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Discredit my authority with yours;

And make the wars alike against my stomach,
Having alike your cause? Of this, my letters
Before did solisfy you. If you'll patch a quarrel,
As matter whole you have not to make it with,
inst not be with this.

Cet. You praise yourself

By having defects of judgment to me; but

patch'd up your excuses.

Ant. Not so, not so;

I toow you could not lack, I am certain on't ry necessity of this thought, that I,

1r partner in the cause 'gainst which he fought,

- t with grateful eyes attend those wars Wuch fronted mine own peace. As for my

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you had her spirit in such another :

Of what I was i'the morning; but, next day,
I told him of myself; which was as much
As to have ask'd him pardon: Let this fellow
Be nothing of our strife; if we contend,
Out of our question wipe him.

Ces. You have broken

The article of your oath; which you shall never
Have tongue to charge ine with.

Lep. Soft, Cesar.

Ant. No, Lepidus, let him speak :

The honour's sacred which he talks on now,
Supposing that I lack'd it: But on, Cesar;
The article of my oath,-

Ces. To lend me arms and aid, when I re-
quir'd them;

The which you both denied.
Ant. Neglected, rather;

And then, when poison'd hours had bound me up
From mine own knowledge. As nearly as I may,
I'll play the penitent to you: but mine honesty
Shall not make poor my greatness, nor my power
Work without it: Truth is, that Fulvia,

To have me out of Egypt, made wars liere;
For which myself, the ignorant motive, do
So far ask pardon, as befits nine honour
To stoop in such a case.

Lep. 'Tis nobly spoken.

Mec. If it might please you to enforce no
further

The griefs + between ye, to forget them quite,
Were to remember that the present need
Speaks to atone you.

Lep. Worthily spoke, Mecænas.

Eno. Or, if you borrow one another's love for the instant, you may, when you hear no more words of Pompey, return it again: you shall have time to wrangle in, when you have nothing

else to do.

Ant. Thou art a soldier only; speak no more. Eno. That truth should be silent, I had almost forgot.

Ant. You wrong this presence, therefore speak

no more.

Eno. Go to then; your considerate stone.
Ces. 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
What hoop should hold us staunch, from edge to
edge

O'the world I would pursue it.

Agr. Give me leave, Cesar,-
Ces. Speak, Agrippa.

Agr. Thou hast a sister by the mother's side,
Admir'd Octavia: great Mark Antony

Is now a widower.

Ces. Say not so, Agrippa;

If Cleopatra heard you, your reproof
Were well deserv'd of rashness.

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

Agr. To hold you in perpetual amity,
To make you brothers, and to knit your hearts

The turd 'the world is yours; which, with a with an unslipping knot, take Autony

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Yem may pace easy, but not such a wife.
F. "Would we had all such wives, that the
as might go to wars with the women!

Ast. So much incurable, her garboils, Cesar,
Max out of her impatience, (which not wanted
Suredass of policy too,) I grieving grant,
Iiswa too much disquiet: for that, you must
But say, I could not help it.

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Ocavia to his wife: whose beauty claims
No worse a husband than the best of men!
Whose virtue, and whose general graces, speak
That which noмe else can utter. By this mar-

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1 Opposed.

* Messenger.

Bridle.

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If I would say, Agrippa, be it so,

To make this good?

Ccs. The power of Cesar, and His power unto Octavia.

Ant. May I never

To this good purpose, that so fairly shows,
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!

Ces. There is my hand.

A sister 1 bequeath you, whom no brother
Did ever love so dearly: Let her live

And what they undid, did,

Agr. Oh, rare for Antony!

Eno. Her gentlewomen, like the Nereldes,
So many merinaids, 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,

To join our kingdoms and our hearts; and never Had gone to gaze on Cleopatra too,
Fly off our loves again!

Lep. Happily, amen!

Ant. I did not think to draw my sword 'gainst
Pompey,

For he hath laid strange courtesies, and great,
Of late upon me: I must thank him only,
Lest my remembrance suffer ill report:

At heel of that, defy him.

Lep. Time calls upon us:

Of us must Pompey presently be sought,
Or else he seeks out us.

Ant. And where lies he?

Ces. About the mount Misenum.
Ant. What's his strength

By land?

Ces. Great, and increasing: but by sca He is an absolute master.

Ant. So is the fame.

'Would we had spoke together! Haste we for it: Yet, ere we put ourselves in arms, despatch we The business we have talk'd of.

Ces. With most gladness;

And do invite you to my sister's view,

Whither straight I will lead you.

Ant. Let us, Lepidus,

Not lack your company.

Lep. Noble Antony,

Not sickness should detain me.

And made a gap in nature.

Agr. Rare Egyptian !

Eno. Upon her landing, Antony sent to her,
Invited her to supper: she replied,

It should be better he became her guest;
Which she entreated: Our courteous Antony,
Whom ne'er the word of No woman heard speak,
Being barber'd ten times o'er, goes to the feast;
Aud, for his ordinary, pays his heart,

For what his eyes eat only.

