourselves, Beg often our own harms, which the wise powers Deny us for our good; so find we profit, By losing of our prayers.

Pom.

I shall do well: The people love me, and the sea is mine; My power's a crescent, and my auguring hope Says, it will come to the full. Mark Antony In Egypt sits at dinner, and will make No wars without doors: Cæsar gets money, where He loses hearts: Lepidus flatters both, Nor either cares for him. Of both is flatter'd ; but he neither loves,

Men.
Caesar and Lepidus
Are in the field; a mighty strength they carry.
Pom. Where have you this? 'tis false.
Men.
From Silvius, sir.
Pom. He dreams; I know, they are in Rome
together,

Looking for Antony: But all charms of love
Salt Cleopatra, soften thy wan'd lip!
Let witchcraft join'd with beanty, lust with both!
Tie up the libertine in a field of feasts,
Keep his brain fuming; Epicurean cooks,
Sharpen with cloyless sauce his appetite;
That sleep and feeding may prorogue his honour,
Even till a Lethe'd dulness.-How now, Varrius?
Enter VARRIUS.

Var. This is most certain that I shall deliver:
Mark Antony is every hour in Rome
Expected; since he went from Egypt, 'tis
A space for further travel.

Pom.

I could have given less matter A better ear.-Menas, I did not think, This amorous surfeiter would have don'd his helm For such a petty war: his soldiership Is twice the other twain: But let us rear The higher our opinion, that our stirring S 39

Ant. Thou art a soldier only; speak no more. Eno. That truth should be silent, I had almost forgot. [no more. Ant. You wrong this presence, therefore speak Eno. Go to then; your considerate stone. Cas. I do not much dislike the matter, but The manner of his speech: for it cannot be, We shall remain in friendship, our conditions So differing in their acts. Yet, if I knew [edge What hoop should hold us staunch, from edge to O' the world I would pursue it. Give me leave, Cæsar,

Agr.

Caes. 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 Were well deserv'd of rashness.

Ant. I am not married, Cæsar: let me hear Agrippa further speak.

Agr. To hold you in perpetual amity, To make you brothers, and to knit your hearts With an unslipping knot, take Antony Octavia to his wife; whose beauty claims No worse a husband than the best of men; Whose virtue, and whose general graces, speak That which none else can utter. By this marriage, All little jealousies, which now seem great, And all great fears, which now import their dangers, Would then be nothing: truths would be but tales, Where now half tales be truths: her love to both, Would, each to other, and all loves to both, Draw after her. Pardon what I have spoke; For 'tis a studied, not a present thought, By duty ruminated.

Ant. Will Cæsar speak? Ces. 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?

Cæs.

The power of Cæsar, and His power unto Octavia.

Ant.

May I never To this good purpose, that so fairly shews, Dream of impediment!-Let me have thy hand: Further this act of grace; and, from this hour, The heart of brothers govern in our loves, And sway our great designs!

Cæs.

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!

[Pompey; Ant. I did not think to draw my sword 'gainst For he hath laid strange courtesies, and great, Of late upon me: I must thank him only, Lest my remembrance suffer ill report; At beel of that, defy him,

Lep.

Time calls upon us : Of as must Pompey presently he sought, Or else he seeks ont us.

Ant.

And where lies he?

Mec. We have cause to be glad, that matters are so well digested. You stay'd 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. [square to her. Mec. She's a most triumphant lady, if report be 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;
Purple the sails, and so perfumed, that [silver;
The winds were love-sick with them: the oars were
Which to the tune of flutes kept stroke, and made
The water, which they beat, to follow faster,
As amorous of their strokes. For her own person,
It beggar'd all description: she did lie
In her pavilion, (cloth of gold, of tissue,)
O'erpicturing that Venus, where we see,
The fancy out-work nature: on each side her,
Stood pretty dimpled boys, like smiling Cupids,
With diverse-coloured fans, whose wind did seem
To glow the delicate cheeks which they did cool,
And what they undid, did.
Agr.
O, rare for Antony!
Eno. Her gentlewomen, like the Nereides,
So many mermaids, tended her i' the eyes,
And made their bends adornings at the helm
A seeming mermaid steers; the silken tackle
Swell with the touches of those flower-soft hands,
That yarely frame the office. From the barge
A strange invisible pérfume hits the sense
Of the adjacent wharfs. The city cast
Her people out upon her; and Antony,
Enthron'd in the market-place, did sit alone,
Whistling to the air; which, but for vacancy,
Had gone to gaze on Cleopatra too,
And made a gap in nature.

