SCENE III.
The Same. A Room in Cæsar's House.
Enter Cæsar, Antony, Octavia between them; Attendants.
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
To them for you.
Ant.
Good night, sir.—My Octavia,
-- 38 --
Read not my blemishes in the world's report:
I have not kept my square3 note, but that to come
Shall all be done by the rule. Good night, dear lady.—
Good night, sir4 note.
Cæs.
Good night.
[Exeunt Cæsar and Octavia.
Enter a Soothsayer5 note.
Ant.
Now, sirrah: you do wish yourself in Egypt?
Sooth.
Would I had never come from thence, nor
you thither!
Ant.
If you can, your reason?
Sooth.
I see it in my motion, have it not in my
tongue: but yet hie you to Egypt again.
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 thy spirit which keeps thee, is
Noble, courageous, high, unmatchable,
Where Cæsar's is not; but near him thy angel
Becomes a fear, 11Q1119 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
-- 39 --
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.
J. Payne Collier [1842–1844], The works of William Shakespeare. The text formed from an entirely new collation of the old editions: with the various readings, notes, a life of the poet, and a history of the Early English stage. By J. Payne Collier, Esq. F.S.A. In eight volumes (Whittaker & Co. [etc.], London) [word count] [S10101].