Agr. Royal wench!

She made great Cesar lay his sword to bed
He plough'd her, and she cropp'd.

Eno. I saw her once

Hop forty paces through the public street:
And baving lost her breath, she spoke, and panted,
That she did make defect, perfection,

And, breathless, power breathe forth.

Mec. Now Antony must leave her utterly.
Eno. Never; he will not;

Age cannot wither her, nor custom stale
Her infinite variety: Other women

Cloy th' 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's riggish. |

Mec. If beauty, wisdom, modesty, can settle

[Flourish. Exeunt CESAR, ANTONY, and The heart of Antony, Octavia is

LEPIDUS.

Mec. Welcome from Egypt, Sir.

Eno. Half the heart of Cesar, worthy Mecanas!-my hononrable friend, Agrippa!— Agr. Good Enobarbus !

Mec. We have cause to be glad that matters are so well digested. You staid well by it in Egypt.

Eno. Ay, Sir; we did sleep day out of countenance, and made the night light with drinkjug.

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 inuch more monstrous matter of feast, which worthily deserved noting.

Mcc. She's a most triumphant lady, if report be square to her.

Eno. When she first met Mark Antony, she pursed up his heart upon the river of Cydnus. Agr. There she appear'd 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

The winds were love-sick with them: the oars
were silver:

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 per-
son,

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-colour'd fans, whose wind did seem
To glow the delicate cheeks which they did cool,
Suits with her merits.

A blessed lottery to him,

Agr. Let us go.

Good Enobarbus, make yourself my guest,
Whilst you abide here.

Eno. Humbly, Sir, I thank you,

[Exeunt.

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Sooth. Cesar's.

Therefore, O Antony, stay not by his side:
Thy demon, that's thy spirit which keeps thee, is
Noble, courageous, high, unmatchable,
Where Cesar's is not; but, near him, thy angel
Becomes a fear, as being o'erpower'd: therefore
Make space enough between you.

Ast. 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 be shines by: I say again, thy spirit
Is all afraid to govern thee near him;
But, be away, 'tis noble.

Ast. 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, inheop'd, at odds. I will to Egypt:
And though I make this marriage for my peace,
Enter VENTIDIUS.

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

SCENE IV.-The same.-A Street. Enter LEPIDUS, MECENAS. and AGRIPPA. Lep. Tromble yourselves no urther: pray you,

basten

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

Cleo. Antony's dead ?

If thou say so, villain, thou kill'st thy mistress:
But well and free

If thou so yield him, there is gold, and bere
My bluest veins to kiss: a hand, that kings
Have lipp'd, and trembled kissing.

Mess. First, madam, he's well.

Cleo. Why, there's more gold. But, Sirrah,
mark: We use

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 thou
speak'st:

Yet, if thou say, Antony lives, is well,
Or friends with Cesar, or not captive to him,
I'll set thee in a shower of gold, and hail
Rich pearls upon thee.

Mess. Madam, he's well.
Cleo. Well said.

Mess. And friends with Cesar.
Cleo. Thou'rt an honest man.

Mess. Cesar and he are greater friends than

ever.

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Mess. For the best turn i'the bed.

Cleo. I am pale, Charmian.

[port:

Of as that trade in love.

Attend. The music, ho!

Enter MARDIAN.

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Mess. Madam, he's married to Octavia.

Cleo. The most infectious pestilence upon

thee!

[Strikes him down.

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 [hadst

thee,

And make thy fortunes proud; the blow thou
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.

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Mess. Nay, then I'll run :What mean you, madam? I have made no fault. [Exit. Char. Good madam, keep yourself within The man is innocent. [yourself; Cleo. Some innocents 'scape not the thunderbolt.

Melt 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.-Coine hither, Sir. Re-enter MESSENGER.

Though it be honest, it is never good

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

Mess. I have done my duty.

Cleo. Is he married?

I cannot hate thee worser than I do,

If thou again say, Yes.

Mess. He is married, madam.

And carry back to Sicily much tall⚫ youth That else must perish here.

Pom. To you all three,

The senators alone of this great world,
Chief factors for the gods,-I do not know,
Wherefore my father should revengers want,
Having a son and friends; since Julius Cesar,
Who at Philippi the good Brutus ghosted, +
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 Capitol; 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.

Ces. Take your time.

Ant. Thou canst not feart us, Pompey, with

thy sails,

We'll speak with thee at sea: at land thou know'st How much we do o'er-count thee.

Pom. At land, indeed,

Thou dost o'er-count me of my father's house :

Cleo. The gods confound thee! dost thou hold But, since the cuckoo builds not for himself,

there still?

Mess. Should I lie, madam?

