ARKCODEX
Act II, Scene 3
1The same. Caesar’s house.
2Enter Antony, Caesar, Octavia between them, and Attendants.
3AntonyThe world and my great office will sometimes
Divide me from your bosom.
4OctaviaAll which time
Before the gods my knee shall bow my prayers
To them for you.
5AntonyGood 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.
6CaesarGood night. Exeunt Caesar and Octavia.
7Enter Soothsayer.
8AntonyNow, sirrah; you do wish yourself in Egypt?
9SoothsayerWould I had never come from thence, nor you
Thither!
10AntonyIf you can, your reason?
11SoothsayerI see it in
My motion, have it not in my tongue: but yet
Hie you to Egypt again.
12AntonySay to me,
Whose fortunes shall rise higher, Caesar’s or mine?
13SoothsayerCaesar’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
Becomes a fear, as being o’erpower’d: therefore
Make space enough between you.
14AntonySpeak this no more.
15SoothsayerTo 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.
16AntonyGet 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,
I’ the east my pleasure lies.
17Enter Ventidius.
18O, come, Ventidius,
You must to Parthia: your commission’s ready;
Follow me, and receive’t. Exeunt.