612

Let us go.
Agr.
Good Enobarbus, make yourself my guest,
Whilst you abide here.

Eno. Humbly, sir, I thank you. [Exeunt. 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 some[times Divide me from your bosom. Octa.

All which time, Before the gods my knee shall bow my prayers To them for you.

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 Shall all be done by the rule. Good night, dear | [lady.Octa. Good night, sir. Cæs. Good night. [Exeunt Cas. and Octa. Ant. Now, sirrah! you do wish yourself in Egypt? Sooth. 'Would I had never come from thence, [nor you Thither! I see't in

Ant. Sooth.

If you can, your reason?

My motion, have it not in my tongue: But yet Hie you again to Egypt.

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 dæmon, that's thy spirit which keeps thee, is
Noble, courageous, high, unmatchable,
Where Cæsar's is not; but, near him, thy angel
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,
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, 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, Enter VENTIDIUS.

I' the east my pleasure lies:-O, come, Ventidius, You must to Parthia; your commission's ready: Follow me, and receive it.

[Exeunt.

SCENE IV. The same. A Street. Enter LEPIDUS, MECENAS, and AGRIPPA. Lep. Trouble yourselves no further: pray you, Your generals after.

Sir, Mark Antony

Agr.
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 mount
Before you, Lepidus.

Lep.

We shall,

Your way is shorter,

Sir, good success!

My purposes do draw me much about;
You'll win two days upon me.
Mec. & Agr.

Lep. Farewell.

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 shew'd, though it come too short,

The actor may plead pardon. I'll none now:-
Give me mine angle,-We'll to the river: there,
My music playing far off, I will betray
Tawny-finn'd fishes; my bended hook shall pierce
Their slimy jaws; and, as I draw them up,
I'll think them every one an Antony,
And say, Ah, ha! you're caught.
Char.

Cleo.

'Twas merry, when
You wager'd on your angling; when your diver
Did hang a salt-fish on his hook, which he
With fervency drew up.
That time!-O times!-
I laugh'd him out of patience; and that night
I laugh'd him into patience: and next morn,
Ere the ninth hour, I drunk him to his bed;
Then put my tires and mantles on him, whilst
I wore his sword Philippan. O! from Italy;-
Enter a Messenger.

Ram thou thy fruitful tidings in mine ears,
That long time have been barren.
Mess.

Cleo. Antony's dead?—

To say, the dead are well: bring it to that,
The gold I give thee, will I melt, and pour
Down thy ill-uttering throat.

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 favour
To trumpet such good tidings? If not well,
Thou should'st come like a fury crown'd with
Not like a formal man.
[snakes,

Mess. Will't please you hear me? Cleo. I have a mind to strike thee, ere then Yet, if thou say, Antony lives, is well, [speak'st: 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. 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; fy upon but yet:
But yet is as a gaoler to bring forth
Some monstrous malefactor. Pr'ythee, friend,
Pour out the pack of matter to mine ear,
The good and bad together: He's friends with
Cæsar;

Mess. Good madam, patience. Cleo. What say you?-Hence, (Strikes him again.) Horrible villain! or I'll spurn thine eyes Like balls before me; I'll unhair thy head; (She hales him up and down.) Thou shalt be whipp'd with wire, and stew'd in Smarting in ling'ring pickle. [brine, Mess. Gracious madam, I, that do bring the news, made not the match. Cleo. Say, 'tis not so, a province I will give thee, And make thy fortunes proud: the blow thou hadst Shall make thy peace, for moving me to rage; And I will boot thee with what gift beside Thy modesty can beg. Mess.

He's married, madam. Cleo. Rogue, thou hast liv'd too long.