Cleo. Oh! 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 you:

To punish me for what you make me do,
Seeins much unequal: He is married to Octavia.
Cleo. Oh! that his fault should make a knave
of thee,

That art not!-What? thou'rt sure of't?—Get thee hence:

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 MESSENGER. Char. Good your highness, patience.

Cleo. In praising Antony, I have disprais'd Cesar.

Char. Many times, madam.

Cleo. I am paid for't now.

Lead me from hence,

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

Remain in't as thou may'st.

Lep. Be pleas'd to tell us,

(For this is from the present, §) how you take The offers we have sent you.

Ces. There's the point.

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

Ces. And what may follow,

To try a larger fortune.

Pom. 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.

Ces. Ant. Lep. That's our offer.
Pom. Know then,

I came before you here, a man prepar'd
To take this offer: But Mark Antony
Put me to some impatience: Though I lose
The praise of it by telling, you must know,
When Cesar and your brothers were at blows,
Your mother came to Sicily, and did find
Her welcome friendly.

Ant. I have heard it, Pompey;
And am well studied for a liberal thanks,
Which I do owe you.

Pom. Let me have your hand :

I did not think, Sir, to have met you here.

Ant. The beds i'the east are soft; and thanks to you,

The colour of her hair :-bring me word quick-That call'd me, timelier than my purpose, hither;

ly.

[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.

For I have gain'd by it.

Ces. Since I saw you last, There is a change upon you.

Pom. Well, I know not

What counts | harsh fortune casts upon my face: Bring me word how tall she is.-Pity me, Char-But in my bosom shall she never come, mian,

But do not speak to me.-Lead me to my chamber.

[Exeunt.

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To make my heart her vassal.

Lep. Well met here.

Pom. I hope so, Lepidus.-Thus we are

agreed:

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Enc. At sea, I think.

Men. We have, Sir.

Eng. You have done well by water.
Men. And you by land.

Ess. I will praise any man that will praise me: though it cannot be denied what I have done by Lind.

Mea. Nor what I have done by water.

Esc. Yes, something you can deny for your own safety: you have been a great thief by sea. Men And you by land.

Eas. There I deny my land service. But give me your hud, Menas: If our eyes had authority, here they might take two thieves kissing.

Men. Ali men's faces are true, whatsoe'er their bands are.

En. But there is never a fair woman has a true face.

Mon. No slander; they steal hearts. Eno. We came hither to fight with you. Mon. For my part, I am sorry it is turned to a drinking. Pompey doth this day laugh away bu firine.

Exe. Lí be do, sure, be cannot weep it back

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Men. Pray you, Sir?

Ene. The true.

M.. Then is Cesar, and he, for ever knit Brether.

Emu. If I were bound to divine of this unity, I it out prophesy so.

Men, I think the policy of that purpose made * in the marriage, than the love of the pertars.

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SCENE VII.-On Board POMPEY'S Galley, lying near Misenum.

Music. Enter two or three SERVANTS with a Banquet.

1 Serv. Here they'll be, man: Some o'their plants are ill-rooted already, the least wind 'the world will blow them down.

2 Serv. Lepidus is high-coloured.

1 Serv. They have made him drink almsdrink.

2 Serv. As they pinch one another by the disposition, he cries out, no more; reconcites them to his entreaty, and himself to the drink.

1 Serv. But it raises the greater war between him and his discretion.

2 Serv. Why, this is to have a name in great men's fellowship; I had as lief have a reed that will do me no service, as a partizan ‡ I could not heave.

1 Serv. To be called into a huge sphere, and not to be seen to move in't, are the holes where eyes should be, which pitifully disaster the cheeks.

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Pom. Sit, and some wine.-A health to Lepidus.

Lep. I am not so well as I should be, but I'll ne'er out.

Eno. Not till you have slept; I fear me, you'll be in, till then.

Lep. Nay, certainly, I have heard the Ptolemies' pyramises are very goodly things; with out contradiction, I have heard that. Men. Pompey, a word.

[Aside.

Pom. Say in mine ear: What is't? Men. Forsake thy seat, I do beseech thee, [Aside.

captain,

And hear me speak a word.

Pom. Forbear me till anon.-
This wine for Lepidus.

Lep. What manner o'thing is your crocodile ? Aut. It is shaped, Sir, like itself; and it is as broad as it hath breadth: it is just so high as it is, and moves with its own organs: it lives by that which nourisheth it; and the elements once

Ene. I think so too. But you shall find the head that seems to tie their friendship toge-out of it, it transmigrates. they, will be the very strangler of their amity: Vitara is of a holy, cold, and still conver

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Lep. What colour is it of?
Ant. Of its own colour too.
Lep. 'Tis a strange serpent.

Ant. "Tis so. And the tears of it are wet.
Ces. Will this description satisfy him?
Ant. With the health that Pompey gives him,
else he is a very epicure.

Pom. [To MENAS aside.] Go, hang, Sir, hang Tell me of that? away!

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