(Draws a dagger.)

Mess. Nay, then I'll run :

What mean you, madam? I have made no fault.

[Exit.

But do not speak to me.-Lead me to my chamber. [Exeunt SCENE VI.-Near Misenum. Enter POMPEY and MENAS, at one side, with drum and trumpet; at another, CESAR, LEPIDUS, ANTONY, ENOBARBUS, MECENAS, with Soldiers marching.

Pom. Your hostages I have, so have you mine; And we shall talk before we fight. Cæs. Most meet, That first we come to words; and therefore have we Our written purposes before us sent: Which, if thou hast consider'd, let us know If 'twill tie up thy discontented sword; And carry back to Sicily much tall youth, That else must perish here.

Pom.

self;

The man is innocent.

[bolt.

Cleo. Some innocents 'scape not the thunderMelt Egypt into Nile! and kindly creatures Turn all to serpents!-Call the slave again; Though I am mad, I will not bite him:-Call. Char. He is afeard to come. Cleo. I will not hurt him:These hands do lack nobility, that they strike A meaner than myself; since I myself Have given myself the cause.-Come hither, sir. Re-enter Messenger.

Though it be honest, it is never good

To bring bad news: Give to a gracious message An host of tongues; but let ill tidings tell Themselves, when they be felt.

Mess.

Cleo. Is he married?

There saw you labouring for him. What was it,
That mov'd pale Cassius to conspire? And what
Made the all-honour'd honest Roman, Brutus,
With the arm'd rest, courtiers of beauteous freedom,
To drench the Capito!; but that they would
Have one man but a man? And that is it,
Hath made me rig my navy; at whose burden
The anger'd ocean foams; with which I meant
To scourge the ingratitude that despiteful Rome
Cast on my noble father.

Cæs.
Take your time. [sails,
Ant. Thou canst not fear us, Pompey, with thy
We'll speak with thee at sea: at land, thou know'st
How much we do o'er-count thee.

Pom.

I cannot hate thee worser than I do,
If thou again say, Yes.
Mess.
He is married, madam.
Cleo. The gods confound thee! dost thou hold
Mess. Should I lie, madam? [there still?
Cleo.
O, I would thou didst;
So half my Egypt were submerg'd, and made
A cistern for scal'd snakes! Go, get thee hence;
Hadst thou Narcissus in thy face, to me
Thou would'st appear most ugly. He is married?
Mess. I crave your highness' pardon.
Cleo.
He is married?
Mess. Take no offence, that I would not offend
To punish me for what you make me do, [you:
Seems much unequal: He is married to Octavia.
Cleo. O, that his fault should make a knave of
thee,
[bence:
That art not!-What? thou'rt sure of't? Get thee
The merchandise, which thou hast brought from
Rome,

Are all too dear for me: Lie they upon thy hand,
And be undone by 'em!
[Exit Mess.
Char.
Good your highness, patience.
Cleo. In praising Antony, I have disprais'à Cæsar.
Char. Many times, madam.
Cleo.

Lead me from hence,

I am paid for't now.

I faint; O Iras, Charmian,-'Tis no matter :-
Go to the fellow, good Alexas; bid him
Report the feature of Octavia, her years,
Her inclination, let him not leave out
The colour of her hair:-bring me word quickly.-
[Exit Alexas.

Let him for ever go :-Let him not-Charmian,
Though he be painted one way like a Gorgon,
T'other way he's a Mars :-)
-Bid you Alexas
(To Mardian.)
Bring me word, how tall she is.-Pity me, Char-
mian,

Be pleas'd to tell us, how you take

There's the point.

Cæs. Ant. Which do not be entreated to, but weigh What it is worth embrac'd. Cæs.

To try a larger fortune.

Pom.

And what may follow,

You have made me offer:

Of Sicily, Sardinia; and I must
Rid all the sea of pirates; then, to send
Measures of wheat to Rome: This 'greed upon,
To part with unhack'd edges, and bear back
Our targe undinted.

Cæs. Ant. & Lep. That's our offer.
Pom.

Know then,